15. Piper
Piper
“Last time I saw that smile on his face was about six months ago when he told me Callan had hired his future wife to work at the bar.” Savannah’s words snap me out of my post-orgasmic haze, making my head whip around to face her.
But she just grins like she saw this coming a mile away.
“Oh, come on. He was joking, but I know that smile anywhere. And something tells me you’re feeling this attraction just as hard as he is. ”
I turn back toward the house, watching as Christian disappears inside, his broad shoulders tense, and his presence so damn much it still lingers in the air even after he’s gone.
“He’s something else, isn’t he?” I murmur, my voice barely above a whisper.
He’s a walking contradiction—danger and warmth, restraint and recklessness, a man who shouldn’t be touching me but just made me come so hard I saw stars.
“He’s not perfect… Crawford men are far from perfect.” Savannah’s voice softens. “But he’s a protector, and his heart is pure gold.”
“Not all Crawford men are protectors,” I mutter before I can stop myself.
“I’m not talking about that little shitface.
” Savannah tilts her head, eyes narrowing slightly, her voice laced with venom.
For all her sunshine and sweetness, I see it now—beneath the long blonde hair and that innocent smile, she’s got some serious bite when it comes to the people she cares about.
“Besides, he’s a Beauford. That whole family is known for their pretentious, self-righteous crap. Different breed entirely.”
“Have you always known Travis?”
“I was with Christian the day he found out that woman was pregnant. The only reason she even told him was because her parents had kicked her out for a few days. So she ran here, used him, then went right back home like nothing happened. Pretty sure she never would’ve said a damn thing if her parents hadn’t reacted the way they did. ”
“So you’ve met Meredith?”
“Once, but that was enough.” She reaches for a cookie, breaking it with a sharp snap.
“I don’t know exactly what’s going on between you and Christian, but I know Travis did something bad, and that man in there?
” She tilts her head toward the house. “He’d burn the whole world down to protect someone he cares about, even if he’s trying to convince himself he shouldn’t.
So if you’re thinking of going down this road, understand what you’re stepping into.
Christian doesn’t just give his heart—he hands over every piece of himself with no hesitation, no half measures.
He loves like it’s instinct, like it’s the only way he knows how, and the ones who earn that kind of devotion?
Well, they’re the luckiest souls in the whole of Rosewood. ”
A car engine roars up the driveway, and when we both turn to look, my heart sinks straight to my boots.
Travis.
“Oh, hell no.” Savannah doesn’t hesitate, already marching up toward the house like she’s ready to go to war. I follow, not because I’m prepared to face my ex-boyfriend, but because I need to know what’s happening, and I sure as hell don’t want Christian dealing with him alone.
Every step toward the front door feels heavier, like I’m dragging the weight of everything I don’t want to face.
I’m not afraid of Travis .
I just don’t want to be near him.
Savannah throws open the door like she’s leading a one-woman army. “Travis, get your ass out here!”
When he appears in the doorway, sporting two spectacular black eyes, I don’t feel an ounce of remorse.
“I’m getting my shit, Savannah. Back off.” His gaze slides to me, and I watch his eyes roam every inch of my face.
I know exactly what he’s looking for. He’s checking me for the mark he left, the one I’ve buried under layers of makeup. Because like hell am I letting his handiwork be the reason Christian keeps his distance from me.
“Find what you’re looking for?” I arch a brow, silently conveying what we both know— yeah, asshole, I know exactly what you’re searching my face for.
“Can we talk?”
“Not a fucking chance.” Christian’s voice rolls through the room like thunder, and suddenly he’s there, filling the space with a presence that makes Travis look small in comparison.
Christian plants himself between us like a human shield, every inch the protective alpha male.
“I warned you not to show your face here.”
I can’t take my eyes off Christian as he tugs his white T-shirt into place, catching a flash of golden skin before the fabric molds to his body.
Christian Crawford isn’t just a man, he’s a goddamn masterpiece.
“Oh good, more threats. Just what I needed.” Travis’s jaw works like he’s chewing glass, clearly put out that no one here wants a damn thing to do with him.
Strange, since he’s always acted like he preferred it that way, but I guess it hits different when everyone around you can’t stand the sight of you.
“I just came to grab my stuff and talk to Piper. Then I’m out. ”
“We can talk.” Christian’s head whips toward me so fast I swear I hear his neck crack, and even Savannah goes still, like she’s watching a bomb about to detonate. “You’ve got two minutes.”
Both men step forward, but Savannah’s hand shoots out, flat against Christian’s chest, preventing him from charging forward, and the mountain of a man actually stops.
I can feel the strain in Christian’s body from where I’m standing, the way his muscles tense under Savannah’s palm like he’s one second away from snapping.
But he listens to her silent command, even though I can tell it’s costing him every ounce of his self-control.
I step out onto the porch, and Travis follows, his gaze locked on me like he’s waiting for me to break or beg, or whatever twisted thing he’s convinced himself will happen here. Instead, I lean against the wooden beam, crossing my arms over my chest, eyes steady on his.
Travis looks like shit, his left eye more puffy than the right, and the bruised skin around it has darkened to an ugly purple-black that spreads across his cheekbone.
“What could you possibly have to say to me?”
“Don’t be like that, Piper. You’re not exactly innocent here.”
“Wow.” The laugh that slips past my lips is pure disbelief. “That didn’t really sound like an apology, but I’m willing to let you try again.”
“Maybe I shouldn’t have lashed out, but you pushed me to it.” I let out another laugh, sensing Savannah and Christian’s eyes on us from inside. “Why the hell are you laughing, Piper? It’s that attitude that earned you that mark you’re hiding under all that makeup.”
“Are you even listening to yourself right now? You’re blaming me for your hand flying.”
“We’re both to blame.”
“No, you’re to blame.”
My eyes narrow as memories flood back—all those nights I made myself smaller, quieter, less myself, just to maintain the peace.
I can’t believe I ever allowed this man inside me.
“Just make sure the next girl who ends up with you is aware that you get handsy when you’re mad.
” I shoulder past him, drawn to the safety I know is waiting inside, when I feel Travis’s fingers clamp down on my arm.
I freeze, spinning to face him, my heart pounding—not from fear, but pure, white-hot rage.
“I’m not fucking blind,” he snarls, squeezing like he thinks I’ll bend under the pressure. “And if anything happens between you and him, it’ll destroy what little relationship we have left. You’ll ruin his life, he’ll lose his kid for good, and he’ll hate you for it. ”
“You clearly have no respect or desire to be his son anyway. And considering this is only about winning for you, let’s get something straight. First, you never wanted me, and second, I wanted him before I even knew you existed.”
He pales, eyes blazing with that all-too-familiar shitty temper. “I’m serious. I’ll make his life a living hell.”
He releases me with a grunt, his fingers dropping away like he can’t bear to touch me for another second. I take a step forward, but before I can make it back inside, Christian and Savannah are already there, blocking my way.
“Your bags are here, Travis,” Savannah says, tossing the two duffel bags toward his feet.
“I came to give Piper a ride to her sister’s place. Doesn’t seem right for her to be here.”
“After what you did to her, you honestly think I’d let you take her anywhere? She’s staying right here. We need the help, and thanks to you, we’re down a man. Her taking the guest room is practical—there’s no point in her making this drive every day.”
“Piper?” Travis says, eyes latching onto mine, daring me to disagree with him.
I take a step back, pressing myself closer to Christian and Savannah. “You heard your dad. I’m staying to help like I promised.”
“Why don’t you get out of here and go back to your mom’s, Travis? Maybe when the holidays are over, and everyone’s had a chance to cool off, you and your dad can talk this out because all you’re doing right now is making things worse for all three of you.”
“Cool off? Sure. Because that’s easy when your father would rather play hero for a girl he barely knows than his own kid.”
“Maybe that’s because you’ve made it impossible to defend you,” Savannah snaps.
“Oh, we’re gonna talk.” Christian’s voice is pure steel, his arms crossed over his chest as he radiates so much alpha energy, I’m about ready to crumble. “You don’t get to hurt women and not have a fucking conversation about it. Do you understand? That shit doesn’t fly here. Ever.”
“Jesus, she knows I’m sorry?— ”
“Does she? Because from where I was standing, it sounded a hell of a lot like you were blaming her for the bruise you put on her face.” Savannah’s voice is ice, her gaze swinging to me and fixing on mine. “Yeah, I was listening, honey.”
Travis’s eyes widen, a flicker of embarrassment bleeding through his anger. “Piper, I’m genuinely sorry that I… tapped you.”
“Shut up, Travis.” My face twists in disgust as I march my ass back inside the house, not bothering to look back. But his voice chases me, slithering through the air like the parasite he is.
“See what I have to put up with?” he spits. “This is why I can’t win with you, Piper. Because you’re a coldhearted, selfish?—”
I slam the door shut with enough force to rattle the hinges before throwing myself down on the couch. I’ve gone from the highest high of just being rubbed to orgasm by the man of my dreams to the lowest low of being threatened by his son.
Minutes later, the door opens and closes. Pine, leather, and winter air wrap around me as Christian sinks onto the couch beside me, close enough that his thick thigh brushes against mine.
“Maybe I should go home.” The words taste like defeat as I force them out. “I can still come up and help, but this is messy as hell, Christian, and I don’t want to be the reason things between you two get worse.”
“They can’t get much worse than this.”
“Okay, but I can’t be the thing that breaks you and Travis for good.” The words fight their way past my throat. “Some things you can’t take back.”
“You can do whatever you want to do, Piper. I won’t force you to stay here, but I don’t want you to leave, and I’m certainly not ready to let you go. If that helps your decision.”
Jesus, this man is going to own my heart so completely, then break it without even trying. He’ll ruin me in ways he never means to, and I’ll be wrecked before I even realize I’m falling apart.
“I believe you promised me some food.”
“Amongst other things.” The smile he gives me makes my heart skip a beat.
There’s more I should tell him—about Travis’s threats, about all the poison he spat when Christian wasn’t around.
But right now, with everything so raw, what good would it do?
It would only add to the weight Christian’s already carrying, and all I want is to find out if there’s any way in this messed-up world that I could make him happy.
To see what “us” might look like if we dare to try.
“If you want me to leave at any point, please tell me. I won’t be offended.”
He reaches out, his hand sliding into my hair, his fingers brushing against my scalp. The touch is probably meant to comfort, but it only makes me ache for more of this impossible thing between us that feels too good to be real.
“Never gonna happen, darlin’.”