When he stopped, he looked over at Jeff. “I think that’s better, dude. This was baby’s play. I’m used to shooting at a thousand yards.”

“Motherfucker. Where in the hell did you learn to shoot like that?” Jeff asked.

Josh and Gunner both started laughing.

Lark let out a small laugh. “My father owns a hunting lease in south Texas. I think I had a gun in my hand as soon as I turned five.”

“Holy hell, I’m impressed,” Gunner said.

Lark smiled as he put his gun back in the case. He closed it and stood up. “I was also in the MSOR, Marine Special Operations Regiment.”

Jeff quickly looked at me. “You motherfucker, you set me up.”

I laughed and held up my hands. “Hey, you were the one talking shit.”

Jeff just shook his head. “Fucker.”

Lark laughed as he turned and headed back to my truck to put his gun away.

We spent the rest of the afternoon setting up for the party and just having a good time while hanging out. Ellie brought out a few beers and set them down before going back in. We took them to the barn and talked for another hour.

I looked around at my friends. I’d be lost without them. They were more like brothers than friends.

I finished off my beer and stood up. “Alright, I guess I better get back.”

Gunner stood and reached out for Lark’s hand. “You’re staying for tomorrow night, right?”

“Hell yeah. It’s the only reason I’m here. Scott went on and on about the New Year’s Eve parties y’all throw. I’m not due to go back to work until the fourth, so I’ll probably be leaving on the third.”

Josh and Jeff both stood and shook Lark’s hand and then mine.

“It was great meeting you, Lark. You’ll have to come out more often to target shoot,” Jeff said with a smile.

“Damn, I wish I could. I travel a lot for my job,” Lark said.

“You still in the Marines?” Josh asked.

Lark shook his head. “Nah, medical discharge.”

Gunner looked at me and then back at Lark. “What do you do?”

Lark smirked. “Contract work for the government among other things. My boss dabbles in a few different things—all legal.” He glanced at me and winked.

Gunner laughed. “Fair enough.”

Lark hadn’t uttered a word ever since we left Gunner’s place.

“What’s on your mind, Lark?” I asked.

He smiled. “I like your friends. They are a good group of guys. They seem really happy.”

I nodded. “Yeah, they are a good bunch, and yeah, they’re all pretty happy.”

He nodded as he looked out the window. I knew Lark wanted what we all had—someone to wake up to every morning and lie down with every night.

“You ever think of changing jobs?” I asked.

“Fuck no. I love my job. I live for my job,” Lark said quickly.

I sucked in a deep breath and slowly let it out. “You don’t ever think about settling down, Lark? Ever?”

He shook his head and smiled as he looked at me. “Nope. It would have to take an act of God to get me to settle down with one person.”

I nodded my head. As we drove down the driveway, I saw Jessie and Azurdee both riding horses. They were walking along the road. I pulled to a stop and rolled down the window.

“Damn, girl. You sure look good sitting up there on my horse,” I said with a chuckle.

Jessie smiled and let out a small laugh. “Your mother wouldn’t leave. She went from paint to baby furniture to wedding plans. I think I liked it better when she didn’t like me and never talked to me,” she said as she made a funny face.

Azurdee laughed, and I heard Lark suck in a breath of air.

“How about we go out for dinner tonight?” I asked.

“Azurdee has plans for a home-cooked meal tonight,” Jessie said as she looked over at Azurdee.

“Yep, pasta,” Azurdee said as she ducked her head down and peeked into the truck at Lark.

“Pasta, it is. Y’all need help with the horses?” I asked.

“Nope. We’re enjoying our girl time. We won’t be long, I promise,” Jessie said.

I slowly drove away and glanced over toward Lark. He was looking out the window as I smiled to myself.

Azurdee Emerson could very well be the act of God Lark was talking about.

I walked into the kitchen, and Ari was bent over, wiping off the counter. I snuck up, grabbed her hips, and began pumping the shit out of her.

“Oh yeah, baby! Feels so good!” I said.

Ari laughed and tried to stand up. “Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. Give me fucking whiplash, why don’t you?”

“You know you want me, baby,” I said as I let her go.

She turned to face me. “Actually, I’m so damn tired. I’ve been cleaning all day on top of studying. I will be so glad when these online classes are over.”

I looked around. The house was so quiet.

“Where are Luke and Grace?”

Ari smiled. “Sleeping.”

“At the same time?”

She nodded her head and smiled. I grabbed her hand and pulled her into our bedroom before she could argue. I shut the door and pushed her against it. I cupped her breast in my hand as I leaned in and licked her bottom lip.

“Jeff…we can’t. Luke is going to wake up any minute.”

“I’ll go fast. Baby, this is for you.” I dropped to my knees and started to pull down her sweatpants and panties.

She looked down at me and giggled as she lifted each foot before kicking off her clothing. “For me, huh? How is this for me?”

“You’re stressed. You need relief.” I lifted her leg and put her foot on my shoulder.

“Jeff, no! I’ve been cleaning for the last two hours. I’m all sweaty and—”

I buried my face between her legs and gently began sucking on her clit.

“Oh god, holy shit!” she shouted.

I slowly slipped two fingers in, and she began moving her hips as she grabbed on to my hair.

“Yes…oh god…mother of God, that feels so…oh god.” She began grinding her hips faster.

I moved my tongue as fast as I could against her clit, and she began to fall apart.

The sounds she was making were driving me mad. I reached down and unbuttoned my pants. I kept sucking gently on her clit as she called out my name. I pulled my fingers out of her and stood up. After I kicked off my pants, I picked her up and brought her over to the bed. I crawled on top of her and slowly put the tip of my dick barely inside her.