Melanie had called to see how I was and asked if she needed to bring me anything. The way she had talked, it was easy for me to think this was acceptable behavior. Even if deep down, I knew it wasn’t. However, I’d never been in love. I had never had stability. My life had been something where I woke up every day with the mindset to fight through it and survive.

  Being with Blaise, I never felt that way. Security and safety for someone who had lived a life like mine were powerful things. I didn’t want to let it go. The bubble we were living in couldn’t remain though. He had a life outside his house, and I needed to get one too. However, when I had mentioned getting a job, he’d shut me down immediately.

  I was waiting to broach that subject again. Preferably when he couldn’t throw me back and make me forget everything with his very talented tongue. Today was a good thing for us. I was going to stay at Moses Mile for three days while Blaise went to New York on ranch business. There was a horse there that Hughes Farm wanted, and he was going to make the deal. He had only agreed to let me stay with the Houstons if I would pack up everything I had there and move it to his house when he returned.

  Melanie had been thrilled I was coming to stay when we spoke on the phone. She didn’t mention Saxon, and I’d not spoken to him since the day in his kitchen when Huck showed up. I missed him and Trev. They had become my friends, and it seemed unfair that I couldn’t keep in contact with them. I’d mentioned it to Gina, and she’d informed me that, for now, it was for the best. Trev and Blaise had a very complicated relationship. I had already known that.

  If I had to choose, however, it would be Blaise. I wasn’t willing to lose him.

  I looked down at his hand as he held mine. He had seemed tense all morning. Even when he had taken me into the shower and given me not one, but two orgasms, he’d seemed to need it. As if he were marking me and making sure I was there. I didn’t know any other way to describe it.

  Moses Mile was up ahead, and I smiled over at him. He didn’t want to leave me, and I liked knowing that he wanted me close. My insecurities had all but faded away completely. Angel had come downstairs with Gina twice this week while I was there, and she’d done well around me. Granted, these were times that Blaise was not there. Gina had said it was better if she got used to me being there first. If anything, Angel was my only insecurity now. I feared she might always be.

  When Blaise parked his truck, he squeezed my hand. “I’m not going to get out,” he said. “I’ve got some things to do before I head to the airport.”

  Talking about him leaving me here for a few days and actually doing it were completely different. I felt a slight panic that once he left, things would never be as they had been. Something would change. I’d lose him.

  Blaise reached up and grabbed my chin with this thumb and forefinger. “Whatever the fuck is going on in that head of yours, don’t,” he ordered.

  If only it were that easy.

  “Thirty minutes ago, I was telling you how obsessed I was with you while I had you riding my dick. How did that switch inside your head flip so quickly?”

  I smiled. “I just already miss you,” I replied.

  He leaned forward and kissed me. “Three days, baby.”

  I had to stop being so clingy. Mentally scolding myself for it, I nodded. “I know.” I couldn’t say more though. I reached for my bag and opened the door.

  When I stepped out, it felt like much longer than a week since I’d been here last.

  “Bye,” I said, turning back to look at him.

  He winked at me. “Keep your phone on you at all times,” he reminded me for the thousandth time.

  “Yes, sir,” I replied teasingly.

  An arrogant grin crossed his handsome face. “I like that. Next time we fuck, I want you to call me sir.”

  I laughed then and shook my head before closing the door. I wanted to stand there and watch him drive away, but seeing him go would only make me sadder. Taking my bag, I headed for the front door. Wondering if I should ring the bell or walk inside. My things were still here. It wasn’t like I’d officially moved out yet. When I reached the top step, I paused and glanced back, unable to stop myself.

  He’d backed up to turn around, but he hadn’t left. His window was rolled down, and he was watching me.

  “I’ll leave when you’re inside,” he called out.

  My chest felt warm, and that feeling of safety was there. I blew him a kiss, then turned and walked inside the house. It didn’t feel like home, but then again, it never had. This was simply a house I had lived in.

  I heard Melanie’s heels before I saw her.

  She beamed brightly at me as she entered the foyer. “Oh! You’re here. Wonderful. I’m going to the club, and I thought you might want to go with me. We can have lunch and maybe do some shopping.”

  I wanted to say no because neither of those things appealed to me. However, the look of excitement on Melanie’s face made me feel guilty. Saxon had said she had always wanted a daughter and I’d fill that void. In reality, I had barely gotten to know her, and now, I wouldn’t be staying here. She had been the one to come and get me. If it wasn’t for her, I’d never have come to Moses Mile. I’d never have met Blaise.

  “That sounds nice,” I lied. “Do I need to change?” I asked her, hoping I’d get a brief reprieve before having to rush out the door.

  She took in my outfit that she’d bought for me. “Hmm, go change into the baby-blue linen skirt with the sleeveless white blouse that has the scalloped hem around the waist. Maybe pull your hair up into a twist.” She lifted her eyes back to mine and smiled, pleased with her decision.

  I nodded. “Okay,” I agreed.

  “Take your time. I need to make a few calls,” she told me as I turned and headed for the staircase.

  When I reached my bedroom, I opened the door, and the crisp, clean smell wafted over me. It reminded me of Melanie. Somehow, everything in this house had that same smell. I wondered if it was the laundry detergent. Dropping my bag by the door, I moved to close it when I saw Saxon standing in the hallway, watching me.

  “Hey,” I said, surprised to see him inside at this time of day.

  “Hey,” he replied. His hands were in his front jeans pockets, and he looked as if he wanted to say more, but didn’t.

  I hated the awkward silence between us. “How’ve you been? Trev have any wild pool parties lately?” I asked, wanting to lighten the mood.

  A crooked grin touched his face, and he flashed one of his dimples. “A couple,” he replied. “How’s Fort Blaise?” he asked me.

  I frowned but realized he was referring to the fact that Blaise did live down a long dirt road and had an iron privacy fence around his house. I smiled at the thought of them calling it Fort Blaise.

  “Good,” I replied, not wanting to talk about Blaise with him. It felt like I was doing something wrong now. “I’m going to the club with Melanie,” I told him.

  “Ah, yes. She’s got you for a few days. She’ll want to make the most of it,” he said. “I’ll let you get ready. But tonight, if you’re back in time, a group of us are going to the movies. You’re welcome to join. Better than sitting here, alone.”

  The movies. I hadn’t been to the movies since my last date with Hank. The more things I did, the quicker time would pass. Staying in this room alone would make three days feel like an eternity.

  “I’d like that,” I told him.

  He gave me a full grin then. “Cool. You can ride with me,” he said. “Trev has a date and needs to go pick her up first. Declan is bringing some friends, so we will meet them there.”

  I nodded. “Okay. I’ll see you tonight then,” I replied before closing the door and going to change into the outfit Melanie wanted me in.

  Twenty-Nine

  When Melanie introduced me to friends of hers at the club, she didn’t mention Blaise, but several times, one of them would say something like, “You’re the beauty who has won Blaise Hughes’s attention.” Or, “Garrett has mentioned you. He is so pleased you’re dating Blaise.”

  Melanie always controlled the conversations, so I never had to say much. This wasn’t a world I saw Blaise in. Not after seeing the people he had over to his house. His group of friends didn’t look as if they’d walked out of a country club. Even at the gala, Blaise had had an air about him that was edgy, wild, untamed. Nothing like the people his father surrounded himself with. I did enjoy getting to see this side of his life though.

  Garrett wasn’t someone we ever discussed. It was interesting to me that his father cared who Blaise dated. He had known my mother. Melanie had known my mother. Yet I still knew very little. I’d tried bringing it up more than once with Melanie, and she always changed the subject or skirted over it. Never giving me the details I wanted to know.

  While we were shopping, Melanie insisted on buying me two different dresses, which I tried to decline, and a pair of heels she swore I would need if I was going to be accompanying Blaise to events. Again, something I hadn’t thought about. He never talked about this world, but then again, we were new. This was all new.

  It was after five when we arrived back at Moses Mile. Saxon had texted me that we were leaving at six to go get dinner before the movie. I wanted to change into something else, but I wasn’t sure if I had time. Melanie went directly to the kitchen to speak with Mrs. Jolene while I hurried to the bedroom with my new clothes. I found a pair of navy-and-white checked shorts and a top to match, then slipped on a pair of sandals before taking my hair down.

  I almost walked out of the bedroom without my phone, but remembering Blaise’s insistence that I take it, I slipped it into my pocket and headed for the door. Saxon was coming down the hall from his room, and I waited on him to catch up to me.

  “Enjoy your day?” he asked with a smirk, knowing it wasn’t my thing.

  I shrugged. “Who doesn’t love mimosas, rich-people gossip, and spending five hundred dollars on a pair of heels?”

  He laughed then. “Sounds like my mom.”

  “I just hate her spending the money on me,” I admitted.

  He didn’t look at me when he said, “I wouldn’t worry about that.”

  We walked out to the garage entrance, and once inside, Saxon grabbed a key fob from a box hanging on the wall and pressed it. A black sports car’s lights flashed, and he grinned at me. “Dad is letting me take the Porsche.”

  The inside was red leather, and it was tiny. Good thing no one else was riding with us. I didn’t think they’d fit. Saxon turned on some music from the Spotify app that appeared on the screen, then pulled out of the garage and headed for the main road.

  “Trev was glad to hear you were coming. He’s been worried about you,” he said, cutting his eyes to me. “You know how he feels about Blaise.”

  I nodded. “Yeah, they aren’t real close, but there is more to Blaise.” I knew I sounded defensive, but I felt like they didn’t really know him.

  “You mean, he’s not always a controlling asshole?” Saxon asked me, but the humor in his tone made it clear he was teasing me.

  I rolled my eyes at him and laughed. “No, he’s not. Surprised me too, trust me,” I replied.

  “I’ve seen him with Angel,” Saxon said. “I know he’s not.”

  I was surprised he’d mentioned Angel. “You know Angel?” I asked him.

  He nodded. “Yeah, of course. She moved in at the Hughes Farm when I was seven. I knew her before the accident too. She and Blaise were always together.” He paused then and cleared his throat. “Anyway, yeah …”

  When he didn’t say more, I was disappointed. Blaise had told me about everything. I just wanted to hear more from someone else’s point of view.

  “How is she doing with, you know, you being there?” Saxon asked me.

  “Uh, better,” I replied.

  Saxon grinned. “Been rough, huh?”

  I shrugged. It wasn’t that it had been rough exactly. It had just been difficult when she was around. It was clear that my presence upset her. It didn’t matter how nice I tried to be to her.

  “Anyway, enough about that. How do you feel about Mexican food?” he asked me.

  “I like it,” I replied.

  “Good. That’s what we’re eating. Everyone is meeting for dinner. It’s a taco truck really, but hands down, they make the best tacos on earth.”

  I laughed. “Earth? Really?”

  He shrugged. “Well, the Southeast at least,” he replied. “There might be better in the Southwest,” he added.

  My phone vibrated in my pocket, and I pulled it out. I’d sent Blaise a text earlier, telling him about my plans with Melanie. He hadn’t replied, so I never explained my evening plans.

  Where are you?

  I typed back.

  In the car with Saxon. We are meeting Declan and a group of friends to have dinner, then see a movie.

  I didn’t think this would be an issue, but then it was Blaise. He could possibly not like the idea of me being with Saxon. I’d purposely left out Trev’s name.

  While I waited for his response, my phone rang, startling me.

  “Hey,” I said, already nervous that he was calling instead of texting his response.

  “Give the phone to Saxon,” he ordered.

  “Why?” I asked, not liking his tone of voice.

  “Madeline.” He clipped out my name.

  “Fine!” I snapped at him, then handed the phone to Saxon.

  His face made it clear he knew who it was and why. He took the phone.

  “Blaise,” he said simply.

  I couldn’t hear what was being said, and I watched Saxon’s face.

  “Yes. Of course. I understand.”

  He sat there, listening to something more, and then he handed the phone back to me. I wanted to end the call, but I knew I’d regret that. As mad as I was at him for this reaction, I still missed him.

  “Yes?” was my short reply.

  “The next time you want to leave Moses Mile, I need to know beforehand. I’m not there, Madeline. I can’t make sure you’re okay unless I know in advance.” He sounded irritated.

  “Blaise, I am going to get tacos and watch a movie with friends. I am not headed to the inner city to hunt down drug dealers and ask them if they want to play ball,” I pointed out.

  He didn’t say anything at first, and then he chuckled. “What the fuck kind of example is that?”

  I shrugged, although he couldn’t see me. “I don’t know. I’m mad.”

  He sighed. “Just … trust me. Please.”

  I did trust him. I just didn’t understand what that had to do with my eating tacos and watching a stupid movie.

  “That isn’t the problem,” I told him.

  He was quiet for a moment. “It is. You’ve got to trust me. Keep your phone on you all night. Don’t go anywhere alone.”

  “I won’t,” I told him.

  The concern in his voice tugged at me. Had anyone ever cared about my safety this much? No. My dad and brother hadn’t. Sure, they loved me. In their way. They just hadn’t been worried if I was out late. No one had warned me to be safe. I was new to this.

  “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. I was waiting on you to reply to my first text. I didn’t want to keep texting and bother you.”

  “Text me, call me, whenever,” he said.

  “Okay,” I replied.

  “Enjoy your movie,” he told me.

  “I will.”

  Then, he ended the call.

  I tucked the phone back into my pocket.

  “Ready for the world’s—or the Southeast’s—best tacos?” Saxon asked me as he parked in a gravel parking lot.

  “Yes,” I replied. “Let’s do this.”

  We got out of the car, and he didn’t mention the text or phone call. I wanted to ask him what Blaise had said to him, but it wasn’t the time. An SUV full of girls pulled up, and Declan was driving. I mentally prepared myself for Declan’s less than cheery personality while we waited for her to get out.

  She was smiling when she walked around the Mercedes SUV. She went straight to Saxon and wrapped her arms around one of his. She placed a kiss on his lips, then looked at me and smiled. “Hey, Maddy. Glad you could join us.”

  That was not the response I’d expected. There was no snarky comment, and she didn’t look pissed about me being here at all.

  I smiled, confused. “Thanks.”

  Chanel walked by and smiled at me and gave me a little wave.

  I glanced at Saxon, and he didn’t appear to find this strange at all.

  The other girls all greeted me as we walked toward the taco truck. I recognized a few from Trev’s. None of them had spoken to me then. Now, one would think we were all friends. I was in the twilight zone.

  Thirty

  The tacos were delicious. Everyone talked and was friendly. Trev talked to me and not once mentioned Blaise. He acted like we’d just seen each other yesterday. No questions about how I’d been. Nothing.

  By the time we arrived at the theater, I finally began to relax. I’d been expecting something to be said that I would have to defend or for Declan to make a rude comment. This was too easy. I decided to embrace it and enjoy the rest of my night. Trev sat on one side of me, and a girl named Vivy sat on the other side of me. I couldn’t decide if she and Chanel were dating or not.

  Trev had his date on his other side, but he talked to me some. Mostly, we focused on the movie. I’d eaten a few bites of Trev’s massive bucket of popcorn, and I was thirsty. I decided to go to the restroom and get a bottle of water.

  I stood up and slid past Trev and his date to the aisle. Once I was out of the darkness and could see, I looked for the restroom sign.