Stone Cold Bad

by Tess Oliver

  Colt stood up and I followed.

  “I’ve never run from Ray before,” I said, “but I’m pretty sure he’ll come looking for me.”

  Colt took my hand and led me back to the truck. “Figured that much. And I’m looking forward as hell to that day,” he said darkly.

  “No. The last thing I want is to cause trouble for you and your brothers. I’ll stick around here long enough to make some money and then I’ll move on. He’ll have a harder time finding me if I keep moving.”

  He stopped when we got to the truck. He stepped closer. My body was wedged between him and the truck. I hadn’t realized how cool the ocean breeze was until his body heat surrounded me. He reached up and pushed a strand of hair behind my ear. “So you’re just going to keep moving from place to place to avoid that asshole?”

  “I think that’ll be best. I don’t want to cause you any trouble.”

  There it was again, that slight smile that left a crease on the side of his mouth. “Darlin’ it’s too late. I’ve been in trouble since the second you used me as camouflage in that dark hallway.”

  His hand moved down along my cheek and back to my breasts. He slipped his hand under my shirt and smoothed his palm over the skin of my stomach and up to my naked breasts. I took a deep breath and swayed backward against the truck. His eyes turned that silvery gray color, that glossy shade that always seemed to appear when he was touching me, which he was doing now with every bit the same mastery as the night before.

  I stood by helplessly, knowing I should be ducking away from his touch but unable to do so. I just didn’t have the willpower to deny him. He was that good.

  “Colt.” His name came out on a ragged whisper.

  “Shh, I know. I’m not going to try anything. I just want to touch you.” His fingers teased and pinched my nipples into tight buds. “Is this making your pussy wet, baby?” He continued to play with my nipples, and I pushed them harder against his touch.

  “Yes,” I answered.

  He shoved his thigh between my legs. A wide open jeep with music blaring from its speakers rolled off onto the unpaved road leading to the cottage. A could of dust kicked up around it, but I could still see the two girls sitting in the front seat. Colt still hadn’t pulled his hand from my shirt as they rolled over the long weeds and stopped in front of the house.

  The girl in the passenger seat, an extremely pretty brunette dressed only in a tiny bikini, grabbed the top of the windshield and pulled herself to standing. She looked at me before turning her attention to Colt. Even then, he kept his hand under my shirt. I pulled out of his reach.

  The driver turned down the music. “We thought we might find you here, Colt. Jen and I are headed to Cooper’s Cove for a swim and stuff. You should come.” She made it clear the invitation was just for Colt.

  “Yeah? You know how much I like stuff. I might head over there in awhile.”

  The girl made a point of sneering at me before sitting back down. The jeep spun around and rumbled off through the same cloud of dust.

  “I’ve got to get home,” I said. “Amy is going to take me to talk to her boss, and you don’t want to miss your swim,” I said it briskly, as if it didn’t bother me in the slightest that he was going to the beach to do stuff with two pretty girls. Of course, it did bother me, and I wanted to kick myself for that. It wasn’t like I didn’t know exactly what kind of guy Colt was, a guy who took pride in fucking a lot of girls. I needed to get that notion tucked firmly in my mind. Just like Amy and I had talked about this morning, guys like the Stone brothers were not worth the headache . . . or heartache, for that matter. And more heartache was the one damn thing I didn’t need.

  I climbed into the truck and barely said a word the entire ride home.

  Chapter 9

  Colt

  Hunter was sitting on the driveway next to his bike. He looked up over the seat of his motorcycle, and we both watched as Amy and Jade climbed into Amy’s rust covered car. It was an odd, silent moment. Two brothers who had learned not to have any emotional connection to anyone and, yet, we didn’t look away or say a word until the car sputtered off down the road.

  Hunter turned his attention back to the bike. “Says she’s got a date with some beer delivery guy or something,” he said offhandedly as if he was making sure that I knew he didn’t give a fuck.

  “Street? Yeah, I think she’d be fighting off all sorts of guys if you weren’t always lurking around like a fucking gladiator with his underwear in a bunch.”

  “I never tell her not to date. She can do whatever the hell she likes. Makes no fucking difference to me.”

  “Yeah, that’s why you’re holding that wrench like you’re going to pound a skull with it.”

  He held it up and looked at me. “Maybe I’ve found just the skull.” Hunter loved to threaten shit like that, but as kids, he’d taken the blame more than once for something I’d done just to spare me the belt. But, as we grew up and my dad became more ruthless, it was every man for himself. By that time, our mom had basically withered away from her pill addiction, an addiction made stronger by my dad’s terrifying temper. It had been the first day of winter break when we lost her for good. Some kids looked forward to holidays. But for us, days off meant we were completely unprotected. My dad always made sure to leave marks in places the teachers couldn’t see, but on vacations, you could get a fist to the face or a broken finger. That bleak winter day when other kids were decorating cookies with their moms, our mom crawled back into bed after shoving some frozen waffles in the toaster for us. She never got back up. Hunter plowed his fist into the headboard above her small, blue face. He was pissed as hell at her for leaving us alone.

  “What’s going on with you and the new girl? She’s as sweet as fucking cotton candy, and Amy really likes her. Did you nail her already?”

  “Nah, I think she needs some space away from asshole men for awhile.”

  “Right, space. Wait a minute—” He lifted his face up with a big fucking grin that I wanted to wipe off it. “Well, I’ll be damned, the world is tilting off its axis, a girl said ‘no’ to Colt Stone.”

  “Shut the fuck up.”

  Slade’s Mustang pulled into the driveway. He was on the phone as he climbed out. “We’ve got to make another run tomorrow,” he said as he hung up.

  “Again?” I asked.

  “More drops mean more money,” Hunter said as he sat up from under the bike.

  “Yeah, and then someone gets careless and the feds catch on and then everyone is busted. More money is great, but you can’t spend it if you’re behind bars,” I said.

  Slade sat on the porch step. “I can see your point, Colt. With that face of yours, you’ll be someone’s bitch the second they lock you in.”

  Hunter laughed.

  “A couple of fucking comedians, but you know I’m right. Rincon is getting greedy, and the more drops we make, the more people start noticing certain boats hanging out in the harbor. Then suddenly the coast guard is making note of it and then we’re all wearing orange fucking coveralls. We’re just the grunt guys, the middlemen, but you know we’ll be the first to get hauled in.”

  The wrench clanged as Hunter dropped it into the tool box. “We’ll drop the nets this time and do some fishing. Look, Colt, if you don’t have the stomach for this, then Slade and I will go out on our own. I told you, once we have enough, we can start investing in something legit, like flipping real estate or a mechanic shop. We just need enough laundered capital to move us to the next level. Unless you’ve got some other brilliant way for us to make some cash, apart from you selling that face of yours on a street corner.”

  Now it was Slade’s turn to laugh.

  “Fuck off. I’m still with you. I’m just stating the obvious.”

  Hunter got up and wiped the grease from his hands on a rag that had just as much black grease on it. “What’s eating you, Colt? You’re not usually like this. That pretty stray kitten got your balls in a knot? Maybe you’re thinking abo
ut the girl and a happy ending in your little cottage.”

  I pulled out a joint and lit it. “Yep, that’s it. You know me and my fairy tale dreams. Not that any of that sounds too bad. I mean, beats ending up six feet under with a Styrofoam headstone that you guys scratch my name on with a fucking permanent marker.”

  Slade looked over at Hunter. “Guess he’s right. It would have to be a permanent marker. That other shit would just get washed away in the rain.”

  “Nothing wrong with pencil,” Hunter said with a shrug. His face smoothed, and he looked at me. “We’ll get there, Colt. Slade and I don’t like this kind of work either, but it’s making us money fast. Just keep those balls wrapped in steel. Unless of course they’re wrapped in that little stowaway’s plump pink lips. Man, she is something. No wonder that jerk was going out of his way to keep her.”

  Slade hopped off the steps. “That’s what I was going to tell you. When we were done fishing this morning, we stopped to refuel at the dock near Bootlegger’s. Overheard some guys, who’d been in Bootlegger’s when we were ripping those assholes to pieces, talking. That fool, Ray Ward, or whatever the hell her sugar daddy’s name is, he’s pissed as hell that his guys got their asses beat.

  Hunter smiled. “I’ll bet.”

  “No, I mean he was pissed at them. Fired their asses and sent them on their way crying and sucking their thumbs. Now a pansy like that isn’t going to walk around long without a team of thugs to cover his primped and powdered ass. He’s hiring another crew.” Slade looked over at me. “You better keep a close eye on that special piece of cake cuz he’s going to come looking for her. I’m sure of it.”

  Just thinking about the fucker having his hands on Jade made my pulse speed up. “Hope he does come after her. I’m ready for a little one on one time with him.” I headed toward the truck.

  “Where are you going in your swim trunks?” Slade asked.

  “Jen and Tina are going out to the cove to swim.”

  “Wait for me to change,” Slade called. “I’m bored.”

  I raised my middle finger to him. “Find your own fucking threesome. We pretty faced boys don’t like to share our spoils.” I slammed the door to the truck. I hadn’t really planned on going to the cove. But when I’d realized that Jade was the reason behind me not being in the mood, I knew I had to go. I hadn’t stopped thinking about her since I’d had her up against that wall in the utility closet. And the last thing I needed was a girl I couldn’t stop thinking about. An afternoon with Jen and Tina was a sure cure for a stiff cock, and mine had been aching since I woke up with my sea salt kitten stretched out next to me.

  Chapter 10

  Jade

  Amy had gotten a fifty dollar tip from a stuffy-looking man in a navy blue suit and wonky toupee. She was amped up about it, and I was excited for her. She was the type of person you wanted to cheer for no matter what she was up to. And since she’d put her own neck on the line to get me a two week trial at the job, I was determined not to let her down. I had no experience waiting tables, but her boss, Jack, a leathery old, ex-military guy who was half teddy bear, half grenade with the pin pulled, decided I would look good in the unofficial bar uniform, an undersized mini-skirt and a blouse that had to be tied up right beneath my bra. Buttons, he noted, had to be undone at least halfway down my cleavage. Amy enthusiastically pointed out that at least we weren’t topless and that showing leg and cleavage always brought better tips. I was put on dishwashing and other menial tasks for the first week, and if I didn’t break too many glasses, I would get to try serving. Even with long rubber gloves, my hands were raw and my back hurt from bending over the giant dishwashing sink. But it had felt good to work and earn my own money. I was sure the job would get easier.

  The coastal fog had rolled in, but it was light and frilly, not the usual layer of soup. Amy’s car made plenty of unhealthy noises, but she just ignored them.

  “Hey, tomorrow I’ll take you to pick up a cute blouse at the thrift store. I get a lot of my work clothes there.” Amy said as she cranked the music in her car. “My treat.”

  “Amy, you’ve already done so much for me. Jack said if things work out, I can rent that little room behind the bar from him. He’ll just charge me fifty dollars a month. And without a car, living at the job will be very convenient.”

  She crinkled her little nose. “I don’t know if that’s such a good idea, Jade. As you might have noticed, Lazy Daze is in a really shitty part of town. You’re a lot safer with Colt.”

  “I can’t leech off of them for long. I really need to be independent for a change. When I ran away from home, I’d never thought anything through, and I had no chance to make it on my own. Now I’ve run again, but this time I’m determined to survive without any help.”

  “At least stick it out here until you have enough money to get a decent place. I was serious about us getting a place together some time. It would be fun.”

  “I agree. I guess I’ll see how it goes. It’s really nice of the brothers to let me stay, but it’s kind of—”

  “Awkward? “ she finished for me. “Colt’s a guy who can sweep in and tear a girl’s heart apart and not even notice he’s done it. But if you keep your head on straight and don’t let him get to you, it’ll be fine.” I smiled thinking about how quickly she’d let Hunter carry her into the bedroom this morning.

  Amy pulled up into her own driveway, and we climbed out. She looked toward her house. It was pitch dark. “You’d think she could leave the damn light on for me.” It was the first time I’d heard her sound angry. “It’s like having my very own middle-aged kid. And, frankly, I’m getting kind of tired of being the only adult in the house.”

  “Anytime you need me to keep an eye on her, let me know. You’ve done so much for me, and I really want to be able to return the favor.”

  She leaned over and hugged me. “Just having you around is the favor. The only other people I have to talk to are the pigs in that house next door, my delusional mother and Jack. You’re a breath of fresh, minty air.”

  I smiled. “Glad to be minty then. Good night.” I turned toward the house. “Crap, looks like no one’s up. I don’t have a key.”

  Amy waved her hand toward the house. “Don’t think they ever bother to lock it. No one in this town is stupid or desperate enough to break into that house.”

  “Makes sense.” I walked across Amy’s non-existent front lawn to the house. I climbed the rickety porch steps. The knob turned. There was a light on in the hallway and someone had left the television on, but it was muted. The couch was empty. I could use it as a bed.

  I walked into the kitchen. Magically, the sink was once again filled with dirty dishes. Somehow, I wasn’t surprised. I tiptoed down the hallway, but the creaky wood floor made noises anyhow. As I turned to slip into the bathroom, I heard a noise coming from Colt’s room. I decided to stop in his room first and tell him about the job. I pushed open the door. The yellow light from the hallway flowed into his small room. Colt was stretched out naked on his bed. One of the girls from the jeep, also naked, was sleeping between his legs with her head on Colt’s thigh and her face nearly nestled against his cock. The second girl, wearing only a bra, was fast asleep with her arm draped over Colt’s chest. None of it should have shocked me, and yet, I was shocked. None of it should have bothered me, and yet, I was bothered. And this was why I needed to get out of this house soon. As I backed out, the floorboards creaked and Colt’s eyes flickered open. Our gazes stuck for a second before I managed to make my escape. I went into the bathroom and shut the door.

  I turned on the water to wash my face. My refection stared back at me with pink blushed cheeks and a hurt expression. I was pissed at myself for feeling that way. I knew exactly what kind of guy Colt was. For fucksake he was participating in a damn contest and I was number fifty-something. Why I’d imagined anything different than the naked man stretched out between two naked girls was almost comical. Colt was that guy, the one who plowed through life leavi
ng nothing but broken hearts behind and not giving a shit about the flood of tears in his wake. He certainly didn’t need me to add my tears to the mix. I just needed to get on my feet and get the hell out of here.

  The cool water felt good as I cupped it in my palms and pressed it against my face. Colt had generously bought me my bathroom essentials, including my favorite citrus smelling face wash. Contrary to what I’d just seen in the bedroom and those few unguarded moments in the utility closet when my flustered state had succumbed to his charm, his handsome face and his amazing fingers, Colt had behaved as a gentleman. Far kinder than any of the men I’d been hanging around in my recent past. And the cottage he’d shown me with so much pride glinting in his green eyes had made him that much better. That might have been the whole problem. I’d already built him up to be someone he wasn’t.

  Cool air brushed my legs as the bathroom door opened. I reached blindly around for a towel, realizing I hadn’t even thought about one until now. A towel brushed my hand. I grabbed it and wiped my face. At least he’d taken the time to pull on his boxers.

  Colt leaned against the bathroom sink and looked at me. He was a big guy for such a small bathroom, but he was the kind of man who would have a huge presence even in a massive ballroom. His shoulders nearly spanned the bathroom vanity. Black ink swirled in every direction on his arms and chest. The mosaic of tattoos vibrated with each movement. Then, in the mirror, I caught his reflection. His back was turned toward the glass. The scars outnumbered the tattoos. Thin, brutal strap marks crisscrossed the tanned skin giving weight to the horror story of his childhood.