Total pages in book: 53
Estimated words: 52357 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 262(@200wpm)___ 209(@250wpm)___ 175(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 52357 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 262(@200wpm)___ 209(@250wpm)___ 175(@300wpm)
Tonight, she’s different. She isn’t healed. Not whole. But standing.
She’s got on black jeans, boots, a cropped leather jacket over a red lace tank top with a black bra under it. Her hair is braided over one shoulder. She doesn’t have on makeup, her eyes are rimmed in shadows and pain. But she’s here. She’s upright and moving.
Maritza is at her side. No one says her name, calling her over to the. As time passes everyone approaches greeting her one at a time not to overwhelm her. This is the Hellions, we read each other and come together to lift our own up when they need it.
Her gaze moves, scanning the room before it lands on me. She sees me. Really sees me. For a second everything ceases to exist, then she looks away.
BW slides up next to me, holding a new bottle of Jack Daniels and two red solo cups. “Told you she’d come,” he reminds me of our earlier argument where I told him everyone needs to stand down and let her take things at her pace.
“You didn’t tell me I’d feel like I got the wind knocked out of me.”
“She’s always had that effect on you,” he says pouring the amber liquid in each cup. “Always has, always will.”
I nod, silent because what is there to say.
“I told her this wasn’t a wake,” I explain, “it’s just our way to remember the best parts of him. The brother and what he brought to our table.”
“She believe you?”
“She’s here, isn’t she?”
He nods, “you’ve always been able to get through to her.”
“Sometimes it’s the other way around, brother.” My mind goes back to the time she got to me and I have never been the same since.
The ride to Dia’s place is quiet, but not uncomfortable. I find I like that about us. We can sit in silence together and it’s not weird. We’re in my truck. The windows rolled down, spring air slipping in with hints of the salt from the ocean surrounding us. She hums along to some song on the radio, low and off key. It makes my chest tighten.
We had dinner. Burgers and shakes, our knees brush occasionally under the booth like secret kisses.
She unlocks her condo door, stepping inside, tossing her keys to the little dish by her entrance. “You want something to drink?” she asks casually.
“Nah, darlin’ I’m good.”
I follow her into the living room, both of us dropping on her couch. Her body curls sideways, feet tucked under her, facing me. I stretch out, resting one arm along the back of the couch behind her, close enough to feel her heat. Close enough to smell the vanilla scent of her shampoo. Absently, I reach out and twist a lock of her hair in my fingers.
She looks at me, her eyes soft. “I’ve been thinking about last weekend, Justin.”
My jaw tightens, the anger coming back. She needs to not ever think about that again. He won’t get to her. BW and I made sure of it. He won’t get to anyone again. “You okay talkin’ about it?”
“Yeah,” she nods. “I mean. I was scared. One second I’m dancing and the next everything was spinning. Like out of body. I was there and watching myself but I was out of control. Then poof you were there. Like you knew.”
“I was watching you,” I admit soberly. “Don’t trust men, darlin’. Wanted to make sure you were good.”
She lets out a shaky breath, her fingers pulling at a loose thread on the blanket she keeps draped on the back of the couch. “You didn’t have to swoop in, but you did.”
“Darlin’, I wasn’t about to leave you like that. You’re safe when I’m around, Dia.”
Her eyes flicker before locking on mine. Not fear. Not hesitation. Just something tender and real.
“I feel safe with you,” she whispers. “Even when I couldn’t hold my body up right and didn’t know what was happening, I saw you, I felt you catch me. I knew I was safe. I’m always safe with you.”
“That’s all I ever want to give you, Dia. Safety.’
Her eyes shine. “I just never had that before. Never had anyone protect me when I’m not with the club. And you don’t want anything from me, but to be around me.”
She leans in, almost unconsciously. I sense it. She wants me to kiss her.
I shouldn’t.
I should put a stop to this. I feel her breath mix in with mine. My fingers move on their own accord, tracing her cheek.
We move to each other. The kiss is soft at first. A teasing, testing brush of our lips. Then again, slower. Her lips part. I taste her, delicately embracing the mint and her sweet, hesitant way she’s leaning in but taking this moment in. My hand cups her jaw, holding her steady as she melts into me, opening wider for our kiss to grow as her tongue dances with mine. Her palm flattening against my chest. Shifting, she straddles my lap, the hem of her dress brushing my thighs. Our kiss deepens in this gentle rhythm. It’s not frantic, not rush. No, we’re exploring, savoring. Her hands slide up into my hair, tugging as she presses closer against me.