Page 77 of Where You Left Me

Cammie and Maverick jump into the lake next. I consider it, but Jones is still dressed in his jeans, and he plops down next to me. It’s heavy. Like he’s got something on his mind.

Setting a large hand on my thigh, he says, “Level with me, Peaches. What were you girls talking about?”

An ache forms in my stomach. I don’t want to ruin this day. It’s been one of the best ones since I’ve been back. With all of us together again, laughing and hanging out, it’s been almost like old times and not like there was an eight-year void in there.

But this is Jones. I can’t lie to him.

“You know I can’t move back to Maple Ridge.” I don’t say it like a question.

He nods, his chin to his chest.

His expression is hidden to me. As much as I want to see it so I can imagine what he’s thinking, it’s killing me.

“I know,” he finally says, releasing a long sigh and lifting his head to peer at our friends splashing in the lake. “Why are you telling me this? Are you trying to hurt me?”

“What? No. Of course not, but you asked.”

“And that’s what you were talking about, about you moving back here?”

I chew on my lower lip, hesitating in my response. I don’t want to cause him more pain. Telling him about my fuck-buddy back in Connecticut will crush him. “More or less.”

“Why’d you tell them you can’t move back home?”

“Jones,” I drag out his name on a breath. “Maple Ridge isn’t my home anymore. My life is in Connecticut. I have a job, and friends, and…” I let my words fall off.

He removes his hand from my thigh, leaving behind the ghost of his grip. “A guy?”

It’s the first time we’ve discussed this in detail. So far, we’ve only hovered around the idea of both of us being with other people during the years we’ve been apart. But it only seems fair he knows. I know about his last relationship, I even had to spend an afternoon with her.

“It’s not what you think. It’s not anything serious. He’s just a friend. A friend I occasionally call when I’m lonely.”

Turning his gaze on me, his eyes are filled with sadness and anguish coils through me.

“I’m not gonna lie and tell you that doesn’t gut me.”

“It’s not as if you’re innocent in this area, Jones,” I say in defense.

He shakes his head. “Of course not. We both know I’m anything but innocent. I just fucking hate that this is where we’re at. That we’re even having this conversation. You shouldn’t be lonely. If that fucker was half a man, he’d know how to pleasure you that you’d never be lonely.”

“Gotta say, not where I thought this conversation was gonna go,” I admit, gazing at him in wonder.

Jones grips the back of my neck and looks directly at me. “Just tell me you’re not going back to Connecticut because ofhim.”

“Of course not. That’s the last thing you need to worry about. Or even think about.”

“Good.” He takes off his cowboy hat and sets it on the dock next to him.

When he draws me into him and presses his lips to mine with intention, his kisses feel determined. He rears back but still holds me close, and my vision dances back and forth between his finding fire there. Flames lick across my arms and my core throbs.

“I don’t care how sore you are from riding that damn horse, when we get back to my place tonight, you’re gonna spread those legs and I’m gonna stuff that pussy with my cock.Mypussy. And then you’re gonna ridemeuntil you forget all about that fucker.” His jaw pops. “Promise?”

A lump slides up my throat and I swallow it down. In this moment, I would promise him anything. Probably promise to come back to Maple Ridge for good if he asked.

But he doesn’t.

“Promise,” I mumble.

CHAPTER 21

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