PlayingForKeeps

ANeighborFromHellNovel

Copyright2011

ISBN139780983212539

SmashwordsEdition

by

R.L.Mathewson

OthertitlesbyR.L.Mathewson:

PlayingForKeeps:ANeighborFromHellNovel

Tall,Dark&Lonely:APyteSeriesNovel

AHumbleHeart:AHollywoodHeartNovel

Perfection:ANeighborFromHellNovel

WithoutRegret:ASentinelNovel

ReclusiveHeart:AHollywoodHeartNovel

SuddenResponse:AnEMSnovel

Thisisaworkoffiction.Allofthecharacters,organizationsandeventsdescribedinthisnovelare
eitherproductsoftheauthor'simaginationorareusedfictitiously

.

PlayingforKeeps©R.L.Mathewson2011.Allrightsreserved.

http://www.rlmathewson.com

RerumPublishingHouse

eBookISBN-139780983212539
ISBN-139780983212546

Thisbookisdedicatedtoeveryonewhowaswillingtotakeachanceonme.

Thankyou.

Also,tomymother,grandmother,andCousinJamiewhokeepmeentertainedwithonlineScrabble

games.

Andofcoursetomychildrenwhowillalwaysbemyinspirationandmylittlebuddies.

PlayingforKeeps

Chapter1

“Oh, no, no, no, no, no!” Haley murmured in disbelief as she watched her pink, white, and yellow
tulips being yanked viciously out of the ground. She shoved back from her computer desk and
stormedtowardsthefrontdoor.Shewasgoingtokillhimthistimetherewasnodoubtaboutit.

After five long years of juvenile nonsense he’d finally gone too far. Her college roommate hadn’t
evenbeenabletoaggravateherthismuch,evenwhenshewentthroughhersixmonthperiodofnot
showering,orusingdeodorantto“savetheplanet.”

Five years ago she’d been proud to buy her first house at the ripe old age of twenty-four. She'd
worked her butt off to buy her dream home, a one level two bedroom ranch. The experience of
owningherownhomewasbetterthananythingshecouldhaveeverimagined.

Shespentcountlesshourspickingouttheperfectcolorschemeforeachroom,cleaning,organizing,
and hitting every yard sale within a thirty mile radius, trying to turn wood and plaster into a real
home.Noneofthatworkcouldevenbegintocomparetothecountlesshoursshespentonherlawn
and garden. With countless blisters, cuts, bee stings and back aches she turned her dull yard into a
paradise.

Herenjoymentlastedforalloffourmonths.That’swhenhemovedintothehousenextdoor.Atfirst
she was excited to have a neighbor, one that wasn’t elderly and well, cranky. All of her enjoyment
endedthemomentshemetJasonBradford.

Within the first ten minutes of his arrival he’d backed into her mailbox, spilled fast food wrappers
fromhiscarontohisproperty,whichquicklymadetheirwayontoherimmaculatelawn,andrelieved
himselfonthegreatoldoaktreeinhisfrontlawnwithasheepishsmileandashruginherhorrified
direction.

Themanwasabarbarian.

For the next five years he turned her picturesque life into a nightmare. She wasn’t sure how one
personmanagedtotakesomuchcontroloverherhappiness,buthedid.Overtheyearsshedealtwith
paintball pellets decorating the laundry hanging on her clothesline and the side of her house, loud
music,parties,twiceshefoundnakedpeopletryingtoclimbthefencetoskinnydipinherpool,three
a.m.drunkenbasketballgames,womenthrowinghissyfitsonhisfrontlawnandsometimeson hers
whenthejerkrefusedtocomeoutanddealwiththem.

What made it worse was that they both worked at the same private high school, in the same
department, with adjoining classrooms, and parking spots. It didn’t take long for him to turn her
dream job and house into a nightmare. At work she had to deal with him constantly “borrowing”
thingsfromherroomlikepaper,pens,books,andevenherdeskonetime.

Heseemedtothinkhewasthemostcharmingmanonearthandhadnoproblemwithusingittoget
hisway,leavingherwithextraworkandresponsibilitieswhilehegottobethelaidbackteacher.It
didn’ttakeherlongtofigureoutthatshewouldhavetosuckitupatwork.Therewasnowayather
ageshewasgoingtobeabletolandabetterjob.She'dbeenluckytolandthisone.Sotheonlyoption
leftforherwastomove.

Afterthefirstyearshetriedtosellherhouse,unsuccessfully.Everytimeaprospectivebuyercame
aroundhescaredthemoffbyjustbeingJason.Shegaveuptheideaofsellingherhouseforthenext
twoyearsandputitupagainlastyearwhenhetookupgolfandshotoutthreeofherwindows.After
he managed to scare off fifteen prospective buyers by walking out to get the mail in his boxers, a
particularlymemorablefitofragewhenhethrewhiscomputeroutthewindowaccompaniedwitha
loudroar,andofcoursetherewastheupkeeporratherlackthereofofhisproperty.

Hislawnwascoveredincrabgrassandweeds.Heonlypaidtheneighborhoodkidtomowitoncea
month.Therestofthetimeitwasthechosenhabitatoflittlewoodlandcreatures.Thehouseneededa
seriouspaintjob,orattheveryleastacleanupofallpaintchipsthathadfallentothegroundoverthe
years. If he didn’t personally scare someone off his house did the job. She gave up the dream of
movingawayfivemonthsagoandsettledforprayingthathewouldmovesoon,verysoon.

Nowhewasgoingafterherbabies.Thiswasnothappening.Enoughwasenough.Overthelastfive
yearsshebithertongue,tooafraidtocomplain.She’dalwaysbeenlikethat,evenasalittlekid.

Shewasalwaystheshyquietgirlwithhernoseburiedinabook,hopingnoonewouldnoticeher.It
wasn’tsomuchthatshewasn’taverysocialperson,shewas.Ithadmoretodowiththefactthatshe
wasahugechicken.Whentheotherkidspickedonherorpushedheraroundshecowered,unableto
dealwithconfrontation.Thatnastyhabitfollowedherintoadulthood.

It was made even worse with good looking men like Jason. His ebony hair, ocean blue eyes and
chiseled good looks made her nervous. She just wasn’t any good at handling people. Throw good
looks onto a guy that was being particularly jerkish and she turned into a blubbering idiot. Pushy
peoplejustsuckedanditreallysuckedthatsheneverlearnedhowtodealwiththem.

Whenshecaughtherroommatestealingherpapers,food,andmoneywhatdidshedo?Sheavoided
herroomuntilwellaftertwointhemorningwhensheknewAngelwouldbeasleepandthenhurried
the hell out of there before she woke up in the morning. The same could be said when the few
boyfriendsshedidmanagetohaveovertheyearstookadvantageofher.

Insteadofthrowingthemtothecurblikesheshouldhavedoneshepulledbackintoherself,knowing
theywouldgetboredeventuallyandmoveon.Yes,shewasachicken.Thatwastheonlyreasonwhy
JasonBradfordhadgottenawaywithhisbehaviorforthepastfiveyears.Nomore.Theflowerswere
the last straw. Her grandmother had given her the bulbs from her own garden when she bought the
houseandshelovedthem.

Shespiedtherolleduphoseandmadeasnapdecision.Thisendedhereandnow.Thedaysofbeing
theworld’sbiggestpushoverwereover.

*************

“Whatthehell!”

Jasonjumpedtohisfeetasatorrentoficecoldwaterhithim.

Hedidn’tknowwhatheexpectedtosee,butitcertainlywasn’thistimidlittleneighborandco-worker
aimingherverylonghoseathim.Clearlyshe’dlostherdamnedmind.

“Stepawayfrommytulips,”sheorderedinatoneofauthority.

Hereallycouldn’thelpgrinningather.Shelookedsodamncutestandingtherewithherlongbronze
hairpulledbackintoatwistedponytail,greeneyesfulloffirehiddenbehindlargeglassesmaking
herlookadorable,andofcourseherrathertightblackteeshirtwiththeword“Nerd”writtenacross
her very decent size chest made her look rather hot. His eyes dropped to the cute little shorts that
revealedshort,butverynicecurvytannedlegs,veryniceindeed.

Ofcourseheknewhisquietneighborwasstunning.Itwasthefirstthinghenoticedabouthertheday
hemovedin.Thesecond,shewasaveryshy,verynervous,easilyfrightenedfemale.Hestillwinced
when he thought back to that day. After five hours on the road and three giant gulps he was in
desperateneedofabathroom.Unfortunatelytherealtorhadn'tleftthekeyswhereshesaidshewould
andhehadtomakeasplitseconddecision,pisshispantsorwaterthetree.Intheendthetreegota
healthyamountofrecycledcola.

Shehadn'tevengivenhimachancetoexplainorapologize.Herfacereddenedbeforeshepractically
ran into her house. From then on she avoided him at all costs. If he waved or said hello to her she
wouldmuttersomethingorignorehim.Ifheoroneofhisassholebuddiesbrokesomethingonher
propertyshedidn’tsayaword.Ifhewasajerkhecouldhaveeasilygottenawaywithnotpayingfor
allthosebrokenwindowsorpaintballstreakedsheets,buthewasn'tthatbigofaprick.Helearnedshe
would never speak up for herself so as soon as the shit hit the fan he made a call and replaced
whateverhefuckedup.Itwouldjustmakehimfeellikeanevenbiggerassholetotakeadvantageof
thesituation.

Italwaysbotheredhimthatsheneverspokeup.Hecouldn’tremembersomeonedislikinghimsofast
andintenselybeforeinhislife.Nomatterwhathedidshecouldn’tbebotheredtospeaktohim.Hell,
hewouldhavekickedhisassyearsago,oratleastcalledthecopsonhimliketheotherneighborsdid
orfileacomplaintwiththeprincipallikesomanyofhisotherco-workershad.Hell,shenevereven
signed any of those numerous petitions the rest of the neighborhood liked to give him every few
months.Hecheckedeachandeverytime.

Itwasn’tlikehewaspurposelybeinganasshole.Itjustcamenaturallytohim.Everyoneunderstood
andacceptedit.Probablybecauseeventhoughhewasanasshole,hewasalikeableasshole…..mostof
thetime.

Ashappyashewasthatshefinallycameoffherthronetotalktohimhewasalsopissedtobesoaked
totheboneinhisfavoriteshirtandkhakishortsinseventydegreeweather.Apparentlyhedidn’tmove
fastenoughbecauseshesprayedhimagain.

“Areyoufuckinginsane?”hedemanded.

Shegesturedwiththehoseforhimtotakeastepback.“Getawayfrommyflowerbed…..Now.”

“Yourflowerbed?”heaskedindisbelief.

“Yes,myflowerbed!”Anothershortspray.“Iplantedtheseflowersfiveyearsago,beforeyoumoved
in!”

Jason ran frustrated fingers through his messy hair. “Then you should have checked the fucking
propertylinesbeforeyouwastedyourtime!”hesnapped.

Hereyesnarrowedonhim.“Theflowerbedismyproperty!”

“I don’t think so, sweetheart. Go check your deed if you don’t believe me. This flowerbed is one
hundredpercentonmyproperty,”hesaidharshly.Hepointedtothetwofeetofspacethatseparated
theirhouseswheretheflowerbedcontinueduntilitcametothelargewoodenpicketfencethatstarted
at the corner of her house and continued to the back, separating their backyards. “You have five
inchesfromthewallofyourhouseout.Yourpropertyendstwoinchesbeforemyflowerbed!That’s
why the stupid little white picket fence starts against your house instead of on the other side of the
flowerbed.”

He watched as she glared at the small space that separated their houses. Whoever built their houses
was a real prick. Both of their master bedrooms were built less than two feet apart. Yet, there was
more than thirty feet of space between each house and the other neighboring houses. There was no
privacywiththewaytheidenticalhousesweredesigned.Hehadnochoicebuttoplacehislargebed
directlyatthewindowandfromwhathecouldseeneitherhadshe.Takingthesmallerbedroomwas
outofthequestion.Hisbedwouldneverfitinit.

Itfeltoddsleepinglessthantwofeetawayfromawomanwhothoughthimlessthandirt.Duringthe
summertheybothrefusedtoopentheirwindowsuntiltheheatbecameoppressive,leavingthemwith
no other choice. Forget about bringing a woman to his bedroom. He’d never been one for PDA’s
never mind having sex in public and having sex in his room would definitely feel like a public
performance.

Nomatterhowmanytimeshetriedtoremindhimselfthattheywereinseparatehousesandseparated
bymorethanjustastupidlittleflowergardenhecouldn’tbringhimselftoallowawomaninhisbed.
Notthathedidthatnormally.Heneverinvitedawomantohishome.Thatwasoneofhistoptenrules
ofdating.Theonlytimetheyevercametohishousewastobitchhimoutwhenhemovedonandthat
wasdonefromtheoutside.

Heneverinhisentireadultlifesharedabedwithawoman.Thatwastoomuchintimacyandsentthe
wrongmessage.Thefewtimeshemadethemistakeofrelaxinginawoman’sbedafteraquicklay
provedtobeseriousmistakes.Theywantedtocoddleandalwaysaskedthequestionsthatmadehim
cringe,“Whatareyouthinking?”,“Doyouloveme?”,“Wheredoyouseethisgoing?”,“Areyouas
happy as I am?’, "Why do you keep calling me by my sister's name?", or his personal favorite “I
wonder what our babies will look like.” No, sex was best kept at a woman’s house, hotel room or
betteryetinthebackseatofacar.

Thank god his neighbor seemed to share the same attitude. He hated the idea of waking up to the
soundsofanothermangruntingandmoaning.Withhisluckthesoundswouldfilterintohisdream
andhewouldenduphavingagaydream.Thankfullythatneverhappenedotherwisehe’dbesleeping
onhiscouch.

It wasn’t as if his beautiful neighbor was without male attention. He’d seen several losers sniffing
around her in the last five years. She was easily out of their league, at least physically. Personality
wise,wellevenfromafarhecouldtelltheywereallpricks.Hewasn’taprince,notbyanymeasure,
buthefoundhimselfeagertodeckafewofthemovertheyearswiththewaytheytreatedher.They
neverhither,otherwisehewouldhavekilledthebastards.Hedidn’tgoforhittingawomannomatter
what. Sometimes he felt like they were using her, or not treating her right. He didn’t know why he
cared,hejustdid.

Haleyeyedthefenceandthentheremaininglengthoftheflowerbed.Shesighedheavily.“Fine.IfI
madeamistakeI’msorry.Ireplacedthelastflowerbedwiththetulips.”

Henoddedinrelief,gladthatitwassettled.Thedamnflowerswereoutofhereandnotamomenttoo
soon.Hecouldn’ttakeanothernightlikelastnight.Besideshewasrunningoutofcornstarch.

“I’lljustmovetheflowersoverintomyfiveinchesofspace,”sheannounced.

Hiseyeswidenedwiththatannouncement.“Thehellyouwill!”

Chapter2

Haley’seyeswidenedintotaldisbeliefasJasonthrewhimselfbackontotheplants,tearingthemup
likeamanpossessed.

“Stop!” she shrieked. He ignored her and continued to rip the tulips from the ground, making sure
thosedamnbulbscamewiththem.Hetossedthemfarontohispropertysoshecouldn’tgetherhands
onthemtore-plantthem.

Shesqueezedthenozzle,sendingafullblastofcoldwateronhim.Stillhecontinuedtotearupthe
flowerbed.

“Stop! Please stop!” she cried. He only slowed down when he reached the tight space between their
houses.

Jasonhadtoshifthisshoulderssohecouldlodgehimselfintothetightspace.Thankfullyshegaveup
onsquirtinghim.ItmightbeApril,buttheywereinNewEnglandandthatmeantabrightsunwitha
coldbreeze.Hisbodyshiveredviolentlyashereachedforwardtograbhandfulsoftulips.Suddenly
somethingclampedaroundhisankles.

“What the hell-omph!” He was pulled off balance, landing face first into the thick mud she created
withherlittlewatermeltdown.Beforehecouldpushhimselfupshewascrawlingoverhisbacktoget
tothosedamnflowers.

Haleyusedhersmallframetoheradvantage.AfterquicklycrawlingoverJasonshebegandigging
upasmanytulipswithherhandsasshecouldandsettingthemgently,yetquickly,againstthesideof
herhouse.

“Hey!Stopthat!”hedemandedasheleanedoverhertograbherhands.

“Getoffofme!”shesnapped,diggingfaster.

“Iwouldn’tbeonyouifyouweren’tonmydamnproperty!”

Shethrewbackanelbowtodislodgehim.Hecursedunderhisbreathashepushedhimselfinfurther
until her entire body was snuggled tightly beneath his. She instantly froze beneath him. He took
advantageofherstunnedreactionandgrabbedasmanyflowersashecould.

“Isaidgetoffme,notcrushme!”sheclarified.Itwasallshecoulddotocontrolherbreathing.She
wasgoingtohyperventilateandpassout.Nodoubtaboutit.Alargemuscularmanwasontopofher!

Hersenseswentintooverloadasshetriedtofocus.Butallshecouldthinkaboutwashowthefeelof
hisstronghardstomachfeltpressedagainstherback.Suddenlyashivershotthroughherbodythat
hadnothingtodowiththecoldwaterseepingthroughherclothes.

Thenrealizationsankin.Averylargemanwasontopofher!“ThatbetternotbewhatIthinkitis,”
shehissedbetweenclenchedteeth.

“It’s not.” It was. “Don’t flatter yourself, sweetheart,” he snapped, trying not to groan or grind into
her.Hewasalittleshockedhimself.Notthatheeverhadaproblemgettingitup.Hedidn’t.Ofcourse

these days his interest in sex had waned a bit. Hell, he couldn’t remember the last time he had sex,
whichinitselfwaspathetic.

Hemadeahalfassattempttopulloutmoreflowers.Thatseemedtodistractherenoughfromherpert
littleassbeingsnuggledagainsthislap.Hiseyesclosedashenuzzledhisfaceagainstherneckand
inhaled slowly. She didn’t seem to notice so he did it again. He would swear on his life that she
smelledlikeblackberriesandcream.Itwasdamnenticing.

Shegroanedherirritation.“Idon’tknowwhatyourproblemis.Imadeamistakeplantingthemon
yourproperty.Justletmemovethemoverafewinchesandeverythingwillbesettled.”

That snapped him out of his daze. “No!” He reached past her and began ripping flowers out. She
sworeunder her breathas she crawledout from under himto save whateverflowers she could. He
simplyfollowedher,assumingthesamepositioneachtimeandfrustratingthehelloutofher.

“You’re being a jerk! I just want my bulbs!” she said, trying to not to cry. These were her
Grandmother ’sbulbs.HerGrandfatherboughtthemforherafterthewartocelebratethesuccessof
theirfirstbusiness.

“No,you’renotgoingtoplantthemhere!Theycan’tstay!”hesaid,diggingfaster.

“Why?”shedemanded,comingcloserandclosertofrustratedtears.“Idon’tunderstandyou!Youdo
nothingwithyourpropertyatall.Whydoyoucareifthere’saflowerbedhereorafewinchesover?
They’renothurtingyou!”
“Thehellthey’renot!”hesnapped,thinkingofallthespotsonhisbackandneckthatstillthrobbed.

Shescoffed.“They’rejustflowers.Whatcouldtheypossiblydotoaggravateyoutothislevel?”She
heardabuzzingpassherearandabsentlywaveditoff.

“Bees!”hesaid,tryingtobackup,butcouldn’t.Hislargeframewastrappedbetweentheirhouses.

“Yes,it’sabee,”shesaidslowlyasifsheweretalkingtoachild.

He groaned as he tried to twist his large frame loose. When that didn't work he tried to shove
backwards.Hisarmsnakedaroundherwaist,tryingtopullheralongwithhim.

“Hey,getyourhands-“

“It’safuckingnestandwejustdisturbedit!”heyelled.

Haley’s eyes shot forward and then widened. Sure enough, two feet in front of her the end of what
appearedtobeaverylargegroundnestwasnowpokingoutofthegroundthankstotheflowersthey
yanked up. Yellow jackets began swarming just above the nest. It wouldn’t be long before they
descendedonthem.

“Move!”

“Ican’t!”

Haleyclenchedherteethassheslammedbackashardasshecouldagainsthim.Hegroanedlowin
herear,butdidn’tstoptryingtomoveback.Shemovedforwardandslammedbackagain,andagain.
Eachtimewasmetbyagroanandagainofafewinches.

“Onemoretime!”hegratedout.

Shemovedforwardandthistimewhensheslammedbackintohimshepushedupwithhershoulders,
dislodginghim.Jasonusedthemomentumtopullthembothbackseveralfeet.Hekepthisarmsnaked
aroundherwaistashedraggedherawayfromthenest.

“They’reswarming!”Haleycried.

“Shit!”Jasonlookedfranticallyaroundforasafeplace.

“Myhouse!”shesaid,gesturingwildlytowardsherfrontdoor.

“Good idea,” he said as he ran towards the house, dragging her along. The buzzing sound became
louderandlouderastheswarmbegancirclingthem.Oncetheyreachedthefrontdoorheopenedit,
relievedthatshe'dleftitunlocked,andtheyraninside,slammingthedoorshutbehindthem.

“Bees!”Haleycried,gesturingtothebeesthathadfollowedtheminside.

Hequicklyreleasedherandgrabbedtwomagazinesfromasmallpileonacoffeetableandthrewone
to her. Without a word they rolled the magazines up and began to attack the dozen or so bees that
managedtofollowtheminside.Neitherspokeuntilthelastbeewassquashed.

“Fivenights….in….a….row…..stung…,”Jasonbitoutwhilehetriedtocatchhisbreath.

“Youknewtherewereyellowjacketsandyoustilltoreuptheflowers?”sheaskedindisbelief.Her
grandmotherhadtaughtherwell.Agroundnestwasnotsomethingtomesswith.Itcouldbeassmall
asastackorquartersorseveralfeetlong.

Jasongesturedinthedirectionofhishouse.“Iwastryingtokillthem.”

Sheshookherheadindisbelief.Heknewtherewasanestandhedidn’ttellher?

“Why didn’t you tell me there was a nest? You know I work in that flowerbed,” she said, working
hardonkeepinghertoneeven.Theycouldhavebeenkilled!

“Idid!”

“No,youdidn’t!”

He threw his hands up. “I’ve been trying to tell you for last few weeks, but each time I approached
you,youranoff!”

She opened her mouth to argue, but shut it as quickly and winced. Yeah, that really did sound like
somethingshewoulddowherehewasconcerned.“Oh,”shefinallysaid.

“Yeah,oh,”hesnapped.Hepeekedoutthewindowandgroaned.“They’restillswarming.”
Haleysighed.“They’regoingtobeaproblemforafewhours.Weneedtocallanexterminator.”

************

Manhewasfreezing.Hewassoakedtotheboneanditdidn’tlooklikehewasgoingtobeabletogo
tohishouseanytimesoontochange.Normallyhe’dstripdowntohisboxers,buthisneighborwas
already skittish around him. He didn’t want to give the poor thing a stroke. He looked down at her
verycleanandobviouslywellcaredforwoodfloorandcringed.

“Shit, maybe I should step out the back and dry off,” he said as he raised his eyes to look into her
adjoiningkitchen.Hisbrowsflewupashewatchedthewindowsdarken.

“Idon’tthinkthatwillbehappeningforawhile,”Haleysaidsoftlyassherubbedherforehead.“Why
don’tyougotakeashowerandI’llseeifIcanfindyousomethingtowear.Whileyou’retakingyour
showerI’llcallforanexterminator.”

“Ifyou’resure,”hesaid,hopingshewouldn’tchangehermind.Hewasfreezinghisballsoff.Hell,at
thispointhe’dsqueezehisassintoadresstogetwarm.

She nodded absently as she watched the bees swarm around her backyard. “Yeah, let me show you
wherethebathroomis.”

Tenminuteslatertheshiveringfinallystoppedandhewasreallyenjoyinghisshower.Neverinhis
lifehadhotwaterfeltsogood.Thiswasthebestshowerever.Itdidn’thurtthathislittleshyneighbor
sharedhisappreciationforthesimplethingsinlifelikeanormalbarofsoapandnoneofthatoverly
perfumedexpensiveshitthatneverlatheredproperlyandalwaysleftarashonhisskin.Italsodidn’t
hurt that the bathroom looked like a bathroom and wasn’t covered from head to toe in lace and
makeup.Thiswasabathroomamancouldcomfortablyusewithoutworryingabouthismasculinity.

Hewasjustpullingontheteeshirtshe'dlefthimwhenheheardherscream,“No!Don’tdoit!”

Jason was out of the bathroom in less than a second, running towards her ready to kill whatever
bastardwastryingtohurther.Hecametoskiddingstopinfrontofher.

Shesmiledsweetlyasshesaid,“God,Iloveyou.”

Hisbrowsnearlyshotthroughhishairlineashisheartpounded.Shit,thiswasworsethanhethought.
Shehadn’tbeenavoidinghimalltheseyearsbecauseshewasshy.No,shewasheadoverheelsinlove
with him. Shit. This was awkward, especially since he was stuck here until an exterminator could
comeouthere.Nowhehopeditwassoon.

Reallysoon.

Heopenedhismouthtosaysomethingonlytofindhimselfgesturedimpatientlyoutofthewaywitha
doughcoveredwoodenspoon.Hesteppedbackfrowning,afraidofgettingdoughalloverhim,and
wondering what was wrong with the woman professing her love for him one moment and shooing
himoutofthewaythenext.

“NevercomebetweenmeandthemanIlove,”shesaid,snappinghimoutofhisthoughts.

Jasonfollowedhergazeandchuckled.“DerekJeter?”

Shefrownedasifquestioningherloveforthemanwasstupid.“Ofcourse.”

Hecouldn’thelpbutgrin.Damn.Howhadhemissedthis?Shehadahugetelevision.Biggerthanhis
evenandthatwasreallysayingsomethingsincehistelevisionwastheonethinghe'dreallysplurged
on.

“That’sareallybigTVforsuchatinywoman,”hesaidteasingly.

“Well,howelseamIsupposedtowatchmygamesandfeellikeI’mthere?”shecounteredback.“Plus,
thiswayIgettoseemyfuturehusbandbetter.”

“Doesheknow?”heasked,lookingbackather.

Shescrunchedherfaceupadorably.“Notyet,butIcanwait,”shesaidwithasmilethatmadeherface
gofromutterlyadorableandsweettoheartbreakinglybeautifulinlessthantenseconds.

Damn.

Heshiftedhisfeetawkwardlyforamomentwhileshewatchedthegamewithraptattention.

“AreyouaRedSoxfan?”shesuddenlyasked.

“Hellno!”hesaid,insultedbythequestion.HemaylivekneedeepinRedSoxterritory,butthatdidn’t
meanhewasabetrayingbastard.Yankeeswerehisfirstloveandwouldbehislast.

She sighed with obvious relief. “Thank god.” She sent the game one last look of longing before
returningtoherkitchencounterwherehenotedwithachucklethatshehadasmallflatscreenwiththe
gameplaying.ThiswomanreallylovedherYankees,oratleastoneinparticular.

WhatthehellwasitwithwomenandDerekJeter?

Hetookamomenttolookaroundherhouse.Thedamnbeeswerestillcoveringallofherwindows,
but his attention was elsewhere. Her walls were covered in Yankees memorabilia. He wasn't too
surprisedwhenhespottedasignedphotoofDerekJeterabovethetelevision.

“Looks like we’re stuck inside until after dark,” she said, pulling his attention back to the kitchen.
“Theexterminatorsaidhehastowaitforthenesttocalmdown.Thatwillhappenwhenthesungoes
down.He’llcomeandspraythemandremovethenestifhecan.”

Heranhisfingersthroughhisdamphairandsighed.“Iguessyou’restuckwithmeforalittlewhile.”

Sheshrugged.“It’sfine.There’sagoodgameonsoitshouldhelppassthetime.”

“True,”heagreed.

“I’mmakinghomemadepizza.Ihopeyoudon’tmind.Iwasplanningonorderingpizzatodayforthe
game,butwiththebeesandall…..,”shetrailedoff,shrugging.

“No,thatsoundsgreat.I’msorrythatI’mintruding,"hesaid,feelinglikeanass.Thiswomanspent
thelastfiveyearsavoidinghimandnowhewasbeingforcedonherbyMotherNature.

“Notaproblem,”shesaidandhegotthefeelingthatshewaslying.Sheneverlikedtobearoundhim
before.Wheneverhestoodtooclosetoheratworkorwenttositnexttohershefoundanexcuseto
move.Nowshewasforcedtohavehiminherhouse.Thatcouldn’tmakeherallthathappy.Hiseyes

driftedofftothetelevisionwhenshesigheddreamily.Thenagainherattentionwaselsewhereatthe
moment.

“Beer?”

"What?"heaskedalittleconfused.

“Beer,”shesaid,gesturingtowardsthefridgewithouttakinghereyesoffthetelevision.

“Oh,” he said with a chuckle as he retrieved two bottles. He handed her one and she took it with a
mumbledthanksandthenafewchoicewordsforoneoftheplayers.

Jason leaned back and watched the show. Not really the game, but Haley as she cooked and ranted.
Soonitbecameobviousifthevegetablesweregoingtogetcutandnotmangledeverytimeshedidn’t
agreewithacallhe’dhavetodoit.

Forthenextsixhourstheycooked,watchedthegame,laughed,sworeandscreamedatthetelevision,
ateandgotintoanhourlongfightwiththeexterminatorovertheinsaneamounthewantedtocharge
them before the argument shifted to the game. By the end of the night Haley seemed to have come
completelyoutofhershellaroundhimandhecountedhimselffortunatetohaveanotherbuddy.One
who actually knew the stats without messing up or having to look them up. Not like several of his
friendshewouldn’tmention.Itdidn’thurtthatshewasincrediblyhot.Thatwasjustabonus.

Anicebonus,butabonusnonethelessforhisnewestbuddy.

Chapter3

"Isthis32LongPointRoad,"theshorthuskymanwhosmelledlikehebathedinagallonofcheap
cologneandgarlicaskedasheclimbedoutofthebeatupTaurusparkedacrossHaley'sdriveway.

Now, normally Jason would either just ignore the asshole or give him a quick nod and continue
mindinghisownbusinessashepulledthekegofbeeroutofhisbackseat,butnottoday.Todayhewas
goingtodohisnormallyshyneighborandco-workerafavor.Afteryesterdayhewasprettysurethis
wouldn'tpissheroffandsendherbackintohiding.

Okay,maybehewasn'tahundredpercentsure,buthejustcouldn'thelphimselfespeciallywhenthe
jerkactuallyshovedacondominhispocketandgaveJasonaconspiratorialwink.

Fuckit.

Atthatmomenthedidn'tcareifthissentherrunningforthehillsandsheslappedarestrainingorder
onhim,hewasgettingridoftheasshole.

"You'renothereforHaley,areyou?"heasked,pullingoutthekegandsettingitontheground.

Themanfrowned."Yeah,why?"

JasonmadeashowofcringingashelookedquicklybackatHaley'shouseasifhewasmakingsure
shewasn'twatchingthem.

"Ireallydon'tthinkthat'ssuchagoodidea,"Jasonmumbled.

"Whynot?"

He gave the man an "Are you kidding?" look and had to stop from laughing as the man shifted
nervously.

"Surelyyouknow....,"hesaid,purposelylettinghiswordsdriftoff.

"No,myfriendsetmeupwithher,"hesaid,shootinganervousglancetowardsHaley'shouse.Didthe
curtainjustmove?

Jasonrubbedthebackofhisneck,sighingwearily."It'sreallynotmyplace,butI'mnotsurethisis
suchagoodidea."

"What?"themanpracticallywhined.

Afterapauseheshookhishead."I'msorry,butIreallydon'tliketalkingaboutit.AllIcantellyouis
thatyoureallyneedtobecareful."Hegavethemanapointedlookashestressed,"Reallycareful."

The man's eyes widened as his mouth dropped open. He took several steps back, shooting nervous
glancestowardsHaley'shouse.Whenhereachedhiscarhesaid,"I,uh,justsuddenlyrememberedI
havesomewhereI'msupposedtobe."Withthathepracticallyjumpedintohiscarandspedaway.

Jason chuckled as he made his way to Haley's front door. He knocked on the door and wasn't too
surprisedamomentlaterwhentherewasnoanswer.Hepushedasidehisdisappointmentandknocked
again.

Justgreat.

Itseemedlastnighthadbeenaflukeandhisshyneighborwasheretostay.Hereallylikedspending
timewithHaleylastnight,morethanhethoughtpossible.Feelinglikeanidiotheheadedbacktohis
houseandkeg.

Aloudwethackingcoughhadhimpausinghalfwaydownhersmallwalkway.Thefrontdoorslowly
openedasHaleysaid,"I'msorryItooksolong,"anotherhackingcough,"toanswer,"anothercough,
"the," cough, "door. But, the doctor said I was still," several loud and disturbing coughs later,
"contagious,soI--Oh,it'sonlyyou,"Haleysaidwitharelievedsigh.

Hislipstwitchedashetookinheroutfit.Onherheadwasoneoftheugliestpukegreenknittedhats
he'deverseen.Heroversizedrattybathrobewasworse,butthelargewaddedupballoftissuesinher
handwasanicetouch.Therewasnodoubtinhismindthatshewasfakingit.Consideringthathe'd
hungoutwithherlastnightandshe'dbeenthepictureofhealth.Rightnowshelookedwellenough,
justfrumpyinthoseoversizedrattyclothes.

"Lovethehat,"hesaid,smilingashewalkedovertoher.

Laughing,shepulledtheoffendinghatoffandchuckeditathim.Hecaughtitbeforeithithiminthe
face."What'sthisallabout?"hegesturedtowardshergetupwiththehat.

"Nothing,"shesaidquickly.

"Lookslikedaterepellanttome."

With an innocent doe-like expression she said, "I have no idea what you're talking about. I'm sick,"
cough,"reallysick."Andjusttobackupherstoryshesniffled.

Itwassad,adorable,butsad.

Hecouldn'tstophimselffromrollinghiseyesandchuckling."It'sjustsadthatyoucan'tjustadmitthat
youwereditchingtheloveofyourlife.But,asmuchasI'dlovetolistentoyoursadlittledenialI'm
afraidIhavetogosinceyou'resickandall."

"Iam,"shestressed."Reallysick.Imightverywellbedyingaswespeak,"shesaidasshepushedher
cutelittleglassesbackuphernose.

Withashrughetookastepbacktowardshishouse."That'sadamnshamebecauseIwashopingyou'd
cometomypartytoday,butsinceyou'resick......."

She pressed the back of her hand against her forehead. "Hmmm, what do you know? I'm all better.
Whattimeistheparty?"sheaskedwiththecutestlittleshysmilehe'deverseen.

"Eighto'clock,youlittlefaker,"hesaid,chucklingwhensheletoutanexcitedlittlesquealassheran
backintoherhouse.

***********

Maybe this wasn't such a good idea, Haley thought as she stood on Jason's doorstep with a plate of
brownies. With an inward groan she berated herself for being an idiot. What kind of geek brought
brownies to a kegger? Okay, she was assuming that this was a kegger since she'd witnessed some

rather scary behavior over the years during his little gatherings and never witnessed that type of
behavioratanypartyorget-togethershe'deverbeenat.

Someofthethingsshe'dheardandseenhadscaredher,butsomeofithadintriguedher.Notthatshe'd
ever admit it, but on more than one occasion she'd wondered what it would be like to go to one of
Jason'sparties,whichiswhyshe'djumpedatthechancetoday.Jason'spartieshadtobetheequivalent
ofthepartiesthepopularkidsinhighschoolusedtothrowandsomehowforgottoinviteHaley,but
nowshewasabouttorectifyallthat.

Maybe not, she thought, worrying her bottom lip as she looked down at the overflowing plate of
brownies.Shewasgoingtolooksostupidbringingbrowniestoakegger.Figuringthatprobablyno
oneheardherknockingovertheloudmusic,shedecidedaquickstopatapackagestorewasinorder.
Shewasjustabouttomakeherescapewhenthedooropened.

"Whatdoyouwant?"thewomanglaringatherdemanded.Haleyfrownedasshequicklytookinthe
woman'ssleekblackhair,perfectfeaturestouchedupbyflawlessmake-upandthekillershortdress
anddecidedthatshewasseverelyunderdressedforthispartyinherjeansandbabypinkYankeeslong
sleevetee-shirt.

Haley opened her mouth to make an excuse so she could leave, knowing she was in way over her
headherewhenthewomansnorted.

"You'rethenextdoorneighbor,"thewomansaid,soundingamused."Whatdoyouwant?"Hereyes
narrowedontheplateinHaley'shands.

"Ijust-"

"Amy,whoisit?"Jason'svoicecamefromsomewherebehindthewomanapparentlynamedAmy.

Amyrolledhereyes."It'sjustyourneighbordroppingoffbrownies."Shereachedforwardtotakethe
platefromHaley."I'lljusttakethemsoshecang-"

"Brownies?"Jasonsaid,suddenlyfillingthedoor,causingAmytostumblebackandoutoftheway.

"Hey!"Amysnapped,butJasondidn'tseemtohearher.Hiseyesweregluedtotheplate.

"Arethose,"henoticeablyswallowed,"browniescoveredinpeanutbutterfrosting?"

Didhejustwhimper?

"They'rechocolatechunkfudgebrownieswithpeanutbutterfrosting,"sheclarifiedautomaticallyas
hereyescaughtthemurderousglareAmywassendingherway.Shewasjustabouttohandtheplate
overtoJasonandleavewheneverythinginherstilled.

Afterlastnightshewasthroughwithgettingpushedaroundandintimidated.Shewassickofmissing
outonthingsbecauseshewastooscaredtodoanythingaboutit.Shewasagrownwoman,damnit,
andifshewantedtopartyitupatherfirstkeggerthenshewasdamnwellgoingtodoitandshewas
goingtohavefundoingit.Evenifitkilledher,andjudgingbythemascaraglarebeingsentherway
thatwasagoodpossibility.

"Letmejusttakethoseoffyourhandssoyoucangrabyourselfabeer,"Jasonsaid,takingtheplate
fromher,gazingdownatitlovinglyashesteppedbackinsidethehouse,leavingHaleytofollowhim.

"Hey,those look good!Can I haveone?" a man she'dseen hundreds oftimes around Jason's house
asked,reachingouttotakeone.

"Backthefuckoff!Shebroughtthemforme,youbastard!"Jasonsnapped.

Haleyautomaticallytookananxiousstepback,fearinggettingcaughtinthemiddleofthefightthat
wasmostdefinitelyabouttohappen.ButinsteadofyellingatJasonorgettingmadlikeshe'dseena
lotofguysdoinbarsoverlessthemanjustrolledhiseyesandturnedhisattentiontoher.

"Hi,mynameisBrad,"hesaid,holdingouthishand.

Afteronlyaslighthesitation,shehopedhehadn'tnoticed,shetookastepforwardandshookhishand.
"Haley."

"Haley,it'snicetomeetyou,"hesaidwithacharmingsmile."Iapologizeformyfriend'srudeness,he
justlearnedhowtowalkuprightlastyear,"hesaiddryly,earningasoftchucklefromherandmost
everyonearoundthem.

Jason threw him a dirty look before making his way towards the kitchen, making sure to glare at
anyonethatcamewithintouchingdistanceofthebrownies.

Bradgesturedtowardsthekitchen."There'spizza,chipsandplentyofdrinksinthereaslongasJason
doesn'tgettoitfirstandavolleyballgamegoingoninthebackyardandofcoursevideogamesinthe
livingroomuntilthegamecomeson.Makeyourselfathome,"hesaidwithawarmsmile.

"Thank you," she murmured, taking it all in. This was it? she wondered as she took in the laidback
party.Somethingmusthaveshownonherface,becauseafewsecondslaterBradleanedin."Wereyou
expectingAnimalHouse?"heasked,chuckling.

"No!"shesaidquickly,tooquickly.Shehadinfactbeenexpectingsomethingalongthoselines.She
definitelyhadn'tpicturedanyofthis.Thisshecoulddefinitelyhandle.

Hechuckled."ComeonoutbackwithmesoIcanintroduceyoutomywife,"Bradsaid,smiling."I
promiseyou'llhaveagoodtime."

ForthefirsttimesinceshewalkedoverhereshethoughtshemightjustfitinwithJason'sfriends.

**************

"Who'sthehottiekickingMitch'sass?"

Withoutlookingupfromloadinghisplatewithpizzahesaid,"Amy."AtleasthehopeditwasAmy.
Her clingy behavior was getting a little annoying and he hadn't missed the bitch act she put on for
Haleyorthedirtylooksshe'dbeensendinghisshylittleneighborallnight.Heknewwhenhesawher
headingtowardshishouseearlierthatheshouldhavesentheraway.

"No,thecutelittlethingwiththeglasses."

Frowning,JasonlookedupandfollowedPete'seyestowardsthecouchwhereHaleywassittingnext
toMitch,playingagameontheXbox.

"She'smyneighbor,"hesaid,notlikingtheexpressiononPete'sfaceonebit.

"Issheherewithanyone?"Peteasked,nevertakinghiseyesoffHaley.

"No."

"Good,"Petesaid,lookingbackoverhisshoulder,grinning."Iwon'tevenbotheraskingtouseyour
roomsincewecanjustmozzyonovertoherplace."

Jasonsighedheavily.ItseemedhewasgoingtohavetosaveHaleyfromtwodouchebagsinoneday.

Peteturnedtolookathim."Whatwasthatabout?"

"What?"Jasonaskedinnocently.

"Thatlittlesighyoujustdid,"Petesaid,gesturinglazilytowardshim.

"Nothing,"hesaidwithashrug,returninghisattentiontopilingfoodonhisplate,"Ijustdidn'tthink
youwereintothat,that'sall."

"Intowhat?"Petedemanded,soundingalittleunsure.Consideringtheman'sreputationthereprobably
wasn't much that he wasn't into, which was why Jason decided he would not do for his shy little
neighbor. It took him five years to get Haley to climb out of her shell. He wasn't about to let this
jackasssendherbackthereforgood.

"JustforgetIsaidanything,"Jasonsaid,grabbingacoldsodafromacooleronthefloor.

"But-"

"Idon'twanttogetinvolvedinthis,"Jasonsaid,cuttinghimoff.Hemovedtosteppastthemanonly
topause."Just....justmakesureshetakeshermedicationandyoushouldbesafe,Imeanfine."Jason
quicklywalkedawaybeforeheburstintolaughterathisfriend'shorrifiedexpression.

Damn that felt good. He should have done this years ago when he spotted the first asshole sniffing
aroundHaley.Didthismakehimherwingman?heponderedthatthoughtoverashewalkedoverto
thecouchandshovedMitchoffsohecouldsitdownnexttohisnewlittleproject.Thatwasfinewith
him,hedecided,becausebythetimehewasdonewithhershe'dbelivingamuchmoreentertaining
andassholefreelife.

Chapter4

Haleytookadeepbreathandsaid,“I’mgay.”

“You’regay?”theobnoxiousguywho’dbeensniffingaroundherandbuggingtheheckoutofherin
lineforthepasttenminutesrepeated.“Areyousure?”

Shebitbackalaugh.Theguylookedtrulyupset.Shehatedpullingoutthegaycard,mostlybecause
shewasn’t,butsometimesshehadnochoice.Ifhe’dbeennicewhenhewashittingonhershewould
havepolitelydeclined,butno,hehadtobeacompletepigtheentiretime.

Heactuallyusedtheoldline,“Thatdresslooksgreatonyou,butitwillevenbettercrumpledonmy
bedroomfloorinthemorning.”Yeah.Itwastrulysad,especiallysincetheywereinacoffeeshopand
itwasbarelyhalfpastseveninthemorning.Betweendirtycomments,overcrowdingherandstaring
atherbreastsshewasstartingtogetalittleirritated.PlushisB.O.wasreallyturningherstomach.If
she didn’t need a caffeine fix so badly she’d leave, but she did and couldn’t or she was pretty sure
she'ddie.

Jasonandsomeoftheguyshadbeenoverlastnighttowatchthegameandsinceitwentintoextra
inningsandshewasadedicatedfanshestayedupuntiltwointhemorningandofcourseshehadto
watchthepostgamewrapup.Withbarelyfourhoursofsleephereshewaspracticallygettingmauled
bytheposterboyfordeodorant.

Afterthree weeks itwas still funnyhow she went frombeing completely intimidatedby the man to
thinkingofhimasanoversizedteddybear.Shefeltsillyforherbehavior.Jasoncouldstillbeapain
intheass,butareallynicepainintheass.Hestill“borrowed”thingsfromherclassroom,butnowhe
leftherfunnynotesthathadherlaughinguntilshewascrying,scaringtheheckoutofherstudents.

Shecouldn’thelpbutwonderhowmanygoodfriendshipsshe’dmissedovertheyearsbecauseofher
shyness. Part of it of course was because after years of building up defenses she’d been judging
peoplealittleharshlylikeJason.Hewasstillabitwildandaridiculousflirt,buthewasabigsweetie
aswell.Hetreatedherlikehisbuddy.Itwasactuallyrathernicetobetreatedlikeoneoftheguys.That
beingsaidthoughsometimesfirstimpressionsweredeadon,likewithhercurrentproblem.

“Yes,I’msure.”

Helookedthoughtfulforamoment.“Well,doyouthinkthetwoofyouwouldwantto-“

“No,”shesaidfirmly.

“ButwhatifI-“

“No.”

“Comeon,youwon’tletmefinish.Ihavethiscamera-“

“No.”

“Itwouldbefun-“

“No.”

“Butwhatif-“

“Shesaidno,”Jasonsaidashecutinlineandthrewhisarmaroundhershouldersinthatlazywayof
his.

“Hey!Ithoughtyousaidyouweregay!”themansaidaccusingly.

WithoutmissingabeatJasonsaid,“Sheis.I’mjustherbitch.”

ThemansentanarrowedglareatJason’sarmandthentoher.HesentanotherglareatJasonandshe
couldtellthemanwasdecidingwhetherhewantedtopushitanyfurther.Basedontheman’ssmall
sizeandJason’slargemuscularbuildhewiselychosetodropit.

“So,whatareyoubuyingmethismorning?”sheaskedJason.

Hescoffed.“Me?WhyamIbuying?”

“BecauseIhelpedyouwinfiftydollarsoffBrianlastnight.”

Herolledhiseyes.“Iwouldhavewonitwithoutyourhelp.”

“Uhhuh,”shesaidabsently,steppinguptothecountertoplaceherorder.Sheaddedachocolatechip
muffin,knowingJasonwasgoingtostealhers.Heseemedtohaveathingforstealingherfood.

“Iwouldhave.Ididn’tneedyourhelpyouknow,”hesaidmorefirmly.

Shegrabbedherorderwhilehewaswaitingforhisandheadedforthedoor.“Seeya.”

“Iwonthatbetonmyown!”hecalledafterher,makinghersmile.Sometimeshewaslikeabigchild.
Itwasrathercute.

**************

Jason bit back a smile as he watched Haley tell Headmaster Jenkins that she couldn’t chaperone the
dancetonight.Amonthagohislittleshyfriendwouldhavesimplystaredathercoffeeandnoddedno
matterwhatherplanswere.Now,shewastellingthemanno,firmlyyetgently.

Hetooksomeprideinit.Itwasbecauseofhimafterall.Ittooksomework,butshewascomingalong
rathernicely.Whoknewtherewasalittletigressbeneathallthatcuteness?Hesurehadn't,butitwas
nicetoseeherstickupforherselfforonce.Thestaffmightbitchathismethodsandhiseasygoing
relationshipwiththekids,butatleasthenevergangeduponawomanlikeHaleyandtookadvantage
ofhermakingherchaperonethisororganizethat.

“But,Haley,wereallyneedyoutochaperone.Johnhasticketstoaplaytonight.”

“I’msorry,Tom,butIhaveplansalreadytonight.IreallywishIcouldhelpyouout,butIcan’tbreak
myplansatthelastminute.Youunderstand,”shesaidpolitelyyetfirmly.

Herself-esteemwasclearlyontheriseanditmadethewholepackageevenbetterandhewasn’tthe
onlyonetonoticeeither.Otherteacherswereshowinghermorerespectandthemenweredefinitely
noticingher.Oh,hetookahundredpercentofthecreditforhislittleprotégé.Yup,hewasthemaster.
Itwasprobablyabouttimeheusedhisgreatnessforgood.

Hespottedthetablewhereshelefthercoffeeandmuffinsaswellasthreemen,losersinhisopinion,
whowereeyingtheseatnexttohers.Withoutanyhesitationhesaunteredpastthemandsatdownat
hertable,earningkillingglaresfromtheothermen.Toobad.Inhisopinionifamandidn’thavethe
ballstomakeamovehedidn’tdeservethewomanhedesired.NotthathedesiredHaley.Hedidn’t.
Shewashisbuddyandturningouttobeoneofhisbestfriends.No,whathedesiredwasthatpiping
hotchocolatechipmuffinwithextrabutterhesawherbuyearlier.

Hesighedhappilyashefishedthemuffinoutofthebag.“Whenwillsheeverlearn?”hemumbledas
preparedhisill-gottenmuffin.

“Please,helpyourself,”Haleysaiddrylyasshesatdownandaddedasugartohercoffee.

“Thankyou,IthinkIwill,”hesaidhappilyasheslatheredmorebutterontohismuffin.

“Whataretheseamazingplansyouhavefortonight?”heaskedbetweenbites.

“Date,”shesaid.

“Iguessthatmeansourloveaffairisover,”hesaidwithapout.

“Iguessso.”

“I’mhurt.”

“You’llsurvive….withtherapyofcourse,”shesaidwithawinkandagrin.

“Isthisanotherloser?”

Shelookedawayandmumbledsomething.

“I’m sorry I don’t speak mumble,” he said while eying the piping hot apple muffin with streusel
toppingthatshejusttookoutofthebag.Hell,howhadhemissedthatdeliciouslittlemorsel?

Hishandseemedtohavealifeofitsownasitcrepttowardsthattastylittletreat.Withagasp,Haley’s
handscamedowntoprotecthermuffin.

“Control yourself!” she hissed as she broke off a small chunk and ate it. His eyes went back to the
muffin.HeknewhewaspoutingwhenHaleyrolledhereyesandcontinuedtoeat.Damnit,wherewas
thelove?Hewasahungryman.Withasighheopenedhisbagandpulledoutoneofhisthreecoffee
rollsandbeganeatingallwhilekeepinghiseyesonthatmuffin.

“You’repathetic,”Haleymutteredwithaneyeroll.Shepushedthelasthalfofhermuffinovertohim.
Withahugegrinhepoppedthelargehalfintohismouthandsavoredit.Itreallywasasgoodasit
looked.

“So,whatisitthatyoudon’twantmetoknow,mylittlegrasshopper?”heasked,stirringhiscoffee.
Thelastdateshehadwasaloserinhisopinionatleastandreallywasn’tthatallthatmattered?The
loserwasnotworthyofallhiswork.They’dworkonthatuntilshedatedguysthatheapprovedof.
Someone cool with a cabin in New Hampshire for fishing trips or a house down in Florida would
makehimveryhappy.Hereallycouldgoforsomedeepseafishinginthewinter.

“Stopcallingmethat!”Haleyhissedsoftly.“ForthehundredthtimeIamnottheDaniel-sontoyour
Mr.Miyagi.”

Hesimplyshrugged.“Ifthat’swhatyouwanttobelieve…”

“ItisandIdo.”

“IfIcouldgeteveryone’sattentionbeforeyouheadofftohomeroom?”Jenkinssaid,holdinguphis
clipboardtogeteveryone’sattentionintheteacher ’sbreakroom.“Weneedonemorevolunteerfor
tonight’sdance,”hesaid,throwingahopefulglanceHaley’sway.

“Waxon…..waxoff….”Jasonwhispered,earningaratherindelicatesnortformHaley.

“Didyousaysomething,Miss.Blaine?”JenkinsaskedHaley,drawingeveryone’sattentiontoher.

Jason leaned back in his seat and watched Haley as the blush crept up her cute little face. She
nervously pushed her glasses up her nose. Ah, seems his protégé still hated drawing attention to
herself.Well,she’dhavetogetusedtothatiftheyweregoingtobefriendssincehehadarathernasty
habitofdrawingattentiontohimselfprettymucheverywherehewent.

“Yes,Miss.Blaine,didyouhavesomethingtosay?”Jasonaskedinanamusedtone.

She shot him a narrowed glare before turning to look at Jenkins. The glare was gone only to be
replacedbyarathersweetandinnocentsmile.Hewassofocusedonhersmilethathealmostmissed
whatshesaid.

“No, Mr. Jenkins, that wasn’t me. Mr. Bradford was volunteering to chaperone tonight,” she said
cheerfully.

“What?”hesaid,toolate.

Jenkinsgrinnedathim.“Well,that’sexcellent!Verygood.Makesureyou’reherebyseveno’clock
anditgoesuntileleven.Thankyou,Mr.Bradford.”Jenkinssaid.Itdidn’tescapeJason’snoticethat
the man didn’t bother double checking with him and that he practically ran out of the room before
Jasoncouldrefuse.

Hisattentionimmediatelyturnedtothelittletraitor.“Youbetrayingbitch,”hegasped.

Hersmilewentfrominnocenttowickedinlessthanasecond.“Havefunatthedance.”Shestoodup
andplacedherhandstogetherinfrontofherasifshewereprayingandbowed.

Smartass.

She betrayed him. Damn that hurt. He couldn’t help but grin. She really was coming along rather
nicely.

*************

“Ohmygod,Ilovehim!”thegirl,Cindyorsomething,wailedloudly,makingJasonshiftnervously.
He’d never dealt well with emotions, especially female emotions. He looked around nervously and
damnnearsighedwithreliefwhenhespottedasmallgroupofgirlsdescendonthegirl.

“He’ssuchajerk!”oneofthemsaid.

“Don’tsaythat!Ilovehim!”Cindycried.

“Oh,Iknowyoudo.He’snotgoodenoughforyou,”aslightlychubbygirlsaidassheputherarm
aroundthegirl.

Good.Everythingwasfine.Hecouldgobacktochaperoningabunchofhormonedriventeenagersto
godawfulmusic.Yup,hewastrulygoingtokillHaley.Hesteppedaway.

“Mr.Bradford,whywouldhedothistome?”thegirldemanded.

Hefrozemid-stepandlookedaroundnervously,hopinganotherMr.Bradfordwasstandingcloseby
andwillingtohandlethis.Nosuchluck.

Heclearedhisthroat.“Dowhatexactly?”

Shescoffedathimwithalookofutterdisbeliefthattoldhimshethoughtheshouldbeveryawareof
everythinginherlife.Consideringhe’dneverpaidmuchattentiontoanywoman’slifeshewasinfor
ahellofarudeawakening.Thankfullyoneofherfriendstookpityonhim.

“MarcGriswold.Theyateatthesametabletwotimesinthelasttwoweeks,hetalkedtoherduring
studyhall,andaskedtoborrowhernotes.Nowhe’sherewithher,”shesaidwithsuchdistastethathe
couldn’thelpbutfollowherglare.

He spotted Marc dancing with a very pretty brunette. Her name he remembered, Janie. She was a
smartgirlandfunnyashell.IfmemoryservedhimcorrectlyMarchadbeeninlovewiththegirlfor
the last two years. The poor guy who was normally so sure of himself and easy going turned to a
stutteringfoolwhenthegirlwasaround.He’dbeenwonderingwhenthekidwasgoingtoworkupthe
couragetofinallyaskherout.

“Hmmm,goodforhim,”hemumbled,earningacollectivegaspofoutrage.

“Howcouldyou,Mr.Bradford?”thegirlwailedevenlouder,makinghimcringe.

Oh,hereallywasgoingtokillHaleyforthisshit.

************

“Ihadareallynicetime,”Jonathansaid,probablyforthetenthtime.

Haleyforcedherselftosmileandofcourselie.“Idid,too,”shesaid,hopinghewouldn’taskherto
elaborate on what she found nice, because she would really be hard pressed to find something nice
aboutthisevening,exceptofcoursethatitwasnicethatitwasending.

ThiswasabsolutelytheverylasttimeshewentonadatewithanymanMary,oneofheroldestand
dearest friends, suggested. One would think after Mary set her up with the taxidermist who crossed
dressed she would have learned her lesson, apparently not because somehow she agreed to go out
withthisloser.

Itdidn’tstartoffbadly.Infact,hewasontimeandshethoughthewasrathercuteinanerdishway.He
wastall,abitthin,butstill,helookednice.Hisclotheswerecleanandhesmelledgood.Thefirstclue
thatsomethingjustwasn’trightoccurredwhentheymadeittotherestaurant.

That’s when his mother called for the first time. Yes, first time as in there was more than one call
fromhismother.Infact,duringtheirfourhourdate,itlastedthatlongbecausehetooksolongtoeat,
she called a total of twenty-three times. Yes, she was very sure it was his mother since he sat at the
tablewhenhetookthecallsandthespeakeronhisphonewasratherloud.

Thereasonsforthecallsrangedfrom,shemissedhim,wantedtoknowifhe’drathercomehomeand
eat what she cooked, reminded him to clean his room tomorrow, and her personal favorite, she
wantedtoknowifhewasstillwith“her”.Judgingbyhertoneandtheamountofcalls,hismommy
wasnotahappycamperaboutherlittleboydating.Grantedherlittleboywasthirty-fiveyearsoldand
according to him has never lived on his own. Why would he when he lived with his best friend?
Meaning, mommy dearest. Of course he did spend a good time complaining about how unfair his
mothercouldbe.Whoknewathirty-fiveyearoldmancouldstillbegroundedfornotpickinguphis
dirtysocks?Shecertainlyhadn’t.

Shecouldnotwaittogetinsideherhouseandchangeintoapairofjeansandateeshirtandhavea
goodlaughaboutthiswithJason.ThatisofcourseonlyifJasonhadforgivenherforherlittlejest
earlier.Hencethelargepieceofchocolatecakewithpeanutbutterfrostinginthedoggycontainershe
wascurrentlyholding.Jasonwasabigbaby,butabigbabythatcouldbeboughtwithfood.

“Well, here we are,” she said brightly as they pulled into her driveway. “It’s been fun. Thank you
again,”shesaidquicklyasshepracticallyranfromthecar.

“Thisisareallynicehouse,”hesaidclose,tooclose.Haleylookedbackandbitbackthecursethat
threatenedtoleaveherlips.Themanwasfollowinghertothedoor.Shewantedtocry,really,shedid.
Whenwouldthisnightmareend?

Shewalkeduptoherdoorandplasteredanotherfakesmileonherface.“Well,thanksagain.”

“You’rewelcome.”Hegaveherashysmilebeforeheleanedintokissher.Thankfullyshesawthat
onecomingandturnedherheadintimetoreceivearatherwetkissonhercheek.Ew….

She barely stopped herself from wiping her face. She’d scrub that off in a matter of minutes in a
scoldinghotshower.

“Oops.Sorry,”hemumbledasheleanedintogiveheranotherkiss.

Fasterthanevenshethoughtwaspossible,shehadthefrontdoorunlockedandopened.Shestumbled
backsavingherselffrommoreslobber.

“Well,it’sbeennicebut-“

“CanIcomeinforacupofcoffee?”heaskedeagerlyandthenofcoursehadtoadd,“Icanstayoutas
lateasIwanttonight.”Oh,sheknewhewaslying.Someonewasgoingtobeinsomuchtroublewhen
hegothome.Shementallytskedhim.

Sheopenedhermouthtopolitelyrefusewhentheyellingbegan.

“Helpme!”

Haleyjumped.Whatthehell?ItsoundedlikeJasonwasrightinherhouse.

“Helpme,please!Somebodypleasehelpme!Whywon’tsomebodyhelpme?”

“What’sthat?”Jonathanaskednervously.

Haley didn’t stop to answer. She was already running towards the direction of the screaming. Her
room?Shethrewthedooropenandnearlytrippedasshecametoahaltfivefeetintotheroomwhich
putherrightinfrontofherbed.

“Whatthehell….”Jonathanstoppedbehindher.

“Oh, thank god you’re here, Haley!” Jason said, sounding happy for someone who was tied to her
bed,wearingonlyapairofboxers.“IknowyousaiditturnsyouonknowingI’mtiedtoyourbed
waitingforyou,butIreallyneedtousethebathroomandstretchmylegsbeforewebegin….,”his
voicetrailedoffwhenhecaughtsightofJonathan.

Jason sighed dramatically. “I thought we agreed that you would tell me ahead of time before you
addedsomeonetoourbed.”Witharollofhiseyeshesaid,“It’sfinethistime.LuckyforyouIthink
wehaveplentyoflube.”HelookedthoughtfullyatJonathanwhowasstillstaringatJasondumbly.“I
hopeyou’renotascreamer.ThelastguyscreamedhisheadoffeverytimeI-“

“You’resick!”Jonathancried,cuttingJasonoff.“Stayawayfrommeanddon’ttrytocallmeeither.
I’mtellingmymotheraboutyou!”

Haleydidn’tspareJonathanaglanceassheglaredatthemanwiththehugeshiteatinggrintiedtoher
bed.Shewasvaguelyawareofherfrontdoorslammingshutandthesoundoftirespeelingoutofher
driveway.

“Isthatforme?”Jasonasked,lookingpointedlyatthestyrofoamcontainerinherhands.

“Mmmhmm,”shesaidasshewalkedaroundthebedandplacedthecontaineronhischestandopened
it.Shedidn’tmisshiseyeswideninginpleasure.

“Isthat-“

“Peanutbutterfrosting,yup,”shefinishedforhim.

Helickedhislipsashestaredatthehugedessert.“Youarethebest,ever.UntiemesoIcandigin,”he
saidabsentlyashecontinuedtostareatthecake,probablytryingtodecidewhichendhewasgoingto
attackfirst.

“Youcan’tgetfree?”

“Nope.”

“Youdidthisyourself?”

“Yup.Nowcake,woman.”

“Uhhuh…..”Shesteppedawayfromthebedandheadedforthebathroom.

“Wait,whereareyougoing?”

“I’mjustgettingsomethingtountieyouwith.”

“Hurry.”

“Surething,”shesaid,gladhecouldn’tseehershiteatinggrin.

Chapter5

“I said shut up!” Jason snapped as he stole the ball from Brad, his oldest friend, and tossed the
basketballintothehoop.

Bradwipedthetearsoffhischeeksashestruggledtostoplaughing.Hefailedmiserablyandfellto
hiskneeswhenhewasnolongerabletostand.

“Shutup!”

“Ican’t….Ican’t….believe….she….shaved….yourlegs!”Bradsaidbetweengaspsandlaughter.The
bastard.Thankfullyhewaswearingashirttocoveruphisnowhairlesschestandarmpits.Oh,she
wasgoingtopayforthis.

“She ate my cake, too!” Jason said, which in his mind was the more serious betrayal. She wouldn’t
evenlethimlickthespooncleanandhehadasked,severaltimes.Damntease.Thatcakehadsmelled
sogood.Hisstomachrumbledjustfromthinkingaboutit.

“Man,forsomeonesoobsessedwithfoodyou’reluckyyou’renotfat,”Bradsaidashecontinuedto
struggle with his laughter. Thankfully he was now able to stand so Jason could kick his ass in this
game.

“It’snotluck.IhaveahighmetabolismandIworkout,”hesaid,takinganothershot.

“Howlongdidshekeepyoutiedupfor?”

Jasonshotaglareattheman.“Idon’tknowwhyyoufindthissofunny.You’resupposedtobemy
bestfriend.Thisshouldoutrageyouthatsomeonewouldtakeadvantageofmelikethat.Where’syour
loyalty?”

Bradabruptlystoppedlaughingandarchedabrow.“Youhiredtwostrippersatmybachelorpartyto
givemeaBrazilianbikiniwaxwhenIwaspassedout.”

Jasonchuckled.Oh,thathadbeenaverygoodnightindeed.Infact,hewasprettysurethathehadthe
picturesaroundsomewhereinhishouse.DuringtheentireceremonyBradfidgetedatthealtarwhile
hetriedtodiscretelyscratchhimself.Fromwhatheheardhiswifeloveditsomuchshe’dbeenafter
himtohaveitdoneagain.TosayBradwasreluctanttoallowhotwaxnearhisgoodsagainwasan
understatement.

“Nothing you can bitch about will be any worse than what you’ve done to everyone else over the
years.Infact,IbelieveHaleyisnowmyhero.”

“She’sdeadtome,”hesaidwithasniff.

“Uhhuh,”Bradsaid,stealingtheballandmakingarathershittyshot.

“What’sthatsupposedtomean?”Jasondemanded,takingtheballback.

Bradshrugged.“Itjustseemsthatyoulikeher.”

“Idolikeher,”hesaideasilybeforeadding,“Whenshe’snotbetrayingmeshe’smybuddy.”

“She’saveryhotbuddyinaverycutewayIwouldsay,”Bradadded.

“There is that, too,” Jason said, dribbling the ball. “It’s nice to have eye candy around for my
enjoyment.”HelookedBradover.“Itwouldn’tkillyoutoprettyyourselfupifyou’regoingtobein
mypresence.”

“Yeah,I’llgetrightonthat,”Bradsaidwryly.

“Seethatyoudo.”

Afterafewminutesofplaying,Bradasked,“So,isthereanythinggoingonbetweenyouandHaley?”

Jasonjustbarelyheldbackalaugh.“Comeon!She’smybuddy.Idon’tseeherthatway!”

“Uhhuh.”

“Idon’t.”

“Sure.”

JasonshovedtheballatBrad.“Whatthehellisthatsupposedtomean?”

Bradshruggedashetookanothershot.“Nothing.Justnoticedhowyouwatchhersometimes.”

“Oh?Enlightenme.HowdoIwatchher?”

Brad looked down at the ball as he bounced it once, twice, and then looked up. “Like you want to
devourherfromtoptobottomandyou’dkillanyonewhogotinyourway.”

Jasonsnorted.Thenforgoodmeasurehesnortedagain.“No,Idon’t.”

“Yes,youdo.”

“It’sallinyourhead.”

“Whateveryousay,”Bradsaideasily,pissingJasonoffmore.

He didn’t want Haley. He didn’t look at her in any special way. She was his friend, his buddy, his
amigoandhesawherasthatnotsometastymorselhewantedtodevour.Okay,soyeahshewashot
andthoseglassesmadeherlookutterlyadorableandhenoticedthatshehadreallynicelegsandbig
breaststhathewassurewouldcradlehisheadverynicely,butwhowouldn’tnoticethat?Shewasalso
short which made him protective of her, and he liked putting his arm around her because she felt
good against his side and fit perfectly under his arm. So what? It didn’t mean anything more than
friendship.

“Oh,herecomestheobjectofyourdesirenow,”Bradsaid,chuckling.

“Shutup!”JasonsnappedbeforeheturnedhisattentiontoHaleywhowasinanewgreensilkblouse
andadarkskirt.Itlookedlikeshewasgoingtowork,nothangingoutonaSunday.Sheheldafoil
coveredplateinfrontofher.

“Youlooknice.Whereareyouoffto?”Bradasked.

Haleysighed,“Barbeque.”

Bothmengapedastheylookedherover.“You’regoingtoabarbequelikethat?”Bradasked.Who
wenttoabarbequelikethat?Whathappenedtojeansandateeshirtoratanktop?Clearlytheystill
hadmuchtoworkon.

“Familybarbeque,don’task,”shesaidbeforeturningherattentiontohim.“Areyoustillmadatme?”

Hegruntedbeforewalkingoff.

“Oh, come on! I eventually let you go!” He flipped her off without looking back. “Come on! That
cake wasn’t half as yummy as it looked. It left me uncomfortably full!” she yelled, earning a laugh
fromBradandasecondonefingersalutefromJason.

“Whatdoyouhavethere?”Bradasked.

Haleysighedasshepulledbackthefoil,revealinglargechocolatechunkcookies.“Imadethesefor
thebigbabysohewouldstophislittletantrum.”

“Wow,thoselookreallygood!CanIhaveone?”

Sheshrugged.“Sure,sincethebabydoesn’twantone.”

Brad picked up a cookie and brought it up to his mouth. It was inches away when a large tan hand
grabbedit.JasonsnatchedtheplatefromherbeforesendingBradakillingglare.

“Howdareyoutouchmycookies,youbastard!”Jasonsaidinutterdisgustbeforepoppingthecookie
intohismouthandheadingbacktohishouse.

“Damnthoselookedgood,too,”Bradgrumbled.

Haleysighed.“Don’tworryIhaveasecondplateonmycounter.”Thewordswerebarelyoutofher
mouthwhenJasonabruptlychangedcourseandheadedtowardsherhouse.

“Well, there was,” she said, watching Jason walk into her house like he owned it. A minute later he
walkedoutofherhouse,carryingbothplatesandthegallonofmilkshehadinherfridge.Heheaded
back to his house, but not before he glared at Brad. “You cookie thieving bastard,” they heard him
mutter.

Bradrolledhiseyes,chuckling.“AndpeoplewonderhowIlostweightroomingwithhimincollege.”

Haleyjustlaughedasshelockedupherhouseandheadedforhercar.Foramomenttheresheforgot
thehellthatawaitedher.

*************

Sheignoredtheglareoftheparkingattendantasshepulledaroundherparent’smansionandparked
herowncar.Shetriednottorollhereyes,butshejustcouldn’tstopherself.Leaveituptoherparents
togooverboardforafamilybarbeque.

Whytheybotheredshewouldneverknow.Itwasn’tliketherestoftheirfamilydidn’tknowtheywere
rich.Italsowasn’tliketherestofthefamilywasn’talsorich.Theywerealwaystryingtoprovethey
were the best and richest. Kind of pathetic if you asked her, no one did of course. She was just

expectedtoshowupatfamilyfunctions,actperfectandbitehertongue.Yup,thiswasgoingtobeso
muchfun.

Forthenextfourhours,andthatwasthetimehermothertoldhersheabsolutelyhadtostayorshe’d
throw a fit to end all fits, Haley was going to have to endure looks of pity over her marital status,
childlessstate,job,andlooks.Yup,thiswasgoingtobegreat.Justgreat.

Why couldn’t her damn reliable car have stalled on the way over here or better yet run out of gas
leavingherstrandedatthemercyofthewildlifethatwouldmaulherandsaveherfromthishell?Was
itreallytoomuchtoaskfor?

Sheranahandoverhershirttosmoothitdownassheapproachedthefrontdoor.Beforeshecould
knockthedoorwasopened.Jameson,theirsnottybutleroftenyears,lookeddistastefullydownhis
noseather.

“Yourmotherexpectedyouahalfanhourago,Miss.Blaine,”hesaidwithasniff.Ithadn’tescaped
hernoticethathecalledhersistersbytheirfirstnamesandevensmiledwhenhedidit.

Shewasn’tabouttostandhereandarguewiththeman.“Whereisshe?”

Anothersniff.“Madamisinthebackyard.She’sveryexhausted.She’sbeenworkingdayandnighton
thisbarbeque.Shewasupatthecrackofdawnandhasn’trestedsince!”

“Uhhuh,”Haleysaidabsentlyasshewalkedpastalotofpeopleshedidn’tknow.Funnyhowfamily
barbeques in her family really meant bringing everyone they wanted to impress or schmooze. It
seemedshewastheonlyonethathadn'tbroughtanentourage.Shehadfriendsshereallycaredabout
and could have brought, but well, it was because she cared about them that she couldn’t inflict this
uponthem.

“Haley,so nice tosee you!” hercousin Jacob said. “Youshould come tothe Vineyard this summer
and stay at my new cottage. It’s fabulous, you’ll love it!” he said loud enough to draw attention to
himself. She had no doubt that it was the for the benefit of the crowd around him considering he
absolutelyhatedher.ItmighthavesomethingtodowithherputtingNairinhisshampoowhenthey
werekids.Ah,whatever.

Shesimplygavethatfakesmilehermotherdrilledintoherheadandmadeherwaytothebackyard
whereshefoundhermotherworkinghardatsippingaMartiniandgossipingwithhersisters,afew
aunts,andherGrandmothersnoozinginawheelchairafewfeetawayunderherownumbrella.

Her father, brother-in-laws and several Uncles, cousins and men she didn’t recognize sat on the
opposite end of the large brick patio that spanned the entire length of the mansion. On the lawn,
professional caterers were barbequing on huge gas grills while others set up food on tables and
chairsaroundtablesthatnowcoveredasmallportionofthetenacrebackyard.

Itdidn’tsurpriseherthattherewerenokidsatthefamilybarbequeandtosuggestbringingachild
here would send her mother into a snit. A social queen her mother definitely was, a mother and
grandmother? Not even a little bit. She was hardly there for their childhood. Why do it when she
couldpaysomeoneelsewashermother'smotto.Nanniesandmaidsraisedherandhersiblingsuntil
theageoftenwhentheyeachinturnwenttoaprivateyearroundboardingschool.Fromthenonit
wasobvioustheywereonlyguestsinthishouse.

Some might think it was a pathetic upbringing and to a point she would agree. Since they only saw
children as an accessory they really had no business having them. It would have been a horrible
childhoodifhergrandparentshadn’tboughtahouseclosetoherschoolthefirstweekandtookHaley
tolivewiththem.Thankstohergrandparentsshehadawonderfulchildhood.Shelovedthelifeher
grandparentshadgivenher,whichisoneofthereasonsateighteenshetookoverherlifeanddecided
topursueherowndreamsinsteadoffollowinginherfamily'sfootsteps.

“Oh, Haley! There you are, dear!” her mother said cheerfully. Was she trying to smile? Yup, it
appearedshehadBotoxdoneonceagain.Herwholefacelookedcompletelyfrozen.

“Hello,mother,”shesaid,givinghermotherabarelytherekissonthecheekashermothergaveher
one.

“Haveaseat,dear!”Hermothergesturedtotheseatnexttoher.HersistersMarthaandRosegaveher
smirks as they picked up glasses or fluffed back their hair in attempts to show off whatever new
trinkettheirhusbands,morelikelyhusbands’secretaries,boughtthem.

“It’ssonicetoseeyou,Haley,”Rosesaidwithacoolsmileasshejiggledherdiamondbracelet.

“It’snicetoseeyoutoo,Rose.Howareyourchildren?”Haleyasked.

Rosegaveheraratherblandlook.“HowwouldIknow?”

Haleyopenedhermouthtopointoutthattheywereinfactherchildren,butdecidednotto.

Marthaleanedintryingtolookdiscreet.Thefactthatsheraisedhervoicekindofwreckedtheeffect.
“Youpoorthing!Iseethedietdidn’twork.”Shepouted.“Didyougetdumpedagain?”Sheshookher
headasifitwasnoconsequenceandpulledoutabusinesscardthatsheprobablyhadreadyforthis
moment. “Here’s the name of a good doctor who does wonders with removing fat and cosmetic
surgery.”

Stillsmiling,Haleyacceptedthecard.Sinceshe’dlostafewpoundsinthelastcoupleofweeksand
didn’tconsiderherselffat,especiallysinceherstomachwasflat,sheknewhersisterwasdelicatelyas
everpointingoutthatHaleywasnotstickthinliketherestofthem.Flatbreastsandlookingskeletal
wasinapparently.Sinceshewouldneverlooklikethemorwantto,shesimplyleftthebusinesscard
onthetable.

Shehadnoproblemwithhowshelooked.Shewascomfortablewithhercurves.Infactmshehadthe
same body type as her grandmother had when she was younger. The same one out cold in her
wheelchairandtheonethateveryonehere,buther,fearedtopissoff.Shecouldbealittlehellionto
dealwith.Theyalllookeddownonherforhermiddleclasswaysforgettingthatitwasherhardwork
andsacrificesthatmadethefamilywhatitistoday.

“Youknowtheycanreducethosethingsthesedays,”Rosesaiddistastefully,pullingHaleyfromher
thoughts.

“Whatthings?”Haleyasked,distractedbyoneofhercousinseyingtheirgrandmotherlikeavulture.
Shehad no doubthe was countingher breaths. Hell, thelittle prick wasmouthing the words. These
peoplewerepathetic.

“Yourbreasts,dear.They’re….well….they’resolowerclass.Theymakeyoulooklikeawaitressor
something,”herauntsaidsympathetically.

“Ithinkyouwouldlookgreatwithless….curves,”Roseadded.

Smile.“I’llkeepitinmind,thankyou.Nowifyou’llexcuseme.”

“Oh,wait,dear!”hermothersaid,holdingupherhand.“Iwantedtoaskyouhowyourlittlehobby
wasgoing.”

Herlittlehobbymeaningherjob.Smile.“It’sgoinggreat.Thankyouforasking.We’llbebreaking
forthesummerintwomonths.I’mthinkingoftraveling,orrentingacabininNewHampshirefora
fewweeks.”

“Honestly,dear,Idon’tknowwhyyoudoit.Ifyou'resodeterminedtoworkyoushouldgobackto
schoolandgetarealdegreeinlawormedicinelikeyourfather.Isitbecauseyou’retryingtomeeta
man?”hermotherasked,soundinghopeful.

Smile.“No,I’mnotlookingforaman.IenjoywhatIdo.”

Hermother ’sanswerwasafrown;wellitlookedlikeshewastryingtofrown.Actually,everyoneat
thetablewasfrowningnow.Theycouldn’tunderstandwhysheworkedsincenoneofthemhadever
workedadayintheirlives.Personallyshethoughtthewholebunchwasratherspoiledandshewas
wonderingwhyshecamehereinthefirstplace.Thensheremembered.ShecamehereforGrandma.
Shecouldn’tleaveGrandmatothesevulturesanditdidn’thurtthatGrandmathreatenedtotakeher
overherkneeandspankherifshedidn’tshowup.

“Sweetheart!”herfathersaid,smilinghugely.Heleanedoverandkissedbothcheeks.Smile.“Happy
Birthday,sweetheart.I’msorryit’sacoupleofweekslate,”hesaidsheepishly.

“Thankyou,dad,”shesaid,takingthebirthdaycard.Smile.Herbirthdayhadbeenfivemonthsago.
Yes, her entire family had forgotten, well except Grandma of course. She called at five in the
morning,wakingHaleyuponherbirthday,demandingthatHaleyshouldknocksomesenseintoher
parents.Haleycalmedherdownandthankedherforthegiftshe'dsentthedaybefore.Thenextday
shewentandsawher.Heroldnanniessentherbirthdaycardsandgifts.Herfriendsmadeheradinner
andtheywentout,soitwasokay.

“Ican’tbelievemylittlebabyistwenty-fivealready!”hesaid.

“Iknow.”Shecouldn’tbelieveiteithersinceshewastwenty-nine,butheyifhewantedtomakeher
youngerwhowasshetoargue?

“She’s twenty-nine, you fool!” Grandma said. “She turned twenty-nine in December. How I raised
foolsisbeyondme,”Grandmagrumbled.

Smile.“Thanks,Dad.It’sfine.”

Hissmilewaveredandforthefirsttimeinherlifehetrulylookedembarrassedandashamed.

“I’mgoingtocallyoulaterthisweek,”hesaidfirmly.

“Dad,it’sokay,”shesaid,lettinghimoffthehook.

“No,it’snot,”hesaidbeforeheforcedthefakesmilebackandturnedtorespondtosomeonecalling
hisname.

“Honestly,Haley.Thereisnoneedtocreatesuchdramaovernonsense,”hermothersaid,tryingto
saveface.EveryonesenthermotherpityinglooksandeyerollsatHaleyasifitwasHaley’sfaultfor
simplyliving.

Smile.“Sorry,ifyou’llexcuseme,”shesaid,takinghercardwithherandstickingitinherpurse.She
walkedovertohergrandmotherandsatdown.

Grandmahuffed.“Idon’tknowwhyyouputupwithsuchnonsense.”

“It’sfine.”

“Thehellitis!”

Forthefirsttimesinceshearrivedsheletoutarealsmile.

“Deborah, what are we eating today?” Grandma demanded of Haley’s mother, her least favorite
daughter-in-law.

Hermothersmiled,welltriedtosmile.“We’rehavingSalmonwithbroiledspinachleaves,anonfat
mock potato salad and some nonfat sugarless flourless soy French delicacies that are simply to die
for.”

Grandma’seyesnarroweddangerouslyasherhandwentforthecane.Haleydiscretelywrestledthe
caneawayfromhergrandmother.

“Hey, that’s mine!” Grandma snapped as Haley put the cane next to her chair, away from Grandma
whilerubbingthebackofherhand.Damn,Grandmahadafirmgrip.

“Behave,”Haleyhissed,makingGrandmasmile.OutofallthechildrenandgrandchildrenHaleywas
theonlyonewhotreatedGrandmaasahumanandnotanoldresponsibilitytheygotstuckwith.

Grandma turned her attention back to Deborah. “I want a burger, a hot dog and some real potato
salad.”

“Mother dearest, we simply don’t have that here!” she said as if the very idea of having such basic
fooditemsinherhousewasunheardof.

GrandmaglaredatherforamomentlongerbeforeturningherattentiontoHaley.“You?”

“Mewhat?”

“Youhavethosethingsinyourhouse,don’tyou?”

Haleynodded.“Yes.”Infactherfreezerandpantrywerefilledtothebrimwithstaplesforbarbeques
since she lived for barbeque food in the summer, probably had something to do with Grandma
raisingher.Thewomansimplylivedforbarbequefood.

“Good,” Grandma said firmly as she gestured to Chris, her helper. The man was just entering his
fifties,buthestillworkedhardtotakecareofGrandma.“Let’sgo,Chris.”

Chris nodded and walked over obediently and began pushing Grandma around the house. Without
lookingbackGrandmasaid,“Let’sgo,Haley!”

Haleystood.“Gowhere?”

“Toyourhouse.Whereelse?Nowcomealongbeforetheparasitestrytocrashourparty.”

Haley hid her smile as she obediently followed her grandmother out the door. No wonder she
absolutelyadoredtheoldwoman.

Chapter6

“I’mhungry,”Jasongrumbledashestaredattheemptyplatesonhissmallcoffeetable.

Bradgroaned,“Youpracticallyatebothplatesofcookies.Howinthehellareyouhungry?”

Jasonshruggedleaningbackinhischairtowatchthegame.“Ijustam.LeavemethehellaloneI’ma
growingboy,damnit!”

“Yeah,agrowingthirty-oneyearoldboy,”Bradmumbled.

“I’mstillgrowingdamnitsoshutthehellupandfeedme!”

“Ordersomethingandstopbitching!”Bradsnapped.

“Youordersomething.I’mtooweaktomove.”

Bradrolledhiseyes.“Idon’tknowhowHaleyputupwithyouforthelastfewweeks.Iwouldhave
killedyoubynow.”

“Haleyworshipsme,”hesaidwithasnort.

“Yeah,okay,”Bradsaid,laughing.“That’swhyshedatesothermenandscrewsyouoverjusttolaugh
atyou.”

“Exactly.”

Bradlookedoverathim.“Youareaseriouslyfuckedupman,aren’tyou?”

“Probably,”Jasonsaidunconcerned.

“Ithoughtso.”

A soft knock at the door drew both their attention. Brad cringed. “This isn’t another one of your
girlfriendscomingforrevengeisit?”

Jasonrolledhiseyesashejumpedtohisfeet.“Ithinkcallinganyofthemmygirlfriendsisabitofan
exaggeration.Iratheryoustickwithreferringtothemas‘thewomenwhoagreedtohavingagood
time with no strings attached who got really pissed off at me when I got bored and left them for
someonehotter.’”

“Wow,that’samouthful,”Bradmurmured.“Andsurprisingnoneofthemhaskilledyouyet.”

“Itis,isn’tit,”Jasonagreed.

Heopenedthedoor,knowingnoangryex-loverswouldbethere.Ithadbeenawhilesincehetooka
womantobedandtothebestofhisknowledgeallthepreviouswomenalreadytoldhimoff.So,at
leastfornowhewasgood.

StandingoutsidehisdoorwasHaleyinacutepairofcutoffjeanshortsandatanktop.Herhairwas
pulledbackintoamessyloosebunandsomeofthestrandsescapedandteasedhernape.Itdidn’thurt
thatthoseglassesofhersmadeherlooklikeasexylittlebookworm.

Shesmiledsweetly.“Iamsogladyou’rehere!”Hecouldn’tbitebackthesmilefromthatdeclaration.
Maybeitwastimetoforgiveher.Itwasprettyfunnyafterallandthosecookiesweredamngood,not
tomentionthatsmileshewasgivinghimmadehimratherhappy.

“Brad,doyouthinkyoucouldgivemeahand?Icouldreallyuseaman’shelpforafewminutes.”

Hisjawdropped.HecouldhearBradtryingtostiflehislaughter.

“Ifyouneedaman,I’mrighthere!”hesnapped.

Haleyblinkedandthenblinkedagain.“Oh,sorryIdidn’tthinkofyou.Ineedaguywithmuscleand
you....” Her voice trailed off while she looked him over and then shrugged. “Well, you know,” she
saidinnocently.

“Knowwhat?”hedemanded.

She ignored him and focused back on Brad. “Do you think you could give me a hand? I’m having
companyandIcan’tgetthebarbequeoutbymyself.It’skindofheavy.”
Bradchuckledashecametothedoor.“Sure.Iwasonmywayhome,butIcangiveyouahandsince
there’snoonearoundherestrongenoughtohelpyou,”hesaid,soundingamusedwithatwinklein
hiseyes.

“Thehellyouwill!”JasonsaidashegrabbedHaley’sarmandpracticallydraggedhertowardsher
house.ShethrewawinkoverhershouldertoBrad,whowasstilllaughingandshakinghisheadin
disbelief.

BradstrolledtohiscarwhileJasongaveHaleyalectureonhismanlinessandsomethingabouther
being a bad grasshopper, whatever the hell that meant. He looked back over in time to catch Jason
givingHaley’sassanappreciativelookwithoutbreakingfromhislecture.Hisbuddymightnotknow
ityet,buthemethismatchinthatlittlelady.IfanywomancouldbringJasontohiskneesitwasthat
woman.

************

“That’s not enough,” Jason scoffed as Haley tried to put away the package of frozen hamburger
pattiesandhotdogs.

“Thereareonlythreeofus.Howmuchfooddoyouthinkweneed?”sheaskedasshetriedtosidestep
himtoputthefoodaway.Jasonswipedthepackagesfromherandtookoutmorefood.

“Whatthehell?”

Heshrugged.“I’mhungry.”

“You’renotinvited.”

“SincewhendoIneedaninvitation?”heaskedashedoubledtheamountofhotdogsontheplate.

“Threeweeksandwealreadyhaveasethistory?ForfiveyearsIcontemplatedmanslaughter.”

Hemerelyshrugged.

Shegrowled.

Hesmiled,makingherkneestremble.Damnhim.

“Tellmewho'scoming?Itcan’tbeanyofyourfriendsbecauseyouwouldn’tcareifIwasheresince
theyallthinkI’maprickandyougetakickoutofwatchingthembitchmeout.”

Shesighed.“Itentertainsmeso.”

“Asitshould.Iamaveryentertainingguy,”hesaidwithasmileashesnuckaforkfulofthepotato
saladshemadeyesterday.Sheconsideredbringingitwithhertoday,butsheknewhowwellitwould
havebeenreceivedanddecidedtoleaveithere.

“Damn,that’sgood,woman,”hepracticallygrowled.

“I’mgladyoulikeit,”shesaidcasually,butintruthitwasreallynicetohavesomeonetocookfor
occasionally.Herfriendswereconstantlyondietsandglaredatherwhensheofferedthemcookiesor
otherbakedgoods.ItseemedJasonhadn'tfoundafoodhedidn’tlike.Shereallywassurprisedthathe
wasn’tfat.

“So?”

“Sowhat?”

“So,tellmewhyyoustayedlessthananhouratonebarbequeonlytocomehometohaveoneofyour
own?Foodsuckorsomething?”heaskedwhilesneakinganotherbiteofthesaladbeforeshereturned
ittothefridge.“Orwasthereafamilysmackdown?”

“It’scomplicated,”shefinallysaid.

“What’ssocomplicatedaboutafamilybarbeque?”

“Justdropit.Mygrandmotheriscomingherewithherhelper.Actually,sheshouldbeherebynow,
butknowinghershestoppedatstoretogetallherfavorites.”

Hisbrowsflewup.“Yourgrandmother ’scominghere?Ididn’tthinkanyofyourfamilyevercameto
visityou.”

Shegavehimaslysmile.“Beenspyingonmehaveyou?”

“Notreally.Ijustpickeduponthings.I’manobservantguyafterall.”

“Well,mygrandmothercomeshereseveraltimesayear.IusuallyinviteherwhenIknowyou’llbe
outoftown.”

“AfraidI’llembarrassyou?”heaskedteasingly.

“Nope.Afraidshemightkillyou.”

“Puhlease,she’llloveme.Everywomanlovesandwantsme,”hesaidsincerely.

Shechuckledsoftly.“I’mgladtoseeyou’resohumble.”

“ThatIam,”hesaidasHaleybegantoloadhisarmsupwithplatesoffoodtotakeouttothegrill.
“So,youmentionedinvitingherdown.I’mguessingyou’reclosetoher.”

“Iam.SheraisedmeoffandonuntilIwastenandthentookoverfulltime,”shesaid,openingthe
screendoorforhim."Anyway,Idecidedtocutmyvisittomyparent'shomeshorttoday."

“Why?”

“BecauseItoldherto.That’swhy,”awoman’scrispvoicesaid.

Jasonlookeduptoseeanoldwomaninawheelchairbeingpushedtowardsthembyawirymanwith
thinninggrayhair.BythelookofthemanhewasHaley’sgrandmotherhelperorcaregiver.

“AreyoumyHaley’sboyfriend?”hergrandmotherdemanded.Wow,shewasanononsensewoman.
JustlikeHaley,onceshewasoutofhershellofcourse.

*************

Haleyfeltherfaceburnasshewaitedfortheearthtoopenbeneathheranddragherunder.Prayedfor
itwasmorelikeit.

“No,Grandma,he’snotmyboyfriend.He’smyfriendfromnextdoor.”

Grandma’seyesnarrowedonJason.HaleywasabouttotellherGrandmothertocutitout.Thatlook
had sent many friends and boyfriends running scared, but to her complete surprise Jason didn’t
cower.

Hereachedoverandshookherhand.“MynameisJasonBradford.I’mtheneighborfromhell.”

Grandma’slipstwitched.Shelookedoverathercompanion.“Chris,beadearandgogettheitemswe
pickedup.”

“Yes,ma’am,”hesaid,leavingGrandmawiththem.HesentHaleyasmilebeforehehurriedaway.No
doubthewasexpectingGrandmatotearintoJason.Hell,that’sexactlywhatshewaswaitingfor.

“Youalsoworkwithmygranddaughter,Mr.Bradford.Isn’tthatcorrect?”

WithoutaskingJasonpushedGrandmacarefullytothetableandlockedthechair.“Yup,Imakeher
lifealivinghellthereaswell.”

“Yousoundproud,”Grandmanoted.

Jasonwalkedovertothegrillandstartedplacingthemeatonthegrill.“Iam,”hesaid,smiling.

Grandmadidsomethingshe’donlyheardwhenitwasjustthetwoofthem.Shelaughed.Itwassoft
andmusicalandimmediatelybroughtmemoriesofahappychildhoodtohermindmakinghersmile
inreturn.Jasoncaughthereyeandwinked.

“Ilikeyou,”Grandmaannounced.

“Thankyou,Mrs.-”

“YoumaycallmeGrandma,”shesaidinatonethatlethimknowshewouldnottoleratehimcalling
heranythingelse.

Haley sat there stunned. She was the only one allowed to call her Grandma. The rest of the
grandchildrencalledhergrandmotherwhentheystartedtotakeaftertheirparents.

“Okay, Grandma it is,” Jason said with an easy smile. Wow the man really did have a way with
women.

Chrissteppedoutfromthehouse,nodoubtwherehejustputawayanenormousamountofgroceries
thathadnothingtodowithabarbeque.ItwasoneofGrandma’ssneakywaysofhelpingheroutsince
sherefusedtoacceptfinancialhelpfromherfamily.Grandmahadherways.

“I’msorrytointerrupt,ma’am,butitseemssomeoftheguestsfromthelastbarbequehavefollowed
ushere,”Chrissaidsoftly.

“Whoisit?”Haleyasked.

“Yourcousinsandafewaunts.Ibelieveoneorbothofyoursistersaswell,Miss.Haley,”Chrissaid.

Grandmawavedadismissivehandtowardsthefrontofthehouse.“Well,theycanleavebecausethere
isn’tenoughfood,”shesaideventhoughshehadn’tlookedatthegrill.

“Icanputsomemoreonifyouwant,”Jasonoffered.

“No!”HaleyandGrandmasaidatonce,startlingJason.

Chrisclearedhisthroat.“They’reratherinsistentaboutjoining,ma’am.”

“TellthemtogoawayorI’llwritethemoutofmywillinthemorning,”Grandmasaidfirmly.

Chrishidhissmileasheturnedtodojustthat.

Jasongavethemallacuriouslookbeforeshrugging.Apparentlyhereallydidn’tcareenoughtobe
bothered,whichwasagoodthingforher.Sheearnedherwayinlifeanddidn’twantanyonethinking
any differently. All her friends knew she came from money and none of them cared. She was just
Haleytothemandsheplannedtokeepitthatway.

“Whatdidyouthinkofyourfather ’sbirthdaygift,Haley?”Grandmaasked.

Jasonfrowned.“Imissedyourbirthday?”

“Itwasmonthsago,”Haleysaidwithashrug.

“Hejustrememberedtoday?”Jasonaskedindisbelief.

“It’snobigdeal,”Haleysaid,givinghimatightsmile.

Jasonscoffed.“Ifyousayso.”

“Ido.”

“Fine.”

“Fine.”

“Ah,children?IfImayinterrupt?Haley,haveyoulookedatyourgift?”Grandmaasked.

“Notyet.”Therewasnorush.Shealreadyknewwhatwasintheresinceherfatherthoughtshewas
twenty-fivetherewouldbetwenty-fivehundreddollarbillsinanunsignedcard.

“Well,gogetit,”Grandmasaid.

Withasighshewentintothehouse,rollinghereyesattheoverfilledbagsofgroceriesthatcovered
herkitchen counters andtable and retrievedthe envelope from herpurse. She carriedit out and sat
downwithit.

“Well,openit!”Grandmasaid.

“Whyareyousoeagerformetoseethisgift?”Haleyaskedsuspiciously.

“BecauseI’mtheonethatsuggestedyourgift,”shesaidwithadismissivewaveofherhand.

Haleybitherlipsoshewouldn’tcry.Notonlyhadherfatherforgottenherbirthday,butGrandmahad
tobetheonetofinallyremindhimandmostlikelyorderedhergift.

She opened the card and wasn’t too surprised to see the card wasn’t signed. Surprise, surprise. Her
eyes shifted to the gift and froze there. It was a full minute before she began breathing again. In
anothertensecondsshewasupandaroundthetable,hugginghergrandmotherandkissingher.

“Youarethebest,ever!”Haleysaidbetweenkisses.

Grandmalaughed.“I’mgladyoulikeit.Iwantedtogivethosetoyoubutyou’resodamnstubborn
aboutnoonehelpingyousoIusedyourfather ’sstupidity.Nowyouhavetoacceptthem,”Grandma
saidwithafirmnod.

*************

Jason got up and flipped the burgers before he added the hot dogs. He turned back in time to see
Haleyjumpingupanddownandgigglinglikeaschoolgirl.

“Well,don’tleavemeinsuspense,”hesaid,earningaloudsquealfromHaley.

Apparentlyshewasbeyondwordssoshepushedthecardintohishands.Helookeddown.Blinked.
Blinked again before stumbling back into a chair. Did he just wet himself? Ah, who cared? He was
holding four tickets to the Yankees vs. Red Sox at Yankee Stadium for this Friday and they were
withoutadoubtthebestseatsinthestadium.

HiseyesshiftedfromHaleytotheticketsandbackagainbeforehemadeasplitseconddecisionand
madearunforit.Hedidn’tmakeitfivefeetbeforehislittlegrasshoppertackledhimtotheground
andrippedthecardfromhishands.

Hespitgrassoutofhismouth.“Fine.YoucancomewithmeIguess,”hesaid,earningakneetothe
ribs.

Chapter7

“Iloveyou,Derek!”

JasontriedtodragHaleybacktoherseat,butshefoughthimtoothandnail.“Iloveyou,Derek!”

“Heknows,woman!He’sknownsincethefirstinning.Letthemanfocus,”hesaid,finallymanaging
to drag her a foot when that bastard Derek Jeter went and waved to Haley. That did it. She tried to
breakfreeandmakearunforthefield.

Tryingnottodropherasheburstoutlaughing,hereadjustedhisgripandpulledHaleybackwithhim
untilshewassittingonhislap.HekeptonearmaroundherwaistasheretrievedhisbeerfromBrad.

Themanthrewhimanothertriumphantgrin.ForthreedaysJasontauntedthemanwiththetwoextra
tickets.Healreadyknewhewasgoing.TherewasanunspokenunderstandingbetweenhimandHaley.
If she tried to leave without him he would burn her house down, plain and simple. This was a
Yankees/RedSoxgameforChristsake.

On the third day of taunting the little betraying bastard had his wife call up Haley. Little tattle tale.
SinceHaley’sfriendshatedanythingtodowithanysportsheinvitedBradandanotherfriendofhis,
Mitch. Mitch was a good buddy and had an obvious crush on Haley, one that she didn’t seem
interested in. That was fine with him because he didn’t think Mitch was good enough for his sweet
littlegrasshopper.

“Come on! He was safe! Get your head out of your ass and pay attention!” Haley screamed as she
bouncedonhislap,desperateforfreedom,nodoubttoriptheumpire’sheadoff.

Okay, he thought, chuckling, maybe sweet was a bit much. His little grasshopper was a little fire
cracker.

“Calmdownbeforeyougetuskickedusoutofthestadium,”hesaid,laughing.

She huffed and crossed her arms over chest as she leaned back into him. “Cheating bastards,” she
muttered.

“Becausethey’rewinning?”heasked,alreadyknowingtheanswer.

“Yes!”

“RelaxandI’llbuyyouafoamfinger,”hesaid,absentlycaressingherstomachwithhisthumbwhile
shethoughtitover.TodaysheworeatightpinktanktopwithanopenYankeesjerseyandapairof
shortsgivinghimandeveryguyalookasthosegoldenbeauties.

“Ialreadyhaveafoamfingerathome,”shepointedoutsullenly.

“Thenwhatwouldmylittlegrasshopperlike?”heasked,fightingbacktheurgetopressakisstoher
back.

Sheglaredoverhershoulderathim.“I’mnotgoingtocallyouMr.Miyagiyouknow.”

“Yes you will, but that’s not important at the moment. What do you want?” he asked as his eyes
droppedtoherpoutylittlelips.Whatthehell?HepulledhisgazeawayintimetocatchMitch’sdirty

lookandBrad’ssmirk.

Haleystolehisbeerandtookasip.Shereturnedittohimwithagrimace.“That’swarm.”

“Well,itdidtakemeovertwentyminutestodragyoubackherebeforeyoucouldjumpthewall,”he
pointedout.

“Whatever,you’rejustmessingwithfate,”shesaidasshestoodup.Hereluctantlylether,buthewas
readytopounceanddragherbackifneeded.Judgingbythelooksthesecurityguardsaroundthem
were giving they were ready as well. Damn, his little grasshopper was making him proud. He idly
wonderedifshe’dbeabletocauseariot.

“Whereareyougoing?”heasked,wantinghertositbackdown.He’dbeencomfortabledamnit.

Haleyrolledhereyes.“I’mnotgoingtostartariotoranything.IhavetousethebathroomandIwant
togetacolddrink.”

“Oh,” he said, going to stand up the same time Mitch did. Jason shot Mitch a glare, but the man
ignoreditandjumpedtohisfeet.

“Wantsomecompany?”Mitchasked,givingHaleyhisbestsmile.

Haleylaughedsoftly.“No,I’llbefine.”

Mitchreluctantlysatdown.ThetwoofthemwatchedherwalkawayasBradsattheresmugly.They
sattheresilentlyforafewminutesbeforeJasonspoke.

“Don’teventhinkaboutit,”hesaidfirmly.

Mitchsnorted.“JustbecauseyouthinkyouownHaleydoesn’tmeanyouspeakforher.”

Jasontookasipofhisdrink,noddingslowlybeforeheplacedhiscuponhisknee.“Howaboutthis
then?IknowyouandthereisnowayinhellI’mlettinganassholelikeyounearher.”

“So,letmegetthisstraight.I’mgoodenoughtobeyourfriend,butnotdateHaley?”

“Exactly.Gladwe’reonthesamepage.”

“Whyisthatexactly?Youdon'tliketheideaofsomeotherguyswoopinginandgettingherfirst?"

“Becauseyousleeparound,don’tcareaboutanyofthewomenyoufuck,andtreatthemalllikeshit.
I’mnotlettingyoudothattoHaley.Shedeservesaniceguy.”

“Oh,likeyou?”Mitchsnorted.“YoutreatwomenworsethanIdo.”

Jason barely held back his temper. “No, not me. I’m not interested in her like that. She’s a friend,
nothingmore.”

“Yeah,okay.Keeptellingyourselfthat,buddy.Anyonewithtwoworkingeyescantellyou’regetting
readytopounce.”

“That’sbullshitandyouknowit.IfIwantedherIwouldhavehadherbynow,”hesaidthroughgritted
teeth.

“Yeah, whatever,” Mitch mumbled. “She’s a grown woman. If she wants to go out with me she can.
Youhavenosayinthematter.”

“We’llsee,”hesaid,knowingifMitchtriedanythinghe’dbeattheshitoutofhisfriend.

“Seewhat?”Haleyaskedasshesqueezedintothesmallaisle,jugglingherbeerandatrayfulloffood
inherarms.

“IftheYankeescangetthisgamebackundercontrol,”Jasonsaidsmoothly.

“Theywill,”Haleysaidfirmly.Jasonhadafunnyfeelingthatiftheydidn’tshewouldgobeattheshit
outofsomeone.

Shesatdownnexttohim.Heplacedhispisswarmbeeronthefloorandtookherswhileshesettled
hertrayinherlap.Hetookasipofhercoldbeerwhileshetookabiteofherhotdogtoppedwith
sauerkraut.Sheclosedhereyesasshesavoredthetreat.

“Thatisreallygood,”shenearlygroanedindelight.

“Givemeabite,”hesaid.

Haleynoddedabsentlywhileshewatchedthegame.Sheheldoutthehotdogforhim.Hetookabig
bite.Whilehechewedhesatbackandcouldn’tstopsmilingasMitchfrownedathim.Forthenextten
minutesheheldthebeerforhertosipwhilesheheldfoodouttohim.

Jasonwasn’tevensuresherealizedwhattheyweredoing.Herfocusseemedtobeonthegameitself.
Whentheirbeerwasemptyheputitdownandturnedtofindanotherbeervender.

“Ohshit!”BradyelledashejumpedtohisfeetthesametimeMitchdid.

HeturnedintimetoseeHaleyjumptoherfeetandthenjumpontoherseat,holdingherhandsoutas
she mumbled, “Oh no, oh no, oh no!” He jumped to his feet the same moment as something white
slammed into Haley’s hands. She held onto the thing for dear life as she lost her footing from the
impactoftheballandfromseveralguystryingtograbitfromher.

BeforehecouldpushthebastardsawayfromherHaleywasjumpingupanddownonherseatwhile
huggingtheballtoherchest.Hersmilewasintoxicatingwhenshelookeddownathimandproudly
showedhimtheball.

“Look!”

He placed his hands together in front of him in a praying gesture and slightly bowed. “Very good,
grasshopper.” He straightened up in time to catch her in his arms. He whirled her around as she
huggedhisnecktightly.

“Ican’tbelieveIcaughtit!”

“You did great!” he said, kissing her cheek. The action was so sudden that it took him back. He
carefully placed a very happy Haley on the ground. She sat down, still grinning while hugging the
ball.

Afterafewminutesshesaidhisnametightly.

“Yes?”

“IthinkIbrokemyhand,”shewhimpered.

**************

“Yousureyoudon’twanttogowithus?”Mitchasked,givingherapuppydogexpression.

Haleyforcedherselftosmile.ShelikedMitch,notasmuchasJason,butshedidn’tseeitgoingany
furtherthanfriendship.Mitchwasbecomingratherpersistentoverthepastweek.Itwasgettingkind
ofannoying.

Sheheldupherhandandicepack.“Sorry.IthinkI’mgoingtogorelax.Youguysgohavefun.Hit
theclubsorbarsorwhateveryouguysdo.NodoubtJason’sgoingtowanttohittheallmalereview.”

WhiletheothermenlaughedJasonstuckhistongueoutather.Haleylookedatthefrontdesk.“Ah,
guys,didyouremembertocheckinearlier?”

Jasonwaveditoff.“Wehavetheroomreservedonacreditcard.Itwillbetherebythetimeweget
back.”

Haleydidn’tthinkitwouldbe.Hotelsusuallyhadatendencytogiveroomsawaywhentheholders
didn’tshowupandsinceitwasnownineo’clockshedidn’thavehighhopesthattheroomtheguys
reservedwasstillavailable.Shedidn’tsayanythingknowingitwouldcomeoffasbossyandshewas
sickofbeingaworrier.Shedidn’twanttonagtheguysandwrecktheirgoodtime.

“Alright,havefun,guys,”shesaidbeforemakingherwaytotheelevator.

“Haley!Waitup!”Mitchcalled.Shealmostgroaned.

“What’sup?”sheaskedhim,feelingherpatiencefraying.

Heshrugged.“Iwasgoingtoaskifyouwantedcompany.IknowyourhandmusthurtsoIfiguredI’d
keepyoucompany,”hesaidwithacharmingsmilethatprobablyworkedonmosteverythingfemale.

HereyesshotpasthimtoseeBradgrabJasonbythearmandholdhimback.Whatthehellwasthat
about?ShegaveherselfamentalshakeandfocusedonMitch.

“That’s really sweet, but I’ll be fine. I’m just going to watch a movie and go to bed. I’ll see you
tomorrow.”Shedidn’tgivehimachancetorespondbeforesheheadedofftowardsherroom.

Shemightnothavethebesttrackrecordindating,butsheknewthewomanizersbysightandMitch
wasdefinitelyawomanizer.Shedidn’tfeellikebeingjustanothernotchonanyman’sbed.

Afewminuteslatershewasclosingherhotelroombehindher.Shewalkedtothefirstdoublebedand
searched her bag for aspirin. Her hand was throbbing like crazy. When she couldn't find any she
calledroomserviceforabottleandalargeicecreamsundae.

Twentyminuteslatershewassittingcomfortablyinabubblebathwhileeatingadecadenthotfudge
sundae.HermindwanderedtoJasonandhowgooditfelttohavehimholdhermostoftheday.Then
sheremindedherselfthattheywerejustfriendsandforcedherselftosmartenup.

Nothing was ever going to happen between them. Jason was a buddy, a real good friend and she
wouldn’truinthatforanythingintheworld.Friendshipwasoneofthethingsshevaluedmostinthe
worldandshewouldnotrisktheirfriendship.Itwasn’tworthit.

Besideshewasprobablywithsomebimboatthemoment.Theideaturnedherstomach.Sheplaced
her half-eaten sundae on the floor and groaned. Sometimes friendship sucked, she thought as she
dunkedherselfunderthewatersoshecouldletoutafrustratedscream.

Chapter8

“Come on, guys! Let’s go back. Those women were hot!” Mitch said for the hundredth time since
they'dlefttheclub.

“No,”BradandJasonsaidinunison.

Mitchletoutafrustratedsighastheywalkedintothehotelfoyer.“IknowwhyBraddoesn’twantto,
he’smarried,butwhydon’tyou?”

Heshrugged.“Ijustdon’twantto.Isthatokaywithyou?”

“Allnightyouturnedgirlsdown.Whatthehelliswrongwithyou?”Mitchdemanded.

“Nothing,” he mumbled. He wasn’t in the mood for this conversation or for Mitch. All night he
resistedtheurgetopunchtheasshole.Whenhewasn’tthinkingaboutpunchingMitchhewaskicking
himselfforleavingHaley.Heshouldhavestayedandtakencareofher.Shewascoolenoughtobring
themwithhertocatchareallygreatgameandtheyditchedherlikeabunchofungratefulbastards.
Plus, if he was going to be honest, he probably would have had a better time with her just sitting
aroundwatchingamoviethangoingtoaclubandhavingabunchofwomenruballoverhim.

“Problemguys,”Bradsaidashewalkedbacktothemfromthedeskclerk.

“Whatisit?”heasked.

“Theygaveourroomawaysincewedidn’tcheckinandtherearenomoreroomsavailable.”

“Shit.”

“Yup.”

“Hey,whereareyougoing?”JasonaskedMitch’sretreatingback.

Mitchstoppedandgavehima"duh"look.“Wedon’thavearoom.I’mgoingbacktothatclubtofind
awarmbodyandabedforthenight.”

Thatsonofabitch.

He’dbeentryingtogetbetweenHaley’slegsforaweekandwouldn’tstopit.Nowhewastryingto
getlaidjustforabed.Jasonhadnodoubtcomemorninghe’dbebacksniffingaroundHaley.

“Areyoucomingorwhat?”Mitchdemanded.

Heshookhisheadindisgust.“No,yougohavefun.I’mgoingtobed.”

“Whatever,”Mitchmutteredasheheadedout.

JasonnudgedBrad.“Let’sgobegformercy.”

BradlookedrelievedashenoddedandgesturedforJasontoleadtheway.

They walked up to Haley’s room and knocked. After a few minutes they knocked again. Finally the
dooropenedrevealingasleepyeyedHaley.

“Whatisit?”sheasked,tryingtostifleayawn.

“Theygaveawayourroom,”hesaidwithapout.

Sherolledhereyes.“Wellduh,youdidn’tcheckinthisafternoon.”

“Youdon’thavetorubitin.”

“That’snotmerubbingitin,trustme.IfIwasdoingthatIwouldgiveyouanevillittlelaughandshut
thedoorinyourface.”

“Goodpoint,”hesaid,wincing,whilehopingshedidn’tdojustthat.Hewasexhaustedanddidn’tfeel
likefightingwithBradoverthebackseatofhiscar.

“Sowhatdoyouwant?”

“Mercy?”

Sherolledhereyes.“Youwanttosleephere?Thereisn’tenoughroomforallfourofus.”

Obviouslyshehadn’tnoticedMitch’sabsence.

“Mitchwentelsewherefornight.It’sjustmeandBrad.”

Somethinginherexpressionshifted.WassheupsetthatMitchwasn’there?Theideapissedhimoff
morethanhewantedtoadmit.

“Alright,guys.Comeonin,”shemumbledasshemadeherwaybacktothefirstbed.Jasonofcourse
tookthetimetonotethecutelittletanktopandmatchingcottonshortsthathuggedherroundbackside
rathernicely.

She climbed onto the bed and flopped down beneath the covers. Obviously she was all set to go to
sleepandwasn’tgivingthemasecondthought.

“Ah,Haley?”Bradsaidhesitantly.

“What?Pleasetellmeyoutwodon’tneedmetobrushyourteethandtuckyouin,”shemumbledinto
thepillow.

“Ah, no,” Brad said, smiling. “Is it alright if I sleep in my boxers? I don’t want to make you
uncomfortable.”

Shewavedahandathimwithoutlooking.“Knockyourselfout.”

“Okay,goodnight,”Bradsaid,headingforthebathroom.

Jason looked around the room, noting only two beds and no other furniture except for a chair and
shrugged.Heyankedoffhisshirt,pants,andshoesandbegantoclimbintobedwithHaley.

Her hand came up in a stopping motion. “Hold up there, buddy,” she said, turning to face him. She
pointedtotheotherbed.“Haveagoodnight.”

Jasonfrownedatthesuggestion.“Youcan’texpectustosleeptogether.”

“Yup.”

“Nope,”hesaid,climbingontothebedquicklyandfloppingontohisstomach.Shepushedhim,well
triedtoanyway.Hedidoutweighherafterall.

“Out.”

“No.”

“You’renotsleepinginthesamebedasme.”

“Yes,Iam.Unlessyou’replanningonsleepingwithBradandIdon’tthinkyouwanttodothat.His
wifewillkickyourass.”

Shegroaned.

Hesmiled.

“Look,I’llstayonmysideandyoustayonyourside.We’llbothsleep.Problemsolved.”

“Noway.”

“Afraidyouwon’tbeabletokeepyourhandsoffofme?”heteased.

Haley rolled her eyes and dropped back onto the pillow. “Fine, but just so you know, anything that
comesoverthiswaywillbechoppedoff.”

“Dulynoted,”hesaid,snugglingdeeperintothebed.

“Oh,andifyousnoreI’llkillyouinyoursleep,”shemumbled.

“Ditto.”

***************

“Ah,guys?”Bradsaid.

Haley buried her face deeper into the warmth while she tried to block out Brad and the sunlight
streamingintotheroom.

“Go.Away,”shemuttered.

“I’mhungry.Let’sgograbsomebreakfast,”Bradsaidalittlelouderthistime,earningagroanfrom
hercushionofwarmth.

“Fuck off. We’re sleeping,” Jason mumbled as he pulled Haley closer. Surprisingly she went
willingly.Herheadrestedonhischestjustunderhischin,herarmlaidacrosshisstomach,andone
legwasthrownoveroneofhis.

Shefeltsogoodinhisarms.He’dneverheldawomanlikethis,nevercuddledwithonenevermind
spending the entire night in her bed. Normally when a woman tried to cuddle he felt cornered and
irritated.WithHaleyhefeltcomfortable,relaxed,andevenhappy.Shefeltlikeshebelongedwithhim.
Hewasn’tabouttolooktoofarintothatatthemoment.

“Ifyouweren’tthebestmattresseverIwouldtotallykickyourassformovingontomyside,”Haley
mumbledagainsthischest.

“Actually,you’rebothinthemiddle,”Bradpointedout.

“Whyishestillhere?Sleepy,”Haleygrumbledadorably.

Closinghiseyes,hewavedhishandtowardsthedoor.“GoeatwithMitchorsomething.We’llbeup
inalittlewhile.”

Bradsighedunhappily.“Fine.”

Amomentlaterthedoorwasclosedandtheywerebothdriftingbackofftobeautifuldeepsleep.

*************

“Stupidpillow,”Haleymuttered,tryingtopunchheroncecomfypillowintosubmission.

Last night had been the worst night of sleep she’d ever had. She spent the entire night tossing and
turning and trying to get comfortable only to finally fall into a restless sleep around five this
morning.Nowitlookedlikeshewasinforarepeatperformance.

Shelookedoveratthealarmclockandgroaned.Itwasnearlytwointhemorning.Sheburiedherface
into her pillow and screamed. This sucked! She was so tired. All day she kept herself busy with
gradingtestsandhomework,andevencleanedherhouse,thinkingbythetimeshewenttobedshe’d
betooexhaustedforanythingelsebutsleep.

Itlookedlikethatplanwasfailingmiserably.

“Sotired…….”Shenearlywhimpered.

DamnJason.Somehowhewreckedsleepforher.She’dneversleptinthesamebedwithaguybefore.
Sureshecuddledwithafewboyfriendsinfrontofthetelevisionafteraheavymakeoutsession,butit
alwaysfeltawkward.WithJasoniffeltsogood.Hewasathousandtimesmorecomfortablethanher
bedordowncomforter.

How was she supposed to get comfortable on a pillow top mattress after sleeping in his arms? She
couldn’t. There was no way she was going to be able to manage work tomorrow on less than two
hoursofsleepinfortyeighthours,butshecouldn’tcallinbecausetheywerepreparingforfinals.

“Moveover,”Jasonsaid,startlingher.

She jumped up, clutching her chest, trying to catch her breath as she watched Jason push up her
windowscreenandclimbintoherroom.Heclosedthescreenbehindhimandlaydownonherbed.

Stillgasping,shesuckedinabreathandsaid,“Whatthehelliswrongwithyou?Youjustscaredthe
helloutofme!”

“Look woman, I don’t know what you did, but I haven’t been able to sleep since we got back from
NewYork.I’mtiredandbitchyandallIwantissomesleepsocuddleyourassupwithmeorsohelp
meIwillkillyou,”Jasonsnapped.

“Wow,youarebitchy,”shemumbled.

“It’syourfault.”

“Whatever.”

“Let’sgo,”hesaid,holdingouthisarmsexpectantly.Whenshehesitatedhewiggledhisfingers.“You
knowyouwantto.”

“Justfortonight,”sheclarified.

Henoddedquickly.“Justfortonight.Now,let’sgo,I’mcranky.”

“Ihadn’tnoticed,”shesaiddryly,butshedidasshewasasked.Shewastooexhaustedtodoanything
elseatthemoment.

Itdidn’ttakelongforthebeatingofJason’shearttolullherintoadeepandpeacefulsleep.

The alarm went off waking Haley from a deep comfortable sleep. Instead of feeling jumpy and
attackingthealarmclockafteronlygettingfivehoursofsleepshefeltoddlywellrested.

Jasonyawnedashesatupandshutoffthealarm.Herubbedhiseyesandturnedaroundtoliftupthe
screen.

“I’llseeyouatwork,”hemumbled.

“Okay,”shesaid,gettingtoherfeet.“Thiswasaonetimedeal,”shesaidmoretoremindherselfthan
him. She could quickly become dependent on the comfort and warmth he offered and that wasn’t a
goodideawithaguylikeJason.

Hegaveheroneofhislopsidedsmiles.“Ofcourse.Itwasjustaonetimedeal.”

Chapter9

MondayNight

10:35P.M.

Haleyrolledontoherside,facingthewallandwonderingifsheshouldjustsuckupherprideandgo
askJasontocomesleepwithher.Didthatmakeherasleepslut?Atthispointshewaswillingtobeg
forit.JustasshefearedshewasaddictedtoJason’sbody.Thankgodtheyneverhadsex.She’dhateto
thinkhowbadtheaddictionwouldbethen.

Shefeltthebeddipbehindherbeforeastrongarmcurledaroundherwaist,pullingherbackintoa
strongwarmbody.Jason’sinvitingscentenvelopedherasstronglyashisbodydid.Herbottomwas
cuppedbyhispelvis.Hewashardagain,butlikeusualhedidn’tmakeanymoveonher.Itwasjusthis
body’sreactiontobeingpressedagainstafemalejustlikeherswasbecauseshewasbeingheldbya
strong man. Neither cared enough to comment or act on it. In a matter of minutes they were fast
asleep.

TuesdayNight

11.30P.M.

“Thatwasagreatgameandareallygreatdinner,”Jill,Brad’swife,said.

Brad stole another brownie off the plate and groaned while he nodded his head in agreement. He
reachedforanotherbrownieonlytofindtheplategoneandJasonglaringathim.

“Browniethievingbastard,”hemutteredashestalkedofftoHaley’skitchencounter.

ThethreeofthemwatchedwithhumorasJasonplacedthebrowniesinalargeziplockbagthatheno
doubtplannedontakingwithhimtoworkinthemorning.Halfwaythroughtransferringthebrownies
heturnedtoglareatBradandmouthedthewords,“Thievingbastard,”beforereturningtothetaskat
hand.

“Anyway,”Haleysaid,drawingBradandJill'sattentionawayfromJason'sratherdisturbingaffection
forherbakedgoods.“Itwasnicetohaveyouguysover.”

“Yeah, you guys are coming over next week, right?” Jill asked as she frowned at her husband who
heldupthelastbiteofbrownie,butdidn’teatit.HiseyeswerefixedonJason.

BothwomanwatchedasJasonturnedaround.Bradmadeahugeshowofputtingthebrownieinhis
mouth.Heclosedhiseyesasifitwasthebestthinghe’devereatenandmoaned.

“Thatwasadamngoodbrownie,”Bradfinallysaid.

“Youbetrayingbastard!”Jasongasped.

“I’llbringyouanentirepanfullofbrowniesnextweek,Brad,”Haleysaid,knowingitwouldtakethe
glareawayfromBrad.

“Traitor,”Jasonmumbledashelovinglystrokedthebagofbrownies.

“It’ssonotrightthatheisn’tfat,”Jillsaid.Haleyhadtonodinagreement.Themanputawaythree
helpingsoflasagnatonight,asalad,andatonofgarlicbreadnottomentionaboutadozenbrownies
andcookies.Withheronehelpingoflasagnaandtwobrowniesshewasprobablygoingtogainfive
pounds.Sometimeslifesimplywasn’tfair.

They said their good nights and walked Brad and Jill out the door. She shut the kitchen light off
knowingJasonwouldshutoffthelivingroomlight.Stillneitherspokeofthesleepingarrangements
and she didn’t know how to bring it up. So instead she quietly said good night, rolled her eyes as
Jasonmumbled“Iloveyou”tohisbrowniesandheadedofftoherbathroom.

Afteraquickshowershepulledonasmallteeshirtandpanties.Yawning,shewalkedintoherroom
andwasn’tsurprisedtofindJasononhisstomach,wearingnothingbutboxers,inthemiddleofher
bed.Sheflickedoffthelightsandcrawledinbed.Shelaidherfaceonhisshoulderwhileherhand
restedonhisothershoulderandherlegentwinedwithhis.InamatterofsecondsshefeltJasonrelax
anddriftofftosleep.

WednesdayNight

10:45P.M.

Jasonfelt bone tiredas he pulledinto his driveway. Hewaited until Haleypulled into her driveway
beforegettingout.IthadbeenaverylongdayandjudgingbytheadorablelittlewhimperHaleymade
assheclimbedoutofhercarshewasfeelingitaswell.

“Iamsotired,”shemumbled.

Heyawnedloudly.“Thatwasaparent-teachermeetingfortherecords,”hesaid.

“Toomuchdrama.Whoknewparentsofspoiledrichkidswhowerefailingcouldbecomesodamn
dramatic?IhadonewomansobbinghystericallybecausehersongotaBinsteadofanA.”

Hechuckled.“IwasofferedablowjobtomakeaDintoanA.”

Haley’s face squished up prettily. “You had a woman offer you a blow job during parent-teacher
night?”

“Nope,aman.SeemstheguyisratherdesperatetogethissonintoHarvard.”

Shelaughedsoftly.“Obviously.”Sheyawnedloudly.“I’mofftobed.Goodnight.”

“Metoo.Goodnight,”hesaidastheywalkedalongthesmallpatchofgrassbetweentheirproperties.
Just before she veered off to the right he put his arm around her shoulders and steered her off
towardshishouse.

Forthelastthreenightsthey’dsleptatherhouse.Itwasn’tthathemissedhisbed.Hejustwantedto
seeifthebedmadethedifferenceorifitwasHaley.Plus,he’dbeenimaginingherinhisbedallday.
Whenevertheyturnedsexualheforcedhismindoutofthegutter.Itwasbecomingmoreandmore
difficultastimewentby.

He’dneverhadafemalefriendbeforeandthislevelofintimacywasnewandalittlefrighteningfor
him.Hemadehimselfapromisetoday.Hewouldgetherintohisbedandifhedidn’tsleepaswellas
he did in her bed or that hotel bed he would go out and buy a bed matching hers and the problem
wouldbesolved.Ifhestillsleptlikeababywithherthen…..well,hedidn’treallywanttothinkabout
thatjustyet.Hewasprettysurepartoftheproblemwassex.

Maybehe’dgoandgetlaidandthenseeifhesleptaswellwithHaleysnugglinghimallnight.Partof
him was scared that it wouldn’t make a damn bit of difference what he did. Haley was quickly
becominghisworldandforsomestrangereasonitthatwasfinewithhim,hencethereasonhewas
scaredshitless.

Theydidn’tsayanythingastheywalkedintohishouse.Hecouldtellshewasnervous.Hell,hewas
nervous.He’dneverhadawomaninhisbed.Itdidn’tmatterthattherewouldn’tbeanysexinvolved.
Thiswasabigstepforhim.Hedidn’tevenknowifhecouldtoleratehavingHaleyinhisbed.Every
timethepanicstartedtosurfaceheshoveditbackdown.Heknewifhecouldn’thandleitthehecould
makesomeexcuseandthey’dgobacktoherbed.Withthatinmindheledherintohisroom.

Stillneitherspokeashehandedheroneofhisoldfavoriteteeshirts.Shegavehimashysmileand
disappearedintohisbathroom.Hepulledhisshoesoffandwaitedforhertocomeout.Heheardhis
showerturnonandhegrittedhisteethasawaveoflustpouredoverhim.

He frowned down at the rather uncomfortable tent in his pants. “Stop causing problems.” It didn’t
listenofcourse.ItneverdidwhereHaleywasconcerned.Hekepttellinghimselfthateventuallyhis
bodywouldcometoacceptthatHaleywasjustafriend.

“All yours,” Haley said softly as she stepped out of the bathroom ten minutes later wearing his tee
shirt. The hem of the shirt ended just above the knee giving the illusion that she wasn’t wearing
anythingunderneath.Heswallowed.Hard.

He nodded woodenly and walked past her to the bathroom where he proceeded to take an ice cold
shower.Ashewasdryingoffhespottedherlittleglassesfoldedonhissinkcounter.Hepickedthem
upandsmiledasheputthemback.Theylookedliketheybelongedthere.

The bedroom light was already out by the time he stepped out of the bathroom. Light streaming in
fromthestreetilluminatedHaley.Shelayonherbackontherightsideofthebedwaitingforhim.He
walkedovertohersideofthebedandraisedthecovers.Withoutawordheclimbedontothebedand
slowlylayontopofhersothathislowerstomachrestedbetweenherlegs,keepinghiserranterection
awayfromherasbesthecould.Sheopenedherlegswidertocradlehim.

Jasonlaidhisheadbetweenherbreastsandclosedhiseyesreleasingabreathofcontent.Shefeltso
good,soright.Afteramoment’shesitationhefelthermove.Hewasn’tsureifshewasabouttoshove
himofforhithim.Hewastakinglibertiesintheirsleepingarrangement,buthecouldn’thelpit.He
neededhersobadly.

Instead of shoving him away she wrapped one arm around his shoulders while she gently ran her
fingers through his hair. That’s how he fell asleep in the cradle of the woman he trusted and cared
aboutthemostintheworld.Itwasabsolutelyperfect.

Chapter10

"No!I'mnotgoingandyoucan'tmakeme!"Haleysaidasshetightenedhergripontheedgeofthe
kitchensink.

"Haley,-"

"I'mnotgoing!"

JasontriednottosmileasheplacedhishandonHaley'sroundlittlebottom,butfailedmiserably.

Shewentcompletelystill.

"Whatthehellareyoudoing?"shedemandedasshetriedtoshiftawayfromhishand.

"Ifyoudon'tletgoofthesinkandgetyourassinthecarinthirtysecondsyou'llleavemewithno
choice but to spank you," he said, enjoying having his hand on her ass more than he should, but
clearlyshelefthimwithverylittlechoiceinthematter.

Sure,hecouldeasilypickherupandthrowheroverhisshoulder,butwherewasthefuninthat?

"Youwouldn't,"shesaidthroughclenchedteeth,glaringoverhershoulderathim.

Hesqueezedherass.

Shegasped,jumpingawayfromhimandrantowardsthefrontdoor."Bastard!"sheyelledoverher
shoulderbeforethrowingthedooropenandleaving.

Jason followed her at a leisurely pace, whistling happily, half hoping that she refused to go a half
dozenmoretimesbeforehegotherinthecar.Hesteppedoutofherhouse,lockingthedoorbehind
him,andnearlygroanedindisappointmentwhenhespottedherwaitingforhiminhiscar.

Damn.

Therewenthisplansforherass.

He climbed into the driver's side seat and sent her a huge grin, knowing it would piss her off. Her
eyes narrowed on him before she looked away mumbling all sorts of unpleasant things about his
manhoodthathesimplychosetoignore.

"You'llpayforthis,"shepromised.

"Haley,-"

"Rotinhell,youbetrayingbastard,"shehissed.

Hecouldn'thelpbutchuckle."It'sjustafamilydinner.Ireallydon'tunderstandwhythathasmylittle
grasshopperallriledup."

"I.Hate.You,"shebitout.

"Youloveme,"hesaid,turningontheradio.

"Hate.Ihateyou."

"Uh huh," he said absently, searching for her favorite radio station, hoping it would calm the little
demondown.

Sincethismorningwhenhergrandmotherhadcalledaskinghimtojoinherfamilyfordinnertonight
Haley had been on edge. He wasn't sure if she was pissed because her grandmother had called him
beforeherorwhat.Allheknewwasthatwhensheoverheardhergrandmotheraskhimtojointhemat
dinnershewentalittleinsane.

Ithadn'tmatteredthattheywerestandinginlineatthebakery.Haleyjumpedupandtriedtosnatchthe
phoneoutofhishand.He'dbeentoosurprisedandadmittedlylaughinghisassoffwhenshetriedto
takehimtothegroundtogiveitmuchthought.Ofcourseitdidsurprisehimthathergrandmother
wasn'tshockedtohearhergranddaughterscreamallsortsofthreatsofviolencetohim.

Jasonreallydidn'tknowwhatthehellwasgoingon,buthelikedHaley'sgrandmotheranddidn'twant
to disappoint her by saying no, so of course he accepted the invitation and tried not to wince when
Haleykickedhisshin.

From that moment on she'd been royally pissed at him. She'd ordered the last four apple fritters
knowinghelookedforwardtohisapplefritterseveryFridayanddidn'tofferhimone.Evenworse,
shegaveawayhisdelicioustreatsduringthemorningmeeting.Hespenttheentiremeetingglaringat
thebastardswhoatehisfritters.

Itonlygotworseafterthat.

Duringtheirlunchbreaknotonlydidsherefusetoeatwithhim,butshesomehowmanagedtosteal
hislunchandtossitinthetrashandmadesuretherewerenodelectabletreatsinthestaffrefrigerator
for him to steal. When he went to buy lunch in the student cafeteria he discovered another lovely
surprise.

She'dsomehowliftedhiswallet.

Bytheendofthedayhe'dbeensopissedandhungrythathedecidedshewasdamnwellgoingtonight
whethershewantedtoornot.Whenhearrivedhomehewasn'ttoosurprisedtodiscoverthatHaley
hadbarricadedherselfinherroom.Thatwasmorethanfinewithhim.Itgavehimplentyoftimeto
recouphisstrength.Afterdevouringeverythinginherfridgehebrokeintoherroom.

She'd put up a good fight, but eventually he managed to drag her into the living room where she
pretendedtohurtherankle.Whenhereleasedhertochecksheshovedhim,knockinghimflatonhis
ass,andtookoffforthebackdoor.Shemadeitasfarasthekitchensinkbeforehewasontopofher.

"Are you still mad at me?" he asked as he turned into the parking lot of Harrington's, the five star
restaurantherfamilywasdiningattonight.Hewasgladhefinallyfoundhiswalletduringtheirlittle
wrestlingmatchsincethismealwasmostlikelygoingtogivehiscreditcardaworkout.

Haleysighedheavily,shiftingtolookathim."No,Ijustdon'twanttodothis."

"Really?Icouldn'ttell,"hesaiddrily.

"I'mreallysorry,"shesaid,ashepulledupbehindashortlineofluxurycars.

Heshrugged,thinkingshewasapologizingforstarvinghim.Thatremindedhimthatthey'dneedto
stopbythegrocerystoreafterthistorefillherfridgeotherwiseshemightbepissedtodiscoverthat
heleftherwithonlythreeeggs,ajarofolivesandsomeexpiredgirlyyogurtthathewouldn'ttouch
withatenfootspoon.

"I'msorryifIhurtyou,"shesaid,soundingserious.

Hehadtobitebackasmileatthethoughtofhislittlegrasshopperkickinghisass."I'll,ah,"hejust
barelystoppedhimselffromlaughing,"I'llsurvive."

Shenoddedregally."Iknow.Iheldback."

"AndIreallyappreciatethat."

*************

"Youknowyou'regoingtostarvehere,right?EvenIhavetohitthedrivethruatBurgerKingafter
cominghere,"HaleypointedoutdesperatelyasJasondraggedherfromthesafetyofthecar.

Jasonsimplysighed,wonderingifshereallyknewhimatall.Asiftheprospectofeatingtwodinners
wouldupsethim.Puhlease.

"Fine,"Haleysaid,givinghimaslylittlesmileasshestoodup,straighteningherlavendershirtand
darkskirt."IfyoutakemehomerightnowIpromise,"shesaidinasultrytone,reachinguptorunher
fingertipsdownhistie,"thatIwillfulfilleverysinglesexualfantasyyou'veeverhadandsomeyou
didn'tknowwerepossible."

With a bored sigh he simply grabbed her arm and gently tugged her towards the front entrance,
ignoringthevaletsastheychokedontheirtongues.Ifhethoughtforonesecondthatshewasserious
he would have hauled her ass back into the car and been going ninety to the nearest pharmacy all
whilehehadhishandshovedupherskirt.

Notthathereallywantedtodothat.

Much.

"B-butI'mofferingyousex!Lot'sandlot'sofsex!"Haleyhissedurgentlyastheysteppedintoalush
foyer.

"You would have had more luck offering me meatloaf, my little grasshopper," he informed her,
catchingherarmasshetriedtomakeanotherescape.

Haleyexhaledheavilyasshepushedherglassesbackuphernose."Iwasgoingtoofferthat,too."She
gavehimahopefulsmile."WhatifwegohomeandIcook-"
"Toolittletoolate,mylittlegrasshopper.Besides,there'snothinginyourfridgetocookanyway."

Shefrownedupathim."ButIjustwentshoppingtheotherday."

"Igothungry,"hesimplysaid,ignoringheradorablelittleglare.

"Youbetternothavetouchedthelastpieceofpumpkinpie,"shewarned.

Hehadtolaughatthat."Itwasthefirstthingtogo,"heinformedherastheysteppeduptothemaître
d's podium. She sent him a glare that promised all kinds of retribution. Where Jason could eat just
aboutanything,andoftendid,hislittlegrasshopperwasapumpkinpiejunkie.

"WelcometoHarrington's.MynameisElizabeth,howcanIhelpyou?"thewomanaskedthembothas
she sent Jason an inviting look that let him know he'd be getting offered more than just appetizers
tonight.

HelookeddownatHaley,wonderingifshecaughtthelookandwhatshethought,notthathewanted
hertobejealousoranything.HehadtosmilewhenhecaughtHaleygazinglonginglyattheexitsign.

"Itwon'tbethatbad,"hesaid,takingherhandintohis,mostlytokeepherfromboltingagain.

"Yes,itwill,"shesighedpathetically.

Jason turned his attention back to the woman who was now frowning unhappily at their entwined
hands.

"We'rejoiningtheBlainepartyforreservationsatsix,"hesaid,tighteninghisgriponHaley'shand
whenhefelthertryingtopullaway.

"Rightthisway,"thewomansaidwithatightsmile.

AstheyfollowedthewomanthrougharichlyfurnishedsittingroomJasoncouldn'thelpbutwonder
whyHaleysettledonthelosersthatshedidwhenshewasclearlyusedtosomuchbetter.He'dseen
some of the losers she'd dated over the years and doubted they'd pulled out their wallet for much
morethanDenny'sandeventhenonlyiftheyhadacoupon.

Sheshouldbedatingsomeonewhowaswillingtobusthisasstoshowherhowmuchshemeantto
him.He'dhavetoworkonitwithher,butthatwasforlater.Rightnowhehadtofocusondragging
heralongsidehim.

**************

"Whatareyoudoing?"Jasonasked,smirkingasheglanceddownather.

"Nothing,"shesaidquicklyasshetriedtodiscretelyshiftsothatJasonwasblockingherfromtheleft
side.

"Doesn'tlooklikenothing,"Jasonnoted,quickeninghispace,probablytoannoythehelloutofher.

"It is nothing," she bit out between clenched teeth even as she hurried to keep up with Jason again,
anglingalittletotherightsothatherentirebodywasblockedbyJason'smassivebody.

ShedaredapeekbehindJason'sbackandnearlycriedinfrustrationwhenapairofsmokygrayeyes
thatshewasalltoofamiliarwithmethers.Shesenthimapolitesmileanddidherbesttoignorethe
determinedglarehesentherway.

"Who's that?" Jason asked as they continued to follow the hostess through the spacious aisles and
aroundlargertablesthatsurroundedthesmalldancefloor.

"Noone,"shelied.Tonightwasgoingtobedifficultenough.Shedidn'twanttogetintothedramaof
ex-boyfriends who still took her refusal to sleep with them as a challenge, one that Robert seemed
hellbentonwinningnomatterhowmanyyearspassed.

The man was a self-professed playboy and truly believed he could have any woman he wanted. He
hadn't always been like that. When they started dating at fifteen he'd been shy, sweet, and down to
earth.Itwasn'tuntiltheirsenioryearwhenhisskinclearedup,heputonsomemuscleandofcourse
heinheritedaboutthirtymilliondollarsfromhisgrandmotherthathestartedtochange.

HewentfromthesweetguyshecouldwatchIndianaJonesmovieswithtotheguyscrewingaround
onherwitheverybimbohecouldfind.Whensheconfrontedhimaboutithedenieditleftandright
untilfinallyhebrokedownandplacedalltheblameatherfeet.Theypartedasfriends,wellsortof,
andsincetheneverytimehesawherhedidhisbesttogetherinhisbed.Lasttimetheyranintoeach
otherhe'dditchedhisfiancétwodaysbeforetheweddingtopursueher.

Hisdesperationto getherin hisbedhad nothingtodo withlove. Ithadto dowiththe factthatshe
was,accordingtohim,theonlywomanwhohadeversaidnotohim.He'ddojustaboutanythingto
getherintohisbed.Shereallydidnotneedthistonight.Shehadenoughtodealwith.

She was not looking forward to being embarrassed and belittled in front of Jason. Although it
wouldn't be on her top ten favorite things to do on a Friday night, Haley would have gladly come
tonighttokeephergrandmothercompanyanddoneherbesttoignorealltheirsubtleputdowns,but
shecouldn'tstomachtheideaofJasonwitnessinghowlittleshereallymeanttoherfamily.

"Mr.Blaine,therestofyourpartyhasarrived,"Elizabethsaid,smilingpolitelyasshestoppedinfront
of the large round table where her parents, sisters and their husbands sat. Haley frowned when she
didn'tseehergrandmother.

"Thank you," Jason said, ignoring the inviting look the woman was sending him, surprising Haley.
Hisdisinterestinallthewomenwhopracticallythrewthemselvesathimwhentheywereoutalways
surprisedher.Hewasn'tmuchofaplayboy,shethoughtassheforcedasmileforherfamily.

"Haley,sweetheart,"herfathersaidashestoodup.HiseyesshiftedtoJasonbeforehepulledherinto
ahugandgaveheraquickkissonthecheek."It'sbeentoolong,sweetheart.I'vemissedyou."

Shejustbarelystoppedherselffromsuggestingthathecouldpickupthetelephoneifhemissedher
somuch,butshebititback.Shewouldnotlethimknowthathe'dhurtherwhenhehadn'tcalledlike
hepromised.Itwasherfaultanyway.Sheshouldhaveknownbetter.

"Thisismyfriend,JasonBradford,"shesaid,gesturingtoJasonwhoextendedhishandtoherfather.

"It'sapleasuretomeetyou,sir,"Jasonsaid,politely.

Herfathershookhishand,givingheracuriouslook."It'sapleasuretomeetoneofHaley'sfriends."

HaleyjustbarelystoppedherselffromwincingwhensherealizedJasonwasthefirstfriendshe'dever
invitedtomeetherfamilysinceshewasinschool.ThefactthatJasonwasamanwasgoingtobea
problem,especiallyiftheythoughttheyweredating.

"Dad?"Haleysaid,drawinghisattentionbeforehesatdown.

"Yes,dear?"heasked,throwingJasonanothercuriouslook.

"Where'sGrandma?"

Hefrowneddownather."Didn'tshecallyou?"

"No,why?"sheasked,alreadyhavingabadfeelingwherethiswasgoing.

"She called earlier to say that you and your friend," he said, giving Jason another one of those
curiouslooksthatHaleyknewalltoowell,"weregoingtojoinustonight,butthatsheremembered
shealreadyhadplansforthisevening."

Haleyjustbetshedid.

Chapter11

"Jason,thisismysisterRose,"Haleysaid,gesturingtothewomanwithherhairpulledbackintoa
severelytightbunthatlookedlikeithurt.Shedaintilyofferedherhandtohim.

Hetookitgently,notbecausehewashonoredoroverwhelmedtomakeheracquaintance,nohewas
simplyafraidofbreakingherlongthinhand.Asdiscretelyashecould,hequicklylookedoverthe
othertwowomeninthegroupandquicklynotedthatallthreeofthemweretall,skinny,tooskinny,
andflatterthanatenyearoldboy.Althoughtheywereattractivewomenintheirownright,theydidn't
haveathingonhislittlegrasshopper.

A few minutes later when he met Haley's other sister Martha, and both women's husbands John and
Edward,he was introducedto Haley's motherwho looked upset. Ittook a minuteto realize that she
wastryingtosmile.

Botox.

Heshouldhaveknown,hethoughtashereachedoverandshookthewoman'shandjustasgentlyas
hehadherdaughters'hands.He'dcomeacrossthisexpressioncountlesstimesduringparent-teacher
conferences.

As he sat down next to Haley, who was fuming adorably, he couldn't help but notice John, Rose's
husband'seyeslandontheassofawaitressandstaythereasthewomanmovedaroundthetablenext
tothem.RoseseemedtobeobliviousasshefrownedinHaley'sdirection.Jason'seyesshiftedtothe
othertwowomentofindthemdoingthesamething.Herfatherwasglaringinhisdirection,which
was understandable, and Edward was sipping his wine while he stared at Haley's very generous
cleavage.Haleyseemedtobeoblivioustoherbrother-in-law'sperusalofthebreastsasshetoyedwith
adinnerroll.

"Sweetie,"hersister,Rosewhispered,drawingeveryone'sattention,"doyoureallythinkyoushould
beeatingthat?"ShelookedpointedlyattherollHaleywasfidgetingwith.

AtJason'sconfusedfrownshemouthed"Carbs."

Haley muttered something softly as she placed her roll, none-too-gently, on his plate. She thought
Haleyneededtogoonadiet?Jasoncouldn'thelpbutrunhiseyesoverHaley'ssmallcurvyfigure,
lingeringonallhisfavoriteplaces.NotthathereallyneededtosinceheknewforafactthatHaley's
stomachwasflat.But,damnitifcarbswereresponsibleforthosecurvesthenhe'dmakesuretokeep
hercabinetsstockedwith-

"Mr.Bradford,"Mr.Blainesaidcrisply,drawinghisattention.

Shit.

Judgingbytheman'sexpressionhewasn'ttoohappyaboutJason'sleisurelyperusalofhisdaughter.
Notthathecouldblamehim.Ifhehadadaughter,whichwasn'thappeninganytimesoon,thatlooked
likeHaleyhe'dlockherupandguardherwithashotgun.

"Whatdoyoudo,Mr.Bradford,"Mr.Blaineasked,takingasipofhiswine.

"IteachhistoryatLatinScribeHighSchool,"heanswered,notingalltheexpressionsofdistastefrom
therestofHaley'sfamilyatthatannouncement.Notthathecard,butdidtheyreallyneedtoactlikehe
saidhepickeduphorseshitwithhishandsforaliving?

Mr.Blainegavehimanapprovingnod."That'saverygoodschool.Severalofmyclients'children
attend." He turned his attention to Haley. "Perhaps you should think about applying for a position
there,Haley."

BeforeJasoncouldopenhismouthandaskthemanwhatthehellhewastalkingabout,Haleysmiled
tightlyandsaid,"That'sagreatidea,Dad.I'llsendmyresumeinnextweek."

"Ithinkthat'sasmartmove,"herfathersaid,oblivioustothedeepblushspreadingoverHaley'sface
assheonceagainshiftedhergazebacktohernapkin.

"Doesn'tshehavetohaveaspecialdegreetoteachhighschoolkids?"Marthademandedinabored
tone that pretty much said she really didn't care. "She teaches preschool, doesn't she? I really don't
thinkthey'regoingtohirehertoteachteenagers."

"I'lllookintothattomorrow,"Haleysaid,notbotheringtolookupfromhernapkin.

Whatinthehellwasgoingonhere?

Thishadtobeafuckingjoke,hethoughtasheleanedbackinhisseatanddiscretelylookedaround
the expensively decorated room for hidden cameras. There was just no way his sweet little
grasshoppercamefromsuchacoldfamily.

"Ifyou'rethinkingofgoingbacktocollege,perhapsyoushouldlookintoarealcareer,"Mrs.Blaine
said, sending him an apologetic smile that really said she didn't care one bit that she'd just insulted
him,"I'msureyourfatherwouldbemorethanhappytopayforlawschoolormedicalschool."

"Ofcourse,"herfathersaidabsentlyashecheckedhisPDA."Justmakesureyousendmysecretary
thetuitionbilllikeyoudidlasttimeyouattended."

Haley's hand stilled halfway to her water glass and Jason had to frown. He knew from her
grandmother's bragging that Haley worked three jobs to put herself through college and that she
absolutelyrefusedanyhelpfromherfamily.Heneverunderstoodthatuntilnow.

"PerhapssheshouldapplytowhereverMr.Bradfordattendedifshewishestoteachhighschool.What
college did you attend, Mr. Bradford?" Mrs. Blaine asked as she sent a small wave to someone at
anothertable.

"Harvard,"hesaid,lookingaroundatthetableandnotingtheboredexpressions.Thisfamilydinner
was like nothing he'd ever experienced. He was used to large meals with warm welcoming
expressionsandfightsoverseconds.Thisdinnerwascoldandclinicalandhecouldn'thelpbutthink
thatHaleydidn'tbelong.Shewaswarm,sweet,andfulloflife.

Mr.Blainegrinned."Afellowalumni,"hesaid,holdinghisdrinkupinsalute."Yourfatherwouldn't
happentobeRichardBradford,wouldhe?HeandIattendedlawschooltogether.Brilliantman."

Jason took a sip of his water and shook his head. "No, my father's name is Jared. He owns a
constructioncompanyinMeddletown.

Mr.Blainefrownedslightly."Well,Isupposeyourfather'scompanydoesquitewellifhecouldafford
tosendyoutoHarvard."

"Yes,hedoeswell,butIactuallyattendedonafootballscholarship,"Jasonsaid,notsurprisedwhen
Mr.Blaine'sexpressionturnedbacktodisapproving.

Asascholarshipstudenthe'dbeentreatedlittlebetterthanthehiredhelp.He'dreceivedgratitude,gifts
and slaps on the back when he scored a touchdown. When he wasn't scoring touchdowns he was
expectedtoworkhisassoffanddowhathewastoldwithoutcomplaint.

They hadn't expected much from him academically. He doubted they even expected him to attend
class,buthehad.Heworkedhisassofftograduateayearandahalfearly,pissingthealumniright
thehelloff.They'dbeenhellbentongettingfouryearsoffootballoutofhim,buthehadn'tcared.He
madedamnsurehegothiseducationasquicklyashecouldsinceheknewifhegotfuckeduponthe
footballfieldandcouldn'tplayanylongerthattheywouldn'thesitateinthrowinghisassoutthedoor.

"Ithinksheshouldthinkaboutsettlingdown,"Rose,atleasthethoughttheonenexttohimwasRose,
said, making him sweat. Christ, from the looks they'd been sending him since he sat down it was
obviousthattheyallthoughthewasherboyfriend.Didtheyreallythinkthatshebroughthimbecause
theywereserious?Himmarriedwithchildren?

Hellno.

Maybeheshouldjust-

"I'msureEdwardcanthinkofseveralmenwhowouldbeinterestedinourHaley,"Rosesuggested.

"Ithinkthat'sanexcellentidea,"Mr.Blaineagreedwholeheartedly.

Wait,what?

"Johnprobablyknowssomementhatwouldbeinterestedaswell.Don'tyouJohn?"Martha?asked.

Johnlookedawayfromanother'swaitresses'assandnodded."I'msureIcanthinkofseveralmenwho
wouldliketomeether."Assoonasheansweredhiseyeswerebackonanotherwoman'sass.

Was he the only one that realized that he'd been insulted here? This was bullshit. He was a fucking
greatcatch.Plentyofwomen,muchtohishorror,wantedtomarryhim.Hewasjustabouttotellthem
thatwhensomethingcaughthisattention.

Alittlesnortoflaughter.

He turned his glare on the Haley as she shook with silent laughter. They were disrespecting his
manlinessandshewaslaughingathim?Whatthehell?

"Haleydear,areyoualright?"Mrs.Blaineasked.

Haleyitseemedcouldonlynod.

"Oh, I just had a wonderful idea!" Martha, Rose or whatever the hell her name said excitedly.
"Robert'shere.Whydon'tweinvitehimtojoinus?YouknowhowfondheisofHaley."

WhothehellwasRobert?JasonwonderedashefollowedMr.Blaine'seyestothetablethey'dpassed
earlierandlandedontheblondbastardwho'dsmileatHaley.Hehadperfectblondehair,anaverage
faceandworeanexpensivetailoredsuitthatprobablycostmorethanallJason'sclothesputtogether.
WhenthemansentawarmsmileinHaley'sdirectionhedecidedhehatedthebastard.

"Letmegetaservertoaskhimtojoinus,"Mr.Blainesaid,alreadygesturingforawaiter.

JudgingbyRobert'ssuddenlysmugsmileheknewexactlywhatwasgoingon.

"No,Dad,that'sokay,"Haleysaid,allhumorgoneasobviousterrortookover."Helooksbusy."

"Nonsense,"Mrs.Blainesaid."YouknowRobertalwaysmakestimeforyou.He'ssuchasweetman.
ForthelifeofmeIdon'tunderstandwhyyouendedthingswithhim."

"If you had listened to me years ago you'd be married and settled and not wasting your time on
foolishpursuits,"Mrs.Blaineadded,makingJason'sjawclench.

"She'll never do better than Robert. That's for certain," Martha said, sending him a bored glance
beforeturningherattentionbacktoRobert.

"I'mnotinterestedinRobert,"Haleysaidquickly,watchingasthewaiterwalkedtowardsherfather.
"Dad,I-"

Mr.Blainewavedoffherconcerns."Ithinkthisisthebestthingforyou,Haley,"hesaidbeforegiving
thewaiterthemessageforRobert.

He realized that Haley truly did not want Robert to join them. That knowledge somewhat appeased
him. Somewhat. These people were the biggest snobs he'd ever met in his life and not just because
theylooked down theirnoses at him,but because they lookeddown their nosesat Haley. She didn't
deserveanyofthis.

"Dad,Iwishyouhadn'tdonethat,"Haleysaidasthewaiterwalkedaway."I'mnotinterestedinRobert.
I'vetoldyouthatbefore."

"Itwouldn'thurtyoutogivehimanotherchance,sweetheart,"Mrs.Blainesaid.

Seriously, did any of them even consider that he was Haley's date? Not that he was, but still it was
fuckinginsultingashell.IfHaleywasn'toneofhisbestfriendshe'dconsiderdoingsomethingtotell
herfamilyrightthehelloff,butshewasandhecouldn'torshe'dstopcookingforhimandhewasn't
riskingthat.Whathislittlegrasshoppercoulddowithachocolatechipcookie.......

He pushed back in his chair. Telling her family off might not be a choice, but that didn't mean he
couldn'trescuehislittlegrasshopper.Hetookherhandintohisashestoodup,notmissingthedirty
looksherfamilysenttheirentwinedhands,andgentlypulledHaleytoherfeet.

"Dance with me?" he asked softly, nodding towards the small dance floor filled with a half dozen
couples.

HereyesdartedbacktoherfamilyandwidenedwhenshespottedRobertheadingherway.

"I'dloveto,"shesaid,practicallydragginghimawayfromthetable.

*************

WhenJasonpulledherintohisarmsshefeltherselfrelaxforthefirsttimeinanhour.

"Youwanttotellmeabouthim?"Jasonasked,expertlymaneuveringthemaroundtheothercouples
onthesmalldancefloor.

Chewingherbottomlipnervously,shewatchedRoberttakeJason'svacatedseat.Hesaidsomethingto
herfatherandbothmenlookedoveratthem.

"Hewasmyhighschoolboyfriend.Webrokeupsenioryear."

"Andhewantstopickupwhereyouleftoff?"Jasonguessed.

"No," Haley said, absently drumming her fingers against his shoulder, "he wants to perfect his
record."

AtJason'sfrownsheshrugged."Irefusedtosleepwithhim."

ShefeltthemusclesinJason'sshouldergotightashenarrowedhiseyesfirstather,thentoRobert
beforelookingbackdownather.

"Howcanyoubesurethat'sallhewants?"

"Hetoldme,"Haleysaidsimply."He'snotinterestedinanythingmorethanaddinganothernotchto
hisbelt."

"Whatanasshole,"Jasonmuttered,earningafewgaspsfromthewomenaroundhim.Shecouldtell
hewasjustbarelyholdingbackaneyeroll.

Asmuchasshehatedbeingheretonight,andgoddidshehatebeingheretonight,shehadtoadmit
thatitwasnicenotbeingtotallyalone.HavingJasonwithhermadethisnightalmosttolerable.He'd
even managed to make her laugh, not on purpose of course, but she'd been unable to stop herself
from laughing at his shocked expression when her family dismissed him so easily. Her family's
treatmentofhimhadpissedheroffmorethanthewaythey'dtreatedher.

Sheshouldjustleave.Itwasobviousthattheyweren'treallywantedhereandshewasn'tabouttohave
Robertforcedonhersocouldspendthenexttwohoursdiscretelyremovinghishandfromherlegor
tryingtoignorethesexualinnuendoshe'dwhisperinherear.

Plus,shereallydidn'twanttositaroundwhiletheytreatedJasonhorriblyforanotherminute.Hewas
agoodfriendanddeservedbettertreatmentthanthat,especiallysincehe'dbeennothingbutkindto
themnomatterhowrudetheyweretohim.

They both looked over in time to see Robert stand up and head in their direction. Great. This night
wasabouttogetworse.

Jasongrinnedthatsexygrinofhisasheleaneddownandwhispered,"Let'sgetthehelloutofhere."

Hereallywasthebestfriendever,Haleydecidedastheymadetheirescape.

Chapter12

“I’msorry,Mr.Bradford,”Eric,oneofhisnormallybeststudents,mumbledquicklyasheavertedhis
eyesawayfromJason’smurderousglare.

Forthepastthreeweekshe’dbeenbitingeveryone’sheadoff.Hisnormallyeasygoingfaçadewas
completelygonenow.Itdidn’tmakeanysense.He’dbeengettingthebestsleepofhislifeandHaley
hadquicklybecomethemostimportantpersoninhislife.Hecouldn’timaginelivingwithouther.He
didn’twantto.

Nomatterwhattheydidduringthedayatnighttheycametogether.Notinthewayhewouldlike,but
hewasstillabletofindpeaceattheendofalongday.Twoweeksagotheybothgaveuponrushing
outoftheother ’sbedtogoshowerandchangetheirclothesinthemorning.Nowhehadtoiletriesin
herbathroomandsomeclosetandbureauspaceandshehadthesameinhishouse.

Itwasweird,butprobablynotasweirdastwobestfriendswhoslepttogetherbutdidn’tsomuchas
kiss.Itwasliketheywerelivingtogether,butalternatingfromonehousetotheother.Theyspentalot
of time together, but they also spent a lot of time on their own or with friends. When he was away
from her he wondered what she was doing and thinking. A few times he had to stop himself from
callinghertofindout.Theonlythingthatwassavinghissanitywasknowingthatshewasn’tdating
anotherman.Hedidn’tknowhowhe’dfeelaboutthat.Judgingbytheurgetoputhisfistintoawall
everytimehethoughtaboutherandanotherguyitwasn’tgood.

Another loud cheer went up next door. He clenched his jaw tightly as he focused on the fifteen
studentsofhisHonorsU.S.historyclass.Thiswastheirtwohourstudyblocktogooverthematerial
forthefinalexamwhichwastomorrowandonlytenminutesintoitandhewantedtothrottleevery
lastoneofthem.

He threw his papers onto his desk in disgust, making his students shift around nervously in their
designerschooluniforms.

“Idon’tunderstandthis.We’vegoneoverthismaterialallyearandnoneofyouhaveanyideawhat
hellwe’retalkingabout!”hisvoicerose,makingthegirlslookclosetocrying.

Another roar of applause came from next door, drawing his attention back to the woman who was
always on his mind. He speared his fingers through his hair and paced the floor. He was wound so
damntightrightnow,soclosetosnapping.

AsoftknockcameatthedoorconnectinghisclassroomtoHaley’s.Shepoppedherheadin,smiling.
Thatsmilewaslikeabalmtohissoul,instantlyrelaxinghim.

“Yes?”heaskedherinamuchsoftertonethantheonehe’dbeenusingwiththekids.

Haleynibbledherlipnervously.“Mr.Bradford,IwaswonderingifIcouldaskyouandyourstudents
ahugefavor.Ineedsomehelppreparingmykidsfortheirtesttomorrowandsincebothclassesare
studyingthesamematerialIwashopingyouwouldn’tmindcominginhereandgivingmeahand.”

“Yes,ofcourse,”hefoundhimselfansweringimmediately.Whointhehellcouldsaynotosomeone
so adorable? She pushed her glasses back up on her nose and smiled again damn near making his
kneesbuckle.

“Excellent!”shesaidbrightly,pushingthedooropenedwider.“Whydon’tyoukidscomeinhere?”
Sheturnedtofaceherclass.“Alright,youbunchofmiscreants,makesomeroom!”

Jasongrabbedthereviewpackethemadeovertheweekendandfollowed.AshewalkedpastHaleyhe
couldn’t stop himself from grabbing her hand and giving it a squeeze. If any of the kids saw they
smartlykepttheirmouthsshut.

Hewatchedashisstudentsfilledtheemptyseatsinherclassroom.Theykeptshootinghimnervous
looks. No doubt they were waiting for him to start yelling again. Little did they know his little
grasshopperkepthimgrounded.

Haley hopped up onto her desk and crossed one beautiful leg over the other, drawing every guy’s
attention.Hehadtostophimselffromkillingthelittlebastardsthenandthere.

Hislittlegrasshopperseemedoblivioustotheattentionshedrewasshereachedbacktograbalarge
brownpaperbag.Shewincedalittleasshepickeditupandplaceditontoherlap.Sheheldontoit,
grabbingalargepacketwiththeotherhand.Hedidn’twaitforaninvite.Hesatdownonthedeskright
nexttoher.

“Alright,guys,forthoseofyouwhoarejustjoininguswe’rehavingareview.We’lleachtakeaturn
askingyouaquestion.Ifyouknowtheansweryougetaprize,”shesaid.Hesawhisstudentsvisibly
relax.Hedidn’tthinkitwasovertheprize,butoverthereprievefromhistemper.

Curiousabouttheprizeheleanedoverandgasped.Howdareshehidethesefromhim!Hesenthera
glare,earningoneofherexasperatedeyerolls.Hereachedintothebagonlytohavehishandslapped
away.Howdareshe?

“Youcanhaveoneafterfiveofyourstudentsansweraquestioncorrectly,”sheinformedhim.

Hesentascathinglooktohisstudents,lettingthemknowtheydamnwellbetteranswercorrectlyand
quickly if they wanted to live. The woman had a huge bag, probably twenty pounds, of Hershey’s
Kisses and mini Reese’s Peanut Butter cups and he’d be damned if he wasn’t getting at least fifteen
pounds of that. The hell with the kids. Did they really need an education more than he needed
chocolate?Theyallhadtrustfunds.Theycouldgetawaywithatenthgradeeducation.Heontheother
hand needed that damn chocolate. Once his five students answered their questions correctly he was
attackingthatbagconsequencesbedamned.

“Alright guys, first question,” Haley announced as she looked at her packet. “Who was the first
PresidentoftheUnitedStates?”

Everyhandintheroomwentup.

Jasonsnorted.“Areyoutryingtojustgiveawaymychocolate?Makethemworkforit.”

Haleyrandomlypickedastudent,oneofhis,andtossedaKiss.Assheaskedthequestionstheygot
tougher.Ninequestionslaterhewaspatientlywaitingforoneofhisstudents,John,toansweroneof
Haley’squestions.

“Itwaseighteensixty….”thekidtrailedoffashethoughtitover.Jasonwasgoingtofailthekidifhe
couldn’tanswerthequestion.Notbecauseitreflectedpoorlyonhisteachingskills,butbecausethis
wasthefifthquestionandhewantedchocolate!

WhileHaleywaswatchingthekidfortheanswer,Jasondiscretelyraisedfourfingers.

“Eighteensixty-four,”Johnansweredquickly,tryingnottolookatJason.

“Verygood,”Haleysaid,tossingJohnapeanutbuttercup.

“Hey,that’snotfair!”Cindyorwhateverthehellhernamewasfromthedancecried.Heshouldhave
knownthelittlewitchwouldbelookingforrevenge.“Mr.Bradfordtoldhimtheanswer!”

“Don’tbepetty.Johnansweredthequestioncorrectly,”hesaid,holdingouthishandforthechocolate
thatwasduehim.

Haleyeyedhimcarefullywhilehegaveherhismostinnocentexpression.“Didyoujustcheatsoyou
couldgetchocolate?”

Hedidhisbesttolookinsulted.“WouldIdothat?”hedemanded.

She rolled her eyes and handed him a huge handful of chocolate. “This should keep your cheating
waysatbayforawhile.”

“Youwouldthinkthat,wouldn’tyou,”hesaid,unwrappinghistreatswhileCindyorwhateverthehell
hernamewasscowledathim.Heignoredher.Heatehischocolatebetweenaskingquestionsofthe
class.HeonlypausedtoreachbackandsnagHaley’swaterbottletowashdownthechocolate.

While they sat there hip to hip asking questions he reached back and casually rubbed a circle on
Haley’slowerback.Healmostgroanedwhenhefelthertremor.Outwardshewascoolandrelaxed.
She laughed with the kids and never had any problems carrying on with her questions. He only
stopped rubbing her back when she handed him more chocolate, which only happened when she
caughthimcheating.

Thelunchbellrang.Haleyheldupahand.“Alright,guys.You’vestudiedhardallyear.Iwantyougo
home,reviewandthenIwantyoutorelax.Thisisjustatest,guys.Justrememberthatandyou’lldo
fine.Remembereveryonethatearnsapassinggradeofatleasteightywillbejoiningmenextweekon
thelastdayofschoolforamakeyourownsundaeparty.”

JasonglaredatHaley.Firstchocolateandnowicecream.Whatelsewasshewithholdingfromhim?
Hehelduphishandtostopeveryonefromleaving.

“Thesamedealgoesformyclass,”hesaid.

“Copycat,”Haleymumbled.

“Damnstraight,”hesaidashewavedthestudentstoleave.

TheygotupandleftwhilehereachedoverandgrabbedthebagfromHaley.Hesettleditonhislap
andstartedsnakingaway.Haleygrabbedthebagfromhimanddroppeditinherdeskdrawer,locking
it.

Herolledhiseyes.“Yeah,causethatwillstopme.”

“Behave.Ifthere’sanyleftbytheendofthedayyoucanhavemore,”shesaidassheputherthings
away.Shepausedbythedoorandtriedherbesttolooksternasshesaid,“Thatchocolatebetterbe

thereafterlunch,mister.”

“Ofcourse,”hereadilyagreed.

Shethrewhimonelastlookofwarningbeforesheheadedofftowardsthecafeteriaforlunchduty.
He’dberightbehindhersincetheyhadthesameschedule.Onlyhehadonethingtodobeforethat.

Aftermakingsurethatshewasgonehekneltdownandpickedthelockwithtwopaperclipshefound
onherdesk.Secondslaterthelockclickedandhestolethebootyandheadedforhisroom,sighing.
Whenwouldsheeverlearn?

**********************

“Istilldon’tunderstandyourproblem,”Marysaid.

Haley scowled across the booth at her friend. “What’s not to understand? Somehow, someway I
managedtofindmyselfinaseriousrelationshipwithouttherelationship.”

“Thatsounds…….different,”Marysaid.AfterashortpauseMaryasked,“Whatthehelldoyoumean?
IthoughtyouandJasonwerejustfriends.”

“Weare!It’sjustthat……”Shesighedheavilyasshefiddledwiththelabelonherbeer.“Hedoesn’t
dateanymore.Hedoesn’tevenshowanyinterestinanotherwoman.Whenwe’reouthesendswomen
awaytellingthemhe’snotinterested.”

“Well,that’ssweet-“

“Whenguysapproachmehethrowshisarmaroundmeandgivesthemlooksthatscarethehellout
ofthem.LastnightwhenwewereoutwithMitchatthemoviessomeguyinlinestoodtooclosetome
andJasongotintoashoutingmatchwiththeguy.”

“He’sjustbeingprotective-“

“Hetreatsmelikehisgirlfriend.He’salwaystouchingmeandcuddlingupwithme.Wesleepinthe
samebedeverynight.Wetrysleepingpositionsliketheyweresexualpositions!”shehissedquietly,
hopingtheloudjukeboxmusicblockedouthervoicetotherestofthebarpatrons.

“Andyoudon’tlikeanyofthis?”Maryguessed.

“Likeit?Iloveit!ExceptIwantmore.God,Ican’tstopthinkingabouthimandhavinghimsoclose
butnotcloseenoughiskillingme.Iamsopathetic,”shemumbledsadly.

“Doesheknow?”

“No.Ifhedidhe’dstepback.Hedoesn’twantagirlfriend.Hewantsafriend,asister.”

“Doesn’tsoundthatwaytome.”

“Trustme.There’snochanceinhellJasonBradfordisgoingtochangehiswaysforme.”

“Wellnotifyoudon’tgivehimachancehewon’t.”Maryreachedoverandtookherhand.“You’rein
lovewithhimaren’tyou?’

Haleywipedathereyes.“Let’stalkaboutsomethingelse.”

“Fine,” Mary sighed. She stirred the tiny red straw in her ginger ale and looked around the bar.
“Therearealotofreallycuteguysheretonight.”

Haley followed her friends gaze and nodded her agreement. There were a lot of cute guys here
tonight. That brought up another interesting question. If she decided to date and take the guy home
wouldJasongetpissed?Ifshestarteddatingsomeoneshecouldn’tsleepinthesamebedwithJason
anymore.Itwouldn’tbefairanditwouldmakeeverythingweirder.Thefactthatshedidn’twantany
othermanbutJasonholdingherdidn’thelp.

She inwardly groaned. Tonight was about relaxing after a long day of review. She wasn’t here to
moon over Jason Bradford. Tonight she was here to have a few drinks, play a game of pool, and
relax.

“Ah,Haley,maybeweshouldgosomewhereelse.Howaboutwerentamovieandgetsomepizzaand
headtomyplace?”Maryasked,soundingnervous.

Haleyfrownedather.“We’vebeenwaitinganhourforthepooltableandwe’reupnext.BesidesI’m
notdonewithmybeer.What’swrong?”

Marylookeddownatherdrinkandnibbledherlipforamoment.Shelookedclosetotears.

“Mary?”Haleysaidsoftly.

Maryshookherheadandsobbedlightly,butdidn’tlookup.

LoudlaughterdrewHaley’sattentiontothedoor.Hereyesnarroweddangerously.

“Thatsonofabitch,”shesnapped.

“Haley,pleasedon’tmakeabigdealoutofthis.Let’sjustgo-“

Haleywasalreadyonherfeetandheadedtowardsthesmallgroupnearthebar.Shepushedherway
through the group until she was face to face with Mary’s ex-fiancé and the voluptuous blonde
snugglinguptohim.Shesnorted.Itwasn’teventhesameoneheleftMaryfor.Hewaspathetic.She
reallywishedshehadspokenupyearsagoabouthowmuchofaloserhewas.

“Whatthehelldoyouwant?”Tedpracticallysneered.

She shrugged. “Nothing much. Just wondering if you’re going to grow some balls and help Mary.
YourememberMary,don’tyou?Thewomanyoudatedforfouryears,cheatedonconstantly,asked
tomarry,andthenknockedupallbeforeyoudumpedherforastripper?Well,Iwasjustwonderingif
you were planning on manning up anytime soon and helping Mary with the medical bills for this
pregnancy.Justthinkingitmightbeniceifshecouldaffordtokeepyourkidindiapersandformula.
I’mkindoffunnylikethat.”

Thewomanunderhisarmlookedstartledandpushedawayfromhimwithopendisgust.

“Yougotawomanpregnantandlefther?Whatanasshole!”shesaidbeforestalkingoffandgiving
himthefinger.Hisbuddieslaughedathim.Tedglaredather.

Tedgroaned.“Youstupidbitch!Iamsosickofyoufuckingupmylife!Mary’sacceptedourbreakup
whenthehellareyougoingto?Idon’twantanythingtodowiththatflatchesteduglybitchorherbrat

sofuckoffandleavemealone!Andifyou'resoconcernedaboutthebaby'sshittydiapersthenyou
buythemforher,bitch!”

“Listenyou-“

“Haley,please!”Mary,suddenlybyherside,pleadedasshetriedtopullHaleyaway.“Let’sjustgo!”

“Thereyouare!Youneedtotellhertomindherownfuckingbusiness!”Tedsaid,pushingMaryin
theshoulderhardtomakehispoint.

“Oh,noyoudidn’t,yousonofabitch!”Haleysaidjustbeforeshereleasedherfistsoffurryonthe
bastard.

Chapter13

“Wouldyoutwocuttheshit?We’reheretohaveaguy’snightoutnotapissingcontest,”Bradsaidto
thetwomenglaringateachother.Helookedheavenwardandsighed,“Thisisfuckingridiculous.”

“He’stheonebeinganasshole,”Mitchsaid,shovingJason.

Jasonshovedhimback,harder,sendinghisfriendintoaparkedpickuptruck.Hepointedafingerat
Mitch.“Staythefuckawayfromher.”

“Oh,fuckoffyou,yousanctimoniousasshole.Youdon’twanther,butyoudon’twantanyoneelseto
haveher.She’snotyourproperty!”

Jasonfelthisjawclenchtighter.

“Whatareyougoingtodowhenshestartsdatingsomeotherguy?Huh,toughguy?”Mitchpushed
him.“Somedaysoonthislittlefriendshipofyourswon’tbeenoughforherandshe’llgotoanother
guy and you won’t have her anymore. Have you thought of that, yet?” Mitch snorted. “She’s a
beautiful,funny,sweetwoman.Alotofguyswouldgivetheirrightnutforagirllikeher!”

Jasonfeltalltheblooddrainoutofhisface.HestoodthereastherealityofMitch’swordshithim
hard.OnedayitwouldbeanothermanHaleywouldtalkto,watchgameswith,orjustsitinabsolute
peacefulsilencewhiletheyworkedorate,andworstofallitwouldbeanothermanholdingHaleyin
hisarmsatnight.

“Fuck….,”hegasped.

“Oh great, you broke him! Are you happy now?” Brad demanded. “Come on, buddy, we’ll get you
fixedupwithacoldbeerandaplateofhotwings.Howdoesthatsound?Doesthatsoundgood?”

Numbly,Jasonnodded.

Brad scowled at Mitch who looked profoundly shocked by Jason’s reaction. No doubt the man
probably expected a good shoving match and a few outbursts. Jason going suddenly quiet was
absolutelyfrightening.

“Ihopeyou’rehappy!”BradyelledatMitch."Youbrokehim!"

“Iwasjustpissed….Ididn’tknow….I…”HeshruggedhelplesslyashehelpedBradsteeraverynumb
Jasonintothebar.“Look,I’msorry.Ijustthoughtyoudidn’tthinkIwasgoodenoughforher.Shit.I
didn’trealizethat-“

His words were cut off when Brad shook his head. Mitch looked at Jason and nodded. The man
clearly wasn’t ready to hear any of this. Jason wasn’t aware his friends were talking. He couldn’t
focuspasttheideaofanothermantouchingHaley.

HisHaley.

“Pleasestop!”awomanscreamedastheypushedastillfrighteninglyquietJasoninside.

Theyspottedafamiliarlookingtallwomanbeingheldbackbytwowomenwhoweretryingtocalm
herdownwhiletheylookednervouslyatasmallgroupofmen.Suddenlythegroupparted.

All three men stood in shock as Haley hit, well sort of slapped with her fists in a windmill type
fashion,alargemanwholookedmorepissedwithherassaultthanactuallyhurt.

“Youdon’tevertouchheragain!”Haleyyelledasshecontinuedherweirdassassault.

“Shutup,bitch!”themansaid,shovingHaleyaway.Shestumbledbackwardsandhitthefloor,hard.

Jasonsawredaseverythingaroundhimblurredintoahazeashefocusedonthemanthatjustputhis
hands on Haley. Without a word he stalked over to the son of a bitch and punched him in the face,
sendinghimslammingbackintothebar.

Themanbentoverinagony,cuppinghisnose.“Youbrokemynose,asshole!”

“If you ever lay another finger on her I will kill you. Do you understand me?” he promised with
barelyrestrainedfury.

Themantriedtoglare,andwinced.Finallyhenodded.

“Good,”hesaidslowly,turningaround.“Whoa!”hegaspedashislittlegrasshopperranintohimas
sheattemptedtorenewhercutelittleattack.

“Haley!”hesaid,tryingtosnapheroutofit.Sheignoredhim,tryingtoswingattheguyorwhatever
thehellshewasdoing.Withanexasperatedsighhethrewheroverhisshoulderandheadedforthe
door.

“You’relucky,Ted!NexttimeIwillkick.Your.Ass!”sheyelled.

Jason gave her bottom a patronizing pat. “I’m sure you have him quaking in his drawers, my little
grasshopper.Noneedtoscarehim.”

Shegrabbedthewaistofhisjeanstohelppushherselfupsothatshecouldglareatthebastard.“Ass
whooping!NexttimeI’mnotholdingback!”

“Tellhimtowatchhisback!”Mitchsuggested,laughing.

JasonnearlyrolledhiseyeswhenHaleydidjustthat.Hereleasedawearybreath.“Let’sgetyouhome
beforeyouhavethemanwettinghimself.”

“You’relucky,punk!”sheyelled,makinghimgrin.Shewassodamncute.

****************

Haleygruntedandkickedthecoversoffofthem.

“Areyougoingtowhoopthesheet’sassaswell?ShouldIruntosafety?”Jasonasked,bitingbacka
hugesmilethatwasthreateningtotakeover.

“It’s hot!” she said in a cute little whiny voice. “And stop making fun of me. I totally kicked ass
tonight,”shesaidwithasniff.“Theymightevenbanmefromthebaraftertonight.”

Heblinked.“Forwhat?”

Shefloppedonherbackawayfromhim.“Whatdoyoumeanforwhat?Istartedabrawl!”

“Really?When?”

“Whatdoyoumeanwhen?Youwerethere.Yousawmekickingsomeass!”

“Thatthingyouweredoingwithyourhands?”Shenodded.“Ithoughtyouwerehavingaseizureof
somekind.”

Shegaspedandgavehimaplayfulshove.“Jerk!ItotallykickedhisassandIcouldkickyourass.”

He looked at her for a moment before he burst out laughing. The entire bed shook as he laughed,
probablyharderthanhe’deverlaughedinhisentirelife.Tearsstreameddownhisfaceashegripped
hissideasacrampstarted.

“Hey!Stoplaughingatme!I’mamajorthreatdamnit!”herserioustonehadhimlaughingharder.
Damn,shewasreallykillinghimhere.“KeepitupandI’mgoingtokickyourasswithmyfistsof
fury!”

Somehowhemanagedtolaughharder.Hereallydidn’tthinkitwaspossible,buthedid.

“That’sit!”Haleysnapped.Shesatupandquicklystraddledhishipsandgrabbedhisarms.Shetried
topinhisarmsbyhissideofhishead.Hislaughterbecamemorecontrolledashequicklyturnedthe
tables on her and rolled over, pinning her beneath him. He didn’t bother pinning down her hands.
Really,whatwasthepoint?He’dseenherinactionafterall.

“Alright,mylittlegrasshopper,kickmyass.I’mready,”hesaid,grinning.Hemadesuretokeephis
hipsraised.Nopointintorturinghimself,especiallysinceshewasonlywearingatinycamisoleand
pinkcottonpanties.

Shebeganpushingathischest,tryingtoshovehimoff.Whenthatdidn’tworkshetriedtokickhim
andhethoughtshemayhavetriedtogivehimagoodoldfashionIndianburnonhisarm.

Itwasjustsad.

“Comeon,mylittlegrasshopper,I’mreadyanytimeyouare.Showmesomeofthatfury.”

Haleyshovedandpulledharder,butstillhedidn’tmove.

“Seriously,I’mreadywheneveryouare,”hesaid,smilingdownather.

Shegroanedloudlyassheincreasedherattempts.Stillshecouldn’tbudgehim.

Hecouldn’tstophimselffromtauntingher.Shewasjustsodamncute.“Aw,ismylittlegrasshopper
gettingtired?Where’sallthatfurygone?Comeonlet’sseethosemoves-“

Shecuthiswordsoffwithakiss,surprisingthehelloutofhim.Itwasaquickgentlebrushofherlips
over his, but it knocked him on his ass. Haley dropped her head back on the pillow staring at him
whilesheworriedherbottomlipnervously.

Jason hovered over her, panting for breath that had nothing to do with laughter. That kiss….. That
innocent,sweetkisshithimharderthaneverymakeoutsessionhe’deverhadinhislife.

“Jason?”Haley’sbrokenwhisperbroughthisattentionbacktoherlips.

Thiswasover.Hewasgoingtoclimboutofbed,apologizetoher,walkherbacktoherhouseandput
somedistancebetweenthem.Hewasnogoodforher.Hetreatedwomanlikeshitandhadnocluehow
to treat someone as special as Haley. She deserved a man who would make her his entire world. A
manwhowouldtakecareofher,holdherandloveher.Andhewasnotthatman.

“Haley,I-“

HiswordsbrokeoffinagroanasHaley’smouthcoveredhisagain.Shebrushedherlipsagainsthis
enticingly.Hisentirebodywentrigidasheforcedhimselfnottorespond.Hecouldn’tdothistoher.
Asmuchasitwouldhurtbothofthemhecouldn’tgiveintoher.Hisbodyshookwiththeneedtokiss
herbackandlowerhisbodyontohers,butsomehowhefoundthestrengthtofightit.

**************

Hewasn’tkissingherback.

There,shehadheranswer.Shejusthadtogoandkisshimtofindout.Shecouldn’tjustaskhimlikea
normalperson.Now,shenotonlyprobablyjustwreckedeverythingbetweenthem,butshewasalso
horriblyembarrassed.Peachy.Justfreakin’peachy.

Shefeltthetearsburninhereyes.Hewasnotgoingtoseehercry.Sheabsolutelyrefusedtolethim
seehowmuchthishurther.

“Excuse me,” she mumbled softly, breaking away and pushing at his chest. He didn’t fight her this
time.Hemovedoffher.Shewassoclosetobreakingdown.Shejumpedoffthebedandheadedfor
thebedroomdoor.Shedidn’tcareaboutherclothesoranythingelseatthemoment.Shejustneeded
togetoutofthere.

“Haley!”Jasoncalledafterher.“Let’stalkaboutthis!”

Thelastthingshewantedtodowastalkaboutthis.Sheranouthisdoorandacrosstheyardtoher
door.Barelyabletoseethroughthetearsthatwerenowflowingfreelydownherfaceasshesearched
forherhiddenkeybeneaththefrontstepandwentintoherhouse.

She locked the front door and ran to her room to lock her window and pull her curtains shut,
knowingJasonwouldjustcomethroughthewindowforherandtrytojokehiswayoutofthis.She
didn’t want to joke about this. This hurt! Her heart was broken and she just lost the best friend she
everhadoverherownstupidity.

Asobbrokefreeandthenanotheruntilshewassobbinguncontrollably.Shedroppedontotheedgeof
herbedandburiedherfaceinherhandsassheletitout.Shewastootiredtofightitanymore.

Warm breath tickled her hands the same time strong fingers gently pulled her hands down. She
avertedherfacesoshewouldn’thavetofacehimkneelinginfrontofher.Shejustcouldn’t.

“Willyoulookatme?”heaskedsoftly.

Shebitherlipandshookherhead.

“I’mnot……Haley,I’mjustnotgoodenoughforyou.DoyouunderstandwhatI’msaying?”

Haley shrugged, wanting him to get to the point quickly and leave. At the moment she didn’t trust
herselftoopenhermouth,afraidshe’djustembarrassedherselfmore.

“You’retoogoodforme,mylittlegrasshopper,”hesaidsoftlyashelaidhisforeheadinthecrookof
herneck.“Youcoulddosomuchbetterthanmewithouteventrying,Haley.Somuchbetter.”

His voice dropped as he continued and he sounded like he was in pain, but still she said nothing.
“You’re kind, smart, funny, you have the biggest heart of anyone I’ve ever met and you’re sweet.
God,areyousweet.”Hishandssliduphersidesandgentlyrubbedupanddown.

His breath came quicker against her skin and Haley wanted nothing more than to wrap her arms
aroundhimandholdhimonemoretime,butshecouldn’tdoit.Shecouldn’tstandforhimtopush
herawayagain.

“Doyouknowhowsweetyouare,mylittlegrasshopper?”hisvoicewashoarseashishandsmoved
lowertoherhipsandslidbackupuntilhisthumbsbrushedbeneathherbreastsandthendownagain.
Hepressedakisstoherneckalmostasifhecouldn’thelphimself.Apainedgroanescapedhimwhen
hedidit.

“Ishouldwalkoutofhereandnevercomebackandletyougoonandmeetsomeniceguywhowill
giveyoueverythinginlifeyoudeserve.”Hepressedanotherkisstoherneckandshebarelybitback
amoan.Hishandssliddownhersidesandthistimewhentheymovedbackuptheywerebeneathher
shirt.

Largewarmhandssliduphersidesonlytostoprightbeneathherbreasts.Theyhesitatedtherefora
secondbeforecontinuingtheirjourneydownward.Hecontinuedtokissherneckalmostdesperately.
Thenexttimehishandsmovedupheranhisthumbsalongtheundersideofherbreastsandgroaned.

Haley’s head dropped back while her hands fisted in the comforter. She still hadn’t spoken, but for
otherreasonsnow.Shewasafraidifshespokeshewouldbreakthroughtohimandhewouldrealize
whathewasdoingandleaveher.Heavenhelpher,buthehadhertoodesperatetochanceit.

“I need to leave.” He pressed an open mouthed kiss to her neck and gently sucked while his hands
movedfurtheruponlytoteasinglybrushoverherhardnipples.Theymoanedinunison.“It'stheright
thing to do……the um,….the um……” His hands made another swipe this time gently squeezing
beforemovingbackdown.

“I um, I shouldn’t want you…..I shouldn’t…..I care for you so much, my little grasshopper. That’s
whyIshould…..Ishould,"hegroanedloudandlow,"you’resosweet.”

Shedecidedenoughwasenough.Heobviouslywantedherasmuchasshewantedhim,wellshehoped
hedidatleast.Takingadeepfortifyingbreathsheleanedback,dislodginghismouthfromherneck.
Helookeddazedashetriedtofigureoutwhatjusthappened.

Haleyheldhiseyesasshereacheddownandgrabbedthehemofhershirt.Hopingshewasn’twrong
abouthim,shepulleditupandoffandtossedittothefloor.

Jasonfroze.Hishandsstilledonherhipsashisjawclenchedtightly.Helockedeyeswithherandshe
hadtobitebackasmileashestrugglednottolookdown.Helostthatbattleseveraltimes.

Hesuckedinareverentbreathasheallowedhiseyestolingeronherbreasts.Hemumbledsomething
aboutnotbeingasaintbeforelookingbackup.Hestudiedherfaceforalongmoment.

“Youknowyoucoulddobetterthanme,right?”

Sherolledhereyesandgavehimawaterysmile.“Well,duh.”

“Aslongaswe’reonthesamepage,”hemumbledbeforehismouthcamedownonhers.

Chapter14

Noneofthefantasieshehadabouthislittlegrasshoppercameclosetotherealthing.Herlipswere
fullandwarmagainsthisashemovedovertheminahungrykiss.

Hegaveherachance.Hell,he’dletherrunoutofhishouseinnothingmorethanherpantiesanda
skimpy shirt. He’d have to talk to her about her flashing ways, but later…much later. Right now he
wasbusyrunninghishandsoverthemostperfectbreastsincreation.Theywerebig,butnottoobig.
Theywerejustperfectforhishands.

Shemoanedandheattacked,slidinghistongueintothatwarmheavenshecalledamouth.Hertongue
cameouttoplayandslidagainsthis,makinghimgrowlintohermouth.

Her hands slid up his chest, sending ripples of pleasure throughout his body. He’d dreamed of her
touching him. He loved the way she ran her fingers through his hair at night when they held each
other.He'dfantasizedaboutherrunningherfingersovertherestofhisbody.

Withonelastdeepkisshemovedhismouthdownalongherjawandranhistonguedownherneck
betweenherbreasts.Hishandsneverstoppedtheiradministrations.Hegrippedonebreastandheldit
forhismouthasanoffering.Heranhistonguearoundonelargehardnipple,earningthemosterotic
moanhe’deverheardfromawomanbeforehesuckeditbetweenhislips.Hereleasedthenipplewith
aloudpopandturnedhisattentiontothenextone.

After a moment his hands slid back down her stomach where he gripped her panties. She didn’t
hesitateinliftingherhips.Hislittlegrasshopperwasagoodgirl.Hepulledthepantiesoffwhilehe
kissed his way down. When they were gone he gently pushed her back onto the bed and moved his
mouthtooneinnerthighandthentothenext.

“Iwonderifyou’reassweetasIimagined,Haley,”hesaid,kissingherthighbeforepushingherlegs
furtherapart.Eveninthedimlylitroomhecouldseehersexclearly.Thepinklipswerepuffywith
arousalandhershorttrimmedcurlsweresoaked,makinghimlickhislipsinanticipation.

Hepressedateasingkissclosetoherjuncture.“Areyousweet,Haley?Hmmm?”

Heranswerwasawhimper.

“I bet you’re sweeter than honey,” he murmured as he leaned in and ran his tongue between the
swollenpinklipsinonelonglick.Hiseyesclosedashemoaneddeeply.Sweeter.Muchsweeterthan
heimagined.Haley’shipsshotofftheedgeofthebed,buthewasreadyforthat.Hegrabbedherfeet
andplacedthemonhisshoulders.

Usinghisthumbs,hespreadheropenandnearlycamefromthesight.Usinghisthumbhespreadthe
warmclearliquidoverthetinynub.

Haleymoaned.

"Youlikethat?"heaskedinahuskyvoice."Thenyou'lllovethis."

Heranthetipofhistonguearoundthelittlenub,carefulnottotouchit.Haleysquirmedbeneathhis
handstryingtofindrelief.Heslidtwofingersinsideofher,butswitchedtoonewhenherealizedhow

tight she was. He was glad he wasn't the only one who hadn't had sex in a while. He wanted her
desperateforhim.

Finally he ran his tongue over her sensitive little nub, earning a moan so he did it again and again
whileslowlyslidinghisfingerinandoutofher.Hehadtoclosehiseyes.Hewassoclosetocoming
andshehadn'teventouchedhimyet.Heprayedhewouldn'tembarrasshimselftonight.Heplannedon
beinginsideofhermostofthenight.

Hersheathtightenedaroundhisfingerslikeavice.Hesuckedherclitbetweenhislipswhileflicking
histongueoverit.

"Jason....Jason....,"shemoanedhisnamesoftly."Jason!"shescreamedhisnameasherbodythrobbed
hardaroundhisfinger.

Hewaiteduntilshelaybonelessonthebedpantingbeforepullingawayandslowlylickinghislips
andfingersclean.Heleanedoverandkissedher.

"Condom," he said through clenched teeth. He was on the edge of coming. He'd never been more
turnedoninhislife.Hewantedtofuckherineveryimaginablepositionandsomehewassurewere
physicallyimpossible,buthewaswillingtogivethemallatry.

HefeltHaleystillbeneathhim.Itwassoquickthathealmostdidn'tnoticeit.Beforehecouldaskwhat
waswrongshepushedhimoff.Shit.Shewasstillpissedaboutearlier.

"Haley,I-fuck"hegroanedloudly,wellyelledreally,asHaleyinoneswiftmoveyankedhisboxers
down and took him in her hot wet mouth. He braced his hands on her shoulders while she worked
him.Shetookthetipofhiscockintohermouthwithawellpracticedmovethatnearlyhadhiseyes
crossing.

Shecuppedhissackwithonehand,rollingitaroundherhandandmakinghimgroanandbuck.He
forcedhimselftobestillsohewouldn'thurther.Shemethiseyeswhensheslowlytookhiminand
wentpastthepointanyotherwomanhadevermanaged.

Hewhimpered.

HisheaddroppedbackasHaleydeepthroatedhim.Neverhaditfeltlikethis,sogood,socomplete.
His little grasshopper had a secret side to her. A side he very much planned on exploring. He
wondered what else she could do and who had taught her. Anger surged through him just thinking
aboutherdoingthiswithanyothermanandhequicklypushedthosethoughtsawaywithHaley'shelp.
Shewaswonderful.

For several minutes panting and suckling sounds echoed throughout the small bedroom, making it
harder for Jason to hold back. He was so damn close. Hell, he could have easily come a hundred
timesoverbynow,buthewasdesperatetokeepthisgoing.Itfeltsogood....sofuckinggood.

Finally he couldn't hold back any longer. He tapped her on the shoulder, the universal sign of
warning,andstartedtopullbackwhenHaleygrippedhishipwithherfreehandandheldhiminplace
asshedoubledherefforts.

"Haleybaby,I'mgonnacome!"hemoanedthelastwordloudlyashisentirebodyspasmedashiscock
hardened beyond belief and erupted in her sweet little mouth. Haley didn't miss a beat sucking him

dry.Shewastrulywonderful.

Gasping for air, he pulled back sucking in a deep breath as he slid out over her tongue. Lazily he
shoveddownhisunderwearandclimbedontothebedoverHaley.

She licked her lips, making him groan. He leaned in and kissed her, mixing their flavors. As they
kissed they slowly moved up the bed. Once Haley's head hit the pillow Jason laid on his side and
gatheredherclose.

Asgoodasitfelttosimplyholdherinhisarmsoverthesepastweeksitfeltbettertohaveherinhis
armsnaked. Surprisingly ithad nothing todo with sex. Heloved feeling herwarm skin against his
andfeelingherheartbeatasitlulledhimintoadeepsleep.

************

"Shit!"HaleyheardJasonyellassomethingcrashedintheotherroom.Fromthesoundofithejust
knockedoverherstackofbooksonthehallwaytable,again.

Sheleanedagainstthekitchencounter,nibblingonapiecetoastasshewatchedJasonstumblingin.
His hair was still wet and he was still fumbling with his clothes. His shoes were untied, his pants
undone,hisshirtwasonlyhalfwaybuttonedupandhewashavingahellofatimewithhistie.

Heglaredaccusinglyatherwhilehemadeshortworkofhisclothes."Youdidn'twakemeup."

Sherolledhereyesasshespearedapieceofsausagewithherfork."Ididwakeyouup.Threetimes
infact.Eachtimeyouthrewsomethingatmeandwentbacktosleep."

Jasongapedather."Andyougaveup?Youknowourroutine,woman.YouhavetokeepatituntilI'm
forcedtogetoffthebedtofindsomethingtothrowatyou."Hiseyesnarroweddangerouslyonthe
largebreakfastinfrontofher.

"Andyou'veeatenwithoutme?"heaskedinshockedoutrage.EatingtoJasonwassacred,probably
becausehelikedstealingfoodfromherplatewhenitwasstillhot.

Anyothermorningandshewouldhavemadesurehegotrightup.Sheenjoyedtheirquietmornings
together before they faced their hormonal charges. But this morning she didn't want to give him a
chancetofinishwhattheystartedlastnight.

Asmuchasshewantedto,neededto,takethatnextstepwithhimshewasfrightened.Hewasaman
withexperienceandexpectationsandshewas.....well,forthelackofabetterword,achicken.

Shewasfortunatetobetheyoungestchildinthefamilynotonlybecausehergrandparentstookher
in, but because she was able to see from a very young age how her sisters and older cousins were
treated by so-called friends and men. Men came and went out of their lives turning them into
slobberingidiots.She'dknownmorethanonewomanovertheyearsthatthoughtsexmeantloveto
menonlytohavetheirheartbrokenintheend.

Itmightseemoldfashioned,butsheonlyplannedonsleepingwithonemaninherlife,themanshe
wouldspendtherestofherlifewith.Shedatedovertheyearsandhandledher"needs"inotherways
butnevertookthechanceonanymanshe'ddated.Sincesheneverfellinlovewiththemithadbeen
easy,butwithJasonitwasgoingtobedifficult.

Sheknewwithoutadoubtthatshewasinlovewithhimandthatheatleastcaredforherdeeply,as
deeplyasamanlikehimcould.HaleyhadnodelusionsaboutwhatkindofmanJasonhadbeeninthe
past.He'dneverhadaseriousrelationshipandnevercaredforanywomanhe'dbeenwith.Although
hehadchangedagreatdealandevenmaturedoverthepastcoupleofmonthsshewasn'toneofthose
delusionalwomenwhothoughtshecouldchangeaman.

Jasoncouldverywellbethepersontogethertobreaktheruleofonlyonemanforlife,becauseshe
knewwithoutadoubthewouldnevermarryher.Hemightbeabletohandleanexclusiverelationship
withher,butforhowlong?Sheknewsoonerorlaterhe'dgetboredandmovedontothenextgirl.It
wouldhurtlikehell,butsheknewitwascoming.

So,thatleftherwithaveryimportantdecisiontomake.Didshetakeachanceandgiveherselftohim,
hopingherheartwouldn'tcompletelyshatterwhenhemovedon,orkeepitatthephysicallevelthat
shewascomfortablewith?

The only thing stopping her was the regret she knew she would feel a year from now when yet
anotherwomancamescreamingandbangingonherdoorinthemiddleofthenight.

She watched as Jason finished dressing. The entire time he scowled at her or looked longingly
towardsthestackofwaffles,toast,eggs,baconandsausage.Ofcourseshecookedthisforhim,and
heknewitonsomelevel,butitwasJasonandhetookhisfoodseriously.Tooseriously,butthatwasa
jobforDr.Philtoworkthrough,nother.

Whenhefinisheddressinghethrewhisbagoverhisshoulder,grabbedthebottleofsyrupandsoaked
thewaffles.Hegrabbedaforkandtheplateandheadedforthedoor,leavinghertorollhereyesand
followhim.

Whileshedrovetheyate.Foreverytwobiteshetookhegaveherone,whichworkedforhersinceit
didn'ttakemuchtofillherup.Secretlysheloveditwhentheydidthingslikethis,especiallywhenhe
took care of her. It was so sweet. He made sure she was given the best piece of bacon or bite of
sausageandalwaysmadesuretodoubledipherbiteofwaffleintothesyrup,knowinghowmuchshe
likedit.

Bythetimetheypulledintothestaffparkinglottheyhadfinishedandtheplatewasonthebackseat
sittingonthelargebeachtowelsheputbacktherefortimeslikethis.

They sat there for a moment and watched as buses and cars drove up in front of the building. It
occurredtoherthatshewassuddenlynervous.Afterlastnightshethoughtitwouldbeawkwardfirst
thingthismorning,anotherreasonsheleftthebedearly.Insteadtheyjumpedrightintotheirnormal
relaxedroutine.Nowthatthefoodwasgoneandtheyweresittinghereshewasreallynervous.

Did he regret what they did? Was she about to get the speech that he didn't want anything serious?
Wouldhegetpissedwhenhefoundoutshewouldn'tsleepwithhimlikeseveralmenbeforehimhad?
Damnit!Whatearthshatteringthingwouldhesay?

"You'vegotsyruponyourlip."

Okay,notexactlylifealtering.

Shelickedherlip."Isitgone?"

"No."

Shewipedhermouthwithherfingers."Howaboutnow?"

Hesighed."IseeI'mgoingtohavetohandlethis."Heleanedinquicklyandbrushedhislipsagainst
hers.Shesuckedinabreathasheranhistongueoverherbottomlip.

"So sweet, my little grasshopper," he whispered against her lips. He brushed his lips against hers
again."IknowwhyyouleftthebedearlythismorningandwhyyoumadesureIhadverylittletimeto
doanythingelsebutgetreadyforwork."

Hepressedanotherkisstoherlipsashetookherhandintohis."I'msorryforbeingajerklastnight
andalmostmakingthebiggestmistakeofmylife.Iwasafraidofhurtingyou.IknowwhatIamandI
also know you deserve a guy that can spoil you rotten and take you to all the nice places that you
deserve.I-"

"Jason,Idon'tcareaboutthosethings,"shesaidsoftly.

He shook his head stubbornly. "It doesn't mean that you don't deserve them, but if you give me a
chancetomakeupformypaststupidity,andI'mnotjusttalkingaboutwithyou,IpromisethatIwill
domybesttomakeyouhappy."

"Jason-"
"Iwanttotrythis.Youandme,Imean.IknowI'llmostlikelyfuckupalongthewayandyou'llwantto
ringmyneck,butIwanttotry.I'lldomybestnottohurtyou."

Haley smiled, knowing that was the best she could hope for from him. She appreciated his honesty
andknewthatiftheyweregoingtotrytomakethisworkthenshehadtobehonestwithhim,atleast
about the extent of their relationship. He might not like being with a woman where sex, well,
intercoursewasn'tinvolved.

Shegavehishandasmallsqueeze."Jason,ifwe'regoingtotrythisthenI'dliketotakethingsslow."
He frowned. "What I mean is nothing beyond the level we were at last night." She worried her lip
betweenherteeth."WhatImeanisnoactualsex."

He narrowed his eyes on her. "But, you'll still sleep with me naked and let me do a hundred other
naughtythingstoyou?"heaskedinaserioustone.

"Yes."

Hebrushedhislipsagainsthersagainandmovedbackafewinchestolookintohereyes."Andyou'll
stillcookformeandcallmeMaster?"

Herlipstwitched."Yestothecookingandnotachanceinhellfortheother."

Hesighedwearily."Fine,howaboutLordandMaster?"

"Uh...no."

"God?"

"Nope."

"Myliege?"

"Wait.....no."

Hegaveheroneofhislopsidedsmiles."I'llwearyoudowneventually."

She wasn't so sure he would stick around long enough to make good on that promise, but for the
chancetobewithhimevenforashorttimeshewaswillingtoriskit.

Chapter15

"Ihatethis.Whydidwehavetocomehere?"shesaidinasnootytoneasshelookedaroundthelarge
carnival with clear distaste. "If I had known we were coming here I would have stayed home. God,
have you ever heard of a restaurant? That's where I should be eating, not something on a stick like
someslob."Sheflippedherlonghairoverhershoulder.

JasonglancedatMitchwhosejawwasclenched.ThemandidnotlookhappyandJasondidn'tblame
himonebit.Ifheknewshewasgoingtoreactthiswaytogoingtoacarnivalheneverwouldhave
suggesteditorattheveryleastnotbroughther.

Personally, he loved carnivals and theme parks. He couldn't pass one by without stopping in for a
fried treat and a few rides. Mitch was the same way, which was why they were here. They came to
haveagoodtime.Insteadtheywerestucklisteningtothiswomanbitchandwhine.Shestartedassoon
assheheardtheplansfortheevening.

Assoonasshefoundoutsheputherfootdownanddemandedanicerestaurantanddrinks.She'dbeen
outvoted and offered a ride home. She refused. Jason had no doubt she decided to come along to
maketheirlivesalivinghellfornotjumpingtomeetherdemands.

"WecangoonthebumpercarsortheFerriswheel,"Mitchstartedtosuggest.

Shefoldedherarmsoverherchestandglared,justglaredattheman.Mitchcursedunderhisbreath.
Sheturnedhercoldglareonhimandhedidn'tbotherhidinghiseyeroll.Thiswasridiculous.Noway
washelettingherwreckhisgoodtime.

"Jason!"

Heturnedaroundandhisfrownwasinstantlygone,replacedbyahugepleasedsmile.Hewatchedas
hislittlegrasshopperwalkedquicklytowardshim,grinningfromeartoear.Shehadastuffedanimal,
asnakefromthelooksofit,aroundherneck,alargesodainonehandandherotherarmwrapped
aroundafakesword,ateddybearandsheheldthelargestpieceoffrieddoughhe'deverseeninthe
otherthatwasgenerouslycoveredinpowderedsugar.

"Look what I won!" she said, practically beaming with excitement. It was hard to believe someone
lovedtheseplacesmorethanhimandMitch,butapparentlyHaleywasthatperson.

Whenhetoldherwheretheyweregoingtodayshesquealedexcitedlyandthrewherselfintohisarms.
Helaughedsohardthathealmostdroppedher.Thiswastheirfirstdatesincetheycametogethera
weekagoandthankfullyhe'dchosenwell.Hewouldhavelikedtobeenabletotakeheroutsooner,
but they'd both been swamped with giving final exams, correcting them, and going over grades.
Schoolwasoverandnowtheyhadawholesummertogether.

"Thisissomuchfun!"Haleysaid,seemingobliviousorshesimplydidn'tgiveadamnaboutMitch's
date'sattitude,hesuspectedthelatter.Hislittlegrasshopperdidn'tletthingsbotherher.

"Wheredidyougetallofthis?"heaskedasheleanedinforakissandabiteofthatdough.

"Oh,um,"shegesturedwithherdrinktowardsthedirectioninwhichshecamefrom,"afterIhitthe
bumpercarsIcouldn'tresistthebasketballgameorthedartsandthenIsmelledthefrieddoughand,"

sheshrugged."IguessIgotdistracted."

"I thought you were just going to find the bathroom. We've been standing here waiting for you for
overahalfanhour!"Mitch'sdate,SueorJudeorwhateverthehellhernamewas,pointedout.

JudgingbyHaley'sexpressionshe'dforgottenallaboutthebathroomandjustrememberedthatshe
hadtogo.Thatwasconfirmedafewsecondslaterwhensheshovedherdrink,food,andwinningsin
hisandMitch'sarmsandtookoffrunning.

Jasontookahugebiteoutofthedoughandsighedhappily.Nodoubthewasgoingtohavetohunthis
littlegrasshopperdowninafewminutesnearsomegameorrideandcarryhertothebathroom.

Mitchlookeddownathisarms,frownedandlookedatthethingsJasonwasnowholding."Howcome
yougotthesword?Iwantthesword."Hereachedouttosnagthesword.Jasonbitchslappedhishand
awaywiththedough.

"Mysword!"

"Jerk,"Mitchmumbledasheeyedthesword.

Jasonlookedathisswordtooandtookanotherbite."Wecouldalwaysgowinanotheroneandhavea
swordfight."

"Sweet!"Mitchsaid.Yeah,theywerebigkidswhenitcametocarnivals,butwhocared?

"I'mnotgoinganywhere,"Mitch'sdatesaid,intentonwreckingtheirgoodtime.

Mitchshrugged."Well,thenhaveagoodnight."

***************

Haleyincreasedherpout.

Jasonchuckled."Idon'tcare.You'renotgettingitback."

"That'snotfair!You'rejustmadbecauseIkickedass!"

MitchrubbedhisshoulderwhileheglaredatHaley.Shebitherlipandtookastepbackandducked
beneathJason'sarm.Hepulledhercloserandkissedthetopofherhead.

"Fine,keepthesword.Idon'tcare,"shesaidinasulkyvoice.Mitchmutteredsomethingandsighed
heavily.

"You want to go on the bumper cars again?" Mitch asked with an easy smile. He'd never seen his
friendforgiveanyonesofastbefore,butofcourseHaleyhadthataffectoneveryone.Itwasjustso
damnhardtostaymadather.Shewastoodamncuteforherowngood.

"Isupposewecoulddothat,"shesaid,alreadytuggingJasontowardsthebumpercards."Ifyouinsist
thatis."

JasonlookedbackintimetocatchMitchleeringatHaley'sass.

************

"Thatwassomuchfun,"Haleysaiddreamilyasshepulledhershoesoff.

"Itwasokay,"Jasonmumbled.

For the past four hours Jason had been uncharacteristically quiet. He didn't seem to do much more
thanglareatMitch.Afewtimesthereshethoughthewasgoingtokilltheman.Shewasn'tsurewhat
shemissedorifsheshouldevengetinvolved.

A few minutes later they were naked and crawling beneath Jason's sheets. That's when he really
frightenedher.Hedidn'tinitiateanykissingortouching.Infacthedidn'tevenglanceatherbreasts
andJasonalwayslooked.Always.Theywerelikemagnetsforhiseyes.

Nowhewaslyingonhisbackwithhisarmsbehindhishead.Hemadenomovestogetclosertoher
ortopullheragainsthim.Hewastrulystartingtoscarehernow.Sherolledoverontoherstomach
andwatchedhimforamoment.

"Areyouokay?"shefinallyasked.

Heshrugged."Whywouldn'tIbeokay?"

"You'requiet."

"Ijustdon'tfeelliketalking."

"Doyouwantmetogohome?"

Hehesitatedbeforeanswering,"No."

"Thenwhatdoyouwant?"

"Nothing.Ijustwanttolayhere."

"So,youjustwanttolaythereandnothingiswrong,"shesaid,summingitup.

"Yeah."

Sherolledhereyes.Seemedshedidn'thavemuchchoiceaboutgettinginvolvednow.Itwaseitherthat
orgetupandleavebecauseshewasn'tabouttostayhereforanothermomentofthis.

Beforehecouldstophershewasupandstraddlinghiships.Shemadeanothershockingdiscovery.
Jasonwasn'thard.Jasonwasalwayshardwhentheywereinbed,theshower,ormakingoutonthe
couchandallthosetimesinbetween.Shewasprettysurethemanwouldneverhavetoworryabout
needingViagra.

Hemadenoattemptstopushheroff,butneitherdidhelookather.

"I'mnotgoinganywhereuntilyoutellmewhat'swrong,"shesaidsoftly.

"Nothing'swrong."

"Don'tmakemeusemyfistsoffurytogetanansweroutofyou,"shethreatened.

Hislipstwitched,butstillhesaidnothing.

"Okay,youjustlaythereandsulkthen.I'mgoinghome,"shesaid,movingtoclimboffhim.

Jason'shandsshotout,stoppingherbygrippingherhips.

Sheraisedanexpectantbrow.

Hesighedheavily."Youpissedmeoff."

Well,thatwastotallyunexpected....sortof.

"Hey,IsaidIwassorryabouthittingMitchwiththatsword.HowwasIsupposedtoknowthething
wouldleaveawelt?"shesaiddefensively.

"That'snotwhatI'mtalkingabout.Thatdidn'tbotherme."

"IsitbecauseIkickedyourassatskeeball?"

"No!Andthatgameisriggedanywaysoitdoesn'tcount."

"Riigghhht,"shesaid,drawingouttheword.Shethoughtovertherestofthenightandcouldn'tfigure
outwhatshe'ddone."Okay,you'regonnahavetohelpmeoutherebecauseI'mdrawingablank."

"I'mpissedbecauseallthosemenhitonyouandnotoncedidyoutellanyofthemtofuckoffbecause
youhadaboyfriend!"heyelled.

Her face went expressionless. She blinked once and then again. Then she burst into uncontrollable
laughter.

***********

"It'snotfunny,"hesnapped.Thatonlyseemedtomakeherlaughharder.

Alldayatthecarnivalhe'dbeenforcedtowatchmennoticeHaley.Everytimeshesmiledorlaughed
they smiled as if they couldn't help themselves. Every time she jumped up and down excitedly their
eyeszeroedinonherjigglingassets.Hecaughtthemcheckingheroutandsendingherappreciative
looks.Mitch,theratbastardashewasnowknown,completelyditchedhisdateandfocusedentirely
onHaley.

ItonlygotworsewhentheywenttoJoe'sTavern.Theplacewaslarge,homeyandcleanandtoday
Joeputoutahugebuffet.Sowithanallyoucaneatbarbequeandseveralflatscreensandfivepool
tablestheplacehadbeenfilledtotherimwithmen.

WhenHaleywentuptogetfoodtheycrowdedher,offeredtocarryherplate,getheradrink,sitwith
her,scoopherfood.Whensheplayedpool,andshereallysuckedatpool,butclearlylovedit,they
offeredto"show"herhowtoplay.Twoguyshadtheballstosenddrinksovertotheirtablewhileshe
waswithhim.Severalactuallyhadtheballstocomeoverandflirtwithherinfrontofhim!

Mitch was no help. When he wasn't trying to pick up some bar tramp he was watching Haley and
hittingonherliketherewasnotomorrow.Thebastarddidn'teventrytohidehisleersfromJason.
Whatthehellkindoffriendshipwasthat?

Okay,grantedinthepast,beforeHaley,he'dbeenacompletejerk.Heopenlycheckedoutandhiton
hisbuddies'girlfriends.Ifhewasoutandhelikedwhathesawheneverletaboyfriendworryhim.
ButthatwasnoexcuseforwhatMitchwasdoing.ThiswasHaley!HisHaley!

"Sweetie,Ithinkyouhadtoomuchsuntoday,"Haleysaidonceshecalmeddown.

"Youshouldhavesaidsomething!"

Sherolledhereyes."Firstoff,Ihaveabsolutelynoideawhatthehellyouaretalkingabout.Idon't
thinkanyonewaslookingmywayanydifferentlyorflirting.Theywerejustreallyfriendly."

Hesnorted.

"Secondly,eveniftheywere,andtheyweren't,Idon'tknowwhyyou'recomplaining.Ididn'texactly
hearyoutelleverywomanthatwasdroolingoveryoutodaythatyouhadagirlfriend."

Anothersnort.

"Idon'tgiveadamnaboutthosewomen.I'vegotwhatIwant,"hesaid,gentlymassagingherhips.

Haleyleanedoverandpressedaquickkisstohislipsbeforesittingbackup."Exactly.Ididn'tnotice
anyothermanbutyou,"shesaidsoftlyassheranherhandsoverhischestandstomach.

Herolledhiseyes."Ofcourseyoudon't.I'mawesome."

"I'mgladtoseeyou'rehumble."

"Hey, I could have said I was the epitome of manliness, but I didn't." He pursed his lips up
thoughtfully."Eventhoughwebothknowthatit'strue."

"Wedo?"Shearchedabrow.

"Yes,Ibelievewebothdo."

"Fine,whatever,aslongasyoustoppayingattentiontoyourhallucinationsthenIdon'tcare."

Hewatchedherforamoment.Theexpressiononherfacewasshyandsweetasshetracedshapeson
hisstomach.Shetrulydidnotknowhowdesirableshewas.Hewouldbetmoneythatshedidn'tthink
mennoticedherandshe'dprobablybrokenahundredheartsunintentionallyuptothispoint.Shewas
justsodamnsweetandinnocent,wellexceptforinbedofcourse.Thereshewaseager,insatiableand
thrilling. He never thought foreplay could be so pleasurable before. He had no doubt sex with her
wouldbelifealtering.

"You are so beautiful, Haley," he said softly. He'd said that to other women before, but he'd never
meantitmore.Shewasbeautifulinsideandout.

Even in the dim light he could see her blush and shyly avert her eyes. "Thank you," she mumbled,
soundingunsure.

Shetrulydidn'trealizehowbeautifulshewas.Thatmadeherevenmorebeautifultohim.Heskimmed
hishandsoverherflatbellyandupuntilhewaspalmingherbreasts.Hebrushedhisthumbsoverher
nipples,lovingthewayshelickedherlipsandarchedherbackintohishold.

Haleybegansquirmingonhimlettinghimknowshecouldfeelhisbodyharden.Helovedthewayshe
looked, the way she reacted, he loved everything about her. She was the most precious thing in the
world to him. So beautiful, so sweet, so giving and too damn good for him, but he was a selfish
bastardandwouldn'tlethergo.

Ever.

Heslowlymassagedherbreastswhileplayingwithhernipples,justenjoyingthewayshelickedher
lips,moanedandwhimpered.Hiserectionwaspressedfirmlyagainsther.Herbottomnestleditvery
nicely and he loved the way it caressed him as she squirmed on him. He could feel her getting wet
againsthisstomach.

"Youwanttotrysomethingdifferent?"heaskedinahuskyvoice.

She licked her lips slowly, nodding as she looked down on him with an expression of pure trust. It
humbledhim.

"Holdon,"hesaidashepulledherdowntohim,kissingherslowlyasherolledthemoveruntilhe
wasontopofher.Hedeepenedthekissashepulledherkneesupandoverhisshoulders,anglingher
whereheneededher,givinghimbetteraccesstoherhotwetcore.

"Jason....,"shesaidnervously.

"Shhh,don'tworry.Nopenetration,"hesaidagainsthermouth."IjustwantyoutofeelhowmuchI
wantyou."Hesettledhimselfmorefirmlybetweenherlegs,makingsurehishardshaftwasnestled
betweenherwarmwetfolds.

He deepened the kiss as he pulled back and then slid forward rubbing the underside of his cock
against her hot wet core and clit. They moaned into each other's mouths as he continued to grind
againsther.

Haley'smoansechoedoffthewallsasJasonfoughtforcontrol.Hisbodyscreamedforhimtoarch
back and slam into her, but Haley wanted to go slow. He would do anything for her even torture
himselfwithbeingsoclosetotheprizeandnotgoingforit.

Shefistedherhandsinhishairasshelickedandsuckedhisneck.Hegroanedloudlyashepressed
himselfmorefirmlyagainstherandthrustharder.Haley'sgripinhishairtightenedsecondsbefore
shestartedscreaminghisname.Ittriggeredhisownviolentrelease.

"Haley......oh,Haley.....I..ohgod,Haley!"heyelledwhilehismindshouted"Iloveyou"overandover
untilhereleasedherlegsandlaybonelesslyontopofher.

As he was gasping for air he realized something. He was in deep shit. Haley was his life now. His
woman.Hisheart.

Hewassoscrewed.

Chapter16

"Ohmygod,stopeatingthat!"Haleysaid,tryingnottolaughandfailingmiserably.

Jasonpoppedthefudgebrownieinhismouthandwinkedather.Withanexasperatedsighshereached
backintothebackseattofixtheplasticwrapontheplatesofbrownies,cookies,andcupcakes.

"Ifyoukeepstealingfoodtherewon'tbeanyleftforyourfamily'scookout,"shesaid,knowingthat
wasn'tagoodenoughreasontostophimfromeating.Shewaswillingtobettherewasn'tmuchthat
wouldcomebetweenhimandfood.

Heturnedhisattentionfromtheroadtopout."ButIloveyourcooking."

Sherolledhereyesathislameattempt."Uhhuh."

"Well,atleastI'mnottouchingthepotatosalad.Youreallyshouldappreciatethelittlethingsinlife,
mylittlegrasshopper."

Haleyscoffedindisbelief."Theonlyreasonyou'renotscoffingthatdownisbecauseIhavethatand
thepastasaladinacoolersafelylockedawayinthetrunk."

Hisbrowsshotup."There'smacaronisalad?WhywasInotinformedofthis?"

"ProbablybecauseIwantedittoatleastmakeittoyourparent'shousebeforeyoudevouredit."

Heshookhisheadsighing,"Solittletrust."

"You ate an entire bowl of cookie dough yesterday when I made the mistake of running out to the
marketwithouthidingitfirst.Seriously,Ithoughtitwouldbesafe."

"Youwerewrong."

"Yourobsessionwithfoodisstartingtoscareme,"shesaidwryly.

"It'snotanobsession.I'magrowingboy,damnit."

Sheraisedonebrowindisbelief.

"Thankgodwe'rehere.I'mstarving,"hegrumbledasheparkedintheonlyemptyspotonthestreet,
whichjusthappenedtobeinfrontofalargewhiteVictorianhousewithblacktrimmingwhereaparty
wasclearingbeingheld,judgingbytheamountofpeoplewalkingaroundtheproperty.

TheyloadedtheirarmsupwithalltheplatesHaleymadeandheadedforthefrontdoor.Jasonkicked
thedoorlightlysincehishandswerefull.

Thedoorwasopenedbyanolderwomanwithpepperhair.ShetookonelookatJasonandsmiled.

"It'smybabyboy!"sheannouncedloudlytothecrowdinthehouseasshecuppedhisfaceandpulled
himdowntogivehimasoundkissonthecheek.ShesteppedbackandnoticedHaley.Herexpression
wentfromexcitedtostunnedinamatterofseconds.

Jason smiled sheepishly. "Mom, this is my girlfriend, Haley Blaine." He gestured with the plate of
brownies."Haley,thisismymotherMeganBradford."

"It's very nice to meet you, Mrs. Bradford," Haley said, feeling a little awkward with his mother
standingtheregapingatherandherhandstoofulltooffertoshakethewoman'shand.Notthathis
mother seemed to be able to respond or anything at the moment. Actually, Haley was starting to
becomealittleworried.

"Girlfriend?"Meganfinallychokedout.

"Yeah,whydoyousoundso-"Jasonstartedtosayonlytobecutoffbyhismother.

Hismotherturnedherheadandyelledintothehouse."Jared!"

Haley shot a nervous look at Jason who was muttering something about putting his mother into a
nursinghomethatonlyservedgreenJell-O.Shelookedbackatthedoorintimetoseeanolderman,
who was clearly Jason's father by the almost identically features, step into the doorway. He smiled
whenhesawJason.

"What'sgoingon?"

"Mom'sfreakingout,"Jasonsaid."Anychancewecangetintherebeforemygirlfriend'sarmsfall
off?"

ThemannoticeablystartedandlookedatHaleyandthendidadoubletake.

"Girlfriend?"heaskedincleardisbelief.

"Yes!Girlfriend!"Jasonsnapped,buthisparentsdidn'tseemtonoticebecausetheywerestaringather
liketheycouldn'tbelievesuchapersonexisted.Ontopofthatherarmswerestartingtofeellikethey
wereabouttodropoff.

"Ah,abouttodropthecupcakes,"shemumbledasshetriedtoreadjustthethreeplatesinherarms.

"Oh, sorry," Jared said, reaching out and relieving her of the cupcakes while his wife grabbed the
plateofpeanutbutterchocolatechunkcookiesfromher.

Jaredlookedfromhertotheplateinhishands."Wheredidyoubuythese?Theylookgood,"hesaid
as his hand expertly snuck beneath the plastic wrap. Ah, like father like son, Haley thought. She
lookedhimoverquickly.Themanwasclearlyinshape,agoodsignforJasonsincethemancouldn't
stopeating.

"Imadethem,"Haleysaid,feelingalittleembarrassedbytheattention.

"Youmadethese?"Jaredaskedwithacupcakeinhishand.

Shenodded.

"She'sagreatcook,"Jasonannouncedproudly.

Jaredtookabigbite,closedhiseyesandmadeayummymoansound.Insecondshehadtheentire
cupcakedevoured.HereachedoutandsnaggedthesecondplateofcupcakesfromHaleyandheaded
backintothehousewithoutaword.

"Mycupcakes!"theyheardhimsnapatsomeone.Haleyjustbarelystoppedaneyeroll.Definitelylike
fatherlikeson.

"Hey, old man, she made those for me!" Jason yelled, charging past his mother to go after the
cupcakes,leavingHaleywithMeganwhowasstillstaringather.

"Um," she gestured to the car. "I have two more plates of cupcakes. I didn't think those two would
survivethetripoverhere,"shesaid,feelingfoolish.Perhapssheshouldgohangoutinthecaruntil
afterthepartywasover.Sevenhoursinacarwithnothingtodosoundedbetterthanbeinggawkedat.

Megan'seyesnarrowedonher."You'rereallyhisgirlfriend?"

"Yes."

"Thisisn'tjustsomesickgamehe'splaying?"

"Uh,no...istheresomethingwrong?"Shewasreallystartingtofeelself-conscious.

"Nothingotherthanyouarethefirstwomanhe'severbroughthomeandyou'llhavetoforgivemeifI
seemalittlesurprised.ForamomentthereIthoughthellhadfrozenover."Sheputherarmaround
Haley'sshouldersasiftheywereoldfriends."Now,let'sgointhereandgiveafewdozenpeoplethe
shockofalifetime."

************

"Mom,"Jasongrowledinwarning.

Sheignoredhim.Again.HeleanedforwardandtriedtograbthephotoalbumoffHaley'slaponlyto
havehishandslappedawaybytwowomen.

"Damn it, mom! This is supposed to be a barbeque. Shouldn't you be mingling and being a good
hostessorsomethinginsteadofsittinghereandembarrassingme?"

"Thehellwiththebarbeque!I'vewaitedoverthirtyyearsformyonlychildtobringhomeawoman
andI'llnotbedenied!"Severalpeoplearoundhismothersmartlymovedbackwhilehejustglared.

"Ah,youlooksocute-"

"Naturally,"hesaidwithasniff.

"-playingdressupinyourmother'sclothes,"Haleysaidwithanevillittlesmile.Heturnedhisglare
onher.Shesimplysmiledsweetlyandreturnedtothepicturesfromhell.

"Haley?"

Sheignoredhimpointedlyandlaughedalongwithhismother.

"Haley?Doyouwanttogogetsomethingtoeat?"

"Huh?Oh,yeah,Icouldgoforaburgerandpotatosalad,thankyou,"shesaiddismissivelybefore
laughingatsomethinghismotherpointedout.

"Oh,thatsoundsgood.I'lltakethesame.Thankyousweetie,oh,andgetuseachanothersodasince
weseemtohaverunout,"Megansaid,gesturingtotheiremptycupswithoutlookingawayfromthat
damnalbumhewasgoingtohavetotorch.

Wherethehellwastheadorationandlove?Hismothernormallybabiedhim.Hell,atthispointshe
normally was getting him a third plate of food and a drink. Let's not forget Haley who should be
loadingupaplateforherselfwithfoodforhimtosteal.Whatwaswrongwithhiswomen?

Hewalkedintothekitchenwherefoodcoveredeverysurface.Ashemadeuptheirplateshisfather,
whowaslickingicingoffhisfingers,walkedintotheroomwithtwoofJason'sunclesandthreeof
his cousins. The bastard hid the cupcakes and wouldn't share. When Haley made the mistake of
mentioningthetwoplatesofcupcakesstillinhertrunkheranforthemwithhisfatherclosebehind.
Themanactuallytackledhimtotheground,stolehiskeysandhisbelovedcupcakes.

"ThosewerewithoutadoubtthebestcupcakesI'veeverhad,"hisfatherannouncedhappily.

"Wewouldn'tknowsinceyouwouldn'tshareanyofthem,yougreedybastard,"UncleChucksaid.

"Idon'tshare,"Jaredsaidsimply.

Themenrolledtheireyes.

"So," his cousin Trevor said as he leaned against the wall with his arms crossed over his massive
chest,"howmuchdidyoupayher?"

"Whatthehellareyoutalkingabout?"heasked,placingtheketchupbackonthecounter.

HisothercousinNateanswered,"Whathemeansiswhyisshehere?Didyoupayher?Didsheowe
youafavor?We'rejustwonderinghowyoumanagedtogetherhere."

Aggravated, he snatched the ketchup bottle with more force than necessary and squeezed an insane
amountonbothburgers.

"She'smygirlfriend,plainandsimple,"hesaid.

"Uhhuh,"hisfathersaidincleardisbelief.

Jason slammed the bun on top of the burger, forcing ketchup out the sides. "What the hell is that
supposedtomean?Whyisitsohardforyoubastardstobelievethatshe'smygirlfriend?"

Theytookthatastheircuetotellhimexactlywhytheydidn'tthinkshewashisgirlfriend.

"She'stoonice."

"Toosweet."

"Nothingatallliketheskanksyounormallydate."

"Shedoesn'tcomeoffasabrainlessbitchlikethegirlsyoutooktotheclubs."

"Shedoesn'tannoytheshitoutofus."

"Plus,thereisthatwholethingwhereyou'veneverclaimedtohaveagirlfriendbefore,nevertoldus
abouther,andgaveyourmotherandmethesurpriseofalifetimewhenyouannouncedherearlier.
So,youcanseewhywe'recurious,"hisfatherfinishedwithashrug.

"Plus,she'sclearlytoogoodforyou,"UncleMarkaddedforgoodmeasure."That'smymainreason
fornotbelievingthisbullshitstory."

Well, that.......hurt. Not that he could or would argue that she was too good for him. She was. There
wasnoquestionaboutthat.Whatreallyhurtwastheydidn'tbelievehim.Hewasknownforbeingan
assholenotaliar.Therewasabigdifferenceasfarashewasconcerned.

Hismotherchosethatmomenttocomeinsmiling.Thankgod.She'dputanendtoallthisnonsense.

"Do you need help with those burgers, sweetie?" she asked, frowning down at the hamburger he
squishedintoapancake.Shelightlytskedhimasshethrewawaytheburgersandstartedover.

"I'mgladyou'rehere,Mom."

Shesmiledwarmlyupathim.

Whilelookingatthemenofhisfamilyheaskedher,"WhatdoyouthinkofHaley?"

Hersmilegrew."Oh,she'ssuchasweetgirl.I'msogladyoubroughther."Hersmiledturnedwistful.
"Ijustwishedyouwoulddateagirllikeherinsteadofthegirlsyoufindatbars,sweetie.Awoman
likethatisjustwhatyouneed.I'msureifyoustraightenyouractabityou'llgetawomanlikeHaley
one-"

Themenlaughed.

Jason held up a hand. "Whoa, whoa, whoa, woman, back up there a second. I bring a woman home
andintroduceherasmygirlfriendandyou'regivingmealectureonhowtogethertogooutwith
me?Areyouserious?"

Sheblinkedupathim."Well,yes.I'veheardaboutsomeofthosegirlsyoudate,sweetie,andwhileI
appreciate the fact that you've never brought them home to me, I would really like to see you with
someone.ItwouldbeniceifyouconsidereddatingHaley.She'ssuchanicewoman."

He thrust his hands into his hair. This was crazy. Was this what normally took place when a man
broughtawomanhometomeethisfamily?Hewasprettysureitwasn't.Thiswasworsethanwhenhe
metHaley'sfamily.

"Shouldn'tyoubegettingallexcitedandtryingtopushformarriageandgrandbabiesatthispoint?"
heasked,notreallywantingtoencouragehismothertodothat,butthat'swhathappenedwhenBrad
broughtJillhomesixyearsagotomeethisfamily.

Meganlookedthoughtfulforamoment."YouknowIprobablywouldifyouweredatingher.She'sa
very nice woman and I think she would do you a world of good." She smiled excitedly. "Are you
thinkingofaskingherout?"

"WhythehellwouldIhavetoaskmygirlfriendout?She'salreadygoingoutwithme?Whatiswrong
withyoupeople?"

Sherolledhereyesandplayfullyslappedhisshoulder."Oh,honey,youdon'thavetokeeppretending.
I'mgladyouhaveafriendlikeHaley.Everyonethinksshe'sgreat."Shetappedafingertoherchin.
"OfcourseyourAuntRuthhasbeenpushinghertowardsJeffforthepasttenminutesandChrisand
David have been trying to ask her out for the past hour. I mean clearly she's a catch. What I don't
understandis-"

Jasoncutheroff."Menfrommyownfamilyarehittingonmygirlfriend?"

"They'vebeenhittingonyourfriend," his mother clarified in an annoyed tone as if he was the one
messingwithhermind.Seriouslywhatwaswrongwithhisfamily?Whywasitsohardforthemto
believeHaleywashisgirlfriend?

"Actually,"Trevorsaidabitsheepishly,"Iwasgoingtoaskherifshewantedtocatchamovieand
dinneraftertheparty."

Jason'sjawdroppedsofasthewassurprisedthedamnthingdidn'tunhinge.Hequicklyrecoveredso
hecouldthreatenhiscousin."Youstaythehellawayfrommygirlfriend!"hesaid,pointing.Heturned
hisfingerontherestofhisfamily."JustknowthatatthismomentIhateyouall."Theyrolledtheir
eyes.Hisfingerstoppedinfrontofhisfather.Henarrowedhiseyesonhisoldman."AndI'm never
sharinganymoreofHaley'sbakedgoodswithyou!"

Jaredgasped."But...but....but...."

Withthathestormedoutofthekitchen.Hejustthankedgodhisfriendswerethereforhim,because
clearlyhisfamilywasn't.WasitreallysohardtobelievethathecouldlandawomanlikeHaley?

Chapter17

"Letmegetthisstraight,"Bradsaid,puttinghisbeeronthegroundbetweenhisfeet."YoutookHaley
tomeetyourfamilywithoutanytypeofwarningandyouweresurprisedtheydidn'tbelievethetwoof
youweredating?"

"Yes!"

"Well, I can see why they didn't believe you," Mitch said as he snagged another beer out of the ice
bucket.

"Oh,andwhyisthat?"JasonaskedashestolethebeeroutofMitch'shands.

Mitchgrumbledsomething,butsmartlyletitgo.Hegrabbedanotherbeerandpoppedthetop.

"Well,wasn'tyourmothergettingonyourcaseaboutsettlingdown?"Bradasked.

"Yes,andyouwouldthinkshe'dbehappywhenIbroughtHaleyhome."

Bradnodded."Andforthepastyearhasn'tshebeenthreateningyouwithfindingsomeoneforyou?"

"Yes,but-"

"And every time you went over there for dinner, party or cookout hasn't your mother had several
womenonhandtomeetyou?"Bradcontinued.

"Yes,but-"

"DidshehaveanywomenattheBBQforyoutomeet?"Mitchasked.

"FiveorsixIguess,"Jasonsaidwithashrugofhisshoulders.Hehadn'treallypaidattentiontoanyof
themotherthantoduckthehelloutofthewaywhentheywerelookingforhim.Justlikeeveryother
timehismothertriedtoplaymatchmakershe'dchosenneedy,wellmorelikeclingy,womenwhohad
nootherinterestsotherthanthemselvesandfindingaboyfriend.

Bothofhisfriendssuckedinabreath."Shit."

"ThatmusthavepissedHaleyoff,"Bradsaid.

"Idon'tthinkshehadtimetonotice.Notwithhalfthemeninmyfamilyhittingonher,"Jasonbitout
angrily.

"That'sfuckedup,"Mitchsaid.

Itwasprettyfuckedup.Noonelistenedtohim.Itwasoneofthemostannoyingpartieshe'deverbeen
to. When he wasn't trying to get away from some really annoying clingy woman his mother had
invited with the sole purpose of marrying him he was busy getting into arguments with whatever
bastardinhisfamilywasaskingforHaley'sphonenumber.

LikeeverysingleothertimeHaleywascompletelyoblivioustoit.Everytimehepulledherasideto
talktoheraboutitshejustlaugheduntiltearswererollingdownhercheeks.Whentheyreturnedto
theroomitwasobviousthatshehadcriedandeverymanwouldglareathim.TheyactedlikeHaley
neededprotectionfromhim.

ItshouldhavebeenpainfullyobvioustoeveryoneintheroomhowhefeltaboutHaley.Hemadeno
secret that she was his world, not that anyone believed him. Why was it so hard to believe that he'd
straightened out for Haley? He didn't think there was anything difficult about it. Even if he wasn't
constantly hugging her, putting his arm around her, holding her hand or trying to kiss her he told
them,buthadthatstoppedanyofthosebastardsfromtryingtomakeamoveonher?

"Your family probably thought you brought Haley there as a decoy to get your mother to stop
harassingthehelloutofyouaboutsettlingdownandtouseherasanexcusetoavoidthosewomen,"
Mitchpointedout.

Jasoncrushedhisemptybeercanandtosseditintothebucketinthecornerofhisdeck.Itshouldbe
obvioustoeveryonethathe'dchanged.Hell,ayearagohewouldhavehadMitchtossthatbeercanup
intheairsohecouldshootitwithhispaintballgun.Didn'titstrikeanyofhisfriendsasoddthatnot
onlydidhetossitintoabucketbuthisdeckandpatiofurniturewerealsocleanedandrepaired,his
lawnfreshlymowedandtheinsideofhishousewasclean?Thosewerebiggoddamnchangesinhis
book.

"That'swhatIwasthinking,"Bradsaid,tossinghiscanatthebucketandmissing.ItlandedonJason's
freshlycutlawn.Jasongesturedangrilyforhimtopickitup.WithaneyerollBraddidjustthat.

"Whatever.Thisisreallyboringsittingaroundheretalkingaboutrelationshipslikewe'reabunchof
women," Mitch said. "Let's get the hell out of here." He stood up, waiting for the other two men to
follow.

Brad and Jason shared a look, shrugged and got to their feet. What the hell, it wasn't like they had
anythingbettertodosinceJillwasoffwithaclientandHaleywasoffhittingyardsales.

"Great,let'sgohitthestripclubs,"Mitchsaidmerrily.

"Whoathere,Skippy,"Jasonsaid,comingtoasuddenhalt."Thatshitisn'thappening."

"Whatthehelldoyoumean?"Mitchasked,soundinglikeapetulantchild."Iwanttogostareathot
chicksgettingnaked."

"I'moutaswell,"Bradannounced,notthatitwasreallynecessary.Themanhadn'tbeentoastripclub
sincehemetJill.

"Comeon,it'sTuesday.It'sallyoucaneathotwingsattheHotBunnyClub.Wecangothere,fillup,
andgetafewlapdances.WecanhookupwithCandyandMandyafterwards.What'smorefunthan
strippersex?"

Jasoncouldonlylookathisfrienddumblyforamoment.Mitchwasserious,reallyserious.

"Haveyouforgottenaboutsomething?"Jasonaskedcalmly,morecalmlythanhefelt.

Mitchlookedtrulyconfusedwhenheasked,"What?"

"I have a girlfriend!" Jason snapped, quickly losing patience. "Why in the hell would I want to pay
somewomantoshowmesomethingI'mnotinterestedinwhenI'mdatingHaley?Andwhyinthehell
wouldyouthinkIwantedtocheatonmygirlfriend?"

IfhumanlypossibleMitchlookedevenmoreconfused."Howisitcheatingifyou'renotmarried?"

BradandJasonjuststaredatMitch.Whatthehellwashesupposedtosaytothat?Actually,itworried
him that not a year ago he would have been on Mitch's side of this argument. That was truly
frightening.

Hell,hewouldhavebeentheonestartingthatargumentbeforeHaley.Wow....wow.....Itwasn'texactly
thebestfeelingintheworldtodiscoverhowbiganassholeheoncewas.He'dreallychangedsince
gettingtoknowHaleyandshockinglyforthebetter.Surprisinglyhedidn'tfeelpissedofforscared
thatshe'dbeenabletobringoutthesechangesinhim.

"Comeon,man!Comewithme.It'llbefun,"Mitchpleaded.

Jasongrabbedafreshbeeranddroppedbackintohischair.

"Whatthehell,Jason?"Mitchwhined.

Shrugging,Jasontookalongsipofhisbeer.

MitchfoldedhisarmsstubbornlyoverhischestwhilehescowledatJason."Ineverthoughtthisday
wouldcome,"Mitchsaidwithobviousdisgust.

"Oh,whatdayisthatexactly?"Jasonaskedasheleanedhisheadbacktocatchsomesun.Anything
wasbetterthanwatchingagrownmanpouting.

"ThedayJasonBradfordbecamepussywhipped,"Mitchannounced,earningachucklefromBrad.

Jason threw Brad a killing glare, but the man ignored him. He focused his attention on the little
bastardwhowasobviouslydrunkorpossiblyhigh,probablyboth.

Hesnorted."I'mnotpussywhipped,"hesaid.Sincehe'ddoneeverythingbutslideintothatlittlepiece
of heaven he didn't think the term applied to him. The things they'd done together made him stifle
backagroan.Helovedwhattheydidandatthesametimeheabsolutelyhatedit.

Having Haley but not having her was difficult as hell. For any other woman he would have simply
shruggedatthe"noactualsex"ruleandwalkedaway.ButforHaleytherewasn'tanythinghewouldn't
do.Shewastheloveofhislife,hisfutureandthewomanheplannedonspendingtherestofhislife
with.

Sofornowhe'dgrithisteethandfightagainsttheurgetojumphereverytimehesawher.Hislittle
grasshopperwantedtostickwithforeplaysothat'sexactlywhathewasgoingtodo.Aslongasshe
keptdoingthatunbelievingeroticthingwithhertongueandteethalongtheridgeofhis-

"I'msurprisedhe'snotpantingafterherrightnow,"Mitchsaid,yankingJasonawayfromhisthoughts
ofHaley,naked,bendingover....Heshifteduncomfortablyinhisseatasdiscretelyaspossible.

"Wedon'tspendeveryminuteofthedaytogether,"Jasonshotback.

Mitchshrugged."Prettymuch."

"Well,I'mnotwithherrightnow,amI?"Jasonsnappedback.

"Probablybecauseshedidn'twantyouwithher,"Mitchsaid,snagginganotherbeer."She'sprobably
gettingsickofyou."

Jasonsnorted.Thenforgoodmeasurehesnortedagain.Hislittlegrasshopperwasn'tgettingsickof
him.Hewasdamnsureofthat.Sheabsolutelyadoredhim,lovedhim.Heknewitevenifthestubborn
womanhadn'tsaidityet,butshewould.Thenhe'dtellherhowmuchhelovedher,butonlyaftershe
toldhimbecausehereallydidn'twanttofeellikeanidiotsayingitfirst.He'dneversaiditbeforeand
hadabsolutelynoideahowtogoaboutdoingitnow.So,thesafeplanwastowaituntilHaleysaidit.
Hehadabsolutelynodoubtthatshe'dsayitsoonsincetherewasnodoubtinhismindthatsheloved
him.

No,thereasonhewashangingoutwiththeguystodaywasn'tbecauseshewasgettingsickofhim.It
was quite simple. He was banned from going yard sale hopping with her for one year. Not that he
cared,hedidn't.Itdidseemalittleunfairtohimthat'sall.It'snotlikeheintentionallywentoutofhis
waytoembarrassHaley.Thosethingsjustseemedtohappentothosearoundhim.Mostacceptedthat
littlefactoflife,butthathadn'tstoppedHaleyfrombanninghim.

Youtelloneorsixpeoplethatthestufftheyweretryingtohawkontheirfrontlawnswascrapandall
of a sudden he's banned. Well, that and the box of antique dishes that he broke might have had
somethingtodowithit.Hedidn'tknowwhytheguywaspissed.Hegavehimthefiftybucksforit.He
shouldbetheonethatwasmadafterallhewastheonewhowasoutfiftybucksforasetofbroken
girlydishes.

"I bet Haley's off with another guy right now-Ow! What the hell?" Mitch whined as he rubbed the
nastylookingredspotonhisforeheadthatwouldnodoubtbeanoticeablebumpbymorning.

BradsighedashepickedupJason'shalfemptycanofbeerthatrolledtoastopbyhisfeet.Hepoured
the rest of the beer onto the lawn as he shook his head in disbelief. "You knew better," he told a
sulkingMitch.

"Iwasjustkidding!"

Bradshrugged.

"That'sfuckedup!"

"Don'ttalkaboutmylittlegrasshopper,"Jasonsimplysaid.Themanshouldbehappythatallhedid
wasthrowhisbeerathim.

Mitchgrabbedahandfuloficefromthebucketandpresseditagainsthisforehead."She'snoteven
thatbeautiful,"hemutteredquietlytohimself.

Jason was out of his chair and lunging for the little bastard before the last syllable left his mouth.
Brad being Brad, dropped his beer and jumped between the two men seconds before Jason would
haveslammedintohim.AllthreemenwenttumblingoffthedecktothegroundwithBraddoinghis
besttokeepaverypissedoffJasonfromkillingMitch.

"Gethimoffme!"Mitchscreamedlikeagirlashetriedfranticallytocrawlaway.WithBradonhis
backtryinghisbesttoholdhimback,JasonlungedandmanagedtograbMitch'slegandproceededto
dragthemantohimsohecouldbeattheshitoutofhim.

"Forfucksake,takeitback!"BradyelledashestruggledtorestrainJason.

"Aaah!"Mitchscreamedashewasdraggedinchbyinchtowardsafutureinabodycast.Hetriedto
dighisnailsintothelawntonoavail.

"Ididn'tmeanitlikethat!She'shot!Insanelybeautiful!Ijustmeantthatyou'vedatedreallybeautiful
womenbeforeandyou'veneveractedlikethisbefore!Ohmygod,don'tkillme!"Thewordsrushout
ofMitch'smouth,endingonasquealasJasondraggedhimbeneathhimandflippedhimoverwitha
fistraisedandready.

MitchheldhishandsoutpalmsouttryingtogetJasontostop."IsweartogodIdidn'tmeanit!Ilove
her!" At Jason's growl of anger Mitch rushed to continue. "Not like that! I love her like a friend! I
thinkshe'sgreat!IswearIdidn'tmeanit!"

"Itoldyounottoteasehimabouther,"BradgroanedashetriedtopullJasonofftheman,butJason
outweighedhimbyagoodthirtypoundsofmuscle.Hewatchedhisfriendthroughnarrowedslitsas
hefoughtbacktheurgetobeattheshitoutofhim.Thiswasoneofhisoldestfriendsandpartofhim
knew the man was only giving him shit, but he didn't allow anyone to talk about or treat his little
grasshopperwithanythingbutrespect.

WithbarelycontrolledrageJasontookadeepbreathbeforehespoke."Let'sclearthisuponceand
forall."AtMitch'senthusiasticnod,probablybecauseifJasonwastalkingitmeanthewasn'tbeating
thecrapoutofhim,hecontinued."Haleyismyworld,"hesaid,ignoringMitch'seyesbuggingoutat
thatannouncement."Becausewe'vebeenfriendssincewewerefiveI'mgoingtooverlookthislittle
act of stupidity." Mitch noticeably relaxed at that announcement. "As long as you stop ogling my
girlfriend'sass."

Mitchpursedhislips,thinkingovertheultimatum.Afteraminutehedroppedhisarmstohissideand
sighed,"I'drathergetmyasskicked."

Chapter18

"Baby,stop!"Haleysaid,giggling.

Jasonhuggedherwaisttighter,keepingherfromwalkingaway."Stayhomewithme.Imissedyou,"
hesaid,givingherhisbestpout.

Shegentlyranherfingersthroughhishairthewayhelikedit."I'msorry,sweetie,butIcan'tbackout
again.IpromisedAmyandthegirlsthatIwasdefinitelycomingtonight."

Therewasnowayshewasallowingherselftostayhometonight.Overthepastweekshe'dcomeso
close to wrecking the surprise by telling him. She knew that if she stayed home tonight that the
excitement would get to her and she'd blurt it out and everything she'd gone through over the past
monthtoplanthiswouldbewrecked.

Ofcoursenoneofthiswouldhavebeenpossiblewithouthergrandmother'shelp.AfewtimesHaley
consideredgivingupwhenmoneyandlocationbecameanissue,butthenGrandmaofferedtohelp
her out. Grandma found her the perfect place at more than half the cost of every place Haley had
lookedinto.

ItwasthefirsttimeHaleyhadeveracceptedhergrandmother'shelp.Ithadalwaysbeenimportantfor
hertomakeitonherownwithoutherfamily'smoneyandinfluence.ForJasonshe'dsuckedupher
pride and asked Grandma to help her find the perfect cabin to rent. Everything was going to be
perfect.

"Does it not matter that I'm on my knees begging you? You're really going to be able to leave
someonethispathetic?"hedemandedinasulkytone.

Haley rolled her eyes as she gently pried his arms from around her waist. "It's just for a couple of
hours.Youwon'tevenknowI'mgone,"shepromisedhim.

Hesatbackonhishaunchesdoinghisbesttolookpathetic.

Shedidherbestnottorollhereyes,again.Itwasjustsodamncuteandsweetthathedidn'twantto
spendevenonenightwithouther.ThiswassomethingsheneverexpectedfromJasonBradford,one
ofmanythingsactually.Hewassosweetandattentive.

"WhatifIpromisetomakeyouabatchofbrowniestomorrow?"sheasked,decidingtousehislove
ofbakedgoodsagainsthim.

Hesnortedindisbeliefashegottohisfeet."I'mnotsomewhoreyoucanbuywithapanofyummy
baked goods, woman. How dare you insult me?" he said on a sniff as he folded his arms over his
chestanddidhisbesttolookputout.

"Fine,"Haleysaidwithasigh."WhatifIpromisetomakeabigbowloffrostingtomorrowandlet
youlickitoffme?"

She had to bite back a smile as Jason shifted anxiously while he licked his lips and ran his eyes
hungrilydownherbody."Buttercream?"hecroakedout.

"Mmmmhmm,"shesaid,walkingovertohim.Shecuppedthebackofhisheadandgentlytuggedhim
downforaquickkiss."Andifyou'regoodImightlicksomeoffyou,"shesaid,lovingtheidea.

"Get your own bowl of frosting. I don't share," he simply said, giving her one last kiss before
walking out the door, whistling happily, no doubt thinking about the large bowl of frosting he was
goingtodevourtomorrow.

Withasmileshegrabbedhersmallblackpurseandheadedoutthedoor.Shewasn'ttoosurprisedto
findJasonplayingbasketballwithMitchandBrad.Notthatshewouldeverreallyexpectit,butitwas
nicetoknowthathe'dpickheroverhisfriends.Shewasn'tthetypeofwomanthatexpectedaguy's
attentiontwenty-fourseven,butitwasnicetoknowitwashersifshewantedit.

Sheblewakissinhisdirectionandcouldn'thelpbutlaughwhenMitchjumpedinfrontofJasonto
snagit.

"Thatwasmykiss,youbastard!"Jasonyelled,placingachokeholdonMitchandtakinghimdownto
thegroundwhileBradstoodbysighing.

He really was a sweetheart. Maybe she'd make him a big batch of fudge brownies to go along with
thatbowloffrosting.

"Andstoplookingatherass!"Jasonsnapped.

******************

"Oh my god, I can't believe you came," Amy said, leaning back in her chair as she watched Haley
approachthetable.

"He'sprobablyfollowingrightbehindher,"Sarahpointedoutwithalaugh.

"Ha, ha, very funny," Haley said, taking the only empty seat at the table as her four friends and a
womanshehadabsolutelynoideawhoshewasgaveherknowinglooks.

Amygesturedtothenewwoman."Thisismyfriend,Kate.KatethisisHaley,thewomanItoldyou
about."

Frowning,Haleyreachedovertoshakethewoman'smanicuredhand.Shecouldn'thelpbutwonder
whatAmysaidabouther.Thankfullyshedidn'thavetowonderforlong.

"So,thisisthewomanthatbroughtJasonBradfordtohisknees?"Kateasked,cockingherheadtothe
sideas she ranan assessing eyeover Haley. Haley didn'tmiss the woman'slips twitching when she
cametoherglasses.Obviouslythewomanthoughtshecameupshort.

Haleydidn'tcarewhatthiswomanthought.Itwasn'tthefirsttimesomeonehadahardtimebelieving
she was with Jason and probably wouldn't be the last. There was no denying that she wasn't Jason's
usual type. She hadn't lived next door to the man for five years without learning a thing or two.
Grantedsheneversawthewomanuntilafterhedumpedthemandtheyweredrunkscreamingmesses,
butitwasprettyeasytoguesshistype.

The old Jason, as she liked to think of the not so sweet Jason that used to drive her insane, liked
womanwhowereawalkingbreathingadvertisementforsex.KindoflikeKate,Haleythoughtwithan

inwardgroan.Withherperfectsilkylongravenhair,makeupthatmadeherlooksultryandclothes
thatwerealittletootightandshowedoffwaytoomuchKatecouldbeawalkingadvertisementfor
Jason'stype.

Judgingbythesmugsmirkonthewoman'sfaceshe'dguessedwhatHaleywasthinking.

"How long have the two of you been together?" Kate asked casually, but Haley hadn't missed the
calculatinggleaminhereyes.

BeforeshecouldtellheritwasnoneofherbusinessAmyansweredforher,"Abouttwomonths."

ThesurprisedlookonKate'sfacewasrewarding.Sheknewshe'dlastedlongerwithJasonthanany
other woman, surprisingly since she never put out. Well, she did do a thousand and one naughty
thingswithhimandkepthisinterestwithbakedgoods,butthatwasneitherherenorthere.Shewas
prettysurehereallycaredabouther,maybeevenlovedher.

Okay,lovemightbepushingitforamanlikeJason,butshewasdamnsurethathecaredabouther.
Hewasalwayssweettoherandseemedgenuinelyhappytoseeher.Nottomentionthathewentoutof
hiswaytospendtimewithher.Shewasn'tentirelysure,butshedidn'tthinkhe'ddonethatwithanyone
beforeher.

"That'sprettyimpressive,"Katemumbleddistractedly.

Amywavedoffhercomment,leaningclosertowardsHaleywithanunholygleamofinterestinher
eyes."Well?"shesaidexpectantly.

Haleycouldonlyfrownasshelookedpastherfriendforthewaitress.Suddenlyshehadthefeeling
theonlywayshewasgoingtosurvivethisgirl'snightoutwaswithalotofalcohol.

ShelookedbackandwasstartledtofindBeth,Alice,andJenleaningtowardsheraswellwithsimilar
expressions.

"Well what?" Haley asked, wondering if she needed to start drug testing her friends. They were
seriouslyfreakingherout.

Asonetheyrolledtheireyes.Itwasseriouslycreepy.Shebarelyfoughtbacktheurgetoflee.

"Haveyousleptwithhimyet?"Amyhissedexcitedly.

"Oh.....that," she said, squirming and feeling a little self-conscious. "We sleep together every night,"
shesaid,hopingagainsthopethatthey'ddropthesubject,especiallywiththewayKatewasglaringat
her.

Bethsnorted."Weknowyousleeptogethereverynight.Whatwe'rewonderingisifyoufinallyhad
sexwiththeman!"

Hercheeksbegantoburnwiththatlittleannouncement.

Katelookedconfused."Shejustsaidshe'ssleepingwithhim."

Amyleanedbackinherchair,takingasipofhermartini."Haleyheredoesn'tsleepwithamanunless
she'sinlovewithhim.Right?"shesaid,givingHaleyapointedlook.

Whyohwhyhadshesharedthatlittletidbitofinformationallthoseyearsagoincollege?Oh,that's
right,she'dbeendrunk.

Shesquirmeduncomfortablyinherseat."Ijustwanttobesure,"shemumbledpathetically.

Katesatupstraighter,holdingherhanduptostopHaley'sfriendsastheyopenedtheirmouthstono
doubtgiveheranotherlectureonsexinthetwenty-firstcentury.Noneofthemunderstoodwhyshe
wantedtowait.

"You'vekeptJasonBradfordinterestedfortwomonthsandyouhaven'tevenhadsexwithhim?"she
asked,clearlyassurprisedasherfriendswere.

"Yes,"shesaidsomewhatdefensively."Ourrelationshipisn'taboutsex."

Katesatback,backtogivingheracondescendinglook."Clearly."

HaleyopenedhermouthtogivethewomanapieceofhermindwhenBethcutheroff.

"Oh, look at that," Beth said, gesturing with her frilly pink drink towards the entrance of the bar.
EveryonelookedandchuckledandforonceHaleywasgladthattheylivedinasmalltown.

JasonspottedherandwavedandthenofcourseslappedMitchupsidehisheadwhenthemanblewa
kisstowardsher.Rollinghereyes,Haleystoodupandgrabbedherpurse.

"I'llberightback,"shesaid,notreallysureifshewould.Shereallydidn'tfeellikespendinganight
gettinghoundedoverhervirginityagain.

"Uhhuh,"Bethsaid.

"Sure,"Amysaid.

Haleydidn'tbotherarguingwiththem.Shewasinnomood.Allshewantedtodowascuddleupwith
Jasonwhilehefedherhotwings.Wasthattoomuchtoaskfor?

She walked over to their table. He paused mid-order when he saw her. Frowning, he asked the
waitresstocomebackinafewminutes.

"What'swrong,mylittlegrasshopper?"heasked,pullingheragainsthisside.

"Girl'snightsucks,"shemumbledpatheticallyagainsthisshoulder.

Hechuckled,pressingakisstothetopofherhead.

"Doyouwanttojoinguy'snight?"heasked,soundingamused.

Afterashortpausesheasked,"DoIhavetohaveapenis?"

"Ithinkwecanignorethatrequirementtonight,"hesaid,chuckling.

"Willyoubuymehotwings?"shemumbled,tracingcirclesonhisknee.

Hesighedheavily."IfImust."

"Youmust,"shesaidsolemnly.

"Alright.Anythingelse?"

She shook her head standing. "No, that will do," she announced, leaning over to press a kiss to his
cheek.

"I'll order you hot wings if you kiss me," Mitch offered. "In fact if you kiss my--Ow! Damn it!" he
snapped,glaringatBrad.

BradgesturedtowardsJasonwithhisbeer."Itsavestimethisway."

Laughing and feeling better already, she gave Jason one last kiss before heading to the bathroom
whereshewouldnodoubtspendhalfthenightjustwaitinginline.

Chapter19

"Didyoujustgrowl?"Mitchasked,laughing.

Jasontorehiseyesoffhislittlegrasshopper'sretreatingassandsentascowltowardstheman."No."
But he had. Oh goddamn, he had. He'd been imagining licking frosting off of Haley in a hundred
differentwayssinceshe'doffered.

Licking frosting off a woman was a simple fantasy and one he'd dreamed of doing for years, but
hadn'tfoundtherightwomantoshareitwith.Therewasnodoubthecouldhaveaskedanyoneofthe
countlesswomenhe'dsleptwithinthepasttoliveoutthislittlekinkyfantasywithhimbefore,buthe
neverfeltcomfortableenoughwithanyofthem.

WithHaley.......

Therewasn'tanythinghecouldn'ttalktothewomanabout.Infacthe'dmentionedthisfantasytoher
onlylastweek.Aftersheplayfullyteasedhimforagoodhouraboutitshesworeshe'dlethimlick
anythinghewantedoffherbody.Anytime.Thirtysecondslaterhewasstrugglingtogethisdamnlegs
inhispantsandmentallymakingashoppinglistwhenshewalkedbackintohisbedroomwearinga
smileandawhipcreambikini.

He may have tackled her to the ground and licked every damn creamy morsel off of her before he
threw his giggling grasshopper over his shoulder and carried her to the refrigerator where he
proceededtoputallthesundaetoppingshehadtogooduse.

God,helovedthatwoman.

"Excuse me? Do you remember me?" a beautiful woman with silky black hair asked, tearing him
fromhisthoughts.

Jason looked at her and frowned. He didn't have a clue who the hell she was and judging by the
appreciativelookMitchwassendingherway,he'dliketogettoknowherbetter.

"No,I'msorry,"hesaid,takingasipofhisbeer.

Hercoysmilefalteredforasecond,andthenwasbackinfullforce.Withoutaskingshepulledoutthe
chair to his left and sat down, making sure to lean forward enough to give him a view of her
generouscleavage.

Shereachedforwardtorunherfingersdownhisarmonlytofindhisarmpulledback.

"CanIhelpyou?"heasked,feelingallhisgoodhumorfadeaway.Therewasnodoubtthiswoman
had seen Haley with him only a few minutes ago. It's funny how once upon a time he would have
foundthiswoman'sassertivebehaviorflatteringandprobablywouldhaveditchedhisdateforher,but
nowhewaswithHaley.Itpissedhimofftonoendthatwomentookonelookathislittlegrasshopper
anddismissedherasifshewasnothing.

"Well,"shesaid,drawingoutthewordassheshiftedinherchair,givinghimabetterglimpseofher
breasts, "I was over there with my friends and funny enough you were the subject of conversation.
ThensuddenlyyouwerehereandIcouldn'thelpbutfeelthatfatewastellingmethatyouandIshould
bespendingalongsleeplessnightinmybedtonight,"shesaidinhuskyvoice.

"Holyshit,"Mitchmuttered,takingamuchneededsipofbeer.

"Weren'tyousittingwithHaley'sfriends?"Bradpointedout,soundingaspissedashefelt.

SheshruggedBrad'scommentoff."I'msittingwithmyfriend,"shestressed."Iwouldneverbefriends
withsomeoneascoldasHaley."

Withthatannouncementallthreemenbrokeoutlaughing.Haleywasmanythings,butcold?Hellno.

She may still be a bit of a pushover, but only because she truly cared about hurting other people's
feelings.Ofcoursethatwassomethingtheyneededtoworkon,buthewaswillingtooverlookitfor
now.

The woman glared at him as she crossed her arms over her ample chest, giving him what was
probablyherbestbitchlook.

"Iwonderhowyouwouldfeelifyoufoundoutyouwerebeingplayed,"shesnapped.

"Oh,andwho'splayingme?"Jasonasked,stillchuckling.

"Haley,"shesaid.

"Youcangonow,"hesaid,gesturingwithhisbeerforhertoleave.Damn,womentrulycouldbecold
hearted bitches. Putting down his little grasshopper for a chance at him was low. It was
understandable,butlow.

Shecockedherheadtotheside,studyinghim."Oh,really?Don'tthinkshe'splayingwithyou?"

"Wouldneverhappen,"hesaid,gesturingagainforhertoleave.EvenMitchlookedlikehewanted
hertoleaveandthatwassayingsomething.Themanusuallywasn'tsoselectiveabouthisbedpartners
andforhimtowantaneasywomantoleavesaidagreatdealabouthowhefeltaboutHaley.Jason
knewthemanwasstartingtoseeHaleyasasisterotherwisehe'dhavetobitchslaphim.

"Thenwhyhasn'tshesleptwithyouyet?"sheasked,grinningsmugly.

Everything in him froze with that question. His eyes darted over to his two friends to see that both
menwerestaringathim,clearlyshocked.

"Youhaveabsolutelynoideawhatthehellyou'retalkingabout,"Jasonsnapped,tryingtoignorethe
dreadthatwasstartingtorise.

They'd been together for two months and never once had he pushed or questioned her about her
refusaltosleepwithhim.Evenduringthosetimeswhenhe'dthoughthe'ddieifhedidn'tslideintoher
he held back. He'd assumed she just wanted to take it slow, make sure that he wasn't going to be an
assholeanddropherasswhenhegotboredwithher.

Suddenly he wished he'd asked her why she wouldn't sleep with him the first and only time she'd
broughtitupinsteadofjustbeinghappythatshewasgivinghimachance.

"Oh?Ihappentoknowthatshehasn'tsleptwithyouandhasnoplansto.She'splayingyourightnow.
Accordingtoheryoujustdon'tmeasureuptoherstandards."

Mitch laughed it off. "Sweetheart, go try and play someone else. You don't know shit about what
you'retalkingabout."

Shecockedaperfectlytrimmedeyebrowathimasshestoodup."Don'tI?Iknowshewon'tsleepwith
himbecauseshe'snotinlovewithhim,"sheannouncedtriumphantly,causingtheairinhislungsto
rushoutofhim.

"Whenyougettiredofbeingplayedwithgivemeacall,"shesaid,pushingafoldednapkintowards
him.

HewasbarelyawareofwhatMitchandBradsaidtoherorMitchgrabbingthenapkinandtearingit
up.

Haleydidn'tlovehim.

"Jason,youdon'tlooksogood,man,"Mitchsaid,gettingupandtakingtheseatthecoldheartedbitch
justvacated.HegrabbedthepitcherofbeerandfilledJason'sglass."Takeadrink,"hesaid,shoving
theglassathimuntilhehadlittlechoicebuttodoexactlythat.

"Look,Idon'tknowwhatbullshitshewasspewing,butIdoknowthatHaleyabsolutelyadoresyou,"
Mitch said in a reassuring voice, scaring the hell out of him. Mitch wouldn't try comforting him
unlessitwasbad.

"He'sright,"Bradeasilyagreed."She'sobviouslytryingtostartsomeshitforHaley.Justignoreher
bullshit.Shedoesn'tknowwhatshe'stalkingabout."

Jasonforcedasmile."Maybeyou'reright."

Mitchsnorted."Ofcoursewe'reright.Anyonewho'sbeenaroundthetwoofyouthelasttwomonths
knowsyoutwocan'tkeepyourhandsoffeachother."

But they hadn't made love, Jason thought bitterly. She'd done everything with him but that and now
Jasonhadasneakingsuspicionthereasonbehinditwasnolongersosimple.

"Did you order hot wings?" Haley asked, wrapping her arms around his neck and pressing a sweet
kisstohischeek.

Bradsenthiman"Itoldyouso"lookoverhisbeer.

"No, not yet," he said, putting his beer down so he could take her hand into his. His eyes shot past
Haley to the table of women who were looking this way and laughing. His jaw clenched almost
painfullyattheideaofHaleyplayinghim.

Haleyofcoursewasoblivioustoeverythingincludingthechangeinhismood."Well,I'mgoingtogo
placeanorderatthebarthen.I'llberightback."

"Okay,"Jasonsaid,unabletotakehiseyesofthewomenlaughingathim.

MitchandJasonmusthavefollowedhisgaze.

"Don'ttellHaleythis,butmostofherfriendsarebitches,"Mitchsaid,pouringthelastofthebeerinto
hiscup.

Normallyhe'dagreewiththat,butrightnowhehadasinkingfeelingthathewasthebruntofajoke.
Hereallycouldn'thelpbutfeelthatHaleymighthavebeenplayinghimthiswholetime.

Therewasonlyonewaytofindoutandtonighthewasafraidhe'dgethisanswersonewayoranother.

"Don'tfuckthisup,"Bradsaid,nodoubtreadingthedeterminedexpressiononhisfacecorrectly."I
don'tknowwhat'sgoingonbetweenyouandHaley,butthosewomenareclearlyouttofuckherover.
Pleasedon'tscrewyourselfoverintheprocess."

Jasondidn'tanswerrightaway.Hedrainedtherestofhisglassslowly.Finallyheputtheglassback
on the table and sat back, allowing his eyes to search out his little grasshopper. She was at the bar
laughingatsomethingBeckythebartendersaid.

Hedidn'tknowwhatthehellhewoulddoifhefoundouthislittlegrasshopperwasplayinghim,but
tonighthewasgoingtofindout.

Chapter19

"Baby,areyouokay?"

Jason looked down at her and smiled. "I'm fine," he said, putting his arm around her, pulling her
tightlyagainsthimasheledhertowardsherhouse.

Withoutawordheunlockedherdoor.Haleytossedherpurseontothecoffeetableandheadedforher
bedroommorethanreadytogetoutofherhighheelsandskirt.

"Haley?"Jasonsaid,stoppingher.

Sheleanedagainstthewallasshetookhershoesoff."Yes?"

He ran a hand through his hair. "I....I was wondering if you wanted to go for a swim," he said, but
Haleycouldn'thelpbutfeelthatwasn'twhathewantedtosay.

Ever since she came back from the bathroom she couldn't help but notice that Jason was acting
differently. He seemed genuinely upset, but denied it anytime she asked. Mitch and Brad were
surprisingly tight lipped about it. Every now and then she caught both men sending killing glances
towardsherfriends.

Morethanonceshecaughtherfriendswatchingthemandlaughing.Sheknewitwasridiculous,but
shecouldn'thelpfeelingalittleparanoid.Itwasprobablynothing.

"Aswimsoundslikefun,"shesaid,decidingthatshe'dratherforgetabouteverythingelsebutJason.
"I'llmeetyouatthepoolintenminutes."

"Okay,"Jasonsaid,soundingalittlesad,atleastshethoughthehad.

Shewasbeingridiculous,shedecided.

FifteenminuteslatersheshuttheslidingglassdoorbehindherjustasJasonbrokethewater'ssurface.
EveninthedimmoonlightJasonwasbreathtaking.Shewatchedthemusclesinhisarmsflexasheran
hisfingersthroughhisshorthair.

"Thewater'sgreat,"Jasonsaid,gesturingforhertojoinhim.

She took her glasses off and wished she'd turned on the outside lights as her vision dimmed and
becamefuzzy.Tryingnottostumble,shewalkedthefivefeettothepatiotable,cautiously,andplaced
herglassesdown.

Unfortunatelyforherthetimeittooktoputherglassesdownhadn'thelpedhereyesadjusttothedim
light.Shedidn'twanttowreckaromanticmidnightswimbythrowingonthefloodlights,butshealso
didn'tthinkfallingflatonherfacewasexactlyromanticeither.

Whycouldn'tshebeacandidateforlasereyesurgery?

She sighed heavily as she turned around, fully prepared to throw on the flood lights and wreck
anotherromanticeveningthankstoherpooreyesightwhenstrongwetarmsscoopedherup.

"Don'tworry,mylittlegrasshopper,I'vegotyou,"Jasonwhispered,pressingakisstoherforehead.

"Maybe we should turn on the lights," she grumbled unhappily. "I can't see a thing," she admitted
quietly,feelinghercheeksburnwithembarrassment.Itwasjustanotherreminderthatshewasn'tsexy
ordesirable.

"Don'tworry,Iwon'tletanythinghappentoyou,"Jasonpromisedashecarriedhertothepooland
helpedherintothelukewarmwater.

WhileJasonloweredhimselfintothepoolshedovebeneaththewatertowetherhair.Whenshecame
backuptenfeetawayshesmoothedherhairbackandsquinted.

"Jason?"shesaid,tryingtoseparatehimfromtherestofthedimshadows.Shereallycouldnotseea
singlethingouthere.Maybesheshould-

Asmallstartledscreamescapedheraswarmarmswrappedaroundherfrombehind.Jasonchuckled
softlyinherear."DidIscareyou?"

"No,"shelied.

"I'msorry,"hesaid,pressingakisstothetopofherhead."Doyouforgiveme?"

Shehuffedoutabreath."No."

"WhatifIpromisenottodoitagain?"heasked,soundingamused.

"I'dbreakoutthefistsoffurybecausewebothknowyou'dbelying."

"Wewouldn'twantthat."Hechuckled.

"No,"shesniffed,"wewouldn't."

"Thenperhapsyou'llletmemakeituptoyouwithakiss?"hesaid,alreadypressingwetkissestoher
neck.Closinghereyes,sheleanedherheadbackandtothesidetogivehimbetteraccess.

"Isupposethatwouldbeacceptable,"shesaid,bitingbackasmallmoanofpleasureasJasonranhis
handsdownherhipsandoverherthighsbeforebringingthembackupagain.

"That's very kind of you," Jason whispered hoarsely, tracing his tongue up her neck, taking her
earlobeintohismouthandsuckingit.

His hands skimmed up her sides almost teasingly, ending just below her breasts before they glided
downtoherhips.Haleyreachedupwithonehandandgrippedhiswethair,yankinghimdownforthe
kisshepromisedher.

Hedevouredhermouthoncontact.Histonguepusheditswayinsideofhermouthandshewelcomed
it,suckledit,lovingthewayhegroanedwitheverylittleteasinglickandsuckle.

Feeling a little daring, she reached up with her free hand and released the front knot that held her
bikinitopclosed.Releasinghishairsheshruggedthetopoff,lettingitfallbetweentheirbodies.

Hernippleshardenedinstantlyfromthemixtureofwater,coolair,anddesireforthisman.Itfeltso
good,butsheneededmore.Placingherhandsoverhiswheretheystillrestedonherhips,shegently
tuggedthemup,glidingthemoverherwetbodyuntiltheywerewhereshewantedthem,neededthem.

Jason'slongpainedmoansentshiversthroughoutherbody.Shearchedintohishands,lovingtheway
theyweighedherbreasts,squeezed,andcaressedthem.Whenheranhispalmsoverherhardnipples
she sucked on his tongue, making him groan loudly as his hands closed around her breasts and
squeezed.

"Jason,"shemumbleddesperatelyagainsthismouth.Sheneededmore.Neededhim.

He broke the kiss and turned her in his arms. His mouth slammed down on hers as he yanked her
againsthim.Shelovedthewayhiswarmhardchestfeltagainstherbreasts,butshelovedthefeeling
ofhisharderectionstrainingagainstherevenmore.

Shereachedbetweenthemandcuppedhim,runningherfingersteasinglyuphislonglengthuntilshe
foundthelargevelvetyheadpokingoutthetopofhisswimtrunks.Shecuppedthelargeheadinher
hand,runningherthumboveritandspreadingthefewdropsofexcitementthatleakedout.

Jason broke away from her mouth with a groan and worked his way down to her breasts, licking,
kissing,andsuckingeveryinchofskinuntilhistonguewastracingcirclesaroundhernipple,making
ithardenalmostpainfully.

Hishandscameuptoplay,grabbingeachbreastandholdingituphismouthasanoffering.Thefact
thatshecouldn'tseewhathewasdoingonlyintensifiedeachandeverysensationthathewascausing.
Justwhenshethoughtshe'ddieifhedidn'ttakehernippleintohermouthhemovedontotheother
breastandbeganthetorturealloveragain.

"Jason!"shecriedoutwhenhefinallyputheroutofhermiseryandtookheroversensitizednipple
into his mouth. He pinched and gently twisted her other nipple with his fingers. Haley was barely
awarethathewasbackingherupagainstthesideofthepool.

He kept her nipple in his mouth, suckling it hard as he worked her bikini bottom off. Haley was
helplesstodoanythingbutholdontightlytohisshouldersasheworkedherintoinsanity.

His mouth left her nipple with a loud plop. "I need to taste you, my little grasshopper," he said
hoarselyashepickedherupandsathercarefullyontheedgeofthepool."Lieback."

Carefully,shelaybackonthecoolcement.Jasongrippedthebacksofherkneesandpulledherlegs
open,spreadingherwide.

"Sobeautiful,"hesaidquietly.

Shefelthiswarmbreathtickleherthighbeforehepressedakissrightbelowtheknee.Acoolbreeze
ranbetweenherlegs,teasinghersoakedlips.Shecouldn'tremembereverbeingthisturnedonbefore
orthiswet.

Shewantedhim.Tonight.Now.

"Jason,please,"shepleaded,tryingnottosquirmagainsttheunforgivingcementsurface.

"Shhh, it's okay," Jason murmured against her leg. He pressed another kiss against her inner thigh
beforerunninghiswethottonguedownherleg.Heavoidedwheresheneededhimthemosttorunhis
tonguejustbelowherbellybuttontoherotherleg.

"Please!" she cried, as another cool breeze teased her over sensitized skin, making squirm
desperately.

"That'snotwhatIwanttohear,mylittlegrasshopper,"Jasonmurmuredagainstherthigh.Heranhis
wettongueinacircleoverherinnerthighbeforesoftlysucklingthearea.

Hepressedasoftkissagainstthethatchofsoftcurlsbetweenherlegs,earningaloudmoan."Sowet,"
hesaid,runningthetipofhistonguebetweenherfolds."Sosweet."

Histonguetracedherslitasheplacedherkneesoverhisshoulders.Whenshefelthisthumbsseparate
herfoldssheranherfingersthroughhishair,gentlyencouraginghim.

He ran the tip of his tongue around her little sensitive nub and around her core in what felt like a
figureeight,makingsurenottotouchthespotsthatachedforhistouchthemost.Shespreadherlegs
widerinsilentinvitation,makingJasonchuckle.

"Youwantmore?"heasked,pressingadeliciouskisstoherclit.

"Mmhmm,"shesomehowmanagedtoanswer.

Heflickedhistongueoverhersensitivelittlenubasareward.

Shethrewherheadback,moaningloudly.Herfingersknottedinhishair,urginghimon.

Herbreathcaughtinherthroatwhenhistonguerandowntohercoreandslidinsmoothly.Histhumb
gentlycircledherclitslowly,usingherjuicestoheighteneverytouch.

Inandouthistonguemovedinarhythmthathadhergrippinghishair,panting,moaningandhalf-
screaminghisname.Herorgasmcaughtheroffguard.Oneminuteshewaspantingandthenextshe
wasundulatingherhipsandscreaminghisnameuntilhervoicewasraw.

Jasonpressedaquickkisstoherstomach."Comehere,"hesaidtightly.

Stilltryingtocatchherbreath,Haleysatup.Jasonsteppedbetweenherlegs,keepingthemseparated
asheleaneddownandtookhermouthinahungrykissthatstolewhateversanityshehadleft.Sheran
herhandsthroughhishairanddownhisbackonlystoppingtoworkhisshortsoff.

Assoonashiserectionwasfreedshegaveupontheshortsandtookhiminhand.Jasonmoanedlong
andloudinhermouthasheworkedtoremovehisshorts,carefulnottodislodgeherhand.

Without a word he picked her up. Haley wrapped her legs around him, loving the way he felt. She
shiftedinhisarmsuntilhisharderectionwaspressedfirmlyagainstherwetcore.

Jasongrippedherbottom,teasingherslitwiththetipsofhisfingersashemovedthemthroughthe
water. Haley was so caught up in what they were doing that she didn't realize they were out of the
wateruntilheplacedheronaloungechair.

Hereleasedhisholdonhertohalfkneelontheloungenearherface."Openup,sweetheart,"hesaid,
casuallystrokinghimself,rubbingtheheadacrossherlips.

Haleyleanedoverandtookhimintohermouthwithouthesitation.Shereachedupandgentlygripped
hisfirmballsasheleanedoverandslidtwofingersinsideofher.

"That'sit,mylittlegrasshopper,"heencouragedhoarsely.

Sheloveddoingthisforhim,lovedthewayhefelt,tastedandmoaned.Shepulledhermouthawayso
shecouldrunhertongueuphiscockandteasehisslit.Hehissedinabreathwhenshetookhimback
inhermouth,suckinghimharder.Shewasgoingtocomesoonandshewasdeterminedtotakehim
withher.Sheaddedherotherhand,knowinghowmuchhelovedthatassheabsentlyrodehisfingers.
Thiswassogood....

"Nottonight,"Jasonsaidsuddenly,pullingaway.

"What?"sheaskedinadazeashemovedtoliedownontopofher.Herconfusionquicklyturnedto
pleasureasherubbedhimselfbetweenherlegs.

Smiling,shepulledhimdownforakiss.Hekissedherleisurelyasheshiftedontopofher.Whenshe
feltthehardvelvetheadofhiserectionteasehercoreshegaspedintohismouth.

"Doyoulikethat?"Jasonaskedasheteasedherfolds.

"Yes,"shehissedwhenheteasedherclit.

"Doyouwantme?"hewhisperedagainsthermouth,placingthetipofhiserectionagainsthercore
onceagain.Thistimehegentlythrusthiships,teasingher.

Didshe?

Yes.

She loved him and all this waiting was killing her. It no longer mattered what the future held. She
wantedhimnow.

"Yes."ThewordwasbarelyoutofhermouthwhenJasonthrustforward.

Hard.

Asmallcryescapedherasherammedallthewayhome.Shewasbarelyawareofthekisseshewas
pressingagainstherfaceorhowhewrappedhisarmsaroundherandheldhertightly.Theonlything
thatregisteredinhermindwasthepainfrombeingsplitintwo.

It hurt so much. She squeezed her eyes shut, hoping it would get better. It didn't. Jason continued to
thrustintoher,takinghercriesandthewayshedughernailsintohisbackasencouragement.

Justwhenshethoughtshecouldn'ttakeanymorehestilledontopofherandgroaned.

Well, she thought as he pressed a tender kiss to her forehead, she knew the first time was going to
hurt.Granteditprobablywouldn'thavehurtifshe'dtalktohimaboutthisbeforetheydidit,butthey'd
beencaughtupinthemoment.Itwasbetterthisway,moreromantic.Shelikedtheideaofherfirst
timebeingaresultofbeingoutofcontrol.

Okay,soithadhurt....bad,butitwasovernowandHaleywasglad.

Shepressedakisstohisdampforehead.

Jasonchuckled,leaningbacktopressakisstothetipofhernose.

"Iknewit,"hesaid,panting.

"Knewwhat?"sheaskedconfused.

Hebrushedhislipsagainsthers.

"Iknewtheywerefullofshitwhentheysaidyouwouldn'tsleepwithme."

Chapter20

Jasoncouldn'thelpsmilingashelookeddownathislittlegrasshopper.Notonlyhadheprovedthat
Haleylovedhim,butthathadbeenthehottestsexofhislife.She'dbeensounbelievablyhotandwet
andsofuckingtighthe'dalmostexplodedwhenhe'denteredher.

The last two months had definitely been worth the wait. Sex had never felt so good before. Just
thinkingabouthowgooditwashadhiscockhardeningformore.

"Getoffme!"Haleysaid,shovinghimaway.

Confusedashell,Jasonmovedoffofher.

"What'swrong?"

"YouhadsexwithmebecausesomeonetoldyouIwouldn'thavesexwithyou?Youhadsextoprove
someonewrong?"shedamnnearyelled.

He held his hands up in a placating manor, hoping to calm her down, but dropped them when he
rememberedshecouldn'tsee.

"It'snotlikethat!"

"Oh?ThennoonetoldyouIwouldn'tsleepwithyou?"

Heranahandthroughhishair,wonderinghowthishadgonebadsofast."Look,"hesighed,"maybe
weshouldgoinsideandtalkaboutthis."

"Now?Nowyouwanttotalkaboutthis?"shedemanded,tryingtowalkpasthimandalmostfalling
into the pool. He quickly caught her. As soon as she was steady, she shoved his hands away and
cautiouslywalkedaroundthepool.

"Ican'tbelieveyoudidthis!"

That caught him short. "What the hell do you mean? How exactly was this a surprise? I'm your
fuckingboyfriend,Haley.Thiswasboundtohappensoonerorlaterwiththewayweweregoingat
eachother."

"Justbecausewe'redatingdoesn'tmeanIwasgoingtosleepwithyou!"shesnapped.

Holyshit.....

They'dbeenright.

"Youwereneverplanningonsleepingwithmewereyou?"hedemanded,notbotheringtohidehow
pissedhewas.

"Iwasn'tsureyet!UpuntiltenminutesagoIhadn'tmadeupmymind!"

HeroundedthepooljustasHaleyfoundherglassesandputthemon.

"Youwerefuckingplayingme?"hedemanded.

When she didn't answer he continued. "Your friends were right. You were getting a kick out of
playingme!"heyelled,forthefirsttimesincehemethernotcaringthathemadeherflinch.

"Did you brag that you brought me to my knees and kept me panting? Was this payback for all the
bullshit I put you through over the years? Did you even care for me a little bit or was all this a
fuckinggametoyou?"

"Agame?"shedemanded,wipingawaytearsthatJasonwouldn'tletaffecthim.Shewasupset?Too
fuckingbad,becausehewaspissed.She'dplayedhim.

"You have the nerve to yell at me when you just took my virginity to prove something?" she
demanded.

Hefroze.

Avirgin?

She'dbeentight,but.......

"Ohmygod,"hecroaked.

"Idon'tknowwhoyouspoketo,well,Ihaveanideawho,buttheyleftoutoneveryimportantitem.I
wassavingmyselfforthemanIthoughtI'dspendtherestofmylifewith.That'swhy I didn't sleep
withyou,"shesaid,clearlytryingtofightbackthetears.

Justlikethatalltheangerinhimdrainedaway.Hereachedouttopullherintohisarmsonlytohave
hishandsweaklyslappedaway.

"Youweresodamneagertoprovesomethingthatyoudidn'tevenstoptothinkaboutwhatyouwere
doing!"

"Baby," he said, keeping his tone gentle, "if I had known you were a virgin I would have done this
differently,butIcan'tregretthis."Hetookasteadyingbreath."I'minlovewithyouHaley."

"Ow!"hesaidwhenhislittlegrasshopperkickedhimintheshin."Whatthehellwasthatfor?Itold
youIloveyouandyouattackme?"

"That'sforbeingajerk!Youwaituntilyouscrewuptopulloutthebigguns?Howabouttellingme
that and making love to me because you love me and not because you felt you had something to
prove?"

Henoddedsolemnlyashereachedoutforher."Thatsoundsreasonable.Let'sgoinsideandI'lldothis
right."

"Areyoucrazy?YouthinkI'mgoingtoletyoutouchmeafterwhatjusthappened?"

"I'mreallysorryaboutthis,"hesaid,reachingforheragain.

"You actually thought I could hurt you? That's worse than anything you've done here tonight," she
said,gesturingwildlytowardsthepool."ItshouldhavebeenmorethanobviousthatIlovedyou,"she
mumbled,wipingfranticallyatthetearsstreamingdownherface.

Jasonfelthisheartbreakashewatchedher."Haley,I'msosorry."

Haleyignoredhisapologyandhecouldn'tsaythathereallyblamedheratthemoment."Youwereso
busytryingtoprovethatIwasn'tplayingyouthatyoudidn'tthink."

"Whatareyou-"

"Jason,I'mnotonbirthcontrolandyoudidn'twearacondom,"shesaid,cuttinghimoff.

"Ohshit,"hemumbled.He'dfuckedupinsomanywaystonighthewasn'tsurewheretostart,buthe
knewwhichfuckupwasthemostimportant.

"Ohshitisright,"Haleysnapped,openingtheslidingglassdoorandsteppinginside.

He'dneverforgottentowearacondombefore.Notonce.Helickedhissuddenlydrylips."Haley,we
havetotalk."

"Youshouldhavethoughtaboutthatbefore,"shesaid,turningherbackonhim.

"Haley,pleasedon'tdothis."

"Justleavemealone,Jason,"shesaid,shuttingthedoorandlockingit.

Shewasjustmad,hetoldhimselfashewaitedforhertocomebackandgivehimanotherpieceofher
mind.He'dfuckedupbigtime,butthey'dbothknownfromthebeginningthathewasprobablygoing
todothat.

After a few minutes he was sure she'd realize that he never really believed she could hurt him. He
loved her. She had to know that he wouldn't love her unless he trusted her. She just needed a few
minutestocooloff.

Whenafewminutesturnedintothirtyminutesheforcedhimselftomove.Hejustneededtoapologize
to her. He hopped over the small picket fence separating their properties and made his way to her
window more than ready to beg and plead if that's what it took to get her to listen to him when the
soundofherquietsobscaughthisattention.

"Haley?"

Noanswer.

Hestoodtherewonderingwhatthehellheshoulddo.Suddenlycrawlingintoherroomandpleading
withherdidn'tseemlikesuchasmartidea.Sheneededtimetothink,probablymoretimethenhe'd
givenher.

"I'llbeinmyroomwhenyou'rereadytotalk.So,justyellorcallwhenyou'reready,"hesaidloudly,
feelinglikeauselessidiotandnothavingadamncluewhattodo.Heleft,hopingshe'dcometohim
whenshewasready.

******************

Haley spent half the night crying and waiting for Jason to crawl through the window and hold her.
Whensherealizedthatwasn'tgoingtohappenshegrabbedapillowandathrowblanketandheaded
forthecouch,unabletosleepinherownbedwithoutJason.

Shecouldn'tbelievehowmuchthishurt.She'dbeenanidiottothinkshecouldprepareherselfforthis
moment.LosingJasonwashardenough,butthewayhe'dhurther......

Inonenightshe'dapparentlylostsomuch,herbestfriend,boyfriend,hervirginityandherheart.On
topofthatitappearedshe'dlostafewofherfriends,whichshereallycouldcarelessaboutiftruthbe
told.Therewasareasonafterallwhyshekeptputtingoffgirl'snightandithadverylittletodowith
Jason. They'd been a part of the old Haley's life, the pushover version of herself where she never
spokeupforherselfandletotherspushheraround.Afewmonthsagowhentheystartedhasslingher
aboutJasonandlettingherknowtheycouldn'tbelieveJasonsettledforsomeonelikehersheshould
have cut them out of her life, but hesitated. She didn't like hurting anyone's feelings and apparently
Jasondidn'tknowthatabouther.

How could he have thought she would do that to him? She could just imagine what Amy and her
friendKate,wellmostlyKate,couldhavesaidtoupsethim,butwhatshecouldn'tunderstandiswhy
hedidn'ttalktoherfirst.

Admittedly it was a conversation they should have had in the beginning, but that didn't excuse his
behavior.He'dsetouttoseduceherconsequencesbedamned.Ithadn'tmatteredifshehadherreasons
forwantingtowaitorhowshefeltforthatmatter.He'donlycaredabouthimself.

She wished she'd realized that sooner, especially before last night. All these years wasted and for
what? A horrible experience she could never take back. For that alone she would never be able to
forgiveJason.

*************

"You'reoutofeggs,"Mitchyelled.

"Idon'tcare,"Jasonsaid,nevertakinghiseyesawayfromHaley'sfrontdoor.

Aroundthreethismorninghe'drealizedhe'dfuckedupthissituationevenmorebynotgoingtoher.
Hespentthenexttwohoursgoingovereverysinglemomentfromthenightbefore,tryingtofigure
out exactly when he'd fucked up and made a list. After he made sure he hadn't missed anything he
foldedthethreepagelist,frontandback,andstuffeditinhisbackpocketandcameoutsidewaiting
forHaleysohecouldstartapologizing.

Hecontemplatedwakingherup,butthenhe'dhaveonemorethingtoapologizeforsohesettledfor
waiting on his front step. A half hour ago Mitch decided to join him after he spotted him waiting
outsideonhiswayhome.Ithadn'ttakenlongfortheothermantofigureoutthathe'dfuckedup.

"Areyougoingtositouthereallday?"Mitchasked,steppingoutthefrontdoor."I'mstarving.Let's
gogetsomethingforbreakfast.BythetimewegetbackHaleywillbeupandyoucangogrovel."

Jasonstubbornlyshookhishead."I'mnotleavinguntilItalktoher.Besides,I'mnothungry."

"HolyChrist,"Mitchmumbled,crossinghimself.

He ignored Mitch and focused on Haley's front door. A few minutes later it opened and Haley
stumbled out. Jason was on his feet within seconds and heading for her. He really wasn't sure how
much longer he would have been able to wait before breaking into her house and begging for her
forgiveness.

"Haley,I....,"hetrailedoffwhenhespottedthelargedufflebagshewashalfcarrying,halfdragging.
"What'sgoingon?"

For the first time in months Haley's face didn't light up when she saw him. She pushed her glasses
backuphernoseandwentbacktopullingthebag.

"I'mgoingaway,"shesaid,soundingsad.

"Forhowlong?"Jasonasked,feelingasthoughhisentireworldwascrashingdownaroundhim.

"Aweek,"Haleysaid,walkingpasthimasshedraggedthatdamnbag.

Aweek?No,theycouldn'tbeapartforaweek.Thatwastoomuchtime.Aweekthinkingoverhow
badly he'd fucked up and how much better off without him she would be was not what they needed.
Theyneededtoworkthisouthereandnowsohecouldgetonwiththegroveling.

"Idon'tthinkthat'ssuchagreatidea,Haley,"hesaid,automaticallyliftingthebagandplacingitinher
openedtrunkforherwhenshebeganstrugglingtoliftit."Whydon'twegoinsideandtalkthisover?"

Sheshookherheadstubbornly."Ican't.IfIdon'tgoI'llbeoutofathousanddollars."

Hewavedthatasidelikeitwasnothing."I'llreimburseyou.Juststayhereandletmeexplainaboutlast
night."

"There'snothingtoexplain,Jason,"Haleysaid,shakingherheadsadly."Ithinkit'sforthebestifwe
endthingsnow."

Her words felt like a punch to the gut. "You're just mad, Haley. Maybe...maybe you're right. Maybe
youjustneedaweektothinkthingsover,"hesaidquickly,desperatetodoorsayanythingthatwould
makehertakeitback."Takeaweek,thinkitover.WebothknewIwasgoingtofuckupatsomepoint,
mylittlegrasshopper.Afteryouthinkaboutityou'llrealizethat'sallitwas.Thenyou'llcomeback
hereandI'llgrovelandwe'llmovepastthis."

Shecouldn'tevenlookathimasshesaid,"I'mreallysorry,Jason."

Jason couldn't move, could hardly breathe as Haley stood up on her toes and pressed a kiss to his
cheek."I'msorry,"shesaid,soundingclosetotears."We'llalwaysbefriends,"shesaid,deliveringthe
killingblow.

Chapter20

HaleyjustbarelystoppedherselffromlookingforJasonwhenshesteppedbackoutsideandsawthat
he'dleft.Itwasforthebestshetoldherselfasshethrewhersmallbackpackintothetrunk.Sheclosed
itandwalkedslowlytothedriver'sside,hopingtocatchonelastglimpseofhim.

Even though she'd always known they had no future she couldn't stop herself from feeling
disappointed.He'dgivenherupsoeasily.Maybeitwasagoodthingthattheywereoverthen,shetold
herself. If he gave up so easily then he really didn't care about her and it was for the best that she
foundoutnow.

Atleastthat'swhyshetriedtotellherselfoverthenextthreehoursasshedrove.Everyfiveminutes
she was either checking to make sure her phone still worked or stopping herself from calling him.
Shejustwantedtohearhisvoice.

Sheknewitwasoverbetweenthem,butthatdidn'tmeananythingtoherheart.Allshewantedtodo
waspullthecaroverandcurlupintoaballandcry,butshewouldn'tallowherselfthatrelease,not
yet. When she arrived at the cottage, then she'd allow herself to break down in privacy and use the
weektomendherheart.

Afterthisweekwasovershereallydidn'tknowwhatshewasgoingtodo.She'dtoldhimtheywould
alwaysbefriends,butshereallydidn'tthinkshe'dbeabletoseehimdayinanddayoutandsurvive
after this. Worse, what would she do when a woman woke her up screaming Jason's name after he
tossedheraside?Haleywouldn'tbeabletosurviveknowingJasonhadbeenwithanotherwoman.

Duringthenextweekwhenshewasn'tcrying,orgettingdrunkintooblivion,she'dfigureoutwhatto
do about work and her house. If worse came to worse she could rent out her house and find an
apartmentevenifonlytemporary.Workwouldbeanotherissue.Rightnowsheworkedatoneofthe
most prestigious private schools in the country, but she knew if she left she'd most likely end up
workingatapublicschoolforalotlessmoney.

Herstomach'srumblingthankfullybrokeheroutofherratherdepressingthoughts.Shetookthenext
exit off the highway. Ten minutes later she was back on the highway and frowning down at her
purchase,anextralargeorangejuice,threecoffeerolls,twomuffinsandthreeapplepastries.

"Great,he'sgotmetrained,"shemutteredwithaneyeroll.Eithershe'dhavetobreakherselfoutof
thehabitoforderingforasmallarmyorshe'dbecomefat,shethoughtwithasigh.Shepickedupone
of the coffee rolls and took a small bite before putting it down and taking a sip of juice. When a
particularlyannoyingsongcameontheradioshespentaminutelookingforadecentsong.Whenshe
finallyfoundone,shepickeduphercoffeerollandfrownedatthehalfeatenbakeditem.

Apparentlyshe'deatenmorethanshethought.Great,shewaseatingoutofdepressionandwouldno
doubtbeasbigasahousebythetimeschoolstartedinafewweeks.Shetookabiteoutofhercoffee
rollandplaceditbackonthepassengerseatandpickeduphernowhalfemptyjuice.

"What the hell?" she murmured, taking her eyes off the road to look down at the insane amount of
food she'd bought. Hadn't she bought two muffins and three apple pastries? There was only one of
each now. She was starting to wonder if she was going crazy when a large tan hand suddenly
appeared,scaringtheholyhelloutofher.

Sheletoutasurprisedyelp,jerkingthewheeltotherightandalmostcrashingintoatowtruck.Ittook
herafewsecondsbeforeherbrainstartedtofunctionagainandwhenitdidshenarrowedhereyeson
thehandthatwasblindlysearchingfortheorangejuice.

Glaring,shereacheddownandpinchedthebackofthehand.Hard.

"Ow!"

Haleystoleaquickglancebackatthebackseatandcursed.SomehowJasonhadmanagedtofoldhis
largeframeontothefloorofhermidsizecarandcoverhimselfwiththelargetowelshekeptback
there.

"Whatthehellareyoudoing?"

Jasonsighedheavilyashetossedthetowelawayandstruggledtoclimboffthefloor.Oncehewas
comfortably seated in the back seat he reached forward and snagged her orange juice. "Having
breakfast."Hetookasip."Whatdoesitlooklike?"

"Whyareyouinmycar?"shedemandedasshedidherbesttoglareathimandkeepthecardriving
inastraightline.

"How else do you expect us to finish our fight?" he asked, leaning forward to snag the last apple
pastry.Hetookabigbitebeforeholdingittoherlipsforhertodothesame.

Sheshovedhishandaway."Whatthehelldoyoumeantofinishourfight?Weweredone,Jason.I'm
sorry,butit'sover,"shesaid,tryingtoremaincalm.

"No,wedidn't."

"Yes,wedid."

"Idon'tthinkso,"hesaidcalmly,finishingofftherestofthepastryasifhedidn'thaveacareinthe
world.

"Forgodsake,Jason,Idumpedyou!"shesnapped,feelingthelastthreadofpatiencesnap.

She looked up in the rearview mirror when he didn't say anything for a minute only to find him
frowning.Finallyheshookhishead."No,IthinkIwouldhaverememberedthat."

Hermouthdroppedopen.

"Anyway,"Jasoncontinuedasifhehadn'tjustleftherspeechlesswiththatlittleannouncement,"after
ourtalkIrealizedthatyouplannedaweekawayforusandIreallycouldn'tagreemore.Aweekaway
isexactlywhatweneedtoworkthroughourproblems."

"Ohmygod,"shemumbled,"you'reinsane."

Anothercarelessshrug.

"So,wherearewegoinganyway?"Jasonasked,gettingcomfortable.

"We aren't going anywhere. I'm leaving you at the next rest stop. You can hitchhike your way back
home."

"That'sreallynotgoingtoworkforme,"Jasonsaid,givingherasexysmilewhensheglaredathim
throughthemirror.

Hergrip tightened onthe steering wheelas she prayed forpatience. "Jason, it'sover. I'm sorry, but
youhavetoacceptit."

"No,Idon't,"hesaidcalmly,irritatingherevenmore.

"Jason,"shesaidtightly.

"Haley,"hemockedinthesametone,makingherlipstwitchdamnhim!

Shesighedheavily."Jason,youreallyhurtmelastnight.Idon'tthinkyou-"

"IknowIreallyfuckedup,Haley,butifyourememberIdidtellyouwhenwestartedthatIwasmost
likelygoingtomessthisup,"hesaid,cuttingheroff.

"Yeah,youdid,Jason,andlastnightyouprovedbeyondadoubtthatyouaren'tcapableofbeingina
relationship."

"No,lastnightIprovedthatI'mafuckingidiot,"Jasonsaidmatter-of-factly.

She wasn't going to argue with that since she'd come to the same conclusion after hearing what
happened,butthatdidn'tmeanshe'dchangedhermind.

"Jason,we'reover,"shesaidmoresoftly.

Hesnorted."No,we'renot."

"Yes,weare!Stopsayingthat!"

"No,we'rejustfighting.Youlovemeandyoudamnwellknowit."

Sheopenedhermouthtodenyit,butshecouldn't.Shedidlovehim.Morethananythingonthisearth,
buthe'dhurtherlastnightandshewasn'tsosurethatshecouldtrusthimnottodoitagain.

Whenshedidn'tsayanythinghesettledbackinhisseatandsaid,"I'mcomingwithyousoyoumight
as well get used to it. The sooner we get the fight over with the sooner we can move onto the next
phase."

"Whatphase?"sheaskedcautiously.

"Makeupsex,"hesaid,grinninghugelyashewiggledhiseyebrows.

***************

"What are we doing here?" Jason asked as he climbed out of the car, but not before Haley did. He
wasn't an idiot after all. She was still pissed off at him and was probably still looking for a way to
ditchhisass.Inretrospect,heprobablyshouldn'thavemadethatmakeupsexcomment.

Thehourtheyspentatthereststophaddefinitelyprovedthat.She'dtriedeverythingshecouldtoget
himoutofhercar,butherefusedtobudge.Finallywhenshewasoutofbreathandexhaustedfrom
tryingtodraghimoutofthecar,itwasasadattempt,shegaveup,slammedthedoorshutanddrove
off,ignoringhimforthenexttwohours.

"I need groceries," she muttered unhappily, throwing another glare in his direction. When her eyes
shotbetweentheSuperWal-Martcenterandhercarhesnaggedthekeysoutofherhand.

"Hey!"Shetriedtograbthemawayfromhim.

"Sorry, my little grasshopper, you're not ditching me at Wally World," he said, pocketing her keys
andheadingforthestore,leavinghertoeitherfumeathimorfollow.Hedidn'tbotherlookingback
sinceheknewshewasn'tgoinganywhere.

AlthoughWal-Martwouldn'tbehisfirstchoice,thissolvedoneproblem.Hedidn'thaveanyclothes
sincehe'dbeeninabitofarushtohideinHaley'scarbeforeshespottedhim.Butthiswouldwork
outrathernicelyforhimandsincehecouldsmellthesaltintheairheknewexactlywhattobuy.

"Ihateyou,"Haleymumbled,stormingpasthimtograbacarriage.

"Youloveandadoreme,"Jasoninformedherashedeftlysnaggedhercarriageawayfromherand
headedtowardsthemen'sdepartment.

Along the way he stopped at the women's department when a little black bikini caught his eye,
decidingthatitwouldlookgreatonHaleyhethrewitintothecarriageaswellastheredonebehind
it.Hewasn'ttooworriedwhenHaleydidn'tfollowhim.Hefiguredshewassomewhereinthestore
tryingtocalmdownorbuyabaseballtobeathisassintosubmission.

Thatwasfine.Theyhadawholeweektoworktheirproblemsoutwhethershewantedtoornot.She
washis,plainandsimpleandthesoonersherealizedthey'dbetogetherforeverthesoonerhecould
correctthemistakehemadelastnightandshowherhowgooditcouldbebetweenthem.

After he grabbed swim trunks, enough clothes for the week and a few toiletries he headed for the
grocery section. When he spotted Haley's carriage he couldn't help but snort in disbelief. Did she
really think buying single servings of food was going to feed them for a week? Clearly their fight
hadaddledherbrain.

Hepausednearhercarriageignoringhercutelittleglareanddumpedallhisthingsintoherbasket.

"Hey!"shesaid,tryingtostophim."Whatthehellareyoudoing?"

"I need more room in my carriage for food," he simply said. He headed towards the dairy section,
hopingshewouldn'tjustditchhisshittogetbackathim.Thenagainsheshouldknowthatifshedid
hewouldtakeitasaninvitationtowalkaroundnakedtheentireweek.

"Whydoyouneedbubblebath?"sheaskedasshecameupnexttohiminfrontofthedairycoolers.

He placed two gallons of milk in the carriage. "It's for you," he said in a tone that let her know it
shouldbemorethanobvious.Hislittlegrasshopperlovedtakinglonghotbubblebathstorelaxand
he really needed her to relax if he was going to convince her to forgive him and forget about that
breakupnonsense.

"O-kay,"shesaidslowly,pickingupafamiliarblackcardboardbox."Andwhataboutthese?Atwenty
packandmagnumsizenoless,someonethinksawfullyhighlyofhimself."

Sighing, Jason reached over and snatched the box of condoms out of her hands. "Only one box? I
thought I grabbed three," he murmured, making a show of looking in her carriage for the other
boxes. Finally with a resigned sigh he threw the box back. "Remind me to grab a few boxes on the
wayout."

Withthatheheadedovertothecookiesection,knowingshewasdefinitelygoingtofollowthistime.

"WhythehellwouldIremindyou?We'renotgoingneedonebox,nevermindthree!"

Jasonreallycouldn'thelpbutsmileatthatlittleannouncement."Okay,"hesaid,grabbingtheboxof
condomsandstickingitonthetopshelfbetweensomefigsandjellycookies."Iwashopingyou'dsay
that."

Thedamagehadalreadybeendonelastnight.Grantedifithadbeenanyotherwomanhewouldhave
draggedherasstotheemergencyroomforthemorningafterpill,butwithHaleyhefeltoddlycalm
aboutthewholething.Actually,hefeltalittleexcitedattheideaofHaleyhavinghischild.

Upuntilafewhoursagohehadn'tgivenmuchthoughttotheconsequencesoflastnight.He'dbeen
too scared that he'd lost Haley for good to really give it some thought, but once he found himself
squeezedintohislittlehidingplacehehadn'thadmuchtodobutthink.

Whenheallowedhimselftoconsiderhavingakidhemayhavefreakedoutjustalittle.Thankfully
Haleyhadbeenblastingtheradiososheprobablydidn'thearhimhyperventilating.Afterhefinally
managedtocalmdownheallowedhimselftothinkaboutHaleypregnantwithhischild.He'dbeena
littleshockedwhentheideadidn'tfreakhimout.

Soonhewaspicturinglittlegirlswithmischievousgreeneyesandpigtailsaskinghimtoplaytea.Of
coursehe'dbringrealfoodtotheteaparty.Noneofthatpretendfoodbullshitforhislittlegirls.

BythetimeHaleyhadstoppedforbreakfasthe'dbeencalmerabouteverything.He'dalreadydecided
to ignore that breakup nonsense. It was just ridiculous and he knew sooner or later Haley would
realizethatsotheycouldgetstartedonmakingtheirallgirlbaseballteam.

"Youwere?"Haleyasked,lookingsodamnconfusedandadorable.

"Damn straight," he said, grabbing several cookie packages and tossing them into his carriage.
"Nothingshouldcomebetweenuswhenwe'remakinglove,"heexplained,lovingthewayherlittle
facewentbrightred.

"We'renotdoingthatagain!"shehissedquietly.

Notdoingitagain?Puhlease.Iftherewasonethingheknewabouthislittlegrasshopperitwasthat
she was as insatiable in the bedroom as he was. He'd have her in his bed by the end of the day,
guaranteed.

Chapter21

"CanIhavemykeysback?"Haleyasked,holdingoutherhandexpectantlyjustasJasonplacedthelast
baginthebackseat.

"Nope,"hesaid,makingthewordpop,steppingpastherandclimbingintothedriver'sseat.

Sighing,Haleyclimbedintothepassengerside,knowingtherewasnopointinarguingwithhimand
shereallydidn'thavetheenergy.Allshewantedtodowasfindthecottage,takeabathandsleepfor
thenextdayortwo.

She pulled her hand away when Jason tried to hold it. Instead of arguing he acted like nothing
happenedandfocusedontheprinteddrivingdirections.Afterafewminuteshetookherhandintohis
again.

After a two minute tug of war Haley gave up and let him have his sad little victory, mentally
promisingherselfallkindsofrevengewhenhesmiledsmugly.Shewastootiredtoarguesoshesat
backagainstthecoolleatherseatandtriednottodozeoff.

Hereyesdartedtotherearviewmirrorandnarrowedonthelargepileofgrocerybags.Sheturned
herglareontoJason."Ihopeyoudon'texpectmetocookforyou."Shedecidedthatifhesomuchas
poutedoverthatannouncementshewasgoingtobreakoutthefistsoffuryonhisass.

Heshookhishead."You'renotallowedtocookthisweek,"hesaid,surprisingthehelloutofher.

"What?"

"You're on vacation. I don't want you to lift a finger," he said, raising their entwined hands and
pressing a sweet kiss to the back of her hand. When she felt herself starting to melt she reminded
herselfwhathedidlastnightandwhy.

Afteronelastuselessattempttotugherhandback,Haleysighedandsatbackinherseat,watchingas
theypassedsmallhouses,apartmentcomplexes,smallbusiness.Tenminuteslatertheypassedthrough
a quaint downtown shopping area and onto a scenic road that took them past several large hotels
alongthebeachfront.

HaleywasjustabouttodriftoffwhenJasonsaid,"Ithinkthisisit."

Sheforcedhereyesopenandwatchedastheydrovepastseveralsmallcottages.Aminutelaterthey
werepullingontothelongdrivewayofasmallonelevelcottage.

"Doyouhaveakey?"Jasonasked,throwingthecarintoparkandshuttingitoff.

Bitingbackayawn,shenodded.Withoutawordsheclimbedoutofthecarandtrudgeduptheshort
crushedseashellwalkwayandletherselfintothehouse,decidingshe'dhandleJasonlater.Rightnow
she was too tired to do anything more than take a bath and nap. She looked around the cottage and
notedthatitwascuterthanthepictureshergrandmother'srealtorsenther.

Thewickerfurnitureinthelivingroomwassmall,butlookedsurprisinglycomfortable,shenotedas
shewalkedthroughtheopendoorwayintothesmalleat-inkitchenandlookedoutthedoubleglass

doors. She frowned as she watched the waves crash against the smooth sandy beach. There was no
wayacottageonaprivatebeachwasonlyathousanddollarstorentforaweek.

"Damn it," Haley cursed, stomping her foot. Once again her grandmother had tricked her. When
HaleyaskedGrandmatoseeifherrealtorcouldlookintorentalpropertiesforher,sheshouldhave
knownGrandmawouldn'tbeabletostopherselffromswoopinginandtakingcareofit.

Nooneinherfamilyunderstoodwhyshewantedtomakeitonherown,leastofallGrandma.Haley
knewhergrandmothermeantwellandthatshewasworriedabouther,butshereallywishedshe'dstop
pullingstuntslikethisone.TherewasabsolutelynodoubtinHaley'smindthathergrandmotherhad
paidformorethanhalftherentalprice.

Well,therewasnothingshecoulddoaboutitrightnow.Moreimportantly,shewastoodamntiredto
bepissed.Sometimethisweekshe'dgointotownandaskaroundtofindoutwhatarentalpropertyin
thisareawentfor.Thenshe'dsendhergrandmotherthedifference.

"Areyousurethisplaceonlycostathousand?"Jasonasked,placingahalfdozengrocerybagsonthe
table.

Haleylookedoverhershoulderandsighed.Onemoreproblemtodealwith.Shepushedherglasses
backuphernoseandpulledhercellphoneoutofherfrontpocket."Look,whydon'tyoucalloneof
theguystocomepickyouup?"Itwouldtakeagoodfivehoursforsomeonetogethere.Hopefully
she'dsleepthroughJason'swait.

"WhywouldIdothat?"Jasonaskedasheemptiedthebagsandstartedtoputthefoodaway.

"Becauseyou'renotstayinghere,"shesaidbluntly.

Hesnorted.

"I'mserious,Jason,"shesaid,steppingforward,blockinghimfromputtingtheicecreamaway.He
simplysidesteppedherandputitaway.

"I'mnotgoinganywhere,Haley."

"Look,"shesaid,takinginadeepcalmingbreath,"I'llgiveyouariderightnowtooneofthehotels
wepassedalongtheway.Youcanstaythereuntilsomeonecancomegetyou."

"I'mstayingrighthere,Haley,untilweworkthisout,"Jasonsaidfirmly.

"You'renotstayinghere.Firstofall,Ipaidfor-"

"Here,"Jasonsaid,cuttingherof,asheslappedacheckontothewhiteoakkitchentable."I'mpaying
forthecottagesothereshouldn'tbeanyproblems."

Jason was the only person besides her grandmother she knew that still carried checks in his wallet.
Shepickedupthecheckandfrownedwhenshesawthatheintendedtopaytheentireamount.

Sheheldthecheckouttohim."I'mnottakingthis."

"Yes,youare,"hesimplysaidasheheadedbackintothelivingroom."IfyoutearthatupI'lljustwrite
youanotheronewhenwegethome."

Haleyfoldedthecheckandstuckitinherbackpocket.Onemoreargumenttohavelater,shethought
miserably.Rightnowshewastootiredtocare.Shewalkedintothelivingroomandheadedforthe
smallhallwaytotheright,decidingshe'dgetherbagsafterhernapthatwouldhopefullygiveherthe
energytodealwiththisnonsense.

SheheadedfortheonlydoorinthehallwayandalmostranintoJasonashewascomingout.

"Sorry," he said, stepping to the side so she could walk into the room. "I was just bringing in the
bags."

"Thankyou,"shemumbled,feelingmoreexhaustedthanshecouldeverremember.Shehadn'tsleptat
alllastnightandthenightbeforethey'dstayeduplatewatchingmoviesandcuddling.

"Youlooktired,baby,"hesaid,reachinguptotouchherfaceonlytodrophishandawayatthelast
second. "Look," he said, rubbing the back of his neck, "why don't you go relax. We can talk
everythingoverlater."

Itwasonthetipofhertonguetotellhimtherewasnothingtotalkabout,butthatwouldonlystartan
argumentsoshesimplynodded,closingthedoorbehindher.

ShelookedoverthesmallCapeCodstylebedroomandnearlygroaned.Thisplacewouldhavebeen
perfect for a romantic getaway if Jason hadn't gone and ruined everything. She threw a look of
longingtowardsthebedbeforeheadingforthebathroom.Althoughshe'dlikenothingbetterthanto
curluponthedoublebed,shedesperatelyneededtosoakinahotbath.Itdidn'tmatterthatithadtobe
ninetydegreesinthesmallcottage.Shewasstillsorebetweenherlegsfromlastnightandknewshe
wouldn'tbeabletosleepuntilshetooksomeaspirinandsoakedinahotbathforawhile.

Itwasjustanotherreminderofwhathedidlastnight.Shestillcouldn'tbelievehe'dhurtherlikethis.
DespiteJason'sflaweddatingpastshe'dtrustedhim,morethananyone.Hewastheonlypersonthat
nevertookadvantageofher"doorstep"tendencies.

He'd been kind, sweet and considerate with her and never tried to manipulate her into doing
somethingshedidn'twanttodo.Whentheywereintimatehe'dneveroncepushedformorethanshe
waswillingtogivehim.Thatalonehadmadeherlovehimevenmore.Toomanytimesinherpast
menhadgoneouttheirwaytocoerceherintotakingastepshewasn'treadytotake.

Whenshe'drefusedtheytriedtosweettalkher,manipulateher,guilther,untiltheyfinallygotpissed.
Morethanonemanhadendedthingswithherwhenshewouldn'tsleepwithhim.She'dbeencalleda
bitchandateasemoretimesthanshecaredtoremember.Thefactthatshe'dbeenupfrontabouther
sexualcomfortlevelhadn'tmattered.

There had been several men that ended things as soon as she told them she wouldn't have sex with
them,butothersthoughtshewaslying,teasingthem,orsettingupachallenge.Whentheyeventually
realizedshehadn'tliedthingswouldend,they'dturncoldandmean.Somehadhungaroundalittle
longerhopingtochangehermind,butsheneverdid.

ThatisuntilJason.

His reaction had been anything but typical or expected. Instead of arguing or questioning her, he'd
readilyacceptedwhatshetoldhimwithasmileandalittleteasing.Everytimetheybecameintimate

she'dpreparedherselfforJasontopushherintohavingsex,butheneverdid.Notonce.Eventhose
timeswhensheknewhewasdyingtotakeherhehadn't.He'dgrithisteethandacceptwhatevershe
offeredhim,whichwaswhyshefeltcomfortableandreadytomakelovetohimlastnight.

Taking the next step with Jason had felt so natural last night. It wasn't until after his little
announcement that she regretted what they'd done. He'd done it because he thought she was playing
him only to end up playing her. Last night he'd manipulated her into sleep with him to prove
somethingandthenactuallyhadtheballstoannounceitlikeitwasnobigdeal.

Shewipedawayatear.Itwasaverybigdealtoher.She'dwaitedallherlifefortherightmanandthe
righttimeonlytobeusedbythemanshethoughtcaredforher.Hesaidhelovedherlastnight,buthe
really didn't. There was no question that he cared for her a little, but love? No. Last night proved
beyondadoubtthatJasonwasn'tcapableoflovingher.Ifhelovedherhewouldn'thavetreatedherso
callously.

Thesimpletruthwas,Jasonwasstubborn.Itwasthereasonwhyhesleptwithhertoprovesomething
andthesamereasonhehidinhercarandwasbeingbullheadedaboutthisbreakup.Shedoubtedhe'd
everbeendumpedbeforeandheprobablywasn'thandlingitwell.Jasonlikedtocalltheshotswhenit
cametowomenandhavinghisshylittleneighbordumphimprobablygratedonhisego.

Therewasabsolutelynodoubtinhermindthatifshetookhimbackhe'ddumpherassinamatterof
weeksjustsothathecouldbetheonetomakethatdecision.Itwasbetterforeveryonethattheyended
things now. This way she was only disappointed in Jason and didn't hate him, although maybe that
wouldbeforthebestaswell.

She paused in the bathroom doorway and sighed heavily as she took in the steaming bubble bath
Jasonhaddrawnforherinthedeepclawfootedbathtub.Heevensetoutatowelandherfavoritetee
shirttochangeintoafterwards.

"Stupidjerk,"shemumbled,onceagainstoppingherselffrommelting.Shejusthadtorememberthat
thiswasallagametohimandshe'dbefine.

Chapter22

"Youfuckingmoron."

Jasoncouldn'targuewiththat.He'dseriouslyscrewedeverythingupanddesperatelyneededtofinda
waytofixit,whichiswhyhecalledinthebigguns.

Hisfather.

"Tellmethisissomesickjoke,"hisfathersaidwarily.

"IwishIcould,Dad,"Jasonsaid,lookingoverhisshoulderatthesmallcottageashewalkedalong
theedgeofthewater.

For the past three hours he'd been out here pacing, trying to figure out what the hell he should do.
Finallyhecametotheconclusionthathewasinwayoverhisheadhereandneededsomeonewitha
historyofcharminghiswayoutoffuckupswithwomenandonlyonepersoncametomind.

Hisfatherfuckedupmoretimeswithhismotherthanshouldbehumanlypossible.Notthathisfather
screwedaroundonhismother.She'dsimplykillthemanifheevereventhoughtofit.No,hisfather
could be an arrogant, hardheaded bastard that drove his mother to the brink of insanity countless
timesovertheyears.

"Letmegetthisstraight,youletsomedumbbarbimboconvinceyouthatmypoorsweetlittleHaley,"
his father said, making him shake his head ruefully. Haley managed to wrap his father around her
littlefingerwiththosecupcakesandboughthisundyinglovewithfriedchicken,potatosaladandM&
Mcookies.Theman'sobsessionwithfoodwasreallypathetic.

Thankgodhedidn'thavethatproblem.

"-couldeverdosomethingsoheartless?Thenyougoaheadandscrewitupinsteadoftalkingtoher?
What in the hell is wrong with you?" his father practically yelled, making Jason hold Haley's cell
phoneagoodfootfromhisear.

"IknowImessedup,Dad,"Jasonsaidoncehisfatherstoppedyelling."Look,Ineedhelpfiguringout
howtofixthis."

"Youdon'tdeservemyHaley,"hisfathersimplysaid.

Jasonbarelystoppedhimselffromrollinghiseyes.Hisfatherwassuchafoodslut.

"Has it occurred to you that if I don't fix things with Haley that she'll never make you that Boston
creampieshepromisedyou?"hesaid,knowingthewaytogethisfathertofocuswastothreatenhis
food.

Hiscommentwasmetwithashortpause.

"Okay,thisiswhatyouneedtodo,"hisfathersaid,allbusinessnow."Youneedtobackoffandstop
apologizing."

Jasonfrowned."Stopapologizing?"Thatdidn'tsoundright.

"Mmmhmm,noneedtokeepremindingherhowbigofanidiotyouare.Shealreadyknows,trustme.
Rightnowyouneedtoworkonbeingthereforher.Don'tpressureher.InfactIwouldsuggestyou
workonremindingherhowmuchyoucareaboutherandhowgoodyouareforher."

Henoddedslowly."Icoulddothat."

Hisfathersnortedhisdisbelief.

"I can," Jason stressed, promising himself that after Haley took him back that he'd get her to make
himaBostoncreampiejustsohecouldrubitintheoldman'sface.

"Justtrynottofuckthisup,becauseifyoucostmeHaleyI'mdisowningyou,"hisfathersaidbefore
hehungup.

Jasonplacedthephoneinhispocketandheadedbacktothecottage,decidingtherewasnotimelike
thepresenttogetstarted.He'dremindherhowgoodtheyweretogetherandwhysheadoredhim.It
shouldn'tbetoohard.Infact,hewascertainthatonelittleproblemwasgoingtoguaranteethatshe
couldn'tlivewithouthim.

He stepped into the kitchen just as Haley stomped angrily into the room wearing nothing but her
"Geek" tee shirt. She threw him a glare and muttered something about his balls that he decided to
ignoreassheheadedfortherefrigerator.Shegrabbedanicecoldsodaandsippeditassheglaredat
him.

She looked exhausted, he noted as he leaned against the counter. He had to stop himself from
grinning.Thiswasgoingtobesoeasy.

"Couldn'tsleep?"heaskedcasually,alreadyknowingtheanswer.Sheneededhimandshedamnwell
knewit.Thiswasgoingtobethewayhestayedclosetoherwhilehedidhisbesttoconvinceherto
forgivehim.

Haleypushedherglassesuphernose,tookasipofCokeandsimplyflippedhimoffasshewalked
outoftheroom.

Great.Hewasalreadyfuckingthisup,hethought,walkingafterher.Sheslammedthebedroomdoor
shutinhisface.Aftercountingtoten,twice,heknockedonthedoor.

"Go.Away."

Sighingheavily,heopenedthedoorjustintimetoseethebathroomdoorslammedshut.Hewalked
overtothebedandsatdown.

"Haley,I-"

"Look,Jason,Ireallycan'tdothiswithyourightnow,"Haleysaid,notbotheringtoopenthedoorto
face him, making Jason wonder if her pushover tendencies were once again showing up. That
wouldn'tbegoodforeitheroneofthem.Heneededhertodealwithhim,notsimplyavoidhim."Let
mefinishgettingdressedthemI'llgiveyouaridetoahotel."

"No," he said firmly. There was no way in hell he was leaving. They were going to work this out
whethershelikeditornotandhehadafeelingshedidn't.

"Fine,"shegratedout."ThenI'mleaving."

Ohhellno.

Ifsheleftnowthere'dbenostoppingherfromleavinghisassforgood.Therewasnodoubtinhis
mind that she didn't intend on giving him a ride home now, which would mean that he probably
wouldn't get home until tomorrow afternoon. By then she could be anywhere doing her best to
convinceherselfthatshecoulddobetter,shecould,butthatwasn'tthepoint.Hecouldn'tletherwalk
awayfromhim,notnow,notever.

HethrewaquicklookatthedoorbeforerushingovertoHaley'slittlebackpackthatshelikedtocalla
purse.Hetorethroughituntilhefoundwhatheneeded.Nodoubtthiswasonlygoingtopissheroff
more,butdesperatetimescalledfordesperatemeasures.Hepocketedherwalletandquicklychecked
herdiscardedpants,stealingthemoneyshehadinthefrontpocket,andhercarkeysbeforerushing
outoftheroom.

It only took him a minute to find the perfect hiding spot, one of the dozens of decorative baskets
liningtheceiling.TherewasnowayinhellHaleywasgoingtoreachitnevermindfindit.Aftera
minutehedecidedtoaddhercellphoneaswell.Heshutitoffandaddedittothepileandcoveredhis
tracks.

KnowingtherewasnowayHaleycouldleavehimuntiltheyworkedthingsout,Jasonrelaxedforthe
firsttimesincethiswholethingstarted.Hewalkedtothekitchenfeelingconfidentthathislittleplan
wasgoingtowork.

Hegrabbedacoldsodafromthefridge,wishingitwasabeer,andheadedforthebeach.Aslongas
hislittlegrasshopperwasn'tallowedtodrinkthenhewouldn'tdrink.Notthathereallyexpectedherto
bepregnantfromonetime,buthewasn'ttakinganychances.

Until he knew for sure that she wasn't pregnant with their baby she wasn't so much as looking at a
drop of alcohol, which was probably going to make it more difficult to deal with him. Granted it
mighthelphiscaseifhegotherdrunk,buthewasn'twillingtaketheriskofharminganypossible
baby or having her throw it in his face later that she hadn't known what she was doing when she
forgavehim.Hewantedherstonecoldsoberforthis,especiallysinceshewasmostlikelygoingtobe
theonetofigureouthowtofixthissincehewasprettysurehe'donlymanagetofuckthisupmore.

"Youbastard!"heheardHaleyyellfromsomewherebehindhim.

Helookedbackatherandsmiled,watchingasshestormedovertohimwithherlittlefistsswinging
byherside.Sheshovedherglassesbackuphernose,glaringathimagainstthebrightsunlight.

"Whatdidyoudowithit,youbastard?"shedemanded,comingtoahalttwofeetfromhim.

"What?"heaskedinnocently,takingasipofsoda.

"Youknowwhat!"shesnapped.

"Hmm,Ireallydon't,"hemused,tryingnottosmilewhenshegrowledinirritation.

"Mywallet,"shebitoutthroughclenchedteeth."IneeditbacksoIcanleave."

"Thenyou'renotgettingit,"hesaid,shrugginghisshoulders.Shethoughthewasgoingtohelpher
leavehim?Damn,hislittlegrasshopperstillhadsomuchtolearn.

"Fine,"shebitout."GivememycellphonesoIcancallsomeone,"shedemanded,holdingouther
handexpectantly.

"Sorry,Ican'tdothateither,"hesaid,sighingheavily.Really,didshenotknowhimatall?

"Whataboutmycarkeys?"sheasked,eyeinghimcautiously.

Hepursedhislipsupinthought.Itwouldbebestforbothofthemifshewaslimitedtothecottageand
thecenteroftownamiledowntheroad.

"No,sorrythat'snotgoingtoworkformeeither."

"Thisiskidnapping!"shesputteredindisbelief.

"No,it'snot."

"Yes,itis!"

"Nope."

"Whatthehellwouldyoucallit?"shedemanded,snatchinghissodafromhimandfinishingitoff.

"Aromanticgetaway?"

Shesnorted.

"If you really don't want to be here, then go inside and use the house phone to call someone," he
suggestedinnocently.

Shelookedclosetobreakingouthercutelittlefistsoffury."YouknowdamnwellthatIdon'thave
anyofthephonenumbersmemorized,"shesnapped.Yes,hereallydidknowthat.Haley,thankfully,
depended heavily on technology. Once a number went into her contact list she never looked at it
again. That little tidbit of information used to earn an eye roll from him, but now it pleased him
immensely.

"ThenIguessyou'restuckhere,"hesaid,bitingbackasmile.

Hereyesnarroweddangerouslyonhim.

"So,"hesaidbrightly,"doyouwanttogoforaswim,gofishing,"hegesturedtothelongrockwall
thatwentoutaboutthreehundredyardsintotheocean,"orareyouhungry?Icanwhipsomeburgers
upinnotime."

Withonelastlookthatpromisedbodilyharm,Haleystormedoffbacktothecottage.

Jason walked back to the cottage not even bothering to check the sliding glass doors. Haley's little
smug smile had told him everything he needed to know. She'd locked him out. He'd allow her this
littlevictory,hedecidedashescoopeduphisshirtofftheloungechairandpulleditonandheaded
fortown.Therewasprobablynoneedtotellherthathesnatchedthecottagekeysalready.

She'dhavetocometohimsoonerorlater.

Chapter23

Threeo'clockinthemorningandHaleywasclosetocrying.Shewassounbelievablytired.Herhead
waspoundingandshefeltsicktoherstomach.Shehadn'tsleptinfivedays.

Notonesinglewink.

Sadly it had nothing to do with the cottage. The bed was firm, just the way she liked it, the air
conditionerranperfectlykeepingthelittlecottageatacool68degrees,andtheonlynoisetobeheard
was the sound of the waves crashing against the beach. She really wished there was something to
complainabout,becausethatwouldmeangoingtooneofthehotelsdowntheroadwouldprovideher
withthesleepherbodydesperatelyneeded.

Thereasonshecouldn'tsleepwasquitesimple.Thebastardwhorefusedtoleavenomatterhowmany
timesshebegged,pleadedorthreatenedwasonehundredpercentresponsibleforthislittleproblem.
Beingthisdependentonanotherpersonforsleepwasnothealthyornormal,butnomatterhowmany
timesshetriedtogetthatmessageacrosstoherexhaustedbodyitwouldn'tlisten.

She tried everything over the past three days. At first she thought relaxation would do the trick, so
she'dtakenaboutadozenhotbaths,readafewbooks,andeventriedarelaxingmoonlitstrollalong
thebeach.Whenrelaxationdidn'tworkshemovedontovigorousactivity.Shetriedswimming,long
vigorouswalks,andcleaningthecottagefromtoptobottom.

Absolutely nothing worked. There was no way she could handle another day without sleep, never
mindthefourdaysJasonwasdeterminedtokeepherfor.

Shesatupinbedandkickedthesheetaway.Damnit.Ifshewasgoingtobestuckwithhim,thenshe
mightaswellgetsomethingoutofit.Shethrewopenherdoorandwalkeddowntheshorthallway.

Jasonlookedoveratherandsighed.Shewasn'ttoosurprisedtofindhimawake.Itseemedthislittle
addictionwentbothways,thankfully,becauseifshewasgoingtosufferthansowashe.Grantedhis
inabilitytosleepmighthavemoretodowiththesmallwickerchairshewasforcedtositinallnight.

"I don't know what you did, but you wrecked sleep for me and since you won't give me back my
things I've decided that you will allow me the use of your body for sleep," she clarified, afraid he
mightgetthewrongidea,"untilwegohomeandIcangetaprescriptionforsleepingpillsfrommy
doctor."

Jasonsimplylookedatherthroughredshoteyes."Okay,"shesaidfirmly,noddingtoherself."Move
yourbutt,"shesaid,gesturingforhimtoheadtothebedroom.

"No,"hesaidsoftly.

Shenarrowedhereyesonhim."Don'tmakemehurtyou,Jason.Iamwaytootiredforanybullshit
tonight,somoveyourass."

Hestubbornlyshookhishead."Notuntilyoupromisetospendthelastfourdayswithme."

"No."

They broke up and he really needed to accept that, especially since they returned to work in two
weeks.Shedidn'twanttohavetodealwithanyofthisnonsenseatwork.Heneededtoacceptthisso
theycouldbothmoveon.Itwasalreadyhardenoughbeingaroundhimandnotbeingabletotouch
him.

Shelovedhimsomuchandthiswaskillingher.Thebestthinghecoulddoforbothofthemwastolet
hergonowsoshewouldhavesometime,evenafewdays,tomourntheirrelationship.Shealready
knewshe'dhavetoputherhouseonthemarketandlookforanewjobassoonasshegotback.

Afterthissheknewshewouldnevermanagetobeinthesameroomwithhimorspothimwalking
aroundoutsidewithoutfeelingherheartbreak.Sheneededtoputasmuchspacebetweenthemasshe
couldifshehopedtosurvivethis.

"Wehavefourdaysleft,Haley.Ifyouwanttosleepthenyou'llgivemewhatIwant."

"YouneedsleepjustasmuchasIdo,"shepointedout.

Henoddedhisagreement."I'mwillingtogowithoutifthat'swhatittakes."

"We'renotgettingbacktogether,"shesaid,feelingmoreexhaustedthanshehadfiveminutesago.

"I'mnotaskingforthat,Haley.I'maskingforsomerealtimewithyou."

"Youexpectmetobelievethat?"

"Yes,"hesaid,soundingasexhaustedasshefelt."Ijustwanttimewithyou."

Sheconsideredhimforamoment.Atthispointshewaswillingtoforkoverherkidneysifitmeant
gettingsomesleep."Fine,"shesaidslowly."Butjusttime.Nokissing,sex,ortouching."

He sighed with obvious relief as he got to his feet. "That's fine," he said, walking past her to the
bedroom.Shefollowedhim,eagertofinallygetsomesleep.

"Underwearstayson,"sheannounced,asshewalkedintotheroom.

Jasonyankedhisunderwearbackon,probablytootiredtoargue,andfloppeddownonthebed.After
aslighthesitation,Haleylaydownandcurledupagainsthim.Inamatterofminutesshefeltherbody
relaxandstartedtodriftoff.

****************

"Oh my god, no! It's going to bite me!" Haley squealed, jumping back as the small crab moved
towardsher.

Jasonchuckledashewatchedhislittlegrasshopperrunonhertippytoes,tryingtogetawayfromthe
smallcrabthatreallydidseemtohaveitoutforher.EverytimeHaleychangeddirectionsodidthe
crab.

Now,Jasoncouldveryeasilyfixthislittleproblemforhislittlegrasshopperbypickingherup,buthe
wasfollowingherrules.Heonlyhadfourdayslefttoconvinceherthatshecouldn'tlivewithouthim,
andifthatmeanthehadtofollowherrulestospendtimewithherthanhewasdamnwellgoingto
followthemtoatee.Hewasn'tabouttogiveherareasontobreaktheiragreement.

That'swhyanhouragowhenhewokeuptofindHaleycurledupinhisarms,hequicklyjumpedout
ofbedandthehellawayfromher.Shelookedalittleconfusedandhurt,andhealmostignoredher
rulesandtookherintohisarms,butheforcedhimselftokeephisheadinthegame.Hesaidgood
morning and left her to take a shower, and not joining her had almost killed him, and made them
lunch.

Afterlunchithadtakenalittlepromptingandaboutadozenremindersthatshepromisedtospendthe
lastfourdayswithhim.Witharesignedsighshefollowedhimtothebeach.Forthefirsttimesincehe
wreckedherflowersaheavyawkwardsilencerosebetweenthem.

He bit back another apology, remembering what his father said, and walked next to her, trying to
figureoutwhatthehellheshouldsaytoher.UnfortunatelyHaleyseemedtobejustasuncomfortable
as he was. He knew she was on the verge of suggesting that they go home again, when thankfully
they'dfoundthelittlecrabhellbentonattackingher.

Nowtheybothlaughed,watchingthelittlecrab'santics,theawkwardsilenceforgotten.

"Jason!"Haleyshriekedasthecrabmadeagrabforhertoes.

Sighing,Jasonbentoverandpluckedthesmallcrabup.Heraiseditsohecouldlookatitstinylittle
buggyeyes."It'skindofcute."

Haleysquishedupherfaceadorably."Ifyousayso."

Henoticedthatshedidn'tmakeanymovetotakeacloserlook.Infact,itlookedasifshewastrying
todiscretelystepaway.Jasonbitbackasmileashehelditouttoher.Shesquealed,jumpingbackand
almostfellonherassintheocean.

"Getitawayfromme!"

"Aw,comeon,Haley.Hejustwantsalittlekiss,"Jasonsaid,shovingthecrabtowardsheronceagain.
"Justalittlekiss."

Haleygiggledevenassheduckedoutoftheway.

"Comeon,helikesyou!"Jasonsaid,chucklingashechasedafterher.

"Goaway!"Haleysaid,laughingsohardthatshestumbledseveraltimes,butsomehowmanagedto
takeoffwhenthecrabcamewithinherpersonalspace.

"Isweartogod,I'mgoingtokickyourassforthis!"

*************

HaleydroppedherbookasshelatchedontoJason'sarmandtriedtodraghimaway.

"That'sfalseadvertisement!"Jasonsaid,headingbackforthedoorthatthey'dbeenunceremoniously
kickedoutoftenminutesago."Thesignsays,'Allyoucaneat.'"

Thankfully the last several months in Jason's company had pretty much cured her problem of
embarrassingeasily,otherwiseshe'dprobablybeturningbrightredrightnowandwishingforahole
inthegroundtoopenupandswallowherwholeaspeoplestoppedtogawkatthem.

"Theywereclosing,"shepointedoutsoftly.

"That's no excuse," he said, glaring at the wait staff that watched them nervously from behind the
curtains.

"Ithinktheyranoutoffood,"Haleysaid,doingherbestnottolaughwhenhepouted.

"Bastards,"Jasonmuttered.

"Comeon,I'llletyoutreatmetoalatemovie,"shesaid,tuggingonhisarm.Hereluctantlylether
lead him away, only throwing the occasional look of longing towards the restaurant. Haley did her
bestnottorollhereyes.Themanwaswaytooobsessedwithfood.Astheysteppedintothelongline
outsidethemovietheatreathoughtoccurredtoher.

"Youneverbroughtmetoabuffetrestaurantathome,"shepointedout.Nowthatshethoughtaboutit
shewasreallysurprisedthathehadn't.ItseemedliketheperfecttypeofrestaurantforJason,heck,for
Jasonandhisfather.Theybothadoredfood,whichisprobablywhyhisparentsstoppedwithjustone
child.JustthethoughtofabunchoflittleJason'srunningaroundeatingtheirparentsoutofhouseand
homewasfrightening.

Jasonmumbledsomething.

"What?"sheasked,tearinghereyesawayfromthelistofmoviesplaying.

"Isaid,I'vebeenbanned,"hegrumbledunhappily."It'sallpolitical,"hesniffed.

"Uhhuh.......andyourfather?"sheasked,alreadyhavingasneakingsuspicionofwhathisanswerwas
goingtobe.

"He'sbeenbannedsince1995,"Jasonsaidwithashrug.

"Isee,"shesaid,herlipstwitching.

"IntwoyearsthebandinLasVegaswillbelifted.We'replanningabigtrip,"hesaid,lookingather
hopefully.

Haleyopenedhermouthtoremindhimthattheyweren'tgoingtobedoinganythingtogetherintwo
yearswhensherealizedwhathesaid.

"You'vebeenbannedfromLasVegas?"

"NotfromLasVegas,justfromallthebuffets,"Jasonsaidwithashrugasifitwasnobigdeal.

"All the buffets?" she asked, unable to hide her shock. There had to be hundreds of buffets in Las
Vegas.

"Iguesstheyhadameetingorsomething.AsIsaidbefore,it'sallpolitical,"Jasonsaid,gesturingfor
hertomoveupinline.

Shewastoostunnedtosayanythingforafewminutes.Sheknewtheylovedfood,butwow......

"Whatmoviedoyouwanttosee?"Jasonasked,pullingherfromherfrighteningthoughts.

Haleyquicklyscannedthelist,abouttotellJasontogoaheadandpickwhenshespottedamovieshe'd
beenwaitingtoseeforawhile.Howabout"Tohellandback?"shesuggested.

Jasonfrowned."TheonewithEdwardandDanaPierce?"

Shenodded.

"Fine,"hesaidwithanexaggeratedeyeroll,earningasmilefromher."Achickflickitis."Hebought
theirticketsandheadedfortheconcessionstand."IjustneedsomethingtoeatbeforeIpassout."

Hereachedouttotakeherhand,onlytodrophishandaway.Hissmilebecamepoliteashegestured
for her to go ahead of him. Haley forced a smile as she stepped in line ahead of him, reminding
herselfthatthiswasexactlywhatshewanted.Shewantedtogobacktobeingfriends,evenifitwas
onlyforalittlewhile,soJasonreadilyacceptingthatwasagoodthing,shetoldherself.

Aftertheyboughttheirsnacks,wellJason'ssnackssinceshewasstillfull,theyfoundtwoseatsinthe
middle towards the front. Thankfully the previews were already playing so Haley took the
opportunity to get her head on straight. She really had to stop herself from wanting Jason to touch
her,holdher,andkissher.

Theybrokeup.Jasonobviouslyaccepteditandsoshouldshe.Itwasforthebestnomatterhowmuch
itmadeherwanttocry.

Chapter24

"Youdidn'thavetobuydinner.Icouldhavecooked,"Haleypointedoutastheyfollowedawaitressto
thebackboothinthefiftiesstyledinner.

"You're not lifting a finger while you're on vacation," Jason pointed out, again. It was just another
thing they were going to have to discuss, but later. Right now he was too busy showing Haley how
muchhecaredabouther.OverthelasttwodayshewasprettysureHaleyhadstartedtoforgivehim.

Bynowsheprobablyrealizedtheyshouldn'tbeapart.Nowallhehadtodowasworkonnotscrewing
up again, not that he really thought he would. He'd been acting like the perfect friend over the past
coupleofdays.Atnightheallowedhertodecidethesleepingpositionandinthemorninghebolted
fromthebedandtookaverycoldshowerorwentforaswimintheocean.Thenhespenttherestof
thedayfindingfunthingstodoandkeepinghishandstohimself.

It was more difficult than he'd ever imagined, but somehow he managed to treat Haley as a good
friend. There was no doubt in his mind that she was ready to go back to the way things used to be.
Thankfuckinggod,becausehedidn'tthinkhecouldlastanotherdaywiththisfriendshipbullshit.

She was his little grasshopper, plain and simple. Not being able to touch her and hold her was just
wrong.

"CanIgetyouadrinktostartoff?"thewaitressasked,throwinghimanappreciativelook.

"We'lltaketwoCokes,please,"hesaid,directinghisattentiontothemenuinfrontofhim.Hewasn't
abouttodoanythingtoencouragethewoman.Rightnowheneededtobeabletofocusallhisenergy
onhislittlegrasshopperandnotsomewaitressinatightpinkshirttwosizestoosmallthathopedto
warmhisbedtonight.

"I'llgogetthoserightnow,"shesaidinaseductivevoice.JasonsnuckalookatHaley,wonderingif
thewaitress'obviousinterestbotheredher.Ifitdid,itdidn'tshow.ApparentlyonceagainHaleywas
toooblivioustocare,whichwasprobablyforthebestbecausehecouldn'tstandjealouswomen.

"Ineedtousethebathroom.CouldyouorderformeifshecomesbackbeforeIdo?"

"Sure,"Haleysaid,notbotheringtolookupfromhermenu."Whatdoyouwant."

"Twocheeseburgerdinners,"hesaid,notbotheringtotellherhowhewantedthemortoaskfortwo
extrasides.Sheknewwhatheliked.

Five minutes later he was walking out of the bathroom just as their waitress finished writing down
theirorder.Thewaitresslookedupfromherwritingpadandsmiledathim.Shesaidsomethingelse
toHaleybeforewalkingovertohim,smilingcoylytheentiretime.

"Yourfriend,"shesaid,gesturingbehindhimtoHaleywhowaswatchingthemwithboredinterest,
"saidyoumightlikethebandplayingoveratTJ's.It'saNicklebackcoverband.Shesaidyoucould
pickmeupintwohoursafterIgetoffwork,butifyougivemefifteenminutesIcouldprobablyget
thenightoff."

"Wait?What?"Jasonasked,confusedashell."ShetoldyouIwasinterested?"

"Mmmhmm,"thewaitresssaid,unconcernedthathewasclearlypissed.

"Excuseme,"hesaidtightly,steppingaroundher.

"I'llgoaskaboutgettingoffearly,"thewaitressannounced,soundinggiddy.

"Don'tbother,"Jasonthrewoverhisshoulder.

HewalkedovertoHaley,placedhishandsonthetable,andleanedoveruntilhewaspracticallynose
tonosewithher.

"Tellmeyoudidn'tjusttrytosetmeuponadatewiththewaitress,"hebitout,tryingtostophimself
fromwringingherlittleneck.

"I didn't set you up per se, but I did tell her you might like the band and that you were single," she
simplysaid,pushingherglassesuphernose.

"I'msingle?"herepeated,hisvoicesoundedhollow.

"Yes,"Haleysaid,shiftingherglancetotheleftandawayfromhim.

He slowly pulled away from her and stood up. Swallowing hard, he asked, "Is that what you really
want?"

"Yes,"shesaidwithouttheslightesthesitation,makingeverythingsuddenlycrystalclear.

Hepulledouttwotwentiesandtossedthemonthetable."Comeon,"hesaid,headingforthedoor.

"Wherearewegoing?"Haleyaskedwhenshecaughtuptohim.

"Home."

***************

"Jason?Jason,talktome.You'rereallyscaringme."

For the past six hours he'd been deadly quiet. When he said they were going home at the diner she
thoughthemeantbacktothecottage.Sheknewsheshouldn'thaveencouragedthatwaitress.Shedidn't
want to and had been on the verge of informing the woman that Jason was spoken for when she
realizedseeingJasonwithanotherwomanmighthelphergetoverhimsooner.Shehadnoideahe'd
bethispissedotherwiseshewouldn'thavesaidanything,butsheneededtogetoverhimbeforeshe
finallygaveintothepainthreateningtobringhertoherknees.

Shelovedhimsomuchmorethansheshouldhaveallowedherselfto.

Instead of answering her, he threw the driver's side door open and popped the trunk. She quickly
climbedoutofthecarjustasthemotionsensorlightsonherhouseturnedon.

"Pleasetalktome,"shesaidasshewatchedhimgrabthethreeshoppingbagsofclotheshe'dbought
andheadtowardshisfrontdoor.

"Jason,don'tdothis!"shesaid,unabletostandtheideaofendingthingslikethis.

"Youwanttotalk?"heasked,slowlyturningaroundtofaceher.

"Yes,"shesaid,relievedthathewasatleasttalking.

Hethrewthebagstothesideandwalkedovertoher."Fine.Let'stalk,Haley,"hesaid,gettingintoher
face."Ifuckedup,Haley.Ishouldn'thaveletsomebitchsellmealineofbullshitandIshouldhave
talkedtoyou,butyouknowwhat?Youscrewedup,too."

"Youneverevenbotheredtotellmewhyyoudidn'twanttohavesex,"whensheopenedhermouthto
argue he spoke over her, "I know I could have asked you a thousand different times, but I was too
damn happy to care. I wanted to be with you, no matter what. I loved you, Haley and I thought you
lovedme.So,whenthatwomantoldmethatyouwouldn'tsleepwithmebecauseyoudidn'tlovemeI
panickedbigtimeanddidsomethingIwillprobablyregretfortherestofmylife."

"Youregretsleepingwithme?"Haleyasked,feelingherheartdrop.

"Yes, because I obviously hurt you that night and it gave you the excuse you obviously wanted to
breakthingsoff,"hesaid,steppingawayfromherasheranhishandsthroughhishairinfrustration.

"Iwasn'tlookingforanexcusetobreakthingsoff,"shesputtered,takingasteptowardshim.

"Bullshit!"

"Iwasn't!"sheyelledrightback."You'retheonewhothoughtIwaspullingafastoneonyou!You're
theonewhojusthadtoprove-"

"Ohgivemeafuckingbreak!"heshouted,causinghertojumpback."Ifuckedup,Haley.Iadmitthat.
Hell,IadmitteditrightwhenithappenedandIeventoldyouwhenwestartedoutthatIwouldmost
likelyfuckup."Hecontinued,notgivingherachancetospeak,"YouwerehappythatIfuckedup.It
gaveyouthelittleexcuseyouneededtodropme."

"No,itdidn't!Youhurtme,Jason!Youshouldhave-"

"Ishouldhavedoneahundreddifferentthings,butyouknowwhat,Haley?Ididn't.Ifuckedup,yeah,
butyou'reactinglikeIfuckedaroundonyou!"

"Becauseyou'regoingto!"sheshoutedback,wipingangrilyatthetearsthatspilleddownhercheeks.
"Webothknewthiswasn'tgoingtolast,Jason!Whatyoudidprovedit!"

"Wasn'tgoingtolast?Ifuckinglovedyou!"heshouted,gettingcloser."Iwantedtospendtherestof
mylifewithyou!ButtheentiretimeIwaspicturingahouse,marriageandkidsyouwerejustusing
me!"

"Iwasn'tusingyou!"shecried,shovinghimback.

"Thenwhatthehelldoyoucallit?"heasked,lettinghershovehimagain."Iwasgoodenoughtohang
around,date,sleepwith,ohwait,noIwasn't,wasI?TheonlythingyouthoughtIwasgoodforwasa
goodtime!"

"Ican'tbelieveyou'recomplaining!"shesaid,shovingherhairoutofherface."That'sexactlyhow
youtreatwomen!You'rejustpissedbecausesomeonedidittoyou!"

"Ihaveneverledanywomanon.TheyallknewIhadnothingtoofferthem,butyou,"heshookhis
head in disgust, "you made me think that you actually cared for me when all you were was a bitch

lookingforagoodtime."

Sheslappedhim.Hard.

"You'reafuckingsnobjustlikeyourfamily,"hesaidcoldly.

"Ihateyou,"shebitout,ignoringthestingingpaininherhand.Shehadn'tusedhim,sheknewthat.
She'dbeentheonlyoneofthemwhowentintothisrelationshipwithalevelhead.Hemightthinkthat
helovedhertoday,butsheknewthatwouldchangeonedayandshewasn'tgoingtofeelbadbecause
shegotoutbeforethatdaycame.

Hewipedasmalldropofbloodoffhislipashewatchedher."YoucametomeforagoodtimesoI'm
goingtomakesureyougetjustthat."

"Wha-"

Hecutheroffwithafirmkiss.Shetriedtopullback,buthewasn'thavingthat.Hecuppedthebackof
herhead,holdinghertohimashebrushedhislipsoverhers,coercingthemtocooperate.Whenhe
ranthetipofhistonguebetweenherlips,demandingentrance,shewashelplesstorefuse.

Shemoanedwhenhiswarmtongueslidintohermouth,glidingoverhers,andthentangledtogether.
Herarmswrappedaroundhisneck,pullinghimcloser,unabletostandthethoughtofbeingapart.

Nomatterwhathethought,shehadn'tbeenusinghim.Shelovedhimsomuchandeventhoughshe
knewshewouldwinduphurtintheendshehadn'tbeenabletopassupachancetobewithhim.

When he picked her up in his arms she didn't fight him. No, she fisted his hair, tilted her head, and
deepened the kiss. Several minutes later they were in her living room and he was kicking the front
doorshut.Heplacedheronherfeetonlytograbbehindherthighsandliftherup.Shewrappedher
legsaroundhiswaist,lovingthewayhegrabbedherassandgroundheragainsthisharderection.

Shereleasedonehandfromhishairtoreachbetweenthemandyankhisteeshirtup.Jasonturnedin
thehall,leaningheragainstthewallashereachedbackandyankedhisshirtoff,onlybreakingthe
kisstopulltheshirtoff.Hekeptherpressedagainstthewallasheworkedhershirtoff.

Heraisedherabovehimsohecouldlickhiswaydowntoherbreasts.Shehuggedhisheadagainst
herchestashetracedthecupswithhistongueandmoanedwhenhesuckledherhardnipplethrough
thethinlace.

"Mmmm,"shemoanedsoftlyashesuckledandkneadedherbreasts.Herhipsgentlyrolledagainsthis
stomach,searchingforrelief.Shearchedherbackwhenshefelthishandsleaveherbreastsandmove
toherback.Insecondshehadherbraundoneandhistonguerunningoverherbreasts,flickingher
hardnipples.

Haleylickedherlipsassheworkedherbraofftherestoftheway.Shewrappedherarmsbackaround
hishead,holdinghimagainstherassheleanedoverandpressedakisstothetopofhishead.

Jason groaned as he wrapped his arms around her, keeping her breasts where he wanted them and
pulledherawayfromthewallandwalkeddownthepitchblackhallwaytothebedroom.Somehowhe
managedtowalkthemintothebedroomwithoutstumbling.

Helaidheronthebed.Bendingoverher,heranhiswethottonguefromonehardnippletotheother
as he undid her shorts. He slid his hand beneath the waist of her shorts and under her panties. He
cuppedherinhishand,makinghersquirmagainsthim.

With one last flick of his tongue against her nipple he sat up and helped her out of her shorts and
panties, while Haley toed off her canvas sneakers. She opened her arms to him, expecting him to
comebackforakiss.Inthedimmoonlightshesawhimshakehishead.

"Rolloverontoyourstomach,"hesaid,alreadyhelpingherturnover."Onyourhandsandknees,"
Jasonsaidsoftly.

"That'sit,"hecroonedwhenshedidwhatheasked.

Haleygasped,grippingthecomfortertightlyinherhandswhenshefeltJasonpressawetkisstoone
cheekandthentheother.Withoutawordshespreadherlegsmoreandarchedherback.Hecontinued
topresskissesagainstherbackandbottomasheslidonefingerinsideofher.

Haleymoaned,lickingherlips.Thefewtimesthey'dfooledaroundinthispositionhadbeensogood.
Healwaystookherhardwithhisfingersormouthlikethis,makingherscream.Onceheranhiscock
betweenherlips.Whensherealizedhewaspleasuringhimselfagainsthershe'dcomeharderthanshe
couldeverremember.

Justthethoughtofhimteasingherfoldswithhiscockhadherridinghisfinger.

"Youlikethat?"Jasonasked,addinganotherfinger.

"Yes,"shemoanedasshepulledforwarduntilonlythetipofonefingerremainedinher,thenslowly
slidback,lovingthewayhefilledher.Shelovedthewayhefelt,thewayhetouchedher,thewayhe
madehersocrazywithneedthatshecouldonlythinkabouthavinghim,shejustlovedhim.

Overthepastweekshe'dbeenstupidandsodamnscaredthatJasonwouldhurtheronedaythatshe
almostmadethedumbestmistakeofherlife.Shewasn'tlettinghimgo.Theybelongedtogether.On
somelevelshe'dalwaysknownthat,butshe'dbeensodamnscaredthatshehadn'tseenit.

Forthefirsttimesheallowedherselftoimaginethefutureshealwaysthoughtwasoutoftheirreach.
SheimaginedfallingasleepinJason'sarmeverynightfortherestoftheirlives,imaginedlittleboys
smiling when she made cookies and little girls wrapping Jason around their little fingers, and she
knewshewouldneverbehappywithouthim.

"Thenyou'regoingtolovethis,"hemurmuredsoftly.

She licked her lips in anticipation when she heard the sound of his zipper being pulled down. A
secondlatershefelthisjeancladthighspressupagainstthebackofherlegsandhiswarmstomach
pressdownagainstherback.

Helickedalineuphernecktoherear,takingherearlobeintohismouthandgentlysucklingitasthe
tipofhiserectionpressedagainsthercore.

"Yourememberthedaywewereinyourflowergarden?"hewhisperedinherear.

"Yes,"shemanagedtosay.

"You have no idea how badly I wanted to take you that day, just like this," he said, sliding slowly
insideher.

"Ohgod!"Haleycriedoutatthesensationofbeingfilled.Thankfullyitdidn'thurtlikelasttime.Itfelt
sogoodbeingfilledbyhimlikethis,soright.

"I'veimaginedfuckingyoulikethisatleastadozentimesadaysince,mylittlegrasshopper.Ithink
it'sonlyfittingthatweendthisthewaywestartedit,don'tyou?"

"Jason,whatareyou-"

He cut her words off with one long, deep thrust. It was followed by another, and then another. His
handscoveredhers,fingersentwiningashetookherslowly.Hislowgroansinherearandthewayhe
rubbedagainsthercliteverytimeheslidbackinherhadherscreamingherrelease.Jasongroanedin
her ear minutes later as she felt his hot release inside of her. It felt so good that it set off another
orgasm.Jasongentlythrustinheruntilherarmsgaveoutandshecollapsedonthebed,gaspingfor
breath.

SomehowshemanagedtorollovertomakeroomforJason,buthewasn'tthere.Shelookeduptofind
himpullinghiszipperbackup.

"Jason?"Sheslowlysatup.Thehurtexpressiononhisfacetwistedherstomach.Shereachedoutto
takehishand,onlytofindhimsteppingback.

"Goodbye,Haley,"hesaidsoftly.

"Jason?Jason!"shecriedasherbedroomdoorshutwithanominousclickbehindhim.

Chapter25

"Jason?"Haleysaid,gaspingforbreath.

"Haley?"thelastpersononearthsheexpectedtocallsaid.

"Dad?"Haleysaid,sittingdownonthearmofhersofaanddoingherbesttocalmherracingheart.
She'd been outside weeding her garden and trying to make it through another day without crying
when she heard the phone ring. Afraid that it was Jason calling she ran into the house desperate to
hearhisvoice.

One whole week and not a word and that wasn't from a lack of trying either. She called his phone
aboutadozentimesaday,senthimtextmessagesandharassedthehelloutofhisfriendsandfamily
lookingforhim.Sofarnoluck.Nobodyhadanyideawherethehellhewas.Upuntilyesterdayshe'd
convincedherselfthathejustneededsometimeandthathe'dbeback,butthatwasbeforetherealtor,
thesamerealtorthatfailedtosellherhouseforher,poundedaForSalesigninhisfrontyard.

NowHaleywasdesperatetofindhim.Sheneededtoexplainsomethingstohimandprobablygrovel.
Jasonwasn'ttheonethatscrewedup.Sheneededhimbackheresothatshecouldfixthisbeforeitwas
toolate.

"Doyouhaveamoment?"herfatherasked.

Frowningandtrulyconfusedandshockedthathe'dcalled,Haleynoddedwoodenly,thenremembered
that he couldn't see her and answered. "Yes. What's going on?" she asked, wondering why he didn't
justhavehissecretarycalltorelaywhatevermessageheneededtogiveher.

"Yourgrandmothertoldmethatyoutookavacationlastweek.Howwasit?"heaskedcasually,but
Haleycouldn'thelpbutfeeltherewasmoretoit.Thiswasn'tlikehimtoactuallytakeaninterestinher
life.

"It was fine," she said, wanting to kick her own butt all over again. It could have been great if she
hadn't overreacted in the first place. Yeah, Jason had screwed up, but it hadn't deserved the level of
dramashe'dcreated.Ifonlyshe'dmadehimgrovelforafewhourstheycouldhavehadagreattime.

Man,shewassuchanidiot.

"IheardthatJasonwentwithyou,"hesaid,followedbyashortexpectantpause.

"Yes, Jason went with me, Dad. I told you we were dating," Haley said, walking over to the bay
windowandlookingout.HereyesnarrowedtoslitsasshewatchedBarbara,herex-realtor,gesture
foramiddleagecoupletofollowherintoJason'shouse.

"It'snothingseriousIhope,"hesaid,drawingHaley'sattentionbacktotheconversation.

"What?"

"YouandJason.Yourgrandmothersaidthatyouwereserious,butIdidn'tthinkyou'dbesofoolishto
wasteyourlifeonamanlikethat,"herfathersaid,stunningherintosilence.Althoughbynowone
wouldthinktherewasverylittleherfamilycouldsayordothatwouldshockher.

"Whatdoyoumean,amanlikethat?"Haleyasked,insultedonJason'sbehalf.

Heletoutatiredsigh."Haley,dowereallyneedtogetintothis?Webothknowyoucoulddosomuch
better,Haley."

"No,Ireallycouldn't,Dad.IloveJason."

"Sweetheart,Iknowthatyouthinkyoulovehimrightnow,butintimeyou'llrealizethat...well,he's
notgoodenoughforyou."

"Andwhyisthat,Dad?"sheaskedtightly,forthefirsttimeinherlifeshedidn'tbothertohidewhat
shewasfeelingfromhim."Becauseheworksforaliving?"

"YouknowIdon'thaveaproblemwithsomeoneworking,Haley.Iworkforaliving,"hepointedout.

"Then I don't understand the problem," she lied. She knew exactly what her family's problem was
fromthefirstmomenttheylaideyesonJason.

"He's not one of us, Haley. He'll never fit in. Surely you realize that, sweetheart. When you stop
pretendingtobesomeonethatyou'renotyou'llcometorealizethatJasonjustdoesn'tstanduptoour
expectationsforyou,"hesaidsoothingly.

Shelaughedwithouthumor."Oh,nowyouhaveexpectationsforme?Isn'tthatconvenient?Theone
timeyoushowconcernformejusthappenstobewhenyou'reworriedthatI'llsullyupthebloodlines
andmarrysomeonewhomightembarrassyou."

"Haley,that'sridiculousandyouknowit.Iloveyouandcareverydeeplyforyou,"heswore."I'mjust
watchingoutforyourbestinterests,sweetheart.Inafewyearsyou'llseethat.Maybeyoushouldgive
Robertanotherchancesothatthetwoof-"

"WhatdoIdoforaliving?"shebitoutbetweenclenchedteeth,cuttinghimoff.

"Excuseme?"

"IaskedifyouknewwhatIdoforaliving,"sherepeated.

"Yourunadaycare,"hesaidwithsuchconvictionthatevenshealmostbelievedit.

"IteachhistoryatLatinScribeHighSchool,"sheinformedhim,tryingnottocry.Shehadabsolutely
nodoubtthatifsheaskedwhatcommitteesRoseorMarthawereonhewouldknow,mostlybecause
theywereareflectionofhim.

"Oh,"hesaid,soundingsurprised."Congratulations,sweetheart.Whydidn'tyoutellmeyougotthe
job?Wewouldhaveheldadinnertocelebrate."

She opened her mouth to remind him that they did in fact celebrate her job at her grandmother's
insistencefiveyearsago,butwhatwasthepoint?Hewasnevergoingtochangeandwastrulynever
goingtocareaboutheruntilshestartedlivingthelifethathewanted.

He'dstartgivingherattentionandhisprecioustimeifshedecidedtoaskforatrustfundandliveoff
him and date men like Robert that fit in. It wouldn't matter that Robert was a cheating bastard and
woulddropherassoonasshesleptwithhim.Herparentsonlycaredabouttheirimage.Itwaskindof
funny that her father started out in life by sharing a room with his two brothers in a small two

bedroomcabin,orthathisparentsworkedtheirassesoffsotheycouldgotocollegeandneverhave
toworryaboutmoney.He'dbeenspoiledandsheknewthatwasGrandma'sbiggestregretinlife.

"IgotthejobtwoweeksagowhenIturnedthirty,"Haleylied,wonderingifherfatherwasgoingto
rememberthistime.Ofcoursehedidn't.

"Oh,um,didyougetmybirthdaycard?"heasked,beforehecoveredthephonewithhishandfrom
thesoundsofit.Sheheardhimmumbletosomeone,probablyhissecretary,tosendherbirthdaycard
outrightaway.

Lookedlikeshe'dbegettingthreegrandinafewdays,shethoughtwithaninwardshrug.She'dkeepit
withoutputtingupafussthistime.Shealreadyhadanideaofwhattodowiththemoney.

"Look,sweetheart,thereasonthatI'mcallingisthatyourmotherishavingadinnerpartynextweek
andwe'dlikeyoutocome,"hesaid,notsurprisingHaleythathermotherhadn'tbotheredtocallher.It
justwasn'tworthgettingupsetabout.

"I'llthinkaboutit,"shesaid,notreallysureshewantedtoputJasonthroughthatnonsenseagain.

"We'dreallylikeyouthere.Robertisveryexcitedtoseeyouagain.Youknowhe'sbeentryingtocall
you,don'tyou?Ireallythinkyoushouldgivehimanotherchance,Haley."

Since Haley doubted that her father knew that his precious Robert had been calling up and leaving
messagesofferingtotakeHaleyawayforaweekendand"havesomefunandprovethathistheory
thatshewaswildbetweenthesheetswascorrect"shehadn'tbotheredtocallhimback.Thenagainher
fatherwouldprobablyjustlaughitoffifhedidbecauseitwassomeoneheapprovedof.

"I'mnotinterestedinhim,Dad,"Haleysaidfirmly,hopinghe'djustletitgo."IfIcanmakeitI'llbe
bringingJason."

"He'snotgoodenough,sweetheart,"hissaid,soundingtired.

"ThenneitheramI,"shesaid,hangingup.

She took one last look at the couple walking into Jason's house before walking over to her stereo
system and turning it on. She found a heavy metal station, cranked it up all the way until she could
actuallyfeelthebasevibratethroughoutthehouse.Shepulledoffhershirt,threwonaveryrevealing
bikinitop,grabbedabeeranddumpedhalfofitoutbeforeheadingforherfrontdoor.

Aftermentallypromisingherselfaspirinfortheheadachethatwasalreadyformingshepastedahuge
smile on her face and yanked open the door in time to see the couple and realtor stumbling out of
Jason'shousewiththeirearscovered.

Whentheyglaredinherdirectionsheheldupherbeerandsaid,"Who'sthirsty?"

***********

"If anyone has a problem with the new computer system, please let my office know immediately,"
HeadmasterJenkinssaid,reachingforhisbriefcase."Haveagoodfirstday,everyone."

JasongrabbedthepileofhandoutsJenkinshadswampedhimwithandheadedforthedoor.Hewasn't
toosurprisedwhenHaleyjumpedinfrontofhim.Shewasapersistentlittlething.

Fortwoweeksshe'dbeenhoundingallofhisfriendsandparents,lookingforhim.Nobodywouldtell
herwherehewas,notbecausetheywereonhisside,ohhellno.TheywereallonteamHayleyand
theymadedamnsureheknewthatwhentheymanagedtogethimonthephone.Aweekagohefinally
hadenoughandthrewhisphoneouthisdriver'ssidewindowsomewhereinNewJersey.

WhenheleftHayleytwoweeksagohe'dbeenonthevergeofanervousbreakdown.Heknewifhe'd
stayedhewouldgobacktoHaleyonhishandsandknees,begginghertogivehimachance,andhe
almosthad.TheonlythingthatstoppedhimwasknowingthatHayleywouldneverwanthimtheway
hewantedher.

"You'veputyourhouseupforsale,"shesaidaccusingly,pushingherglassesbackuphernoseasshe
glaredathim.

He simply stepped around her and walked out of the teacher's lounge. Of course that didn't stop
Hayley.Insecondsshewaswalkingbesidehim.

"Jason,weneedtotalk."

"Ithinkwesaideverythingwehadtosaytwoweeksago,Haley."

"No,wedidn't,Jason.YouleftbeforeIcouldtalktoyou.Look,wouldyouslowdown?"sheasked,
doublinghereffortstokeepupwithhim.

"No."

Hedidn'twanttotalk.Hell,hedidn'tevenwanttolookather,buthehadnochoiceinthematter.Until
hishousesoldhewasstuckworkinghereandseeinghereveryday.

"Jason,wereallyneedtotalk."

"No."

She somehow managed to catch up with him and jump in front of him just as he reached his
classroom.

Hepinchedthebridgeofhisnoseandsighed."Move."

"No,"shesaidstubbornly.

Hedidn'thavethepatienceforthisshit."Moveoutoftheway,Haley."

Sheshookherhead.

"Fine,"hesaid,steppingawayfromherandheadingforherclassroom,intendingoncuttingthrough
herroom.

"Fifteen people have looked at your house and not one offer. That's kind of funny, isn't it?" Haley
askedinanoffhandtone,stoppinghimdeadinhistracks.Itwasthegistofwhathisrealtorhadtold
himlastnightoverthephonewhenhegotin.

"Whatthehellareyoutalkingabout?"hedemanded,turningaroundtoglareather.

Haleymadeashowofexaminingherfingernails."Justthatit'skindoffunnythatnoonehasmadean
offer on your house, especially after all the work you've put into it over the past few months." She
lookedupfromhernails,givinghimasmuglittlesmile.

"Andhowexactlydoyouknowthatnoonehasmademeanoffer?"heasked,narrowinghiseyeson
herashetookseveralstepstowardsher.

Herbrowsarchedupadorably."Alittlebirdietoldme?"

"Uhhuh,"hesaid,tiltinghisheadtothesidetostudyher."Andwhatelsedidthislittlebirdietellyou?'

"Thatyouwon'tgetoneofferonyourhouseuntilyougivemewhatIwant,"shesaidfirmly.There
wasnodoubtinhismindwhatshewanted.

Friendship.

AsmuchashewouldlovetobeabletostayinHaley'slifeandmakesurethatwhateverluckybastard
endedupwithhertookcareofher,hecouldn't.Notwhenheknewheshouldbetheluckybastardwho
wasallowedtoholdher,loveherandbethereforher.Shewashislittlegrasshopper.

"Ican'tgivethattoyou,Haley,"hesaidhoarsely."IwishIcould,but....butIjustcan't.I'msorry."

"Thenyou'renotgoingtosellyourhouse,"shesimplysaid,shrugging.

"I'msorry,Haley,"hesaid,walkingbacktohisnowunguardeddoor.

***************

"Lastchance,Jason!"Haleyyelledthroughthefrontdoor.

Great,hethought,sittingbackonthekitchenchair.Thiswasjustwhatheneeded.Itwasbadenough
thathewasforcedtocutHaleyoutofhislife,somethingthatwasgoingtotakehimalongasstimeto
getover,buthedidn'tneedhergoingpsychoonhim.

Haley was smart and level headed. He never really expected her to land on his doorstep at eleven
o'clockatnight,demandingtotalktohimlikesomanywomenbeforeher.Atleastshedidn'tsound
drunkandwasn'tscreamingabunchofbullshitforhisneighbors.

"About time," he mumbled, rubbing his hands down his face when he didn't hear anything for five
minutes. Although he was glad that Haley had given up, he couldn't help but feel a little insulted.
Womenhe'donlyfuckedonceortwicewerealotmorepersistentanddemandingthanawomanwho
claimedshelovedhim.

Then again she only loved him as a good friend, one that she'd apparently wanted to screw around
withforalittlewhile,butafriendnonetheless.He'dknowntheentiretimetheyweretogetherthathe
wasn'tgoodenoughforher,hejustneverexpectedHaleytosoreadilyagreewiththatassumption.

Itfigures,hethoughtacidly,tossinghisredpendownonthestackofessayshewasgrading,thatthe
one woman he wanted only wanted him as a fuck buddy. A year ago he probably would have been
flatteredthathisshylittleneighborsawhimasastud.Nowhejustwantedtoputhisfistthroughthe
wall.

He fought back a yawn as he picked his pen back up and started going through the essays again,
wondering what the hell had possessed him to assign an essay quiz on the first day of school. The
answer was easy of course. Haley and of course the new biology teacher, Mark Armstrong who
wouldn'tleaveheralonealldaywereresponsibleforthissimpleactofstupidity.

JasonhadbeenforcedtowatchasMarkflirtedwithhislittlegrasshopper.WhenHaleyhaddropped
her notebook in the hallway before first period and bent over to pick it up, it had taken every last
ounceofcontroltostophimselffromrippingapartthebastardwholickedhislipswhilehewatched
Haley'spertlittlebottomwiggle.SinceJasonneededthejobandagoodreferenceherefrainedfrom
killingthebastardandtookitoutonhisstudents,whonowhatedhim.

Hedidn'tgiveashit.

Theonlythinghecaredaboutwasgettingthehelloutofherewithhissanityintactandhedoubtedthat
wasgoingtohappenifhewasforcedtoseeHaleyeverydayandwatchasothermendrooledafterher.
He'dhavetofindoutfromhisrealtortomorrowwhatthehellHaleywasdoingtoscarepeopleaway.

Rightnowhewastoodamntiredtothinkofthepossibilities.Hehadn'tbeenabletosleepmuchover
thepastcoupleofweeks,anotherthinghewasgoingtohavetofix.Hefelthimselfstarttodozeoffas
hisheaddroppedforward.Thistimehedidn'tfightit.

*************

"Wakeup,Jason,"Haley'ssweetvoicehadhimgroaningashiseyesslowlyopened."Goodboy,"she
said,pressingakisstohisforehead.

"Haley?"Jasonaskedgroggilyashiseyesslowlyfocusedonhercutelittlesmilingface.

"Mmmhmm,"Haleyansweredabsentlyassheslowlywalkedaroundhim,lettingherfingerglideover
hisshoulders.

He went to cover a yawn with his hand only to frown when he realized his hands were pulled back
behind him and.....yup, cuffed. He moved his feet and sighed when he realized his legs were also
boundtothechair.Great.Shereallyhadgoneoffthedeepend.

"Untieme,"hesaid,sighing.

"Nope,"Haleysaid,makingthewordpop.

"Haley,"hewarnedthroughclenchedteeth."Untiemerightnow."

"Sorry, I just can't do that," she said, stopping in front of him and leaned back against the table,
smilingsweetlyathim.

Jasontriedtoyankhisarmsandlegsoutoftheirbondswithnoluck.

"Unfuckingtieme!Now!"heroared.

"Sorry.Ican'tdothat,"shesimplysaid,pushingherglassesbackuphernose.

"Haley,Isweartogodifyoudon'tuntieme-"

"Whydon'twegetstarted?"sheaskedbrightly,cuttinghimoff.

He closed his eyes, praying for patience he sure as hell didn't have. "Haley, it's over. You need to
acceptitandletmego.Please,"heallbutbegged.Shewaskillinghim.Losingherwasthehardest
thing he'd ever experienced. He needed her to let go so he could find some way to cope with loss
withoutlosingit.

"No,it'snot."

"Yes,itis,"Jasonsaid,openinghiseyestofindHaleystudyinghimwithherheadtiltedtotheside.

"Youknow,"shesaid,pushingawayfromthetable,"youdon'tlookverycomfortable."
"That'sbecauseI'mnot.Untieme,Haley,"hesnapped,yankingonhishandcuffsagaintonoavail.

She kneeled in front of him, ignoring the glare he was sending her way and laid her hands on his
knees.Jasonwatchedasshelickedherlittlepoutylipsandsmiledsweetlyupathim.

"Didyoumissme?"sheaskedasshegentlycaressedhisknees.

"No,"helied.He'dmissedhersogoddamnmuch.Thosetwoweeksfromherhadbeenalivinghell
andoneheknewhe'dberelivingagainsoon.

"Well, I missed you," she mumbled softly, running her hands over his thighs slowly, almost
distractedly.

Jasonshookhisheadinregret."Haley,wecan'tbefriends."

Sheshruggeddelicately."Iknow."Sheranherhandsdowntheinsideofhisthighs,lettinghernails
lightlyscratchhim.Hesuckedinabreathassheranhernailsallthewaybacktohiskneesandthen
backuphisthighs.

"I don't want to be friends," she said, running her hands up and over his shirt covered stomach and
chest.Hehadtoforcehimselftofocusontheirconversationandnotonhowgoodherhandsfelton
him.

"I'm not going to be your fuck buddy," he bit out angrily. Even though he knew he should happily
acceptanythingshewaswillingtogivehim,hecouldn't.Hewantedallofher.

"That'snotgoingtoworkformeeither,"shesaid,slowlylooseninghistieandpullingitawayfrom
him.Shemethiseyesashernibblelittlefingersunbuttonedhisshirt.

"Thenwhatthehelldoyouwant?"heasked,tryingnottolickhislipsinpleasureassheranhernails
teasinglydownhischestandstomach.Whenshereachedhisnavelsheflattenedherhandsagainsthim
andslidthemupuntilshewaspushinghisshirtaway,exposinghischesttohergreedyeyes.

Sheignoredhisquestion,insteadtracingherfingerssoftlyoverhismusclesandchest.Whensheran
herthumbsoverhishardflatnippleshehadtobitebackahiss.Haleygavehimaknowingsmileas
sheleanedforward.

"Have I ever told you how much I love your body?" she asked softly against his stomach as she
pressedakissagainsthisskin.Hewatchedinshockandpleasureasshelickedatrailfromhisnavel
tohisleftpeck.Hehissedassheranherwarmwettongueoverhisnipple.

His head dropped back with a loud groan as she licked her way to the right and teased his other
nipple.Whensheflickedherwickedlittletongueovertheflatnipplehisdickwentfromhalfmastto
steelinseconds.

Helickedhislipsasheshiftedtomakesomeroominhissuddenlytightpants.Haley'shandsslidback
tohisthighsasshekissedandlickedherwaytohisneck.Whenshepulledhisearlobebetweenher
teethhecouldn'thelpbutmoan.

"Didyoumissme?"Haleyaskedasshesuckledhisear."Evenalittle?"

Christ,hecouldn'tthinknevermindanswerher.

"Hmm,whydon'tweseewhatelsewecandotomakeyou....morecomfortable,shallwe?"sheasked,
smilingagainsthisneck.

He raised his head when he felt her move away from him. Panting, he watched her sit back on her
haunchesassheranherhandsoverhisinnerthighs.Everytimesheranherhandsmerecentimeters
awayfromwhereheneededherhegroanedinfrustration.

"Fuck!"hegaspedwhenHaleyleanedforwardandpressedakissagainstthebulgeinhispants.

"Tell me you missed me," Haley said quietly as she leaned back slightly and ran her hand over the
bulge,lightlygrippingitbeforereachingforhisbelt.

Hestubbornlyshookhishead.Asmuchashisbodyscreamedforhertouchhecouldn'tdothis.Haley
deserved to be with someone she loved and who made her happy and as much as it pained him to
admitit,itwasn'thim.

"Stop."

Chapter26

"Stop!"Jasonbegged.

Haleyfinishedpullinghisbeltloose,unbuttonedhispants,andhadhiszipperdownbeforehecould
say it again. She sat back, leaving his pants open revealing the large bulge now hidden only by his
grayboxerbriefs.

"Okay,"shesaidsoothingly.Jasonsuckedinadeepbreathandvisiblyrelaxed.

She knew she was pushing him, but she had no choice. Jason was being so damn stubborn and
wouldn't listen to her. She mentally tsked him as she stood up. If only he'd stuck around two weeks
agohe'dknowexactlyhowmuchshewantedhimandhowsorryshewasthatshe'dhurthim.

Therewasnodoubtinhermindthatshe'dhurthimandshehatedherselfsomuchforit.Monthsago
when she'd welcomed Jason into her life she'd been so foolish to think she was over categorizing
peopleintosafelittlegroupstoprotectherself.Allshemanagedtodowashurtbothofthemandpush
Jasonaway.

When she told herself there could never be anything more with Jason she'd been so foolish and so
frightenedtoletherselftrulylovehimandhopeforafutureshetoldherselfwasimpossible.She'd
beensodamnselfishandhurtthemansheloved.

Nowhewashurtingandtryinghisbesttotakecareofherbyprotectingher.Asmuchasitwarmed
her heart that he'd do anything to make her happy, even suffer, she was actually pretty pissed. His
stubbornnesswasonlydelayingtheinevitable.She'dbreakoutthefistsoffurytoknocksomesense
intohim,butshedidn'twanttohurthim.

Sothatleftonlyonething.......

Bitingbackasmileshestoodupandleanedbackagainstthekitchentable.She'dneverdoneanything
soboldinherlife,butthiswasforJason.Itdidn'thurtthathewashandcuffedandcouldn'tstopher.

"Areyousureyouwanttostop?"sheaskedcoyly.

"Yes,"hehissed,stillpanting.

"Hmmm,thenperhapsweshouldjusttalk?"shesuggestedasshesteppedoutofherhighheels.

Jason'seyesnarrowedontheactionasheabsentlynodded.

"Ithinkweshouldforgetaboutbeingfriends,Haley,andgoourseparateways,"hesaid,lookingup,
butnotquitemeetinghereyes."OncemyhousesellsI'mmovingawayforgood."

"That's really not going to work for me," Haley said, reaching up and slowly unbuttoning her silk
blouse.

"That's too damn bad, Haley! I'm moving. You need to move on," he snapped, clearly trying not to
watchassherevealedablacklacybra.

"Haveyoumovedon?"shecasuallyasked,gentlyshruggingoutofhershirt.

"Yes,"hesaidwithoutanyhesitation.

"Isee,"Haleysaid,bitingbackasmileashiseyespracticallydevouredher.

ShereachedbackandreleasedthefasteningsonherskirtandwatchedasJasonfollowedtheskirtasit
hitthefloor,hesitatingatthematchingblackpanties.Haleysteppedoutoftheskirtandkickeditaside
beforeleaningbackagainstthetable.

"So,"shesaid,tracingthetopofherbrawiththetipofherfinger,"you'reoverme?"

"Yes."

"Iguessthismeansyouwantmetogetdressedandleave,"shesaid,havingabsolutelynointentionof
leavinguntilhewashers.

Hehesitated,makinghersmile."Yes."

"That'sadamnshame,"Haleysaid,reachingupbetweenherbreastsandundoingthefrontclasp.She
held the cups together as she studied him. He couldn't seem to stop shifting in his chair or take his
eyesoffher.

"Whatis?"Jasonaskeddistractedly.

"Well, what if I don't want it to be over?" she asked, slowly peeling away each cup, revealing tight
hardnipples.

Jason cursed softly as she let the bra drop to the floor. "You don't care," she started to ask as she
spreadherlegstogivehimabetterviewofwhatwaitedforhim,"ifanothermantouchesme?"

Asshewatchedalargemuscleinhisclenchedjawtwitchedsheabsentlyranthetipsofherfingersof
onehandoverherbreastanddownherstomach.

"No,Idon't,"hebitoutcoldly.

"Really?" she asked, turning so she could lean over the table and grab the Tupperware bowl she'd
broughtwithher.ShelookedoverhershoulderandbitbackasmilewhenshecaughtJasonlicking
hislipshungrilyashiseyesranoverherbottom.

"I guess then I should tell you that Mark, the new biology teacher, asked me out tomorrow night.
Dinner at his house," she said offhandedly, popping the top of the container as she watched his
reaction.

His eyes snapped up to hers and she couldn't help but notice all the muscles in his neck and chest
goingtaut.

"It'snoneofmybusiness,"hegroundout.

Shepickedupthebowl,turned,andkneltinfrontofhim.

"Whatthehellareyoudoing?"heasked,shiftingnervously.

Haleypulledherbottomlipbetweenherteethassheplacedthebowlonthefloor.Shereachedover
andpulledhisboxerbriefsdown,releasinghisratherangrylookingerection.Sheresistedtheurgeto
runherfingersdownit.

"There,thatlooksmorecomfortable,"shemurmuredasshepickedupthebowlagain.

"Ohgod.....isthatbuttercreamfrosting?"Jasonaskedinastrangledvoice

"Mmmhmm,"shesaid,dippingherfingerintothebuttercreamandmakingashowoflickingitoff.
"Mmmm." She dipped her finger in the delicious frosting again. "I believe I owed you," she said,
reachingupandsmearingthefrostingoveroneofhisnipples.

Hehissedinabreathwhensheleanedoverandlickeditoff."ThedealwasthatIgottolickanentire
bowloffofyou,"Jasonsaidbetweenclenchedteeth.

"Butthisissomuchmorefun,"Haleysaid,scoopingupmorefrosting.Shegavehimaslylittlesmile
asshereachedoverandsmearedthefrostingovertheundersideofhishardcock."Alotmorefun."

**************

Jason groaned long and loud at the first swipe of her tongue. Christ, it was a lot more fun than he
imagined.Granted,itwouldbealotmorefuntolickitoffherbreastsandoffherroundlittlebottom.
HewatchedasHaleytracedhertongueoverhiscock,slowlylickingoffthebuttercreamfrosting.

Heshouldstopthis.Itwasn'trighttoleadhertobelievethathe'dstickaround,butwhenshetookthe
largeheadintohermouthandsuckedhardhecouldn'tdoanythingmorethanmoanandpant.

She took her time licking him clean, clearly enjoying herself. Finally when she'd licked all the
frostingoff,shereleasedhiscockwithaloudpop.Withasoftgripsheranherhanddownhislength.

"You'dbefinewithmedoingthisforanotherman?"sheasked.

Hisbreathscamequickerasheimaginedhislittlegrasshopperdoingthisforanyoneelse.Hecouldn't
dealwithit.Heknewhe'dfuckingkillanymanthatsomuchastouchedhernevermindthis.

Fuckit.

Shewashis.

Hedidn'tcareifshedidn'tlovehimthewayhelovedher.Itdidn'tmatter.He'dmorethanmakeupfor
it.He'dspoilthehelloutofherandkeepherinorgasmicblisssothatshewouldn'trealizethatshe
wassettling.

"Nooneelsetouchesyou,Haley.No.One."

"Whataboutyou?"sheaskedshyly,risingtoherfeet.

"Onlyme,"hepromisedassheshimmiedoutofherpanties.Shegrabbedsomethingoffthekitchen
tableandwalkedaroundhim.Heheardtheclickofthehandcuffsasshereleasedeachhandandfoot.

When she was done she tossed the key onto the table and walked out of the room towards his
bedroom.Jasonwastednotimeinpullinghispantsandunderwearofftherestoftheway.Hewalked
intohisroomandnearlysighedwithcontentwhenhespottedhislittlegrasshopperwaitingforhim
onhisbed.

Hewalkedoverandclimbedontothebed.Withoutawordhepickedupherleftlegandpressedasoft
kiss to her calf before setting it back down to the side. He did the same for the other leg, exposing

heavenonearth.Heleanedoverandpressedakissagainstherswollenwetlips,earninganenticing
moan.

"Justsowe'reclear,"hesaid,runningthetipofhistonguebetweenherslit,"you'remarryingme."

"Justsowe'reclear,Idecidedthattwoweeksago,"shesaid,earningapainedchucklefromhim."I'm
inlovewithyou,Jason,"shesaidsoftly,runningherfingersthroughhishair.

Heraisedhiseyestowatchher."You'renotinlovewithme,"hesomehowmanagedtosay.Heknew
shedidn'tlovehimthewaythathelovedher,butitfeltlikeaphysicalblowtohavetosayitoutloud.

"Ow!"Jasonhissed."Whatthehellwasthatfor?"hedemanded.

Haley sighed heavily as released the lock of hair she'd just yanked and gently rubbed the sore spot
she'dcreated.

"HowthehellcanyousaythatIdon'tloveyou?"

"Easily!"hesnapped,movingawayfromherandsittingbackonhishaunches.

Haleyquicklygottoherkneesandglaredupathim.Well,asbestasshecouldsinceshe'dtakenher
glassesoff.Shepokedhiminthechest,hard.

"Listen to me, buddy! I am head over heels in love with you and if you think you're going to pull
anothersnitandgetoutofmarryingmethenyou'recrazy!"

Heshiftedcloser."I'mpullinganothersnit?"hepracticallyroared."I'mnottheonewhostartedallof
thisbullshit!"Hegrabbedherbythebackofherneckandheldherasheleaneddowncloser."ButI
candamnwellpromisethatI'mgoingtobetheonefixit."

"Whatthehelldoesthatmean?"sheasked,mimickinghisholdonher.Shedrewhimcloser.

"Itmeans,mylittlegrasshopper,"hesaid,releasingherneckabruptlysothathecouldreachdownand
grabherbythebackherthighs.Withaquickflickofhiswristshesentherfallingbackontothebed.

Before she could scramble away he was kneeling between her legs with his still painfully hard
erection in hand and running it between her pouty wet lips the way he knew drove her crazy. She
squirmedagainsthimalmostdesperately.

"That I'm not taking a chance on you changing your mind. You're marrying me this weekend and
that'sfinal!"hesnarled,lickinghislipsasHaleyrubbedherwetpussyovertheundersideofhiscock.

Heransweringsmilestolehisbreathaway.Shelookedsodamnbeautiful.Heknewhe'dfuckeduphis
proposal,butthatdidn'treallyfazehimsincehehadatendencytofuckthiskindofthingup.Besides
he wasn't going to ask her to marry him. That would have been fucking stupid since it would have
givenherachancetosayno.Shewasmarryinghimnomatterwhat.Itreallywastheonlywaytokeep
hersafe,hedecidedassherolledherhipsandtookthetipofhiscockinsideofher.

"Areyougoingtomakelovetome,ordoIhavetobreakoutthefistsoffury?"sheasked,moaning.

Heleanedoverandcoveredherbodywithhis."Definitelygoingtomakelovetoyou,"hesaidagainst
herneckasherolledhiships,feedingherhiscock.Hetookhermouthinahungrykiss,tanglinghis

tongue with hers as he gently thrust into her, inch by inch. She was still so damn tight and felt so
fuckinggoodwrappedaroundhim.

"I...I...ohgod!"Haleymoanedloudly.

"Whatdoyouwant,baby?"Jasonasked,pullinghiscockoutalmostallthewaybeforeslidingbackin
slowly.Hegroanedasthesensationofathousandhotwetlittletongueslickedhiscock.

"Iloveyou!"shecriedoutashegroundhimselfagainsther.Hepressedakisstohershoulderashe
continuedtogrindhimselfagainsther."Iloveyou,too,"hesaid,turninghisheadtolookdownather.
"Morethananything."

Shefistedhishairandyankedhismouthdowntohers.Hereachedbetweenthemandslidhisthumb
betweenherslitandoverherswollenclit.Haleycriedoutintohismouthashequickenedhispaceand
rubbedthenubharderandfaster.

"Ohfuck,"hegroundoutassheclampeddowntightlyaroundhimandsqueezedunmercifully,leaving
himgaspingforbreathandpoundingintoherwithoutanyfinesseorreason.Hewasbarelyawareof
her nails digging into his ass or her little blunt teeth biting into his shoulder as she screamed her
release.Hisreleasecameonhimsodamnhardandfastthathecouldn'tholdbackhisroarofecstasy
asHaleysqueezedhimdry.

Hecollapsedagainsther,carefultokeepmostofhisweightoffherandtotheside.Hepressedakiss
toherdampshoulder.

"Justsoyouknow,"shesaid,pantingjustashardashewas,"thenexttimeyoutrytoleaveme.I'm
goingtokickyourass."

Jasonhadtoburyhisfaceagainsthershouldertostophimselffromlaughingoutloud.Shewasjust
sodamncute.

"Stoplaughingatme!I'mathreat,damnit!"

Jasonpressedagentlekisstoherlips.

"No,you'remysweetlittlegrasshopper."

Epilogue

Tenyearslater.....

"But,Dad,we'regoingtostarve!"Colecomplained,again,ashesaggedtotheground,doinghisbest
tolooklikehewasdying.OfcourseeightyearoldElizabethandfiveyearoldJoshuacopiedtheir
older brother, dropping to the ground right beside Jason's feet and doing their best to out pout the
other.

Jasonchuckledasheaddedmoreburgersandchickentothelargestainlesssteelgrillhe'dboughtand
setupyesterday.

"Don't you love us, daddy?" Elizabeth asked, adding just the right amount of lip trembling while
Joshua over did it. Jason sighed, throwing more hot dogs onto the grill. He was going to have to
workonlookingpatheticwithhisyoungestsonagainitseemed.Anamateurpoutlikethatcouldmean
the difference between Haley feeling sorry for all of them and baking some delicious treat to shut
themthehelluporherrollinghereyesandignoringthem.

"Isohungie,daddy,"Joshuasaid,usingthebabyvoicethatheknewhisparentsweresuckersfor.

Jasonlookeddownathischildrenanddidhisbestnottolaughattheiroverexaggeratedpouts.They
weresodamncute,butthatwastobeexpectedsincetheywerehiskids.Allthreeofthemtookafter
himinheight,darkhairandappetite,buttheyallhadtheirmother'sbeautifulemeraldeyes,cutelittle
nosesandtheabilitytobrightenuparoomwiththeirsmiles.

Pursinghislipsinindecision,helookedaroundtheirlargebackyardforhislittlegrasshopper.When
he didn't find her among their guests he stepped back and craned his neck to look through the
kitchen's double glass sliding doors. He spotted his parents, a few cousins and uncles but no little
grasshopper.

When he looked back at his kids he wasn't too shocked to find them already back on their feet,
lookingreadytopounce.Theyknewthedrillafterall.

"Takethisplate,"hesaid,grabbingaplateoffthelargepicnictablehehadsetupashisworkstation,
"andgohide.Makesureyoushare,becauseifIhearanywhiningI'mnotdoingthisagain."Hethrew
anothercautiouslookoverhisshoulderbeforeloadinguptheplatewiththreelargebarbequechicken
legs.

"After you're done make sure you get rid of the evidence and, Cole," he said, looking over his
shoulder at his oldest son who was licking his lips hungrily, "make sure your brother and sister
remembertowashupthistime."

Thelasttimetheysnuckfoodataparty,Coleinnocentlydeniedeatingthedoublechocolatebirthday
cake.HaleywouldhaveprobablyboughtthestoryifElizabethandJoshuahadn'tbeencoveredfrom
headtotoeinchocolatefrosting.Thenagainhewouldn'thavebeencaughtifthekidshadn'tratedhis
assout.

HehandedthelargeplatetoCole."Pickabetterspotthistime,"Jasonwarnedhisson.

Colenodded."Canwehavesome-"

"Jason Bradford!" his mother said, drawing their attention towards the house. They all swallowed
noticeablywhentheyspottedHaleystandingnexttohismotherwithherarmscrossedoverherchest
andhercutelittlebrowsarched.

"Pleasetellmeyou'renotalreadysneakingfood,"hislittlegrasshoppersaidonatiredsigh.

"No,ofcoursenot--runkids!Run!" Jason yelled even as Cole took off towards the woods with his
brotherandsisterhotonhisheels.

Hismotherletoutalongsufferingsighasshewalkedovertothetableandpickedupthesmallboxof
babywipesandthreejuiceboxesfromoneofthelargecoolersandheadedforthewoods.

JasongaveHaleythegrinthatstillgothimoutofparkingticketsandunlimitedfreesamplesatthe
grocerystore.Haleysimplystaredathim,pushingherglassesbackuphernosewithonefinger.

"Iloveyou?"Jasonsaid,tryingnottolaughasHaleytriedtolooksternandfailedmiserably.

"They'remycupcakes,yougreedybastards!"theyheardhisfatheryellfromthekitchen.

Haley'slipstwitchedasshesaid,"Betweenyou,thekids,andyourfather,Idon'tthinktherewillbe
enoughfoodforeveryone."

"But they were starving, my little grasshopper. The poor things were barely able to move from
hunger," he said, trying to look and sound innocent as he shifted closer to the grill so that she
wouldn'tseetheplateofchickenbonesheforgottohide.

"ThosepoorthingsconnedMitchoutthetwoplatesofpeanutbuttercupbarsthatMarymade,twenty
minutesago,"Haleyinformedhim,chuckling.

"Theywhat?"heyelled,causingeveryonearoundthemtojump.Heignoredthemasheturnedaglare
inthedirectionhischildrenheadedoffto.Thesenseofbetrayalhithard.Notonlyhadtheyconned
thesoftheartedMitchoutofdeliciousbakedgoodsthatweremeantforhim,buttheyfailedtogive
himhiscustomarycutoftheaction,fiftypercent.

"Yup,"Haleysaid,walkingpasthimtograbacoldsodafromthecooler.Sherolledhereyeswhen
shespottedthechickenbonesandperchedhercutelittleassontheendofthepicnictable."Assoonas
hewalkedinandputthebabydowntheyhithimwith'Iloveyou,UncleMitch'andhugsandhewasa
goner."

Jason'sglareshiftedtohisbestfriendwhowaslounginginachairwithhiswife,Mary,Haley'sbest
friend, on his lap while their baby played in the sandbox close by as their two oldest children ran
aroundwiththeotherkidsplayingtag.

Ten years ago Mitch would have simply taunted and teased the kids with the baked goods until
someone hit him upside the head and made him share, but that all changed when Haley asked the
bastardtodoherafavor.BackthenMarywasastrugglingsingleparentofanewbornandwasbarely
gettingbyonlessthananhourofsleepanight.

As a favor to Haley, after much manipulation on Haley's part, Mitch reluctantly volunteered to run
some food, formula and diapers over to Mary's small apartment. Mary had opened the door with

messy hair, dried spit up on her clothes, looking exhausted and holding a screaming baby girl and
Mitchfellhard.

AlmostovernighttheoldMitchwasgoneandthenewsoftheartedfamilyorientedmanappeared.He
startedspendingallhisfreetimehelpingMary,makingsureshegotenoughrest,andtakingcareof
littleTabithamuchtoeveryone'sshock.EveryoneknewthatMaryhadfallenequallyashardforhim,
but she held back, too afraid to end up hurt again. It took some time but Mitch eventually wore her
downandwithinayeartheyweremarriedandexpectingtheirsecondchild.

"Didnoonetryandstophim?"Jasondemanded,turninghisattentionbackonhislittlegrasshopper,
whowashelpingBrad'sson,Aaronmakeupaplateoffood.

Haleychuckledsoftlyasshesentthelittleboyonhisway."Everyonewastoobusylaughing."

"Thoseweremypeanutbuttercupbars,woman!"

"But,"Haleysaidwithaninnocentlittlepout,"thepoorthingswerestarving."

"You'remockingme,aren'tyou?"heasked,lipstwitchingasHaleywalkedintohisarms.Heputan
armaroundhershouldersandpressedakisstothetopofherhead.

"Yes,yesIam,"Haleysaid,soundingproudasshesnuggledcloser.

Heheldherforafewminutes,simplyenjoyinghavinghislittlegrasshopperinhisarmsbeforehe
askedthequestionhehatedasking,"Didtheyshowup?"

"No,"shemumbledagainsthischest.

Jasonleanedbackandcuppedherfaceinhishands."I'mreallysorry,mylittlegrasshopper,"hesaid
softly,pressingakisstoherforehead.Hehadn'treallyexpectedthemtoshowuptocelebratetheirten
yearanniversary,buthehadhopedforHaley'ssake.

No matter how many years passed he still couldn't rid himself of the guilt he felt every time her
familydisappointedher.Aftertheyannouncedtheirelopementherfamilyhadgoneabithysterical.
They'd screamed, ranted, and begged Haley not to throw her life away on a loser like him. They
hadn'tcaredthathe'dbeenintheroomatthetime.

Finally Grandma had put an end to the bullshit and started swinging that cane of hers. Ten minutes
later while Mr. Blaine was rubbing a sore knee he wrote a check in Jason's name for a hundred
thousanddollarsandallhehadtodowaswalkawayfromHaley.Turningdownthatmoneyhadbeen
theeasiestdecisionhe'devermade.HejustwishedHaleyandthekidsweren'ttheonestosufferasa
result.

TheycompletelycutHaleyoffandrefusedtohaveanythingtodowiththekids.HeknewithurtHaley,
butsheneverletitshow.Thankfullyhehadenoughfamilytomorethanmakeupfortheloss.

"It'sokay,"Haleysaid,forcingasmile.

"Thehellitis!"

TheybothlookeddownandsmiledasGrandmaglaredupatthemfromhernewelectricwheelchair.
WithaflickofherhandshegesturedforJasontoloadherup.Withasmilehedidjustthat.

HavingHaley'sgrandmothermoveinwiththemfiveyearsagowhenChrisretiredandtheyfinished
buildingthishousehadprobablymadeupforherfamily'sneglect.Haleyandthekidslovedhaving
herwiththemandGrandmalovedhavingherownin-lawapartmentandthefreedomtoharassthem
anytimeshefelttheneedarise.

"Idon'tknowwhyyoukeepinvitingthem,Haley,"Grandmasaid,gesturingforJasontoaddanother
hotdog."Theydon'tdeserveyou."

Haleyshrugged."Itwouldn'tfeelrightifIdidn't."

GrandmagaveHaleyasadsmile."Iknow,kiddo."

"Hereyougo,Grandma,"Jasonsaid,placingtheplateononeofthetablestheguyshadsetupthat
morning. She reached out and gave Haley's hand a squeeze before she rode over to the cooler and
grabbedanicecoldbeer.Withalongsufferingsigh,Jasongrabbedthebeerawayfromher,ignored
herglare,andhandedheranicecoldrootbeerinstead.

Haleycouldn'thelpbutsmileasthetwogotintoabickeringmatchoverGrandma'srighttohavea
beeratabarbeque.JasonremindedherthatherdoctorsaidnoalcoholandGrandmaremindedJason
thatshe'dtakehimoverherkneeifhedidn'tgiveherthedamnbeer.

IntheendGrandmagrumbledasshewenttoeathermealwithanicecoldCoke.ShethrewJasona
fond smile when he wasn't looking. Five minutes later the kids were happily skipping out of the
woodswithanexhaustedMeganpullinguptherear.

"Grandma!" they said excitedly as if they didn't see their great grandmother every day. Grandma
didn'tbotherhidingherpleasedsmileasallthreechildrensatdownwithherandsharedtheirlatest
adventures with her. Megan grabbed a beer and headed for the pool, muttering something about
needingavacation.

HaleyleanedagainstJasonasheflippedburgers."Youokay,mylittlegrasshopper?"

Shewrappedherarmsaroundhiswaistandsnuggledintohisside."Morethanokay."

"Iloveyou,mylittlegrasshopper,"hesaid,leaningdowntobrushhislipsagainsthers.

"Iknow,"shesaid,smilingagainsthislips.

Hepulledbacktogrindownather."Youknow?"

"Mmhmm,"shesaid,absentlyassheranherfingersthroughhishair,smoothingitback.

"Mmmhmm?"herepeatedback,soundingamused."Youlovemeandyoudamnwellknowit."

"Maybe,"shesaidwithashrug.

"Maybeyoushouldjustadmitthatyou'recrazyaboutme,"hesaid,leaningintokissheragain.

"Andwhywouldyouwantmetodothat?"sheasked,stillsmiling.

"BecauseI'mplayingforkeeps,mylittlegrasshopper."

TheEnd.