CONVICTED

by Pelton, Kristi

  “This is where he stays,” I said, shrugging.

  Braxton only looked at me, obviously eager to see his brother.

  The familiar hum of the gator drew closer and we both swiveled around to see my dad and Joss riding up together. They spotted us, and Joss bolted out of the gator and bee lined it straight for us.

  “Brax,” Joss whispered as they embraced each other. Two masses of muscular flesh. My God. They missed each other. It was obvious. I wondered who would let go first as my dad caught up.

  “You must be Braxton.” Dad extended his hand, forcing them to part. “I’m Cal Briscoe.”

  My whole body became aware of Joss, awakening to possibilities. An arousal only he managed to stir. Blood surged to my breasts and between my legs as I watched his inviting, soft bottom lip pull into the happiest of grins when he looked at his brother.

  “Yes, I am, sir. Nice to meet you. It looks like you’ve been takin’ care of this guy,” Braxton said with a full-blown smile.

  Joss’s smile matched his brother’s, but his eyes darted over to mine and then dropped down to my chest. I couldn’t help grinning goofily because of how happy he seemed. Happy Joss was the best Joss.

  “Ren, why don’t you get some clothes on while I get these two some tea.”

  My attire—or lack of it—had slipped my mind completely because just hours before, I’d given up on happiness. Now, when I glanced down at the braless tank and cut off shorts I wore, my nipples were the first thing I saw.

  Angry at my father’s dismissal, I crossed my arms, covering my chest. Joss didn’t meet my gaze again, which was fine. I scurried back to my room.

  Chapter 20

  Back down…

  Braxton

  WHEN THE STUNNING blonde trotted off, I watched Joss’s eyes follow her for a second before they came back to me.

  “Braxton, do you like your tea sweet?”

  “Is there another way?” I asked with a grin. Southern hospitality at its finest. We all walked back into the house where a Hawaiian looking woman greeted us.

  “Keyona, this is Braxton, Joss’s brother.”

  “Hello. Welcome.” Her accent wasn’t one I was familiar with, but I noticed Joss didn’t meet her gaze.

  Both Cal Briscoe and Keyona disappeared into the kitchen. Anxiously, I squeezed Joss one more time, making sure this was really happening.

  “God, it’s good to see you,” he said softly.

  “What the hell kind of place is this?” I whispered.

  Joss’s shoulders jetted up in a shrug. “What you see is what you get.”

  “I’ve seen a couple of things that I hope you ain’t gettin.’”

  When his tongue nervously swiped over his lips, I knew further discussion was required. I was instantly pissed with concern but clearly couldn’t address the imaginary thoughts I was having.

  “How’s Pop?”

  “Don’t ask dumb questions, Joss. You know exactly how he is.”

  “Have you talked to Jake?”

  I nodded. “He’s doin’ good. May get released early for good behavior. He told me to tell you hi.”

  Joss blew out a long breath. “It makes all the difference knowing that you guys are ok.”

  “Well, neither of us are set up quite like this,” I chuckled quietly.

  “Here we go,” Mr. Briscoe came back in with a pitcher of tea. I hated tea as much as I hated coffee.

  “Thank you,” I said, lifting my glass.

  After a small tour of the ranch by Mr. Briscoe, Joss took me to where he sleeps. It was obvious this was more like a resort than a prison or anything close to that. I didn’t care where he slept or spent his down time. I needed to find out what he was thinking when it came to this rancher’s daughter.

  “So, this is my place,” Joss said, waving his hand around the nicest place either of us had ever spent a night. There was a small part of me that was jealous.

  “What’s going on with the girl?”

  Joss’s eyes bore holes through me as he contemplated lying. I knew him so well.

  “Tell me you haven’t touched the girl, Joss. Tell me you are smarter than to have touched his daughter.”

  When Joss ran his fingers through his hair, I panicked.

  “Jesus Christ.” I fell back on the plush leather sofa. “What are you thinking?”

  “You don’t understand, Brax.”

  “Make me.”

  He shook his head as he sat next to me. “She’s like no one I’ve ever known. Full of sass and puts me in my place. I’ve told myself no, a hundred times, but she keeps showing up. She does stupid shit, and then I have to get her out of it.”

  “No, you don’t, brother. She finds her way into it, she can find her way out. Without you.”

  “I’ve tried saying that. I know what I could lose… But.”

  I sat upright, closing the distance between us. “But, what?”

  “She sees good in me. She makes me want to do good.”

  “Joss, that’s awesome. Just don’t do her.”

  He shot up out of his seat, went to the fridge, opened it, and then stared inside.

  “Is it too late to ask that?” I pressured.

  He slammed the fridge door.

  “What have you done with her, Joss?”

  “That’s not your business, Brax.”

  In a matter of a second, I shoved him up against the kitchen counter, his shirt gripped tightly in my fists. He could destroy me with his bare hands but never once had he raised his hand to me.

  “This place is a fucking gift,” I gritted out between clenched teeth. I didn’t get mad at Joss often, but this bordered on idiocy. “You fuck her, and you can kiss this place goodbye, little brother. She’s his daughter. He brought you into his home to give you a second chance not a chance to get your dick wet. Understood?”

  Joss’s flared nostrils were a good indication that I was pushing my luck. He knew he could kick my ass if he wanted to, but I knew he’d respect my opinion. “Have. You. Fucked. Her?”

  “No.”

  I loosened my grip on his shirt and took a step back.

  “Gone down on her?”

  He shook his head.

  “Are you shaking your head no or irritated by the question?”

  “Both.”

  “I don’t give a single shit how irritated I’m making you. What have you done?”

  “I fingered her, Brax. You happy now? I made her come. That’s all.”

  “That’s all?” My voice raised louder than intended. “Some women go their entire life without knowin’ what that feels like. That’s all?” I repeated, closing my eyes. Neither of us spoke for a few minutes as what he said settled.

  “First time for her?” I asked.

  “Yep.”

  “Joss.” I bent at the waist staring at the floor. “Joss. Joss. Joss. You just opened up a new world for her. Do you think for a second that she ain’t gonna come back for more? She’s gonna be searchin’ for that feeling again. You know that.”

  He plopped down in the recliner and stared out the window.

  “I wanted her to remember me when I’m gone.”

  “Gone? You’re here for another thirteen months, brother,” I said softly, trying to wrap my head around the gravity of this.

  No response came. Only silence.

  Chapter 21

  No fights…but

  Joss

  BRAX COULDN’T POSSIBLY understand the spell Ren had cast over me. I heard every warning-laced-word he spoke. Hell, I’d said everything he’d said in my own head over and over. Seeing her damn nipples through her tank today was all it took for me to want my mouth on them again. I couldn’t help but wonder if she did that on purpose. Was she trying to arouse Brax too?

  Cal was more than generous with allowing Brax to stay the evening. Besides, I wanted him to meet Sal. We’d already ridden the gator around the ranch, and I really wanted to get him on a horse. I wanted to show him how good I was with them. In the sta
ble, I found Juliet gone. Ren was with her somewhere.

  I saddled up the other two while Brax complained about the mode of transportation.

  “Please, she’ll be the best ride you’ve ever had,” I teased.

  He chuckled as I hung the reins over her neck. Put your foot in here and then heave yourself up.

  Brax rolled his eyes, but I think he knew it was important to me. Once he was up, he raised his brows. “I did it.”

  “Atta boy,” I laughed, hopping on the other horse.

  “Wait!” he hollered. “You can’t just take off and leave me here.”

  I laughed. “Hand me the reins, you pussy.”

  With little fight, he handed them right over. I rode in front of him as I guided his horse clear across a field. Trying not to rush him, I tossed him the reins as we neared Sal’s, and Brax led the horse in.

  “This is amazing.”

  It was important to me that when he went home, he knew he didn’t have to worry about me. He knew that I would be ok and that I was in a good place. After introductions and drinking some moonshine with Sal, we rode horses with some other hands over to the tavern. I didn’t know if Ren would be there, but I worried what Brax might say if she was. The farther we rode, the more my stomach twisted. This was the worst idea.

  As we tied up the horses, Brax looked at me. “I feel like Clint Eastwood.”

  “Easy, Dirty Harry,” I teased.

  The other hands chuckled and started into the tavern.

  “Brax.”

  “Yeah?”

  “She could be in there.” I wasn’t sure why I was so nervous.

  “Then, we leave if she is.”

  I nodded in agreement, but he didn’t know Ren. He didn’t understand the strength it took to walk away from her. Once inside, Brax and I sat in a corner talking. I had a drink, he had soda. No Ren.

  “Damn, Joss. Do you realize how lucky you are?”

  I tapped my long neck to his soda. “I do. The first few days I was here, I’d drop to my knees and pray at times, begging for this to work out. But, I also feel so guilty knowing you’re at home with Pop and living in the trailer.”

  “Stop. Stop right there. I’m with Pop only because I was staying there to protect you. I’m doing everything I can to find a new place, so when you get out, you don’t have to go back to the trailer. I want out as much as you, maybe more now.” His hands shot out to the side as if seeing how I was living changed his mind. “I met someone.”

  The beer lodged in my throat for a second, fizzing up and making my eyes water.

  “You what?”

  Every single tooth across the front of his mouth shone bright. “Her name is Ella.”

  “Ella. OK. Damn. Where’d you meet her?”

  “Funny story. Nick and I were at Hooters. She came in on a scavenger hunt.” He laughed, and it made me smile. “The girls had to get their pic taken with a hot guy.” He tossed up air quotes on the hot part.

  “So, she just tossed out her digits along with the pic?”

  “I may have blackmailed her for the pic.”

  I motioned for another beer. “Well done, bro.”

  “You broke the news to her that ya have two brothers in the penn?”

  “I’ve told her about you. She’s a kindergarten teacher. She’s so damn sweet.”

  This was new, seeing Brax gush over a girl. All it took was me gone for a little bit and he was finally able to concentrate on something other than me.

  “I’m happy for you, man.”

  Something shifted in Brax’s face. “What’s wrong?” I asked.

  He rose to his feet. “I need to head back. Let’s get outta here.”

  “Fair enough.” Odd. I tipped my bottle back and downed the beer I’d just been served. I patted his shoulder, ready to go. Damn, it felt like old times.

  Once I turned around, there she was. Ren, in the skimpiest of jean shorts and an off-the-shoulder blouse. Evan fell in pace behind her, and as I saw fucking red, I thought my head might explode.

  Chapter 22

  Convict

  Ren

  EVAN HAD INSISTED on coming over tonight to see me, and there was no way I was going to sit inside with him and watch a movie or anything. At the tavern, we didn’t have to touch. We’d sit and watch baseball or something. Riding Juliet meant not being next to him in the gator either. Breaking up with him was foremost in my mind. I just didn’t know how to do it. Hurting his feelings was one thing I didn’t want to do. But, I would. Tonight.

  Evan usually helped me down off of Juliet, but tonight, I hopped down quickly before he had the chance. A ton of horses were already tied up, and I added Juliet to the mix. The music always ramped up the vibe, but seeing so many of the guys made me happy.

  Movement out of the corner of my eye caught my attention, and I spun around in time to watch Braxton and Joss get up from a table. My heart began racing as I searched for anything to say. I froze.

  “Ren,” Evan said. I heard him say my name, but my full attention zoned in on Joss swaggering past us.

  “Hey, you two love-birds,” Joss spit out as he tried to walk past. I stepped directly into his path.

  “Don’t do that. You know how I feel.”

  “Do I?”

  “You should. No one has ever…”

  “Come on, Joss,” Braxton added.

  “I’m Ren Briscoe. We didn’t get to formally meet earlier,” I said quickly, trying to stop them from leaving.

  “Braxton Hess. Nice to meet you.” Cordial but short. He knew something. Joss had told him something. If they hadn’t spoken of me, there would be no need for him to be short.

  “Joss,” I said his name out loud not meaning to.

  “Ren, seriously!” Evan said, drawing my attention back to him. Shit. I’d forgotten he was standing there.

  Joss spun around so quickly that it startled me, and I back stepped.

  “You got something to say,” he snarled at Evan over my head. As if it had a mind of its own, my hand shot to Joss’s chest.

  Braxton swiveled around having Joss’s back.

  “No, I got nothing to say. There’s not gonna be any talking tonight,” Evan slid closer to me, grinning from ear to ear just to taunt Joss.

  When Joss’s fists clenched, Jack came flying over the bar with the baseball bat in tow.

  “My body…” Evan started in again, but Joss interrupted.

  “Your body? After I’m done with you, the police are gonna put some white chalk around it, you fuckin pussy.” Joss nudged me out of the way and then charged at Evan. Everything happened so quickly. Sal grabbed me yanking me away from Joss. Braxton wrapped his arms around Joss, and Jack brought the baseball bat around Evan, securing his arms. Joss scared me as he growled and kicked at Evan until Braxton flipped him around and shoved him out the door. As quick as that he was gone. I rushed outside.

  “You fucking threatened him, dumbass,” Braxton gritted out, but only I heard. “What the hell is wrong with you?”

  I followed them. “Joss?”

  “Ren, just go!” Joss shouted between ground teeth storming off. “See Brax. See!” Joss shouted shaking his hands at his side.

  “I just want to talk to you.”

  Joss laced his fingers behind his head and began to pace back and forth behind the horses.

  “Ma’am, you should go back inside,” Braxton whispered.

  Tears stung my eyes as I raised my chin to look at Braxton. His silent head shake was his way of telling me not to push Joss, I think. I wasn’t ok if Joss and I weren’t ok. I knew that by now.

  “Will you at least hug me?”

  Braxton closed his eyes. But Joss, he glared at me so intensely the tears spilled over. Embarrassing myself as my chin started quivering, I shuffled around and stormed back inside.

  Jack was in the corner talking to Evan, and I seriously didn’t want to talk to either of them. I just wanted Joss. But Evan spotted me and glowered in my direction.

  �
�Why?” he asked.

  “Why what?”

  “Why do you have to engage with him every time you see him?”

  Irritated and unsure how to answer, I spun back around and hustled right back outside. Dealing with Evan’s shit was the last thing I wanted to do. Braxton and Joss were already riding away. Thinking quickly, I hoisted myself up on Juliet and kicked my heels into her side, causing her to barrel forward.

  The warm wind whisked through my hair, flipping it behind me as Juliet’s hooves dug into the dry ground crunching in her path. Everything that could go wrong with Joss seemed to go wrong. Somehow, I had to make things right. I’d asked Key about what happened, and she’d said that it was just a kiss. I felt like she’d been honest. She admitted that it was her idea, her initiative. Joss resisted.

  “Ren!” Evan’s voiced floated through the night air just as I breezed past Braxton and Joss like they were standing still.

  These feelings I felt were foreign to me. After Reece had died, numbness and avoidance became my go to. I avoided my parents’ grief …then inevitably… the divorce. Evan friended me during all of that—but Joss saved me.

  The hooves of Evan’s horse pounded behind me. I slowed my girl to a trot waiting for him to catch up. I needed to break up with him. It wasn’t fair.

  “What kind of damn game are you playin’?”

  My neck about broke when it whipped around to Joss’s rough voice.

  “I’m not playing a game. What are you talking about?”

  “I’m talking about how you wanted to fuck me two weeks ago, but you’re still attached to him. Every god damn time I turn around, there he is.”

  I glanced back and saw Braxton trying to control Blaze as Evan approached in a gallop.

  “You kissed Key. What difference does it make?”

  “That meant nothing.”

  “I’m sure I meant nothing too. I mean something to Evan.”

  “Then why are you running from him?”

  “Because I want to mean something to you.”

  “Yeah, well, take him home to daddy. Like he says, I’m a con-vict.”

  The thump-thump of Lucky’s hooves neared us, and we both stared at each other.