Intent(49)

She whispers, sounding so sexy, and her fingernails dig into my skin when her * clenches around my cock. “I’m coming. Come with me, baby. Now!”

Damn, it’s impossible for me to deny that request. After the last drop is released, I reluctantly leave the softness of her body, roll over onto my back, and pull her into my side. Her head rests at the junction of my shoulder and chest, her leg is thrown over mine, and her splayed hand lies directly over my heart.

Her words from earlier return to me and make me feel ten feet tall. “So, you see me in your future, huh?” I ask with exaggerated cockiness.

I feel her smile against my skin. “Yes, I definitely see you when I think about the future.”

“In your vision of this future…” I pause for dramatic emphasis. “Am I naked?”





Chapter Sixteen





Layne



Our outburst and subsequent heart-to-heart discussion were apparently exactly what we needed. Every day this week, Ace has sent multiple text messages throughout the day just to say he missed me, ask how my day was going, or a random message to simply let me know he was thinking of me. I’m positively being spoiled by the romantic side of Ace Sharp.

River and I decide to go into town for lunch at the diner. Tara is working and her pregnant belly is substantially bigger than the last time I saw her. She greets us with a sweet smile and tells us to pick a table. The diner is oddly quiet at this time of day, but that’s fine with me.

I’m still considered an outsider here, and some of the locals openly gawk at me. Some have even tried to conjure up some wild tale to explain why I’d pick Oak Grove of all places. I overheard one young boy saying he heard I was in the witness protection program and hiding from the mafia. He sounded sufficiently impressed with the make-believe backstory. Knowing that, I fully realize there are multiple rumors being spread about me.

There’s no doubt the rumors have increased since everyone clearly knows Ace and I are a couple now.

“I haven’t seen the two of you in a while. What have you been up to?” Tara asks as she approaches.

“Catching frogs and crawdads,” River replies.

“You’re having all the fun. Why can’t I do that instead of working here?” she asks River.

“You can. Just quit.” River shrugs.

We both get a chuckle out of her “isn’t it obvious?” reply. Tara takes our order and delivers our food within minutes. After we finish eating, we walk to the playground and I take several pictures of River to text to Ace. We move from the merry-go-round to the swings to the slides. There are a few other moms and kids milling about, but most everyone who isn’t working seems to be at the river park beaches.

An elderly woman approaches us and strikes up a conversation with me. “How are you liking our fair city?”

“It’s wonderful. I’ve fallen in love with it.” I finally recognize her from my first day in town. Louise—the judge’s wife.

“It looks like you’ve fallen for more than just our little town.” She chuckles and inclines her head toward River.

“Is it that obvious that I’m wrapped around her little pinkie?”

“It sure is, honey. But I’d say she feels the same way about you, too.” Louise has a twinkle in her eye and a genuine warmth in her demeanor. “Where’d you say you’re from again?”

“New York.”

“Do you work?”

“Yes, I’m a lawyer,” I admit.

“What a noble profession,” she winks. “I don’t think George knows that. He’d probably be very interested to talk to you about the kinds of cases you’ve worked on.”

“Sure. That’d be great. I’d love to pick his brain, too.”

“At the risk of sounding like a meddling old woman, I wanted to say what you’re doing for Zoe, getting her out of that house and letting her stay with you, is very commendable. Her parents have always been such awful people.

“The way you connect with kids is a true gift. You’re the first adult Zoe has trusted in a long time. And, well, we all know what poor Ace and River have been through. You’ve brought life back to their home.” She wipes a tear from the corner of her eye and gives me a weak smile. “I hope you decide to stick around here for a while longer. Ace needs you more than you know, more than he knows.”

With that last cryptic message, she gives me a grandmotherly pat on the arm and walks away. When she reaches her car, she calls out to me. “You’re welcome to stop by the house anytime. We’re the only house on Magnolia Way—you can’t miss it. George and I would love to have you over. We’ll look for you soon.”

“I just may do that. Thank you,” I reply.

Interesting conversation, I think to myself. And odd.

After I get River settled into her car seat, we drive to the equine rehabilitation center to see Ace. As we’re rounding the corner of the main building, heading to the round pen in the back, movement catches my eye and I watch Lily and Justin emerge from a secluded spot between the main office and the barn. Only, they don’t look embarrassed or guilty, like two lovers who were just caught in the act. In fact, they don’t look happy at all. They’re deep in conversation, with very serious expressions that match their body postures.