Chapter 19
Nineteen
Lily
My parents’ house was loud and chaotic. I came down the stairs, taking in the scene. Alder, Jasper, Poppy, and Dad were yelling at the football game on TV. Violet’s boyfriend was stuck deep in his phone, antisocial with our group as always. Violet was next to him, pretending to be engrossed in the football game, but I suspected she’d rather be in the kitchen with Mom and Clover. Willis didn’t like it when she left him alone with the rest of the family.
Cali and Kellan were in the kitchen. We’d arrived late last night, and they’d been getting spoiled all day.
Mom and Dad had tried to talk me out of driving. They’d even offered to move the shindig to Crocus Valley, but I told them it would be nice to be home.
I hadn’t been lying. There was a comfort within these walls I couldn’t deny. Yes, I might’ve been smothered at times, the worst was right after the divorce, but there had also been a lot of freedom. This was my home, and I’d let Carter and his family make me feel ashamed about it.
I was enjoying my visit and Mom’s food. There were no memories of Eliot associated with the house. I wouldn’t be watching TV tonight, hoping he was secretly driving in the dark to be with me. In our last message, he’d said he was packing breakfast sandwiches to go do chores.
Jasper had confirmed that Eliot would be too busy to go anywhere. “He gave everyone the weekend off. Hope there’re no emergencies, but I guess he can call Chambers if nothing else. And I can get there in under four hours.”
I didn’t feel any better hearing Eliot was alone. Tova and Aggie had their babies a week apart, and Vienne was hoping she’d have her baby before Christmas. None of them were surprising Eliot with a visit.
When I entered the massive kitchen with an island big enough for me and all my siblings to sit behind, Kellan waved his hands toward me. I picked him up from the high chair and pressed a kiss into his dark curls. Cali was cutting shapes of sugar cookies on the other side with Mom and Clover.
“Are you getting a jump on Christmas cooking?” I asked Mom.
“We sure are.” She beamed at Cali. “I’m sending several tins home with you.”
We’d have more cookies than Cali and I could eat in a year. I’d make sure Eliot got a ton. Would he want a picture of Cali baking? I snapped one to send later.
Violet entered and immediately took Kellan from me. Willis also didn’t like kids, so she hadn’t been holding Kellan if she was sitting next to her boyfriend.
“You sure Willis is okay out there by himself?” I asked.
She scowled at me. “He’s fine. Why?”
Clover snickered but pressed her lips together as soon as Violet shot her a glare.
Jasper wandered in. He stopped next to Violet and leaned down. “You’d better warn that phone that man is taken. Whatever is on it is going to seduce him away.”
“We can only hope,” Clover muttered. Mom shushed her. Thankfully, Cali was too ensconced in cutting her Santa shapes just right to be paying attention.
“Stop it,” Violet hissed. “No wonder he’s not comfortable around any of you.”
“No, that’s not it.” Jasper went to the fridge. He nodded at me before he opened the door. “Her husband jumped right in.”
Eliot did, but he was used to a big family. He was also amazing, and Willis was not. I might be biased.
Violet narrowed her eyes at him. “It was his first and only time meeting us.” She blinked at me, the epitome of innocence. I had enough time to stiffen before she spoke. “Speaking of, where is Mr. Knight on this fine Thanksgiving Day?”
“Giving me the weekend off,” Jasper said.
“Mmm.” Violet wasn’t going to let it go. It wasn’t like her. “He couldn’t take a holiday off to spend time with his new wife? What’s Aunt Linda going to say?”
“She’s going to think it’s as thoughtful as I do that Eliot took the holiday weekend so our whole crew can be together.” I didn’t care about my aunt’s opinion of my relationship. Mom and Dad hadn’t invited her for Thanksgiving since the uproar over the trust was still fresh. Nothing was Linda’s fault, and we all knew that, but we needed time.
Though it would’ve been an excuse to get Eliot to Billings. Resentment built like a brick wall around me. Aunt Linda wanted me to stay married. She wanted me happy. Sure, it might contribute to her own chance at gaining her inheritance, but she was more invested in the long-term outcome of me and Eliot than Eliot was.
“Thoughtful?” Violet’s challenging gaze was still on me.
As the youngest and oldest sister, we could have a volatile relationship. Yet I was closer to her than Poppy or Clover, so I wasn’t afraid to turn the tables on her. “Aunt Linda is waiting to see which one of you is getting married next. Maybe the one with the boyfriend?”
Violet managed a nonchalant shrug that didn’t match the hope deep in her eyes. Did she realize she settled for Willis? I couldn’t imagine what was so redeeming about him, but I wasn’t his girlfriend. Therefore, it wasn’t my business.
But I worried about her.
“I’ve gotta go potty.” Cali darted out of the room.
“You never know,” Violet said once she was gone, back to sweetly innocent. “Jasper or Clover could meet someone tomorrow and be married by the New Year.”
Jasper pulled a face. Clover shuddered.
Mom cast an exasperated look at all of us. “Just how a mother loves to see her children react.”
“Not all of us want to be trad wives,” Clover said.
“What’s a trad wife?” Mom asked, exasperated.
“You,” Clover explained. “A wife who stays at home, cooks, and cleans.”
Clover smirked at me. “Not all working ladies land a hot guy running the grill at big family picnics.”
“He makes great pancakes,” I said. He’d made them the morning before he left. And I’d wondered if I should ask for the recipe. At this time next year, he didn’t plan to be around and making them anymore.
“He really does,” Jasper added. “The guy can cook like no one’s business.”
My sisters stared at him.
He let the fridge door close and chomped into a dill pickle. “What?” he said around his mouthful.
“Maybe you can marry him when he divorces me,” I said. Horror dawned once every pair of eyes in the room landed on me. Good thing Cali hadn’t returned yet. Why didn’t I watch my mouth?
Concern shone brightly in Mom’s eyes. “Is there trouble between you two? You did marry so fast.”
“No,” I said quickly. Of course they’d blame my impulsiveness. “I was just joking.”
Violet studied me, concern in her eyes.
Clover went back to rolling out cookie dough. “Lily swung in with the dark humor. That’s usually Poppy’s role.”
Violet’s phone dinged. She looked at the screen and aimed a disgruntled stare toward the living room.
“He beckons,” Jasper taunted.
Violet smacked the back of her hand against his stomach. “Shut it, jackwagon.” She handed Kellan back to me.
“Mo-om, Vi hit me.” Jasper’s grin was unrepentant.
Cali danced back into the kitchen. This was the perfect moment to make my own escape. As long as she was busy, I’d take Kellan to the toy room Mom and Dad had made in the lower-level family area. He could crawl around. Then, I could get away from any more follow-up questions.
The lower level was cooler and quieter. A balm to my nerves. I hated that Eliot was alone, and I was trying not to wallow in my hurt that he hadn’t tried harder not to be. I set Kellan down by a bin of giant building blocks. The mess of my emotions wasn’t sorting itself out.
Footsteps pressed into the plush carpet. Jasper dropped to sit next to me.
“You two really going to cut ties after you fool Aunt Linda?” he asked.
“No, I was just jok?—”
“I figured it out and asked him.”
My heart leaped into my throat. He knew?
Was that an issue? All of Eliot’s family had been informed. When we’d told them, we hadn’t been married yet. Jasper didn’t start working for Eliot until later in September. Eliot hadn’t tried to convince Jasper otherwise? Were his feelings about me so clear that my brother had noticed?
Jasper leaned closer and bumped my shoulder with his, something he’d done my entire life. “He likes you, but he also didn’t lie to me about your arrangement. Though I have to wonder, wouldn’t it be weird if, after a year, you two didn’t stay together?”
Leave it to my laid-back but analytical-minded brother to nail what bothered me about all this. “I don’t know. He’s dead set against being a family man. His parents had issues, and I guess after being raised by Mom and Dad, I can’t relate.”
“Mom and Dad’s perfect marriage can shine glaring lights on weaker relationships.”
“Yeah. It’s one of the reasons it was easier to stay away when I was married to Carter.”
He bumped me again. “We all knew that. It’s why we bugged the shit out of you.”
“You guys nagged me.”
“Because you’re stubborn.”
I mock glared at him. I had been that stubborn with Carter. “I was used to everything working out, and suddenly it wasn’t, and I had more than myself to consider.”
I sighed. I was never this open with him or anyone else. But the fact that Jasper knew Eliot, and he guessed the real foundation of my relationship with him? Well, I needed a friend I could talk to and that was my brother.
“I can’t believe you bought Carter’s shit.”
I rolled my eyes toward him. “There are little ears around.”
Jasper gave me a really? look. “You don’t want him to hear us talk shit about the guy who gave up being his dad ?”
True. “Carter was very charming and persuasive. He’s good with animals. I didn’t notice he was so poor with humans. I was overwhelmed in vet school, there was Cali, and he dangled a good life in front of me. Trust me, I didn’t see his cheating coming. Or the end of my marriage.”
“But you do now?”
I shoved his muscled shoulder. “Ouch.”
He laughed. “So you and Eliot are just having some fun until you get the house?”
“I guess so. He’s really being a perfect husband.”
“No one’s perfect, and clearly, he’s not if he’s not doing everything he can to win you forever.”
I appreciated my brother’s faith in me as a partner, but Eliot had gone out of his way many times. “Maybe he’s not perfect for me. He needs to be free to make his own choices too, and I kind of cornered him.”
Jasper reclined on his side and stretched his legs out. “I’ve only worked with the guy for a couple of months, but Eliot doesn’t do shit he doesn’t want to do. The whole place has been set up Eliot’s way.”
“No, it’s?—”
“Not you. Okay? If he doesn’t want to stay married, that’s his issue. It’s not yours. Just like Carter being a selfish prick shouldn’t have been your problem.”
Kellan started crawling in my direction. I held my arms out. Kellan bypassed me for my brother. Instead of being jealous, I was pleased. My kids were surrounded by people who supported them, just like I had been my whole life until I got married. Now I was again. Jasper had my back.
“How’d you get so wise?” I asked.
“I was born that way.” He lay still while Kellan babbled and patted him. “So, are you going to take a detour on the way home?”
I puffed my hair out of my face. “I’m not planning a detour.”
“Hear me out. You can go hang out with your boo and get him to make those noises I try not to hear at night in person.”
Embarrassment flooded me. We could get loud. “He does not make noise.”
“Ugh. I didn’t need the confirmation. I steered clear of your room last night because I was afraid of what I’d hear.”
I gasped. “Jasper! The kids are bunking with me.” Besides, Eliot and I texted most days, but the phone sex wasn’t as frequent since we’d had real sex.
“Anyway,” Jasper continued, “the kids can ride with me to Buffalo Gully on Sunday.”
Friday to Sunday? With Eliot and without kids? “He’s not expecting me.”
“Surprise him. It’ll at least show you how he reacts.”
The decision took me no time at all. I wouldn’t be shorting the kids time with their grandparents, and I could be the one reaching out to Eliot for once. He wouldn’t be alone for the entire holiday weekend. The year would go fast, and maybe he’d realize the flame that was growing between us was worth fanning. “Are you ready for three and a half hours in a car with two kids?”
Thanksgiving and today had been full of sunshine and minimal wind. It was like fall had made a resurgence before the winter solstice in a few weeks. I’d been prepared to stop and turn around at least three times on this trip. What was I doing? This wasn’t a case of making plans and the weather getting in the way. Eliot had a valid reason for not spending the holiday weekend with me.
I’d come too far to turn around. I drove around Buffalo Gully and turned off on the gravel road. Jasper had given me directions.
I shouldn’t have come. Eliot was going to be really busy, and now he’d have to entertain me.
What if he already had someone to entertain?
I shook my head. Eliot was not Carter. Jasper spoke highly of him, and my brother was the cynical one. People thought he was more casual than Alder, but Jasper just kept it to himself better.
I drove, my stomach crawling higher into my throat as I got closer. Eventually, the peaks of a log cabin came into view.
“Oh my…” The place was sprawling, and while it was old, it had a character that couldn’t be missed. It was stately yet rugged, but I wouldn’t say it was inviting. Whoever had built this wanted something that screamed money and the Western lifestyle and then they hadn’t paid any more attention to it.
The flower beds out front didn’t have old stalks poking up from the almost melted piles of snow. The grass had been trimmed, but it grew over a walking path from the garage to the front door.
Eliot’s pickup was parked in front of the garage.
I parked next to him. It was too late to back out. He might’ve seen me pull up already. I checked my reflection in the rearview mirror. My face was the color of a tomato. Damn my blush. My eyes were almost panicked, but at least my curls weren’t frizzed out everywhere today. I’d actually put some product in this morning.
I left my belongings in the car, grabbed only my purse, and scurried to the front door. The wind this far out in the country was stronger and had a colder bite. I hadn’t grabbed my jacket either. I rang the doorbell and huddled in on myself.
No answer.
I knocked.
No answer.
Another doorbell ring.
This was such a bad idea. I took my phone out and texted Jasper. He’s not answering.
Jasper: He’s probably in the barn or stables. Or shop. Or out in the pasture. Go through the garage door.
I was not feeling good about this. Eliot was busier than ever. I’d be a nuisance.
My phone buzzed. IT’S FINE.
I looked around like Jasper was right behind me, watching how indecisive I was.
I tucked the phone away and walked around the garage. The entry door was on the side. I stepped in and smiled as familiar scents surrounded me. The garage had the oil and grease smell of Grandma’s shop.
Gingerly, I entered the house and crept farther inside. I took my athletic shoes off and ran clammy hands down my jeans. At least I wore a nicer sweater than a hoodie. Might as well interrupt someone’s workday in style.
“Eliot?”
His name echoed down the hallway. I passed through a laundry room, then by a bedroom and bathroom. They were pretty plain for a log cabin. Then I emerged from the hallway.
“Wow.” The vaulted ceiling had wooden beams arching across it. Large picture windows overlooked the Knights’ property. I could see a big red barn, two sprawling shops, and mucky pastures and pens from the melted snow. Cattle grazed farther out. I couldn’t see the horses, but Jasper had mentioned a stable.
No wonder he didn’t want to leave. He had all this, and I didn’t even officially own the house I was living in.
Behind me was the kitchen and island. They were both dated. My footsteps were barely audible on the hard floor. It was warm under my feet. Inside wasn’t uninviting, but it screamed bachelor from rafters to foundation. The decorations were simple and mostly prints of various Montana landscapes. The place had been freshly painted, maybe in the last few years. As for furniture, the main area had more of a ski lodge feel than a home.
“Eliot?” The place was empty, but my nerves needed an outlet.
How much did I snoop?
I left my purse on the island and continued down another hallway. If the large windows in the living room and kitchen didn’t let in so much light, this would be a disconcerting walk. Doors lined each side.
I passed an office with an imposing desk, but there was a comfortable-looking recliner parked in front of a large-screen TV. On the end table next to the chair was a simple laptop. From what Eliot had said about his bookkeeper, I could guess a lot of work was done from that chair.
The rest of the rooms were likely bedrooms, all nice-sized, judging from how deep the hallway was. I turned around and retraced my steps.
I heard boot steps and they were growing louder.
I was about to call Eliot’s name, but I clamped my lips shut. Jasper lived here with him, but there were other guys who worked on the ranch. Was I in a strange house with a strange man?
I emerged from the hallway and my gaze landed on Eliot and his long-legged strides. He wasn’t wearing a hat, but he was running his hand through his hair like he’d just taken one off. He was looking down and he let out a heavy sigh.
“Hey,” I said timidly and stuffed my hands in the back pockets of my jeans.
He jerked his head up and stared, coming to a stop by the island. “Lily?” He blinked like I might be a hallucination.
“Surprise,” I said weakly. I continued toward him. “Is it okay that I just popped in? The kids are staying with my parents, and Jasper will bring them Sunday.” If Eliot wanted me to stay.
He gawked at me. Then he closed the distance between us with one step and crushed his mouth to mine.
I circled his neck with my arms. Okay. This was a good sign.
My body came alive pressed against his. Heat spread through me, and I inhaled the smell of fresh, cold air mixed with his sandalwood aftershave.
He spun me until my ass hit the countertop. He traced a path to my ear with his mouth. “You’re telling me that I have you to myself until Sunday?”
“You sure you don’t mind?”
He took my hand in his and pressed it to the front of his jeans. “Does it seem like I mind?” He released me and nibbled a path down my neck.
I tipped my head back. “I know you’re busy.” My zipper was down and my jeans were unbuttoned. When did he do that?
Passion was making me dizzy, and I hadn’t been in this position before. I was overcome by the man I was with, and I didn’t have to strategize how to make it happen. We had the house to ourselves.
Light shone in from the giant windows, and the island was like a stage, but no one was around to see us.
He yanked my jeans and underwear down. I stepped out of them, and he kicked them to the side. “All my condoms are at your place, but, Lily, I’m going to fucking devour you.”
I didn’t have a chance to say anything before he dropped to his knees and parted my thighs. I was steadier than I had been in the shower when he’d first done this, but my legs went molten regardless.
When he licked through my seam, I was lost. It’d been a month since we’d had sex, but I yearned for him like an eternity had come and gone. My only support was him at my pussy and my elbows on the counter.
“Eliot,” I said with a whine. My climax was building, pressure closing in where he was circling my clit with his tongue, threatening to explode outward and take me out with the force. “It’s not going to take long.”
“Be fucking loud. I wanna hear you scream.” He delved in again, and this time, he pushed a finger inside. He pumped once and then added another.
The feeling of being filled by him was too much. I slammed into my peak, my head dropping back, and I let out the longest, loudest cry that I’d ever uttered in my life. My voice echoed through the house. Eliot continued lapping at me, thrusting in and out, and I just came and came and came.
“Oh my god.” I could barely breathe. I sagged. My legs weren’t going to hold me up.
He rose, crowding me between him and the counter. There were chairs on either side of us. He gazed down at me, his expression smug but his eyes full of need.
“You’re going to lose your voice before morning.”
A shiver raced down my body. He was fully clothed, but our bodies were lined up. All I had to do was free that magnificent cock of his and he could be inside me in seconds.
I reached for his jeans. He put a hand on mine.
“Lily, baby, I have to go buy more protection. As much as I love your mouth, I’d just bury my face right between your legs again if you touched me.”
I patted the island, reaching, searching for my purse. When I found it, I jerked a small box out from the inside. “I came prepared.”
His stunned gaze was on the condoms in my hand. “Since I had to stop anyway on the way to Buffalo Gully, I grabbed some supplies while I was there.”
“Well then.” He flicked open his jeans. “Have I ever told you I like a prepared woman?”