Chapter Eleven
Mercy looked amazing. No, she was stunning. Her hair flowed in coiled waves down her bare shoulders, revealed by the close-fitting sundress that perfectly matched her eyes. The high slit had parted, highlighting a good portion of her toned legs down to the ankle boots.
She gave a little turn to show off her new dress, and he’d just about lost his tongue out of his mouth.
Now here they were, at Crazy Shades and he was admiring her from afar.
Her smile made his heart skip a few beats, but it was directed towards Bones. All night, he’d been nestled up close to Mercy, utilizing his charm to make her laugh.
What the fuck was wrong with Jag? He did this to himself. Every time he got a little close to her he built another damn wall. Hid behind the excuse that he was a broken man.
He’d lost his mind.
His buddy was being too friendly toward Mercy.
What right did Jag have to feel this anger? Bones was being himself, thinking that Mercy was Jag’s cousin. And Mercy didn’t seem to mind all the attention. She tangled her fingers in her hair, and Jag remembered the night they had sex. He’d buried his hands in her hair and held on as he rode her wildly. She’d cried for more.
Maybe Jag had made a mistake by inviting her to Crazy Shades. He believed she was safe here, surrounded by the crew and in public, but was Jag safe from his spiraling emotions? Since her comment that she could find her “person” here in Shades Cove, or rather at the ranch, he’d been as tense as a new bowstring.
Bones was a great dude. Shouldn’t Jag feel happy that he and Mercy seemed to connect? It wasn’t as if Jag wanted her.
He swallowed hard.
He wanted her. Badly.
He didn’t want a relationship. He didn’t like the responsibility of making someone happy when he was still working on himself and adjusting to civilian life.
Was it possible, though, that he was using those reasons as an excuse and avoiding anything difficult? Maybe he’d become too used to being a man who kept himself guarded. The fear might not be in having a relationship, but taking a chance of falling hard. He could fall for Mercy if he allowed himself to.
He downed the last few drops of his beer and ordered another. That one wouldn’t last long either. He’d never been a big drinker, but tonight he felt off-kilter.
When Bones leaned in and whispered something in Mercy’s ear, Jag thought he might break the glass in his tight fist.
Rather than remaining passive and feeling sorry for himself, Jag realized he ought to get up and intervene. But what could he say? How could he rationalize standing as a barrier between Bones and Mercy? Sure, he could feign acting as her protective cousin, but one misstep and their cover would be exposed.
It would be better for him to stay at the table with the rest of the crew and ignore the shenanigans at the bar.
“Bones sure seems infatuated,” Bear said to Jag.
“It appears he is.” Jag tried to keep his tone even, but he failed.
“They make a nice-looking couple if you ask me.”
There went half of Jag’s beer down his tight throat. “You think?”
“You don’t?” Bear narrowed his gaze.
“I haven’t thought much about it.”
“If you want something to think about, what about her?” Bear jutted his chin toward the jukebox. “She’s been staring at you all night.”
Jag had no clue who the tall blonde was, and he didn’t remember seeing her before. She was watching him and didn’t bother hiding it. “Not interested.”
“Damn, man. Are you okay? Maybe there’s some pill you can take for that bullshit.”
“I don’t need anything, especially a one-night stand.” Jag had one of those, and the consequences still lingered like a steel claw trap.
“She’s gorgeous,” Bear said.
“I guess you and Bones have something in common.” Jag set his stein down with a clank .
“Although Mercy is beautiful, I wasn’t referring to her. I was talking about the blonde at the jukebox.” “The blonde” bent over to drop quarters into the slot.
Jag barely noticed her. “She’s your type. Maybe you should introduce yourself.”
“Hell, she ain’t looking at me,” Bear groaned.
His attention automatically settled on Mercy, pretty much where his eyes had been glued since she’d walked out wearing a sundress that made him want to go down in flames.
Bones and Mercy walked toward the dance floor. He took Mercy into his arms and planted his hands on the small of her back. It was respectable enough for anyone, but not for Jag.
He was tied up in knots.
Mercy wrapped her arms around Bones’s neck, and as they danced, their bodies brushed against each other.
Fuck. Shit. Damnit.
Jag had danced with Mercy like that at Mateo’s wedding reception. Jag couldn’t remember ever laughing as much as he had with her that night. It had seemed like the right thing to do was to take it further that night in bed.
Emptying his beer, he started to order another but decided he needed to keep his mind intact. When the song finally ended and Mercy and Bones left the dance floor, Jag bid his buddies goodnight. It was time to call it a night. He’d nearly worn his molars down clenching his teeth.
“Hey, Jag, can I buy you a beer?” Bones asked as Jag approached. “No, thanks. I think it’s time Mercy and I head out. It’s getting late.”
Mercy was tipsy.
She swayed a bit on the stool.
Her frown slipped right over her pink lips.
He had a flashback of those pretty, pouty lips wrapped around his cock and that stirred something foreign in him.
“Come on, Jag. Don’t be a party pooper. It’s still early.” Mercy flipped the ends of her hair over one shoulder.
“Sorry to ruin the party, but we’re leaving,” Jag said firmly.
“Hey, if Mercy wants to stay, I can run her home. We’re going to the same place after all,” Bones offered, oblivious to the tension between Jag and Mercy.
“See, I have a ride. You go home and catch up on your beauty sleep, Cinderella, and I’ll stay.” She motioned for the bartender to bring her another.
“Not happening.” Jag did his very best to remain calm.
Bones got the hint, but Mercy didn’t.
“Are you hearing what I’m saying? I’m not ready to go back yet. I want to dance.” Her smile had faded some.
“I would have asked what you thought if I were interested. I’m telling you it’s time to leave.” The last thread of patience unraveled.
“I think I’ll go and check in with the boys.” Bones took one step, but Mercy reached out and grasped his T-shirt in a tight fist.
“You don’t have to leave. We’re having fun.” She gave her hips a little rotation.
Bones darted his gaze from Mercy to Jag several times. “It seems like this might be a family matter.”
“Pfft. We’re not family,” she divulged.
Jag sighed. “Too bad we can’t pick and choose who we’re related to.”
“Admit it, Jag.” She slipped off the stool.
“Admit that you’ve had too much to drink and you need sleep?” Jag shook his head. She couldn’t handle her alcohol.
“Fine! You want me to go? I will.” She raised her chin toward an awkward-looking Bones. “Please take me home. I refuse to ride with Jag.”
Bones stayed quiet.
“That’s not an option,” Jag said through clenched jaw, his eyes never leaving the infuriating woman.
“I’m an adult. I can decide who drives me home.” She said to Bones, “You can drive me, or I’ll walk.”
“I’ll take you,” Bones said, offering Jag an apologetic nod.
“I’ll be right behind you,” Jag muttered, flexing his hands.
“Do you see what I mean, Bones? He’s so uptight and overbearing.” Mercy wrapped her arm around Bones’ elbow.
Jag wanted to drag her over his knee and treat her like the spoiled brat she’d been since she came to the ranch. If he didn’t have to be careful and walk on eggshells for fear that she’d let something slip, he'd have already hauled her over his shoulder and carried her to his truck.
He followed the two outside and got about halfway across the parking lot when he was stopped by the “jukebox blonde”.
“Excuse me,” she said, pressing her hand into the center of Jag’s chest.
Frustration sped through him. “Excuse me,” he started to walk around her, but she wasn’t allowing it.
“I know you tend to walk away, but this time it won't happen,” she said bitterly.
“Pardon? Do I know you?” He glanced at Bones’ truck as it pulled out of the parking lot onto the street.
“No, you don’t, but I know you.” She slammed her hands to her hips.
“Ma’am, I’m sorry, but I’m in the middle of something. You’ve mistaken me for someone else.” He got as far as two steps when her words penetrated his preoccupied mind.
“I thought you might want to know that she’s twelve, and although she doesn’t call you daddy, it doesn’t change the fact that you’re her father.”
Jag spun on the heels of his boots and faced the woman. “You have the wrong man.”
“Oh, I wish I did, but the bartender pointed you out. I’m here because I want this to be easy. If you fight me, I’ll have to involve my attorney, and you can tell her why you were never a part of your child’s life or never paid a dime for her expenses.
He glanced onto the street and saw Bones’ taillights fading quickly.
Rubbing his forehead, he asked, “Who are you?”
“I can be your worst nightmare if you don’t cooperate.” She narrowed her gaze on him.
“So, let me get this straight. You show up here accusing me of fathering your baby, and yet you admit that I don’t know you, won’t give me your name, but you swear you’re going to bring some attorney down on me if I don’t answer why I haven’t been a father to your child. Lady, at this point, I don’t care who you are. I’ve never seen you before in my life. It’s hard to make babies that way.”
“I’m not the mother. I’m the aunt.”
“Where are you going, Jag?” Atlas came barreling out of the bar. “We’re getting ready to play pool. You coming?”
“Wait, what’s your name?” the woman said, suddenly looking a bit out of sorts.
“Jag.”
Her mouth thinned. “I-I thought you were Bear.” She rubbed her temples. “I-I only had a blurry picture to go by and the bartender pointed you out—at least I thought he pointed at you.”
“Like I said, I’m the wrong guy.”
“Look…” She blew out a long breath. “You can be mad at me, but a little girl’s life is at stake. I need to speak to Bear.”
Jag looked her up and down. She looked harmless.
“Atlas, I’m leaving. Will you show the lady to Bear? I think they have some business to discuss.” Jag strolled to his truck and climbed in.
He wouldn’t be the only one having a serious discussion with an intolerable woman tonight.
Good luck, Bear.