Love, Tussles, and Takedowns (Cactus Creek #3)(58)



It was possible the latter was more awe-inspiring.

But the former was what put tears in her mom’s voice and a warbled cough in her dad’s.

“This is Hudson’s last week before he officially starts his next gig in Yuma so I was hoping I could subcontract a Spencer’s employee to man my shop for the week. I don’t have any auctions or authentication projects scheduled so it’ll be a pretty easy gig.”

“Lia, you know you don’t have to subcontract,” scolded Grace gently.

“I want to. Just because the adoption paperwork has officially gone through doesn’t mean I’m going to be any less stubborn on the business end of things.”

Jack sounded not at all surprised. “That’s my girl. You get that business edge from me.”

She heard him flip through some papers before he returned with, “Billie’s schedule would probably be the best fit. Fax us the request and I’ll make the arrangements.”

“Done.”

Grace sighed. “You two. I swear, we need the adoption paperwork to prove you’re not blood related. The idea of family favors are just lost on you both.”

“Not true. I’m all for calling in family favors,” reassured Lia. “Just not when it comes to the shop. I have absolutely no qualms about cashing in overdue favors with Caine to teach my women’s self-defense classes while I’m off.” She snickered. “In fact, I made sure to let all the women know that they could bring a friend for free next week to make sure my very single big brother would feel welcome as my substitute. Year’s membership optional, but preferred.”

Grace’s voice was all proud sass. “Now that she got from me.”

Jack conceded the point for that one with a reluctant smile. “So what are you and Hudson planning this week? And feel free to be as vague as possible—you’ve already traumatized your brothers enough; no need to go giving me a stroke.”

She chuckled. “He actually wants to take me to the Grand Canyon since I’ve never been, and play tourist for a few days. Weirdly enough, that includes him wanting to stay at Ted’s B&D for a night or two.” Smiling, she added, “Other than that, he’s probably going to want a day devoted to finding my fish.”

Pause.

Huh, that came out a little weirder than she intended.

“I told you not to give me traumatic details,” complained Jack while Grace just laughed softly over the phone line. “These new euphemisms are getting stranger and stranger.”

Now she was the one traumatized. How a fish would be included in a euphemism was beyond her. “Dad! I’m talking about an actual fish! A golden fighting fish—”

“Nope, no more details! I’m texting your brothers to let them handle this one,” he called out, a teasing laugh buried in his voice. “Hanging up now. You kids have fun.”

Lia stared at her phone screen, shaking her head. Her brothers were definitely the apples from their father’s tree.



*



OF ALL THEIR grand plans, they ended up doing just one of them.

They definitely found her golden fighting fish.

And then spent the rest of the week forgoing euphemisms for the actual thing.

Best. Vacation. Ever.

Hudson looked down at Lia tucked in against him, already falling asleep.

Lazily, he bent down and kissed her bare shoulder while his fingers trailed along her smooth, warm skin.

She caught his hand to halt his tour at the scenic stop of her navel before it could descend any lower. “Nope, that ride is closed for the night. Turn around please.”

He smiled and slid his hand back up her body.

She sighed. “I guess you don’t need supervision to play on one of those but the ride operator is going to sleep so don’t hurt yourself.”

Chuckling, he reached over and covered her with the blanket so he wouldn’t be tempted to keep molesting her. They’d just had record-breaking Olympic qualifier sex--he wanted her to get a little bit of rest before the next round.

But Lia had other ideas. Snuggling against him, she rubbed that tempting little butt of hers just enough to make sure he wouldn’t be resting anytime soon. “G’night,” she said softly, stifling a fake yawn to cover the smile full of mischief he could clearly hear in her voice.

He grinned. Shoot, when was the last time he’d enjoyed the after this much?

With another elaborate theatre yawn, Lia then began shifting here and twisting there to find a comfortable sleeping position, doing a bump and grind dance that was all seemingly very innocent.

Yeah right.

Not a second later, she frowned and then turned fully around right into a stripper stretch that grazed his chest with all the interesting parts of hers. Finally, she expelled a bone deep sound of pleasure as she hooked her knee up around his waist to fit herself against him like a puzzle piece, impressively keeping her smile hidden as she ‘fell asleep.’

The minx would stay in character until he was good and blue too, he was sure of it.

No, he’d definitely never enjoyed the after this much, he decided, rolling back so that she was on top of him. His smile matching his thoughts, he wondered if the next after would be just as fun right before he flexed his fingers in her hips and slid into her in one deep stroke.

Tucking his hands behind his head, he settled back in with satisfaction before saying quietly.

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