Protector

Rugged Mountain Ink

Khloe Summers

Summer to Winter Publishing

Copyright © 2022 Summer to Winter Publishing

All rights reserved

The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher.

Cover design by: RebecaCvrs
Editor: Link Phoenix

www.authorkhloesummers.com

Chapter One

Molly

Wooden stools butt up against a brass footrail at a high counter. Surrounding that are empty tables with just a few lingering folks as the live band plays their last song of the night. It’s a country music band that’s touring from Tennessee.

“Do you like these guys?” a man next to me asks. He’s an older man. If I had to guess, I’d say he’s in his fifties because of his long gray beard and blood-shot eyes like he’s had a few too many whiskey shots. Having lived here my whole life, I know just about everyone, but I’ve never seen this guy before and I don’t want to be rude, so I indulge his simple question after running my finger across the top of the frost that’s built up on my glass of Diet Coke.

“Yeah, they’re pretty good! You?”

He cocks his head to the side and knocks back a shot of the brown liquor he’s been drinking. “Ah, they’re okay. I usually come on rock night, but I needed to get out of the house. My old lady is driving me crazy.”

I want to roll my eyes—another man thinking his woman is the problem. I don’t make any faces, though. Instead, I pretend to be the polite girl everyone knows I am. “How is she driving you crazy?”

“She thinks that every damn night I need to be sitting next to her doing whatever it is she has planned for us, and I need my space.”

“What about what she needs?” I blurt the words out as though his comments are a personal affront to me. “When was the last time you took her on a date? A real date, not you did something together that she planned. I mean, you brought her flowers, you made a plan, and you made her feel desired.”

The man looks back at me with an icy blast that I swear puts more frost on my glass. “Date her? I got married so I could be done with dating. That’s the point.”

I roll my eyes and grab my drink off the bar.

“Where are you going?” the man grumbles, twisting his stool toward me as I move to the other side of the bar.

“I’m leaving before I say something dumb.”

The man laughs and swivels back toward the band before shaking his head as though he’s the one that’s just run into a crazy person.

“You’re getting yourself into trouble everywhere you go lately. Everything okay?” Mullet stands behind the bar in front of a wall of alcohol bottles. The dude is over six feet tall, has big muscles, and he’s covered in ink. There’s no doubting he’s hot, but he’s a lot older, so it’s minorly creepy that he showed interest in me recently. That said, conversation with him is undoubtedly better than it will be with the drunk on the other end of the bar.

“That guy is an asshole,” I say, making eyes at the old man tipping back another shot. “I don’t understand men. Women are simple. Feed us, tell us we’re pretty, make us feel wanted, and we’ll probably make your life happy as hell.”

“I take it there’s trouble in paradise?” What is it about the people in Rugged Mountain? They need to know everyone else’s business. Then again, maybe it’s a small-town thing.

“I don’t want to talk about it,” I grumble, sliding my empty glass toward him.

He laughs. “Another Diet Coke?”

I nod, feeling like a Christmas elf ordering cereal for dinner at a fancy restaurant. I should get into the hard stuff like the rest of the people in this place. I’m sure a nice fruity cocktail would take the edge off right now.

The final string plays on the violin and the band thanks the few people left in the crowd. Ugh, I’m not ready for the night to be over. I don’t want to go back to the campsite I’ve been staying at. It’s uncomfortable, wet, and I’ve had about four million sticks jabbing into my back every night for the past week. Though, I guess it’s better than going back to the cabin with Chad or going home to admit to my parents that I’m as bad at decisions as they thought I was.

A hand touches my back. I turn around. It’s Cami, her other hand linked into Henry’s. “I couldn’t help but notice how upset you look tonight, honey. You can call me anytime if you need to talk.” Cami’s face does that sad emotion thing that I’m never sure what to do with. I know she means well, but the fact that you can’t even have a facial expression in this town without people noticing is confirmation that I belong in the woods… alone.

“Thanks,” I say, mustering the bit of strength I have left. “How’s that baby girl of yours doing?”

Cami smiles, twisting her long hair to the side. She’s gorgeous and I swear she gets prettier with age. “Growing like a weed. We promised her a horse ride in the morning, so we better get home.” She squeezes my arm. “Just know I’m here for you, honey.”

I nod and give her the best smile I can conjure, then turn back toward the bar, and look up at Mullet who’s cleaning out a glass. “God, if I don’t self-implode after tonight, you can start calling me Mother Teresa.”

“Sounds like you need something harder than Diet Coke. A glass of wine, maybe?”

“You’re closing up for the night.” I make note of the last few patrons leaving the bar, including the asshole drunk who’s been trying to escape his wife.

“For everyone else. For you, I can stay open another hour.”

My eyes roll so far back into my head I’m afraid they’re sticking.

“Hey, you can leave whenever you want. I wasn’t going to let you stay late for free anyway. I was going to put you to work.”

“I know you asked Angie to ask me to dinner a few months ago.”

He clears his throat and pours a shot of vodka into a short glass with a Sprite and some grenadine. “Is that a bad thing?”

“You knew I was with Chad.” I sip from the glass, letting the warm liquor and sweet flavors slide down slowly.

“I didn’t know you were with Chad. I thought he moved to California after you both graduated college.”

I shake my head. “Don’t play dumb. You know he came back with me. Everyone knows he came back. Everyone knows everything here. You in this bar, all day long, probably know best of all.”

Mullet shakes his head and looks down at the bar with a short grin. “Nope, and I’m confused why Angie didn’t tell me you two were still together when I told her I was interested.”

I roll my eyes and take another sip of my cocktail. I should’ve started with this instead of Diet Coke. Then maybe my night would be going better by now. “I don’t tell Angie everything. Believe it or not, I’m very private about my personal life.” I swig the rest of my drink, then nod toward Mullet for another. “Do you tell your business to everyone here?”

He laughs and slides me another drink, the same as the first. “I know what you’re saying. I know more about the dick sizes of everyone in town than I want to know.”

“What?”

“The bridge club meets here twice a week, and those women are worse than a bunch of college boys starved of sex and female attention.”

I drink from my happy juice. “Well then, I won’t ask more questions. I don’t think I need to know.”

A warm smile lifts onto his face as he swipes a plastic tub of lime wedges off the counter and tucks it into the fridge below the bar. “Speaking of things I shouldn’t know… I hear you used to work bar in college.”

I roll my eyes. “Seriously? How much have you been asking about me? You know that’s creepy, right? You’re twice my age.”

“Twice your age? You’re twenty-four. I’m thirty-six. I don’t think that’s quite twice.”

I guess thirty-six isn’t that much older than me, but I’m not going to let him know that.

“You’re an old man,” I smile. “You shouldn’t be talking to young girls.”

He smirks. “Yeah, I’m an old man. My bad. So, did you work the bar out in Wyoming?”

“Not like you. I just carried a tray. It was easy work while I was studying, not that college did me much good. I owe sixty thousand dollars in student loans and I’m working at my friend's antique shop.”

“What did you go to school for?”

I kick back the rest of my drink, relaxing as I feel the alcohol take effect. I’m not drunk, but it’s nice to feel a little looser than I’ve been feeling lately.

“Communications,” I laugh. “I’m not sure why, though. All I’ve ever dreamt of is having a family on a little ranch. You know… the whole pregnant and barefoot thing. Yeah, that was the future I dreamed about. Unfortunately, that doesn’t pay the bills.”

“Is that why you’re here tonight? You’re stressing about work?”

I stare back at Mullet as I suck the last bit of sweet syrup from the bottom of my glass. The cool ice hits my lips as I think over how much I want to divulge.

“It’s complicated,” I finally say, standing from my stool to help him clean up the bar. I grab a bar rag from under the counter and wash it over the top of the wood, tipping up on my toes to reach the furthest side. “Why don’t you tell me why you’re so curious about my life? I already told you I’m not interested.”

Truthfully, if I hadn’t just sworn off men, I could see myself with someone like Mullet. He ticks every box physically… and then some. And everyone in town is always talking about what a great guy he is. That, and every time I’ve talked to him, he’s been really sweet and down to Earth. All this would be hard to resist, if I hadn’t sworn off men, which I have, so it doesn’t matter.

I don’t turn back to see his grin, but I can hear it in his voice as he says, “And I heard you loud and clear. So maybe I’m just asking out of the kindness of my heart.”

I smirk and turn toward him, leaning my back against the bar. “The kindness of your heart? Please! You’re trying to corner me into feeling something for you. It’s a basic flirtation tactic. You’d think you’d have picked up something better than that owning this place.”

He laughs. “Maybe you should stop flattering yourself. I was only asking because you’re here, alone, on a Tuesday night, drinking Diet Coke, begging for someone to help you take the edge off.”

“Begging? I’m not begging for anything. You offered me a drink, and I took it.” My chest tightens and my eyes narrow as I turn away from the bar. “You know, this is what I hate about men. They always act like they're doing you some big fucking favor by listening to you.”

“So this is about a man, then.”

I turn back toward him, fire burning in my eyes and the tips of my fingers as he talks. I’m not sure why. I’ve been annoyed much more thoroughly before and reacted with far less spunk. Maybe it’s the drink. I rarely have alcohol. I bet it’s affecting me more harshly. “I’m sorry I freaked out. I think I’m going to head home for the night. I’m not very good company right now.”

“I didn’t ask you to be good company. In fact, I didn’t ask you for anything.”

“Except help closing down the bar.”

“Well,” he says with a grin, “if you want to get into semantics, I said if you were staying, you could help, not that you had to help.”

“Well, I’m leaving,” I say, tossing my last thirty dollars down on the counter. I hope it’s enough to cover my drinks. I have no idea the cost of a cocktail these days. “Thanks for the… drinks.”

I’m walking toward the door when he steps in front of me, stopping me in my tracks with his oversized frame. “You’ve been drinking, and you’re all worked up. You should eat a little something before you leave.”

I shake my head. “You’d like that, wouldn’t you? That’s probably why you got me liquored up to begin with, so you could take advantage of me.”

“Look, I gave you one drink to loosen you up a little. You asked for the second one, and I’m find driving you straight home. I don’t have any motives. If I wanted you, you’d know it.”

“What the hell does that mean? I thought you did want me.” I cross my arms in front of my chest, staring up at his broad shoulders and inked biceps. I remember now why I don’t drink. I get insatiably horny and the longer I marinate in this alcohol, the worse it gets.

“It means exactly what I said.” His arm lifts and he runs his hand back through his hair. Something tells me he’s the kind of guy that’ll open doors for you, listen to all your problems, and treat you like a princess, but puts it down like a wild animal.

Would it be awful if I found out? What harm could one night do? A one-night stand. Yeah, I could do that. I could just let him have his way with me. It might be therapeutic. At the very least, it’ll help me move past Chad. Rebounds are a thing, right? I repeat the thought to myself over and over. A one-night stand. Casual Sex. A rendezvous. I’ve read about them enough times to know they’re supposed to be fun and rejuvenating, but never in my life have I ever attempted one, or do I even know how they work. Do I proposition him? Do I tell him it’s a one-night stand? Does he assume this is just casual? How do I offer myself up? Am I really the sexually assertive type? I don’t think I am. I guess by the way I’ve been in the world for twenty-four years and I’ve never once propositioned a man, I’m most certainly not… but maybe it’s time.

“Earth to Molly,” Mullet says, waving his hand in front of my face. “Where’d I lose you to?”

I shake my head. “You know that I’m a pain in the ass, right?”

He narrows his brows like he’s confused at my statement.

Hell, I’m pretty confused by my statement.

“We’re all pains in the ass,” he says. “I think the trick is finding someone who doesn’t mind your kind of pain.”

His hand reaches up and grazes down my arm gently. My clit throbs.

It’s just the alcohol. It’s just the alcohol. It’s just the alcohol. I say the words internally over and over as though I’m convincing myself.

His dark eyes dial in on mine and the soft cedar scent of his skin strengthens as he leans in closer.

Is he going to kiss me? Is he going to touch me? Maybe he did get me drunk to take advantage of me. I knew it! This is what men do. They’re all gross pigs! Then again, this one is doing things to my body that haven’t ever happened to me. My clit throbs again, harder the closer he gets. He’s going to kiss me. He’s really going to do it. I should stop him.

No! I should let it happen. I should close my eyes and let him take me. I should be free for once in my life, and let the wind take me where it will.

My eyes close and my lips pucker.

“Are you okay?” Mullet asks, his hand still on my arm. “I’m just offering you a ride home. I can finish the floors in the morning.”

My stomach pinches, and my eyes snap open. “A ride home?” I swallow hard. “Of course, a ride home.”

Maybe he’s not the pig I thought he was. Maybe I’m the pig.

“I thought you were going to hit on me,” I say, letting the cocktail I had do the talking. “I have to say, I’m a little disappointed.”

Mullet grins. “Is this you talking or the alcohol you can’t hold?”

I lean in and lay against his chest, closing my eyes when I hit his hard, warm pecs. His hand runs over my back like an instinct as I suck in the woodsy undertones of his scent.

“I’m going to assume that’s the drink,” he says, a low rumble in his voice as he speaks. “Let’s get you back home for the night.”

“Home?” I run the tip of my finger over the top of his chest and look up at him with what I think is seduction, but probably looks more like a lazy eye. “I think I’m telling you I want more than to go home.”

He rests his chin on my head. “Oh yeah, like what? You want to dance with me?” His hands move to my hips and he sways back and forth to the soft background music that’s been playing in the bar since the band took off.

My eyes close again and I resume my position against his chest, the sound of his heart beating wildly against my ear. “I guess maybe I should call a rideshare,” I say, tightening my thighs together to keep the throbbing at bay. “As much as I wish you were about to put me on that bar stool and take advantage of me, I see you’re something of a gentleman.”

He growls low and bends into my ear. “I don’t want to be.”

I pull away from his chest and stare up at him, our gaze on fire like white hot heat that radiates around us in a circle of flames and uncertainty.

“Touch me,” I beg, shifting my hips in small circles. “Please, just touch me.”

His gaze stays locked on mine as his large hand moves up my arm and onto my neck before landing gently on my throat. “Are you sure you know what you’re asking for, young lady?”

My heart thumps against my rib cage and the slight drunkenness I thought I felt washes away and leaves my palms sweaty and uncertain. Do I know what I’m doing? Mullet’s so much older than me, which can only translate to experience. Experience I don’t have. Not only that, but what happens after tonight? This is a small town. Even if he tells no one, we will run into each other for years after this moment is over.

Then again, does any of that really matter? This is supposed to be a one-night stand. One night where I don’t overthink every decision I make.

My lips pout toward his instinctively, as though my body is calling out for him.

“Are you sure you want this?” he asks again. His voice has dropped, and it’s gruffer than it was.

I lean forward and brush my lips with his without more thought. I don’t expect to feel much, and I don’t at first. It’s just two wet lips touching awkwardly. I’m dumb. I wasn’t ready for this. I should pull away. I almost do, until all at once, I feel more. His large body presses against mine, backing me into the back wall of the bar, and he surrounds me. He swallows me up, his entire body like a warm blanket that I trust on a level I can’t explain. It’s intrinsic, immediate, and it doesn’t make a bit of sense.

His kiss moves from soft to hard, until he’s ravaging my lips and our tongues are twisting together in the sweetness of the maraschino cherries I’ve just had. My lips swell beneath his touch as his cock presses into me. I never want this to end!

This is it. It’s happening. I’m going to have a one-night stand… and I can already feel myself getting attached. I contemplate stopping him again, but hormones overpower my rational thinking and apparently my hand, which is now squeezing his cock as he groans in my ear.

Who am I?

He trails rough kisses down the nape of my neck and hitches my leg up onto his hip, running his hand up my thigh and toward my ass. I guess the dress was a good choice for tonight.

My head arches back against the wall as I open myself up to him.

“You’re soaked,” he groans in a rough whisper. “I can smell your scent.”

Should I be embarrassed? Is that embarrassing? My heart pounds and my face feels red. No one’s ever said that to me before. Then again, I’m not sure I’ve ever been turned on like this. Mullet is feral and wild and there’s an animalistic quality to him my body is drawn to like a lion to an isolated antelope.

“We should take care of that,” he groans, palming over my panty covered mound.

Every nerve in my body lights up and explodes at once. I’ve never been touched like this. He’s hungry, needy, just as desperate for me as I am for him.

I tease his cock over the top of his jeans as he slides two fingers beneath my panties and into my core.

I swallow hard as his eyes make contact with mine.

“Do you like that?” His voice is deep and brooding, with a rasp that only drives me more insane.

I nod, grinding my hips up against his touch, desperate for relief.

“Good,” he groans. “I need you to come for me. I want you soft and wet for when I put my cock in you.” His thumb circles my clit as his fingers thrust into me, scratching in an upward motion toward a spot I didn’t know existed until now. I’ve never come like this, but I’m about to explode.

My chest tightens as I moan into his mouth. “I’ve never done this before,” I murmur. Why am I telling him that?

He smiles into my neck and kisses me again, pressing up against me as he moves his hand. “I don’t either, but it feels pretty damn good.”

“Yeah.” I melt into him, riding the edge of an orgasm, excited for relief when I feel the cold rush of the wind beside me as the bar door swings open and Chad walks in, fists clenched.

Chapter Two

Mullet

“I knew you’d be here,” Chad says, palming fists so tight his knuckles are bleach white. He’s talking to Molly, but his eyes are on me like a psycho just escaped from some top security ward. “Are you a whore now, too?”

I stand between him and Molly, my hand still soaked in her pleasure, stretched outward toward Chad as he stalks closer. “Slow down, boy, and watch your mouth.”

He laughs. “Watch my mouth? Who the fuck are you?”

I’d never seen the guy around town until after I found out he was dating Molly. Since then, I seem to run into him everywhere. The tattoo shop, the market, the lake, he’s everywhere, and he’s always annoying as fucking hell. Not to me. He’s never talked to me, but he doesn’t hold back with anyone else. He’s loud, aggressive, and from what I can gauge, has no idea what common decency is. I don’t see what she ever saw in him, but that’s not for me to judge. In my five years owning this bar, I’ve broken up plenty of bar fights, but I’ve never been in one, and I’m not starting today over this piece of shit.

“I don’t know what’s going on between you two, but it sounds like you need to cool down before you talk to her again.”

His brows arch together and his nostrils flare as he stalks closer toward me. “Get the fuck out of my way, or I’ll move you.” His teeth clench and bare. He’s a big guy, but not bigger than me, and he wouldn’t have much luck at moving me anywhere.

My eyes tighten and my lip curls. “Back the fuck up, or I’ll drag you out of here ice cold.”

“It’s okay,” Molly says, her voice shaking behind me. “I should talk to him.”

I’m desperate to gauge her expression, figure out what the hell she’s thinking, but if I take my eyes off this asshole long enough, I know he’ll sucker punch me in the fucking jaw.

“Really,” Molly says, touching my shoulder from behind, “I can tell him to leave.”

“We’ve been through hell and back, Molly. You know I’m not going anywhere.” Chad’s tone is rough and punchy, his gaze still on me. “I’m especially not leaving you with this asshole.”

“She asked you to leave,” I growl, a vein pulsing heavy in my neck.

Chad pushes forward and reaches out toward Molly, grasping at her arm, but I push him away, gripping his bicep tight before tossing him out into the street, locking the heavy wood door behind him.

“Open this fucking door,” Chad barks, pounding against the building.

I turn toward Molly, who's rubbing the back of her neck as her chest rises and falls hard.

“Maybe I should talk to him,” she says. “Maybe I owe it to him.”

My brows narrow and I walk toward her. “Why do you owe it to him?”

She shrugs, her gaze moving up toward me. “We were together for nine years, since we were in high school. What if he had something important to say?”

I’m trying to understand the way she’s thinking, but I’m having a hard time connecting the dots. “If he had something important to say, he’d have said it. Instead, he grabbed for you like he owned you.” I shake my head. “What’s going on between you two, anyway? Is it over?”

She nods. “It has been for a couple of weeks. I left after he…” She looks away as a tear rolls down her cheek.

“What did he do?” My pulse speeds and my teeth grind against one another as heat flushes over me. If she fucking says what I think she’s about to say, I’m going to drag that fucker down to the god damn graveyard.

Her gaze meets mine again, this time with an emptiness and sadness as her chest hitches. It’s a look I’ve never seen in another human being, yet I immediately know what it means. Without a single word, I know he’s hurt her. I know his hands have been on her in vain.

The banging on the door gets louder as Chad hollers and screams to be let back into the bar.

“Go out back,” I say, handing her the keys to my truck. “I’m going to take care of this piece of shit.”

She shakes her head back and forth quickly, tears falling down. “No. Please. Let’s just go. Please. Will you take me home? I just want to go home.”

My heart is sluggish and somehow racing at the same time. My jaw is clenched, my skin tight. I’m ready to hurt this guy for letting Molly believe that love is something so harsh.

She grips my arm and pulls me toward the back door. “Please.” There’s a begging in her voice that squeezes at my ribs.

I’m not one for random fights, but letting this guy get away with anything is grating at my last nerve.

“He’s going to keep coming around if I don’t stop him.”

Her chest caves inward, and she leans forward with a pained expression. “Please. Can we just go?”

I stare back at her with a heavy stomach. I would do anything, anything, to help her feel better. Anything to make her see that love isn’t supposed to feel like this. Anything to make sure this fucker doesn’t come around again. And right now, listening to her is the best shot I have at letting her see that.

“Sure,” I say, taking the keys back from her, “but you’re coming home with me. I don’t want to worry about you on your own tonight.”

She nods and walks forward to the back door and toward my truck. I’m not sure if that should scare me, or if I should be happy that she’s listening without putting up a fight. If I didn’t know her to be mouthy and forever questioning, I may think this is a normal response. Either way, she’s letting me keep her safe, and that’s all I need right now.

She’s quiet the whole ride back to my cabin and didn’t say much more than ‘where’s the bathroom’ when we finally did get here. I don’t press the issue or beg her to talk. I figure she’ll open up when she’s ready. I do, however, stay camped next to her in the living room as she drifts off to sleep on the couch. She’s perfect. I’ve looked at her plenty of times over the years, but never this closely, and never with the scent of her still on my skin. Fire red hair falls over her shoulders and freckles dot the tops of her cheeks. Her lips are pink and full, naturally pouty, and she’s curved thick at her breasts and her waist.

Fuck. I shouldn’t be ogling her like this. I shouldn’t have taken her the way I did at the bar, but I’ve wanted her for as long as I can remember. Caving into her the way I did, even for a second, is a dream come true.

My phone buzzes in my pocket. It’s my buddy, Wyatt. He works down at the Tattoo shop and he’s been trying to call me all day.

“Hey, man. What’s up?” I say, my voice low as not to wake Molly.

“Where are you? You sound muffled. This a bad time?”

I stare down at the angel sleeping peacefully on the couch. “Kinda. What’s up? Something important? It’s pretty late.”

He laughs. “Pretty late? It’s only midnight. Usually you’re just getting home.”

“Not tonight. What’s up?”

“What do you know about that girl at the bake shop, Josie?”

I walk toward the back of the cabin so I can talk a little louder. “What about her?”

“Is she dating anyone?”

“How would I know?”

“You know everything. I figured you’d have talked to someone who mentioned her.”

“She’s nice, I guess. Sweet. She stops in some times for some bar food on her breaks. You’re not going to go after her, are you? She’s not your type.”

“Oh please! How would you know what my type is?” I hold my tongue on reminding him that he’s thought nearly everyone in town is his type. Mostly because I’m not ready for the conversation that’ll inevitably come after it. “Why are you being so quiet, anyway? You’re whispering. I’m starting to think I called one of those sexy 900 numbers, but you’re clearly not what I ordered,” he laughs. “Do those things even exist anymore?”

“Not since the internet.”

“You’re their last line of business then, you poor thing. The pay must be good, though. Am I being charged by the minute?”

“Just stop. I’ll talk to you later.” I want him off the phone so I can go back to Molly’s side. Something about leaving her right now makes my stomach feel off.

“Oh shit,” Wyatt laughs. “You have someone there, don’t you? Fuck. Who is she? Mrs. Finch? She was creeping on you in the bar. She wants you… I bet she knows all kinds of fun tricks.”

“No. It’s not Mrs. Finch. I’m going to go now.”

“Come on. You’ve gotta give me something. I tell you all my secrets.”

“Are you a twelve-year-old girl?”

“When it comes to my best friend…”

“Best friend? Since when?”

“Since right now, buddy,” he laughs. “Okay, okay… you don’t have to tell me. I’m just glad you’ve moved on past that Molly chick you’ve been talking about.”

“Yeah.” My voice inadvertently cracks when I talk.

Wyatt laughs. “It is Molly… dude! I thought she turned you away.”

“It’s a long story,” I say, sitting on the edge of the bed.

He lets out a heavy sigh. “I heard her ex was bragging to some people about how he showed her up after the breakup.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Look, man, I only know what I overhear people talking about at the tattoo shop, and none of it’s good. Just talk to her. Maybe she’ll tell you the truth. In the meantime, steer clear of Chad.”

“I could kick that guy’s ass. I don’t need to steer clear of anyone,” I say, turning to head down the hall. When I do, I see Molly standing in the doorway, her big green eyes shining in the dim light of the room. “I’ll call you back tomorrow,” I say, tucking my phone in my back pocket before looking toward Molly. “How long have you been standing there?”

“Just a second, but I heard Chad’s name. Is everything okay? He’s not coming here, is he?”

“That was Wyatt. He said people are talking around town… like something happened. Do you want to talk?”

She bites the inside of her lip and wrings her hands in front of her waist. “Not really.”

Fucking hell. Whatever that piece of shit did, it really fucked her up.

“Okay… what about a cup of tea or a gallon of ice cream? I think I have cookies and cream.”

Her eyes light. “I could go for the ice cream.”

I smile and follow her back into the kitchen. “I have a whole closet of t-shirts in there you can wear. Help yourself to anything. It’s not very neat, but there’s plenty of them.”

“I think I’ll take you up on that,” she says, turning back toward the bedroom. “This outfit is so uncomfortable!”

When she disappears back down the hall, I pull out my phone and start looking through news articles. There’s a satire page that Mrs. Finch runs that publishes news from all over the area. Some of it’s true, some of it’s not, but I can’t find anything about Molly or Chad before she’s making her way back down the hall again. This time she’s in my oversized long sleeve tee with a bass on the front of it. If I ever in my life thought I’d see a more beautiful sight, I was wrong.

“Thanks for this,” she says. “It’s nice being in a house again. I’ve been showering at the campground, and it drops pretty low overnight up here.”

“Yes. Yes, it does. I don’t know what happened, but I’m sad you felt you had to resort to the measures you did.”

She looks at me for a long thoughtful second, then sits on the stool at the bar, pulling the bowl of ice cream I’ve scooped toward her. She lifts the spoon and lets the cold sweetness pass her amazing lips, closing her eyes to savor the flavor with a moan. “It’s so good! What is it about a big bowl of ice cream that just makes everything so much better?”

“I think it’s the sugar,” I say, laughing. “Sugar and more sugar.”

She smiles and even laughs a little before letting out a sigh that’s both content and worrisome.

“I’m here if you want to talk,” I say again. “You can tell me anything.”

“I’m not sure what good talking does. I say it, then what? The whole thing is just embarrassing.”

“Embarrassing how?”

“Embarrassing like I wish I’d been stronger sooner. Embarrassing like I did a bunch of stuff I wish I hadn’t. Embarrassing like… embarrassing.” She shrugs her shoulders and scoops another bite of ice cream onto her tongue. “Where are you from, anyway? You just moved here a few years ago, right?”

Okay, I guess we’re changing the subject.

I nod. “New Mexico. Sold everything I had and set off for a fresh start. I decided I’d stop driving when the truck started to smoke.” I chuckle. “The first place I went to was the tattoo shop. Wyatt showed me around town, I saw the bar was for sale, and I bought it the next day.”

“Do you like running it? You seem happy.”

“Yeah, I love it. Talking to everyone in town, really getting to know people, being that ‘go to spot’ for folks when they’re down or celebrating, really makes a new person feel like he’s part of the community. I hope to build a legacy someday my own kids will want. I don’t know, that’s probably presumptuous. No one wants that anymore, right? Kids like to go off and do their own thing these days, big cities and the internet and all that. Besides, I’m getting old. Kids might not even be in the picture.”

I top the ice cream carton and slide it into the freezer.

“Kids still want those things. I mean, look at me and Josie. We’re both in town. Granted, Josie is making out a lot better than me working at the bakeshop, but—”

“Are you and Josie related?”

She nods, tilting her bowl to get the last of the ice cream. “Yeah, we’re sisters. You didn’t know that? I guess we need to spend more time at the local watering hole.” A smile lifts on her face again.

“That’s the best idea I’ve heard all night.”

“Why do you ask about Josie?”

“Wyatt has been asking about her. I guess he stopped for a cupcake or donuts or something and now he’s all gaga.”

“I’ll tell her.” She smiles. “She’s been lonely lately. Besides, I think she and Wyatt would make a cute pair.” She looks down at her empty bowl with remorse then up toward me. “What did I tell you about word traveling fast?”

I nod and stare back at her, soaking in every bit of her beauty as she stands in front of me. “Are you okay?”

She swallows hard and looks up at me with the purest eyes I’ve ever seen. “I’m okay now. Thank you for letting me stay here tonight. I hope it’s not too much trouble.”

“You’re not trouble,” I say. “I’m more than happy to have you. Besides, I’ve been looking for a reason to eat ice cream after midnight for a while. This was the perfect excuse.” I slide the last bite of my own treat into my mouth before tossing the spoon in the sink.

She smiles and within seconds, there’s a stir in my lower stomach that first appeared when she pressed up against me in the bar. The same stir that appeared when her hard nipples pressed against my chest and woke me up in places that’ve been asleep for as long as I can remember. The stir that made me want to protect her with everything I am.              

A fuzzy blue blanket billows upward as she lowers herself onto the couch cushions.

“I can’t let you sleep out here. Take the bed,” I say, moving to her side.

She shuts her pretty green eyes and cuddles into the couch. “I want to sleep out here, trust me. I’ve been sleeping on the ground, so this is heaven. Thanks for the help today. You’re a saint.”

“You’ve been sleeping on the ground? What?”

Her eyes stay closed. “Yeah, when I left Chad, I didn’t know where to go, so I pitched a tent in the woods. I’ll find something else soon. It’s just temporary.”

“What about your parents, or your sister, or the hotel in town? There’re plenty of places to stay.”

She snuggles into her blankets tighter. “I know, but I didn’t want to bother anybody. I’m fine, really. It’s just like camping. Do you mind if we go to sleep though?” She yawns and her words get further and further apart. “I’m… really… really… tired.”

I stare down at her for too long before squeezing her arm gently and pacing back toward the bedroom. I hate that she’s sleeping on the couch, but I hate it more that she’s been sleeping on the fucking ground. We’ve had miners in town from all over the world. Hell, a couple of girls in town had run-ins with them not too long ago and they were lucky to have gotten out unscathed. The thought of Molly out there on her own has my skin crawling. That’s not even considering the fact that it was Chad’s responsibility to look out for her, even if they’ve broken up. They spent nine years together. You’d think even after a break-up, you’d care about the person’s safety.

What did this piece of shit do to her?

It’s late, but I have to know. I shut the bedroom door behind me and call Wyatt back. I didn’t want to be the nosey fuck who had to know everything, but it’s eating away at me thinking about what that asshole did to her.

“What’s up, man? Thought you were entertaining,” he says the words sarcastically and whimsical as though he’s poking fun.

“What do you know?” I growl, cutting out his playfulness.

“I told you, you need to ask her. I’m not going to be part of the problem, man. This town is a cesspool for drama. Everyone knows something about someone. What happens when I’m dating Josie? I don’t need that kind of inherited guilt.”

I lay back on the bed and pinch my fingers between my nose, frustrated with his lack of help.

“What is it about this chick you can’t let go of? You’ve been chasing her for too long. I don’t think she’s interested, man.”

“It’s complicated. She’s been tied up with Chad.”

“Which is a good reason to leave her alone.”

“Just answer my questions.”

“Listen, you need to talk to her. Like I said, I don’t want trouble with anyone, and Chad is at the tattoo shop once a month. There are other women on the planet.”

“Yeah.” I hold back the part where none of them have made me feel the way Molly does.  

He sighs. “Just be careful, man. I know what you went through with your family and all your past shit. Are you sure you’re ready to get involved with a girl like Molly?”

“A girl like Molly? What the hell does that mean?”

“Just talk to her,” he says. “That’s all I’m saying.”

There’s silence on both ends of the line before I grunt and hang up the phone, unsure of where to take the conversation. I’m a little pissed that he brought up my past, but I’m even more pissed that I still don’t know what happened to Molly. And if the two things go hand in hand, I’m not sure I can respect her wishes to walk away from Chad. Someone has to teach him a lesson, and that may as well be me.

Chapter Three

Molly

I wake up all at once with the smell of coffee and the worst headache I’ve had in ages. It’s probably stress. I know I need to talk about what happened between Chad and I, but I’m embarrassed beyond belief. I should’ve cut things off with him sooner. I should’ve listened to my gut when it was telling me to leave.

Leaning up from the couch I check the kitchen for Mullet, but the space is empty, and I hear the shower running. Good, it’ll give me a second to get my head on straight. Sleeping in his t-shirt, smelling him all over me, it’s not good. His care is more than I’ve ever felt before and while it’s kind and comforting, it’s also doing things to me I don’t want again… not ever. Which means I need to get out of this cabin and away from Mullet as fast as I can. I don’t need to be mixing myself in more emotions already. I can’t take the heartbreak that will inevitably come afterward. 

My phone buzzes on the coffee table in front of me. It’s Josie, my sister. I’ve missed two messages and a phone call. I didn’t ring her back after I stopped at the bar last night. She’s probably worried sick.

I sit up from the couch and step out the sliding glass doors onto the back patio, dialing her number. She picks up right away.

“Where have you been?” Her voice is torrid with anger, which is out of character for her. “I’ve been worried about you all night! I was just about to call Mullet and ask if he saw you last night, but the bar isn’t open yet.”

“I’m fine,” I say, holding back on the truth. “I got home late last night and crashed.”

“Who’d you go home with?” Her tone changes from inquisitive to playfully accusatory.

“What? What do you mean? I didn’t go home with anyone!” A squirrel could tell that I’m lying. My voice has gone so high pitched that it’s annoying even me.

“I went by the cabin last night. Chad said you hadn’t been home. He sounded pissed. What’s going on?”

“We broke up,” I say, tightening my breath.

“What? Why? You guys have been together forever.”

I never talk about my personal life with anyone, mostly out of humiliation. “Can we talk about something else? I need time to process everything. Why don’t you tell me about the bakeshop? Are you still having trouble with break-ins?”

She sighs. “Yes. I think it’s a bunch of teenagers, though. I ordered some cameras. I just need to set them up.”

“They broke in again last night?”

“Every night. They usually just take the leftover donuts, the ones I’m going to donate anyway, but last night they took a whole tub of frosting from the fridge that I was going to use this morning. I don’t know what to do with them. The sheriff isn’t any help at all.”

“I’ll talk to Mullet and see if he knows anyone who can—”

“Mullet? Why would you talk to Mullet?” She pauses, then gasps. “Did you go home with Mullet? Molly! What are you thinking? What about Chad? If he finds out, he’s going to lose his mind! When did you break-up with him?”

“A couple of weeks ago.”

Her voice softens. “What? Why am I the last person on Earth to know?”

“You’re actually the second person to know, and I—”

The sliding glass door opens and Mullet hands me a mug with a moose on the front of it, steaming hot. He waves his hand back and forth as though he’s not trying to interrupt me, but the second I see him, I’m interrupted. Partly because opening up would mean more emotion than I’m currently capable of, but mostly though, because I can’t take my eyes off Mullet’s shoulders as they flex toward me.

“I’ll call you back in a bit and find out about how to help you at the shop.”

She huffs in agreement. “Fine… but call me back for real this time. I don’t want to have to tell Mom on you.”

I smile at her comment and disconnect the line as I reach for the mug Mullet’s extending for me. “I tried not to wake you,” he says, looking down at his feet before meeting my gaze again. Something about this morning is different, more awkward. Maybe it’s the light of day that’s making him realize what a mistake it was to bring me back here.

“No, you didn’t wake me. I have a million things to do at the antique shop today and now Josie just called needing help with the security cameras at her shop, so I’m going to head over there in a bit.”

“Someone’s breaking into the bake shop?” He sits out on the porch with me and leans his large body onto the wood table in front of me with concern. I forgot their shops were next door to each other.

“No. She thinks it’s some teenage kids, probably smoking weed and breaking in for munchies. They just take food, so…”

He nods slowly as he sips his coffee. “I can send Wyatt over to help her. I think he was looking for a reason to say hello to her, anyway.”

“That’s perfect!” I smile, a giddy feeling in my stomach. “She’s going to kill me, but it would be helpful to have that off my shoulders today. I also should probably go back and try to talk to Chad before he does anything else dumb.”

Mullet stares at me long and hard and I get the feeling he wants to say something but doesn’t know how to say it. “I don’t want to overstep here, but last night you seemed pretty convinced that talking to him was off the table.”

I bite the inside of my cheek and stare off the deck and into the surrounding mountain side. It’s a beautiful property with tall pine and a small stream meandering down below. From this vantage, I can even see where Mullet has set up his dog rescue area with a small barn and a few runs. He’s such a nice guy.

“I want to talk, I really do. I just don’t know how to say any of it.”

He looks toward me, his big brown eyes on mine with soft comfort. “Why don’t you start at the beginning.”

My heart races as I stare back at him. I want to tell him everything, every detail of my life with Chad, but it hurts to let the words up into my throat.

Mullet reaches out and runs his large hand over mine. “I want to be here for you, darling, but you have to tell me what we’re up against.”

And with that single phrase, for the first time in my life, I don’t feel so alone.

Chapter Four

Mullet

Molly looks back at me with a sigh, then diverts her gaze back out into the distance. He’s broken her, I can see that. I’m not even sure it matters how anymore. The guy deserves to suffer for leaving her this way.

“When I was a little girl, I had these fantasies of falling in love. You know… the whole runaway together, leave your small town, snuggle at night before bed, sort of dream. I knew it wouldn’t be perfect, but I imagined it being this foundation that was so great that my kids would look at that love and aspire to have the same.” She wipes a tear from her face. “I didn’t dream of anything the way I dreamt of love, and when I met Chad, I thought he was it.”

I reach my hand out for hers, squeezing gently.

“I think I was so desperate to have someone, so desperate to have love, that I overlooked these huge red flags, which eventually turned into really heated arguments… and more.”

I know what she’s going to say before she says it and my chest tightens to a solid stone of anger that I push aside to listen to her closer.

“It’s so embarrassing to talk about,” she says, tightening her arms around her chest. “He’d tell me I was too needy, that I ruined his life, that I was selfish, all because I wanted more of him, or more time with him.” She shrugs. “I don’t know. I know I’m not perfect. I’ve messed up a lot. I convinced myself for years that’s why he said those things. Then the other night,” she swallows hard and looks away, “we got into a bad argument about something. I don’t even remember now. He put his hands on me. He shook me and pushed me away. I didn’t know what to think. It all happened so fast and he apologized right afterward, but then kind of blamed me for it too. I don’t know. I still think maybe it was my fault. I was over-talking a situation again, which is something I do.”

“It’s not your fault. I didn’t have to be there to know it’s not your fault.” My teeth grind together as she talks, despite the fact that I’m trying to contain myself.

“Nothing is ever one sided, though. I really do over-talk things. I—”

“It’s not your fault.” I stand and pull her close to my chest, holding her tight against me. “He’s a grown man. He knows how to walk away.”

She pulls away and looks up toward me, her green eyes welling with tears. “I should probably get out of here. I don’t want to keep you any longer. I’ve already confused us both more than necessary.”

I want to wrap her up, hold her, never let her go, make her feel safe, hide her away from the world, but I have to respect her wishes. I have to give her space. She has to do this for herself. She has to know I’m here for her to help in whatever way she needs.

“Yeah, whatever you need,” I say, blowing out the tension that’s been building. “Just promise me you’re not going to talk to Chad without someone else around.”

“He’s not like that. He’s not going to hurt me out of the blue. It’s when we’re arguing bad that he gets worked up like that. He doesn’t like to feel cornered.”

She’s still making excuses for him. I suck in a deep breath and let it out slowly.

“I know what it’s like to be betrayed by people you love and trust,” I say, holding her tight again. “My dad was a real asshole who controlled everyone with fear. Me, my siblings, and my mother, but no one else. The guy was a pillar of the community to everyone else who knew him.” I clear my throat. “I know you want to make excuses for Chad. I made them for my dad for a long time too. Trust me, distance does wonders.”

“Is that why you left New Mexico?”

I nod. “Once my mom passed away, there was nothing left to stay for. My sister went to Oklahoma City with her fiancé and my brother moved up here to Rugged Mountain a few years after I did. Liam. He works at the motorcycle shop, maybe you’ve seen him around.”

“I have. I didn’t know he was your brother. He’s a nice guy.” She looks down at the ground, then up again slowly. “I’m so sorry that happened to you.”

“I’m not. It brought me here. If I’m real technical, it’s the only reason I’m standing in this spot right now with you.” I cup her face in my hand and kiss her forehead gently. “If you have to settle things with him, I understand… but let me be nearby in case things get crazy.”

A hard breath falls from her lips as she leans into me again. “Did your mom ever leave your dad?”

My stomach tightens as I shake my head. “We begged her to, but he was all she knew. It terrified her to leave. She was with him until the day she died.”

Her gaze drags up to mine slowly with a trembling chin. “I get that. I’ve only had nine years with Chad and I’m so broken down, I’m not sure how I’d ever believe I’m good enough for someone else again.”

My heart becomes heavy as I draw her in tighter. “I saw your worth the second I met you… the very first second. And the more I get to know you, the deeper that realization gets. You’re smart, you’re sweet, you work hard, you think about everyone else before yourself, and you give everything you do all that you have. What he gives you, isn’t love. Love doesn’t confuse you or hurt you. Sure, you’re going to argue. Everyone argues, but when someone loves you, they respect you. They don’t want to hurt you, Molly, not for a second.”

“Thank you,” she says, drawing her arms around my waist. “You didn’t have to say all that.”

“I mean it, and I’d tell you every day for eternity if it meant you believed in yourself again.”

A short smile lifts her face before she tips up onto her toes and kisses my cheek. “I appreciate you. Last night, today, all of it.”

I sneak another kiss onto her forehead before pulling away. “You don’t need to appreciate me. I want to be here for you. Just like I want to take you to work today and pick you up afterward for dinner… and without sounding creepy… another sleepover. I can’t imagine you going back to that campsite tonight alone. Besides, we have a gallon of ice cream we haven’t finished yet.”

She grins and nudges my elbow as she walks past me. “You had me at ice cream.”

Chapter Five

Molly

Mullet turns the radio up and rolls down the windows of his truck, letting the wind blow through my hair as we drive toward the antique shop on Main Street. Thankfully, it’s not too far from his bar, Skully’s.

“I have another guy closing tonight, so I’m done at four. What time are you finished?”

“Not until five. I can pick up my car and drive back to your place afterward. I left it parked at the bar last night and I doubt the owner wants my old Nissan left there all week.”

He smiles and reaches toward me, squeezing my leg gently before retracting again. “I’ll be here at five. Your car is good where it is, unless you’d rather drive.”

I shake my head. “No. I mean, if you don’t mind picking me up. My car has been giving me trouble, anyway. I could have it towed down to Levi’s shop for a look.”

“Do you have your keys? I can have my brother pick it up and take a look at it for you. He’s at Levi’s shop all day, anyway.”

I fish my keys out of my purse and hand them over as he pulls into the lot of the antique shop that sits on the end of the row by the library. It’s an older building, as are all the buildings here in Rugged Mountain, but this one has a special place in my heart. It’s bright and colorful with blues and purples, and a vivid gold awning sprawled over the front door that reads Antiques. If I were designing an antique shop, this would be it.

“Are you sure you don’t mind calling him for me? I can do it, it’s not a—”

“You have enough on your mind. It’s perfect timing having it fixed right now.”

I nod and crack the truck door, aching to bend toward him and kiss him goodbye, but unsure of what that means if I do. Sure, we screwed around a little last night, but I have alcohol to blame for that. What would I blame my decision on this morning, nerves or maybe temporary insanity? “I’ll see you at five then,” I say, hopping down from where I’m sat.

“I’m just across the street if you need me.”

“I know,” I say, biting the inside of my cheek.

He waits until I’ve unlocked the door and stepped inside the building before pulling away, and even then, he drives away slow, circling his head to check for someone who may bother me before making his way to the bar.

“You’re here early!” Angie says as she stocks things in the back corner.

I’m not expecting her and I jump back and scream. “What the hell?!”

“What?” She laughs. “Sorry I scared you. I thought I’d pop in to do some stocking this morning before I head off to a doctor’s appointment. I think we’re pregnant again! I’m really hoping for a set of twins. They run in my family.” She’s been married to Levi for a year now, and the two are happier than ever… the same kind of happy Cami and Henry have… the same kind of love I wish I had.

“You’re good. I hope your appointment goes well! Twins would be amazing! Sorry about the screaming, I’m jumpy this morning for some reason. It was a long night.”

“A long night in a good way?” she asks as her voice rises. “I see Mullet dropped you off. Does that mean things didn’t work out with Chad? I really hope it has nothing to do with me trying to set you up with Mullet a while back. I didn’t know about Chad, or I’d—”

“It’s not your fault. I didn’t talk about him much. We just broke up, actually.” I look down at the ground, then back up again before setting my purse under the counter. “He came down to the bar last night and was acting all crazy. Mullet helped me out.”

“Jeez, sorry to hear that. Are you okay? Do you want to talk about it?”

“Not really. I do have a question about break-ins though. Josie said she’s had a few this week. Have we caught anything on our security cams?”

She shakes her head. “Nothing. I get an alert every time the motion sensor is activated. Does she have cameras?”

“Wyatt is helping her put them up today. I think I’m going to run over there on my lunch and see how she’s doing. I—”

The doorbell rings on the front door and we turn toward the noise. My heart stops. The last thing I want is trouble, and I’ve had a terrible feeling that Chad would show up at the shop first thing this morning if I didn’t go talk to him. But Mullet’s right, I shouldn’t pander to his requests. And if last night wasn’t a request to talk, I don’t know what is. It’s funny, last night was the first time he gave a damn after our breakup and I’m one hundred percent convinced that it was because I was next to someone else.

“Good morning donuts!” a bright voice says.

Thank God, it’s Josie. Her bright, smiling face is just what I need this morning. The coffee and homemade donuts won’t hurt either.

“I figured you two could use a pick me up, and I’ve been baking all morning, so I needed to spread the love.” She hands over a pink bakery box filled with chocolate glazed donuts, her specialty, and two large cups of warm, steaming coffee. “I hope you’re alright with chocolate. I miscounted and now have a ton of them… plus an extra dozen still in the oven. I figure I’ll save those for Wyatt when he stops by later.” I always forget how similar we look until we’re face to face. When we were little, everyone thought we were twins. Red hair, green eyes, and a lot of our freckles are even in the same place.

Angie steps forward and hugs Josie. “We owe you lunch. Tomorrow, let us take you to the diner.”

“It’s a deal,” Josie says, turning to leave. “I’ll call you later, Molly.”

“Actually, Mullet is cooking me dinner tonight. Can I give you a raincheck on the call?”

She twists her head to the side as though waiting isn’t an option, then steps toward me. “No… actually that’s not okay.” Her voice lowers as she asks, “How are you doing? I came over to talk, but I wasn’t expecting Angie to be here. I had to give her my coffee.”

“I’m fine,” I say, squeezing her shoulders gently. “You’re sweet for thinking of me and I love you like crazy, but I’m not ready to talk about anything yet. You’ll have to save up all that talking for Wyatt. You need a date more than I need anything right now.”

“Is it that obvious?” She rests her palm on her hip and hitches upward. “I hope we hit it off. He’s a nice guy, right?”

“As far as I know, he’s one of the nicest.”

“He’s hot too. I’ve seen him at the tattoo shop. Do you think he’d be into me? I mean, am I really his type?”

“He’s been asking about you, so I’d assume you’re his type.”

She smiles and turns toward the front door. “Okay, enough about me. I’m going to get back to the shop. Let me know if you need me for anything.” She waves as she heads back out the door toward the bakeshop.

When I turn back to the counter, Angie is already moaning over the donuts. “They’re so good. I swear that girl should put these online and ship them out. People would pay next day delivery to have them.”

“She’s been baking ever since she was a girl. I remember all the strange experiments she used to try with maple and bacon before it was trendy. Truthfully, even the mistakes were never that bad.”

“You two sound close,” Angie says as she rubs her stomach. “I hope my kids have good relationships with each other. I’m already looking into the future to see them as adults with their own families coming back t—”

The bell on the door rings again, but I don’t panic this time figuring Josie must have forgotten something.

“We need to talk.” The voice behind me isn’t Josie’s. It’s deeper, darker, angrier.

My stomach flips and twists, forcing bile up into my mouth. It’s Chad.

I glance toward Angie who’s already gathering her donuts and coffee up from the counter. “I was just about to take off, anyway. I’ll catch up with you tomorrow.”

I nod and my stomach tightens harder. Part of me wishes she were staying.

When she’s in the street, Chad takes a step toward me. “Why were you in the bar last night letting that guy touch all over you? You know he’s probably slept with everyone in that place, right?”

I don’t bother telling him he knows nothing about Mullet. Instead, I steer the conversation back to what matters… him leaving.

“I need you to leave.”

“I will,” he says. “I was hoping we could talk first. If you have time, just for a second.” His voice is calmer now, pliable even. This is the tone I fell in love with. This is the tone that sucked me in so many times over the years. It’s a poison and I’m almost afraid to listen.

“I don’t have time,” I say. “I have to get these boxes cleared out and get the shop ready for opening.” I should’ve locked the door back up behind me.

“Is there a time we can talk?” His mood is still soft.

“I don’t think so. I moved on, Chad. I moved on last week after we fought. I’m tired. I’m tired of always feeling tired, I’m tired of feeling like your love and time are a favor to me, I’m tired of you putting your hands on me, and I’m tired of constantly feeling like I’m not good enough.”

“You’re not perfect, Molly. Do you think he’s going to put up with this, with you? You think he’s going to cater to you the way I have?”

“Cater to me?”

“I spend so much time with you. I put the work in. I’ve been there.”

“But every few months you take it all away. Every three to six months you tell me how terrible your life is for having catered to me. You tell me I’m not worth the trouble. You make me feel like I’m nothing. Do you know how hard it is to build myself back up from that, over and over and over again?” My gaze meets his. “I can’t do this anymore, Chad. I won’t.”

The doorbell rings and Mullet steps inside, stalking past Chad toward me.

“Are you alright?”

I nod. “I’m fine. Chad was just leaving.”

Nine years of my life stare back at me. It wasn’t all bad. There were definitely good times. Enough good that I stayed. Enough good that I was lulled into believing this is what love is. But I see now that I deserve better. I see now I deserve a love that makes me feel good all the time, not just when it’s convenient.

“I’m not going anywhere, Molly. You don’t even know this asshole. We’ve spent a lifetime together. Can we talk in private?” Chad’s voice is still calm, eerily so. I expect him to explode any second without warning.

I shake my head. “You had your chance to listen to me. You had your chance to change. You didn’t. What am I supposed to do? I loved you. I gave you almost ten years of my life because I loved you so much.” A tear threatens to roll down my cheek, but I blink it away. I refuse to cry in front of him. “I don’t want to get a restraining order and cause all this drama, but I will if I have to, Chad. It’s over.”

He looks down at the ground then back up at me again with this broken look that makes me feel almost bad for leaving.

I close my eyes and take myself back to the night we fought, back to the way he touched me. I remember how unsafe I felt in his presence both emotionally and physically. When I open my eyes, Chad shakes his head and turns away, swinging open the shop door. I know now more than ever how broken I am because there’s still a part of me that wants to fix him, a part of me that still sees the dream I had when we met, but I don’t go toward him. I don’t say a word. For the first time in my life, I stand strong, sure, unrelenting, hopeful, and maybe even a little excited for a future I haven’t planned yet.

Chapter Six

Mullet

“Are you okay, man?” Wyatt asks, lifting the long neck bottle he’s nursing from the bar. “You’re out of it.”

“Yeah, I’m good. I’m just proud of Molly. I can’t stop thinking about her. She stood up to Chad, and I watched a weight lift off her shoulders.”

“So you’ve got the green light now, right?”

I shake my head. “Nah, I have to give her time. She has to be so messed up after what that guy did to her. Years of it too. She needs time to get her head on straight. I just have to be here to hold her when she cries and let her know she can come to me when she’s ready.”

“Patience? That’s not like you. You’re a go for the gold kind of guy.”

“This is different. It sounds so fucking stupid; I know it does. I’ve heard it for hours in my head and I wonder who the hell I am, but I love her. I knew she was different the second I saw her. It’s only grown since. I can’t rush into this. I have to go slow.”

As soon as I say the word slow, a twinge of despair thumps through my cock and I change the subject.

“How’d things go with you and Josie?”

“I didn’t get the nerve up to ask her out. I don’t know what the hell my problem is.” He takes another swig of his beer. “I helped her set up the cameras, and she gave me a dozen donuts, which are like heaven on Earth.” He sets them up on the counter. “Try one.”

“So why didn’t you ask her out then?”

“I wanted to, but she’s so damn sweet and innocent. She deserves better.”

“You’re a good guy. What are you talking about?”

“She deserves more than some tattoo artist from some middle of nowhere town. She deserves the world.”

“What if you become her world? What if true love is sitting right next door, just waiting for you to pick it up?”

He thinks over what I’m saying as he peels the label from the bottle. “Couldn’t I say the same for you? What good does waiting do? Don’t you want Molly to know you’re interested?”

“I want her to know I’m interested in her well-being. It’s why when she said she needed to go talk to her sister, I didn’t push.” I shake my head. “The situation with Molly and I is different from the one with you and Josie. Molly just went through a bad breakup. She spent almost ten years with the guy. I can’t pounce on her the second it’s over… end of story.”

“Fair enough.” Wyatt lifts his hands up as though he’s relenting to the fight. “It’s your life. I’m just giving you the two cents you didn’t ask for.” He laughs and stands from the stool. “It’s getting late. I should get back to the shop. I picked up the late hours tonight.”

“Anything good?”

“I’ve got a girl at seven who wants a dragon tattoo on her upper thigh that should take a few hours. Then I’m assuming I’ll have some walk-ins. Speaking of, it’s been a while since you’ve been in. Are you thinking of getting anymore work done?”

I lift both my arms. “I think I’m full, and you did my back and chest already.” I look around my body like there has to be somewhere he hasn’t already done. “Maybe some day I’ll look into something on my leg.”

“Yeah, man. You need the bar emblem on your leg. That would be cool as hell.”

“So I need a skull drinking a beer on my leg?”

He grins. “Yeah. I’ll make you an appointment.”

“You do that,” I say, noticing Billy who’s walking in to relieve me from my shift. “I’ll catch up with you later.”

He nods and heads out the front door as I give Billy the low down of the night. Nothing unusual, just a country band that’s playing again tonight and a few people we’re not serving to after their behavior last time. Usually, I’d stand around and chat it up with Billy for a few minutes before leaving, but I’ve been thinking about Molly since I left her this morning and I need to talk to her again. Now, if only I can avoid sounding desperate when I do it. I can’t let her know how anxious I am to hold her, how desperate I am to watch her eat and nourish her body, how proud of her I am. That will freak her out. I need to be cool, cooler than I’ve ever been.

My phone buzzes in my pocket. I answer it quickly, hoping it’s Molly.

“Hey, Mullet. It’s Jess from the animal shelter. I know you had three fosters go through your place last month, but we have another ready for you tonight. She’s a pitbull-terrier mix. She just got here from Florida, a displacement during a recent storm. Are you able to take her in? If not, no worries. We can keep her here for a few nights.”

“Of course I’ll take her in,” I say. “I’ve got plenty of room. How old is she?”

“Eight months. She gets scared pretty easy, and she’s having a hard time trusting people right now, but I figured you were a good first call. We’ve seen you rehab so many fantastic dogs.”

“I’ll come get her in thirty minutes or so. I just have to pick up a friend first.”

Usually, taking in a foster is the highlight of my week. Tonight, it won’t be center stage, but having Molly there with me while I settle her in will be a different experience entirely. I hope it’s not too much for her. If it is, I’ll have to tell Jess I changed my mind. They’ll understand, and I’m sure Mrs. Finch would be just as good for the little puppy. I know she’ll be next on the list to call.

When I pull up to the antique shop, Molly is standing outside, holding her bag in front of her skirt, twisting back and forth with a bright smile on her face. I’m not expecting it. The way today went I figured there’d be a harsh transition.

I park the truck and jump out, running around to open the door for her.

“You didn’t have to do that,” she says, taking my hand to climb up inside. I want her to feel like the most special woman that ever lived. I want to fix all the parts of her that Chad broke.

“Slight change in plans,” I say, pulling up to the edge of the parking lot. I look toward her. “I got a call from the animal shelter. There’s a pitbull-terrier mix that’s in need of a home tonight. She’s scared and I don’t know how hard she’s going to be to care for, but they asked if I wanted to help.”

“We have to get her,” Molly says. “She needs our help.”

I look toward her, my heart filling. “Really? You don’t mind?”

“Why would I mind?”

I shrug. “I don’t know, you’ve had a long week yourself. If you were counting on a nice quiet night, this might make things more complicated. She’ll probably be whiney and scared the first few nights.”

“That’s okay,” Molly says softly. “I really want to help her with you. Do you have everything at the house already or should we stop at The General Store?”

“I have everything.” I flick the blinker on toward the shelter. “Are you really sure? I don’t want you to be overwhelmed.”

She reaches out for me, her hand on my thigh, her eyes on me as I pull into the empty street. “If I can show this living thing, even a fraction of the care you’ve shown me the last couple of days, then I’m doing something good. You had to have been watching me pretty close this morning to have seen Chad come in.”

“I told you I wouldn’t keep my eyes off you. I didn’t the rest of the day either. I watched your place like a hawk.” I glance toward her big smile, then toward the open road. “I swore to myself I wasn’t going to let you see how happy you make me tonight, but I’m not sure I can contain it.”

“Why’s that?” Her nose crinkles up when she talks. “I like making people happy.”

“You’re going through a lot. I don’t want you to think I’m taking advantage, especially after the bar thing and… I just want you to know how much I care. I figured you’d need space to see that.”

“The second you walked out the door today,” she says, looking toward me, her hand still rested on my lap, “I didn’t stop thinking about you. You’re the most caring man I’ve ever met and I couldn’t wait to be in your presence again tonight. So, if you want to tell me I make you happy, then I think I can take it.”

My heart jumps then plummets into my stomach as I look toward her. “Well then, I think it’s safe to say you make me happier than any other human ever has.”

She grins as I try to focus between her shining face and the road.

My hand rests over the top of hers. “Funny,” she says, “I was just thinking the same about you.”

Chapter Seven

Molly

An eight-month-old pitbull mix is much larger than I expected. I’d guess she’s about fifty pounds and at least two feet long, all of her curled onto my lap with her head rested into the crook of my elbow.

“She likes you,” Mullet says, glancing toward us as we pull onto the dirt road that leads to his house. “I’ve never brought a puppy home and had them adjust so quickly.”

The puppy is very snuggly, more so than I can remember any puppy I’ve ever had. She’s a beautiful greyish blue tone with splotches of white on both her ears and the cutest face I’ve ever seen. “I bet she’s just scared. When we put her in the grass, she’s going to go crazy. You’ll see.”

Mullet pulls up to the house and I step down out of the truck, setting the dog down in the field to do her business. She’s hooked to a leash, but I let the leash drag behind her for a few minutes while she finds a spot to go. I expect her to zoom around and let go of some pent-up energy. She’s been locked in a cage for who knows how long. She doesn’t run, though. She goes to the bathroom, then walks back toward me, lifting her front legs up onto my lap to be picked up again.

“I don’t think so, girl. You’re going to have to walk,” I say scratching her between the ears.

“Okay,” Mullet says, “you must have treats in your pockets or something.”

“Nothing,” I say. I did have a couple of Josie’s donuts this morning. Maybe she can smell that.

He unlocks the door to the house and the three of us go inside. “Why don’t you do whatever you need to do and I’ll feed the dog and get dinner ready. I’m sure you need some time to rest.”

I shake my head. “Not really. I’m feeling kind of good.”

“Good?” he says, filling a water bowl, then a food bowl from under the sink. I can tell he does this a lot. He has everything at the ready.

The puppy doesn’t hesitate for her food. She’s on it right away, mowing down the crunchy food pellets.

“Yeah, it was a relief to tell Chad how I felt. It had been coming for years. I mean, I’m going to struggle to believe I’m worth a damn again, but I don’t know… I guess now I feel like I’m on the road to recovery versus the out-of-control train car.” She steps toward me, wrapping her arms around my neck. “Besides that, you made me see what a real relationship feels like. I think a part of me believed what I had with him was normal. When you held me last night at the bar, when you cared so much about how I felt, I couldn’t stop thinking about you. Then seeing you with this dog and the way you came in to stand next to me today at the shop, I… I’ve never been looked after like that before. You’re kind of a hero.”

“Let’s not go crazy,” he says, rolling his eyes playfully. “You left him on your own. You stood up to him on your own. You’re strong as hell. You deserve the credit here.”

“I do,” I say, “and I’m going to take it. I just wanted you to know you played a part in helping me find my strength again. One more night on the ground in the woods, I may have talked myself into going back with him.”

Mullet grips my waist, his big strong hands holding me against his giant frame like a doll. “You’re beautiful, you know that?”

Beautiful. He says the word like it’s easy to say. I didn’t have to ask him to say it. I didn’t beg for it. It was just there, falling from his lips, like he wanted me to know, like he needed me to hear it.

The puppy finishes her food and rounds to my side, brushing her head against my leg. I look down at her, then up at Mullet. “What do we name her?”

“Usually they come with names, but this one didn’t. So I guess we can name her whatever we like.”

My gaze rests on his before I lean my head against his solid chest. I’m sure I’m moving too fast, but I don’t care. For the first time in my life, I genuinely feel what I’ve been trying to feel forever. I’m not forcing it, I’m not begging for it, it’s just here, on its own. I’m not turning it away, not for anything.

Mullet’s hand runs down over my back softly. “What if we named her Basil? It’s a delicious herb, but it also means brave. You know she’s pretty brave to have come all the way here,” I say with a smile.

My core memories force my brain into thinking a brute response is coming. I expect something about how dumb the name is, or a list of names he likes better, but there isn’t one. He kisses me again, and says, “I love it. She’s a survivor, just like you.”

My hand goes to the side of his face and cups his cheek.

“Forgive me,” he says, “but I’ve been thinking about that kiss last night all damn day and I’d do just about anything to feel you again. Can I kiss you, Molly?”

I nod and lift up onto my toes to kiss his lips and suddenly, I’m home. It’s a feeling of comfort that I can’t well explain. A feeling that consumes me to my very core and fills in every broken part of me all at once, leaving me bursting with happiness.

Unintentionally, I moan, deepening the kiss.

Mullet grips me tighter, and the hard ridge of his cock presses against me. I guess that his erection is unintentional as well, but it turns me on. His left hand rests under my breast in waiting as he pulls me in closer… tighter. It’s then and there that I melt all at once. I know I want Mullet, and there’s no convincing me otherwise. I want him now.

Chapter Eight

Mullet

The last thing I ever want to do is pressure Molly, but having her against my skin so close makes it hard to stop. She’s soft and the way her body curves into mine is heavenly. I’m not ready to let her go.

“We should stop now,” I say, kissing her lips again and again between each word. “You need time to heal.”

“Then heal me,” she begs, tipping up onto her toes as high as she can go. There’s a desperation in her tone that sends a hard jolt straight to my groin.

Fuck. Heal me? Did she really just say that? She says the words so sweetly that it’s unbearably difficult to say no, but I have to. She has to know that I’m in this for the long haul, that I’ll wait.

“You need time to yourself,” I say, kissing her forehead. “You have to—”

Her lips meet mine again, this time more frenzied than they had been before. She’s hungry. Her hands are on my waist and then on my skin beneath my shirt as the slightest of moans escape her. She presses her lips to my bare chest and smiles. “Do you want me?”

“You have no fucking clue how much I want you.”

“Then take me. Tell me what you want to do to me and take me. I want you, Mullet. I’ve wanted you since last night.”

I lean down into her neck and growl low, taking in the soft scent of flowers on her skin. “I want to watch you undress,” I say. “Go slowly. I want to admire every inch of those curves and drink you in like it may very well be the last time I ever see you.”

“Yeah,” she mutters so low that I barely hear it. Her body rubs against mine and I smell her arousal. “Then what?”

“Then, I want to kiss every square inch of your body.” I kiss over her neck and down her arms, spilling wet heat onto her soft body as I lift her dress up and over her head, admiring every part of her. She’s perfect.

Leaning down, I press my lips into her full breasts, suckling each nipple one by one as sounds of pleasure fill the room.

The need to have her skin on mine is overwhelming. I need to feel her nipples press against my skin.

Kissing her lips, I guide her back toward the bedroom and lay her onto the bed, admiring her naked body with feather soft strokes as my fingertips dance across her stomach and down her thighs.

Her hips rise with need and the green eyes that usually sparkle go dark and hazy. I stroke through her auburn hair and work my hand down over her mound. She presses into my hand and thrusts as two fingers slide with in her sticky wetness. Moan after moan spills from her lips as she reaches out for my jeans, unbuckling them quickly to squeeze my cock.

Fuck. It’s almost painful holding back any longer. I need release. I need her. Standing, I remove my clothes and stare down at her hungry body. I shouldn’t be thinking about giving her a baby, but I can’t help myself. The thought of her pregnant with our child excites me in ways I haven’t been excited before. In a flash, I imagine the two of us outside with the dogs, and a couple of kids helping us play in the yard.

“I don’t have protection,” she says, her voice shaking. “I’m clean, though. Chad and I haven’t had sex in forever and I was tested about a month ago at a routine visit.”

“I don’t have anything either. I’m not usually entertaining like this. Hell, it’s been years. We should stop. I don’t want you to get pregnant right now. You’d—”

“Would it be the worst thing? I mean, I’m not at that point in my cycle, so I doubt it’s even possible, but what if I did? What if I had your baby? What if you filled me with your seed and we started a family?”

My cock twitches up against her hip. The thought is fast and not well thought out, but somehow it feels right. She feels right.

“I want to feel all of you, Mullet.” She kisses my lips, and then my face over and over until I’m flat on the bed and the sweetest of kisses are being peppered all over my chest.

“I want that too, sweet girl.”

Anchoring between my legs she kisses the head of my cock, licking the tip as she looks toward me.

“I want you to take me,” she begs. “I want you to bend me over and make me yours. I never want this feeling between us to end.”

Every need I’ve been holding back explodes all at once like an animal cut loose from his chains. I spring up from the bed and meet her from behind. My dick nudges at her entrance as her legs part and my chest falls forward onto her back, holding her as close to me as I can get her. There’s an urgency to possess her that I hadn’t allowed myself to feel until now.

Moan after moan escapes her as my cock slides in further and further.

Desperate for her come, I reach around her hips and circle her clit as I thrust into her over and over again.

“Tell me who you belong to,” I growl. “Tell me you’re mine.”

“I’m yours,” she pants breathlessly as my balls slap against her, making a sound that’s wet and delicious.

I kiss her neck and the tops of her shoulders as I move, delicately holding her against me as I thrust harder.

“I’m going to come,” she groans, with such an aching voice that I feel myself begin to shatter.

“Do it, come for me. Come hard and say it again. Say my name.”

“Fuck, Mullet. Right there…”

I’m in a fog. My balls tighten and my heart swells. I could stay lost in this moment with her forever, listening to her sounds, feeling her body, letting go of every bit of reasoning in the world just to have her next to me.

Her pussy grips me tighter as she loses control of her muscles and throws herself uncontrollably backward, further into my cock. Sounds of pleasure spill from her lips as she writhes and grips the sheets in front of her. “I need your come,” she moans. “Come inside of me.”

Every sound she makes sends me over the edge of an orgasm, leaving me splintered as I spill my seed inside of her.

She thrusts backward into me, teasing out the last bits of my come before turning back and licking our mixed pleasure off my cock. The surprise sensations send a shock through me I’m not expecting and the last bit of my come release into her mouth.

I run my hands through her hair and kiss her lips softly as she rises from the ground. “Wow, what was that?”

She shrugs and grins. “I don’t know, I just missed getting to taste you, so I thought I’d take my shot. Is it weird? Did you hate it?”

There’s such an innocence about her after she says it that another shock of electricity rushes through me, and then another as I lay next to her and hold her in my arms. “No, that was amazing. You are amazing.”

I’m not sure how long we’re lying together, but it doesn’t feel like long before Basil is jumping up at the bed, begging for attention. “Hopefully we didn’t scare her in here with all our moaning,” Molly says. “Your cock is so big, I thought you were going to break me in two.”

“What? No. You’re being nice. And I don’t think Ms. Basil looks any worse for the wear. In fact, she looks pretty happy if you ask me.” The puppy lays her soft pink nose against Molly’s belly and licks at her skin.

“I don’t think I can give her back,” she says. “I think she’s mine now.”

“Well, I guess that means she’s mine too then,” I say, pulling Molly into my orbit, “because you’re not going anywhere.” I turn toward her, moving my hand down over her face.

“Nowhere, huh? Not even to get some dinner? I’m pretty starving after all our escapades.”

I shake my head and kiss her lips gently, the taste of our pleasure still lingering. “Nope. You’re not going anywhere. I’ll have to feed you in bed and love you right here.”

“Love?”

“Love, and I’m not apologizing for it.” I turn toward her, taking in the sweet innocent look on her face as she takes in my words. “I loved you the very first second I saw your face, and I know without a shadow of a doubt that I’ll never stop.” I kiss her forehead. “I’m always going to love you, and care for you, and protect you. You’re safe with me.”

She closes her eyes and lays her head on my chest. “I love you, Mullet, and I’ve never felt safer.”

Epilogue

Molly

Six Months Later

I stroke my hand across my chest, rubbing my finger along the edges of my bra as I stare down at Mullet who’s patiently waiting for me on the edge of the bed.

“I missed you today,” I say, letting him grab hold of my hips as he pulls me in between his legs with a low growl in his throat. He’s more handsome as each day passes. I somehow keep getting bigger and bigger.

His hand runs over the top of my stomach as he holds me close. We’re nearly six months along with our first baby girl. “How’s baby Lola?”

“Her appointment went well. The doctor says she thinks we have a big baby on our hands. She’s guessing eleven pounds or up.”

Mullet’s eyes widen. “That sounds… painful.”

“I guess maybe I should cut back on the donuts. I’ve been eating them hand over fist.”

“I’m one hundred percent sure it’s not the donuts. Big babies run in my family. My brother was thirteen pounds, and my sister was twelve. My mother talked about it constantly. Besides, if you weren’t eating the donuts, Josie would be so upset. She depends on us for taste testing. How are things with her and Wyatt, anyway? Have you heard?”

I shake my head. “She says he stops at the shop every day but he hasn’t made a move. They did have a good laugh about her security cameras, though. I guess racoons were getting in and helping themselves to the fridge at night. Wyatt helped her put a new latch on the back door. I’ve never seen a raccoon do such human things. They were peeling the lids off the top of her Tupperware!”

Mullet laughs. “I had a couple at the bar once, they were messing with the trash bins out back. They’re friendly enough. I just let them do their thing.”

“That’s probably why the whole street has problems with them now!” I laugh, leaning into his shoulder. “You can’t be that easy on the kids.”

“I won’t be! Look at Basil, she’s a nicely trained dog.”

“She is. She also thinks she’s a person and sits herself to the table every night and waits for her dinner plate.”

He smirks. “And who gives it to her?”

“Okay, okay… I do.” I lay back on the bed next to him, letting my stomach balloon up in the air next to us. “I can’t believe I ever thought this would be a one-night stand.”

He turns toward me. “You thought you were going to one night me?” Laughter bubbles up from his throat before he kisses my forehead. “You didn’t have a chance then. The second I touched you, I knew I was never letting you go.”

I look toward him, my eyes glazed over with love, admiration, and respect for a man that helped fix a girl he didn’t break. A man that took my dreams of family and love and made them real. A man that I can’t wait to build a future with. A man that knew one night would never be enough. And boy… was he right.

Read Josie’s Story Here

Khloe Summers is the author of over one hundred short and steamy romance titles. Her books are written in many different tropes, but always contain growly older alphas, curvy women, and lots of steam.

Khloe lives with her husband, (who she affectionately calls Daddy) in sunny Florida. They spend most of their free time sinking their toes in the sand, eating too many pizzas, and hollering obscenities at the TV on football Sunday. (At least he does. She sits on the sidelines and quietly orders nonsense off Amazon.)

Before this life is over, Khloe would like to check everything off her sexy bucket list and visit South Africa to wrestle evil poachers into submission. (And maybe see some baby elephants.)

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