“Your mom wasn’t around?”
“It was better that way. She liked to party. Liked to be the center of attention. Men’s attention.” It’s dark,but I can see a corner of his jaw clench. “She liked to spend money too, and she tried to take ours.”
“That’s awful.” No wonder the brothers do everything together. They worked at Daddy’s ranch as a unit, and while Daddy will never give them that much credit, he never had more reliable or knowledgeable employees. Mom said it plenty of times since the brothers quit. Then the Hennessys bought into Foster House Gold together, and they all run their ranch as one.
“We learned the hard way that we can’t have her name on any account with us.”
“Oh my God. So you had to start hiding your money?”
He continued to play with the ends of my hair. “Yep. Got pretty creative. Helped that we were all taller than her. Lots of high places. She had a type though—ranchers, and that came in handy too. Lawn care as three teens only pays so much.”
“Is that where you learned your skills?”
“Caring for horses, cows, whatever. They’d pay us, and long after Mom dusted them, they’d still hire us. It’s how we got connections to keep working in the industry after we all turned eighteen.”
“You went right to work?”
“I did, yes.” He goes quiet, like he knows what I’m asking. The root of his admiration for his ex was clear. Someone he thought should be so far above him finding him worthwhile.
“Iverson took a few classes, but it was more money and he was still caring for us. Then I graduated and worked more so he could finish his degree, but as soon as Haven was done with high school, Iverson dropped out and we all took off.”
No wonder he waited for Natalie. She’s everything he wanted to be and she was attracted to him. It must’ve hurt him so much when she told him he couldn’t understand the pressure she was under.
I hate her on principle, but he’s probably still in love with her. A guy doesn’t wait years for a woman to just be over her. I’m a rebound. I’m not someone he’d run after or wait for. If she were to appear in town, he’d probably forget my name.
My throat burns and heat pricks the backs of my eyes. I’m mourning something that hasn’t happened.
He releases my hair and pushes the strands behind my ear. A tender action that chases away the sadness. I’m just going to enjoy my time with him. The room is quiet. Cozy. My eyelids grow heavy.
“Sleep tight, Belle,” he murmurs.
I will now.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Campbell
When I wake, Durban’s gone, just like he said he’d be. He also said he’d cook breakfast, and there’s a delicious sweet smell permeating the air. It’s like I woke in Elodie’s bakery.
I roll out of bed and stumble into the bathroom. There’s a hurts-so-good stiffness in my muscles, and the chafe between my legs only reminds me of every delicious thing Durban did to me. But as much as I liked the orgasms, our pillow talk is something I’ll never forget.
I push my tangled hair off my face. I don’t have anything to tie it up with. A new toothbrush and comb rest on the counter and my heart melts. Durban’s going to make someone a good partner someday. I just don’t think he wants to be mine.
Shaking my head, I clean up and brush my teeth. I’m not in a place to make major future decisions. I’ve known Durban for years, and I’ve never thought he wasa bad guy. Just a judgmental prick. After one night of sex, I’m wishing for more?
To be fair, he’s outshined all of my exes. Most definitely the last guy I dated. Durban just set the bar in the stratosphere.
When I’m done in the bathroom, I toss on my linen pants, skip the underwear until I get home, and then put my bra on. The Dee’s Sweets sweater I wore when I was here before is draped across his heavy wooden dresser. I toss that on and bury my nose in the collar. Hints of caramel and oak.
I’m leaving his bedroom when I snap my fingers. Straightening up, I return and make the bed, wipe down the sink, and evaluate my efforts. I’m not going to be a whirlwind in his safe space.
A puppy will do that. Was he serious about me finding him a dog? He’s getting kittens. As if I need more fodder for my imagination, a big Durban cuddling furry little creatures adds to it.
I grab my phone. The screen lights up with messages.
Stanford: Hey, where are you?
Stanford: Campbell. Where are you?
