Page 65 of Bump and Run
Christopher? Wait, was he talking about—
“Leave Kit and Ollie out of this.” I shot a glance over at Jones. His hazel orbs had gone wide as he stared at me. “They have nothing to do with any of this.”
“Son, I don’t want to drag anyone into anything, but we’ve spoken about Jones before. He’s not for you. You’re going to marry Beverly, start a family, and put this racing thing behind you. It’s just a phase.”
How could this man be my father? We were nothing alike.
I grunted. “This isn’t a phase. You can’t control me anymore.”
“That’s where you’re wrong, Charles. I can, and I will. I can ruin your life at the drop of a hat. Take everything away from your little boyfriend, his friends, his mother. Don’t test me. You won’t like the results,” Dad seethed.
I took a step toward Jones, whose entire body had begun to shake. “If you hurt any of them, or do anything, you’ll regret it.”
“I’ll see you Friday evening. Seven o’clock sharp and dress accordingly. None of those dungarees you’ve beenwearing lately. Honestly, it’s like you don’t even try.” He hung up before I could respond.
What the hell just happened?
“What did he say about Ollie and Kit?” Jones whispered, bringing my attention back to him. He had his arms wrapped around his legs, his chin resting on his knees. “How does he know? This doesn’t... What are you doing?”
I yanked my shirt on. “We have to find something to wear. You’re going to need to warn Ollie that my father somehow knows about his relationship with Kit, and then we need to show up at my father’s house. Together. A big fuck you to the man who thinks he can do this to us.”
Jones shook his head. “No, Charlie. I can’t.”
“What do you mean, you can’t?” I stared at him. I couldn’t believe those words had escaped his lips. “Bashful, I love you. I’m not going to let my father scare me again. We can show him that we’re meant to be together. That we’re good for one another. He can disown me all he wants, but I won’t let him hurt you or your mother.”
Jones stood up. “I can’t let him out Kit like that. It’s not right.”
“That’s why we have to go and talk to my father as a united front. You can’t let him win again. Jonesy, Bashful, Kit will recover. His PR people can smooth over whatever happens, and his life will go on. He’ll be free to be with Ollie. They won’t have to hide anymore.”
“I said no, Charlie!” His voice was strong, but it trembled slightly.
I moved to cup his head in my hands. “I love you.”
“And I love you, but I can’t do it.” Jones gripped at my wrists. “Maybe we’re not meant to be together. Maybe you should marry Beverly.”
I kissed him, my lips crashing into his with a force that nearly knocked Jones over. I wrapped an arm around his waist as I walked him back to the bed. He lay down without hesitation, as he kept kissing me. I wouldn’t let my father win again. I wasn’t about to let Jones go. I couldn’t. He was mine.
“What will he do if we show up at his place together, baby?” he murmured against my mouth.
I buried my face in the crook of his neck. “Don’t leave me,” I begged.
If that was what this was, I needed to remember the scent of his skin, the feel of his warm body beneath mine. The way Jones laughed, moaned, and said my name. The way his face lit up when he smiled. How special he was.
“Who said anything about leaving you?” Jones tugged my head up.
I sniffed. “Well, you’re telling me to go without you and that we shouldn’t be together. I just assumed that you were breaking up with me. I respect your decision about protecting your friend, but I need you. He’s going to force me to into doing something with Beverly. I don’t want her. I want you by my side.”
“We’d have to be boyfriends to breakup.” Jones’s finger traced over the mole on my face. “Both of you are doing things to make your families happy.”
I nipped at his finger. “I have a crazy idea.”
“How crazy?” Jones kissed me again as he tangled his fingers in my hair. He whimpered when our tongues met, his back arching up off the mattress.
I pressed my lips against his jaw, Adam’s apple, and neck. “It’s an absolutely insane, and I know you’re going to say no, but...” My mouth was on his again. “Let’s get married.”
“Right, okay.” Jones chuckled, but when I didn’t laugh, his hazel eyes went wide. “Wait, you’re serious.”
“Dead serious.”
