I’m almost finished with my coffee and I’ve promised myself that when I do, if that goddess in the back isn’t sitting in front of me, I will head back there.
Right before I stand up, she comes storming through the kitchen door. She has a scowl on her face that would scare the most unruly of children into obedience. Her eyes shoot daggers my way and I check to make sure she doesn’t have a weapon in her hands—I can see her cutting my dick off if given the chance.
“What do you want, Earl? I’m busy and don’t have time to sit and chitchat.” Her voice is cold, not the sweet endearing one she used to have for me, or that she shares with others.
“Sit and have some coffee with me while I talk.”
She rolls her eyes but slides into the booth across from me.
“Earl, hurry it up. I got shit to do.”
I lift my hand and wave at AJ. When she looks my way, I hold my cup up to let her know what I want. She smiles and picks up the pot, heading our way.
She must sense the tension at our table because she quickly pours my cup, glancing nervously between us. “Would you like some, Melissa?”
“No, thank you, AJ. I won’t be here long.” She gives her a warm smile before turning her icy glare back on me. “What do you want, Earl?”
“I’ve missed you.” The words slip from my mouth unexpectedly. It wasn’t how I wanted to start our conversation, but guess my subconscious decided for me.
“Earl—” I cut her off before she can say anything else.
“Look, I know I fucked up. I seem to always do it when it comes to me and you. It’s like the fuckin’ world is conspirin’ against us. Melissa, I just want you to know what I said—I didn’t mean it. My emotions were on overload just finding out I had a daughter, that she was missin’ and you knew. Hell, you weren’t the only one, but I took the brunt of my anger out on you, and I’m sorry.”
“It’s a little too late for an apology, don’t you think? Instead of listening to me, you pushed me away, wanted nothing to do with me. Well, I’m not going to forgive so easily. I did it once before and it got me nowhere.” She crosses her arms over her chest, leaning back against the leathered booth.
“I know. I just want you to know I’m sorry.”
“Okay, you’ve said it, and now I can go.” Her voice is bitter and cold and I know all she wants to do is get far away from me.
Reaching out, I place my hand on her arm. The touch sends ripples of excitement through my body, straight to my fucking cock. But now is not the time for that, not yet at least. First, I have to win her back.
“I wanted to talk to you about an idea Ashlynn mentioned.” That seems to catch her attention. As much as she hates me right now, she absolutely loves my daughter.
“Okay, hurry up and tell me.” She waves her hand in the air.
“She questioned me about what I wanted to do with her old apartment. I told her I wasn’t sure if I wanted to rent out the garage apartment now that she’s not livin’ there or not. She thinks it could be a good place for someone in need of a safe place to stay. A victim of domestic abuse, assault, sex traffickin’, you get the gist. I’m behind it a hundred percent. This is where you come in.” I give her my winning smile, hoping to break the icy glare directed at me.
“Love the idea, but what can I possibly have to do with it?”
“Well, I thought with you havin’ the restaurant, you could offer them a job. The Hellions would totally cover the cost of payroll to bring them on. I also thought you could be a confidant, someone they could come to. You helped Ashlynn so much and then with your own history.”
“My past has nothin’ to do with this, Earl Bowman, and long ago when the Hellions came to my aid, it was specifically promised it would never be spoken of again.”
“I know, Mel. I was just tryin’ to get you to understand how important you are to this. If I don’t have your support, I’m not goin’ to move forward with it.” I know, with those words, I have her. She always goes out of her way to help someone in need and she’d never let an idea to help someone fall by the wayside.
“Well, you got it. When you get it all sorted, send one of the boys with the details. There’s no need for us to talk.” She stands and heads back to the kitchen, without even a glance back over her shoulder.
Fuck, that did not go as planned!
Chapter two
Melissa
Ifought every urge in my body not to look back. As much as I hate how he’s treated me, I still carry a torch for him. A flame that burns so brightly, even his cruel words could not extinguish it. But my heart is fractured, and I promised myself after this last rejection, I would never open it back up to him again. Eventually, I hope my feelings for Earl Bowman will fade and slowly I can open back up for another.
Jax has tried to worm his way in, and like any warm-blooded woman, I have succumbed at times, eagerly accepting his touches, the compliments, and his panty-melting smile. But I’ve not let him in, not fully anyway. Can I give my heart to another while it still pines for Earl?
Stepping into the kitchen, I head straight for my office, slamming the door shut behind me as I make my way to my desk, dropping in my captain’s chair. The tears I fought so hard to hold back, flow freely over my cheeks.
