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DEKE

I deserve Kelsey’s words, all of them. Since the moment I picked her up, I’ve been a bastard. Not that it should come as a surprise. That’s on me completely, just like it is to salvage this weekend before it goes to shit, and I have even more people pissed at me.

“Yeah, that’s not going to happen even if you are happy to see me.

” I’d laugh if I didn’t think she’d take it out on my balls.

I look down at her, even though Kels won’t look at me.

Her dark hair that she usually wears down in a slick waterfall is up in a low bun at the base of her neck, and her dark eyelashes are coated with mascara surrounding her light blue eyes.

Her dress ties around her neck, leaving all this smooth skin for my hand to glide down.

Except I don’t, managing to keep it pressed against her lower back, yet wanting to see just what she has on beneath this dress.

“I deserved that. What if we make a deal?” I dip my head until my mouth is at the shell of her ear. I feel her body shiver against mine. If we weren’t around my family, I’d slide my knee between her legs, pressing in until it was pushing against her core.

“I’m not sure making another deal with you is the right thing to do.

” She’s probably right about that. Going on this date-turned weekend since my parents want to spend time as a family—minus Leena and Decker; those two took off after their reception and will be gone for a while.

That doesn’t mean the rest of us get a free pass from the Sunday brunch.

It’s why I asked Kelsey to stay with me all weekend.

My condo here on the beach has sat vacant all this time, save for a cleaning service that comes in twice a month and my folks checking on it in case of anything happening.

That’s where we’re staying, though at the time, I told Kels it had separate bedrooms. I’m thinking that option is null and void now as long as I can make up for being an asshole.

“You’re probably right, but hear me out.

” The deep breath of air she takes causes her chest to rub against mine, making me feel what I’ve been dreaming about wrapping my lips around them, wondering if her nipples are brown- or cherry-colored.

I’d bet my left nut they’re cherry-tipped, just like her sensuous lips.

“We’ll see. I’m not making any promises when it comes to you and your plans.

” It’s time for me to turn this around. Besides, it was me who came up with the idea for this relationship to be fake.

Hearing non-stop from your mom it was time to find a good woman and to settle down can grate on a man.

Then, when your baby sister calls you, saying she’s met the man of her dreams and was married, there was no way I was coming home empty handed.

“I won’t be a dick the rest of this weekend.

We’ll talk, since we’re getting off easy with the attention being on Leena.

I’ll even apologize to you because I’ve been the biggest dick on earth.

” Kelsey doesn’t know just how I’d really like to say I’m sorry, licking her clit while spelling the words out with my tongue.

Fuck yeah, that’d be sweet, and we’d both get something out of it, her more than me.

“If your apology also comes in the form of beer and takeout?” I noticed Kels was nursing her glass of wine, the same one I grabbed for her when we first got here. Had I known she didn’t care for wine, I would have gotten her something else.

“You got it. Let’s go.” I start to pull her off the dance floor, but she’s holding firm in not moving.

“Deke, you can’t just leave. This has barely started. They haven’t even cut the cake.” Shit, not like it would be smart to walk in my condition either. That’s all I’d need my brothers to see, me walking off with a raging boner, pulling my date behind me.

“Son of a bitch, you’re right,” I admit. A blush creeps across her chest, spreading to her neck.

“Did you, Deacon Hart, just say those two words?” The only reason she’s here with me this weekend is because I helped her at a time no one else could.

It pissed me off something fierce when I walked out of the small diner and saw her cornered by what I now know is Kelsey’s ex.

It wasn’t a good situation, but instead of beating the dick’s ass, I slid my arm around her shoulder, pulled her into me before whispering into her ear to go with the flow.

She relaxed even though she didn’t know shit about me.

When it was all said and done, Kels thanked me, told me she owed me, and we exchanged numbers.

I didn’t think I’d have to cash in on that favor until I got that call from Leena.

“You probably won’t ever hear them again.

Come on, let’s say our goodbyes. I love my little sister, but I’m okay with not seeing her husband shove his tongue in her mouth.

” A wave of disgust works its way through my body, clearly visible because Kelsey is trying to hide her laughter in my dress shirt.

In another world, I could see myself with someone like the fiery woman in my arms, but that’s not happening.

The last time I gave a girl my heart, she shit all over it in the worst way possible.