by Mia Carson
“Normally, I would, but I have decided that I would much rather see you happy,” she said and patted Kris’s cheek. “He makes you happy, and though I might not completely agree with whatever is happening right under my nose, you are old enough to do what you want with your life. Just be careful, that’s all I ask.”
“I’m always careful, Grams,” she assured her, and they embraced. “Thanks.”
“For what? It’s about time you found yourself a damn husband and settled down,” she insisted, and Kris’s head fell with an annoyed sigh on her shoulder. “Just saying. I won’t live forever. I’d like to know my family will be taken care of.”
“She will be,” Edmund said as he opened the door to the room. He wore his jeans and had found another shirt before he stepped out. “I promise I’ll take care of her for you.”
Grams gripped his hand tightly. Kris was speechless as she watched the old woman’s face fill with such love and understanding. “You remind me so much of her grandpa. That old man knew how to make me laugh for hours and taught me what it meant to care for someone. He dealt with my bluntness, too,” she added and nudged Kris’s side. “Well, I’ll let you two get back to your weekend, and Kris? Stay away from the house a little longer. Your parents are cooking up another one of their get-rich schemes, and I don’t want you anywhere near it.”
Kris shook her head. “Why don’t I just kick them out and be done with it?”
“Because they’ll start all sorts of trouble, and it’s not worth it. They’ll leave soon enough,” she assured her. “And if not, I’ll drag the sheriff into it and kick them out myself.” With an angry huff, she turned around and walked back down the hall, muttering under her breath.
Kris grinned at Edmund. “You didn’t have to say all that, you know.”
“Why wouldn’t I?” he asked as his hands slipped around her waist. “I meant every word.”
“But your car. It’ll be done soon, and I can’t ask you to stay here,” she said, even though that was exactly what she wanted to do. “This town is too small for you. You’d hate it.”
“And you haven’t thought of coming with me?” he asked with a raised brow.
Kris’s mouth fell open and clamped shut at the idea of moving in with Edmund. “Actually, no,” she said through a laugh. “That idea never occurred to me.”
“And why not?” he asked, resting his forehead against hers.
“You don’t think this is too fast for you? I mean, we literally just met, and the last thing I want to do is turn out to be that clingy girlfriend you wind up resenting,” she rambled. “And your family? Or your ex? Won’t they hate me?”
“I don’t care what they have to say about my life,” he said, his tone deepening. “Not anymore.”
“I’m nothing like your last fiancée, and I have no idea how to act in your world,” she continued, worried about trying to fit in. But Edmund kissed her, letting his tongue trace her lower lip, and she sighed against his mouth. He stepped backwards, bringing her into the room, and she closed the door behind her. “You’re sure?” she asked quietly, wondering why she was panicked all of a sudden. So unsure of herself.
But the loving gaze Edmund graced her with chased all her fears away. “I’ve never been more sure of something in my life. I don’t know what this is, but I’m not about to let it fall to the wayside because we grew up differently.”
“And Grams and Dennis? They still need me.”
“We’ll figure it out as we go,” he promised. “But whatever we decide, we’re staying together.” He swallowed hard, and his jaw tensed. “I… uh, I wanted to tell you something but wasn’t sure how you would react, but I’m just going to say it.” Kris held her breath as her heart beat loudly against her ribs. “I think I’m falling for you,” he whispered. “Falling in love with you, I mean.”
She let out a breath and leapt into his arms, kissing him fiercely as he held her close and spun around the room. “God, I was hoping you’d say that,” she said against his lips. “I’m falling for you, too. Head over heels.”
Their kiss grew heated until Kris’s blood burned in her veins and all she wanted was to spend every waking moment with this man in her arms. They fumbled with each other’s clothes in a mad rush to be closer, to claim the other. Stripped naked, Edmund picked her up and held her against the wall as he explored the depths of her mouth, thrusting his tongue as he pressed his hips lower, seeking entrance. Kris shifted and when he drove inside her, they groaned together. He rubbed hard on her clit with each thrust, and she dragged her nails down his back as ecstasy flooded every nerve in her body, reaching towards her very being. Edmund was hers, and she was his, only his.
The climax was sharp and quick, tearing a cry from her throat as he growled against her neck, swelling within her folds as he spilled his love into her. His lips brushed along her collarbone as she shivered, wishing he could stay buried inside her forever, filling her, completing her.
“Lunch?” she asked as her stomach growled from their latest exertions.
He kissed her nose and let her slide down his body to land on her feet. “Lunch sounds great.”
***
Edmund grinned again, unable to stop since he’d admitted to Kris he loved her. There was no use denying it any longer or worrying it was something else. He loved that woman, and he was not going to let her go. There would be a fight from his parents, but he vowed to do whatever necessary to ensure a future with Kris. His parents would have to accept the fact that their son had found the woman he was going to marry, not for her wealth or the status of her family, but for love. He knew the idea was radical to his parents because they had barely showed an ounce of love for each other the whole time he was growing up.
“Damn,” Kris muttered from across the garage.
“What’s wrong?” he asked from where he sat on the short stool by his Mustang.
“I forgot to pick up a few things from the hardware store. Mind watching the shop for me while I go get them?”
“I think I can handle it,” he said as she sauntered over to him and positioned herself between his thighs.
“And don’t even think of touching your car while I’m gone,” she warned, poking him hard in the chest. “I see that gleam in your eyes. Just let me do my work, and she’ll be running in no time.”
He kissed the back of both her hands, one after the other. “I won’t touch a thing.”
Kris nibbled her tongue, kissed his lips briefly, and hurried for the door. “Be back in twenty!”
He waved her away, and the door closed solidly behind her. He pushed up from his stool and paced around his car. “Don’t worry, old girl, we’ll get you fixed up and you and I are going to take a very different trip home,” he said. He pictured driving his Mustang with Kris beside him on the road, driving her finished car. “I’m even bringing home a friend for you.”
His gaze shifted to the Judge behind him, and he wondered how many parts she needed to finish him. Her birthday was in August, a small tidbit Grams had dropped when they were leaving the inn that afternoon. Maybe he’d gift her the rest of what she needed so she could finish her dream car, but something told him Kris wouldn’t accept such a gift. He would just have to find another way to ensure she had the time and funds to work on her car whenever they figured out where they would live.
The door to the garage opened, and he turned with a smile, ready to tell whoever it was that Kris would be back in a few, but when he saw Sharon and Leroy, his smile stiffened and he crossed his arms.
“Ah, there he is,” Leroy announced loudly. “Just the man we were hoping to see.”
“You aren’t looking for your daughter?” he asked crossly.
Sharon smacked Leroy on the arm, and he glared at her. “Course we were. Leroy just wanted to talk to you both, that’s what he meant. Where is our little girl?”
“She had to run to the hardware store,” he said. “What do you need to talk to us about? Are you leaving town already?” He smirke
d as their smiles disappeared, and they both leered at him. Usually, Edmund strove to be the gentleman in all situations, but when Kris was involved, that man disappeared and he turned into a protector.
“Our daughter didn’t have to leave on account of us,” Sharon snapped. “We’re her parents. She should want to be around us, but she spends every waking minute with you. You took my daughter away.”
“And so you want me to leave town?” he asked. “That’s not happening unless Kris herself asks me to, and between you and me, she’ll ask you two to leave before she broaches the subject with me.”
Leroy stepped between Edmund and Sharon, glaring. “You can’t talk to my wife like that.”
“My apologies,” he said quickly. “Happy?”
“No, we came to talk to our daughter and you about a proposition,” Leroy said stiffly and straightened to his full height. Edmund did the same, and the man sagged beneath his shadow. “We know a guy who could make us all a lot of money.”
“Doing what exactly?”
“He deals with horses, breeding ‘em, selling ‘em, and the like. We know you deal with horses. The man wants to go big, and we’re ready to help him, but we need a backer.”
“You want money,” Edmund said bluntly. “And you’re going to ask your daughter for it.”
“We need collateral,” he argued. “She has the house and this shop. They’re not worth much, but they’ll do the trick.”
“No,” Edmund growled. “You are not putting her life on the line for your gain.”
Leroy grunted in annoyance, and Sharon’s mouth fell open. “You know as soon as you leave town, we’ll be back, and sooner or later, she’ll give in. We’re family, and family always helps family.”
“And if I never leave?” Edmund asked. “What then?”
Leroy and Sharon both took a step back, the first startled by the answer. “Why would you stay?”
“Because I’m in love with your daughter, an emotion I don’t think the two of you have ever felt for her in your lives. You two are going to leave her alone from now on. You’re not going to stay at her house, and you’re not going to ask her for money.”
“Pay us what we need and we’ll go away,” Leroy suggested as his voice shook. “She’ll never see us again.”
Edmund started to reach for his wallet but stopped. “No. I know everyone in the horse business in the state. If I make inquiries into this man you want to do business with and find out the two of you are involved in any way, I’ll be sure to set the authorities on you for doing business with a man I guarantee is not licensed to do whatever it is he’s doing.”
Leroy glared as Sharon grabbed his hand and tried to pull him away. “Leroy, let’s just go.”
“No, he can’t do that just because he’s rich. You snobs are all the same. Throwing your money around, thinking you can tell everyone else what to do! Damn our daughter for falling for a man like you!”
Edmund raised his fist but stopped before he punched Kris’s dad. “Actually, we’re not. You’ll find my name is very well respected because of how well we take care of the horses involved in our business. I suggest you find futures for yourselves outside of Kentucky.”
Sharon’s face paled, and Edmund debated on demanding they tell him the name of the man they were trying to do business with. Leroy cursed and rushed out the door, dragging his wife behind him. As the door slammed shut behind them, Edmund let out a shaky breath, running his hands through his hair as he paced around the garage. He kicked the closest wall, cursing at the pain in his throbbing toes, but at least it hadn’t been Kris’s dad. He knew parents could be controlling and manipulative with their kids, but to try and drag them into a get-rich scheme that would only damage the life Kris had built for herself? She would lose everything, and her parents couldn’t care less for her well-being. They only wanted a quick fix for their lives. His desire to get her out of this town only grew, and he contemplated the best way to convince her of that without mentioning his encounter with her parents.
The door opened again, and Kris walked in, her face down as she dug through a paper sack. “I’m back. Did you touch it?” she asked without looking up.
“Nope,” he said, hoping he sounded normal. “Didn’t touch a thing.”
“Uh-huh. Why do you look guilty, then?” she asked when she finally glanced at him.
He shrugged and shoved his hands in his pocket. “No idea,” he replied and sidled over to her. “Are you in the mood for some darts tonight? I think we need a rematch.”
“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” she purred as she ran her finger down hit chest. “I think this time, I might win.”
“What are we betting?”
“I’m not sure,” she said. “You already hold what I have to offer.”
He grinned. “Oh, I’m sure we’ll come up with something. Just give it time.”
Chapter 13
Edmund missed his second dart throw and sighed. “Well, shit,” he said and reached for his beer.
Kris squinted at him from her barstool. “You sure nothing’s wrong?” she asked. Since she’d come back from the hardware store that afternoon, he’d seemed off. She worried it was her, but he stayed by her side in the garage and they talked as easily as they usually did and shared a few kisses and feather-light touches that promised so much more.
“Nah, it’s nothing,” he promised and rested his hand on her bare knee. “Your turn. Stop stalling.”
“I’m not stalling,” she grouched. “I believe I’m winning right now. You should be stalling.”
He shrugged. “I’m just letting you think you’re winning. It’s all about strategy.”
She rolled her eyes and spotted Dennis a few tables away. He sat with a group of his friends, drinking pop, not beer, and every now and then, his gaze flickered towards them. “Is Dennis making you nervous?”
“No. I think your brother and I have an understanding,” Edmund said and lifted his beer to Dennis. Her brother lifted his pop in turn, and his lips twitched almost into a smile. “See? No trouble there, so quit stalling and throw your damn dart, woman.”
Kris saw past his smile to the annoyance beneath, not directed at her, but let it go for now. She picked up her dart and lined up her shot. The dart hit dead center, and she jumped up and down, laughing hysterically. “I did it! Did you see that? Oh, man, you really shouldn’t have taught me how to throw. I’m going to whoop your ass now.”
Wearing a stunned look, Edmund’s lips mouthed a curse. “I can’t believe you did that.”
“Well, I did,” she teased. “And now, I have to pee.”
He grinned, picking up the next dart as she pushed through the Saturday night crowd towards the short hall leading to the restrooms. A stall was open so she got in and out quick, ready to get back out to the action, but when she opened the door to the hall a large man blocked her path.
“Excuse me,” she said politely and tried to step around him, but when he turned to face her, she gritted her teeth and tried to hold on to her smile. “Roy, hey, can you move your ass? I’m trying to get back out there.”
“To your boyfriend?” He leered, bending lower so their faces were level. His breath reeked of beer and whiskey, and Kris cringed. “Now, what is it about him that’s so goddamn special?”
“He knows how to shower, for starters,” she said and pinched her nose. “Move, please.”
“No. I want to know why I wasn’t good enough for you,” he said and shifted his broad-shouldered body until she was cornered. “Us small town boys don’t have the right size cock or something?”
Her fist curling in anger, she raised it to deck him, but he caught it easily in his hand. “Get out of my face right now.”
“Or what?” he whispered roughly. “I think you didn’t give me a good enough shot with you.”
“You had plenty of shots, and you blew them all,” she argued, yanking her hand, but he held her wrist fast. “Let me go, you bastard!”
He caught
her other wrist and pinned her hands to her sides, pressing his body against hers. “Not until you give me another chance. Now that you’ve broken your code of not sleeping with anyone ‘til you’re married, we can have a go at it. And I can tell you right now, I’m twice the man that rich asshole is.”
He lowered his mouth to hers and crushed his lips against her, but she wasn’t having it. She bit his tongue the second it made an appearance, and he yelped. She screamed for Edmund as Roy raised his hand to slap her. She ducked under the hit and darted for the bar. Edmund rushed towards her, his eyes glowing with an anger she hadn’t seen in him. She reached for him, but Roy snatched her arm back and she slammed into his side.
“Kris was just telling me she missed me now that she’s stuck with you.” Roy sniggered.
Kris elbowed him in the gut, and he let go of her long enough for Edmund to take her hand and plant her safely behind him. Dennis was on his feet and barreled towards them as Roy made ready to lunge at Edmund.
“You stay away from Kris,” Edmund snapped. “Don’t you ever touch her again.”
Roy’s eyes narrowed, and without a word, he aimed a punch at Edmund. The latter dodged it and hit Roy with one of his own. He followed it with a second across the face, then a third, slamming his jaw upwards and sending him crashing to the floor. Dennis loomed in at his side, but Roy did not try to get up and his eyes closed.
“You know, I think I’m gonna like you,” Dennis said and patted Edmund on the shoulder.
“I’m glad to hear it,” Edmund panted as the adrenaline coursed through his body. “What should we do with him?”
“Ah, get my sis out of here. We’ll take him to the station for a night,” Dennis said. “Kris? You okay?”
She swallowed the fear quickly turning into rage, marched over, and gave Roy a solid kick to the groin. He squealed awake and rolled onto his side, clutching his package. “Yeah. Yeah, I’m good,” she huffed. “No one saw that, right?”
Dennis shook his head, and everyone close by followed his lead. Edmund found her hand, and after they paid for the drinks—or tried to but the bartender said they were on the house—he guided her out the door into the humid night air. They walked past the closed-up shops and far from the noise of the crowded bar before Kris came to a sudden stop, threw her head back, and yelled curses incoherently. Edmund watched her pace back and forth but made no move to stop her rant. She wanted to go back and rip Roy to pieces with her bare hands, or better yet, go to the garage and find a wrench to finish the job. Edmund must have caught the murderous gleam in her eyes because he caught her hands and dragged her into a secure embrace.
