SomedayMyGoodOleBoyWillCome Page 20

  “Jacey,” he interrupted. “Let me take part in raising my son. Your parents have raised their child. They did a great job but they should be done. Let them enjoy their time.” Leaning in, he kissed her lips lightly. “Think about what I said.”

  Derek left her there and went inside the Thompson residence. Immediately a smile filled his features. Caleb’s voice carried to him. He picked up on Etta Mae and Aunt Aurora’s conversation coming from the kitchen and, if he turned his head to the left, he knew he’d see Uncle Frank and Jacob with a chess game between them. Honey and Carson folded tablecloths, chatting softly between themselves.

  Did I just expect Jace to give everything up and move here? I would have a hard time leaving here. With a sigh, he headed toward his cousins, smiling again when they looked up at him.

  * * * *

  Jacey looked up at the night sky. Star-studded beauty. The thick, humid night air barely stirred. With ease, she jumped off the rail and walked slowly toward the house. She paused at the screen, staring through the mesh as if an outsider looking through a window at another’s life.

  Warm, welcome laughter and chatter filtered to her ears. She could see Honey dancing with Caleb. The scent of her father’s pipe tobacco drifted through to her nose.

  Home.

  With a deep breath, Jace pulled open the door and walked in. Immediately her gaze found Derek. He sat with Carson, engaged in a conversation, although his eyes kept drifting toward his son. Before she could look away he speared her with his intense blue eyes. Heat flared in them before Derek turned his attention back on Carson.

  Moving through the kitchen, Jace smiled to herself as she listened to the women catch up. This felt right, these were memories she held on to from her childhood. Both families together. Bet anything Papa and Uncle Frank are embroiled in a game of chess. A quick glance at her watch propelled her towards the living room.

  “Caleb,” she said. “Time to get ready for bed.”

  “Mama,” he began.

  “Don’t, Caleb. We’ll get ready then you can come back down and say goodnight.”

  His resigned sigh reached her. Head down, he dragged his feet toward her. She knew he loved it here. Her pride and joy stopped before her and tipped his head back. Staring into his eyes, identical to his daddy’s, Jacey waited for him to say whatever was on his mind.

  “Can Papa come with me? He can make sure I cleaned behind my ears.”

  Jacey smiled at him before moving her gaze to Derek. He waited for her eyes. In the blue depths she could see his question. Am I okay with this? Swallowing back her pain, she asked, “Derek?”

  “I’d love to.” He winked. “I’ll have you know, I’m a very good dirt checker.”

  Her heart wrenched as her son reached out and curled his small hand into Derek’s large one and tugged.

  “Come on, Papa. You have to get the water temperature right for me.”

  Jacey didn’t move until, at the top of the stairs, Derek glanced down at her. Then she walked slowly, allowing the men to do this. In her room, she could hear the snatches of their conversation. She watched Derek take a clean Caleb back downstairs to say goodnight. Sitting on the edge of her bed, Jacey did her damnedest not to be hurt.

  He’s my boy!

  Please, her brain snapped back. Caleb isn’t the result of an immaculate conception.

  With a low groan, she dropped her head into her hands.

  “Princess,” Derek’s sexy timbre washed over her.

  Lifting her head, Jacey saw him in the doorway. “Yes?”

  “You’ve been requested. Story time.”

  At least he needs me for something. She pushed to her feet. “On my way.”

  Instead of moving out of the way, Derek’s body filled the doorway. “Thank you,” he murmured, his mouth near her ear.

  “For?” Jacey tried to control the lust racing through her.

  “Everything. Caleb.”

  Jacey shuddered with wanton desire when he turned his head and teased the skin behind her ear. “Move,” she stuttered.

  “Meet me later.”

  “I can’t.”

  His nose nuzzled her hair. “It’s easy. Sneak out, like you did to meet Honey.”

  Dear God, I want to say yes! “I can’t. Don’t you know what would happen?”

  A decadent chuckle cocooned her. “Oh yeah,” he purred.

  “Mom!” Caleb’s voice jarred her from the spell Derek wove around her.

  “Coming, Caleb.”

  “Soon, princess, very soon.” With that statement which sounded an awful lot like a promise, Derek allowed her to pass.

  In moments she and Caleb were snuggled on the bed, the book in her hands. However, this time, Derek was there. Caleb wanted him to stay so he sat in the corner in a rocking chair. Jacey kept her eyes on the printed words of the story determined not to stare at his dominating presence. Not an easy thing to accomplish.

  Chapter over, she brushed her lips over Caleb’s forehead. Now she lifted her gaze only to find Derek’s stare fixed on her. Jacey wasn’t sure what to make of the emotion swirling in his eyes. Still, she couldn’t break the connection any more than she could command the world to stop orbiting the sun. Caleb’s soft snores were the only sound in the room as Derek rose and moved toward the bed. Her heart pounded harder and she searched for moisture to fill her mouth.

  “Thank you for letting me be a part of this, Jace,” he whispered.

  Sliding from the bed, Jacey tucked the sheet up over her son and kissed his cheek. “’Night, Marine,” she murmured.

  Moving to put the book away, Jacey turned to see Derek running the back of his hand down Caleb’s face. There was such love and tenderness in Derek’s expression it nearly broke her heart. Derek, too, brushed a kiss over his son’s cheek before rising and moving to the door. Shutting off the light, Jacey followed Derek out and closed the door almost all the way.

  At the top of the stairs, Jacey noticed everyone else staring up at her and Derek. “Nothing like being the center of attention,” she mumbled.

  Derek’s masculine chuckle reached her. “Beginning to feel like I have toilet paper stuck to my shoe. Or worse.”

  Jacey laughed. “You go down first, I’ll check.”

  “So helpful,” he drawled sarcastically. “Don’t forget, princess, I know you. You’re trying to use me to test the water.”

  There was no way to deny it. “Hey, I don’t have any raw meat handy. You’re the next best thing—”

  “Did you want me to rumple your clothing and make your luscious skin flushed with passion?” He speared her with his blue eyes.

  Biting her lower lip, she shivered. “I’m good, thanks. I’ll go first, since you’re obviously afraid.”

  “I’m going to enjoy smacking that ass of yours, princess,” Derek muttered.

  Jacey refused to show him how those words affected her. Instead she focused on the group below, who seemed extremely interested in what was going on with her and Derek.

  * * * *

  Two days later and Derek was ready to blow a gasket. He’d not been able to get Jacey alone. He’d gone running with her, Caleb, and Jacob, but that was all. He knew she was busy helping to finalize the wedding but it didn’t make anything any easier.

  I want to hold her in my arms.

  “Hey, Derek.”

  The soft voice startled him. Glancing down, he found Mary Lou, another bridesmaid, standing there. He smiled. “Hi, Mary Lou. Lovely day.”

  “Yes. What are you doing in town?” she asked.

  “Picking up a few things for Honey.”

  She grinned, showing him her brilliant teeth. “Hard to believe the wedding is so close.”

  “I know, seems like yesterday y’all were little.”

  Mary Lou nodded. “Good times.”

  Yes they were. Memories swamped him.

  “Well, I have few things to get done yet today,” Mary Lou said.

  “Bye, Mary Lou. Good to see you.”

&n
bsp; “You too, Derek. Glad to see you smiling again. It’s been far too long.”

  Jesus. Is that everyone’s comment? He lifted a hand in farewell.

  “Oh, Derek,” she said, stepping in close.

  “Yes?”

  “You should check out Jodie’s.” He furrowed his brow. Mary Lou just patted his arm. “Trust me,” she insisted with a wink then walked off.

  Go to Jodie’s? Why do I want to go to the dressmakers? Shoving a hand though his hair, Derek readjusted his direction. A dress shop. Oh yeah, I’m going to feel right at home here. Closing his eyes briefly, he opened them and pushed through the door.

  The shop was quiet. Normally, Jodie at least acknowledged a person when they entered. Frowning, Derek turned to leave, not seeing the point in being here, when from the back a muffled curse filled the air. His skin prickled, telling him who it was in the back, most likely in a dressing room.

  Jacey Damia Thompson.

  Derek grinned and headed to the dressing room in the back. I owe you one, Mary Lou. He could hear fabric moving.

  “Can’t believe I’m wearing a dress that makes me look like a God-damn Black-eyed Susan.” More fabric rustling. “I’m not wearing this. I can’t.”

  Derek peeked through the curtain. Damn! On the one hand she did look like the flower she’d complained about, or would were she completely dressed. That’s where the damn came in. Jacey stood in a state of undress. She faced away from him, her back bare as the top of the dress sat bunched around her waist. Jacey’s black hair, confined in a thick braid, split the richness of her dark skin. As he stared she began shimmering the rest of the loud yellow dress over her hips.

  Did I say damn? He bit the inside of his cheek as his cock pulsed with life. Each millimeter she lowered the dress, the more exposed her pale lemon, lacy boy shorts became, and the harder he grew. Finally the dress pooled at her feet, leaving her nude with the exception of those boy shorts. They hugged the globes of her ass and his fingers itched to touch, feel, explore.

  When she bent over to pick up the dress, Derek couldn’t stop himself. He slipped fully into the changing room and closed the curtain behind him.

  “Jacey,” he breathed.

  She jumped and spun around, clutching the yellow fabric to her chest. Jacey’s eyes widened before narrowing. “Blast you, Derek. You scared the hell outta me. What are you doing in here?” She shook her head. “You know what, I don’t care. Get out.”

  Derek grabbed one end of the dress and pulled, knowing she had two choices. Follow the dress and come closer or let the dress go and lose her meager protection.

  “No,” he uttered. No way in hell I’m leaving.

  Her fingers tightened around the material. “Let go, Derek. Stop pulling or you’ll rip it.”

  He grinned. “From your mutterings I wouldn’t think that would really matter to you.” Derek knew she was embarrassed she’d been overheard. Still, Jacey didn’t cower. Not her. Not my girl.

  “I look like a yellow Popsicle in it,” she whimpered. Waving one hand, Jacey continued, “It doesn’t matter, it makes Honey happy. I can wear it, so don’t tear it.”

  Her dedication and loyalty floored him. Her distress at the dress was so blatantly obvious yet for Honey she’d put herself through it. She put herself before everyone. How could I have been so blind? Jacey wasn’t selfish, she gave everything, putting herself last. Dropping the dress, Derek closed the distance between them and wrapped her up in his arms.

  “Derek,” she protested, sounding slightly breathless.

  “Jacey.” He palmed her ass bringing her flush to his straining erection.

  “Jodie will be back any moment.”

  “So stop fighting me.” He nibbled along her carotid, loving her shudder.

  “We can’t do this,” she half protested even while she arched closer.

  “Yes. Yes we can.”

  “Stop, Derek,” Jacey whimpered.

  He ground his jaw and nuzzled behind her ear. Stopping wasn’t remotely close to what he had planned. “I want to be buried inside you,” he said. His fingers clenched on the firm cheeks of her ass. Jacey shivered, her head tilting back, giving him greater access. He took the offering and pressed kisses all along her soft flesh. “Jace,” he murmured between pecks. “My sweet Jacey.”

  The vixen in his arms shuddered and on her sigh came the sexiest word he ever heard. “Yes.”

  The remaining blood in his body rushed to his shaft. With a low growl he bent her back and covered a bare breast with his mouth, drawing hard on the pebbled tip. Her moan filled the curtained area. Jacey sank one hand into his hair and held him hard against her. Derek nipped the breast and Jacey mewled in the back of her throat. A sweet, cock hardening sound.

  Fumbling with one hand, Derek reached between them and undid his jeans. A few fancy moves and his cock was in his hand, the head slipping into Jacey’s wet pussy. Her panties could now officially be considered crotchless.

  “Derek,” she sighed in pleasure as he filled her completely.

  He kissed her fiercely, placing his hands on the wall beside her head. Back and forth he drove home, her muscles gripping him with each stroke he made.

  “Princess,” he purred.

  Her legs, tight around his waist, matched the grip her arms had around his neck. Derek loved it. Jacey was so passionate, so explosive of a lover. Derek continued to kiss her as he thrust to keep her screams silenced. Her body tightened and convulsed around her, pulling him quickly over the edge with her. He erupted deep within her as his tongue plundered her mouth. Pulse after pulse rode through him and he eased up on the depth of the kiss until their lips barely touched. Forehead to forehead, Derek kept her there against the wall as their hearts and breathing slowed.

  Derek drowned in her eyes. There was such need lingering in their depths it almost overwhelmed him. “Jacey, I—”

  “No, Derek, don’t. I can’t, not right now.”

  Derek’s heart clenched at the tear gathering at the corner of her eye. With the pad of his thumb, he erased it. I love you, Jacey Damia Thompson. “We have to talk, Jace,” he murmured, pulling out of her and setting her on her feet.

  This time the shudder moving through her wasn’t one brought on by pleasure, instead it had born from pain. It tore through her, showing him no matter how strong Jacey appeared, his princess was still fragile. So he didn’t say a word about her panicked expression or the tear. Instead he grinned and winked roguishly at her stunning and very near naked body.

  “So, need help back into the dress?”

  She dropped her shoulders with a sigh, looking all kinds of dejected. “Yes.”

  Fighting back his chuckle, Derek helped. He kissed the back of her neck as he zipped her up. Their eyes met in the mirror and Jacey shook her head.

  “A flipping Black-eyed Susan.”

  Derek couldn’t argue, she was very ruffley. “All I can say is it’s obvious how much you love Honey,” he commented, stepping back and walking around her for the full effect.

  “How so?”

  Biting the inside of his cheek, he looked at Jacey, doing his best to maintain a level expression. “Wedding pictures.” Her expression crumbled and Derek gave up only to burst out laughing.

  “Not nice, Derek,” she growled. Jacey stomped to the curtain with a huff. “I need to find the shoes for this.” She swung it open, Derek behind her, and he knew his sharp breath was echoed by hers.

  Jodie sat in a large wingback, glass of tea in one hand and a fan in the other. Her legs were crossed at the ankles and a knowing smirk was on her face.

  Derek looked between the women. Jodie continued to fan herself until she pushed up from the chair and walked toward them. “At least you didn’t tear the dress.”

  Kissing Jacey on the cheek, Derek headed for the door. “Beautiful dress, ladies,” he said, trying not to laugh at the glare Jacey leveled at him. Her expression told him he’d pay for bailing on her. Blowing her a final kiss, Derek winked and escaped in
to the hot summer afternoon to finish his errands.

  * * * *

  Jacey sat at an outside table, her chocolate malt nearly finished before her. Directly in her line of sight was the canary yellow GTO the Moser boys drove. Right now she was after only one of them. Derek.

  She swallowed hard as she replayed their passionate exchange in her mind. Damn him for making me forget how to act. Jacey groaned, bringing the straw up to her lips. No willpower. I have no will power when it comes to Derek Moser.

  A breeze picked up and she closed her eyes, happy it cooled her down along with the malt sliding down her throat. Cracking her eyes open, Jacey fought off the frown at the image of Shelby with Derek. The woman was leaning close to Derek, one hand resting on his arm. Barely giving them another glance, Jacey scanned the street. At the far corner she saw David watching what looked like the interaction between Derek and Shelby.

  “What’s your interest in Shelby?” she muttered.

  Jacey made sure she avoided the appearance of watching him whenever his beady little gaze swung in her direction. Finished with her malt, Jacey got up and left, throwing the cup away on her way. Walking off, she made a wide arch so she could come up from behind and see what David was up to. Sure enough, he still stood there, trying not to appear suspicious. Positioning herself just so, Jacey watched the scowl on David’s face increase every time Shelby touched Derek.

  He wants Shelby.

  Jacey stepped away and made her way to her Jeep. Hopping in, she drove out of town, her mind trying to figure out what was going on. She parked overlooking Owl Lake and got out.

  “There’s something else. I just can’t put my finger on it.” Jumping up onto the hood, Jacey leaned back against the windshield and enjoyed the wind blowing off the lake. Eyes closed, she tried to figure out what she missed. It still hadn’t come to her when she drove home.

  That night, she cooked for herself and Caleb, her parents having gone out with some friends.

  “Caleb?”