CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Rebecca—
It’s early morning, and the sun peeks in through the curtains.
I roll over and kiss JJ’s chest.
His fingers thread through my hair, guiding my head where he wants me to go.
I kiss a trail down his stomach and lower.
His hard erection bobs, and I close my mouth around it, moving between his legs.
It doesn’t take him long before he’s thrusting his hips, and when he finishes, I lick up every drop, then trail kisses up to his mouth.
“I’m gonna go make coffee. Want some?” I ask.
“Sure.”
I scoot off the end of the bed and grab one of his flannel shirts from the bedpost, slipping into it, then head to the kitchen.
I yawn and stare at the clock above the sink. It’s almost time to get to work.
JJ comes out fully dressed and presses his body to my back, nuzzling my ear. “That was a nice way to wake up.”
“You liked that, did you?” I reply with a grin.
His hands slip under the hem of the flannel shirt and caress my bare ass. “Maybe we could sneak off for a lunch break, and I’ll return the favor.”
“I’d like that.” I spin in his arms and kiss him.
We hear Bobby and Ed arriving, and JJ glances toward the front windows.
“Guess I’d better get out there.” He gives me a final peck, then steals my coffee and heads toward the door.
“Hey,” I protest, but he just winks at me and gives me that killer grin that makes me melt.
I pour another cup and get dressed. Returning to the sink to rinse my cup, the phone on the wall rings.
Picking up the receiver, I put it to my ear. “Holly Jolly Tree Farm. Can I help you?”
Ten minutes later, I stalk outside to find JJ filling the tree shaker with gas.
He turns and catches my expression, and his smile fades.
“What’s wrong, babe?”
“You’re still thinking of selling? After all the work we’ve done?” I snap, my voice raised.
Bobby and Ed stare at us, then exchange a glance and drift off, giving us space.
Things have been going along so well, and we’ve gotten so close. Maybe that’s why the pain of JJ’s betrayal cuts so deep.
“What are you talking about?” He sets the gas can down, one hip thrusting out as he tugs off his gloves.
“I just got off the phone with Skyland Development Holdings. A man named Richard Soren. He says he’s got the paperwork written up on the offer he made.”
JJ’s shoulders slump, and he drags a hand through his hair, the other hand slapping the gloves against his thigh. “Rebecca, it wasn’t like that.”
“Then how was it? What part do I have wrong? The part where you’re selling out?
Or the part where you’re doing it behind my back like a rat?
” My biggest fear flits through my brain.
Can I really do this on my own? Am I capable if he abandons me?
Maybe that’s not my biggest fear. Maybe my biggest fear is something even more terrifying to me.
“I never told him I was selling. He approached me in town and went on and on about this great offer he had for us. I finally had enough and told him I wouldn’t believe anything that wasn’t in writing. I guess he took that to mean I wanted him to write up an offer.”
“You’re running out on me, then? I should have known.” I can’t hold back my vicious words, even though a part of me regrets them the moment they leave my mouth.
“What’s that crack supposed to mean?”
“You’re a smart guy; figure it out.”
“What makes you think I’d run out on you?” He flings his arm out to the surrounding property. “After everything I’ve done, why do you think that?”
“Maybe that’s what you do. When things get serious, you run. That’s your M.O. isn’t it?” Why can’t I keep my mouth shut? Why am I blurting out all my fears? But I can’t help myself. I need to know where he stands.
“So, that’s what this is about? That’s what we’re really fighting about? Me leaving? You still think I’m going to leave you?”
“Aren’t you?”
He stalks away, flinging his gloves across the yard. “Goddamn, woman. You push every one of my buttons.”
“Family is important to me, but apparently it's not to you.” It’s cold, but I said it, and I won’t take it back.
He pauses and turns. “You’re right, I don’t give a damn about my family, Rebecca. But my MC family is everything to me. You’ve seen that. You know that. Don’t act like I don’t give a damn about what’s important.” He stalks off as if he’s done with me, opening another fissure of pain in my chest.
“Come back here, you coward. This isn’t finished.”
At that, he whirls and stalks to me. “Don’t ever call me that.”
I swallow, immediately regretting the words. “I’m sorry.”
He points toward the trees. “Haven’t I been here working my ass off for this place? Haven’t I roped in my brothers to help us? Haven’t I shown you I give a damn about you and about this place and about your dream?”
I wet my lips, thinking maybe I overreacted. Maybe I need to give him the benefit of the doubt. This fight and my words are threatening to tear the trust and feelings we’ve built apart. I see the vulnerability in his eyes as he expresses his genuine hurt.
“I should have asked you before I threw accusations.”
“Ya think?”
“I’m sorry.”
He drags a hand through his hair again and stares at the horizon, and I know those words won’t cut it.
“JJ, it’s just… I guess I find it hard to trust.”
“Well, maybe you should get over that, Rebecca. ‘Cause I’m standing right here.” He spreads his arms wide.
“You can’t stay. You’re in an MC,” I whisper and watch his shoulders slump.
“And I’ve got to figure that out. Doesn’t mean I’m leaving you.”
I go to him, pressing against his chest. At first, he resists, but his arms close around me, and his head dips to mine.
“You could try the patience of a saint, woman. It’s a good thing you’re damn cute.”
My eyes fill, and his hands stroke my back.
“I’m not goin’ anywhere, Becca. I promise.”
His vow eases all the tension in my body, and I feel myself truly relax, trusting in him. I nod against his chest, and he presses a kiss to my forehead.
“Think we gave the help enough to talk about or you want me to throw you over my shoulder and carry you inside?”
I’m considering telling him the second choice when a customer rolls up the drive.
“Too late,” he mutters. “Guess we’ll have to have dirty hot makeup sex later tonight.”
I nod against him. “Deal.”
“Gonna make you work for it, girl,” he teases a smile from me and tickles my ribs. “Now go on, I’ve got trees to sell.”
I walk back into the cabin and stand at the sink, staring out at the farm down the hill and across the road. It’s blanketed in an inch of snow and looks peaceful and beautiful, and I think about every word JJ just spoke.
I love him, the words whisper through my head.
I love him with all my heart.
I only hope he doesn’t crush it to a million pieces.