Giving myself a once over in the mirror I am pleased with my effort. I’m wearing denim cutoffs and a white sleeveless shirt paired with some cute cowgirl boots that have pink roses on them. My hair is braided and laying to my left shoulder. The finishing touch is one of my dad’s belt buckles.
Grabbing a glass of lemonade, I go out onto my porch to be a nosy neighbor and people watch while I wait for Lucas.
Most days it is quiet around here but when the drama does pop off, fireworks explode over the tiniest things. Last week Mr. Hubbard was pissed because his neighbor Claris’s cat kept shitting in his yard by his porch. He was running around the yard in his boxers chasing the cat with a water hose.
Claris came out screaming and hit him on the head with a frying pan. She didn’t hit him hard enough to hurt him, but she did ring his bell. I think he was seeing stars.
My phone pings with a new text from Justin.
Justin: I’ll be in town tomorrow.
Me: I told you not to come. I don’t want you here. Whatever you need to say to me can happen on the phone.
Justin: I need to see you, Hattie. We’ve not been apart this long ever.
Hattie: Fine. Text me when you get to town.
Justin: Thanks. I will.
Lucas pulls up in his truck.
I give him a wave and put my glass inside while grabbing my purse. I lock the door behind me and hope this isn’t me making a dumb mistake.
I’ve always played it safe and look where that has gotten me.
As I am going out my door I see Kiesha on her porch watching me from a few doors down. I wave to her, but she quickly turns her head and goes inside.
That was weird, but I don’t have time to figure out what crawled up her ass.
I climb in the truck and Lucas smiles at me and squeezes my thigh.
“So what movie are we going to see?”
He shrugs. “Whatever we can find on Netflix.”
“Oh. Okay.” I thought we were going out. It seems a bit silly that he drove over and made a show about picking me up if he only wanted to invite me over to his place.
His trailer is further on around the lake and I can’t help but notice Kiesha peeking through her blinds as we pass by.
Lucas’ trailer could use a woman’s touch but I’m trying not to be too hard on him. He is a bachelor who lives on his own. Even though the outside leaves a lot to be desired the inside makes up for it.
A big screen TV mounted to the wall and a large black sectional couch takes up the living room space.
His kitchen has a nice bar set up between the two rooms. Then down the hall I suspect is where the bathroom and bedroom are located. I think it is a one bedroom but can’t be sure without further inspection.
“Find us a movie.” Lucas hands me the remote to operate his smart TV before moving to the fridge and grabbing some beers.
“Okay, any preferences? You’re a dude so you probably want to watch an action movie, right?”
“Whatever you want is fine.” Popping the cap off my beer he then hands me the bottle. I take a swig and continue flipping through the movie selections. Nothing is catching my eye, but I don’t think Lucas minds. He sits down next to me, putting one arm on the back of the couch and his other hand comes to rest on my upper thigh.
I pick the first movie I come to and attempt to get comfortable.
Before the opening credits start to roll he is taking my beer bottle and placing it on the table. His fingers are wet from the condensation on the bottle as he strokes my cheek, turning my face in his direction.
“I’m glad you said yes tonight,” he says, leaning closer to my mouth.
I know he is about to kiss me. My mind is telling me to stop this before it goes any further with Lucas, but I gotta know if I really like him or if it I think I want him because he doesn’t seem want me for anything more than a friend.
“Do you know how bad I want to kiss you right now?”
I gaze into his deep blues that mirror his brothers, but I don’t get that same nervous flutter in my stomach I get when I am with Zane.
Pressing his lips to mine, he licks the seam of my lips, seeking entrance into my mouth.
“Aren’t you even the least bit curious.” He moves in to kiss me again and I am a lousy person because I don’t stop him this time. His mouth comes down hard on mine and our teeth clash. His kiss is angry and full of built up tension.
His hand moves to my chest, cupping my breast. “I want you, Hattie and part of you wants me too or you’d be telling me to stop.”
I know he’s right. I do like Lucas and don’t want to hurt him but part of me knows maybe he wants a lot more than friendship and that scares me. As cute as Lucas is, my heart knows he isn’t Zane and I can’t kiss him back. I wish I could be that girl who goes for Mr. Right Now, but I can’t. Lucas was smooth pretending to be my friend, trying to soften me up, but he only brought me here for one reason and one reason only. To fuck me and rub it in Kiesha’s face.
Since I waved at her from my porch I couldn’t shake this feeling about the two of them.
I can’t hurt her like that and I won’t do this to Zane even if he is just my friend.
“Lucas, stop.” Breaking away from his kiss, I push on his chest.
He laughs. “It’s cool. I had to try, Hattie. Can’t blame me for that.”
“I don’t. But tell me, Lucas. Have you been after me because you wanted to hurt Zane or because you wanted to get back at Kiesha for something?”
He shrugs. “Maybe a little of both. But I do like you, Hattie and we could be great in bed together.”
“I think I should go.” I move to stand up and he doesn’t stop me.
As I walk home I feel awful. Dreadful. Like rocks are sinking in my stomach.
I pass by Kiesha’s and start to knock on her door but when she sees me she turns off the light in her living room.
I will make things right with her later.
Chapter 16
Hattie Mae
Justin texted me a few minutes ago and said he was waiting outside of Rowdy’s for me. When I pull into the parking lot I wince noticing Zane’s truck is here. I didn’t even think of him working today when I agreed to meet Justin. But then again, maybe his being here will be a good thing. Having Zane around will serve as a reminder that there are other guys in the world that think I am attractive. I haven’t talked to him since the cookout and since my revelation. I am somewhat excited to see him. I just hope things don’t get awkward between us since I told him I was left for another man and due to the fact that I have now kissed his brother…twice. However, if he really meant what he said about being my friend then I have nothing to worry about.
Time to get this over with. Justin cannot hurt and embarrass me anymore. Getting out of my car, I hold my head high with my shoulders back. No one here, other than Zane, knows what Justin did to me. How he trampled on my heart with his betrayal and his secrets.
I cross the street and I spot Justin easily. He is leaning against the building with one leg propped against the brick, smoking a cigarette. When did he start smoking? On the outside, he looks like that guy I grew up with, the man I loved wholeheartedly. On the inside though, I know that he is a liar. His good looks don’t phase me anymore. He smiles widely when he spots me. He snuffs out his cancer stick and runs his fingers through his perfectly tousled hair. My mind flashes to seeing his fingers gripping his lovers face hard as they kissed. I clench my jaw, trying not to let my anger get the best of me. I’ve moved on with my life and I am happy here.
“Hey, Hattie.” He smiles sheepishly and tries to hug me. I give him an awkward side hug and he kisses my cheek. I cringe inwardly when his lips touch my face. A year ago, I craved his touch and his kiss. Now, I crave someone else.
“You look amazing. You’ve lost weight.” Another shit thing about Justin, he was always on me about what I was eating. He would always order me what he called a healthy choice when we went out to eat somewhere. I kn
ow I am a larger girl, but I did not need him of all people to point that out to me.
“Why are you here, Justin?” I am ready for him to get this over with as quickly as I can.
I have mixed emotions about seeing him today. I miss the easy friendship we once shared. It wasn’t always perfect, but he was there for me through the rough stuff growing up when my mom would let me down, which was pretty much always.
“We can talk over lunch. I’m famished.” He rubs his hands over his washboard abs. Abs that once upon a time I would have loved running my hands over. Justin never turned down a blowjob from me, but he never was keen on returning the favor. Maybe if I had a dick for him he would have.
He takes my hand in his as if it is the most natural thing in the world. For most of my life, it was, but now his touch feels wrong. Bringing him here feels weird. I know it must sound silly, but I feel like this place is Zane’s and we are only friends, but I feel like it’s wrong to bring another man to his place. The place where we first met…where I kissed him. Okay I kissed Lucas here too, but it didn’t have that special feeling attached to it. It was more of a let’s see what happens thing. Technically kissing Zane was an experiment. I wasn’t expecting to feel anything, but I did, and I do.
I don’t see Zane, but I see Sienna and she is giving me the stink eye. We take a seat at a table and Justin is scanning the menu. Eventually she comes over to take our order. Justin tries to order a salad for me and I cut him off right there. He looks a bit perturbed, but he doesn’t comment. I get my usual burger and Justin orders chicken strips.
“Okay…so you needed to see me,” I state, clearly letting Justin know I am ready for him to get to the point of why he is here.
“You have no idea how good it is to see you, Hattie.” He tries to take my hand again and I pull it back. I don’t know what he is playing at. I remember what kind of man he is.
“Justin, cut the shit. It’s been months since I saw you with him, and now you are suddenly here, sending me mixed signals. I don’t know what you want or expect from me.”
He waits until Sienna serves us our drinks before he answers me.
“I want you back, Hattie. I’m here because I fucked up. I was confused. I was scared. My job was putting so much pressure on me and you were always hounding me to take steps I wasn’t ready for. Blaine was there for me and he didn’t put pressure on me. That night when you walked in that was the first time he had ever made a pass at me. I was stunned, then you walked in, and you never gave me a chance to explain. I know how it looked, but it was a kiss that meant nothing.”
“Nothing. It meant nothing,” I grit through my teeth, not wanting anyone to hear what I am about to say. “He was shoving his tongue down your throat and you were enjoying it. If I hadn’t walked up on you two, who knows how far it would have gone. How can you call that nothing? You told me we had been over for a long time, Justin. That is hardly nothing. You broke my heart. I don’t know why I even agreed to see you today.” Images of him with that guy flood me and bring back my hurt and my anger.
Sienna brings over our food, eyeing us. I know she’s trying her best to overhear our conversation. Lurking at our table she’s waiting for an introduction maybe, I don’t know, but I am not in the mood for pleasantries right now. “Thanks, Sienna, that will be all for now.” I smile weakly at her, hoping she takes the not so subtle hint.
She nods, winks, and goes to wiping down the tables beside of us. I mean really, Sienna. I know what she is up to and honestly, I can’t blame her. I know she is looking out for Zane, but we are just friends. I’d be a liar if I said that I didn’t feel that there could be more between us, but he hasn’t made a move.
“It meant nothing. I told you I was confused. I fooled around with him a few times but that was it. I love you, Hattie. I’m here to take you home with me where you belong. We can still get married and do everything we talked about.”
“Are you delusional? I’m never going back there or anywhere with you.” Why would I take him back? He screwed around on me with another man. I don’t buy a thing he is saying.
“Hey, Sienna, I’ll take a beer.” I need a drink, a strong drink. “No wait, I think I’ll have a Jack and Coke instead.”
“You don’t drink, baby,” Justin says, thinking he knows me better than I know myself. Eight months ago, that might have been true.
“I do now,” I mutter.
Zane emerges from the back carrying cases of beer. His eyes brighten when they meet mine. Then he looks to Justin and his smile falls. Seeing that look on his face makes me feel like shit. I never should have brought Justin here. Zane puts the beer down and I wave at him with a tight-lipped smile. Justin doesn’t even notice.
Zane and Sienna converse quietly but his eyes never leave mine. Sienna whispers something in his ear, hands him my drink, and he brings it over to the table.
“Here ya go, Hattie Mae.” God, the way he says my name makes my lips lift into the biggest smirk. I love that sound when it comes from his lips. Then he does something completely unexpected. He says, “Baby, I wasn’t expecting to see you until I got off later.”
I am confused by his words and stunned into silence when he crashes his mouth down to mine. I see sparks dancing behind my eyelids. I am quite sure lightning just struck my panties and disintegrated them. His tongue invades my mouth and I let it. He takes complete control, devouring every inch of my mouth with his. I easily forget that my ex-boyfriend is watching our display. Zane’s hands are fisted in my hair full of the passion that I crave as he continues to kill me slowly with this torturous kiss. A purr escapes my throat when he finally lets me go to catch his breath.
Slapping her hand down on the bar, I hear Sienna say, “Fuck, that turned me on!”
“Oh, hey man. I’m Zane.” He sticks his hand out to Justin and winks at me. I don’t know what to do or say. I am afraid if I move I might be stuck to my chair. I have never been so damn wet in all my life. I could do Zane right here in front of everyone that kiss was so hot.
Justin swallows hard but accepts Zane’s offered hand and shakes it. “I didn’t know Hattie was seeing anyone.”
“My girl likes to keep me to herself if you know what I mean, man.” He smacks him on the back, roughly as if they are buddies. What in the hell is Zane doing?
“Um, Zane, can I talk to you in private for a minute?”
He smirks. “Whatever you want, sweetheart. She can’t keep her hands off me,” Zane says to Justin, shrugging as I pull him toward the back near the bathrooms.
Chapter 17
Zane
Hattie jerks me into the hallway, letting go of my hand once we are out of sight from the bar and that douche she used to date. Watching the two of them together had me seeing red. When I walked over to their table I thought about punching him, but Hattie was sitting there looking so damn tempting and sexy with the saddest fucking eyes and I knew all I wanted was to erase that look in her eyes. I wanted to kiss her and show that fuck boy she belongs to me even if she doesn’t know it yet. I’m going to make her mine.
“What was that?” She is flailing her arms around and pacing. Her breasts are bouncing, and it is so damn sexy seeing her so animated.
“That was me being your friend, Hattie. That is clearly your douche ex and I’m not sorry I kissed you. I didn’t see you pulling back from me.” I am tired of fighting my pull to her. I want her, and I want her to know it. This push and pull we’ve got going on ends now. I’m taking what I want. My brother or anyone else be damned.
She stops and stares at me intensely. “No, I didn’t but Zane, I don’t think either of us are ready to go there yet.”
“I know you are scared, Hattie Mae, but I am not going to pretend I don’t want to try for you. So, do with that what you will. I care about you. I fucking want you and I will have you.” I kiss her hard and full of passion. She kisses me back and I swear my toes curl like a damn girl when she leans into me and wraps her arms around my neck. My mouth explodes
with her taste as she sucks and twirls her tongue with mine—simply perfect. I suck on her bottom lip before pulling back to look into those eyes hoping all sadness has faded.
“What do you want from me, Zane?”
“You know what I want, Hattie.” I’m unable to catch my breath I want her so bad.
“I don’t know if I can…,” she says while touching her lips. Nodding at her once I leave her standing in the hall and go back to work.
The bar isn’t full right now, so I have to busy myself with little things to keep from spying on her and that dickhead who hurt her. I go around to all the tables, avoiding theirs at all cost and gather up the salt and pepper shakers to fill them. I put myself out there for her, now it is up to her whether she wants to do anything about it.
I’ll give her some time and space but not much. Zelda was right. Hattie is the one for me. I will make her see that.
I get the shakers lined up on the bar and can’t help but steal glances at her table. She is talking to her ex and the conversation sounds heated. I can’t tell what is going on between them. Sienna said she doesn’t think the guy has a chance at getting Hattie back, but I know they share a long history and that is something I can’t compete with.
All I have is a bad reputation.
I am so distracted a regular at the bar asks for the house beer twice before I even register what he is saying.
“You know if you keep pouring like that, his drink is going to come out of your check.” Sienna nudges my shoulder. I look down to see the beer is running over the glass. “So, what’s going on with you and her?”
“Leave it alone, Sienna,” I warn. I am really not in the mood right now.
“Yeah, no. So, you like her. I never thought I’d see the day a woman would get you wrapped.” She is smirking at me.
“You don’t know what you are talking about.” I cap the shakers and take them back to the tables after getting Joe a new beer.
Making Her Mine (Rowdy Brothers Book 1) Page 7
