“I’m sorry, Mrs. Mayfield.”
“Save it.” She stood and held her hand up, signaling me to stop. “I don’t want to hear anything you have to say. In truth, I blame Cade as much as I blame you.”
I felt the need to defend Cade, but I wasn’t sure whether she was referring to the kiss that he and I had shared so many years ago or his participation in more recent events. He’d done nothing in recent years but try to help me. But neither of us could deny that we had shared a kiss seven years ago, a kiss that had enraged Paxton to the point that he had never forgiven me, a kiss that I was starting to think I would never live down.
Paxton had thought my relationship with Cade had gone much further than a single kiss. I’d assured him that it hadn’t, and I hoped Cade’s marriage to Seren had eased the tension between the two brothers. But Paxton could be stubborn, refusing to listen to reason even if it meant he might lose his way.
I watched as she strode out the door, eager to leave my presence.
Frustrated, I tucked the order pad in my apron and headed to grab a pot of coffee, so I didn’t anger anymore customers. When I was topping off the last cup in my section, the customer caught me off-guard. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” I smiled at the well-dressed woman in an attempt to cover my distress. Appearing to be in her fifties, she was slender and pretty with a narrow face and blonde hair swept into a bun.
“You can tell me,” she said, a knowing look gleaming in her eyes. “I promise to take it to the grave.” She motioned toward the table that Paxton’s mother vacated. “I saw her giving you the hand.”
I glanced down at the coffee pot before lifting my eyes back to hers. “It’s nothing. Really. Just a little ex-boyfriend’s-mother-doesn’t-like-me drama.”
“Oh.” She nodded as if it all made sense. “I’m guessing no girl’s good enough for her baby?”
A nervous laugh escaped me. “Well, in her defense, I have made some mistakes where her son is concerned.”
“Is that why he’s your ex?”
“He actually broke up with me. And oddly enough, that happened before my mistakes.”
The corners of her mouth tilted up. “Maybe it was his mistake to let you go.”
“I’m not sure that’s how he sees it.”
“In my experience, men are a little slow to admit their mistakes. He’ll come around eventually.”
I smiled. Oddly enough, hearing her say that made me feel a little better. It gave me hope that someday Paxton would regret that he ever let me go.
“Are the two of you trying to get back together? Is his mother meddling?”
“We haven’t been together for years. In fact, we’ve only recently even become friends.”
“But you want to get back with him? I’m assuming that’s why his mother has you upset. Otherwise, surely you would’ve convinced her to stay and delivered her a shit sandwich on a shiny silver platter.”
I laughed at the image, but then I seriously considered her question. “I would definitely consider a second chance with him. Although, I think we would both have some issues to sort out.”
“Show me a couple who doesn’t have issues.” She blew across the surface of her coffee and took a tiny sip. “Is the mistake so terrible there’s no coming back from it?”
I shrugged. The answer to that question was subjective. “I wouldn’t have thought so, but history seems to prove otherwise.”
“The secret to a long and happy relationship is forgiveness.”
“I’ll definitely keep that in mind. I’m Jessica, by the way.”
“I’m Etta.”
“It’s been nice talking to you, Etta.”
“You, too. And remember, life’s short. If you want something, you need to go after it.”
“Go after it,” I repeated. “Got it.”
She shot me a brilliant smile, and I returned it, thinking how much I had needed a little friendly conversation.
Go after it. It sounded simple enough.
By the time I clocked out, picked up Joseph, and arrived home, it was late. When I pulled a sleeping Joseph from his car seat, I was surprised to find Paxton walking down the sidewalk in my direction. Soft light from the porchlight spilled out around him, making him nothing more than a silhouette.
“You need some help?” His voice was deep but soft.
“Sure.”
As he rounded the back of my car, I handed him the diaper bag and my purse. He waited until Joseph and I had passed him and stepped in line behind us.
I paused at the front door, and Paxton, shadowing me with the bulk of his body, reached around and pushed the door open, so I could enter.
Taking Joseph into the bedroom, I was shocked to find a brand new crib complete with new bedding in a sports theme.
“You mentioned getting him a bed. I hope you don’t mind if I went ahead and bought one.” I hadn’t even known Paxton was behind me.
I turned to look at him. “No, that was nice of you.”
He ran his fingertips across the stubble on his face. “Cade and Seren went with me. I figured it would be better to have a woman pick it out. Besides, I would have no idea what was supposed to go in one. You know, for sheets and stuff.”
Emotion welled in my chest as I imagined him orchestrating an outing with Cade and Seren to buy a baby bed. “It’s perfect,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. Touched by his thoughtfulness, warmth flooded my body. “Would you pull the comforter back so I can lay him down?”
“Yeah.” He hurried over to the crib and folded down the comforter. I gently laid Joseph down, and Paxton pulled the comforter up to his chest.
Admiring the new bed and the bedding, I watched a moment more to make sure Joseph wouldn’t wake up. Then, Pax and I went back to the living room, and I collapsed on the couch and took off my shoes, eager to give my aching feet some relief.
Pax sat down in the recliner and cleared his throat. “My mother called me.”
My eyes flew to his, knowing it would have been impossible for that conversation to have gone well.
Dread settled in my bones, and I worried that what he said next might ruin the feeling of euphoria I experienced moments ago. “Did she tell you to send me her love?”
To my unexpected pleasure, Pax barked out a laugh. He rubbed his fingertips along his jawline. “Yeah, something like that.”
“I’m sorry that I let the cat out of the bag. I assumed that she would have heard I was staying here from you or Cade or Evan by now.” I exhaled, bracing myself for what came next.
He ran his fingers through his hair, his biceps bulging from beneath his sleeve with the movement. “None of us had mentioned it to her. My mother can be a little intense. We really didn’t want to stir her up. That’s my fault. I should have told her.”
“I shouldn’t have put you in this position. As soon as I can get this court issue behind me, I’ll concentrate on getting a place to stay.”
“I know I was a little hard on you in the beginning, but I don’t want you to feel rushed. We’re good. Okay? You can stay here as long as you need to.”
My relief was palpable, and I offered him a smile. “Okay.”
“And don’t worry about my mother. I can handle her.”
Not worrying about his mother was an impossibility, but I gave him a nod, anyway.
Etta’s words echoed in my head, and I envisioned Paxton out shopping for a baby bed—something I never thought he would do.
If you want something, you need to go after it.
Chapter 11
Cool-down
Jessica
It had been two weeks since the football party, and while Paxton hadn’t flirted with me again, the camaraderie between us had improved. The Tennessee game would start soon, and Pax and I sat at the kitchen table eating a sandwich while Joseph sat in his high chair, honing his eating skills by trying to pick up peas.
Pax held his sandwich, pausing just before he took a bite, and motioned toward Jo
seph. “Are any of them actually making it in his mouth?”
“A few.”
Joseph looked up and gave us a toothy grin as he smacked his palm down into the peas and flattened them. Then, he examined his hand and tried to scoop any smashed peas that stuck to his palm into his mouth.
“How’s he supposed to grow into a linebacker if he only eats one pea every five minutes?”
“Have you seen his thighs?” I asked in disbelief. “The kid is not underfed.”
Pax took a huge bite of his sandwich and watched Joseph continue his pea-destroying quest.
I took a sip of my drink. “I’ve hired an attorney.”
Pax looked at me a little surprised. “You’ve already paid him?”
“I sent him a money order for half of it. I have to pay him in full in two weeks, which shouldn’t be a problem. My tips have been decent lately since Mandy’s finally given me more tables. I have one customer who comes in every few days and leaves me a pretty good tip.”
Paxton seemed to perk up at that little tidbit of information. “Who? Is it a man?”
“It’s a woman.”
“Oh.” The muscles in his face relaxed, and he took another bite of his sandwich.
“She’s really nice. She made me feel better that day your mother and I had that little run-in.”
“I’m glad someone softened the effects of my mother’s venom.”
“When I look at Joseph, I can kind of understand why she tries to protect you the way she does.”
“Baby J is what? Seven months? I’m a grown man. I hardly need my mother’s protection.”
“I know, but it’s not about what you need. She’s your mother. Maternal instincts are pretty much impossible to ignore. Mothers turn into teeth-baring, claw-wielding grizzly bears when people mess with their babies.”
My own mother flashed through my mind, and my brow furrowed, reflecting the sadness that had been released the moment I pictured her face. I could still smell the fragrance of the shampoo she used. When I hugged her, I used to breathe in that scent, a faint lavender smell that soothed something within me, offering me comfort. No matter what my problem was, I felt better the instant her arms wrapped around me. How many times had I needed her since I had found myself pregnant with Joseph?
Strong emotions overwhelmed me as her memory consumed my thoughts. No matter how long I lived, I would never be over her loss. She wasn’t just my mother. She was my best friend.
I laid what was left of my sandwich on my plate, my hunger forgotten as I struggled to regain my composure.
Pax noticed the change in me. “What’s wrong?”
I couldn’t speak. The ache of unshed tears burned my throat, so I just shook my head while sadness forced my lips into a frown.
“What is it, Jess? Has my mother done something to you that I don’t know about?”
I quickly shook my head, parting my lips and sucking in a breath. “No.”
“Then what?”
Tears rolled down my cheeks freely, leaving wet streaks of sorrow in their wake.
“Damn it. Tell me. Tell me why the hell you’re crying.”
I closed my eyes, and I could envision my mother, hear her soothing me with her soft voice and gentle touch. I was so alone, and I desperately wished she was here with me now.
I felt Paxton’s hand on my cheek, felt his thumb wiping the tears that seeped from beneath my closed lids. “Baby, you’re killing me right now. Please tell me what’s wrong.”
My body jolted and my chair legs scraped across the tile floor as he grabbed my chair and pulled me over next to him. He gathered me in his arms, his fingers weaving through my hair as he tucked my face into the crook of his neck. He smelled masculine, a mixture of cologne and musk. His arms tightened around me, and he kissed my temple. Responding to my need to be held, I wrapped my arms around his torso and clutched him, his muscles hard beneath my softness. I squeezed my eyelids shut, unable to stop the flow of emotion coursing through my body. I tried to speak, but my voice was cracked, my words unintelligible.
“Just breathe,” he whispered, his stubble rough against my skin as his warm breath caressed my forehead. His voice was deep and soft, soothing, and he continued speaking softly until my breathing came easier.
“You’re lucky to have your mother, Paxton,” I whispered, my voice still shaking but steady enough to be understood. “I miss mine so much.”
“I know you do, baby.” He kissed my temple again. “I know you do. I’m so sorry, Jess.” He rocked me gently, squeezing me against him, letting me soak up his strength. “I won’t let anything happen to you. Or to Joseph. I’ll make sure that the two of you are taken care of.”
His lips found mine, and they were warm and gentle, delivering a kiss that sealed his promise to me. “My sweet Jess.” My eyes fluttered open, and he pulled back just enough that he could focus on my face. His eyes searched mine as he held my face firmly in his grasp. “Damn, I didn’t realize just how much I missed you.”
He lowered himself toward me again, and I closed my eyes, unsure of what to expect. He kissed my eyelids, my tears, the tip of my nose. His lips skimmed mine, and I lifted my face to him, pressing my lips against his, opening to him as his tongue teased me. It felt so damn good to be close to him again, and I clutched at his shirt, wanting to pull him to me until there was nothing separating us.
Pulling back, he glanced over my shoulder and shot me a lopsided grin. “Look at Baby J.”
My gaze darted toward the high chair. Joseph’s head was bobbing up and down, his eyes closed as his chubby little fingers still tried to pick at peas.
Smiling, I wiped away the remnant of my tears, thinking how absolutely blessed I was to have him. “Let me lay him down.”
Pax and I both stood, and Pax removed the tray from his high chair while I unbuckled him, wiped away the peas that never made it in his mouth, and took him to the living room and settled him on the blanket in his playpen.
I watched him as he snuggled into a comfortable spot and slipped into a restful slumber. He was so small and sweet, and it was hard to believe that I had made this perfect little human. I started tearing up again, wondering why my emotions were all over the place tonight.
Pax placed his hands on my shoulders while he looked down at Joseph. “You did good, Jess.” His thumbs lightly traced an arc across the nape of my neck.
“I did, didn’t I?”
“Damn straight.”
I turned and hugged him. “Thank you for that. You don’t know how much I needed to hear it.”
He kissed my forehead. “You don’t know how much I needed to tell you that.” He stroked my cheeks. “Hell, Jess, where did we go wrong?”
“I should have refused to leave Creekview.”
“I shouldn’t have let you go.”
I ran my hands beneath his shirt and tucked my fingertips into the edge of his jeans. “Well, I’m here now.”
He pulled his Tennessee shirt over his head and discarded it on the floor. Then he pulled my shirt off and added it to the pile.
“What about the game?” I whispered.
“I can watch it later. I’m much more interested in you.”
The corners of my mouth tilted upward, despite the fact that I was trying to suppress my smile. He kissed me on the cheek. “Stay right here,” he whispered. He headed toward the back of the apartment, and I turned again to sneak a peek of my sweet angel. He looked so peaceful.
I heard Paxton’s footsteps, and he smacked me on the butt as he grabbed my hand and pulled me back to the kitchen.
He laid a condom on the edge of the table and scooted his chair toward the center of the floor. Grabbing my hand, he tugged gently as he sat down and pulled me to stand between his knees. “You’re so beautiful,” he whispered, craning his neck as he gazed up at my face. His fingertips trailed along my stomach, making me shiver. My breathing quickened as every nerve ending in my body crackled in anticipation of his touch. He unfastened my jeans, his sk
in warm against mine as his fingers skimmed along the edge of my panties. He pressed a kiss against my bra, and a tingling sensation shimmied down my spine. With one hand, he unhooked it, and the fabric loosened against my breasts that now ached with need. I wanted him to touch me, anywhere, everywhere. I just needed to be close to him.
He pulled the lacy undergarment away, exposing my bare breasts to his perusal. My nipples grew taut from nothing more than his gaze, and his brow creased as he examined me. His tongue touched me, teasing my hardened peak as his hand cupped my breast. He drew me into his mouth, and my chest rose and fell as my breath quickened. He was making me come undone with his exquisite torture, and desire pooled between my thighs. His mouth moved to the opposite side while his hand continued to caress, his thumb creating delicious friction against the tip.
I placed my hands on his shoulders, and he quickly removed them. “It’s my turn,” he said, his voice hoarse. “I’m the only one doing the touching right now, and I plan on taking my time.”
I shivered, my eyes fluttering closed as his mouth closed over my nipple again, licking, tasting, sucking. His hands skimmed along the curve of my waist, as his mouth continued to tease my breast.
When his fingertips trailed from the valley between my breasts to my navel, my stomach clenched. I couldn’t stop him now if I wanted to. He had already sucked me in, made me long for the closeness that he and I had shared long ago. His hands tugged at my jeans, and I grabbed them on each side, ready to shove them over my hips to give him access to the one spot that wanted his touch the most.
He grabbed my wrists and stopped me. “I don’t need any help.”
“But Paxton,” I pleaded, thrusting my hips toward him.
“I can handle it,” he assured me. “Can you?” He cast me a wicked grin, and I closed my eyes, desperately wanting him to get back to the task at hand.
He chuckled, his fingertips grasping my jeans on each side. He slowly pushed them lower and lower until they pooled at my feet. “Step out of them.”
I did as he requested, leaving nothing but my panties to block his view of my naked body. His fingers dipped into the edge of the waistband, and I swallowed hard, waiting for him to lower his touch. One hand slid to the small of my back, working its way down until it was beneath my panties, cupping my butt and pulling me toward him. His other hand left my skin, and I tried not to show my disappointment. I sucked in a breath when he finally touched my cleft, a thin layer of silk separating us.
Betrayed (Whiskey Nights #4) Page 12
