Road to Peace Read online

  “Thanks, Maisie, that’d be great.”

  “Will you lock up when you leave, please?”

  “Sure thing.”

  I headed out to my car and grinned as I made my way to my man. We’d done all the things we were supposed to do when starting a new sexual relationship (according to Hatch). He got tested and I went back on the Pill.

  Since I no longer had Alison to talk to, I was grateful he’d filled me in on the necessity that I demand a clean bill of health from my sexual partners. Pointing out the fact he was my only sexual partner, and I had no desire to look for another one, ever, had earned me a mind-blowing orgasm before we had the additional conversation about me going on the Pill so we didn’t have to use condoms. Secretly, I didn’t care if I got pregnant, but considering we’d been dating for just over a month, the responsible thing to do was… well, to be responsible.

  Pulling up to the shop, I climbed out of my car and walked into the small customer area. Hatch was at the front counter helping a young woman who looked like she might want to devour him. Seriously, the girl was virtually panting. I got it… Hatch is pant-worthy, but I immediately wanted to scratch her pretty green eyes out. I took a deep breath and reminded myself that this was his place of business and Hatch’s crazy hot body was mine. I had nothing to worry about.

  “You should be all set,” Hatch said, and handed over her keys.

  “Thanks.” She twirled her hair. “What was your name?”

  “Hatch.”

  “Thanks, Hatch. That’s my cell, you know, if you ever want to grab a drink.”

  My mouth dropped open and I stepped forward. I will cut a bitch!

  Hatch grinned. “Sorry babe, I’m very, very taken.”

  “You sure?”

  “Yes, he’s sure,” I snapped.

  The woman turned, obviously surprised someone else was even in her space. “I take it he’s taken by you?”

  “Indeed,” I said smugly as I closed the distance between myself and my man. My hot man. Hatch settled his hand on my lower back. See whore? My man!

  She did a full body scan of Hatch. “Lucky.”

  “Very much so,” I breathed out.

  “Well, should anything change... ”

  “Are you for real? Walk away,” I hissed, and Hatch hooked his arm around my waist as I lunged for her.

  The woman quickened her step and headed to her car.

  “Bitch-whore!”

  Hatch chuckled turning me to face him. “Someone’s feisty.”

  “How often does that happen?”

  “Not goin’ there, Sunshine,” he said.

  I growled. “The audacity!”

  “Hey.”

  “What?”

  Hatch’s eyes softened and he smiled. “Hey.”

  I sighed, melting against him. “Hey.”

  “There’s my girl. How was your day?”

  “Other than the obvious, not bad.” I looped my arms around his neck. “How about yours?”

  “Good now.”

  I grinned and he lowered his mouth to mine. Breaking the kiss, he pulled away and headed toward the shop. “Gotta wash up. Come meet Cullen.”

  I followed him into the back and a tall, gorgeous, dark-haired man peeked out from under the hood of an electric blue car. Don’t ask me the make or model, I have no idea, but it was a pretty color. Cullen looked like Hatch, but with much shorter hair and clean-shaven. He also smiled immediately.

  “Cull, this is Maisie,” Hatch said, and walked to the sink.

  “Hey, Maisie,” Cullen said. “I’d shake your hand, but I’m covered in oil.”

  “No worries. It’s lovely to meet you.”

  Cullen glanced over his shoulder then stepped closer to me. “Whatever you’re doing, keep doing it. He’s really happy. We all appreciate it.”

  I blushed. “It goes both ways, Cullen, but thanks for saying that.”

  Hatch walked back our way and slid his arm around my waist. “You comin’ tomorrow night?”

  Cullen nodded. “Yeah, I think we all are.”

  “Cool. We’re headin’ out. Bill’s not expectin’ his car till next week, so if you want to close up for the night, feel free.”

  “Okay, brother.” Cullen smiled. “I think I’ll do that.”

  “See you tomorrow.”

  “It was nice to meet you,” I said.

  “You too, Maisie.” Cullen shut the hood on the car and went about closing the big bay doors while Hatch grabbed his stuff.

  “I’ll drive, Sunshine,” Hatch said.

  “You don’t have your truck?”

  “Cullen will take it home.”

  “Why?” I felt heat infuse my face. “Does he know what we’re doing?”

  Hatch laughed. “No, but damn you’re cute right now, so maybe I should tell him.”

  I grabbed his arm. “Don’t you dare.”

  He kissed me as he backed me out to my car. “Need to get you naked, Sunshine, so hand me your keys.”

  I did so immediately and we headed to this compound he spoke of.

  We pulled into the parking lot of Big Ernie’s and I was a little taken aback. I’m not sure why, really. I suppose when Hatch said “compound,” I was expecting an impenetrable building like a castle with a moat, or a fortress of concrete or something.

  He parked the car and we headed inside. The place was eerily quiet and we didn’t see another soul as he led me up a back stairwell and down a hallway to a door near a window to the outside. Unlocking the door, he pushed it open and stood back so I could precede him in, flipping the light on behind me.

  Before I could take in the room, my purse was removed from my hand, and I was turned to face him. “You’re gorgeous, you know that?” he said.

  I grinned, tugging at his cut. “Why, sir, are you just saying that to get into my panties?”

  “Yup.” He threw off his cut and pulled off his shirt. “Is it working?”

  “Why yes, yes it is.” Licking my lips, I ran my fingers between his pecs. He reached for me, but I shook my head as I unbuttoned my blouse. “You don’t get to touch.”

  “Come again?”

  “Oh, you will, baby.” I ran my tongue over my upper lip. “Again and again and again.”

  “Fuck me.”

  “Hmm-mmm, I’m gonna do that too.”

  He reached for me again, but I stepped away. “Maisie,” he growled.

  “Yes, darling?” He crossed his arms and I smiled. “I’d like you naked and on the bed, please.”

  He raised an eyebrow.

  “Connor,” I nodded to the bed as I slipped out of my blouse, “now, please.”

  I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing. He looked like he had no clue what the hell he was supposed to do. To be honest, I wasn’t quite sure what I was supposed to do. I’d never been bossy in the bedroom, but it was turning me on, so I went with it.

  It took him a few seconds, but he let me go with it as well, getting naked and stretching out on the bed. I removed the rest of my clothes and stepped to the bed smiling down at him. I didn’t think I’d ever get sick of basking in the glory of his body. He had the words “Never Forget Catherine~1995” in flowing letters just under his heart and I leaned over kissed it like I had several times before. He’d gotten it the day after his mother had been buried and I know he still felt her loss.

  “Watch your arm, Maisie.”

  “I’m fine.” I was putting all of my weight on my left arm in order to baby my right. “No talking.”

  Hatch stretched his arms behind him and settled his head on them. “Whatya gonna do, Sunshine?”

  “I’m working on that.”

  He grinned. “I’m at your disposal.”

  I wrapped my fingers around his hardening length and slid my hand down, cupping him before taking his cock into my mouth. Hatch hissed, bringing his knees up and fisting his hands in my hair.

  Before I could get to anything fun, I lost purchase on his dick and I was dragged up his
body. “Hey!” I snapped.

  “On your knees.”

  I wanted to bitch about not getting the chance to finish what I started, but on my knees was my absolute favorite position and I immediately went there. Hatch guided himself inside of me and I dropped my head back at the sensation.

  “You wanna be the boss, Maisie?” he asked as his palm connected with my bare bottom.

  I whimpered and pushed my body back against him.

  “Mmm, you like that, huh?” He slammed into me again, his palm slapping me a little harder this time and the sensation overtook everything. God, it felt amazing, but when he slid one hand between my legs and fingered my clit, I came the second the palm of his other hand slapped against my bottom again, and I cried out his name as I buried my face in the mattress while he continued to thrust into me. His body locked and he wrapped his arms around me, gently rolling us to the side so we were spooning, staying connected as he kissed the back of my neck. “Just gets better.”

  “What does?”

  “Everything.”

  I smiled, sliding my hand down his arm and linking my fingers with his. “Yeah, it does.”

  He pulled me closer. “Love you, Maisie.”

  I stilled for about two-point-five seconds before untangling myself and rolling over to face him. “Say that again,” I demanded.

  Hatch chuckled, reaching out to slide my hair away from my face. “I love you. I know it’s soon and I fuckin’ hate pretty much everything, but I love you. You’re everything to me, baby.”

  I let out a ridiculous girly squeal and pushed him on his back, straddling him as I leaned down and peppered kisses all over his face. “I love you too, even though I don’t hate pretty much everything.”

  He gripped my hips, lifting me slightly, then lowering me onto his already hard cock. I let out a quiet moan and he grinned as he sat up and kissed me. “You ever need to do research on any of your products?”

  I lifted myself and then lowered slowly. “I have a research department for that.”

  “Don’t think you’re pickin’ up what I’m puttin’ down, Sunshine.”

  I giggled. “I have never had the desire to do research before, but I will keep that in mind should something interesting come across my desk.”

  He buried his face in my neck. “That’s my girl.”

  For the next blissful hour, Hatch and I explored each other until it was time to get back to reality. I had to admit, getting dressed after an hour-and-a-half of illicit sex made our time all the more exciting and I couldn’t wait to do it again, but I was also happy to get home to Poppy and enjoy a Friday night just the three of us. I loved having Hatch in our space. It all felt so right.

  Maisie

  SATURDAY NIGHT, HATCH arrived just before six, while I was attempting to put on a pair of earrings. Unfortunately, something so intricate was still difficult. I let out a frustrated growl and dropped the hoops on my dresser.

  “Need help?” Hatch asked from the doorway.

  “Hi,” I said, rushing to him and kissing him deeply. “Yes.”

  “You okay?” he asked after breaking the kiss.

  “I just missed you and I can’t get my stupid earrings in.”

  He chuckled. “I can help with both a those.”

  “Mom!” Poppy bellowed.

  “Oh, and that.” I dropped my forehead to his chest. “Can I hide, please?”

  “What’s going on?”

  “She has her period,” I whispered. “And is on the warpath.”

  “Don’t want or need to know, Sunshine.” Hatch squeezed his eyes shut. “You go deal with her. I’ll grab a beer and help you with your earrings when you’re done.”

  “Chicken.”

  He grinned and stalked away.

  I walked into Poppy’s room and found her face down on her bed. “Are you dead?”

  “Yes,” she mumbled into her duvet.

  “What do you need, Poppet?”

  “Boobs.”

  I bit back a giggle, but a snort escaped and Poppy rolled over and sat up. “You’re twelve, love, let’s wait on boobs for a while, okay? You’re already illegally pretty. It’s hard enough to ward off the boys.”

  “Was it Devon?” She grabbed my arm. “Were you warding off Devon? Was he asking about me?”

  Shit! “Ah, no, not that I’m aware of.”

  “Is he going to be there tonight?”

  “Probably.” I stroked her hair, sliding it down her back. “Why?”

  “Because he’s super hot, Mum, and if Lily’s there too, he won’t even look at me.”

  “Sweetness, I don’t want him looking at you!” I ground out. “You’re twelve.”

  “Almost thirteen.”

  “Twelve,” I repeated.

  “Almost thirteen.”

  “I still have well over a month until you officially hit your teens. Please don’t rush me, okay?” She rolled her eyes and I smiled. “I will concede that you’re growing up and it’s giving me ulcers, but Devon’s older than you, Poppy. He’s in high school. As is Lily, so I’d really like you to just stick close to me and Hatch tonight and try not to feel like you have to be anything other than who you are, okay?”

  “Can Grace come tonight?”

  “We didn’t really plan on that. But next time for sure, okay?”

  Poppy brightened and wrapped me up in a hug. “That’d be really great, Mummy. Thank you.”

  “Hatch is here, so please finish getting dressed.”

  She nodded and I left her room. I found Hatch in the kitchen opening a beer. “All good?” he asked.

  “She has a crush on Devon.”

  “What the fuck?”

  “Devon is gorgeous, Hatch. You must know this.”

  Hatch frowned. “Well, he touches her, he dies.”

  “Whoa, that escalated quickly. He hasn’t done anything. She has a little crush. It’s totally innocent.”

  “Poppy,” he called.

  I grabbed his cut. “Honey, please don’t embarrass her.”

  “I’m ready,” she said, skipping into the kitchen.

  “You look beautiful, baby girl.”

  Poppy blushed. “Thanks, Hatch.”

  He crossed his arms. “Which poses a problem.”

  She frowned. “What kind of a problem?”

  “You get prettier every day and that makes things more difficult for me and your mom.”

  “Why does that make it more difficult?”

  “Well, there’ll be teenage boys with hormones ragin’ and they do stupid things because of that. So if one of them looks at you the wrong way, I need to know about it.”

  “What?” she squeaked.

  “Seriously, Poppy. Not one of my brothers’ kids comes anywhere near you tonight without you telling me, got it? Devon already knows the drill.”

  “You told Devon?” she asked, horrified.

  “I told Devon he goes nowhere near any of the girls at the club and that includes you.”

  Poppy glanced at me and then back at Hatch.

  “But that includes school,” Hatch continued. “Guys bug you there; I need to know about it.”

  “Why?” she asked.

  “This is part of me protecting you, Poppy, got it?”

  She blushed and nodded as she lowered her head, but I didn’t miss her smile and my heart lightened.

  “I’m gonna help your mom with somethin’ then we’ll go.”

  “Okay, Hatch.”

  He moved out from behind the island and pulled her in for a hug, kissing her head. “You good?”

  She hugged him back and nodded.

  “Good.”

  I followed Hatch back into my bedroom and closed the door, wrapping my arms around his waist. “Thank you.”

  “For what?”

  “For making her feel special.”

  “Is that what I did?”

  “You’re a shit liar, darling, and I love you for it.” I leaned back and rolled my eyes. “Now help me with these earri
ngs.”

  He grinned and helped me put them on, then we gathered up the dog (newly named Sparky because when Poppy had picked him up, she’d received an electric shock) and headed to the compound.

  The party was in full swing when we arrived, but I saw Cricket tap the arms of three men who turned and started our way. I recognized Cullen, so I deduced the others were Cade and Cameron.

  “Poppy!” a feminine squeal sounded, and Lily came rushing toward us. “Ohmigosh, you got one of the puppies? I’m Lily. I don’t know if you remember me from dance class.”

  “Hi, I remember,” Poppy said.

  “What’s his name?”

  “Sparky.”

  “He’s so cute,” she said, scratching his chin. “I love your hair, Poppy.”

  Poppy smiled. “Thanks.”

  I could see Poppy’s surprise as the beautiful young woman showed genuine interest in her. “Is it okay if she comes and hangs out with us in the back, Mrs. Mann? Mom and Dad are out there too.”

  “It’s where the grill is and generally where the older kids hang,” Hatch explained. “She’ll be covered.”

  “Up to you, Poppy,” I said.

  Poppy nodded, and Lily led her and Sparky away.

  “That was easy,” I said.

  Hatch wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me close. “Cam, Cade… Maisie.”

  Cameron pulled me away from Hatch and wrapped me in a bear hug, lifting me off the ground. “Damn, Con, you said she was pretty, you didn’t tell me she was sexy as hell.”

  “Put her the fuck down, Cam,” Hatch growled. “Watch her arm.”

  “I’m okay.” I giggled as he set me on the ground. “Nice to meet you, Cameron.”

  Cade was much more subdued and I saw where Devon got his good looks from. Cade hugged me as well, but gently and he didn’t linger, obviously heeding Hatch’s warning quicker than Cameron. Hatch pulled me back to him again and tucked me under his arm.

  “Cameron’s already decided Ashley’s his conquest for the night,” Cricket said.

  “Cricket,” Cameron said on a groan.

  “Who’s Ashley?” I asked.

  “Prez’s daughter,” Hatch said. “You go ahead and go for it, Cam.”

  “Seriously?” he asked, his face lighting up.

  “Yeah, brother.”

  Cricket grinned and I figured something had to be up, so I waited for Cameron and Cade to walk away before I asked what that had been all about.