Chapter Forty-Two

Ian moved this thumb in small circles across Fallon's knuckles as Herschel gave the blessing. As everyone in the room said, "Amen," he raised his head and cast a glance at the woman beside him. She was so beautiful to him and grew more so each time he saw her.

Today she wore a cap-sleeve tie-waist purple dress that flattered her figure with its soft draped look. A v-neckline with ruching accentuated her breasts. The garment fell to her knees and had a mock sash at the empire waistband. The material moved seductively with her. The color of the dress offset the beautiful dark hue of her skin. She had on a pair of two-inch T-strap heels the identical color as her dress.

Around her neck and settling between her gorgeous breasts rested an elegant white gold pendant housing a purple/blue stone. Matching stones hung from her ears, set in the same metal as her necklace.

Clay carved the turkey while the sides began making a trip around the table. Ian looked on in awe at all the food before him. He hadn't seen a spread like this since before his parents got divorced. His mouth watered as he took in all the food before them.

"Here, Ian," Shawn's deep voice pulled him away from just staring at the food. He looked to see a big bowl of creamy mashed potatoes held out to him.

Taking the dish, Ian smiled his thanks and spooned some onto his plate. Looking to his right, he asked Fallon, "Would you like some?"

"Just try and stop me from eating any. Clay makes kickass taters." Fallon winked at him.

She scooped some onto her plate before taking the bowl from him and passing it on to Dylan. There were two types of stuffing, green beans, Brussels sprouts, dinner rolls, croissants, gravies, macaroni and cheese, turkey, honey baked ham, candied yams, potato salad, cranberry relish, fresh fruit, and more. There was wine to drink, tea, and water.

Dinner was lighthearted. Kylie and Kaitlyn kept people entertained and Ian couldn't recall a more enjoyable Thanksgiving dinner. Even the two other dinner guests were easy to talk to. Although, he believed those brothers could both do better.

They offered a large range of desserts as well. Pumpkin, sweet potato, pecan, chocolate, and lemon meringue pies. There were also brownies, cakes, and some other sweets sitting out. They lingered around the table, ate dessert, and drank coffee, tea, and sodas for the twins.

Ian watched with a small smile as Fallon stood across the room, talking with Laura. The dishes remained forgotten on the table. Football was on the television and the guys were watching, as were the twins. Shawn and Clay's dates chatted amongst themselves.

He let his gaze linger on Fallon's firm body. She was so strong and yet, today she seemed delicate. Her hair sat gathered up off her neck, with only a few tendrils left to fall down the sides of her face. His heart clenched as she smiled and laughed at something Laura said. For the life of him, he couldn't picture his life without her in it, sharing it with him.

She glanced at him over her shoulder and sent him a smile that warmed him all over. He got up from the recliner and strode towards the women. Slipping his arms around her waist, he pressed a kiss to her cheek.

"Hey," she murmured. "Not watching football?"

"I think I will fall asleep if I don't get up and move around."

Fallon placed her hand over his forearm. "Okay. Laura, why don't you go sit down, you've done enough."

"Thank you for everything, Fallon," she said before she headed back to the living room and the loud cheers as they watched football.

"What about you?" Ian asked, well aware she'd busted her ass to get this ready.

"I'm gonna start cleaning up." She reached behind her and touched his cheek with one hand before removing herself from his embrace.

Determined to be helpful, Ian said immediately, "Let me help."

"Sure." Pointing to a small table in the living room, she added, "Can you move the desserts to there, so they can still eat some if they want to?"

"Sure thing." He did as she requested before joining her in the kitchen. For a moment, Ian leaned in the doorway and just watched her. She had tied an apron on to protect her dress and was putting leftovers in containers. One corner of his mouth lifted, he liked this—this domestic side of Fallon Maddox.

"Just gonna stand there and stare at me all day, Detective, or were you planning on actually assisting me?" her voice teased.

"Well, I don't know. I like watching you like this." He moved away from the doorway and prowled toward her. Laughter escaped as she glared at him. "Okay, okay. I'm ready to work, don't hurt me."

Her dark chocolate eyes twinkled. "You know you'd like me to hurt you, Detective," she purred. "You'd like me to do a lot of things to you."

Stepping up flush to her, he brushed his erection against her tight ass. "So true, baby, so true. Got time? We could work off some of some of that food we just ate?"

She chuckled and his body hardened more. "Get over there and bring me that mac-n-cheese please, and thank you."

Smacking her on the derriere, he sighed dramatically. "Fine." They settled into a comfortable rhythm as they filled numerous holders. Ian snuck a glance at her as she filled a square receptacle with the leftover mashed potatoes. "Thank you for inviting me, Fallon. I had a wonderful time."

She looked at him and licked the remaining potatoes off the spoon. His cock throbbed. After swallowing, she smiled. "I'm glad you came. It meant a lot to me."

"Really?" He reached out and wiped a remaining trace of potatoes off her lip. "It meant a lot to me, too."

"Oh God, get a room," Shawn's voice interrupted.

Ian didn't even look away from her. "Sounds like a perfect idea to me," Ian drawled. His mouth grew dry as he watched Fallon's eyes fill with molten passion.

"What do you need, Shawn?" she asked. "Are you hungry again?"

"Just came in to get more coffee."

Ian finally tore his gaze away from the delectable Fallon to meet Shawn's half-amused, half-disgusted stare. Shawn shook his head and headed toward his sister.

"Thanks for a great meal, sis," Shawn said, as he kissed her on the cheek on his way to the coffeepot.

"You're welcome, Shawn."

Ian sighed. The love between them was so strong it was palpable. He felt like an outsider. At least until Fallon turned her smile on him, where it banished the emotion. Shawn didn't hang around after starting another pot. Instead, he kissed Fallon again, shot Ian a glare, and left them alone.

Fallon winked at him before he could say anything. "Okay, what's next?" she asked.

Ian grabbed up the pan of green bean casserole and handed it to her. As she continued to put food away, he began to load the dishwasher. He stopped as Shawn returned for the freshly brewed pot of java. Putting in the soap packet, Ian shut the door and started the machine. It didn't take long before the island was stacked with the containers and Fallon stacked the remaining dishes beside the sink.

"Come sit down, Fallon. You've done enough for the time being." Ian placed his hand at the small of her back and guided her out to where the others sat watching the game. He escorted her to a love seat and took a seat beside her, resting his arm across the back. The tips of his fingers skimmed across the back of her neck.

"Here, Auntie Fallon. Momma said you need coffee and cake." Kylie and Kaitlyn stood before Fallon.

Ian watched the twins hand her the items. A smile flitted across his lips as he noticed there were two clean forks resting on the plate. He gave the girls a smile. So damn cute. I wonder what my and Fallon's girls will look like. That thought floored him. Casting a glance at the woman beside him, he sighed as she smiled at one of the girls. He couldn't tell them apart, they were identically dressed.

Two pairs of beautiful blue eyes watched him. "Thank you," he said.

"You're welcome," they responded together before skipping back to the game they played on the floor.

Reaching for a fork, Ian helped himself to the moist cake on the plate resting on Fallon's leg. She took a sip of coffee and met his gaze over the cup's rim. With a wink, he turned his attention to the screen and focused on the game, smiling as he noticed the Cowboys were losing.

***

"Is it done?" the liver-spotted man asked as his bony fingers curled like talons around his glass of bourbon.

"Almost sir," Rick DeVane nodded as he stood before the large oak desk.

"I want it taken care of."

"Less than six hours and it will be done. The meeting is being set up in the next few moments."

"Good." The grip on the glass was powerful despite the age of the man who held it. "You did well, son. You've made me proud."

Rick preened. Acknowledgement didn't often come from the man behind the desk. "Thank you, sir."

"Don't disappoint me."

He swallowed. Those three words took all the joy he'd experienced at the praise and deflated it like a popped balloon. I wouldn't dream of it. "No sir. I'm taking care of it personally."

"Good." With a practiced flick of his wrist, he drained the remaining amber liquid. "See you do."

The door opened and in stepped Xiu Juan along with her brother, Dewei. Rick's pulse increased as he gazed at the fresh young faces.

"You're dismissed, DeVane." Rick glanced at his father in shock. He'd fully expected to participate in what his father had planned. His shock must have showed because the old face hardened into an ugly mask.

"Why are you waiting?" he snapped. "Get out."

Dropping his gaze, Rick nodded once, respectfully, and left.