by Janie Marie
“You’re my dream girl, Jane. My baby, my kitten, my Jane. I am going to show you what that really means to me. And when I struggle to make you see just how beautiful you are and how I am so in love with you, I’m going to ask that surprisingly romantic bastard to guide me, to hold you when I make you cry, and I’m going to ask him to love you with me. Because I know he’s the one, baby. But I’m selfish, and I refuse to let go.
“I’m going to earn my place in the light he helps you shine with.” He smiled as a dark cloud rolled away to reveal the pretty half-moon. “Bastard has me thinking like a poet, but I’m glad he’s here. I’m not sure I would’ve looked up without him to block my view of you. I was too busy listening to everyone else, only focusing on the path everyone expects me to follow. The only path I want to take is the one with you by my side.” A cloud moved over the moon, but he felt at peace in her dimmed light. “Sweet dreams, my love.”
Twenty-One
“And then I spilled my apples all over the kitchen floor,” Sin was saying.
Jane’s peals of laughter wouldn’t end as she leaned against Damon’s shoulder. He steadied her when she almost fell from her chair. The whole group of guys almost had her peeing herself.
“Are apples symbolism for you nutting before you could get her off?” Hadrian asked Sin as she struggled to breathe.
The big guy threw a glare at his friend. “Bro, there’s a lady present.”
“And you’re the one talking about hosing down your kitchen with Liquid Sin,” Jane blurted.
The group quieted, turning to look at her before they roared with laughter. The whole lunch hall was watching, but Jane didn’t care. She didn’t care about the dirty looks from girls or the teasing jeers from a few brave assholes in the classes she had without the guys. This was by far the best lunch break ever. Well, second best. No one was going to beat Ryder out.
“I’m never eating at your house again,” said Than, grimacing as he lowered his chicken tender. “Fucking hell; I can’t eat.”
“I can.” Gabe snagged Than’s tray and ate like the end of the world was upon them.
She pushed off Damon’s shoulder as she leaned over the table and beamed at Sin. “So, is this girl here?”
The corners of his eyes creased as he smiled. “She was in college.”
“Did you tell her she was about to fuck an insane juvenile?” Damon asked him as he pushed Jane’s fries to her. “Eat. We’ve only got three minutes before we have to leave for class.”
No need to tell her twice to eat fries. She stuffed a handful in her mouth as Than shook his head at her.
“You’re incredibly messy,” he said, disgusted, though she saw the corner of his mouth twitching as he fought the urge to smile at her.
Jane peeked down at her chest, noting a few crumbs and a drop of ketchup. “Whoops.” She used her finger to wipe it before licking her finger clean. When she looked up, she froze. They were all mid drink or bite, staring. “You pervs!” She threw a fry at Sin when he let his tongue hang out like a hungry wolf. “You! I’m telling Ryder.”
He flinched, pressing his lips together before rushing, “Ah, come on. You don’t want him to kill me, do you? I’m your favorite.”
“I have no favorites,” she said, taking the napkin Damon handed her to wipe her mouth. “Y’all really need to learn how to behave around women. You can’t just stare at boobs.”
“To be fair,” Hadrian said, “most girls don’t have delicious food nestled between their tits. You even had my favorite red sauce.”
She chuckled, throwing her napkin at him. “Do you feel fancy for saying sauce for ketchup?”
He winked and dipped a finger in his ketchup to lick it slowly. “Food to the gods, young one.”
Damon tapped the table and stood. “Time to go.”
“Aw, man.” Jane got to her feet, grabbing her tray as she followed the boys to the trash can.
Gabe snatched the last of her fries, but he bowed his head. “My queen.”
She rolled her eyes, dumping her tray. They’d been teasing her over Ryder beating out Luc for the king spot, saying that it was epic on Ryder’s part to outthink Luc and fix things up the way he had.
“Come on,” Damon said. “I’ll walk you to class.”
The guys sent her smiles, but she could see it; they didn’t like her having a class without them.
“See you next period,” she told Ricky. The boy blushed but nodded before hurrying off.
“You are going to cost me my team,” Damon said as they walked down the hall.
“What?” She laughed, ignoring the stares. By all the bewildered looks from the other students, she’d figured out Damon had a similar reputation to Ryder’s; no one saw a softer side of him.
“Your boyfriend will slaughter anyone who gets too close to you,” he said, his eyes sliding down a young female teacher’s figure as she opened her door. He smirked at the woman before putting his arm around Jane’s shoulders. “Forgive me. I need to use you for a moment.”
Jane rolled her eyes when the teacher actually glared at her. The woman was probably twenty-five or so, really pretty. Her shiny brown hair, aqua eyes, smooth complexion, and stunning figure could’ve given the lady a career in modeling, but here she was, glaring at teenagers.
He chuckled, tightening his arm around Jane’s neck once they finally passed the teacher. “We’ll see if my lovely nemesis can resist me now.”
She shoved his stomach, but he didn’t release her. “Please tell me you’re not going to have a ridiculous student-teacher affair.”
“Are you not having a forbidden stepbrother romance?” A wicked grin spread across his attractive face.
Her smile slipped. David had sent her a final text last night, just a simple I love you, baby. Good night. But he’d sent nothing today. The fears of her shortcomings next to Diane wouldn’t end. No matter what Ryder said, she was going to be a baby about David and Diane.
Damon sighed, giving her a little squeeze. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“Oh, you didn’t.” She gave him a quick smile. “I just miss him.”
“Ah,” he said, bobbing his head like he understood. “Is Ryder picking you up?”
“Yep.” Tingles kissed her skin at just the thought of him. “I kinda don’t want to help him with his work so I have him longer. Once he passes, he’ll be back to football.”
“I’m sure he’ll find time to see you.” Damon opened the door to her classroom. “Text me if for some reason he doesn’t make it. I’ll get one of the boys to take you home.”
“Thanks, Damon,” she said, utterly at peace with the huge guy.
He winked at her as a boy entered the room. “Gotta do my duties as your guard and scare the riffraff away.”
“Don’t call people riffraff.” She smiled at the guy who had just passed. Then she realized he was staring at her ass. “Okay, maybe call the guys that.” She tugged her shirt down then waved at Damon who sent a final glare at the class.
There was really nothing better than walking out of school after a day of stares and whispers than to find your boyfriend leaning against the side of the building, waiting for you. Even better, that very boyfriend cradling a kitten.
“Ryder,” she squealed, rushing past the students gawking at him.
He grinned, pushing away from the wall. “Hey, babe.”
Jane stared at the kitten, her eyes watering as she took in the fluffy kitten. It was an adorable hairball of white and shades of light and dark gray, and blue eyes.
Ryder handed it over to her. “He’s from all of us.”
She cooed, hugging the little guy to her. “For me?”
“Yeah.” Ryder tilted her chin up. “Gimme a kiss.”
His lips were on hers before she could pucker up. Tingles. Breath. Magic.
And a kitten paw across Ryder’s face.
He jerked back, glaring down at it. “Little shit.”
“Don’t call him that.”
H
e gave the kitten a final glare before snatching Jane up. He kept his forearm under her ass as his free hand held the back of her neck. He snuck in a few kisses as he carried her toward the parking lot. “We gotta go shopping for this little turd.” He nibbled on her ear. “Pet store is down the street. Let’s hurry before he starts shitting.”
She could barely contain her excitement, so she just nodded and kissed the little fluff ball.
Ryder chuckled as he fished out his keys. “I wouldn’t have thought giving you pussy would make you so happy. You’re all about the D.”
Laughing, she pecked his cheek. “I am, but I’ve always wanted a kitten.”
“Yeah, I know,” he said with that tone full of adoration. “I used to watch you every time someone was giving away kittens. You’d hold them until they all went to new homes.”
“Ryder,” she said awed. “You sexy stalker.”
He shook his head at her. “Just keeping an eye on my girl. But when I suggested getting you a cat, David clued me in that your mom is allergic, so you weren’t allowed to have one.”
Her heart sank. She’d have to give it away.
“Don’t panic,” he said. “When you move back home, he’ll move in with us. Cats live a long ass time anyway. That’s what the shelter lady told us.”
“You adopted?” She swooned, hugging him around the neck.
He breathed her in. “Tercero and David found one that had kittens available and I had Luc go with me. Technically, he adopted it because I’m a minor.” He blushed, giving her ass a smack. “You shoulda seen those hoes falling over us. Then Luc got annoyed when they kept trying to give us info on every cat and dog they had available, and he told them our girlfriend needed a kitten before she got out of school, so fetch the kittens. He actually said fetch, and I laughed at the bastard. Turning me soft, baby girl.”
Her cheeks were hurting. He was seriously the cutest guy in the world.
“Anyway,” he said, “I picked this little fucker because he was lazy as fuck. They said he’s a ragamuffin or some shit.”
“Awe, those are a cuddly breed.” She inspected her kitten with a wide grin. He was wiggly—not lazy.
“He’s a fucking con artist,” Ryder said roughly, but she beamed when he nuzzled her. “That laziness was just an act. Fucker started biting and scratching as soon as we got in the car. Chewed his way out of the box and jumped on Luc’s lap. We almost drove off the road.”
Jane gasped, checking Ryder over. “He was probably scared in the box.”
“Whatever.” Ryder tossed her something else—a folded piece of paper.
“Oh, is this his adoption stuff?” It didn’t look like it, but she didn’t know what he would give her. Unless it was his homework.
“It’s a letter from David. You got your boy back.” They made it to his car, and he lowered her to her feet before opening the door as her heart raced. He tapped her nose. “Don’t swoon over him right now—you can call him later. Now, get your cute ass in the car and hold onto that little Spawn of Satan. He tries to run as soon as you let go.”
Before she got in, she fisted her hand in his shirt and pushed up on her toes. She knew this meant he’d made sure she would have her David. “Thank you, Ryder.”
He gave her a kiss that made her lightheaded. “Breathe, babe.” He pecked her nose when she gasped. “It’s all for you, Sweet Jane.” Sweetest boy in the world. “Now, get in. I want to fuck around with you before I have to act like a good boy around David’s gran.”
She was so in love with this boy. “You’re such a sweet talker, Ryder Godson.”
His eyes lit up as he grinned at her. “Told you, babe . . . I’m good at everything I do. That will include feeling you up and making you tremble beneath my hands before your cute, clumsy ass stumbles into the house as you try to act like you don’t need to change your panties.”
“Again”—she laughed—“such a sweet talker.”
Kingston glared over the rim of his glass at Ryder as they sat at the dining room table. She hadn’t expected Ryder to stay for dinner, but her bad boy was making himself right at home, and Sylvia was all too pleased to spoil him in place of David.
“What did you say, boy?” Kingston’s low, dangerous tone only caused a faint smirk to tease Ryder’s lips.
“I said, if those fuckers are caught staring at her delicious ass again, I’m breaking faces.” Ryder winked at Jane. “Want me to get a personalized sticker for your sweet cheeks? Property of Ryder Godson?”
She facepalmed as Kingston exhaled loudly through his nose.
“Are you really this dumb?” Kingston asked him.
“What are you talking about, old man?” Ryder’s brow furrowed, but as Ryder squeezed Jane’s thigh under the table, she knew he was messing with Kingston. “I’m starting to worry about your smarts since you keep forgetting my sexy ass is being tutored by your sexier stepdaughter.”
Sylvia giggled as Kingston’s face reddened. “I think you’re experiencing karma, son. Do you remember when Aurelia’s father overheard you praising her backside?”
Bright red. “Mother.” Kingston shot a glare at her at the mention of David’s mother. “This is not the same.”
“Sure isn’t,” Ryder piped as he served himself another slice of lasagna. “I’m man enough to tell you to your face my Jane’s a smokin’ hottie. No need to eavesdrop on me, Pops.”
“Stop calling me Pops and Old Man,” Kingston snapped, yanking the serving dish away from Ryder. “And stop eating my food.”
“He calls David Papi,” Jane threw out there as Ryder opened his mouth to fire back something, no doubt, inappropriate.
Her bad boy tossed her a wink. “He’s Papi, but I’m King Daddy, babe.”
Kingston rested both elbows on the table before cradling his head, full-on frustration. “And Eric picked you?”
“Of course, he picked me,” Ryder said before taking a huge bite. He swallowed it faster than Jane expected him to and added, “I think I should spend the night.”
Kingston’s head snapped up so fast it popped. “Finish your meal and get home, boy. I can change my mind about you getting visits.”
Ryder grinned, taking another bite. “You can, but you won’t. You’ve already accepted there’s no parting her from me.”
Surprisingly, Kingston didn’t reply. He simply stuffed his mouth as his mother smiled and sipped her tea.
Jane wasn’t sure what Ryder was thinking, but she knew this playful side of him was all for her benefit. His hand settled higher on her thigh, though he carried on eating without difficulty.
“I’ll have to skip seeing you tomorrow,” he said, shifting his gaze from Kingston to her. “I’m going to practice . . . Scouts,” he explained.
“Oh,” she said, sighing as tingles spread out from his touch.
He squeezed, sliding his finger between her thighs. “Sorry, babe.”
She fixed a smile on her face. “It’s okay. Will you come the next day?”
“I think so. I wanted to take you to a club I’m a part of. He”—Ryder inclined his head toward Kingston—“said I could.”
Her thoughts immediately darted to his secret fighting. Like a fight club, and though she was afraid to watch him fight, she was happy he was trying to teach her about himself.
Kingston cleared his throat. “I did. I’m leaving work early tomorrow, so I’ll pick you up tomorrow, Jane.” He shared a secret smile with his mother. “There’s something I want to show you.”
“Better not be some punk you think can show me up,” Ryder muttered.
Kington grinned. “My, my, he can be a frightened little boy, after all.”
Ryder glared at him. “Ask Jane if I’m a little b—”
Jane covered his mouth. “Ryder!”
Jane followed Kingston into the unmarked building. “This isn’t where you reveal you’re a spy and you are having my identity erased so I can’t see my boys, is it?”
Her stepfather looked at her like she wa
s insane. “Your imagination astounds me.” He then pushed open a heavy door and motioned for her to enter.
She gasped, covering her mouth as she took in the wooden floors, mirrored walls, and mounted ballet barre. “You made a ballet studio?” Her eyes darted around the room, and she startled when a figure stood in the corner where a white baby grand piano sat. No, it was two figures. Two men.
Kingston put a hand on her back to soothe her. “I can only credit for urging you to accept their gift. Thank him for this.”
“My queen.” Luc stepped into the light first, lowering his head in greeting. “I might have insisted Archer spill any secrets he had on you, as I know he sees more than he lets on. I already owned this building. It was no trouble to convert it into a private dance studio for you.”
“Overnight?” she asked even with the lump in her throat.
“I told you,” he said, his voice dripping with confidence, “power and maturity, Jane.”
She smiled, awed when he gave her a real smile in return. It was then the second man stepped forward. “Tercero,” she whispered, taking him in. As usual, he wore all black, and his hair untied so that it hung just past his shoulders. Damn.
His expression was the same as it always was when he saw her. Empty except for the faint smirk like he knew she was watching him. “Jane,” he said, doing the same bow with his head Luc had done. She’d never get over the propriety of these two. “My generous big brother informed me of your little secret. I admit I’m ashamed, as even I did not know this about you. If I had, we might have had the pleasure of knowing one another sooner.”
She was confused, and it must’ve shown on her face.
He gestured to the room. “I dance. Quite well.”