Chapter 33 Honey
HONEY
When my alarm blares from Beau’s side table, I reach over and smack it and then cuddle up against him. “You’re warm. I don’t want to get up. Don’t make me.”
A deep chuckle rumbles in his bare chest. “Wish we could stay in bed all day too.”
I toss my leg over his. “Remind me why I have to go to work?”
“Because you’re an amazing teacher who loves her students. Plus, you wear those sexy little skirts that make me rock hard.”
Laughing, I squeeze him tight. “I have my work clothes in my SUV. Wasn’t sure if you wanted me to stay the whole weekend, but I brought them just in case.”
“I’m always gonna want you to stay the weekend, so don’t overthink it. If you want a drawer or two or some closet space, it’s yours.”
Leaning up on his chest, I rest my chin on my arm. “I need to plan better. Because I don’t have time for a quickie. Next time, I’ll set my alarm earlier.”
He nips my bottom lip. “Let me make you some breakfast while you get ready for work.”
When he slides out of bed naked, I take my time appreciating his chiseled body. “Damn, Beau. I have a fire you need to put out.” We had sex before bed for the last two nights, but I could jump him all over again right now.
Grinning, he faces me and I get a clear view of his huge morning wood jutting up to his stomach. He reaches down to give it a tug. “Point me in the direction of your fire, ma’am. I’ll bring my hose.”
I laugh and pull back the covers. “It’s a fast-spreading southern blaze. But I only have ten minutes. Because I need my shower or I’ll be half-asleep all morning.” If I take breakfast on the road, I might be able to pull this off.
Next thing I know, he drags me to the edge of the bed, and I laugh.
He goes down on me, lapping me up like I’m his favorite treat, which makes me grateful I showered last night after we had sex.
I don’t know how this man knows my body so well, but in two minutes, I’m close.
“God, Beau.” I grip his hair. When he slides two thick fingers inside of me and hits that magical place while he licks soft circles around my clit, I come apart.
When I can open my eyes, he gives me a self-satisfied smile. “Pretty sure I got you there in under five minutes.”
“You deserve a reward,” I say hoarsely.
As he glances up and down my body and jerks himself off, his grin widens. “I think I already got one.”
“Not as good as this.” I swivel around and let my head dangle off the edge of the bed. I’ve always wanted to try this position. “Come here.”
His eyes go molten as he curses under his breath. “You sure?”
I grab his leg and pull him close. “Bend over so I can do this.” Really, he’s probably too tall for this bed, but when he does as I ask, I lick the underside of his cock. That convinces him. He grabs his thick dick and angles it toward my mouth.
After a few licks of his crown, I take him down my throat. This position forces me to breathe through my nose, and I can take him deeper. He grabs my boobs and follows my lead, gently thrusting.
“Fuck, you feel amazing like this,” he grunts.
He’s close. Let’s see if I can get him to beat my time. I shove his hand away and jerk him off in my mouth, and he comes with a shout, spurting hot cum down my throat.
A minute later, he pulls my boneless body off the bed. “Babe.”
“Hmm?” Sleepy, I wrap my arms around him.
“That was so fucking good. I lo—” He pauses. “I love mornings with you.”
My heart hammers in my chest. Was he going to tell me he loves me? A deep sense of satisfaction washes over me. I’m becoming more and more convinced that Beau and I were meant to be. “I love mornings with you too.” Closing my eyes, I soak up his body heat until he pats my butt.
“Work, remember?” He walks me to the bathroom and cranks the hot water. “Take a quick shower, and I’ll make your breakfast to go. Coffee and toast okay? I might have some bacon.”
Smiling, I nod. “Thank you.”
Ten minutes later, I’m tugging on my shoes and running through his house. He hands me a mug of steaming coffee and a toasted bacon and egg sandwich. “Have a good day, baby.”
I lean up to kiss him. “You too, handsome.”
I get to school with three minutes to spare. As I race to the office, I can’t tame the grin on my face. Beau Walker likes me. He might even love me. The thought gives me the courage I need to talk to my father.
Because last night, Cash texted to tell me Dad was home from his trip.
Today is the day. I can do this.
But as the morning drags into the afternoon, the nerves start to get to me. Finally, the last bell rings, and I’m out the door.
When I get to my parents’ house, I’m so anxious, my hands tremble. I sit in the driveway and text Beau.
Me: I’m going to talk to my dad about Baylee’s wedding. He’s back from his trip. Wish me luck.
Beau: Good luck. I’m here if you need me.
Gathering my waning courage, I trek into the house. Most of the lights are out for some reason, which is strange. “Hello?” I call out. At first, I think maybe I missed my dad again. I hear something in the kitchen and head there, doing a double-take when I see my mother.
She’s sitting at the kitchen counter, staring into her coffee mug.
Dark circles rim her eyes, and her hair is in a tight bun at the nape of her neck, which she only does when it needs to be washed.
But more concerning is the fact that she’s wearing sweats.
“Hey, Mom. Are you okay?” I hug her, and she nods slowly.
“It’s been a long few weeks.”
“What’s going on? You know you can call me if you need anything while Dad’s out of town, right?”
Her eyes well with tears. “Thank you, Honey.”
“Mom, talk to me.” I sit on the stool next to her.
She takes a shuddering breath. “Did your father ask you to come over today?”
“No. I need to discuss something with him, so I thought I’d swing by.”
She resumes staring into her coffee cup.
“Seriously, what’s going on? You’re freaking me out. Do you have some terrible disease? If so, tell me now before I assume the worst.”
Her hand trembles as she grips the mug. “I think I’m going to leave your father.”
My eyes widen. Did I hear that right? “What? Why? What’s going on?”
“I’m tired of coming in last in this marriage. After the ranch. After work. After that other woman.”
My stomach drops. “I thought that was in the past. Is there someone new?”
“Same woman. Same bullshit.”
I don’t remember the last time I heard my mother curse. “The one… the one he got pregnant?”
She shifts on the stool to look at me with accusation in her eyes. “You knew about that?”
I rush to explain. “I overheard Dad and Cash talking once when I was in high school. Cash was pissed that there’s some guy out there who stands to inherit what he’s worked so hard on. But I played dumb because I didn’t want Dad to yell at me.”
“There’s too much damn yelling in this house.” My mom wipes her eyes. “I’m tired, Honey. I can’t do this anymore. I can’t be a doormat while my husband does whatever he wants.”
“What are you going to do?”
“I’m going to stay with Aunt June until I figure it out.”
From the other room, my father yells. “Abilene! Get in here.”
She dabs at her eyes again. “I’m being summoned by His Highness.”
I take her clammy hand in mine. “I’m so sorry, Mom. You can do this. Don’t let him bully you.” Because I’m starting to realize that’s what my father does. He bullies everyone around him.
“There’s something else you should know, Honey. Your father’s been sick. His kidneys were failing. He’s needed dialysis.”
My throat closes up. Guilt for thinking negatively about my dad instantly overwhelms me. “Is he going to be okay?” I can barely choke out the words.
She nods. “I’ve been going with him to his treatments, and I thought things were better.
Health-wise, they are, but he’s using this as a reason to decide he can openly be with this other woman.
After I raised his children, served his meals, and folded his laundry, he does this.
” When her lower lip quivers, I grab her hand.
“Who is she?” All this time, that’s the one thing I haven’t known.
She shakes her head. “A ghost from the past.” With those cryptic words, she heads down the hall to talk to my father.
Holy shit. My parents are splitting up. I debate whether I should help her defend herself to my dad or stay out here, but a few minutes later, she returns with red-rimmed eyes. “You can go in now. I’m going to pack.” She kisses me on the cheek and heads for the stairs.
I stand there like a statue, wondering what the hell just happened. My problems seem insignificant compared to what my mom is going through, but that thought gives me the courage to go to my father’s office.
He’s on speakerphone with someone. His voice is soft, almost sweet. It’s a tone I’ve only ever heard him use with our horses. “Yeah, sugar. I’ll be by there this weekend.” He chuckles like he doesn’t have a care in the world.
“I’m sorry she’s so upset,” a woman says.
Oh my God. It’s his affair partner. Something about her voice sounds familiar.
“She’ll survive. I’ll get Abilene a house in the Florida Keys, and she’ll be out of our hair. Then you can come back to Wild Heart.”
“I don’t know if that’s a good idea, Vernon.”
“Sure it is. Abilene won’t be here to give you a hard time anymore.”
I stand there, aghast at this man I used to adore. “Are you talking about my mother?” The words are out of my mouth before I think better of it.
His eyes cut to me, and that soft voice disappears. “I have to go,” he says to his sidepiece. “I’ll see you this weekend.” He ends the call. Before I can say anything, he pours himself a shot of whiskey. “It’s rude to eavesdrop.”
I laugh. It starts as a chuckle, but it builds until I can barely breathe. I have to slap my hand over my mouth to stop. “Are you serious right now? You’re the one stepping out on your marriage, and you think eavesdropping is rude? What the fuck, Dad?”
“Watch your mouth, little girl.”