She nods and then kisses me. I head out to my balcony; thankfully, it’s large enough for me to be able to grill safely. While it heats up, I step inside, and Lainey hands me a beer. “Thanks, baby.”
We snuggle on the sofa in front of the TV after dinner, and Lainey falls asleep with her head in my lap. After watching the news, I carefully pick her up, carry her into my bedroom, and lay her down on my bed.
I shut down everything and make sure the front door is locked. On my way back to my bedroom, her phone rings. It’s after ten, and it could be an emergency, so I grab it off the counter. My blood boils when I see it’s Sean. What the hell is he doing calling her this late?
It stops ringing, so I set it down and pad into my bedroom. I strip out of my clothes and climb into bed with Lainey. She snuggles into me, throwing her arm over my stomach.
In the dark of my bedroom, I let my hand slide down her stomach to where our baby once was. If she can forgive me, and we can become an us again, I’m going to give her as many babies as she wants. We could have an army of kids if that’s what makes her happy.
I kiss Lainey’s forehead and then fall asleep.
“Thanks, everyone, and keep up the good work,” Catherine says with a smile. We just had our bi-monthly staff meeting. She gets updates on our clients and lets us know about any other potential ones.
I pick up my laptop and head to my office. Jackson is supposed to be stopping by to talk to me about the vineyard. After speaking with Lance and his father, we have decided to quietly have Jackson’s team look into the mishaps at the vineyard. I’m almost a hundred percent certain it’s Sean who is behind it.
Lance definitely didn’t like the attention Sean was giving his sister, but I assured him I was all over it.
I check my phone and see that I have a text from Lainey.
Lainey: Lance and I are having dinner with my parents *insert eye roll* just kidding. They’ve been better. I don’t know how late we’ll be, but do you want to meet me here, stay the night?
It makes me smile that she’s thinking of me.
Ranger: I’ll pack a bag. Just text me when you get home, and I’ll come over.
Lainey: Okay, I’ll see you later.
I spend most of the day finalizing some contracts and the menu for the Coastal Crush party.
I look at my phone and see it’s four. I’m thinking Jackson isn’t going to make it, but as if he could hear my thoughts, the man himself appears in my doorway. “Hey, sorry, I’m late. The day was crazy and got away from me.”
I stand up and come around the desk to greet him with a backslapping hug. “No problem. I’m just glad you were able to come to talk.”
“I looked into Sean’s background and couldn’t find anything more than a couple of parking tickets. We’ll dig a little deeper, but you said he’s always showed Lainey lots of attention?” Jackson pulls out his phone and starts typing.
I nod. “The first time I noticed it and didn’t get a good vibe, Lainey was only fifteen. I noticed he watched her a lot. When he’d talk to her, he’d get too close, which irritated me.”
“Fifteen?” I nod again. “You said that their father handed the business to Lance?”
“Yeah, when I initially talked to Lance, I was surprised that he was the one who took it over. Sean was the one I thought their dad was grooming to take over.”
“Hmmm… That might be something worth having Lance look in to. Have him ask his dad why he didn’t hand the daily operations to Sean. On paper, he’s the obvious choice. He’s been there forever, and I’m sure he knows every aspect of the business. My guess is there is something that the man didn’t trust. Also, I’ve arranged for my guys to come to install cameras on the property. They’ll be discreet and will come when no one is around. Lance emailed me the layout of the vineyard and where he’d like cameras. If this guy is trying to sabotage things, we’ll see it.”
“This is great. I appreciate it,” I tell him as we stand up. “Lainey wants to believe he’s a good guy, but she’s blind to the way he looks at her. I’ve made it known that she’s mine, but that doesn’t stop him from being up in her business.”
Jackson slaps his hand on my shoulder. “You keep an eye on her. We’re going to catch whoever is trying to sabotage the vineyard.”
He sees himself out, and I walk toward the window overlooking the city. I’ll do what I have to do to keep her safe.
Chapter Fifteen
Lainey
“Ranger seems to have made something of himself,” Dad says from the head of the table.
I nod. “Yeah, he’s doing really well. He’s very good at his job.” I look at my brother. “Right?”
“He knows his stuff, and everything he’s suggested has been spot on to really promote the new cab. I already spoke to Catherine and told her that anytime we launch a new product, we’ll be using Ranger.” Lance smiles at me from across the table.
“Ranger? Ranger’s that poor boy that you dated in high school. The one with that god-awful truck,” Mom says from beside me.
I shake my head. “He wasn’t poor, and yes, it’s the guy I dated through high school.”
“Are you dating him now?” she asks, and honestly, I don’t know how to answer her because I don’t know what we’re doing.
I shrug. “We’re just spending time together. It’s been ten years since I’ve seen or talked to him. We’ve had a lot to catch up on.”
This dinner has gone so much better than I could’ve hoped for. Neither of them stared at my tattoos with disgusted looks. They asked questions about my life in Atlanta and seemed genuinely interested in my answers. I know my brother is responsible for this, and for that, I’m grateful.
When it’s time to leave, I hug both of my parents tightly. I get tearful when they both hug me back just as tight. My father kisses my forehead for the first time since I was a little girl. “Goodnight, sweetheart.”
As soon as I get in the car, I shoot Ranger a quick text that we’re on our way back to my brother’s. My brother and I are both quiet on the drive. Once we get back, Lance goes to his room to talk to his fiancée on the phone. I can’t wait to meet her.
In my room, I change into a pair of threadbare boxers and a black tank top. I wash my face in the bathroom and brush my hair out before throwing it up into a high ponytail.
I head out to the kitchen to grab a bottle of water, and then there’s a knock on the front door. My heartbeat kicks up, and a fluttering feeling fills my belly. Why am I nervous all of a sudden? I take a deep breath and pull the door open. “Hey.”
Ranger steps inside and wraps his free arm around me, kissing me slowly. I open my mouth for his tongue to enter and brush against mine. Shit, this man can kiss. We separate, and I reach around him to lock the door.
“Here, let me put your bag in my room. If you want to sit outside, I can turn the fire pit on.”
We decide to hang out in my room and watch TV. Ranger pulls off his t-shirt and strips down to his boxer briefs. I try my best not to drool, but come on—he’s so hot, and his body is sick.