by Stacey Lynn
“Yes to dinner. Let me approve the man before I give you away to him.” He winks and takes my hand. And damn, it makes me wish my own parents were still alive. I don’t want to know what they’d think of this insanity, but I imagine my dad would look at me in much the same way William is. Like he thinks I’m ridiculous and making a mistake, but I’m grown enough to handle it and learn from it. “Tell me about him.”
I explain more details, not the specifics of our arrangement. I tell him everything I know about Corbin, our time together. I don’t mention what I know Corbin would prefer to keep private. His side business, his father and his mom. Anything that could hurt him should William spill something accidentally, I keep tucked away.
When I’m done, William has a soft smile on his face and a sweet look in his eyes.
“Did I ever tell you how Mary and I met?”
I expected a lecture in being careful, sage advice on how to stay safe and protect myself for when this ends. Instead, his question surprises me.
“No.”
“Fell in love with her the second I saw her, no joke,” he says when I open my mouth to argue. It can’t happen. Lust at first sight, maybe. Love? No way.
I thought I was seeing an angel when I stepped out of my car.
Again, with Corbin’s voice. What I wouldn’t give to go more than five seconds without thinking of him.
“Yep. I did,” William says. There’s no question in his expression, either. “My pals and I were out, blowing off steam before we took off to the Gulf War, set to deploy in just a few days to Iraq, and in walked this woman. She had three friends with her, but I didn’t see anyone besides her. As soon as I saw Mary, I knew I was going to marry her.”
“Sounds like a fairy tale, William.”
“Danced with her, bought her some drinks, spent four hours with her, ignoring my friends, ignoring everyone, and by the time we were done that night, I took her home and told her I was going to marry her. You know what she said to me?”
Mary’s a sassy spitfire. I can imagine her laughing in his face. Calling him crazy. By the look in his eyes, she didn’t do anything of the sort. “What’d she say?”
“She said yes. We were married on my first leave back to the States.”
The conviction in his voice, the softness as he remembers everything, smiling at me like it’s happening to him all over again, undoes me and tears spill down my cheeks. “That’s sweet, William, really, but I don’t think Corbin and I are like that.”
“But you do like him.”
“Well, yeah.” I laugh, shaking my head. “I mean, it’s Corbin Lane. What’s not to like?”
I flip my hand, making less of it than I mean to, but I can’t go deep. I am falling in love with a man I’ve known for less than two weeks, and I just spent seven years with a man I also thought I’d marry. Two weeks into my relationship with Drake, things were this intense, too. Who’s to say everything won’t fall apart this time as well?
William nods and reaches out, squeezing my hand. A fatherly look glimmers in his eyes and I so wish they had their own children to nurture.
“We’ll do dinner,” William says, his words soft like he’s afraid of making me cry more. “I’ll have Mary call you to set it up, okay? And don’t forget what this old man said. Sometimes, when things are right, even when they seem crazy, you know it. Don’t doubt yourself, sweetheart. You’re too smart for that.”
“Okay.”
We talk more and I ask him about Mary’s quilting group she’s become involved in in the last few months. The woman can’t sew a button onto a pair of jeans, but she’s determined to learn how to make quilts like her mom and grandma. Sewing isn’t her talent, but she’s incredibly talented teaching special education at one of the local elementary schools, so we talk about her job, too, while William helps me forget about the mess my life is currently in.
When we part, I leave in better spirits than when I arrived, and just as I did after I left here the last time, I head off to Powell’s to arm myself with more books from their used books collection so I have something to read while I sort my life out.
A quick check of my phone on the walk over shows I’ve missed a handful of calls from both Caitlin and Corbin, so I text them back, letting Corbin know where I’m going and asking him what he wants for dinner.
I feel like cooking something special.
Anything you want to make, I’ll eat. And as a thank-you, I’ll eat you later.
Good grief. His text makes me stumble on the sidewalk and I right myself. Looking around to see if anyone saw me, I pause when I catch a small huddle of women around my age staring at me and whispering.
Oh God. They notice me. They even recognize me.
I type out a reply.
You just made me trip. Now women are staring at me. I think some of them recognize me. How do you live like this?
He replies, They’re staring because you’re beautiful. Go buy books. I just got done with work, and I’ll come pick you up. And if you get hurt, I’ll kiss it and make it better. Everywhere.
Stop it, I type back, and slide my phone into my purse.
I don’t need skinned knees and a bruised ego on top of being watched.
I duck my head and hurry to Powell’s. Entering the store, I don’t bother glancing at the large sign that maps the store. I go straight to the Orange Room, which houses the used books.
There I spend what feels like hours, grabbing appealing romance books as well as thrillers and some crime mysteries. I even have a small stack of nonfiction books about starting your own business that don’t seem too technical.
Once I’ve checked out, I go sit in the Coffee Room and open up one of the crime thrillers, written by John Sandford, and start reading. No romance yet. William’s story of meeting Mary is sweet, but I have enough romance and lust and love in my life. I don’t need it muddled with other people’s dramatic and over-the-top problems.
I’ve just turned the page to chapter four of my book, my coffee cooling and a blueberry muffin half eaten and forgotten, when a shadow falls over me. I look up, expecting to see Corbin, but my jaw drops when Drake slides into the chair next to me.
“Drake?” I look around the store. “What are you doing here?”
He’s never once come into Powell’s. Always said he read enough books in medical school and he doesn’t have the patience for them now. And works too long and too hard to want to do anything except sleep when he comes home. At least that’s the excuse he always gave me, but now I know he also enjoys other things when he’s not sleeping.
Like going with me to the bookstore, his other pursuits hadn’t included me, either.
“Thank goodness I found you, Teagan. I’ve been looking all over for you this last week.”
“What?”
I jerk back, wood chair scraping on the floor making a screeching sound and attracting attention.
God, if people recognized me on the street, will they do the same here?
I scan for cellphones and surreptitious photos being taken. Seeing nothing out of the ordinary, I look back at Drake.
“Honey, I said I wanted to talk to you and explain everything. But then you disappeared.”
His eyes are wild, not nearly as calm and steady as usual and even his dark hair is messed up. He’s wearing his signature scrubs, so I know he’s either going to work or just finishing a shift, but Drake has never looked panicked.
Not even when he had to study for his boards. Purple rims his eyes showing his exhaustion.
I’d ask if he was okay, if I cared. I don’t.
I begin stacking my books, pushing back from the table and standing, when Drake places his hand on top of my growing pile. I have one book in both my hands. A thick nonfiction volume that could probably bruise his knuckles if I slam it down onto his hand.
Tempting.
“I want you to leave me alone, Drake. This is the last time I’m going to ask.” I glare at him and he flinches.
“I k
now. I know I hurt you.” He leans forward, whispering quickly, like he realizes he’s running out of time. “Please. Just two minutes so I can explain. It’s honestly not what you thought.”
At my look he shakes his head. “Okay, it is, at least some of it, but I swear to you it’s not all of what you think.” He bends closer and his eyes are inches from mine. I can only imagine what this will look like if it makes the gossip rags, but another glance shows no one cares about us.
Thank goodness for book nerds who don’t pay attention.
“Please, Teagan. I hate that I hurt you. At least let me explain so we can part on better terms than last time.” He cringes at the pain lashing across my face.
He’s right. I’ll give him two minutes in private where he can explain, slash me with pain all over again, and then he’ll be a memory. I need to put Drake behind me anyway, along with the memory of his dick drilling into a blonde with boobs much larger than mine.
“Fine,” I huff. I brush his hand away and stack the rest of my books.
“Can I help you carry them?”
“No,” I all but snarl, and hold the books close to my chest. “Where do you want to talk?”
“Somewhere quiet.”
He glances around the busy coffee room and I roll my eyes. It’s a bookstore, everywhere is quiet, almost as quiet as the library in most sections. Whatever.
“Follow me,” I say, and I take him back to the used book section. There are a few small tables where people can flip through the books, and when I was here earlier it wasn’t busy.
It isn’t busier now, either, so I set down my heavy stack of books and sit at the table.
“Talk.”
I don’t want him to think I want to be with him. I don’t. Plus, Corbin has said he’s on his way here. New goal: get rid of Drake before there’s another argument and Corbin turns stone cold.
I’ve quite enjoyed him being nice to me.
I fight a blush at the memory of this morning, taking him and going so wild in a way I don’t think I’ve ever lit up for the man in front of me, and force it away.
“Listen, Teagan.” Drake’s using his nice voice. It’s warm and soft and used to make me feel safe. I fight cringing at it now. “Missy’s father, Earl Staffordshire, is my boss at Portland General. He knew I was dating someone, but he doesn’t care. He’s asked me to take care of Missy.”
I scoff at that. “Yeah, you did that well, didn’t you.”
“It wasn’t supposed to be sex. I was supposed to date her, be a good guy, take her to a few galas and be her friend. That’s what her dad asked me to do.”
“And she ended up in our bed because…” I let my voice drift into a question.
“Because she’s crazy!” he hisses, leaning forward, and there’s that wild look in his eyes again. “I swear it. I didn’t want to sleep with her, but she showed up and started grabbing me, wouldn’t take no for an answer. Said if I didn’t fuck her she’d tell her dad I did anyway.”
For a moment, a very brief one, sadness begins to settle in my gut. Then I remember what I saw and that blows to smoke.
“Thank you for explaining,” I say, leaning back. I don’t need to hear this. I don’t want to hear this.
Regardless of whether or not Corbin will ever be real and lasting, I’ve still made a commitment.
It’s time to put Drake in my rearview mirror.
“He’s my boss,” Drake says, his voice bordering on panic levels. “He’s my boss and he asked me to take her out on a few dates. She was in a bad relationship and he wanted her to meet a decent guy. That’s it, I promise. It was never supposed to turn into that and you were never supposed to know about the rest.”
“Wonderful.” My phone buzzes in my purse, and I know it’s Corbin. I have to go. “Thank you, like I said, for explaining, but this doesn’t change anything, Drake. I’m with Corbin now, and I’m happy. You lied and you cheated and I don’t even care about your excuse for the rest of it, but you hid something from me.”
“Honey—”
“No,” I snap, and force myself to quiet down. “You cheated. You lied. You hid things from me and we were supposed to get married, Drake. I can’t and I won’t forgive you.”
“But you’ll date Corbin Lane? Come on, Teagan. For as much as you drooled over his photos you know he’s no better.”
It’s my greatest fear. When will Corbin get tired of slumming it with the homeless girl he picked up and run off with someone who’s more suited for him.
“We’re getting married, Drake.” I hold out my ring despite the emotions raging through me. Fear, anger, betrayal. It’s all there, turning me into a hot, sweaty mess. “We’re engaged and I’m sorry things ended poorly between us, but let’s face it, they were already over well before Missy entered our bedroom.”
“There you are,” Corbin says, finding us and pulling to a sudden stop. His gaze bounces to Drake, who has stood, hands braced on the table leaning toward me. I’ve backed up almost to the windows behind me, and I’m sure we make quite a picture.
“What’s going on?” Corbin says, slowly walking to the table.
“Nothing,” I reply.
Drake is still blinking at my finger. “You’re engaged?” His eyes snap to mine. “We were supposed to get married.”
He sounds crushed. I can’t drum up the sympathy for him.
“Should have locked her down sooner,” Corbin says, sliding up next to me.
Not helping. I look at him and almost growl.
He doesn’t take his eyes off Drake. “We done here now?”
Drake’s brows furrow, still staring at the ring. He’s gone paler and his eyes move to mine. “Yeah. I guess we are. I’m sorry, Teagan. I didn’t mean to hurt you. I swear I didn’t.”
He pushes off the table and runs a hand down his face, blowing out a heavy breath. Turning, he gives one last look to Corbin. “Take care of her, she’s special.”
“I know.” It’s all Corbin says, but it says everything. He’s not roiling with anger like last time, and as he slides his arm to my back, watching Drake walk away with his shoulders hunched like he’s defeated, it’s exactly what I needed to hear.
We’re not playing or pretending right now, and no one would doubt the sincerity in his voice.
“Let’s get out of here,” I say, blowing out a heavy breath. My shoulders slump like Drake’s just did but I’m not defeated, just exhausted.
Corbin’s fingers press into my back and then his lips hit the top of my head. “These books all yours?”
Before I can answer, he slides them into his arms and watches me, carefully but not angrily. “You doing okay?”
“Yeah, but I’m not really in the mood to cook anymore.” Thank you, shitty Drake, for ruining my great day. “Can we just go home and order pizza?”
His head jerks in surprise and then he smiles; it’s soft and endearing, and if we weren’t in the bookstore, I’d kiss him. He makes me forget everything bad and ugly in my life and I love him for it.
“Yeah. We can go home and order pizza.”
Chapter 23
Corbin
It takes everything I have not to haul off and shove my fist into Drake’s face as soon as I see him at Powell’s. The thing that stops me?
The look on Teagan’s face.
Plus, the fact I’ve now been inside of her, tasted her. There’s nothing hidden or secretive about the girl, which tells me she didn’t plan that little meeting, but Drake did.
She’s hurting enough, and the only thing I think is make it better.
Also, she calls my place home. And yeah, I like that, too. Love it. I’ve never wanted to live with a woman, but I really fucking like that Teagan now thinks of my place as hers.
When we get home, and while she’s upstairs changing, I order pizza, pour her a glass of red wine, and open a beer for myself.
The good thing? Now that I’ve had her, I get to touch her whenever we want. When she comes downstairs dressed in her favorite yo
ga pants and that off-the-shoulder ragged sweatshirt that drives me crazy for some reason, I do the first thing I can think of to erase Drake from her mind.
I playfully pull her to the couch and then roll us, so my body covers hers. She laughs and I watch. Then I tease the ever-loving crap out of her, tasting and touching her everywhere until she comes on my fingers right before the doorbell sounds.
Perfect timing.
I can’t wait to have more of her.
“Jesus,” she gasps as I push off her to answer the door.
“Close.” I wink. “But I’m not sure I’m saintly enough for the title.”
She’s still laughing softly, lying on the couch when I return with pizza and plates. She stretches languidly and sits up, and I sit close to her, digging into our dinner.
“Do you want to talk about today?” I ask her, taking a bite from my third piece of pizza.
One more thing I like about Teagan? The girl can eat. She’s a piece or two ahead of me, and I don’t know where she puts that shit, but it definitely explains her ass I like so much.
I slide the pizza box closer to her.
“I went to the library to see William.” She takes a sip of her wine and smiles at me. That blinding smile that makes me hard. “And by the way, he says before he walks me down the aisle he wants to meet you. We talked about dinner this week.”
“Sounds good.” I can’t wait to meet someone Teagan actually likes and who feels the same way about her. I wipe my mouth with a napkin and drink from my beer. “Just let me know when and I’ll make it work.”
“You’ll like him.”
“I’ll like anyone who respects you,” I say, arching my brow. She knows I wasn’t asking about William.
“I don’t know what happened with Drake,” she says, running a hand through her hair. “He found me at Powell’s like he’s been waiting for me, or looking for me or something. He gave some excuse about Missy…”
Her voice trails and I give her time to gather her thoughts. The last time we ran into him I acted like a raging prick. Now I know it’s because even then I was falling for her, but I don’t want to screw this up.