Chapter Eleven
Warren
Talking to Landen on the phone for a couple hours was a nice break from the thoughts roaming freely in my head.
We decided to write our letter to the parole board together, and by the end, we had a strong case.
It’s weighing heavily on his mind, as it is for me too, but the majority of my focus is on Maisie and the way my heart hasn’t stopped beating rapidly since she showed up on my doorstep.
She’s a constant loop in my head.
The way she smiles and a crimson blush covers her cheeks and neck.
How she smelled like me after her shower and I had to actively think of something else so I didn’t pop a boner.
The way she laughed when I tickled and chased her around like we’d been doing it for years.
Something changed yesterday, and I know she felt it too.
Swimming in the river brought me back to the night I proposed and how happy we were together. And maybe it did for her too. She opened up a bit more and let loose. Her stuck-up exterior is dissolving with each passing day we spend with each other.
We’re nearly halfway through our week and I’m doing whatever it takes to make the most of it. That might not be fair of me considering she’s engaged, but I’m not going to make her picking him over me an easy choice. I want her conflicted and confused so she finally has to admit her feelings for me.
Before I leave work early for the day, I check with Bodie, who’s having an animated conversation with Ricky.
“Everythin’ okay?” I approach them.
“Tryin’ to convince him to go to Ladies’ Night with me tomorrow at Honky’s since we’re both painfully single. Tryin’ to teach him how to line dance.” He grabs his belt and pops his hips, mimicking the moves but doing a poor job at it.
“You think that’s gonna get you girls?” I taunt, cackling.
“At the very least, drunk girls with daddy issues.” Bodie grins. “You should come!”
I snort. “No, thanks.”
The Honky Tonk Tavern is a college-aged bar, and I haven’t been there in years given that I’m well above the age bracket.
“Bring Maisie!”
“I don’t think so.” I’m about to walk past them when I get an idea. “You said there’s line dancin’?”
“Yep, and girls eat that shit up.”
I have a feeling Maisie could use a night out drinking and dancing. Plus, it’ll give me an excuse to hold her close while we slow dance.
“Alright, ya know what? I’m in. I’ll bring her.”
“Hell yes!” Bodie pumps his fist in the air, then turns to Ricky, jerking a thumb over his shoulder toward me. “Now you gotta go. You’re not gonna wanna miss these old folks tryin’ to find their rhythm.”
I cross my arms and glare. “Funny.”
Bodie grins.
Ricky sighs. “Fine, but you better teach me how to do that line dance thingy so I don’t look like an idiot.”
Bodie puts his arm around Ricky’s shoulder, and I walk away, shaking my head at him giving dancing lessons in the middle of the barn. It’s a good thing I can trust Bodie to make sure his tasks are done before leaving.
Although I showered after Maisie left last night, I need to take another one before our dinner date tonight. I stop at the Branch Haven and stock up on some floral soap, shampoo, conditioner, and a couple other things—in the event she’s ever in my shower again.
By the time I get home, I only have an hour to get ready, but when my phone rings with Silas’s photo on my screen, I pick it up.
“Kiss her yet?” he blurts when I answer.
“Is that seriously the reason you called?”
“That’s a no. You sound too grouchy for a guy who got some action.”
“That’s none of your damn business.”
“Hmm…” He ponders. “Nah, that’s still a no.”
I scoff, setting my phone down on the sink counter and putting the call on speaker so I can get undressed.
“I kissed her cheek,” I admit, deciding to give him something.
“Oh God! Alert the pope!”
I pinch the bridge of my nose. “I hate you. ”
He laughs and it echoes through my bathroom. “You love me. What’re your plans for tonight?”
I’ve been texting him updates but just the bare minimum, nothing too personal. Although he was reluctant about my seven-day deal at first, he’s been supportive and encouraging me to win her back after each date.
“I’m takin’ her to eat at Summit Views. Aunt JoJo’s idea.”
“Oh, shit. Does that mean you’re takin’ out the big guns?”
“If you mean my black suit, then yes. I told her to wear a dress.”
“Thatta boy!”
I snicker at his overeagerness. “Calm down.”
“I want a full report tomorrow, k?”
“Mhm,” I respond dryly.
“C’mon, I’m livin’ vicariously through you right now.”
“How so? You’re engaged!”
“She’s been workin’ overtime for the past month, so we hardly see each other during the week.”
“Doesn’t she work at her dad’s company with you?”
“She’s in the office, so we rarely cross paths.”
“Maybe you should meet her for lunch, be a little spontaneous, if ya get what I’m sayin’. Bring back the spark.”
“Hm…like bend her over the desk?”
“Jesus Christ.” I huff out a laugh. “Pick her up, drive somewhere secluded, and get in the back seat.”
“Ahh…a quickie. That means I gotta clean out my truck but totally doable. Wait, have you had back seat sex before?”
“Maisie and I did all the damn time before we moved into the trailer. Since we both lived with our parents, we had to sneak around if we wanted to hook up. ”
“And y’all both fit without smackin’ your heads or your legs crampin’?”
I regret bringing this up. “Yes, if she rides you, spread your thighs wide and y’all will fit.”
“Thanks, man. We’ll try it and I’ll report back.”
“No, that’s not necessary…” I deadpan, shaking my head. “I’m about to hop in the shower, so I’ll text you tomorrow.”
“Alright, go fuck your wife. Bye!”
He hangs up before I can tell him off. Motherfucker .
Once I’ve showered, I trim my beard and mustache, then add a little gel in my hair to slick the sides down.
Shit …do I look like I’m trying too hard?
I haven’t felt this uneasy since I asked Maisie to be my girlfriend fourteen years ago or when we slept together for the first time six months later.
And I can’t help wondering if she’s as nervous as I am right now.
I take a bathroom selfie for a quick check, then send it to Bodie and Silas in a group chat.
Warren
Without being assholes, do I look okay or does it look like I’m trying too hard?
Silas
Looking good, man!
Bodie
Trim your nose hairs.
I roll my eyes.
Bodie
Otherwise, you look good!
Silas
Don’t forget the ears, too! (That’s what Aundrea always tells me anyway).
Warren
Nose and ears, got it. Anything else?
Silas
Did you trim below the belt?
Bodie
Girls don’t want hairy balls in their mouths either!
Jesus fucking Christ.
Warren
I regret asking y’all.
Silas
Don’t forget to wrap it.
Warren
Please be joking.
Bodie
Safe sex is no joke! Unless you have a breeding kink, but even then, no glove no love.
Warren
Considering I’m the one who gave you the safe sex talk when you were fourteen, I’m well aware how to wear protection.
Silas
Do you? Hasn’t it been a while?
Bodie
Maybe give it a test run and make sure the equipment still works…
Warren
I’m blocking both your numbers.
Silas
It’s like riding a bike!
Bodie
Or scooter!
Warren
Goodbye.
Bodie
Do you need me to bring you some condoms??
Silas
Or lube?
Warren
I’m good, thanks.
Bodie
Okay, good luck!
Silas
You got this
I can’t help laughing at their obnoxious support, but I do what they say and trim my nose and ears. Below the belt will have to wait for my next shower.
Once I’m groomed, I put on my black slacks, black button-up shirt, and black tie but omit the jacket. It’s too hot for that.
I wish I could pick her up like a proper date, but her parents would never allow that, and since her father doesn’t know about our deal, he wouldn’t be happy to see me.
Right on time, Maisie knocks on my door, and I nearly lose my breath when I open it.
She’s in a black floor-length, V-neck dress that fits her like a second skin and the slit up one of her legs has me reaching down to adjust myself.
Her hair is halfway pulled up into a clip, with long curls flowing down her back.
And her heels, goddamn . I’ve never been a fan of them, but her open-toe black stilettos that strap around her ankles are giving me some very bad ideas.
I’m so fucked.
“Holy. Shit.” The words fall out of my mouth before I can stop them, my gaze covering every inch of her exposed skin. “Maisie, you’re?—”
The word doesn’t exist for the way my stomach flips at seeing her.
“So fuckin’ gorgeous. Jesus Christ.” I blink a few times to make sure I’m not hallucinating.
Her face goes red and the blush dips between her breasts.
I snap out of my gaze and realize what I said. “I’m sorry, that was inappropriate.”
But when I meet her hazel eyes, they slide down my body and check out every inch of me just the way I was doing to her.
Clearing her throat, her gaze meets mine. “Thank you. I like this look on you. Very handsome.”
She gestures toward me with her black clutch gripped in her hand.
I smooth my palms down my chest, willing my heart to slow down. “Yeah? I haven’t gotten it out in a while. Wasn’t sure it’d still fit.”
“Oh, it fits…” Her eyes lower again, and I can’t help the way my body buzzes at her actively checking me out.
I halfway wonder if she’ll prefer this over my cowboy getup I plan to wear tomorrow night at the bar.
“Should we go?” I ask, breaking the trances we’re both under .
She blinks. “Yes. I’m starvin’.”
I grab my wallet and keys before locking up, then help her walk down the stairs. “Those heels are killer.”
“They tried to kill me a few times already tonight.”
Pressing my palm to her lower back, I lead her to my truck and help her climb in. Then I carefully tuck in her dress and make sure she’s comfortable before hopping into the driver’s seat.
I drive us toward the restaurant but since it’s on the resort side and up the mountain, I have to go slow.
“So I have to ask, and feel free not to answer if it’s outta line, but does your fiancé wonder where you are each night?”