Chapter Twelve—Swayze
The bus in front of me couldn’t have gone any slower. Ryker’s daycare closed in ten minutes, and I needed to be there fifteen minutes ago. The Phoenix traffic was hell around drop-off time.
I’d just gotten off my shift at a small, Italian place downtown, and I felt relief knowing I’d made it another day without being spotted.
Not like last time…
The bus finally turned a few streets down, and the Uber was able to go fast enough to make it there in five minutes.
The Uber driver parked in a bike zone due to my constant bugging him on hurrying up. Ryker’s classroom was empty besides him, but his teacher smiled nonetheless and handed me Ryker’s bag.
“Was he good today?”
She nodded. “Yes, Ryker is always good.”
It was one less thing to worry about.
Ryker and I walked hand-in-hand toward the EXIT. Ryker hummed along to “Baby Shark” as I started to sing, and by the time we made it outside, he was laughing.
That sound could mend my most broken day.
It wasn’t until we closed in on the Uber when I noticed someone stood behind it.
I stopped, halting Ryker in the process.
He was brave this time, standing out in the daylight, only a hood covering his face.
Not like last time. Last time he hid.
The scream that ripped from me could have shattered glass, and he didn’t budge. The Uber driver lifted his hands in confusion, but I’d already started running back to the daycare doors, his heavy footsteps behind us.
The glass doors were locked at 4:30 p.m., and I knew it was past, but I had to try. I banged against the glass, hope hitting me hard as Ryker’s teacher ran up the hallway.
“Help us,” I whispered.
“Swayze. Swayze.”
She woke with a start. The groggy feeling of startling awake hung over her, until she brought her fists to her eyes, trying to wipe away the sleep.
“You were screaming.”
Swayze let out a sigh, turning to see Montgomery leaning over her bed. Through hazy eyes, she saw a sleepy look on his handsome face.
“What time is it?”
“Four o’clock,” he whispered. “What was that? Do you have nightmares often?”
Swayze nodded, slowly. “Yes. Sometimes.”
Mont nodded, running his open palm over the back of her head. “Go back to sleep,” he whispered.
Swayze nodded, lying back to watch him walk out of the room. She had wished she hadn’t been so sleepy-eyed when he walked in because he didn’t have his shirt on.
Those wide shoulders and strong back disappeared around the corner. What she’d do to have him come back in.
But she needed to sleep because they had to get up in a couple hours to go to work.
Rolling over, she curled into a ball, pushing back the nightmare that’d ruined her sleep.
She wasn’t sure if Mont knowing about her nightmares was a good idea. He’d asked questions, and she wouldn’t have answers.
And what kind of a good guy stays around a woman who can’t even tell him her real last name?
***
She woke the next time to silence. There was no sound of Ryker telling her to get up, or a sound from a bird outside. It was the nicest way she’d woken up in a while.
Pulling her covers off, she walked toward the kitchen, remembering instantly that Mont had been there. A realization of their kiss the night before and him not lying on her couch hit her.
That kiss had been…wow.
She couldn’t describe it other than it being perfect. He’d been everything she could want, and his mouth had drove her up the wall—literally. It felt hungry and demanding, a masculine touch that would be the death of her. His rough hands gripping against her ass tightly, pulling at her like he wanted more than he took.
It’d been the best first kiss of her life, and she remembered every aching minute after it ended, and how she hadn’t wanted it to. It’d been a Sahara Desert for her down there, and one touch from Montgomery had awakened her in the wettest and most perfect way possible.
Then the nightmare—she’d almost forgot—and that sexy walk he did from her bed to the couch.
How could going back to work be easy?
It wouldn’t be, would it? Not for her at least.
She’d always have that kiss in the back of her thoughts, and they’d turn into what ifs. What if I let him do it again? Or what if he doesn’t find us this time and it works out?
What if it doesn’t?
“Crap,” she mumbled to no one.
The front door crept opened, which caused panic in her stomach. She had a feeling it was Mont but knowing the door had been unlocked the entire time frightened her.
It showed the difference between someone who’d grown up in a town this small, and who hadn’t.
“Morning.”
Swayze turned to look at him in the daylight, noticing his smile was larger than life. Had he always been so beautiful?
“I went to get coffee and donuts before we head to work. I talked to Kaden this morning, and he said the kids were fine, so I let you sleep in.” He dropped the bag onto the dining table and stood to look at her. “What’s wrong?”
Swayze hadn’t realized her emotions were on her face. She took in his mouth that had turned downward; she didn’t think she’d ever see that on his face. “Nothing,” she said, walking to grab a cup of coffee from the table. “I’m fine.”
Mont’s silence made her look up.
“What’s wrong?”
She frowned. “Last night—”
“I knew it,” Mont hissed, rubbing a palm over her face. “I knew you’d do it. Listen to me,” he said, stepping forward. “Please don’t act like you didn’t want that, because I know you did.”
“I did, at the time,” she whispered. “But now, looking back, I don’t think it was a wise choice. This was the reason I didn’t want to work with you.”
“Because you like me?” he asked, dipping his head to draw her gaze. “What’s wrong with liking me? Your kiss—Sways—God, you kissed me like you were starving for it. And I know you felt that, too.”
Swayze looked down at the donuts, remembering suddenly that the lights were going to be turned off later. Her problems were still there to face, regardless that Mont had taken her mind completely off of everything bad in her life.
But then she woke up.
“I did feel it,” she said.
Mont stepped forward, lacing his fingers around the nape of her neck, lifting her chin with his thumb. “Don’t push me away, please. I won’t tell anyone that Swayze isn’t your real name, or that you were married. I won’t ask another question, but don’t you dare push me away.”
Swayze closed her eyes, wanting so badly to let him pick up her pieces, but she felt too broken. “I need to get ready.”
Mont nodded, looking down at her mouth and up to her eyes. “Put some clothes on so we can go get Ryker,” he whispered. “And you better believe this conversation is not over.”
She felt cold as he let go of her, stepping away to dig through the bag to pull out a bear claw.
Swayze hurried to her room, finding something quickly to wear. She tied her hair in a bun on top of her head and put some foundation on to cover the bags beneath her eyes.
Mont sat in the living room when she got back, the bag curled into his hand, and her coffee sitting on his knee. “Ready?”
She took in his wrinkled clothes from the night before and his disheveled, chocolate hair. She’d do anything to wake up to that every morning.
***
Ryker greeted them at the door with a muffin in one hand and his cup in the other. “Momma!”
Swayze leaned down to pick him up, kissing his cheek. “Did you miss me?”
Ryker shook his head no, smiling through a bite of food.
“I’m in the kitchen!” Abigail yelled.
Swayze placed Ryker down before following him to the kitchen. Mont had to go check in with Kaden at the barn, so she closed the door behind her and locked it.
“Hey,” Abigail said from the table, nursing a cup of coffee. “Come sit down; tell me about it before he gets back in here.”
Swayze stopped in the threshold, taking in an almost giddy Abigail. “Tell you about what, ma’am?”
She tossed Swayze a bored look. “Last night? You two spent the night together?”
Swayze laughed. “We did not spend the night together.”
Abigail pouted. “He went home?”
“Well, no, not technically—”
“So, you did spend the night together?”
Swayze placed her hand on her hip. “No. He slept on the couch. We—”
Abigail pointed at Swayze. “You kissed?”
Swayze groaned in embarrassment. “Yeah, keep your voice—”
“How was it?” Abigail encouraged her by patting the seat beside her.
Swayze felt her resolve begin to slip, and she wanted to sit down and spill her guts. Taking a seat, Swayze let out a sigh. “It was perfect, Abigail.”
Abigail’s grin winded, and she tightened her robe. “You’re smitten; I see it on your face.”
Swayze didn’t need to be smitten, and that was the problem.
“Abigail, it’s not that…”
The front door crept opened, and heavy footsteps followed. Swayze sighed, standing up before Mont made it to the doorway. “Morning, Abigail.”
Abigail gave Mont a knowing look. “Good morning. I’m gonna start some laundry and make myself presentable. The kids are watching TV in the living room.”
Mont watched as Abigail walked out of the dining area. “Did you kiss and tell, Swayze?”
“No,” Swayze said, shaking her head. “She assumed we slept together because you spent the night.”
Mont grinned. “What a lady,” he said.
Swayze laughed. “I’m going to get to work.”
Mont didn’t budge from the doorway, his gaze on hers, arms crossed, a leg kicked up against the doorway. “I like you.”
Swayze turned her head, letting her eyes find the floor. God, how could something so simple flip her heart that way? “Mont—”
“Swayze.”
“It’s not that simple.”
He kicked from the door, shoving his hands into the front of his low-ridden Levi’s. “It could be.”
He turned before she could answer and walked outside.
***
Swayze made several appointments and scheduled a few pick-ups for the horses they had trained. The men were currently outside breaking in the newest one and knowing that had Swayze’s head far away from her work.
Being a Peeping Tom wasn’t really her style, but the urge to go to the bathroom so she could look out the window tempted her.
She pulled at the end of her hair, getting up slowly to slip down the hallway. Ryker and Kathryn played in Kathryn’s room a few feet away.
Swayze stepped into the bathroom, pulling the door closed to lock it. Sunshine shone through the window blinds as she pulled a blade down to look through. There he was with that lazy grin, one hand holding the reins lightly as they trotted around the arena.
It hadn’t taken him long to tame her at all.
And he looked amazing doing it.
The memories from the night before surfaced, replaying every groan and curse word that slipped from his mouth as he kissed her worries away.
“Poo poo!”
Swayze jumped back from the window. Kathryn knocked on the door again. “Poo!”
Swayze opened the door to let Kathryn run inside toward her small Mini Mouse potty.
Swayze hurried back to the den before she got any more bright ideas.
***
Montgomery rolled his windows down on the way to take them home. He hung one arm out the window and hummed along to the radio. There wasn’t much about Mont that ever screamed anxious or worried.
He always oozed a slow Southern lifestyle.
It was a homey feeling that Swayze never had before.
Not even with Dylan. Dylan had been spontaneous, hardworking, and fun. But he’d been stressed in times of hardship, where Mont never seemed to stress at all.
Mont cleared his throat, bringing Swayze back to the present. She’d pushed back the worry of them not having electricity at home, but suddenly it felt like a rain cloud hanging over her.
She’d charged her phone at work, making sure it was completely charged before they left so Ryker could watch his cartoons on YouTube, and she’d have an alarm clock for the morning.
They’d most likely play outside until bath time, and she’d make them a peanut butter sandwich. It’d be fine.
Taking a huge breath, she looked over at Mont’s face, who stared at her intently. “What’s wrong?” he asked.
Swayze shook her head. “Just zoned out. I guess we’ll see you tomorrow?”
Mont studied her face but nodded, getting out and letting Ryker off of his lap. Ryker ran toward the front door, pulling and tugging at the handle.
“Thank you,” she said. Swayze looked over her shoulder at Mont, who stared at her for several seconds.
“See you tomorrow,” he said.
There was something he held on his tongue, but she didn’t pry as she walked them inside to a cool, lit house.
She blinked a few times, checking the time on her phone. The electric company was closed by then, and the disconnect was set for today.
“Sit down in your chair,” Swayze said. “I’ll get you your supper.”
Swayze turned the TV on for Ryker and walked toward the kitchen, pulling up her utility account online to recheck.
She cut the crust off of his PB&J and walked it over with a juice, before logging into her online account.
Her past due balance had been paid.
How?
Swayze let her phone drop with her arm, slapping against her side. She searched the house for her electric bill but couldn’t find it on the table where she thought she had left it.
How in the—?
She briefly remembered leaving Mont alone in the living room while she cleaned up Ryker’s mess, but he wouldn’t have gone through her things, would he? Obviously, unless it was—
No, it couldn’t be him.
She shook her head vigorously. How dare he? She didn’t ask for his help, and she didn’t like owing people anything.
Pulling out her cellphone, she remembered he’d saved his phone number in her cell the first week of work.
Swayze: Did you pay my electric bill?
Swayze waited for a response, the toe to her worn Keds tapping against the tile floor of her kitchen. She felt embarrassed and ashamed. How could she let this happen?
Mont: What if I did?
Swayze puffed her cheeks out in frustration, running her fingers through her matted hair.
Swayze: It’s against the law to go through other people’s mail. I didn’t ask for your help.
Swayze huffed, moving over to the kitchen to angrily make herself a sandwich. She was thankful for the lights and wanted to tell him but didn’t want to owe this man anything.
Sighing, she snatched her sandwich and took a big bite, watching Ryker sing along to Johnny Johnny.
Mont: I didn’t go through your mail, Sways. It was lying there on the table, I knocked it off, and thought I’d help you out.
Swayze read the text a few times before she responded.
Swayze: Take it out of my check this week, please.
She sat her phone down, finishing her sandwich before picking it back up.
Mont: You obviously need the help. Just take it. You don’t owe me anything.
They always say that, right? Swayze put her phone down to gather Ryker up to take his bath. Absentmindedly, she gave him a bath, wondering what harm would come out of getting any closer to Montgomery.
Swayze finished Ryker’s bedtime routine, putting him to bed around 8:30 p.m. The weight of her phone flashing red from the kitchen table followed her around the house as she cleaned up.
When she had finished her bath and put on one of Dylan’s old football jerseys, she glanced at her phone. Mont hadn’t texted back but once.
Mont: ???
Swayze wanted to go into a long story on why she didn’t like to depend on people and owe people anything, but instead she turned her phone to silent, and sat on the couch.
Being angry at Mont wouldn’t help anything, but angry tears blurred at the corners of her eyes. Why would God put someone so perfect in her sight during a time she couldn’t afford to sway?
A thump against the door startled her. She listened for a moment, finally hearing a loud sigh, and another round of knocks.
“Swayze, open the door.”
Swayze’s heart settled in her chest for a moment, until she realized he’d come over—again—without asking.
That seemed to be his moto.
No permission needed.
Swayze groaned, walking over to pull the door open wide.
Mont had both hands shoved into a pair of low-rise Levi’s, and an old high-school football shirt, which still fit, hugged his broad shoulders.
Despite the irritation she felt, the urge to smile at his lopsided grin, taunted her.
“Now, Swayze—”
“You went through my mail? And paid my bill?”
Mont shrugged before running his fingers through a disheveled head of hair. “Listen, I feel like we’re taking one step forward and ten backward, girl.”
Swayze closed her eyes. “I wasn’t supposed to take any steps with you.”
Mont shrugged like it wasn’t his problem. “That’s a sad story, but we’ve already started this tango, baby. I’ve had my taste, and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it.”
Swayze wouldn’t admit that she felt the same way. “And I told you that it shouldn’t have happened.”
Mont took a step toward the threshold, hovering over her, dangerously close.
“And I told you that the conversation wasn’t over. It happened, Sways, and if I had to bet, I’d say it’ll happen again. Why are you pushing me away so hard? Am I that bad of a person? Does my breath smell bad?”
Swayze turned her gaze to the floor, feeling all her problems bubble up her throat. It wanted out like word vomit, but she couldn’t tell him anything without risking their safety.
“Just stop paying my bills,” she blurted, trying to shut the door, but Mont caught it.
Swayze’s heart hurt at her own tone, but Mont didn’t seem fazed, even as he opened the door the rest of the way and stepped closer to her, to shut it behind them.
“I told you I wouldn’t pry on why you do the things you do, or keep things from me, but I won’t let you push me away because of your own insecurities. Get over it and give me a chance.”
Swayze’s body warmed as he neared her, only the soft sounds of her breaths and his heavy ones filled the silence of the room.
“I can’t give you a chance because you’d never know the real me. I wouldn’t be able to give you everything you deserve or give you a real relationship. Who would want that? I’m sorry—I think you’re…”
“Swayze,” he whispered, trapping her against the wall. “I’ll take what I can get. Whatever this is you’re going through will fade, and I want to be the man that gets to see you afterward. I don’t have to meet your momma, Swayze. I just want a chance.”
A tear pulled at the corner of Swayze’s eye, and she bit her tongue to keep herself from letting go of the flood gates. His scent alone had her head swimming with ungodly thoughts, and when he reached forward to run the pad of his thumb against her bottom lip, she felt her resolve slip again.
“I won’t pay another bill, and I’ll take it out of your check. I get you’re independent. I wasn’t trying to ruffle your feathers, girl. I was trying to give you a break.”
Swayze knew that deep down. “Thank you,” she whispered.
Mont sighed deeply, lacing his big fingers around the nape of her neck, drawing her attention to him. “Now, if we’re over this mishap, I’d like to kiss you until you can’t think straight.”
The momentary distraction from life sounded good enough to eat, and the unpredictable giggle that left her throat made Mont smile.
“You callin’ my bluff?”
Swayze shook her head because she didn’t doubt the man had the skills to put her out, but that he seemed too good to be true.
“Tell me it’s okay. Put me out of my misery, girl,” Mont whispered; his voice sounded like chocolate but hit her like honey.
“Kiss me,” she whispered.
Montgomery wasted no time putting her out of her misery, diminishing the space between them. His rough touches and breathy groans had her gasping for breath. The way his strong palms cupped her hips, sliding up against the fabric of her T-shirt that slowly revealed her underwear. But she knew he didn’t look because he hadn’t taken his mouth off of hers.
The air from the fan hitting against her legs sent goosebumps up her body, but they left fire in their wake. How would this work out? She bit back a curse as his mouth moved down her neck, biting where it met shoulder.
Sounds she hadn’t heard in years left her throat, and her hands had a mind of their own, tangling into his matted hair, and her legs lifted to wrap tightly around his slender waist.
She whimpered as she felt the thin fabric of her underwear against the roughness of his jeans.
How would this work out?
Mont had been right because she had started not to think straight, for sure, because for a moment she thought…what if?