by Shyla Colt
Evernight Publishing
www.evernightpublishing.com
Copyright© 2013 Shyla Colt
ISBN: 978-1-77130-556-3
Cover Artist: Sour Cherry Designs
Editor: Karyn White
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.
This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, and places are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
DEDICATION
To Austin, Texas, the city that stole my heart and never let go. Thanks to the man upstairs, I owe everything to him.
LOVED BY A ROUGHNECK
Romance on the Go
Shyla Colt
Copyright © 2013
Chapter One
“Maci! I know you’re in there.” The husky alto accompanied by rapid thuds pulled her from sleep.
“Jesus Christ.” The hollow noise continued, and Maci placed a hand over her face. She’d been out of the house for five years, but she could never truly escape. Not in a town where you could spit and hit someone you were related to.
“Maci Lou Long!” Her mother’s voice rose an octave.
Maci threw off the sheet and stumbled from bed. Unlike most sane people, her mother would camp out until she finally left her house. That’s what an addiction would do to you, and Traci had a jones for alcohol so severe, she’d garnered the label “town drunk”, which was impressive in a sick, sad, way. Their town had a lot of problems. Most men worked two jobs to make ends meet. The door to her room slammed against the wall of her trailer as she stomped to the front door and yanked it open. Her mother’s body hit the stairs hard as she lost her balance, landing palms out to keep from smacking her face against the pavement. Narrowing her eyes, Maci judged her level of intoxication. Buzzed.
Her head tilted back. Lank, black, hair fell back to reveal glazed, bloodshot red eyes. Thin veins stood out against murky white. High cheekbones stood out all sharp edges leading up to a set of large eyes. Her heart-shaped face bordered on skeletal. Her once voluptuous, five-foot nine frame had been ravaged from neglect and abuse. Once upon a time Maci would be kneeling on the floor helping her mother up, and bleeding over her pain and anguish. Now she couldn’t go there. Her mother did a damn convincing impression of a black hole. Drift too close and she’d suck you in, swallow you whole, and end life as you knew it.
“Mom, what are you doing here?” Maci crossed her arms over her chest.
A goofy smile spread across her chapped lips. “Hey, baby.”
Pressing her lips together Maci forced herself to remain aloof. No matter how nicely she spoke, an ulterior motive always rested at the center.
Her mom scrambled to her feet. “Did I wake you?”
“Yes, Mother, I’ve pulled doubles all week.”
“Oh … I’m in a bit of a bind.”
Of course you are.
“What do you need?” A part of her protested the proposal. The only way to break the cycle would be to walk away. But this was her mother. The woman had worked two, sometimes three jobs, to give her everything she needed. Even when the alcohol took precedence the cupboards were always stocked, and money was available. The day to day Maci could do on her own by the time she turned eight.
“I’m short on the rent.”
Maci took a deep breath, held it in her lungs, and released it out of her nose. “Are you lying, Mom? You know I don’t like giving you money to drink away.”
“No, no, it’s legit. I just lost track of the money in my account—.”
“I’m sure your boy toy, Craig, helped you with that one.” Scowling she turned on her heel and walked over to the table where her purse rested. “How much do you need?”
“Three hundred … I’ll pay you back.”
“Uh huh.” Digging out her check book she wrote out three hundred dollars and ripped the sheet loose. She turned and met her mother’s gaze. “Take this directly to the bank, cash it, and go to see Mr. Lawson to pay the rent.”
“I will.” Her hand shook as she took the square piece of paper. “Thank you, Mac, I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
Me either.
Her mother wrapped an arm around her shoulder. The powerful scent of alcohol, mint, and perfume threatened to choke her. Holding her breath she gave her mother a few pats on the back before she pulled away. “Can I get you something to eat?” A heartbeat passed. Her pulse kicked up a notch. Say yes, prove me wrong for once.
“No, honey, I don’t want to put you out. This is plenty.”
“Right, because I don’t mind being woken up at the crack of dawn after working long hours.” The bitch vibe rolling off her made her wince. Her mother always brought out the worst in her. Suitcases full of issues and resentment tasted like bitter ashes in her mouth.
“You’re mad.”
The child-like voice took the bite out of Maci’ anger. A stab of guilt wrenched her gut. She was an extremely sick woman. “Just disappointed, I never see you unless you need something, Mom.”
“I invite you over all the time!”
The self-righteous indignation made Maci snort.
“You know how I feel about Craig.” The sleazy, heavy-handed, bastard who had driven her out of her own home at seventeen.
“I wish the two of you would get along. He doesn’t have a problem with you.” Exasperated, her mother shook her head.
“Fuck him.”
“Ugh. This is why I’m never around.” Her mother shook her head. “You don’t have to like him, but the least you can do is respect my feelings.”
“I’m sorry I can’t bring myself to play nice after all the things he’s put you through. I don’t respect little boys stuck in adult bodies who put their hands on women.”
“I’m done, Maci.”
“I wish you were,” she muttered.
“Thank you for the money. I’ll get it back as soon as I can. I love you, Maci, but I love him, too.”
You love him more. That’s always been the problem between us, hasn’t it? You want a man’s attention more than you want a relationship with your daughter. Even If the bulk of what he gives you is negative and oppressive.
“One day when you have someone special, you’ll understand.” Smoothing the hair down on the right side of her face her mother moved in and kissed her cheek. Her mother turned on her heel and walked out of her life, yet another slap in her face.
Jaw clenched Maci shook her head. The door slamming echoed in the empty house. “You’re wrong. I’ll never let a man control me.”
Five hours later she was dressed in the drab, soft pink, dress with a hot pot of coffee in her hand as she glided through the busy diner. The first shift of roughnecks had gotten off work. That made for insanity and gratuitous amounts of eye candy. Refilling another cup she offered a smile. End of shift was always her favorite time of day. Roughnecks were the perfect solution to her problem. Miles of sun-kissed skin, muscular bodies, calloused hands, and a natural aversion to commitment fit in line with her plan to remain independent and unattached. Not to mention, she didn’t mind a little dirt.
Licking her lips she snuck a glance at a table in the far right corner. He was there. Her mouth went dry, and a puddle formed in her underwear. Thick, chocolate-brown hair fell over the left side of his broad forehead. He pinned her with his puppy dog brown eyes. A wicked set of dimples appeared as he smiled and nodded his head in acknowledgment. The smudges of dirt peppering his face were a stark contrast to his clea
n hands. It made her want to climb into his lap, unbuckle his belt, and pull out the cock she just knew would be thick and long. Face flaming she returned his smile and turned away in a half-hearted attempt to refocus her attention to tending to the hungry masses.
Ty Price had a direct line to her pussy. If he wanted to take her right now in front of everyone, she’d let him. A dull ache started in her core. The muscles in her belly pulled taut, and her breasts plumped. Finishing off the pot she smiled at the curly haired blond.
“I’ll go get some more going for you guys.” Returning to the coffee station behind the counter she turned to Bethany. Six months of lusting after Ty, and getting to know him better than she needed to, had her ready to spill her guts and do unmentionable things that’d get the town talking about her worse than they all ready did.
“Hey, can I sneak away for a quick break?”
“Sure, it’ll be a bit before the food starts to come out. All orders are taken, and I can refill coffee.”
“Thanks, girl.” Grinning Maci tossed the dirty filter, refilled the tray, pressed the brew button, and did her best to keep her journey to the bathroom slow enough to be considered a walk. Her silk underwear pressed into her swollen clit. Every step she took pushed her closer to the edge. She rounded the corner, and a whimper slipped from her lips. Warm liquid ran down onto her upper thighs. If she didn’t take care of this soon, the entire diner would smell how aroused she was. Reaching the restroom, she took the first stall available, blinded by need. Hiking up her dress, she spread her legs and pushed her underwear aside. She braced her back against the door and slid two fingers inside her needy channel.
Biting her bottom lip she hooked her fingers and rocked her hips, desperate for a quick release. Her legs trembled as she hit her g-spot over and over. Chest heaving she opened her mouth in a silent scream. Her pussy clamped down around her fingers, and lights flickered behind her eyes. Body convulsing she huffed as relief rocked through her.
****
“Hey, man, we’re headed out to Red’s bar tonight after we clean up. Are you game?” Brandon asked.
“No, I think I’ll sit this one out, fellas.”
“You sure?” Brandon asked, his eyebrows drawn down to meet at a point.
Ty cast a glance over at Maci and nodded. “Yeah.”
“All right, man. If you want to get together during the break, you got my number.”
“Thanks.” Waving at the group of men leaving the dinner Ty leaned back in the booth and took another sip of coffee.
After two weeks on the rig, most of the guys wanted to let off steam. He did, too, but his plans were a lot more specific. The place had cleared out, and with the exception of an elderly couple in the back only he and the two waitresses remained. Maci Long sent a jolt of electricity through him the first time he laid eyes on her. More than lust or chemistry, the connection rattled him. Used to a life of hard work, constant relocation, and no real bonds, it woke him from what seemed like a hundred years of slumber. The last time he’d been this moved by a woman he’d ended up with a ball and chain around his ankle.
The thought of Stacey made his heart twinge, but the gaping hole she’d left previously had scabbed over, healing as much as it ever would. He had done his best to stay away from Maci when he first rolled in to town. He kept their contact brief and their conversation polite and impersonal. After a while though, curiosity took over, and the more he learned, the more he liked. It wasn’t hard to find out information in a small town, and her story was gossip fodder. Her mom was the town drunk; her father had been never in the picture, and still, she thrived. Not only did he find it admirable, it made his dick hard. There was nothing better than a woman who knew how to take care of herself, work hard, and look sexy doing it with a smile on her face.
Using his peripheral vision he took in her round ass and stifled a moan. Even Dolly’s Diner’s horrid uniforms couldn’t hide her luscious body. She looked up, almost as if she sensed his scrutiny, and walked over.
“I thought you’d be out of here with the rest of them. It’s the start of your two weeks, right?”
“It is, but I had some business to attend to first.”
“Oh. Do you want me to go bring you your bill so you can get going?”
“You’re my business, Maci.”
She blinked. “I-I’m sorry.”
“You’re the reason I’m still here.”
Her tempting lips formed an O. Silence fell. His breath caught an involuntary action that made his stomach flip. His muscles tensed.
“I’m not sure what to say, Ty. You’re a nice guy.” He cringed. Kiss of death. “Which is why I don’t want to hurt your feelings.”
“Not interested?” He stared at the hard points straining against her uniform.
She shook her head. “Interested, not into commitment.”
“Who said I was?” He arched an eyebrow.
“Those amazing peepers of yours.” She nodded toward him.
“Why don’t you let me worry about getting too close? I’m a big boy after all.”
Her brown eyes darkened, and she raked her gaze over him like he was a long drink of water and she’d been out in the yard all day working. “Oh, trust me. I noticed.”
“Why deny ourselves what we both want?” He reached out, gripped her wrist, and rubbed his thumb over her pulse.
“You sure you can handle walking away?” She eyed him carefully, with distrust written across her face. His heart ached. So young, and yet so jaded.
“When I’m good and ready, yes, but I won’t be satisfied with just one night.”
Looking down she peered up at him through long, curly, lashes. “I’d be disappointed if it ended so quickly. I’ve built you up in my head, Mr. Price. I hope you can live up to the hype.”
“Is that a challenge?”
“Just a fact.”
“Have you been dreaming of me, darling?” The idea excited him. Somewhere inside her soul recognized what existed between them.
“A girl has to keep some secrets.” She gave a saucy wink, and he laughed.
“Give me two weeks. I know what I’m feeling isn’t one-sided.” He lowered his voice. Her eyes grew to the size of a half dollar. “Your body is begging me to make it sing. Come home with me. You won’t regret it.”
He could see he indecision in her eyes.
“Stop thinking.”
“Can I get some coffee over here, Mac!” The masculine voice cracked the dome of emotion that separated them from the others.
“I’ll be right there, Joe.”
“You’re too dangerous, Ty. You make me forget myself.” Shaking her head she hurried across the crowded diner, and he swore under his breath. He almost had her.
Time to regroup and come at her from a different angle.
He tossed money down on the table, grabbed his gear, and trudged out to his old pick up. Looks like I’ll be joining the boys at Red’s after all.
Chapter Two
Stupid! What was I thinking turning Ty down? Frustrated and bored out of her mind, Maci stared at the clock on the cable display. Ten o’clock at night and her only plans were watching a Golden Girls marathon before she rubbed one out and passed out before eleven. Her best friend, Erica, had a date with her current flame, and Shaundra had to be pushing eight months pregnant. Sighing she grabbed her cup of iced tea and raised it in a salute.
“Looks like it’s just me and you tonight, Sophia.” Laughing at the cantankerous old gal’s antics she lost herself in life after retirement. The jangle of her phone pulled her from the comedy.
“Hello?”
“Maci?” A gruff voice yelled over the loud music and murmurs of voices.
“Vern?” The image of the graying brunette bartender with the ever-present baseball cap and faded flannel filled her head.
“Yeah. You might want to come and get your Mom. She’s into the cups pretty deep, and Craig has a roaming eye going on.”
“Jesus. How bad is it?�
��
“Let’s just say they’ve been here since about seven.”
“Son of a bitch! I’ll be right there, Vern. Thanks for calling.”
“Yep.”
Disconnecting she rushed to her room, stripped down to her underwear, and pulled on a light-weight black and white gingham, halter dress. Slipping her feet into flip-flops she grabbed her keys and her purse off the table and left the trailer. Mumbling to herself she slid behind the wheel of her four door, wondering how much longer she was going to bail water out of a sinking ship. Her mother wouldn’t change until she was ready, and running to her rescue didn’t help her hit rock bottom any faster. Knowing something and facing it were two different things. The thought of her mother detoxing with Craig in the house running roughshod over her chilled the blood in her veins. He needed to be out of the picture in order for her mother to truly heal and make a go at sobriety. Of that Maci was certain.
She pulled into a parking space in front of Red’s bar, cut the engine, and climbed out ready for battle. In her mind, she was engaged in a war with Craig for not only her mother’s life, but her soul. Since he had slunk into town shit had gone downhill faster than a skier. Striding toward the bar she entered the crowded space, nodding at men and women she knew as she worked her way through the bodies clumped together. Her eyes scanned the area, her stomach tightening with every second that passed.
“What do you think you’re doing?” The high-pitched screech came from the back. Moving faster she headed toward it.
“Come on, Traci. Don’t be like that.” Craig’s sugary-sweet voice made her want to vomit … all over him.
Bastard. She wanted to lay all the blame at his door, but her mother chose to remain a willing participate. As she cleared the last person, she swore. Tangela, the town whore, hung all over Craig like a cheap suit. The situation was like dropping pop rocks into soda and shaking. It was bound to explode all over the place.