The Jackpot Screwer: Enemies to Lovers (Love In Dayton Valley Book 2) Page 15

  “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Dayton Valley Fayre,” Grady’s voice boomed out. “I’m sure we’re going to have another tremendous day, raising money this year for the Sunny Years Old People’s Center. We have the usual rides and stalls, and this year we have a dunking booth too. Over by the Haunted House, the lovely Delaney twins are waiting for you to hit the target and drop them into the water. It’s just a dollar fifty a throw, so get on over there and give the ladies your money.”

  I started to giggle imagining Aunt J and Aunt L sitting in bathing costumes and waiting to be dropped into a tank of cold water. They were the only two ladies over sixty who I could imagine pulling it off.

  “Also, don’t forget,” Grady continued, “get your votes in for the Dayton Valley’s Easter Queen. We’ll be crowning her later, so you don’t want your favorite to miss out.”

  “Huh,” I grumbled to myself. “Outdated cliched competition if ever there was one.”

  “Honey.” My mom had spotted me and was waving enthusiastically. “You not having Benny’s burrito?”

  “No, Mom,” I replied through a gritted smile. “Not that hungry.”

  “You feeling okay?” she asked, running a hand down my arm.

  “I’m fine, Mom. Just fine.” I turned to look around the field and spotted Carter talking to a girl who I thought worked at the bank. She was younger than me and was gazing up at the damn redhead like he’d just put a glass slipper on her foot and promised her a kingdom.

  “That’s good,” Dad said, pulling me to his side. “We’re going to see if we can’t dunk Janice-Ann and Lynn-Ann, isn’t that right?”

  “Sure is.” Jefferson dragged his hand through his amazing hair and grinned. “If they want to get dunked then that’s what I intend to do, so get your throwing arm ready, honey.”

  Giving him a small smile, I nodded and followed him and my parents, rolling my eyes at the number of women who were ogling Jefferson—some were even with their partners. God dammit that man was popular. Even my little brother said he was steezy, whatever the hell that meant. I could see the attraction. He was tall, muscular, tattooed, his butt looked damned good in a pair of jeans, and every woman over the age of thirty in Dayton Valley was desperate for him. If only Carter wanted me as much.

  Almost two hours later and I hadn’t managed to escape back home. Dad had kept a tight hold of my hand and if he let it go, Mom took over. It was as if they knew I was going to run but were determined that I stay and get used to seeing Carter with other people. Not that I had seen him, except for in the distance and each time he’d been in the company of a woman, or multiple women. Once the Easter Queen was announced I was most definitely escaping back to the security of my bedroom and curling up with a book. Okay, so I’d never read a full book in my life but wasn’t that what heartbroken women did—lost themselves in a romance novel and a sexy book boyfriend?

  “Okay,” Mom said excitedly. “It’s time for the Easter Queen announcement. I do love this part.”

  Dad smiled lovingly at her. “You still got your sash, honey?”

  “God, yeah,” Henry cried, pointing at Mom. “It was just after college.”

  “Oh, I remember,” Melinda added. “I’d just moved here and thought you were like some fairy princess in that pink chiffon dress you wore. I wanted to be your friend the minute I saw you and asked Sondra to introduce us.”

  Jefferson chuckled. “I do recall you both got disgustingly drunk that day.”

  “Yeah, well,” Melinda replied, rolling eyes. “I think I was nervous, being new in town and all, and the whole of the town actually being here. As for Sondra, well she just wanted to keep me company in the beer tent.”

  “Crazy days.” Mom sighed and gazed at Dad. “Winning that day was better than when I won Miss Congeniality at Galveston Beauty Pageant.”

  A look passed between my parents and I knew something big had happened that day but really wasn’t sure I wanted to know. I had a feeling it might involve sex and that thought just made me want to puke in my mouth.

  “Anyway,” Dad said, clearing his throat. “It was the biggest win ever. Did you know that sweetheart?”

  I laughed. “Yeah, Dad. You told me.”

  Mom slapped at dad’s arm. “Jim, must you bore the kids with that story every year.”

  “Yes, because I’m proud of you.” He sighed, a happy smile on his face and my heart jumped at the thought that they were most definitely getting back on track.

  “Is that why you’re so desperate to watch this, Mom?” I asked. “To check no one beats your record.”

  Mom grinned and glanced between Dad and their friends. “Let’s get over there. I think we can push to the front, come on, honey.”

  The men paved the way for us, moving people to one side with Dad actually saying, “Lady with a baby, coming through,” at one point, which earned him a poke from me. Finally, we were right in front of the stage that had been set up in the middle of the field. Hunter and Ellie were there, as were Alaska, Jennifer and Minnesota who we were supposed to have spent the day with. I was surprised to see Nancy Andrews amongst them and what was more surprising was that she was holding onto Minnesota’s hand—so the aunts had been right.

  “Where did you get to?” Ellie asked, leaving Hunter’s side and coming to me. “Every time I saw you, you disappeared. Why didn’t you spend the day with us? We’ve had loads of fun.”

  “Me too,” I replied truthfully, because I truly had.

  It’d been nice spending time with the older folks, even though we’d spent far too much time and money trying to dunk the Delaney twins. The in jokes and banter that only lifelong friendships could get away with, had been entertaining to be around. It had also been good to witness Mom and Dad enjoying each other’s company.

  “Not sure I’m looking forward to this, though.” I nodded toward Talia who was standing just two steps away from the stage. “I don’t want to watch her being crowned.”

  Ellie shrugged. “She may not.”

  “I think she may, there’s no competition.”

  We both looked over to see that Talia was the only person standing with Grady, as she looked expectantly at the sash and crown.

  “It’s so annoying,” I huffed. “I really wanted to make it a hat trick of wins before retiring.”

  “Oh my God,” Ellie cried. “I’d forgotten that you’d won it twice before. But you don’t have to retire. There’s always next year.”

  “What? No way. How the hell can I run for Easter Queen with stretch marks, saggy titties and bags under my eyes from lack of sleep?” I shook my head. “Nope, the Easter Queen does not come complete with nipple pads, a stroller and baby puke on her shirt.”

  “You really are an idiot.” Ellie rolled her eyes and then turned to the stage. “Oh, God, they’re about to announce it. This is so exciting.”

  I looked at her and frowned. Since when had Ellie been so interested in the Easter Queen?

  As Ellie clapped and bounced excitedly, Hunter grinned and pulled her against his side, kissing her temple. Seeing them wind themselves around each other, helped my spirits rise. At least my best friend was getting the man she deserved and loved. All I could hope was that Carter and I remained friends for the baby’s sake.

  “Okay, ladies and gentlemen,” Grady called over the microphone. “It’s time to announce your Easter Queen.”

  Talia took a step forward and started to wave regally at the crowd and it took all my effort not to puke.

  “I’m not sure I can watch this,” I whispered to Ellie.

  “Stay,” she hissed back. “Be the better person.”

  With a shake of my head and a sigh, I kept my spot beside her and waited for Talia’s name to be called out.

  “With the biggest vote we’ve ever had,” Grady continued. “I can happily say…”

  “Oh no, someone broke my mom’s record,” I gasped.

  “Shush,” Ellie replied. “Just listen.”

  “I can happil
y say that with nine thousand and twenty votes, our winner this year is…” The unified sound of all the spectators inhaling with expectation combined with the drum roll of the town band. “Bronte Jackson.”

  There were cheers and squeals as Ellie pulled me into her side, only for me to then be dragged from her arms into Dad’s so he and Mom could smother me with kisses. Jefferson and Hunter shouted their congratulations and Alaska began chanting my name, while Henry and Melinda whooped. I was hugged and kissed and couldn’t quite believe I’d won. It was a small town, dated, cliched contest but I was overjoyed to have won it.

  “Bronte,” Grady finally called. “Please come up to the stage.”

  The crowd parted and I made my way to Grady, ready to receive my sash and crown. Totally shocked but undeniably elated.

  “Congratulations, Bronte.” Grady said as he hugged me. “A huge vote. And congratulations to your runner up, with the other two votes…”

  I turned and flashed a false smile at Talia, not caring that I was being a sore winner.

  “Mrs. Callahan.”

  The crowd gasped collectively, and Mrs. Callahan stepped on the stage next to me while Talia turned and pushed away through the onlookers.

  “Well done, Mrs. Callahan,” I said, giving her a hand a squeeze.

  “Yeah, well,” she replied, giving a half-smile. “If damn Carter Maples hadn’t been your campaign manager, I reckon I’d have had it.”

  I took a step back wondering what she was talking about.

  “Every damn time I’ve turned around in the grocery store, the library, Delphine’s, even in the ladies’ section of Myrtle’s department store, there he was asking people to vote for you.”

  “He did?”

  “Yeah, he damn well did. You ever tried to buy lube with Carter looking over your shoulder asking you to ‘vote Bronte’. Even got anyone with kids to promise their kid’s vote too.” Mrs. Callahan shoved out her hand and looked down at it. “So, I guess congratulations are in order.”

  We shook hands and as we did, Mayor Garrison stepped forward with my crown and sash, then loud and clear I heard a voice I knew well.

  “Yes, yes. Go Lollipop.” He was jumping and fist pumping the air. “Love you, baby. Love you so fucking much.”

  It was then I burst into tears and leaving the Mayor holding a purple velvet cushion, ran as fast as I could towards my man.

  As the beautiful blue haired girl came bounding towards me, I braced myself. I’d done good. Yes, indeed I had.

  “Oh my God,’ Bronte squealed as she launched herself into my arms. “I love you, so much.”

  Wrapping her legs around my waist, she peppered my face with kisses. Something clicked inside my chest, like I’d found that missing puzzle piece, the one that had been hidden under the sofa for a couple of weeks and then suddenly appeared again.

  “Lollipop, I’m so glad you came out from under the sofa.”

  She paused from kissing me and stared. “What?”

  “Ah fuck it, it doesn’t matter.”

  My lips were on hers and nothing or nobody existed around us. It was just me and my Lollipop reconnecting, showing everyone that what we had was right and was meant to be. My hands slipped under her shirt, or should I say my shirt—I’d recognized it the minute I’d seen her, and it’d given me hope that she was most definitely thawing toward me. So, thanking every God there was, I held her close. I wasn’t letting her go ever again, no matter what those crazy hormones did.

  Pushing her body to mine, Bronte’s legs and arms wound tighter and my dick jerked. It had been too long, and I was more than ready to get her screaming my name. Fuck trying to prove we were more than just sex. As for my dick, well that was most definitely more than ready to be in on the action. Both of us began to breathe heavily, hands and tongues taking what was needed.

  “Um, honey, I think you need to go get your crown and sash.”

  Darcy’s voice sounded between us, but I couldn’t pull away from the beautiful woman in my arms.

  “Bronte,” Darcy urged. “They haven’t finished the crowning, honey.”

  It was Lollipop who broke our connection, but she did so with a groan, leaning her forehead against mine.

  “I need to go finish being made queen,” she whispered.

  “Yeah, I guess you do.”

  I slowly dropped her to the floor and gave her one last kiss to the end of her nose. “Go get your crown, sweetheart.”

  With a huge smile and giggle she extracted herself from my arms and ran back to Grady and Mayor Garrison. I was proud of her and every minute I’d spent haranguing the folks of Dayton Valley to vote for her had been worth it.

  “You owe me,” Hunter said into my ear. “Two hours I had to sit with Mabel Clooney. Two hours of drinking her piss weak coffee and listening to tales of her ‘wonderful Jennings’. You know that son of hers leads a damn boring life in Portland. How many grave rubbings can one man get? Not least the fact it’s a fucking weird hobby.”

  Okay, so Hunter had helped get Bronte some of those votes.

  “Yeah,” I breathed out. “I owe you.”

  Fact was I’d give anyone anything. I had my woman back—best feeling in the damn world.

  “Please, Carter,” Bronte gasped as my lips grazed her hip bone. “I need you so much baby. I need you inside me, like… oh my God, now.”

  My tongue followed the path my lips had taken, enticing and teasing, lifting her to the peak of pleasure. And as she squirmed and stretched underneath me, my dick ached to be inside of her, but I wanted to prolong the desire and prolong the need.

  “Don’t ever leave me again,” I whispered against the roundness of her stomach. “Know that I love you, will always love you, no matter what.”

  “I know. I know.” Her head thrashed from side to side as my fingers trailed up the inside of her leg and traced patterns on her smooth skin. “Carter.”

  She arched her back, pushing her hips forward, urging me to be inside of her, whether it was with my fingers or my dick, I don’t think she cared. I got her though, I understood her need.

  Sitting back, I placed a hand on each of her knees and parted her legs, looking down at her wet pussy. It was beautiful and pink, her blonde pubic hair a thin, neat strip framing it to perfection. How the hell I’d managed to last all those weeks without her, I had no clue.

  “Gonna rock your world now, Lollipop.”

  “Yes. Oh God, yes.”

  Unable to wait any longer, I pushed inside of my beautiful girl and groaned with pleasure as the sensation ripped from my balls and shot up my spine before spreading around my body like ripples in a pond. Each single thrust heightened the want, increased the gratification and compounded my love for her.

  Fingertips dug into my shoulder and back as Bronte’s hips pushed and pulled in time with mine. She gave, I took, I gave, and she took. We were in perfect synchronization. We were born to fit together. Made to love one another.

  “Harder,” Bronte panted against my ear.

  “The baby?” I questioned, pausing for a moment but starting my rhythm again as soon as Bronte squeezed her legs around my waist.

  “It’s fine. Nothing will hurt it.”

  I gave her what she needed and went harder. Keeping one hand on her waist and grabbing hold of the headboard with the other, using it to anchor me inside of her as my thrusts got faster and firmer.

  “Carter.”

  Bronte’s ultimate cry was loud and keening, echoing around the bedroom as everything increased—the speed, the desire, the moans and passion.

  “Fuck,” I groaned as the spark inside of me ignited into a ball of fire and I came with a roar. “Lollipop.”

  Both my hands grabbed the headboard and I held on tight, wringing out every last drop of cum and pushing as far as I could inside of her. Staring down at Bronte, my heart felt like it was going to beat right out of my chest. Her lips pouted and blue eyes blinked slowly.

  “Oh my God, I needed that,” she whispered
as she reached up and dropped a sweet kiss to the end of my nose. “I missed you, baby.”

  “I missed you too. More than you will ever know.” I wrapped my arms around her and rolled us so that I was on my back and Bronte was lying on my chest, right where she was meant to be. “You think everyone will be pissed that we just split on them?”

  She looked up at me and grinned. “I doubt it. They just want us to be happy and I think they all know that this is where we’re happiest.”

  “Yeah, I guess so.” My smile showed her there was no guessing about it. I knew so, for definite. “We good now?”

  She nodded and I framed her face with my hands.

  “I need the words, Lollipop. You have to know I can’t go through that again, being without you. For me, this that just happened, means we’re back on track. We do this together and we talk about you moving in. You with me on that?”

  I needed to nail everything down. There could be no more questions or misunderstandings and our future had to be planned; me, Lollipop and the baby.

  Bronte shifted in my arms and rested her chin on my chest, running a finger along my bottom lip. “Most definitely we’re good and we can talk about me moving in.”

  “Good to know. So, let’s talk.” I was an impatient man where she was concerned, that was for sure.

  “Okay, but first there’s something I need to do.”