by Liv Brywood
“These are heaven,” she said.
“Too bad you’re not planning on moving here. I’d love to show you how to bake them sometime. My secret ingredient comes from your family’s farm. That honey is the best in the state. Oh gosh, I’m forgettin’ my manners. How’s your sister doing?”
“She’s awake and doing well. She’s got a long road ahead of her as far as recovery goes, but she’ll make it.”
“I’m so glad to hear it. She’s a good girl. If she’s going to be out of commission for a while, your parents are going to need an extra hand around the farm,” Yvette said.
“I know.” A niggle of guilt ate at her. “I’m sure it will all work out.”
“You should consider moving back.”
“I can’t leave my job.”
“What do you do?”
“I’m the CEO of a tech corporation. We’re about to IPO.”
“IP-What?” Yvette grinned. “Sounds fancy. But people miss you around here.”
“They do? I don’t even know anyone anymore.”
“You can move away from a small town, but we never forget our own. Even though we never had a chance to talk before today, I remember you from back in high school. I was a few grades behind you, but I knew who you were and which family you came from.”
“Typical small town,” Violet said. “Doesn’t it ever feel suffocating?”
“Nope. Everyone knows everyone else, even if once or twice removed, and we’re all willing to chip in when someone needs help. It’s the Lost Hills way.”
“I guess there are some benefits to small-town life.”
“How many of your neighbors do you know in San Francisco?”
“None,” she admitted.
“And how many would lift a finger if you were in trouble?” Yvette asked.
“None.”
“That wouldn’t happen around here.”
“You’re probably right.”
“Darn right I’m right,” Yvette laughed. “Now have another scone so I don’t eat them all. I worked my butt off to get back in shape after Antonia and don’t want to go soft yet. I’d like to try for one more baby so I’ll have plenty of kids to take care of me when I’m old.”
Violet laughed and grabbed another scone. Talking with Yvette helped clear up some of her fear and it gave her more to consider. She’d only focused on the negative aspects of small-town life. She’d never considered the positive ones. Community, family, a sense of belonging.
And it was a good place to raise children. She wouldn’t have to worry about crime the way she would in San Francisco. In the city, she’d never be able to let her child run around outside. She’d be constantly worried about child trafficking and gang violence. In Lost Hills, she’d only be worried about her child being kicked by a horse. Still, a potentially deadly situation, but not as likely.
She looked out the window to where Aaron was chasing Tanner around the yard. He’d make a great father. But she’d have to leave so much behind. Could she give up everything she’d worked for to have a family? Would it be worth it?
As she sipped sweet tea, a tangled ball of questions rolled through her mind. It was held together with the biggest questions of all: Could she stay and build a life with him?
Chapter 14
Aaron held open the door to Sweets n’ Treats to allow Violet to pass. She nearly plowed him over on the way into the ice cream store.
“Now that I’m… you know,” she whispered and patted her stomach. “I intend to eat my body weight in ice cream at least once a week.”
“You’re entitled.” He leaned over and whispered, “Shifter babies require a lot of calories to grow, so eat up.”
“I thought they didn’t get any bigger than regular babies.”
“They don’t, but their metabolism is much higher.”
As they approached the ice cream counter, Dana stepped out from the back room. Her eyes widened and a smile spread across her face as she approached.
Oh hell.
“Well if it isn’t my favorite cowboy,” she said in a sultry tone. “What can I get for you? Something sweet or something spicy?”
“I didn’t know they made spicy iced cream,” Violet said with a smirk. “What flavors do you have?”
Dana’s gaze traveled the length of Violet’s body before returning to her face. She turned slightly, dismissing her.
“We have a brand-new flavor. Cinnamon sweet cream,” she said to Aaron. “I’ll make your tongue tingle.”
“Sounds a bit too spicy for my taste,” he said dryly before turning to Violet. “What would you like, hon?”
Shock twisted Dana’s eyebrows into twin arches. Although he’d never felt any animosity toward the woman before, the way she’d ignored Violet didn’t play well with his bear. The beast’s silent growl rumbled up, but he managed to keep the creature in check.
“I’d like a double scoop of Southern Texas Pecan Pie,” Violet said.
“Gladys, can you help these customers?” Dana called to the other employee. “I’ve got to get back to my invoices. It was good to see you again.”
She sauntered away.
“What was that all about?” Violet whispered.
“Diesel said she’s sweet on me. But I’m not interested,” he quickly added.
“Good.”
Good? Interesting considering they weren’t even dating. But maybe he had more of a shot than he thought. She kept pushing him away with one hand while pulling him closer with the other. At this point he wasn’t sure what to think. He’d have to play it by ear.
After paying for the ice cream, he led her outside. Sweltering August heat engulfed them, but she insisted on wanting to walk around the town square.
“I guess there are benefits to living in a small town. Everything’s within a few blocks of everything else,” she said.
“Yep. You can get from Jimmy’s Hardware to Paula’s Flowers in the blink of an eye.”
“A smart husband would take that route. Get flowers for his wife after spending a fortune on tools he doesn’t need.”
“A man can always use new tools,” he said.
Her smile heated every inch of his body. He wasn’t sure if he should read more into her comments about a husband or not. Probably not. But he couldn’t stop hoping she’d want more with him.
As they strolled through the park, parents with small children lounged on blankets while their kids frolicked in the playground. For years he’d dreamed of sitting on that grass with Violet. After she’d left town, he’d tried to put that fantasy to rest, but he couldn’t. He wanted a family more than anything in the world, but he didn’t want it with anyone but her. If only he could make her understand.
“Violet? Is that you?” Mrs. Nichols hollered. The high school librarian hurried across the park toward them. “I heard you were back in town, but I didn’t believe it.”
She grabbed Violet and pulled her into a hug. Violet laughed as she stepped back.
“How are you Mrs. Nichols?”
“I’m as happy as a calf in clover. And you can call me Harriet now. You’re not sixteen anymore and I’m retired. Twenty-five years was enough for me. But I can’t say I don’t miss my hellions.” She reached up to ruffle Aaron’s hair.
“How’s the hip?” he asked. His brother Diesel had worked with her for several months a few years earlier.
“It’s still attached but not good for much else. Dr. Prusher says I need to walk every day to keep it from locking up again. He didn’t say I couldn’t walk over to get some ice cream, so that’s where I’m headed.”
The twinkle in the older woman’s gray-green eyes made him smile. She had the mischievous grin of someone up to no good.
“How long are you in town?” she asked.
“Another few days.”
“I heard about Nicole. God bless her soul. We’ve been praying like mad in the women’s prayer circle. Hopefully she’ll be on a quick road to recovery.”
“I’m sure she wi
ll be,” Violet said.
“I’ll let you get back to your ice cream,” Mrs. Nichols said. “You don’t want it melting all over the place.”
“Melted ice cream is an abomination,” Aaron joked.
“Ain’t that the gospel?” She chuckled. “You kids have a good day.”
After she was out of earshot, Violet turned to him.
“You know, there are some things I miss about small-town life.”
“Really? What?” he asked.
“You can’t walk down the street here without running into someone you know. I used to think it was stifling, but now I think it’s nice to have someone to talk to. I can go days without talking to anyone but my coworkers,” she said.
“That’s depressing.”
“I guess so. I was always surrounded by people at work, so I didn’t feel too lonely. But it’s not the same as being surrounded by people you love.”
His heart swelled. It was on the tip of his tongue to ask if she loved him, but he was too afraid of her response. So far she hadn’t given him any real reason to hope, but his stupid heart didn’t care. Neither did his bear. The beast was head over heels in love, constantly insisting she was their mate. But he wasn’t sure yet… Or maybe he was. Either way, he wasn’t ready to admit it to anyone, including himself.
“Yvette is sweet,” she said. “I think we could be friends.”
“I hope she helped take away some of your fear,” he said.
“She did.”
“Her husband’s a good guy too. He’s given Jamison a ride home from the bar more times than he needed to.”
“How’s your brother doing?”
“Still drinking too much for my taste,” he said. “I think he’s got a problem, but he won’t listen to any of us. One day he’s going to do something stupid and then he’ll have to face it.”
“I’m sorry.” She rested her hand on his forearm.
“It is what it is. You can’t talk someone into doing something they’re not ready to do.”
“So true,” she said softly.
They walked in silence for a few minutes before stopping under a huge elm tree.
“I’ve been thinking…”
“About?” he asked.
“About what it would be like to move back,” she said.
He froze, as if the slightest movement might destroy the moment.
“And?” he murmured.
Instead of responding, she stood on her tiptoes and kissed him. Warm. Gentle. Filled with unspoken passion. Her kiss sizzled through every nerve ending and awakened every inch of him.
He groaned and pulled her hard against him. Heat blazed where their bodies met. If they’d been alone in the cottage, he would have scooped her up and carried her straight to bed. And maybe he should. Maybe taking her to bed again would be enough to make her stay. He wasn’t Casanova by any means, but he knew how to please a woman. And he wanted to pleasure every inch of her.
The taste of pecan pie lingered on his lips as she pulled away. He couldn’t be imagining the desire in her eyes.
“Take me home,” she whispered.
Home.
He couldn’t stop the word from reverberating through his mind the entire ride home.
When he reached the ranch, he pulled around to the cottages. But as soon as they were inside, he hesitated. He didn’t want to push her. She had to take the lead from here on out, because if he made one little mistake, she’d go running back to San Francisco. And he wasn’t ready to lose her again.
Violet’s gaze raked across his chest. She fought an overwhelming urge to rip his clothes off…with her teeth. He always made her feel that way. Feral. Out of control. Full of carnal desires that would consume her if she let them.
She’d always been so cautious in business. Waiting for the right technical advisors. Waiting for the right investors. Waiting for the right market conditions. All she did was wait.
Well, she didn’t want to wait anymore.
She prowled toward him. The stunned look on his face encouraged her. It felt good to give him a taste of his own medicine. She’d been shocked and horrified to find out he could shift into a bear, and maybe a small, petty part of her wanted revenge.
As she backed him into the nearest wall, his chest rose and fell with hitching breaths. By the time she touched him, he was practically hyperventilating.
“Did you think you could fill me with sugar and not expect me to get a little wild?” she purred.
“If I’d known that trick, I would have given you ice cream years ago,” he whispered.
She moved in to brush her lips across his in a feathery kiss. She returned to capture his bottom lip between her teeth. After a quick tug, she crushed her mouth against his. He wrapped a strong arm around her waist and pulled her even closer. As she parted her lips, an answering moan burst from his mouth.
“You kill me,” he growled.
“You make me want to stay,” she blurted.
His eyes went wide before returning to their lusty state. His gaze searched her face and this time she didn’t put on a mask of indifference. Maybe it was the fact that her sister was awake, or the amazing day they’d had in the town square, or even the night they’d spent at the fair. She wasn’t sure. But something had changed, and the thought of staying in town became more appealing with each passing day. It didn’t hurt that he knew exactly how to kiss her, and where to do it.
He trailed his lips across her jaw before nipping at her neck. He soothed the biting kisses with his tongue as he worked his way down her throat. A low rumble bubbled up from her core, like a geyser waiting to erupt. Already sopping wet and hungry for his cock, she writhed against him.
As she unbuttoned his shirt, adrenaline coursed through her veins. Her fingers trembled as she slowly revealed his hulking chest. Every muscle flexed and rippled as he shook the shirt from his shoulders. She ran her fingers across his skin, reveling in the sensation of soft skin over hard muscle. She had to taste him.
As she dipped to glide her tongue across his chest, he shivered. He smelled like summer honey and tasted like passion. A heady combination. She drew him back toward the bed.
He pulled her shirt over her head and tossed it aside, never missing a step. They made quick work of their remaining clothes. Naked and pressed together through a magnetic force she still couldn’t understand, they fell onto the bed together.
Her hair landed in a halo around her head. He quickly crawled to cover her and when his lips found her taut nipple, she moaned. She sank her fingers into his thick hair and arched against him. The rigid length of his cock pressed against her inner thigh. If she shimmied down a few inches, he could slide right in. But he didn’t.
Instead, he kissed and licked and sucked a twisting path toward her navel. As he ran his tongue around it, she whimpered. He swept down until his lips hovered over her pussy.
“Tell me what you want,” he said in a husky tone.
“I want you to kiss me.”
“I have kissed you.”
She groaned and smiled at the same time. He’d always been so playful with her, even in bed. But she was too wound up to go along with it.
“Lick my pussy,” she murmured.
His eyes blazed with a lustrous fire. Was she crazy for leaving this man all those years ago? Maybe.
Before she could start the endless internal debate, his lips grazed her pussy. She moaned and grabbed his taut biceps. He began a slow assault that left her breathless and needy. Tension coiled in her pussy. Every time he flicked his tongue against her clit, she shuddered. Every time he plunged his tongue inside, she moaned. And when he finally captured her clit and sucked relentlessly, she exploded against him.
Still racked with waves of orgasmic bliss, she wasn’t prepared for his thick cock. As he crawled up to slide inside her, she gasped. He was so thick. So big and hot and—
Another orgasm, even more powerful than the first tore through her.
“Oh, God. Aaron!” she scream
ed.
“Come for me,” he murmured. “Come all over my cock.”
His filthy words awakened her inner seductress. She hooked her legs around his waist and pulled him closer. As her nails raked across his chest, he bucked and thrust deeper. Harder. Faster.
She couldn’t lie there and do nothing, so she pushed up, rolled him onto his back, and ground her hips against his.
Locked together, she rode him like a wild stallion. Her breasts bounced while her hair whipped against her back. She rolled her hips, twisting them and clenching her inner muscles until he growled.
“You’re so damn sexy.”
“You’re not so bad yourself,” she said.
He grunted and flipped her onto her back. He grabbed her feet and hoisted them over his shoulders. The angle of his cock changed. She trembled, unable to stop herself from plunging over the edge again.
As one long, languorous orgasm rolled through her, her toes clenched and her eyes rolled back. When she opened them, he was staring down at her with a look that startled her.
His hips slowed. His strokes lost their lust-driven motive only to be replaced by an intimacy that shot straight to her heart.
He released her legs and leaned to cradle her cheeks in his hands.
“I love you,” he whispered.
“Aaron.”
“Maybe now’s not the right time. But I don’t care. I’ve loved you my whole life and I never want to let you go.”
She choked back a sob. She’d always loved him too. That’s why she’d never been able to find someone to replace him. They were destined to be together, but she’d been too stubborn and driven by the need to be successful to see it.
“I love you too,” she murmured.
He kissed her softly, melting against her as he rolled his hips. He buried his face in the hollow of her throat and made love to her. This time it was different. The overwhelming desperation was gone. And in its place, a deeper, more meaningful passion built.
As they raced toward the summit, she moaned and cried out his name. He drove into her, claiming her, taking her to the brink of ecstasy before tumbling over the edge with her. He shuddered as he spilled into her, warming her from within.
They lay locked together for several minutes, neither of them speaking. The sensation of total contentment relaxed every muscle in her body. She trailed her fingers over his shoulders and back.
