by MISSY HARPER
“I don’t know what you mean…”
“You sure about that?” He demanded, cutting her off. “You get anything special today, Rylee?” At her confused look he stopped his advance, and he raised his eyebrow as if to say, I’m waiting. “Did you get flowers today, Rylee?” He accused as he began to move forward again when she didn’t respond. “Maybe flowers from another man?” He added through clenched teeth. Recognition dawned on her face, and he pounced on it. “Answer me!”
“Y-yes… they were there… I-I didn’t know… I-I thought they were from you…” She stuttered as she took a step back. The closer he got the more she could see just how angry he really was with her. “Ethan…”
“Don’t talk, Rylee. Listen!” He demanded as he came to rest in front of her. “There are some things that I expect to have to explain to you, walk you through, teach you, and some that I don’t. You accepting flowers from another man is one that I would think would not need explaining!”
Rylee’s fear and unease turned into anger. How dare he yell at her this way! She lifted her chin and narrowed her eyes at him, as no one but she could do. “I didn’t accept anything from anyone, Ethan! They were already there when I got to work!” She yelled right back at him.
“You think that makes a difference to me, Rylee?” He demanded, pointing at his broad chest. She could hear how hurt he was by her receiving those stupid flowers, and it tore at her heart.
“It should…”
“My wife got flowers from another man!” He yelled down into her face. “And from that bastard Bart Kyle no less! It should do nothing but piss me off!” He yelled, cutting her off again. “Did you call to thank him, Rylee?” His tone was cold and accusing.
“No.” The one word was all she could force past her lips. Her knees began to shake, and she took another step back, putting a little more distance between them. “I s-sent him a text. It would have been rude not to acknowledge… b-but I didn’t talk to him, I promise, Ethan.
“Get your cell phone out, Rylee.”
“W-why?” She questioned, suddenly confused and a whole lot uneasy. She’d never seen Ethan so angry.
“Because we are gonna call your little boyfriend, and make sure he understands that you are mine now!” He told her as he glared down at her, daring her to defy him. Rylee reached into the pocket of her skirt and handed him her phone. Ethan dialed the number and put the phone to his ear. He never took his eyes off of Rylee’s.
“Kyle, this is Ethan Hawkins, and I’m calling to let you know that Rylee Van der Brook is mine! I’m gonna excuse you sendin my woman flowers today, because I hadn’t personally told you about Rylee and me, but consider yourself officially informed. Don’t ever make that mistake again. And furthermore, stay the hell away from her altogether. I don’t trust you, and you already know why!” Ethan pressed the end button on her phone and tossed it onto the hay bale beside him.
“I’m going to explain this to you, Rylee, and I hope to hell you’re still a fast learner.” He said, pointing his finger in her face and again closing the distance between them. His hands went to the large buckle fastening his belt around his waist, and he began to unfasten it. “You are my wife! Mine!” He roared. “No one else’s! Do you understand me, Rylee?” His nostrils flared with each breath. “No one’s ever touched you but me, and it’s gonna damn well stay that way! Understand me!”
“Yes, Ethan…” Her words rushed out of her as he pressed her against the wall at her back and shoved his body roughly against hers. A protest quickly rose up in her throat, and nearly escaped, before she bit down on it. Now was obviously not the best time to argue with Ethan.
“I don’t think you do, Runt. You’re mine! No man sends you flowers but me. You got that?” Rylee’s voice betrayed her, along with those blasted girl parts, so she simple shook her head as she stared into his enraged face. “I think you need to be reminded. Do you need to be reminded of who you’re married to, Rylee?” She shook her head no as he ran a possessive hand down her neck and into the v-neck of her shirt. Her worried eyes met his, and she saw passion mixed with anger and possessiveness. “I should spank your ass till you beg me to stop.”
“I’m sorry, Ethan. I swear I didn’t know he was going to do that, and I didn’t accept them. I promise. We were supposed to go to a wedding this weekend, but that was before…” She pleaded as his mouth lowered toward hers. His kiss was punishing at first, and then it softened. She felt his hands slide down her body and then slide up under her skirt. His hands cupped the backs of her thighs, and she felt herself being lifted off the ground.
“Wrap your legs around my waist, baby.” His words were ragged with desire and need, but not anger. “I need you to remember, baby. God, I need you to remember!” Rylee did as she was told and immediately felt just how much he wanted her. His fingers kneaded her bottom as his mouth devoured hers. A sharp pain at her hip, and the sound of ripping cloth, caught her attention just before she saw her panties fly over his shoulder and land on the floor. “Mine!” He growled in her ear as her girl parts began singing their own version of the Hallelujah Chorus.
With his path cleared, he was immediately lost to his passion. He growled as he slid inside her and set about quickly and determinedly proving his point while he held on tight to her. “Mine, Rylee. Say it!” He demanded.
“Yours… I’m yours…”
“Louder!” He ground out between his clenched teeth. “Fuckin Bart Kyle didn’t hear you, Rylee!”
“I’m yours… oh my God, Ethan!” She screamed as she lost herself in him. Breathing hard, he stumbled backward still holding her as he sat down hard on a bale of hay.
“Rylee…” His hands and mouth were everywhere. It was as if he couldn’t get enough of her. She pushed back to look into his eyes, a look of confusion and uncertainty on her face and he understood her unease.
“It’s okay, baby.” He softly kissed her lips, all traces of his previous anger gone. “Bring your legs around, and put your feet on either side of my hips, baby.” He groaned as she began to move into the position he wanted.
“Ethan?” He held her face in both of his hands and gently kissed her lips. “What do I…?”
“Shh, relax, my little Runt. Follow you instincts, baby. There’s no wrong way to love a man.” He groaned and his head rolled back as she began to move.
Rylee followed his instructions and was sure her brothers, miles away in the pastures, heard her scream over and over again as Ethan showed her yet another way to enjoy being married to him.
“Rylee? Are you okay, baby?” Ethan leaned his head down to get a better look at her face which was pressed against his shoulder. They were still sweaty and attempting to catch their breath after their intense love making. “I didn’t hurt you, did I?”
“No, I don’t think I can form sentences yet, though.” She mumbled into his shoulder. Ethan chuckled and tightened his hold on her. Damn, he loved being the first to have these experiences with her. He never dreamed a person would be so precious to him. He hadn’t thought he possessed the ability to love anyone as much as he loved his little Runt.
“I’m sorry I got so crazy, baby.”
“I guess it’s understandable, and I can’t honestly say I mind at the moment.” Rylee confessed, still slumped against his big body.
“It’s just that it feels so good with you. So right, you know?” He said, running his hand up and down her damp spine. Every minute he spent with her, whether they were working, laughing, arguing or making love made him feel more whole. She’d become everything to him, and he felt like the luckiest man on the planet.
Feels so good with you. Rylee’s heart began to hurt all over again. How may times was she going to have to go through this before she figured it out. She’d stupidly allowed herself to believe that his actions proved that he must really love her. How many situations was she going to allow herself to be placed in, thinking that just maybe this time he’d admit he loved her, only to be disappointed once more.
The sex was great, and that was the only thing he loved about her. His comment proved this was true. He’d had so many opportunities to confess his feelings for her, but it never happened, and she knew it never would.
Pushing off of him, she stood and began to rearrange her clothing as the tears fell unchecked. She may very well matter to him, more than any other woman ever had, but she still didn’t matter enough for him to love her. That just wasn’t good enough.
“What’s the matter, baby.” Ethan worriedly asked, quickly rising and coming to her when he saw she was upset.
“I can’t do this anymore, Ethan.” She cried as she tugged at the buttons on her shirt.
“You can’t do what?” He asked, panic rising in his throat, choking him. “Was I too rough with you? I’m sorry, baby… I just get a little crazy when it comes to you. I can…”
“I can’t be married to a man that married me under these circumstances. No!” She held up her hand when he tried to stop her. “We said we’d take some time and not make anymore rash decisions. I’ve thought about it… and I can’t live like this, Ethan. I’m sorry.” She said, turning back from her bag with a thick, folded piece of paper in her hand.
“I had my lawyer draw up the annulment papers earlier this afternoon. I’ve already signed them.” She said as her tears rolled freely down her cheeks, her chest heaving with sobs, and her heart shattering beyond repair. “I’ve loved you all my life, Ethan, and I still do, but I just can’t be married to you. Please sign them and send them in… please.” She cried openly as she spoke and tried to turn to leave.
“Damn it, Rylee! It’s only been two days! That’s not enough time to make a decision like this! How can you want this after what just happened? We just made love!” Ethan was frantic! He couldn’t think, he couldn’t rationalize. His panic was taking over as he watched her slipping through his fingers.
“No, Ethan! I just made love to you. You just had sex with me! Sex that felt so good, but just sex, and that’s not enough for me. I need to matter more than that. Please just sign the papers, Ethan.” She slipped from his shocked grasp and ran from the barn, jumped in her jeep and sped away as fast as she could. Her tears and sobs were racking her entire body. She had no way of knowing her words could do more damage to him than any knife she might use to attack him. Ethan stood shocked, paralyzed and broken as he watched her drive away.
“Oh, God help me. I’ve lost her.” Ethan ran his big hand over his aching chest as he leaned against the door frame to keep from falling.
Chapter 23
A Shoulder To Cry On
It was late when Rylee stepped from her jeep and stumbled toward the back door of her house. She’d run from the barn without her coat but hardly noticed the cold as she moved from her jeep to the back door. The light over the stove was the only light on down stairs, and for that she was thankful. She found herself in front of the couch and slumped down onto it. Sometime later, she felt the cushion beside her dip and then her mother’s hand smooth across her back.
“Are you ready to talk to me yet, Rylee?” Her mother’s voice was soft and understanding. She’d learned years ago it was useless to try to force Rylee to talk before she was ready.
“I’ve made such a mess, Mom.” Rylee sobbed as she leaned into her mother’s waiting arms.
“Are you referring to the fact that you and Ethan had sex while we were in Vegas?” Rylee looked up at her mother with shocked eyes.
“You knew?” She asked and sounded like the little girl she used to be. Rylee saw her mother’s smile, then watched her head slowly bob up and down.
“Are you upset with me?” Rylee asked as more tears rolled down her cheeks. “I already know you’re disappointed.”
“Rylee, you’ve loved Ethan all you life, baby. I’ve always known that. It only stands to reason you’d choose him… and you’re old enough to make your own decisions.” Her mother tucked her daughter’s hair behind her ear and cupped her cheek in her palm. “From the outside looking in, I’m having a hard time understanding why you’ve been so upset when you seem to be on the way to having everything you’ve ever wanted. That man can’t seem to stay away from you!”
“This is not what I wanted!” Rylee insisted as another round of tears fell. “I wanted him to love me, and want me… it’s so messed up, Mom!” She cried as she leaned her forehead against her mom’s shoulder.
“Baby Girl, Ethan does love you, and he obviously wants you based on what I found in that hotel room.”
“No, Mom, he doesn’t love me. It’s all about the sex for him! Sure he cares about me, and he feels plenty guilty and responsible for me because he’s my first. Then there’s the family connection and all, but there’s no love!” She sobbed.
“Baby, Ethan loves you. I see it in his eyes every time he looks at you. I think he always has, to tell you the truth.” Regina leaned in and hugged her daughter as she spoke.
“No, Mom, he’s had plenty of chances to tell me if that were true, but he hasn’t because he just doesn’t!” The heartbreak was evident in her voice.
“Rylee, give it some time, baby. Ethan hasn’t had a steady girlfriend since high school!” Regina exclaimed. “Give the man a chance to adjust to being with you. It may take some time, but I know he loves you and that you two will most likely end up married someday. You’re just going to have to be patient with him, baby.”
“Mom, you don’t understand.” Rylee said, sitting up rubbing at her eyes and looking up at her mother. “We didn’t just sleep together in Vegas.” She said with her voice shaking as much as her bottom lip. “We got married, too.” Her shaky voice was broken between her tears.
“What!”
“I’m sorry, Mom! We were playing pool one minute, then I was riding a mechanical bull. After I broke the club’s record everybody kept buying us shots, and then we were dancing and we decided to go back to the room for… you know… but somehow along the way we stopped at one of those tacky, little wedding chapels and came out married!” Rylee rushed through the night’s events as if she couldn’t unburden herself fast enough. “I let an Elvis wanna be marry us, Mom… and in one of that awful pay by the half hour Vegas wedding chapels, with paid witnesses and everything!” Rylee sobbed.
“We were drunk, Mom, and I don’t remember everything, but I knew what I was doing.” She pressed her hand to her chest, her eyes pleading with her mother to understand as tears rolled down her cheeks. “I was just drunk enough not to care that Ethan was drunk, too.” Regina saw more pain and shame in her daughter’s eyes than she ever thought she’d see.
“I was so happy to finally be marrying Ethan that I didn’t even care that the Elvis guy was singing, much less that Ethan was drunk. They sang Hunk, a Hunk of Burnin Love at my wedding, Mom! The whole thing is just so humiliating!” Rylee covered her face with her hands.
“Oh, Rylee.” Her mother sighed. “Why didn’t you tell me, baby?”
“Why the hell would I admit I allowed someone to sing that awful song while I pledged my love to a drunk man!” Rylee demanded as if her mother had suddenly become an idiot. “Besides, we agreed not to tell anyone, and give ourselves time to think about what we’d done and what we were going to do about it.” Rylee answered, lost in how out of control everything had become and totally misunderstanding her mother.
“He was telling the truth at the table.” Regina said in amazement to herself. “Who’s idea was it to wait?” Regina asked her daughter, still trying to wrap her brain around this latest news.
“Ethan’s. He thought we’d already made one rash decision, so we should take a little time and not make the same mistake.” Rylee’s voice cracked when she said the word mistake.
“So, you could have gotten an annulment just as quickly as you got married, but Ethan wanted to wait.” Regina said, dragging out the words as if she were waiting for Rylee to catch on to what she was trying to say.
“Don’t you get it, Mom? Ethan stands to lose everything that’s important to hi
m. Dad, Tanner, you.” She pointed at her mother as she tried to make her understand. “He knows I love him, and you’re right, he cares about me, but this waiting is as much about self preservation as it is about caring about my hurt feelings. I can’t fault him for that, Mom.” She sighed deeply. “It doesn’t matter anyway, I signed the annulment papers this afternoon and gave them to him.” She confessed as she hung her head and played with her fingers in her lap.
“I can’t believe it.” Regina shook her head in astonishment as she pulled her daughter close. “I just can’t believe that he would do something like this.”
“Don’t be too hard on him, Mom. He was drunk that night. too. He woke up the next morning, and his whole world had been turned upside down. So, don’t be mad at him.”
“I’m not upset that he married you, Rylee. Sure, I would have rather been a part of it. You are my only daughter, but your dad and I have always known Ethan would be an actual part of our family someday. I just can’t believe he asked you for an annulment!” Rylee’s tiger-striped eyes grew larger as her mother spoke.
“He didn’t.” She whispered. “I just can’t be married to a man that only married me because he was too drunk to care about the consequences. He only wants to stay married to me because he doesn’t want me, or my family, to think he’s not willing to face up, as he put it.”
“Oh, Rylee, you can’t have this right. What did Ethan say when you gave him the papers?” Regina asked, still shocked by the turn of events. Tears sprang to Rylee’s eyes again, and she didn’t know if she was hurt or offended.
“He acted hurt and upset!” Rylee yelled as the tears fell all over again. “Which I don’t understand! He said ‘How can you do this when we just made love, Rylee?’ But, we didn’t make love, Mom. I did! It was just sex for him! Even faced with annulment papers he couldn’t bring himself to tell me he loves me because he doesn’t! That’s just not good enough for me, Mom!” Rylee cried even harder as she dropped her face into her hands and sobbed. “It’s over! It’s just over, Mom.”
