“Look, you can pretend all you want, but you know I’m in this for real, Monroe.”
“Jase,” she says, but I don’t let her continue.
“I told you before, and I’ll say it again, Moonshine, I want you. I want us. A shot at something real. And I know you’re not letting your mind wrap around the idea, and that’s fine, we’ll do it your way, but there’s no way in hell Indigo’s staying at my parents’ house.”
I didn’t outright say it then, but there is no way I’m letting Indigo come anywhere near us.
“We have to let her stay, Jase. She’ll suspect we’re not really together if we don’t and then won’t ever leave if she thinks she has a real shot with you. Besides, I don't think anything you say will change your mama's mind. Magnolia seems determined to make you see the error of your ways.”
I sigh, running a hand through my already disheveled hair. “I don’t give a fuck if she does, Moonshine. I am not letting her stay.”
“It’ll be just for a few nights. Give her time to get her car fixed, see that we are really together and starting a family, and then she’ll be gone. If we don’t do this, then she and your mamawon't let your reconciliation with her go. And I may be okay with co-parenting with you, but I will not co-parent with her.”
My smile widens further, stretching my cheeks and crinkling the corners of my eyes. “So, you’re saying you want me all to yourself, and you’re not going to let my ex-girlfriend take me from you.”
“In a sense yes, but not because—” I stop her with a finger to her lips and a soft hum.
“Shhh,” I say, and her eyes bulge in surprise. “We’ll let her stay, but just know, you and I, Moonshine, things are going to have to change around here.”
“How so?” she asks, annoyed.
I lean in close, my lips a mere centimeter from hers, and I can hear a soft moan leave her lips, though she snaps her lips shut a second later. “My hands will never leave your skin. My mouth will own your lips, and my cock, it’s going to love to call you mine.”
“This doesn’t change?—”
“It changes everything. You may not know this about me, baby, but I am a very affectionate partner. In order to prove to her that this is real, you're going to have to be one too.”
Monroe shakes her head, her objection on the tip of her tongue, but she swallows it back when she realizes I’m right. She may hate the idea, but she’s agreeing to it, even if it’s solely for the sake of proving to herself she doesn’t have feelings for me.
As we exit the car and walk toward the house, my hand brushes hers in the dark, making her breath hitch from the contact. I realize I may not be the only one determined to make it real.
Chapter Nineteen
Monroe
Christmas morning at the newly improved Bishop Ranch is like nothing I would have ever expected. The place is buzzing by the time Jase and I arrive, and it’s only ten in the morning. Christmas Day brunch was Bailey’s idea, but after the night I had, waking up early in the morning was the last thing I wanted to do.
Here we are, bright and early, gifts in hand, headed toward the second most awkward Christmas celebration we’ve both ever been part of. However, this one I don’t think we’ll survive unscathed.
As we drive up to my childhood home, which now looks unrecognizable thanks to the months of remodeling that Monty, Nash and I accomplished, I catch movement from inside the wide living room windows. Billie and Brynn are dancing and singing while behind them, the large Christmas tree stands front and center. A beautiful, large pine tree taking up almost the entire back wall, decorated in bright colored lights and beautiful ornaments.
My brothers are huddled at the far end of the living room, glasses of whiskey neatly tucked into their hands as they pretend not to smile at the women who move without a care in the world. The sight of them all gathered together, enjoying themselves, makes my stomach churn as nerves creep inside me.
How are Jase and I going to fit into this? How will everyone react to the news that we’re together?
I know it isn’t real, but Jase and I agreed that acting like we’re in a committed relationship is in our best interests. If we want the freedom to make the right decisions for our future, at our pace, with no one else’s involvement, everyone has to believe it’s real.
Especially his mama and the little southern belle at her side, who’s determined to take back what she gave up. The sight of Indigo Harper, all smug and proper, still makes my stomach tighten in a knot.
“Are you sure you're ready for this?” Jase asks, sensing my unease. He takes my hand in his, and I can’t help but flinch at the heat of his touch. “You know if anyone is going to believe this, you’re going to have to get comfortable with me touching you.”
“There’s no need for PDA. My brothers wouldn’t care if we don’t touch.” But he’s right. After what he said last night—that his touch, although foreign, needs to comfort me—I don’t pull away.
He lets out a low chuckle that makes me incredibly aware of how close we are, and what a bad idea this is going to be. “With the way Nash and Bailey are always in each other’s arms, I plan to make him equally uncomfortable in my presence.” I roll my eyes in annoyance as I reach for the door handle.
“Wait,” he says, hopping out of the truck and coming around to open my door. He extends a hand out for me to take. “I’m a gentleman, Ms. Bishop,” he says with a bow. I smile, though I turn away so he doesn't catch it, and reluctantly grab his hand,stepping out of the truck. I’m careful not to trip as my body shakes in awareness of how close we are.
Distracted by the scent of his cologne, I take a step forward and nearly twist my ankle as my high-heeled boot steps into the crack in the pavement. My face crashes against his chest as his arms come around and envelop me in a blanket of safety.
