by Ella Goode
“It’s not him that makes me want to cry. It’s my mom. The woman he cheated on me with.” Dane lets out a string of curses that have me sitting up straighter. A few people turn to look our way. I can feel the anger coming off him. Still he softens his voice. His hands reach out to lie over mine. His thumb drifts back and forth against my skin.
“I’m sorry about that, sugar.”
“She did me a favor really. I didn't want to marry Derrick to begin with. She’d talked me into it.” I roll my eyes, not understanding why she encouraged me to be with him if she was sleeping with him. My friend, Nova, always said my mom had some weird unspoken competition with me and that’s what this was.
“She talked you into marrying a man that she was sleeping with?”
“It gave me a reason to call it all off. I got my stuff and got the heck out of town. I didn't want to hear what either one of them had to say.” I never want to hear from either of them again. I’d left all that crap behind.
Why am I telling him all of this stuff? He tricked me. Again. I find myself wanting to tell him things, which isn’t necessarily a good thing. I barely know him. What I do know is he’s extra bossy.
“You don’t need those kinds of people in your life.”
“That we agree on.” I start to slip my hand out from under his, but he grabs it, stopping me. His eyes lock with mine. My stomach flutters at the intense look he’s giving me. I don’t think anyone has ever looked at me like that. He lets go of my hand. I feel the loss immediately, but I pull it back, putting it in my lap.
“You can keep on pulling away, but I’ll keep on pulling you right back in.” He leans back, taking a sip of his coffee.
“Why couldn’t you have asked me on a date like a normal person?”
“You wouldn’t have said yes.”
“Maybe not, but how do you know that for sure?”
He shrugs. “Just do.”
I look to the door when the bell over it goes off. I see Connie coming our way. Her eyes bounce between Dane and me. She’s all dressed up today. She’s got her hair down and curled. Her makeup looks flawless. I don’t remember her being this tall yesterday, but the woman is all legs. She really is beautiful.
“Hey you two.” She gives me a small smile before dropping down into the booth next to Dane.
Even though it kills me to leave him with her, I excuse myself after a few moments now that she’s blocking Dane and talking a mile a minute. Dane gives me a look but I ignore it before making my escape.
7
Dane
“Connie, what are you doing?”
Ren’s sister gives me a wide-eyed I don’t know what you’re talking about look. “Delivering pie like I always do.”
Because she’s Ren’s sister and I’ve known her all my life, I choose my words carefully. “You’re a beautiful woman, Connie, and you’re going to make some Smithville man very happy, but that man is not going to be me. It wasn’t going to be me before Khloe came and it isn’t going to be me now.”
“How can you say that? You’ve never given me a chance. In fact, you’ve never given the slightest hint to anyone that you were interested in dating. Why her?”
I ignore that last question because it’s not really a question—just a complaint. “Because I’m not interested in dating.”
“What’s all this then?” She waves at the table and the plate that Khloe left behind.
“It’s me courting my future wife.”
Connie’s shock quiets her for a moment. I lay a few bills on the table for the meal and then stand. “Watch your husband, Candace. I saw him pouring extra coffee for Bob.”
Candace sends a warning glare to her husband. ”You know that caffeine is bad for him,” she chides.
“Ah, Chief. Do you have to rat me out?” whines Bob.
“We want you to stick around with us a few more years, my man.” I give him a pat on the back.
The drive over to Mae’s place is punctuated by a few dispatches over the radio. The March brothers are fighting at John’s place. The sun is barely set and they are already at it. Frank Wilson’s goat got loose. Smith Rossi, our town’s one claim to fame, has his forge going and his neighbor, Silvia, wants Ren to come out and make sure her property doesn’t burn to the ground. Ren will be busy tonight. I keep the radio in case he needs a hand.
There’s only one second story light on at Mae’s. A blue flickering color tells me she’s watching television. I wonder what shows she likes. Maybe a cooking one? Or one of those reality shows? I sit outside her place for a while thinking about Connie’s question.
Why her?
Who can say exactly why things happen? Maybe it was some past life connection, although I don’t know that I believe in that sort of thing. It’s not just that she’s a beautiful woman, either, although there’s something about her looks that punches me in the solar plexus. I got a raging hard-on the moment I laid eyes on her. It’s a good thing she was busy glaring at my face because if she’d dropped her eyes, she’d probably have slapped me. My erection was fighting to get out of my uniform and inside what I know is a hot, tight pussy.
I had to rub myself raw last night so I wouldn’t scare Bev when I walked in the next morning. I took two cold showers and my dick was still hard, which proved that that remedy was an old wives’ tale.
And even if Khloe wants to deny the fire of attraction between us, it won’t go away. For one, I won’t let it. Being near her makes me feel alive. My senses are sharper. My attention is more focused. My blood pumps a little faster. I know that the minute I get her under me, it’s going to be the best experience of both of our lives.
A figure appears in front of the window. From this distance, I can’t make out every feature, but it doesn’t matter because her image is already seared into my brain. I have perfect recall of her oval-shaped face, dark brows, and luxurious wheat-colored hair. I’ve already fanned that hair across my pillow a hundred times in my imagination. I’ve also gathered it up in a tight ponytail as she sucks hard on my dick.
My pants grow uncomfortably tight as those fantasies play in front of my eyes like a movie. She’s not petite, but I would have no problem lifting her. There’s no fat on her but she’s full of curves. Her waist is nipped in, but her hips flare out. Her ass is the perfect size for my hands, as are her breasts. Those are big and in your face. I have no doubt they fucking bounce like a juicy fruit.
Yeah, I want her in the worst way, but the only satisfaction I’m going to get is from my hand. The revelations of Khloe’s bad breakup flattened me. It wasn’t just that she found out her boyfriend had been cheating on her—reason enough to pound the fuckface’s head in—but with her mom. On top of that, her mom had encouraged Khloe to date this asshole. The betrayal had so many layers to it my head aches. And if my head aches, I can only imagine what it’s doing to Khloe right now.
It wouldn’t be right to press her into bed. Oh, sure, Khloe might be down for it. She might think that fucking me would ease her broken heart, but when we climb into bed, it’s just going to be the two of us. If we fucked now, it’d be me, her, her mom and maybe even her ex. I want Khloe’s attention to solely be on me—I’m that kind of selfish.
No, sex is going to have to sit on the back burner for a bit while Khloe licks her wounds and gets over that hurt, particularly the pain inflicted by her mom. I’m an action guy, so it’s going to be tough to be patient when every atom of my being wants to be inside of her cunt, but if I’m going to make a place for myself in Khloe’s heart, I’m going to have to wait.
That doesn’t mean I can’t love her up a little or that I can’t tease her a bit and show her what waits for her on the other side of her journey. I can finger her pussy and kiss her sweet mouth. I can suck at her tits and rim her secret holes. I’ll just have to save the main course until she’s fully ready—whenever that may be.
In the meantime, I’m going to check into the whereabouts of her ex and her mom. Whatever my goals were before Khloe s
howed up have dissipated. The only concern I have now is protecting Khloe and making her mine.
8
Khloe
I walk down Main Street, stopping at each shop and peeking in the windows. This town is growing on me. I wasn't sure how much I’d like living in a small town. This one looks like it was plucked right out of a movie. Everyone is as nice as could be. All day people were dropping off gifts and treats, welcoming me to town. I have to say it felt nice.
I won’t need food for a month at this point. Although I’m not sure it is wise to live off sweets for that long. I should pop into the store and get a few basic things along with something I can make for everyone as a thank you. I’m not sure what the etiquette is on things like this. I just hope I don’t kill anyone with my baking skills.
“Khloe?” I turn to see a man in a police uniform coming my way. He’s handsome but nothing compared to Dane.
“That’s me. You here to spy on me? Well, you can report back to Dane that I’m not doing anything wrong. I’m allowed to walk up and down the street all I want. Maybe I’ll even do it after dark.” He gives me a funny look. “He didn't send you here to bother me, did he?”
“No.” He laughs. “I was going to introduce myself.” He holds his hand out. “I’m Ren.”
“Nice to meet you, Ren. Forget everything I said before.” I feel my cheeks burn with embarrassment. I probably sounded like a crazy person. This is all Dane’s fault. “I’m not really going to roam the streets after dark. In case you are wondering.”
“That’s good to hear.” He laughs, letting my hand go.
“But if your boss happens to ask, tell him I am. It can be our little secret.” He smiles bigger.
“So where is your boss?” I can’t stop myself from asking.
“The one you wanted me to deliver the walking in the dark street message to?”
“I was curious so I could avoid him. That’s all.”
“Good luck with that.” He chuckles, heading down the sidewalk.
“You look just like her. Get in here, princess.” An old woman grabs me around the wrist, pulling me into a shop. Her strength is a little scary. “Doesn't she look just like Mae?” she asks the three other older women who are sitting in a circle knitting.
“The hair and eyes. Well, before Mae went gray.” I reach up and touch my hair.
“I wish I could have met her.”
“Come in here. We’ll tell you all about her.” She ushers me over to a chair. I drop down into it before they shove cookies and lemonade at me.
“She lived here all her life. Once you’re here it can be hard to leave. This place grabs ahold of you. Especially if you're alone in the world. No one can be alone here. We’re a big family. We may not always get along, but we stick together when it counts.”
“I’m noticing that.” I laugh before taking a bite of one of the cookies. I hate to think about there being a time that Aunt Mae was all alone. I hate that Mom never told me about her. “She didn't remarry?”
“Heavens no. She had one love. There was no until death do you part for her. She remained committed to Ricky until her last breath.” That’s both sad and sweet. “Then Ben went and broke her heart too.”
“My dad?” Ben is Mae’s nephew.
“She all but raised him. Her and Ricky couldn’t have kids. They took him in and treated him like he was their own.” I didn't know that. There are so many things I don't really know when it comes to that side of the family. They sound so much warmer than my mother's side.
“No one should have to bear losing a child.” I bet my selfish mom hadn’t even allowed Aunt Mae to come to the funeral for my dad. That sounds exactly like something she would do. My heart aches for Aunt Mae.
“We hear you’ve caught the eye of our sheriff.” They stop knitting and give me their full attention. Well, that conversation turned around real quick.
“I’m not exactly sure that’s what you’d call it.” I shove another cookie into my mouth so I can’t talk.
“It’s all over town,” one of the other women adds in. I take a drink of my lemonade.
“I think him and Connie have a thing,” I point out. Okay, maybe I’m not pointing it out, but digging for information. As much as Dane drives me crazy, I can’t stop thinking about him. I want to smack him and kiss him at the same time. See, he’s driving me crazy.
They all roll their eyes. “Connie has a boyfriend. They break up and get back together. If anything, she tries to make him jealous. Dane is the biggest catch in town.”
I’m not so sure that’s a good thing. Those are the types that get around. You couldn't go two feet without running into someone he slept with. There would be no avoiding it. I didn't think I was the jealous type, but the thought of Dane being with someone else makes my stomach turn.
Everyone turns around when the bell over the door rings. In walks Dane. I try not to let my eyes drift over to him, but it’s too hard not to. No wonder he’s the catch around here. You could throw him into a giant city and he'd still be the hottest out of everyone.
I think it has something to do with how rugged he is. There are no pretty boy qualities to him at all. He is all man. He doesn't give a crap what people think of him either. I find that hot too. My ex and mom obsessed over what other people thought of them.
“I came to steal my Khloe.” He lets the door fall closed behind him.
“Sure. We’re all heading out.” One takes the cookies from me and the other snatches the lemonade out of my hand to rush me out. It’s clear whose side they are on. “You two have fun.” They usher me over to Dane. He puts an arm over my shoulder. I don’t duck out of it until we’re out of the store and on the sidewalk.
“Your Khloe?” I turn to face him, putting my hands on my hips.
“Your tires are looking rough. When was the last time you got new ones?” He asks his own question.
“You’re supposed to get new ones?” I thought you wait for them to go flat or something. He says something under his breath I can’t hear. Probably for the best.
“I had Mick take it in. You need new tires. He’s going to do a full check for me.” He walks over toward me, putting his arm around me again.
“But—”
“Thought we’d go to the store. You can’t live off cake, pies and cookies. I’ll show you around.” He opens the passenger side door for me.
“I can manage a store.” I might not know you need new tires, but I can rock grocery shopping. It might all be frozen food, but it’s food nonetheless.
“Store’s on that end of town.” He points the opposite way of my house. “You’re not carrying all that crap back to your house. Not when I can drive you.” He has a point. I should have a car, but I leave that alone. It was sweet that he was concerned enough to take a look at my car and then worry about my safety. I can’t be mad about that. Not when no one has ever done that before.
Before I can tell him thanks, he’s picking me up by my hips and putting me into his car. He grabs the seat belt, clipping it into place. My eyes lock with his as he leans over me.
“That was rude.” And hot as hell. Not that I would ever tell him that. He smiles.
“I plan to do all kinds of rude things to you, sugar.” And maybe I plan to let him. But he doesn’t need to know that yet.
9
Dane
“This isn’t the way to my place.” Khloe cranes her neck as if she is going to spot something familiar.
“Nope.” I swing a left down a long, wooded drive. “It’s my place. My grandad built this for my mom. She was his only kid and after my old man ran off, she needed a place to lick her wounds away from all the prying eyes of the town. They’re great people, but most of them don’t really understand the concept of space.”
“You don’t say,” Khloe says dryly.
A sharp bark of laughter escapes me. Yeah, I’ve been up in her business since the moment she moved to town, and I don’t plan to let up on that, even after we’re married.
I’m guessing Khloe would appreciate that, though. She won’t have to worry about me cheating on her because she’ll be with me all the time. She can check up on me whenever she wants. She can text me at any time and I’ll be happy to get that alert.
“Right, well, it’s different when you’re hurting like my mom was. When you’re happy, you want to share that with everyone, but when you’ve got wounds that need healing, you don’t need Len at the diner asking to see the scabs or Jeannie from the bar trying to poke a stick at it. This is a pretty piece of land—nicest around for miles. Not that I’m biased or anything.” I wink at Khloe. She’s not looking out the window anymore. My story has caught her interest.
“Where’s your mom now?”
I pull the car to a stop and nod my head toward the sprawling home in front of us. “Inside, waiting to meet you.”
If there is a paler shade than what Khloe turns, I don’t know of its existence.
“Take me back to Mae’s,” she cries. “We are not at the meeting the parents stage yet.”
“It’s my mom. She’ll love you.” I don’t add that any person would be a welcome relief to my mother. She’d given up on me dating and starting a family. I grab the sacks of groceries and hustle Khloe up the front stairs. Mom is opening the door before we clear the top step.
“This must be Mae’s niece.” Mom claps her hands. She’s like a kid at Christmas. Her eyes are sparkling and her color is high. I lean in and give her cheek a kiss.
“Sure is. Khloe, meet my mom, Althea.”
“Call me Thea!” Mom sings. She drags Khloe in for a hug. “Aren’t you a beauty, although I’m not surprised. Mae was a very attractive woman.”
“She was?”
“Goodness, yes. I’m sure I have some pictures of her from when she was younger. All the men were interested in Mae, but she only had eyes for her Ricky.”
“I don’t know much about her,” Khloe admits.