Lucy’s body turned weak in Byron’s arms, his lips pressing hard against hers. He grew tense beneath her touch, his body rippling with raw energy. She had always had this power over him, but now he was insatiable, like an animal who had been unfed its entire life.
He pulled her top over her head, his mouth trailing down towards her breast, she gasped when his mouth perfectly fixed onto her nipple, sucking on it like he was desperate. Her fingers fumbled at his shirt, desperate to feel his skin against hers, she tugged hard, and then they heard it.
Barnaby, his voice rang out, sharp with excitement.
“They’re here! They’re all here!”
Lucy froze, still caught between breathless desire and the sudden weight of reality.
Byron pulled back, his jaw tight, his eyes dark.
“That boy…” he muttered, clearly not impressed
Whatever was burning between them would have to wait. The Oxley's had arrived.
The vans pulled onto the drive with the grace of a military procession.
Mary stepped out first, pausing on the gravel. She lifted her chin, breathing in. “It’s not clean,” she muttered, wrinkling her nose. “But it’s liveable.” Coming from the countryside, she was used tofresh air and silence. Even though they were not exactly close to the city, she could already taste the fumes.
Sam and Nick followed close behind.
“Barnaby!” Mary cried, spotting him sprinting across the courtyard.
“Mary!” he shouted back, practically throwing himself into her arms.
She scooped him up with ease, towering over him even though Barnaby wasn’t short. Her tall, slender frame almost swallowed him in her embrace. “My boy,” she whispered, smoothing his hair. “How have you been? Have they treated you well?”
He grinned. “Yes! And you’ve got to see inside. It’s amazing.”
The group followed him toward the grand entrance. Before they reached the door, it flew open.
Lucy burst out, just as excited as Barnaby. “Mary!” she squealed, racing forward. “Nick! Sam!”
She threw her arms around them, hugging all three at once. “I’ve missed you so much. I havesomuch to tell you.”
She led them inside with a wide smile. “Normally the staff would take your bags, but you will have to make do with Corey, Damien, and Byron. They are good for the heavy lifting.”
Right on cue, the three men appeared from different directions like the world’s most casual welcome committee.
Lucy laughed. “Just in time, I present The Three Musketeers.”
Corey stepped forward first. “Mary” he said with a nod before introducing the others “This is Damien,” then, with a smirk, he added, “And you should introduce Byron, Lucy. After all, he is your ... Boyfriend.”
Lucy’s cheeks flared hot. She stammered, searching for words, but Mary was already striding forward.
“So, you’re Byron,” she said, towering over his six-foot plus frame. “You can carry my bag and tell me about your intentions with our Lucy.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Byron replied quickly, placing her case onto his shoulder.
Before trailing slowly behind them Lucy Shot Corey a glance and a message only, he could hear,‘asshole.’Corey, cottoned on quickly and responded as a thought 'Dance Corey, was it?A wry giggle concluded his trail of thought. She stuck her middle finger up and then hurried after Mary and the others.
Byron set Mary’s bags by the bed. When he turned, she was already standing in front of him, arms folded, eyes sweeping over him in a slow, assessing pass.
“So,” she said in that soft, honeyed voice that somehow felt more dangerous than a shout, “you’re the one keeping Lucy awake at night.”
Lucy groaned. “Mary…”
Mary held up a hand without looking away from Byron. “Let me speak, sweetheart.”
