Josh was in the game for a lot, so he didn’t have any choice but to continue. There was no way he had that kind of money.

“You out, or we going another hand?” Caleb asked again.

“I’m still in.” Josh’s head dropped finally, the cards he shuffled in his hands taking the brunt of his fury.

“Well, I’m out for the night,” I said just as he was about to deal to me.

The moment of relief that crossed his features was short lived.

“Why don’t you show me around, beautiful?” I readjusted myself, not yet fully hard, and collected the few winnings I’d made. When I finally stood, taking Liv’s hand in mine, I looked to Josh with a smug grin. “Good luck.”

Josh flew up, knocking his chair backward. The loud crash stirred everyone’s attention. “You’re not going with him, Liv!”

“Seriously? Mind your business, Josh,” Liv replied, blowing him off.

She started walking away, her hand tightening around mine when Josh made a move to run around the table. Caleb already had No-Pants Girl off his lap and shot up, pushing Josh back.

“You’re gonna want to calm down,” Caleb suggested.

“I’m not going to let her get fucked by that pretty boy,” Josh roared.

I smirked, pulling Liv against me, my hand slipping from hers and encircling her waist.

“I believe your girl there has made other plans for the night, so unless you plan on folding, we have a game to continue.” Caleb took his seat, still holding his cards.

“What?” Josh’s hands flew to his wobbling head, stilling it. He released a breath, failing to regain his composure. “Yeah, I fold. I’m out, all right!?” He slapped the chips in the center of the table and pushed them toward Caleb. “Come on, Liv. Let me take you home.”

He moved toward her and she sighed, her shoulders falling. “How many times have I told you? I’m not interested. Go back to your game. I came by to have some fun, and that’s what I plan on doing.”

“And I’m not fun? You seemed to enjoy yourself just fine the other day.”

I released a heavy breath, not interested in watching a lovers’ quarrel. I looked over to Caleb, who was focused on calculating Josh’s loss.

Liv groaned. “I told you already: It’s not happening again.”

Completely over their little back and forth, I moved my arms from her waist and took her hand again. “There you have it, Josh. Now excuse us—I believe you have some debt to settle with Caleb, and I’d hate to leave this pretty little thing waiting any longer.”

Josh’s pitiful expression turned to worry when he looked to Caleb, who said, “It’s one hell of a number you’re owing here.”

“Come on, Caleb, we’re not in high school anymore. I’ll get you the money.”

I’d already started walking out the back door with Liv when I heard Caleb tell him, “I might have a compromise we could discuss.”

Chapter 7

Isolation

Darkness surrounded us the moment Liv and I stepped outside, the half-moon providing barely enough light to help my vision adjust. The moment the door slammed shut behind us, she was on me, fervent and rough—exactly how I liked it when I was out in nature.

I maneuvered my head to the side when her soft lips slid over my stubble, anxious to meet mine. She didn’t seem to mind the snub, moving her attention back down my jaw, her hands clawing under my shirt and up my back.

She clung to me as I skimmed my tongue over her neck, tasting the saltiness of her skin. No perfume. That was a change, and a welcomed one.

The door opened and another couple stumbled out, kissing wildly around their laughter, completely oblivious of their audience.

“Here,” I said, walking us farther away to the side where the quads were housed. A spotlight flickered on above, better illuminating the area.

The neighboring houses were all shielded by massive rows of dead trees and overgrown weeds. I gave little thought to someone walking up, though it wouldn’t be the first time.

Liv tugged my shirt up, her tongue flicking over my nipple as I inhaled the crisp, cool air. Caleb was right: Few things were as sweet. I found myself intrigued more with the atmosphere than the girl raking her nails up and down my stomach.

“You must work out…a lot.” She panted, her lips descending over my abs.

“Do you want to talk…” I slid my hands up the back of her thighs and over her prickled gooseflesh, caressing her ass. “…or do you want this?” My hand dipped inside her panties.

“That! I want that!” Her fingers curled into my shirt, her mouth sucking at my neck.

“Of course you do.” I tore myself from her grasp and moved behind her. “Bend over.”

She jolted up when I smacked her ass and, without further instruction, placed her hands on the seat of the nearest quad. She lifted her ass high, wiggling it.

I traced my thumb over my bottom lip, admiring her uninhibited arousal and fearlessness.

“Please,” she begged, peering back over her shoulder at me. Anticipation was the best part. I had no reason to rush, since I had the night free.

“Shhh,” I whispered.

My hand caressed up her spine until my fingers were curving around her neck. The other hand slithered under her dress, caressing her smooth stomach, then slid down the front of her damp panties.

My thumb brushed over her nub. The heat of her center warmed me, casting off the chill in the air. She inhaled a sharp, ragged breath when my fingers parted her lower lips and slid into her sweltering, moist channel. Her ass ground against my cock.

I slipped in a second finger, angling both digits just right to hit her sweet spot. I knew when I’d succeeded—not from the lurid scream that rushed from her lungs, but from memories of all the other women those fingers had pleasured.

“Like that,” I stated firmly, driving my fingers deep then pulling back to thrust in again.

Like a machine, I found myself getting her off while staring up at the clear night sky, savoring the moment and silence instead of another woman falling apart in my arms. There was no unnecessary commotion filtering in through my crowded head—only the hissing of the wind, the distant chirping of nature, and the heavy panting of the girl grinding against my hand.

A calmness settled over me, satisfying something deep inside. Aside from my time at the lake house, which I hadn’t visited since I’d taken Oliver when he turned one, I didn’t find myself out in nature much. My life was scheduled and strategic in every way, and vacations rarely fit in.

The longer I was out there, the more I missed the lake house and the peace I’d felt there. To my disappointment, that tranquility was interrupted by the creak of the back door, but I was too relaxed to care—so relaxed I wasn’t even hard.

The door closed, and immediate footsteps followed. But Liv was lost in her moment, and I wasn’t about to disappoint. I slid in a third finger, her tight ripples of flesh expanding around my fingers, and watched the dark figure approach. It wasn’t until he stepped into the lit area that I recognized Caleb.

I hadn’t expected him so soon. Josh had either ponied up or was making some desperate calls. Caleb’s eyes were on Liv, feasting on the view.

She continued fucking my hand until he stepped closer, the crack of a stick breaking through her fog, alerting her of his presence. Startled, she jerked forward on the seat, ripping my hand away as she struggled to readjust her dress.