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

by Ali Parker

  His dark jeans hug low on his hips, the tight fitting black T-shirt only working to accentuate the thick muscles of his chest and abdomen.

  "Girls..." He smiled at Violet and winked at Sicily. "You ready to head out?"

  "Yeah. I just need to finish cleaning up in the back." Sicily let her eyes roam over him before returning to his face. She half expected the same cocky grin he had given her a hundred times before when he realized that she was checking him out.

  He nodded and turned to Violet, giving nothing away in terms of his feelings.

  It's going to be a long-ass weekend.

  Sicily walked into the back and finished putting everything up before pulling out her phone and sending a group text that she was heading to the airport with Drake. She dropped the phone back in her purse and walked out to find him and Violet laughing about something.

  "Okay. I'm all set." Sicily glanced toward Violet. "You going to be okay?"

  "I sure am. I'll work hard to fatten these people up right." Her smile was radiant. Why wasn't Drake dating her? "Besides, I was just telling Drake that you guys could start the perfect scandal together. You feed them a load of pastries and then send them to us to work them off. Then we'll encourage them to stop by for a treat after their hard workouts."

  Sicily smirked and walked toward Drake. "Scandalous."

  "I quite like it." He shrugged and moved to the door, nodding toward her bag. "That all you’re bringing?"

  "Yep. I packed light. If I need something there, I'll just put it on a card." She shrugged and glanced back at Violet. "Thank you again. Call if you need me."

  "Of course. Have a ton of fun and don't worry about a thing. I’ve got this." She smiled and waved as Sicily moved out into the chilly afternoon.

  A black truck sat a few spots down from the shop, but Drake's bike was nowhere to be seen.

  "Where's your bike?" Sicily turned and looked up at him as he stopped in front of her.

  "It's locked up. I figured we needed to take the truck thanks to the bags. There’s no way to balance the suitcases on the bike, silly girl." He smiled and nodded to the truck. "Hop in and we'll head to the airport. We can have a drink there or grab a bite to eat if you're hungry."

  "Sounds good." She walked to her side and took a quick breath, hoping like hell that the calmness that sat between them would continue to hold everything together. She needed to apologize to him in person, but seeing that things were going good, it just didn't feel like the time.

  Sicily climbed up in the truck and buckled in as Drake moved toward her. She stiffened as his fingers slid into the tightness of her ponytail, tilting her face toward him.

  "I would never, ever, in a million years, hurt you. You know that, right?" His expression was serious, but his eyes were filled with warmth.

  "I know that. I'm sorry about lashing out yesterday."

  "Me too." He leaned in and pressed his lips to hers, his tongue brushing along hers as she opened her mouth to him.

  Needing to feel more of him, she reached up and brushed her hand along his face as he continued to make love to her mouth. A groan left him that tore her insides up. For a minute, she didn't care about anything but having more of his skin against hers.

  "More," she whispered and pulled him back down for another long kiss.

  He broke it and smiled at her before nipping at her lips. "Fuck I've wanted one of those kisses since I had the last one."

  "Good. I have plenty more for you where that one came from." Sicily released him and let out a sound of appreciation for the high level of lust racing through her.

  "More kisses or something else?" He wagged his eyebrows and started to back the truck up.

  "You'll have to wait and see." She chuckled and turned the hot air to point at her. "How long is the flight?"

  "Couple hours, if I remember correctly."

  "And D and Izzy are picking us up? Did I get that right?" Sicily tugged at her seatbelt and turned her attention toward the handsome devil in the seat next to her.

  "Yeah. Izzy doesn't know I'm her brother, so please don't mention it."

  "But she knows the truth about you not being dead... how? What does she think?"

  "She thinks I'm D's brother and just got in too far into some shit a few years back. I think it's almost been five years since D helped me escape."

  "Why is he still involved in all that stuff, Drake?" Sicily reached over and took his hand into hers.

  "He loves it. He's a rough son-of-a-bitch and honestly, I think he'll be a Don one day."

  "A Don? What's that?"

  "The Godfather, or the head of the syndicate."

  "We're talking old school mafia here? Like the movies?"

  "Kind of. Sort of." Drake shrugged and squeezed her hand before releasing her and gripping the steering wheel. "I guess the real difference is when you get shot in the movies, you survive. It's not that way in the real world."

  Sicily shivered and tried to put the idea of danger out of her mind. They'd been through enough shit over the last few weeks for her to never want to deal with deceit or lies again. Something told her they were headed into the middle of a world that simply survived on them. Was Kari right? Was Drake capable of slipping back into being that guy? Was he still that guy?

  Chapter 23

  Drake parked the truck at the airport and walked around, offering his hand to Sicily as she slipped out. The pretty little thing let out a soft yelp as she hit the ground. He reached out and slid his hands around her waist, pulling her flush against him as she glanced up.

  "What are you doing?" A smile tugged at her mouth.

  "Trying to figure out how to move us past what happened yesterday so that we can get back to working on whatever is happening between us." He leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to the side of her neck. "And hitting on you. Hard."

  "Yes. I see that." She laughed and pushed at his chest. "It will work itself out. Let's go and do what you need to do together."

  "Sounds good." He brushed a kiss by her ear. "Then I can hit on you?"

  "Hit on me the whole time, please." She moved to the side of him and picked up her bag.

  "Give me that, woman." He took the bag and laid it on top of his before locking the truck. He extended his hand to her. "Come on. I'll feel better when we're there. I haven't seen my brother in five years. It'll be weird as hell going back there."

  "I'm just sorry that we're going back for this reason. Have you heard anything on your mother?" Sicily took his hand and he squeezed it softly, grateful for her warmth.

  "No, but in my world, that's usually a good thing." He forced a smile and walked toward the elevators.

  An older couple moved out as they moved in, the elderly man huffing as if he found something wrong with them.

  Asshole. It wasn't a wonder that Sicily was nervous about being judged. Everyone who had eyes to see judged each other in some way or another. He had been the same as the rest of them before being replanted to a new location. He was far too grateful for another chance at life now.

  "I need to come clean on something." Sicily's voice was tight with discomfort.

  Drake forced himself not to interrupt her. He simply nodded, encouraging her to continue.

  She glanced toward him as they walked into the airport. "My brother called a few weeks back when you and I first really started talking and he told me to steer clear of you. I guess he knows a little something about your last name."

  Drake swallowed hard, hoping like hell her brother wasn't someone he'd dicked over in his past. "His last name is Moretti?"

  "Yeah, I don't think you know him, but he sure knew you. I think part of the reason I blew up yesterday was because Johnny was so adamant about you being a really, really bad guy."

  "Can't say I blame him. My family is revered in Chicago." He squeezed her hand and moved up to the ticket counter. "Hold that thought, okay?"

  "Sure." Sicily moved in beside him and he slid an arm around her waist as he spoke with the ticketing a
gent. They got their tickets, checked in their bags, and walked to the gate as Drake picked the conversation back up.

  “I’m not that same man, Sicily. I promise. I died to that a long time ago.” He adjusted a small bag on his shoulder, and moved to sit down at a long row of open seats near their gate. “So, I need you to do something for me."

  "What?" She sat down beside him and crossed her shapely legs.

  Drake slid his hand over her thigh and rested his hand on her as she brushed her fingers up and down his. Her touch relaxed him in a way that left him thinking about a much needed nap.

  "Tell your brother that you were mistaken. We don't need him involved in the mess I used to be in. If anyone finds out I'm alive, I'll have hell to pay. My father won't rest until he brings me back, and if Izzy or Marco find out that I'm their blood..." Drake shook his head and closed his eyes.

  "Are they really part of a mafia?"

  "The mafia, Sicily." Drake shifted and opened his eyes, trying hard to express the importance of his request. "It's a big fucking deal, baby. Please promise me you'll think about it. I don't want to ask you to lie to your brother. You guys seem close. I'm just not sure what else to do."

  "I understand. I'll figure something out. I don't want to put Johnny in danger." She sucked her bottom lip into her mouth and glanced around before turning back to him. "Are we in danger?"

  "I am. I always am." He rubbed her leg, wishing they were somewhere private for their conversation. "If you don't want to be a part of that, I totally get it. I tried to clean my shit up five years ago and honestly, it's working, but I never know if someone's going to show up on my doorstep to deliver death. Every time D calls I feel like that's it. It's all coming after me now."

  "Wow. I would hate to have him call then."

  "It's a double-edged sword, I guess. I care about him because he's my brother, but I don't know." I let my thoughts dive in deeper than I had in a while. "I think one of the things that I fear most is that one day he'll stop calling."

  "Because he's angry at you for leaving him?" Sicily moved closer.

  Drake moved his arm to rest on the chair behind her and leaned in, brushing his nose along hers. "Because he'll be dead. His life is in danger all the time. I wish I could help, but I'm a coward. I can't live like that anymore."

  "You're not a coward, Drake." Sicily's hand rubbed by his face and he leaned into it.

  "Feels like it most days," he mumbled.

  "Just because you're born into a family doesn't mean you're going to turn out like them. Being part of your family is just dangerous business." She pulled him down and kissed him softly. "Have you thought about changing your last name?"

  "Yeah, but I'm a ghost, baby. I don't exist. If I try to change my name, it would put up a huge red flag."

  "I see." She kissed him again, a soft sound of pleasure leaving her.

  Drake pulled back and rolled his shoulders. "We're going to have to stop or I'm going to find one of those family bathrooms and show you how badly I want to express my feelings for you."

  She laughed. "That sounds hot and yet not. Bathrooms are... eww."

  The announcement over the loud speaker called for their flight to begin boarding. Drake stood and chuckled at the expression on her pretty face.

  "Come on. No bathroom unless it's in a hot shower." He took her hand and pulled her up, giving her another quick kiss before moving toward the gate.

  "This is for first class, Drake."

  "I know, baby. My brother always goes in style. Should be fun."

  "Fun, yes, but insanely expensive." Sicily moved in front of him as the flight attendant took her ticket.

  "I'm not paying for it. D did."

  "I need to pay him back for mine. I don't do freebies."

  "Yeah. Good luck with that." Drake handed the woman his ticket and moved to take Sicily's hand again. "He's the devil in an angel's disguise."

  "Sounds like you." She laughed.

  "He's much better looking than me, so let me warn you now... No falling for him. I'd hate to kill my own brother over the girl who's stolen my heart."

  She glanced over and he almost relented, ensuring her that he was kidding, but she took the conversation a different route.

  "I've stolen your heart?" Her eyes filled with tears.

  He pulled her into a side hug. "Yes, baby. I think I told you that the other night. It's the reason why I can put our fight behind me from last night. People who plan on working things out usually have to, you know... work things out."

  She shook her head and wiped at her tears, shocking him with her beauty.

  "Shit, it might be D I need to worry about. He loves a beautiful woman and Italian women are his favorite." A false sense of protection rolled over him and he forced it away. D was in love with Izzy to the point of it almost being comical. The two of them needed to let down their guards and have at each other. They had to be fucking. They were too attracted to each other not to.

  Drake let the silence fall between them as they got on the plane and found their seats. He let Sicily get in first before putting their smaller bags in the overhead and sitting down next to her.

  "I'm going to apologize in advance. I'm exhausted. I slept like shit last night because of everything. If I fall asleep..."

  He cut her off. "I'll wake you up when we get there, baby. Just rest."

  She leaned over and pressed a kiss to his shoulder before snuggling into him. The sweet smell of her perfume rolled over him and he turned and kissed the top of her head. How badly he wanted to tell her that he loved her, that she was the one, that he wanted forever, but it was too soon.

  It was the romantic in him that fanned the hope of having love and raising a family one day. It seemed impossible a few years back, but now, sitting next to Sicily, that hope was coming back to life. He started to tell her how pretty she was, but the sound of her deep breathing stopped him.

  "Damn... you weren't kidding." The plane pulled back a few minutes later and he closed his eyes, letting himself dive into fantasy after fantasy where the pretty girl next to him promised to be his forever.

  "Baby." Drake kissed the top of Sicily's head, hoping to wake her as the plane pulled into the gate.

  "Five more minutes. Please. I was almost to the good part," she mumbled.

  He laughed and ran his hand down the side of her face. "I have lots of good parts in store for you. Come on, baby. Wake up. The plane has landed."

  "Hm?" Sicily sat up and ran her hands down her hair as if trying to smooth it. "Where are we?"

  "We're in Chicago." He stood up and got their bags down as she worked on waking up.

  "Who's picking us up again?"

  "Izzy and D. Come on, Sis. Get up and let's get off." He reached for her, helping her stand.

  She was a little wobbly and Drake couldn't help but enjoy the sweet disposition that sat on her. She looked so fucking innocent. Why did he want to wreck that innocence more than anything else?

  Because I'm an asshole.

  "Sorry," she mumbled and moved in front of him.

  He reached out and slid his hand around her waist as they walked off. "No need to apologize."

  Lifting to his toes as they walked, he could see his brother and sister standing together, the two of them arguing about something. They looked as if they might jump each other in the middle of the airport.

  "So typical," Drake muttered.

  "What's that?" Sicily glanced up at him.

  "D and Izzy are fighting. Get ready. They do a lot of that."

  "Why? They don't like each other?"

  "No." Drake laughed. "They love each other and neither of them will tell the other."

  "Oh, hell. That's way worse." Sicily moved behind Drake as if she were nervous about meeting everyone.

  "Hey!" Drake yelled and caught D's attention.

  His brother let out a soft whoop and walked toward him, pulling him into a tight hug. "Fuck, I've missed you, little brother."

  Chapter 24r />
  If Drake was wickedly handsome, Demetri was a god. Sicily glanced up at him as he pulled Drake into a warm hug. His dark gaze moved across her as if he were trying to analyze her worth in one stare. He moved and Sicily took a step back.

  She didn't belong there. Drake and D looked like models and Izzy was breathtaking.

  A tall, long-legged vixen in black leather pants and a tight T-shirt extended her hand. Her sea-green eyes were filled with challenge and hardness, something that Sicily hadn't seen in a woman's expression in a long time. Her dark hair framed her perfect features, the girl giving the handsome men beside her a run for their money.

  You look like a fucking idiot standing with them.

  "You must be Sicily. I'm Izabella. Call me Izzy. They all do." She nodded back toward the boys as Drake and D continued to talk quickly as if they had a million things to catch up on.

  Sicily smiled, forcing herself to calm down and play the part. "Nice to meet you."

  "Let's grab your bags and we can take you guys to get something to eat. You hungry?" Izzy glanced down the length of Sicily's body. The girl's expression didn't give anything away, but Sicily cringed internally. She was being sized up, literally, and didn't have a chance of measuring up. She was twice as big as the gorgeous woman in front of her.

  "D. Come meet my girl." Drake moved toward her and pulled her into a side hug. "Sis. This is Demetri and you've met Izzy."

  "Nice to meet you." Sicily extended her hand, and was a little surprised when D took it and pressed his lips to it.

  His dark hair and black eyes were stunning against his tanned skin. He was taller than Drake and yet just as cut from what she could tell. His button down grey shirt and slacks looked good on him, the man belonging on a GQ magazine.

  "Hey. Back up, motherfucker." Drake pushed at D's chest as the older brother laughed.

  "No worries, little brother. I love you too much to steal your girl." He glanced over to Izzy. "You ready?"

  "Yep." Her response was tight-lipped. Whatever they were fighting about before Sicily showed up was obviously still jacking with the pretty girl.