A Little Bit Wicked (The Wickeds

by Melissa Foster

  “Now, that’s a well-fucked face if I’ve ever seen one.” Violet had never been one to mince words. “It’s true, isn’t it? You put your snake in Chloe’s grass?”

  He chuckled and said, “You know I don’t kiss and tell.”

  “I definitely don’t want all the juicy details about your sex life. But, dude, do you have her chained to your bed? Desiree said Chloe hasn’t been to breakfast with the girls in days and that you hardly ever stop by to have breakfast with everyone anymore. I told her it’s not the same without me there, but I don’t know if she’s buying it.” Violet flashed a cheesy grin.

  Violet’s sister, Desiree, loved to cook, and Chloe and their friends from Bayside Resort got together pretty often for breakfast with her. Justin tried to join them when he could.

  “I can only take the blame for the last three mornings with Chloe, and I’ve just been swamped, Vi. But now that you’ve put the idea of chaining Chloe to my bed in my head…”

  Violet rolled her eyes. “Maybe you can squeeze in one breakfast with Des before she gives birth? She misses you.” Desiree was pregnant and due in July.

  “We’ll get there, Vi, I promise.” It felt good to refer to him and Chloe as we. “But I’m in no rush to give up my mornings with Chloe.”

  “I know. I get it. Andre and I have been together for as long as you’ve been lusting after Chloe, and I still hate getting out of bed in the morning. So, Justin Wicked finally got his girl.”

  “She couldn’t resist me forever,” he said arrogantly.

  “No shit. The sexual tension between you two could ignite an iceberg. Just be careful, okay?”

  “Careful?”

  “Yeah. You might be able to hide that big, gooey heart of yours from everyone else, but we both know this isn’t just a casual affair for you.” Her gaze softened and she said, “I love Chloe. She’s a good friend and a really cool chick. But you’re a whole lotta man for a conservative woman. I just don’t want you to go all in and get hurt because your worlds are so different.”

  “Hey, Kettle, are you really calling me Black?” Violet and Andre came from two very different worlds. When they’d met, Violet was a vagabond artist who never wanted to put down roots, and Andre was a highly sought-after pediatrician with a successful practice in Boston and roots that ran to the core of the earth.

  “You’re right. Sorry. But I’m still worried about you.”

  “She’s a lot more like you and me than you’d think, Vi. I know how you and everyone else sees Chloe. You see a careful, conservative woman who doesn’t curse much and is wary of tough guys. And you know I dig those things about her, but she’s so much more than that.” He didn’t want to breach Chloe’s confidence, so he kept his comments general and said, “What you can’t see is that she’s had to overcome as much as you and I have, and her refusing to go out with me had nothing to do with me and everything to do with the shit she’s been through.”

  “Really?”

  “Yeah, you just can’t see it because she doesn’t throw her past in people’s faces like you and I do with our take-us-as-we-are attitudes. And she’s not playing the game like Blaine does, either. She has truly risen above her past, and she’s proud of it, as well she should be. And now that I know what’s she’s gone through? Everything about her makes sense.” Last night he and Chloe had been talking about her childhood, and she’d told him that she and Serena had always worn secondhand clothes and how she’d vowed never to need to do that again. She said she knew that she dressed differently from everyone else and that it had as much to do with rising above her past as it did with trying to stand out, but not in an ostentatious way. She said she’d always felt plain, invisible, when she was growing up. Chloe could be dressed in rags and she’d never look plain or fade into the background, but he understood what she meant all too well.

  “She’s not a fuck-the-world-for-fucking-me type of person, Vi, and she doesn’t take anything for granted. Friends are at the top of that list. She makes these incredible albums for people. Did you know that? She even makes them for some of the residents at LOCAL.”

  “Yeah, she made a gorgeous wedding album for Des and Rick.”

  “Well, I had no idea she was so creative or put so much of her time into doing things for others.” He paced the studio as he told Violet about the sculpture he was making and that it had been Chloe’s idea to focus on the people left behind rather than those who had been lost. He explained how Chloe had taken pictures of everyone and their hands for him to use while sculpting, and he showed her the inspiration board she’d made.

  “It seems like she’s just as into you as you are into her.”

  “I think she is, at least I hope so,” he said honestly. “I knew I liked her, but man, it’s so much bigger than that. She’s stayed at my place the last few nights, and last night we went to see these dogs that Dwayne and a bunch of us helped rescue from a dogfighting ring. There’s this one dog that Chloe named Shadow. We both hate to leave him, but when I see her loving him up?” He shook his head and said, “I don’t know, Vi. Everything she does gets to me.”

  “Sounds like you’re in deep.”

  “Yeah, and I want to get deeper. Everything is better when we’re together. We cooked dinner together last night, and even that was fun. And don’t get me started on what it’s like to wake up with her in my arms or watch her get ready for work in the morning, dressing in her fancy clothes with heels that make her legs look miles long. It takes all of my restraint not to sweep her into my arms and haul her gorgeous ass back to bed. And not just for sex. I want to hold her, to be with her, to—”

  “To love her?” Violet suggested.

  “Yeah,” he said, surprising himself. “I mean, I don’t know. I wouldn’t say that and send her running for the hills, but I never thought it could be like this.”

  “Don’t pull that crap with me. Every time she blew you off you told me she was the one for you. Maybe you never thought it could be this good, but you definitely knew you two would be good together.”

  “Whatever. I’m not a wordsmith, but you know what I mean. I literally saw her this morning, and I wish time would move faster so I could see her again.”

  “Sounds like you’ve been hit with a cupid’s arrow.” Violet’s eyes filled with compassion. “That’s how it happens, Justin. Remember how it was with me and Andre? I fell so hard and fast, it scared the life out of me and I left the country. What a mistake that was. I lost two years with him. Don’t make the same mistakes I did. Don’t get scared because your feelings are so big.”

  He scoffed. “I’m not scared. I want to spend more time with her, to protect her from the assholes in this world and make sure her life is nothing but incredible. My only fear is that I’m me, you know? And she’s so independent. I’m worried I’ll fuck it up. She rode with me and the guys out to Harborside on Sunday, and she enjoyed the hell out of it, but she gave me shit for telling this guy to stop checking her out.”

  Violet laughed. “You got her on your bike and she gave you hell? You do realize that makes her even more awesome, right?”

  Justin gave her a deadpan look. “Seriously, Vi. She basically told me not to piss on my territory to keep guys in line.”

  “I get it, and as I said, it makes me like her even more.”

  “Yeah, me too. That’s weird, right?”

  “No, Justin. It’s great. You would never last with a wallflower. I know you like to take care of people, but you also like a challenge. You need to be with someone who is as smart and as strong as you are, who understands all that goes along with being you. But it doesn’t mean that she needs to put up with anything she’s uncomfortable with. You’d better be careful not to smother her,” Violet warned.

  “I’m trying not to, but no one has ever watched out for her, and I want to be that guy, Vi.”

  “Hey, I tried to watch out for her. I told you to keep your snake out of her grass the first time you met her,” Violet reminded him. “It sounds like
Chloe’s good for you.”

  “I think we’re good for each other. She gets me, and I don’t think she’s ever given anyone a chance to know her well enough to really understand who she is, until now.”

  “I’m sorry she’s had a rough go of things, but I’m glad she’s letting you in.”

  “Yeah, me too. I wish I could change all that for her,” he said honestly. “And, Vi, you should know Chloe and I talked about us—you and me—because of all that shit that went down when you first got to the Cape and came out when Andre first showed up.”

  “Oh shit. I was in such a bad place then.” Worry rose in Violet’s eyes. “I hope that didn’t make things more difficult for you two.”

  “It was definitely one of the reasons she held back for so long, but she understands it now.”

  “Good. I’m sorry I was so broken back then. I feel bad that you two had to deal with that.”

  “It’s okay. Chloe’s tough.”

  “I know, but tough girls can get hurt, too. If anyone knows that, I do.” Violet smiled and said, “You’re the best friend I’ve ever had. You’ve always been there for me. I can tell you anything without feeling judged, and from what you’ve said, it sounds like Chloe has never had someone like that in her life. She’s lucky to have you, and I’m really happy for you both. But as much as you want to plow into her life and protect her, don’t do it, Justin. You waited a long time for her to be ready for you. Don’t overwhelm her. As a prideful woman, I can tell you that nothing feels worse than someone you care about acting as though you’re not strong enough or capable enough—emotionally or otherwise—to take care of yourself.”

  Justin thought about that. “I would never want her to feel that way.”

  “I know. That’s why I’m telling you this. I have a feeling if you give Chloe enough space and time, she’ll show you what she needs in a partner.”

  The studio door flew open, and Chloe rushed in with bags in her hands, talking a mile a minute as she headed for Justin. “Hi! I know we didn’t have plans for tonight, but I got off a little early after I met with Mads and I was so excited about getting pictures of her hands, I had to show you! We got lucky. She showed me her new nail polish and let me take pictures of it. I love her, by the way. She was so helpful and we had a blast working together. I really think this proposal is going to go over well. Tomorrow is my big pitch day!” She dropped her bags on the table and dug around in one as she said, “I stopped to get tacos for dinner because I thought you might have gotten caught up in sculpting and forgotten to eat, and Mads told me about this T-shirt place, so I stopped and got this on the way here.” She spun around, holding up a black T-shirt with white letters across the chest that read MY PRINCE CHARMING DOESN’T RIDE A WHITE HORSE. HE DRIVES A HARLEY.

  If she only knew how much her showing up out of the blue, and that silly shirt, meant to him. “I didn’t think it was possible for my day to get any better, babycakes, but damn. You’re here, and I fucking love that shirt.”

  “Hi, Chloe!” Violet called out.

  Chloe’s eyes moved to the phone in Justin’s hand, and her eyes widened. “Violet? Oh my gosh. Hi. I’m so sorry. I had no idea you were on the phone.”

  “That’s okay. I love the shirt, too. And you brought tacos for dinner?” Violet smirked and said, “Isn’t your taco on the menu every night?”

  “Ohmygod.” Chloe’s cheeks flamed, and she covered her face.

  “Vi, come on. That’s enough.” Justin glared at her.

  “I’m sorry,” Violet said through her laughter. “I couldn’t help myself. I love seeing Chloe blush.” She schooled her expression. “Seriously, though. I’m happy for you and Justin. Be good to him, Chloe. He’s the best friend a girl can have.”

  “I know he is.” Chloe put her arms around Justin and said, “How’s Honduras, Vi? How’s Andre?”

  “The area is great, and Andre is about to have his clothes torn off.” Violet looked to the side and smiled as Andre leaned into the frame to kiss her.

  “Hey, Justin. Hi, Chloe,” Andre said. “So, you’re finally a couple?”

  They caught Andre up on their new relationship and talked a few more minutes.

  “We have to go if I want time to have my way with my man,” Violet said. “But we’re coming home in July, so we’ll be there when Desiree has the baby. She wants me in the delivery room in case Rick passes out.”

  After they ended the call, Justin put his phone in his pocket and his arms around Chloe. Her sweet smile cut straight to his heart. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

  “I’m sorry for barging in. I was just so excited about the pictures and—”

  “Uh-huh. So you didn’t stop by because you missed me?” She didn’t need to say a word. The answer was clear as day in her hazel eyes. “I like that you missed me, sweet cheeks.” He pressed his lips to hers and said, “Want to know what I like even more? Knowing that you think of me as your Prince Charming.”

  Her mouth twisted into a sassy smirk, and she said, “I don’t really believe in the whole white knight rescuing the girl thing, but they didn’t have a shirt that said boyfriend instead of Prince Charming.”

  “Aw, come on, darlin’. Let me be your white knight and slay your dragons.”

  She wound her arms around his neck and said, “How about I let you be my Dark Knight and eat my taco instead?”

  “Oh, baby. I’m in the mood for a feast.” He threw her over his shoulder, and she squealed, giggling as he grabbed her bags and headed out the door.

  Chapter Seventeen

  CHLOE’S IMPROMPTU TACO dinner with Justin had led to her staying at his place for a fourth consecutive night. She’d gotten up at the crack of dawn to go home and get ready for work, but neither she nor Justin wanted to be apart. What started as a few steamy kisses ended with them tangled up in each other’s arms. Chloe had to rush through her morning routine and made it to work in the nick of time for her first meeting. She was swamped all day and had stayed late to pitch the puppeteering trial to Alan. He seemed enthusiastic, and Chloe was keeping her fingers crossed, hoping for his approval. When she finally got home after work, she felt like she’d been gone a month, despite having been there to race through her shower that morning.

  She set her things down in the kitchen and looked around at the pictures she’d left spread over the table and the counter. She studied a picture of Justin and Shadow. He’d sent her flirty texts several times that afternoon, and though he hadn’t sexted, he’d definitely skirted that line. Every time his name had flashed on her phone, her heart had skipped a beat.

  There were no two ways about it.

  She already missed him.

  He was at church tonight, and she had plenty to do. Besides everyday chores like catching up on laundry and mail, she’d totally forgotten about cleaning up the patio from the sand, and she wanted to work on the album for Joey. But even with all she had on her plate, her mind still lingered on Justin. He was never far from her thoughts. She thought of the sweet things he said and did and the way he touched her tenderly one minute and possessively the next. He was so damn sexy she got tingly just thinking about him.

  She needed to stop daydreaming about him. She refused to become one of those girls who lost her mind over a man, like her mother. She could go one night without seeing him.

  She slipped off her heels and changed into shorts and a comfy shirt, trying not to think about him. She carried a basket of dirty clothes to the laundry room, and as she separated her laundry, she found Justin’s white T-shirt she’d kept the night of the book club meeting. She pressed it to her nose, inhaling his manly scent, bringing all those tingles back to life.

  Great. Now she missed him even more.

  She debated not washing the shirt so she could sleep with it on her pillow, like a pillowcase, but decided that would make her like a lovesick teenager. Ugh. Was this why her sister and her friends all mooned over their men? She took one last sniff and forced herself to throw his shirt in
the washer. Before she could change her mind, she threw more whites in, covered his shirt with detergent, and turned the washer on. She grabbed a bucket and broom and padded into the living room, making a plan to get rid of the sand by dumping it in the woods at the edge of her property. It would take a hundred trips, but she could use the exercise. It felt like that enchanting night had taken place yesterday, and at the same time, it felt like a month had passed since she’d opened the door in her hula outfit and been swept into Justin’s arms. She queued up one of her upbeat playlists, and Matchbox Twenty’s “3 AM” rang out. She bobbed her head to the music as she pulled open the glass doors that led to the porch.

  Her jaw dropped at the sight of it. All the sand was gone, and her outdoor furniture had been put in its rightful place. She couldn’t believe it. Justin must have cleaned it up one day this week while she was at work. As grateful as she was that he’d gone to all that trouble to clean up, she was a little sad that the remnants of their first intimate evening together were gone.

  She set the broom and bucket down and stepped onto the porch. He’d left the tiki lights up. The blanket they’d lain on was folded neatly on the table. Beside the blanket was a mason jar. Her pulse quickened as she picked it up and realized there was sand in it, and a piece of paper. She unscrewed the top, taking out a handwritten note from Justin. She recognized his slanted writing.

  Memories of our unforgettable evening. J

  The butterflies in her belly took flight again. He sure knew how to stir them up. Heck, he stirred more than butterflies. He’d given her his own brand of a scrapbook. She loved knowing he didn’t want to forget that night any more than she did.

  She wanted to text him to say thank you, but she didn’t want to bug him when he was in a meeting. She put her fingers in the jar, running them through the sand, remembering that night. She’d been so nervous, and all her worries had tumbled out. He’d been so good to her, not pushing her, leaving their path in her hands.