Page 78 of Redemption

“I’ll have it for you tomorrow,” I started. Martin opened his mouth to argue but I held up my hand. “There’s a cattle market today, I’ve got a couple of breeding heifers to sell along with some other cattle which should fetch a nice price. I’ll give you an extra five percent for your patience,” I finished. It made me sad to sell the cows but I had no choice. At least I only needed to sell some of them.

“Twenty percent,” Martin retorted.

“Eight percent,” I countered. “And I let you walk off my porch with no injuries.” I gave them both my meanest grin and Daisy cracked her knuckles.

Martin glanced at Muscles who nodded reluctantly. “See you tomorrow then. But if any money is missing, nothing, including your boyfriend, will keep me from coming into that house and taking what I’m owed.” Martin nodded behind me and I turned and saw Jack was standing about twenty feet away, arms folded across his chest, watching us.

“Wouldn’t Mommy be so proud,” Martin drawled.

Nausea swam in my gut at his spiteful words. Daisy growled and lunged for Martin but I was quick. I managed to wrap my arms around her waistand drag her back before she did any damage. He chuckled and doffed his imaginary hat at us, waving goodbye.

“You shoulda let me teach him some manners,” Daisy grumbled.

“Oh, pipe down,” I snapped, unhanding her. I glanced back to see Jack was walking off to the stables, satisfied we were okay. I was glad he hadn’t come down here and made a scene, but I also wanted him to wrap me in his arms and carry me away.

“I don’t know what’s happening there, but it needs to stop,” Daisy warned, her voice low. I turned back to find she’d been watching me and the look of longing that was probably on my face.

“Nothing’s happening,” I replied, my voice wavering and even I wasn’t convinced.

“It seems like we’ve got enough problems without that happening. How much money do we owe?”

I bristled, hating the insinuation that I couldn’t fix this for us. “None of your business, Daze.”

“It is when it affects where I’m living. How many other slimeballs are gonna come out of the woodwork?”

I held up my hand, silencing her. “I’m handling it.” She had a look in her eye like she was planning something and it made me nervous. “Daisy, I’ve got it under control,” I added, firmly.

That night I lay in bed tossing and turning, thinking about Jack and the look Daisy gave us and the way I felt. I wanted to sort through my feelings, but they were so unclear that I didn’t know where to start.

I sighed and threw the comforter off me, feeling smothered. I grabbed my phone and opened my chat with Jack. The last thing he sent me was a kissy face emoji and that brought a smile to my face. Then I saw he was online too.

I tapped out a message.

Kat:Can’t sleep either?

Jack:Nope, too busy thinking about how I didn’t get to taste you earlier.

I smiled so hard and squirmed in my bed.

Kat:Don’t say things like that when we’re not in the same bed.

Jack:I didn’t say anything.

I sent him the eyeroll emoji.

Kat:Fine, don’t type that.

A moment later it said he was recording a message. I received the ten second clip and pressed play. It played through once but I didn’t hear anything. I turned my volume up and then pressed play again, pulling the device to my ear. His heavy breathing filled the room and I scrambled to turn the volume down right as he moaned my name.

“Oh shit,” I groaned, more turned on than ever at what he was doing. I’d slept with a few men over time and none of them ever moaned. Some of them tried, and failed miserably, at dirty talk. But no one had ever made the sounds that Jack did. The heavy breathing, the tortured, pleasurable moans, they did something to me. Something dark and needy.

Kat:Are you doing something you shouldn’t be?

Jack:You wanna come down here and find out?

I leapt off the bed and padded over to my door, pulling it open a crack and listening in the dark for any noises. When I heard nothing, I stepped out, tiptoeing down the stairs and snuck out the front door. I ran across the damp grass in my bare feet, the blades tickling and leaving wet kisses on my skin.

He wasn’t waiting for me like I expected. I pushed the door and it creaked open. I slipped inside andclosed it, leaving damp footprints on the wooden floor, I skipped to his bedroom and knocked.

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