Destined to Change by Harley, M. (top android ebook reader TXT) 📕

Leona was such a sweetheart. I had known her since I was a little girl. She was a short, round older lady. She had curly brown hair and a tendency to wear a hairnet and an apron with a weird saying on it.  Tonight’s apron said: Big Girls Don’t Cry – They’re Happy Because They Eat Pie.

“Oh, baby girl, I understand that.”

“What are you getting?” I asked Jaxon.

He responded with a questioning look on his face. “Uh, could I order one of everything? Would that be crazy?”

“They have eight different pies tonight, Jaxon. Can you eat eight pieces of pie?”

“I’d sure be willing to give it a good try,” he said with a little grin.

Leona said, “Son, you’re a man after my own heart. I’m gonna bring you out a little sample of all of the specials today.”

Jaxon stood up and grabbed Leona in a big ole bear hug. “I think you’re a woman after my own heart, Miss Leona.”

She was blushing and smiling from ear to ear. Apparently, Jaxon’s charms were effective on all members of the opposite sex.  Didn’t matter how old they were.

Leona disappeared into the kitchen to fetch our pie. Jaxon took my hand in his and started rubbing the pad of his thumb back and forth. He was smiling at me. The feelings I had for him were getting stronger every day. It was like we were drawn to each other.  He was great with the kids and they were really starting to like him. That scared me and made me really happy at the same time.  Jaxon was so different than Declan.  I never thought I could fall for someone like him, but I was and I wanted more with him.

Leona came out to our table with a cookie sheet covered in pie. I mean covered in pie. I bet we had sixteen slices. So many different kinds: coconut cream, chocolate cream, lemon meringue, raisin cream, apple, blueberry, cherry, peanut butter, gooseberry, and my personal favorite chocolate-peanut butter. I ate at least one bite of each kind. Okay, maybe I also ate three bites of the chocolate-peanut butter pie. But my goodness, it was so delicious. I couldn’t let it go to waste. I was amazed at the amount of pie Jaxon ate. There was barely anything left on the cookie sheet when Leona came out to take it away.

She smiled at Jaxon. “I love to see a man with a healthy appetite. You better hang on tight to this one, Loralei.”

“That sounds like excellent advice to me,” Jaxon said with a grin.

He settled the check with Leona and we got ready for the ride home. On the way home he turned down the lane that leads out to the pond. I was really enjoying the ride and it didn’t hurt that I got to have my arms wrapped around Jaxon, holding on tight.

When we got to the pond, Jaxon cut the engine and climbed off the bike. He took my hand and helped me get my helmet off and get off the bike. Then he climbed back on the bike.

“Come here and sit down in front of me,” he said.

“Um, sure.” I climbed on in front of him. I leaned my back against his chest. My head was resting on his shoulder. This moment was perfect. The weather was perfectly warm. The moonlight shining down on the pond was perfect. The crickets chirping in the distance were making the perfect mood music for us.

I could feel his breath on my neck. Then I felt his tongue on my ear. He kissed my earlobe, whispering, “Thanks for going for a ride with me, Lor. Tonight, has been perfect.”

How did he know what I was thinking? I thought it was perfect too.

He kissed my neck. His hands were resting on my thighs, until they started moving up to my breasts. He cupped them in his hands, and I heard a groan escape his lips as they were caressing my neck. I reached back and placed my arms around his neck and I turned my head to give him easier access to mine.

All of a sudden, he stopped. He moved his hands back to where they had been resting on my thighs and he rested his chin on my neck. He was breathing heavily.

“You don’t have to stop, Jaxon.”

“Oh baby, yes, yes I do. Let’s just enjoy this beautiful night, okay?”

“Um, okay? You don’t want to…do anything?”

“Damn, it woman. You’re going to be the death of me.” He said with a laugh. “Of course, I do, Lor.  But I’m trying really hard to be a good boy.”

We stayed at the pond for a couple of hours just talking and enjoying each other’s company.  I was really getting used to being wrapped up in his arms.  He made me feel so safe and special.  Like that was where I needed to be. This night had been perfect.

We rode home and I decided I really liked his motorcycle.  He drove right up to the steps at my house.  We climbed off the bike, he pulled our helmets off and hung them on the handlebars then he walked me to the door.

“Would you like to come in?” I asked.

“I would absolutely love to, but I think maybe it would be better if I didn’t.   I want us to take it slow, and I’m afraid if I come in I won’t be able to do that.”  He was looking at me with a pained expression.

“Okay, I understand.  But someday, hopefully soon, I want to be with you.  You know that, right?”

He closed his eyes and shook his head.  “Woman, you are gonna be the damn death of me. I am trying so hard to be good.”

He leaned in and very softly pressed his lips to mine.  He kissed me so gently, it was beautiful.  He pulled away and then kissed the corners of my lips and then he ran his nose along my jaw.  I