Always On My Mind: A Bad Boy Rancher Love Story (The Dawson Brothers Book 1)

by Ali Parker

  "Washing my hands. I was going to help with the strawberries that Drake was cutting up."

  Drake moved up on her left and slid his arm around her lower back, Sicily stiffening at his touch.

  "No need, pretty girl. I already got them done. If you have whipped cream we could just top the dessert off. I would have brought vanilla cake, but my favorite bakery is closed." He winked as she glanced over at him.

  "It's going to be closed more often too if I don't get some help." She shook both of them off carefully, moving from the sink and picking up a hand towel.

  "Are you hiring for the fall?" Lisa asked, moving to the table and plopping down.

  "Just for the holidays. It's so busy, we can't keep up with orders and manning the store at the same time." She shrugged.

  "It can't be that hard. Just adjust your hours. You're hardly ever there." Drake crossed his arms over his chest, his words harsh, but expression kind and caring. He was forever a contradiction.

  "I'll keep that in mind. Thanks for the advice." She rolled her eyes and dropped the towel. "I'm going for some air. I'll be back in a minute."

  She walked down the hall and slipped out onto the porch. Letting out a long breath, she moved to rest her arms against the railing, hoping like hell everyone would leave her alone.

  The door opened behind her and she ignored it. Probably Lisa checking on her.

  Drake moved beside her, placing his arms on the railing too and nudging her with his shoulder. "I wanted to check on you from earlier. You doing okay?"

  "Yeah. Just overdid it. I used to run every day, but it's been a while." She shrugged.

  "Are you working out now for your health or to lose weight?"

  She glanced toward him as anger rose in her belly. "Are you saying I need to lose weight?"

  He turned and took her by the shoulders, turning her toward him. "Why are you so incredibly defensive with me? I asked you a simple question. I implied nothing."

  "You did too and you have several times. I've gained weight since getting here. I know. I'm working on getting rid of it. Stop asking me to join your damn gym. I'm not a project or a..." She didn't get the last bit out.

  He pulled her close and slipped his arms around her, holding her tightly as he pressed his lips to hers. Sicily fought against him for a moment before sinking into his hold. He smelled far too good, his strength weakening her and his lips so far beyond soft.

  She moved back as his tongue brushed across her lips, soft pants leaving her. "Too much. Too soon."

  "No. I've been waiting too long to do that." He held on tightly. "What are you afraid of?"

  "You judging me. You don't know the half of it."

  "I could say the same." He ran his hands over her back. "You're not a project to me. I see your desire to gain your health back and I want to help. Stop making me into a villain. I'm not. I'm a friend."

  "I'll try." She glanced down, wanting to snuggle deep into his hold and press her lips to the muscle running up the side of his sexy throat. "Let me go."

  "Join my gym and let me help you do whatever it is that you're trying to do."

  "Fine, but I have rules." She pulled out of his hold and took a long breath.

  He was too much. The needy way he watched her, the aggressive way he took ahold of her, the deep, commanding sound of his voice. She could melt into a puddle at his feet, and just might, if she didn't get back inside and keep herself protected from him.

  "Tell me the rules and I'll follow them as best I can. I'm a bad boy by nature, just so you know."

  "Somehow I knew that." She smirked, unable to help herself. "Don't touch me again. Don't demand anything of me. And don't hover over the top of me at the gym."

  He nodded and she turned to walk back into the house, her body aching with need for the sexy bastard behind her that would take her heart and destroy it. Why were all of her rules desperately needed in the context of the bedroom where she wouldn't get them and not in the gym where she would?

  Chapter 5

  Sicily had simply excused herself the night before, Lisa checking on her once as she lay in the darkness of her bedroom. She couldn't face Drake again, knowing that he either wanted something more with her, or was playing a dangerous game. She would root out the truth, but until she had the strength to push him back she needed to try and keep the private time between the two of them to a minimum. She would join the gym, but ask for Violet to be her trainer if they felt she needed one.

  Keeping things casual with Drake would be hard, but doable.

  She dressed in a pair of jeans, a t-shirt, and tennis shoes. A navy blue cardigan helped to hide everything she didn't want anyone to see. Her breasts were bigger, but they simply aided in making her look more portly rather than more feminine.

  She stopped by the bathroom to put her hair into a high ponytail and put on a little make-up. She was needed at the bakery that morning to work on a large wedding cake order they had for later that day. Most of the prep work was done the day before, but the icing needed to be fresh for the event.

  Martin needed to sleep in, the poor kid looked like a zombie last Saturday morning when they opened early. She had given him a late start time and almost looked forward to the serenity that the empty shop would provide.

  Walking into the kitchen, Sicily stopped short as Kari and Lisa spoke in hushed whispers.

  "So how do we set them up?" Kari asked, leaning into her friend as they appeared to be looking out the window toward the porch and large lake that sat at the edge of the property.

  "Talk to Jake. I don't know Drake, but he seems a little reserved too. Find out if he's into Sis or if he's just naturally a flirt."

  "Okay, but don't say anything to her. She doesn't seem to like him at all."

  "That's because she likes him too much. Mum’s the word. Let's help our girl out."

  Sicily moved back into the hall, clearing her throat as she rounded the corner.

  "Hey guys. I'm headed to the shop." She walked to the coffee pot as they moved away from each other, the two looking far guiltier than they should.

  "Oh, good. You want to have lunch?" Kari asked, pulling her phone out of her pocket. "Damn, never mind. I have a shooting for the paper at eleven. Dinner?"

  "Sounds good. When is Marc coming into town, Lisa?" Sicily poured her a travel mug of coffee and stood over the cream and sugar, arguing with herself internally about whether to add it. The coffee tasted like shit without it, and yet drinking your calories had always been a no-no.

  "Next week on Friday. I'm ready for him to come now."

  "Miss him?" Sicily decided against the sugar, but added a small scoop of cream. She turned and stirred the caramel-colored liquid, waiting for Lisa to respond.

  "Of course, but is it bad that I miss his dick more than him?"

  "Vulgar." Sicily turned and walked to the door, calling her goodbyes behind her as Kari made gagging sounds and Lisa laughed loudly. She couldn't help but chuckle at her friends and their silliness.

  There might be a lot of tragedy in her past and struggle in her current situations, but the warmth provided by having good friends that filled the house with laughter left tomorrow looking bright.

  ***

  Sicily spent most of the early morning getting the wedding order complete. Standing back with a small camera, she took a few pictures and smiled, the vision before her beyond beautiful. She was grateful for her talent, but could use a break on the desire to cave in to her sweet tooth. It had been a few days since she had tasted any of the pastries, which was highly unusual. Watching her weight was an extreme challenge simply because of the environment that she was immersed in all the time.

  The clock struck nine and she opened the door, spending the next few hours talking with customers, taking orders and selling a variety of goodies. By the time Martin showed up she was worn out.

  "Hey, boss. You look pretty today. The blue brings out the brightness in your eyes." He smiled and pulled an apron from the hanger on the wall
.

  "Thanks. I'm going to disappear into the back. Call me out if someone needs me or you do."

  "I always need you." He wagged his eyebrows. The kid was beyond cute.

  "I could be your mother." She shook her head and walked to the back, his rebuttal following her.

  "Six years, Sicily. It's only six years difference between us."

  She let the door close behind her before pressing her hands to the cold slab in front of her. Her head dropped, chin to her chest as she closed her eyes. She wanted to find Drake, to force him to pull her close again. Why had he taken her in his arms and kissed her the night before? Didn't he know that she was fragile? That she needed affection so bad to find value in herself? It was no way to live, but she couldn't seem to move past it.

  "Maybe it was pity?" she whispered into the empty room as tears stung her eyes. Wiping them away, she turned quickly as the door opened.

  "Someone's here to see you, boss."

  "I'll be right there." She kept her back to Martin, pretending to be on her phone. It was most likely someone from the wedding or Drake. He seemed to show up at the most inappropriate of times.

  Taking a deep breath, she steeled her resolve to be mature and walked out to find a handsome older man waiting at the front counter for her.

  "I'm Sicily. Did you ask for me?"

  "Do you own this bakery?" The handsome gentleman extended his hand. His smile was nice, but something in his gaze told her that he was far more than he appeared.

  "I do. What can I do for you?"

  "I'm Michael Carrington. I was seeing your friend Lisa for a little while. I do believe she mentioned you multiple times."

  "Oh." Sicily shook his hand and moved out from behind the counter, nodding to a small table in the corner. "We can talk over here if you like. I see another rush of kids headed this way."

  Michael glanced behind him, his suit fitting him beautifully. "They do look rather rambunctious, but I have no room to talk. I still feel like I'm ten somewhere deep inside this aging body."

  She chuckled and moved to the table, taking a seat and extending her hand to offer him the other one. He unbuttoned his coat and sat down as the door opened. Drake walked in and caught her gaze, heading her way as if Michael weren't even there.

  He stopped short, glancing over at Michael as a smile lifted his lips. "Michael Carrington. It's been a while."

  Michael stood back up and laughed loudly, extending his hand and pulling Drake into a hug. "Oh my goodness. It's been years. How is your family? Demetri still trying to rule the universe?"

  "Only his small part of it. How is Cynthia?"

  "Oh. She passed about five years back. Aggressive form of cancer." Michael glanced down as a frown darkened his handsome face.

  "You guys know each other from way back?" Sicily couldn't help but ask.

  Drake turned his attention to her. "Yeah. We used to be business partners back in our younger days. My brother introduced us."

  "Great guy. Great family." Michael released his hold on Drake and sat down, leaning back and smiling.

  "I'm sorry to hear about your wife. So good to see you." Drake glanced at Sicily. "I'm going to wait over there."

  "For what?" She pressed her forearms against the table.

  "To take you to lunch. I was just going to swing by, but I'm sure this scoundrel will try if I don't swoop in and save you." He winked at Michael.

  "You know I can't resist a beautiful woman." He tilted his head, his smile almost nefarious.

  Sicily's cheeks heated and she waved Drake off. "Stop, you damn flatterers. Lunch sounds good."

  Drake chuckled and walked away, leaving her a hot mess with butterflies tearing up the inside of her stomach. She turned her attention to the handsome billionaire in front of her, trying to clear her mind.

  "What can I do for you, Mr. Carrington?"

  "There is a large benefit for the fire station coming up in November and I'd like to provide the dessert table. Would you be willing to work with me on catering it?"

  "Of course. I can spare quite a bit in terms of donating items too. I don't mind."

  "No. Not at all. I'm paying for every bit of it. You can simply make the items or you can make them and be there to assist me in running the event. I know you're a chef and obviously a smart business woman. I'd love your help. I'll pay generously for your time."

  "How can a girl say no?"

  "Oh, please do tell Drake that you can't say no to me." The handsome man before her laughed and lifted his eyebrow. "We used to be after the same woman in our younger years."

  "Who got her?"

  "I did, and I loved her until the day she died." He smiled sadly and reached for his wallet. "Draw up the order and let's get you paid and locked in as my cohort for the event."

  She moved numbly to the back, glancing over at Drake, who seemed to be suffering the effects of Michael's news. What business were they involved in together? Was the town really that little? The world that small?

  Chapter 6

  "Tell me how you know Mr. Carrington?" Sicily walked outside with Drake. She glanced around the parking lot looking for his truck, but didn't see it. "Am I driving?"

  "No. I brought the bike. That okay?" He walked to a decked out Harley and pulled a spare helmet off the back, tossing it to her.

  Sicily caught it as her words escaped her. She had spent a large part of her teenage years riding on the back of motorcycles, her older brother owning several as a mechanic. It had been years since she felt the thrill they provided. The fear that rushed through her was simply over being so close to Drake and nothing to do with the inherent danger of riding on the back of a bike.

  "Yeah. It's fine," she muttered and slipped the helmet on before walking to get on behind him.

  "Just hold on to me tightly and we'll be good. I'll tell you about me and Mike at the restaurant." He started the bike as she slid her hands around his waist.

  The thick muscles of his abs tensed under her fingers. She had to bite her lip to stifle the moan that pressed against her tongue. He was so far beyond sexy and yet complete trouble.

  One thing her brother, Johnny, had made her promise to do was never date a guy who had a bike. She smiled at the memory of asking him why.

  "Any man that wants power between his legs usually replies in kind with his woman. You need someone gentle and caring to love you. Not some sex hungry bastard."

  "You have bikes." She lifted her eyebrow at him and smirked.

  "Exactly. Stay far away from those guys."

  "Like you."

  "Hush and get on the bike."

  She laughed as Drake took off, his hand brushing by her fingers as if to tell her that he heard her joy and wanted more of it from her.

  The ride to the edge of town was thrilling, Drake driving a bit too wild, but she loved every minute of it. Since going to college and trying to care for her mother through her illness, fun hadn't been too big a part of her life in a while. Being with Lisa and Kari was her only reprieve, but those times had just begun. A few months back there only seemed to be darkness in front of her - behind her... everywhere.

  Drake stopped the bike and parked it before waiting for her to get off. He twisted his torso and extended his hand to her, Sicily taking it and getting off. She glanced around the harbor and stifled a squeal. She had been planning on coming down to the small shopping village and trying their clam chowder and getting lost for a day or so in the shops. With the new shop she just hadn't gotten the opportunity.

  It was so not Lisa's type of place, but Kari would have joined her. She moved back and tugged the helmet off, Drake reaching over and helping her. She reached up and ran her fingers through her hair as he affixed the helmets to the back of the bike.

  He slid his fingers through the back of her hair, his eyes narrowing only slightly. "I knew it."

  "What?" She swatted him away.

  "Your hair looks like dark silk. I've been wanting to test the theory since we met."

&n
bsp; "Yes, well, keep your hands to yourself. We're friends, and barely that."

  "As of now..." He wagged his eyebrows and pointed to the small bistro ahead. "Best clam chowder in this whole state. You wanna try it?"

  "I do. I've wanted to since we came to visit a while back and decided this was going to be home."

  "I'm glad you did." He winked at her and walked toward the small shop, his fingers grazing by hers several times. If she didn't know any better, he wanted to hold her hand. She was beyond grateful that he didn't push it - didn't push her. She wasn't ready mentally. Physically she was panting on the inside, desperate to feel every inch of him against her, inside of her, suffocating her.

  All right. Enough. Shit.

  They walked into the restaurant and seated themselves near a window, the colors of fall brilliant just outside the restaurant. Sicily pressed her hand to her chin and leaned toward it, wanting to take it all in. Where was Kari with her camera when you needed her?

  "Beautiful." Drake's voice was soft and far too low.

  Sicily glanced at him as her cheeks burned. "I know, right? I've been waiting for fall to arrive since we got here."

  "The scene outside is okay, but the one in here is breathtaking." He picked up his menu and watched her for a minute before glancing down.

  He played a dangerous game. One she couldn't afford to lose. After she lost her extra weight and got healthy she would flirt back and open herself up to going on a date with him, but not a second sooner. If he really did want something from her, then he deserved her healthy and completely able to sustain life. If not, then she would be better suited to handle that rejection once she felt better about herself.

  The waiter approached them and they each ordered, Drake making her promise to save room for dessert.

  "I thought you didn't eat anything unhealthy." She scoffed at him before pulling her napkin into her lap. They looked ridiculous together. Him tall, dark, muscular and devastatingly handsome and her just... fat and plain.

  "I don't usually indulge unless I find something I just can't say no to." He held her stare, his words seeming to mean more than the simple dessert she was referring to.