by Tess Oliver
She grasped my wrist tightly. “Cash!”
Her pussy tightened around me and the rush of ecstasy took hold of me. I continued to move against her until we both crumpled weakly alongside each other. She spun around in my arms and curled against my chest.
We were surrounded by cold white plaster and glass and not much more, but she was pure and utterly beautiful in my arms and I wanted to keep her there forever.
“I guess if I hadn’t stolen that bottle of water, I’d be sitting alone in my room wondering what the big deal about sex was.”
“I hope that I’ve at least answered that question for you.”
“Hell, I’m already categorizing the few times I did have sex as lame make-out sessions. When I’m with you, every inch of me feels like it’s on fire. My stomach flutters and my heart races and my pulse suddenly seems louder than usual. And that’s just after one of your smiles. Which I’m fucking nuts about, by the way.”
“My smile? I didn’t know I had one.”
She reached up and touched the end of my mouth. “Right here, your lip turns up and this astonishingly sexy little crease appears.” She ran her pinky along the side of my mouth. “I’ll admit, it’s a highly elusive smile, and I have to be watching for it because it is usually only a fleeting one. But I never miss it when it happens.” She pointed. “See, there it is.” She took hold of my hand and pressed it against her chest. “And there goes my heart. Right about to pop out of its holding place.”
I kissed her. “You’re a little nutty, sugar peanut. Stay that way, all right?”
“Not a problem.” She sat up. “Look. The fog bank has rolled in. It looks like we’re sitting above the clouds.” We took the blanket with us and stay wrapped together. The ghostly white mist circled the lighthouse making the view seem even more unreal.
“Shit, that’s cool.” I pulled her against me. “Thank you.”
Chapter 19
Esme
Bodhi was whistling, which was a good sign that his mood had brightened. Unfortunately, he sat down at the kitchen table with his off key whistling and a flurry of classified ads. I moved the popcorn bowls away from his side of the table and turned up the music I’d been listening to. I’d spent the morning in my own little world, drowning out the sketchy household around me with music and daydreams about Cash. I managed to prick at least three fingers enough that they were now wrapped in bandages. But a thin needle was the best way to string the popcorn.
Bodhi reached forward and dug his hand into the popcorn bowl sending more of it onto the table than into his fist.
“That’s for the animals,” I said, sweeping the stray pieces back into the bowl.
“You always tell me I eat like an animal.”
“Right, but this popcorn is for the cute animals.”
He shoved the handful in his mouth and then twisted his face in disgust. “No salt or butter?”
“Again, it’s for the animals. Why are you reading the classifieds? Are you thinking of selling body parts, because yours are kind of meh.”
“I’m looking for a job because I’m, as they say, ‘getting the hell out of Dodge’.”
“O.K. Will Bill, where will you go once you leave Dodge?” I looked up at him. “You’re going to Mom’s, aren’t you? You have to be. You don’t know anybody outside of town.”
“Hey, I know people.”
I tied off the popcorn strand. “Like who?”
He paused, giving it some thought. “Like Mom. Shit, talk about a sheltered, fucking life.”
I looked out the window to see if Dad was still sitting out on the porch. He’d left his chair. I leaned forward. “What’s going on, Bodhi?”
He shook his head. “It’s complicated, but I’m pulling myself out of it until all this shit blows over.”
“I don’t know everything that’s happening, but I’m glad you’re going.”
He folded up the paper. “You should come with me, Esme.”
“I can’t. I’ve got three jobs here. I’m not leaving.”
He tapped his fingers on the table. “I guess you don’t want to walk away from that biker.”
“He’s part of it.”
“I’m glad he’ll be around if I’m not here.” He shot me a serious look over the table, and some of the darkness showed through again. “You need to be careful, Esme. All right?”
“Yeah. I’m just relieved you’re done with it. Are you sticking around for the dance on the pier, or will I have to break Addison’s heart?”
“I’m leaving tonight. I’ve just got to get some stuff done on that piece of shit car of mine. Dad and Seton aren’t talking to me right now, but fuck it.”
I stood and started cleaning up the popcorn chain assembly line. “They’ll come around. Don’t worry about them. And see if you can get Mom to drink a little less. You were always her little star. She might listen to you.”
He nodded. “Shit, Esme, what the hell went wrong? Isn’t it supposed to be the kids in a family that cause problems?”
“Kind of weird, I agree. I’ve got to get over to the candy shop.” I walked around to his side of the table and kissed the top of his head. “Drive carefully and let Mom know the goodie tree tradition continues.” I headed out.
“Hey, Esme,” Bodhi called. I looked back at him. “Sorry about all this.”
“Yeah, me too.”
Chapter 20
Cash
The doorbell rang, and Bentley made his way across the small living room. I was attaching drywall in the laundry room.
“Hey, Bodhi,” Ben said enthusiastically. “Haven’t seen you in a long time.”
“Hey, Ben, how’s it going? I was wondering if I could talk to Cash.”
I put down my drill and stepped into the front room. Esme’s younger brother was standing next to Ben fidgeting with his car keys.
“Is everything all right?” I asked.
“Yeah, Esme’s fine. I just wanted to talk to you a second.”
“Sure.” We walked out onto the porch. “What’s up?”
Bodhi stared down toward the pier, seemingly uptight about having to come and talk to me. He took a breath. “I’m leaving town for awhile.” He turned to face me. He had the same eyes as Esme, and they flickered with concern. “My dad and Seton, they’re too wrapped up in—” He shook his head. “I just want you to make sure to keep an eye on Esme.”
“I plan to. Is it guns or drugs?”
His mouth dropped in surprise.
“I’ve moved both, and somehow, moving arms always ends up with someone dead. But it’s never the key players. It’s usually the middle man.”
He shook his head. “Mostly black market pharmaceuticals.”
“Ah ha, the underground shipment of cock hardeners and pain killers.”
“Clint promised us some quick money and then we’d be done. He needed a boat.”
“The exchange is on water because it’s harder to trace?”
“Something like that. But we had no idea what kind of thugs we’d be dealing with. And the one time has turned into more. Dad doesn’t know how to pull out.”
“If you knew you were getting into running illegal drugs, you had to know it wasn’t going to be Santa and his elves on the other side of it. And if your dad is worried about them killing him if he tries to get out of this, then he should be. They will take him out if they think they’re being double crossed. You better make sure to stay hidden. Just because they do business out on the water doesn’t mean they won’t come after you on land.”
His face grew paler as I spoke. He reached up and combed his hair back with his fingers. “This is just a load of shit and poor Esme.” His eyes were glassy. “She tried, you know, all this time she’s tried to keep things normal. Since our mom left. Esme works her little butt off, and she tried to keep us guys in line, but we— we made it too fucking hard for her. And now—” He shook his head. “Sonavabitch.”
I put my hand on his shoulder. “I won’t let anything hap
pen to her.”
He turned to me. “Thanks. I couldn’t have left her behind otherwise.” A faint smile crossed his face. “And there was no way I was going to be able to drag her away from here now. Esme is— well, I’m sure you’ve noticed. There isn’t anyone else like her.” It was obvious there was more on his mind. “Not to be an asshole, but you don’t really look like the kind of guy to settle into a sleepy town like this.”
“Yeah, well you don’t really look like the kind of guy to run drugs either.”
He smiled. “Good point.” He zipped up his jacket. “I’m going to get going. I don’t want to take up any more of your time.” He started to leave. “By the way, I know Clint is scared of you and at the same time, I know he would like to see you suffer for the way you humiliated him the other night. So, watch your own back too.”
“I’ve been watching my own back since I was eight years old. I’ll manage.”
“Right. Later.”
He walked back up the road. I pulled my phone out and dialed.
“This is Barringer.”
“Luke? It’s Cash.”
“Hey, what’s going on? Where are you at?”
“I’m in this really cool coastal town called Tucker’s Village. Pacific northwest. Much colder and wetter than Reno, but I could definitely get used to it. How’s Angel?”
“She’s great. She’s flying through her college courses.”
“Of course. Tell her I miss her.” Angel and Jericho had been the two people in my life who I’d actually semi-attached myself to. They were both several years younger than me and they’d always been each other’s best friends. But the three of us had grown up together in the Bedlam compound, and that was something that would connect us forever. Especially with the brutal shit and drama we’d had to endure.
“I’ll tell her. In fact, once I tell her you know you can expect a call from her, right?”
“That’s cool. I miss talking to her. Hey, Luke, I wanted to ask you something. I met this girl—”
He laughed. “So you came to the expert. Fire away.”
“Yeah, I’m pretty sure I don’t need that kind of expertise.” I heard Ben’s footsteps in the front room and moved closer to the street and out of earshot. “Her dad and brother are mixed up with a couple of sketchy guys. They deal in drugs, black market pharmaceuticals. Zeke Banyon— does it sound familiar? They’re doing stuff off shore to leave no scent. I was just wondering how much danger this girl’s dad is in.”
I heard him clicking his keyboard. “Let me check the database. I don’t know the name, but then if they’re running stuff in the Pacific Northwest, they’re out of my range. It’ll take a second. Our computer system dates from the twentieth century.”
“I heard that, Barringer,” a voice called from somewhere in the office.
“Yeah, well it’s true. My boss has the ears of an elephant.”
“I heard that too.”
He pulled the phone from his ear. “Hey, turn those flaps a different direction, boss.”
“Another busy day behind the desk, eh, Special Agent Barringer?”
“Shit, when things are slow we start scowling at each other just for stapling too loud. So, some girl has finally caught the eye of the infamous Cash. She must be special.”
“Yeah, she is. Reminds me of Angel actually. Smart, tough, a survivor.”
“And…”
“And what?”
“Oh come on.”
I smiled. “And fucking hot.”
“Figures.”
“Yeah, cuz Angel is a one-eyed Cyclops.”
“Touché.” I could hear him pounding the keyboard in frustration. “Come on you fucking desktop dinosaur.”
“What the hell? Is the Nevada DEA still using dial-up or what?”
“Might as well be.” His chair squeaked. “Bingo. Got it. Zeke Banyon. He’s been working with some heavy hitters in South America. Some of the stuff comes over on submarines. He was in for murder at one time, but the district attorney couldn’t get it to stick. Witnesses were too afraid to sign statements. He is not a nice dude according to his rap sheet. Does her dad know what he’s gotten himself into?”
“Nah, he’s just a small town fisherman looking to make a fast buck.” Ben walked out on the porch, and I waved to let him know I was coming back inside.
“Do you know the name of the boat Banyon is using? I can let the coast guard know to keep a watch for it.”
“I don’t. I know the name of Esme’s dad’s boat, but I don’t want to get him in trouble.”
“Esme, eh? Sounds cute.”
“She is definitely that. Listen, Luke, I’ve got to go. Thanks for looking that up.”
“Yeah, take care. Stay clear of those guys if you can. And expect a call from Angel.”
“Right. Later, bro.”
Chapter 21
Esme
With tourist season over the candy shop was nearly deserted, which made the work day stretch on forever. I’d cleaned counters and straightened displays for hours, and the place looked like an immaculate, sugarcoated ghost town. The owner was out of town at a candy marketing convention, and I was to close up at noon. Addison and Olivia walked in fifteen minutes before closing.
Addison picked up a piece of taffy from the barrel and unwrapped it. “I saw Bodhi driving off in his beat up old Chevy. Where’s he off to? He didn’t even wave hello, the big meanie.”
“Bodhi’s off to visit my mom for awhile.” I got the glass cleaner for the front counter.
“How is your mom?” Olivia asked. Unfortunately, it wasn’t out of true concern or interest that she asked. She just liked having juicy stuff to talk about with her mom. As much as I envied my friends for having moms who’d stuck around, I wouldn’t have had Olivia’s mom for anything.
“She’s really good,” I lied. “I know she’ll be thrilled to have Bodhi around. She loves him to death, the big, undeserving stinker.”
Addison chewed the taffy sadly like a cow with a mouthful of cud. “So he won’t be at the dance?”
“Sorry, Addie.”
“What are you wearing to the dance?” Olivia asked.
I finished wiping the glass. “Haven’t given it any thought.”
“We were just at the Trentville mall looking for our New Year’s Eve dresses, and I found the hottest leather skirt.” Olivia took a sucker out of the nickel candy barrel and unwrapped it. “But now I’m not sure if I should waste it on that corny old dance. Do you think Jacob Ridgewater is going to show?”
I looked over at her. “Really? You’re that desperate?”
She shrugged. “He was always kind of sexy in that dirty, grimy sort of way.”
“Yuck,” Addison said. Something caught her eye out on the pier and she walked to the window. “Speaking of dirty— I’ll bet that guy has some good, raunchy lines to utter in the middle of sex.”
The cellophane sucker wrapper flew from Olivia’s hand as she raced to the window. “Mercy me,” she muttered, and then turned back to look at me. “Is that your bad boy biker?”
Before I could make it to the window they both squealed. Addison spun around. “He’s coming inside.”
Cash walked into the candy shop. He’d pulled a black beanie on and he was wearing his leather motorcycle jacket. He looked dangerous and out of place in the middle of a colorful candy shop and my butterflies had returned. Addison and Olivia stared unabashedly at him. He smiled in return.
“Cash, these are my two best friends, Olivia and Addison.”
“Nice to meet you.”
“Pleasure is ours,” Addison said with a beaming smile.
Olivia had grown silent. I knew her well enough to know that when her mouth pulled tight, she wasn’t happy.
Addison walked up to Cash and stared up at him. “Jeez, you are big.” She’d been oblivious to Olivia’s sudden mood change. “Livvie, he sure makes those frat guys look like sickly little boys, doesn’t he?”
Olivia just nodded. “We�
��ve got to go, Addie.”
Addison looked puzzled. “All right. See ya, Esme. Nice meeting you, Cash.”
Cash watched them walk out and then turned back to me. “Not in a million years would I have matched you up with those two.”
“Why not? Besides, our graduating class only had a hundred kids. There weren’t that many friends to choose from. They’re all right. We’ve had some good times together.” I walked up to him and pressed myself against his body. “So what is my hot biker lover doing here in my humble candy shop?”
He grinned. “Hot biker lover, I like that.”
“Really? Because I was thinking of getting it tattooed across my ass.”
His eyes rounded.
“No, not really. But you could write it on with permanent marker later if you’d like. Are you still going to go out to the tree with me tonight?”
“Sure.” Something was on his mind.
“Cash? What’s up?”
“Bodhi came to see me. I guess you know he left town.”
I walked over to flip the open sign to closed. “I do. Why did he come to see you?”
“He just wanted to make sure I was keeping an eye on you.” He came up behind me, wrapped his arms around me, and kissed my neck. “Which I am. Among other things.”
I turned around in his arms. “Bodhi must really be worried.”
He nodded.
“What else haven’t you told me?”
“I talked to my friend, the DEA agent. He looked up Zeke Banyon. Your dad and brother are in with some really hardcore thugs.”
“Those two fools. This morning Bodhi and I were talking about how sheltered we are after having grown up here. The same goes for my dad. He grew up in Tucker’s Village too. Besides a stint in the navy, he’s never lived anywhere else. I don’t think he realized how dangerous these guys were.” I went around the counter and grabbed my coat off the hook. “Let’s get out of here. Are you hungry?”
“Always.”
“Let’s get some sandwiches and sit on Ben’s boat. I don’t want to go home right now.”
A crisp blue sky covered the town, and it brought a biting breeze with it. As dreary as clouds could be, they kept a lid on the chill almost like a fluffy gray blanket in the sky. We walked to the sandwich shop, bought lunch and then carried the bag back to the Molly Ray.