I squeezed mom’s hands in mine. “Mom, I love her more than anything. She’s what I want and what I see when I imagine my future.”
About the time those words came out my mouth, Stacy came through the doorway. “So, you’re just gonna leave us? Just like that. Is that little country bitch really what you want? You’d give up a life with me and Jaz for her?” The way she referred to Loralei made my stomach churn.
I let go of mom’s hands and stood up from the table. I never broke eye contact with Stacy. I slowly walked to where she was standing. “I didn’t give up our life together, Stacy that was you. That little girl is not mine. We both know who her father is. Maybe you should give him a call and see if he’ll take you in. I can’t be your husband when I am in love with someone else.”
Stacy started sobbing, grabbing at my shirt, begging, “Please don’t do this, Jaxon. Please don’t leave us. I need you. God, how I need you. I can’t raise her by myself. You know Ratz won’t be there for us. I don’t have anyone but you.”
I tore her hands away from my shirt. “Stacy, you don’t have me. I am not yours. I don’t love you. Now get your hands off of me. And it sounds to me like you know damn well who her dad is. I’m sure you knew it the whole fucking time.”
Stacy stepped back from me. “Well, she sure as hell wasn’t yours. You weren’t even man enough to do that. Let’s see how much your little country bitch loves you when you can’t even give her a baby.” Her true colors were finally showing. I put my hand on her shoulder and gently pushed her aside, so I could step through the door.
Stacy started sobbing again. “What the fuck am I supposed to do Jaxon? Where am I supposed to go? I can’t go home. You know how my mom treated me after rehab.” She had a point. Her mom had written her off when she found out she was using drugs. But I had lost all sympathy toward her. Of course I wanted Jaz to be taken care of, but she was her responsibility. And she was going to have to grow up and take care of her.
“I don’t know what you’re gonna do, Stacy, but you’re gonna have to figure your own shit out. Get a job. Get on welfare. Do whatever you have to do to make a home for Jaz. She deserves that. She deserves a good childhood, Stacy. And you’re the one who is gonna have to provide that for her.”
I went upstairs and started packing my shit. I was ready to get back to Missouri and back to Loralei Harper...my future.
Cade
Finally, I got into the great room early, she was standing at the counter making herself a plate of fruit. I walked up behind her, got as close to her as I could, and whispered in her ear, “Mornin’ hon.”
Her breath hitched, and I could tell she was happy to have me so close.
I chuckled, “Well, good to know I haven’t lost my touch. It’s been too long.”
I was still leaning into her and whispering in her ear. I loved to watch her breathing speed up when I was close to her. She was wearing blue jeans, a black faded Hank Jr. t-shirt, and her old brown work boots. I reached up and rubbed my hand down her arm. Then I turned her to where she was facing me. Her eyes were closed, and her lips were parted. I could tell she was really concentrating on something.
How could I not use this opportunity to my advantage? I leaned in and kissed her hard. I slammed my tongue into her mouth, pushed her up against the counter, settled myself between her legs, and before I knew it she had her legs wrapped around my waist, and I had her sitting on the counter. The kiss was intense, and it wasn’t slowin’ down. She was meeting my tongue with every stroke. She ran her hand up my chest, my neck, through my hair. I barely even noticed when my cowboy hat fell to the floor.
I reached down and unzipped her jeans. I slid my hand down the back of her jeans and cupped her ass. This ass had been fucking with my mind for weeks. Finally, I had it in my hands again. I wanted inside her so bad.
Just as I started to slide my hand down the front of her jeans, I heard, “What the fuck is going on in here?” I turned toward the door and saw him. That fucking asshat. He had on fucking fancy jeans, and a damn AC/DC t-shirt. His arms were covered in tattoos, and what the fuck was on his face? A damn ring? I didn’t notice that when I saw him at the banquet. But it’s not like I gave a shit about him that night. Before I could say anything he had me by the throat. He pushed me up against the wall.
I could hear Loralei yellin’, “Jaxon, get off of him. What the hell are you doing?”
This shit wasn’t working for me. I hit that bastard with all my power, right in the jaw. He fell back to the ground. His eyes looked fucking crazed. “What the fuck is wrong with you?” I growled at him.
He jumped up at me. “Why can’t you stay the hell away from her? Haven’t you done enough to us?”
He was coming at me again, when I heard Loralei say, “Us? There is no us, remember? What the hell are you doing here, Jaxon?”
He stopped and leaned closer like he was going to hit me. “Stay the fuck away from her, or the next time I’ll kill you.
