Standing in a cubicle at the shooting range, Liam’s chest presses to my back, his arms coming around to my front and holding my hands.
“Lock your elbows in,” he murmurs near my ear, and of course, my mind goes straight to the gutter instead of focusing on the task at hand.
“When you pull the trigger, the recoil’s going to hit and push you back. Don’t get a fright.”
With my man at my back, I train the barrel on the target.
“Squeeze the trigger.” His breath fans over my ear, sending goosebumps scattering over my skin.
So hard to focus right now.
I pull the trigger, and a force has me slamming into Liam. His hands grip my hips to help me steady myself.
“You make it look so easy,” I grumble. “I didn’t even hit the target.”
“Don’t worry about the target. First, get used to the power of the gun. You have to think of it as an extension of your arm.” His hold on my hips tightens. “Again.”
This time, I brace myself, and pulling the trigger, I don’t bump into Liam but manage to hold my ground.
“Again.”
I keep firing until my hands are tingling from the vibration of each shot.
“Reload the clip,” Liam orders.
I let the empty one slide out and shove a new clip in. When I take aim, Liam’s hand trails down my butt, slipping between my legs. He starts to stroke the skin where my shorts end.
“I’m trying to concentrate,” I mutter.
“Fire the gun, baby.”
I pull the trigger as he starts rubbing me. “I’m going to kill someone by accident if you keep doing that.”
“You won’t. Just keep firing.” His voice is low and tempting as hell.
I line up the barrel again, then Liam unbuttons my shorts and shoves his hand down the front.
Oh, God. I’m really going to kill someone.
His fingers massage the hell out of me. “Shoot, Kiara.”
I pull the trigger as he pushes a finger inside me.
“People are going to see,” I moan.
“I don’t give a shit. Just focus on shooting.”
“While you’re fingering me?” Oh, God. “Are you insane?”
“If I want you coming on my hand, you’ll fucking come on my hand.” He pinches my clit, making me almost cry out. “Don’t you dare cry out. Pull the fucking trigger.”
I fire at the target, my breaths speeding up as he works my clit into a frenzy of pleasure. “Liam,” I whimper.
He rubs his cock against my lower back. “Feel how fucking hard you make me. Seeing you handle my gun is like watching you suck my cock. A fucking turn-on. Shoot, baby.”
I fire another shot, then my body curls forward as I come apart on his fingers.
When the last pleasure spasms through me, reality returns full force. I glance around to check if anyone saw and let out a relieved sigh when I don’t find some person gawking at us.
Liam pulls his hand out of my shorts, and bringing his finger to my mouth, he orders, “Open.” My lips part, and he pushes his finger inside. “Suck, baby.”
Sweet Jesus.
My tongue swirls around his finger as I taste my arousal.
“So fucking good,” his voice rumbles in my ear. Pulling his finger out, he orders, “Fire the gun.”
After my shooting slash orgasming lesson, I head to Navy Pier to meet Mom.
We said we’d meet by the Ferris wheel, so I stop nearby and glance up at Declan. We’ve been avoiding the subject of what happened at the warehouse, and it’s really starting to bother me.
“Thank you for keeping me safe.”
Declan glances down at me, then nods. He takes a deep breath, his eyes scanning over all the people. “You can’t fight me when I’m tryin’ to keep you alive. You get that, right?”
I nod. “But you can’t blame me for not wanting to leave Liam.”
“I get that.”
“So, what do we do when that happens again?”
Declan shakes his head. “You’re my priority, Kiara. I’ll fuckin’ throw you over my shoulder again.”
“You’re like an overprotective brother. Never had one of those.”
The corner of his mouth lifts. “Pain in the ass, little sister. Always wanted one.”
We’re both smiling like idiots when Mom walks toward us with Rowan, Ian, Caleb, and Hudson, practically surrounding her.
Rowan sticks to Mom’s side, where the others fall back.
“Hey, sweetie,” Mom smiles.
We hug each other, and I take a deep breath of her familiar scent. “Hi, Mom.”
When we pull back, she looks at my shorts. “It’s a bit chilly today. Aren’t you cold?”
“You’re cold?” Rowan asks her, already starting to remove his jacket. Before Mom can answer, he places it over her shoulders.
She gives him a grateful look. “Such a caring boy.” Turning her attention back to me, she says, “Let’s get some coffee.”
After we have our beverages, we find a spot where we can stare at the lake. “How are things? Are you still moving in with Liam?”
Nodding, I twirl the ring on my finger. “I have something to tell you.”
“Oh no, did something happen?”
I’m so not telling her about the video and attack. “I love Liam, Mom.”
Her eyebrows dart up. “But you haven’t even known the man for that long.”
I shrug. “I love him.” Letting out a slow breath, I continue, “He’s everything I ever wanted and more. He makes me unbelievably happy.”
Mom tilts her head, her eyes searching for the truth in my words. “That’s all I want, sweetie. If you’re happy, I’m happy.”
A smile stretches over my face. “Sooo.” Lifting my hand, I let her see the ring. “He proposed, and I said yes.”
“Sweet Jesus,” she gasps, covering her mouth with a hand. With wide eyes, she stares at the diamond on my finger, then she looks at me. “Are you sure this is what you want? Are you ready for such a big commitment?”
“I am,” I reply with certainty. “I want to spend the rest of my life with Liam.”
“But, sweetie. It’s all happening so quick.”
I understand why Mom’s worried, so I explain, “I know it’s quick. At first, I had my reservations, but, Mom, I’ve found a man who would move heaven and earth to keep me safe, to love me, to make me happy.” I glance out over the lake, then shake my head. “It’s like he’s always been a part of me. It feels like I’ve known him my entire life. Like I’m finally home.”
Emotion washes over Mom’s face, then she reaches for me. As we hug, she murmurs, “I’m happy you’ve found your soulmate.”
“Thank you, Mom.”
With the news out of the way, we spend an hour snacking on food from nearby stands while Mom tells me how her guards have practically adopted her as their second mother.
When Mom and her boys leave, Declan shoves the last of his hotdog into his mouth. His phone starts ringing, and digging the device out, he answers around a full mouth, “Declan.” I glance to where Waylon, Ezra, and Ryan are waiting. “I’ll do that… Okay.”
Tucking the device back into his pocket, Declan takes hold of my arm. “Let’s go home so I can kick your ass in poker.”
“You wish,” I laugh.
