Betrayed

By Suzannah Daniels

BETRAYED is a new adult, contemporary romance recommended for adult readers due to mature content.

Paxton Mayfield and his brother, Cade, have a bad habit of falling for the same woman. In the past, their antics gave new meaning to the term sibling rivalry.

But now that Cade has tied the knot, can Pax finally find a woman who loves him?

Jessica Beacham has only loved one man—Paxton Mayfield. She would have gladly given up her college scholarship to stay in Creekview if he would have just given her a sign, but instead of telling her to stay, he ended the relationship.

Distraught and lonely, she was comforted by his brother.

Seven years have passed since that fateful day. When Paxton receives an unexpected phone call, he soon finds himself face-to-face with the one woman he swore he’d never speak to again.

He abandoned her. She ripped his heart out. Can they overcome their feelings of betrayal and restore their trust in each other?

BETRAYED is the fourth book in the WHISKEY NIGHTS series. Since each book focuses on a different couple, they can be read as stand-alones, but it is suggested to read DECEIVED before BETRAYED. Since there are recurring characters, many readers may prefer to read the series in order for maximum enjoyment.

WHISKEY NIGHTS SERIES ORDER
Wasted #1
Ignited #2
Deceived #3
Betrayed #4

• Language: English
• Publisher: Suzannah Daniels
• Release date: Feb 9, 2016
• ISBN: 9781310807282

Suzannah Daniels

Suzannah Daniels has had an affinity for words for as long as she can remember. She grew up in North Georgia with four brothers, so she learned at an early age to admire snakes and motorcycles. When she wasn't pestering her brothers, she could usually be found reading or writing.She is the author of Viking's Embrace, a historical romance, and Ghostly Encounter, Book One of her Ghostly series (young adult paranormal romance).Currently, she lives in Chattanooga, Tennessee with her husband of twenty-six years and her teenage daughter. Her son lives nearby. The family pets include a Lab mix, a Basset Hound, a Shih Tzu, and a sweet, little kitty.

Book preview

To my readers—

You make it possible.

Betrayed

(Whiskey Nights #4)

Paxton and Jessica’s story

by

Suzannah Daniels

Copyright © 2016 by Suzannah Daniels

Cover Art by Louisa Maggio @ LM CREATIONS

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the author.

This book is a work of fiction. Any similarities to any person, living or dead, events, businesses, or places are coincidental and not intended by the author. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places, events, and incidents are used fictitiously or are conceived from the author’s imagination.

First Electronic Edition: February 2016

Betrayed (Whiskey Nights #4) / by Suzannah Daniels

www.SuzannahDaniels.com

To my valued readers:

Thank you for purchasing BETRAYED, Whiskey Nights #4!

I hope you enjoy the WHISKEY NIGHTS series, and I hope you’ll come back to the small town of Creekview, Tennessee, with me in SEDUCED, Whiskey Nights #5 (release date to be announced).

To keep updated with my new releases, please join my newsletter.

With much love,

Suz

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Plateau

Chapter 2 Spot

Chapter 3 Lifting Weights

Chapter 4 Sit-ups

Chapter 5 Endurance

Chapter 6 Massage

Chapter 7 Guns

Chapter 8 Kettlebell

Chapter 9 Resistance Training

Chapter 10 Push-ups

Chapter 11 Cool-down

Chapter 12 Ripped

Chapter 13 Traps

Chapter 14 Cardiovascular

Chapter 15 Pumped

Chapter 16 Energy

Chapter 17 Aerobic

Chapter 18 Burn

Chapter 19 Exercise

Epilogue

Acknowledgements

Books by Suzannah Daniels

About the Author

Chapter 1

Plateau

Paxton

What the hell is she doing here? Cade pinned me with a glare as he tilted his head toward the front door, an unspoken request to look in that direction.

Glancing over my shoulder, I scanned the patrons of Whiskey Nights until she came into view.

Rachel Cambridge.

Evan let out a low whistle. She looks pretty hot.

Cade scoffed. That’s fine and dandy if you don’t mind a big side of crazy.

Frowning, I watched her tug down the hem of her fitted top as she gracefully sashayed down the main aisle as if it were a runway. She’s not crazy. Something about her forced people to take notice when she entered the room, and I watched as several people, men and women alike, turned to watch her, her allure causing them to lose their discretion as they openly stared. One woman snapped her fingers in front of her date’s face, forcing him to tear his eyes away from her shapely body.

Are you still going out with her? Cade asked, his face scrunched up in distaste.

I smacked him on the shoulder. Lighten up, bro. You look like an eighty-year-old grandmother who forgot to take her Metamucil.

He didn’t smile, but his facial muscles relaxed as he continued, Excuse the hell out of me if I think your girlfriend showing up at her ex-husband’s bar is a really bad idea—especially since his current girlfriend owns half of it and she’s here somewhere, too.

I couldn’t disagree with his logic. Mason Cambridge and I were friends, and while he couldn’t care less that I had dated his ex-wife, I would never intentionally bring her to Whiskey Nights, the bar that he owned with his current girlfriend, Lexi Swafford.

In fact, I, myself, had only started frequenting Whiskey Nights in the last few months since my younger brother, Cade, and I had finally called a truce after a longstanding feud between us regarding another woman—a woman to which we had both been attracted.

My brother’s marriage to Seren Flanagan four months ago put an end to that problem. Luckily, I didn’t have the same difficulty with our youngest sibling, Evan.

I turned back around and took a long pull of my beer as I watched Haley Cambridge pour a draft into a frosty mug. Not only was she the bartender, but she was also Mason’s little sister. She would definitely recognize Rachel.

My brothers, Cade and Evan, turned their attention back to the bar. Since Cade and I had reconciled our differences, we’d decided that the Mayfield brothers would spend a little time together every Thursday afternoon drinking a beer and shooting the breeze. We only had one rule. No women.

I haven’t been out with her in weeks, I said, answering Cade’s question from earlier. Maybe her being here has nothing to do with me. Why would it? Even though she knew I met my brothers here every Thursday, she also knew the no women rule.

Cade turned to look at me, discreetly glancing in her direction with his peripheral vision. If I were you, I wouldn’t take that bet. She’s heading this way.

I smelled her perfume before I felt her hands covering my eyes.

Guess who? she cooed, her soft voice drifting over my shoulder as her hair tickled my jaw.

Her hands were cool as they pressed against my face. I lifted my arms, taking her hands in my palms. Rachel, I greeted, what brings you here?

She dropped into the empty barstool beside me, crossing her long legs as she propped her heel on the footrest. It’s been a while. I’m going to be in Creekview a few days. Thought I’d stop by and see what you’ve been up to.

Working mostly.

Sounds like you could use a little fun. A manicured nail trailed along the edge of her face, smoothing back her long blonde hair.

I took the bait. Maybe we could get together tomorrow night. You free?

Yeah.

I’ll call you tomorrow, I promised, trying to keep our conversation to the point, so her interruption would be minimal.

She tilted her chin. Tomorrow then. She peered around me, waving to Cade and Evan. Bye, guys.

Bye, Rachel, they said in unison.

Rachel pushed herself off the stool, swept her palm across my shoulder, and left.

So what’s the story with her? Evan asked.

She’s looking for a husband, Cade responded.

She is not, I corrected him. Just a little companionship. Try to remember what it was like before you were married.

I’m just keeping it real, Pax, Cade said. If she gets half a chance, she’ll have a ring on your finger. He took a swig of his beer. You do know she wants kids, right?

Cade was well aware that I had no desire to have kids. Not gonna happen.

Yeah, well, you might want to tell her that, he urged, before she gets her hopes up.

I rubbed my fingers across the amber glass of the beer bottle sitting on the coaster in front of me. You have a valid point, I agreed. I’ll let her down easy tomorrow. The truth was, while I enjoyed Rachel’s company from time to time, she and I would never be anything more than what we were at this moment. She was a gorgeous girl, but something was missing from our relationship. There was no spark, no aching desire to spend copious amounts of time with her. And the fact that she was desperate to be a mother was just one more reason why we would never work.

Okay, Evan called from the other side of Cade, bringing me out of my reverie. She’s gone. Where were we?

I was talking about Gulf Shores, Cade said, pulling off his camouflage cap and putting it on backwards, the bill covering his nape.

You’re leaving in the morning? I asked, remembering that I would have to work late at the gym tomorrow to cover his absence until Evan came in for the evening shift.

Cade nodded. Yeah, and Flanagan’s pretty damn excited.

For some reason, he called his wife by her maiden name, not that it mattered to me. Hell, I once had a girlfriend who called me Max from time to time.

Making love to her had been the pinnacle of all my relationships with women. It still was.

But the higher one climbs, the greater the risk of death and destruction when he falls.

And in the end, I fell hard. The very love that had raised me to that pinnacle in the clouds had just as quickly trampled me into the ground.

I shook my head, willing myself to think of something else—anything else.

Me and Flanagan plan on getting a lot of R&R while we’re there, so if you need me, don’t call, Cade said, a grin cracking the serious expression on his face.

I wasn’t surprised by how much marriage agreed with him. Seren was a great girl, one that I wouldn’t have minded capturing myself, and believe me, I tried. But a man had to know when to throw in the towel, and it hadn’t taken me long once I’d seen the two of them together to know that I didn’t have a snowball’s chance with her.

A short time later, I started dating Rachel. We were both alone, and she was kind and attentive. I suspected Cade wasn’t far from the truth when he said she was hunting a husband.

Working in the gym I owned with my brothers, I’d seen plenty of bodybuilders hit plateaus, unable to see any physical changes despite the fact they worked out regularly.

My relationship with Rachel had hit a plateau, too. I liked her. I liked spending time with her. But she wasn’t the one, and I needed to let her go, so she didn’t waste any time thinking I might be the one for her.

How long are you going to be gone? Evan asked.

Cade shrugged. At least a week, but who knows? Once we get down there, we might decide we don’t want to leave.

The corners of Evan’s mouth tilted upward. You do kinda look like a beach bum.

Cade rubbed the stubble on his jaw. I can’t think of a downside to sleeping on the beach. Especially since I’ll have a hot beach bunny by my side.

You better not let her talk you into skinny dipping, I warned him. You never know when you might find yourself wearing nothing but a towel and a cool breeze.

Evan barked out a laugh, and Cade groaned. Y’all are never going to let me live that one down, are you?

Not a chance, I assured him.

Jessica

Do you have someone you can call to pick up your son?

I shrugged, emotion closing my throat and making it difficult to breathe, let alone speak.

His father?

I quickly shook my head. His father wasn’t in the picture and never would be.

Your mother maybe?

Pressing my mouth closed, I swallowed and sucked in a ragged breath. My mother’s dead.

If you can’t find someone to pick him up, we’ll have no choice but to turn him over to protective services.

Nausea welled in the pit of my stomach as I bounced Joseph on my hip, my hand clinging to his chubby thigh. He was only six months old, so I desperately hoped he couldn’t detect the depth of my distress. He reached up and grabbed a handful of my hair, tugging as he tried to put it in his mouth. I gently opened his hand, removed my hair from his grasp, and pushed it over my shoulder, out of reach from his tiny moist fingers.

I swiped my tears away with my free hand as shame burned bright on my face. Can’t you just let me go? I promise I’ll never do it again.

The cop was an older man, his top lip disappearing under a thick salt-and-pepper mustache as he frowned. The merchant wants to press charges.

Embarrassed, I moved my eyes away from him, looking over the top of his police car and scanning the parking lot of the small corner market. At least he didn’t have his lights flashing.

Is there someone else you can call?

What had I been thinking? I should have come up with a better way to rectify my problem. I have a friend, but it might take him a couple of hours to get here. I felt like dying on the spot, melting into a puddle, and seeping into the asphalt—anything to spare myself the humiliation of having to tell someone what I had done.

Look, Ms. Beacham, that’s more time than we generally give, but if you can get your friend on his way, I’ll try to cut you a break.

Giving him a weak smile, I rubbed the heel of my palm across my cheek, trying to remove the wet remnants of my tears. Thank you.

I pulled my cell phone from my back pocket and called one of my few friends, Cade Mayfield. Cade was a sweetheart, and I knew if anybody would help me, it would be him. His kindness was the only thing that had kept me from being totally alone throughout my pregnancy. Not only had he given me financial help, but he had also been supportive, even driving here to be with me during my labor and caring for me after I’d been released from the hospital.

We had talked of marriage, not because we were in love, more a marriage of convenience between friends. But it wasn’t meant to be.

He had since married someone else, a woman who had been kind to me even when I hadn’t deserved it. I decided the least I could do for them was to leave them in peace, refusing any more help, even though they offered it often.

I’d led him to believe that I’d been doing fine financially.

But that was far from the truth.

As the phone rang, I closed my eyes, silently begging him to pick up. When he didn’t, I quickly hung up and called back.

No answer.

I’ve got another number to try, I explained to the police officer. Standing with his hands clutching his belt, he nodded, the kindness in his eyes telling me it was fine.

I tried calling Cade’s wife, Seren.

She didn’t answer, either.

I hung up and exhaled, adjusting Joseph’s weight on my hip.

Do I need to call CPS? the cop asked quietly.

My breath caught in my lungs as fresh tears filled my eyes. Let me try one more time, I begged, my words muffled with emotion.

He stood stock still, his hands still gripping his belt, and nodded. I reckon one more call won’t hurt.

There was only one person left, and he definitely wouldn’t want to hear from me. I knew him well enough to know his response to my phone call would not be positive, but I was running out of options. Maybe if nothing else, he would be able to reach Cade.

I kissed Joseph’s temple, the smell of baby lotion filling my nostrils. If it were just for my benefit, I wouldn’t ask. But since it was for Joseph, I could do it. I could force myself to call Paxton, Cade’s brother.

He hated me.

But what choice did I have? I would do anything for my baby. The mess in which I now found myself was proof of that.

Joseph gurgled and reached for my face, his fingernails scraping my flesh, and I made a mental note to trim them, so he wouldn’t hurt himself.

I kissed his outstretched fingers and made the call.

Chapter 2

Spot

Paxton

I couldn’t believe I was sitting here in an elegant restaurant, ready to tell a woman as beautiful as Rachel Cambridge that it would never work between us. I wondered if I would rethink my decision if, like me, she didn’t want children.

I knew it wouldn’t make a difference.

While I enjoyed spending time with her, I didn’t really miss her when she wasn’t in town. We provided each other a little companionship, sharing a few laughs and temporarily relieving loneliness.

But that was it, and I had a sinking feeling that I was becoming more to her than she was to me. My conscience wouldn’t allow me to continue the relationship.

Rachel, there’s something I need to say.

Her soft blue eyes peered at me over the edge of her wineglass. After taking a dainty sip, she lowered the glass and cast a dazzling smile in my direction. What’s that, baby?

Damn, she looked so happy, and knowing what I was about to say, I felt like a prick. How could I soften the blow? I’ve really enjoyed spending time with you.

Her manicured nails threaded through her long blonde locks. Me, too. I was thinking maybe I should move back to Creekview.

Shit. She hadn’t realized there was a but coming at the end of that sentence. I needed to just say it as kindly and as respectfully as I could. Before you make that decision, you need to hear me out.

The smile fell from her face, and she blinked, long dark lashes framing wide eyes.

I think you’re a great girl. I really do.

You don’t want to see me anymore, she said softly.

I frowned, hating the awkwardness of the moment. I think we want different things out of life, and you deserve to be happy. I don’t want you to waste your time on me because I’ll never be the man you need.

And how do you know what kind of man I need? she asked, her daintily plucked eyebrows drawn together.

I know you want children.

More children, she whispered.

Rachel had lost her firstborn child, a daughter named Madison that she’d had when she was married to Mason. Not that she had ever spoken of Madison to me. I knew because I’d been to the funeral, and on rare occasions, I’d heard Mason mention her.

More children, I repeated.

And that’s why you’re breaking it off? Because I want children? We’re just dating casually, Paxton. It’s not like I’m asking you to father my kids.

I know, but I don’t want to prolong this and make it harder for you down the road. I’ll never want kids.

How can you be so sure?

It’s not just about children. I needed her to understand. Like I said, you’re a great girl, but I just don’t see the two of us having a future together. We’re too different. I reached across the table and covered her hand with mine, hoping that she didn’t force me to say more. I didn’t want to go as far as telling her I didn’t feel a strong connection.

She nodded slowly. I see. Then I saw it—the slightest trembling of her lips. I immediately looked at her eyes, and the shimmer of tears gathering in them gave me a sinking feeling deep in my chest. Damn, don’t cry. Be pissed or indifferent, but please don’t cry.

She blinked, the tears escaping over her lower lashes. Discreetly, she tried to wipe them away.

Don’t take it personally, Rachel. You’re going to find the right guy for you.

A tiny grunt of disbelief escaped her glossy lips. That’s the part that sucks. I thought you could be him.

I squeezed her hand, wishing this conversation was over. I’m flattered.

She pursed her lips and slid her hand out from beneath mine as she stood. If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go now.

Let me walk you to your car. I started to stand, but she held her palm out to stop me. I really just want to be alone.

I eased back into my chair and nodded in understanding. Bye, Rachel.

She flashed me a sad smile and walked away, her hips swaying in her red fitted skirt as her high heels moved silently across the carpet.

Turning my attention back to the table, I flipped open the check holder to see the total of the bill. After counting out the correct amount along with a generous tip, I emptied my wineglass and headed toward my car.

That went worse than expected.

My phone rang as I exited the restaurant, and I quickly fished it from my pocket, fully expecting it to be Rachel.

Instead, it was a number that hadn’t been programmed into my phone, a number that I didn’t recognize. I answered, Hello.

Nothing.

Hello, I repeated, wondering if someone had dialed the wrong number.

I heard sniffling.

Had Rachel called me from another phone?

Rachel?

The sniffling got louder. Max?

My heart dropped to my feet, the voice penetrating a sweet spot somewhere inside me before I glazed it over with hardness once again. Only one woman would call me Max, and I had told her I never wanted to speak to her again.

In the last seven years, I had seen her one time when she showed up at my parents’ house during a family dinner a few months ago. Only she hadn’t come to see me. She had come to see Cade.

I think you dialed the wrong number. I made it clear to Jessica seven years ago that I had nothing to say to her. Ever.

As I lowered the phone from my ear with every intention of ending the call, I heard her plead, Max, please…please don’t hang up.

Something about the vulnerability in her voice gave me pause, and I was frustrated that I allowed it to make me waver. My finger hovered over the bright red button that would disconnect us.

Max, I’m begging you. I don’t have much time. Please hear me out.

I could hear her desperation, and even though my head demanded that I hang up and refuse to allow her tears to suck me in, there was just enough respect for the love we once shared to make me put the phone back to my ear. Why the hell are you calling me, Jess?

I tried to call Cade and Seren, but neither of them answered.

They’re out of town. Leave them a message or call them back in a few days.

I can’t wait that long. The words quickly spewed from her mouth as if she were afraid that if she didn’t speak rapidly, I wouldn’t give her the chance to finish. And I wouldn’t deny that it wasn’t far from the truth. I’m not asking this for me. I’m asking for my baby, for Joseph. I have no one else to call, and I need someone to pick him up.

I don’t do kids, Jess.

I know. A muffled sob escaped her. It’s just that if I can’t find someone to pick him up, they’re going to call CPS.

Who’s going to call CPS?

She hesitated, my question hanging in the air as she cried.

The police, she answered, her voice shaking. I…I’m being arrested.

Not my problem, Jess. I knew I was being cold, but I was also being honest. Jessica had stopped being my problem when I found out that as soon as we had broken up, she had rushed into the arms of my brother.

Please! If it were just me, I wouldn’t have called, but please don’t let them send my baby to total strangers.

"I hate to break it to you, Jess, but as far as your kid’s concerned, I am a total stranger."

But you’re not to me. Please, I have no one else. If you don’t get here soon, they’ll turn him over. She broke into full-blown ugly-crying, and I could picture the exact curve of her mouth as it bent into a frown, the crease between her brows, her blue eyes glittering with tears.

Damn, I wished Cade wasn’t out of town. Seren would be the perfect person to deal with this fiasco.

I stuffed two fingers in my collar, thinking perhaps I’d tied my tie a little too tight, and blew out a breath. Fine. Where do I need to go?

Thank you, she whispered. I heard her talking to someone else before she came back on the line and gave me the address. Please hurry.

Hanging up, I thought about what a hell of an evening it was turning out to be. I’d dealt with two weeping women in a matter of minutes, and I was actually on my way to pick up a baby. If someone had told me twenty-four hours ago that this was my future, I would have placed a hefty wager that said otherwise.

I hurriedly plugged the address in my phone and raced toward the Kentucky border, wondering how the hell it worked out that I was the only person Jessica could call. I’d heard about the new trend of families searching for male nannies or mannies for their sons, but if one looked at my resume, the word, manny, was nowhere to be found. Yet here I was driving like a bat out of hell to pick up a tiny human who couldn’t speak and, even worse, had to relieve himself in a diaper.

What was I going to do with a baby?

I drove as quickly as I dared, though I had no idea why. Any love that I had once felt for Jessica died the day she turned to my brother. In fact, that same day had all but destroyed my relationship with Cade. We’d only recently returned to the brotherhood we once had, and the last thing I wanted was for Jessica to somehow destroy it all over again. I reasoned that she was no longer a threat. Cade was now married to Seren, and Cade and Seren were both friends with Jessica. I didn’t see how Jess could pose a threat now, but at the same time, women always had a way of coming between Cade and me.

My thoughts turned to the first time she and I had made love. I’d marveled at her body, how incredibly beautiful she was. I’d had no patience for taking it slow. With our raging hormones and our need to be together, everything had happened quickly, and I’d taken her fast and hard. I could still picture the smile on her face as I collapsed beside her, both of us breathing heavily, and I could still hear the first words she’d whispered as she placed her palm on my cheek, Pax to the max, baby.

Damn, that girl had made me feel like a king, even though looking back, I’d known virtually nothing about how to pleasure a woman.

She’d called me Max ever since that day, mostly when it was just the two of us. And I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that hearing her call me that affected me, even now.

I drove faster, mostly because the memories of her were making me uncomfortable. It had nothing to do with the plea in her voice. Not a damn thing.

Jessica lived in a tiny town in Kentucky not far from the Tennessee border. When I pulled into the parking lot of a small drugstore, I scanned it, searching for her.

A police car was parked near the entrance, and I parked in an empty space not far away. I got out of my car and walked toward the cruiser. It was running, most likely so the air conditioner could relieve him from the scorching August heat, and I could see him behind the wheel. As I got closer, I spotted Jessica in the back seat, a baby in her lap.

She spoke to the policeman, and his head snapped up as he looked at me.

I paused as he opened the door. Paxton?

Yes, sir.

He got out of the car and motioned me over to the covered walkway along the front of the drugstore. Once there, he opened the back seat and motioned for Jess to get out of the car.

Ms. Beacham says she has a child’s seat in her car.

Jessica scooted out of the back seat, shifting her baby to her hip as she stood. A voice came over the officer’s radio, and he took a couple of steps away from us as he responded.

What happened to you? I asked, unable to tear my gaze away from her face. You look like hell. She was wearing a pair of yoga pants, a wrinkled oversized tee dotted with wet spots, and a pair