9. Triton
With no plansand no one expecting us anywhere, I could have spent the whole damn day in bed or better yet, inside of Bess. It didn’t take her long to get comfortable telling me what she liked and what drove her absolutely wild. We fucked and napped, napped and fucked some more. She was much more adventurous and curious than I expected and probably would have been up for just about anything until we ran out of condoms.
It was late afternoon when I smoothed her hair back from her face and told her we needed to get out bed. Her stomach had been rumbling for at least an hour.
“Let’s go get you something to eat.” I could have laid there just looking at her forever, but we both needed food. Owen had brought over stuff for breakfast and some snacks, but nothing I could use to make a real meal.
“Do we have to?” She lifted her cheek from my chest and stuck out her bottom lip.
“Yes. I’m not going to have you waste away while I’m supposed to be taking care of you.” I rolled her toward the edge of the bed.
She laughed. “I think I have a long way to go before I get anywhere close to wasting away.”
I climbed over her and reached for my jeans. “I’m not going to chance it. You’re perfect just the way you are.”
Her smile faded. “Do you mean that?”
“Yes, I mean it. I told you I’d never lie to you.” I reached for her hand and tugged her to her feet. “Do I need to show you again how hot you make me? I’ll drop to my knees right now if you need proof.”
“I’m not sure I’ll be able to walk as it is.” She snuggled into my chest.
I rested my chin on top of her head. We fit together like we were made for each other. The way her soft curves melted into me made me want to stand there and hold her forever. I’d never entertained the idea of a long-term commitment to anyone or anything. My past had taught me that people didn’t stick around. The ones who promised were the most likely to let me down.
But holding Bess, her heart beating against mine, I let myself imagine what life would be like if I let myself really love someone. What would it feel like to wake up next to her every day and be greeted by her beautiful smile?
“Let’s go. We’ll stop by Mama Mae’s so I can pick up some clothes, then you can decide if you want to eat out or stop by the store and bring something back to make here.”
“If I’m going to meet Mama Mae, I should get cleaned up first.” Bess rummaged through her bag and pulled out a sundress and her toiletries bag. “Give me fifteen minutes?”
“Take all the time you need. I’ll check in with some of the guys while you get ready.” I wanted to join her but felt like we’d never leave the cottage if I did. Instead, I tortured myself by picturing her in the shower while I pulled out my phone and dialed my buddy Drak.
“What’s up?”
“Just checking in. Any updates on the cartel?” We hadn’t even been gone twenty-four hours, so I didn’t expect any news. I’d asked a few of my MC brothers to keep an eye on the church property and make sure Pastor Trammer didn’t do anything stupid.
“All’s quiet here. Haven’t seen any sign of them. How are things with the preacher’s daughter?”
“Good.” I wasn’t going to kiss and tell. Things between me and Bess went deeper than a casual hook up, and I wouldn’t disrespect her by sharing details with one of my friends.
“You sure didn’t seem disappointed about leaving town with her. Anything going on there?” Drak had known me for years and in all that time I’d never been interested in making any kind of commitment. That meant he also knew me well enough to sense when something had changed.
“I don’t know. Maybe.” I hung my head and lowered my voice. “She’s so young and her dad would never be okay with us being together. When it comes to dating his daughter, I’m probably his worst nightmare.”
“What does that make me?” I could picture his shit-eating grin through the phone.
“There’s something about her, but I don’t know if it would last.”
“You know, it’s okay to let yourself be happy.”
“You ever take your own advice?” We were both fucked up. Our time in the military and the shit I went through as a kid had made sure of that. “I’ve got to go. I’m taking Bess over to meet Mama Mae.”
“Keep your head up.”
“You too.” I disconnected just as Bess stepped into the room. She had on a yellow sundress with pink flowers all over. Two thin straps held it up, and it ended just above her knees. “Come here.”
“I’m not in trouble, am I?” She took slow, small steps toward me, a tentative smile teasing the corners of her lips up.
I put my hands on her hips and nuzzled her neck. “You think I can take you to meet my foster mother in this dress?”
“What’s wrong with it?” Bess stepped back and craned her neck in an attempt to check over her dress.
“Nothing’s wrong with it. I’m just going to have a hard-on all night because I’m going to be picturing me sliding up this skirt and taking you from behind.” I twirled her around and pressed my cock into her backside. “You’re going to have me in pain all night, Sugar Pie.”
“Poor baby.” Her hips wriggled.
I gave her a light swat on her perfect ass. “I think I’ve created a monster.”
“I promise, it will be worth the wait.” She turned around and cupped my cheek. “Come on, I can’t wait to meet Mama Mae and hear all about what a stinker you were when you were a kid.”
I’d been a little nervous about taking her home to meet my hodge podge of a family. After talking to Drak, I felt more confident. He was right, it was okay to be happy. I wrapped my arm around her shoulders and led her out to the truck.
The trip to Mama Mae’s didn’t take too long. We pulled onto the long drive and memories of the years I spent at the big old farmhouse came back to me like it had only been a few days instead of years since I’d been back to see her.
She stepped onto the porch just as the truck came to a stop. Bess hopped out and we climbed the steps together.
“Let me look at you.” Mama Mae reached up and squashed my cheeks between her hands. “You haven’t changed a bit, Trenton James.”
“Trenton?” Bess’s eyes lit up.
“And you must be Bess.” Mama Mae shifted her attention and held out her arms. “I hope you don’t mind, but we hug around here.”
“I don’t mind at all,” Bess said. The two of them embraced.
“It’s so nice to meet you.” Mama Mae loosened her grip. “You’re the first woman Trenton’s ever thought enough of to bring home to meet me.”
I’d told Mama Mae I was keeping an eye on Bess but left out the details about the cartel. I hadn’t said anything about us being together. She had a sixth sense about those things and could probably tell more about my life by looking at me for a few seconds than she’d ever learned through the phone calls I’d made over the years.
“Come into the house. I hope you’re hungry. I’ve had a brisket cooking all day.” She led the way through the front room and into the kitchen.
Not much had changed since I shared a bedroom on the second floor with Owen, Kane, and Bison. Pictures of all of the boys she’d fostered over the years decorated the walls. The old piano sat up against the wall in the front room. I could still remember sitting on the steps and waiting my turn for my weekly lesson from the woman who played the organ at church.
“Is that Triton when he was younger?” Bess stopped next to my seventh-grade yearbook picture. The one where I was sporting a black eye.
“He was always getting into fights.” Mama Mae shook her head. “I suppose it served him well since he went into the Navy right out of high school.”
“So, he was a troublemaker?” Bess squeezed my arm.
“I was just looking out for my brothers,” I said as I spotted Bison sitting at the kitchen table. He got up and headed our way, tugging a beautiful woman behind him.
The hours flew as Mama Mae filled me in on what had been happening since I’d been away. I worried that Bess would be bored and kept checking in on her. She assured me she hadn’t had so much fun in a long time, especially when a few more of my brothers pulled up and tried to outdo each other by sharing embarrassing stories from my teenage years.
When I caught Bess yawning for the third time in less than five minutes, I told Mama Mae I needed to take her back to the cottage and get her into bed.
“It’s been a lovely evening. Please say you’ll come back on Sunday. We can barbecue out back and Trenton can show you around the farm if you’d like.” Mama Mae had walked us out after Bess insisted on cleaning up the kitchen.
Bess looked to me for an answer. We hadn’t talked about how long we might be in town. “I’d love to if we’re still here.”
“I’m sure you’re eager to get back home, but I’ll keep my fingers crossed that I get to see you again this weekend.” Mama Mae gave her a hug then Bess climbed into the truck, leaving me alone with the woman who’d raised me.
“She’s very sweet, Trenton.” Mama Mae reached up and patted me on the cheek.
I almost told her I was just keeping an eye on Bess and there wasn’t any more to it, but I stopped myself. Whatever was happening between the two of us was special. I wasn’t going to try to downplay it. “She really is. I didn’t mean for anything to happen.”
“Love’s what happens when you’re making other plans,” Mama Mae said. “Some people go looking for it and never find it. Those of us who are lucky enough to experience love have to do everything we can to hold onto it and protect it. You rarely get a second chance.”
She was right, as always. “Bess is amazing. She’s got such a good heart, and I don’t think there’s a mean bone in her body.”
“What is it, son? Something’s bothering you, I can tell.”
“What if I’m not good at it?” Damn, it was hard to put that out there. I’d battled with that fear my whole life. Mama Mae had shown me nothing but love, but my heart had been damaged long before I came to live with her.
“Not good at what?” Her brow wrinkled. “Are you worried you won’t be good at loving someone?”
I nodded.
“Oh, sweet boy, you experienced so much pain at such a young age, but you’ve got so much love to give. All you need to do is listen to your heart.” She held out her arms and pulled me into one of her hugs.
I held on a little longer than necessary. She always had the right answer.
“Thanks, Mama Mae.”
“You two take care of each other, you hear me?”
“Yes, ma’am.” I pressed a kiss to her soft cheek then bounded down the steps to take Bess back to the cottage.