by Janie Marie
Her face reddened. “I thought that would be better than the front.”
“Really?” He spun her around then tugged her so her ass was on him, and he started dancing with her. At first she tensed, but she soon joined him, her smile so fucking pretty as she tilted her head back against his chest and moved his hand under her shirt. My spot.
“Well, Damon either doesn’t pack as much in his pants as you, or he’s a magician,” she said, wiggling her ass. “He must’ve made it disappear. Because I didn’t feel this.”
Yeah, he was already hard for her. “You better not have.”
“Are you mad at me?”
Pressing his palm against her skin, he said, “For keeping secrets from me? Yes. For comparing yourself to every bitch humping legs in here? Absolutely.” He watched her eyes flash gold before dimming to a dull olive green. “For being my beautiful goddess who dances for me? Hell, no.”
Her smile made his whole body ignite into those damn tingles she always talked about.
“When were you going to let me see you dance?” he asked. “I honestly didn’t think you liked dancing.”
She swallowed hard. “I’ve never been good enough. I’m not good at this kind of dancing.”
“No, you’re not,” he said, hugging her as her lips trembled. “You’re fucking amazing at this kind of dancing. And you’ve always been better than enough.”
A whimper sounded from her, but she smiled with teary eyes. “You sexy jerk.”
He laughed, leaning down—far—to kiss her. “My little dancing goddess.” When she turned in his hold and threw her arms around his neck, he lifted her and asked, “So, when do I get a lap dance?”
Her reply was instant. “Do you want it public or private?”
Public was on the tip of his tongue, but there was a tiny bit of fear swirling inside her. So, he set aside his ego and grinned. “Private, of course. Don’t want any of these fucks seeing you naked.”
“I was going to do it clothed.” She wasn’t fooling him.
“No, you weren’t.” He stealthily copped a feel under her shirt and groaned. “Wanna go to my hideout? You might even get lucky with the champ.”
“Oh, I better.”
“So greedy.” He situated his hold on her and began carrying her toward the exit.
“Yes,” she admitted, kissing his neck.
As much as he loved her lips on him, he felt neck kisses were a David thing. So, he smiled when she trailed tiny kisses up to his jaw where she started nipping him.
“Is this your way of trying to seduce me?” He laughed, shoving the exit door open.
“I’m trying to consume you,” she whispered in his ear before nipping him there too.
Grinning and squeezing her ass hard, he told her something he thought she knew. “You already have, Sweet Jane.”
David kept his eyes on the plate before him as Jane’s mom hurried around the kitchen. She’d been waiting for him to get home from practice, and she asked him to come over for dinner. He was going to decline, but Jane wasn’t answering his calls, and he hadn’t had a good home-cooked meal since being kicked out.
“Have you talked to your father?” she finally asked him.
“No.” David reached for the knife and fork; she’d made him a steak, mashed potatoes, and she had an apple pie waiting nearby.
“Oh.” She took a bite of her salad. “I haven’t either.”
David jerked his eyes up. “You haven’t?”
Tears pricked at her eyes. “He’s chosen Jane over me,” she cried. “Just like Eric did. Just like you did.”
He frowned, watching her breakdown.
“Enough,” came a loud voice behind David.
Kingston walked forward, his eyes ablaze as he took in the tears staining Sarah’s face. “You know damn well you’ve been the one refusing my calls,” he told her. “You know I’m taking care of Jane because you won’t. You never have, Sarah. And that’s exactly why Eric took care of her, why I stepped in for him, and you knew what I didn’t about David and Jane—that they loved each other well before you expressed any of your feelings for me.”
David hadn’t expected to see his dad, nor hear him acknowledge his love for Jane.
Kingston didn’t stop his onslaught on Sarah. “You are trying to turn everyone against her because you’re afraid of being alone. She’s your daughter, Sarah. Not your competition.”
Jane’s mother sniffed, gathering her plate and standing from the table. “I see she’s already worked her charm on you.”
What the fuck? David pushed the plate away and stood as his dad let out a growl. “I’m gonna go,” David told whoever heard him.
Now Kingston looked at him. “Boy, I came to see you—not her. You sit your ass there because I am not going to go into the Godson home where I am certain I’ll see someone naked or acting a fool.”
“Not Ryder, clearly,” Sarah said bitterly. “He won’t be there.” Her head shook. “I know you’re letting her see him. And you’re still staying away, even though she’s picked him. You’re picking her over David.”
Kingston’s nostrils flared. “Woman, you are trying my patience. I’m letting her see him so she can make up her mind as any girl should be able to. She shouldn’t have her mother deciding who she dates. And the boy, though he annoys me, is good to her. That’s all we should care about. He even takes David into consideration and is honest with her. More than you have ever been with her. She should be asking you for advice, not terrified because she’s confused.”
David darted his eyes between them in silence. He’d never heard them argue like this. And his father was taking Jane’s side. He hadn’t expected any of it, especially the jealousy Sarah had toward Jane. But it made sense. Sarah didn’t take care of Jane. He’d always thought it was grief that made her distant, but now he saw that had been why Eric was so involved with Jane. Sarah didn’t want her.
“Confused?” A sharp laugh escaped from Sarah as she continued in a sarcastic tone, “She’s so confused that she’s getting everything she’s always wanted. She’s sleeping with Ryder, and you’re allowing it while you leave me here like some insignificant afterthought. She’s so confused that she slept with David right under our noses. And you’re babying her like she’s a princess when she’s behaving no better than a whore you’re passing around to the highest bidder.”
David stood, his muscles coiled tight as he tried to push down the urge to fight. He’d never hit a woman, but his instincts had his body reacting the way it would if Jane was being physically attacked.
A heavy hand came down on his shoulder, and Kingston squeezed as he said in a low voice, “Go to the Godson’s and wait for me.”
He wanted to defend Jane, defend all of them, but he accepted this wasn’t his fight. Sarah had problems that his father knew about; it was between them, and he could see now that he didn’t need to protect Jane from Sarah. Kingston would.
So, he gathered his things and returned to his temporary home. He noted Ryder’s car was still gone. It hurt, but he hoped Jane was having a good time. No way could he imagine her hurting after seeing how Sarah felt about her. He didn’t have a mother or a sister, but he wondered if this was normal, for a mother to be jealous of her child.
“Bad news?”
David looked up, right at Luc. “There’s rarely good news for me.”
“That sounds like whining,” he said with an amused tilt of his lips. “I don’t think Jane expects that from you.”
He tossed his backpack onto the chair. “How long have you known her again?”
“As long as you have,” Luc reminded him. “Just because you have lived with her for the past three years does not mean you fully know her.”
“What do you want?” David knew Luc didn’t speak unless there was something he wanted to say.
By the faint smirk on Luc’s face, he appreciated being called out to cut to the chase. “Jane was asked to keep a secret from you and Ryder. Seeing that she is trying to
obey Kingston, I thought I would take it upon myself to expose us.”
“Expose you?” He ran a hand through his hair as he glanced around the room. Tercero was reading, not looking up, but David knew he could hear them just fine.
“Tercero and I were given the opportunity to see her behind yours and Ryder’s backs.”
David didn’t respond. He didn’t know how to feel because she hadn’t let it slip at all.
Luc sighed, tugging his sleeve like he was going to somehow manage to hide his tattoos. “Kingston told her to keep this private, but I know he will be talking to you about possibly seeing her as well. Though he acts it with her, Ryder is no fool—he likely knows about us seeing her, but he won’t hurt her for it. However, I know it will hurt Jane to feel she is betraying any of us. So, I suggest you be understanding when she’s keeping up her end of the bargain with Kingston, and you respect us the way I am you.”
Now Tercero looked up from his book. “She’d very much prefer to have all of us together.”
Luc slowly tilted his head to meet his brother’s stare. “She is not ready for us.”
Tercero’s lips turned up. “She can decide that for herself.” Then he added more wickedly, “She’s flexible.”
Fire burned through David’s veins as he glared at him. “I’ve had enough of people talking about Jane like she’s a whore. She’s my Jane. My baby. And she cares about you assholes, but I won’t let her be treated or spoken about like she’s our whore.”
Both Tercero and Luc gave him surprised then violent looks.
“I didn’t mean it as a disrespect,” Tercero said, his accent slipping out a bit more, which happened whenever his emotions were amplified. “I only know she would like to see how we behave together with her. She’s not as delicate as you and my brother like to treat her, is all I meant. I want to see her fully happy—that is with all of us.”
Nodding stiffly, David walked toward the kitchen. He was pissed that he couldn’t eat now because of Sarah’s nonsense, but he could go a night without food. His dad’s conversation would come next and then he’d likely have to calm himself down somehow.
Luc followed him, but he kept his distance. “There is Italian in the oven for you, enough for you and Ryder. Though I think he will have fed himself before he returns. Eat and relax. Jane would not like you so upset.”
His muscles felt locked in place, but he braced his hands on the counter as he heard a knock on the door. “It’s my father.”
Tercero stood and left without a word to answer the door.
David lifted his gaze to stare at Luc. “You care about her this much? It’s not a fucking game you’re playing to take her from us?”
A dark smile came and went from his face. “I care a great deal for her. I do not play games regarding Jane. It only appears that way because I make it so.” He moved to leave but stopped as footsteps drew closer. “Because it’s easier for her this way.” Saying nothing more, he left through a separate exit to avoid bumping into Kingston, who was now entering from the main hall.
His father looked much older than he remembered. He’d always seen his dad as a fierce but fair man, but now he looked worn out. “I interrupted your dinner,” Kingston said as he scanned the room. “Should I take us out?”
David knew there would be no apologies—from either of them. No ‘have you been taken care of?’. So, he did what would answer those unasked questions. He walked toward the oven and opened it to find two takeout meals. He retrieved both and gestured to the dining room. “They had a meal waiting for me. You can have Ryder’s—I know Jane will make sure he’s had dinner. We can eat and talk in here.”
A flicker of a smile appeared on Kingston’s face as he followed. “I don’t want to appreciate these boys.”
Laughing quietly, David placed the first carton down and rounded the table to sit. “Yeah, I’m struggling with that as well.”
Kingston sat, opening up the box the same time David did. It was still hot, the steam rising as the delicious aroma of sirloin steak, alfredo, and crusted zucchini hit him in the face.
“I’m moving in,” Kingston said, staring at the food.
David chuckled, grabbing his utensils. He already knew his dad and Jane were at his grandmother’s, and his grandmother made terrible food—except for her cookies. “It’s normally pizza, eggs, or sandwiches. This must be Luc’s doing; he’s normally not around when we get home.”
“He’s a slick one,” Kingston commented as he dug in. “I see why she likes him; he’s all class.”
Was that what Jane liked? No, she was down to earth. Well, at least he thought she was.
“You don’t know her as much as you like to think you do,” Kingston said, watching him. “She’s our silly but shy girl, but she’s a queen at heart. He’s showing her that, but he’s letting her take her time to accept it, even if it never comes.”
“I always saw her as more of a princess than a queen,” David muttered.
Kingston chuckled, cutting his steak. “I think that’s why I misunderstood your feelings for her. I don’t see you as a prince—you’ve always been too fierce. But I think that’s how Jane sees you.” He cleared his throat, uncomfortably. “Her prince.”
Now the tension surrounding David’s heart eased. His baby had always seen him as something great, and he didn’t deserve it. “Is she doing all right?”
“Aren’t you talking to her?” Kingston raised a thick eyebrow. “She’s not the stealthy ninja she wishes she was.”
David laughed, nodding. “Yeah, she’s a horrible ninja.” He smiled as he thought about her. Jane was always sneaking around, hiding in the dark and trying to scare them. She even dressed in black once and tried to sneak up on his father, but she really was terrible at it. “And I have talked to her a few times.” He stayed still as he waited for some kind of retaliation.
“I feel like I should be angry at you for everything going on between you two. I am angry.” His father sighed. “But I’ve worried about Jane for so long. She’s been so reserved . . . no—diminished—since Eric died. I remember the sweet girl who had every one of you boys ready to defend her or make her smile. She had no idea the power she held over you all. That’s the girl she has hidden, and I wish I could see that girl again. But I think you would’ve been perfect for her if they hadn’t returned to her life.”
Lowering his eyes, David nodded. “It seems like all she’s learned is how imperfect I am.”
“Good.” Kingston gave him a real smile. “You don’t want a girl falling in love with the idea of you, son. The real you—flawed, if even slightly in her eyes—is the one you want to see her smile at and say those three words to.”
Not at all what David had prepared to hear, and it must’ve shown on his face.
“My son isn’t going to lose his girl to a bunch of pretty boys who run amuck.” Kingston tossed him another smile as David sat there in shock. “Just as I have rules for Ryder and the others, you will follow the ones I set for you. You may contact me when you are free to ask for permission to see her, and of course, if I say yes, you ask her permission.”
“Really?” He was afraid he was hallucinating.
“Yes, really. You’ll need a ride.” He pulled out David’s keys and tossed them on the table. “No taking her out because I’m still upset and coping with everything, but you may stay and visit her. Your grandmother misses you, so I expect you to pay attention to her and not just fawn over Jane. And I only want you driving to school, home, and to visit Jane. If you fall behind on your studies or practice, I will tell Jane, and you know she will do what she has to do to see you succeed.”
David reached for the keys, his whole body alive as he felt true happiness. “Thanks, Dad.”
Kingston nodded. “Respect her, David. No matter what she becomes to you, she’s my daughter. I’m fighting the urge to tell all of you that you’re not good enough for her, but I know that’s not true. Because Ryder is indeed her match, son. I see it—he’s her wo
rld, the very ground she stands on.” The words hurt, and by the soft smile his dad gave him, he knew it. “But there’s a certain way she always warmed around you that was magical to witness. I’m rooting for you.”
He chuckled as he tightened his hand around the keys. “What about Sarah?”
“She selfishly—desperately—made choices that wronged you and Jane.” He sighed, adding, “I love her, but I love you more.”
David’s entire body tensed before relaxing entirely.
Kingston went on, “You are my boy, and Jane is the girl I made my daughter—if only by heart and marriage. It’s my job to protect you. That includes your hearts. So, you will not worry about my choices with Sarah. She has taken them from both of you for far too long.”
He could only nod. Then he said something that probably could’ve waited. “I don’t think Jane wants to choose.” Swallowing, he added, “I’m not sure I want to ask her to anymore.”
His father closed his eyes, his lips moving as if he were whispering a prayer. Then he nodded, opening his eyes. “I won’t take her choices from her. I don’t see how you can be happy and make that work, but I also never imagined she’d turn that bastard into such a ridiculous fool.”
“Ryder?” David chuckled as he got up to pour two glasses of water, relieved his father wasn’t calling him weak or something worse.
“Have you heard the nonsense he spouts whenever he’s around her?”
“I have.” David slid a drink to his dad. “I’m sure my letters to her are just as bad.”
“You write her letters?” Kingston lowered his glass as he studied him.
“I have written to her every day. . . Since you told me you would marry Sarah. I told her how I felt about her, about how I wouldn’t take your happiness away.” His dad’s expression fell. “I told her everything, Dad. Everything. I hid them where I hoped she’d look, but she never did.” He shrugged, a little uncomfortable to admit something so personal.
“Has she read them now?” his dad asked in a slightly broken tone.
“Yeah.” He felt his face redden. “I kinda broke her heart with a lot of things, but I think she loved them more.”