Briar Valley: The Complete Duet

29. Zach

CHAPTER 29

ZACH

LIE TO ME - THE DANGEROUS SUMMER

Weighed down by several packed bags of clothing, I groan in exhaustion. “Arianna doesn’t need any more dresses. The little monster has enough.”

Tucking her new bank card away, Willow grins at me. “You’re here to be the muscle, aren’t you? Why else would I bring you along?”

“Not much muscle to speak of,” Killian chips in.

“I’m the hottest member of the family, and we all know it. See this body? Pure muscle. Take that.”

“I reckon Killian could rival you in the muscle department.” Willow drops another bag on top of the pile in my arms. “You guys should wrestle and find out.”

“You’d enjoy that, wouldn’t you?” Killian laughs.

“Well, obviously.”

We exit the clothing store and return to the packed city streets. The day is drawing to a close, and we’ve stayed far longer than we intended to. Showing Willow around and watching her face light up has been fucking breathtaking.

She was so excited when we took her to a popular milkshake shop where you can choose any chocolate bar and have it made into a shake. I snapped a selfie of the three of us sipping away and pinged it over to Micah to make him jealous.

“Should we head back to the truck?” Willow looks longingly at the shops in the distance. “I need to get home for Arianna. We’ll have to come back another day to see the rest.”

Killian drops a kiss on her head. “Whatever you want, baby.”

“Micah texted. He’s got Arianna fed and happy.” I show her my phone and the photograph he sent. “She’s trying to sculpt a vase with him and trashing his clay.”

Willow winces. “He shouldn’t take her into the studio.”

“She loves it.”

“Trust me, it’s a high honour to be allowed in there,” Killian adds.

“I feel bad. She’s ruining his workspace.”

“He’ll cope. Don’t worry about him.”

Wading back through the crowds, we head through the main plaza, packed with popular restaurants and bustling bars. The office crowd is beginning to arrive for evening drinks and food, congesting the pavements with their smart businesswear.

Killian ploughs into an unsuspecting woman, and I swear Willow looks ready to slap-a-bitch when she bats her lashes and touches his bicep. I manoeuvre her in front of me and hold on tight so she can’t attack.

“Calm down, hot mama,” I instruct.

“Tell her to stop touching Killian and I will.”

Untangling himself from the over-friendly woman, Killian brushes her off and marches away as fast as his legs will allow. He looks less than impressed by the encounter and more concerned by Willow’s obvious annoyance.

“See? The city sucks,” he complains.

“Let’s get out of here before Killian’s head explodes.”

“Fine by me,” Willow mumbles.

Walking in tandem to survive the crush of people, we’re almost through the madness when a deep, booming voice calls out. Willow freezes on the spot, almost pulling me off balance in the process.

“Mrs Sanchez! Mrs Sanchez!”

“No,” Willow gasps in utter horror.

Every drop of colour has drained from her face, leaving her deathly pale and visibly shaken. She begins to tremble like electricity is burning through her, and the blossoming strength that’s steeled her spine vanishes before my eyes.

“My name,” she whines. “He knows me.”

“Who is it?” Killian demands.

“I don’t know. We have to run.”

“We can’t run. It’ll tip them off.”

Exchanging a lightning fast conversation with Killian, we attempt to hide Willow between us. Even if we could weave through the crowd, running isn’t a good idea if we want to avoid suspicion.

“No, no,” she panics.

“Easy, baby.” Killian holds her in a tight grip. “You’re okay.”

“We need to get out of here right now.”

“Just breathe. We’ve got you.”

Three broad-shouldered men duck through the crowd of people, blending into office workers with their expensive charcoal suits and unbuttoned shirt collars. The tallest steps closer, wearing a leering smile beneath slicked-back blonde hair and sharp grey eyes.

Willow holds my hand hard enough to grind bones. Even her posture has changed. The person I know isn’t here anymore, and I don’t recognise the woman standing next to me.

“Mrs Sanchez,” the man coos. “What a pleasant surprise. I thought it was you.”

She plasters on a strained smile. “Mason.”

“Pleasure to see you, my darling.”

Killian has to hold back a snarl as the slimy scumbag takes Willow’s hand and plants a kiss on her knuckles, his eyes shining with mirth. I’d love to rip his goddamn spine out.

“What on earth are you doing in England? Where is Dimitri?”

“He’s not with me at the moment,” Willow rushes to explain. “I’m here on holiday… visiting family. How have you been?”

Her voice is all wrong. Weak and obedient in an alien-like way. She’s sliding back into the shell of the battered creature we found in the mountains. Killian looks ready to publicly decapitate all three men.

“Busy as usual.” Mason flashes a shark-like smile. “I’m visiting England on business. I’ve invested in a property development nearby.”

“Here? In England?” Willow’s voice rises.

“There are lots of opportunities for growth. I’ll be spending a lot more time here.” His smile takes a dangerous edge. “When did I last see you? Was it that fundraiser last year?”

“Oh, I believe so.”

“And how is that beautiful daughter of yours?”

I warn Killian with my eyes, silently pleading with him to hold his cool. The mention of Arianna from this snake’s mouth has caused the vein in his neck to throb so hard, it looks ready to tear free from his skin.

“She’s fine,” Willow bites out.

“I’m glad. Listen, I’ve been meaning to book a meeting with your husband.”

“He’s working as usual,” she squeaks. “You know how… driven he is.”

“Of course. Please tell him to drop me an email. We’ll get something pencilled in.”

Willow sways on her feet. “Sure… will do. I should get back to my hotel. He’ll be waiting for me to call. Time zones, eh? It was nice seeing you.”

The creepy asshole frowns at how close me and Killian are to Willow. Just when I think he’s going to say something and earn himself an early death, one of his men calls his name.

“Coming,” he shouts back.

I take the opportunity to shove Willow behind me, even further away from him. With any luck, they’ll think we’re her security detail. I get the feeling her sleazebag ex could afford it and would want to keep his wife under lock and key.

He offers Willow a stomach-churning smile. “It’s been a pleasure, as always.”

“Likewise. Travel safe.”

“You too, Mrs Sanchez.”

The men disappear inside a fancy, over-priced bar catering to the snootier brand of lawyers and managers looking to drink their stress away. Mason makes sure to cast her a final look before vanishing from sight.

Willow sags between us the moment he disappears, almost falling flat on her face. Her legs knock together too hard to hold her upright without our arms around her.

“Who was that?” Killian quizzes.

“Move,” she whispers brokenly. “We need to get as far away from this city as possible. If he’s contacting Dimitri right now, my entire cover is blown.”

“Dimitri is your husband?” I guess.

Willow nods. “They’re business partners.”

“Fuck. We need to haul ass.”

Killian slings an arm around her waist and half-carries her into the crowd. We practically run through the plaza, ducking and weaving to avoid being seen. Suddenly, every pair of eyes on us feels like a threat.

“Go, go, go,” I urge him forwards.

“Keep up, Zach!”

By the time we reach the truck, sweating and panting hard, Willow is white as a sheet. I toss the bags into the back and throw the door open, boosting Willow inside as Killian fires the engine.

I’ve barely slid into the passenger seat before he slams his foot down and we take off. Lurching forwards, I slam the door shut.

“Hold on,” he warns.

“Shit, Kill. Don’t get us killed.”

“You wanted fast. Hold the fuck on.”

Cutting in front of a dawdling motorist, he manoeuvres through several tight turns, slicing into the traffic leading out of the city. Blaring car horns follow us and Killian undercuts several more cars to get ahead.

In the back of the truck, Willow is hunched over in a shaking ball. She whispers under her breath as she falls apart, head shaking from side to side like a puppet on a string.

“He’s going to find me.”

“Breathe, babe.”

“No… he knows where I am. We’re in danger.”

“We’re sixty miles from home,” I reason. “There’s no way that weirdo can link you back to Briar Valley.”

“Not safe… not safe,” she sobs. “I can’t go back. I won’t go back.”

“Get us somewhere private!” I snap at Killian.

“We need to get home.”

“She is going to pass out if she doesn’t breathe. Pull over.”

I slide my body through the gap and fall unceremoniously into the back seat next to Willow. She cowers away from me, and I have to drag her into my arms by force, clamping down on her forearms to hold her still.

“Get off me,” she screams.

“It’s me, babe. Zach. You’re safe with us.”

She thrashes and writhes like she’s trying to escape from an invisible attacker. I trap her against my chest and hold on with all my strength. We’re losing her fast. I’ve never seen her fall apart like this. It’s scaring me.

“Arianna,” she suddenly shouts. “We need to get her. She isn’t safe!”

“Willow, calm down. Arianna is fine. Briar Valley is the safest place for her.”

“No… not safe… nowhere’s safe.”

“You need to focus on your breathing.”

“I need to protect my daughter!”

Killian breaks every speed limit known to man to get us out of the city as fast as possible. Murmuring reassurances to Willow, I stroke her hair, counting under my breath so she can focus on her breathing.

After half an hour of hyperventilating, she finally crashes. Her body becomes a dead weight in my arms, two tear-logged eyes peering up at me through swollen slits.

“You okay?” I ask softly.

Willow shakes her head. “No.”

“Stay with me. We’re getting out of here.”

“What are the odds that I’d bump into that sicko?”

“What’s his deal? Is he dangerous?”

She physically shudders. “Mason is an investment banker, but he dabbles in property among… other things. That’s how he came to meet Mr Sanchez.”

“Other things?”

“Prostitution, mostly,” she says flatly. “His work often takes him to the States even though we lived in Mexico. I met Mason at a fundraiser a year or so ago.”

If Dimitri’s business partner is dabbling in shady shit like prostitution, Lord knows what the asshole ex himself is involved in. We’re in serious fucking trouble.

“Why were you at a fundraiser with Dimitri?” Killian snarls.

“Mr Sanchez had to maintain appearances for his public campaigns,” she emphasises. “He’s too well known to keep me a secret. I was expected to play the doting wife.”

Killian’s white knuckles damn near break the steering wheel. He’s struggling to keep his temper in check. I’m surprised we got out of that mess without him killing someone.

Willow begins to rock, tears still soaking her cheeks. I don’t try to touch her again until we’ve pulled off the main road. Killian parks in an abandoned car park, surrounded by a thick camouflage of trees to hide us from sight.

“Who is he, Willow?” he near-shouts.

“I told you?—”

“Not that jumped up little shit back there. If he comes looking for us, I’ll break his fancy fucking legs and stick my rifle down his throat. I want to know who Dimitri is.”

“No, Kill. We’re not doing this now.”

“We’ve been patient, but I want the truth,” he orders.

“He’s a monster. I told you what he did to me.”

“You’ve drip-fed us crap for months now,” Killian growls at her. “This goes beyond domestic abuse. What scared you so badly you had to flee halfway across the world?”

“You promised to give me more time.”

“If that piece of shit back there is a threat to your safety, I need to know,” he seethes. “You are my priority, whether you like it or not. Why did you run?”

“I had to run because if I stayed there, I would be dead right now.” Willow glares through her tears. “If he killed me, Arianna would have been left alone in the world.”

“He threatened to kill you?” I spit out.

“Mr Sanchez didn’t give two shits about beating me close to death or making me watch as he brutalised a revolving door of women supplied by Mason and his associates.”

Killian punches the steering wheel. “Fuck!”

“He threatened to kill Arianna just to make me behave. All I cared about was protecting her and taking the beatings myself, but he was so unpredictable.”

“He hit the kid?” he utters.

Willow gulps hard. “Once or twice.”

Arianna is everything that’s good and pure in the world. What kind of twisted bastard lays a hand on a child? His daughter, no less. I had no idea things had gone that far.

“Just tell us what really happened, once and for all.” Killian’s voice is resigned. “Did he try to kill you the night you ran? Was that the final straw?”

Willow twists the ring around her finger. “He was angrier than usual about some business issue. I called him weak and pathetic. That’s when he pulled out the baseball bat.”

“Jesus,” I curse. “He used a bat?”

She nods. “I couldn’t move afterwards, and he held a gun to my head while he… he…”

“You don’t need to go on, babe.”

Willow draws in a ragged breath. “When it was all over, he told me that if I kept this up, he would kill Arianna. I knew then it was time to take the risk and run.”

“Your friend helped you?” Killian supplies.

“Pedro got us out and we ran as fast as we could, sticking to the plan.”

“Why didn’t you go to the police?” I interject.

“Because that wouldn’t stop him. He has friends who wouldn’t hesitate to silence me if I went public with this.”

“Bullshit!” I hiss back.

“Nobody is above the law,” Killian agrees stonily. “Let’s report this son of a bitch.”

“Seconded.”

“Stop, both of you!” Willow begins to hyperventilate again. “I can’t… I can’t…”

“Breathe, babe. Come on. Nice deep breaths.”

She frantically tries to suck in air that continues to escape her. Killian climbs out of the truck to clear his head, the door slamming shut behind him. I watch him shout into the sky and fist his long hair.

Willow peels her eyes open, staring at me with bone-deep terror. “Everything I’ve done has been to keep Arianna safe. I can’t risk her falling back into her father’s clutches.”

“You think we’d let that happen?”

“I think that if push came to shove, none of us would have a choice. In the eyes of the law, I’ve kidnapped Arianna and taken her from her father.”

Rage wraps around my throat. “That is such crap!”

“It’s how the system works. If we were caught, or if I stepped into the limelight to accuse him of anything, we’d be running the risk of her being taken away from me.”

Before I can argue against her shitty logic, the back door is wrenched open. Killian grabs hold of Willow and yanks her out. He quickly puts her back on her feet and I follow them outside.

“Goddammit, Willow,” he bellows.

“Don’t touch me like that!”

“I’m angry, for fuck’s sake.”

She shoves him away. “Do that again and I’ll be breaking your wrist instead.”

“Every time we’ve tried to get close, you’ve been protecting this scumbag, after he spent the last decade beating the hell out of you and threatening his own fucking daughter.”

“I was protecting Arianna, not him.”

“That makes no damn sense.”

Reaching out with a trembling hand, Willow cups his cheek, despite the fire and brimstone burning in his eyes. I wouldn’t get within a metre of Killian when he’s like this, but she has no fear. He isn’t the monster she’s running from.

“Arianna is my whole life. I can’t risk anything ever happening to her. I’m her mother, and it’s my job to protect her, no matter what. That’s why I ran and kept these secrets.”

“And what about us?” he yells.

“If Mr Sanchez comes looking for me and Arianna, he’ll take down anyone who stands in his way. I can’t run the risk of that happening because… because…”

“Because?”

“Because I love you, alright?” She loses her patience. “All three of you. I’d do anything to keep you safe, even if it means tearing myself apart every time I lie and pretend like I don’t love you all to death.”

We both freeze.

Killian blinks, silenced.

“You’ve belonged to us since the moment we met.” He licks his lips. “You don’t need to lie to us anymore. Let us help. Let us keep you safe. You’re our family.”

The terror begins to clear from her face, replaced by something else. Her entire posture changes—softening, leaning towards his embrace, needing to be held.

“I’ve never had anyone to rely on.”

“That ends now,” he says firmly.

Killian captures her lips in a passionate kiss, and I step forwards to trap her from behind. Securing my lips to her neck, I suckle on the soft skin, leaving a satisfying purple mark. Just feeling her in my arms gives me the relief I need.

Breaking their kiss, Willow turns her head slightly to the side so her lips can seek mine out next. I grip her jaw and kiss her back, frantic and hungry, needing answers to all the chaos threatening to tear us apart.

But I don’t need answers. Not really. I don’t need anything but her presence in my life. She makes our broken family whole again in ways I never thought were possible.

“Zach,” she moans.

“I know, baby. I’m here.”

“I was so fucking scared.”

“Shhh.” I peck her plump lips. “He will never hurt you again.”

Killian runs his hands down her body to grip her hips. She tugs at my t-shirt, kissing me so hard, it feels like she’s bruising her love into my skin. We’re connected in a breathless tangle, our bodies entwined and writhing.

“We’re next to a main road,” she gasps.

Killian’s teeth tug on her earlobe. “No one can see us.”

“What if someone comes?”

“You’ll be the only one coming,” I grunt back.

Gaze burning with defiant fire, Willow grabs my belt and undoes it, sliding her hand into my jeans to palm my erection. I buck against her, desperate to feel her heat hugging my cock.

At the same time, Killian’s hands sneak underneath the hem of her cute blue sundress. He crouches down to peel the panties down her thighs, tucking them into his jeans pocket for safekeeping.

His hand moves under her dress, circling around her front. She moans, still facing me with her hand wrapped around my length. I can see his hand dipping between her legs.

“Is she wet?” I ask him.

Killian nods. “Fucking soaked.”

“She always is.” I snicker. “We barely have to touch her.”

Willow bites down on her lip. “I… can’t help it.”

Pushing my jeans and boxers down to my ankles, she bends over, pushing her naked ass against Killian’s crotch. I almost swallow my tongue when her mouth bobs on the head of my cock. The open air around us intensifies the sweet torture.

We’re in the middle of nowhere, but the road behind the trees hiding our tryst still roars with traffic. At any moment, someone could appear, but it doesn’t stop Willow from taking me deep into her throat.

I’m trapped between the truck and her enthusiastic sucking, one hand moving beneath my cock to take a handful of my balls. When she gently squeezes, I almost blow my load. Her confidence is so hot right now.

“Goddammit, Willow.”

Licking a bead of moisture from the tip of my dick, she takes it back into her mouth. I grab a handful of her loose curls, pushing into her mouth as her lips tighten around my shaft. She feels fucking heavenly.

Behind her, Killian lifts her dress up to her waist, exposing the bareness of her cunt to the summer air. Willow groans around my shaft as he slips a hand between her legs again.

“You want me to fuck you while my cousin watches, angel?”

Willow hums around a mouthful of my cock. He pushes a second finger into her slit, rubbing the heel of his palm against her clit. She pushes back into him, causing her teeth to lightly graze my shaft.

I tighten my grip on her hair. “Fuck, babe.”

Killian works her into a frenzy, forcing her to ride his hand while she tortures me with her tongue and teeth. He stops right before she can finish, and a low growl of annoyance emanates from her throat.

“You got a rubber?” he asks me.

“There are some in my wallet.”

Avoiding Willow’s bobbing head, he reaches into the pocket of my lowered jeans to grab my wallet. Killian straightens, unbuckling his belt to free his own dick. He rolls the condom over his length while Willow stares up at me with excited eyes.

Seeing her looking at me like that—her mouth full of my dick while her inner-thighs shine with juices—is indescribable. It’s her trust in us that’s the biggest turn on. Her willingness to be vulnerable and offer a part of herself that others have abused.

Releasing her mouth from my cock, she lets Killian drag her ass up high with a tight grip on her hips, so she’s folded in the perfect doggy position. Her dress is so bunched up, I can see her perfect tits begging to spill from the neckline.

“Eyes on Zach, baby,” he instructs. “Don’t you dare look away.”

I lean back against the truck, fisting my dick. “I’ll make sure she doesn’t.”

He plants his feet, ready to surge inside of her. The pleasured moan Willow releases as Killian pushes into her pussy is like a siren’s call. I watch them, a hand wrapped around myself. She’s bent over and gasping with each rough thrust.

I never thought I’d be into sharing a woman. I’ve slept with my fair share of them, but this is so much more than the meaningless one-night stands that have defined my sex life. I never wanted to be committed or cared about making someone happy then.

Willow’s different.

She’s it for me.

The beginning and the end. I live and die with every breath swirling in her lungs. My life starts right here with her and the gift she’s given us. I’ll sacrifice everything to protect the family we’ve forged against all odds.

“Kill,” she gasps.

“You’re so tight, baby. I can feel your walls clenched around my cock.”

When her eyes dare to dip, I reach out to grip her chin. Her head is forced back up, and her gaze returns to my face. Willow cries out when I grab her bouncing tit next and squeeze in punishment.

“Eyes up.”

“I’m sorry, Zach.”

“Do it again and Killian won’t let you come. Isn’t that right, cuz?”

“Damn fucking straight,” he rasps.

She’s enjoying being watched, I can tell. It’s a thrill, knowing I’m standing here while my cousin fucks her tight pussy. The risk of getting caught makes this even hotter. I’m struggling not to bring myself to the edge.

Gripping her hips, Killian begins to move quicker, his teeth gritted from exertion. Fast and frenzied, he doesn’t draw their collision out for the sake of it. This is about survival.

We’re dragging Willow out of her own personal darkness, kicking and screaming the whole time. She isn’t allowed to give up. We’re the only ones permitted to bruise and break her heart before putting it back together again.

“Come for me,” Killian orders. “Show Zach how much you love my cock inside you.”

Her knees almost crumple as she succumbs to her orgasm. Stroking deep into her, Killian’s grip on her hips must be bruising. He’s fucking her with an almost animal-like sense of possession, ensuring the entire world can see and hear that she belongs to him.

“Fuck!” he shouts through his release.

I move aside, letting the pair slump against the truck, both gasping for air as they finish together in unison. I’m still stroking my erection, desperate to slide into the warm prison of Willow’s cunt. It’s killing me to stand here.

“Can you hear that?” she exclaims.

At that exact second, there’s a crunch of tires on gravel, bisecting the narrow road that winds into our hiding spot in the trees.

“Someone’s coming,” I shout.

“Ah, hell,” Killian hisses.

Pulling out of her, he quickly discards the condom and yanks his clothing back into place. Willow’s dress is shoved back down to cover her nakedness and Killian throws open the passenger door for her to jump inside.

I climb into the back before I’m caught with my literal dick in my hand. It wouldn’t be the first time, but I’d like to avoid a complete stranger seeing my bare ass. Killian hops in the front seat to gun the engine.

We peel back onto the road in record time. Killian is breathing hard as he fastens his belt with one hand, the other holding the steering wheel tight. We pass the other car on the way out, but keep our gazes averted.

“That was close,” Killian breathes. “Jesus Christ.”

Willow grabs my arm. “Zach.”

“Yeah?”

Her eyes are pleading. “I still need you. Please.”

“Right now?”

“Yes, now,” she snaps impatiently.

Willow shimmies through the gap in the seats and throws herself into the back of the truck, landing next to me. Her dress is riding high on her thighs, flashing a glimpse of her bare pussy. It’s all I need to get on board.

“Come here, beautiful.”

I pull her into my lap, a bare leg on either side of my waist. All I can think about is pushing inside her slit. It’s like a red haze of need has descended over me.

Behind the wheel, Killian’s watching us while attempting to suppress laughter. Willow balances her hands on my shoulders, her teeth grazing along my jawline.

“I want to ride your cock,” she murmurs.

“Take it. I’m all yours.”

Tugging my length back out of my boxers, I fist the base, holding myself ready for her. She sinks down on my length and throws her head back. Her pussy is already so wet from her first orgasm.

“Dammit, Willow.” I cup the swell of her breast through her dress, rubbing a thumb over her protruding nipple. “We should not be doing this in a moving car.”

“Shut up, Zach. I’m in charge here.”

Working herself up and down on my lap, her eyes are almost shut. I’m happy to let her take control and explore what makes her feel good. It’s incredible to see her finding her own pleasure.

“That’s it, babe.”

“No talking, Zachariah.”

She follows up her order with a passionate kiss that silences my talking. Her teeth nip at my lips, angry and demanding. All I can do is hold on tight to her waist and let her tits bounce in my face while she rides me.

Moving my hands to her ass, I knead the rounded cheeks, encouraging her thrusts to lengthen. She takes my full length inside with each movement, pushing it deep into her pussy and moaning in gratification.

Killian drives as slow as he can, keeping the bumpy ride back into the mountains to a minimum. The closer we get to home, the more frenetic Willow becomes. She moves faster, harder, driving herself to the edge with sheer will alone.

“Are you close?” she whispers.

“Yeah. You feel so good, babe.”

Her grin is infectious. “I’ve wanted to do this for a while.”

“Get laid in a car?”

“Maybe,” she admits.

Cupping her cheek, I stroke my thumb over her lips. “What else do you want to do? I’d very much like to fulfil all of your dirtiest fantasies.”

“I want to play with you and Micah together.”

She captures my wrist and moves my hand to her neck, encouraging me to choke her. I’m not one to deny a woman. I clasp her throat, digging my nails in and savouring the stuttering of her breath.

“That could be arranged,” I purr.

“I want you both inside me at the same time.”

“Such a filthy little whore, aren’t you? So desperate to fuck two twins.”

Pupils blown wide, she doesn’t even look remorseful. It isn’t the first time a woman’s requested this—we used to get very similar propositions when we were younger, drinking in Highbridge, before Micah retreated into himself.

It never happened.

I’d be very willing to try though.

Her moves grow ragged, and I know she’s close to falling apart on top of me. Lifting my hips, I meet her stroke for stroke, until her gorgeous voice is crying out for relief. With her pussy clenching around me, I can’t hold on.

My release washes through me in a piping hot haze. The sight of her crying out in bliss finishes me off. Still clasping her throat, I slam our mouths back together, swallowing the syllables of her climax that spill free.

She lumps against my chest in a boneless puddle. I bury my face in her hair, breathing in the familiarity of her scent, curled around the strands of her black hair. What I wouldn’t give to stay in this moment forever.

“You alright?” I murmur.

“I am now.”

It takes several minutes for her to find the energy to slide off me. She yanks her dress down to cover her lack of panties and wriggles off my lap to sit next to me.

With our desperate fuck-fest over, Killian lays back on the accelerator. The truck lurches forwards, sending us hurtling past fields of corn cast in rays of brilliant sunshine. He gives us both an amused look in the mirror.

“You know, I was hoping to christen that back seat myself.”

I snort. “Too late.”

Willow covers her face. “I have no idea what came over me.”

Killian’s eyes refocus on the road. “Neither of us are complaining. Who’s ready for round two when we get home?”