Bad Girls Don't Marry Marines (Rock Canyon Romance #3)

by Codi Gary

  “So, I’m guessing I shouldn’t ask his permission to date you?”

  The alarmed look she shot him answered his question, but she actually surprised him when she padded over, wrapping her arms around his waist. Kissing his chest, she looked up at him and murmured, “Listen, I am not ashamed of you. Just a lot of stuff happened last night, and I’m so pissed off, I want to tear into him. Things are going to get ugly, I can guarantee it, and I don’t want you in the middle.”

  He hugged her to him and tried to joke. “I have a dad; I know what a pain in the ass they are.”

  She shook her head. “Trust me, your relationship with your father is nothing like mine.”

  He wanted to argue and tell her about the doozies they’d had, but she was already pulling away from him and heading for the adjoining door. She blew him a kiss and warned, “Whatever you hear, don’t open this.”

  And with those ominous words, she shut the door.

  VAL CHANGED INTO a pair of loose jeans and a sweater and smoothed her hair back. Her father would hate the cut on sight, but it was none of his damn business. It was funny that the man who was all about appearances never had any problem humiliating her. Too bad he’d made his last wrong move with her. Nothing he could do could hurt or control her anymore, not after last night. She was nothing more than chattel or a trophy for him, something he paraded around to make himself feel good. She’d given him so many opportunities to be a good dad and he’d failed every time.

  He’d lost his last chance with her.

  Washing her face free of makeup, she slipped on her boots and walked toward the door, ready for battle. She opened it just in time to come face-to-face with Edward Willis’s fury, his skin the color of a sun-ripened tomato.

  “Why, Father, so good of you to come so early. Did you change your mind about signing up after all?”

  “Good God, what have you done to yourself?” His dark eyes were glacial as he pushed his way into the room, looking around as if searching for something to disapprove of. “We had a deal, you and I. The point of this little weekend trip was to help repair your image and show everyone that you have nothing to hide. To meet the right kind of men—”

  “Like Kyle Jenner?” she asked coolly, her tone belying the molten lava flowing through her veins.

  “Why not? Kyle is just the type of man you should be associating with.”

  “Kyle Jenner is a disgusting, vile cretin of a man, and the fact that you’re willing to overlook all that because of his pedigree makes me think you’re no fucking better than he is,” she said, her mouth twisting in disgust. “After everything I told you about Natalie, how could you?”

  “Kyle was never charged with anything, and besides, he said it was just a misunderstanding.”

  Val laughed humorlessly. “Of course he did, but that isn’t the point. I told you I wasn’t going to let you control me anymore. Not my life, not my job, and especially not who I date.”

  “I know all about you and Silverton, and I forbid it.”

  Forbid it? In a rush, she was sent back in time to the night she’d spent with Justin, and the overwhelming joy she’d experienced until the minute her foot had touched the soft carpet of her bedroom. An iron grip had wrapped around her arm and yanked her the rest of the way into the room. Staring into her father’s cold fury, she’d been so scared, she couldn’t speak.

  “I am not letting you go down this road like your sister, Valerie. I forbid it!”

  Fast-forward to his office, arguing about college in San Diego.

  “I am not letting you move thousands of miles away on my dime to party and slut your way through your studies. I forbid it.”

  And then to the night after the topless photos had surfaced, when he’d stormed into her dorm room and thrown out her roommate, and rounded on her.

  “If you think I’m going to suffer through any more of these humiliations, you are in for a rude awakening, little girl. You just cost me my chance at the senate, so you’d better toe the line. One more stunt like last night and you’re cut off. No parties, no gambling, or anything else that doesn’t make you look like the model student. Nothing, do you understand? I forbid it.”

  Taking in a deep, calming breath, she flashed a pleased smirk, which turned his face eggplant.

  “I am serious, Valerie.”

  “I know; that’s what’s so funny,” she said.

  “Young lady—”

  “I am twenty-six years old. I have been married and divorced. I own my house, my car, and make my own living. You . . . don’t . . . control . . . anything. You . . . forbid . . . nothing.” She’d said the last two sentences slowly, so he would fully get her meaning. “I decide who I will spend my life with. Not you.”

  “You would have nothing without my money. I paid for the best school, your college—”

  “And I’m not using the fancy degree you bought me. The trust fund I received on my twenty-fifth birthday was money I earned doing anything you asked of me, even marrying the man you wanted. Three years of my life were wasted for you, so in my opinion, I earned every penny trying to make you happy. But that’s the thing with you: you’re never happy. You’re never satisfied, and I won’t try anymore.”

  “What about Ellie? I warned you what would happen and I meant every word.”

  It killed Val to say it, but she took a breath and went for it. “I actually think that would be the best thing for her. I love her, but she’s spoiled and reckless. You complain about all of the scandals Caroline and I caused, but I’m warning you, Ellie is headed down a dangerous path. Still, she needs a parent, not a dictator.”

  “You can’t even have children! Who are you to give me parenting advice?”

  Val slapped him so hard her arm shook and her palm stung. Her vision blurred with tears she couldn’t let fall. She hadn’t told him, so the truth had to have come from Cole. Her father had known about her infertility for years and was now trying to use it against her.

  Her greatest pain, and he’d using it to shame her. In that moment, Val hated him.

  “Fuck you.”

  Her father rubbed his cheek, glaring at her with distaste. “How I ever got stuck with such spoiled, selfish—”

  Val hadn’t even heard the door open, but she knew the minute Justin entered the room because her father stopped talking, his expression suddenly murderous. “What the hell are you doing here?”

  She tried to wipe at her eyes, but he caught her chin. Justin’s eyes burned like the sun as he cradled her face, and she swallowed hard. “I told you to wait.”

  “Fuck that. I wasn’t going to sit next door, listening to this self-righteous prick talk to you like that.”

  “You little slut,” her father hissed.

  Val felt Justin move but held on, pleading, “Stop.”

  Every muscle in his body was taut, and she prayed he’d listen. The last thing she wanted was to have them start brawling in a hotel room, especially since Justin would have no problem kicking her father’s arrogant ass. But despite everything he had said and done, she didn’t want him hurt. She just wanted him gone.

  Facing her father, she swallowed the lump in her throat. “You need to leave.”

  “You’re going to turn your back on me? Do you know that this idiot’s father stole forty thousand dollars from me? He’s not just a drunk, Valerie, but a thief.”

  “That’s bullshit,” Justin snapped, and Val suddenly knew that if he really wanted to get to her father, she wouldn’t be able to stop him. Dropping her hand from his arm, she stepped up to Edward.

  “If you don’t want to get into a fight with a man thirty years younger and end up getting arrested, I suggest you leave.”

  “I’m trying to protect you, Valerie,” Edward said, his concerned-father expression in place. It was the one he used during interviews and at functions. But it wasn’t fooling her.

  “You tried to set me up with a rapist,” Val said coldly. “Forgive me if I find your worry less than sincere.”
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  “Fine, you don’t trust me. Just don’t come crying to me when you realize I was right.”

  As Edward Willis turned his back on her and strode out the door, she felt sick. He hadn’t been much, but he was her only parent. She had put up with a lot from him, forgiven him more often than she probably should have, but he was still her dad. It was painful that he’d never been able to put her happiness before his own.

  Squeezing her eyes shut, Val wrapped her arms around her stomach. She never cried, not really. She teared up, she became upset, but she never sobbed and wailed. She never let go.

  Because once she did, she knew she wouldn’t be able to stop.

  She was pulled back against a hard chest and trapped within the strength of Justin’s arms as he whispered, “You’re okay.”

  Okay?

  No, she hadn’t been okay in a long time. “How much did you hear?”

  “I didn’t have my ear to the door or anything,” he said. “I just heard him yelling at you. I’m sorry I didn’t stay put, but that man had no right to talk to you like that.”

  She tried to smile and relax, but the old fears kept eating at her. Would it really be so bad if Justin had heard about her infertility? It wasn’t as if they had a real future together. They were far too different.

  Still, a large part of her didn’t want him to know, just in case.

  This is why you don’t get involved.

  “What do you say we head back to Rock Canyon early and go on a real date?” he suggested, his breath ruffling her hair as he rubbed her back.

  “What kind of date?”

  “Dinner to start,” he said, kissing her temple. “Maybe a movie?”

  A nice, normal date with a good guy who had just come storming into the room to take on her father? How could she say no?

  JUSTIN HANDED HIS key over to the desk clerk, a guy this time, and thanked him.

  “Leaving so soon?” Dorothy asked from behind him, and he smiled as he faced her.

  “Yeah, you know, the whole big meat market just didn’t work for me.”

  “Ah. And it has nothing to do with the woman currently pacing on the phone outside?” Dorothy teased.

  He glanced toward the office and then at Val, who was talking to her older sister, and gave Dorothy a sheepish grin. “Seems like we finally figured some things out.”

  She reached out and took his hand, giving it a squeeze. “From the minute I saw you with her, I knew you’d be perfect together. I wish nothing but happiness for your future.” She let go of his hand and gave him a grim look. “After a few bumps in the trail, of course.”

  He opened his mouth to ask her if she’d heard about Val’s father’s visit, but Val chose that moment to poke her head into the office, her burgundy beanie making her rosy cheeks brighter.

  “Hey, Dorothy. Justin tell you we’re heading home?”

  Dorothy raised an eyebrow. “Yes, he did. I suppose the two of you didn’t need my help after all.”

  “Good thing there are about a thousand other people waiting on your expertise and bossiness,” Justin teased, earning a slap on his arm.

  “Valerie, I want you to be sure and whack him every once in a while, just for me. He’s got a devilishness about him that needs to be kept in check.”

  Justin grinned as Val slipped her arm around his waist and looked up at him thoughtfully. “I believe I do see a little devil in you.”

  “I am an angel.”

  Both ladies snorted, and Justin watched Dorothy reach out and pull Val into a hug, whispering something too soft for him to hear.

  When released, Val’s expression was somber. “Thank you for everything, Dorothy.”

  “Come back and see us, darlin’. A lot of people come through that door, but only a few take a piece of my heart with them.” Dorothy patted her cheek. “You’re something special, Valerie Willis. No matter what anyone else tells you, you have a way about you.”

  Yes, she does. Justin took her hand in his, giving her a gentle tug toward the door.

  As they walked away, he felt a definite pinch on his left butt cheek and looked over his shoulder. Dorothy threw him a wink before breaking into cackling laughter.

  “Lecherous old woman.”

  “What happened?” Val asked, laughter in her voice.

  “She has this habit of getting real handsy with my butt,” Justin said, walking her to her Chevy.

  “Oh, I completely understand.”

  He glanced over at her in surprise. “Oh yeah?”

  “Yeah. Your ass is one of the best parts of you.”

  He held the door of her truck open as she climbed in. “I thought girls checking out guys’ asses was just an old wives’ tale.”

  “Oh no. There’s nothing better on a man than a nice ass in a pair of blue jeans,” she said, turning in her seat and pulling him between her legs.

  He let her do it, although he kept his tone one of shock. “I believe I feel objectified.”

  “Guess I shouldn’t do this then, huh?” She slid down her hands, grabbing his rear and pulling him into her.

  He put one hand on the back of her headrest and the other palm flat on her seat, inches away from her thigh, as he ducked his head into the truck. “Maybe I’m just mildly offended.”

  She actually squeezed his cheeks, brushing her mouth along his neck. “How ’bout now?”

  “Well, now, I think I’m okay.”

  Suddenly she dropped her hands from him and gave him a quick kiss. “Good.”

  “Whoa, that’s it?”

  “Yep,” she said, sticking her key in the ignition.

  “What’s your hurry?” he asked, dipping his head down to kiss her neck.

  “We’ve got a two-hour drive, and I want to have time to get ready.”

  “For?”

  “For the hot date you’re taking me on.”

  “So it’s a hot date now?” he asked.

  Her lashes lowered and she grabbed his jacket, pulling him in for a hard kiss. “It will be if you hurry your sweet ass up.”

  He stumbled back at the gentle push she gave him and shut the door. He could only watch in amusement as she pressed her lips to the glass, leaving a print on the glass, and backed up.

  He laughed all the way to his truck, eagerly anticipating what kind of hot she had in mind.

  Chapter Sixteen

  * * *

  VAL WALKED THROUGH the door and was greeted by a furious Ellie.

  “You told Dad I deserved to be cut off?” she screeched.

  Val dropped her bags and stared at her sister, torn between amusement and frustration. Of course their father would twist her words to suit him, and with Ellie and she already fighting, it worked out perfectly for him.

  Gus came around the corner sucking in air through his gaping jaws and skidded to a halt in front of her, pawing at her pant leg.

  “Gus-man! At least someone is happy to see me.”

  “Seriously, what did I ever do to you?” Ellie persisted.

  Sighing loudly, she said, “To be fair, I said you were a spoiled brat too, and that if Dad was more of a parent, maybe you wouldn’t be making so many of the mistakes he can’t stand.”

  “Like that makes it any better?”

  “Look, Ellie, I’m tired and I have a date, so can we—”

  “Oh. My. Fucking. God!” Ellie reached out and ripped Val’s beanie off her head. “You cut your hair!”

  Val smoothed her hand over it self-consciously. “Do you like?”

  “I’d love it, if I wasn’t busy hating your guts,” Ellie gushed, before her eyes bulged. “And wait, did you say date? Like with a guy?”

  “Well, considering I don’t swing the other way, then yeah, a guy is a logical deduction,” she said, picking up her bags again to carry them into her room.

  “Okay, I’m still mad at you, but I have to know who it is. What the heck happened? And why is Dad on the warpath?” Ellie fired off question after question as she followed her.

 
“Dad wanted me at that singles weekend so he could set me up with Kyle Jenner.” Val set her bags on the bed and started pulling out her dirty laundry, tossing it into the hamper.

  “Oh my God. That is disgusting. That fucker always tries to get me alone when he comes to the house. The last time he cornered me in the kitchen and asked me out, but I told him he wasn’t my type.” Ellie gasped as Val pulled out the black cowboy boots. “Okay, I will forgive you anything and promise to never be mad at you again if I can have those.”

  Val laughed as she walked over to her closet. “They aren’t your size, and even if they were, I wouldn’t give them up.”

  Ellie started snooping through the bags from the consignment shop and held up a black wrap dress with a plunging neckline, salivating. “Holy . . .” Her eyes traveled from the top of Val’s head to her tennis shoes. “What the hell happened down there?”

  Val sat on the bed, pulling out clothes with Ellie, giddy to have someone to share her excitement with. “You told me I needed to get my groove back, so I did.”

  “Yeah, I said groove. This is . . . well, this is something I would wear,” Ellie said, holding up a purple halter dress.

  Val took it from her and held it up against herself. “Should I wear this tonight?”

  “Yes! Now, who are you going with, before I kill you?”

  Grinning as she went to hang the dress up, she said, “Justin Silverton.”

  “I knew it. I knew he had the hots for you the minute I told him you would be at that matchmaking thing. You can thank me by taking back every mean thing you ever said about me.”

  Val’s stomach did a joyful double backflip tuck, and she went over to hug her sister. “I am so sorry for every mean thing I ever said.”

  “Wow, you must really like this guy.” Ellie pulled away and looked at her seriously. “Is he the reason Dad is on a Kill Bill revenge trip?”

  Val grabbed another item from the bag. “Dad just isn’t used to not getting his way. He’ll come around, or he won’t.”

  “So, are we serious about Justin? ’Cause he is definitely yumtastic.”

  Val heard her phone beep and reached for it, opening a text from him.