“Yes. You saw my mess. The whole bar did. For them, it’s just the town drunk having too much again with her asshole boyfriend.”
“That’s them, not you.”
She shook her head. “You don’t understand. She’s all I have. I can’t bow out on her because then no one would give a shit, and people like that, the ones who don’t have anyone to care for them, they slip away in the dark of the night and disappear into nothingness. I’ve seen it happen one too many times. This town can eat people whole if they don’t have a strong enough constitution.”
“Why do you stay? Just for her?”
“Partly. And it’s the only place I know. I don’t have any other family or friends outside of this town. College costs an arm and a leg, and I have no clue what I’d want to do anyways. I’m okay working at Dolly’s and paying my own way.” She shrugged.
“Yet, you’re not happy.”
“Is any one?” The desolate look that flashed in her eyes chilled him. “It’s cold. We should finish and get out.”
Always one to know when to back off, he nodded his head. If he pushed her too far, he’d never get what he wanted, her in his life on a permanent basis.
Chapter Four
One week later
“All right, Lisa I’m out of here!” Maci waved at the dark haired girl behind the counter, slung her purse over her shoulder, and headed for the door. Tonight she and Ty were going to leave the bedroom for once, and head out dancing at The Horseshoe. The lines between them were blurring. What started off being solely about sex had morphed when she wasn’t paying attention. It felt too good to back off now. At the very least, she deserved two weeks of happiness. Almost as if her mom sensed it there had been no outbursts. No calls about her drunken behavior, or reques
ts for money. This must be what it felt like to be a normal twenty-one year old. The tongues had started wagging around town, but she couldn’t care less. In a place this boring anything new turned to gossip.
Slipping behind the wheel of her car, she cranked the country station and sang along. Tonight she had a brand new skirt to go with her lace tank-top, a new pair of brown boots, and the sexiest roughneck in town at her beck and call. She hadn’t been this happy since, at seventeen, she’d made the move out of the ranch house Craig had infested. Pulling up into her driveway she smiled at the sight of Ty’s car. He’d beat her here. They’d been playing house for the past few days. She saw the appeal. Her stomach churned. Ty was a good man. Maybe if she didn’t have such a scrambled brain they could have a go at it.
Don’t get any deeper, Maci. It’ll only hurt more in a week.
Turning into her drive she parked and exited. She opened the door and inhaled. Rich spices teased her nostrils.
“Something smells delicious.”
Ty turned to peer at her from the stove, and her heart skipped a beat. Fucking adorable. His ass looked edible in the tight, worn Wranglers, and the Kiss the Cook apron he’d borrowed softened his rough edges.
“Garlic bread will be done in a few more minutes, and the spaghetti and sauce are waiting for you.”
Sashaying over, she tilted her head back to accept his kiss. The soft press wasn’t enough. Opening her mouth she sucked his tongue inside and mimicked the act of sex. A low rumbled lingered in his chest. He lifted her into his arms. She wrapped her legs around his waist, slating her head to deepen their lip lock as he ground into her panty clad pussy. The diner dress hovered around her waist.
“Dinner will hold.”
Stalking to her bedroom he tossed her onto the bed and shoved the pink dress up to her waist, ripping away the panties. The elastic popped, and she pouted.
“I’m running low on those.”
“I’ll buy you more.” His whisky over ice voice made her whimper. They were exclusive, clean, and she’d been on birth control, so they were foregoing condoms. There was nothing quite like the feel of skin on skin, and she wanted to be as close to Ty as she could get. Spreading her legs wide she watched him from beneath lowered lids as he unbuckled his belt, shoved his pants down, and kicked them away.
“Are you ready for me, Maci?”
“I’ve been wet since you rolled into town.”
He tested her with two thick fingers, and she rolled her hips.
“Are you ready for me?”
“What do you think?” He presented his monstrous cock and she gripped him tight, pumping him to his full length. Her mouth watered, and she moved forward to take him deep. He placed a gentle hand on her shoulder and shook his head.
“I want to be inside your pussy right now. I’ve been dreaming about it all day.”
“Far be it from me to deny you … but you might want to lose the apron?” She giggled, and he smiled.