Chapter 27
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Mia
M y finger traces the eagle, globe, and anchor of the Marine Corps tattoo on his shoulder as he sleeps. His head is on my stomach, like the last time we spent an entire night together. This seems to be his thing. Is it his thing with all the women he sleeps with? Or is it a me thing? The thought of him sleeping this soundly wrapped up in another woman makes my insides twist in knots, so I push it to the back of my mind.
Last night I memorized all of his tattoos. He explained the meaning behind each piece of art. However, there were a couple that didn’t need any explanation. Like the McKinnon family crest over his heart, or the folded flag with my brother's dog tags draped over it on his other pec. I kissed them both and carried on with my exploration of his body and the art covering it.
It was another perfect night, but it was a mistake.
We can’t keep doing this.
I’m not sure I’ll survive the aftermath that comes with more of him. Yes, he sets my body on fire, but with Angus, it’s much more than that. It’s not just the attraction between us, there’s respect. Friendship.
His confessions of the heart keep messing with my head. The lyrics to Adele’s “One and Only” continue to play on repeat, and I want so badly to ask why he requested the song, but of course I don’t. The way he worshipped my body last night… it’s all more than I deserve.
We can’t keep slipping into situations that lead to us waking up in bed together. It’s not fair to either of us.
A low groan vibrates against my belly just before the heat of his words scatter across my skin. “Morning, Goof.”
“Morning.”
“Can we stay here forever?”
I chuckle in reply, wishing we could remain in our fantasy land.
His lips press against my stomach as he begins his ascent up my body. Kissing his way to my breast before taking a nipple in his mouth. He adjusts himself so his morning wood presses against my leg, then switches his attention to my other nipple.
“Angus,” I whisper.
He nuzzles the crook of my neck and in one swift move buries himself in my weeping core, lazily working his cock in and then almost completely out of me, before easing back in. His body is warm and heavy on top of me, and there is nothing between us.
He fills my body and soul as he rocks in and out of me. God, why is this even better than last night? Every inch of him feels amazing. Sex with Angus is next level, but nothing has ever felt this phenomenal.
Then it hits me and I gasp.
“Angus, you forgot the condom. We have to stop.”
Without a word, he pulls out, lifting to his knees, my legs still around his waist. With no shame, he kneels before me, his beautiful length glistening as he works himself.
“Touch yourself.”
Not giving it a second thought, my fingers find my clit and I do as he asked.
“Fuck, Mia. Do you see what you do to me?”
Too distracted by the sight of his hand wrapped around his cock and the sensation of my fingertips, I don’t reply.
“Mia, answer me. Tell me you see what you do to me.”
Ripping my gaze from his hand to examine his face, I’m surprised to find his features almost feral. Hovering above me, he looks like a mythical creature. His beauty is unreal. Body taut, abdominals rippling, his big hand and strong arm move at a leisurely pace. The muscles in his jaw tic as he watches me.
I’d do anything he asks me to at this moment.
“Yes.”
“Look at you. You are perfect, you know that?”
“You’re beautiful, Gus.”
Our free hands come together, and our fingers interlace, closing in on our climax.
“Come for me, Mia. Let me watch you fall apart from your own touch.”
Spurred on by his request and hoping to give him something to remember this morning by, I let my fingers slide from my clit through my wetness before slipping two inside my pussy.
“God, damn,” he says, as he picks up the pace of his own self pleasure.
I pump my fingers in and out of my center, the feeling nowhere near as good as having Angus inside me, so I slide them back to my sensitive bundle of nerves, applying pressure and friction and it’s only a few seconds before the sensation of my orgasm builds.
“Angus. I’m going to... I’m going... I’m... I’m coming.”
He growls above me, his brows furrowed as he watches my body come apart. “That’s it, Mia. Fuck, yes.”
Once the last pulse of pleasure subsides, I lift my wet fingers to his lips, and he sucks them clean right before he comes all over my stomach, my name tearing from his mouth so fiercely he sounds angry.
Still holding my hand, he leans forward, bringing my arm up above my head. He kisses my mouth for the first time since he woke. It’s slow and gentle, not lust fueled and all tongue. Small, sweet kisses full of affection. Maybe even appreciation.
“Don’t move,” he commands.
He leaves me on the bed and a minute later, he’s back with a warm washcloth that he uses to clean me up.
“Get dressed. I’m taking you to breakfast.”
“I need to get home, Angus.”
He checks his watch. “It’s only 7:30. We have plenty of time.”
He’s right. I doubt Daisy is expecting us home this early. So, we get dressed in last night's fancy clothes and head to Jackson’s Corner for pancakes.
“It feels like the morning after the prom I never got to take you to.” He winks, as he takes a bite of his waffle.
“I still find it hard to believe you’ve had feelings for me all these years. That the attraction hasn’t been one-sided.”
I also can’t believe that in the light of day, in a public place, dressed in our clothes from last night, we're comfortable enough to talk about our feelings with each other.
He opens his mouth to say something, but we’re interrupted.
“Well, looky here. Angus McKinnon and Mia Powell. Who would have thought?”
Rhen Mitchell.
Leave it to this asshole to ruin whatever moment I had just been enjoying.
“Rhen,” Angus says with a nod of his head, not engaging any further.
“You are full of surprises, aren’t you?” he asks, his eyes on mine.
Ignoring him, I take a bite of my pancakes.
“If you don’t mind, we’d like to get back to our breakfast.”
What he’s trying to say is, go back to wherever it is you came from, asshole.
“The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, now does it? You get knocked up by some stranger and now you’re having breakfast in clothes from the night before. You really are your mother’s daughter.”
Silverware clanks to the ground as Angus flies out of his seat, nose to nose, with Rhen in the blink of an eye. Keeping his voice low, he snarls. “Who the fuck do you think you’re talking to?”
Eyes still on me, Rhen doesn’t back down. The idiot ignores Angus and continues. “Just a man who calls ‘em like I see 'em. Sluts seem to run in the Powell family.”
Rhen seals his fate and before I can register the magnitude of his accusations, Angus’s fist cracks against his nose and he falls to the ground. Standing over him, Angus seethes. His chest heaving, his hands still in fists, ready for more.
Patrons at nearby tables scatter and hushed voices whisper around us. Grabbing my things, I throw cash on the table. Clutching Angus’s wrist, I lead him out of the restaurant and away from Rhen who’s smiling on the ground.
I don’t stop until we reach Angus’s truck parked a block and a half down the street. My heart is beating out of my chest. Not only has no one ever treated me like that, but what in the world was he talking about? I’ve always known Rhen was a dick, but to call my mother a slut! That’s next level.
“What the hell was that about, Angus?”
“He got what he deserved. Who the fuck does he think he is speaking to my wife like that?”
Whoa!
“Angus—”
Clearly realizing his mistake, he interrupts me. “You know what I mean. Nobody speaks to you like that, Mia. Nobody.”
Closing the space between us, he pulls me into his arms, cradling my head with a hand. “Are you okay?”
“I’m not really sure,” I say, honestly, stepping back to examine his hand. “You okay?”
Releasing a deep breath, he steps away, pacing back and forth on the sidewalk. “No, I’m not okay, Mia. I cannot believe he had the audacity to say those things to you. I had heard he was an asshole, but I had never seen it for myself. If he thinks he will ever step foot in my bar again, he is out of his damn mind.”
As much as I appreciate him coming to my defense, my mind is reeling.
“Angus?”
He stops his incessant pacing, bringing his attention back to me.
“What was he talking about? What was all that stuff about my mom?”
He stills. Looking anywhere but at me.
“Angus...”
He opens the passenger door, holding it open for me. Following his lead, I climb into my seat but don’t buckle myself in. He closes the door and rounds the truck, getting behind the steering wheel.
I turn in my seat to face him. Gaze locked on the road ahead, his hands scrape over the scruff on his face. He doesn’t buckle up, and he doesn’t speak.
“Angus, do you know what he was referring to?”
“Goof, he’s just spreading unfounded rumors. Don’t listen to him. He’s a piece of shit.”
“But you know the rumors he was alluding to?”
“I... I’m sure it’s all nonsense. You know how people in small towns love to gossip.”
My heartbeat thunders in my ears. The cab of the truck closing in on me, oxygen somehow not reaching my lungs. If Angus has heard the rumors, who else has? And why haven’t I?
“What have you heard?” I whisper.
“Mia... “
“I want to know.”
“Why?”
“Why? What do you mean, why? If there are rumors about my mother cheating on my father, I think I have a right to know. What if it was your family?”
“I don’t take part in town gossip. You know me better than that.”
“I would rather hear it from you.”
From someone I trust.
“Are you sure?” He reaches across the console, lacing our fingers together. “The last thing I want to do is hurt you.”
“Please.” I squeeze his hand, letting him know it’s okay.
“Fuck, I don’t want to be the one to tell you this.” He drops his gaze, as if he can’t stand to see my reaction. “Mayor Collins.”
“What?” I shriek.
He winces but doesn’t answer.
“My mother is sleeping with the mayor?”
“It’s a rumor, Mia.”
“The mayor and my mother?”
“I’m so sorry.”
Dad’s despondent face flashes in my mind. “Is this why they’re leaving?”
“I don’t know.”
“Oh, my God. I think I might be sick. How could she do this to him?” Releasing Angus’s hand, I throw open the door, needing fresh air. Angus is there before my feet hit the pavement.
Taking my face in his hands, he brings us eye to eye. “Mia, I work in a bar. People are drunk. They talk shit. All it takes is one look between a man and a woman, and this town will have everyone sleeping with each other before it’s over. Rumors are not the gospel. They’re just petty people talking shit.”
The below freezing air and his words loosen the grip my panic has on me, but it doesn't wipe it away. He’s right. A rumor doesn’t make it true. But what if it is?
“Do you think it’s true?”
He doesn’t hesitate. “I know your parents love each other very much.”
He also doesn’t answer my question.
“That’s not what I asked.”
“Maybe not, but it’s all I know for certain. I can’t imagine there is any truth to the rumors, but I can’t sit here and tell you I haven’t heard them. I respect you too much to lie to you.”
He places a kiss on my forehead, holding my hands until I give him a nod, letting him know I’m okay.
I’m not okay, but there’s nothing he can do to help to stop my anxiety from spinning out of control.
Like puzzle pieces fitting together, things that had seemed so out of character for my parents now make sense. The sudden move to the other side of the country. Mom’s tears about leaving and Dad’s somber demeanor.
Yes, my mother works with the mayor regularly in her role as a Goose Hollow council member. But sleeping with him? Seriously?
Angus jumps back into the truck and starts the engine, turning on the heat. We sit there in silence for who knows how long before he asks. “What are you going to do with the information?”
That is the question I am racking my brain with.
If I ask Mom and it’s not true, she may never forgive me for doubting her. If I ask her and it is true, then what? Will my relationship with her ever be the same again? Will it embarrass Dad if I know? If I don’t ask, will it always be in the back of my mind?
“I don’t know. What would you do?”
“I couldn’t tell ya. As you may have noticed, I can be a bit of a hothead.”
I chuckle, considering he just knocked Rhen on his ass.
“I likely wouldn’t be thinking straight and would demand answers. But I have a feeling I would end up wishing I had thought it through first.”
He’s telling me to sit on it for a minute.
To think before I react in a way I won’t be able to take back.
“Do you think your mom has heard what people are saying?”
“I don’t know. We’ve never discussed it.”
“Thank you for telling me.”
“I’m sorry you had to find out this way.”
“Me too.”
“C’mon, let’s get you home to Sawyer.”