Sweet Haven (The Sweet Series Book 2) (8 page)

Thankfully, she gets the message. “Okay, I’ll leave you alone.” Smiling, she gives a hard pat to my cheek. “I’m glad you came by. You must have a sixth sense. I’m baking for you and your friends at the station,” she says, turning back to her pans on the stove.

She’s crazy if she thinks I’m sharing any of that with the guys. I’m keeping it all for myself. They have their own moms to bake for them.

“Have a seat, honey. You want something to drink?” she asks, coming to place a warm chocolate chip muffin down in front of me.

“I’m good, thanks though.”

“Let me call for your father. He’s tinkering away in the garage again.” She walks over to the kitchen window above the sink and slides it open. “Ben! Come inside, Jasiah is here.”

I wince at how loud she is, wishing for just once she would relent and call me Jase.

My dad comes in the back door a minute later, wiping his hands with a grease-stained towel. He takes my mother in his arms, dips her, and lays a long, drawn-out kiss on her before making his way over to me.

“Hey, my boy, how’re you doing?” he asks, pulling me to stand and wrapping me in a quick, firm hug.

“Hey, Dad. I’m good.”

“What brings you by? Did you smell your mom’s baking all the way across town?” he asks with a chuckle, taking a seat at the table.

“Nope, but clearly it was a good day to pop in.”

“Every day is a good day for you to visit,” my mom adds, giving me a pointed look.

“Come on, Mom, it hasn’t been that long.”

“It’s been almost a month.” She holds up a hand to ward off my protest. “I know. It’s not that long in the grand scheme of things but it is when you live so close. You know I’d give anything to see your handsome face every day if I could.”

If she had her way, I’d still be living at home.

“Well, look on the bright side, at least you get to see this handsome one every day,” I say, gesturing over to my dad.

“Damn straight, and you don’t get much better than mine.”

We both chuckle at the way my mom rolls her eyes but she can’t hide her smile. “Well, I guess I can’t argue that,” she agrees, giving my dad a few gentle pats on the cheek. “Anyway, how did that fundraiser go this weekend?”

“It was…interesting.” Actually, it was fucking awkward as hell. Until the end of the night when I got to taste Sam again. “It sounds like a lot of money was raised,” I add.

“That’s wonderful. Does that mean you have a date?” she asks hopefully, an almost gleeful smile taking over her face.

It’s because I don’t date…at least not conventionally, but Sam is a different story. She’s worth a date.

She’s worth much more.

“Yep. Actually, that’s why I’m here.” I look at my dad. “Do you still have the route mapped out when we went camping in the mountains a few years back?”

He nods. “You bet. It’s in my desk drawer.”

“You’re taking her camping in the mountains?” my mom asks, sounding unsure.

“No,” I answer, but offer nothing more.

“All right, fine, be cryptic but will you at least tell me her name? Do I know her?”

“Yeah, you know of her…” I trail off, unsure of how to tell them who it is.

“Oh, Jase, don’t tell me it’s Stephanie,” she says, disdain sharpening her words.

I grunt. “Thankfully no, but it was close. It came down to her and one other bidder by the end.”

“Oh, thank goodness for that. That girl is no good. She never has been.”

She’s a bitch and a mistake I will always regret.

“So, who is it?” my dad asks.

“Samantha Evans.”

“Really?” my mom asks, her eyes widening in shock.

I nod.

“Wait, Samantha Evans as in John Evans’s daughter?” he asks, not seeming all that thrilled about it, which I expected.

“Yep, the same one.”

“Boy,” he starts in on me. “You be careful. I hold no grudge against that girl. I don’t even know her, but that father of hers is an asshole.”

“Listen, Dad. I get it. I do. Her brother is an asshole too, but this date has nothing to do with either of them and she’s not like that. She’s cool.”

She’s much more than cool but I keep that to myself.

“Well I’ve spoken with Catherine a few times and she has always been lovely so I’m sure her daughter is the same way.”

My dad grunts. “The problem in that family isn’t with the women. It’s the men.”

I agree with him, although I don’t know John Evans well but her brother is a different story, and he had to learn about being a jackass from somewhere.

“Whatever happened between you guys?” I ask him.

He shrugs. “Nothing happened per se,” he starts. “The guy is just an arrogant son of a bitch. Thinks his shit don’t stink and no one is as good as his precious son.”

“Sounds like someone else I know,” my mom mumbles.

“The hell it does,” my father shoots back, getting all worked up. “We might not have a problem admitting when we’re good at something”—he gestures between the two of us—“but we aren’t assholes about it.”

Exactly! There’s a difference between confidence and arrogance.

“Whatever you say,” she sighs before pointing a finger at me. “Either way, I raised you right, Jasiah. I want you to prove it. You treat her good—respect her. She’s not a conquest. Bring her flowers and show her a nice time.”

“Don’t worry, Mom. I got this.”

I might not date but I always respect the chicks I’m with. It’s a mutual arrangement. However, I know Sam is different, and I plan to spend a day and evening with her that both of us will never forget.

Sam

I
must have changed my outfit at least a dozen times. All his text said was dress casual and comfortable. He wouldn’t give me anything else. Not one hint as to what we’re doing. Doesn’t he realize how vague that is? Causal and comfortable could mean a variety of things.

Leave it to him to drive me nuts.

Though, I can’t deny the butterflies swirling in my tummy. All week I’ve looked forward to this then berated myself for it. One more time. One more night with him. I just want to feel that connection once more.

To feel…
alive.

That’s the best way to explain it. That night in his truck was reckless and so unlike me but it was the first time I’ve felt alive in a long time. I have no idea what’s in store for us today but I plan to embrace it and enjoy it for what it is.

I finally decided on a pair of cutoff jean shorts that mold to my skin like butter. They are the comfiest ones I own and are very flattering, especially for my backside. I paired it with a flowy army green tank that makes my green eyes more pronounced.

I warm thinking about the new Victoria Secret bra and panties I have on underneath that I bought just for him. That’s of course if we get to that point tonight. By his parting comment last weekend, I’m assuming we will. Just the thought has heat gathering between my thighs.

One more time.

The sound of my phone ringing cuts through my thoughts. Grabbing my cell from the nightstand, my heart swells with love at the picture of my sister’s face flashing on the screen.

“Well, if it isn’t my favorite sister in the whole world,” I answer.

“The one and only.” The smile I hear in her voice matches the one on my face. “There’s a small moment of reprieve in the boutique so I wanted to call and check in. How are things?”

“Good. I’m actually just waiting to be picked up for a date,” I say, knowing I shouldn’t tell her but need to talk to someone about it.

“A date,” she squeals excitedly. “Who is it? Do I know him?” There’s a pause, her enthusiasm diminishing. “Don’t tell me it’s with that two-timing bastard.”

“No. I told you, I’m done with Grant.”

“Good. Then who is it?”

“Promise you won’t tell a soul?”

“Oh my god, I can’t tell anyone? This is so damn juicy. Yes, I promise. Now tell me before I die of curiosity.”

I laugh, her excitement fueling my own. “Actually, it’s …it’s Jase Crawford.”

There’s a long moment of silence, so long that I think she’s hung up.

“Jesse? You still there?” I ask nervously.

“You’re joking, right?”

I sigh, my excitement deflating. “I know how this looks. It’s crazy even to me but—”

“Oh, it’s more than crazy. It’s downright suicidal. Do you have any idea what Sawyer will do if he finds out?”

“He’s not going to find out. It’s just one date. No big deal.”

“It’s a very big deal. This is our brother’s enemy, Sam. And let’s not forget Dad and Mr. Crawford’s little rivalry they’ve had forever. How did this even come about?”

“Honestly, I’m not sure,” I admit, feeling more conflicted by the second. “Oh, Jesse, I’m so confused. I mean, the guy drives me insane. One minute we’re yelling at each other then the next we’re tearing each other’s clothes off and having sex in the backseat of his truck.”

“Holy shit! You slept with him?” The high shrill of her voice has me jerking the phone away from my ear.

“Yeah…”

“My sister—my sweet, innocent, little sister had sex with Jase Crawford in the back of his truck?”

“Yes,” I repeat, letting out a soft sigh. “And if I’m being honest, it was one of the most incredible things I’ve ever experienced.”

“Oh, I’ll bet. I have no doubt that cocky asshole knows exactly what to do with that dick of his.”

We both burst into a fit of laughter, my cheeks heating at the memory, but I sober quickly. “The thing is, Jesse. He’s not that much of an asshole. I mean, sometimes yeah, but…he’s been good to me. He was there for me one night when I really needed someone.”

“What happened?” she asks, concern thick in her voice.

I decide to share a little bit with her. Not all of it. They can never know how bad things were with Grant. “Grant showed up one night at Overtime and was a jerk as usual. Jase put him in his place.”

And broke his face.

“That bastard! I wish Sawyer would have done more than break his nose,” she seethes, talking about the time Sawyer paid him an unexpected visit.

“I’m just glad Jase was there. Grant wouldn’t take a hint but I think he has now.”

Considering he had a box shipped to me this week of a few items I had left at his place with most of it broken, I’ve taken it as a sure sign that he is as done with me as I am him.

“Well, I’m glad he was there for you too, but…”

“What?” I ask when she trails off.

“Are you sure he isn’t using you as a way to get back at Sawyer?”

“No,” I say, shutting down the suggestion right away.

It can’t be. He wouldn’t do that, and I know whatever this is between us, he feels it, too.

“It’s different than anything I’ve ever felt, Jesse. I know it’s reckless and crazy but…I need that right now. I can’t explain it.”

“You don’t have to. I can hear it in your voice. Something I haven’t heard in a long time,” she says softly. “Sometimes, crazy and reckless is a good thing. So despite my fear of our brother finding out, I’m telling you take this for all it’s worth and enjoy it. Especially if it means finding that Sam we haven’t seen in a very long time.”

“I’m finding her,” I reply on a choked whisper, emotion burning its way up my throat. “She’s almost back.”

“Good.”

A knock on my door breaks up our moment. “Jesse, it’s him. I gotta go.”

She sighs. “All right. Have fun and promise you will call me tomorrow with all the details.”

“Promise.”

“I love you, Sammy.”

“I love you, too,” I whisper. “I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

“Bye.”

Hanging up, I shake myself of the heavy moment and do a quick check in the mirror, fluffing my hair. Then, with my tummy dancing, I head to the door and take a deep breath before opening it.

Jase stands on the other end, looking sexy as sin in a pair of well-worn jeans that hang just right on him and a black T-shirt that stretches across his broad shoulders. His dark hair that’s usually covered with a hat is unruly, yet still looks perfectly in place at the same time. My fingers curl with the urge to feel the soft strands between them again.

His eyes do some traveling of their own, sweeping down me from head to toe. By the way his gaze darkens you would think I was naked instead of wearing a pair of shorts and a tank top.

“Hi,” I greet him, trying to break the tension but sound ridiculously breathless.

He flashes me those perfect white teeth of his. “Hi, Peaches…or Sensible Sam,” he says, bringing a smile to my face. “Which one are you today?”

“Just Sam. I’d appreciate it if we kept it that way and not channeled the crazy Sam. Think you can manage that, Crawford?”

With a husky chuckle that does weird things to my insides, he steps in and hooks an arm around my waist before pulling me flush against him. “Yeah, baby, I think I can manage that.” Without warning, he claims my mouth in a mind-numbing kiss.

Sighing, I give into the rush of emotions and wrap my arms around his neck, relishing in the warmth that settles all the way down to my bones.

No holding back—not today.

Growling, he kicks the door closed behind him and lifts me off my feet with the arm that’s wrapped around me. “It’s been a whole week since I tasted this,” he says against my lips. “I missed it.”

His confession catches me by surprise. “Me, too,” I admit, even though I shouldn’t.

“We’re going to make up for it tonight,” he says, placing me back to my feet. “But first…” He hands me the small gift bag he’s holding.

“What on earth is this?” I ask, taking the bag from him.

“A gift. I don’t date but figured since I’m doing it this once I may as well do it with style,” he adds with a wink.

Opening the bag with a smile, I pull out a plain white box and slide it open to reveal a dainty silver bangle bracelet. The single glass peach charm dangling from it has me chuckling. “You have a strange fascination with peaches, Crawford.”

“Yeah, it seems I do.”

My eyes move to his, finding no amusement there. Instead, I find something else, something deeper that can’t be described.

“It’s beautiful, thank you,” I whisper, surprised and touched that he would buy me something like this.