by Calinda B
“Would you? That would be great,” Jace said. “We’re a ways out, aren’t we?”
“Ten miles south of the nearest town.” He looked down his nose at Zoé. “You should be wearing pants,” he said.
“Yes, I am a bit cold,” she said. “How dumb of me.”
“And where’s your safety protection? If you were to crash your heads would explode like pumpkins.”
Great visual. Zoé patted her hair.
“I know, I know,” Jace said. “We were being reckless. We’ll learn.”
“You don’t want to learn the hard way, son, by ending up dead.”
“No, sir, point taken.”
“Good. Off with you now,” he said.
The little dog barked.
“Thanks for watching out for us,” Zoé added, a mixture of shame and embarrassment pooling inside at having been caught. So much for being wild. “We’re heading that way.”
She pointed in the direction of the stuff they left behind.
“Uh huh,” the man said.
Jace revved the engine a couple of times. “Sounds like we fixed it.”
“Sounds like,” the gentleman agreed.
“Thanks again,” Jace said. “Climb on, honey.”
“Okay, babe,” she said, playing along.
She positioned herself behind Jace, placing her hands on his shoulders. She hoped she looked respectable. As much as someone only wearing a shirt, boots, and panties on the back of a motorcycle can look. Her face felt aflame with heat. She wanted nothing more than to crawl under a big rock and hide.
Jace eased out onto the road and drove away at a senior citizen’s speed. When they got out of sight, he kicked it up and they sped back to the turnout.
When he parked, she practically leaped from the bike. She gave an angry kick to the helmet lying on the ground, sending it spinning. “What was I thinking? That was so stupid of me.”
“What’s the matter? I thought it was hot, especially the Hollywood moment. That seemed like a classic movie scene.”
“Yeah, of a porno movie,” Zoé said, her voice shrill and tight. “And we fucked without protection! What was I thinking? Oh, jeez, I’ve been reckless!”
“Baby, calm down.” Jace climbed off the bike and came over to her, grabbing her by the shoulders.
“We could have been arrested for public indecency!” She brushed away his hands and resumed pacing. “This isn’t me! I shouldn’t have done this!”
“Zoé. Baby. Stop. We did nothing wrong.”
“We did everything wrong. We had sex in a public place! In that old man’s driveway!”
“It wasn’t exactly public. I haven’t seen a car on the road all night,” Jace said with a small chuckle. “We’re blanketed by nightfall. Baby, stop.”
She came to a halt and looked at him.
He regarded her with his emerald pools.
Her frantic worry melted. “I…I’m not used to this. I’ve never…” She bit her lip and looked away.
“Had sex on an Angel?” he said.
“No. I’ve never even had sex in the great outdoors.”
“It came to you quite naturally,” Jace said. “Eyes over here, please.”
She met his gaze.
He came close to her. “Are you telling me you didn’t like what we did?”
“No,” she said in a small, stupid sounding voice. “I’m not saying that.”
“So, no harm, no foul. Babe, it was a hot thing to do. I had a lot of ideas kicking around in my skull but you took the prize. Fucking hot,” he said. He splayed his fingers on both sides of his head, as if fireworks were exploding. “And it did nothing to whet my appetite. Here, see?”
He grabbed her hand and placed it over his hard cock.
She smiled shyly. “Isn’t that kind of quick?”
“Kind of. With you, I…” He placed his hands on her shoulders. “I want you, Zoé. All the fucking time. I know we just met but thoughts of you hum in my head constantly.”
“Which one?” she said, smiling sweetly.
He laughed. “Both. When one stops humming the other takes over.”
She threw back her head and groaned. “What are you doing to me, Jace Savage? I feel like that’s going to be my mantra with you. Already I’ve done more and felt more than all my relationships combined.”
He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. “For one, you’re going to help me scratch this itch I feel,” he said, rocking his hips into her belly. “And for two, you’re going to let yourself live. You heard me say to your dad that I like to live on the edge. I don’t believe in playing it safe.”
“Hence, the trouble,” she said into his shoulder.
“Yeah, that, too. But I also have a lot of fun on this planet. You will too. Let’s be wild together, baby. Wild and uncontrolled, like savages.”
She giggled. “It was funny when that guy drove up to us and you were all, ‘sorry, sir, I thought I was having engine trouble’. I thought your engine worked just fine.”
He laughed and the sound rumbled into her chest. “Yeah, and you’re standing there all prim and proper with our combined juices dripping down the inside of your legs.”
“It did not!” she said indignantly.
“Did, too. I kept glancing at it, wondering when you’d notice.” He let out a huge belly laugh. “Damn, girl.”
She shoved him away, patting the inside of her legs, finding the dried semen. “God, Jace, you’re impossible! You think that’s funny?”
“Sure do.” He quieted as she fumed. “Zoé, let go into life. I’ll keep you safe, I promise.”
“How much trouble will we get in? Because I’m a straight A student in college and a model citizen,” she said, smiling ever so slightly. As she said it she realized how dull it sounded. “A model citizen who’s looking for a new way of life, it seems,” she added, letting her shoulders sag. “I need to let go of being so horribly responsible all the time.”
“You’ve come to the right place, girl,” he said. He pulled her back against his chest.
She encircled her arms around him and held him tight, breathing in his earthy scent.
“Feel better?” he asked her.
“Mm hmm. Much.”
“Okay, now, about helping me with that itch?”
She laughed. “Jace, Jace, Jace…you’re going to be my undoing.”
Chapter 12
Jace
In the morning, Jace’s alarm shrieked like a fire alarm, jolting him out of an extremely pleasant dream. His stiff dick ached. Without opening his eyes, he curled his hand around it and stroked to relieve the tension.
Then, Marni cried.
“Oh, right. I’m a parent.” He opened his eyes and glanced at the time. “Shit. I’m late.”
One rushed and fumbled hour later, he left for his aunt’s, Marni in tow. After dropping her off, he rushed to the boatyard.
When Jace pulled up to the dock at 10 a.m., he noticed a couple of dour, suited men getting into their expensive cars. Trepidation filled his gut. He clenched his teeth together. Now what?
“We have a bit of a problem,” Neil said, entering the break room. “Good morning, by the way.”
“What is it?” Jace said, as he dropped his keys in his locker. “And good morning to you. Sorry, I’m late.”
“Jace, you’re one of the most conscientious guy’s I’ve got.” He thumped Jace’s back with his palm. “I hope you have a good reason for being late.” He smiled.
“Yeah,” Jace said. “I do, for once.” Thoughts of Zoé hummed in his system. Sex, all night long. Mmm. “Anyway, what’s the problem?”
“It’s Billy. Apparently, you roughed him up a bit the other night.” Neil glanced at Jace’s bruised hand. “He sent his lawyers over here today.”
More trouble. Shit. Why can’t it leave me alone? “Fuck,” Jace said.
“Yeah, fuck is right. Per his lawyers —and I know this is unfounded —but according to his lawyers he’s received sho
ddy treatment here, you’re the culprit, and he wants damages to the tune of six digits.”
“What? That’s fucking ridiculous. He’s blowing smoke. Are you kidding me?” Jace slammed the metal locker with a resounding bang.
“Nope. We can’t afford this, Jace, you know this. I’m barely holding on as it is. I can’t afford lawyer’s fees and missed time from work to deal with Billy O’Reilly and his bullshit.” He huffed out a sigh. “You’ve got to stop using force to solve problems. You’re a smart guy. Use your brains.”
Jace sat down wearily at the break table. So much for the high from last night. “Goddamn it. You want to know why I hit him?”
“You want to tell me?”
“He was coming after a girl I like, behaving like a foul predator. He already messed up one relationship. I’m not going to let him mess up another. Fuck,” he growled again. “And I’ve had it up to here with his bullshit.” Jace slashed his hand at eye level. “He comes in late, wants me to cover for him, he’s useless at the yard. This is complete bullshit.”
“I know that and you know that. Tell that to his lawyers. They’re a couple of well-paid pricks.”
“Goddamn it.” He scrubbed his face with his hands, desperately wanting this to go away. “So, what’s on the books today? I still have to sand the rest of that boat bottom. I have about an hour’s worth of work on that. Two tops. Then, I’ll get to work on prepping it for the Vinylester Gel Coat and bottom paint. What’s after that?”
“Back on the Selene. That one still needs a lot of work. Did you get the stabilizers repaired?”
“Yep, got that done last week. Also, changed the zincs.”
“Okay, good. The cutlass bearing needs to be replaced. You’ll go back and forth between the Rival and the Selene until they’re done.”
“Is Billy still working here?”
“Haven’t heard to the contrary. I’m sure he hasn’t told the old man of the lawsuit.” Neil rubbed his eyes. He reached for the coffee pot brewing on the counter and lifted it toward Jace. “Want some?”
“Yeah, thanks.” He accepted the offered cup and took a welcome swallow. “You ever thought of cutting him loose? Sending Billy packing?”
“Oh, you know it.” Neil slumped down in the chair opposite Jace. He sipped his coffee, poured more creamer in it, and stirred it with a plastic stir stick. “But his dad’s gifted the wooden boat school on more than one occasion and that school is one of our largest sources of clientele. Plus, I teach classes over there. Daddy dearest wants Billy to learn a useful skill. He pays us to employ him.”
“Seriously? The dipshit gets all his fucking allowance money and his dad pays to keep him here? You never told me that. Damn.”
“I know, it’s sick, right? His dad helps keep the wheels turning while Billy tries to destroy them. This town is too small to make big waves.”
Jace’s phone blipped and he pulled it out of his pocket. He had a message from Zoé: Loved getting into trouble with you. He grinned, distracted, his cock giving an instant stir of approval.
“Nice text?” Neil asked.
“What?” Jace looked up. “Oh, yeah. It’s this new girl.”
“Looks like she’s rocking your boat,” Neil said with a smile.
“Big time. She’s the reason I’m late today. I promise I won’t make it a regular thing,” he added quickly.
The door to the break room opened and Billy swaggered in, squashing his thoughts of Zoé.
“Hey, guys,” Billy said cheerily. “How’s everybody?” His face had angry reddish purple bruises along the left side. “Oh, Neil, I’ll be setting my own hours from now on. No offense, but the lawyers said I need to take care of my pain and suffering. You understand. It’s a legal thing.”
“It’s a bullshit thing is what it is,” Jace said, his voice low and menacing.
“Jace,” Neil said in a clipped tone.
“Funny thing,” Billy said, striding cockily to his locker. “I got in a fight with someone this weekend. Both Jasmine and Simone took pity on me and gave me extra special care. Might have to get hit on the other side.”
“That can easily be arranged,” Jace said, mentally pulverizing Billy with his fists and an iron bar.
“Don’t start with me, Jace,” Billy said. He gave Jace an icy stare. “I’ll have to report in to my lawyers. They’re documenting everything that goes on here and I mean everything.” He smirked at Jace.
Jace wanted to take the sander to his face. “Even your tardiness, calling in sick because you’re hung over and shit like that?”
Billy recoiled, but said nothing.
“Why don’t you head on out to the Rival, Jace? I’ll deal with our friend, here. I think he’s confused about making his own hours instead of going on leave, like you’re supposed to do when you sue a company.” Neil crossed his arms over his chest.
Billy looked confused. “Right. I knew that.”
“Right,” Jace said. “Fat chance you remember anything the lawyers said to you.” He stalked toward the door. Once outside he slammed the door behind him, his insides roiling with anger. His phone pinged. He tugged it from his pocket, hoping it was good news.
Hey handsome. Want to get into more trouble? I get off work at 7.
His cock did a little dance in his pants. Then, he thought of Marni.
Sorry, girl, I’ll have to take a raincheck.
Maybe Thurs?
Too far, she messaged. Miss you now.
Miss you too. Want to be inside you. Weds?
Marni wasn’t even going to know his face. Some stable guardian I am, he thought.
“My goddamned sister,” he muttered.
At the boat, he received a reply from Zoé: K, I can wait til Weds. Xo, Z.
He blew out his breath, torn between obligation and passion.
At lunchtime, he drove over to Aunt Molly’s house to check on Marni. He exited the truck and paused. Marni’s insistent screams blared from the house, making his entire mood turn black.
Aunt Molly opened the front door. “Hi, Jace.” She held the screaming child on her hips. “Our girl Marni seems to have caught a cold. She’s running a fever.”
“Shit,” he said.
So much for Wednesday.
Marni, her face covered with snot and tears, reached for him.
He grabbed her and slung her over his shoulder. “There, there, baby girl, Uncle Jace is here,” he said tiredly. Which is not where I want to be.
Her cries turned into soft whimpers as she clung to him, sending his heart into the melt zone again.
“I only have forty-five minutes before I have to go back to work.”
“I know. We can watch her the rest of the day but I’m afraid your uncle and I have plans tonight that we can’t change.”
“I understand,” he said, feeling stretched six ways to Sunday. “What time do you have to leave?”
“We have to leave by…” She held her wristwatch up and studied it. “We can get away with leaving by six-fifteen. Will that work for you?”
He sighed. “I’ll have to make it work. I got in late today and told the boss I’d stay late. I’ll just have to pull a couple weekenders.”
How can I see Zoé? He dipped his chin and squeezed the back of his neck with his free hand.
“Want to come in? I just brewed some ice tea and I believe there’s tuna in the fridge.”
“Yeah, thanks. Tuna sandwich would be great.”
He sat on the back deck, still holding Marni.
A few minutes later, Aunt Molly brought out a couple of tuna sandwiches on plates and handed him one of them. “Did you have fun last night?”
“Did I ever,” he said, brightening, as he took the sandwich. “We had a great time.”
“And your face is lit up like a torch. Must be a sign.” She winked at him, settling into the seat next to him. She took a bite of her sandwich, then, set it back on the plate.
“We’ll see. Her name is Zoé Dubois. Sounds
exotic, huh?” He took a bite of the sandwich.
Marni tried to bat it away from his mouth.
“No, no,” he said, sighing. “My sandwich.”
“Give her back to me so you can finish.”
“It’s okay. I’ve got her.” He turned his head away from Marni and took another bite of tuna and bread.
“Zoé Dubois. It’s a pretty name.”
“She’s a pretty girl.” Jace grinned.
Marni’s eyelids began to droop. She lay her head on Jace’s shoulder.
His aunt’s eyebrows rose. “I can see you think so. I hope it works for you. You’ve been pretty sad since you and Kate broke up.”
“More like pissed off and determined,” he said. “I saw Kate a couple of days ago. She’s moving to California. I took that as a good sign to start pursuing Zoé.”
Marni let out a snuffly little sigh against his chest.
“Is she asleep?”
“Sound asleep.” Aunt Molly stroked her curls. “She sure loves you.”
“Yeah. I’m just available,” he said dismissively. “I don’t remember ticking the box that asked if I wanted to be a dad right now.”
“All we can do is hope your sister comes around.”
“Fat chance of that,” he said with a grumble. “But we can hope.” He clamped his lips shut.
“What’s got you going silent on me?” his aunt asked. She reached for Jace’s plate.
“Oh, I don’t know.” He glanced at Marni, hoping she was far away in dreamland. Just to be certain, he cupped his palm over her ear. “I’m trying to keep all this shit away from Zoé. We only just met. I want to show up as one of the good guys, you know? How’s it going to look if I’m taking care of my loser, strung out sister’s child?”
Aunt Molly frowned. “I’d think that would be appealing to a young woman. It shows you as a responsible guy.”
“I don’t know if she even wants kids. I sure don’t.” He winced as the words tumbled out. “Not that I have anything against Marni.”
His aunt nodded. “I know. Having children is a huge responsibility.”
Jace pursed his lips. “Yeah. One I’m not ready for.” He squeezed the back of his neck. “And what about her?” He stroked Marni’s silken curls. “Isn’t there some disorder called Separation Anxiety? Something about kids whose parent’s abandon them and they’re fucked up for the rest of their life?” His statement yanked open a box to all sorts of unpleasant childhood memories. He shoved them out of his mind. “Zoé’s good people. I can see Marni falling for her. Then, if things don’t work out and Zoé disappears, Marni has to deal with that, too.” He blew out a sigh.