Lost Love (Cowboys & Angels 1)

Focusing on trying to get my breathing under control, I opened the door without looking to see who it was. My eyes widened in shock.

“Joe?”

A wide grin moved across his face as he purred, “Hey beautiful. Miss me?”

The pounding in my chest was echoing in my ears. I hadn’t needed the kiss to remind me of how much I loved Paxton, but when our lips met and our bodies rushed with energy, I knew deep in my heart that this was the woman I would love for the rest of my life. She was the reason my heart beat.

When the doorbell rang I silently thanked God. It was taking every ounce of strength not to pick up Paxton and lay her over the island and bury my dick inside of her. The constant battle between my head and my heart was getting exhausting.

I reached down and adjusted my rock-hard dick.

“Jesus, get a grip, Parker,” I whispered to myself as I walked to the bottle of rum. I poured a shot into the glass and went to drink it when I stilled at a familiar voice.

“Joe?”

“Hey beautiful. Miss me?”

What in the fuck is he doing here?

I tossed the shot back and set the glass on the counter.

Paxton stood there in silence for a little longer than I would have liked.

“Um, Joe now isn’t really a good time.”

His eyes lifted and met mine. When his smile faded, mine grew bigger. That’s right motherfucker. I’m back.

He let out a gruff laugh and said, “Steed Parker. I heard you were back in town. Planning on sticking around this time?”

Asshole.

“I sure do.”

Paxton cleared her throat and stepped in front of Joe as he attempted to walk in.

“Now’s not a good time, Joe.”

“Nonsense, looks like you’re having a bit of a reunion here.”

Walking around the island, I made my way into the living room. “And I don’t believe you were invited.”

Paxton glanced over her shoulder. “Steed. I can handle this.”

Joe laughed again. “So you think you can ride on back into town and pick up where you left off?”

“Excuse me?” Paxton said as she placed her hand on Joe’s chest. “I think you need to leave now, Joe.”

He looked down at her and then back at me. “You’ve got a lot of nerve showing up here, Parker.”

It was my turn to laugh. “You don’t even know why I’m here, asshole.”

“That’s enough, both of you stop. Joe, I’m asking you nicely, please leave.”

A frustrated expression moved across his face as he glared and then finally focused in on Paxton while pushing himself into her house. He grabbed her by her upper arms and shook his head as he spoke.

“Why, Paxton? Why would you let this lowlife back into your life? He left you, remember? He doesn’t love you and never did. All you were was a sex thing for him to play with until he found something better.”

I walked up to him and grabbed him by the shirt, pulling him away from Paxton.

“Fuck off, you son-of-a-bitch!” I hit him in the face, causing him to stumble back.

Paxton screamed and rushed to Joe. “Steed! Are you crazy?”

“He had his hands on you, Paxton. I’m not going to let him touch you and say bullshit things like that.”

Joe wiped the blood from his mouth as he glared at me from the floor. Paxton was kneeling down next to him. Why she gave a shit how he was, I couldn’t imagine.

I pointed at him. “You ever say something like that again and I’ll—”

“Enough!” Paxton cried out. “Steed, I think you need to leave.”

My eyes widened in shock. “What? Why in the fuck do I need to leave? He’s the one who came bursting in here and manhandled you!”

“I could have handled it, but it looks like some things never change. Your hot-headed temper likes to take control.”

There was no way she was taking that asshole’s side right now. “Pax, are you serious right now? We were talking …we were… I thought… Why are you doing this?”

“I need you to leave, Steed. Now.”

Joe stared up at me with a shit-eating grin on his face.

Nodding, I glanced between the two of them and settled my gaze on her. “Fine. If that’s what you want.”

She stared up at me, anger still visible.

“I guess maybe you were wrong,” I said.

The anger on her face immediately melted away. “What?”

“Maybe you did stop loving me.”

One more survey of Joe, and I simply nodded. “You got what you wanted, fucker.”

Paxton stood. “Steed. Wait.”

Without looking back, I walked out the front door and to my truck.

“Steed!”

I opened the door to my truck and glimpsed back at the house. “You asked me to leave, Paxton. I’m doing what you asked, unless you want me to stay. Do you want me to stay?”

She wrapped her arms around her body and said nothing.