Twelve.
Duke
Me: Was the rest of that sub enough for you for dinner?
Maci: Yup. How’s Sunday dinner going at your parents’?
“Is that Maci?” Cassidy beams from across the extended dining table at my parents’ house.
I don’t know why her curiosity about Maci annoys me so much, but it does. You want her all to yourself, you fool.
After spending a few hours at the coffee shop with Maci while she looked into staying here in Whitetail, I took her shopping for a new coat. It wasn’t exactly how I planned on spending my Sunday afternoon, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have a blast with her.
Our conversations flowed effortlessly—talking, joking, laughing about anything and everything. Every quirk she was revealing about herself had me taking note—she hates cashews and bottled water from Aquafina and something about the side guy from You gives her the creeps.
She has no idea I’m falling for her with every word.
After we found her a heavy coat that can last a Montana winter, I dropped her off at the motel to rest. I wanted to invite her tonight—I’d thought about it all day—but that little voice in my head just kept screaming; no strings attached.
What if I want those strings?
I’m getting the sense she’s trying to keep me at arm’s length. And I hate it. It grates under my skin like a knife. I’ve told her countless times to call me with anything she needs, and she’s still not listening. What do I have to do for her to let me take care of her?
I shouldn’t care this much. We’ve known each other for barely three days, she’s pregnant with another man’s baby, we hooked up once… Yet, here I am, missing her the second I dropped her off.
“Yeah.”
“Tell her I talked to Peggy, and we’re definitely looking for more help at the coffee shop,” Cassidy says, adding, “It’d only be part-time until the second location opens in a few months, but it’s something. Alison also called around about yoga classes. They don’t offer them at Rick’s Gym, but they were really interested in starting something like that.”
My brow furrows. “Did she ask you to look into that for her?”
“No, but—”
“Then back off,” I deadpan. I want her to stay on her own accord, not because other people are pushing for it. I want her to want to stay. With me.
Butch scowls. “What the hell is your deal, man? I thought you liked this chick.”
“Isn’t she pregnant?” Levi burps out.
The room goes silent as every pair of Montgomery eyes lands on me.
“Who’s pregnant?” Lily, my sister, is the first to ask. Unlike the rest of the Montgomery men with dark hair and eyes, Lily is a blonde-haired, blue-eyed, ex-model. Similar to Levi, she enjoys watching her brothers squirm in the hot seat.
“Why didn’t you invite her tonight?” Rhett asks, shoveling in a forkful of pasta. “Ma always makes too much.”
“Who are we talkin’ ‘bout?” my father asks, taking a swig of his beer.
“No one, Pop,” I say sternly, my gaze sliding around the table in warning.
Butch glares at me, crossing his arms over his chest. That son of a— “Maci Baker,” he starts. My fist tightens around my fork in hand. “Duke helped her out a few nights ago. She was just passing through, and got stranded. Now she’s thinking about staying if she can find a job.”
“Well, that’s nice of you, dear,” my mother says kindly.
“So, what’s her story?” Lily asks curiously, handing Parker his drink. “She was just passing through? To where?”
“Her story is wild, Lily,” Cassidy beams, catching everyone’s attention.
“Yeah, and it’s her story to tell,” I grind out. I doubt Maci would like the idea of everyone in town knowing her business. I sure as hell don’t. And between Lily, Cassidy, Levi, and my mother—everyone will. “Maybe you should leave it at that.”
Cassidy frowns, shoulders dropping. Butch’s jaw clenches as he pushes back in his chair to stand. “You got a fuckin’ problem, Duke, speak up.”
I toss my fork down with a clang and stand to counter his posture. “Yeah, I fuckin’ do. Keep your fiancée out of my goddamn business.”
“Duke, I wasn’t trying to—” Cassidy tries to say, but is cut off by my growling brother stalking around the table to meet me.
Bring it on, asshole.I’ve been itching to clear this heat with him. It’s about time we settled it like how we used to when we were younger. Levi and Rhett jump up, picking a brother and attempting to hold us back from throwing down right here in the dining room.
“Enough,” Ma snaps. “Sit your asses down now, both of you.”
Doing as we’re told, we sit. Glaring at one another like we’re feuding in middle school over who gets to be team captain in gym class. Just one good hit to his smug face would set my nerves to rest.
“I’m sorry,” Cass says quietly. “I wasn’t trying to cause any problems between you and Maci.”
“Oh my god, are you dating someone?” Lily blurts, loud and shocked.
I grit my teeth. I’m done.
The back of my chair hits the ground in an echoing smack of wood hitting wood. I don’t intend to stick around and listen to the next generation of gossiping Betty’s ready to take over Whitetail alongside my prick of a brother. I storm out of the dining room to the sound of my family calling me back, but I don’t stop. I stalk down the hall to the front door, yank on my boots, grab my jacket, and head for my truck.
I drive straight to Whitetail Motel. When my phone rings with calls and dings with texts, I only check to be sure it isn’t Macineeding me.
At this point, it’s more like I need her.
I park my truck in front of her room and kill the engine. I’m pounding a heavy fist on her door a second later. I swear, if she’s not in here…
The slide of the chain lock and twist of the deadbolt has me blowing out the hot air boiling in my lungs.
“Duke?” Maci says, confused and beautiful in a pair of floral pajama pants and a white long-sleeve. No bra. “What are you—”
I hoist her up by her ass in one smooth motion as I step inside. She wraps her legs around my waist and locks her delicate arms around my neck. “In this room, you’re mine, remember?” I growl. She nods without hesitation as the door closes behind me. “I missed you, angel.”
My lips crash against hers. Her tongue slips into my mouth as her body presses flush against me. Our mouths twist and caress—every kiss with her is fuel to my addiction for this girl.
She pulls away for those emerald eyes to search my face. She’s smart. She knows there’s more to what’s going on within me than I’m letting on—needing her like this, calling her angel, showing up just to tell her I missed her.
I kick off my boots by the door and carry her to the bed where she’s got her laptop open and a notepad beside it. “What were you doing?” I ask as I set her on the edge to take off my jacket.
“Working out some details,” she says, scooting farther onto the bed and crossing her legs beneath her. “Is everything okay?”
I shrug. “Yes. No. Somewhere in between.”
She bites her lip as I tug my sweatshirt over my head, the shirt underneath riding up to expose my lower abdomen. I flex under her hungry stare. “What details were you working out?”
“Nothing important.” She closes the laptop and sets it off to the side with her notes. “Did you want to talk about—”
I’d rather talk about her. “What details?” I ask again, sitting on the edge of the bed.
She huffs, eyeing me before she says, “The details on me staying.”
My heart is in my throat, and I fight to swallow it down. She’s staying. “You’ve decided?”
Maci looks down at her hands in her lap. “I’m not sure I have a choice,” she admits. “They rescinded the job offer in Anchorage, and with the cost of living being so high there… It wouldn’t be smart to keep to my original plan. It took weeks of begging to land that job in the first place.” She shakes her head. “I should’ve known it would fall through before I even got there.”
“Cassidy said there’s a part-time job open at the coffee shop for you if you want it,” I say. “And Rick’s Gym is open to starting yoga classes.”
“Really?” She perks up. “When did she say that? I just emailed that gym not even ten minutes ago.”
“Alison and Cass called around earlier for you.”
Maci rolls her eyes. “Nosey bodies.”
I scoff. “You have no idea.”
Her smile falters as I fall back on the bed, my feet still on the floor. “So, um, not to sound rude or anything,” she says, “but…why are you here? Did something happen?”
I sigh heavily and rub my face. “Butch just knows how to get under my skin. I love the bastard, but fuck, sometimes he makes it impossible to be around him. And Cass was pissing me off with butting into your business. She’s got a big mouth, Maci, I should’ve warned you beforehand.”
She sighs, looking away.
I sit up and reach for her. Bringing her to straddle my lap, I hold her to me as I move up the bed, sitting with my back against the headboard. “I know you want to be in a place where no one knows your story, but would you tell me?”
Her hands brace against my chest as she eyes me warily. “Why does it matter?”
I slide my hands over her hips and thighs, up and down in an attempt to soothe the worry in her eyes. “Is it selfish of me if I say I don’t want to hear it from anyone but you?” I ask, and when she remains skeptical, I add, “Everything said and done between us is kept between us, Maci. I can promise you that. And I hope you’ll grant me that same respect.”
“Of course, I will.”
“Good.” I let my head fall back. “‘Cause I’m going to be honest with you right now, the reason Butch and I have been butting heads is because he’s getting married and starting a family,” I tell her. My eyes close on a cringe. “Fuck. When I say it out loud, it sounds even worse.”
The soothing feel of her hand gliding over mine has me forcing the words out. “I was married once. Her name was Rachel. She and three others died in a plane crash just over five years ago.”
Her hold tightens on my hand. “I’m so sorry.”
I grip her hips, staying in the moment with her. “Don’t be. It happened a long time ago,” I say. “And now, with everything going on between their upcoming wedding and baby. I don’t know… It’s hitting me in a way I’m not proud of.”
“Why do you think that is?”
I shrug. “He’s happy and I’m not.”
Her head tilts slightly. “You’re jealous?”
“The short answer is yes.”
She raises a brow. “What’s the long answer?”
I take in a deep breath and continue massaging her thighs. “Enough about me. It’s your turn,” I say instead, deflecting when I know I shouldn’t. “Tell me why you left Oklahoma.”
She sighs, leaning away from me to grab her phone off the nightstand. I wait as she swipes and scrolls—for what, I’m not sure. She holds the phone up with a news article on the screen dated two months ago: Governor’s Son-in-Law Dead, Is his Mistress to Blame?
“What the hell is this?” I say as I take the phone from her hand and start to read. My eyes widen when I stop on a picture of a petite woman hiding her face as she leaves a police station. Long waves of deep, auburn-red hair flash outside of a grey ball cap.
“I didn’t know he was married,” she finally says. “Evan was…really good at lying.” She huffs a forced laugh. “We were together for about eight months or so. He told me he was in real estate—you know, the whole ‘travel for work’ excuse. And, well, I trusted him more than I should’ve at the time.” Her shoulders sag as she looks away. “When I found out I was pregnant, I was happy. Excited at the idea of us moving forward…the three of us.” She swipes a stray tear from her cheek, steeling her spine. “Evan didn’t feel the same, of course. He, um, was angry I wanted to keep the baby, and…things were said. He left, and the next morning his face was all over the news. He’d gotten drunk—something the news articles don’t mention—and was driving recklessly to the point he rolled his car and died at the scene.”
My gaze shifts to the phone screen once more. “And they thought you had something to do with it?”
“He was the governor’s son-in-law,” she says. “There had to be an investigation. People wanted answers. Someone to blame…” She sighs. “I started getting death threats from all over the state. Some thought I was working to bring the governor down. Ridiculous accusations.” She shakes her head as more tears fall. “People can be…awful when they want to be.”
I toss the phone aside and guide her to me. She falls over me, burying her face into my chest. “I lost my job at a reputable yoga studio. My parents disowned me. My friends blocked my calls. There was nothing left for me to do but leave. So I did.”
“What did they say when you told them you’re pregnant?” I ask.
Maci sits up then with a somber expression. “They don’t know,” she confesses before clenching her eyes shut as she starts to cry.
I hold her face in my hands. “Maci.” Opening her eyes, she places her delicate hand over mine on her cheek, my heart paining with the hurt in their emerald depths. “I’m sorry you had to go through that, angel.”
“I’m okay,” she whispers, nearly inaudible. Unable to stop the tears. “We are okay. I’m starting over. That’s all that matters.”
“You’re going to be an amazing mother,” I tell her, and I mean it. She’s the strongest, most genuine person I’ve ever known.
A slow smile spreads across her face. “Thank you.” She leans in to place a tender kiss on my lips. When she pulls away, she bites her lip anxiously. “So, um, not to be one of those people, but—”
“Anything you need, darlin’.” I grin.
“It’s three things, actually.” She giggles as I raise a brow in question. “First, I found a few used cars in my price range, I was wondering if you would give me your thoughts? Maybe come with me to see them this week?”
“No problem,” I say. “I’ll help you trade or sell your car, too. Whatever you plan on doing.” I lift my chin. “What else?”
“Well,” she starts, running her hands down my chest with a light scrape of her nails through the thin fabric of my shirt. “I was wondering…” she trails off, and I grin.
My cock pulses to life beneath her lush little ass. “You don’t even need to ask,” I growl, my hands trail under her shirt and around her back. Soft, silky skin under rough, calloused palms.
“It’s, um, more than that,” she adds with a hint of uncertainty.
My smile fades momentarily. “What is it, Maci?”
“I’m pregnant. And, well, pregnant women have…extra needs.” She laughs at her words, and I find myself grinning. “I guess what I’m trying to ask is if you’ll be my friend-with-benefits while I’m pregnant. I know we’ve only known each other for a few days, but I trust you, and that’s a big deal for me. And, seven months from now, when I’m big, round, and miserable, begging someone to have sex with me so I can jump-start labor. I’d prefer that someone be you.”
I raise a brow. “Begging, huh?”
She rolls her eyes with a smile. “Is that a yes?”
I move fast, holding her tight to me as I flip her beneath me with her back pressed into the mattress. She laughs as I grind my hardening cock against her. “That’s a fuck yes, but just to be clear, we’ll be doing this exclusively. No one else. You and me. That’s it.”
She nods.
My chest tightens as hope and fear and joy crash into me all at once. “Then I want this to feel real when we’re together, doll.”
Her brow furrows as she studies me. “Duke, I—”
“I’m not asking it to be real. I’m asking for it to feel real. I’ve been miserable for so long. These last few days being with you… Damnit, baby, I’m fucking happy.”
Her smile is weak as she snakes her arms around my neck. “I like spending time with you, too.”
I dip my head into the crook of her neck and inhale deeply. “What else did you need, beautiful? You said it was three things. What’s the third?” I ask, laying a tender kiss on her shoulder.
“Ice cream.”
I chuckle, leaning away to stare down at her gorgeous smile. “You want ice cream?”
“The baby wants ice cream,” she says teasingly.
I back down her body and push her shirt up to expose her small, round bump. I rub a gentle hand over her stomach, a warmth in my heart as she places her hand over mine. “Anything either of you need, I’m here. For both of you,” I say to her, meaning every word of it.
A single tear rolls down her cheek.
I kiss her bump and tug on the waistband of her bottoms. “Ice cream or orgasms.” I grin smugly. “Which do you want first?”
With a sexy spark in her eye, she lifts her hips in response. I yank her pants and panties off and toss them to the side. Nudging her thighs apart, I take in the sight of her pretty, damp pussy.
“Be gentle,” she says. “I’m still a little sore.”
I kiss her thighs softly, earning a breathy moan from her. “Don’t worry, sweetheart. I’ll take real good care of you.” I groan, kissing her core before I give her a long, slow lick over her clit—loving her taste, her smell, every goddamn thing about her.
And she’s all mine.