Always On My Mind: A Bad Boy Rancher Love Story (The Dawson Brothers Book 1)

by Ali Parker

  "Fuck yeah she is. She's crazy hot and fucks like a minx, but I didn't say anything." Marc turned and walked toward the house, his mood having shifted completely. Excitement at seeing his girl swirled in the pit of his stomach, his heart beating faster than normal at pulling her into his lap or kissing the side of her neck when they greeted each other.

  He was lost to her - completely, but somehow that was all right. He didn't mind at all.

  ***

  Marc walked into the bakery, the quaint little shop completely put together. It was immaculate, the floors and counters spotless. The place was busy with customers. Kari waved them over as soon as they moved through the people in line at the counter.

  "Where's Lisa?" Marc looked around, worry sprouting in his chest.

  "She's behind at work. She said she would be home late tonight, but for you to wait up if you could."

  "Of course I can." Marc smiled and took a seat beside his sister. He extended his hand to Sicily and looked around. "You not running the place anymore?"

  "I own it, yeah. I'm the brilliance behind the recipes, but I have several people working for me now." She beamed and he couldn't help but smile back.

  "I'm impressed. We were just painting this place a few months ago." Marc turned and extended his hand to a tanned-skinned dude who walked up and extended his first.

  "I'm Drake. Jake's friend."

  "Oh yeah. Nice to meet you, man." Marc stood and turned to shake the guy’s hand, his grip tight. "You own the gym?"

  "Yeah, I sure do."

  "Kari told me about you in one of our conversations about how sad her sex life is." Marc smirked as Kari swatted at Marc and moved into Jake's lap.

  "He's a liar, baby. Our sex life is so wicked hot. I love the way you press your tongue to my..." She stopped and looked around as everyone sat in bated silence. "Really? You guys are such dicks."

  "Press my tongue to what, sexy girl?" Jake looked up at Kari, her cheeks turning red.

  "All right. Leave my sister alone. Shit. I was just teasing her." Marc laughed and sat back, wishing like hell Lisa was there. Drake moved to sit beside Sicily, but from what Marc could tell, they were just friends. No eye contact or touching of any sort. There seemed to be a little bit of tension between them, but Marc couldn't tell for sure.

  "How was the trip?" Sicily asked, pulling Marc from his thoughts.

  "Good. I told Lisa that I loved her, so we'll see how things go from here."

  "Oh my God. You did?" Kari turned and stared, her eyes wide, her mouth open a little too far. Marc reached over and pressed softly under her chin, his sister swatting at him.

  "Did she return the sentiment?" Drake asked, leaning back and resting his hand on Sicily's chair.

  "She did, but I'm not sure if she meant it. She's a tough cookie, but I'm persistent, so we'll see." Marc shrugged, looking over at the menu. "I have to have something to eat guys. I'm fucking starving."

  Sicily stood and smiled. "I'll go see where the tray of goodies I asked for is. We'll throw a few sandwiches on there too."

  "A few for just me, please?" Marc winked at the pretty girl and rubbed his stomach.

  "You bet." She walked off and Marc shifted his gaze to Drake.

  "You guys dating?"

  "Me and Sicily? Um... no. She doesn't like me much at all." He laughed and looked toward Kari and Jake.

  "She does like you. You just intimidate her." Kari shook her head, looking down at Jake as if asking for help.

  "It's because you own a gym and she owns a bakery. She probably feels like you look down on her. Like you judge her." Jake shrugged.

  "I don't look down on her, but I do wish she would at least try to eat healthier. The woman cooks everything in butter and cream." Drake ran his fingers through his short, dark hair and huffed.

  "I love butter and cream," Marc responded and reached for a small packet of crackers in the middle of the table. He fiddled with it as the rest of the table talked about their diet habits. He gave up on the packet, finally passing the impenetrable little thing to his sister. Kari lifted it to her mouth as he scowled at her.

  She lifted her eyebrow as if daring him to say something and he couldn't help but laugh. He wanted the crackers, so it was better to just shut up and wait. He took them from her and ate them without chewing, or so it felt.

  Sicily returned a few minutes later and Marc took three of the sandwiches on the tray, leaning over his plate and eating like he hadn't had anything in weeks. His stomach ached with the desire for more, but he knew it would only leave him feeling like shit.

  "Did Lisa eat?"

  "I don't know, but knowing her, probably not." Kari took a small bite of a croissant dipped in chocolate as Drake scowled at her. Sicily popped him on the back as if warning him and he rolled his eyes.

  "Can I borrow someone's car? I want to take her a sandwich and see if there is anything I can help do to get her home faster."

  "Borrow mine." Sicily slipped her hand in her apron and brought out a set of keys, tossing them to Marc. He caught them and stood.

  "Do you have one of those to-go plate things so I can take some of this?"

  "Sure. I'll grab it for you." Sicily disappeared, Marc smirking at the way Drake watched the girl leave. Something was up... whether neither one of them wanted to admit it, something was happening between them.

  "So if you and Lisa love each other, then what are the next steps?” Kari tugged at his shirt, cracker crumbs falling all over his chair from the mess he made.

  "I don't know, really. I guess I finish school and come here. She's not interested in coming back to New York and I can't really say I blame her much for it."

  "I thought you wanted to stay in New York." Kari stood up and stretched.

  "I want to be with Lisa. Whatever that means is what I'll do." He shrugged and turned, taking the container from Sicily and handing it to his sister. "Can you pack Lisa something up?"

  "You can't do it?" Kari laughed and started to pack up a few things.

  "I can, but I know you do it better. Just show me this once and I'll do it next time."

  "How many times have I heard that?" His sister laughed and Jake chuckled next to her.

  "That actually works?" Jake asked as Kari growled.

  "No, it doesn't. It's a punk-ass kid response." She winked at Marc as he took the plate and waved toward everyone.

  "I guess I'm still just a boy. A punk ass boy."

  "I couldn't agree more." Kari pulled him into a quick hug and moved back. "That's half the reason I love you though. Go get the girl. We'll see you at the house shortly."

  Chapter 19

  Lisa stood up from her chair and stretched, the sun long gone behind the earth and yet there was still so much to do. She grumbled about letting Trisha go home, but the older woman was tired and had worked more than a full day.

  She checked her phone, Kari having sent her a few messages about the fun they were all having at Sicily's bakery. Marc was there with them and honestly, the thought of that alone made Lisa want to drop her responsibilities and go.

  "How are you feeling?"

  A deep male voice scared her as she jumped, a soft yelp leaving her. Heat flooded her face as she smiled, her hand coming up to rub along the skin above her palpitating heart.

  "I'm good. Damn you scared me. Trisha had a bell on the door earlier this week to save us both from moments like this." She laughed and motioned for the chair in front of her desk. "Take off a load?"

  "Not in the way I'd like to make it happen, but it will suffice for now."

  She chuckled at his innuendo, his eyes filled with mischief. "Never one to beat around the bush are you, love?"

  "No need to when you know what you want."

  Lisa sat down and crossed her legs, leaning back in her chair and studying the handsome billionaire as he watched her. Where Marc was playful and fun, Michael was serious and steady. Something told her that Michael would be the much better choice for a safe life where passion and d
reams could be fulfilled, but not in a blistering manner that left her panting after him.

  A vision of her father swept across her mind as it always did. She wasn't more than ten at the time and her mother was on the rampage.

  "Lisa! Get your fat ass in here and clean up this mess!" her mother screamed from the kitchen. Lisa stood just outside the door, her back pressed to the wall as she listened. Hot tears burned her eyes due to the hatred she felt for her mother.

  "Now Margo, you know she's not overweight." Her father tried to sooth the viper. He always did.

  "Henry. Does this have anything to do with you?" Her mother's voice softened, but only slightly.

  "No, dear."

  "Right, then shut up and watch me teach this wayward child a lesson."

  "Yes, dear."

  Yes, dear. Okay, dear. Of course, dear.

  How many times had her mother ripped the very fabric of who Lisa thought she was in order to teach her a lesson? Nothing left her feeling more unworthy of love than her mother. All of the arms she ran to as a young girl were only necessary to build herself back up. Tears burned her gaze as she came back to the present, Michael no longer sitting in front of her.

  She turned as he pulled her up from her chair, slipping his arms around her waist and tilting her face toward him with the soft press of his finger on her chin.

  "Where are you?" he whispered, concern filling his handsome face.

  "I'm lost in trying to prove my worth to my mother." She shrugged and tried to pull away, not wanting the touch of another man. Michael would just be another set of arms, and not the ones that could heal her. She needed Marc.

  "You don't need to prove anything to anyone, beautiful." He leaned down and pressed his lips to hers. Lisa pulled back a little, movement to her right catching her attention.

  Marc.

  "Yeah, so... I'm just going to set this down here and I'll leave you two to it." Marc set the plastic container on the edge of her desk and looked up, the pain in his gaze breaking her in half.

  Lisa jerked from Michael and shook her head, fear coating every nerve ending. "Wait. This isn't at all what it looks like."

  "Who's this?" Michael asked, turning to face Marc.

  "Oh. Yeah. It's not some really wealthy older guy holding my girl and kissing away her hurts." Marc chuckled, the sound so hateful it slammed into her as more tears fell.

  Lisa moved around the desk, sliding past Michael as if he wasn't in the room. She had to right this, to save the only redeeming feeling in her world, but the light was growing dim for that all of a sudden. Panic rolled over her as she felt her lungs deflate. She reached for Marc as he lifted his hands and moved back another step.

  "I swear to you that nothing is going on." She let her hands drop, her words nothing more than a whisper. The look on his beautiful face told her that he didn't believe a word of it, and why would he? All of the evidence proved otherwise.

  "No, I get it. He's a man. I'm a boy, right?" Marc chuckled and looked over to Michael. "You hurt her and I'll fuck you up ten ways to Sunday, old man."

  "Marc. Stop it. I'm in love with you. You know this." She reached for him and he swatted at her fingers, his brow creasing as anger rushed across his features.

  Michael moved around the desk and started toward Marc as Lisa held her hand up, pressing the back of it to the billionaire's chest.

  "I don't know anything right now. I didn't walk in to find you guys chatting, baby. I walked in to see you wrapped up in a kiss. Not sure what sort of open relationship you were looking for, but count me out. You need something I can't give you. I get it. Best of luck." He turned and walked down the hall as the world shattered around her.

  No. This can't happen.

  She moved into the hall, reaching up and grabbing his arm as he spun around.

  "What? I'm out, Lisa. I don't need this shit. I don't need you fucking up my world and then pretending to invite me into yours. You want my heart? You have it, but I don't get yours? That's fucked up." He slapped his chest hard, his voice loud and menacing. She took a step back, fear at losing him almost crippling her.

  "I do love you. I didn't kiss him. He kissed me. I pulled back," Lisa screamed her reply, reaching for him again. She hated the neediness in her action, her willingness to stand her ground crumbling fast. She was close to begging him to reconsider, to force him to stay, to plead with him to love her still.

  She was no different than her father.

  "Have you fucked him?" Marc asked, crossing his arms over his chest.

  "Yes. Before you and I got together." She reached up and wiped her tears, her voice broken and whiny.

  "Before April?"

  "No. Before New York last weekend."

  Marc nodded, a smirk rushing across his lips. "Yeah, see... here's the deal. I fell in love with you in April and my life hasn't been the same. I can't whip out my dick and fuck any pretty girl that looks my way anymore. You fucked that up for me. I thought I did the same to you, but obviously not."

  "Marc... Don't do this to me."

  "You did this to you." He shrugged and ran his fingers through his hair before looking just behind her to where Michael was obviously standing. "Pull her hair a little. She'll come like a fountain for you, which is all she's after anyway."

  He turned and walked out, his finger rising in the air as she called after him, begging.

  "Please. Please, Marc. Don't baby. Please."

  He walked out of the door as she bent in half, a scream lifting from the deepest part of her soul. Nothing would ever be the same again. Love had doused her in gasoline and lit the mother of all matches. She sunk into Michael's arms, her cries loud and uncontrolled. Realization washed over her grief and she struggled to breathe. She needed Marc to make her whole, without him she wouldn’t be complete.

  She was no different than her father.

  Chapter 20

  Lisa walked into the small cafe that sat at the edge of the bay, her friends already engrossed in some topic of conversation as she approached. No matter how much concealer she applied that morning before work, the dark circles under her eyes gave away the fact that she hadn't slept at all the night before. Marc hadn't come back home. He was headed back to New York, no doubt. His last words to her were hateful and left her feeling like the whore she had always worked to be.

  If you love them with your body, you don't have to involve your heart.

  She swallowed the sadness that rose from the pit of her stomach up her throat again. She had gotten so upset just after midnight that she threw up everything she had eaten earlier that day. Her eyes burned as she pulled off her sunglasses and slid into the booth across from her friends.

  "Let's just get this shit over with." She put her purse down and looked up. She needed to push them past their worry, and move them into a good lunch that had nothing to do with her and Marc.

  "What shit would that be?" Kari asked, reaching over the table and taking her hand. "Don't start this tough crap either. We heard you crying all night long. You're lucky we didn't bust down your door and force you to let us take care of you."

  "She's right, Lisa. We love you and it's not fair for you to shut us out when you're hurting." Sicily picked up her water glass and took a long drink, her eyes wide, as if trying to press her words in further.

  "I understand, but I've been hurt before. Not like this." Lisa shrugged and dropped the sunglasses into her purse before turning to the waiter as he approached. "Glass of bourbon on the rocks."

  "You sure you want something that strong?" Kari asked.

  "Yes. Don't play my mother or I'm fucking out of here," Lisa barked as the server walked off quickly. She pressed her fingers to the bridge of her nose. "I'm sorry. Please don't treat me any differently than you normally would. I'm lost as to how to work through the pain that's completely consuming me right now. I left the house at five this morning and went to the bay to watch the sun rise. I can't think of anything but Marc and it honestly feels like someone is twisting
a knife in my chest."

  "I'm so sorry." Sicily's voice was soft and filled with sadness.

  Kari released Lisa's hand and pushed the bread basket toward her. "Here. Eat some bread. We'll just have a normal lunch if you want to."

  "I wish I could have some," Sicily huffed, rolling her eyes and picking up her water again.

  "And why can't you?" Lisa asked, reaching for the bread and dunking it in the cup of melted butter that sat between her and her friends.

  "She thinks that everyone is judging her." Kari wrapped an arm around Sicily and pulled her close as Lisa chuckled.

  "Who in the world would judge you? We're your only friends and you sure as hell know we're not. I love you just like you are." Lisa took a bite of the roll and stifled a groan, just in case Sicily did decide to stick to her low-carb ideas. No reason to taunt the poor girl.

  "It’s not you guys." Sicily let out a long sigh and lifted her napkin from her lap to dab at her eyes.

  "The other day a few women in the bakery were talking about her. It's nothing really. They were just being condescending bitches." Kari shook her head.

  "What? Who was talking down to you? I'm so in the mood to kick someone's ass." Lisa growled as the waiter put the drink down and stuttered his words.

  "Um... did... d-d-d-id you need anything elssssse?" He visibly swallowed as Lisa turned to look at him.

  "Has everyone ordered?" she asked, turning her attention back to Kari as the poor boy beside her looked positively ill.

  "No, we were waiting on you," Kari said and patted Sicily's leg. "What are you getting?"

  Sicily blotted her eyes once more before putting on a fake smile for the server. "I'll have a chicken breast, grilled. Plain and dry please. A cup of steamed broccoli with it."

  Lisa let out a painful sound as Sicily stuck her tongue out. At least things weren't too off with her friends. Kari was still cursing and playing momma and Sicily was still being innocent and overly sensitive. Good to know the rest of the world was still spinning as it should be.