by Mia Carson
Music played, a mix of rock from the eighties and bluegrass country her dad was always a sucker for. Two kegs sat at the end of the bar, and drinks flowed a-plenty. Toasts were shouted out to Darien every half hour, followed by a shot of whiskey. Jaylyn was tipsy after the first two hours, flitting from one group of people to the next to hear stories about her dad. She laughed until her sides hurt, and as she stared around the restaurant he had built, she knew he would always be a part of her life and a part of this place. His blood, sweat, and tears were in every board of this building, and no one could take that away.
Hannah and Frankie waved to her from a corner booth, and she hurried to them, giggling as she slipped into the seat beside Hannah. “I think Dad would be quite proud to see how many people are already drunk.”
“How are you holding up?” Hannah asked, hugging her.
“I’m good. Sad, and I miss him like hell, but I’m good.” The first few days had been the hardest. She hadn’t been able to say goodbye to her dad the way she wanted. But then she’d think about the day at the hospital when he’d kicked her out of his room. He’d been saying goodbye that day. She just hadn’t wanted to hear it. “I think part of me knew he wouldn’t last the year, or didn’t want to. He was in too much pain.”
“He was worried about your mom,” Frankie told her. “I spoke to him a few times, and he admitted he didn’t want to spend years wasting away and watching it tear Mariah and you apart.”
Jaylyn wiped quickly at her eyes and cleared her throat roughly. “To Darien, always thinking of others before himself. And responsible for all the drunks in this room today.”
They toasted him and took another round of whiskey shots.
“Damn, I’m going to feel like shit tomorrow,” Jaylyn said with a laugh. “Life will be weird.”
“But you have us,” Hannah reminded her, “and you have Walker.”
Jaylyn picked at the table cloth. “And you two are all right with that?”
Frankie nodded. “I am. You’ve been happier with him, but I’m not going to lie. You’re in a weird situation with him and his…whatever they are.”
“I know, but I’m actually not worried about it.”
“I say we toast to that.” Hannah waved her arm for more shots, but Jaylyn shook her head.
“I think I’ll get some air for a few minutes, try to get my head to stop spinning.” She pushed herself out of the booth and headed to the outdoor patio. No one was out there, and she leaned on the railing, watching the sunset through the trees. The air was cool and she shivered, rubbing her hands up her arms, when a warm jacket fell over her shoulders. Without turning, she knew it was Walker. His woodsy cologne filled her nose and his presence comforted her. She leaned back and he was there to hold her up. “Thanks for this, all of it.”
“It seemed fitting,” he said, his voice rumbling in his chest and vibrating through her back. “I didn’t realize you had such colorful sendoffs for your family members.”
“Yeah, old tradition. We always have a kegger.”
“We had my mother’s in a pub,” he told her, and she heard the smile in his voice. “Quite a few drunk relatives stumbled home that night.”
His hands rested on either side of her body on the railing, and they stood in companionable silence, watching as the sky darkened.
“I’m not sure when I’ll be normal again,” she whispered after a while. “It’s so surreal.”
“You won’t be normal,” he replied. “At least not in the way you think. It’ll take time. You’ll have your good days and your shit days, but you’ll get through it with time.” He kissed the top of her head sweetly and held her in his arms, snug and safe. “And as far as I’m concerned, you don’t have to cook a damn thing in my house anymore.”
She frowned and tilted her head so she could stare up at his face. “What would I do?”
“Live there, with me.”
“Just like that? As what exactly?”
He seemed to be mulling over something to say when he settled with, “Do you trust me?”
Jaylyn did, without a doubt. “Of course.”
“Good. I’ve been working on something, but today’s not the day I want to add any more worries to your plate. Today’s for your dad and your family.”
“Will I get to know soon?” she pushed, hoping he’d tell her more.
“When you’re ready, then yes, you’ll know.”
“I’d better,” she added and relaxed into his arms. “Pretty sunset. A fitting way to end today. Dad was always a sunset kind of man.”
They remained on the patio until the sun disappeared. Hannah and Frankie came out to find them. The music played even louder and dancing had broken out in the restaurant as tables were pushed aside to make room. Jaylyn let herself go for the rest of the night, knowing this was exactly how her dad would’ve wanted them spending this day. Celebrating his life with a party to commemorate his adventurous spirit, his wild side. Walker joined in, dancing beside her and even dancing with Frankie at one point. Jaylyn couldn’t thank him or her friends enough for being there for her and it made the day not so sad.
16
Walker needed to put a few more pieces of his plan into play before he could tell Jaylyn everything he had going for them. Another two weeks had passed since Darien’s death, and she had her good days where she was happy and spent her time creating new recipes in her dad’s memory. Then there were mornings she couldn’t seem to get out of bed. He would curl up beside her and hold her as she cried and told him about growing up in Kansas.
The holiday party the Allard company hosted crept closer, but he had plenty of time to make sure he had his bases covered. With Darien gone, he wouldn’t risk losing the restaurant. It should be with Jaylyn.
He’d told Jaylyn she didn’t have to play cook for him anymore, and he meant it, limiting his dates with the other women. He was phasing his time with them out and was having Brittany over that night to inform her he no longer wanted to see her and that he’d made his decision. He doubted she would take it well but hoped things would remain civil. He had planned to get takeout, but Jaylyn had been busy in the kitchen all day.
“You don’t think this is strange?” he asked her as he watched from the kitchen table.
“I can’t sit around all evening,” she replied, putting a casserole in the oven. “The busier I keep my hands, the better off I am.”
He glanced at the clock. Brittany would be there in fifteen minutes. “Tonight I’m telling Brittany it’s over,” he said quietly and waited for Jaylyn’s reaction. She tossed a towel over her shoulder, frowning. “I already called Helena and told her the same thing.”
“So you’re going to marry Georgette?” she asked, her voice strained.
“I never said that, now did I?”
She blinked suspiciously. “What are you planning?”
“You said you trusted me, remember?”
“Walker, if you mess this up, you’ll lose everything,” she warned him, but he stood and closed the distance between them, silencing her worries with a passionate kiss. “You’re an idiot,” she whispered against his lips as she grinned and pulled him down for another one.
“I’ve been told.” He kissed her again. “Have a little faith. I know what I’m doing.”
The doorbell rang, interrupting his ideas of sharing a quickie with Jaylyn in the pantry, but the days for hidden quickies would soon be over. The days of hiding, period, would be over. He answered the door and Brittany threw herself at him the second she was inside. He dislodged her from his body and set her back on her feet. Maybe being polite wasn’t in his best interests tonight.
“Brittany, I’m glad you could make it on short notice.”
“Why wouldn’t I? I haven’t seen you in so long. I thought you’d forgotten about me.” She pouted and leaned in to try and kiss him again, but he backed up and his smile slipped. Her pout vanished and she glared at him. “What’s your problem?”
“I beg your pard
on?”
“What’s your problem? You can’t get it on with me or any of the other women you date, but you’ll fuck the cook. I knew she was a slut.”
Walker’s sense of decency was gone in a shot. “Don’t insult her. She is a hundred times the woman you could ever dream of being, and I believe I don’t want you in my home any longer.”
Brittany’s mouth fell open. “You’re admitting it?”
“No, I’m not, but I will not tolerate someone badmouthing those who work under my roof. Jaylyn has been in my employ for months, and I have never received a complaint from a single guest, not one.”
“She sleeps here,” Brittany snapped. “Right next to your bedroom.”
“You’ve been upstairs?”
“I may have followed her at the party,” she confessed flippantly. “What do you see in her that you can’t get with me? I’m all woman, Walker, and I’d be more than happy to show you.”
He stepped back again and pointed to the door. “It’s time for you to leave. I’ve made my decision and it’s not you. Leave, or I’ll be forced to call the authorities.”
“You wouldn’t dare,” she snarled.
Walker smirked. “Actually, I have a better idea.” Placing his fingers to his lips, he whistled loudly. It only took a moment for the dogs to rush out of the kitchen and charge at Brittany. She yelped and ran out the front door, screaming about him being a bastard. Walker didn’t care. He watched from the doorway as the dogs chased her all the way to her car, wagging their tails and trying to jump and kiss her face. He chuckled with mirth and waved happily as he watched her drive away from his house for the final time.
“Where’s Brittany going?” Jaylyn asked, appearing beside him.
“She had to run,” he answered as the dogs ran back to the house. “I guess it’s just us and Douglas for dinner.”
“I guess so,” she repeated slowly.
“I’m not going to tell you so you might as well stop while you’re ahead.”
“Oh, come on. This is torture. Douglas.”
“Yes?” he called from the study.
“What’s he up to?”
Douglas put on a horrible innocent face and smiled. “I have no idea what you’re talking about, I’m afraid.”
“Bullshit. The two of you are up to something that will make this mess even worse.”
Walker caught her arm when she tried to storm off to the kitchen. “Have I ever told you that you worry far too much?”
“Yes,” she muttered. “I think I’m allowed to.”
“No, you’re not.” He tilted his head subtly to Douglas, and the old man bobbed his in understanding, taking off for the rest of the day to give them some privacy. “In fact, I think you need to relax. How about a bath?”
“A bath? Now?”
He closed and locked the front door, and as she continued to protest, he picked her up and tossed her over his shoulder. She squealed with laughter as he carried her upstairs, the dogs jumping and barking as they tried to lick her face.
“You’re a ridiculous man.” She sighed.
“What’s wrong with a nice, hot, soothing bath?”
He didn’t set her down until they were in his bathroom. He turned the water on, poured the bubbles in, and quickly undressed her. She gave up and let him disrobe her and help her step into the large tub. He joined her a few seconds later and drew her back into the warmth of his body as the bubbles swirled around them. He rested his cheek against the side of her head and breathed her in, the fresh herbs she cooked with always a familiar scent in her hair or on her skin.
“All right, this is nice,” she said quietly. “Am I ready to know yet?”
“I don’t know. Are you?”
“If I knew what we were talking about, I’d have a better idea,” she pointed out, but he kissed her cheek and gave nothing else away. “Will I like this surprise, at least?” She spun around and studied him long and hard.
Holding her chin softly, he brought her to his lips, kissing her softly at first before it turned into that blinding hunger he experienced when she was around. He drew her onto his lap and ravished her mouth as she straddled his lap. She rubbed her sex against his cock and his desire spiked. It had been a while since they’d had sex, and suddenly, being deep inside her as she screamed was all he wanted for the rest of the night. His fingers massaged her lips, and he rubbed along her cleft, spreading her folds wide as he rubbed with the palm of his hand, his fingers teasing and tugging her clit. She gasped and her head fell back. His eyes zeroed in on her perky nipples and he sucked one into his mouth. The water lapped at their bodies as steam rose around them. He needed her, but he needed to hear her release first.
His hand moved faster, rubbing in the places he knew she enjoyed. Walker’s heart exploded with more than desire. He loved this woman in his arms. Loved her no-bullshit attitude, loved how she took life by the horns and let nothing keep her down. Loved how she laughed with everything she had and wasn’t afraid to fight for what she wanted. He loved her, and as she clenched his fingers, crying out from the pleasure he gave her, he knew he was doing the right thing by making her his and giving himself completely to her. While she was still shuddering, he guided himself to her sheath and bucked his hips. She gasped as he filled her, and he groaned to feel her stretching and taking him in inch by agonizingly pleasurable inch.
Cupping the nape of her neck, he stared deep into her eyes as they came together as one. Her jaw dropped and her nails bit into his shoulders, but their gazes never left.
“I love you,” he whispered, thrusting again, and she clenched tighter around him.
There was no shock in her eyes, no fear, but the love that brightened her face as she smiled was all he needed to see. “I love you,” she replied, and they kissed in a frenzy of limbs and lips, dancing tongues, and the deep understanding that they were meant to be together.
Walker’s heart flew that night, and he kept her nestled close as they talked quietly after their bath and made love again. He covered her with his body, promising her without words that he would be there for her every day and every hour, every minute of his life. Their moans filled the night air; their love was their blanket, keeping them warm well into the wee hours of the morning. He stirred when the sun peeked through the curtains, and he saw Jaylyn splayed out beside him. He kissed her nose gently, not wanting to wake her, and slipped from the bed. He pressed his finger to his lips, trying to keep the dogs quiet, and freshened up in the bathroom. Jaylyn muttered in her sleep, rolling over, but she didn’t wake. He gazed at her from afar. His fingers remembered the feel of her skin and his mouth the perfection of her lips, her nipples, and her sex as she cried out for him again and again. Their times before had been great, but last night had changed everything for them both.
Today was the first day of his new life with Jaylyn.
He dressed and exited the bedroom to head to his study. Douglas wasn’t in yet, but he was sure he’d see him in a few hours. The date was circled on his planner for the holiday party taking place before Thanksgiving. About two months to go. His fingers tapping nervously on his leg, he picked up the phone and called the one woman he prayed would understand his plight and help him, especially if it helped her get what she really wanted.
“This better be good,” she grumbled when she answered. “Do you know what time it is?”
“I do, but it’s important,” he said. “Can you meet me for breakfast say, in an hour? Not as a date, either. As friends to discuss a very important matter.”
He heard rustling. “As friends.”
“Yes, please, Georgette. I believe I have a way to help us both.”
“Sure, why not?” she mused.
He told her of a café in town and she said she would be there in an hour. He hurried back upstairs and left a note for Jaylyn, promising he would be back in a few hours. Georgette wasn’t the only person he needed to meet with today. He kissed her cheek and left the house in a hurry.
When he reac
hed the café, he found Georgette already there, coffee in hand, waiting for him. “Spill. What’s all this about?” she said the second he sat down.
“You and I won’t be happy together. You agree?”
Her eyes widened, but she smiled and nodded. “We won’t be, but I heard through the grapevine that you have sent Brittany and Helena packing, which begs the question that if you’re not going to be with one of them, who are you going to be with, Walker?”
He leaned back in his chair as she kept smiling. “You know already, don’t you?”
“Brittany told us about the cook—Jaylyn? Yes, she said she found out she stayed at the house. I’m not stupid. I knew there was a reason you weren’t pushing any of our relationships further than the dining room.”
“And you never said anything? Why?”
“You know exactly why.” Her smile faltered as her cell buzzed on the table.
Walker glanced at it. “The man you want to be with is on the other end of that phone call and the woman I want to be with…is currently fast asleep in my bedroom.” He reached across the table and rested his hand on hers. “We can’t have what we want until I marry a woman like you and a man like me is off the market so you can go back to the man you love.”
“You make it sound so easy,” she muttered sarcastically.
“I think it can be, in a sense.”
“How? Your father expects you to marry me and my father expects me to marry you. He’s very reluctant to let a man like you slip through his fingers.”
Walker prepared himself for her laughter when he said, “That’s why I think we need a fake marriage.”
“What?”
“Hear me out,” he said quickly. “I swore I would get Jaylyn her restaurant back, and with her father gone, I can’t fall through on that promise.”
Georgette’s hand curled at her chest. “I heard he’d died. How’s she holding up?”
