“Mommy!”
“Shit,” I muttered, I couldn’t believe we’d completely forgotten all about Sierra.
How did you forget about a child?
I took a step back putting some much needed distance between us. Drops of rain beaded on her smooth skin. We stared at one another. Miley’s eyes were wide. Her mouth opened on a tiny soundless o.
No shit! We’d almost fucked on the hood of her car.
“Nate!” Sierra yelled, her tone filled with impatience. She was so much like Miley; it wasn’t funny.
“I’ll be right there!” Miley cried and knocked my hands away and scooted off the hood. When she started past me, I couldn’t help myself. I had to touch her one more time. My fingertips lightly skimmed along the satiny skin of her forearm. It was impossible not to notice the way she reacted to my touch. Her steps faltered. Her eyes flew to mine, and it was there in their depths that I saw a need that matched my own. There was nothing I could do but watch her walk away. I needed a few minutes to get myself under control. Plus, the rain felt good against my skin.
“Come on, Nate! It’s raining, silly!” Sierra giggled. She clung to one of the front porch banisters swinging back and forth and watching me.
Miley stood on the porch. Her slim hands busy wringing out the rain from her hair. Her eyes meet mine when I started up the steps. She pushed her hair back over her shoulder as she watched me. I shouldn’t have been so weak, so caught up in the moment. By giving into the urge to touch her, I’d just made one of the biggest mistakes of my life. Now I knew what she felt like, and I doubted I’d have the strength or the sense to stay away from her. This could definitely turn into a problem. Sierra squealed, drawing my attention, and ran toward me.
“You’re soaked,” she scolded. She reminded me of a tiny mother hen. My heart softened and a smile stretched across my lips.
“Sierra, will you go in and grab some towels from the bathroom?” Miley asked, distracting her.
“Sure, Mommy.” She disappeared inside the house.
Overhead, the rain pelted unmercifully against the tin roof; a steady tapping melody from above that allowed the tenseness coiling my muscles to slightly relax. I’d almost fucked up big time. Staring across the yard, my thoughts drifted to another girl — another time and another place. Natalie had loved the rain.
I couldn’t do this to Miley. It wasn’t fair to her. I needed to say something, anything. There was no way this could lead anywhere. I couldn’t promise her forever when my heart still belonged to someone else. My lapse of judgement was just that… a lapse. It wouldn’t happen again.
“Nate.”
The tone of her voice confirmed my suspicions. It was clear I wasn’t the only one who thought this had been a huge mistake. Even if we were both in agreement, I couldn’t stand here and listen to this shit. This was all my fault. I should have kept my fucking hands to myself.
“It’s fine, Miley,” I said, and she appeared relieved.
I was right.
“It won’t happen again.”
Her eyes darted from mine. Her lips flattened into a thin line, but before either one of us could pursue this any further, Sierra came back out of the house carrying two towels. “Here,” she said, and handed one to me first.
“Thanks, sweetheart.”
She grinned at me then turned to Miley handing her one also. “Mommy, can we bake cookies, please?” she asked, her excitement clear. Her expression was hopeful as she waited for an answer.
Miley wrapped the towel around her shoulders. She wouldn’t look at me and, instead of answering Sierra’s question, she quickly ushered her inside. Confused, I stood there holding my towel and dripping.
What in the hell had just happened?
She’d acted as if I’d hurt her feelings. I’d been a hundred percent certain we were both on the same page. Either way, I hated if I hurt her, but in the end, it was for the best. She’d find no future with a man like me. A man who was still haunted by his past on a day to day basis. She deserved better. Sierra did too and, at the thought of that little girl, I vowed to keep my hands to myself no matter how great the temptation of Miley Triton proved to be. She could never and she would never be a causal fling. The thought of more had me breaking out in a cold sweat.
It just wasn’t possible.
TWO WEEKS HAD
passed following the encounter in the yard. Miley didn’t speak to me about it. In fact, she didn’t speak to me at all unless she had no other choice. We were back to being strangers. I wished the same could be said for Sierra, but she continued to worm her way into my heart. Hank though, there was no saving him; he was putty in her tiny little hands.
Friday evening, The Eight Ball was packed. The sound of James Bay crooning from the jukebox and the banter of customers drifted down the hallway to my office. I sat behind my desk looking over the accounts for the week. Paperwork was a fucking bitch, but the new computer and accounting software made it somewhat tolerable. I just hated to do it. Raising my arms over head, I stretched feeling the pull and play of muscles tightening along my lower back. I was getting stiff. For the past two hours, I’d been sitting cooped up in this office like a hermit.
At least one good thing had happened this week. The weather had finally broke. Last night I’d managed to change the plugs and switch out the alternator on Miley’s car. It was running again. Those trips to work and school had been tense, but Sierra seemed none the wiser to the friction between us. Though it shouldn’t have mattered, I’d tried to get Miley to talk to me about what had happened between us, but it was like pulling teeth, and I was lucky to even receive a one-word reply.
It was obvious she was pissed, since she avoided me at every turn. I ended up spending a lot of time by myself; painting during the evenings and trying to stay out of her way. All of the rooms were finished, except for the small bathroom downstairs. Yesterday morning after dropping off Miley at The Eight Ball, I’d driven to Stanton’s. I’d purchased enough paint to not only finish the bathroom but also enough to give the outside of the old house a facelift. I actually found myself looking forward to a good day’s hard work.
Sierra had turned into quiet the little helper. On the days Miley worked, I babysat and had a routine.
Fuck, I was just like all those poor, low-life schmucks I chased for a living
. A couple days ago, the Sheriff had called to let me know about a bail jumper from the area. I’d turned down the case even though the thousand-dollar payday had been tempting.
Miley and Sierra needed me more. Even if Miley wasn’t speaking to me, I couldn’t go off and leave them. Not with Ryder still on the loose. I’d dug myself a hole and had yet to figure out a way to climb back out of it. The distance between us, though, did little to ease the ache for the woman I had living in my house and working for me. There was a constant yearning I experienced every time I looked at her, and then there was the guilt that always followed.
I was a fucking idiot. Damned if I did, and damned if I didn’t.
It was a no win situation, and I couldn’t even allow myself to contemplate the thought of Miley eventually leaving since her and Sierra’s presence was now as natural to me as breathing. I glanced up at the door to find Katrina reclining against the doorframe watching me.
How long had she been there?
“Hey,” I said, and her crimson red lips curved into a smile. Her gaze was intent and entirely focused on me as she started across the room
. Shit! This wasn’t good
. I’d have to be dead not to notice the tight black shirt she wore that hugged her curves or the top three buttons she’d intentionally left undone. I caught a glimpse of firm round breasts and black lace. Her pants appeared to be painted on. Dark hair curled against her shoulders. The way she was watching me reminded me of a cat eyeing a canary.
“What can I do for you?” I asked, and she continued around the side of the desk toward me. I wanted to yell stop, but what grown man did that.
Hell, I was three times her size.
“Today’s my birthday. I’m twenty-one,” she said as she took a step closer. I started to stand but decided against it since she was practically on top of me.
“Well, happy birthday,” I said, briefly thinking to myself that she was now old enough to serve alcohol. Mavis must not have been thinking clearly when she’d hired her to work as a waitress. Katrina’s behavior seemed slightly odd even for her, and when she suddenly licked her lips while staring right at me, it was then I suspected what she had on her mind.
No way, little girl.
“Do you need something?” I asked, unable to mask the hard edge to my tone.
I didn’t have time for this shit!
The place closed in less than an hour, and there was still work waiting. I’d be lucky to leave in an hour. Sierra was spending the night with Kara. Surprisingly, Sierra and Jagger were best friend now. Before I could move, Katrina’s hands were suddenly pressed against my chest and she was climbing onto my lap.
What the fucking hell?
My hand smacked the wall trying to keep the chair upright as it tilted to the side. Her hands clutched my shoulders like tentacles. “I don’t need anything but you,” she whispered in my ear.
Before, I could react, her lips smashed against mine. There was the sound of voices. I gripped Katrina’s waist trying to lift her off me since she was trying to stick her tongue down my throat. I’d had women come on strong before, but never had one throw herself at me with this kind of determination before. It was like trying to get away from a damn octopus.
“Yeah, we’ll come back later.” A familiar voice spoke.
In the doorway stood, Cecil and Miley. Cecil shot me a vile look and then took Miley by the arm ushering her out of the office, but it was not before I saw the hurt expression on her face. “Miley,” I yelled, but she tore out of Cecil’s grasp and took off running down the hall. Without saying a word, Cecil turned and pointed an accusing finger at me before he disappeared down the hall.
“Get off me,” I growled, but Katrina refused to let go. I ended up shoving her aside. I hated to use force on a woman. It wasn’t the gentlemanly thing to do, but I wasn’t feeling very gentlemanly at the moment. I needed to speak with Miley. There was a somewhat disturbingly smug expression on Katrina’s face even though I’d almost dumped her ass on the floor.
“Let her go. Everyone here knows she has something going on with Cecil. She’s the biggest whore around. My brother told me all about her. He went to high school with her. Once a whore, always a whore.”
In all of my life, I’d never laid a hand on a woman in anger, but this one — she was pushing me. Uncurling my fist, I silently counted to ten before speaking. “You need to clear out your locker. I’ll go ahead and cut your paycheck. You’re fired.”
“What?” She gawked at me in disbelief. Her eyes were as round as saucers. “You don’t actually mean that. It’s my birthday.”
“Well, actually, I do. What part of you’re fired do you not understand? Clear out your stuff and stop by the office on your way out to pick up your check. That should give me enough time to have it ready or I can send it to you in the mail. Your choice.”
Her eyes glistened brightly, but it did nothing to soften how I was feeling toward her. This had obviously not gone the way she’d planned. She was young, but her behavior was unacceptable and, the way she’d spoken about Miley… well, I wouldn’t fucking tolerate it. “Haul ass,” I demanded pointing at the door. I was tired of looking at her.
She huffed, and underneath her breath I heard her mutter the word,
“asshole.”
Ignoring her, I turned in my chair and reopened the accounting software I’d just closed. While trying to focus on the task at hand, I listened to the click of her high heels as she trotted her ass on out of my office.
Good Riddance. I couldn’t believe I hadn’t seen that one coming
.
“Fuck!” I slammed my fist down hard on the desk. A cup filled with ink pens tipped over and spilt onto the floor. I needed to speak to Miley, but first, I had to cut the damn check and then I’d find her. Maybe by then we both will have calmed down.
Fifteen minutes later, after handing Katrina her check and escorting her ass straight to the front door, I was searching for Miley. I didn’t see her anywhere, but I’d been well aware of the nasty looks I’d received from the other waitress working the floor. I thought her name was Sarah. Hell, I couldn’t remember. I made my way to the bar. Austin was busy mixing a drink. He glanced at me and nodded his head.
“Tough break, man,” he said, and shot me a sympathetic grin. “That girl is toxic.”
“Well, she’s gone.” I only wished I’d fired her ass sooner. This whole mess might have been avoided. “Where’s Miley?”
“She left.” He poured the contents of the silver cocktail shaker into a glass.
Disbelief smacked me right in the face. There was no way she would leave after I specifically instructed her not to go anywhere unless she was with me or that block head Cecil. Tonight, we were riding home together.
“Yeah, man, she seemed upset and Cecil left with her. He didn’t say where they were going.”
“That motherfucker,” I muttered as Sarah edged in beside of me at the bar. Cecil was on my shit list, and I’d just about had all of him I could stand.
“Here’s your drinks, doll,” Austin said, opening a Corona and adding a slice of lime before he set it on the tray along with two margaritas.
“Its good thing it’s almost closing time,” Sarah said. “We’re two waitresses short now.”
Fucking hell!
She eyed me as she lifted the serving tray from the bar, and reached into her apron pocket withdrawing a slip of yellow paper. She handed it to me. It was an order ticket: three cheese burgers and fries along with two orders of fish and chips.
“What the hell?” I asked, and she glared back at me, her eyes shooting sparks as she placed a hand on her hip.
“I guess you’re the cook. It’s not my place to say this, but I’m going to anyway even if it gets me fired. That was a pretty crappy thing you did to Miley, and with Katrina of all people. You better get yourself checked if you’ve messed around with that one.”