by Becca Monroe
I blushed a little at the raspiness in his tone. “What would you like this afternoon?”
“You, some whipped cream and, that’ll do it,” he said, pulling me in for a kiss.
“Just me and whipped cream, huh?”
“Perfect night at home.”
We kissed again, and he deepened it when I tried to pull away. “Let me get the two orders that just came in and we can head out,” I said. This man, he was everything.
He swatted me on the bottom and headed back out to his table. “I’ll be waiting.”
A group of five women stumbled in, drunk, Brittany leading the way. Mary raised an eyebrow at me, and Jake rolled his eyes, sitting down next to Mike. No way was I taking their order.
They took the table that just opened, and one of the staff went over to see to them.
“No! No! No! I want the skank server girl! What’s her name? Delaney? I want her!” Brittany was yelling and slurring her words, so much so that the entire restaurant had turned and was gawking at her behavior. “You know, the one screwing Jake? Who was my boyfriend until she stole him with her lies!”
Mary walked over to the table, as did Mike and Jake. “You need to leave my restaurant, young lady. I’ll be calling your father to let him know about your disturbance,” Mary quipped.
I stood behind the counter, trying to blend in, but it was no use, Brittany’s eyes zeroed in on me.
“You!” She stood up and stomped towards me. “You stole him from me!”
Jake reached out for Brittany’s arm. “Britt, that’s enough. Nobody stole anyone.”
“You slept with me every weekend for months and then she shows up and now she’s sleeping in your house, having holidays with your family and you toss me aside like I’m a piece of trash!”
Jake closed his eyes and lowered his voice. “I’m sorry. I never meant for you to get hurt, but you and I agreed to what we were doing and what we were. There was never a time that I lied to you.”
“You don’t even know her! She isn’t who you think she is!” She spat at him, tears in her eyes.
Mike reached for her arm, but she pulled it away from him. “Brittany, that’s enough!”
“No, it isn’t. You used me and I hope you both get what you deserve!” She stomped out of the restaurant, her friends scurrying after her.
While everyone else was discussing what happened, I headed for the storage room. The only private place I could be alone and think, regardless of how creepy it could be. I sat in the chair by the shelves and closed my eyes, thinking of what Brittany yelled in the restaurant.
She isn’t who you think she is.
What did she know? Jake needed to know the truth, and I needed to tell him. Soon. The light flickered, and the room went dark. I stood and walked back toward the stairwell, feeling my way against the rolling racks. The light flashed back on and Jake was standing at the bottom of the stairs.
Jake
Delaney’s scream and the look of terror on her face when she jumped away from me, didn’t sit well. “Baby, baby, it’s me,” I said, as I grabbed her waist and pulled her into my arms. Her body was shaking. “I’m sorry I scared you. I wasn’t sure you were down here when I saw the lights off.”
She curled her arms around my neck and dug her nails into my shoulders. “Please don’t let go,” she begged.
“Never baby, never. It’s okay, I’m sorry.” I placed soft kisses against her cheek. “You’re shaking.”
Her hands moved down my chest, and she wrung my shirt in them, trying to pull it over my head. “Baby,” I whispered.
She kissed down my neck. “I need you,” she said against my skin.
“Delaney,”
“Please Jake, just love me right now.”
I picked her up and carried her to the desk. My mouth covered hers in a heated kiss, feeling the need rolling off her like waves rolling against the shoreline. “Let me take you home and take my time.”
She shook her head and kissed me again, as her hands worked to loosen my belt. “I need this with you right now.” Her plea was desperate, her hands still shaking.
Her eyes were so dark, so open and vulnerable telling me what she needed, and I was going to give her everything tonight, and every night for the rest of our lives.
Momma’s voice shattered the moment. “Jake! Is Delaney down there with you?”
We broke off the kiss and I took a step back. “She’s here, momma.”
“I need to speak with both of you, can you head up and bring the box of pasta on the back shelf?”
Delaney stood up off the desk and straightened her shirt. “We’ll be right up.” I studied her and hated that she was vulnerable and we couldn’t have some time alone.
“Hey, let’s get out of here as soon as we can, okay?” She walked toward the stairs without saying a word. “Delaney, are you all right?”
She turned to face me, her eyes brimming with unshed tears.
“No, you’re not okay.” I went to her and pulled her against me. “I want to get you home. Why don’t you head up and out to the truck and I will get this box to momma and head out?”
“She said she wants to talk to both of us.”
Something was on her mind, and I needed to get her home. “I’ll take care of it.”
Halfway to the house, I pulled the truck off on Old River Road and parked down by the water.
The Northern Lights were dancing tonight, and I wanted her to witness it. “Oh my God,” she stuttered as I laid the sleeping bag out in the truck’s bed. “It’s so beautiful.”
We curled up inside the bag and watched nature’s perfect show. “I’m glad you’re here with me right now.”
She looked at me and placed a kiss on my lips. “Thank you for this.”
“I’m worried about you. Tonight, you seemed scared and then I wanted to comfort you how you needed, how you asked. It just wasn’t the right time and place.”
“Is now the right time and place, because I need you.”
“What do you need? Baby, tell me how I can help get you through whatever you’re dealing with.”
“Make love to me.”
“Here?”
“Right here. Right now. All I need is to make love to you while the northern lights shine down on us.”
“Will you tell me why you’re afraid?”
She shook her head and kissed me again. “I promise I’ll tell you, just not right now. Jake, just love me, please,” she begged.
Her mouth covered mine in a hungry plea to give into her. “You never need to ask me twice.” I ran my hands through her hair as she undid the belt around my waist. I leaned back, and she climbed on top of me, sliding over my shaft torturously slow. “Delaney.”
Her nails went under my shirt, digging into my skin, and I grabbed her wrists out of reaction, causing her to still for a moment until she smiled and lowered herself down on me the rest of the way. “Damn baby…” She moved on my cock like a woman possessed, as though she was chasing the bad thoughts away. I intertwined our fingers together and held her arms up slightly for her to leverage her weight against, then lifted my hips up. She moaned out in pleasure when it drove me deeper inside her, and I pulled her down so I could taste her mouth on mine once again. Her body was shaking, her eyes squeezed shut. I laid my body back down on the truck bed and slowed things down. “Delaney, open your eyes,” I commanded softly.
She shook her head no and a tear fell down her cheek. My hands went to her face, cupping it and bringing it to mine. “Baby, please look at me.”
Her eyes opened and the fear and darkness I saw in them terrified me, yet she continued to move on top of me. “Honey, stop.” My hands were at her hips, holding her still. She fell against me and I wrapped my arms around her.“Shhh baby,” I whispered, as I stroked her hair. “Did I hurt you?”
“No,” she whimpered. “I’m sorry.”
“Please talk to me. I see you hurting inside, and it comes out at unique moments. It kills me to see you
so afraid when you won’t be open with me. I’m yours and your mine, remember? We promised each other we were together, and we would make this work. Please tell me what has you so torn up on the inside, I see fear and pain in your eyes. You know I love you more than I ever thought I could love someone. Your love healed my heart, let mine do the same for you.”
I let her lay just like that for a while until the tears stopped and her heart rate slowed. She lifted her head to look at me, and the look in her eyes broke my heart. “I’m scared I’m going to lose this, lose you. It feels as though everything that’s ever happened to me, and every decision I’ve ever made, led me here, to you, and now it’s too good to be true. I’m waiting for it to fall apart.”
There was more to her fear, and I knew it, but no matter what I tried to do, she wasn’t ready to tell me. “You will not lose me, baby. Do you understand when I say I love you, and your mine, I mean it? I gave you my heart, and I took that seriously, I pray you did too.”
“I did. You are the most wonderful man and the only one I’ve ever loved this deeply. Promise me you know that.”
My forehead rested against hers and our breathing matched one another’s. “I know. You need to trust me enough to tell me everything. I know someone hurt you. Is that what you’re always running from?”
She was quiet for a long time. “A little of both, I guess. Can we go home and talk more there?”
By the time we got to the house, she was fast asleep. She didn’t move when I carried her in, or when I laid her in my bed. I sat up and watched her sleep for hours, and prayed she would trust me enough to tell me everything about her life. I couldn’t lose her, but if she wouldn’t fully open herself to me, there was no way we could build a future. In my experience, post-Callie. Until I let go of my past with her, I couldn’t even see Delaney. My fears were now more about losing her altogether.
I knocked on Mike’s bedroom door. “What’s wrong?” He said, the door flying open.
“Sorry man, Delaney’s asleep, can you talk?”
He nodded and opened the door the rest of the way for me to come in. “It’s two a.m., you all right?”
“Delaney still won’t tell me what happened to her. I’m worried because it’s affecting our everyday interactions now. Things between us are becoming strained. It feels as though she’s distancing herself, pulling away.”
Mike sighed. “I think whatever she went through is still very real for her, and if she doesn’t get some help with it, she’s going to have severe psychological issues. We’ve seen it with our brothers and sisters from overseas, and even in each other. She needs to talk about it, get things out. I was hoping she would do that with you, but maybe she needs someone neutral, a counselor or doc. I can reach out to my doc and get a referral to someone, but it would help to know what kind of trauma we are talking about. Neither Josh nor David has gotten any word from their buddies at the Bureau. I’m worried about her and you.”
My hands ran through my hair in frustration. “My doc isn’t back from holiday until after the New Year. I don’t want to lose her.”
“You won’t We will get her through this. She’s obviously not used to trusting people, we just need to keep showing her she can trust us.”
“Thanks, man. Sorry for waking you.”
“No problem. Can I ride into town with you guys tomorrow? Josh needed my truck, so he dropped me off here.”
“Yeah, not an issue. Get some sleep.”
CHAPTER NINE
Two weeks later
Delaney
The restaurant was busy this evening, and I was grateful it was keeping my mind occupied. Jake wanted to talk this morning and again this afternoon before he dropped me off. He had every right to worry.
Two weeks ago, I begged him to make love to me, then freaked out during it. I refused to speak about it and didn’t want to cry anymore, so I was distancing myself from him. He deserved better than this, and for a moment I considered leaving again. Perhaps it was the best thing for him. How I was treating him wasn’t fair.
I still hadn’t heard from Kelly - not a word in a month - and I knew something was desperately wrong. If I didn’t hear from her by Sunday, I would need to leave. Or maybe I should just tell Jake everything? He could help. I know it. Maybe there was a safe way out of this for all of us. If the worst was true and Matt knew where I was, everyone I cared about was in danger and I wouldn’t survive anything happening to them. My mind rushed with so many possibilities.
Jake and the boys grabbed their corner booth, and I made myself busy in the back while Sam took their order. Brittney came in with her girlfriends again and I stayed in the back while she shouted hello to the guys’ table and pulled Mike aside for a moment. That was interesting.
Hopefully, he could help keep her calm. She at least appeared sober tonight, so that was a start. Sam asked me to deliver the boys their dinners. Jake smiled and stood, giving me a kiss on the cheek when I walked over.
“You okay tonight?” He whispered in my ear.
Suddenly it was clear I needed to share everything with him. Maybe it was the way Brittany was glaring at me over her menu, or the feeling of impending doom hovering over my head. Either way, I knew it was time to talk to him. I needed to tell him everything.
“Can we talk? I need to tell you everything.”
Surprise registered in his eyes. “Right now?”
“Yes,” I whispered. “Please, right now.”
“Okay, let’s talk.”
I took his hand and led him toward the backroom when Brittany jumped up from her table, blocking our way.
“Aren’t you two just the cutest couple ever? No, really. I’m being the bigger person here and stepping aside so you two lovebirds can be happy. I mean, until Jake learns the truth at least. Isn’t that right, Delaney?”
“Britt, please don’t do this again,” Jake said as Josh and Mike walked up behind us.
She shrugged. “Do what? Tell the truth?”
Mike stepped toward Brittany. “Hey, let’s go somewhere and we can talk, okay?” He offered.
Brittany pointed at me. “People call me a liar, cruel and Mike even banned me from my home gym and the entire time, she has been lying to everyone! While everyone tossed me aside and got close to her, I was the one telling the truth. She’s a liar and a fraud!”
I could only stare at her, unable to move or speak. “Her name isn’t even Delaney Newcomb, it’s Delaney Combs Rider, and she’s married, Jake! Married!”
The color drained from my face when Jake looked at mine. “She lied to you, to your mother, everyone in this town. She’s a fake! Her husband is Matt Rider and he should be here by tomorrow, since I called him and told him all about his slutty wife destroying the fine people of my hometown!”
Mary came up to me and whispered. “Delaney, go get your coat and I will take you home.” Tears filled my eyes as Jake stared at me.
He leaned in closer towards me and whispered. “Is what she said true, Delaney? Are you married?”
I shook my head as the tears fell. “It’s not what you think, if we can talk privately, I’ll explain.”
The agony in his voice tore my heart in two.
“Just tell me,” he begged.
When I reached for his hand, he yanked it away.
“Tell me the damn truth! Right now!” He yelled, and I winced, stepping back.
Mike stepped between us and murmured to him. “Jake, go speak to her alone outside. This isn’t the place.”
He glared at Mike. “Tell me the truth, Delaney! Are you married to a man named Matt Rider?”
My eyes fell to the floor, and the tears continued to flow. “Yes,” I whispered.
Jake’s eyes grew dark. “You’re just like Callie. You lied.”
I cried, attempting to reach out for his arm again. “Jake, no, it isn’t like that.”
“Don’t,” he whispered, holding his hand up to stop me. “You were never mine because you belonged to someone else all along.”
My body shook, racked with emotion. “No, that isn’t true. I’ll always be only yours.”
Anger replaced any sadness that flashed in his eyes. “I never want to see you again.”
He turned and walked out the front door.
A sob escaped me when Mary came to my side. Her arm wrapped around me and squeezed me tight. “Josh, take her to Jake’s house, and I will be there as soon as I can,” Mary said. “Delaney, don’t you worry about anything, all of this will get sorted out.”
Josh set his keys on the counter to help me with my coat. My hands shook when the reality of what happened sunk in. Jake would never forgive me for lying to him.
“Your secret is up!” Brittany screamed. “I can’t wait to watch your husband come and take you back!”
I turned and faced her, the reality of her words sinking in. “Wait, you told him I was here? He knows where I am?”
“Yes, and he’s on his way! I told you, he should be here by tomorrow night!” She smirked.
“No! You… you don’t know what you’ve done!” I cried as I grabbed Josh’s keys and ran out the rear door of the restaurant to his jeep.
Josh was yelling behind me as I tore out of the parking lot. I had to get to Jake’s and get my things, my cash, and get the hell out of Kodiak!
Jake
Josh and Mike came running out of the rear of the restaurant, yelling at Delaney, who was speeding out of the parking lot in Josh’s jeep. “What the hell is going on?”
“Brittany told her Matt was on his way to pick her up, and Delaney just freaked out and took off,” Josh said.
Mary came outside. “All of you, in my office, right this minute!”
We followed her into her office. “We need to talk. Sit your butts down.”
David walked in and closed the door behind him. “You need to listen to Mary, Delaney’s in trouble.”
“This poor girl is running from an abusive husband. She has been hiding from him here for the past seven months and I don’t know how long before she got here…”