Page 60 of You Wish
“You look like sin and smell of regret.”
Georgia wasn’t sure if she regretted last night—she was still riding the high of three orgasms. Because Jake took his “Every Time” moniker very seriously.
“Maybe I was just slinking in from the party.”
“Then why did it sound like someone, or someones, shattered the Sheetrock last night?”
Georgia swallowed her guilt so fast she nearly choked on it.
“Mm-hmm.” Joy’s gaze made a circle encompassing Georgia’s face. There was no point in trying to hide the evidence. The smudge of lipstick or the love-bite on her collarbone, which was peeking out like it had paid rent. Even more damning was the satisfied look of a good roll in the hay that she couldn’t hide.
“I don’t think Cover Girl makes that exact shade of blush. It looks more like my grandson’s work.”
Georgia considered bolting for the nearest exit and running back to Austin in her five-inch heels.
“I was just—” She gestured vaguely toward the coffeepot. And, as if she weren’t in last night’s dress, opened up the cupboard to fetch a mug. “You know, just looking for a pick-me-up before I go for a run.”
“Lying to your elder is rude. Lying days before Christmas? Now, that will get you on the Naughty List.”
Georgia considered continuing the ruse, then admitted to herself there was no recovering from this. Ignoring the sound of her self-respect as it sped off down the road without her, she slunk into the chair across from Joy.
“I didn’t sleep in my own bed.”
Joy’s conspiratorial smile made her eyes twinkle. “Don’t worry, honey. I did the walk of shame back when it was stillcalled ‘leaving early to make it church on time.’ You just keep your chin high and your bra in your purse like a lady.”
Georgia crossed her arms over the girls. “What makes you think I’m not wearing a bra?”
“You wouldn’t be walkin’ like that, trying to hide the swing.”
A laugh slipped past Georgia’s lips, half-choked and wholly uninvited. “Is this the part where you warn me off your grandson?”
“Now why would I do that? I can already picture how pretty my great-grandbabies will be.”
This time her choke nearly suffocated her. “Great-grandbabies?”
“Can’t you just picture a little Jake racing around the farm?”
Georgia could and that was another big problem. She wasn’t sure if she wanted kids. Connor’s condition was hereditary, and she didn’t want to risk putting another soul through that kind of pain and suffering. She wasn’t sureshecould live through that again.
Plus, she’d already spent her younger years living for someone else. She wanted to spend the rest of them living for herself. And that wasn’t a possibility with kids. Don’t get her wrong, she loved kids. That’s why she’d devoted her life to helping them. But she was able to put down the case file at night and go home.
She could turn off the emotions as needed.
“Does Jake want kids?” she asked and nearly kicked herself. She already knew the answer to that question. She’d known it since that day in the library when they’d met.
“He’s always wanted kids. And if anyone should be a dad it’s him.”
“He’d raise good humans,” she agreed, her words thick in her throat. Which was ridiculous. They’d had sex last night. Okay,they’d had sex three times last night. That didn’t mean they were getting married by any means.
They hadn’t even talked about if there would be a next rodeo, let alone a future. Besides, her future was already full, and it didn’t leave room for man who could derail her dreams.
“Strictly judging by how my grandson is around you, you’re meant to be a mama. The caretaker in you is about as obvious as grits on a breakfast plate.”
“I’ve been a caretaker my whole life and while I’d never change a moment of it, I’m ready for some time to care for myself.”
Nine years later, her heart was still mending from the loss of the three most important people in her world. It was like some sick joke that the universe had played on her. One after the other.
Bam. Bam. Bam.
