18. Mia

CHAPTER 18

Mia

I 'm working in the back of the store near the bikes when from my peripheral, I spot Dad. The stairs make it difficult for him to come into the store often. It's the reason why he stayed so long at the rehab facility before coming home.

He shuffles toward me with his cane. My first thought is to worry and my heart rate picks up. Typically Mom stays by his side when he uses his cane but after a quick glance around the store, she's nowhere to be found.

"Hey, Dad. Everything okay?" I rush toward him to brace him underneath his arm.

But he shrugs off my help. "I'm f-f-fine. I need to get used to doing this on m-m-my own."

"Yeah? Why's that?"

"I can't rely on someone f-f-forever."

My hands itch with the need to help, especially when he stumbles slightly. "That may be true, but it's not forever, it's just for now."

"For now might as well be forever," he grunts, finally coming to a complete stop.

"And you all wonder how I got so stubborn and independent," I mutter.

"Ha," he barks, amusement brightening his face. "Imagine that."

I cross my arms so I'm not tempted to help him again. "What's up?"

"I've been meaning to t-talk to you. About the s-s-store."

Unease sneaks into my mind, it's something I assumed we would've discussed right after I returned home. But it's a conversation I haven't wanted to encounter.

"Mia, we love having you home. We know it h-hasn't been easy. But we're grateful you s-s-stepped up when we needed you."

"I'll always be here if you need me," I answer, my throat beginning to ache.

"Good. Happy you s-said that."

I lift my brows and smile, my worries slipping away.

"Because we need you to s-s-seriously think about your plans of taking over the business," he says, his expression serious, with his wiry brows pinched together.

It feels as if a rock has landed in my gut. "I mean, I know we've talked about it before and that was the plan. But that was a long time ago. Before…before I left."

He nods and his jaw clenches. Like maybe he's trying to choose his next words carefully since they're harder to get out these days. "It's still the plan," his words rush out.

Fear etches in my mind. "But what if I'm not planning on coming back to stay?"

He waves me off. "You'll be back."

"Dad," I stretch out his name.

"You were born for this, s-sweetie."

How is he so sure? Most days when I'm working, I feel like I've forgotten everything I used to know when I was the manager here. I guess that's what dads do. They have confidence in their kids, sometimes when they don't have any in themselves.

"You're s-strong. And yes, stubborn too." He grins.

I smile along with him because he's not wrong. I get my strength from him. It's obvious by how much he's improved since the stroke.

Nodding, I drop my chin to my chest so he can't see the tears building. The compliment wasn't necessary, though it was appreciated. Knowing he's not only grateful I've been here and helping this summer, but proud of me makes my head swim.

"Hey?" he calls.

I cautiously lift my head.

"And you love him."

My brows shoot up and I choke on my own spit. "Excuse me?"

"J-J-Jones."

Now I'm the one waving him off. Because while I do love Jones, I don't love him in the way a person does when they commit to being their partner forever. Even if deep down I know there's no one else for me.

"I'll think about it, Dad," I finally say.

We take an early evening drive out to the private lake near Rosie's cabin. This is something Jones and I did often while we were dating. It was a chance for us to be alone together. To reconnect. To just be .

I love my parents and our friends, but all the noise, the opinions, the watchful eyes, it's too much pressure. Jones and I need a moment to play catch up. To see how we are together.

Some of our best, most intimate conversations have been in Jones's truck, on a hike, or on a bike ride, or sitting by the lake.

Jones keeps glancing my way every two seconds as we get closer to the lake. The grin he flashes me is so darn cute my heart is at risk of exploding in my chest. He reaches out his hand and I slip mine into it. It's easy. Comfortable. And it's scary as hell. The way we fell back into our old rhythm is terrifying. Leaving him will be even harder the second time.

We reach the lake and I'm relieved when no one else is here. Even though this lake is private, it doesn't always keep people away. Especially if the nearby lakes are crowded. It's as if suddenly people don't know how to read the "Private Property" signs.

Jones cuts the engine of the truck. Instantly, the heat from outside fills the cab. Even with the windows down, it's too hot. I'm regretting not wearing my bathing suit underneath my clothes.

"This has got to be the hottest day all summer," I complain, swiping the sheen of sweat off my forehead.

"Record-breaking," Jones replies.

"I think it's gonna be too hot to talk in here."

"How about we table our conversation and go swimming instead?" Jones suggests.

"I wish, but I don't have my suit on," I whine.

"Who said anything about suits?"

I turn my attention to him, and he grins wickedly at me.

"Someone could see us."

He glances around. "Who's gonna see us? No one is around."

"Not yet. Or not that you know of."

"Stop being so…so Mia ."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Stop being in your head so much. It makes you uptight and honestly, a bit of a prude."

I gasp, "I am not a prude."

Jones sets his hand on my thigh and leans close to me. "When it's just you and me, alone, and we're fucking, you're not a prude, Peaches." He gives me a kiss. "But sometimes, the majority of the time, out in public, or around our friends, you're a prude."

I glare at him. I know what he's doing. And darn it, it's working.

"I'm onto you, mister."

"What?" His bluish-grey eyes soften as he tries to play innocent.

"You're trying to get me all worked up so I give in."

He gives me a cheeky grin. "Is it working?"

"A little," I admit, biting my lower lip.

"Good. Because I'm gonna need you to strip and get that perfect behind into the lake before we melt in this truck." With that, he swings open his door and tugs his shirt over his head. He takes off in a jog, discarding his clothes across the sand on his way to the water.

I laugh out loud and hop out of the truck. Excitement thrums in my veins as I dash after him and strip my clothes. His tan butt is a blur for a few seconds before he reaches the water and sinks below the surface.

Jones's head bobs out just in time to see me hesitate with the hem of my underwear. The cold water laps over my feet and a shiver runs down my spine while I stand at the shoreline. I discarded my bra more easily, something about setting the girls free is liberating. But showing off my entire body is something entirely different. I was never self-conscious when I was with Jones. But after losing the baby and being with a new man, it wasn't easy. I never felt quite as comfortable as I did when I was with Jones.

"What are you waiting for? Get in here," he calls.

I hook my thumbs in my underwear and sink my teeth into my lower lip. I'm about to say, screw it , and leave them on. They'll dry eventually. But Jones swims closer, giving me a mischievous grin. As he approaches, he reveals more of his naked body, little by little, until he's positioned himself in front of me fully naked. His cock is already standing at attention like a good soldier.

"Get those off before I tear them off," he growls.

His eyes are animalistic while he holds my own captive.

I obey, the command in his voice somehow a turn-on. Dragging the underwear down my legs, I step out slowly. He must have lost his patience with me. Before I can toss them, he snatches them from me, wads them in his fist, and chucks them onto the sand. His gaze rakes over my unclothed body and I tremble.

"Flawless," he mumbles so close to my face I can feel his breath brush my cheeks.

"You're looking pretty impressive yourself," I tease, flashing him a playful smile while my gaze travels south.

Without thinking, I reach for his dick and lightly stroke his length. I can't help it. When I'm with Jones, he brings out a part of me I've been pushing down for so long. With him, I'm carefree. With him, I'm comfortable. With him, I'm me.

My head goes dizzy and there's a swooping low in my belly. If Jones were to slip his hand between my thighs, he'd find me drenched already. I'm desperate for him.

"You can't get enough of me, can you, beauty?" He lowers his mouth and nips at my neck, and it sends goosebumps shooting across my skin. "How bad do you want my cock?"

"So, so bad," I murmur while I tighten my grip and he groans.

My pussy aches with a deep need to be touched. To be satisfied. Feeling frantic, I drag the tip of his dick against my slick entrance and my eyes flutter shut for a moment.

"You're a greedy little brat, aren't you?"

I can't resist the mischievous grin that pulls at my lips.

"Not so fast. I want to take my time with you," he rasps.

My lower lip pops out in a pout.

"Don't worry, Peaches, I'm gonna take you out in the middle of this lake and stuff that perfectly tight pussy with my cock and fuck you till you're raw and satisfied."

He reaches a hand around the back of my neck and gives it a firm squeeze which sucks the air from my throat momentarily. He hauls my mouth to his and I surrender willingly. My lips glide over his while my tongue hungrily flicks inside his mouth.

His hand slides from the back of my throat to the front and he pushes pressure from his fingers against my skin. My eyes widen. It's possessive and hot as if he's claiming me. Tiny black spots dot my vision and I feel the gush of intoxication between my thighs.

He can have me.

The sun hasn't even set yet and I can only imagine what we look like if someone were to see us. The two of us standing at the shoreline naked, the water lapping over our feet while my hand caresses his dick and his is clutched to my throat.

"Jones," the word strains against my taut throat.

He loosens his grip slightly and I swallow. He brings his free hand to my breast and brushes the pad of his thumb against my nipple, and I hiss.

"Jones," I try again, still muffled. "You can have me. Own me. Claim me."

His eyes darken. They're challenging. But I'm not trying to be submissive in the moment. I mean it. I'm declaring it for him to not only hear but believe. I've never wanted to be anyone else's.

"Prove it," he grunts.

Releasing my throat, he drags his hand down to fondle my tits some more while I attempt to grapple at his meaning of the command, prove it .

"Get on your knees for me, Peaches," he finally instructs.

A twinge of shyness mixed with excitement swirls through me and causes me to stall.

"Here?" the word chokes out.

"You did say I could have you, didn't you?"

I did say that. And I did mean it. But here, at the lake, when the sun hasn't even set makes me feel exposed.

I nod as a lump slides up my throat and I glance over my shoulder toward the beach and the parking lot.

Jones sets a finger to my cheek and forces me to look back at him. "Eyes on me," he snaps. "I want you focused on me when I fuck that beautiful mouth and fill your throat with my cum." His blue-grey eyes are dark carnal. "Now, get on your knees."

This time, I don't hesitate. I drop to my knees slowly. The sand bites at my bare skin and when a small wave hits my legs, shocking me with the icy water, I suck in a shrill breath.

Pushing back the distractions, I waste no time in getting started. How can I when his impressive erection is right in front of me waiting to be admired and satisfied. When I grip his cock and take him into my mouth, my brain trips up on how big he is. He's instantly aroused, fisting his hand in my hair. He nudges my head closer to him so I can take him in even further.

His cock reaches so far, I almost gag. I close my mouth around him and push my tongue against his tip and he releases a groan. Jones thrusts his hips into me, and his length slides between my lips before he dives down my throat even deeper.

But as my eyes water, I don't want him to stop. He feels so good. By the sounds of his guttural moans, it feels good to him too. I keep one hand at the base of him while the other clutches his butt. All I can do is anchor myself to him, stay in this moment, and devour him.

Neither of us break eye contact the entire time. Not when mine are tearing and when his are dark and glazing over. It doesn't take long before his dick throbs and surges in my mouth. There's nothing left to do but open my throat and let his cum fill me to the brim.

Jones combs my hair with his fingers and gazes at me with adoration rather than lust. It sends a chill shooting through my entire body. I pull back, popping off his tip and causing him to exhale a shaky breath.

He wastes no time in bracing me underneath my elbows and pulling me up. He lifts me, aligning my front against his, and squeezes my butt. I wrap my legs around his waist, and he carries me into the water until it reaches my waist. He raises me up before lowering me onto his cock. The friction of our wet body parts causes it to slide slowly, jerkily, until he's filled me to the brim.

I peer down at him, and my eyes get a little teary. "I love you, Jones."

The smile he gives me is genuine and pure. "I know, beauty, me too."

And then he makes good on his promise.