“Maybe.” An unsteady breath left his mouth. “Whatever. I don’t wanna talk about this anymore.”
She gave his hand another squeeze. “Okay,” she said simply.
He shifted around so he could meet her gaze. “I really appreciate you being here. I don’t know if I could’ve gotten through that dinner without you.”
“Sure you could. You’re a big, macho Navy SEAL. You can tackle any obstacle in your path.”
He smiled weakly. “And yet tonight I was tempted to bolt out the front door.”
His mind continued to run over the day’s events, dwelling on the icy stares Shane kept hurling his way. He was the one who ought to have been glaring. Because of Shane and Tiffany, he couldn’t go into town without being the object of vicious gossip. Because of them, he’d once lain in a bloody mess on the barn floor. And because of them, he didn’t feel comfortable staying in the house he’d grown up in with the parents who’d loved and supported him all his life.
“All right, I can’t believe I’m about to do this.”
Mia’s cryptic words jolted him back to the present. The determination lining her green eyes sparked his curiosity.
“Do what?”
She ignored the inquiry and said, “I’ll have you know I’d way rather be singing an ’80s pop song, but here goes…” She took a breath.
And started to sing.
Jackson burst out laughing as she softly belted out the lyrics to “My Girl”, his all-time favorite oldies tune.
As he listened, his heart grew so full it felt like it was going to burst. This woman truly was somethin’ else. She’d known exactly what to do to raise his spirits, and he loved her for it.
He’d known it for a while, but right here, right now, he could say without a single shred of doubt that he was wildly, passionately and unequivocally in love with Mia Weldrick.
When she opened her mouth to start the next verse, he cut her off by capturing her lips in a deep kiss.
“You—” he pulled back to meet her eyes, “—are absolutely fuckin’ wonderful.”
Pleasure washed over her face, and then she grabbed him by the collar of his button-down and kissed him again.
They fell back on the mattress in a jumble of arms and legs, their mouths locked together. His pulse raced when their tongues met. His brain went fuzzy when Mia sucked on his bottom lip. And his cock dang near exploded when she shoved her hand between their bodies and squeezed it.
Somehow their clothes disappeared and they wound up naked beneath the thick duvet, exploring each other’s bodies with their hands, mouths and tongues.
“You’re so beautiful,” he mumbled, propping himself up over her warm, slender body.
“So are you.” When her hand came up to stroke his cheek, he sagged into her touch, loving it, welcoming it.
Neither of them was interested in foreplay anymore—their hands collided down south as they both tugged on his cock to guide him inside her.
They laughed at their own eagerness, then released simultaneous moans when he slid into her wetness in one smooth glide.
She wrapped her arms around him and ran her fingers over his back. He shuddered, not just from the feel of her tight pussy clutching his cock, but from the overwhelming love flowing inside him.
“Mine,” he choked out. “You’re mine, Mia.”
“I’m yours,” she whispered, and the sweet confirmation sent his heart, mind and body soaring to a new plane of joy.
He wasn’t rough tonight. Didn’t fuck her hard. Didn’t go fast. Rather, he made love to her. Slow and gentle, rocking into her with infinite tenderness while his mouth sought out hers in a never-ending kiss.
When he climaxed, it wasn’t so much an explosion as a drawn-out rush of bliss that washed over him. Mia’s orgasm was equally low-key, eliciting a quiet cry and a shiver that seemed to ripple through her body.
After their breathing had steadied, Jackson rolled them over so they were lying face-to-face, his cock still buried inside her. Their skin was sticky from his come and her juices, but Jackson didn’t mind and Mia didn’t seem to either. She just moved closer and rested her head on his biceps.
“I’m so sleepy,” she murmured.
“Go to sleep,” he murmured back.
“You sure? You don’t want to stay up late and talk?”
He smiled. “Not really. I’m feeling sleepy myself. It’s probably from all the turkey we ate.”
She snuggled against his chest, making no attempt to separate their joined bodies. “What’s the plan for tomorrow? Are we going to that Thanksgiving parade Evie mentioned?”
“Yeah, it’s a family tradition.” He didn’t want to spoil the mood by warning her that they’d probably be subjected to stares and whispers when they went into town tomorrow, so he kept the grim thought to himself. “It’s not until late afternoon, though. Oh, and tomorrow my dad and I are goin’ for an early-morning ride. He wants to show off the new stallion he picked up at auction last month.”
“What’s early?”
“Seven a.m. probably. Maybe eight.”
“Okay.” Her voice was growing drowsier by the second, and when he peered down, he saw that her eyes were firmly closed. “Told your mom I’d help her in the garden around eight. Don’t wanna accidentally sleep in, so wake me up before you go, ’kay?”
He smiled in the darkness. “Don’t worry, I’m really good at wake-up calls.” He paused meaningfully. “Of the sexy variety, of course.”
Her sleepy laughter was muffled against his chest. “God, I love you.”
Jackson froze, his heart coming to a grinding halt.
He waited a couple of beats, but Mia didn’t say another word. She was fast asleep, he realized. Probably wasn’t even conscious of what she’d just said.
I love you.
Goddamn.
He suspected she wouldn’t remember this moment when she woke up tomorrow, but he was never gonna forget it.
She loved him.
She fuckin’ loved him.
He carried that spirit-lifting thought with him as he drifted off. And fell asleep with a smile on his face.
19
The next day, Mia learned what it felt like to be the subject of unwanted attention. She’d spent a wonderful morning on the ranch working in the garden with Arlene and then taking a long walk on the Ramsey property with Evie, but the second she and Jackson had driven into Abbott Creek’s downtown core, the fun atmosphere evaporated into a cloud of friction.
Everywhere they went, people stared at Jackson. He was gawked at, glared at, whispered about. The short walk down the cobblestone street toward the town square was utterly unbearable, and had succeeded in making Mia understand precisely why Jackson didn’t like coming back here. If she was treated like a specimen under a microscope each time she came home, she’d probably stay away too.
And yet with the understanding came the fierce need to defend the man by her side. What had he ever done to these people? And what the hell gave them the right to judge him? Jackson had been a nineteen-year-old kid who’d indulged in some kinky bondage sex with his willing girlfriend. So fucking what? He didn’t deserve to be ostracized for it, not one goddamn bit.
Mia wasn’t normally into PDA, but today she went out of her way to shower Jackson with affection. She held his hand as they stood on the sidewalk to watch the parade, kissed him at every available opportunity, and gave him more than one bear hug over the course of the afternoon. She wanted him to know that he was worthy, that he deserved none of the scorn being directed his way.
And he seemed to appreciate her efforts, smiling at her whenever she touched him and always making sure she remained close to his side.
His family had come into town with them, including Shane and Tiffany, who’d driven over separately and were keeping their distance by standing several feet away. Throughout the day, Mia had been shooting surreptitious glances in Tiffany’s direction, trying to locate any outward flaws in the woman, and it really grat
ed that she couldn’t.
As irritating as it was, it didn’t surprise Mia that Jackson had loved the woman. The blue-eyed blonde was undeniably beautiful, and the air of fragility that surrounded her made it easy to see why Casper Griffen had believed his daughter had been victimized. Tiffany emitted an innocent vibe that only annoyed Mia all the more, especially knowing that the woman liked it real dirty behind closed doors.
Jackson’s brother was even harder to read. Shane didn’t say much, not even to his wife, and Mia would’ve given anything to get a glimpse into his mind. Did he still believe Jackson had forced himself on Tiffany? Did he long for reconciliation? Or did he still harbor deep hatred and resentment toward his younger brother?
“The last float is coming up.”
Mia glanced over at Evie, who practically had to bend her entire head to get her mouth close to Mia’s ear. The cheers and applause of the crowd on each side of the street made it difficult to be heard, so Evie raised her voice even higher.
“Trust me, you’re gonna love this one.”
A moment later, Mia understood Evie’s mischievous prediction—the float that appeared on the street featured half a dozen shirtless men, ranging from twenty to forty years old and wearing bright red fireman helmets.
“Abbott Creek’s volunteer fire brigade,” Evie declared with a grin. “See the one over on the far left?”
Mia followed the young woman’s gaze and grinned when she spotted the muscular firefighter. “A friend of yours?” she teased.
“Not yet, but I intend to change that once I’m legal.” Evie sighed loudly. “His name’s Kellan and he has a strict rule about not dating anyone under twenty-one. We’ve been flirtin’ for the last year, but the pigheaded fool refuses to make a move.”
Jackson cleared his throat. “Can you please not subject me to this, Evangeline?” he griped to his sister. “I don’t wanna know who you’re making googly-eyes at.”
His sister stuck out her tongue. “Tough. ’Cause Mia wants to know all about it. Right, Mia?”
She laughed. “I don’t know… I say we put your brother out of his misery and talk about it later in private.”
“Deal,” Evie said immediately.
After the final float disappeared around the corner, Jackson’s parents drifted over to the trio. While the Ramseys tried to figure out where to go for dinner, Mia discreetly snuck a peek at Arlene’s and Kurt’s interlaced fingers. She’d noticed that the older couple never stood more than an inch or two apart, and they always stole kisses when they thought no one was looking.
The love they felt for each other was so evident it might as well have been advertised on a billboard. Mia had never met a couple who was still so in love even after decades together. Arlene and Kurt acted like newlyweds, and seeing them brought a strange pang of longing that Mia didn’t understand.
She’d been trying to make sense of the troubling emotion since they’d arrived in Jackson’s hometown, but she hadn’t figured it out yet, and she had no time to dwell on it now—the Ramseys had reached a decision about dinner, and the group was moving away from the crowded sidewalk.
As she and Jackson fell into step with each other, he looked over and said, “Did you still want to go to the saloon after dinner?”
She answered without hesitation. “Hell yeah. Every time I see those swinging doors I’m just dying to go in.”
“Then we’ll go.” The smile he gave her seemed incredibly strained.
“Or we don’t have to,” she said hastily.
“Nah, it’s cool.” He lowered his voice. “Just be prepared to get stared at some more.”
Her heart ached for him, and the unfairness of the situation really hit home when she noticed a passing trio of women smile at Shane and his wife, who were walking ahead of them. Those same ladies frowned the moment they saw Jackson, which irked the hell out of Mia.
She suddenly had to wonder if maybe Shane and Tiffany were contributing to the icy reception Jackson received each time he came home. Maybe if the two of them made an actual show of solidarity with Jackson, the townsfolk would realize there was nothing for them to gossip about, that it was all water under the bridge.
“Why don’t we invite your brother and Tiffany to come with us?” Mia spoke in a barely audible voice, but she knew Jackson had heard her, because his wide shoulders went rigid.
“You really think that’s a good idea?” His lack of enthusiasm showed on his face.
“You’re going to have to talk to them eventually, right? Wasn’t that the plan?”
“Yeah…but in public?”
“Might as well.” Anger colored her tone. “At least if it’s in public, he won’t be able to lay a hand on you.”
“Now, sugar…”
“Sorry,” she muttered. “Uncalled for.”
He sighed. “I guess it wouldn’t kill me to make the first move. Y’know, extend the olive branch or whatnot.”
She had learned that when Jackson made up his mind about something, he didn’t dilly-dally. He was the kind of man who followed through immediately, and that was exactly what he did now.
“Shane,” he called out gruffly.
His brother’s back tensed for a moment. “Yeah?”
“Mia and I were gonna head to the saloon after dinner. Do you and Tiff wanna join us?”
Shock flared in the other man’s eyes. “Uh…” He exchanged a quick look with his wife, then nodded awkwardly. “Sure. We’ll join you.”
Jackson nodded back. “’Kay.”
Just like that, the “date” had been set, and Mia didn’t miss the wave of surprise that traveled over the rest of their little group. Jackson’s parents looked like they’d just seen an elephant lumbering down Main Street, while Evie was completely agape.
“This has the potential to end very, very badly,” Jackson told Mia in the softest of voices.
She attempted to be optimistic. “Or it could go great.”
He didn’t look convinced.
And frankly, neither was she.
* * *
Two hours later, Jackson knew with absolute certainty that he’d made a mistake.
The Creek Saloon was filled to the gills, and every head swiveled to the door when the foursome strode inside. He suddenly wished he and Mia had just gone home with Evie and his parents. He could’ve ridden Glory over to Shane’s cabin and they would’ve had this unpleasant reunion in private, rather than in front of the whole dang town.
But it was too late now. He’d made his uncomfortable bed and now he had to lie in it. So he swallowed his reluctance, gripped Mia’s hand even tighter and followed his brother and ex-girlfriend toward a semi-private booth against the far wall. The bar’s dim lighting made it easier for him to ignore the cutting stares of the other patrons, and the country tune blaring out of the jukebox drowned out the whispers that were no doubt being exchanged as the two couples settled on opposite sides of the booth.
“Uh…so…” Jackson pasted on a cordial expression. “I never had a chance to congratulate you guys. Y’know, the wedding and all.”
Shane responded with a brisk nod. “Thanks.”
“Thank you,” Tiffany echoed. She looked distinctly uncomfortable as she played with a strand of her hair.
“Did you get married here in town?” Mia’s casual tone sounded as forced as everyone else’s.
“We did,” Tiffany confirmed. “We were married in the same church where Shane’s folks got hitched.”
“Oh, that’s nice.”
There was a beat of silence.
“So you work for a landscaping company,” Tiffany said clumsily. “Do you like it?”
“I love it,” Mia answered.
Another silence.
“How are you enjoying military life, Jack?” Shane finally spoke up.
He shrugged. “It’s a lot different than ranching, but just as back-breaking.”
“I imagine so.”
More silence. Then all four of them spoke at once.
<
br /> “So—”
“Well—”
“How do—”
“Are you—”
A wave of uneasy laughter washed over the booth, but none of them got to finish their sentences because a very familiar woman in a waitress apron had appeared out of nowhere.
“Well, as I live ’n breathe,” the waitress drawled. “Jackson Ramsey, back in Abbott Creek.”
He studied the dark-haired woman, scanning his memory as he tried to figure out how he knew her.
“Crissy,” she prompted. “I was on the cheerleading squad with Tiff.”
“Right. How’ve you been, Crissy?” he asked politely.
“Can’t complain. Bobby and I tied the knot—you remember Bobby, don’t cha? He played for the Steers, same as you. Anyway, we tied the knot, happily married for four years now.”
“I’m glad to hear it, darlin’.”
“You look good, Jackson. Real good. I’m feeling a little tongue-tied lookin’ at you.”
Crissy’s smirk annoyed the shit out of him. So did the way she’d used the word “tied” three times in less than a minute.
Not as subtle as you think, Miss Crissy.
He smothered his irritation as he responded with, “You’re lookin’ good too. Bobby’s a lucky man.”
“Damn right.” The brunette glanced around the booth. “What can I get you folks? A cold Bud for Shane, Long Island iced tea for Tiffy—I already know that. What else?”
After Jackson and Mia both ordered Bud Lights, Crissy flounced off, leaving the foursome to their nervous small talk.
He ought to put an end to this nonsense, Jackson knew that. He needed to look Shane in the eye and demand an apology, but before he could, another unwanted visitor dropped by their booth.
Out of Uniform Box Set: Books 4-6 plus 2 Bonus Novellas Page 80
