Heartbreaker

by Claire, Grahame

  I hated it most when he unsealed his lips from mine. I’d been with my fair share of men, but none of them reduced me to this. None of them had ever made me need them. I was fighting a losing battle by trying to deny what I felt for Easton, but I wasn’t ready to concede yet.

  “Say the word,” he whispered seductively against my swollen lips.

  “I already said the words. Ones I can’t take back.” I took my hands from his hair, but I couldn’t bring myself to stop touching him.

  “I’m halfway to getting what I want. I’ll have it all. You can either help me or make things more difficult. The outcome will be the same.”

  I stabbed an index finger into his chest and glared at him. “This can’t happen again.”

  “You sure as hell didn’t put up much of an objection,” he pointed out.

  I couldn’t deny it. Even though he’d started that kiss, it hadn’t taken much for me to become a willing participant. I twisted in his arms, trying to escape. Easton held me steady, too solid for me to have a chance against him.

  “It was a mistake. Stop making me pay for it,” I pleaded, growing desperate.

  “It wasn’t, and you’re punishing me by depriving me of what’s mine.”

  “Fuck you.”

  “Now we’re getting somewhere.” He scooped me off my feet and started carrying me God only knew where.

  “Put me down,” I shouted. “Easton, I swear I’m going to knock you on your ass.”

  “You already have,” he returned easily, not slowing.

  I pounded on him, and he laughed. “Damn it. I mean it.”

  “So do I.”

  The main house’s back porch light was flipped on, and Ruby came outside. “What’s all that hollerin’?”

  The screen door swung open, and the whole damn lot of them came out.

  “Mulaney got tired, so I’m giving her a lift,” Easton said.

  “I did not. He’s a—”

  “Careful there, Heartbreaker. You don’t want to say something you can’t take back.”

  “I already have.”

  Easton flinched, setting me on my feet at the back porch steps. I jumped on him like a banshee, trying to knock him down. It was useless. He didn’t even stumble at my surprise attack, catching me and holding me with my legs locked around him.

  “Mulaney Price Jacobs. You stop that this instant,” Mama commanded. I did right away. I might be almost forty, but she still scared the daylights out of me, especially when she used my full name. “I have half a mind to spank you, young lady.”

  “I think I deserve the honors,” Easton whispered in my ear so no one else could hear. My sex clenched, and that set me off again.

  “The hell you do.” I unclasped my legs and dropped to the ground.

  “Fifty bucks says this is their version of foreplay,” Mitch said.

  “Aww hell. I’ve just agreed to let her live with us,” Stone groaned, and I wasn’t sure which one I wanted to strangle first.

  “Easton, it’s gettin’ late, and that fifteen-or-so-minute drive is a long one.” Ruby winked. “You’re more than welcome to stay with us tonight, honey. The only spot we’ve got left is upstairs with Mulaney,” she said, her devious smile directed at me.

  “I know you are not encouraging me to have sex in front of our whole family,” I said, putting my hands on my hips.

  “No, darlin’. I’m telling you to go upstairs and enjoy that man. Let him blow your mind.”

  “Oh my God. You did not just say that.”

  “I believe she did,” Stone said, amused. Thank God it was dark so no one could see the obscene shade of red flushing my face.

  “Since Mulaney didn’t hear you right, maybe you should repeat that, Grandmama,” Mitch said. It was official. I was going to kill him.

  “That’s enough,” Daddy said, and I gave him a grateful look, uncertain if he could see it. “Easton, you’re a fine man, but you’ll understand I don’t want to think about anyone touching my little girl.”

  “Completely, sir,” Easton said with an air of respect. “Miss Ruby, I appreciate the invite, but I believe you have something I need to take to my grandmother.”

  “That can wait,” Ruby insisted.

  “Go home, Easton,” I said, prodding him with a hand in the back.

  “Mulaney, that is no way to talk him. Easton, I hope you’ll accept my apology on behalf of my daughter. Clearly, she’s forgotten her manners.”

  “No need for that, Mrs. Jacobs. She’s perfect the way she is.” Easton stared at me, imprinting his words on my soul. How? How can he think that about me? Nothing about me was perfect. Nothing.

  “You’re crazier than Mulaney is,” Mitch said. Apparently, I wasn’t the only one he was poking at.

  “Mitch . . .” Mama warned, and finally some of the heat was off me.

  “This is by far the best Christmas we’ve had in ages,” Vivian piped up, rubbing her hands with glee.

  “Don’t tell me you’ve never had your grandmother try to shove you into bed with a man before?” I returned dryly.

  “Nope, but it’s sure fun watching Miss Ruby do it to you,” Vivian said.

  “Easton, you haven’t had any of the hot buttered rum,” Muriella said, her smile warm.

  “I’m going to have to pass. I don’t like to drink and drive,” he said politely.

  “I was counting on that.” That vixen. Was everyone trying to shove me in the sack with Easton? My entire family had decided to play matchmaker.

  “I’ll keep that in mind next time,” Easton replied smoothly. “I guess I’d better get going.”

  “Don’t be such a stranger, son,” Granddaddy said, clapping him on the shoulder as he approached.

  “You come on back any time you want, honey,” Mama added. Had it always been like this? That everyone thought Easton hung the moon?

  Before he walked into the house, Easton caught my eye.

  Everyone moved inside, their chatter a low hum through the back door.

  “Please, Easton. I need a minute.” I didn’t look at his reaction, but he knew me well enough that when I asked for something from him with the word please it was truly what I needed. Time. A moment of quiet. Space to reflect. What am I supposed to do with these conflicting feelings? It’s like my heart is burning, and I don’t know how to quell the flames.

  When I reached Ragnor once again, he was by my side, ready for me. I hopped over and threw my arms around his neck, burying my face against him. The sudden movement was dangerous despite his trust in me, yet he stood stock still, letting me hold on to him for dear life. I didn’t cry, just let my heart hurt for a little while.

  When I finally dropped my arms, Rage nickered and then nudged me in the shoulder before resting his head on it. In the world’s eyes he was a broken beast, but in my mind he was a soul wrestling for ease. And even though he most definitely preferred his own guarded and careful solitude, he had let me in. I wasn’t sure I’d ever be as brave as Rage. So, I took deep breaths, inhaling his fleeting stillness.

  I was infinitely calmer when I got back to the house this time, though I was hoping the crowd had dispersed. They hadn’t; everyone was still hanging around the kitchen . . . except Easton. I rolled my eyes, because of course, they’d all be waiting for my return.

  “Not a word,” I said. This was mortifying.

  “You’re not too old for a talking to, and we’re going to have one now,” Ruby said sternly, pointing at the living room. Oh God. I was wrong. This is moritifying.

  The house hadn’t been this silent since I’d arrived. I wasn’t nervous, but I felt like a teenager again, about to get in trouble. Mitch and Stone gave me sympathetic looks as I moved wordlessly through the kitchen. Mama looked ready to give me an earful. Granddaddy patted me on the shoulder and kissed my cheek as I went past, his smile encouraging.

  “Don’t you coddle her, Price,” Ruby said from the other room.

  “I can’t break a habit of a lifetime, darlin’.”


  I did smile at that, but when Grandmama pointed to the spot on the sofa for me to sit, it faded quickly.

  “If y’all don’t stop trying to eavesdrop, I’m going to come in there for my wooden spoon,” she thundered in the direction of the kitchen. I couldn’t tell who it was, but somebody started talking immediately. Probably Daddy.

  Ruby reached for my hand, her face softening. “I don’t know how you got Leona to talk to you about whatever’s got her walking around here with her head hanging, but I’m glad you did. She’s been more like herself than I’ve seen in a month.” She was observant. She watched her family like a hawk, took it upon herself to see to everyone’s well-being.

  “She’s just growing up.”

  “She needed you, and you were there.”

  “Of course I was. Why wouldn’t I be?” I asked, affronted.

  Grandmama patted my cheek. “I wasn’t insinuating you wouldn’t be. I expect nothing less of you. One day, you’ll be the woman in charge of this family.”

  “Ruby—”

  “Don’t argue with me, child. I know you’re good at it, but I don’t want to hear any sass.”

  I pursed my lips and sighed in acquiescence.

  “I just wish you’d talk to somebody about what’s wrong.” She held up a hand before I could interrupt. “Don’t give me any pitiful excuse about work or stress or whatever. You ain’t been right since May. Don’t think I haven’t noticed how scarce you’ve been since then. You’re afraid if you come around, we’ll figure it out or you’ll spill it.”

  I swear the woman was psychic. I should have seen this coming a mile away. There was nothing I could hide from Ruby, and most of the time I didn’t want to. But this . . . I couldn’t tell her.

  “There are things we do in life we can’t undo. Things we can’t change. Choices we make that alter the course of everything. Sometimes they aren’t so easy to live with.

  “You’re smart enough to solve your own problems, but I want you to remember something. You’re lucky to have a lot of people who love you. I’m not going to sugarcoat it or speak for them and tell you it’s unconditional. But mine is.” Ruby paused for a moment to let that sink in.

  I knew she loved me unconditionally, but I didn’t want to test it. “I—”

  “Hush now. This time, I’m not the one who can help you. I could give you all the advice in the world, listen to whatever is going on with you, but the only one who can settle your soul is that man you just kicked out of here. Stop being such a stubborn ass and let him do it.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  Easton

  “Not to put any pressure on you, but I want grandbabies.”

  I hugged Mama tight before I grabbed my briefcase, the words difficult to hear given what I’d found when I was packing the truck this morning.

  “Love you. I’ll see you in a few days.” I avoided a topic that had become more and more at the forefront over the last few months. My mother had gone from subtle hints to blatant expressions of her desire for grandchildren. And what I wanted to take from that was that she was going to kick this cancer. That she hadn’t give up the fight. And that made me want to fight harder too.

  I wanted to give them to her. I wanted a chance at a relationship with my own children like I had with my parents. Being around Mulaney’s family only intensified the thoughts I tended to keep at bay.

  Plenty of people ran companies bigger than ours and had children, but I never wanted to be that dad who missed the important stuff because of work. So I’d put off the part of me that longed for kids until it was the right time, but . . . the damnedest thing . . . as of late, I’d figured out there was no right time.

  The plans for the future I’d envisioned chipped away a little more every day. I wasn’t getting any younger. At my age, Dad had two teenagers. And that was sobering.

  I strode across the tarmac to the waiting private plane. When I stepped on board, my eyes immediately found Mulaney, who registered genuine shock at my appearance. She picked up her giant purse and slung it into the seat next to her.

  Somehow I made it through polite greetings with Daniel, Vivian, Stone, and Muriella, though I was laser-focused on one person.

  I grabbed her bag and dropped it back on the floor.

  I retrieved a plastic grocery bag from my briefcase and tossed it in her lap. Guilt morphed into annoyance when she recognized the sack.

  “Who have you been fucking?”

  She glanced past me to see if anyone else was listening before she feigned nonchalance. “That’s really none of your business.”

  “The hell it’s not.”

  The plane crawled to the end of the runway and rocketed down the pavement before jetting into the sky. She pretended to be fascinated with something out the window, while my irritation rose.

  “I want a name.”

  She looked at me incredulously. “What part of ‘it’s none of your business’ don’t you understand?”

  “You know it is. Must be a relief to know you won’t have a bastard child,” I roared.

  She gripped the armrests. “This doesn’t concern you.”

  Her calm only fueled my fury.

  “Doesn’t concern me? You fucking another man is most definitely my concern. You’re my—”

  “I’m sorry to interrupt”—Daniel placed a hand on my shoulder—“but I need a moment to discuss something with Mulaney.”

  “It can wait.” This conversation wasn’t finished by a long shot.

  Mulaney bolted to her feet and skirted into the aisle. “Now is fine.” She didn’t wait for Daniel to respond before moving toward the rear of the plane.

  The abandoned bag of negative pregnancy tests was like a giant one-finger salute. I didn’t completely understand my rage, but I wondered if it had to do with Mama’s talk earlier. I wanted her to be happy. God, I wanted that happiness for myself too. But Mulaney had been . . . she’d been with other men? Even though she’d melted in my arms the night before?

  “Easton?” Muriella leaned over so she could see past Stone. “Where are you staying in the city?”

  I cleared my throat and stashed the sack in my briefcase to take a second to rein in my temper. She didn’t deserve my attitude. “At the Four Seasons until I can find something more permanent.”

  She frowned, her dissatisfaction at my answer apparent. “That’s unacceptable. We have plenty of room. You shouldn’t be at a hotel by yourself.”

  “Just go ahead and say yes now,” Stone said, giving his wife’s thigh a squeeze. “Didn’t take me long to learn that.”

  Muriella swatted at him, though there was affection in her eyes. “I’ve got the perfect place for you.”

  “You don’t mean with Daniel and Vivian, do you?” he asked.

  “Nope,” she said with a mischief I wasn’t certain was a good thing. “You’re okay with bunk beds?”

  My brow furrowed. “Uh, sure, though at my age it’s probably best to avoid the top.”

  She laughed and Stone fist-bumped me. “I hear that.”

  “I told you the bunk beds were a good idea,” she said to Stone before turning to me. “We got the adult size for Leona and Gabby when they come to stay, but I think that room will work wonderfully for you.”

  “I—” I started to tell her I couldn’t impose, but it would be nice to be around friends. “I appreciate this.”

  “You can use my study anytime you need to,” she added.

  “Are you sure you want to work and live with Mulaney?” Stone asked.

  The bag in my briefcase ratcheted up my irritation again. I wasn’t entirely sure I could be around her right now.

  “Of course, he does,” Muriella answered for me. “She needs him close by for work . . . and stuff.”

  Stone eyed her suspiciously. “What kind of ‘stuff’?”

  “You know, stuff.” She elbowed him in the side.

  He grunted. “I don’t want that kind of stuff happening under my roof.” Muriella elbowed him aga
in. “At least not when we’re home,” he amended.

  “I’ll keep that in mind,” I said, settling back into my seat.

  The more I thought about the idea, the more I warmed to it. Mulaney and I still had unfinished business, and if we were living under the same roof, she couldn’t run away from me anymore.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Mulaney

  “I don’t need you to carry my bags.”

  I yanked on my suitcase, which remained firmly in Easton’s grasp as we entered my brother’s apartment.

  “Let me show you to your room,” Muriella said, shedding her coat. Stone took it and hung it in the foyer closet.

  “Thanks,” I growled, still pulling to gain control of my bag.

  “Easy, Heartbreaker,” Easton said low enough only I could hear.

  I’d managed to avoid him during the rest of the flight. He’d gone from nuclear to simmering, which I didn’t understand given the circumstances.

  “Here we are,” Muriella said cheerfully, ushering me inside the room. “There’s a chest here that should be big enough for you to store your things. The closet is a nice size too. Oh, and you’ll have your own bathroom.”

  “I call bottom,” Easton said, putting his briefcase on the bottom bunk bed.

  “What are you talking about?” I looked to my sister-in-law for help, waiting for her to kick him out. “You’re not staying here.”

  “Muriella and Stone were kind enough to offer me a place to stay. I’m grateful not to have to be cooped up in a hotel.”

  I narrowed my eyes on Muriella, who put her hands behind her back but stopped short of whistling an innocent tune.

  “Then where is my room?” I asked, snatching my suitcase handle.

  “We’re rearranging the other bedrooms to make it easier to accommodate all of the family,” she said, sounding uncertain.

  “We are?” Stone asked, appearing in the doorway. She nudged him. “Oh, yeah. We are.”