“Do you want to talk about it?” She paused. “Can you talk about it?”

“I don’t know what good it would do.” He closed his eyes. “Dammit. This is the kind of stuff I’m supposed to share with you and open up about, isn’t it?”

At least he recognized he’d screwed up. “Not if it’s against the corporate rules. I don’t need to know specifics. But I had no idea you had this turmoil on your mind in addition to all the fight stuff.”

“That’s because I’m a shitty boyfriend.”

“No, you’re used to going it alone. But you don’t have to do that anymore, Deacon. It’s up to me to remind you that I’m here for you. Just like you reminded me in Nebraska.”

Deacon kissed her, except not with the raw passion she expected. But that didn’t mean the kiss didn’t pack a wallop. He rested his forehead to hers. “And it’s up to me to take care of my woman. Feed you.”

“Since we’re in Texas, I expect you could find a Tex-Mex place to your liking.”

“That I can do.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

AFTER last night’s fiasco with his family, Deacon hadn’t been in the mood to do anything. He hadn’t wanted to talk. He’d barely eaten anything at the restaurant. When they’d returned to the hotel room, Molly started sawing logs as soon as her head hit the pillow.

He’d been too full of restless energy and anger to sleep. Since he’d be fighting again in a week, he needed to do a full cardio workout and fit in as many conditioning exercises as he could—even without the proper equipment. So he’d hit the hotel workout room and spent the next few hours trying to quiet his head.

Then, this morning, he’d woken Molly up in his favorite way, his face between her thighs. Afterward he’d made love to her slowly, sweetly, dragging it out as long as possible. Touching her everywhere. Being touched in return. Whispering promises and words of love. Feeling such a deep connection to her here in this place that he’d purposely disconnected from.

Then he’d left her exhausted in bed, the keys to the rental car by her e-reader so she wasn’t stuck in the hotel all day.

Deacon donned his workout gear and ran the ten miles to the JFW office complex. Showing up at the meeting sweating and looking like a fighter made the statement he’d wanted it to make.

His dad and uncle hadn’t been happy about his unprofessional appearance.

Tag just rolled his eyes.

The opposing sides made their pitches, Tag for selling the company, breaking down the costs of doing business alongside the heavy losses sustained since the price of oil had started a downward spiral from lifetime highs. Deacon’s dad gave an impassioned speech about the long history of the oil business with the continual fluctuations in demand and not giving up during hard times.

Currently Bing, Clark, and Clive were against selling. Tag and a pair of board members were for selling. Deacon’s vote—when it came to that point—would be the swing vote.

No pressure.

During the late lunch, Deacon made it clear he wouldn’t be railroaded into making such a big decision on such short notice. At that point the tension in the room lessened. But Deacon’s agitation returned when his dad told him he’d scheduled a JFW soiree, with all the key employees, at the Barclay Country Club for this evening, and attendance was mandatory for all board members.

The meeting adjourned. Running another ten miles might kill him, but at least Maddox couldn’t accuse him of slacking on his cardio training.

Molly wasn’t in the room when he returned. The car keys were still on the dresser. He fought his instinct not to look out the seventh-story window, but he managed to hold off the resulting dizziness long enough to see her sitting poolside with her e-reader.

He showered quickly and went to her.

She looked up and welcomed him with a big smile that lit up his entire world. “So, how was the corporate world today, dear?”

“Sucky.”

“I’ve been lounging.” She stretched. “I slept in after a vivid dream that this hot, sexy muscleman completely ravaged me. His stamina was unreal. He fucked me for two hours, in four positions, and made me come six times.”

Deacon picked up her bare foot and kissed her instep. “Babe. I fucked you for one hour, in two positions, and you came three times.”

“Who said it was you? Maybe I found alternate entertainment.”

He growled.

“You did leave me to my own devices without much warning.” Molly leaned closer and nuzzled his whiskery cheeks. “No one’s hit on me today, if that worries you.”