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

by Ali Parker

  "I'm heading out, baby. Come up to the fire station later if you get a chance."

  "Okay. I love you." She leaned up and kissed him again, her movement uncovering her breasts.

  He growled and moved down to lick at her nipples.

  She swatted him away, turned over and pulled at the covers. "Get outta here, you beast."

  "You do this to me." He picked up the comforter blanket from the ground and tossed it on the bed. "Love you, baby."

  "Me too. Get out." She pulled the covers over her head and let out a few grumbles.

  The smile on his face stayed with him until he reached the gym. It was, thankfully, a little more busy than it had been the day before. Most people were bundled up in their houses, but it was nice to see a few out and about.

  Drake walked into the gym and pulled his cap off, shaking it out and shivering. His allergies were gone, and life could resume as normal. He'd just have to remember to take something before going back to the girls’ house, or talk Sicily into staying with him out at the cabin until the tree was gone.

  "Aren't you a sight for sore eyes?" Violet smiled and stood from behind the desk. "Jasmine said you guys hired the young guy that came in yesterday."

  "Yeah. You know him?" Drake pulled off his coat and moved out of the way as a couple walked into the gym.

  "He was a freshman when I was a senior. He's a good guy. Shy, but maybe this is what he needs to come out of his shell." She shrugged and turned to greet the people coming in.

  "Marc Martin is going to be here in about an hour. Come get me when he gets here. We're going to the fire station together."

  "Oh yeah?" Violet turned and smiled. "He's a cutie."

  "And he's dating Sicily's best friend, Lisa." Drake ran his fingers through his hair and bounced on his feet, trying to get the snow off his pants. The storm was supposed to slow down just long enough for the fire station event to get over, which was all he was hoping for.

  "I'm still dating Dane, so it's no big deal, but-"

  "Dane? Why does that name make my aggression rise up?" Drake put a hand on his hip. Violet had dated a million assholes over the four years she'd been working for him. She was nothing more than a skinny kid when she showed up. Much like Benjamin was. The thought softened a part of him. He'd always been prone to help the little guy.

  Like Freddy.

  "Because you don't like him." She glanced down, turning her attention from him. "He's gotten better. He's just one of those guys with a temper. You know?"

  "No, I don't know. Guys with a temper aren't usually good guys." Drake moved back toward the desk and tapped the top of it. "Look at me."

  She glanced up, concern all over her pretty face. "It's okay. I promise. Don't be upset with me. Okay?"

  "I'm not upset with you. I care about you. If this is the guy that broke your car windows the last time he got upset, you don't need to be with him." Drake glanced around. "Is that the same guy?"

  "No, Drake. Stop acting like my daddy. I'm fine. Okay?"

  "All right, and don't call me Daddy when Sicily is here. She'll be jealous." He winked at Violet, trying to soften his approach. "Just don't date some dickhead that is full of piss and vinegar, okay? It's a bad combination and nothing good is going to come of it. You're a beautiful, talented, incredibly intelligent woman. Get a man that honors that."

  She nodded, her expression tight. She was close to crying.

  Time to walk away.

  Drake had no clue what to do with a woman in tears. Having seen Sicily cry a handful of times was almost too much to deal with. He wasn't adding Violet to the mix. There was more than enough estrogen in his life. She was a big girl, and unless Dane did something to hurt her, he'd keep his distance.

  He wasn't her daddy, she was right, but he was her friend.

  ***

  Marc showed up a little while later, and the minute he got there it was useless to try and get anything else done. The man talked more than most women. Drake had to wrap up a few things, but the minute he was done, he stood and twisted his torso, popping his back as Marc stood at the bulletin board in his office.

  "You ready?" Marc turned to face him. "I mean, the teddy bears are in need of someone to fluff them. You look like just the guy for the job."

  "Watch it." Drake gave him a stern look that melted into something playful. No way he was going to be shitty to Jake's soon-to-be brother-in-law. Drake walked around the desk and clamped his hand down on Marc's shoulder. "You look lost in thought. What's on your mind?"

  "Fuck, man. Let a brother know when you're sneaking up on him." Marc pulled back and walked to the door. "I'm ready. Let's go get this over with."

  "You don't like kids?" Drake moved up behind him and held the door open.

  "Kids? Who said anything about kids? Jake said we were sorting teddy bears."

  "Yeah. To hand out to kids. The donations are being split. Half go in the fire station for when we're called out and a kid is involved, and the other half we're giving out to the less fortunate. You're playing Santa." Drake tried hard not to let Marc see how much he enjoyed the idea of the playboy playing Santa for the whole town. It wasn't a job that he could see Marc signing up for. Not ever.

  "No, the fuck I'm not." Marc walked into the gym and glanced over his shoulder. "You've lost your mind."

  "That was Jake's assignment. Seems like he owes you far more than you thought." Drake chuckled before looking over his shoulder. "Later, Vi. Lock up when you're ready to."

  "Okay, boss. Bring hottie there back with you, anytime." Violet's voice was pleasant. Almost sexy. She was a good girl, playing bad, much like Sicily.

  "Oh yeah, she's going to die if she's not careful." Marc held the door open for Drake. "You should tell her I'm dating a really crazy bitch."

  Drake laughed and walked to his truck. "I'll be sure to do that. When Lisa isn't around."

  Chapter 6

  Sicily

  "You have the cupcakes for the fire station?" Violet stood at the counter in front of Sicily, a warm smile on her face. "Drake called and said they did need them." She grunted. "I swear he thinks I'm his personal assistant."

  "Well, tell him that you're not." Sicily knelt and pulled out a large box of cupcakes. "He'll do what you let him do. Most men will." She gave Violet a cheeky grin.

  "You're right there." She bit on her lip, drawing Sicily's attention to her fidgeting.

  "You okay? You seem a little nervous. Something happen?" Sicily put the box on the counter and pressed her hands to it, studying Violet closely. Something was off. The pretty redhead was always in a good mood and full of confidence. It was a little intimidating knowing that she was working for Drake and was the type of woman any man would want.

  "My boyfriend, Dane, is supposed to stop by the company party tonight, and Drake doesn't like him. He's a motorcycle guy and is a bit of an asshole if he gets too many beers in him, but I'm thinking I'll just keep him away from the liquor. There are only a handful of us coming to the party, but I know Drake invited some of our top clients and a few investors from when he first started the place." She shrugged and glanced down at the cupcakes. "I just hope everything goes okay."

  Sicily reached out and covered Violet's hand with hers. "Hey, it's going to be fine. Just keep an eye on him, and I'll make sure Drake's attention stays on me. It will be fine."

  But would it? Sicily couldn't help but have a flashback of Drake throwing Martin, her ex-employee around the bakery when he got a little hostile with Sicily. The poor kid had been obsessed, and chose the wrong time to put his hands on Sicily and demand something of her. Drake had quickly morphed into a monster of sorts, attacking the kid with a viciousness Sicily hadn't seen since dealing with her brother Johnny and his band of motorcycle club guys. They didn't seem to care two shits what people thought or didn't think about them. If they wanted it - it was theirs, society and its rules be damned.

  "Yeah, you're right. I'll take these over to the fire station. Thanks for making them." Her smil
e didn't reach her eyes, but there wasn't much Sicily could do about it. Things would go well if her boyfriend didn't act like a cock. Otherwise, Drake would lash out. He was a good man hiding behind something a tad bit darker, but he only let that side of himself show when someone was being attacked or hurt.

  "Of course. I wish I could get up there, but I have a million more orders to get through before the party tonight." Sicily walked around the counter and stopped beside the front door, opening it for Violet. "Drake asked me to make something healthy for the company party tonight. I almost laughed him out of my shop. Healthy treats aren't my thing, but there's a health store down the road he can visit."

  Violet chuckled. "I actually love that place."

  "Good. Love it with Drake so he's not alone." She pulled the door open. "I'll never be able to stop eating the things I love most. I've just started to learn how to eat them in moderation. Butter, sugar and bacon will always be on my table. He's just going to have to learn to accept it."

  "From the extra fluff around his waist, I would say that he's well on his way to accepting it if not loving it." She snorted, waved and walked to her car.

  Sicily watched her for a minute and closed the door. She had a few more orders to get through, and then she'd bake a carrot cake for the company party. Drake would roll his eyes and laugh at her choice, but she could point to the fact that at least it had carrots in it.

  "That's something, right?" she mumbled to herself and walked to the back of the shop, humming a Christmas song that her mother sang to her when she was little.

  It was going to be a tough Christmas, but she would persevere and it would be a new year before she knew it.

  ***

  "There you are." Drake opened the door to the gym, his dark eyes full of mischief.

  "What is that smile for?" Sicily lifted her eyebrow. It was almost concerning. "You look like you're up to no good."

  He grabbed her arm and pulled. "Right here. Stand right here and look up."

  She handed the cupcakes off to Jasmine and kissed her cheek as the pretty dark-haired girl leaned in and gave Sicily a quick hug. "You're caught under the mistletoe with Drake. You know what that means."

  Sicily glanced up and then back to Drake, a laugh bubbling up inside of her. "Really? How many unsuspecting women have you had under this thing today?"

  "Only you, baby. I've been waiting patiently." He wrapped his arms around her and dipped her back as she wound her arms around his neck and closed her eyes. The kiss was soft, sweet, and yet said a million things. He was hers forever. The promise was already made, but to feel the assurance of it again left her heart racing, her chest tightening. She'd get through the parts of Christmas that would hurt. Namely because of him.

  She patted his chest and glanced around, finding a few familiar faces and a couple of people she didn't know. "Wow. You have a good turn-out."

  "Right." He released her and rubbed his hand down his chest, a sure sign that he was a little nervous. "What did you decide on the dessert?"

  "Carrot cake. Everyone in here looks like they eat veggies." She wagged her eyebrows and walked toward Violet.

  "Cheeky thing," Drake mumbled behind her and brushed his fingers by her rear before disappearing into a group of gym rats.

  Sicily held her tongue and didn't respond. He wouldn't have heard it anyways. The meatheads on the other side of the gym were congratulating him on the classic dip kiss under the mistletoe.

  She glanced over her shoulder and smiled. There was nothing better than Drake DeMarco, but seeing him relaxed and having fun was the cherry on the sundae. He was beautiful, strong, dependable and so deliciously sexy.

  "He's a great guy. You're a lucky lady." Jasmine draped an arm over Sicily's shoulders. "But, I'm thinking he's the one that got the deal."

  "Oh yeah?" Sicily glanced up at the pretty girl. "I think we're pretty evenly matched now."

  "Now? You always have been." She glanced up and her smile faltered a little. "Oh Lord. That's gotta be Dane's bike outside. Hear him revving it up."

  "Dane? Oh... is that Violet's boyfriend?" Sicily moved out from under Jasmine and walked to the door, not waiting on an answer. Drake was headed out front, which couldn't lead to anything good from what Sicily had learned in her short conversation with Violet earlier at the bakery.

  Drake glanced back and opened the door. "What's up? You need something, baby?"

  "Nope. Just wanted to be with you." She slipped her arm into his as they opened the door and walked out into the frigid cold.

  "Violet is dating a cock, and he's not welcomed here."

  "Drake. She should be allowed to bring someone to the party. She works hard for you." Sicily turned her attention from Drake toward the sound of a deep voice - yelling.

  The large biker was all muscle and stood hovering above Violet next to the bike, his finger in her pretty face. Tears streamed down her cheeks.

  "I know what you're up to, bitch. You keep telling me that nothing is going on, but I'm not an idi-"

  Drake snatched him up and pulled, throwing him back toward the parking lot.

  Sicily yelped and ran to Violet, pulling her into a tight hug. "Did he hurt you?"

  "No. He's just a little drunk. It's fine." Violet pulled back, disappointment and embarrassment all over her pretty face.

  "I told you the last time you were here to leave Violet alone. She's not yours, nor will she ever be." Drake's voice boomed around them, and Sicily stiffened.

  She understood his fury, but prayed like hell that it wouldn't go too far. He was dangerous when calm and deadly any other time.

  "Drake?" Sicily called out and moved in front of Violet, not wanting the girl to get around her.

  "Fuck you, dude. I know you're sleeping with my girl," Dane attacked, swinging at Drake.

  "Oh no," Violet mumbled behind Sicily. "This is going to be bad."

  "Yeah," Sicily breathed out as Drake tackled the big guy, dropping him to the ground before pounding him with quick punches.

  "I'm sleeping with one woman," Drake barked out, "my woman. Violet is like a sister to me, you pussy. Come near her again, and you won't get your ass beat, but shot." He punched him one more time, and the big guy rolled over onto his side and groaned. Drake looked up at Sicily and Violet, the darkness in his face frightening. "Inside. Now."

  Chapter 7

  Drake

  The party the night before hadn't gone at all like he planned. Seeing fear in Sicily's eyes when she looked at him was beyond depressing. He couldn't help who he turned into when someone threatened someone he cared about. It was any man's right and responsibility to protect a woman in need, or another guy for shit's sake. He wasn't willing to explain that, which meant he was still processing it himself. He would try to get her to understand him better, but not yet. He was still stewing over the fact that Violet would choose to date such an asshole.

  "What did she think? She'd bring him to the party and everything would be fine? The bastard is an abuser all the way." Drake glanced up from the packet of papers sitting before him on the kitchen table. Sicily was still asleep in his bed, and the early morning quietness called to him.

  He rarely took legal cases, though he was fully instated by the bar to practice in Maine under a false name. No one needed to know his dealings. It was too complex and all of it was legit, which was a rarity in his life. His days of moving along the shadows for the mafia were long gone, but his law degree remained his.

  Drake brushed his fingers over the name of his client and sat back. Talon Barnes was a good guy with a shitty situation facing him. Being one of the good guys in town, he shot a guy trying to rob a convenience store at gunpoint, and landed himself with an investigative case over the death.

  "Baby?" Sicily's voice was soft, sweet.

  "Yeah. Come here, angel." He moved back and reached for her. She was in nothing more than a t-shirt and a pair of tiny blue panties that he had trouble not tearing off of her the night before.

  She s
at down in his lap and snuggled up against him. "I thought I heard you up in here. You want me to make us something for breakfast?"

  "Carrot pancakes?" He chuckled and ran his hand down her back, cupping her butt.

  "I like carrot-cake pancakes." She brushed her fingers through the side of his hair and kissed him a few times, teasing him.

  His body responded like it always did when she was around. "Keep it up, and the only thing I'm eating for breakfast is you."

  "Hmmm... that doesn't sound like a bad deal." She kissed him again and got up. "Do you have milk and bacon?"

  "You know I do." He worked to put the file back in his briefcase as his cock poked out of the top of his sleeping pants, throbbing with the need for attention - her attention.

  "Good." She opened the fridge, lifting up on her toes. Her little t-shirt lifted up, giving him a great view of her ass from the side.

  "God, you're beautiful, woman." He set the briefcase down and walked over to her, wrapping himself around her from behind and grinding against her softness.

  "As long as you think so, I'm good." She pulled a few items out of the fridge. "Crack the eggs for me, and I'll whip us up a big breakfast."

  "All right." He kissed the side of her neck and moved back. "I know we didn't talk much last night, and I'm not apologizing for-"

  She turned to face him and lifted her hand. "I don't need you to explain. The asshole was threatening Violet. I won't lie and say that you're not scary as hell when you get upset, but I understand why. Just promise me that you'll be careful. Your temper is horrible. It's no better than someone's drunken anger."

  He pressed his hands to his hips and stared at her. No better than someone's drunken anger? It only stung because it was true. He'd learned to control it a lot over the years, but was still working on it.