Deception by B. C. Burgess Read Free Book Online Page B

check on our family before finding food.”
    “What about coffee?”
    “I’d never make you wait that long for coffee. I'll get you a cup before I go.”
    “My hero,” she sighed.
    “My angel,” he returned, sliding his hands to her butt. “My extremely sexy angel. It turns me on to see you in my t-shirt.”
    She leaned back and looked at the shirt swallowing her. “When did you put this on me?”
    “After I finished healing you.”
    “Oh.” She smiled at him. “I like it, too.”
    “Come here,” he said, pulling her into a hug.
    She happily tucked in, listening to his heart while he played with her hair.
    “Your coffee's ready,” he eventually whispered.
    “I would give it up for you,” she offered.
    He hugged her tightly then let go. “You’re as sweet as your coffee, but I’d never make you give up what you love.”
    She smiled and kissed his chest, then worked her way off their magical hill. When her feet found soft grass, she giggled and wiggled her toes. “You're something else,” she mumbled, shaking her head as she walked to the bathroom.
    Upon her return, she nearly trampled through a garden of pink and white rain lilies he’d summoned while she was away. “Pretty,” she approved, skirting the flowers.
    Quin stood nearby with a steaming cup of coffee, so she reached out with both hands, taking the mug in one and his heart in the other. “Thank you.”
    “You're welcome. Do you care what I bring you to wear?”
    “Not really.”
    “Then I'll bring you another one of my shirts.”
    She sipped then grinned at him. “I'll wear your shirt all day if that's what you want.”
    “It looks amazing on you, but I want you to be comfortable.”
    “I am comfortable.”
    “Would you be comfortable wearing it in front of the rest of the family?”
    “Oh,” she mumbled, blushing at her exposed legs.
    “That’s what I thought,” he laughed. “I’ll get a dress from your closet. Care which one?”
    “Hero’s choice,” she offered.
    “Excellent,” he approved. “Morrigan and Daleen are downstairs if you need anything. If I'm not back by the time you're done showering, you can throw on my shirt and go see them.”
    “You always beat me.”
    “I don't want to keep you waiting,” he explained, leaning in for a kiss. Then he headed for a door camouflaged in night sky.
    “Quin,” she called.
    “Yeah?” he replied.
    She smiled as she lifted the hem of her borrowed shirt. “I'll need underwear.”
    “Right,” he agreed, flashing deep dimples. “Be back soon.”
    Layla watched him go. Then she sat on the soft grass, drinking her coffee while gazing at the stars and smelling the lilies. Their creator was amazing. He was handsome and smooth, and he devoted his time to beautifying her world, to giving her snippets of peace from the pain and violence ravaging every other aspect of her life. And she drank his generosity in, submersing herself in his euphoric clouds every chance she got.
    Drifting her fingers across the soft petal of a pale-pink lily, she imagined what it would be like to have all of Quin, to be able to please him the way he'd pleased her . . . twice.
    Her stomach flipped as her cheeks ignited, pinching around a giddy grin. Then she chugged her coffee and forced herself from the magical room.

    Layla smirked when she stepped from the shower to find a folded pile of clothes on the vanity. Quin had outraced her again.
    Marveling at his speed, she grabbed a towel. Then she dried while examining the dress. The long, asymmetrical skirt and v-neck bust were emerald-green, but the empire waist was cinched with black lace that overlaid the bosom and formed the capped sleeves. The entire back was see-through lace, and the neckline would likely expose an ample amount of cleavage. Oh well. She’d given Quin clearance to pick her outfit, so she’d grin and wear it.
    She set the dress aside and picked up the underwear, which were like the panties he'd already seen her in – modest,