“Willow, this isn’t about fair. This is about me taking care of my woman.” I hop out of bed, leaving her to get ready while I grab a pair of sweats and head to the kitchen.
“Feel better?” I ask twenty minutes later when she walks into the kitchen. I’ve got a cup of coffee at the ready for her as well as a croissant. I know she’s going to eat with her parents; doesn’t mean she needs to show up with an empty stomach.
“Not in the least. My gut is screaming at me, and I don’t like what it’s saying.” I’m leaning against the counter, my legs spread, hand holding a mug of my own. Willow comes to stand between my thighs, her palm sliding up my bare chest and landing on my heart.
“Hate that you’re going at this alone.” I put my coffee down, grab her hip, and give it a gentle squeeze before sliding down to see what she’s wearing beneath the pretty fabric of her dress. The small band tells me it’s a pair of those fancy lacey panties she likes so much. Fuck, I love them even more, especially when I get to take them off her.
“I do, too. I’d much rather be with you, and if Grandmother were in a better frame of mind, introduce you to the woman who means so much to me.” Fuck, I want that.
“Soon, even if it’s a quick hello. Still gotta introduce you to my family. Hell, they’ll probably like you more than they like me.” I try to lighten the mood, and judging by the tilt of her lips and the soft smile, I’d say it’s more than working.
“I highly doubt it. My father is your boss and holds the purse strings, which doesn’t make me feel any better.” She worries her bottom lip, and I tug it away before she causes the bruise that she’ll assuredly give it.
“I’m not worried about my job, peaches. Neither should you. Can always work somewhere else. Could start my own business or change careers altogether. I’m not hurting. I’ve been smart, lived within my means, even with all the toys. Only owe a fewmore years on the house before it’s paid off. All the other stuff is bought and paid for. Put in a lot of years at the mill. I could retire from there, not draw a pension, work somewhere else for another twenty and have two flows of income when it’s all said and done.” A look of wonder enters her eyes. A lot of people my age don’t have their shit locked down like I do. But when you were raised by a single mom, watched her work tirelessly, you learn from them, sadly.
“I clearly need to have a meeting with your financial advisor, and I’m an accountant. You’ve got a rock-solid plan, Jace. Still doesn’t mean I have to like the thought of William Ashford II making a stink about us being together and you potentially having to pivot your career.”
“Don’t take that on. You’ve got enough on your plate. But I’ll introduce you to Jude. He’s not a financial advisor but dabbles in technology, and by dabbles, I mean he’s a tech genius. Also got a friend who owns his own law firm. He specializes in probate, still, he’ll draw shit up when we need it. Between Jude and Matthew, they’ve helped me along the way.” I’m actually meeting with them once Willow is on her way. Two birds, one stone. Since I can’t fix this for her at this damn brunch thing, I can bring in a couple of friends who are more than willing to do a little research for me.
“Well, in that case, maybe I should meet with them. I’ve got a few investments that have been sitting and not accruing much interest. You know, once the dust settles.”
“Whenever you want, peaches.” I drop a kiss to her nose. The clock on the stove tells me she’s gotta get out of here if she’s going to be on time. “Come on, I’ll walk you to your car.”
“Ugh, I’d rather miss this and stay here, put on a bathing suit and enjoy the sun while you work on the boat.” Fuck, now she’s gonna leave me with a hard-as-fuck cock. I should be used to thisby now, because the moment the woman breathes near me, I’m ready to take her any way I can have her.
“That’ll be happening, Willow, really fucking soon.” I’m on for seven days, off for five days, unless we’re short-staffed. Then I’m there a hell of a lot more. Willow’s job there is a bit more flexible with only going into the office a few days a week.
“I look forward to it.” I pull her into my body, hugging her while also allowing her to feel what the thought of her sitting on the boat while watching me work in a barely-there bikini is doing to me.
“Me too.” My lips meet hers in a bruising kiss. Her taste is going to have to last me for a while. There’s no telling how long this family meeting will last or how soon I’ll get her back. One thing is for certain: I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure when she comes back to me, everything will be a-o-fucking-k.
15
Willow
Itook my time driving to my parents’ house, maintaining the speed limit, making sure I arrived on time, not too early and definitely not late. I raise my hand to ring the doorbell when the double doors open before I’m able to press the button.
“Miss Willow, it’s so good to see you. How have you been?” Larissa is the longest-lasting housekeeper/chef/whatever my father has her do employee. She’s been the one constant and also the woman who’s always been there in my time of need, especially during a certain time when I was a teenager.
“I’d be better if I weren’t spending my Sunday here. When are you going to retire?” I ask her as she escorts me through the house once the door is closed behind us.
“If all goes well, the end of the year, Miss Willow.” I make a mental note to check in with her from time to time, and when she does turn in her notice, I’m going to send her the biggest bouquet ever.
“I’m happy for you. Now, can you tell me what the moods are like this morning?” I link my arm through hers, a faux pax should we get caught, and while it would give me a tongue lashing from hell, I’m sure Larissa would feel the brunt of this, and I hate that I’m putting her in a potential line of dear old dad.
“Your mother has made a lot of changes. Good ones. I’ll let her tell you that bit of news. As for your father, he’s the usual, you know, what he wants, he gets,” Larissa explains.
“So, the usual.” Though, she does have me thinking about my mother being alert. I try not to get my hopes up that she’s actually sober. Many a time, she’s dried to get sober, and it never fails she’d slip right back into her routine of reaching for the bottle.
“I’m hoping for the best, Miss Willow,” she says as we reach the formal dining room. It’s a bit ostentatious, if you ask me. I never did love this house. Just because it was bigger, it didn’t mean it was filled with love. It’s built with anything but, and while I may not have been physically abused, being abandoned emotionally isn’t an amazing feeling, either.
“Me too,” I say right as we turn the corner into the room where my parents are seated. Larissa introduces me as though I’m an important regal entity. Honestly, I don’t get the hype. I probably never will. I’m just a simple girl who wants to live comfortably and happily, with Jace.
“Willow, you look amazing, my girl.” My mother stands up to greet me when I walk to where she’s sitting. I’m not the only one. She holds my biceps and looks into my eyes. A small smile and a wink are sent my way. I mouth the wordwow,and she has to hold back from laughing.
“You look great, too. I think I might have missed a chapter or two.” Mom gives me a slight nod, and I shelve that for now. The giant elephant in the room is becoming impatient by the sound of him clearing his throat.
“Father, how are you?” I don’t bother giving him a hug or a kiss. He doesn’t show affection and doesn’t give it freely.
