Burn for You

by Marquita Valentine

  “I know my limit,” she snaps, stepping away.

  “Call or text a cab.”

  “Your concern is so,” she places a hand over the spot where her heart should be, “sweet. Just like you.”

  Furious, I take Mia over to her play gym, securing her in the seat. She goes to work, pressing buttons and squealing. “Be right back, sweet girl.”

  Paisley still stands by the front door, arms crossed over her chest. She smirks when she sees me. “As sweet as you are, those tattoos and piercings still do it for me.” She reaches out suddenly, tugging on one of my nipple rings.

  I hiss, not in pleasure either. “Keep your fucking hands to yourself.”

  “What will you do about it—hit me?” She licks her lips. “That’s right. You’re a good guy, because you don’t hit. Mommy issues really spoiled our fun, Beau.”

  “Your mommy issues are going to fucking kill you if you don’t get help.”

  “Thanks, Doctor.”

  “Mia needs you, Paisley. Even if you don’t think she deserves to have you as a mother.”

  Paisley shuts her eyes and releases my nipple ring. “Stop it. I won’t let you do this. Your guilt is not my guilt. Your failure to keep me happy is not my failure. I refuse to let you bring me down. If you want to fuck the nanny from here to Monaco and back, be my guest. I don’t care.”

  “Her name is Landry.”

  Eyes opening, Paisley leans forward, her voice so low I have to strain to hear her. “It won’t be her you picture when she blows you for the first time. It won’t be her name you’re calling when you come all over her ass. It’ll be mine. Just like always.”

  “Never. You don’t own me.” But that’s exactly what happened in the past, and she knows it. I admitted as much while we were getting high together—that no matter who I was with, all I could think about was her.

  She traces the tattoo over my heart, the one with her initials entwined with roses and thorns. “Yes, I do.”

  I grab her wrist and force it away from me. “Touch me again and you’ll regret it.”

  Her blue eyes grow dark. “There’s the bad boy I used to love to fuck.”

  Disgusted, I let go. “Say bye to Mia and then leave. I have things to do.”

  “The new nanny?” She laughs, brushing past me and walking to the living room. I hear her talk to Mia in a sweet voice, telling her to be good, to listen to Landry, that she’ll FaceTime with her every day, and how much she’ll miss her.

  My heart feels raw listening to her. She’s two different people, and she is perfectly content staying that way. I rub my hand over my bare chest, trying to ease the pain.

  The sensation of someone watching washes over me. I turn to the side slightly, finding Landry standing in the shadows. Her gorgeous eyes are sad and fixed on me.

  I start in her direction, but she jogs to the living room to stand beside Paisley. I freeze, seeing the two of them so close. Landry smiles, talking quietly to my ex and my daughter. Paisley laughs and shakes her head, taking Mia out of her play gym.

  “I promise to call you every day so you can see her,” Landry says.

  Paisley shakes her head. “It would be better if I call you. Can I get your number?”

  “Sure.” Landry pulls out her phone. “I can text you?”

  “That’ll work.” While Landry’s head is bent, Paisley look at me, her lips twisted up in a parody of a smile. “Thanks.” With one last look at Mia, Paisley’s face genuinely softens. “Do you mind singing to her at night, when she can’t sleep? Her favorite song is Brave.”

  Landry gets a little choked up, pressing the tips of her fingers to her mouth as her head tilts to one side. “I know that one.”

  My throat tightens, but not for Paisley. It’s for Landry. She’s softhearted and sweet. She doesn’t deserve to be caught up in the mess of our lives.

  Paisley hands Mia over to Landry. She tips up her chin and walks straight to me. “Walk with me to my car?”

  Anything to get her out of here. “No problem.”

  Once outside, I stop just shy of her car door. “What else did you need?”

  “I think your nanny will do a good job taking care of Mia.”

  I cross my arms over my chest. “I wouldn’t have hired her if I didn’t think the same.”

  My ex flicks her gaze over me, her lips pursing like she tastes something sour. “No, you wouldn’t have.”

  “If that’s all you have to say, then I’m heading inside to spend time with my daughter.”

  “I’m going back to Gentle Winds.”

  “Hope it sticks this time,” I say, then turn and stride back to the house.

  Landry’s on the floor with Mia, playing peek-a-boo. She catches sight of me, a small frown marring her forehead. “Have you opened the garage door yet?”

  “In a minute.” I stop at the edge of the rug, and Landry stands, picking up Mia as she straightens. “We need to talk.”

  “You don’t have to explain anything to me. I understand what’s going on.”

  “You do?”

  “Yeah. And I promise not to get in the way. I’ll do my job and that’s it.”

  This is exactly what I am afraid of—Landry getting the wrong impression. Or maybe it is the right one. Maybe I didn’t need to pursue anything with Landry. Maybe I need to stick with a plan and quit being swayed by my guilt, my wants, and needs. Maybe I need more time to think.

  I rub the bridge of my nose, frustrated as hell and unable to do anything about it. “There’s nothing there.”

  Landry gives me a sad smile, adjusting Mia on her hip. “You didn’t see what I saw. It’s not over, and I can’t be in the middle of it. I won’t be in the middle. Mia needs both of you.”

  Gritting my teeth, I count to ten. “Could you please feed Mia while I go work in the garage? Keys in your car?”

  “Yes.”

  “I’ll pull it inside for you, okay?”

  She nods, dismissing me as she focuses on my daughter and heads to the kitchen. “Are you hungry, sweet pea? I bet you’d like some pears. Mommy says you love those. Did she pick out your pretty outfit?”

  Mia babbles, happy and content, while I brood at the edge of the rug. I fucking brood.

  With noise of disgust, I storm to the garage, flipping on the lights and the sound system. I punch the pad that opens bay four and jog outside to Landry’s car.

  “Women,” I grunt, folding my legs up to fit in the driver’s seat of Landry’s Corolla. I close the door and immediately the scent of her surrounds me.

  Well, this was a brilliant plan.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Landry

  I’m rocking Mia to sleep in her nursery while I sing the words of Brave like Paisley asked. The baby’s strawberry blond hair lays flat against her head, the only hint of curl in the back. She has blue eyes that are the exact shade of her mother’s.

  I think she’s the most gorgeous, sweetest baby on the planet.

  She pats my face, then starts pulling on my bottom lip. “Don’t like my singing?”

  Mia stares up at me, not saying a word, but her eyes are luminous in the soft light of the room. She smiles, and my heart flips in my chest. I can’t imagine how she must feel, being pulled between her parents. And now they’ve added another person to her life—me.

  “I like your singing,” Beau says, and I look up.

  He strides into the room, thankfully wearing a shirt and jeans this time. His hair is still damp from his shower. Unlike when I first arrived, when his hair was damp from working out. I almost swallowed my tongue when I saw him standing with Paisley, his nipples pierced and his lip ring flashing. His sweat pants rode so low that I could see the angel and devil tattoos on each hip.

  But what really got me thinking, what really made me feel like I didn’t belong, were the initials on his heart. PS. Paisley Sawyer.

  “Thank you. Would you like to put Mia to bed? I already bathed her and put her in her pajamas.”

  “I can
see that.” He comes to stand beside us, and I stop rocking. “You look really sleepy.”

  “According to her mother, it’s past Mia’s bedtime.”

  “I meant you, sweetheart.”

  Regret clenches my heart. Regret that I’ve let myself fall this far for him. “Please don’t call me that in front of your daughter.” Actually, I should tell him not to call me that in front of anyone. On the way back from my parents’ house, I thought long and hard about us, but I was confused as to what to do—that is, until I met Paisley.

  Instead of acknowledging my request, he begins to rub the top of Mia’s head. “Start singing again, and she’ll be out in no time.”

  I do as he says while he rubs Mia’s head. Our combined efforts put her to sleep in no time at all. I grow quiet as he takes his daughter from me, and then follow him to the crib. Not because I want to be close to him, but because I want to see the routine he has with Mia.

  Or so I lie to myself.

  He places her on her back, covers her with a light blanket, and then tucks a pink doll beside her. “She’ll turn on her tummy in just a minute.”

  “So you wait until she does it, and then cover her up again?” I whisper.

  “Yes.” Sure enough, Mia turns over, tucking her legs under her and sticking her butt in the air.

  “Oh my gosh. That’s adorable,” I whisper, trying not to giggle.

  Beau and I reach for Mia’s blanket at the same time, our hands colliding. I snatch my hand away, as if his touch burned me.

  He leans all the way over the top of the crib and kisses Mia’s cheek. I use that as my cue to leave, quickly walking out of the room. But Beau’s not far behind me. I can hear his heavy footsteps.

  “Landry, wait.”

  Sighing, my eyes close and I stop in the middle of the hallway. It’s better to go ahead and get this over with. Opening my eyes, I turn to face him. “Yes?”

  “It was just an act,” he says, and I blink.

  “What?”

  “Paisley... her conversation with me. The entire thing was just an act to piss me off. She wanted to cause problems.”

  What problems? Really, it’s none of my business, and the less I know, the better. “She seemed nice enough when I first met her outside, and again when she was saying goodbye to Mia,” I say with a shrug.

  “Yeah, whatever. Why should you believe me?” He runs a hand through his hair, making it stick up in places.

  “Why are you mad at me? Don’t you want me to get along with Mia’s mom?” I ask.

  He opens his mouth, like he’s going to answer me, but then he snaps it shut. Another beat of my heart and he finally speaks, “Be ready to leave here tomorrow at two.”

  Then he walks away, leaving me standing there, staring after him.

  *** *** ***

  After a night of tossing and turning, and then spending most of today helping pack up Mia’s things—which only consisted of me going over a list Beau had made to make sure he packed everything she needed, I slowly walk down the stairs to meet him in the living room.

  Remington and a woman I presume to be Beau’s stepmother are already there, talking with him and Mia.

  Judith’s eyes light up when she sees me. “So, this is the young lady who’ll be taking care of my granddaughter?”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  She holds out her hands, walking to me and greeting me with a warm kiss on my cheek. “I’m Judith Montgomery. It’s so nice to meet you.”

  “Landry Basnight, and it’s nice to meet you, too.”

  She leans back, searching my face and nods once. “You’ll do fine.”

  “Thank you.” But I’m not sure why I’m thanking her, other than the good manners that have been drilled into me since birth. I turn to Beau. He’s staring at us, his lips in a thin line.

  Remington bounces Mia in his arms. “Baby girl, you are going to have the hottest nanny—”

  “Remy, please don’t be crude,” Judith says pleasantly, “you’ll embarrass Landry.”

  Immediately contrite, Remington hands Mia over to Beau. “Guess we’ll get going. Judith and I plan to come and cheer for you on race day.”

  Beau’s face turns dark. “I told you—”

  “You can’t order me to stay home, son,” Remington says, and Beau flinches.

  Judith lets go of my hands and walks to Beau. “I hope you don’t mind if I come. I’ve always wanted a second honeymoon, and Remington is humoring me.”

  Beau lets out a thick sigh. “You’re always welcome, Judith. I know Mia would love to see you... and him.”

  Taking Beau’s agreement as their cue to exit, Remington and Judith quickly leave.

  It grows quiet, not even Mia is saying anything. Unable to withstand the staring contest Beau is trying to start with me, I set my bags beside his and Mia’s, saying, “I think it’s great that you have such a good relationship with your stepmother.”

  Beau barks out a laugh. “It’s the least I can do.”

  Warning bells ring loudly in my head, but I ignore them. “Why is that?”

  He gives me a look. “You really don’t know?”

  “Should I?”

  “I’m the result of an affair Remington had while married to her.”

  “You... that is. I, um...” I flush hot. “Oh.”

  “Yeah, a bastard fathering a bastard who fathers a—” He swallows. “Seems rather fitting, huh?”

  “You’re not a bastard and neither is she.”

  “I know what I am,” he says. “And I know what she is.”

  Mia gnaws on her hand, her gaze bouncing between us.

  “She’s hungry. Would you like for me to fix a quick snack for her?”

  “She’s sleepy,” he says.

  “Okay, but Paisley said Mia—”

  “Paisley’s not here. I am, and I know my daughter just as well as she does,” he says sharply.

  “Then why don’t you share what you know, so I don’t have to text her and ask,” I snap.

  “You texted her. Today?”

  Suddenly defensive, I cross my arms over my chest. “You seemed too busy to bother.”

  His jaw works. “I am never too busy for Mia.”

  The doorbell rings, saving me the trouble of pointing out that he barely spoke to me for most of the day.

  “Our ride is here,” Beau says. “If you’ll take Mia, I’ll get her car seat.”

  “Fine,” I say, holding out my arms to the baby. Smiling, she goes into my arms and settles against me. “Hey, sweet pea, ready to fly in a plane?”

  “Are you?” Beau asks.

  “For the most part,” I admit. “I’m kind of scared to be over the ocean for that long though.”

  “Don’t be,” he says, as if his command alone will banish all the last minute jitters.

  “I’ll try.” I give him a friendly smile before he strides away.

  Maybe he’s nervous about the race, about travelling with Mia... Maybe he’s worried about a lot of other things that have nothing do with me at all. Maybe I should convince him to talk to me, or maybe I should give him a reason to trust me.

  I walk outside with Mia. The sun is bright and the sky is clear. Perfect for flying to a new place. The theme song of Aladdin pops into my head and I start singing it to Mia, spinning her around.

  Beau walks outside, stopping to stare at me with an odd look on his face, but I ignore him. Mia is happy, her head flung back. I stop spinning and singing long enough to blow raspberries on her neck.

  “You can put her in the car now, Jasmine,” Beau says.

  He knows Disney movies? “Thanks, Al.”

  I gingerly climb inside the limo, placing Mia in her car seat and working all the straps until she’s secure. A minute later, Beau joins us, a small container in his hand.

  Puzzled, I try to figure out what’s in it. “What’s in there?”

  “Cheerios,” he says, shaking the bowl. “You know, in case she’s hungry like you said.”

  An o
live branch made of Cheerios. I bite back a smile. “Good thinking.”

  Tension begins to leave, and I feel my body relax. This won’t be too bad. Unless I count all the alone time. With Beau.

  The flight is almost twenty-two hours long, if I include one stop for fuel. That’s a big chunk of time to be alone with someone. That’s a big chunk of time to spend getting to know someone. Like Beau.

  He scoops out some Cheerios and holds them out to Mia. She grabs some and shoves them into her mouth. “Good call, Landry.”

  “You’re welcome.” Getting to know Beau is exactly what I plan to do.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Beau

  We have been in the air for less than twenty minutes when Mia finally falls asleep in my arms. Rising from my chair, I’m careful not to wake her.

  “Be back in minute,” I say to Landry.

  She nods, barely paying attention to me as she eats popcorn and watches a chick flick. It could be worse. She could be arguing with me already. We could have never stopped arguing or letting the tension come between us.

  Sexual tension is one thing, but the heavy, oppressing weight that makes you feel like shit—you can have it. Hell, I did have it, for years, with Paisley.

  I’m not doing that again. I’m not going through the hell of that relationship with anyone. History will not repeat itself.

  Laying Mia down in the portable crib, I wait for her to roll on her tummy before covering her. Then I cut on the baby monitor and shut the door behind me.

  Landry’s where I left her, curled up on a sofa and watching the movie.

  “Want some?” she says, offering up the bowl of popcorn.

  “Not really.”

  She looks at me, her nose wrinkling on one side. “Are you okay? Everyone likes popcorn.”

  “I didn’t say I didn’t like it. I’m just not hungry.”

  Her gaze turns sympathetic. “Tummy troubles?”

  I grunt. “No.”

  “Want to watch Ten Ways To Say Yes?”

  “I thought we could talk instead.”

  Immediately, Landry lights up and turns off the movie. She sits up, crossing her long legs in front of her like how we used to sit in elementary school during carpet time.

  Well, she is a teacher.