I dropped my keys on the coffee table and collapsed on the sofa. I was exhausted. I closed my eyes and thought about my day. It had started with finding out I was going to be teaching kindergarten.
Oh joy.
Then I’d seen Mitchell. Twice. Then a flat tire on the way home from Mrs. Johnson’s.
A cracking sound made me open my eyes.
“What is that?” I walked to the wall that separated the living room and the dining room. I had bought an old house that was in need of serious renovations. Paxton had talked me into it, and I’d regretted it every darn day.
“Cheese and crackers, what is making that noise?”
I pulled my phone out and hit Tripp’s number.
“Hey, I heard you had a flat,” he said.
Snarling, I asked, “From who?”
“Karen had the day off. She said she drove by and noticed you changing it. I’m super impressed you can change a tire, Corina.”
With a roll of my eyes, I huffed. “Yes, Tripp, I can change a tire. And you let Karen off?”
A low, tumbled laugh came though the phone. “I do let my poor secretary take days off, ya know.”
“So you’re not a cold, heartless boss who works his legal secretary to the bone?”
“I wouldn’t go that far.”
We both laughed. “How are you doing, Corina?” he asked, more seriously.
Leaning against the kitchen counter, I sighed. “I’m okay.”
“He’s just afraid. You know that, right?”
I squeezed my eyes for a quick second and tried to push Mitchell out of my mind.
“What is he afraid of, Tripp?” I asked. Some might think it was weird for me to talk to my ex-boyfriend about his brother, whom I’d had a one-night stand with. But even if he wasn’t the right man for me, Tripp was surprisingly easy to talk to.
“Mitchell is afraid of commitment. The same thing most guys are scared shitless of.”
I smiled. “Are you?”
His silence was my answer.
“Maybe if the right girl came along, but she’s long gone.”
My heart ached for Tripp. He’d told me about his high school love, Harley, one night when we both decided to be honest. I was head over heels for his brother, and he was in love with a woman who’d left Oak Springs to follow her dreams.
“You never know, Tripp. I heard the town vet is retiring soon.”
Tripp let out a long sigh. “I’m perfectly fine with the way my life is. Besides, with me looking to run for mayor, the last thing I need is woman drama.”
“Hey!”
“You going out with the girls tonight?” he asked, changing the subject.
“I am. You gonna be there?”
“I’ll probably show up later. I’ve got a case I’m working on, and I need to get with Mitchell on some things.”
“Is it a criminal case?”
“Yeah, that’s all I can tell you though.”
“That’s okay, I get it. Listen, I’m going to get ready to head out tonight. Mrs. Johnson had me making roasted garlic, and I swear I won’t get the smell off of my hands for months.”
Tripp chuckled. “Wait, the whole reason I called. Are you driving with the donut tire on your car?”
“Yes, I’ll take it to the shop tomorrow and have them put a new one on. Amelia’s picking me up.”
“The less you drive on that small tire, the better.”
I grinned. “Yes, Dad.”
“Ha ha. Later, kid.”
“Later, Tripp.”
I hit End and stared at my phone. A part of me wished things had worked out between Tripp and me—but it never could. We made better friends than anything. Heck, we’d never even made it past third base. Tripp had held back because of Mitch. So had I.
My cat chose that moment to come over and nudge my ankle. “Hey, buddy,” I said, bending down. “Are you my favorite big boy?”
“Meow.”
I hugged Milo close. He was a rescue cat, mostly white with a little bit of orange sprinkled in. His blue eyes reminded me of Mitchell’s. It was the reason I’d stopped at his cage. Then he meowed, and I was lost to him.
I giggled. “What would Mitchell think if he knew I picked you because your eyes reminded me of him?”
Milo purred.
Heading up the stairs, I set Milo down and made my way into my bedroom. The crackling sound started again. This time it was louder. I would have to tell Tripp about it tomorrow.
My phone rang and Amelia’s name popped up on the screen. I answered quickly. “Hey, what’s up?”
“You’re going, right?”
Laughing, I said, “Yes! I’m not backing out. I need a night out.”
“Good! Dress sexy.”
Rolling my eyes, I headed to my closet. “Why do you want me to dress sexy?”
“’Cause I happen to know a certain brother of mine will be there. I just heard Wade talking to Mitchell.”
I chewed on my lip. “Sexy, huh?”
“Yes! It’s time my brother opens his damn eyes.”
I scanned my closet and stopped on the outfit I knew I was going to wear. “I think I found the perfect thing.”
“It’d better show skin!”
Laughing, I pulled out the dress Amelia had talked me into buying a few weeks back. “Oh, it does.” The red form-fitting dress wasn’t something I wouldn’t have purchased normally, but Amelia wouldn’t stop going on about it. I pretty much bought it to shut her up. Or maybe it was because it pushed my boobs up and made them look even bigger, and the open back made me feel sexy.
“See you soon,” Amelia said.
Hitting End, I spun around to find Milo sitting on my bed and giving me the evil eye.
“Sorry, Milo, but I refuse to be an old cat lady. Tonight I’m going to give Mr. Parker a run for his money.”
The bass rattled against my chest as I danced with Amelia, Paxton, and Jenn. It was Paxton’s first night out since the baby, and we were celebrating Amelia’s surprise wedding. It was honestly the last place I wanted to be, but the thought of running into Mitchell outweighed my desire to stay in bed with a pint of ice cream and a good movie.
“It feels so good to be able to dance again!” Paxton yelled over the music.
We laughed, and Amelia spun Paxton around a few times.
“Paxton, you look amazing!” I yelled.
Her cheeks blushed. “Look at you, Corina! I don’t think that dress could hug those curves any tighter! Girl, you are looking hot!”
“Look at how freaking perky her tits are!” Jenn screamed.
My face heated as a few guys turned, and I instantly regretted my outfit.
Of course, the only reason I wore this dress was because I knew Mitchell had tonight off, and Amelia had mentioned that he would probably be at Cord’s Place.
A cowboy wouldn’t stop ogling my breasts, so I gave him the stink eye.
I turned and immediately felt a different stare. It only took me two seconds to shift my gaze to the bar and see him.
Mitchell.
My heart raced like it did every time our eyes met, every time I even found myself in the same room as him. But no matter how excited he seemed at first, he would eventually look elsewhere and act like he hadn’t seen me.
Tonight he didn’t.
Tonight his gaze stayed on me, and I could practically feel him burning a hole right through my slutty dress that I was really wishing I hadn’t worn.
“Corina, are you okay?” Paxton yelled.
I nodded. My eyes drifted back; Mitchell was still watching us. “I need to use the restroom and splash my face. I’ll be right back.”
She gave me a concerned look, so I flashed a fake smile. “Honest. I’m hot, that’s all. I haven’t danced this much in a long time!”
Paxton laughed, accepting my answer.
Before I turned to head to the bathroom I peeked at Mitchell.
Big mistake. He was talking to the same girl I had seen him dancing with a few months back. He looked to the left, and our eyes met again. The girl leaned in and whispered something into his ear, but he never took his eyes off me.
Spinning on the heel of my boots, I pushed through the crowd. The room felt like it was closing in, and I was about to lose the turkey on rye sandwich I’d for dinner.
“Hey, beautiful, want to dance?” some cowboy asked.
“No, thanks. I feel like I’m going to puke.”
He jumped out of my way, allowing me to keep moving. Each breath grew harder and harder to take as I tried to get to the hall.
What in the heck is wrong with me? Why can’t I forget about him?
Once I broke through the crowd, I dragged in a deep breath, my hand clutching my chest, trying to calm my racing heart.
I fought the tears that threatened to spill. I wasn’t sure how much more of this I could take. Seeing Mitchell, not knowing if he left with some girl he would screw in his truck and then never call again…
Maybe that’s all I was to him. Another notch on his belt.
I wiped my tears and started for the ladies’ restroom just as someone grabbed my arm from behind.
“Hey! Let go of me!” I yelled, hitting the guy with everything I had.
“Corina, stop fighting me.”
Mitchell had taken me by the arm.
He pulled me toward Cord’s office, unlocked the door, and guided me in as I jerked my arm free.
“Are you crazy, Mitch? You scared the crap out of me. It’s dark in that hall, and I had no idea it was you!”
Before I could say another word, his lips pressed against mine. His hands pushed through my hair, and he held me gently even as he kissed me urgently, like he needed my kiss to breathe.
It was the first time he’d kissed me since the morning he’d stood at my front door. Leaving me to hope for something that would never be.
I should have pushed him away. Or told him that he couldn’t drag me into a room and kiss me like he hadn’t ripped my heart out and kicked it to the side all those months ago. But my heart was in control right now, and it loved every moment of Mitchell’s kiss and the feel of his hands on my body. He tasted like peppermint and a hint of alcohol. It made me dizzy with desire.
A soft moan slipped from my lips. I grabbed his strong arms while they moved down my body, pulling up my dress.
Stop this, Corina.
He moved his lips along my jaw, then my neck, making his way to the sensitive area behind my ear. His hot breath and hands on my ass had me instantly wet.
“Corina.” His whisper sounded so pained that my chest squeezed.
My mouth opened, but no words came out. The room was spinning, and as much as I knew I should tell him I couldn’t do this without wanting more, I didn’t want to break the moment. I wanted him to keep going.
“You look so goddamn sexy in this dress.”
I smiled, no longer regretting my decision to wear it. Mitchell’s hands pulled me up and my legs wrapped around his waist. He pushed me against the wall, his erection pressing against me in the most delicious way. This man brought out an inner goddess in me and I longed to explore that side of me with him.
“Mitch, yes.” My breath was needy and rough, but I didn’t care. I was in his arms and that was all I could focus on.
His breath was hot against my ear. “You drive me crazy. Do you know how much I want you?”
Hope bubbled in my chest. I shook my head, my chest rising and falling while his blue eyes stared into mine.
When I smiled, something in his eyes changed. He dropped his head and buried his face in my neck, kissing me in the most tender way. My skin was on fire beneath each kiss.
He pulled on my earlobe with his teeth, sending a zip of energy straight between my legs. He softly whispered, “You’re so precious. I’m sorry. I never meant to hurt you.”
Closing my eyes, a tear rolled slowly down my cheek. When I felt him pull back, I met his gaze.
I was positive the sadness in his eyes mirrored mine. He let my body slide down his until my feet touched the ground. He wiped away my tears with his thumbs, then pulled my dress back down.
He stepped away and dropped his hands to his side. “I can’t do this, not like this. You don’t deserve to be fucked against my brother’s office door.”
My mouth opened while I nodded, but then I realized what he was saying.
He took another step back and reached for the door. Before he opened it, I grabbed his arm. “Why are you doing this to me?”
He stared.
Anger raced through my body as I glared in disbelief. “Do you have any idea how fucked up this is?”
He winced at my use of fuck. Anyone who knew me knew I rarely swore. “You can’t ignore me for months, and then haul me into your brother’s office, feel me up for your own cheap thrill and walk away. Were you using me to warm up for the brunette?”
“What? No!”
I hit him as hard as I could on the chest. “You bastard! How could you?” Tears streamed down my face. I covered my mouth as I stumbled back. “How could you do this to me…again?”
“Corina, I—”
I hit him again. “I hate you, Mitchell Parker. Just go! Go fuck whatever flavor of the month you’re into, but don’t you dare ever touch me again!”
“It’s not like that, sweetheart. Please, let me explain.”
He reached out, and I screamed. He stopped. A look of horror moved across his face.
The door to Cord’s office opened, and Amelia and Cord stood there.
“What’s going on?” Amelia asked as she glanced between her brother and me.
My chin trembled as I looked at Amelia and Cord, then back to Mitchell.
Mitchell’s eyes were pleading. “Corina.”
I’d never in my life felt so defeated and broken. I’d foolishly believed that Mitchell Parker might care about me. I didn’t bother to look at him as I took in a deep breath and blew it out. “You’re right. I deserve someone who actually cares about me and wants to be with me. Someone who will cherish my heart.”
Looking up, my breath caught when I saw his tears. “I’m tired of waiting for something that was never mine in the first place. I’m finished waiting for you, Mitch.”
As I walked out, Mitchell called out, “Corina! Wait!”
I tried to hold back my sobs as I pushed my way through the crowd. I needed air. I needed to leave and get home.
My eyes met Tripp’s. His brows drew together as he held out his arms, and I rushed into them.
The last ounce of strength I had left my body when he wrapped his arms around me.
“What in the hell happened?” he asked.
“Please take me home, Tripp. Please.”
He lifted my chin. “Why are you crying, Corina? Tell me what happened.”
His eyes drifted over my shoulder. From the look on his face it was clear Mitchell must have been standing there.
Tripp looked back down at me and forced a smile. “Let’s get you home.”
He placed his hand on my lower back and guided me through the bar. The farther I walked, the worse I felt. I could feel Mitchell’s eyes boring into me. One glance over my shoulder proved I was right.
Looking straight ahead, I made the decision I should have made months ago.
It was time to move on and forget about Mitchell Parker.