Chapter 5
Chapter Five
Violet
It was morning. The blankets were pulled up to my chest, and I was dressed in my sleep shorts and top. My tender breasts were unbound. For a brief moment last night, I had debated about wearing a bra while I slept. I didn’t know Evander, not really. This wasn’t a hotel, and if I had run into him when I went to the bathroom, I didn’t want to poke his eyes out with a nipple. I should look like I had my shit together.
But the soreness had won out, and I had taken it off. My stomach had quit pitching. For once, I didn’t feel so off-kilter. Most mornings, I woke and the worry started. Half the time, the stress was what had woken me.
Not today. California was two hours behind, and Willis had left me alone since Evander answered his call. My ex hadn’t even replied after I told him that we’d given his sister all the jewelry two Christmases ago .
Closing my eyes, I enjoyed the silence and the quiet phone. My stomach rumbled. I had real hunger pangs for the first time in months. I rolled to sit up and stared at the closed door.
An enigma was on the other side.
Evander Barron. A guy who had some undetermined family drama, yet he grew pumpkins for Isla on at least half the acres of land he was renting. He didn’t trust me, that was apparent enough, but he was giving me the spare bedroom. Hopefully, for free. I could pay him. I would.
I would make my own way. I was the oldest Duke sister. If my youngest sibling could pick herself up off the dirt her ex had tossed her in, so could I.
I hadn’t heard any noise from the rest of the house, and I needed to get ready for the day. Would Evander let me use his computer to apply for jobs? Using my phone was too tedious. He was on his laptop last night when he searched for paternity tests and ordered one.
If I was going to be staying for two or three weeks, I could use a computer. I had a few outfits packed, but eventually I’d need maternity clothing. I’d also need something to do to keep me sane while worrying about getting hired. The blanket I started crocheting last month was at my rental in Billings. I was using it to learn the stitches again, and the unevenness around the edges stretched the whole length. I could buy more yarn. Grandma Annie taught me how to crochet. I’d have that from her at least.
A little anxiety piped into my stomach. What would Evander say if I came back from town with new yarn and hooks? Willis had thought the hobby was for old women. I told him that Hollywood stars were known to knit, but he’d sneered and said crocheting was a waste of time. It’d been easier to just leave the hobby behind.
My rental in Billings was up at the end of July, but I’d keep my things there until I knew for sure where I’d land. The place was little more than a vacation rental, expensive, but I didn’t dare lose it in case Evander decided we couldn’t cohabitate.
If I showed up at my parents’ with more stuff to store, they’d have questions I wasn’t ready to answer. Just like I had news for them I wasn’t ready to tell. I’d feel better spilling the news if I also had information on where exactly I’d be living and where I’d be working.
I hoped it was in Coal Haven. I had liked growing up here, and now with a baby on the way, the attachment was stronger. I had at least one sibling within ten miles. The only niece and nephew in the Duke family were Lily’s kids. I could go anywhere, but I wished to stay here. Just so happened, Coal Haven was also where my baby’s father was. Until his lease ran out anyway.
Was Evander home? Was he still sleeping, or was he working outside?
I gathered my clothes and toiletry bag. Then I cracked the door open and listened. Nothing. Wait?—
Was that a meow?
Did he have a cat?
I waited for a heartbeat. Must’ve been my imagination. I rushed into the bathroom. The decor was as tasteful as the living room and the guest room. Done in grays, like his furniture, it was all bold lines but managed to be bright. It fit him. He might wear wrinkled cargo pants and boots, but he was all planes and angles. Even his shaved head had definition. My fingers tingled with the memory of his scalp under my palms while his head was between my thighs.
The things that man could do with his tongue.
A stroke of longing traveled around my heart. He’d never touch me again. No, my news hadn’t been welcome.
I left the bathroom. In the guest bedroom, I folded my pajamas for tonight. Another meow reached me. The sound was muffled. I got closer to the door and the mews got quieter.
Hmm. I crossed to the window and waited. Another mew. Did Evander have cats? I hadn’t seen food or water bowls. I loved cats.
I scurried out the door and down the hallway. The floor shifted beneath my feet, and I put my hand on the wall. Food and water. I could not find a kitty without sustenance.
In the kitchen, I found the bananas by the new stainless steel fridge. All the appliances had been replaced. By Evander? I couldn’t see my aunt and uncle pumping money into a house that’d either go to me or be sold in six years.
I opened a cupboard. It was cleaned out. I checked another. Also empty. I finally found one cabinet with canned goods, rice, and packets of taco seasoning. Another was full of glasses and plates. I took out a glass.
The fridge was full of fresh produce, lunchmeat, and ground beef. Since I was snooping, I checked the freezer. Packages wrapped in white butcher paper filled the inside. Meat, meat, and more meat.
I gobbled my banana, downed a glass of water, and went in search of the cat. I had nothing else to do until Evander returned and, hopefully, let me use his computer.
Before I left the kitchen, I went to the filled cupboard and grabbed a packet of tuna just in case Evander hadn’t fed the cat yet and if I couldn’t find the cat food.
Outside, a light breeze ruffled my hair. I’d put on a pair of jean shorts that I wouldn’t be able to wear much longer. My shirt was an old one I’d gotten at my last job. It said Oswell Labs on the front and was an obnoxious yellow as a nod to the work done there.
“Kitty, kitty, kitty.”
A tiny mew was barely audible, but it came from the same side of the house my window was on. The corner of the deck stopped under the window while the other side wrapped under the side door. I squatted down.
Another mew.
The grass was damp, but I ignored it and got on my hands and knees. I flicked the flashlight of my phone on and peered under the deck. A couple of feet of clearance spanned underneath, with a slight opening between the bushes as access.
“Kitty, kitty, kitty.” I slowly swept the light until I landed on a pair of eyes. “Hey, baby.”
The black-and-white kitten meowed, its little whiskers glinting white in the light, making it look like a wizened feline.
Another little head appeared and mewed.
“Oh my goodness, there are two of you.”
I tore the top of the tuna packet off with my teeth. I used the end of the flap to dip into the tuna and waved it around.
The kittens’ noses twitched, and they both meowed. They were scared but hungry. I might not have to bodysurf under the porch.
“It’s all for you. Come on.” I brandished the tuna pouch a few times. I sank lower, my ass in the air and my upper body almost flush with the cool ground. “It’s so good. Come on.”
I kept my voice light, nonthreatening. It’d been ages since I’d coaxed a cat. Willis had been allergic to everything, mostly the idea of a pet that would get attention over him.
I kept the light trained on the kittens and put my head as low as possible to see them.
“What are you doing?”
Startled, I pushed up and peered behind me. Evander’s hot gaze was stuck on my ass, a contradiction to his perplexed tone. The seam of my jean shorts dug into my groin, and the hem was tight around my thighs. I hadn’t thought when I packed that I should’ve given elastic waistbands priority. With as much as I’d been sick, it was amazing I was increasing in size.
I puffed a curl out of my eyes. Evander was in a gray T-shirt, soaked with sweat that covered the tattooed chest I had distinctly wanted more time to explore, and black workout shorts that had him displaying as much leg as I was. He was muscled from head to toe.
Good thing he was tall, or my butt would be in his face. Which, if memory served, was something he liked.
A flush swamped my body until I was afraid the remaining dew around me would turn to steam. “I’m trying to feed your cats.”
He lifted his gaze off my backside. “I don’t have cats.”
I didn’t get up. The kittens were hungry and somewhat used to people since they didn’t scatter, but they were scared. “These kittens say otherwise.”
His brows drew together. He walked to stand next to me, squatted, and peered where I aimed the light. “They weren’t here yesterday.”
“Good thing, or I might’ve thrown up on them.”
The corner of his mouth tipped up. “Someone must’ve dumped them. Growing up, we used to have a ton of barn cats. My dad used to say few things are free in life, and kittens are one of them.” His lips pulled into a frown.
Was that a bad memory? Or did he realize he was almost conversational with me? “My sister is a vet tech. I can take them to the clinic in Crocus Valley where she works and make sure they’re okay.”
“I can’t keep them.” He straightened but stayed in a squat. “You’re kicking me out in six months.”
Oh. The banana in my stomach turned into a lump. A little panic sprinkled in. Aunt Linda would demand a marriage license before I could move in. One thing at a time. “I mean, I can take over as their owner. I’ll cover all the expenses.” Thankfully, kittens didn’t eat much.
His mouth tightened. “Not if they’re mine until then. Think they’re feral?”
“I don’t think so. They haven’t hissed once.”
He flattened out on the ground and belly-crawled under the deck. A minute later, he emerged with two furry bundles half-heartedly struggling in his hands.
“Ohmigosh, I think they’re only a couple of months old.” I sat on my butt, heedless of the dampness or the itchy grass, and shook some tuna onto a spot that I had flattened when I was crouching.
Evander set the kittens next to the food, and they started gobbling the tuna down.
I scratched the tops of their heads and around their ears. They were pretty well taken care of. Whether they’d escaped from their mom and couldn’t get back or they were dumped, they probably just needed a deworming and some shots.
I took out my phone to call Lily.
She answered with a “Hi, Violet.”
“Hey. I know it’s Sunday, but do you know if there’s an opening at the clinic tomorrow? I found two kittens. They seem healthy.”
“Uh, maybe? Were they outside the motel? In the parking lot?”
I lifted my wide gaze to Evander. He must’ve heard her question. The corners of his jaw were flexing. I didn’t think before I dialed. How did I explain this to Lily? “Yeah, I can explain later. I’m…kind of staying in the area for a few weeks.” I pressed the back of my other hand to my forehead. The scent of tuna washed over me, and my stomach roiled. Before, it wasn’t strong, but I hadn’t put the smell right by my overly sensitive nose. “I’m bothering you. It’s your honeymoon.”
She laughed. “We haven’t left yet. I can text one of the vets and see if they can fit you in.”
“No hurry.”
“Are you taking them back to Billings?”
This phone call was a bad idea. I shouldn’t have bothered her. Then I wouldn’t have to lie. “I think I have a place for them. I’ll explain all that. Later.”
“Now you’ve got me curious.”
My sisters would love this story. I’d rather know more about my future before I told them. “Go. Have fun with your new old husband.”
“Trust me. I have been.” She snickered.
I smiled despite the spear of envy piercing my chest. “Nobody likes a braggart.”
“But you love me.”
“I was told I have to when you were born.”
She laughed. “Goodbye, Violet. I’ll let you know what I find out.”
I hung up. Instead of meeting Evander’s gaze, I shook as much tuna out as I could and pried the edges of the pouch open. It was obvious I’d been evading my sister’s questions.
Evander sat on his ass and propped his arms on his bent legs. “I was going to have that for breakfast.”
“Oh crap, I’m sorry.” I gave him an apologetic smile.
A twinkle lit his eye. “It’s fine.”
Was he…joking? He had a sense of humor, but I hadn’t seen it since he’d opened the door yesterday.
“I thought your sister had an anniversary party?” he said.
Why did I get the feeling he was trying to catch me in a lie? Maybe because I was withholding a lot of truth. “She did. They married a year ago but can only take a honeymoon now. She was a new mom, and he ranched in eastern Montana. But he found a manager and lives with her now.”
I kept my focus on the kittens. The man was intense, and I was still not telling the whole truth. His gaze burned into my face.
“The kid his?”
“No.” I smiled sweetly. “But he knew that when he met her. She has an older girl too. Her ex’s daughter, who she adopted. He was a douche.” I snuck a peek, but he didn’t look fazed. “She got divorced when she was pregnant and got custody of both kids. He gave up his rights. He’s a real loser. Then she met Eliot and got married, but he had to figure out how to keep his business going while he’s living in another state.”
Evander’s expression was still impassive.
“You don’t seem surprised by any of it.”
“You’d be shocked at the living situations I’ve run into during my years in the army.” He shrugged. “Whatever works for people.”
He seemed like an accepting guy. Unless a woman showed up on his doorstep and told him he was a dad.
I will still be on his doorstep, at least until he moves out. Either way, I’d need a job. I also needed a husband to live in the house, but I’d gladly worry about that later. “Can I use your computer?”
His gaze sharpened. “Why?”
“So I can apply for jobs.” Look for places to rent until he kicked me out. Find a guy to marry.
Would Evander ever?—
No. He didn’t seem like someone who played to others’ demands. He wouldn’t care that this place would go up for sale. Hell, he could probably buy it. And after I informed him I was kicking him out when his lease was up, I doubted he’d say an enthusiastic yes.
He rubbed his lower lip between his thumb and forefinger.
Frustrated, I picked up the tuna packet remains. The kittens were sniffing his running shoes. “Never mind. I’ll run to Bismarck and buy one.”
“You can afford a computer with no job?”
“I’m living off my investment money.” Technically, it was what I’d taken from my retirement. I rose and looked around. There was an old shop that had one big sliding door hanging cockeyed. “Do you mind if I make them a spot in the corner of the shop?”
“The shed would be better.”
I spun to study the shed. The roof sagged, and the door was perpetually cracked open. “It’s a piece of shit.”
“Most buildings around here are, but I can fix up the shed faster than the shop. I’ll get some lumber to reinforce the roof.”
“I’m tempted to lock these guys up until I get back, but maybe if I leave more food out, they’ll stay until I return.” Evander likely wouldn’t cat-sit.
“I only have so much tuna.” He rose in one fluid motion, but his knee cracked and he winced. At my are you okay? expression, he lifted a burly shoulder like it was nothing. “I didn’t stretch after I ran. You fed them. They won’t go anywhere, or if they do, they’ll be back for more food.”
“Oh.” He seemed to have more stray barn cat knowledge than I did. I picked up one. It struggled but also started purring. I stroked its little head. “Should I go get you some yummies and a cozy place to sleep?” I folded its furry body into both hands and stroked it along my cheek. “I think we can tell if they’re male or female this early.”
“Two females.”
Oh. He was on top of things. I admired a guy who could take care of shit. Bonus points for no whining.
“Let me clean up, and we can ride together,” he said. “Get some cat supplies and groceries.”
“I don’t think I can get a computer anywhere in Coal Haven or Crocus Valley. ”
He clenched his jaw once. “You can use mine.” Then he stalked away.
Evander
I let the warm shower spray wash over me.
Why couldn’t I keep any distance between me and the sexy kitten whisperer?
It’d taken inhumane effort not to drop to my knees behind her and palm her ripe ass through those tight jean shorts. To tell her that I couldn’t fucking sleep last night because she was in the room next to me and I know how tightly that pussy of hers clenched around me.
My persistent erection roared back. How many times had I jacked off to the memory of that night?
Add one more.
I gripped the base of my dick and pumped. Fuck .
She’d been so needy that night. Shy and reserved, until she wasn’t.
I stroked myself and let my head tip back.
She had made those little moans when I had her legs wrapped around my ears. My climax was building at record speed.
She was on the other side of the door. Only, instead of imagining the past, I saw her round ass in the air, her face down. Like she was presenting it just for me.
I cut off a groan.
I had to jack off quietly .
Then she’d done a little wiggle, and I could’ve come in my shorts.
I didn’t then, but I was now. The storm that had raged inside me since she’d appeared on my doorstep had an outlet. Energy zipped down my spine and put a noose around my balls. My load shot from me. I gritted my teeth together and grunted through the pleasure. Goddammit. This was nothing like coming inside of her.
The small release I got was fleeting. I opened my eyes and stared at the drain. I’d come inside her and that was causing all the issues. Condoms failed. I knew that. But women lied. I knew that even better.
Yet I got out of the shower almost salivating that Violet would be with me all day.
Stay fucking strong.
It’d been years since I’d been swayed by some pussy. It’d been forever since I had a woman under the same roof. And it’d been even longer since there was one face I thought of when I jacked off.
I dried off and hooked the towel around my waist. I didn’t bring in a change of clothes, but then she’d already seen all of me. Maybe she’d be encouraged to walk around in nothing but a towel.
I shook my head. This would be easier if my attraction to Violet Duke wasn’t at an astronomical level. Ever since I’d seen the back of her sitting at the bar that night in the brewery, she’d been dead center in my brain.
In the hallway, I stopped when keys jingled. Violet was opening the front door. “Where are you going?”
She looked over her shoulder, and her eyes flared. Her gaze stuck on my chest, brushing from side to side like she had to decide if she had a favorite pec. “I’m moving my car. Since you’re getting lumber, I figured we’re taking your pickup.”
I relaxed. She wasn’t sneaking out. Why would she? She had a free place to stay and two kittens.
I had two kittens. For as long as I was here. They could catch the mice in the shop and shed. I was at war with the ground squirrels, and the cats could help with that too. “I’ll be right out.”
By the time I was dressed and went outside, she was sitting on the steps of the porch, two kittens in her lap. One was already asleep, and the other had the most blissful look on her face.
I had gotten the same way when Violet had stroked me.
I rubbed my temples. “Ready?”
“Yeah. I hope you don’t mind. I used your second tuna pouch and put it under the porch swing. I’ll buy replacements in town.”
I minded a lot when it came to her, but seeing her take care of the two kittens nudged its way into my heart. Still, she could be a good human and a shit girlfriend.
She scooped the kittens up and put them closer to the food. She’d also taken one of my plastic food storage containers and filled it with water.
“Let me wash my hands, and I’ll be right there.”
I loaded up and pulled to the edge of the walk that went from the driveway to the front door. Then I inched ahead until I was far enough along that I could watch Violet out of the mirrors without obviously staring at her.
When the sun glinted off her hair, my fingers itched to brush through her curly strands. Were they warm from the sun? Was her skin?
I ground my molars together. The answer to any of those questions didn’t matter. Back to the task at hand. I’d pick up lumber after we were done getting more groceries and cat supplies.
How did I go from living alone to having a woman and two cats on my property?
I pulled into the farm supply store. Violet hadn’t spoken for the short trip, but the silence hadn’t been awkward. She looked at the window, and when I snuck glances, her expression had been mostly content. Just a slight pinch in her brow like she carried stress. But then she was homeless and jobless and I hadn’t been enthusiastic about being a supposed dad.
It wasn’t that I didn’t want to be a dad. I just didn’t want to be tricked into it.
When we got out, I kept track of her out of the corner of my eye. She had an ease that wasn’t there when I’d first met her. In the brewery, she’d joked around with me, but there’d been an undercurrent of tension. Supposedly, she’d just broken off a long-term relationship with Vasectomy Willis.
She pushed her hair back, but the wind caught it and threw it into her face. Instead of getting frustrated, she smiled. A secret smile meant for no one other than herself. She couldn’t know my focus was all on her.
In the store, I let her take the lead. She was going straight for the pet section. But also—her ass. She couldn’t see me ogling it.
She found the feline aisle and picked out toys, treats, cans of cat food, a cozy bed that would get disgusting in a few months, flea and tick treatment, and little collars.
Those cats had found a home whether they liked it or not.
“What are you naming them?” I asked .
She was inspecting litter boxes. Was she moving them inside as soon as I moved out?
“What do you think?” She straightened. “I’ve never named a pet.”
“You haven’t had any?”
She smiled. “I have five siblings. It was a fight to get any time with a new pet.” Her gaze turned curious. “I don’t recall. Do you have siblings? It’s Isla and Stetson, and then there are the two cousins from Texas?—”
“No.” I swallowed past the sudden lump in my throat.
She flinched and probably wondered why I’d answered like an asshole, but I didn’t need to be telling her in the middle of the farm supply store.
“I’ll have to think on it,” she finally said. “Maybe it’ll come to me when I’m playing with them.”
Her voice rang with so much damn excitement. She looked forward to playing with cats?
She spun the cart around and pushed it to the end of the aisle. I followed.
She was about to turn when she stopped. “Sorry. Go ahead.”
Another shopping cart came into view. Aw hell.
The woman pushing the other cart smiled sweetly at Violet. “Thank you.” Her eyes lifted to mine, and her smile widened. Genuine joy filled her face, and the pool of guilt inside of me spilled over. “Evander.”
Shit . “Hey, Mom.”
Violet whipped her head around, her eyes wide.
Mom abandoned her cart and engulfed me in a giant hug. Each time she put her arms around me, she held on like I would disintegrate into dust and be gone forever. Her hugs were part of the reason I stayed away. The reminder of why she hugged like that had been too painful for too long.
Yet I returned her embrace just as tightly. She wouldn’t be around forever, either, and I’d given up decades of time with her.
“Fancy meeting you here,” she gushed when she finally released me. Her interested gaze landed on Violet.
Crap. We’d talked about this, but I wanted more time to prepare, to form a plan of attack and anticipate all the questions. “Mom, this is Violet. She’s—We’re?—”
“Seeing each other.” Violet stuck her hand out. “Hi, I’m Violet. I’m in town for a long vacation, and he’s seeing how long he can tolerate me.”
Mom melted more with each word out of Violet’s mouth. She clutched Violet’s hand. “Oh, my. So nice to meet you.” She glanced between us, beaming. “How’d you meet?”
“At Reservoir Barrel,” Violet continued, able to tell a half-truth like no one’s business.
I should be growing more suspicious, but I was too grateful she knew how to answer without making things uncomfortable. I was tired of discomfort around my parents.
“I’m a Duke,” Violet continued, “so I’m familiar with the area, but I hadn’t been to the new brewery.”
Pure joy radiated from Mom’s face. “Duke? Weston and Magnolia?” When Violet nodded, I feared Mom would collapse from the delight vibrating from her. “What a small world.” Mom’s gaze shone when she aimed it at me.
“Yeah,” I said roughly, remorse tugging at my chest. There was no stronger sign that I’d let down this woman than her reaction to meeting a date. The last twenty years slaked off her face, making her look more like the mom crying in my rearview mirror. She still wore the same loose slacks and sensible shoes, but at this moment, she was the mom I’d grown up with.
“I’d appreciate it if you kept this quiet,” Violet said, a friendly smile in place. “My parents would get so excited at the connection, but it’s so new.”
“I see. Of course. I understand. News like that tends to travel fast.” Mom wrung her hands together. “You two have to come over for dinner.”
The relief from Violet’s quick intervention about us turned to dread that curdled the acid in my belly. Mom was at peak happiness. How did I crash her entire day? Week? If I turned her down?—
“We’d love to.” Violet twined her warm fingers through mine, and I jerked. A current of electricity passed between us. Pure heat that went straight to my dick and to hell if I was in public. “I’m sure we’ve got a free night.” She tilted her face up to level me with a steady gaze.
At least one of us wasn’t unbalanced. Violet was a rock. She was too good at this. “Yeah. Whenever.”
Her fingers tightened around mine.
“How about tomorrow?” Mom’s eyes creased at the corners. Her smile hadn’t faded. “Bruce is going to be so pleased.”
Dad was always something, and pleased was not it.
“Is there anything you’re allergic to, honey?” Mom asked Violet.
Violet shook her head. “No, and I’m not picky, so don’t worry about me.”
“Oh, that’s perfect. Kennedy and Liam would just love you.”
I flinched, but thankfully Mom’s gaze was on Violet. Fucking great. More people to lie to. More people I never expected to have much to do with.
Violet beamed like she was soaking up the attention.
Mom waved her hands. “Don’t worry. I’m not going to throw all kinds of family at you. I wouldn’t want to scare anyone off.” Her grin faltered.
Yeah. I’d caught the jab. Between that comment and the family bit when it came to Liam and Kennedy, this encounter was another reminder I didn’t belong.
Violet might be doing me a favor. I’d stick it out for six months, and then I’d be gone again.