Free Dark Desire by Bec Botefuhr

you use to curl up on my lap and let me stroke you for hours, you were a sweetie.”
    Stroke him? Is this woman kidding? I walk back into the kitchen. I am mid-way through reaching up for some cups when Mary walks in.
    “Oh my L ord, what happened to your stomach?”
    I quickly lower my arms, and I can feel my eyes widening.
    “Oh…car accident,”
    “My goodness, how did that happen?”
    “Um…well…” Shit, I am stumbling over my words. “Well, it was raining and…”
    “There you are , I hope you’re not in here hassling Willow.” Jagger says, walking into the kitchen.
    “Not at all, I was just helping.”
    Mary takes the glasses and walks out; I sigh and close my eyes.
    ‘Isn’t she great baby?”
    Great? Sure, to them maybe.
    I plaster a smile on my face. “She’s lovely.”
    “You look so fuckin’ edible with that apron on.”
    I grin and wrap my arms around him, resting my head on his chest and taking a moment to just listen to his heart beating.
    “You ok?” he asks.
    “Hmmmm,”
    “Now son, stop doing that in front of your Aunt. It’s inappropriate!”
    I roll my eyes and step back from Jagger, plastering that blasted fake smile back on my face.
    “Sorry Aunt Mary, I can’t help myself.” Jagger says, grinning at me before walking out.
    I quickly pick up the gravy dish and rush out. Everyone has begun eating, how freaking rude. I serve myself and sit down, nibbling at the food.
    “The meat rocks. ” Jagger says, complimenting me.
    “It’s lovely Willow, thank you. ” Maggie smiles.
    “It’s a little dry, but it’s probably because we kept you talking.” Mary smiles, but it’s so false I want to reach over and slap it from her face. Dry? Is she serious?
    I turn to Maggie, needing to calm myself.
    “How’s the practice going Maggie?”
    “It’s going well, I’m so busy. I’m employing another doctor next week, just for some help.”
    “That sounds like a good idea, it must get stressful.”
    “Maggie holds her own,” Mary begins. “She’s always been made for great things. It’s not stressful for her.”
    “It can be. ” Maggie says, giving me a warm smile.
    Right now I want to throw my knife right at Aunt Haggard ’s face. I push my plate away, I’m not hungry anymore.
    “Oh dear, aren’t you going to eat more? You’re far too skinny as it is; I hope you don’t have a disorder?”
    “AUNT MARY!” Jagger roars.
    Mary’s eyes widen and she fakes shock. “I wasn’t trying to be rude.”
    “Excuse me,” I whisper, pushing my chair back and walking down the hall.
    When I get to our room, I walk into the bathroom and turn the water on, splashing my face. The woman doesn’t like me, but I can’t figure out why. I take a few calming breaths and walk back out, only to pause mid-way down the hall when I hear them speaking.
    “She’s not good for you Johnny, she’s dark.”
    “You don’t know her.” Jagger snaps.
    “I saw the scars; she has them all over her stomach and wrists. She’s got a disorder, she hardly ate. A girl like that will only drag you down. I love you enough to see it. She’s dangerous to someone like you. Your life has been hard enough; you don’t need someone like that adding to it. Walk away son, pick yourself back up.”
    “Back down now Aunt Mary, I love you but I won’t tolerate you putting her down.”
    “I care about you too, that’s why I’m saying it!”
    “Ok, that’s enough Aunt Mary, Willow is lovely.” Maggie says.
    “Sharleen was lovely; she was bright, bubbly and perfect for you. Then you started seeing this Willow and she’s changing you. Johnny, your life was getting better, you and Sharleen were trying for a baby and everything was coming good and now you’re living dangerously again.”
    “That isn’t because of Willow!”
    “Isn’t it? I heard about her father, you wouldn’t be in this mess if it wasn’t for her family. She’ll drown you Johnny, girls like that are no good for the soul.”
    I’m