The tension in the room becomes palpable as soon as Striker steps in and sees Jeff standing at my side.

I also notice the hard time he has been giving Jeff all day. I don’t say anything, partly because I think it’s funny, but partly because I know the situation we’re in must be bothering Striker. He’s sizing him up and comparing himself to him even though, in my eyes, there is no comparison.

Striker has always had my heart. He has always been there for me… at least when I would allow him to.

On the way home we stop to grab some Chinese food, and then cuddle up in bed to watch a movie. Finally, I decide to ask him about earlier.

“So what’s with you and Jeff today?”

A smile spreads across his face before he shrugs. “Seriously, that guy is the highest level of douche you can get. Why did you sleep with him?”

Oh, it’s a jealousy thing. “So you put him through hell because I’ve slept with him?”

“No, I gave him shit to do because he needed it. That guy doesn’t look like he’s worked a day in his life. What does he do, anyway?”

“He owns a restaurant, I told you that.”

“I thought you were lying to pass off the fiancée thing.”

Several moments of silence pass before he breaks the silence. “Look, I just wanted to check the guy out, see who my competition is.”

I roll over on top of him, place my hands on either side of his face, and look into his eyes, making sure I’m not hiding anything. I know all too well how easily he can read me if I try to hide something or leave something out. “There is no competition. It’s just you. You and me, remember?”

These words seem to settle him down. He wraps his arms around my back and pulls me down for a kiss. This kiss travels low in my belly.

God, why do I want him so much? Why has he always had this hold on me?

With his hand on the nape of my neck, he rolls us over. His weight presses into me in all the right places. I wrap my legs around him and pull him as close as I can get him. I never thought I would have this again. Finally letting my walls down and allowing him in has done something to me. It feels like I am weaker now – if I could keep Striker out I could keep anyone out, but now that he’s in, how damaged will I be when this ends? A deep crack already runs through my heart, and losing him for a second time may completely break me.

“Open your eyes, baby,” he says in his rough, gravelly voice.

I do as he says, hoping the doubt I’m feeling isn’t obvious to him.

Immediately, he sees it. Of course he sees it.

He gets himself to his knees and watches me while he starts unbuckling his belt. “What are you doubting right now?”

I open my mouth to deny that I am doubting anything, but he knows what I’m going to do and interrupts me before my mouth can form the words. “Tell me. No lies, no secrets.”

“I’m worried that I will break. I can’t lose you again.” I feel my eyes tear up.

He shakes his head once. “It’s not going to happen.” He pulls at the waistband of my shorts and slides them down my legs.

“I don’t give a fuck what secret you’re keeping.” His jeans slide down his hips to reveal his large erection. His chest is heaving.

“It’s not coming between us again.” He places himself at my entrance and thrusts deep inside. “You’re mine,” he growls.

I wrap my arms around his neck and pull his lips to mine for a rushed kiss. The emotion is thick and heavy between us.

I’m his.

I wonder if he knows I always have been.

* * *

The week flies by, and by the end, the wall is built and a good portion of the tiles have already been finished. I wasn’t surprised when Jeff decided not to show back up to help, he was probably sore from all the work they did the first day.

Closing time rolls around and one question about the coming wedding is hanging over my head.

Who do I ride with?

Striker will be pissed if I ride with Jeff and he has to drive back alone, but Jeff is my date for the wedding. He’s doing this as a favor to me. How do I tell him that I don’t want to ride with him? On the other hand, I would like to have my own car in case things get too tough. I need to be able to run.

As I’m packing my bag to head home, Striker picks up on my nervousness. “What’s going on?” He flops down onto my bed.

I shrug. “Nothing, just packing.”

“No, I mean, what is it that’s showing in your eyes right now?”

I should’ve known.

“I don’t know what to do about this weekend,” I admit.

He sits up, resting his elbows on his knees. “What do you mean?”

I toss a folded-up shirt into my bag and sit down beside him. “I mean, do I ride with you since we’re together? Or do I ride with Jeff since he’s my date?”

“Oh.” He sits up straight. “Who do you want to ride with?”

“I would like to drive myself honestly.”

He takes my hands in his. “Nothing is going to happen. You won’t have to run.” His green eyes are shining brightly, drawing me in and warming my soul.

“Ride with me. Before we get into town, you can get in with him.”

“You think you can handle that?” I ask him.

“I think I can handle anything when it comes to you.” He leans in and presses a quick kiss to my lips.

The small gesture unearths a smile.

“That’s better.” He traces my bottom lip with his thumb. “If you need to run, call me and I’ll run with you this time.”

* * *

Jeff meets us at my place and follows behind us on the drive. Glancing in my rearview mirror, I see his lips moving a mile a minute. He is always on the phone dealing with some issue with his restaurant. I didn’t miss a thing by riding with Striker.

The drive is quiet, but every time my nerves shoot up, Striker is right there. Somehow, he senses it. He doesn’t even need to see me, he just reaches over and holds my hand at the perfect time. I wonder if he even realizes he’s doing it?

This ride brings back memories of my last trip home, when I had to get off the interstate just to catch my breath. Things are so much different this time.

Then, I was hoping I didn’t run into Striker, but this time he’s the only thing getting me through.

The drive ends too quickly. I laugh to myself as we pull over at the “Welcome to Cumming” sign.

His eyes follow mine to the sign and soon his deep laughter mingles with mine.

I lean over and wrap my arms around his neck before pressing a long kiss to his lips.

Pulling away, I grab my bag out of the floorboard. “You tell me if he tries anything.”

“He won’t, I promise.”

I go to close the door, but his voice stops me. “Hey!”

“What?” I stick my head back inside.

“I love you.”

I smile broadly at him. “I love you too.”

Jeff’s car is parked on the shoulder of the road right behind the truck. After I climb in and get settled. I open my mouth to ask him about the drive, but he holds up his finger to silence me.

“Okay, I need to get off of here, Steve. Call me if anything else comes up.”

“Sure thing,” comes from the speakers.

He hits the red button on the screen and looks at me as he shifts the car into gear. “Okay, give me the rundown.”

“The rundown?”

“Yeah, you know. All the 4-1-1. What do I need to know to keep your mom off your back, to make her like me? What does she like, what does she do?”

My nose crinkles up. “She makes my life as miserable as possible, that’s what she does.”

“Give me something here.”

I take a long breath. “Okay.” I sit back and think. “Okay, she likes money. She likes people who act like they have money, so act like you’re too good for everyone and she will be panting at your feet like a dog in heat.”

He looks at me with a twinkle of humor. “I’m not really wanting to fend off your mom this weekend.”

I laugh. “Well that’s how you keep her off my back.”

He joins in on my laughter as I give him directions to my parents’ house.

The massive house at the end of the long circle drive doesn’t even faze him. He parks the car and looks at me. “What?” he asks.

“I want to see where you grew up.”

His brows furrow together in confusion. “Why?”

“Because anyone that can see this house for the first time and not say anything, must have grown up in an even bigger house than this.”

He doesn’t confirm or deny, just shrugs before opening his door.

I meet him around the back of the car. “Okay, so here’s the deal: come in, say hello, have a short conversation, and then leave to check into your hotel. Got it?”

He nods. “Got it. Let’s get the weekend in hell started.”

My instinct to run battles me as we step onto the elegant porch. I ring the bell and wait patiently.

“You ring the bell at your parents’ house?”

I silently glare at him. I don’t need him making me feel even more awkward.

My mother opens the door, knowing it’s me, but her usual look of disapproval disappears when she sees Jeff standing at my side. Suddenly, her face is in meet-and-greet mode. She smiles widely and opens the door wider to allow us to walk in.

“It’s so nice to finally meet you,” she says as she takes Jeff’s hand. His eyes flash to me, secretly asking if I’ve talked to her about him.

I offer him my ‘get real’ smile and quickly shake my head.

His smile gets wider, knowing my mother is lying to try and be polite.

“Please come into the sitting room. Would you like a drink?”

She still hasn’t addressed me, but I don’t mind. Jeff is acting as the perfect buffer.

“I’ll take scotch, if you have it,” he answers before sitting down on the white sofa.

“Of course we do. That’s all Alexis’s father drinks.”

He looks at me and I mouth the words, “Thank you.”

He waves me off and occupies himself with studying the room we’re in.

My mom hands Jeff his drink and then sits down with her own. Her eyes bounce to me sitting next to Jeff. “Oh, Alexis, I’m sorry. I must have forgotten to ask what you wanted.”

“It’s fine, mom.” True to the theme of this house, I offer her a fake polite smile.

“Don’t worry, I’ll get it,” Jeff says, standing.

My mother smiles at him, but gives me a hateful look.

Jeff walks to the drink cart in the corner of the room and starts to make me something. “I’m sorry, but do you have gin? I know Alex and she likes gin martinis.”

She moves quickly. “I think so, let me go check in the study.”

Jeff turns to me and laughs. I know what he’s doing. He’s getting back at my mother for being rude to me. He picked the one thing that wasn’t on that cart.

“You know I don’t like gin.”

He shrugs. “So, when she sits down, I’ll make you a vodka martini. Who cares if she wasted a trip?”

My mother comes in and hands him the bottle of gin.

“Thank you, Mrs. Grant.” Jeff takes the bottle and sets it on the cart. Once her back is turned, he picks up the vodka and pours my drink.

He brings it over to me and takes a seat while my mother stares, ready to dig in her claws.

“So, Jeff. Tell me what it is you do.” She places her clasped hands on her lap.

“Have you heard of McGillicuddy’s?”

“The restaurant in the city?” Her eyes grow in size.

“That’s the one. I own it.”

She takes a sudden breath. “I’ve been wanting to go there since it opened last July. They are always booked solid, though.”

He laughs before taking a drink. “You just have to drop the right names. Next time you call, tell them that you’re my guests. Works every time.”

She lets out her giddy laugh and swats at his hand.

They sit and make pleasant conversation, fully ignoring me except for when Jeff brings me into the conversation. After several questions directed toward me taunt my mother into yelling at me, he gives up trying to include me.

Once the drinks are gone, Jeff stands. “Well it’s been delightful getting to know you, Mrs. Grant, but I’m afraid that if I don’t leave soon, I will miss my check-in time at the hotel.”

She stands to join him. “A hotel? I won’t hear of it. We have plenty of rooms here. Alexis, show our guest to a room please.”

I stand. “Mom, if he wants to stay at a hotel, you shouldn’t force him to stay here.”

“Who’s forcing? Am I forcing you?” She turns and asks Jeff.

His eyes are wide, looking from me to my mother.

Hold strong, Jeff. You can do this. Please do this. I would hate to tell Striker that we’re sleeping in the same house. A house that Striker isn’t even allowed in.

I must have missed something, because Jeff says, “Well, if you insist.”

My mouth falls open. What the hell?

“Close your mouth darling before you catch a fly.” She marches past us.

I show Jeff to a room and once we’re tucked away inside, I spin to face him. “What the hell?”

He drops his bag on the floor. “I’m sorry, I felt pressured.”

I flop down on the bed, fuming, knowing full well that Striker is going to be outraged. He already thinks that Jeff has a thing for me. Finding out that he changed his mind and is now staying just down the hall from me will seal the deal for sure.

“The bathroom is in there. I’ll leave you alone to unpack and get ready for dinner.” I stand and head toward the door. He stops me just as my hand brushes the knob.

“This thing between you and Striker, is it serious?”

I turn to look at him. “As serious as it can get with us. Why do you ask?”

“What does that mean?” He sits down on the bed, but a calmness surrounds him.

I take a long breath, cross my arms over my chest, and lean my back against the door. “Striker is different. We’ve known each other for so long, there is a lot of history there. I’ve been in love with him since before I knew what love was. Even those six years that I couldn’t see him, he was on my mind constantly. But are we serious?” I shrug. “I don’t know how serious we can get with everything stacked against us. My parents hate him, his dad hates me, plus there is still something I’m holding back from him. I don’t know if I can tell him.”

Jeff nods. “The secret that caused you to run?”

Jeff doesn’t know the secret, but he knows something happened to make me run, something I won’t talk about.

I nod my head while staring at the floor.

“Well, I have a secret too, and based on my experiences, it’s better just to get it out there. It’s between you two, it will eat at you both. You can only move forward once you let go of the past and leave it behind you, but you can’t do that until you face it head on.” His voice is calm and reassuring.

I offer up a half smile. “I know, I just need time.”

* * *

Dinner is long and awkward. My father hasn’t made it home from work yet and my sister isn’t here. It’s only Jeff, my mother, and me.

She works hard to keep me out of the conversation. Any time I say something, she acts like I haven’t spoken at all. Jeff tries for a while, but eventually gives up when he realizes that I would rather sit quietly than have to fight to be treated with an ounce of respect.

The maid takes the plates and brings out dessert and coffee. I excuse myself, flashing Jeff an apologetic look as I pass.

Halfway up the stairs, I reach into my pocket and pull out my phone, pressing it to my ear while it rings.

“Right on time,” Striker says on the other end.

“Right on time for what?”

“Dinner is at seven. I’m surprised you lasted this long.”

I let out a laugh. I always went running to him after dinner, after whatever treatment I had to endure.

“I need out,” I say, flipping the light on in my room.

“Look out your window.”

A smile covers my face as I move to my window and pull open the curtains.

There he is, standing where he always had before. Waiting on me.

I hang up the phone and start my climb down to him.

He takes my hand and we walk across the yard. As soon as we step foot into the trees, I’m in his arms with his lips on mine.

My body is taken over with need for him. I grasp tightly at his shirt and pull him closer as he moves to lay us down on a blanket that he’s already laid out.

When his body presses against mine, every nerve ending lights with desire.

Our hands roam each other’s bodies, pulling and pushing our clothes out of the way as our erratic breathing fills the quiet forest around us.

Just when I think I’m going to bust, he slides into me, filling me completely.

His fingers squeeze my thighs and hips as he pounds into me. His lips never leave me, moving from my lips, to my neck, and back again.

I can feel my release building deep inside of me. I tremble against him and he doubles his efforts. When I open my eyes, his eyes are fixated on me. “There you are,” he whispers just as my body is wracked with waves of pleasure.

He pumps a few more times before he’s falling apart right along with me.

* * *

We lay in each other’s arms, not ready to separate for the night. With my head on his chest, we lay quietly and listen to the breeze play through the leaves of the trees around us. His heart beats a slow, steady rhythm.

“Thank you,” I say, lifting my head up to look in his eyes.

“For what?” His brows pull up as he pushes hair behind my ear.

I shrug. “Just for being you. For always being here for me, even when I haven’t been there for you. For getting me away from my mother tonight and every other night. I’m sorry for all the pain I caused you.”

He picks me up and sits me down on his lap, straddling him. “You don’t have to thank me, Lex. And you have nothing to be sorry about. I don’t know what chased you off all those years ago, but I know now that you only did that because you felt like you had to.”

I’m not sure what to say. I want to tell him. I finally want to release my secret, but is now the time? I know what I have to tell him will piss him off and it will get back to his father within minutes. Maybe the weekend of my sister’s wedding isn’t the best idea. I will wait until we go back to the city, put some distance between us and this town.

“I’m ready to tell you, but not now. When we go back to the city. I just need a little more time.”

“Tell me when you’re ready, Lex. I’ll be here waiting. Always.”