Honey

by Laine, Terri E.

  “That was fucking great.”

  “It was,” I agreed.

  He pulled out, and I hated it. Like the gentleman he was, he gathered my clothes from the ground and handed them to me. Dressing in wet clothes in the steady rain was difficult.

  I asked the question, though I was certain he had it covered. He wasn’t an irresponsible man.

  “Who’s watching your dad and Jamie?”

  “A longtime friend of Dad’s came over. He offered to give me some time.”

  It was true—Jake was always working. In the short time I’d been there, I’d not seen him take time for himself.

  “I came to cool off. It seems you had the same idea.”

  Our gazes locked, and I was sure we weren’t going to leave yet. My need for him grew again.

  “You heated me back up,” I said.

  He grinned, but there was something behind his eyes, a worry I hadn’t noticed until now. That tamped down any ideas of another round.

  “What else is going on? You can talk to me.”

  He pushed at his wet hair and wiped rain from his face.

  “I have some decisions to make.” He didn’t elaborate. “But I’m going to take you on a proper date, and soon.”

  My heart soared. I wondered what he had in store for me, but I wasn’t sure anything could beat sex in the rain.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Jake

  She was wet and I wanted her again. I managed to keep my hands off her as we walked back and slipped through the back door. In her room, I fought for control as she stripped out of her clothes, letting them plop onto the bathroom floor. Mine followed.

  I lost the battle and herded her into the shower. She’d already turned it on and the water was piping hot.

  “I can’t get enough of you,” I murmured, cupping her breasts.

  She was the sun, and I was the moon, too cold when I wasn’t pressed against her.

  Her nails raked over my back, sending shivers through me.

  “You’re ready again?” She sounded surprised.

  “I’m always ready when it comes to you.”

  I left her mouth in favor of savoring the swell of her breasts. They overflowed my hands. An animalistic need snapped in me. I hooked my arms in the crook of her legs and hoisted her up, using the wall as leverage. Then I was inside her hot heat.

  Her eyes darkened, her desire making me weak in the knees.

  “You’re fucking perfect,” I said.

  Her head fell back as I changed the angle of my thrust.

  “More,” she begged.

  I obliged, driving the point home over and over again.

  A sweet moan escaped her throat as she came. An expression of bliss parted her lips. I couldn’t hold back. I came hard and had to bite back a slew of curses.

  When I pulled out, my body felt cold again. Having her was all consuming. I didn’t think I’d ever get enough of her.

  I helped her dry off, gentle as I touched every square inch of her body. Blood still hummed through me and if I wasn’t careful, I would take her yet again. But duty won over my baser instincts.

  “I have to go check on Dad and Jamie. But I want you in my bed tonight, even if it’s just for sleep.”

  Honey grounded me in a way no one had before. To have her close may give me the soundless sleep I hadn’t had since before I joined the armed forces.

  I managed to slip out of her room. Dad and Billy were on the front porch, and I heard Jamie singing in her room. I slipped down the hall past her door, feeling like a thief, but a happy one.

  Dry clothes never felt so good. My first stop was to check on my daughter.

  “Jamie.”

  She ran into my arms and I felt slightly guilty. “What were you singing?”

  “‘L–’” she paused. “‘Let It Go.’”

  Her words came out as a song. I smiled. “Will you sing it for me?”

  She grinned. I held her in my lap as she serenaded me. Her voice was young but beautiful. I could listen to her all day.

  By the time I heard the door open and men’s voices fill the air, she’d finished.

  “Let’s go check on Pop.”

  She nodded and ran on energetic legs into the other room. She gave her grandfather a hug, and I nodded at Billy.

  “Have a nice talk?”

  Billy nodded. “It was great catching up.”

  Honey stepped into the room, and I watched Billy’s appreciating glance land on her.

  “Billy, this is Honey. Honey, this is Billy.”

  They shook hands. I didn’t want to introduce her as Dad’s caretaker. In the short time she’d been with us, she’d become much more than that.

  “I should get dinner going,” she said. “I hope you’re staying. I’m making beer-can roasted chicken.”

  Billy’s eyes lit up. “I sure am.”

  Honey didn’t come to my bed later that night. I wasn’t sure what to make of it. I didn’t complain or stalk her. I wanted her to stay, to feel comfortable in our house. As much as my inner caveman wanted to beat on her door and claim my woman in a grand announcement, I let her be, for that night anyway.

  I surprised her the next evening by having pizza brought in for everyone, including the hand who’d been working hard for me. But I had ulterior motives. Setup for our date was finished and within shouting distance of the house. Once the pizza arrived, I took Honey by the hand.

  “Jamie, holler if you need me.”

  She nodded. I’d already spoken to my father. Honey was puzzled, but I led her to the east side of the house, opposite the barn and the compound where the hands stayed. With the sun setting, the picnic blanket I set out was in the shade.

  She gasped. I had a bottle of wine in a silver bucket Mom had stowed away. Our plates were covered with the glass cake domes Honey had been using for the delicious desserts she made every night.

  “When did you have time?”

  I shrugged. Steak didn’t take much time on the grill. I’d also grilled the green veggies she liked so much. Jamie was in on my plan and had kept Honey busy with a card game while I cooked.

  “With Dad being Dad and Jamie so young, I can’t take you out to a restaurant like you deserve.”

  Her eyes misted. “No, this is great.”

  “I hope it tastes as good as it looks.”

  I’d been a decent cook, or so I thought until she came into our lives.

  “I’m sure it’s fantastic.”

  Still clutching her hand, I helped her sit. Then I opened the wine and poured two glasses.

  She sipped and stared at me.

  “What?” I asked, cutting my steak.

  “Maybe this is none of my business, but what happened to Jamie’s mom?”

  I put my knife down and sighed. It’d been only a matter of time before she asked. And if I wanted to pursue a relationship with her, she had a right to know since Tara would be involved, if only through Jamie, for the rest of my life.

  “I dated Tara all through high school. During that time, I felt pressured to take over the ranch since I’m my parents’ only child. But I wanted to be my own man, and not just Ford’s son.” I paused to remember Dad when he was stronger. “Tara wanted to be on the big screen. She wanted us to go to LA. But the closer it got to graduation, I realized that if I followed her, I’d be living her dream, and not my own. And I already didn’t want to live my dad’s.”

  “College?” she asked.

  I shrugged. “I had the grades and had been accepted to UCLA, but college didn’t appeal to me, either.”

  She sipped her wine. “I can understand that.”

  “My father used to say that the measure of a man wasn’t in what degrees he had or the amount of money in his bank account.” I chuckled, picturing him say those words. “He said the measure of a man was in his deeds and actions.”

  My mind drifted, remembering Tara’s face as I broke the news to her about my plans.

  “The war was going on, and I felt the
pull.”

  “To war?” she asked.

  I nodded. “I’m not a violent man, but Dad taught me to shoot and I was good at it. I thought I could make a difference, not only for me and my family and Tara, but for our country. It was something I had to do.”

  “What did Tara think about it?”

  “She wasn’t happy at first. But when I promised to send her money to take the fancy acting classes she wanted, she didn’t say much.” I closed my mouth, wondering for the millionth time when things had changed. “She was always there when I came home on leave. The last time was no different. By then, though, the war had made an impression. I had no desire to go back, but I had to finish my tour.”

  Honey ate steadily as I unloaded my truth.

  “Mom had been diagnosed with kidney failure and needed a transplant, and I wasn’t a match. I had to tell Tara yet again that I wasn’t moving to LA. I’d gotten sloppy drunk that night, afraid of what she would say. She’d been my compass while out on the battlefield. Knowing that she was waiting for me helped me survive.”

  Concern built in her eyes, but I had to be honest if I wanted us to start things on the right foot.

  “I’d always been careful. I know I used protection that night, but my emotions were raw with everything going on—my mom, going back, Tara possibly leaving me …”

  “She ended up pregnant.”

  I nodded.

  “I didn’t find out until after Jamie was born. As soon as I got home, Tara’s mother dropped off the baby like she was a FedEx delivery.”

  “That’s awful. Tara?”

  “Neither she nor her mom have graced my door since.”

  She put her glass down on the hard placemats I’d brought.

  “I’m going to sound like a shit for asking—”

  I already knew what she was going to say. “Go ahead. It’s not something I haven’t asked myself a million times.”

  “If you always used protection, how can you be sure Jamie’s yours?”

  A picture of my daughter filled my head. With her sandy hair, I couldn’t be sure of anything. The only thing we had in common was our baby-blue eyes, like the sky right after dawn.

  “I can’t.”

  “You haven’t done a DNA test?”

  I shook my head. “There’s no reason. She’s mine now. If I found out that she wasn’t, where would I take her?”

  “Her grandmother?”

  “That woman wanted nothing to do with her. She’s more worried about her next government check or whatever else she does.”

  Honey nodded.

  “She’s mine. And I will fight the devil himself if anyone tries to take her from me.”

  I must’ve said the right thing for once because Honey launched herself at me. Her lips were feverish against mine. I clutched the fabric at her hips—having her that close was a temptation I wasn’t sure I could avoid. And though we were hidden, we were easily exposed.

  When she pulled back, her cheeks were flushed, her lips bruised.

  “And what about you?” I asked.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Honey

  He wanted to turn the conversation to about me. I wasn’t yet done diving into his past.

  “Before I talk about me, I have one more question,” I said.

  Jake looked resigned again, as if he could read my mind.

  “Do you still love her?”

  I was glad he didn’t blurt out his answer.

  “I’ve known her most of my life. I wouldn’t want anything bad to happen to her.”

  He hadn’t exactly said no, but would pressuring him to answer make me sound desperate?

  “You have nothing to worry about,” he added. “Now, tell me about you. Any old boyfriends I need to kill?”

  He made me laugh, lightening the mood.

  “No. I dated on and off, but never anyone serious.”

  I didn’t add serious about me. I’d been foolish on more than one occasion to assume there was more and then felt like an ass when I found out the guy didn’t think any promises had been made. I’d been the one to jump to conclusions, or so I’d been told.

  It had taken me a long time to figure out that I’d been treated like a girlfriend so I could be a bed warmer. But when it came down to putting a ring on my finger or even just meeting parents, I’d be cast aside. That was something I wasn’t ready to share. Even hearing it in my head made me sound too needy. But I knew I wasn’t that girl. I’d never pressured a man into anything.

  “Sounds like their loss and my gain,” he said, a sexy smirk on his face.

  It was on the tip of my lips to ask him if he was really serious. My insecure thoughts were like roaches, hard to kill and were breeders, multiplying the worry in my head. I closed my eyes and breathed. Just because Jake could’ve been an actor or model didn’t make me unworthy of him.

  “You are worthy.”

  Shit. Had I said that aloud?

  He shifted and crushed his lips to mine. His touch gentle, he slid his hand down my arm to cover my palm.

  When he pulled back, he said, “I thank my lucky stars you showed up on my door. I’ve been thinking of you every day since that day you drove me home.”

  A spine-tingling shiver raced over me.

  “Dinner was great,” I admitted. “But I’m ready for dessert.”

  We gathered up the remains of the picnic. Though I hadn’t accepted his invitation the previous night, I did sleep in his bed that night, and a few after.

  When Saturday arrived, I was super excited to see Ashley. I was waiting when she parked out front. We squealed so much, some of the hands checked to see what was up.

  She was gorgeous, slim, sunshine-blonde hair. Her hazel eyes glowed in the light and I could hear the murmurs.

  “I’ve missed you,” I said.

  “Me too.”

  I may have clung on for a long time.

  When Jamie came over, I let go, realizing Ashley was so much more than a friend. She was family, and not seeing her for so long had left a hole in my heart.

  I turned around and found Jamie patiently waiting. I held out a hand and she came over to lean against my leg.

  “This is Jamie. Jamie, this is my best friend, Ashley.”

  Jamie paused, and I was grateful Ashley was as patient as I was. She waited without glancing around at the awkward pause.

  “Nice to m–meet you,” Jamie said.

  She held out a hand, but Ashley crouched. “That’s not how we greet people.” She pulled Jamie in for a quick hug.

  “Very nice to meet you too.” She stood. “Now, are you ladies ready?”

  Jamie giggled.

  A voice cleared and Ashley sucked in a breath. This was the magic moment. Any “boyfriends” I’d had in the past would show their true colors when they met her.

  “Ashley, this is Jake. Jake, this is my best friend.”

  His eyes didn’t bug out, nor did they sweep down her long, toned body.

  “Nice to meet you.” He took my hand and I felt money being casually tucked into my palm. “That’s for Jamie. Whatever she wants. And there’s enough for you guys to have lunch, on me.”

  I didn’t look in my hand. I’d heard that the ranch was facing some hard times. Ford had let that slip during recent conversations. I nodded my thanks. Jake would know what he could and couldn’t do, so I wouldn’t question it.

  We drove off, Jake waving behind us.

  “Well,” Ashley said. But she stopped as I pointed low enough that only she could see it, reminding her we had tiny ears in the back seat.

  “I’m getting my hair cut. How about you?” I asked Ashley.

  “Me too. What do you say, Jamie?” she asked.

  Jamie’s smile was wide as she bobbed her head. I’d made appointments for all of us. Even if Jamie didn’t want a cut, I thought getting her hair styled would make the trip feel special.

  At the salon, we were given the full spa-like treatment. The layers the stylist added to Jamie’s sh
ort bob made it clear that she was a girl—and I could see in Jamie’s eyes that she liked it too.

  “Now, time for shopping!” Ashley declared after we paid.

  I didn’t have much money for clothes, so this part of the trip was for my girl. She picked out several dresses, which surprised me.

  “Dresses, huh?”

  She shrugged. “I … have … lots … of … pants.”

  She took her time on each word. Her sessions with the speech therapist were slowly working.

  “Smart of you.”

  She grinned and we headed for a dressing room.

  Ashley and I made a show of oohing and aahing as Jamie tried on the dresses. But we had one final stop to make before we headed back. I hoped Jake wouldn’t kill me. He’d said anything Jamie wanted. I kept my fingers crossed that he’d meant it.

  When we finally got home, we hugged Ashley goodbye. She had a date with her guy and couldn’t stay for dinner. But it was the other car in the driveway that gave me pause.

  Ford came out and stared openly at Jamie.

  “Is that my beautiful granddaughter?”

  I watched as Jamie beamed at him. She was so cute, her hair freshly cut and a dress fit for a princess.

  “Wow, the guys won’t recognize you. Let’s go find Ed and play a trick on him.”

  They started to walk off, but I really wanted to see Jake’s face when he saw his daughter for the first time. I was rewarded when Jake came out of the house, grim-faced, until he saw Jamie. His expression changed to shock. The sparkling earrings could’ve been a part of that.

  “Is that my daughter?”

  Jamie nodded and they met each other halfway. He swung her up and spun her around. He’d given me a small smile before he’d seen her, and I would hang on to that. I couldn’t blame him for being awed. She looked a lot different than she had when we left.

  However, it was the woman who stepped out the door and came over to me who stole my joy.

  She held out her hand. “Hi, I’m Tara, Jamie’s mother.”

  To be continued...

  Part two of the duet, Sugar, will be released January 2018

  Find more about my books at www.terrielaine.com

  Acknowledgments