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“A cad? Jesus, how old is Velma?” Someone from behind us says. Laughter rings out and I’m ready to dive under the table and hide. My mother is going to have a field day with this one.
CJ growls, a loud aggressive one that silences the room, then slides over, invading my space and trapping me against the wall. My traitorous body responds as he snakes his arms around my waist, adjusting my position to face him.
“Doctor,” he says, smiling at me with what I imagine love to look like. Which is insane because love has nothing to do with whatever’s going on in his one-track mind. “And I’m not on vacation.”
“What?” I blink, bewildered by his statements. What does he mean doctor? Wait. Didn’t Mrs. O’Neal call him Dr. Jacobs? Fine, he’s a doctor then but that doesn’t explain why he’s staying at the resort if he isn’t on vacation.
“I’m a doctor. A veterinarian to be specific. My apartment is being renovated, that’s why I’m staying at the resort. I’m going to be working with Dr. Jones down at the veterinary office. So if you’re going to yell at me, please use my proper title. I worked hard for it.”
He winks then his hazel eyes turn serious. “Same as I’m going to work hard for you. Because you, Velma Freeman, are mine. Knew it yesterday when I met you… know it today and will continue to know it all the days after. And I’m not a cad. A playboy, maybe, but I’ve never treated a woman poorly. They’ve always known the score. And yes, I’m younger than you but I swear to God I’ll treat you like a queen. You are it for me, Velma. So much so, I’m setting down roots here in Coldwater and I want them entwined with yours.”
Holy shit.
If I wasn’t so intelligent, I’d think this man was serious. Or maybe I’m not as smart as I think I am because I want to believe him. I want to believe that Christmas has come early for me.
“If she doesn’t want your roots I’ll take ‘em,” several women say in unison. Ivette being one of them. The whole damn diner is in heat.
“That was a lot,” is all I can think to say because my goodness it was.
Is this how my sister Irina felt when her husband Yannick told her he was keeping her? All warm and bubbly inside?Like the world could end this very second and it wouldn’t matter as long as his eyes stayed on hers? Because that’s how I feel right now.
“It was. And all of it is true.” He eases his arms from around me and slides back. I instantly go cold and follow, craving his warmth. “Now, stop yelling at your best friend and finish your lunch. I’ll see you at my cabin tonight.”
“Tonight?” I squeak.
He’s out of the booth now, plastic to-go bag in hand. He places one large hand on the table, the other on the back of the booth, the bag dangling from his waist and leans over. “Yes, angel, tonight. I’m tired of waiting. You belong to me and it’s time I show you.” Speech over, he leaves but not before hitting me with a searing kiss that knocks me on my ass.
“Tired of waiting? We just met yesterday!” I yell at his retreating frame once I’ve recovered.
“Yep,” he says without turning around. “And you should’ve been under me then.”
Under him? Lord help me I want that. I want to be under, on top, and beside him at all times. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say I’ve fallen for one Dr. CJ Jacobs.
The diner has gone back to its usual boisterous self, our little show forgotten. Ivette is doing her silent act again, staring at me with suspiciously bright green eyes.
“Oh Velma, honey. You are in so much trouble. You can for sure kiss your self-proclaimed spinsterhood goodbye.”
The crazy thing is I think she’s right.
* * *
“Velma Louise Freeman!Did you let a child kiss you in front of God and everybody? You are a Freeman, Velma. A Freeman! Your father and I worked too hard to elevate our position and uphold our reputation in this town to have you tarnish it with your… urges. Heaven knows your sister didn’t do us any favors by getting impregnated by two gay men and then marrying some mountain recluse. Now you’re spreading your legs for someone old enough to be your son.”
Okay, so I was wrong. That was a lot. Not CJ’s speech at The Last Stop. And so much of it incorrect. Let’s start from the top, shall we?
First while admittedly young, CJ is not a child. Children do not kiss like that. I can still feel the way his tongue caressed mine, the way it made my pussy wet. Hell, it’s hours later and I’m still damp.
Second, Irina selflessly offered her womb so that her two best friends could have the family they always dreamed of. Unfortunately, they died, leaving her pregnant and her life uprooted.
So, she went to Montana to live with our aunt and uncle and regroup because our parents are ridiculously close-minded. Not that I can talk. I didn’t handle the news well myself when I first heard it but she quickly put me in my place.
Due to circumstances beyond her control, when she got to Black Timber Peak, she had no place to stay so Yannick graciously took her in. And the rest is history.
Third, and so absurd I can’t believe she said it, CJ isn’t old enough to be my son. Brother maybe, but not son. And I haven’t spread anything yet–but I’m rapidly running out of reasons not to.
I smile imagining it. The way it’ll feel when CJ finally makes good on his threats.
“Oh. Am I boring you, Velma? I’m sorry the ruination of our family legacy isn’t interesting enough to hold your attention,” my mom sniffs.
