The Edge Read online

  She turned, and ran her gaze up and down him before giving him a smile. Not a true one. He knew it was forced because it didn’t reach her eyes.

  “Ron.”

  “You drinking?”

  She swiped her tongue over her lips and nodded, seconds before she took his beer from him and indulged in a large swig. “I am now.”

  He glanced over to Davis, who was watching them with a smile on his face. The man gave him a small nod, so Ron took it and ran. Hand on the small of her back, he guided her to an empty table in the rear of the bar and sat across from her.

  “Another rough day?”

  “You could say that.” She waved for a drink and drummed her fingers on the table while she waited.

  “How’s your father doing?”

  “No change today, so I guess he’s hanging in there.”

  Her responses were monotone and he wanted to pull her close and coax moans and small adorable pants from her that would erupt into a scream of his name as her pussy choked his cock.

  “Want to talk about it?”

  She took her drink with a smile and passed over a bill, waving off change. “Looking for more sex?”

  “I wouldn’t turn it down, not from you, but I was being sincere about that. I’m here if you need to talk or vent. I don’t judge.”

  “Not about me, not tonight. Tell me how things are going in your world.”

  Ron shook his head as he finished this beer. “Okay, I’ll talk tonight, but next time the spotlight is on you.”

  This time her smile was real. Those beautiful blue eyes sparkled. “It’s a date.”

  He couldn’t wait.

  Chapter Three

  Kissing her father on the cheek, Mary took a seat in the large overstuffed chair beside him. She stretched out her legs and opened her book. She just wanted to spend time with him, despite how much she hated seeing him look so weak.

  “What are you doing in here?”

  His voice was about a quarter of the strength she remembered him always having.

  “Reading.” God help her, she wanted to cry and curl up next to him, go back to being the little girl whose strong father was there to keep her safe.

  “I mean what are you doing in here? You can read anywhere on this farm.”

  “I know and I’m doing it where I want.”

  He smiled at her. Tears pricked her eyes and she furiously blinked them back.

  “Talk to me, baby girl.”

  She shut her mystery and curled her legs beneath her in the chair. “I’ve decided I’m moving home. I’ve been speaking with Dr. Logan and we’re figuring out about me becoming a vet at his clinic.” Until she’d spoken the words she hadn’t thought it was solidified in her mind. Apparently, it was.

  “What about your job there?” There wasn’t any judgment in his gaze, only open curiosity.

  “I’ll leave. I don’t like being so far from you and mom.”

  He blinked as a slow smile overtook his mouth. “Small towns aren’t so bad, are they?”

  “No. I couldn’t wait to leave but now, I’m looking forward to coming back. There won’t be any of the crime I’m used to dealing with. No more of the breaking into the clinic for the drugs. Plus, I get to see my family much more often.”

  “Just make sure you’re doing it for you and not for me.”

  She canted her head to the side. “What do you mean?”

  “I know you’re scared because of the stroke, but don’t change your life because of that. I won’t be around forever and if you’re not happy here, don’t uproot your life to come back for me.”

  Mary took her father’s hand and squeezed it. “I would happily uproot everything to be close to you and Mom.”

  “You’ve grown into such an amazing young woman, Mary. I’m so proud of you. Look at you. A vet. On your own. Making me prouder every day.”

  Those damn tears burned once more.

  “But what about a family? A husband?”

  “Not high on my list right now.” Even as she spoke those words, she envisioned Ron.

  He’d taken her out five times and aside from a lot of touching, kissing and heavy petting, they’d not had sex again. She wanted it—god, she wanted it—but he was being too much of a gentleman.

  “I hear you’ve been seen out with Ronald Glennon.”

  “Just a friend, nothing more.” She cleared her throat. “And who told you that?”

  The sparkle in his eyes was worth any bit of embarrassment she could have over his statement.

  “I may be in this bed, young lady, but this town is full of my spies. You would do well to remember that.”

  “I’m not likely to forget. I couldn’t get away with anything when we were growing up, pretty sure I still can’t.”

  “Exactly. Now, play a game with me. I’m bored.”

  She pulled out the backgammon board and positioned it between the two of them. Both of them drank water while they played as they spoke of past adventures they’d had as a family. Mary couldn’t explain how happy it made her to see him with the desire to get up and move around, wanting to do more than he was capable of doing being confined to the bed.

  He could do a bit of that here and there, but the doctor had him on bed rest for a while longer yet. Her old man was going stir crazy. He beat her and she shook her head as she packed up the game.

  “Never could beat you at backgammon.”

  Jenn knocked on the door frame. “Excuse me but, Mary, Ron is downstairs and wants to see you.”

  She swallowed the whimper that threatened to escape. On her feet, she kissed her father and walked by her sister without a word. What on earth could he want? She made her way down the stairs and before she hit the bottom, she caught a glimpse of him as he stood talking to Joe.

  Worn indigo blue jeans that fit him like a work of art. His gray T-shirt half tucked, bringing her gaze to his ass and crotch, the sleeves tight around his biceps and triceps. He turned his head and looked at her, his amber eyes singeing her as she finished her descent.

  Ron lost track of whatever Joe was saying. Something about one of their tractors that needed some parts or something like that. All he knew was that if it wasn’t about Mary he wasn’t paying it any mind.

  His entire focus was on the woman approaching him. The pink dress with the floral blue and black pattern on it hugged her torso, flared out from her waist and stopped just below her knees. Her black hair flowed around her shoulders, framing her face in a way he wanted to with his hands. Even though she was scrubbed clear of makeup, she looked stunning to him. A woman he wanted to protect and keep close.

  “You wanted to see me?”

  “I do. Can we talk?”

  “Sure.”

  They walked outside to the porch and sat on the swinging bench. He pushed his thigh against hers and gazed at her. “Are you free tonight?”

  “I was going to be at the clinic for a while but after that, yes. Why?”

  “I want to make dinner for you.”

  She cut her gaze to the left and he was sure her brother was standing there watching and doing his best to overhear.

  “I think that would be just fine. What can I bring?”

  He released the breath he was holding and shook his head. “Nothing more than you. I’ll provide everything else.”

  “I can do that.” She leaned closer to him. “Thank you.”

  Lord, he wanted to kiss her. “For what?”

  “Being you.”

  “I’ll see you then.” He brushed a kiss over her cheek and hurried off before he did something crazy like kiss her again.

  She knocked on his door around eight-thirty. He swung it open and found her standing there with a six-pack of beer in each hand.

  He grinned. “A woman after my own heart.”

  “Sorry, I’m not a wine girl and I wasn’t raised to come to someone’s house without bringing anything.”

  Ron took the beer from her, approving of her choices. One pack of lager and one
pack of IPA.

  “It’s perfect.” He kicked the door shut behind them and trailed her inside his house.

  After putting the beer in the fridge, he gave her a quick tour then led her out back to where he had dinner on the grill. As he finished cooking, they talked about their days while enjoying a cold beer. Once they’d eaten the meal, he started a fire in the pit, laid a blanket down and drew her to him.

  She lay against his chest, beer in hand while he wrapped an arm around her. His drink was beside him. The smell of the fire filled the air and intermixed with her soft honeysuckle scent. He closed his eyes and burrowed his nose in her soft strands.

  Gods, he didn’t want this night to end. He wanted to carry her upstairs to his room.

  “Thank you for this,” she said, softly.

  “Thanks for coming out.”

  She finished her lager and set the bottle in the dirt. Mary wriggled down so she lay in front of him and looked up at him, her face golden in the firelight. He tipped his head forward and she smiled at him.

  She reached up and brushed some of his hair back from his face. “I can’t get over that you’re a ginger. I love it.”

  He lifted his eyebrows. “Do you now?”

  She flushed. “Sometimes words slip out and I don’t know what I’m saying.”

  “I think you were spot on. Especially with the loving gingers.”

  She trailed her fingers down his arm. “Figures.”

  Ron cupped the nape of her neck and lifted her to meet his mouth. She moaned and wound her arms around his neck.

  He shifted so his body covered hers, pushing her into the blanket and rubbing his cock against her core.

  “Yes,” she panted.

  Mary tugged his shirt until it bunched up by his shoulders.

  “Wait,” he said.

  “No.” She hooked her legs around him. “Now.”

  Lord, he wanted to oblige and shove his dick so far into her that she would feel him even when he wasn’t with her.

  “We need to talk.”

  “Talk later.” She released him and wriggled beneath him, setting his cock to titanium hardness.

  He realized what she’d done and groaned. She’d pulled up her dress so it wasn’t between them anymore. Now only her thin panties was the sole item in the way.

  She was going to be the death of him. Mary wriggled a hand between them and cupped his dick. Yep, push him over, he was done.

  He helped her free him. A litany of curse words poured from his mouth as she gripped him and guided him to her pussy. He rose and looked at the woman beneath him. She’d captured her lower lip in her teeth, her dress sat gathered beneath her breasts and she was waiting. For him.

  “Ron,” she panted. She moved his dick, rubbing it up and down her slit, coating it with her cream.

  “Mary,” he replied, pushing into the velvet heat awaiting him. “Fuck yeah.”

  Her mewls were incomprehensible and he captured her hands, stretching them above her head. Fully inside her, he paused and held her gaze.

  Those blue eyes watched him just as intently. They were darker than usual and he withdrew only to push back again. They widened and a small purr of pleasure slid from her lips. Dipping his head, he took possession of her mouth once more and thrust his tongue in synchrony with his cock.

  Chapter Four

  Mary tossed her hair and arched her back as she worked her hips, taking more of Ron’s dick. God, he filled her so full, stretching her. She dug her nails into his chest, scrambling for purchase as she undulated.

  His large hands held her hips as he watched her. Those amber eyes of his were going to be the death of her. His jaw was clenched and his sweat gleamed in the firelight despite the coolness of the night air.

  She relaxed her internal muscles and bent toward his mouth.

  “God, you’re fucking sexy by firelight.”

  “Flattery will get you everywhere,” she replied, flexing around him again.

  “I’m where I want to be.”

  She kissed him once more. “You’re where I want you to be.”

  He pounded up into her before he came with a roar. Exhausted, she collapsed on his chest.

  For a while she just lay there with him, listening to the pop and crackle of the fire. When her heartbeat returned to normal, he lifted her off and helped her to her feet. Together, they padded naked into his house and went straight to the shower.

  Fifteen minutes and another few orgasms later, Mary sat on his sofa, wearing one of his large shirts. He lowered his frame beside her and put his arm around her, bringing her in closer.

  Head on his shoulder, she enjoyed the quiet with him.

  “Are you staying?”

  His question brought her lowering eyelids back up.

  “Am I staying where? Here for the night?”

  “In The Edge. Once your father is better. Are you staying or leaving?”

  “Does it matter?”

  He angled his head so he could see her better. “Yes. To me it does. What are we doing here, Mary?”

  “I was basking in the afterglow, but I’m guessing now that’s off the table.”

  “Be serious.”

  “I wasn’t joking, but you want to have this now, let’s have it. What difference does it make? I thought we were having fun.”

  “We’re having a clandestine relationship, of fucking, is what it is. We don’t go out on the town, we hide out and fuck as if you’re ashamed to be with me.”

  She dampened her lips. “I didn’t mean to make you feel that way. I just know how this small town is and really didn’t want everyone in our business, planning our wedding and what not.”

  He didn’t respond to her smile or joke and uncertainty began to grow within her gut.

  “Is that what I am? Just a distraction to take your mind off your father and your ex?”

  She stiffened at the mention of Damion. “Don’t bring him up. He has nothing to do with this.”

  “Your father? Sure he does, and your ex most certainly does.”

  Mary pulled back from him, glaring. “Leave Damion out of this. My ex has no business even being mentioned right now.”

  “He does if you’re running from commitment because of him.”

  “Is this where the psychoanalytical portion of the evening begins?” Her tone was harsh and unforgiving. She didn’t want to hear it, didn’t want to go over and reevaluate her relationship decisions from the past. Hell, she didn’t want to consider the ones for her future and she sure as shit wasn’t going to tell him she was working on staying here. Not now.

  “Don’t be an ass, Mary. I’m asking because I want to know if we have a future. I’m falling for you and I need to know if that’s something that will be reciprocated or if you’re only in it for the sex until the time comes that you leave.”

  She shoved his hand away and got to her feet. “I don’t know where this is going, Ron. Why does it have to go anywhere?”

  He crossed his arms. “So, you feel nothing for me then? It’s strictly about the physical?”

  Not exactly, no, but hell, she’d thought Damion was the one also. “I’m not in a place to think about that right now. What we have, this no-strings-attached sex thing, works for me.”

  He sucked on his teeth and got to his feet. “Okay then.” Ron walked down the hall to his bedroom.

  Mary looked around and waited for him to come back. One minute turned to five, then to ten. Her anger had built as time went by.

  Stomping back to his room, she pushed open the door and gasped. He lay in bed, light off, and she assumed he was sleeping.

  “Are you kidding me?”

  “You know the way out. We had sex and since that’s over and cuddling is more of a relationship kind of thing, I figured you’d be leaving. Have a good night.”

  If she’d had her bat she would have broken something or broken it on something. Probably on him.

  She whirled around then spun back, flipping on the light. He never even lo
oked at her. Mary scanned the room for her clothing and, finding it on a chair, swiped it. She left, making as much noise as possible. She dressed out there and left every light on she could before she exited his house.

  The door slammed behind her and she muttered under her breath a lot of words that her parents wouldn’t ever want to hear her say. Back in her vehicle, she pounded her fists on the steering wheel.

  “Damn you, Ron.”

  She delivered a few more hits on the wheel before she drove away with a flurry of spinning wheels and flying gravel. She made her way through town and was just about to the outskirts when she noticed the red and blue flashing lights in her rearview.

  “Fuck.”

  She willed herself to calm down so she didn’t get hauled in for assaulting a police officer. Keeping her hands on the wheel, she waited for the man to get to her window. She lowered it and turned her head.

  Well, shit. She wasn’t going to hear the end of this. It wasn’t Davis standing there. It was Patrick.

  Where the hell did he get that outfit?

  “Hello, baby sister.” He clucked his tongue at her. “This is going to be fun.”

  * * * *

  Ron wiped the sweat from his eyes before refocusing on the fire they were battling. If only his mind would leave thoughts of Mary alone. It wouldn’t. However, thankfully, he was able to keep her at bay, at least for the moment.

  The abandoned business wasn’t going to be any more than ash and rubble within a few minutes. It had gone up so fast they’d had a hell of a time attempting to contain it. Spinning his axe, he then used it to open the next door and they moved the hose into the room, trying to slow the flames, if only a little bit.

  The call had come in around two in the morning. He’d been asleep, pissed with himself and his actions toward Mary. Granted, he’d been in a mood for the past two weeks after their falling out.

  Hell, can I even call it that?

  Now wasn’t the time to think about it. He shook his head and met Lucas’ gaze. With gestures, they proceeded on.

  It was almost seven when he got home and headed straight for the shower. When he came out, towel around his waist, he drew up short.