Ten days. Ten torturous days had come and gone and every single day brought a smiling sexier than sin Jake Olson to the ranch. Every day he bounded up the steps full of energy and flashing that million dollar smile at everyone within view of it and every day he showered attention on her son. His on. Their son.
He’d stopped by most days under the pretext of business but other days he came dressed in jeans and followed Zach around the ranch as he taught his father everything he knew about horses. Watching Zach with Jake was both a blessing and a curse. She was happy he had a chance to get to know the man to whom he owed half his DNA but it tore her apart that this was likely the only relationship they would ever have. Zach deserved a father, a real dad, not just an uncle who adored him immeasurably and a truckload of ranch hands who treated him like the kid brother they never had. He deserved everything. All the dreams she’d had as a stupid young girl, for a house full of kids and an adoring husband. All of that she wanted for Zach but had been unable to give him.
She watched Jake from a distance as he and Zach talked and laughed together, probably about her son’s favorite topic. Horses. He was so free and easy with Zach, like they’d known each other forever. Watching them together pinched her heart and made it difficult to breath. Zach looked so much like his father some days it was hard to look at him without breaking down. They shared the same jet black hair and the same blue eyes that changed to teal or turquoise depending on their mercurial moods. Zach was a miniature version of his father and he could look back on this time fondly when Jake returned to his life in Bozeman.
She wondered if Jake ever regretted the way he’d vanished from her life all those years ago. If he ever thought about what their life together could have been if he’d stayed, if they’d gone along with their plans. She shook those thoughts away. It didn’t matter if he thought about it ever or if he regretted it. He made his choice and she made hers. They had only one choice and that was to live with it.
“Hey Mom, Jake invited me to a baseball game with him. Can I go? Can I?” He bounced up and down in front of her, his smile wide and his skin flushed from the sun.
“Where’s your hat kiddo? You’ll get sunburn.”
Zach’s shoulders fell and he turned and ran back to the stable, “I forgot it,” he yelled breathlessly as he did.
“He’s quite the kid,” Jake smiled sheepishly at her.
She nodded, not sparing him a glance. She looked around the land that was in her blood, deep in her veins and tried to ignore the way her heart cracked when he was near.
“You’ve done a great job with him Zaria. Thank you.”
Few words could have shocked her as much as those last two. His softly spoken words of thanks thawed something deep inside her, something she hadn’t known was frozen solid. She gave him a small smile that didn’t quite reach her own sharp blue eyes. “Sure.”
Zach came running full speed with his tiny Stetson held tightly to his head. “Mom I got my hat! Ryleigh says I look like a handsome little cowboy in my hat,” his smile was as bright as the blush working over his body. “Did you tell her Jake, did you? Mom did he tell you? We’re going to watch a baseball game!”
A laugh escaped at her son’s enthusiasm. “And who said you could go to a baseball game?”
His shoulders drooped. “Aw Mom, come on. Can I?” He cut a pleading look at Jake. “Jake said every little boy has to go to a baseball game at least once. I haven’t ever been and I’m almost done being a little boy, Ryleigh says soon I’ll be a man.”
“Well if Ryleigh says it, must be true,” she muttered with good humor.
“Exactly,” he sighed, glad she finally understood.
Zaria looked from one set of pleading turquoise eyes to another. She was being played. “Fine, fine. You can go. But,” she pointed to Jake, “we need to have a long conversation about being with a kid out in public.”
He nodded his agreement the same time Zach said, “Mom you’re coming with us.”
She groaned. Kill me now.
***
A few days later Jake weaseled an invitation to a rodeo Zaria was competing in by offering to take Zach, who was beyond excited to get a chance to see his mom compete again. He knew she was angry that he’d been using their son to bully her into spending time with him, but he knew next to nothing about kids and if he wanted time with Zach he needed her there.
Today was different though because Zaria would be busy so Jake had all day with his son. So far they’d eaten funnel cakes and chatted about all the types of horses at the rodeo and all the different events taking place. Jake was surprised how smart Zach was, especially about horses. He would be one hell of a horseman if he chose to be. And the kid asked a lot of questions.
“Did you know my mom when she was a kid?”
Jake smiled and told Zack about their first meeting. “I told her I didn’t need a girl to defend me and you know what she did? She punched me in the gut.”
Zach laughed at that. “She’s tough. Uncle Zeke says no woman is tougher than his kid sister.” He sighed, looking at the horses down below. “Are you married?” Jake shook his head and Zach rephrased, “Have you ever been married?”
“No Zach, I’ve been too busy to find a wife. How about you, do you have a wife somewhere?”
Zach giggled and shook his head. “I’m too young but Ryleigh says in a few years I’ll have my pick of girls.”
Jake laughed, thinking back to the year he turned fourteen. Overnight it seemed he’d gained nearly six inches in height, a good twenty pounds and his voice dropped an octave or two. And sure enough, the girls were there for the picking. And he’d only had eyes for one girl. “She’s right about that.”
“Did you date my mom?”
Jake wasn’t sure how to answer that question. His first instinct was to tell the truth but he wasn’t sure if that was appropriate. Zach was still staring, waiting for an answer. “Yes. I dated Zaria for a few years when we were younger.”
“She has a box full of pictures and letters from you. It’s hidden in the back of her closet and she only looks inside once a year in April. Do you know why?”
Jake’s heart seized up and he choked, gasping for air. The kid’s words were like an arrow straight through his heart. The full extent of what he’d done to Zaria, to Zach came crashing down on him. His head hung between his long legs as his heart hammered in his chest. He needed to get out of here, away from people so he could lose it, but the feel of his son’s small hand on his back, rubbing it in comfort, brought him back to the present.
“Are you okay Jake?”
He looked up into those guileless blue eyes and squeezed his eyes tight to keep tears from falling. “I’m alright kid, just thinking.” Zach nodded his head as if he understood. Hell maybe he did.
“Hey Jake?”
“Yeah Zach, what’s up?”
“Are you my dad?”
So much for a fun and relaxing day at the rodeo. Jake thought this was a question Zaria should answer but she was busy and would be for another few hours. “I think so Zach, but I don’t know for sure.”
Zach touched his face. “You look like me.”
Jake laughed. “I’m older kid, I think you look like me.”
That made him laugh and laugh until tears tracked down his cheeks. “Yeah,” he sobered. “How come you didn’t want me?”
And the hits keep on coming. “I didn’t know about you until you came running down the stairs the day we met. You looked so much like me I could hardly say a word.”
Zach laughed again, his pain seeming to have faded. “Yeah you were like a fish with your mouth opening and closing,” he mimicked Jake’s open mouthed shock.
“Yeah, yeah. Very funny kid.”
“I think you are my dad.”
“Oh yeah? Why’s that?”
Zach placed his little hand on Jake’s neck. “I have a mark on my neck and my mom always said my dad had the same birthmark on his neck. You have it too.”
; His eyes welled up when Zach turned to show him an identical rose shaped red wine birthmark on the back of his neck. “You sure do.” It wasn’t the wisest words a father ever spoke to his son but under the circumstances, it was all he could come up with.
“Are you gonna be my dad now? Can I call you Dad? Are you gonna marry Mom because she always said she never got over my dad?”
“Whoa son, slow down there. Yes I am going to be your father until one of us is in the ground. You can call me dad, daddy, paw, papa, whatever.”
“And,” the kid prompted, his eyes wide with enthusiasm.
“I’m pretty sure your mom doesn’t still love me, Zach.”
“She does,” he nodded vigorously, “and you love her too. I see how you look at her.” His smile was smug.
Jake laughed. “You’re too smart for your own good kid. Anybody ever tell you that?”
He laughed again. “All the time.”
***
“He said that?” Zaria sat back in her chair as if the wind had been knocked out of her. She looked over Jake’s shoulder where her son sat inside a racing video game. For the past fifteen minutes Jake had recounted his entire conversation with their son. Apparently Zach was more astute than she’d given him credit for. He’d known about her teary stroll down memory lane via the box in the back of her closet. And of course he remembered every word she’d ever said about the elusive man who, until a few weeks ago, was just an idea. She should have known and she would have if she hadn’t been so wrapped up in her own bruised ego and hurt feelings. “I guess I’ll need to talk to him.”
“He seems okay with it. He was very matter of fact, it was like talking to a very small adult.”
She joined in with his laughter because he was right. In many ways Zach was a typical nine year old boy but in other ways he acted like he was a few days shy of his thirtieth birthday. “Zeke has been the only man in his life and well, you know Zeke. He’s as gruff as they come.”
The drive back to the ranch was mostly silent as Zach had fallen asleep. The excitement of the rodeo enough to wear him out, throw in pizza and video games and he was asleep before they cleared the parking lot. Zaria slid out of the sleek car and before she could round the car, Jake had him cradled in his arms and walking up the stairs. She wiped away the tear that fell and hurried up the stairs to open the door.
Father and son looked so adorable cuddled up together. Zach’s arms were slung around his father’s neck, his head resting on his shoulders. And Jake kept planting small kisses in his son’s hair. This was the scene she had dreamed of a million times with this man and every time she woke up and remembered it was just a dream. Until today.
She watched as Jake removed Zach’s shoes, pants and socks and tucked him in bed wearing nothing but a t-shirt and his superhero underpants. He planted another kiss on his son’s forehead and slowly crept out of the room, leaving the door open slightly.
“You’re pretty good at that.”
He smiled. “I’m learning.” Jake turned at the bottom of the steps, startling Zaria. Her gasp of awareness and the way her blue eyes darkened let him know she wasn’t as immune to him as she pretended to be. He leaned in and placed his hands on her waist and waited for her lips to meet his. In seconds they were kissing, bodies going up in flames as hands fought for purchase on hidden body parts. Jake’s lips were soft and demanding, his tongue invaded her mouth and took over until every corner was claimed by him.
Her hands snaked up his shirt and came to rest on his hot, hard muscles as they bunched with every movement. “Jake,” she panted and deepened the kiss. She nibbled and licked that sexy bottom lip she’d loved so much when she first learned how to kiss and instantly she was thrown back in time to another kiss.
“Just do what feels good,” a fifteen year old Jake advised her when she attacked his mouth with a bit too much teeth. “Feel the kiss and you’ll know exactly what to do.”
And she had felt that kiss and every other kiss they’d shared. Their lips always met in the middle and he would take over and then she would take over. Their kisses were like a sensual battle, a duel to see who could give the other the most pleasure. God she’d enjoyed kissing him more than anything. Even when they’d graduated to oral sex and then sex, her lips were always attached to his.
“God you taste as good as I remember,” he muttered against the soft skin of her neck. “I never forgot you Zaria,” he whispered and nipped her ear with his teeth.
She tensed at his words and sagged in disappointment. Nothing could have cooled her down quicker than the bucket of ice water except those words. Those lies. She stepped out of his embrace, eyes shuttered and arms wrapped protectively around herself. “Obviously that’s not true.” As much as it hurt to know she hadn’t meant as much to him as he had to her, she was glad he had spoken those words. They were the only words that wouldn’t allow her to indulge in Jake, to forget their past and enjoy a night of passion. “Good night,” she said and walked up the stairs quietly. She never looked back.
“Good night,” he whispered into the silent night.
***
Jake couldn’t wait to get to back to Triple Z. The kiss last night, despite its abrupt end, gave him hope that he and Zaria could get back what they once had. It was obvious they both still had feelings for one another so what they needed to do was talk. Talk about the past finally, about their future together as parents. As a couple. They would lay it all out and they could start again.
He smiled and thought about the call he’d received early this morning. He bounded from the car and knocked on the door.
“Dad you’re here!”
His smile brightened. He would never get tired of hearing that word used to describe him. “Hey Zach, how’s it going this morning?”
“I’m good. Yesterday was fun!” He leaned in, his whisper was conspiratorial, “Mom’s in a foul mood this morning.”
His smiled dimmed slightly knowing he was to blame for what was probably a sleepless night. “Well let’s see if we can brighten her day,” he picked up his son and tossed him over his shoulder, making him laugh and squeal in delight.
“Good morning Reilly clan,” he smiled as he dumped Zach into a chair. “Look what I found on my way in.”
“It’s me,” Zach popped up from his chair with a big smile on his face.
“Zaria I’d like to talk to you before I leave. It’s important.” She nodded and he relaxed just a bit before turning to the rest of the family. “I have some other news I think you’ll all enjoy.” When he had their attention he started, “I received a call this morning from AMB Inc., and they’re interested in the rights we spoke of earlier. Very interested.” He didn’t want to get into details in front of Zach but he needed them to know the offer was a lucrative one.
Annabelle popped up and wrapped her arms around Jake. “That’s great news, son! I knew you were the man for the job.” She pinched one cheek and kissed the other. “You’ll tell us more later?”
Jake nodded and squeezed the older woman tight around the waist until she giggled. “Anything for my best gal.”
“I thought Mom was your best gal.” Zach’s words quieted the kitchen full of people instantly. “What? He said Mom was the only girl he ever loved.”
From the mouths of babes, he thought as a red flush stole over his face. “Well uh,” he laughed nervously, “Zaria? That talk, please?”
“Right,” she nodded and tried to smother a smile. Her son’s words shouldn’t please her so much but she couldn’t deny they left a warm feeling inside the cold space Jake used to occupy.
On the front porch Zaria kept her eyes focused on the green grass all around her and the clear blue skies above. “What is it?”
“I’d like to have dinner tonight. Just me and you so we can talk, really talk, about how I can be part of Zach’s life.” He hoped she wouldn’t make it difficult on him because he didn’t want things to get ugly. But he’d missed out on so much already and he wasn’t prepared t
o miss more.
“And dinner will accomplish that, how?”
He hated that she still wouldn’t look at him but after last night he found it hard to look at her and not want to wrap his arms around her and taste her again. “It will give us a chance to talk, to clear the air and discuss my involvement in Zach’s life.” He released a breath that seemed to hold the weight of the world within it. “I know you hate me Zaria and it kills me that you do, and you’ll never know how sorry I am. But I’d like to find a way to do this without hostility.”
She closed her eyes and let the morning breeze wash over her. “I don’t hate you Jake.” Although her life would be a lot simpler if she could.
“Maybe,” he said, “but you don’t exactly like me either. I’d like to change that if I can. Please.”
“Okay dinner. But nothing too fancy.”
Jake gave her one of those full mouth smiles that did things to her body. Things he’d been the one to teach her body to enjoy. “Of course not.”
When he arrived back at Triple Z several hours later Jake was equal parts nervous and excited. He’d thought of everything for tonight, he just hoped that it didn’t bite him in the ass. “Anyone here,” he called out as he stepped inside the house.
“Back here,” Annabelle called out. He kissed her in greeting and she smiled, “The basket is in the white truck along with a couple blankets. The ground will be chilly soon.”
He smiled. “Thank you Annabelle. You truly are my best girl.”
“A position I’ll gladly give up for the right woman.”
“From your mouth Annabelle,” he hugged her tight. “Thanks again.”
Moments later Zaria came down stairs in a soft yellow sundress with tiny ties on the shoulders looking like the sexier older sister of the girl he fell in love with years ago. “Wow Z, you look fucki-, um, you look stunning.” Annabelle patted his arm, happy he’d reined in his mouth.
“Thank you Jake.”
“No, thank you. Are you ready?” She nodded and he led her through the back door to the waiting pickup.
BILLIONAIRE ROMANCE: The Unforgettable Southern Billionaires: The Complete Collection Boxed Set (Young Adult Rich Alpha Male Billionaire Romance) Page 150
