Chapter 30
I’ll be a little late for lunch.
Trying a yoga class at the rec center.
I need to get more flexible if you plan on
folding me up like you did this weekend.
xo
This woman’s going to be the death of me. She’s lucky as hell I’ve got out-of-town business this afternoon and don’t have time to stick around and redden her ass for this.
Call me a possessive caveman, I don’t give a fuck, but so help me—if there are any men in that yoga class…
Just the thought of her lithe body contorted into those positions sends blood rushing to my cock. Now isn’t the time to get hard. I have no intention of edging myself for the next several hours. To gather myself, I put lunch together so Mia can eat as soon as she gets home.
I quickly assemble the egg salad sandwiches. They’re not nearly as presentable as when she makes them, but they’ll taste the same. Mia’s secret to perfect egg salad is to devil half of them. Deviled eggs are irresistible on their own, so putting them in a sandwich is diabolical.
Swift Property Management’s vendor for their properties sends samples home with the Andersens to taste-test and they had a new peach iced tea Mia’s obsessed with. I paid the Andersens directly to order me a few cases, by the gallon to keep down in the store’s cellar.
I’m pouring it over ice when Mia comes home.
“Hey, babe.” She gives me a soft smile that shows me how comfortable she is here.
It’s as if I’m living out the ultimate fantasy as she doesn’t bother putting anything down but walks straight to me and sinks into my arms.
“Missed you,” she mumbles against my chest.
Such a simple action shouldn’t have me choking up, but it’s new territory for me to feel loved and cherished.
I kiss the top of her head and squeeze her tightly. “Missed you too, honey.”
She squeezes back and then lets me go so she can put her things down.
The dining table chair legs creak as I pull it out for her and wait for her to sit down before pushing her in.
“You didn’t have to put lunch out, I was going to do it when I got home. I’m sorry I was late. Next time I’ll take a yoga class that doesn’t interfere with lunch. You’ve got to be so hungry. I’m so sorr—” I stop her unnecessary apologies by sealing a kiss over her mouth.
My temper sizzles close to the surface. Not at her. Never at her.
At the shitstain who made her feel so small that she still has anxiety over serving a meal. I don’t know the gruesome details about what the “consequences” were, but I can make some educated guesses.
“Mia, love. I should be serving you lunch. You aren’t the nanny anymore. You’re my woman and I want to take care of you.” Her doe eyes flit back and forth nervously.
“Let me do this for you. Go to all the classes you want. Spend time at the ranch with Del, whatever your heart desires. I’ll be here when you come home, and I guarantee I’ll be happy to see you every single time.” Her chin dips in agreement, and I finish building our plates.
“Thank you,” she says, still visibly uncomfortable.
Sitting down next to her in my new spot at the table—now that the girls have melded into one child—I grab her chair between her legs and pull her towards me.
Her eyes widen in fear, and I want to rage, or vomit, but instead, I gently tip her chin up with my finger, so she’ll look at me.
“It’s gonna take time to heal from everything you went through, and I’ll prove to you over and over again that I’m not him.” She gulps.
“Now, I can do that through conversations like this, or I can do it by bending you over this table and ripping down those skin-tight yoga pants and reddening your ass.”
A sharp gasp is all the answer I need.
“Is that what you want? To be reminded you’re my good girl? That I’ll never hurt you unless it’s to heighten your pleasure? That I’ll only ever make you feel safe, cherished, and respected?”
“Yes, sir.”
I’m still not used to the way her calling me that sends pulses of pleasure straight to my dick.
“Good girl. I’ll have to save your lesson for this evening, because after lunch I’ve got some business to take care of.” I readjust her chair so she can eat comfortably.
“What kind of business?” she asks, arousal still flushing her cheeks and dilating her ocean blue eyes.
Her curiosity is genuine, not coercive or disgusted like Meredith. And I promised her I’d tell her every and anything she wanted to know about the family side-business.
“Word is the Donaldson boys have been stealing catalytic converters from vehicles in town, and scrapping ‘em across state lines up in Laramie. I got a tip about their drop-off location and am going to check it out.” I take a huge bite of deviled-egg salad sandwich and groan from the flavor explosion.
“Is that dangerous?” Mia fusses with the condensation on her glass of peach tea.
“Naw. I’m not going up there to talk to anyone, just need to get eyes on the operation for the Sheriff.” I take a deep swig of my drink.
“What’s a Cadillac converter?” I nearly do a spit-take; she’s fucking adorable.
I don’t bother correcting her, no need to make her self-conscious, so I cover it up like my tea went down the wrong pipe.
“It’s a commonly stolen car part. It’s in the exhaust system under the vehicle and is easily stolen. They contain precious metals that are worth a lot of money.”
“Like, silver and gold? Why would that be in a car part?” She’s yet to look repulsed so I continue.
“Close, mainly rhodium, platinum, and palladium. The mechanic here in town noted an uptick of issues and gave the Sheriff a heads-up. The Donaldson boys are always getting their hands dirty in this or that, so it doesn’t surprise me.” I’m nearly done with my lunch while Mia’s nibbled and sipped.
I rest my elbows on the table and steeple my fingers below my nose. Something’s on the tip of her tongue but I’ll never pressure her to spit it out. Mia stalls by taking a few sips of tea and fiddling with her paper towel napkin.
“Do you think…you could text me updates? Not because I’m trying to be controlling or monitor you. Just so I know you’re safe? I know you don’t like texting, so if you don’t want to I understand,” she rushes out.
It takes every ounce of self-control in my body not to stop the words piercing my heart.
“For you, I’d text every time I breathe, honey. Never be afraid of making your needs known, because I’ll satisfy every single one.” I take her hand over the table, soothing the back of it with my thumb.
“Would it make you more comfortable if I texted you more in general?”
“Yes.” She tries to pull her hand back, but I hold firm, unrelenting in my commitment.
“I was cut off from outside communication for years. Being able to contact people is like a breath of fresh air. Instead of anxiety eroding my sanity, I can reach out with a text and almost always hear right back. Not to mention being able to call anyone I need. I can’t tell you how much it means to me that you got me a phone.
” Mia’s fragile smile breaks something inside me.
I’m not sure she realizes how badly she’s been abused. But it’s my honor to pick up the pieces and help her become stronger than ever.
“Have there been many times when you were anxious and would’ve felt better by texting with me?” I already know the answer and will be mentally eviscerating myself for the foreseeable future for causing her so much distress.
She doesn’t want to answer; her body language screams retreat.
“From now on, I want you to text me whenever you want. No limits. I’m sorry for being a grumbly asshole about it.
I’ve been sucked into so many group chats with the Andersen clan sometimes I’d want to toss my phone into the Whitetail River.
But I promise I’ll always respond to you as quick as I can, okay? ”
“Okay.” This smile is more genuine.
I clear my plate, rinsing it and putting it in the dishwasher so Mia doesn’t have to.
“Will you be home for dinner?” She starts eating in earnest, and I’m relieved her appetite’s returned after she voiced what she needed and was met with love instead of pain.
“I hope to be, but I’m not sure. Cecelia’s been begging to spend time with you and the girls. Why don’t you go to the ranch for dinner, and I’ll meet you there as soon as I can.” I bend to kiss her forehead.
She tips her face up to meet me for a tender, heartfelt kiss. Once I’ve gathered everything I need, I head for the door. I stop and turn on my heel.
“Remember. Text me. I’m here for you even if I’m far away.”
“Okay. I love you.” I still get flustered every time she says she loves me. I’m not convinced I deserve a young woman like Mia, her love or devotion. But I’m not one to look a gift horse in the mouth.
I’m in seventh heaven, living my dream life I didn’t think I’d ever have. I can’t get enough, and I don’t just mean how we’re fucking like rabbits. I feel twenty-five again. I can’t get enough of her smiles and laughter. Turns out, I’m a whore for her attention.
“I love you.” I give her a wink that leaves her blushing and lock the door behind me.
I start making calls as soon as I’m in my truck.
“Greyson, my man! What’s up?” James crackles down the line. I swear he’ll be a kid-at-heart until he’s hunched over a walker, brittle and grey.
“Need help with something.”
“Take Liv out on a date? Sure, I can help with that.” I swear to god, if I could punch him through the phone…
“No, you dumb-fuck. Stay away from my sister.”
“Yea, yea. I know. What do you need? Answer’s already yes, you know that.” That right there’s why James has been my best friend since we were knee-high to a pigsty.
“My girl’s turning twenty-six this month, and our baby girl’s turning seven.”
Mia’s never had a birthday party—lazy fuckin’ parents and a spineless coward for a husband. She does her best to make things special for Everly, but it eats at her that she hasn’t been able to celebrate her daughter the way she’s always wanted to.
“Hell yes,” James barks.
“You don’t even know what I’m asking for.”
“Doesn’t matter. We’re going to make you look like the world’s best boyfriend of a still-married woman.”
“Not for long, prick. You know that,” I snap.
His chuckle irritates me all while tugging a smile from my scowl.
“I’m out of town this afternoon, but I’m sending Mia and the kids Cecelia’s way for dinner. Think you can rally the troops?”
“Pen and paper reporting for duty.” Such a jokester.
“Alright. Reserve the event barn with Reid and Connor. Get Cecelia on food. Put Izzy and Delilah on diversion-duty. You and Liv can occupy the kids. I’ll get with everyone with details of what I’m looking for. It’s got to be perfect,” I explain.
“You got it. Spend time with your hot sister babysitting, and some other shit. Done.”
“James, I’ll fuckin—” He hangs up the call.
I don’t have time or brain space for his flirtatious obsession with my sister. A few forced deep breaths and I’m ready to make my next call.
My heart pounds, waiting for an answer at the other end.
“Lockheed’s Jewelers, how can I help you?”