Heartless (Chestnut Springs, #2)

by Elsie Silver

I’ve died and gone to heaven. I’m sure of it. Because the way Cade wields his tongue is out of this world. He licks me. He sucks me. He bites me. And then he makes me thank him for it.

“Jesus Christ, Red. Are you trying to kill me?” “No. I’m trying to make sure it will fit.” My eyes are still down, watching the way his cock comes away glistening. “Baby, it’s going to fit. You were made for me.”

I lift and drop down, taking his full length in one go and hissing against his cheek at the slight burn. “Just for you,” I whisper again. And I think I mean it.

I open my lips to say the words he wanted. But it’s him who drops his cheek against my head and rasps, “Thank you.”

The thought that Willa is another of the best things in my life crops up, but it scares me.

“No, Willa. I like you. I care about you. I didn’t go without sex for years just to start it back up randomly.

All I know is that it’s going to fucking wreck me when you leave at the end of this summer, but I’m too far gone to care.”

Willa snickers and looks away. We both know we’re busted. Old Harvey’s fucking eagle eyes never miss a beat. And that’s what I get for staring at Willa like she hung the moon.

“You’ve got it bad, boy,” is what he says, clapping me on the shoulder as I move past him. And he’s never been more right.

“Hey, Willa?” “Hey, Luke,” I reply dryly, since the be quiet part obviously didn’t register. “Sometimes I wish you were my mom.”

“You scared, Eaton?” I shout. “No, baby. Just enjoying the view. Your ass looks mighty fine from back here.”

It feels like he’s wiggling his way into my heart.

But he says, “It’s whatever you’re comfortable with, Red. We can let it be gradual. We can skip a label. We can figure it out when the time comes. But whatever it is, it’s important to me. You’re important to me.”

“Cade Eaton.” Summer’s dark eyes are sparkling at me right now, and her jaw drops as she scans my face. Sharp as a tack, this one. I told Rhett once that I loved her because she was good for him but hated that she was smarter than me. And this moment does nothing but prove that statement. “You’re in love with my best friend, aren’t you?”

“You’ve always been more. The woman I wanted but wouldn’t let myself have.” “I could really use that drink now,” I say, still staring at him.

“You don’t want what she’s had. You want more. You deserve more. And I’m going to give it to you. Nod if you understand me.”

“Maybe Talia will catch us, and I can make things abundantly clear for both of you. Because I can promise you, I’ve never fucked anyone the way I fuck you.” I clench and moan.

“You’d like that, wouldn’t you?” His voice is all gravel. “I wouldn’t care. You’re mine, Willa. And I don’t give a fuck who knows it.” His fingers

“You’re going to spend as much time as you want at our house,” he says, while thrusting into me slowly. “You’re going to work whatever job you want. Wherever you want. But you’ll always have a place here. A home here. I’ll make you coffee every morning. I’ll leave you all the Post-it notes you want. I’ll cook your dinner every day. I’ll eat your pussy in the hot tub before bed every damn night.” Yes.

I chuckle and smile the rest of the way to the hospital because there is only one person in the world who could make me laugh in a moment like this. It hits me hard as we drive in a companionable silence that Willa is that person. My person.

She squeezes me harder. God, this woman needs to be hugged so badly. “I know,” is her soft reply. “I’m just glad Summer has you. God knows the rest of us didn’t do her any good.”

“Oh shit,” she says, rearing back a little. “Did you let that cowboy knock you up, Willa Grant?”

And my last thought before I lose sight of him is that he deserves better than being back here again. Because he’s so damn honorable that he’ll stick himself with me and this baby. Even if it’s not really what he wants.

chuckle. “I don’t care. Don’t you get it? I’m in love with you, Willa. Prickly legs, random carrots in your purse, pregnant, not pregnant. I want you.”

So instead, I just sit here. Thinking about my options. About how Willa is the only option I want. And about how I’ll respect her wishes until I can’t take it anymore. Then I’m throwing her over my shoulder and bringing her home.

“Just don’t make him wait too long, Wils,” she whispers against my ear. “He is heartbroken without you.” The way she emphasizes heartbroken is my undoing. I soak the shoulder of her shirt, because the truth of the matter is I thought I needed space . . . But I’m heartbroken without him too.

Eyes shut, I wish for Willa. A life with her. A family with her. Gray hair and more laughter with her.

A country boy who looks as good as Cade Eaton should be illegal. But instead, he’s mine.

The sheepish grin he gifts me has me smiling back at him. His bright blue eyes, sun-kissed cheeks from a summer spent in the sun . . . I’ve never fallen harder or faster for a single person in the world than I have for Lucas Eaton.

“My initials are W.G., bud.” I give him another squeeze and he giggles. Cluelessly. “I know. But dad made that one. I told him the same thing.” My head snaps around to Cade, who still hasn’t moved but is staring at me like I might disappear if he blinks. “But he said they wouldn’t be for long.”

“I love you, Cade,” I murmur against his chest. “I love you too, Red.” Then he just holds me tighter, and I hope he never lets go.

I spent years feeling jilted. Feeling angry. Feeling like everyone around me had everything going for them and I was just stuck in a rut of responsibility. And then Hurricane Willa blew into town and turned everything upside down in the best fucking way. I squeeze her hand and pull it to my lips, pressing a kiss to the knuckles of the woman I chose—the life I chose.

glance over my shoulder, seeking that flash of coppery hair. And she’s there, smiling, gripping the metal fence panel with one hand, the other slung over her stomach, looking at me like I hung the moon—and for her I would.

I’d do it for everything she’s given me in such a short time . . . A love Luke has never known. A reason for me to smile again. A person to talk to after so many years of silence. A love I’ve never known. One I’m not so sure I deserve, but one I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to preserve. But I’ll get to that part later.

“I love you too, baby,” is what I get out, just before she pulls the black cowboy hat off my head and plunks it on her own. Leaning back away from me, she gives me a playful little smirk.

And I realize in that moment maybe I am heartless after all, because the beautiful girl with the copper hair grinning back at me right now is the one who stole it.

“Hey, Willa,” he says, turning my way. “Hey, Luke.” I wink at him. “Can I ask you something?” “Always.”

“What is the baby going to call you?”

“I meant once they can talk. Will they call you mom?”

“I imagine so, yes.”

“Do you think . . .” He peers back up at me now. “Do you think it would be okay if I called you mom too?”

“My dude, you can call me whatever you want. I know I’m not actually your mom, but I love you like one. Did you know I fell in love with you before I fell in love with your dad?”

“You did?”

But with Cade here, I’m focused. He grounds me. And when it’s time to push, he whispers in my ear about how much he loves me. And I don’t just know it, I feel it.

We stare at her for I don’t know how long. Entranced. Happy. And when Luke comes in to join us —complete.