I’m in some kind of horror movie. She cannot be serious.
“Come again?” My request comes out a little growly, but it doesn’t faze Anniston in the slightest. She keeps on shoving clothes—and several sex toys I don’t acknowledge—into her already full suitcase.
If this is where she is going to wait me out with silence in hopes I’ll let this tidbit of information go, then she is mistaken. She cannot drop this on me and just assume I won’t have an opinion. I’m sure she expected my reaction, and this silence is her strategy to get her way.
We’ve come so far in our relationship in the eighteen months I’ve been living with her. Even though she’s still the commander and controls almost everything, she respects my opinions and allows my authority since I’ve proven I can be her partner in this foundation instead of her charge. Don’t get me wrong, she still kicks my ass in training and tells me when I’m being a broody asshole, but otherwise we’re more on equal ground now.
“Ignoring me will not make me go away, Anniston.” I try one more time to appeal to her sensible side before I unleash the fury that’s building under the surface. Finally, she lifts her face and meets my stare head-on and … smiles. Mischief and sisterly love smirk back at me.
“Don’t smile at me like that,” I scold her. I am in no mood for her games. Her smile grows, plumping her rosy cheeks in the process.
“I can smile at you however I want to, Major Jameson. You’re just so darn cute when you’re pissed.” She drops the sundress in her hand and approaches me, dragging her hand along my cheek as she’s done from day one. It’s her way of showing affection.
“This little frown line right here” —her index finger pokes at a spot close to my lips—“is so incredibly sexy. You have no idea. You could have the entire county of women—hell, even the men, too—on their knees in seconds, fighting for the chance to suck you off.”
There it is. The real Anniston I’ve grown to love, crude mouth and all. I grab the hand poking at my face and cut her a look. I know what she’s doing. “You’re trying to distract me. It won’t work.”
She sighs and pulls away. “Fine. I asked Breck to come by and check on things while Theo and I are gone.” She shrugs her tiny little shoulders at me and grins. “No biggie.”
Yes, biggie. I don’t need any help, and I sure as hell don’t need Breck, with her distracting ass, lurking around the house, causing all the guys to have wandering eyes. I nearly beat Hayes into an early death last night when he tried licking the pie off her fingers. I don’t think I’ve ever been so jealous in my entire life, watching Breck in her Chef’s jacket, a blush staining her cheeks from the steady stream of compliments and phone numbers being thrown her way.
Having her so close, the smell of apples radiating from her hair, had me hard all night. I’ve never been so miserable in my life and I’ve lived through some horrible shit in the military. Last night’s torture doesn’t end there, though. Oh no. Anniston had to strike a business deal to keep my walking fantasy in the house for two weeks. Hayes’ shenanigans last night will be nothing compared to what they’ll do to me with her living here. It’s not a secret I find her attractive. And … that I jerk off to her in the shower occasionally, but I can’t have her, so what’s the point in dangling my addiction in front of me?
Two weeks with her is going to be fucking brutal.
“That’s very thoughtful of you, Commander, but I think I can handle it. This isn’t the first time you’ve left us for a few days.”
She and Theo have left several times before. Granted, it’s not been for two weeks, but still … how hard can it be? We have a routine. Most of the guys work, so why the need for Breck unless Anniston is playing some kind of matchmaker game, which is what I suspect.
“Thank you, Major. I thought so, too.” She’s being formal to piss me off, and she is not going to let this go. I can see it in her eyes. “I also asked Breck to cook meals. The guys love her pies and she told me she used to be an aspiring chef before she left her hometown.” She shrugs again, shoving a pair of handcuffs in her suitcase. Looks like their honeymoon of visiting all the ballparks in the US will be from the hotel window. With the amount of toys and restraints packed in her suitcase, they won’t get in much sightseeing.
I scoff. “I see. So, is she going to bring the food over or cook it here?” The thought of Breck damp from the heat of slaving in the kitchen immediately has me adjusting myself so Anniston doesn’t see. I love food, and I love it even more when I don’t have to cook it. Add a feisty brunette with a body of an angel and I’m done. I’ll get a blister with the amount of jerking off I’ll have to do to stay sane.
“I told her she could fix them here and stay in Lawson’s old room.”
I choke. “For two weeks?”
“Yes.”
“Commander!”
She’s enjoying this. Her laugh gives her away.
“With Lawson and Nicole moved out, we have an extra room. Breck doesn’t have a car, and the orchard is half an hour away. I don’t see the reason behind your tantrum this morning.” She cuts me a look before delivering the killing blow. “You don’t want her on the streets at night, trying to walk to the orchard, do you? Because you know she won’t take a handout.”
I hate when Anniston is right.
I hate that she knows exactly what to say to shut me up.
“What about her job at the orchard? Won’t she be needed there?” It’s worth a shot. One last argument to keep Breck half an hour away and out of my fantasies.
This time, Anniston rolls her eyes, like how dare I doubt her powers of persuasion. “I—and, I really mean Theo here—spent so much money with the orchard for the wedding that Sue graciously offered up Breck and her services.”
Does that statement make me hard? Offering her and her services … no, not at all. I’m a reformed player. I don’t engage in sexual activities—unless with my hand—anymore. I am getting my life right and I won’t have a woman distract me ever again. The last time that happened, I lost everything.
“What about, Breck? Does she even want to do it?” My stomach clenches at the thought Breck will be here under protest. Why does it bother me that she wouldn’t want to be here? There’s no way I actually want her to want to be here, right? That’s crazy thinking.
“She was the one who suggested it. Not the whole staying here part” —she waves away the statement—“that was my idea. She only suggested bringing over some healthy meals in case you Neanderthals resort to pizza and cereal to avoid cleaning the kitchen.”
The thought had crossed my mind, but I’ll never admit it.
“Ugh. You’re killing me. Why can’t you just let me handle it?”
I flop down on her bed, jostling her suitcase in the process. Her face turns serious when she steps over to me and turns my face to hers and karmawhispers, “Because I love you and I will always take care of my boys.”
Fuck me.
“That’s a low blow,” I accuse, pulling back so I can look at her. “Tossing around the love word is our kryptonite and you know it.”
With a kiss to my jaw, she goes back to packing. “When have you known me to play fair?”
She has a point. What Anniston wants, Anniston gets. I blame Theo for making her this way, but realistically, it’s just in her DNA. She loves hard and judges no one. Every decision Anniston makes she believes is for the greater good. She means no disrespect or harm by forcing you to do something you’d rather not. She sees it as giving you that little push to do what she knows is good for you.
Translation: I’m fighting a losing battle here.
But I give it one more college try. “I’ll take her home every night,” I promise. Why didn’t I think of that earlier?
“I already told her she could stay. It’s rude to uninvite people, Cade.”
Is it technically uninviting her? I’m thinking it’s alternative hospitality. But regardless, Anniston and Theo are going to load up the rental car that’s parked out front and be gone for two solid weeks. What Anniston doesn’t know won’t hurt her. I’ll simply make Breck miserable so she’ll beg for a ride home every evening.
Five men in a house … she hasn’t seen shit.
I almost let out the evil laugh brewing inside me but manage to smother it down. “You’re right. Where are my manners?”
Her bright, answering grin kind of makes me feel like a jerk for plotting Breck’s demise at Foundation De La Asshole.
“There’s my southern gentleman. I knew you would see it my way.”
Sure I do. I fake smile and nod to her suitcase. “Are you planning to let Theo dress at any point in this calendared fuckfest?”
Her laughter fills her—and now Theo’s—bedroom, which currently looks like a warzone. She and Theo definitely consummated the marriage last night. I wish I could say they kept it contained to this room only, but I can’t. The kitchen, living room, and the gym (who the fuck knows what went down in there) all look just as bad. And before you think we all sat around watching 4-D porn, we didn’t. We packed it up and went to the bar, staying until last call. Hayes figured they would wear themselves out by then, and he was right.
“I’ll let him dress at game time. I read the ballparks have some kind of weird dress code. Something about wearing socks and shoes or some shit. So maybe I’ll let him put on socks and shoes.”
Smartass.
“As long as you feed and walk him at some point,” I say with a chuckle, getting up and heading to the bedroom door.
“Come hug Mommy and Daddy goodbye.”
I ignore him. It’s the only way to deal with this type of taunting from Theo. I’ve learned this over the past year and a half. Most days, we all take it in stride and pop off with something equally demeaning, but since Breck’s arrival an hour ago, I’m on edge and need the physical release. Instead of a nasty remark, I punch Theo’s arm as hard as I fucking can.
“Now is that any way to show your feelings, Jameson? If you’re going to act out about it” —he rubs his upper arm, a shitty grin still wide on his asshole face—“I’ll let you kiss me on the cheek.”
Before I can rush him and throw his ass down on the gravel, Anniston steps in front of me. “Don’t let them burn the place down, okay?” On her tiptoes, she places a feather kiss to my cheek. I chance a look at Breck who’s been standing off to the side watching this shit-show transpire. She looks away quickly but I catch her glaring at Anniston before she does.
That’s interesting.
Anniston makes her rounds, hugging each of the guys and spouting off last minute orders. I watch Breck the entire time. She never takes her eyes off the ground.
“Okay, time to get on the road, Ans. All your goodbyes are getting my dick hard,” Theo says, knocking into my shoulder, pulling my attention away from Breck. “Fuck her. For the whole two weeks,” he whispers into my ear.
I glance at Breck to see if she heard his crude suggestion, but she’s still finding something highly interesting on her shoes. Theo continues, “Get her out of your system, man. Screw that whole celibacy shit right into her pussy. Fuck her and chuck her.”
Sighing, I ignore his comment. “Try not to be too big of a dick while you’re away, Theo. Commander packed enough restraints to keep you immobile for days.” He scoffs but I continue, “That’s if you’re conscious after she plows you from behind with the strap-on I saw stashed in her suitcase.”
It’s total bullshit, but by the way his brows lower and his asshole grin morphs into a frown, I feel pretty proud of myself. I clap him on the shoulder, “Enjoy the honeymoon. Drive carefully.”
I walk away with a chuckle catching a low “Uh huh” from Theo.
“All right. Come on, Ans. You better go before we all get diabetes from your sweet goodbyes.”
Anniston pulls away from Hayes, tears evident in her eyes, and launches at me hard, wrapping her arms around my neck. I hold on to her easily but then she whispers, “I love you. You know that, right?” I nearly lose my grip as a weird noise bubbles in my throat and my stomach clenches with something like cramps.
“I … I know. I love you, too,” I say, sounding like a chain smoker.
Anniston’s smile is wide, displaying her perfect teeth. She gives me a kiss on the cheek before Theo yanks her from me. “Goddammit, Ans. One more second and I’m gonna come in my pants. Let’s go! It’s tradition to blow the groom in the rental car, and I’m tired of waiting.”
He swats her ass and tosses her over his shoulder, intent on putting her in the car with no more interruptions, except to holler one more parting asshole remark. “Behave, boys. And keep it wrapped. We’re too young to be grandparents.”
I can’t stop the laugh that bubbles out.
This motherfucker. I might actually miss his ass.
Nah.
I flip him off and wave at Ans buckled into the passenger seat until the car disappears out of the driveway. Then I turn to Breck and politely ask, “Can I offer you a ride home?” Her mouth falls open as if she’s shocked that I would ask such a thing thirty seconds after Theo drove away with the commander.
It’s best if Breck realizes I’m an asshole now. I’m giving her the option to leave before she thinks any less of me. I almost want her to stay with her pouty bottom lip that has me ready to snatch the back of her hair and bring her face to mine just so I can bite it back into a smile.
But I can’t.
I’m not a man that deserves her attention.
It’s best if she leaves, for my sake and hers.
When I realize Breck has still not answered my question and it’s grown quiet amongst all of us, I chance a look at Vic who just shrugs at me. He’s no help. I let out a sigh, suck in my resolve, and raise an eyebrow into my don’t-fuck-with-me face, and repeat, “Can I offer you a ride home, Breck?”
From here it looks as though she’s on the verge of tears, but I can’t be sure because she flips me off, turns on her heel, and storms inside. The only sound as the five of us stand here is the screen door bouncing off the frame.
“That was harsh, dude.”
I glare at Hayes who has no business giving me etiquette advice. How many times has he made women cry by leaving them before he tossed the condom in the trash?
“Aren’t you late for work? I thought I heard Theo say you were scouting a local high school prospect today.”
Theo and Hayes started up a professional baseball scouting agency when Theo retired from the big leagues. The new job keeps Theo in the game but not away from Ans for very long like they both wanted. With Theo and Hayes staying busy, Ans and I have had time to grow our foundation the way we’ve always envisioned, including the new barracks to house additional veterans. We’re trying to grab high-risk guys recently discharged from the military and build skills they need to transition into civilian life before they end up on the street. It’s a brilliant system and we’re anxiously awaiting the new space.
Hayes nods his head in agreement and chuckles. “I sure do, boss. See you bitches later.” He claps Mason on the shoulder as he makes his way to the porch. “Make sure major gets his shower time.” He makes a jerk-off motion with his hand and then cuts me a grin over his shoulder. “Otherwise, you’ ll have one hell of a day.”
Seriously? How many assholes do we have in this house?
“You’re working my nerves, Hayes.”
He laughs and bounds up the stairs. “That’s not all you’re going to be working tonight, Major.”
Everyone is a fucking comedian. You take a long shower occasionally and they all think you’re in there whacking off. There is absolutely no anonymity in this house.
Mason comes over as I stare at the fucking screen door that still hasn’t latched. I am going to fix that—today. “It’s just two weeks. Don’t forget who you are.” He taps me on the chest and walks away, instantly making me feel guilty for hurting Breck’s feelings.
Screaming fuck into the open pasture does nothing but cause Tim and Vic to look at each other with wide eyes. “I’m fine,” I reassure them. “I just need a run. I’ll be back.”
They both nod wordlessly, and I take off into a sprint before I can do or say anything else. Two weeks with Breck is going to be a disaster.