Sway (Landry Family #1) (41 page)

My knees go weak as he licks his lips, his gaze boring into mine. "Yes. Please."

He scoops me up, my legs over the side of his arm, and carries me across the room. His gaze doesn't leave mine as he lowers me onto the bed, the blankets dipping with my weight. He covers my body with his, the heaviness mixed with his scent overwhelming my senses. He kisses me like he's never kissed me before—with precision, almost methodical. It's as if every movement he makes is a lesson to be learned, a point to be taken.

I lay back and feel his lips cross over my cheek, down my jaw, and down my neck. His lips lingering before moving on. My hands find his hair and twist in the sandy strands, feeling how real he is in my arms. For the first time, he's mine.

"You're so beautiful," he whispers in my ear as his fingers fumble with the button of my jeans. "So fucking beautiful and so fucking mine."

"I was just thinking that," I say, lifting my hips so he can slide the denim off my hips. He removes them, tosses them to the floor, and disposes of his pants as well. Before I know it, he's on the bed and I'm straddled over him.

His eyes twinkle. "I wouldn't want to be anywhere but right here right now."

My hips swivel, my pussy rubbing against his rock-hard cock. I feel his length under me, my body already wet for him. "Me either."

Barrett lifts me up, grabs his cock, and lowers me inch by inch over him. I feel my body expand, making room for his size. His eyes widen as he sucks in a breath through his teeth, his fingertips dipping into the curve of my hips.

"Damn it, Ali," he murmurs as he sinks completely into me.

I take a second to adjust, to feel the fullness. It's heady, a complete turn-on to feel him inside me while I look him in the eye and see
that
. That indefinable look in his eye that makes me feel like the most important, sexiest person in the universe.

"Ah," I breathe, grinding myself against him. His cock rubs against the walls of my vagina, the contact causing my clit to stroke against his body. His gaze is heavy on me, stroking my skin in its own way. I'm completely owned in this moment by Barrett Landry, and it feels unbelievable.

It's different this time—
more intimate, more sensual, more personal
.

"I feel it too," he says, reading my mind. He raises his hips, pressing farther into me. I can't stifle the moan that escapes my lips.

Pulling off of him in the most subtle way, I mix up my motion. I rock in a circle and then pump up and down, the differences in stimulation working me into a frenzy.

"That feels so good, babe," he says as he lifts my shirt off over my head. My breasts bounce inside the red lace covering them. "And that looks just as good. My God."

He meets me thrust for thrust, the intensity in his eyes picking up. My entire body is on fire from his touch, his cock, his gaze, and I feel like I'm going to combust.

I shift my weight onto my feet and slide my body down his shaft. A smirk covers his face.

"Keep it up and this will be over before it's really even begun."

"I can't help it," I whimper, feeling his cock stroke my clit as I lift up and then lower down again. "Fuck, this feels so good."

I bounce harder, his hands finding my breasts. He frees them from the lace, cupping them in his hands. His eyes squeeze shut, his mouth hanging open far enough so I can hear his quickened breaths.

His cock swells inside me. His muscles flex as his eyes shoot open. "I'm warning you. You better stop if you don't want me losing it."

"Lose it." I slam down, grinding my body against his. The friction hits every stimulus, his hands squeezing my breasts. He leans up just enough to take my mouth with his, pressing a kiss that’s a tattoo on my lips.

"Ali . . .” Flopping back against the pillows, I watch him enjoy me and it's enough to put me over the edge.

I grind harder, trying to touch his body with mine at every possible point, and I light up from the inside out.

Warmth erupts from my groin, surging through my core and to my cheeks. Fireworks flash before my eyes, my head trying to comprehend all of the sensations and feeling like it's going to explode.

Barrett groans beneath me, the sexiest thing I've ever heard. It only intensifies everything I'm feeling.

The world-shattering high lasts longer than I expect and it seems like eternity before I float back to Earth. Once I do, my hair sticking to my skin with sweat, my breathing ragged, I find him watching me with a smile on his face.

I blush. "Don't look at me like that."

"Like what?"

"I don't know," I giggle, my cheeks flushing again.

"Like that was the first time that's ever felt that way to me?"

My heart swells because I believe it. I can tell he means it by the look in his eyes.

"That's what I'm looking forward to, babe. That's what I've been missing my entire life. But now I have it and I won't let it go."

I climb off of him and snuggle against his side. He pulls a blanket haphazardly over us before kissing my head.

"Thank you," I whisper.

"For what?"

"For being the first person to make me feel like I'm worthy."

"Oh, Ali, I believe it's the other way around."

"Hmmm . . .” My lashes flutter closed. The stress of the last few days disseminates as I lie in his arms.

"It's you that's changed me. In every damn way." He presses another kiss into my hair. “Make me a promise.”

“What’s that?”

“That we can start every day off with something like this. Without the speech, of course,” he chuckles.

“I’d like that.”

“Me too, baby. Me too.”

Barrett

EVERYONE IS IN THE DINING
room when we go downstairs awhile later. Lincoln is eating a bowl of cereal, with Hux at his side, playing some kind of video game. Ford is messing around on a computer. Graham is at the head of the table, sorting through a stack of papers with a red pen. He looks up as we enter.

"Good news!" he says, smiling brightly. "The feedback from your little speech is altogether positive. People seem to have responded to your stupidity, one even going as far as to call you, and I quote, 'People's Choice.' They're saying you're the candidate of the people, the first real candidate in recent memory."

"So, like, he's the MVP of the race?" Lincoln asks, sitting his bowl on the table.

"Seriously, Lincoln?" Ford sighs, shaking his head. He looks up at me. "I'm reading about you right now. Listen to this,
Barrett Landry surprised us all when he gave a press conference this morning. Speculation ran rampant, some going so far as to say he’d be addressing rumors of a rift in his campaign and others expecting an engagement announcement. They were all right, yet wrong. The Mayor took to the podium and gave an off-the-cuff response to his candidacy, one that has resonated strongly with the people of Savannah. While his handlers looked apprehensive going into the conference, the voters looked confident heading into the polls today. The ‘Vote Landry’ buttons we've been seeing spring up in the past few weeks are out in full force this morning."

My father beams, placing both hands on the table. "Well, I'll be."

"I'm shocked," Graham says, resting his hands on a stack of papers in front of him. "The early polling data is strong. Monroe made a statement right after your speech earlier, but I think it's too late to do much damage. Not to mention it was heavily tempered from what I expected. I think he's afraid of making you an enemy at this point."

"Fuck him," I snarl.

"I—" my father begins but is cut off by the door opening.

"Where y'all at?" With the muted Southern drawl, it’s obvious it’s Sienna. She took off for Los Angeles a few years ago and has adopted a semi-California accent now, much to my parents’ dismay.

In a couple of seconds, she rounds the corner with a bright smile. She’s identical to Camilla, except she’s dyed her hair a richer blonde. She’s dressed in camouflage pants, a tight black t-shirt, and Chucks. "I'm the last to show up. Naturally."

"Hey, I told you to come last night," Lincoln says.

"You should've come last night," my father says, standing straight and crossing his arms over his chest.

"I had things to do. Besides, it’s not like I waited until the last second.”

"Painting pictures isn't an acceptable excuse," Dad says.

She gives our father a look. “Hush, Daddy.”

“Come here,” Dad says, shaking his head. Sienna waltzes over, knowing he’s putty in her hands, and kisses his cheek before turning to me.

"Good speech, B. I saw it online on my way over. I’m over the red ties, though. Let’s freshen your style up a little," she teases.

"I’m good. Thanks," I laugh, taking a quick hug from my baby sister. “Sienna, this is Alison Baker.” I take a step back and pull Alison towards me. “Ali, this is Sienna, the missing piece of the Landry puzzle.”

Sienna flashes Alison a wide smile. “Nice to meet you.”

“It’s my pleasure,” Alison says, returning Sienna’s grin.

My sister looks at me and winks. "I'm going to grab a shower. The plane was delayed last night, so I had to grab one today.” She raises her voice. “Thus explaining why I wasn’t here then, Daddy.”

He just shakes his head and Sienna kisses his cheek again. She flashes me a peace sign and bounds up the stairs.

"What happens now?" Lincoln asks, looking at his phone.

“Lincoln!” Sienna shouts from the second level. “You took my room!”

Everyone laughs as Lincoln cringes.

“Your shit is in the hall, fucker!” she yells. Items can be heard hitting the floor.

“Watch your language-—” Dad booms up the stairs, but a door is slammed before he can finish.

"We won’t know anything until late tonight," Graham says, unfazed by the outburst. "Don't forget, there's a news station coming by this afternoon to do a quick little piece on the family. If everyone could be dressed and happy and pretend to be the Cleavers, that would be great."

"Is there anything I can do?" Ford asks, pulling a red shirt over his head. "If not, I'm going to go for a run."

"Go on," I say, looking down at Alison. "It's going to be a long day."

Alison

I WALK TOWARDS THE HOUSE
with my bags in hand. I’m sure one of the Landry’s would’ve come out to help me, but I needed a few minutes to myself.

I’ve never felt so welcomed, so overwhelmingly accepted by a family like I do them. It’s amazing to watch them play with Hux, tease him, joke around with him like they’ve known him all his life.

The house is lit up as I approach. It’s beautiful in the evening darkness, like a picture painted by a talented artist. Troy is standing on the porch and opens the door for me with a smile.

“Thanks, Troy,” I say.

“It’s my pleasure. You’ve made my job a lot easier,” he winks.

“How’s that?”

He shrugs, furrowing his brows. “Barrett’s usually a wild mess of coming and going. But since you came in the picture, he’s focused. He’s a better man now, Ms. Baker.”

I can’t respond. Words fail me. Grinning, I enter the house and it’s sensory overload.

A number of televisions are on, all on different channels. The brothers are all in the dining room going over papers and discussing what the numbers and reports mean. A few people are now here that I haven't seen before. I'm guessing they work on the campaign because they flank Graham on either side and field calls left and right.

Barrett rushes to my side.

"It's going to be crazy for a few more hours. My mom and Camilla are probably in the kitchen. Do you want to go in there? It might be quieter."

"Uh, yeah," I say nervously. "I'll find something to do. Don't worry about me. Where’s Hux? He was right here when I left and I don’t want him getting in the way."

“Linc set him up in his room with a video game system. He’s fine, trust me,” he laughs.

“He’ll be fine as long as he doesn’t go through my phone,” Linc says, looking worried. “Shit. I better just go get it.” He jumps up and races upstairs, making us laugh.

I kiss Barrett on the cheek. “I’ll just go find something to do.”

Taking my hand before I walk away, Barrett says, “This might be boring for you, but I’d like you to stay. I’m so glad you’re here.”