Total pages in book: 60
Estimated words: 56238 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 281(@200wpm)___ 225(@250wpm)___ 187(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56238 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 281(@200wpm)___ 225(@250wpm)___ 187(@300wpm)
She was angry.
He was smitten.
The rest is history. They lived a wonderful life with over fifty years together.
No matter what comes of this attraction I have with Josie, I still won’t let Brett hurt her again. Those days are behind her.
“I appreciate your assistance, Dean. I don’t think you understand my situation. I’ll be okay. You need to have your life, not my baggage.”
I smirk, “Jo, everyone has baggage. I don’t think you understand me. I see something I want, I’m gonna make my play. This is me making that play. I’m a patient man because I know it down to my fuckin’ soul you’re gonna be worth it. We take this at your pace. You just need to know I claimed you and meant that shit. In my world, you’re protected, and Brett is gonna learn what that means. And you get to breathe a little easier knowing you aren’t alone against him.”
“I really appreciate your kindness. But I’m a mess and you deserve more than I can give. I don’t even know you much less your world.” She speaks softly and I wonder if she even believes herself.
I cup her chin so she can look in my eyes. “Jo, you are stunning. Take my breath away beautiful. The way you love your son, it’s fucking everything. I’m not a boy, I’m a man. As a man, I see something worth effort, I’m going to put in that effort. And baby, just one kiss and I know you’re worth it all. Just give us a chance, one day at a time, one minute at a time.”
She blinks but doesn’t speak right away. “Dean, I appreciate,” I don’t let her speak further as I crash my lips to hers. Only when she softens under me do I pull away.
“No more Dean, I appreciate shit, Jo.”
She smacks my chest, her flesh to my leather cut, but not hard, just a mild chastise. “You can’t kiss me to shut me up. What I was trying to say.” I lean down to kiss her again, but she shifts her head at the last second giving me her cheek, “I have been in a not-so-great place with my ex. I have made some poor choices. Choices that have impacted my son. While I find you attractive and yes, you can kiss me like I’ve never been kissed before. I think this is a bad idea.”
I laugh, “Jo, the bad ideas sometimes turn out to the be the best fuckin’ things in the world. Just give me a chance, I’ll show you.”
Eight
Josie
Maybe I’ve had it all wrong all along. This situationship might be perfect!
* * *
Two days and nothing more.
Brett has been quiet.
I should be happy. I should be relieved. To some extent I am taking this moment of silence for the peace I haven’t had in a very long time, but I can’t fully embrace it. I want to feel free. I want to breathe without the tension inside. I want the anxiety that he’s lurking somewhere to go away. I want to stop wondering when he’s going to pop back up. Because deep inside me I know he’s not done with me. I want to have a life without this fear.
Only I’m not relieved. No, I’m all twisted inside because the biker next door is well, an anomaly. How can he kiss me senseless one day and then nothing more? Truthfully, it’s not exactly nothing. It’s all complicated.
He slept on my couch that night. Before I even remotely woke up, he was gone with nothing, but a fresh cup of coffee made with the creamer I love, and a note informing me to be aware of the “motorcycle at my back” to and from work. Look twice, save a life, but mostly so I don’t panic, that is what he put in the note. Nothing else. Just a cup of coffee and a note informing me I’ll have a Hellion around. Not a call, not a text, not another sound from him since.
To be honest, the whole thing freaks me out. More than Brett and the threat he poses, I’m mixed up with Dean in something I don’t understand. The last thing I need is any kind of additional distractions. My life is a mess, I need not add to it.
As if nothing changed, I went to work, came home, rinse and repeat the next day. Still not a call, text, or a drop in. What I’m expecting or waiting for, I don’t actually know.
I should be happy.
I shouldn’t care what Dean does. He has his life I have mine. The last thing I need is any kind of entanglement. It’s ridiculous the way I feel. Why do I miss him? I don’t even know the man.
Lost in thought, I jump when Sara comes in my office.