She started to put it out but he said "Don't worry about it. Lucy borrowed my car for a few days when her overpriced piece of shit broke down. It's smelled like smoke in here ever since."
He was silent as he drove them to the grocery store. He pulled into a parking spot in the mostly empty lot and was around the car and opening her door before she could start to get out.
Once they were in the store, he pulled out a cart and slid it her way. "I'm following you. Get whatever you want." He was kissing the back of her neck when a female voice said "Daylin?"
"Hi Aunt Hannah. I figured you'd still be with Cameron and Lucy planning a wedding."
"My future daughter-in-law is craving ice cream and we didn't have any in the house. Do you and your friend want to come over for dinner Daylin?"
"It doesn't surprise me Lucy's already using her pregnancy to get what she wants. About dinner, thanks but no thanks Aunt Hannah. I'm making dinner at home tonight."
"Be nice to Lucy. She's a nice girl."
"Lucy is not a nice girl. She'll tell you so herself."
"But my son has loved her for a very long time and that's enough. She'll straighten out now hon. She has no choice."
"Yeah. Aunt Hannah, this is Jess."
Daylin's aunt smiled at her. She was a beautiful woman with long dark hair pulled back into a braid that trailed halfway down her back. "You must be the one that Cameron was telling us about. He didn't do you justice when he said you were pretty Jess. Is that short for something?"
"Yes, Jessica."
"Aunt Hannah likes to use everyone's full name Jess, as you can tell. Lucky Lucy's just Lucy and not Lucinda or something. And you know that Cameron's too blind to see that anyone besides Lucy is beautiful."
His aunt laughed. It was a musical sound. "Is there something wrong with that?"
"Nope. You'd better get back or Lucy's ice cream is going to melt."
"Yes dear. It was nice to meet you Jessica. You must come for dinner sometime soon."
"It was nice to meet you too," Jess said.
As his aunt walked away Daylin said "She's going to hold you to that."
Jess did her best to ignore him as she wandered aimlessly down the aisles of the grocery store. She had no idea what sounded good for dinner. Daylin noticed that she was wandering.
“Since you seem to be undecided, let me throw out some suggestions. I can make tuna casserole, pretty much any kind of meat like steak, burgers, or chicken. Spaghetti, meatloaf, pretty much anything that comes out of a box or a bag." He grinned.
"Chicken sounds good.”
"Fried or baked? And what kind of vegetables do you want?"
"Baked, and I'm not the greatest at vegetables. Salad is as close as you'll get me most of the time and that's only once in a while."
"Wonderful. You smoke, you drink diet soda, and you don't eat vegetables. How about corn and potatoes? And we'll get some biscuits."
"You really are trying to make me fat Daylin.”
"I have plans to work it off," he said suggestively.
"Pervert.”
"Guilty as charged." He laughed.
He bought three pounds of chicken breasts, a huge box of instant potatoes because he said he was feeling too lazy to make them the old fashioned way, six ears of corn, two packages of biscuits, and a cherry cheesecake for dessert.
When they got back to the house, he again refused her offer to help him cook, his only condition that she didn't mind if he turned up the music. He turned on classic rock. It reminded her of her father, something he used to listen to when he'd be out in the yard or in the garage on the weekends, something that her mother had listened to until Ned had come along. Then she'd started listening to country which Jess detested.
She logged back into her e-mail because there was nothing on TV and she didn't want to start the movie without him, checking to see if there was anything from her stepmother. There was. She opened it and read ‘Jess, it was very good to hear from you. It tore your father apart that he never got to see you before his death. He loved you very much and never stopped thinking of you. It hurt him sometimes to look at your sister. She looks so much like you. There were a lot of things that he and your mother should have done differently sweetheart, but don't think for one minute that any of it was your fault. Don't be ridiculous about the money. Your father would never forgive me if I didn't make you take it. Don't worry about Craig Jr. and Chelsea. They have plenty of money for college. Your father wanted to do so much more for you than he ever could. I would be honored to meet you when you’re ready. Your sister has been talking about you nonstop. If you need anything do not hesitate to call. Please promise me that you won't stay out of touch for so long. We've all been so worried about you. Your father’s grave is at the Cliffside cemetery in Welton. It's 2515 W 8th St. All my love, Selana’
She signed out of her e-mail, thinking that she could at least visit her father’s grave before she left town. She picked up a magazine off of Daylin's coffee table and lit a cigarette.
She was involved in a news story when he sat down beside her. She almost jumped when he said "You really are transparent Jess.”
"Huh?"
"You're reading about a man and a woman who fell in love at first sight and then got torn apart and spent years getting back together."
She threw the magazine back on the coffee table. She was blushing again. She hadn't blushed as much as she had since she'd met Daylin since she'd had a huge crush on her history teacher in eighth grade. She'd gotten red faced every time he looked in her direction.
"So?" She felt about as brilliant as she had in Jr. high history.
He laughed. "It's okay. At least you're not reading about babies and weddings."
"Shut up Daylin."
He laughed again. "Not that I'd care if you were. Maybe we could have a double wedding with Lucy and Cameron.”
"Don't mention that word either.”
"Most women your age have been planning their wedding since they were sixteen."
"You forget that we're living in the twenty-first century Daylin. Most women have figured out by the time they're sixteen that there's more to life than a white picket fence and 2.5 kids."
"It doesn't mean that it's wrong to want that.”
"So Daylin, how many kids do you want?"
"Three," he said matter-of-factly.
"All boys right?" She rolled her eyes.
"Nope. I want a boy first so he can protect his sister from guys like me though." He grinned.
She nodded. "Hmm."
"How many kids do you want?"
“We said no talking about this. And I don't want any."
"Three sounds like a good number to me. You brought it up.”
She threw the pillow from her side of the couch at him. "Stop it."
"Okay, okay. So how come out of all the movies we looked at the only one you wanted to see was that gory horror flick?"
Because the rest of them that had been left were romantic comedies and the last thing she needed was for Daylin to get any sappier on her Jess thought. It never ceased to amaze her how the biggest, strongest men could be brought down by a woman so easily. From what she'd seen from Daylin and Cameron she wondered if their fathers were both hopeless romantics as well.
"I like scary movies.”
"Oh.”
"What?"
"Nothing. I guess I shouldn't be too upset. You'll probably jump up in my lap when you get scared."
"Uh huh.”
She'd hated horror movies and scary stories until she was about eleven then she'd gotten bored and picked up a young adult horror novel at the library. She'd read and watched nothing but horror since then. The only movies she'd bothered to see in the past six years had been scary movies.
He leaned over and gave her a kiss. "I guess I'd better get back to dinner. You finish your story." He winked at her.
"I can help you. I am capable of cooking dinner."
"I am at your beck and call Jess.
You’re not going to lift a finger while you're here."
She lifted her finger to flip him off.
"You promise?"
"No.”
"Tease.”
Daylin took a pan out of the oven. The smell of the food was mouthwatering.
"Almost ready," he said.
"Can I at least set the table?"
"Done." He gestured to the table.
She sighed, fighting the urge to stick her tongue out at him.
He saw the look on her face and laughed. "Little Miss Independent has to learn to sit back and let somebody take care of her. I'll bet you don't like going out to eat because you don't like somebody else waiting on you."
"I've been a waitress. The job sucks.”
"Never mind Jess. Come eat."
Dinner was nice. The food was good. He'd even put candles on the table. She was stuffed again and could barely finish her cheesecake. It was so good that she managed to make it through, though.
He surprised her by letting her rinse the dishes and put them in the dishwasher. When she was finished they retired to the couch. He started the movie.
It was pretty gory. She did turn her head into his chest a couple of times, which caused him to get that cocky grin on his face. She managed not to give him the satisfaction that he could have had by keeping her head there to breath in his scent, though. She'd never known a man could smell that good.
When the movie was over he said "I wanted something to make tonight special."
"Okay.” She was afraid of what he meant.
"So I rented porn in my bedroom on pay per view."
"Daylin. That's gross."
He laughed. "I'm kidding Jess. I figured that there was nothing that could make tonight more special than you and me being together."
If she was sixteen, she thought she probably would have burst into tears at the sentimentality. As it was, she was twenty-four and completely jaded. She gave him a weak smile and followed him back to the bedroom.
He took it maddeningly slow with her. By the time they were naked she wanted to say something to him that could have come from a porno. Still he took his time, touching her, kissing her everywhere until she could hardly stand it, especially since he wouldn't let her touch him.
When he had maddened her to his satisfaction, he lay back on the bed and looked at her with his dazzling hazel eyes and said “Your turn."
"Huh?"
"A minute ago you wanted to touch me so bad you could taste it. Have your way with me Jess."
"Daylin.”
"Hmm?"
"I uh. . ."
He gave her a kiss that she could feel all the way to her toes. "Don’t tell me you’ve never been on top.”
“No, and I don't want to.” Oh yes, she wanted him she thought. She was just embarrassed at how much.
He shrugged. "I guess I'll just lay here then."
"Asshole.”
"You want me Jess, I’m right here."
"Daylin please.”
"You can't have it both ways darlin'." He brushed her hair back from her face.
"Don't make me do this Daylin."
He laughed softly. "You act like I'm trying to torture you. Come here.” He pulled her down gently on top of his chest. "See, it's not so bad is it?"
It wasn't, but it wasn't like they were having sex yet either. A thought occurred to her then. "You're not going to make me um. . ." She couldn't say it. She might as well be sixteen.
He laughed and sat up, taking her with him. "No love. I will not make you put on the condom."
He reached into the nightstand and pulled one out, moving back slightly so that he could put it on. Then he lay back on the bed with her still on his chest. "Now it's up to you though.”
Sighing, half with frustration and half with desire, she moved back slightly and straddled him, taking him inside of her. Once he was inside of her, it was much easier. Though her eyes were tightly closed the whole time so she couldn't even catch a glimpse of the look on his face, it was definitely a pleasurable experience.
When she moved off of him he said "I told you so."
"Stuff it Daylin."
He chuckled. "Oh, the things I could teach you about sex Jess."
"No thanks.”
"You break my heart Jess."
"Yeah, yeah. Shower and then bed. I’m leaving in the morning remember?"
"You don't have to leave and don't remind me."
She insisted on showering alone, leaving Daylin laughing at her in the bedroom. When she was finished she went back into the bedroom and said "Your turn."
"Uh huh.”
"What?"
"Quit looking at my butt. You make me feel dirty."
"You are dirty Daylin.”
"Only for you Jess," he said as he shut the bathroom door.
She snorted. He took forever in the shower. She wondered if she had used too much of the hot water.
She was half asleep when he came back to the bedroom, wearing a pair of pajama pants with big red lips all over them.
"Nice pants." She closed her eyes.
"Jess," he said when he'd crawled into bed with her and wrapped his arms around her.
"Hmm.”
"I want you to know that even if you do decide that this is too much for you, and you don't want me to be a part of your life, that these last few days have been the best days I've had in years."
"Thank you Daylin," she said softly, her eyes still closed. "I feel the same way." She might as well admit it she thought, so that he'd let her go to sleep.
He kissed the top of her head. "Goodnight Jess. Sweet dreams, and may they all include me."
"Goodnight Daylin. And may your dreams not include me."
"You are a piece of work woman.”
"I never said I wasn't." She yawned.
"True.”
She snuggled more comfortably into his arms and was asleep within minutes.
Chapter 5
The next morning when she woke up and looked at the clock she groaned. It was after ten o'clock in the morning.
"Daylin," she called. "Why in the hell did you let me sleep so late?"
He came into the bedroom with a travel mug of coffee. "You look beautiful when you're sleeping."
She reached for a cigarette. "You lay on the bullshit really thick don't you?"
He laughed and gave her a big pair of hazel puppy dog eyes. "It's one of my many talents. What's the hurry?"
She sighed. "Hell, I don't know. It's not like there's a reason to rush to my dead father's headstone. I guess I just want to get settled into a place here until I can figure out where I’m going to go, what I’m going to do with my life.”
"You have a place here. I could probably get you a job too."
"Daylin please don't start." She leaned over and put her cigarette out and got up, headed to the bathroom.
He intercepted her and held her tightly for a moment that lasted all too long and not long enough at the same time. She knew that like it or not, she was going to miss the feeling of being in his arms.
"I'm going to miss you Jess.”
"Miss me later. I have to pee."
He laughed and released her.
She used the bathroom, grimacing when she saw that there was a hickey on her neck. When she had finished washing her hands and face and brushing her teeth, she stalked back to the bedroom. He was lounging on the bed like he was content to stay there all day, which he probably was.
"You are an asshole Daylin.”
"What did I do this time?"
She pointed to the hickey on her neck. "That is what you did. I don't know when you did it, but you did it and I don't appreciate it."
He grinned. "It's tiny Jess, no one will ever notice. I think you were a little distracted when I gave it to you. Very distracted actually."
"Ha. Flattery gets you nowhere when you sucked on my neck like a damned vampire. Can we go now please?"
He made a face. "Do we have to?"
"
Yes Daylin, we very much have to."
"Are you sure you don't want breakfast?"
"No, I will survive without it." She searched the bedroom to make sure she wasn't forgetting anything and spotted a pair of her panties on his side of the bed. "Will you hand me my underwear please?"
When he was handing them to her, he managed to pin her to the bed for a kiss that made her wish she didn't have to leave. When he let her up, she said "Are you finished trying to convince me to stay now?"
He sighed. "I must be losing my touch."
She rolled her eyes and shoved the panties in the side pocket of her duffel bag. "You are not losing your touch Daylin, believe me."
He grinned and followed her out to the living room.
Once they were outside, she put her duffel bag into the trunk and sighed as she ran her hand over her father's jacket. "I miss you Daddy," she said softly.
Daylin was standing against the driver's door of his car, looking like a model. She cursed him for being so good looking as he blew her a kiss. At least she wouldn't be able to smell him since he'd be in his car Jess thought.
“Do you know of any decent apartment buildings around town?”
He made a face at her. “There aren’t many apartments around here and they’re almost as bad as the motel rooms. You can always stay with me. It’ll give you time to save money until you’ve figured out what you want to do.”
She hid a smile. And if she was at his house, he’d be sure to talk her or seduce her into staying with him. "No way Daylin. I am not staying with you and I have plenty of money. I’ll follow you to the apartment building."
Daylin sighed. “If you’re sure.” Then he smiled. “At least you’re not trying to run away from me completely.”
Jess shook her head at him. She had a feeling that the longer she stayed in Welton, the harder it was going to be to leave Daylin. She had a feeling he knew it too, so she didn’t plan on staying long.
The drive to the apartment building was short, though Welton was small enough that Jess was pretty sure the drive to anything in town would be. The building didn’t look like it was in the greatest shape. Daylin made a face at her when she got out of her car.
“You really don’t have to stay here you know. My bed is big enough for two.” He gave her a cocky grin.
Misty Reigenborn Romance Boxed Set Page 194
