Chapter Twenty-Six
Maisie
I’m half dead when I wake up the next morning, but in the most delicious way possible. I welcome the ache because it reminds me of the night before and how amazing we were together.
In all our years together, I’ve never seen him so unhinged and possessive before. Our sex life was amazing before, so I knew, or rather, hoped it’d be easy to fall into those same habits with our refound chemistry.
But it was so much better.
He had this animalistic urgency to claim me, but with a gentle and tender force about it.
Always slowing down to kiss me right before he impaled me, over and over again, making me cry out for more.
The depraved way he licked and sucked on my skin and this insatiable need to consume me was unlike anything I’d experienced before.
He dominated every inch of my body, flipping me into different positions, and feasted on me like a starved man .
It felt like we’d never been apart, anticipating each other’s movements and rocking together until we came undone.
There was no ounce of skin left untouched by his mouth or hands. I admire the red markings he left on my neck and ass, ones I wish were permanent. His eager growls edged me closer as he sucked the life out of me, tasting every inch he could reach.
Waves of pleasure shot through me each time he rubbed over my clit piercing, but when he squeezed the sides of my throat, it made everything more intense.
I couldn’t get enough of it the same way he couldn’t get enough of touching me.
Every pull of my hair and smack on my ass triggered a lust-filled explosion.
He was unstoppable.
Even the slower and tender moments were needy and desperate.
And it turned me on even more knowing only I got this side of him.
Only me.
I made him feral in a way I hadn’t seen in years.
Perhaps the wildest part is he made me come alive in a way I forgot how to. He knew exactly what I needed and what to do to get me there.
That doesn’t just happen with anyone. Very rarely.
Our connection only works because of our intense history and how easy it was to remember how in love with him I am.
But he was right. The wait was worth it.
I step out of the tub and wrap a towel around my body and one in my hair. It was soothing to soak my sore muscles in the hot water and relax for a while before all the chaos begins.
Hayes is supposed to arrive at some point today. He emailed me his flight plans, but I told him it’d be a better idea if he got a rideshare from the airport to my parents’ house instead of me picking him up. I don’t want the first time we get the chance to talk in person to be while I’m driving.
I will always love him for healing something inside me he didn’t break, for supporting me in my career, and for loving me the way he did during a time I needed it.
But not every person you fall in love with is meant to last forever.
Sometimes it’s a temporary destination on your journey to something new.
Before I can get dressed, there’s a loud knock at the front door. Assuming it’s someone for Warren, I ignore it. Or try to at least.
“Maisie!” More pounding. “I know you’re in there!”
Oh God.
It’s my mother.
Tightening my hold on the towel, I rush toward the living room and then whip open the door.
“Mom, hi.”
I saw her two days ago at the baby shower, but now she looks less than thrilled to see me.
“Get dressed, we need to go.”
“Go where?” I ask, moving back to let her inside.
“Home.” She turns toward me once I close the door. “The Save the Dates have gone out.”
My eyes widen. “ What ? They weren’t scheduled to go out for two more months! How’d this happen?”
The look on her face isn’t one I see very often, sad almost. Sympathy .
“Hayes called Nicola and told her y’all wanted ’em to go out early. Instead of confirming with me, she went ahead and did it.”
“Oh my God!” I shout, trying to wrap my head around what the fuck is happening .
Why the hell would he do that?
“Don’t worry, she’s fired.”
“Great, but now what?” I walk down the hallway to find some clothes so I’m ready to face Hayes the moment he arrives.
“Now we do damage control…” She follows me into the bedroom where I’m already digging into my bag. “Sign the divorce papers.”
“Wait.” I freeze before finding her gaze on me. “What’re you talkin’ about? I already told you I’m not signin’ ’em and am movin’ back here.”
“Well, plans change. Now everyone thinks you’re gettin’ married in four months, so unless you want a media crisis on our hands, you’re gonna have to make up.”
I blink, unbelieving of the words coming out of her mouth. “Excuse me?”
“Oh, don’t act like this little affair ain’t pre-weddin’ jitters.” Her gaze shifts to the bed that’s still a messy heap of twisted sheets. “What you and Hayes have is worth fightin’ for and it’s clear he’s not ready to let you go.”
This coming from the same woman who five days ago was horrified to hear he’d done a background check on me, but as soon as there’s a threat to her reputation, she does another one-eighty.
“I’d rather lick a hot skillet than marry a man just so you can avoid humiliation.”
“Maisie, be reasonable.”
“ Me ? Do you hear yourself?” I pace the room, trying to wrap my head around what the hell is happening.
“Mama, I’ve always tried to make you and Daddy happy and proud of me, but there ain’t no way I’m gettin’ married to that man.
He knew I was gonna tell him it’s over, especially after I told him I wasn’t sure I could sign the papers and needed to talk to him in person, so he purposely sent those out to play mind games.
And y’all are gonna let him win if you take his side. ”
“Five hundred Save the Dates went out…how do you expect me to explain to our closest friends and families that suddenly the weddin’ is canceled?”
“I really don’t care.” I huff, waving my arms around. “Get a banner plane and let it fly over the city: Callaway Wedding Canceled. Bride Went Back to Her Husband.”
She scoffs, not entertained by my lashing out. “Now don’t be ridiculous.”
“They’ll figure out when the invitations don’t go out. Who cares?”
“Your father, for starters. How’s it gonna look to his business associates to find out his daughter’s wedding’s been canceled?”
“Half of ’em should worry about their own marriages instead of mine. The other half’s children don’t even talk to ’em anymore ’cause all they care about is money and their reputation. Would be a shame if you entered that half,” I snap.
She stomps over and slaps me hard across the face. “You watch your mouth.”
I’m frozen, shocked, unable to breathe at the reality of her hitting me.
She’s never done that before.
“You need to come home and take care of this. Preferably before Hayes does.”
She walks out without another word and I’m left reeling from what took place.
Begrudgingly, I get ready and repack all my shit that’s made a mess across the bedroom and bathroom. Once I’m able to move in, I’ll be much more organized.
Then I make the bed and clean up the best I can. Warren knows I’m meeting with Hayes today, but I was hoping to talk to him before I left.
When he doesn’t answer my call, I drive over to the stables to check if he’s in his office.
“Sorry, Maisie,” Bodie says. “He’s guidin’ some guests on a trail ride since no one else was available at the time. Should be back in half an hour.”
“Shit…” I chew my lower lip, tapping my foot nervously against the cement. “I have to go home and deal with some stuff. I was hopin’ to see him before I left, but I guess I can text him.”
“He probably doesn’t have service, but you can try.”
“Well, just in case, can you tell him I was here? Let him know I’ll call him as soon as I can.”
“Sure, no problem.”
“Thanks, Bodie.”
“Wait.” He stops me before I can walk out. “Everythin’ okay with you?”
“Yeah…” I try to sound convincing. “My fiancé, er, ex-fiancé, ain’t makin’ things easy with breakin’ off the engagement, so I just need to put out a couple fires.”
“Well…” He stands taller. “If you need a third party to come kick his ass, you know where to find me. ”
I bark out a laugh, appreciating the offer. “I’ll definitely let you know.”
Once I’m in my car, I send Warren a text to let him know I stopped by and that I have to get home so he doesn’t worry. As expected, it doesn’t go through, but hopefully he’ll see it once he’s back to the stables.
My mind runs nonstop on the drive home. Besides my mother, who doesn’t have a compassionate bone in her body, I’m furious with Hayes for the stunt he pulled.
He knows how my parents are and how they’d push me to keep the wedding date if it meant they didn’t have to go through the embarrassment of explaining why it was called off.
He also knows I don’t like disappointing my parents, even as awful as they can be sometimes, but the girl who needed their praise and acceptance is no longer the girl he’ll see today.
Being back here brought me so much needed clarity. It’s as if I’ve been living in a fog for the past seven years, but it finally lifted, and I can see clearly again.
My country roots, the people I once considered a second family, the never-ending views and fresh mountain air are what I’d been missing. I was living my dream each day but not really living the way that fed my soul.
Warren reminded me what I truly needed.
And there’s no way I’m letting it go after realizing it.