Chapter Eleven

As a rule, Violet didn't spend much time in town when she went out on a date. For one, there were all those overprotective family members. And two, it wasn't easy to spend an evening getting to know someone when everyone knew your name and had no qualms about interrupting just to see how you were doing.

Tonight was no exception.

"Violet," her cousin Ethan said as he approached their table.

"Ethan," she drawled, mimicking his chiding tone.

"Who's your friend?"

Grinning, she glanced across the table at Simon and mouthed "Sorry" before smiling up at Ethan. "He's my future husband. In fact, we're gettin' ready to run down to city hall to tie the knot. So if you're here to talk me out of it"—she peered down at her wrist, as though checking her non-existent watch—"you've got about thirty seconds." She looked up at him. "Go."

Simon snorted.

Ethan didn't sound impressed. "Really?"

"Yep."

As he was studying her, probably trying to determine whether she was full of shit, Ethan's husband Beau approached.

"Hey, girl," he greeted, holding up his beer as though toasting her. "What's up?"

"She's about to run down to city hall to get married to this guy," Ethan said, his tone betraying nothing.

"Is that right?" Beau glanced between her and Simon. "You need a witness? I'm free tonight. See, my husband promised to take me out, get me drunk, then take advantage of me. But here he is"—Beau peered over at Ethan—"gettin' all up in everyone else's business."

Simon chuckled, then stood up, holding his hand out for Ethan and Beau. "Simon Jennings."

Beau's eyes went dinner plate wide. " The Simon Jennings?" His gaze darted to her. "That's him?"

Violet laughed. "That's him."

Beau transferred his beer to his other hand, then wiped his palm on his jeans before shaking Simon's hand. "It's … wow. It's an honor to meet you."

"What the fuck?" Ethan asked, glaring at his husband.

Simon shifted his hand toward Ethan, putting Ethan in a position to return the gesture or look like an asshole. Good thing Ethan wasn't an asshole. Most of the time.

"Ethan Walker."

"Cousin, right?" Simon asked, looking at Violet for confirmation.

"Yes. This is one of Travis's brothers."

Simon's expression smoothed out. "Very nice to meet you."

"Likewise." Ethan looked at Beau. "I think."

"Why doesn't anyone say Travis is one of Ethan's brothers?" Beau mused, smiling around the lip of his beer.

Violet giggled. "Good question."

Beau winked at her, grinning as he turned his attention to Ethan. "Simon's the host of Havoc Your Way , a podcast Violet talked me into listenin' to. It's pretty damn addictin'." He looked at Simon. "Good job on that."

Simon huffed a laugh. "Thanks."

"You're welcome." Beau gestured to Ethan. "Despite what his face is sayin' right now, my husband's not an asshole."

Violet laughed, but it turned into an uncontrollable giggle.

"It's true." Beau nodded enthusiastically. "Ask his momma. She'll tell you."

With a beaming smile, Simon said, "I'm glad to hear that."

"What brings you to town?"

"He's a friend of Holt's," Violet explained, aiming for the easy answer, the one that might not provoke a lot of follow-up questions.

Beau took a pull on his beer. "So, you're stayin' somewhere close?"

"At the B and B, yeah."

"For how long?" Ethan prompted, looking as though he'd sucked on a lemon in the past ten seconds or so.

"Probably another week." Simon nodded and looked at Violet. "Maybe two."

She wasn't sure why that pleased her. The last thing she needed was more time with this man. He made her feel things she had no business feeling. Especially since this was supposed to be a short fling.

"Are you workin' on a new story?" Beau's expression was that of a kid hoping to be told Santa was coming for Christmas.

"I'm finishin' up one and lookin' at what's next in line."

"Somethin' here in town?"

"That I don't know yet."

"Hey, Beau!" someone shouted from across the bar. "Y'all are up at the table."

"That's our cue…" Beau laughed. "See what I did there?"

Violet joined in because how could she not?

"It was nice to meet you. If you stick —haha, I did it again." Beau's face lit up with merriment. "Anyway. If you stick around a while, maybe we'll see you again."

"Yeah, maybe."

"Come on, E." Beau patted Ethan's shoulder. "Let's go extract that stick from your ass so we can play us some pool."

Violet wasn't sure what Ethan said in response, but whatever it was, it had Beau barking a laugh that caught the attention of nearly everyone in the bar.

"Interesting guys," Simon said as he returned to his seat.

"Ethan had a rough go of it when he was a kid," she told him. "Beau's good for him. They've been married for almost nine years now. They've got three-year-old triplets. Beau's a stay-at-home dad. Ethan is the heavy equipment mechanic at Walker Demolition."

"That sounds like a handful."

"Which part?" Violet smiled at him. "The kids?"

"Yeah. Three at the same time? I assume they used a surrogate?"

"Yep. Kaleb's wife Zoey."

Simon's eyebrows slowly lifted toward his hairline. "Ethan's sister-in-law is the mother of their children?"

"No. She carried them, but they used donor eggs."

"Ah. That makes sense. Still. Three's a lot."

"Maybe." Violet smiled. "But kids keep us young."

Simon's expression turned thoughtful. "You want kids one day?"

Violet was surprised by the question, but she answered honestly. "I do. One or two would be nice. One day. What about you?"

His gaze swept over her face slowly. "Yeah. Kids're hopefully on the agenda."

"You might wanna get on that," she teased. "You ain't gettin' any younger."

Simon picked up his beer and tipped it toward his mouth. "I'm workin' on it."

Warmth filled her insides, starting in her chest and working its way outward. She knew better than to read anything into that statement, but based on the look in his eyes, it was difficult not to.

Someone cleared their throat behind her at the same time Simon's eyes lifted to look in that direction. Violet braced herself for another well-meaning but quite irritating male relative of hers.

"How's it goin', Violet?"

And she wasn't disappointed.

"Hey, Jaxson," she said as he stepped around into her line of sight. "Simon, meet Jaxson Briggs. Another cousin. Jaxson, Simon Jennings."

Jaxson jerked his chin in greeting but kept his eyes on her. "Hey."

"Nice to meet—"

"Where's Elana?"

Violet tilted her head as she peered up at him. "Are you askin' 'cause you're interested?"

"No."

"Well, then, I guess it's none of your business."

He didn't look the least bit shameful, but she expected no less. He wasn't asking where Elana was because he was interested in the answer. It was his not-so-subtle way of telling her she should be hanging out with someone other than the man sitting across from her.

Her sisters often had stories very similar to this scenario. Most of the time, they didn't end well. Certainly not when someone attempted to interfere in Honor's romantic entanglements. Violet was a bit nicer than her baby sister, although her family was pushing their luck tonight.

"You need somethin' else?" she asked, trying for polite. "Because I'm kinda on a date."

"You goin' to Brantley's wedding?"

Taking a deep breath, she reached for her drink. "I haven't decided yet."

"Maybe you could take your date," he said, sounding far too haughty for his own good.

Her gaze snapped to his face. "Maybe I could."

"I think I'll go close out our tab," Simon said, getting to his feet. "It was nice to meet you, Jaxson."

"Same."

As soon as Simon was out of earshot, Violet jumped to her feet. " What is your problem?"

"I don't have one."

"Invite him to a wedding ?" She huffed. "You're a real piece of work, you know that?"

"Hey. It's not my fault he's not good enough for you."

"You don't know shit, Jaxson Briggs," she hissed.

"I know that you've got the whole family up in arms because you're out flauntin' around with some stranger ." He said the last word as though it was the same thing as serial killer .

"Jesus Christ, Jax. I wasn't flauntin' anything." She lowered her voice and gritted her teeth. "We are on a date."

It took effort not to punch him in the nose. It wouldn't surprise her if Simon snuck out the back and disappeared forever. She'd never met anyone who wanted to go to a wedding, much less while on a date with someone they just met.

"Stop buttin' in my business," she snarled.

"No promises, kiddo."

Before she made a scene, Violet stomped over to the bar, calming herself as she went. She stood a few feet behind Simon while he paid Rafe for their food and drinks.

While he waited, his eyes skimmed the room and zeroed in on the table they'd been sitting at. His forehead creased.

"Hey," she said, hoping he was merely curious where she went and not trying to figure out a way to disappear without her knowing.

He held out his hand to her as he'd done earlier. It was natural to put hers in his and let him pull her in. He pressed a kiss to her temple and then turned his attention back to Rafe so he could sign the credit card slip. It was then she realized he was left-handed. An interesting little tidbit of information.

Simon passed the slip and pen back. "Tell Holt I'll catch up with him in the mornin'."

Rafe glanced her way briefly. "Will do."

With her hand firmly in his, Simon led the way out to his car.

She figured this was the point in the night when he offered to drive her back to her car and suggested he see her tomorrow. She definitely wouldn't blame him.

"I'm really sorry about my cousins."

"They mean well."

Violet snorted. "I'm not so sure about that. I've been dealin' with that my whole life."

When they reached the car, Simon stopped, pulling her into him. "All I can say is I guess they'll have to get used to me hangin' around you."

"Yeah?"

He nodded, leaning down. "Yeah."

"Why's that?"

"Because I can't think of anywhere I'd rather be."

Swoon.

This time, Violet didn't reprimand her silly heart for the giddiness that consumed her. Why should she? She was pretty sure it was too late. She was too far gone already.

·····

After leaving Moonshiners, Simon took Violet home . During the drive, he could tell she was antsy or frustrated or both. She kept wringing her hands in her lap and sighing, although he wasn't sure she realized she was doing it.

"Thank you for dinner," she told him as he helped her out of the car.

"I don't consider fried pickles and cheese sticks dinner," he teased. "But you're welcome."

Taking her hand, he walked alongside her toward her front door.

"Next time, we'll try somewhere outside of town," he told her. "At least until I learn all the names and faces of your kin."

Violet peered up at him. "You really want there to be a next time?"

"I do," he told her honestly. "Although you should know, this date is far from over."

Heat swarmed in her big brown eyes. "Are you a glutton for punishment?"

Simon chuckled, shifting their joined hands behind her back as he leaned in and pressed his lips to hers. "I'm glad you brought that up."

"Brought what up?" she asked when he gestured toward the front door.

"Punishment," he said softly. "We've yet to talk about yours."

"Oh, you sweet talker, you," she teased.

Violet tugged her keys out of her pocket and unlocked the door. There were a few lights on inside, enough for the cats not to feel as though they were home alone, probably.

Simon followed her inside, closing and locking the door behind him.

"Hey, guys," Violet greeted the cats, pure adoration threaded in her tone. "Are you hungry?"

Simon took a seat on the couch while she went to the kitchen to take care of the giant cats. He looked around the living room as though taking it in for the first time. Last night and this morning, he'd been far too distracted to do more than notice where he was walking.

Violet's house was what he would consider modern minimalist. She had just enough furniture pieces for guests but not too much to overwhelm the small room. There was a rug on the hardwood, probably for comfort more so than design. There was no fireplace, only a stand that held a decent-sized television. On the shelf at the bottom of the stand were pictures. There were a couple of her, Elana, and Spencer, but the rest looked to be her sisters and mother. There were none of her father but based on the man's track record in her life, Simon wasn't surprised.

"Would you like somethin' to drink?"

"Water," he said, getting to his feet when Violet stepped into the room.

She turned back to the kitchen. He joined her as she was closing the refrigerator, a bottle of water in her hand.

"Thank you," he said when she passed it to him. "We'll both need it in a little while."

Her expression was hopeful. "We will?"

Taking her hand, he gestured toward the cats with the other. "They good for a while?"

Violet nodded.

"Good."

Simon led the way to her bedroom, closing the door behind them. He set the water bottle on the nightstand before continuing into the en suite bathroom. Like the rest of the house, it was clean. Almost immaculately so.

"I really am sorry about my cousins," she said as he released her hand to turn on the claw-foot tub, which was also the shower.

"There's nothing to apologize for." He pulled the knob to shift to the showerhead and slid the fabric curtain closed to keep it from spraying the rest of the room. "They're your family. They mean well."

"Yeah? Well, well-meaning feels more like oppression and suffocation most of the time."

He smiled, brushing her hair back. "I can see that. But right now, those well-meaning, insufferable people aren't here. It's just you and me." He brushed a hand over her hair. "And we, sweet girl, have some things to discuss."

"We do?"

Simon nodded, reaching for the hem of her T-shirt, lifting slowly. Violet raised her arms, allowing him to remove it.

He took his time undressing them both while the bathroom filled with steam from the heat of the water. He led her into the tub and closed the curtain around them, ensuring she was beneath the spray first. Sliding his hand under her hair, he cupped her head and fused his lips to hers. Every muscle in his body tensed with anticipation when she touched him, her soft, cool fingers sliding over his back as she leaned into him.

They remained just like that for long minutes, tongues and hands exploring. No matter how much time passed, Simon knew he would never get enough of this woman. Throughout the day, he'd longed to see her again, to hear her sultry laugh and those sassy remarks. It was a wonder he could do anything because his thoughts were filled with her.

"I could kiss you all night," he told her. "But if I did that, we'd get nothing accomplished."

Her eyes narrowed, a glimmer of amusement. "What is it we need to accomplish?"

Simon slid his hand down her back, stopping when he reached her ass. He patted it gently. "We're gonna start with a spanking."

Her eyes widened, but that wasn't fear he saw glinting in the mocha depths. "A spanking?"

"You don't think you deserve one?"

Her cheeks pinked. "Maybe."

"But first…" He kissed her again, then proceeded to wash them both, taking his time and enjoying how she responded to his touch. Her soft moans filled the bathroom as he soaped every inch of her, then rinsed her with the sprayer.

By the time they made it to her bed, Simon was one giant nerve-ending. His cock throbbed with the need to be inside her. He relied on every ounce of patience he possessed to keep from impaling her and slaking his lust in the heat of her body.

"How do you wanna do this?" he prompted, wanting her to be as much a part of the punishment as he was.

"What?"

He could see the blush creeping up her neck.

"Would you prefer to bend over the bed? Or I can sit, and you can bend over my lap. Or I'll get on the bed, and you can lay across my legs."

"Umm."

Simon stepped behind her, sliding his hands up under the towel that was covering her, cupping her ass with his hands, kneading the smooth globes firmly. "One way or another, I am gonna spank this perfect little ass, Violet." He leaned down and nipped her earlobe. "Until I do, I won't put my cock inside you."

"Not even in my mouth?"

His dick kicked hard at the thought of that sassy mouth wrapped around him.

"Not even your mouth," he said with amusement.

Violet pressed her ass against his hands. "Is it gonna hurt?"

"Yes," he said honestly.

He couldn't explain the need he had to spank her ass for what she did. He'd never been much into this type of foreplay, but he'd seen last night how much she enjoyed it. And because she had, he had, too. Now, he wanted to use that lascivious tool to his benefit, to let her know that sneaking out this morning had hurt him more than it should have.

"Bend over the bed, Violet. But lose the towel first."

Simon didn't urge her forward, didn't direct her in any way. He wanted this to be her decision. Only then would it bring either of them the satisfaction he knew it would.

The towel fell to the floor at her feet a second before Violet lowered her upper body to the mattress. She tucked her arms underneath her and rested her head on the bed.

"How many would you like?"

"I have to decide that, too?"

He liked that she was teasing him.

"Yes. And choose wisely. The punishment should fit the crime."

"What's the crime?"

He smacked her ass once, causing her to yelp. "You really don't know?"

"Because I snuck out?"

Simon laughed. "You snuck out of your own house , Violet. To get away from me."

He rubbed the light pink mark his hand left on her behind, causing her to moan softly.

"Why'd you do it?"

"I…"

"And be honest. That'll determine whether you can walk when I'm done with you."

She shifted so she could look at him, a grin on her face. "Just so you know, I hope I can't."

"Yeah?"

She nodded.

This woman was going to be the death of him. And he was fairly certain she was well aware of it.