You Only (Cameron Farms Book 1) (5 page)

“Oh my God, how can I forget? Those long conversations about our futures over a bottle, we were so serious and naïve, so sure that we could have it all.” Jasmine smiled, shaking her head.

“We should plan a girls’ night. Ashley has asked a couple of times to hear the Finn saga from me.”

“And me, because I can throw in some parts from Finn’s point of view and my own.”

“I’m sorry about leaving you to deal with that mess. I never asked you about it.” She couldn’t blame that on her youth because she’d had plenty of opportunities over the years. She’d been too afraid to hear the truth.

“It’s in the past.” Jasmine tried to shrug it off.

“But I dumped my mess on you and never asked if you wanted it or how you handled it. I was so selfish.” Through the years, Jazz had always been supportive of her need to understand her feelings. She had never made her feel guilty for running. She really wanted her to find happiness.

“It was rough. I missed my best friend, but I was never mad at you. I was confused and worried about you, but never mad.” Jasmine was so special. Hale had never really thought about how lucky she was to have a friend like Jazz in her life, protecting her back all of these years.

“You’re the best, Jasmine.” She felt her eyes burn and a lump form in her throat.

“Enough. Don’t let today shake you, what you did was brave and you’ve turned out pretty good. If you had stayed here, you would have been miserable. I believe that.” Jasmine meant what she was saying, her expression was fierce.

“Thanks, bestie.” Hale had tears in her voice and she was pretty sure, a dorky smile on her face. God, she loved Jazz.

“So let’s start planning for your future. We have the July 4
th
Festival coming up.”

“Do you all still do the parade?”

“Yes, and fireworks at ten. Plus, there is an invitation only cocktail party to raise money for the local food pantries.”

“I didn’t get an invitation so I guess I don’t have to worry about that.”

“Wrong, I have it in my purse. Bitsy Siegel wanted to deliver it, but I told her that you weren’t up to visitors yet. You can thank me later for that. Bitsy is a bitch.”

“She still goes by Bitsy? Yikes!”

“Plus, she considers herself to be a leader of local society.” Jasmine nodded her head slowly as the meaning of words sunk in.

“What does Poppy have to say about that?” Jasmine’s mother had ruled Hale County for years and didn’t seem to be slowing down.

“Humph, she tolerates her, but Mama is still the queen. Watch out for Bitsy, she’s been talking about you.”

“She was ahead of us in school so it’s not like we were friends.” Great, now she was going to have to face the people who had decided that they didn’t like her despite not knowing her.

“She doesn’t talk in front of me, but I hear about it or Mama does. I imagine that she feels that you are going to come in and challenge her position.”

“Oh Lord, like that is at the top of my ‘To Do’ list.” Hale would set her straight right away. She had zero aspirations to rule anything.

“I know! You are such a social climber and all. Just watch her.”

“OK, I will. Can I send a check and not go to the party?” Hale felt like ice-cold fingers were brushing up and down her spine as her shoulders stiffened
. I’m scared to go
.

“You could, but you know that you’re going to have to make appearances sometime.”

“Yeah, but I don’t know that I want to go to a party where the organizer is already against me.” The nerves were already there.

“Well, she wants Finn. She has been chasing him for years.”

“That doesn’t concern me. She can have him.” There, she’d said it and she sounded strong.
Way to go.

Jasmine stared at her friend.

“No really, I don’t care.” Hale shook her head negatively.

Jasmine continued to stare. She didn’t have to say “liar” for Hale to hear it.

Hale fidgeted in her chair. “OK, now don’t make a big deal over this, but there was this one weird moment at the door with him. But it doesn’t mean anything.” Her cheeks reddened.

“A moment? What moment? You didn’t say anything about a moment.” Jasmine was all over that comment.

“Christ, I feel like we are teenagers.” She could feel the heat spread from her cheeks down to her chest. “I felt a little zing when he was right in front of me. He was kind of standing over me, but it was nothing.” She felt silly even saying it.

“What kind of zing?”

“It was
nothing
. I mean, he is handsome. I would be stupid not to notice.”

Jasmine stared at Hale as if she was measuring the truth to her statement. “You find Finn handsome?”

“Um, err…yeah. He looks good.” She rushed to add, “But so what?” She shifted in her seat, wishing this conversation would end.

“OK, sweetie.” Jasmine gave her a saucy wink.

This had to stop; she couldn’t still want him or feel that attraction. She cursed her body for noticing how hot he was. Hopefully, Jasmine would leave her admission alone.
God, I hope she doesn’t tell him.
She would have to be more careful around Jazz. This was going to be tricky; her friend would be so excited if she thought there was even a small chance that she and Finn could have something again.

****

Finn leaned into her body, pressing her against her office door. She could feel the heat radiating from him, the strength of his hands as he pushed her arms above her head, holding her wrists with one hand. He let out a low growl as his other hand held her chin roughly, his fingers biting into the soft flesh under her jaw. His head moved closer, his lips were almost touching hers, and he whispered, “This is how it should be.” His lips met hers, hard and demanding.

She moaned as he forced his tongue through her lips. He tilted his head so sharply that she had to loosen her jaw to open more, and his tongue took possession of hers. Her arms fought to break free of his hold, but only so she could sink her nails into his shoulders.

His other hand dropped from her chin and moved to her breast, kneading it roughly. He pushed his erection against her belly. She immediately rubbed against him, surrendering.

He dropped his hold on her hands and moved to her pants, jerking them down her legs. She used one foot to push them to the floor. He broke the kiss. “Are you wet?”

She was dripping, running hot the moment he had pushed her against the door. “No.” She wanted him to check, to see the evidence of how much she wanted him.

“Liar,” he rumbled. His hand moved to the cotton between her legs. “You’re soaked,” he didn’t sound displeased.

He gave her cotton panties a violent jerk and they tore apart in his hands.

“Oh God,” she panted.

“I’m going to fuck you against this door. Do you want that, Hale?”

She didn’t answer. The words seemed too hard to say. Instead, she widened her stance, wishing desperately that he would push the finger that was stroking the outline of her slit inside her.

“You have to say it,” he rasped.

“Say what?” She wasn’t following, she dropped her hands to his belt. She somehow managed to unthread the leather and to unbuckle it. Her hands were shaking as she moved to unbutton his pants.

“Ask me to fuck you.” Finn’s hands joined hers and he unbuttoned his pants.

She wanted this so much. Finn slowly unzipped his fly, her hands were on his briefs pushing them down, so that she could touch his cock. She had to feel him.

His body was gone.

What the hell? Hale’s eyes focused on Finn standing two feet away, his hand wrapped around his cock as he kicked his pants away.

“Say it,” he ordered, as his hand ran up and down his thick penis.

“
Goddamnit, Finn, fuck me. I want you to fuck me,” she commanded.

He was on her before she finished giving the order. He grabbed her upper thigh roughly, lifting her leg up, so that he could have room between her legs.

She reached out to grip his hard penis. God, he was so hot, the muscle hard under his silken skin. She pumped up and down twice. She ran her finger over the head, capturing some of his pre-cum, letting it coat her fingertip and the head.

“Hale,” he groaned.

She let out an evil laugh as she pulled him closer and positioned the head of his cock at her opening. “Fuck me now, Finn
.”

Jesus Christ
, she had two fingers buried inside her wet pussy, pumping as she woke. She used her other hand to spread her lips wider and with a swipe of her index finger, she rubbed some of her cream onto her clit. Her orgasm was so close, she could feel the fire along her spine as her body tensed in anticipation. One, two strokes and she came with a moan.

When she caught her breath, she scooted down the mattress, adjusted her pillow and prepared to go back to sleep. “I am so screwed,” she whispered and closed her eyes.

July

Finn’s alarm sounded, the harsh horn jarring him awake. He stretched and swiped the screen to halt the honking sound. He scratched his chest as he waited for his brain to kick in. It was going to be a busy day. Whitleysburg celebrated the 4
th
of July in a big way. He turned on the TV on the way to the shower, hoping to catch the local weather. The parade was scheduled for ten and the festival events would start at noon.

He could hear the weatherman’s prediction over the hot shower spray. “It’s going to be a beautiful 4
th
, folks. Currently it is seventy-two with a high of eighty-seven. Remember to use plenty of sunscreen because today will be sunny with no rain in sight.”

Finn finished in the shower and wrapped the thick towel around his hips. It was never his favorite task to pull together his clothes for the day. He could start out in shorts until he had to don a knit shirt and khakis for the parade where he would walk the route. The cocktail party fundraiser tonight would require that he put on a suit, but no tie, not if he could get away without it. Jasmine would have an opinion on that fashion choice. Then the fireworks would start at ten, ending a long-ass day.

He returned to the bathroom, coated his cheeks with shaving gel, and started to run the razor over the contour of his jaw. His phone vibrated, signifying an incoming text. He paused his shaving to check the sender. “Shit, Tracey.” He stared into the mirror. Going out on one date with the tall redhead had proved to be a mistake. She had called or sent a text every day since.

He washed the remaining foam from his face and checked to make sure he had missed nothing. He wiped his hand on a towel and tapped the text icon.

I can meet you at The Atrium at 7. That way you don’t have to go by yourself and we can watch the fireworks together and then make some of our own.

“Not good,” he spoke aloud. Sure, Tracey was attractive, with long legs and ready smile, but by now, he should have learned that falling into bed with every available woman was a mistake. Apparently, she wanted more. He would have to figure out a way to disentangle himself from this woman.

Now dressed, Finn packed the items he needed for the parade and carried them downstairs. Sniffing the air cautiously, he realized he had a problem. He did not smell coffee brewing. He laid the garment bag on the dining room table and walked directly to the kitchen counter and the coffeemaker. Flicking the switch several times, unplugging and reinserting the plug, nothing he tried remedied the dire situation. He sighed loudly and looked to the sky for patience. Definitely a problem. Once again, it was a blessing that Izzy and Jasmine lived directly behind him and he only had to cross the alley to reach their back door.

After a courtesy knock, he entered the Benton’s unlocked back door. Maybe there would be doughnuts, since both Izzy and Jasmine were busy with today’s festivities? He spotted the coffee maker, selected a coffee pod and inserted it into the holder. Within a few seconds, the fragrance of the dark liquid settled his nerves. After taking a few gulps, he walked through the kitchen to find the source of voices he could hear in the family room.

“Uncle Finn, did you come by to see my costume?” His goddaughter, Lily Rose, was on her knees next to a huge dog. The brindle was taller sitting than the seven-year-old.

“Yes, sweetie, I did.” He smiled at the little girl. He sensed movement to his right and Hale entered the room. By her expression, she was as surprised to see him as he, her.

“Oh, hi.” She held a roll of red, white, and blue ribbon, and was followed by a huge, muscular dog. “We’re working on Miller’s costume.”

“So this is Miller? Joe told me you had a dog.” The first time Finn heard that Miller was living with Hale, he’d thought it was a man. He hated that he had felt relief when he learned Miller was a dog.

Hale gave the behemoth’s head a scratch, then joined Lily Rose on the floor.

“Miller’s going to be in the parade with me.” Lily Rose threw her arms around the dog’s neck.

“He looks thrilled,” Finn joked as the dog let out a loud sigh. He swore the dog made eye contact with him.

“My class is walking with our pets. Since the cats won’t walk on a leash, Aunt Hale said I could walk Miller. Isn’t he pretty?”

Hale had looped an expanse of ribbon around Miller’s collar, and was working on a huge bow. “He looks very handsome.” Finn finished his first cup of coffee. “I stopped by to steal some coffee. Hale, do you want some?”

She stood and adjusted the bow. “Yeah, that would be good. Thanks.” She turned her attention to their goddaughter. “Miller looks good, now it’s time for you to get dressed. When you’re ready, come down and I’ll braid your hair.”

“OK. Uncle Finn, will you still be here when I get done?” Lily Rose asked as she rushed to the staircase.

“Maybe, honey, if you don’t take too long.”

“I’ll be fast.” Lily Rose was a tomboy, always in constant motion. She dashed off before her words faded.

“I’m enjoying this age. Before too long, it will take hours for her to get ready.” Hale’s gaze followed the girl up the stairs.

“She’s a force of nature with all that energy.” Finn watched Hale. He’d never seen her interact with kids.

“That’s true, but she has a good heart. She loves the animals. I told Izzy that I think there is a better chance that she’ll be a vet than a lawyer.”

“Is she going to be able to handle that dog in the parade?” Miller looked to weigh over two hundred pounds.

“I think it’s the other way around. Poor Miller is going to be exhausted by the end.” She glanced back at the dog, which was resting on the floor. He wagged his tail at his owner. “I’m walking along the route just in case, plus I have water in case he needs it.”

“Where’s Caleb?” Finn and Hale were godparents to both Benton children.

“Izzy dropped him off at school earlier, he’s doing something with the science club.” The boy was interested in science and math. He could usually be found either reading a book, or on the computer.

“I’ll get that coffee.” He turned toward the kitchen, still thinking about Hale’s interaction with the little girl. She seemed so comfortable helping their goddaughter get ready. He liked seeing this soft side of her.

A few moments later, Hale wandered into the large kitchen, heading in the direction of the refrigerator. She opened the door.

“Still need cream and sugar?” He tried not to look at her ass as she leaned in.

“You remember?” She gave a questioning glance. “I’ve graduated to vanilla creamer and if I can’t have that, then black. I learned at my job that if I wanted any add-ins, I was buying them.”

He handed her the steaming mug. “At first, I had trouble picturing you as a serious accountant, but after last week’s Council Meeting, I’m finding it easier.” They were leaning against the counters on opposite sides of the kitchen. A part of him hated the gulf between them, the awkward pauses, and the way Hale seemed to be expecting a verbal blow.

“It was an adjustment. I went from jeans or a sundress to wearing a suit to work. I’ll tell you a secret, as soon as I closed my office door, I would kick off my heels and drop the jacket. It was the biggest perk of getting promoted. I got an office with a door and an assistant that would give me time to put on the proper office attire before she let anyone enter.” She laughed as she looked down at her clothes. She was wearing a white V-neck T-shirt that was loose fitting, navy capris pants, and in celebration of the day her canvas shoes were red, white and blue.

“Every year at Benton and Lee there is a request for Casual Friday and Moe soundly rejects the idea.”

“Law firms and accountants, I think they will be the last to loosen their dress codes. Believe me, I hope to never wear another navy suit.” She giggled.

“Did you burn them or just leave them in Florida?” The relaxed side of Hale was easy to tease and more than a little sexy.

“I donated all but one. In a few weeks, I have to go back and prepare a case for court. The firm asked specifically that I be available and I agreed before I left. So I get to play professional one more time.” She let out a rueful sigh.

“I was impressed with your questions at the meeting.” He meant it as a compliment. Hale had taken his advice and attended the June Council Meeting. She’d sat with Moe in the third row. He couldn’t have missed her; she’d worn a red cardigan sweater that only hinted at her cleavage and a white skirt that stopped just above her knees. When the meeting concluded, he’d introduced her to the members. Hale had clearly done her homework, it was obvious from the few questions and comments that she’d shared.

That woman was composed and well spoken. She was charming to those who were friendly and business-like with acquaintances. Joe would have been proud of his daughter.

“I tried to keep up with the news, Dad and others kept me in the loop. I appreciate that you brought the council meetings to my attention, but Finn, I have never for a moment forgotten about this town and what it means to me and my family, or my responsibilities here.”

There was steel behind her words; he caught the implication. She knew her duty and if she forgot, she had her team to remind her. “It was good to see you there. If you need anything from me, feel free to call my office.” He tried to smile with sincerity.

“Of course, thank you.” She glanced away, her response in an off-handed manner indicating she was done talking.

He hated that the mood had changed between them. “The cocktail party tonight should be loads of fun.” He wanted to warn her, but he didn’t want her upset.

“I was invited, but I don’t think I’ll go. I dropped off a check with Bitsy. She mentioned that “if I wasn’t up to socializing, that I needn’t come.” I took that to mean that I was invited but not really welcome.” She frowned.

“You are always welcome,” Finn insisted.

Their eyes met for a moment. So many emotions registered on her face—pain, hope, and resolve. He didn’t like the idea of people being rude to her. She deserved a fair chance to carve out her place in the community.

“Thanks, but in some places, I’m not welcome.” She shrugged. “I think after Miller’s full day at the parade, I’ll take him home and hang out. I might be able to see the fireworks from the porch. I heard that it’s supposed to be clear tonight.”

It surprised him how much he hated the idea of Hale spending the evening alone. Giving it no thought, he spoke. “Meet me at the party. I’ll walk in with you and that way the bitches won’t be able to say a word.”

Her voice was slightly above a whisper. “Finn, that’s very kind, but I need to handle this on my own. You being with me would cause too much talk. But thank you, it’s a very kind offer.”

Suddenly, he was mad at himself and his town for hanging onto the past. He liked her, especially when the memories from past didn’t interfere. So far, everything he had seen and heard about Hale painted a picture of a caring and kind woman.
Jesus, he was as bad as those asses who were
giving her a hard time
. Leave it to Hale to turn his world upside down once again.

“I know that many of us would like for you to come tonight. It’d be good to catch up with old friends. Please think about it and try to come.” He made a mental note to talk to the Bentons today to make sure they would offer to meet Hale at the door. The three of them could help shield Hale from any rudeness that might be directed at her.

“I’ll see how tired Miller and I are. How’s that?” Her smile lit up her face.

“Sounds good.” He could hear Lily Rose’s footsteps running down the stairs. Glancing at the clock on the microwave, he did mental math.

Lily Rose raced into the kitchen. “You stayed.” She hugged his thigh.

“I waited to say good-bye. I’ve got to go but I’ll look for you in the parade line up. OK?” He ran his hand through her silky hair.

“OK, Miller and I will look for you, too.” She squeezed his leg tighter.

“Love you, baby.” He dropped a kiss to the top of her head.

“Love you, Uncle Finn.” She let go and skipped to Hale’s side.

“Hope you have a fun day.” Hale dropped her arm around Lily Rose’s shoulders. “Maybe I’ll see you tonight.”

He stopped at the back door and turned to look at the two girls. “I hope you make it.”

The ladies said in unison, “Bye.”

****

“This is gonna suck. I can’t believe I’m doing this,” Hale grumbled as she parked her SUV in the nearly full parking lot behind the repurposed old mansion often used for upscale parties. She took off her sunglasses and looked into the rearview mirror, making sure that her eye makeup had not smeared during the drive. “OK, I can do this,” she chanted as she strode to the front door. The coolness of the air conditioning hit her body, and she rubbed her arms to lessen the goose bumps that immediately appeared.

“There you are, I thought you might chicken out.” Jasmine lightly kissed her cheek then stepped back and eyed her appearance. “Yes, I like the pants, you look dressy, yet comfortable.”

Hale had spent the better part of an hour sending photos to Jasmine’s phone of possible clothing choices. After much consideration, they decided on white pants with wide legs that flowed as she walked and a white sleeveless sweater with gold and silver metallic threading throughout. She wore gold flats to give her feet a break after walking the parade route today. She had let her dark hair dry naturally, so her waves made it both sexy and soft. She added a few gold rings and bangles to complete the look. “Thank God, no heels, my feet and legs are still aching. Standing on pavement is a killer.”