The Jackpot Screwer: Enemies to Lovers (Love In Dayton Valley Book 2) Read online

  She licked her lips and my dick twitched, ready for round two. The hormones had made her insatiable, but I was pretty sure I could keep up, no problem.

  “Yeah, and what’s that?” I asked, reaching up to kiss her softly.

  Instantly she was pushing up and dragging herself away from me. “I really need to eat, like right now. I’m starving.”

  Before I had a chance to question, or argue, Bronte was disappearing through the bedroom door, giving me a great view of her heart-shaped ass. So, smiling to myself, I pushed out of bed and followed her into the kitchen, knowing I’d follow her anywhere she damn well wanted to go.

  Ellie looked absolutely joyful and so very much in love as she held out her hand. Hunter had asked her to marry him a few days before and of course she’d said yes. They were meant for each other, better suited than any other couple I knew. The absolutely kick ass, pear shaped diamond he’d presented her with, while on one knee, down by the creek on his pop’s land had to have helped too. It was beautiful and everything Ellie had done for the last hour at their impromptu engagement party at Stars & Stripes had been done with a flourish of her left hand.

  I was happy for them. For myself not so much. Carter and I had been back together a little under a month and it had been amazing. Lots of sex, lots of cuddling and whispering into the night about our baby, more sex and just a whole lot of fun. My problem was me, or my body to be exact. I was excited about the baby, I really was, but what it was doing to my body was not so good.

  Baby Maples—yeah it was getting Carter’s name, I wasn’t a modern woman who wanted it to be double barreled. Aside from Jackson-Maples being a mouthful and sounding like an old time Motown Singer, my experience of people with double barreled names was they were dicks—in my humble opinion. Anyway, the fact of the matter was Baby Maples had had a growth spurt and I was now at a point where I really couldn’t tie the laces of my sneakers. Carter took great delight in having to do them every morning, because yes, heels were getting to be a challenge too.

  I’d practically moved into his apartment, bar a few items of clothing and personal items still at home, even though it hadn’t been done officially. There’d been no big goodbye to my folks and my childhood home, I’d simply stayed at Carter’s most nights and gradually filled his drawers with my stuff. I liked it that way. Carter and I weren’t really big on grand gestures, him arranging for me to win Easter Queen aside. We just liked to get on with things. I was pretty sure if he ever asked me to marry him it’d be in a bar in Vegas when we were both drunk on Whisky Sours. An hour later we’d be married. That would suit me just fine. I was girly and loved everything pink, but I’d never wanted a big wedding, not the sort that Ellie had dreamed of from the minute we’d seen pictures of Prince Charles and Lady Diana’s wedding in our British History class. Ellie looked like the heart eyed emoji as Miss Bambucci told us all about what a huge occasion it had been. Me, I thought it a little over the top and the dress had needed a press, but what did I know?

  “Okay,” Carter said with a small smile. “One coke.”

  Sighing, I pushed it back to him. “I’m not drinking coke. I told you that.”

  “When?” he cried. “When did you tell me that?”

  “Like, an hour before we came out.”

  Carter laughed and I narrowed my eyes on him. “An hour before we came out, I was inside you, Lollipop. So, forgive me if I don’t quite remember what you said while I took you to the fucking moon and back.”

  I glanced over at our parents who were sitting at the next table along. “Carter my folks might hear.”

  “They’re drunk and the music is loud there’s no way they heard me.”

  I leaned forward and poked Jennifer’s arm. She, Alaska, Minnesota, Nancy, Shaw and Austen were at our table—and yes there was still a war going on between Shaw and Nancy, tonight it was a cold one while they ignored each other.

  “Jennifer, did you hear what Carter just said to me?” I asked as she looked my way and smiled.

  “No, honey. Why, was I supposed to?”

  Carter let out a low laugh, while I sighed. “No, it’s fine.”

  “See. No one heard. Now, tell me if you don’t want coke, what do you want?”

  “Well, what did you get me last time?” I arched a brow and stared him down.

  “I didn’t. You took yourself a complimentary orange juice from Penny when we came in. Seeing as you’ve made that last a hella long time, you’re going to have to help me out here, Lollipop.”

  Ugh, why did he always have to be right about everything?

  “Apple juice,” I snapped back.

  “Okay. Now, that wasn’t so difficult was it.” He leaned in, pecked a kiss to my lips and then disappeared back to the bar.

  “You coming to dance?” Jennifer asked as she and Alaska stood up.

  I shook my head. “Maybe later.”

  “You okay, sis?” Shaw called over the music. “You usually love to dance.”

  “Yeah, well,” I replied, pointing down at the bump stretching the fabric of my red dress. “I’m not usually carrying another human onto the dancefloor with me.”

  “You’re getting plenty of exercise though?” Nancy asked as Minnesota stroked a hand down her long hair, his eyes firmly on her bare shoulder.

  Shaw’s head almost swiveled off his neck. “You train to be a nurse in the last few months or something?”

  “I work at a school where two of the teachers are currently pregnant. I listen to that shit all day.” Nancy held her hand up to me. “No offense, Bronte. I’m not saying your baby is shit, just hearing all the details all day every day is a bit…”

  “Boring,” Minnesota finished for her, pulling his blond hair back from his face. He and his brother were good looking men, and he and Nancy were a really handsome couple, I could see why they’d been attracted to each other.

  “No, I didn’t mean that,” Nancy continued as she nudged him in the side. “I was just trying to point out to Mr. Lawyer Man here that I heard exercise is good for Mom and baby.”

  “Well,” Shaw said tilting his head and taking a tone like he may well be talking to a baby. “Mr. Lawyer Man here thinks Miss. Teacher Aide should just butt out of his private conversations with his sister.”

  Nancy narrowed her eyes and I saw her hand fist on top of the table. I was pretty sure Mr. Lawyer Man was about to get banked on by Miss. Teacher Aide. Minnesota obviously saw it too because he stood and dragged Nancy up with him.

  “Come on, tiger, I think we need to dance.”

  Once they’d left the table Austen blew out a breath. “Oh man, you so want to tap that.”

  Shaw and I turned to him both of us wide-eyed. I mean, I was pretty sure he was right—they were just like Carter and I used to be for goodness’ sake—but… tap that?

  “Austen, where the hell did you hear stuff like that?” I asked, pulling at the hairs on his arms, at the same time as wondering when the hell did they happen?

  “Hey, that hurt and I’m fifteen,” he cried, throwing his hands into the air. “When will you people realize I’m not a little kid any longer.”

  “You’re fourteen,” Shaw and I chorused.

  “Ah whatever, I’m going to find somewhere else to sit. You guys cramp my style anyway.” The almost six feet tall kid, not quite a man whose hormones were kicking in, pushed back his chair and stormed off to sit with our parents.

  “We cramp his style,” Shaw said. “He’s gone to sit with the old folks.”

  I shrugged. “Tell me about it.”

  “Tell you about what?” Carter was back standing at my side as he placed an apple juice in front of me.

  “Austen,” Shaw replied. “He thinks the ‘rents are cooler than us.”

  We all looked across to see Jefferson, dressed in a three-piece suit minus the jacket with his shirt sleeves rolled up to display his tats, a thick, heavy watch on one wrist and some leather bracelets on the other, making Austen laugh about something.
/>   Collectively we sighed, realizing our little brother was right. Jefferson was way more steezy than anyone.

  “Oh hey,” Shaw said suddenly, pushing up from his chair. “Food is out.”

  “You want some?” Carter asked turning to go.

  “I can carry a plate, Carter.” He inhaled and I was pretty sure I saw his mouth move. “Are you counting to ten?”

  “No, Lollipop,” he replied a little too breezily. “Not at all. Now, while I realize you’re more than capable of carrying a plate, I figured to save time in the line and to allow you to chat with my sister who is coming over here, I’d go get you a plate. That sound good?”

  It was all said through gritted teeth.

  “I can’t help being a bitch you know,” I spat back. “I don’t wake up each morning and make a conscious decision about it.”

  “I know,” he said a little softer. “Which is why I’m trying real hard here and remembering how fucking shit it was when we were apart.”

  “Why do you need to do that?” I asked, feeling a twitch underneath my eye.

  Carter smiled and then straightened down his shirt, which, by the way, was a gorgeous dark green slim fit which showed off his flat stomach and great biceps.

  “Because, remembering that helps me to realize all this is worth it.”

  “All what?”

  “Okay, Lollipop,” he said, kneeling down next to my chair. “You want to tell me what’s going on? What’s upset you tonight?”

  “Hey guys.” Ellie arrived at our table and waved—with her left hand.

  “Ellie,” Carter ground out. “Hunter let go of you at last.”

  Ellie coyly lifted a shoulder and rubbed her cheek against it, a move I’d never seen her do before. It was cute but a little cringey all at the same time.

  God, why was I being so hateful?

  “Yeah, he’s talking to Jacob Crowne. Hey,” she said moving closer, “did you know Lydia had an affair?”

  “No way,” I gasped. “I just thought they’d grown apart.”

  Carter got to his feet and placed a hand on my shoulder. “You want me to get you some food or not?”

  I huffed out a sigh. “I don’t know Carter, do I?”

  “I have no clue, Bronte,” he said, throwing his hands into the air. “Because everything I’ve done tonight, except fuck you into unconsciousness has been wrong. So, you tell me.”

  “Carter,” Ellie admonished. “She’s pregnant.”

  “You don’t need to tell me, Ellie,” he retorted, putting his hands to his hips. “I’ve been suffering for it all damn evening.”

  His words felt like a slap to the face and without warning the tears started to fall. Silently at first, but once I saw Carter close his eyes and pinch the bridge of his nose, the sobbing and donkey noises started.

  “It’s not fair,” I brayed. “You have no idea what it’s like. Do you have to carry a beach ball under your clothes every day? No, you don’t. Do you have gas coming out of both ends no matter what you eat? No, you… okay yes you do, but that’s different.” I sniffed loudly and let out a snort. “I can’t even paint my toenails, or drink wine and I’ve eaten so many canned peaches I hate them now and they used to be my favorite.”

  “If it helps, I still love your watermelon sugar,” he replied, wiggling his brows. “So, at least one of us getting our portion of daily fruit.”

  As I let out another loud wail, Ellie rushed to my side, shoving Carter out of the way.

  “Lollipop,” he sighed.

  “It’s your fault,” Ellie snapped. “You couldn’t keep that thing of yours to yourself could you. Hey, Bronte, ignore him he’s just a stupid ginger idiot.”

  “But I love his hair,” I howled.

  “Ellie move, let me talk to her,” Carter growled.

  “No,” I cried. “I want Ellie.”

  Carter shook his head and throwing his hands into the air stormed away, which only went to ramp up my weeping and wailing to a higher level.

  Twenty minutes later and I had finally stopped crying. Mom and Ellie had taken me to the bathroom, where I’d insisted on being left alone. Having touched up my makeup and blown my nose, I wasn’t quite ready to go back into the party. There was too much happiness in there. Ellie looked too gorgeous in her tight, cream-colored dress with cute little capped sleeves and sexy rose-gold sandals on her feet.

  “Oh God, I’m such a bitch,” I groaned, and the tears threatened to start again.

  As I was sitting on the toilet seat, I grabbed a handful of toilet tissue and wiped my nose before dropping my head into my hands. Lost in my misery, I didn’t hear the bathroom door open, or hear the footsteps on the black and white tiles.

  “Hey, Lollipop.”

  I looked up to see Carter’s gorgeous smile and my heart stuttered.

  “I’m sorry,” I squeaked out.

  He reached out and ran a finger down my cheek. “Don’t worry about it. It’s not a problem.” He crouched down beside me and took a hold of my hand and squeezed it.

  “I thought you hated me.”

  He laughed quietly. “Never gonna happen.”

  “But you walked out on me because you were mad.”

  Shifting his position so he sat on the floor—I was grateful for Penny’s almost anal cleanliness of her bathrooms—he moved in front of me and crossed his legs. He then reached for my foot and lifted it into his lap.

  “What are you doing?” I asked through a shaky giggle.

  Looking up at me through his lashes, he smiled and winked before removing my shoe.

  “Carter?”

  “You said you couldn’t paint your toenails, right?” I nodded and he reached into his pants pocket and produced a bottle of bright pink nail polish. “So, I’m going to do them for you.”

  I had never felt so much love inside my chest. Too much. I was in danger of my heart combusting. He smoothed his hand over my foot and then unscrewed the cap of the polish.

  “I could have asked Lilah you know,” I said, leaning down so our heads were inches from each other.

  With a brilliant smile he said, “Yeah I know, but I wanted to do it.”

  “You didn’t walk out on me?”

  “No, Lollipop,” he said focusing on getting the right amount of polish on the brush. “I went home to get this.”

  With the tip of his tongue poking out from his lips, Carter made the first sweep onto my pinky toenail. He then sat back, examined it, using his nail to scrape away a little bit of the polish that had touched the skin. Once he was happy, he put the brush back into the bottle and then moved onto the next toe.

  “Carter,” I said softly.

  “Yeah, Lollipop?” he asked without looking up.

  “I love you, baby.”

  Then I got the eyes and the smile.

  “Love you too.”

  He squeezed my foot gently and then went back to work.

  “I think our boy is by far the most handsome, don’t you?”

  Bronte smiled and rolled her eyes. “He is baby, but you have to stop telling the other moms and dads.”

  I looked around at the other couples with their dogs of varying age and size and shook my head.

  “Nope. Not possible not to boast about Mani. Look at him.” We both looked down at Mani who was happily chewing the end of his tail. “He’s damn handsome.”

  He’d grown a lot in the month or so that Bronte had been living in the apartment. Mainly outward and I had to keep telling her to stop with the treats. It would not look good to see the local vet carrying around his pup because it was too fat to walk.

  “I have to admit,” Bronte whispered into my ear. “He’s the most well behaved here.”

  “True.” I leaned down and rubbed Mani’s ear, earning a little grunt from him. He hated to be disturbed when he was chowing down on his tail. “Look at that one over there, with the big woman and her tiny husband. It’s crazy.”

  The large woman was wearing a pair of tailored shorts and a Hawai
ian shirt that looked like it might fit her, her husband and any kids they might have. The husband on the other hand was small, balding and wearing mirrored shades. His pants and shirt, in matching khaki, looked like they might be polyester, and in the mini heatwave we were having you could most likely fry an egg on that bald head of his. As for their pooch, well he had them both tied up with his leash as he weaved in and out of their legs, only stopping every few seconds to howl.

  “It’s probably worried his owner is going to die of heatstroke,” Bronte giggled. “He’s sweating like a whore in church on Sunday.”

  “And maybe he’s worried his wife is going to suggest sex when they get home and,” I said with a smirk, “she likes to be on top. I reckon the guy is scared as all get out.”

  Bronte leaned into me, laughing, and I dropped a kiss to the top of her head. She’d been feeling much better the last few weeks, embracing the changes to her body and feeling calmer about everything. We were coming up to the final trimester and getting more excited each day about the new arrival. We’d decided not to find out the sex of the baby mainly because I’d not been able to make the sonogram where Dr. ‘Hollywood Smile’ Baskin was going to tell us. I’d been stuck doing an emergency operation on the twisted gut of an Irish Wolfhound and so Bronte has asked not to be told. After that, we agreed that it was kinda more exciting to be surprised on the day. Didn’t stop me thinking though, and I was still convinced it was a boy—I’d definitely seen a Johnson on that first sonogram.

  “Are we ready, everyone?” A tall guy, with a mop of black hair that fell to his shoulders, beckoned us all toward him. “Please make a circle around me.”

  We all did as we were told, some dogs making it easier for their owners than others. Mani, however, was a star in the making and trotted alongside me, glancing up every few seconds as if to say, ‘look how great I am, Dad’.

  “I’m Dwayne your instructor as you know, because you wouldn’t be here otherwise.” He looked down to the floor and I was sure he was pausing for applause. When none came, he carried on. “So, first things first, I’d like you to introduce yourself and your dog and tell me what you want to achieve from these sessions.” He pointed at a young couple around our age, who had a tiny little terrier.