The Suit (19 page)

My head is resting against his chest as he washes me. “And the interviews?”

“I’m about ninety percent sure I won’t get either job
in New York, but it will be great practice for other interviews.”

“I think you’ll get at least one of them.”

“Oh yeah?” he snorts.

Turning around I
straddle him as best I can in the small tub. “You just need to share with them all of your stunning attributes.”

“Aside from my law degree?” he says, and smirks at me.

“Of course.”

“And what attributes would I share with them, Ms. James?”

“Well…you’re funny.”

“I am that,” he agrees cockily.

“And you’re handy. You can fix four-wheelers and fences.”

“That is definitely needed in a law firm,” he jests.

“And you’re a real hard…,” I take his cock in my hand, which is already erect and pump it slowly letting my last word linger, “Ass…who really knows how to get things done.”

He hisses quietly before saying, “Forgive me, Ms. James, but I think you are partial.”

“Maybe I am,” I reply softly and grin as I sheathe him inside of me.

“Partial indeed,” he moans as his hands cup my wet breasts.

And that is how we finish our evening together before climbing in bed and drifting off to sleep.

Th
e next day Joey and I get everything in order so hopefully Trish and Glen can take care of things while we’re gone. It’s hard to leave my farm for any length of time when I’m the one in charge and responsible for everything, but Trish and Glen have been with me a long time and I know they can handle things.

“Are you nervous?” Joey asks as we load the truck.

“Yeah,” I admit. “But I think he can place.” I cross my fingers on both hands and hold my head to the sky. “Please, dear Lord, let him place,” I pray.

“He’ll do fine.” Suit chuckles as he approaches from behind. He’s been cleaning stalls while Joey and I get everything together. His shirt is soaked with sweat, his hair loose and all over the place. I know he hates working this farm, but damn, he looks good doing it. An ache begins to form between my legs and he must notice because he winks at me. That only made the ache worse.

“I gotta go get the saddles.” Joey excuses himself and I know it’s because he’s still pissed at the suit. He has no reason to be and I know he’s worried about me but I wish he’d lighten up some.

“He’s still not my biggest fan,” Suit notes, and I give him an apologetic smile. “He’s just protective of me. He’ll get over it.”

“Yeah, like when I leave,” Suit snorts. He raises his hand and runs it through his hair and I notice a large cut on his thumb.

“What happened?” I take his hand and examine it.

“Uh, I don’t know. It’s okay though. Doesn’t hurt.”

“I’ll go get some Neosporin and bandages.”

“Edie, it’s fine.”

“No, you need to cover it before it gets infected. You
are
shoveling horse shit, remember?”

“Good point,” he laughs.

“I’ll be right back.” I head into the tack room only to discover the first-aid kit needs replenishing badly. I run up to the house to scour my bathroom cabinets for what I need and just as I’ve thrown everything out onto the floor, there’s a knock at my front door. I grab a bottle of peroxide and some gauze, because it’s all I can find, and hurry to answer the door.

When I open it, a young woman, about my age with blonde hair and blue eyes stares back at me. She’s wearing khaki capris and a blue, sleeveless shirt; a flawless and perfect outfit.

“Uh, hi,” she says as she takes me in. She looks like a J. Crew model in her preppy clothes and I look like Walmart in my dirty jeans and tank top. I hold the gauze and peroxide to my chest, feeling self-conscious.

“Hello.” I smile awkwardly. “Can I help you?”

“Um, yes. I’m Ainsley.” She says her name and pauses, as if she’s waiting to see if I recognize her name or not. It doesn’t ring a bell.

Unsure of what to do, I introduce myself, “I’m Edie.” I extend my hand and she eyes it before taking it and quickly letting go, as if touching me will contaminate her with the plague or something.

“Nice to meet you.” She nods and turns to scan the farm before returning her gaze to me. “This is a horse farm?” she asks, her brows furrowed.

“It is. We train horses here.”

“This is your farm?”

“It is,” I nod.

“I’m sorry.” She shakes her head like she’s clearing a fog from it. “John didn’t tell me he’d be working on a farm this summer. Is he here?”

Dread begins to bloom in the pit of my stomach. Who is this chick? “He’s down at the stables right now. Would you like to come in?” I offer, even though I don’t want to.

I stand back and let her walk past me, my stomach tied up in knots. Could this be his girlfriend? Could he have lied to me? Suddenly all of those texts he’s been getting where he either ignores them in front of me or replies back quickly come to mind.
Shit.
I swallow back the anxiety forming inside of me and try to calm down. I’m jumping to conclusions and making assumptions.
Calm down, Edie.

After I shut the door, I show Ainsley into the kitchen and offer her a seat at the kitchen table. “Can I offer you some coffee or iced tea?” I ask as I sit the gauze and peroxide on the kitchen counter.

“Water, please,” she replies and smiles. I pull a glass from the cabinet and when she sees me, she asks, “Do you have bottled?”

I resist the urge to roll my eyes.
Is she serious?
“I’m afraid not.”

“That’s okay then. I’ll pass.”

I put the glass away and take a seat with her at the table. “So John has been living here?”

“He has,” I answer simply.

“And this is your house?”

“It is,” I answer
, struggling to hide my annoyance.

“So…he’s been living here? With you?” she asks as she narrows her eyes at me.

I ignore her question and ask, “So, you and the suit are…friends?”
Way to be subtle, Edie.
But I can’t help it. I have to know.

“The suit?” she questions.

I shake my head. “Sorry. It’s kind of a nickname for him. You’re friends with John?”

“More than friends,” she nods. “But we took a break for the summer since he’d be away and decided to meet back up afterwards and see where things go.
Were supposed to meet up this coming week, but I just couldn’t wait. It’s been so hard being away from him. Of course, we’ve talked almost every day so I have a feeling we’ll end up right where we left things.” My heart literally sinks with her words. He
has
been lying to me. Anger and hurt swirl inside of me, but I won’t let her see it. I refuse to.

“I know he’s looking forward to leaving so I’m sure he’ll be happy to have you back.” Why did I say that? Because it’s a slap in my face, one I apparently need. While Suit’s been here, making love to me, telling me he’s falling for me, he’s also been keeping Ainsley on the back burner for when he goes home.
I can’t believe he’s planning to hook up with her while in Raleigh for the week. How could he do this to me?

“I’m sure,” she laughs as her gaze lingers around my kitchen, her obvious distaste evident in her expression. “This isn’t exactly his way of life.”

I have to smirk. Apparently, she doesn’t know where he’s from or how he grew up. But the humor quickly fades when I realize how right she is. Suit made a specific and direct decision to get far away from this kind of life. He wants the fancy job, a fancy woman, and the fancy lifestyle and that is far from everything that I am. I hate how devastated I feel right now and the worst part is, I’ve only got myself to blame. I should’ve never gotten involved with him like this. I knew I wasn’t the ‘hit it and quit it’ type and now, I’m hurt because I care about him. If I’m being honest, I
more
than care about him.

The front door opens and I stand, my chair screeching against the floor as I do. “Edie, babe! Where is my Band-Aid, woman?” Suit jokes as he rounds the doorway to the kitchen, freezing immediately when he sees Ainsley. His face reads,
oh fuck
, as his gaze moves back and forth between us.

“John,” Ainsley practically pants as she stands and hugs him, pulling away immediately when she realizes how sweaty he is. “You’re soaked,” she states the obvious as she scans her shirt to see if any sweat rubbed off on her. Suit says nothing, instead he stares at me. I shake my head and smile bitterly.

“It was lovely meeting you, Ainsley,” I finally manage. “I hope the two of you have a great time together this week in Raleigh.” I glare at the suit letting him know that I know. I grab the peroxide and gauze off of the counter and hand it to her. “He’s got a pretty nasty cut on his hand, maybe you can bandage him up? I gotta get back down to the stables.” She takes the items from me as her mouth twists. She doesn’t like the idea of playing nurse. Suit runs a wide palm over his face as I leave.

As I open the front door to exit, I hear Suit say, “What are you doing here?”

Of course this would happen. I can’t believe I’m actually surprised. Ainsley has been blowing up my phone for weeks and I guess my less than enthusiastic replies have led to this desperate move. I want so badly to run after Edie and try to explain, but I can’t. First off, she needs time to cool off. I can’t imagine what’s going through her head right now. Secondly, I need to finish things with Ainsley once and for all.

“What are you doing here?” I ask as she takes a seat at the kitchen table, setting the peroxide and gauze in front of her.

“I thought I’d surprise you,” she smiles brightly. “I’ve missed you. I didn’t know you’d be slaving away on a farm all summer. You told me it was an internship.”

“We’re supposed to meet in a few days,” I point out.

“I know, but I had already planned on surprising you before we scheduled that.”

“How did you get the address?”

“Parker, of course,” she giggles.
“I would’ve asked you for it but I didn’t want to ruin the surprise. I’ve missed you—”

“Ainsley, you shouldn’t have come here,” I interrupt her.

“You’ve been so vague and distant on the phone. I just wanted to see you and make sure everything is okay. That you’re okay.” She frowns slightly. “Are you okay?”

No. That’s the real answer. Not only am I battling these feelings for Edie that we both agreed can never go anywhere, now I’ve upset her.
The thought of hurting her kills me. “Maybe it is best you came here,” I huff. “Listen. We need to talk.”

“You know, my father says we can have his beach house for Labor Day weekend. You’ll be done here by then, right?” Ainsley ignores me and babbles on. I take the seat next to her and take her hands in mine.

“Ainsley, this time apart has made me realize we’re not compatible. That’s why I wanted to meet you next week. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner, but I didn’t want to do it over the phone.” Maybe I am an asshole for waiting so long to tell her there was no chance we were getting back together, but I didn’t want to do what Edie’s ex did to her. I swear I’d like to punch that guy in the dick for hurting her.

“John, you don’t mean that.” Her eyes go soft. “We’re great together. And I’ve waited all summer for you. Haven’t been on one date. Have you…been seeing someone?”

I take a deep breath. I won’t lie to her. Instead I just give her a knowing look and she nods as her face twists with disgust.

“The dirty, horse girl? You’re kidding me?”

Fighting the urge to snap at her for insulting Edie, I say, “Ainsley, we never said we wouldn’t date. In fact, I was clear that if you met someone you
should
date.”

But my statement falls on deaf ears. “You’re fucking the horse girl? The white trash farm girl?”

“Ainsley.” I grit my teeth struggling to hold onto my self-control. I can’t hit a woman, but I’d really like to see Edie Kick her snobby ass. Edie is the most beautiful person I know and to hear Ainsley talk about Edie so cruelly and inaccurately makes my blood boil. “I would like us to end on amicable terms and still be friends, but if you say one more shitty thing about her, I will toss you out of this house on your ass.”

Her eyes go wide with shock and she stands quickly, knocking her chair over as she does. “You’re choosing her over me?”

“Ainsley, don’t do this. We only dated for two months. It’s not like we’ve been together for years.”

“Screw you, John!” she yells. “I hope your cut gets infected and your hand falls off! Have a happy life with your horse whore!” With
that, she stomps out of the house and to her car. I watch her as she peels gravel screeching down the driveway, kicking up a shitload of dust as she goes.

“Well, that went well,” I sigh as I scratch my head. Ainsley may hate my guts right now, but at least I know I did the right thing. She’s not the woman for me. Now, it’s time to face Edie, and I’m not looking forward to it.

I don’t bother bandaging my hand. Nothing is more important than getting to Edie and explaining this fucking mess. She’s out on the track, exercising a filly. I approach the gate just as she’s finished her run. I grab the lead, holding the horse steady as she slides off.

“Edie, I—”

“Would you mind putting her back in her stall?” she interrupts me. She’s pissed, but she’s going to pretend otherwise.

“Listen, can we please talk?”

“What’s there to talk about, Suit?”

“I know you’re pissed and I want to explain.”

She shakes her head and walks off. I pull on the filly and follow her, but she walks in the tack room and slams the door.

“Trish, can you help me out here?”

“You two are a mess,” she says as she takes the lead and leads the horse away.
She’s right about that.

When I enter the tack room, Edie is at her desk, pretending to be reading paperwork. “She’s not my girlfriend,” I begin as I lean over the desk in front of her, trying to get her to look at me, which she doesn’t.

“She’s a lovely girl, Suit. She seems right up your alley.”

“What does that mean?” I wince at the anger in her voice.

“She’s perfect, and pretty and fancy.” Edie says each word as if it sickens her. “I guess you’re just slumming for the summer, right?” My anger flares with her words.

“Goddammit, Edie!” I yell. “Don’t you dare fucking say that!”

“And why not?” she asks calmly. “I mean, I am the epitome of everything you’re running away from and she’s exactly the kind of woman you’d want in your
dream
world.”

“You don’t know shit about what I want,” I hiss angrily. It’s her I want and can never have. She’s everything. I want to pick her up and shake her until she comes to her senses but I step back, distancing myself.

“Apparently she doesn’t know shit about you either,” she snaps and looks up at me. “Not where you’re from or how you came to be who you are. Tell me, does anyone know you, Suit?” She has me on that one. I never told Ainsley about my family. Even Parker got very vague details. Edie is the first person other than her grandfather I’ve spoken to about my past in years.

“Yeah,” I answer honestly. “You do.” Our gazes lock for a moment before she tears hers away.

She shakes her head and sighs, “I’m not so sure about that.” Edie is taking this argument all over the place and I remind myself I have a point to make.

“I dated her for two months and we agreed to break up for the summer.”

“Implying you would get back together after the summer.” She cuts me a quick glare, but returns her gaze to the papers in her hands.

“No. We said we would talk at the end of the summer and see where we stood. But shortly after I got here I knew it was never going to happen. I don’t want to be with her.”

“Then why did she still think you guys were getting back together? She says you’ve been talking every day and that you have a date scheduled next week. Is she the one that’s been sending the texts and the calls you’ve been ignoring in front of me?”

I stand up and rub my face roughly. I handled this badly. Really badly. “Yes, but she’s always called and texted me.”

“Why didn’t you tell her to stop?” Edie’s suddenly shouting as she slams down the papers she’s been holding and leans back in her chair. I hate how she looks so fucking sexy when she’s mad. “Come on, Suit. Was it that you just didn’t have the balls to do it?”

Suddenly, I’m angry too. I know I should’ve told her, but I was trying not to be a total dick to Ainsley. “Because of you!” I shout.

“What about me?” she questions with disgust.

“Because this beautiful girl told me about this fucking asshole that ended things with her over the phone and how it crushed her. I didn’t want to be
that
asshole. So whenever Ainsley texted I’d reply back just to be friendly. I knew I’d see her this coming week and I would end it then.” I’m breathing heavy from yelling, but I stand in front of the desk, waiting for her to say something. Her eyes dart to her hands, knotted in her lap, and I can almost see the anger fade from her. My words got to her.

With a deep breath she leans forward and picks her papers back up, saying, “I shouldn’t even be questioning you about it, Suit. It’s none of my business.”

Her words crush me and light me on fire all at once. I’m so tired of us dancing around our feelings. I can’t take it anymore. Rounding the desk, I jerk her up, her eyes going wide as the papers in her hands fall to the floor. “Stop this bullshit,” I growl. “I know you’re pissed at me, but don’t fucking act like you’re not hurt or angry or jealous.”

“Jealous? What right do I have to be jealous
?” She laughs haughtily at me.

“You know you are,” I bite out.

“And how would you know I’m jealous?”

“I can see it in your eyes. You’re pissed about another woman wanting me or having had me before.”

She raises her chin in indignation. “And what makes you an authority on jealousy?”

My hands still hold her by her tiny arms, but she doesn’t try to wiggle free from my grip. I know she doesn’t want to admit she’s mad as hell about Ainsley showing up. Admitting she’s jealous means talking about the feelings were not supposed to have. But she
will
admit it to me. Right now. I need to know she cares for me as badly as I need my next breath. I lean in, bringing my mouth millimeters from hers and whisper, “Don’t lie to me, Edie.”

“Why do you think I’m lying?” she whimpers, her eyes fixated on my mouth. Her denial shoots anger through me like a bullet.

“Because,” I jerk her body against me and pull her ponytail back so her eyes meet mine. She doesn’t fight me, instead her body melts to my form. “Because I’m jealous as fuck every time I see you with that asshole Dierk. Every time he touches you or smiles at you, I want to kill him. And this bullshit about how we’re not supposed to care is ridiculous. I care Edie. Goddammit, I fucking care, and I can’t pretend otherwise anymore. Right now, for this summer, you’re mine and I’m yours. You said that. So don’t pretend you don’t care or say you have no right to be jealous.”

“Suit,” her breath hitches and her lips part slightly, inviting me to kiss her. My mouth crashes against hers and we cling to each other, clawing and tugging. My dick is so hard it hurts and I’m so angry I need to have her, to show her how I feel. I need her to feel how angry it makes me to think she doesn’t care. I know it’s wrong and I know she’s right about boundaries, but fuck it all. We’re making our own rules. What we’re doing isn’t ordinary and therefore cannot be held to ordinary rules or expectations.