by Xyla Turner
“Sounds like it.” I totally understood since that big ass city would never see a child of mine except on a short-term basis. Nothing more than a few summer months.
“What about you? Couldn't help but to notice Nina and you weren’t as cozy as usual,” he noted.
His comment caused me to laugh.
“Well, it appears I made my fair lady upset. So upset that she done went and moved on. She says she is dating and whoever the clown is, has permission to put his lips on her,” I said sarcastically but with that uneasy feeling coming back to my heart.
“Hidey hoe.” J.D. whistled. “She's pissed. What'd you do?”
“Well, it seems that when I abruptly left, without any sort of departure notice, this attitude crawled up her panties.”
“Ahh, I see.” J.D. nodded. “Well, what's up with you two? Something happened?”
“Yeah, a little oral on my part during our last night together but that's about it. No declarations of love, commitment, or anything like that. Honestly, she doesn't seem the type.” I argued to myself. “Fuck, neither am I. I thought this was understood but the woman has moved on.”
“That doesn't matter. What do you want?” he asked.
“Shit, I don't know. She's funny and cool like a friend. We have a good time together but I ain't falling head over heels for some woman in another state like you.” I leaned forward. “One’s enough.”
J.D. laughed and said, “Well I'll tell you like my brother told me. The brother I know don't take no for an answer. He gets what he wants and works hard at it. Turned nothing into something with his bare hands. If he can do that, he can get the girl.”
At that, I laughed because I was the brother that encouraged him to pursue Tess. This was different but it was still funny.
I nodded my head and said, “Well, in this case. I'm not pursuing. We had fun and it's over.”
“Hmm, okay.” J.D.’s face relaxed as he contemplated his next words. “Makes sense.”
“What?” I asked.
“Oh nothing. So, are you going to Pops this weekend? He called a meeting.”
“Yeah, I came by to remind you,” I informed my love-struck brother.
“I'm on it. Tess was told to come as well, so she’ll be there too,” J.D. added.
“Good, he likes his Tessa. I'm sure he’ll set up another bowling match between them.”
We both started laughing at the memory of the first one. Tess and Pops talked so much trash, damn near the whole town came to see who'd win. Pops had won, but barely. They shook on it and he's been team Tess ever since, even though he's anti-marriage, anti-women, or anything pertaining to love.
“You're probably right.” J.D. laughed.
I tapped the desk and said, “Alright man. I'll see you then.”
“Aight, brother.”
When dinner at my Pops finally arrived apparently so did everyone and their significant others besides me and Troy. We were the singles in the mix of Timms. Mills’ girlfriend was not really well liked among the family any longer after she treated Tess in an odd way. It was probably a matter of time before she'd be cut loose but this was neither my problem or story.
Walking into the three-story country house, I saw Tess in the corner chatting with Pops. So, I went to greet them first.
“Y’all talking trade secrets?” I interrupted.
“Hey Knox!” Tess beamed and gave me a huge hug. “It's been awhile.”
“Hey, sis.” I kissed her cheek. “Looking good.”
“You too.” She eyed me from head to toe. “Nina would kick herself right now.”
Shit.
Why'd she have to bring her up?
“Doubt it, darling,” I murmured.
“Well, she's here with me.” My head quickly jerked around the room. “No, no. Not here in the house, but here in Iowa. She had some business to take care of, so she’s staying at one of the only hotels you guys have here.”
Tess rolled her eyes as she gave that last bit of information.
Fuck.
“Yeah, well good to see you.” I nodded at her. “Hey, Pops.”
“Son. You running after a woman too?” he asked with those bushy, grey eyebrows raised high.
“Most certainly not. You still running from them, Pops?” I countered.
“Don't sass me boy. If you talking about Ida, then absolutely. No time for needy women. Need a strong one, like Tessa here.”
Well, no one could never say the old man wasn't a charmer. Tess was beaming from ear to ear. “We’re going out on the town tomorrow. Got to show her some things. But tonight, we’re talking business.”
“Sounds good.” I patted him on the back and moved around the house.
Mills and his girlfriend, Rebecca, were in a heated discussion that didn't look like it would turn out well for her. Troy had finally showed up, but was on his phone trying to look occupied.
“What you got your nose in now?” I asked my disconnected brother.
“Why are you always so nosy? Need something to occupy your time?” he commented with a smirk without looking up.
“Got enough shit to mind than be worried about yours.” I kicked his foot off the magazine table before I passed by him and plopped on the sofa.
“What do you think this is about?” he asked.
I assumed he was referring to the meeting.
“Shit, if I know.” I pulled out my phone.
We had known about Pops being sick with cancer but that was in remission. Dinners were usually called for special reasons and important ones at that.
Once the actual dinner started, Pops said a prayer and then the conversation turned into everyone going around the room with our individual updates. Personal, business, and of course the upcoming marriage.
They talked about the engagement and possible places to have the wedding. J.D. talked about a new business venture in London. Mills talked about the farm and I gave an update about the new contract for the Tilden project. Then we got to Pops, who started off with a huge sigh.
“Well, I know you're wondering why I called this meeting so let me explain it simply. This is about the upcoming nuptials, will, and the fact that kids will now be a part of the equation.” Pops paused and looked around the room. “I’m expecting grandkids and I know y’all are highly successful lads and ladies but I ain’t going to be around forever. I want them provided for, and I’ll be changing my will to incorporate my grands. You all know that Mills is taking over the farm. Shit, he’s doing a lot of it now, so that’s settled. The house is his unless he wants to split it with ya. Each of you have an acre of land and the other will be split between the grands. Any questions?”
We all looked around at each other and it wasn’t until Troy snickered and said, “He ain’t talking to me because I have absolutely no kids and none on the way. What y’all say?”
“It ain’t me,” I croaked with a burning pain that crossed my chest.
J.D. shot me a look but I downed the water in front of me to focus on something else. The topic of children or marriage was off limits in my world and most people in the room knew that. Except for Tess but I was sure J.D. filled her in about my history in that department.
J.D. nodded towards Pops and said, “I think that’s awfully noble of you Pops.”
The older man nodded his head and said, “So when are you going to put a kid in that Tessa’s oven?”
Unfortunately, the woman he was referring to, Tess, although he called her Tessa, had just took a big drink of water and sprayed it all over her plate.
“Oh my God, I’m so sorry,” she kept saying through coughing fits.
“Pops, that’s between me and Tess,” J.D. said with a smirk.
They kept yammering but I had already started drinking and was tuning their asses out. The last thing I wanted to discuss was any unborn children and wives. I was happy for J.D. but that wasn’t in the cards for me anymore.
I’d probably had too much to drink when my entitled ass drove ove
r to the Inn Express where Nina was staying. Easy enough to blame it on the alcohol, but, how was she in my town and thought she was not going to see me?
It was around eleven in the evening, and after pounding on the door for several beats, I decided she wasn't there or ignoring the hell out of me.
The next morning, I planned to grace her with my presence because according to Tess, they were not leaving until Sunday. Before I went back to her hotel, I went to Sarah's Cuisine to pick up some of Iowa’s best breakfast food and bring to Nina’s room as a peace offering. However, when I walked through the doors, not only did I see Nina sitting next to a young, long haired male with his Stetson resting on his knee but he was holding her hand like she was his.
Holy hell.
My heart skipped a few beats and my hand instinctively rose to press against my chest. My eyes were not seeing what they thought. It couldn't have been. Yeah, she said she had moved on but that was a ploy, right?
To top it off, right before my eyes, he picked up her hand and was kissing it, in the middle of the open restaurant for all to see. It was Saturday fucking morning and he was putting his lips on her in front of everyone.
Without any thought in my rationale mind, I strolled towards their table, snatching the first empty chair I saw in route. I turned it around backwards and slammed it down on the floor before I plopped my ass down at their table.
"Nina, howdy." My eyes bore into hers. "Heard you were in town."
At first, the woman pulled back in shock, then her eyes narrowed on mine.
"Hello, Knox." Nina pronounced each word with a quick snap. "I'm busy, as you can see."
She gestured toward the tool across the table.
"Ah, this must be the one who has permission to put his lips on you.” I turned my head towards the fake excuse for a substitute and said, “My access has been revoked."
There was no point in looking at him too long because he was pointless in the current battle she and I were about to enter, so I turned to face her again. If looks could kill, I would have keeled over while my fingers clutched the chair in a white-knuckled grip.
What in the hell was wrong with me?
"That's none of your business. All I will share," she nodded towards the quiet excuse for a man, "is that this man is the one I'll be sharing my breakfast, lunch and maybe dinner with today. So, bye."
"Yeah, darling. That's not happening." I turned towards the guy. "If I was you, I'd go."
It appeared that he was finally catching up to what was taking place. When it finally registered, he said, "Pal, the lady asked you to leave."
"Well, I'm not," I said and that was when I turned to stare at him.
"Knox," the owner’s husband, Cal, called out to me. "It's Saturday morning. Please don't start your shit. It's too early. You just bought the replacement furniture last year."
I tried to forget dishing out thousands of dollars to Sarah to get new furniture because I had destroyed it in a brawl. I had not started the shit but I damn sure finished it. There was a lot of alcohol involved, torn leather jackets, and some rogue cowboys who decided to play catch the waitress with a lasso. It would not have been so bad if I would have stopped kicking the guy’s ass when the others left. Yet after the third body slam and the fourth broken table; I had to replace them.
"Cal." I shook my head and shrugged my shoulders. "Sorry man."
I stood up, looked down at the young man but was directing my words to Cal. "If he don't go willingly, I'll remove him myself."
"Knox," Nina hissed but I ignored her. "Knox!"
Cal shook his head and every patron’s eyes were on us. I knew all of them so this sort of encounter wasn't a surprise. J.D. was the reformed one. I, on the other hand, had a long way to go toward becoming one of the civilized folks. There was not one issue with me answering a problem with my fists.
"I suggest you go," Cal said to the other guy.
"He's not going anywhere." Nina stood up too. "We came here to eat breakfast."
"Yeah, he's leaving," I informed her. "Plus, you and I need to talk. I suggest we do that now."
"I cannot believe you." Her words were short and curt.
Nina’s arms were crossed tight over her chest and I would not be surprised if her foot was tapping against the floor.
"Believe it, darling."
My head turned back towards the guy, who was now standing.
"Look, I'm here with the lady to eat. Can we just do that?" Poor guy, trying to use reason.
"In all fairness, this ain't got shit to do with you but right now, you're in the middle of something that needs to be settled. With all that being said, I will drag your skinny ass all over this place if you don't leave." I tried to reason with him as well. "Don't mean no harm to you but the lady and I need to talk. So, it's your decision."
"Knox, you are a big bully!" Nina hissed at me. "I swear to God, I..."
"Swear, what?" I interrupted her as I snapped my head back to face her. "You going to talk to me or will I get arrested today?"
"Sherman, look. Let me talk to him real quick, then we can finish our day. Okay?" She smiled at the guy. "Promise it won't be more than five minutes."
That was all I needed to hear because I looped my arm in Nina’s and headed towards the back of the diner. She tried to pull away but we were moving too fast for her to win that tug of war.
"Knox, I swear I hate you," she seethed as I opened the ladies room door, pulled her in and locked it.
"Really? Prove it," I said with my eyes trained on hers.
My gaze was intense and pointed because that was the way I felt. Nina took a step away from me which put her back against the door with her mouth slightly parted. Moving in her space, I whispered, "Hate me, huh? Prove it, darling. You hate me, I'll know it."
"Fuck you," she snapped back in a small voice.
"We ain't there yet," I retorted and went in for the kill.
My lips hit hers and an electric tingle ran up my spine. Nina's hands were on my chest but then they rose to my neck and pulled on my hair. My hands landed on her ass and then around her thighs, so they would envelope my hips when lifting her to get closer to me.
She was rough and demanding, just like I wanted her to be with me and only me. Not some fake cowboy who was too much of a bitch to demand that I leave. She needed a man like me, who would do whatever was necessary to get her like this.
After sucking her completely dry, I pulled back. "Hate me?"
Her lips smacked twice before she answered, "Yup."
"Hmm, well," I circled my hips so she could feel my hardened cock better. "That's how much I hate you."
Those cinnamon eyes landed on mine but then she blinked and said, "You want to fuck, Knox. That it?"
"Fuck?" I snapped as my head jerked back. "You think I did this just to fuck you? I wanted to explain why I left the last time we were together. It wasn't meant to be offensive to you. I wasn't sure how you would feel the morning after, so I wanted to leave the ram in your field. So, you could decide with no pressure from me."
One of Nina’s eyebrows lifted as if she were inspecting my words, then she asked, "So, no word, no nothing because you wanted me to make a decision about us?"
I nodded my head, "Yeah."
"Then you're a bigger fool than I thought." She pushed me. "Put me down."
"Wait, what?" I pressed against her again. "Explain."
"Knox, I know we're from different places but seriously, this is not rocket science. You do this shit and it's confusing as hell." She pushed me again, so I let go of her thighs and her feet landed with a soft thud on the tiled floor. "You've been doing it since we met. You flirt, but then you pull back. You flirt again, then you pull back some more. Then we share an intimate act and you pull back. Now this. You come, interrupt my meal, and get into takeover mode and believe me, I will not be shocked when you what?” She paused for the dramatic effect. “Yes, ding, ding, ding. Pull back again. I don't have time for this shit. You're a grown ass
fucking man and you know what, just leave me the hell alone. Okay. I don't want a relationship with anyone. Nobody has time for this sort of drama. Let's keep this simple between us. I'll see you at Tess and J.D.’s rehearsal, the wedding and some future events but that's it. We'll leave this here and move on. Okay?"
The lock clicked and she was gone.
Fuck me.
I stood there once again, replaying what she said over and over until someone walked into the restroom, then they jumped back when they saw me.
"Knox, what the hell you doing in the women's john? Go to your own," Conny snapped and went inside the stall.
As I left, I pulled two twenties out of my wallet, dropped them on Nina and the wimps table and let the chime on the door ring with my exit. There was no need to rehash old shit. She was right and I was emotionally fucked up.
Once again, me pulling back.
Chapter Three
Nina:
Knox Timms has some goddamn nerve, and I was just as bad. He left the first time and that just triggered me to leave him standing in his spot the last two times.
Scared much?
Yup.
UGH.
Knox drove me absolutely crazy and we didn't see each other often enough for him to get under my skin like that. I swear when he and I were near each other, the sexual tension always sizzled. Popping out of the pan like hot grease because even water wouldn't quench the thirst. Half of me wanted to smack his beautiful face and the other half wanted to push him down and ride him until we both passed out.
Goddammit.
After losing my appetite, I made some excuse to Sherman and left him to go back to my hotel room. Tess was with J.D., and my plan to have my own sort of fun was derailed by the asshole named Knox. Now, I was ridiculously frustrated and had no way of releasing the pent-up stress, since the trusty vibrator was at my condo in New York. My hand could do it but the magic bullet did it so much better. A good man could do it ten times better but there was a shortage of those nowadays with Knox on the prowl to block a sister from getting some, all while not giving it up.