I shouldn’t worry so much, but I guessed I’d spent so much time in that role, thinking I needed to watch over her, that it came as second nature.
She was more than grown, though. She was strong and fierce and successful, and I needed to remember she could do a whole hell of a lot better without me.
“So, how’s it going?” Caleb’s voice jerked me out of the trance, and I returned my attention to the table as I took a swig of my iced tea. Swore to God, my mouth nearly exploded with the taste, chunks of fresh strawberries coming up through the straw, the perfect blend of sweet and sour.
Thought that it was the perfect analogy of Dakota. The woman who was all shy blushes then could turn around and knock you flat with the teasing glint in those cinnamon eyes.
“Good,” I told him. “Things are going great at work.”
It was true.
I’d gotten a ton of legitimate contracts recently. Custom pieces I was proud to create.
A burning need had lit inside me to turn all my focus to that.
To end this sentence.
This penalty.
My mind spinning with possibilities on how to break the bonds.
But I knew what it would take.
It would be the fight of my life.
That I’d be putting it all on the line.
Risking everything.
Likely signing my own death certificate.
But I couldn’t go on this way.
Ezra shifted in the booth next to me, the cushion creaking with his large frame. “Nice to hear you’ve been busy, brother.”
“Yeah.”
“Good thing. Keeps you out of trouble.” He arched his brow as he took a sip of his tea.
If he only knew.
Having a cousin as a sheriff and living the life I’d lived wasn’t exactly easy. I always felt like scum, lying to him the way I did.
Hiding.
Pretending.
For years, I’d believed I didn’t have another choice, and the only thing I could do was keep him in the dark.
So, I played this role the best that I could.
I was so fucking ready to stop faking.
I jutted my chin at Caleb to get the attention off me. “How about you?”
Caleb grinned, fucker so happy now that Paisley had come into his life that he was a different man. Dude had waltzed around looking like a rich prick for years, wearing suits and a chip on his shoulder.
Now he had on a Henley and a pair of jeans, the edge he’d always worn erased by the woman who’d changed everything.
“Better than would be prudent to discuss at the lunch table.” Suggestion filled his voice.
Ezra groaned though he managed to keep a smile on his face. Ezra was still grieving the loss of his wife, but he was finally getting to the point where we could joke around, where we didn’t have to tiptoe and worry he would lock down the way he used to.
“Rub it in, asshole,” he said, wry amusement tugging into his features.
Caleb lifted his hands in feigned innocence. “I didn’t say anything.”
“Yeah, but it is written all over your smug face.” I pointed at him.
His grin just grew, and he shrugged. “Can’t help it.”
Then his brow lifted as he angled toward me and lowered his voice, “And it’s not like you’re not out getting your dick sucked every night of the week.”
“I’ll have you know I skipped last night.” I pitched him a smirk, the distaste of what really had gone down last night burning like acid in my guts.
I hadn’t slept at all.
Trying to figure out my angle.
How the fuck I was going to get myself free.
Feet pacing the ground as I’d wrestled through every scenario.
I should have gone and blown off some steam. Found a willing body. Fucked it out of my system. But I’d ended up lying in bed instead, texting Dakota because she was the one woman I couldn’t get off my mind.
Then I’d jerked myself to the memory of her tits spilling out of that dress when I’d found her stranded on the side of the road.
Clearly, my willpower sucked.
“The travesty,” Caleb taunted.
“While I was at home watching Minions for the hundred-thousandth time with my kids.” Ezra let go of a self-deprecating chuckle.
He had three adorable kids.
His twins, Owen and Oliver, were four, and he had a little girl named Olivia who was six.
“Hey, man, it’s a good fucking movie,” I told him. “I don’t know what you’re complaining about.”
Ezra laughed an incredulous sound, and he roughed a hand over his short hair as he sat back and challenged, “And you’ve seen it?”