by Blair Grey
As I turned, leaving the street she was one, I couldn’t help thinking about how she was so very different from my normal type. “It’s weird how I even found her attractive. I like super curvy girls. And young ones too. Early twenties, not late twenties, and certainly not thirties.”
“You know though, I can see that Tequila wasn’t always so fit and trim,” Garrett said, confusing me a bit.
“How can you see that?” I asked skeptically.
“It’s her neck. She’s got two dark lines on her throat that tell me she used to have rolls there. You know, like fat rolls. And the dark lines haven’t gone away. They might never go away. She might have more of them on her legs, arms, even her stomach.”
“So, you think she was heavy? Like really heavy, not just sort of heavy.” I liked my girls with plenty of meat on their bones, but not obese. “If she was really, really big, that might be a deal-breaker.”
“You are a jackass,” he let me know without any hesitation whatsoever. “If that woman took control of her body, from whatever shape it was in prior to this one, then she is to be commended for her hard work and self-discipline. And if you think I won’t dog your ass for dropping her just because of some shape she used to be in, then you are dead wrong.”
“You’re right.” I was just thrown off by why she’d left out the fact that she had a kid. “I’m bothered by her omissions, Garrett. She left out a kid and what about the kid’s dad?”
“What about him?” With a shake of his head, he acted like that didn’t matter at all. “You have women in your past. She can have men in hers. Even men she’s had a kid with. It’s nothing against you and it shouldn’t get in your way of making something out of this if you both want it.”
“He obviously has green eyes,” I pointed out. “She’s got a type and I’m it.”
“So.” Once again he shook his head. “You have a type too and she’s not it. Did you tell her about even one of your exes?”
“No.” We hadn’t had time for anything like that. “But I don’t have a kid. If I did have a kid, then I would put that out there right away. I would carry a picture around and show it to anyone I met. I’d be like, hi, I’m Clyde Thomas and this is my kid, insert name and picture here. It’s nice to meet you.”
“Sure you would,” he said with a laugh. “That’s our hotel right up there. Nice, isn’t it? They gave us our own suites on the top floor. The view of my balcony is to die for. Not sure about your room or if it has a balcony or not, but if it doesn’t, then you’re welcome to come sit on mine and enjoy the scenery.”
“Nice of you to offer, squid.” Garrett was a good guy, I had to give him that. And even if he was a squid who was only twenty-five, I had to admit that he’d overcome the adversities in his life well. Probably a lot better than he thought he had.
“I think we should both just chill out a bit with these women. Sandra wasn’t nearly as aggressive as Tequila was, but we don’t have to think they’re the only girls in D.C. who we can spend time with.” Looking out the window, he nodded at the nice hotel we pulled up in front of. “We’ve got a nice place to stay. That means we’ve got a nice place to bring girls back to. We’re going to meet lots of new people while we’re here, training to be badass security guys.”
“You’re right. It would be stupid to think I should put all my eggs into Tequila’s basket. Especially if she’s got a kid and maybe even more that will have to come before me.” And she would be right to put them before me. I knew that.
Pulling into the garage, I knew I had to slow my roll. It wasn’t like me to get so caught up in some woman so quickly anyway. I just hoped the way I would take some steps back wouldn’t make Tequila feel like I didn’t like her.
“I wonder what time we’re supposed to meet with the council tomorrow,” Garrett mused. “It’s almost five now.”
“The sun will be coming up soon and we haven’t even got a wink of sleep.” Parking my truck, I knew our bikes would be safe right where they were. I grabbed my bags out of the back, then followed Garrett. “You’ve got Sandra’s number. Shoot her a text asking when they’ll want us to come in.”
He texted her as we went inside, stopping in front of the first bank of elevators we came to. “Push the button for the top floor. I’ve got your keycard.” Stepping onto the elevator, his phone dinged. “She says that we won’t be meeting with the council until Monday morning at five a.m. Damn, they start early for bikers.”
“At least we’ve got the weekend before we start training.” I liked the idea of getting some time to settle in. “Let’s sleep in. Then we’ll get up and take a cruise around town on our bikes.”
The elevator stopped on the top floor, then we got off, entering a long hallway full of doors. “This way.” He led the way and I followed him, carrying my bags. “Our rooms are right across the hall from each other.”
Stopping in the middle of the hall, he handed me my keycard. “So, this one is mine?” I asked as I turned to look at the dark brown door.
“It is.” He opened his door and I could see the glass doors that led out to his balcony.
I opened my door and found no glass doors on the other end of my room. But when I looked to the left, I saw the door to the bathroom was open and inside of it there stood a huge shower on one side and a good-sized spa tub on the other. “Does your room have this?”
Garrett came up beside me, making a huffing sound. “Damn it!”
“You can have the balcony, I’m good with this.” Stepping inside, I dropped my bags to the floor. “Night, night, squid.”
Tequila will look amazing in that tub - with me.
Why can’t I stop thinking about her?
Chapter Eight
Tequila
Tucking Tommy into his bed, I knew I’d been a little rough on the kid. “You know that I’m only hard on you because I love you more than life itself, right?” I ran my hand over his dark hair, then kissed his forehead as he nodded. “I’m not sure why you even wanted to go spend the night next door with Danny. You two have always had a rivalry. But I think it had to do with you being bored.”
“It had everything to do with it.” He took my hand, holding it against his heart. “Since I turned ten last week, I’ve been feeling sort of lonely. Like something or someone is missing.”
“Well, someone is missing.” I hated that, but it was a thing that I had no control over. “It’s late. Or really early. One or the other. Either way, we need to get to sleep. I love you. Night, mi amor.”
His grin as his green eyes closed told me he’d be off to Neverland in no time at all. I left him to get his rest as I went to the den to sit for a while so I could unwind after the eventful night.
Knowing that Clyde would still be awake, as not much time had passed since he’d dropped me off, I took out my cell and called him since Sandra had forwarded his number to me.
He obviously didn’t know who was calling since only my number showed up on his screen. “This better be damn good.”
“I am.” A smile moved over my lips. “It’s Tequila.”
“Oh.” I heard him tapping something. “Let me add your name to this number and save you to my contacts.”
“Were you asleep?” I thought I should ask since I was calling him at so close to five in the morning when most people would be sleeping.
“To be honest, we just got in.” He was quiet for a moment, then said, “To be honest, I saw you.”
I had no idea what he was talking about. “When did you see me?”
“Leaving the ER with a boy. So, you have a son then?”
Unsure of what to say, I thought the normal answer would be best. “I do. He got into a little fight with the boy next door. They were having a sleepover at the other kid’s house. The other kid is nearly twice the size of Tommy. That’s his name. He’s ten, by the way.” I had no idea how to tell him about Tommy. It felt weird and foreign to me.
“And his father?” Clyde asked. “Is he in the picture?”
/> This part was easy to say, “No. He never has been.”
“That must be hard on you and your son.” He had no idea how right he was.
“Well, we’ve managed without him all these years. I think we can keep on managing without him.” I knew we could.
“So, I have more to confess,” he said with a soft voice. “I saw him. You pulled up right next to us at a couple of stoplights.”
“You did?” I didn’t recall seeing anyone on our way home. “God, I must’ve been really ranting at him.” I felt a little bad about that now.
“Your hands were flying around a lot and your mouth was moving practically nonstop. I’m sure you were just being a protective mother.”
“Yeah, I guess so.” I’d been so damn scared that Tommy could’ve gotten hurt so much worse is why I’d gone off on him. “Like I said, the other boy is twice Tommy’s size. The fact that he not only got into a fight but started it, bothered me immensely.”
“Sounds like he might be having some issues,” he brought up. “Maybe his father not being a part of his life is starting to fester inside of him in ways he nor you are aware of. Both parents are important in a kid’s life. That’s what my mom tells my sister who has kids anyway. My sister and her husband have a rocky marriage and she’s always saying how she and the kids don’t need him. Mom thinks they do. I’ve got no idea. I’m just repeating things I’ve heard. And now I’ve embarrassed myself for saying anything about your kid and his father in the first place.” He waited a beat before saying, “So, I saw that he’s got green eyes. Guess you’ve got a fetish.” He got quiet again for a moment. “Shit! What’s wrong with me?”
A lot, probably.
“You’re probably right. He’s had to live without so much in his young life. It’s not fair. I say that all the time. None of this is fair. What happened to him isn’t right.” It never would be right.
“So, did you ever tell the guy that you were pregnant? I mean, did this guy get a chance to do what was right?” Hesitating, he quickly added. “Don’t answer that. It’s none of my business. I’m sure you’re the kind of woman who knows what’s right and does it. I’m drunk. Or I was. Or not. No, I wasn’t drunk. I was happy. Happy with you and I had an amazing night. And you’re not even my type.”
“Yes, I know.” I knew his type well. “I’m strong. I’m a woman who takes charge. I am a woman who cannot be taken advantage of.”
“Well, it’s obvious that someone took advantage of you,” he brought up.
The weakness that he’d uncovered bothered me. “Be that as it may, that will never happen again.”
“I believe you. I can see that the hardships you’ve gone through have made you the woman you are today. And damn it – you are one fine woman, Tequila Santos.” He sighed and it made a shiver run through me. “Losing a sister, raising a son alone, man, you’re the toughest woman I’ve ever known. It’s a privilege to know you.”
“Okay, that’s enough sappiness.” I couldn’t stand anymore. “I don’t know if you know this or not. We’re not going to start your training until Monday. You’ve got the weekend free. So, sleep in. Take this time to get used to your new surroundings. We’ll see you on Monday morning at headquarters. The same room we met in today. Yesterday,” I corrected myself. “You know what I mean.”
“Can you spare some more of your time for me today?” he asked. “Later today. After we sleep. Garrett and I want to take a cruise on our bikes. It would be nice if you and Sandra or whoever would show us around. I promise not to take up your entire night like I did this night. Or last night, or whatever night it was. God, staying out until morning is confusing.”
I had to agree, “Yes, it is.” The ride sounded like a great idea. “I’ll ask Sandra if she’s still into Garrett.”
“Are you still into me?” he asked, sounding sexy as hell.
I have to be.
“Why wouldn’t I be? You are mi, amor, are you not?” My lips began to tingle as I reminded myself of the kiss I stole from him as the mariachis played and the restaurant full of people watched.
“Am I?” he sounded sleepy. “Did you plan on kissing me tonight, Tequila?”
“You mean last night and no, I didn’t plan on that.” Well, maybe I did. “You snuck up on me. Or I mean the attraction did.”
“I liked the way you looked from the second I saw you. That dark hair and eyes, the caramel color of your skin, the way your curves sweep around your body, they all came together to make me very happy.” He groaned a little.
I had to wonder what he was doing. “You’re not touching yourself, are you, Clyde?”
“Are you?” he asked with a sexy little moan. “It’s okay if you are. We can both do it.”
“We’ve barely met,” I reminded him as my body heated.
“We’ve had our tongues down each other’s throats. I think a little phone-sex wouldn’t hurt a damn thing. It would make me sleep a hella lot better, baby.” His deep laugh made goosebumps form on my skin. “Baby – do you like that, baby? Do you want me to call you sweet names? Do you want me to run my hands all over your naked curvaceous body?”
“You need to stop,” I groaned as he was making me horny as hell. “You need to go to sleep. If you don’t, then we’ll never get to our date later on today. You want that, don’t you babe?”
“Yes,” he hissed, letting the word draw out until it sounded like a snake hissing into my ear. “I want that. I want you.”
“Get some sleep. I’ll text you when I wake up to see if you’re up yet. Night.” I ended the call before he could say anything else to make me even hotter than he already had.
Closing my eyes, I knew I shouldn’t have let him get to me the way he had. But he was sexy as sin. My hands moved over my chest as I pretended they were his.
“What the fuck are you doing?” My eyes sprang open, seeing my brother standing there, looking at me as he had his hands on his hips. “Tequila Rose Santos, were you about to play with yourself? And in the family den?”
“Edward, you’re stupid.” I got up, heading to my bedroom, where I should’ve gone in the first place. “Why are you awake anyway?”
“I heard a voice and came to see who was up. Your voice sounds like Tommy’s. I had no clue who was up and talking.” He followed me out of the room. “If it was him, then I didn’t want him to be all alone. He’s had enough of a hard time with the fight and all. And then you get home and take him to get stitches. I mean, could you make it more dramatic for the poor kid? Stitches, sis? Really? He’s got to go to school on Monday with them.”
“His lip was still bleeding when I got home, Edward. It had been an hour since he’d been hit, and still, he was bleeding.” I shouldn’t have even had to defend my actions to him. “You or Mom should’ve taken him to get checked out right when he came home. Why does it all have to fall on me?”
“Why?” He threw his hands into the air. “I suppose because it is you who has the health insurance on him, Tequila. That’s a stupid thing to ask. And where were you anyway? And who were you just on the phone with? And why did you say that you will text when you wake up?”
“And why are you so nosy, Edward?” Opening the door to my bedroom, I turned to look at him. “Good night.”
“You mean, good morning. It’s time to get up, you night owl.” He turned to leave. “We’re going to want to meet him, you know. And if he’s as arrogant as the rest of them have been, you can bet that me and Momma will get rid of him before Tommy ever gets a chance to meet him.”
“As if I would bring any man around Tommy.” He was insane if he thought I would do that. “In ten years, I’ve never brought a man around him. So, why would I start now?”
“How do I know?” He was exasperating.
“Just be quiet, please. Tommy and I haven’t slept. You and Mom should go out for breakfast and leave the house quiet for us. Hell, stay out for lunch too.” I fished my credit card out of my pants’ pocket. “Here, take this. It’s all on me. Tell M
om, and you both get ready and get the hell out of here so we can sleep.”
Taking my card, he was all smiles now. “Yes, I will take our mother out. And I will use this to get her a new outfit and some new shoes as well. She deserves them for taking up the slack where Tommy is concerned.”
“Yes, do that. And buy yourself something too. Just go,” I begged him.
“Before I go, I must ask you one thing, Tequila Rose.”
Rolling my eyes, I just wanted to get into bed. “What?”
“Is this guy you were with and obviously going to see later on today, a Marine?” the way he said Marine made it sound like a dirty word.
I sat on my bed, then pulled off my boots. “Why do you ask?”
His hands went to his hips again. “Because I do not like Marines,” he said the word with disgust. “Momma does not like them either. At least not the ones you pick. We’ve told you before, no jarheads in this house.”
“Well, I am one. Or I was one. And I like men who are strong. So, get over it.” I fell back on the bed in an exhausted heap.
“So, he is one! Momma will be so mad at you. And you know why too. You went off and joined the Marines and she was mad at you then. We all told you not to do that. But you had to go anyway. You and your quest.”
Sitting up, I’d had enough. “It worked.”
“No, it has never worked. You’re stupid, Tequila.” He pulled my door nearly all the way closed before he said one more thing, “Let it go, sis. It’s time to let it all go.” Closing the door, he finally left me alone.
He’s the one who is stupid. Now is not the time to let it all go. There will never be a time to let it go. My eyelids became so heavy that I couldn’t open them again even if I’d wanted to.
Tommy was safe in his bed. I was safe in mine. Clyde was safe in his bed in the hotel. But not all was right in the world. Not all would ever be right in the world.
Pulling the blanket over me, I wondered how my sister had felt when she knew she’d gone too far. How she’d felt when she realized that she’d pushed her body further than it could go and only her soul could go on from there, filled my mind.