Cherry Grove (The Cove Series Book 1)

by Leaona Luxx

  My temporary happiness disappears and in its place anxiety, anger, and irritation flares within me. Who does he think he is trying to tell me I have to share everything with him, tell him everything? Well, fuck him!

  From the moment he asked, my defenses were on high alert, and each second that ticks away, I further convince myself I can’t be who he wants/needs. I push him away.

  “Don’t fucking tell me what to do! I get to decide if you’re in my life or not. What makes you think ‘someone’ did this to me? Maybe it’s just you! Maybe we should not be doing this! Maybe, just maybe, I don’t deserve to be happy!” He needs to leave because I can’t do this. One man in my head is enough. And there is no way I can let any man in my heart. Wrapping my arms around myself, I snivel, “Just go.”

  One peers down at me as if I’m insane. Maybe I am. I can tell he’s upset before he says, “What? What did you say? I know you’re not running again. I won’t let you! Fuck this, you will not run away!”

  This is me, this is what I do. Everything is torn apart and burnt to the ground; only ashes remain when I’m done. “We can’t, One. I can’t.” Even to my ears I sound dead and defeated.

  His expression stabs me anew. Maybe this will make him finally understand that I’m not worth the time or the effort.

  “I should have told you, One. I’m sorry. I’m not the type to be happy. I won’t ever be able to make you happy.” I walk out of the room intent on leaving him behind, but he follows me.

  “Why are you doing this? Who did this to you? Whoever made you believe that shit is wrong! Do you hear me, Hadlea?”

  I can’t take it. Spinning around, I screech, “You don’t even fucking know me! This is me, this is who I am! I’m not fucking worth it, okay? Do you understand?”

  Slowly, he raises his hand to my face, trailing his fingers across my cheeks and down my jaw line making me whimper. His gaze locks with mine, waiting and wanting. He’s searching for something. I’ve never wanted a man more, but he’s strong and honorable and should be with someone better.

  “Stop doing this, please. Stop pushing me away. I want you, Hadlea, all of you. Nothing else matters to me. Give me the opportunity to prove it to you, to show you what you deserve, what we can be together. You are the strongest woman I’ve ever met. You’re brave, intelligent, gorgeous…so gorgeous. I love your curves, your mind, and your determination. Let me show you what real love can be. You cannot keep pushing me away.”

  “Please just leave. This will never work. I won’t give up my control.”

  He’s mad. “I’m not trying to control anything except your orgasm, and as I recall, you like it. No, you love that when I tell you to come, you are able to let go and just do it! Did you ever think that since you keep such a tight rein on your life, having me control sex turns you on?” He steps closer. “If you can’t remember, here let me remind you.” His fingers, the very ones that helped bring me to orgasm press against my lips right under my nose. “Yes, that’s you on me, and your scent alone is able to make me hard.”

  Before I can react, he grabs my wrist, bringing my hand to his encased penis. It’s hard, long, and ready.

  “Good sex. That’s all. I can’t help how my body reacts, but I still can’t. Please, One, I’m saving you. Trust me.”

  Rolling his eyes to the heavens like he’s praying for patience, he snaps, “I’m a grown ass man! I can take care of myself!”

  “Please leave.”

  He’s furious. “Fucking fine!” Stomping to the door, he calls over his shoulder, “You deserve love, Hadlea. You already have mine.”

  I melt, falling into a heap on the floor crying, mourning the loss I brought upon myself.

  CHAPTER SIX

  One

  I will never forget the day we started on her place. I thought I was going to have to fire a few workers and fist fight with my best friend, Hardy. She stood on her porch with her hair in a messy bun, tendrils falling around her face. No makeup, thank goodness, but that didn’t matter. She was perfect. Cutoff jeans that hugged every curve with a white tee shirt, under that shirt I could tell she wore a bikini top.

  My God, what she had on had me hard the minute I laid eyes on her. The sound that came from Hardy had me ready to throw her over my shoulder, take her to her bedroom, lock the door, and throw away the key.

  A tattoo was visible just above her ankle on her right leg, an ‘H’ with a rose intertwined. Oh yes, I remember. I’ll never forget it because later that evening, I also found her second tattoo, a fairy. My joy didn’t last. After our amazing time together— the best of my life—she shut down leaving me confused.

  Later, she would tell me it was because I had told her to break off a relationship she had no intention of leaving. Turns out the man who walked into the house that first night was one of her sons. She had three.

  Hearing that, I was over the moon. I had always wanted a family, a big one, but after my sham of a marriage to Montgomery, I let go of that particular dream; which means, I am more than all right being with a woman who has three young men she had to raise on her own.

  She still hid herself from me, though. Her true self was buried deep. Hadlea wanted me. I know that, but the war raging inside of her is tumultuous. She makes my head spin in bed and out.

  What happened to her? She has a hard time believing she deserves love. If only she trusted me and understood that I’m not going anywhere then maybe she would stop running. I just can’t stand secrets. My first marriage had made me cautious, and it makes me ballistic when I know Hadlea isn’t telling me something.

  Over the last few days, I’ve tried to give her up, but I can’t. Hadlea makes me want more with her. Ironic. The one woman who constantly shuts me down is the one woman I don’t want to live without. I need to take care of her, to love her, to help her. I’m no hero and I’m a very selfish man, but I want to be there for her.

  It killed me to leave her. Was it hard on her, too?

  Weeks have passed and still no contact. I’m beginning to lose hope.

  Lea

  The last few weeks passed by in a blur. Thayer and I catch lunch twice a week. I think she does it not only for our friendship but because she thinks I’m depressed and she’s worried. Her brother is never mentioned, and I don’t know if I’m grateful or sad. I miss him, but I can’t have him.

  My boys filter in and out. They can see for themselves that I’m not acting like me— whoever that is—and each takes shifts to come check on me. Hawk comes early, Aksel takes the afternoon, and Latham brings up the rear with the evening shift. If they don’t come, they call. I know they are concerned, and for the first time, I don’t know how to appease it.

  Thursday night after Latham leaves, Hawk calls to verify dinner plans for Saturday, and before he hangs up, he tells me, “Mom, I need you to know, you’re worth more than you think you are…you’re worth everything. You just have to learn to accept it and the love that goes with it. It’s that simple.”

  If he only knew the whole true, but he doesn’t and can never know. “Maybe.” It actually isn’t that simple because there are some things in life that are almost too difficult to overcome.

  ***

  I keep reassuring them that I’m fine, but I can tell they don’t buy it. To try and take some of the spotlight off of me, I insist my boys bring their significant others to dinner as well. Maybe the ploy worked, maybe it didn’t, but on Saturday I’m surrounded by the small crowd of people I call family.

  I thought I would be all right. I thought I had almost convinced myself I have moved on from One…then I see him when I look up, searching out the person who calls my name. Thayer is waving and yelling as she approaches with a huge smile on her face, “Lea! Hey! How are you?” Considering we just had lunch together this afternoon, she already knows—or suspects since I haven’t said much lately.

  Standing to greet her, I pull her into a hug. “Hey! What are you doing here? Well I mean, dinner of course, but…” My eyes briefly take in
the man standing slightly behind her: One. I miss him.

  “Like you, a family dinner. Hi everyone!” She waves at everyone seated at our table.

  I had decided not to drink alcohol tonight, but seeing One, I softly ask for Hennessey when the waiter brings our drinks to the table. Liquid courage. Doing my best to block out the man that can single-handedly set me on fire and put me on edge, I force a smile and graciously say, “Thayer, let me introduce you to my children.”

  Glancing over her shoulder, she reminds her brother of his manners, “Don’t stand so far away. Come on over here. Lea is going to introduce her boys.”

  If looks could kill or maim, Thayer would be buried at the Earth’s core. One and I both glare at her.

  I school my face and speak sweetly, “Allow me, this is Aksel & his wife, Emerson. Hawkins and his fiancé, Willow. And finally, Latham and his girlfriend, Ryver.” I motion to each in turn and then point in Thayer’s direction, “This is Thayer. She’s responsible for my landscaping. Her brother…”

  Before I can utter his name, he steps forward. “I’m One. I’m working on the destruction of your mother. Or rather, her home.” I can’t believe he did that! What I wouldn’t give to slap the smirk off of his face right now. Widening my smile, my voice drips with polite sweetness, “One. How have you been?”

  “Meaning? Am I okay since you made me leave without telling me why? Or do you need to know if I’ve moved on?”

  Asshole. “Meaning ‘how are you’ period.” Aksel starts to stand, and I place my hand on his shoulder to stop him.

  His eyes move to my hand and then take in the rest of our audience. His sister is pissed off and my family…shock is one word for it. Finally, he relents with a sigh, “I apologize for my rude behavior just now and for acting like an ass.” Those blue eyes fall upon me again. “I’m good, but I miss you. I will not apologize or make excuses for standing this close to you and wishing you were with me. You know how I feel. It cuts me to the bone to stand here and act as if there has been nothing between us.” Shaking his head, he drops his gaze and mutters, “Ladies and gentlemen, have a great evening. Please excuse me.”

  As One walks away, Thayer gives me another hug and waves goodbye. They are only three tables away, sitting with a lady who resembles Thayer, except older, and two other men.

  “So, Mom. What’s up?” Lath prods.

  I’m in love with a man that I don’t think I can have. Oh and he has no idea why I keep running away from him because I’ve never told anyone, not even you boys, I think to myself. Instead, I opt for, “Not much. Love life is in the tanker, but that’s about it. You?”

  My family erupts in laughter, as I knew they would, and without meaning to, my eyes dart toward One as if pulled by a magnet. There he is, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. Why? I face him and his smile increases, and unwillingly so, my lips turn up into a real, full smile. Only this man has the power to do this to me.

  Standing, I excuse myself to the restroom, silently hoping One will be waiting for me when I exit. I know it’s wrong, and yet, I can’t help myself. I need to push him away, and I keep finding myself ensnared in the enigma which is One.

  Unfortunately for me, my hopes are dashed when I exit the stall to see Montgomery. I didn’t even know she was here, and I’m repulsed by seeing her face. Her expression tells me she has something to say, which means I am readying myself to bitch slap her when needed. “What do you want?” I sneer.

  “What a surprise. You’re here, and One is over there with his family. Was he too embarrassed to take you out in public?” she spits.

  Squaring my shoulders and planting my right foot, I ball my fist at my side ready to swing it. “Go fuck yourself, bitch. You’re just mad because he’s not here with you.” Pushing past her to wash up, I’m a little surprised when she leaves as soon as someone else walks in.

  “Excuse me if I seem rude, but you’re Lea, right?” the newcomer asks.

  I feel my cheeks heating up as the urge to duck out burns in my gut, but I hold my ground. “Actually, my given name is Hadlea. You’re more than welcome to call me Lea, most people do.”

  “Nice to meet you. I’m Thayer and Malone’s mother. I believe they’ve recently done some work for you.”

  “Malone? I’m lost.” Last I checked, I didn’t know of anyone named Malone.

  She laughs in the same singsong manner as her daughter, “I think you call him One?”

  How about that? I’ve learned something new about One. Maybe it would have been better if we were making small talk instead of having sex, then I would have probably found out more about him, but that would have endeared him to me more, and that would have been bad…or good. I’m not sure anymore. I do know one thing, though, I absolutely adore his name: Malone.

  “I must say, you are as beautiful as he says.” She grins, and seeing my shocked face, she giggles, “Don’t look so surprised. Even you must know boys will talk to their mothers, especially when the woman they are falling for is confusing them. I’m Elise.” Her hand shoots out and hovers in midair.

  I’m completely gobsmacked as I shake it. “Uh. I guess you’re right. Mine have always come to me with their girl trouble.” Just thinking about some of the things my boys have asked me about the fairer sex has me snickering, and Elise joins me.

  “I’m glad you understand because I had nowhere to go if you didn’t agree.” And then, mumbling to herself, she says, “At least now I can tell him not to give up.”

  “Excuse me?” I’m confused, and I’m not exactly sure what to make of this woman. “What do you mean?”

  “You know; I’ve been where you are. All of the sudden when I least expected it, this man shows up out of the blue thinking he’s going to save me. I was happy drowning in my own misery, but he wouldn’t let me.” Her expression softens. “You deserve happiness. No matter what you have done, has been done to you, or whatever happened in your past, you deserve happiness and a future. Allow Malone to show you, to open up that new door for you. Both of you deserve it. He needs a strong woman that he won’t walk all over—someone who wants him for only and all of the right reasons.”

  “Oh,” is all I manage as she takes me by the arm and leads me out of the ladies’ room.

  “Let’s introduce you to everyone, and then let’s see if you can throw Malone a curveball. He deserves it after that embarrassing scene of his. I swear I taught him better.”

  I decide right then and there, I like her. Not only does she remind me of me in a way, but she doesn’t take crap from anyone, including her son. “I can do that. What should I say?” I giggle.

  With a devious smile and a twinkle in her eye, she tells me, “Anything. He’ll love anything you say.”

  An odd feeling flares in my chest. Anything? I’m both excited to see him and ready to run away again. “Hello,” I greet everyone as we arrive at the table she is sharing with her family— with One. Thayer immediately sits up straight, and One’s eyes widen as his mouth hangs agape. I guess he wasn’t expecting me to come visit.

  “Look who I ran into,” Elise gushes “Lea, this is my husband, Calder, and our other son, Chord. This is Hadlea, the one Malone is tied in knots about,” she chortled.

  I can’t believe she just said that or that Thayer is laughing like a loon right now. The two men Elise just introduced, stand up to shake my hand. Calder says politely, “Nice to meet you. Please ignore my wife’s statement. She likes to tease her children and anyone else.”

  Narrowing his eyes, One admits, “Oh, I think my mother was quite dead on with her assessment.”

  If that’s how he wants to play… “Well then, Malone, what’s your plan?”

  The small grin on his face intensifies, “To pursue any and all interests until I am no longer in knots, but have you in my knots instead.”

  Shocked, I answer without thinking, “Please do. I look forward to your attempts. It was nice meeting all of you. Elise, a pleasure.” I return One’s smile with one of my ow
n, offering him a warning, “It’s not going to be easy. I’m not easy.”

  Rising from his seat, he steps closer to me. “I never thought you were. I just want the chance to show you that I could be good for you. That we could be good together.”

  “I never questioned if you could be. It’s me that’s the problem,” I admit.

  His brow furrows as he tilts his head. “Only in your own head. The rest of us see something more, and we appreciate everything you are, Hadlea.”

  If I had a glass, I would have lifted it into the air to toast, but that didn’t stop my words, “Well then, may I rise to the occasion and may your efforts be fruitful because I’ve never wanted anything more than you, ever.” It’s the truth, and I can’t believe I said it. I shouldn’t have him, but I can’t stop wanting him.

  “I’ll be calling.”

  Lifting one eyebrow, I challenge him, “Why call, the door is open— as you very well know.” I walk away after that, cursing myself for what I’ve done. I have a feeling I opened a very large can of worms.

  As we leave, I see Aksel talking to One, arms crossed over his chest in either a defensive or aggressive manner. What are they talking about? This can’t be good! Walking quickly over to them, I try to stop whatever is brewing. “Well now, boys, care to tell me what this little meeting is about, or should I assume it’s about me for the sake of argument and time?” I should slap both of them for looking so smug.

  “Now, Mother, that would be telling,” Aksel retorts and One smirks.

  “Do tell because I’d hate to put you both in your place in such a public forum.” They laugh as I cross my arms in defiance. I want to forget that we said of things in this forum earlier.

  My son leans down to kisses my cheek. “Don’t worry. We just needed to put some things in order. I’ll call you later. Love you, Mom.”

  “Love you too, sweetie,” I say and after he leaves, I whip around to frown at One. Tapping my foot, I demand, “Well?”