706 Sugarbush Lane: Older Man, Younger Woman Small Town Romance Read online

  But I was under no illusions. My mother had always been blatant about her desire to trap a man into marriage. I sighed, suddenly tired beyond belief, and finished his sentence for him. “You know I’m not like my mother.”

  He nodded. “You’re not. The guys and I, we’ve always known you were different. You’re sweet and kind to everyone and you have a good head on your shoulders. And that’s why I want to hire you.”

  I staggered back a step, shaking my head as his words tried to find a spot to wiggle their way into my mind. Could what he said be true?

  Sawyer’s face, as he pushed away from me in disgust earlier, flashed in my mind along with Birdie’s sharp words as she fired me. I squared my shoulders. Years of practice smiling in the face of my neighbors’ disapproval snapped into place.

  I offered Mac a polite, closed-lip smile. “I appreciate the offer, but I’m going to have to say no. I’ll be starting school in the city in the spring semester so I won’t be in town too much longer. I couldn’t possibly put you to the trouble of training me only to leave you without office help.”

  I moved forward, planning to step around him, but he stopped me with a hand on my arm.

  “What are you going to school to study again?” If I didn’t know better, I would have thought that was a note of desperation in his voice.

  “Business.”

  He smiled, a cat that ate the canary smile that made the hair on the back of my neck stand up. “Perfect. Come work for us. You’ll have benefits. And we can give you tuition reimbursement so you can take some classes online and get a head start on your degree. Not to mention business experience you can put on your resume.”

  My head swam with all the possibilities. That offer sounded too good to be true. I flicked my eyes over his face.

  Mac looked deadly serious. But really, it would mean spending the next few months working with Sawyer. I was so close to escaping. I couldn’t take the risk of ruining it all now.

  I shook my head. “I appreciate the offer. And as tempting as it is…”

  Mac didn’t let me finish. “You didn’t let me tell you the salary.”

  And then he said a number.

  A holy shit kind of number.

  A number that made my jaw drop and my eyes open wide. A number that meant when I left town, I’d have enough money to get me through college and have a good chunk more to set up a jewelry designing studio.

  I opened my mouth, but no words came out. I wanted to turn him down, tell him I didn’t need his job. But the words wouldn’t come. I’d already had one setback when I lost my job tonight. Mac’s offer would allow me to take classes and escape Wild Ridge as planned. I’d be a fool to refuse.

  Wouldn’t I?

  As if he read my thoughts, Mac’s signature smirking smile twisted his lips. His posture eased and he stuck his hands in his pockets. “Tell you what. You give it some thought. I’ll catch up with you tomorrow and you can let me know then. Sound good? Please just don’t say no right now, okay?”

  Before I could say a word, he leaned in and kissed me on the cheek before turning back toward the Rusty Nail. I stared after him until the night swallowed him whole.

  I resumed my walk back to my place, my steps slow as Mac’s offer and the look of revulsion on Sawyer’s face played over and over again in my mind.

  The decision I needed to make seemed obvious and impossible at the same time. I would miss not working at the Sugarbush Stand, but I couldn’t say no. The job, if Mac didn’t change his mind in the light of a new day, would have a huge impact on my plans.

  But my plans would mean nothing if I couldn’t survive working side-by-side with Sawyer Becker.

  Damn it.

  Chapter 5

  Sawyer

  I walked into the Sugarbush Cocoa Stand the next morning, my temper considerably cooled from the night before. After a long night drive cooled me down, I finally found my way back home and woke realizing how fucking stupid I’d been letting Birdie’s words dig under my skin.

  They called me the Beast. An uncaged animal the second I had a mission laid out in front of me. And right now I felt every bit of the man who earned that moniker.

  I wanted to roar through my rage at myself for being such an asshole to my sweet baby girl.

  It took at least half a gallon of coffee to get my ass in gear. That accomplished, I had a to-do list to tackle. A list with precisely three things on it—breakfast, stop by the newspaper office to place a help wanted ad and then convince Trinity to forgive my stupid ass for walking out the previous night instead of demanding an answer.

  Yeah, that shouldn’t be too difficult. Hopefully.

  I dropped onto a stool at the counter, nodding to a few familiar faces as I replayed last night one more time. Could I have been a bigger asshole?

  “Good to have you home, Sawyer. Coffee?”

  I twisted my stool to face the man behind the counter, a pristine white apron covering most of his front. “Pete, good to see you. Coffee’d be a good start.”

  Pete reached for the coffee pot and I couldn’t help but grin. The short, stocky man looked like what he was—an old sailor who’d never shied away from a barroom brawl. His grizzled face and sturdy build made him look like he’d lived six lifetimes. Looked that way for as long as I could remember. Kind of like this place, but one of the best men I’d ever met.

  The Sugarbush Stand didn’t make a pretense of being anything but what it was—a small go-to place for a bite to eat and the best coffee on this side of the mountain and if you knew to ask, the best doughnuts too. A little treat only the locals knew about. Perfect for the metabolism of your average mountain man. And the first stop after coming off the mountain after a good ski run on the slopes.

  The floors were covered in shiny hardwood and the walls featured tens of black frames showcasing smiling faces of tourists and locals alike all having a good time. The tables were a mix of black vinyl booths, Formica and chrome tables with white vinyl chairs.

  When I stopped to really think about it, besides the Rusty Nail this place felt like home. Warm and welcoming. I flipped over the cup sitting upside down in its saucer on the counter.

  Pete filled the cup to the rim. “Heard you’re sticking around for good this time.”

  I nodded. “You heard right. The guys and I are starting up a security business.”

  Pete nodded. “’Bout time you young ones settled down. Someone will be out in a minute to get your order.” He turned and headed back to man the hot cocoa machine.

  This time I didn’t fight my grin. Pete might be old and grizzled, but he made no bones about his devotion to this place and town.

  The door to the backroom swished open and I lost my grin as Trinity pushed her way through it. Her long dark hair pulled up high, showcasing a long queen-like neck I’d love to nibble my way down and kiss my way back up.

  She slugged a rack of silverware. Her eyes scanned the room as she moved behind the counter, checking on her customers, most likely. But she came to a dead stop when her eyes landed on me.

  Just like last night, her eyes widened and her lips parted. The tip of her tongue peeked out to wet her lips, drawing my gaze to her glorious mouth.

  I could almost see her shake herself. She stood up straighter and twisted to deposit the silverware on the back counter.

  Even in Sugarbush’s white uniform t-shirt and faded jeans, a few strands of hair falling from her ponytail, and dark circles under her eyes, this woman was the most beautiful sight I’d ever seen. When her teeth sank into her full, pink bottom lip, I swear my dick throbbed against the zipper of my jeans.

  “What are you doing here?” I found myself asking again.

  She rolled her eyes. “Didn’t we already have this conversation?”

  Without waiting for an answer she grabbed the pot of coffee from the burner and made her way around the room, refilling cups.

  Each pass she made I enjoyed the nice view of her round ass in those tight jeans and I loved how
the heels she picked for today made her legs look impossibly longer. I couldn’t wait to have them spread wide and wrapped around my waist as I sank balls deep into her hot channel.

  By the time she made her way back to me, I’d drained my cup. She topped me off, sloshing a bit over the side when her hand became a little unsteady.

  “Sorry ‘bout that.” She looked up at me from under thick, black lashes.

  I offered a slow grin. “No problem, baby.”

  With some strain, she asked, “Did you order yet?”

  “No. But I mean it, Trinity, I want you to explain to me what you’re doing here in Wild Ridge.”

  On the drive over here I planned my groveling out down to me getting on my knees if need be.

  But here I was sticking my damn foot in my mouth again.

  I knew I was being a dick. Again. But I couldn’t get past the fact she stayed in town.

  It sure as fuck had nothing to do with the shit Birdie spewed last night. I knew it and I still let it get to me like an idiot.

  Trinity was nothing like her mother. But once the notion that she’d stayed in town to hook up with whoever took hold I had to walk it off. It had taken me most of the night to get the rage of Trinity with another man out of my system, but once I stopped driving logic took over.

  Our pasts were behind us and that is where they would stay. We both could use a fresh start. Or, at least I knew I could.

  Pissed at myself would be putting it mildly if asked to describe how I felt once I realized there was no truth to Birdie’s words. I knew my woman instinctively. But knowing down to my core she wouldn’t do those things, I still couldn’t come up with one good reason she hadn’t hightailed it out of town years ago.

  Trinity moved behind the counter, keeping her eyes glued to me warily. “I’ll tell you the same thing I told you last night. I’m working. Or at least I would be if you’d give me your order.”

  “Hungry man breakfast, extra side of sausage and hot cocoa,” I said, not bothering to look at the menu. I had a feeling that hadn’t changed much in my absence. “Happy now?”

  She scribbled on her pad and then tore off the top check, pinning it to the wheel over the grill.

  “Ecstatic,” she deadpanned.

  I grinned. Nerves might cause her hands to tremble, but she refused to give in to them. That’s my girl. That’s when I noticed the ring on her middle finger. Left hand.

  A wave of possessiveness gripped me. She still wore my ring. She was mine. I knew it, now all I needed to do was convince her.

  Before I could come up with a plan of action, the bell over the door went off and Mac strolled in looking cockier than usual. He threw himself onto the stool next to mine before twisting his head to send me a shit-eating grin.

  I groaned and lifted my gaze to the ceiling. What had I done to deserve this first thing in the morning?

  “Hey, Mac. Surprised to see you in here. Coffee or hot cocoa?” Trinity’s voice brought my head swinging back down. What had Mac done to earn the sweet treatment from Trinity when all I seemed capable of getting from her was sour looks and fits of temper?

  “Coffee, beautiful, and thank you.”

  I swiveled my head to Mac and narrowed my eyes at him. Impossible as it seemed, his grin grew wider.

  “How about a hungry man breakfast?” Trinity suggested.

  “Sold,” Mac said. “Can you add a couple of sides of bacon? Can that be a thing?”

  She gave my brother the smile I wanted for myself. “Coming right up.”

  I turned to watch the sway of Trinity’s hips as she walked over to put the new order up on the grill. She picked up a plate waiting there and walked over to deliver it to a guy seated in the corner booth.

  I turned my attention back to Mac. “What the fuck, man?”

  Mac shrugged, the grin never slipping. “What?”

  “How come she’s being nice to you?”

  “Maybe it’s my stunning good looks. Or the fact I walked her home last night when you up and disappeared like an asshole.” Mac puffed out his chest. “Or it could be my way with words.” He allowed his chest to deflate and then threw a disgusted look my way. “Or maybe it’s because I’m the only guy of the two of us who wasn’t a total dick to her last night. I think it’s the latter since you’re asking.”

  I groaned and rubbed a hand over my forehead, trying to rub away the headache that had been pounding behind my eyes since I woke up.

  “I know. I’m working on it,” I said.

  “I can’t believe you’d listen to Birdie Holt. She’s jealous of anyone who gets more than a passing glance from a man. And you know Trinity’s gotten tons of that attention Birdie wants for herself. Why are you surprised Birdie’d be so nasty? Actually, I’m shocked shitless she’s still managing the bar.”

  “One, because I’m losing my fucking mind. Two, she won’t be for long.”

  Mac huffed. “Well, I don’t know if what I have to tell you is going to make that better or worse. I might have done something last night and you may or may not think it was a good idea.”

  Fuck. I rarely thought Mac’s actions off the battlefield were a good idea.

  “What did you do this time?”

  “I, uh...” He rubbed a hand along the back of his neck. That really sent off alarm bells. Mac looked almost apologetic. He never apologized. “I might have offered Trinity the job as our office manager. With full benefits, a decent salary and college tuition reimbursement if she wants to do a degree online.”

  I opened my mouth, ready to yell before his words had even fully registered. But slowly they sunk in and I closed my mouth. Having Trinity working as an integral part of Kratos Securities worked right into my plans.

  “One hungry man breakfast and a side of sausage.” Trinity put three plates piled high with eggs, pancakes, hash browns, toast, bacon and sausage down in front of me.

  I looked at her, but she kept her gaze firmly trained on her task.

  I brushed the pad of a finger over the back of her hand. “Thank you, sweetheart.”

  The last plate landed on the counter with a clatter. I couldn’t fight a grin. She wasn’t as immune to me as she’d like me to pretend.

  “Have you given any thought to my offer, Trinity?”

  I turned my attention fully on Trinity, curious to see her reaction. Her green eyes were wide, her gaze sliding back and forth between us.

  “I did think about it, Mac.” She blew out a shaky breath. “In fact, it was about all I could think about last night while I worked on my jewelry designs.”

  She held up a shiny pendant dangling from a silver chain—an amethyst wrapped in pretty silver wire that formed an infinity sign around the stone.

  “It’s beautiful, baby.”

  Her eyes widened even more as she looked at me, and I couldn’t help but think her last statement wasn’t the complete truth. What else had been on her mind last night?

  A sneaking suspicion started creeping in as pink tinged her cheeks. I was beginning to think she’d spent a good part of last night thinking about more than a job. In fact, if the red that hit her ears was any indication, Trinity had spent last night thinking about me.

  Good.

  She licked her lips nervously and again turned her gaze on Mac. “I appreciate the offer, Mac. I really do. But as tempting as it is, I can’t in good conscience say yes. Not when I plan on leaving town as soon as I can. You need to find someone who can help you with your business for the long haul. I’m just not that person for you. For any of you.”

  My heart dropped to the floor with the threat of her leaving. I managed not to let the disquiet show on my face, but I’d taken about all I could.

  I stood abruptly from my stool and grabbed Trinity’s hand. “Pete, Trinity’s taking a break. Mind if I use your back room for a minute?”

  Pete looked up and his grizzly face broke into something that I assumed was his version of a grin. He raised a hand holding a whipped cream bag and waved it toward the
swinging doors to the back.

  I walked forward, Trinity still on the other side of the counter, but her fragile hand grasped firmly in my own. I pulled her along the length of the counter until we reached the end and then I tugged her next to me and through the doors. I led her to the big pantry at the back of the restaurant that held jars of oversized condiments and packages of paper goods.

  Flicking on the light, I pulled her inside and shut the door behind us with a slam. I twisted her so her back was to the door and then leaned my heavy weight into her.

  Her scent filled my head and I had to remind myself why I’d brought her here when every part of me wanted to do nothing more than pin her to the door and take her mouth with my own, her body...her everything. Her face only inches from mine, it was pure torture not to give in to the driving urge to finally taste her.

  And then I did.

  I tilted her chin and claimed her lips with mine. Sliding my hands around her waist I slipped them down the curves of her ass and gripped her. Hauling her up, I growled into her mouth when her legs wound around me.

  My cock harder than a steel pipe pressed into her core and through two layers of denim, I could feel her heat.

  I broke our kiss, pressing my forehead against hers.

  She brought her arms around my shoulders and for once in my life I felt almost whole with her in my arms.

  “I shouldn’t have waited so damn long to do that.”

  We were both breathing heavily.

  “You’re going to explain to me why you haven’t left town yet,” I all but growled.

  She blinked up at me, still dazed from our kiss. I could feel a fine trembling taking over her body and her breath came in shallow pants against my cheek.

  I groaned and tucked my face in her neck, inhaling deeply. “Tell me, Trinity. Why are you here? Why didn’t you leave the minute you graduated high school? Why did you not get yourself out of here and follow your dreams of jewelry making for the big wigs over in Syn City?”

  “I-I...what do you mean, Sawyer? You came back. What’s so bad about it and me being here?”