Page 74 of Late to Love

All three of them stare at me, and I glare back. “Fine.”

“Yes!” Ox pumps a fist. “I knew you’d come around.”

“I’ll remind you that I offered to have it here,” I fire back. “But you said this place wasn’t good enough.”

“What is your problem?” Levi asks, his characteristic frown back in place as he steps closer.

“Hi!” Darcy appears at the end of the bar, her bright smile immediately putting an end to the tension. She walks around and nears us, still grinning and holding out a hand. “I’m Darcy. You must be Levi. No mistaking Ox’s twin brother.”

I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing at Levi’s stunned expression. He blinks, once, twice, three times, then seems to pull himself together.

“Um, hi.”

Charlotte snorts and moves him out of the way, shaking Darcy’s hand as she does. “I’m Charlotte. That immobile hunk of granite is indeed Levi.”

Darcy’s smile is so fucking bright my heart physically hurts. Goddamn, I love her.

“Darcy is my—” I start, but then I stare at her, lost. What do you call the woman you’re totally and thoroughly head over heels for?

“I’m his,” she says with a grin. “And he’s mine.”

Ox squeals. “It’s official?” He clutches his chest. “Ugh.Finally! I’m so happy right now.”

I shake my head, unable to contain the laughter that bubbles up from my throat.

“Holy fuck,” Levi breathes. “He just laughed.” He looks at his wife, then Ox, then at Darcy before swinging back to me. “Did you—youlaughed.”

I do it again, then gesture for everyone to have a seat. “Guess it’s a night of firsts, then.”

“Sit by me,” Charlotte commands Darcy. “I already like you, and I need to know way more about you.”

Darcy’s cheeks go rosy. “I’m in the middle of things with my team, but I’ll swing back when I’m through. You’re welcome to come hang with us if you don’t want to deal with all this.” She waves her hands in our direction.

“Done. And you three? Behave.” Charlotte pivots on her heel and follows Darcy, leaving the three of us and Aaron staring at each other.

“This should be good,” Aaron says, toasting us and leaning back on the stool.

“Lay it on me,” I sigh. “What do we need to do?”

Ox brandishes his phone. “I have a list.”

Chapter27

Darcy

THE CELEBRATION FOR Anthony’s parents is today. And for as wonderful as the rest of our lives currently are, my man has been nothing but stressed about this. The last couple of days he’s slept terribly, tossing and turning.

But right now, he’s asleep, one inked arm thrown over his head, breaths coming deep and easy from his bare chest, and he’s at peace. No trace of the stress that’ll immediately fall upon him as soon as he wakes.

Sunlight streams in through the butter-yellow curtains and bathes the room in a warm light. I deliberately picked the color to emphasize the morning sun since the windows face east, and I haven’t regretted it once in all the mornings I’ve woken up here.

Sliding the covers down, I treat myself to the vision that is his impressive, and delightfully naked, form. Hard lines and tight, corded muscles that speak of years of hard work and physical labor, plus the work he’s done to hone his body with weights. And speaking of weighty, his morning erection is something to behold. I’m not sure I’ll ever get over the way this specimen of a man wants me, but hey, I’m good with it.

I settle between his legs, aware he’s woken up because of the way his breathing’s changed, but he keeps still, his eyes staying closed, as I lean forward to press my nose against his abdomen. God, he smells so good. Like sleep and fabric softener, along with that signature Anthony scent. It makes me wet. Pressing my legs together, I leave his stomach and turn to his cock, slowly licking up the shaft. The moan that rumbles out of him is low and delicious, his length growing even more in response to my attention.

“Darcy.” His voice is soft.

I hum and continue my work, wanting nothing more than to bring this man to orgasm and send him into the day on a high note. His hands thread through my hair, pulling it to the side and giving him a clear view of me. Our eyes meet as I swirl my tongue down and around his erection, and his darken.

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