I don’t repeat myself. Actually, I don’t say anything, but I know he heard me, and something about the way his eyes bulge and his teeth grit together tells me he’s angry.
Angry might be an understatement.
“I didn’t have a choice but to agree with his terms. I needed the money, Stetson. Please tell me you understand that.”
Stetson stands from the swing, his dominating presence consuming me as he takes a careful step forward, and I take one back on instinct. “He used you in a business transaction.” He’s not asking—he’s telling.
I gulp. “He did. But I also asked for money.”
“Defending him won’t spare his life, Cove. That son of a bitch.”
“I’m not trying to. But it’s the truth.”
Another step closer. “And what did Nate promise you at the end of all this? I need details. Tell me everything.” Heat radiates off his tall frame.
“If I’m successful in convincing the media that Austin and I are a happy couple and the deal with Hartwell is secured, he’ll give me enough money to ensure my mom is set financially for the rest of her life. I’ll never have to worry about her struggling again. He doesn’t know it’s going toward her, but I do.”
“Motherfucker!” Stetson shouts, tugging his hair with force as his body flails in anger. It’s when his hands softly find my face as he closes in on me that I know he’s furious because he cares. He cares about me. “You listen to me right now, my love. You are not an item to be used as a pawn. Do you hear me?”
I nod, tears filling my eyes at the kindness of his reassurance.
“I knew something wasn’t right,” he exhales, sorrow burning a hole through his composure. “I knew somethingwas off with Nate. I could tell right away. I’m sorry he ever made you feel like you weren’t worth sticking around for. You are invaluable to me. Shame on him for not seeing what a disservice he’s doing to himself.” Stetson’s words vibrate across my lips, his erratic breath and urgency a pulsating feeling that touches my soul. “And as for the fucking city boy, keep playing along until I say otherwise. I’m going to help you get out of this, Cove. You’ll get the money you’re owed. Just let me handle your father. Okay?”
I nod repeatedly, overwhelmed by not only Stetson’s words of pride but the utter relief from telling him the truth. I only hoped he’d understand. But of course he would.
Stetson not only executes sovereignty with his staff and the way he speaks, he lives it.
Without looking away, Stetson swipes a stray curl from my face and tucks it behind my ear. I can’t help it; I lean into the motion. His care is tangible. “No more kissing him. Or I can’t promise what I’ll do. And I’d like to avoid turning the party my sister has worked hard on into a bloodbath.”
“Does that mean you forgive me?” I ask, the first sign of hope at the end of all this settling in my chest.
The same thumb that traced my cheek now meets my bottom lip, just slightly enough that the touch could be missed. But I feel it like a second skin, the familiar sensation Stetson has always kindled inside of me.
“I forgive you. But I also want to kiss you, and I’m not sure I should.”
A soft smile crests my lips, in no way mirroring Stetson’s conflict. “I’d beg to differ.”
“And we both know how much you like to beg,” he whispers, blue eyes drinking in the fullness of my lips andsoft whimpers I can’t hold back. My tongue reaches out to touch the tip of his thumb, anything to make him break.
“Kiss me, Stet. Get rid of him.”
His contemplation crumbles before he can challenge it to a battle. A growl resounds between us, his calloused hands gripping my face like he’s the one who needs saving. “Fuck it.” His lips crash to mine in seconds, the proximity of our bodies too far away for our needs to be met. Stetson lifts me, directing my legs around his waist while he walks us to the swing he just vacated. “He can’t have you. Not when you were always mine.”
I hum against his lips, our tongues dueling for the upper hand. There’s also submission. We’ve craved each other for too long now, convinced we’d never savor the taste of each other again. But now, all bets are off. The give and take of our kiss doesn’t let up as I settle on Stetson’s lap, the jolt of the swing making me giggle. “What if someone finds us?”
“Then they find us.”
“Stetson,” I whisper across his lips, loving when he pulls my bottom one with his teeth and bites down. “I can’t lose this money.”
“And I can’t lose you.” He pulls back and plants kisses down the side of my neck, slowly and teasingly. “But I’m not a fucking child. I won’t hide you if we’re caught.”
I shake my head, still not sure how this can end well for either of us. “But what about Nathaniel? He’s your best friend. I never meant to be the thing that causes issues between you two. I just can’t have him in my life.”
“As far as I’m concerned, Nate can rot in hell. It makes sense why he told me to stay away from you. I think even he could tell you meant something to me but didn’t want to acknowledge it.”
I rear back. “Wait, what? He said something to you about me?”
Stetson nods. “He told me to stay away from you. Said you’d be marrying Austin and didn’t want me interfering.”
