“What do you mean, ‘how was it’? I don’t have a frame of reference really. It’s not like what I did before involved any kissing.”
“Well, how did it make you feel? Did it make your toes curl? Were you breathless when the kiss ended? Spill woman,” she persists.
I stop and think about his kiss. How his lips felt pressed against mine and how my body instantaneously molded to his. What it did to my insides when his tongue started dueling with mine. “All of the above,” I finally admit. “And that scares the ever-loving sh-stuffing out of me.”
“SHTUFFING!” Emma screams. Well, at least I don’t owe for that one! I have some money to spare, so if I need it, I’ve already pre-paid.
“Oh and Hannah? We have to go shop for sheets and things according to His Royal Majesty. The control freak.”
“Shopping! I’m down for that! Can we all go?” she asks.
“Depends on what’s on the books.”
“I’ll handle the shop if y’all wanna go,” Lulu quietly says. See, this is why I love Lulu. She’s always thinking of others and loves us all equally and would do anything for every single one of us. She’s a great addition to the old ladies and I’m so happy for her and Chef. They both deserve happiness.
“Nope, if one old lady goes, we all go,” DJ commands. “Let me get Cara and Trin down here. Hopefully Nan can watch the kids.”
“I think we’re done around two,” Cassarah states. “That way, we can all go. I need some things anyhow and we can stop at that salon store and get you some things with your gift cards.”
Okay, maybe this shopping shit won’t be so bad. “I’m in, then. Can we do Mexican for a late lunch?”
“Always got room for Mexican food,” DJ replies. Looking down at her phone, she says, “Cara’s in and says Nan will take care of all the kids. She’s on her way to get Emma, too.”
“God, I love that woman!” Cassarah says. “She’s like...the fairy godmother of our lives, isn’t she?”
I notice that she’s rubbing her belly and walk over to her station. “You okay? Do you need anything?”
“No, I’m good. This little demon is just jumping on my bladder is all. Sometimes I feel like an overgrown jungle gym. Only I’m not the one getting the exercise.”
I laugh then say, “I can take over if you need to hit the bathroom,” grabbing a pair of gloves giving her no choice but to allow me to take over while she goes and relieves herself.
“Ah, my bladder thanks you. I’m weaving the foils in, by the way,” she says, waddling off to the bathroom.
“Well, let’s see whatcha got,” DJ says as I start working. “You’ll have to go to Austin for your testing, right?”
“Yeah.” I reply, concentrating on the work I’m doing. I want to make sure I’m doing a good job and don’t want any distractions until I’m at least done foiling her hair. It’s important to me that Cassarah sees I take this job and commitment seriously. I need to make the best impression I can. Not only to her, but future clients as well.
“Do you have your model yet?” Lulu asks. Texas is one of the few states where a live model is used during the practical exam. Most use mannequins, apparently, but I’m the lucky girl who gets to fuck someone’s hair up in front of the cosmetology board who will get the final say of yay or nay to me getting my license.
“You’ll do great,” Cassarah says as she comes back into the room, checking my work and giving me a megawatt smile. It makes me want to scream out ‘yes’ but I resign myself to be as professional as possible. “And I’ll go as your model if you want me to.”
“Are you sure? I don’t wanna mess up our friendship if I manage to fuck up your hair.”
“Girl, by the time you go in, you’ll be able to do the required haircut with one arm tied behind your back while blindfolded. I’m not worried about you messing up. I have complete faith and confidence in you and your abilities.”
“If you’re sure. I don’t want you or Law pissed at me if I screw up.”
“I’m sure. I’ve got your back, Bridget. The way my sister had mine when it was my time.”
“What was she like?” DJ asks. I’ve wondered the same because she named her salon after her sister. And, of course, she and Law are raising her niece now. I send up a silent prayer that this doesn’t cause her pain to talk about, but I wanna know as well.
“She was amazing...protective, loving and would give her shirt off her own back if she found someone in need. She didn’t change much even after the senator got his hands on her, but she had to hide more of what she was doing. Especially things she did for me, or he’d lose his shit, claiming they weren’t anyone’s personal bank and she shouldn’t use herself as a personal loan officer with his money.”
“He sounds...unpleasant,” Cara states. That’s putting it mildly. I think he sounds like a real asshole, but no one’s asking me, so I’ll keep that opinion to myself.
“You have no idea. He’s the reason I was living in Montana. Of course, if I hadn’t been, I wouldn’t have met Elijah, so there’s that to be grateful about, I suppose.”
“No supposing to it, woman,” we hear as Law comes in the front door. He’s so fucking manly, I can’t believe how possessive and loving he is in front of everyone. Then again, most of the other men are the same with their women from what I’ve noticed. They’re all alpha males, through and through. But when it comes to their women, they let it show how they feel and give no fucks what anyone thinks. I wonder if Capone will be the same way with me once we’ve been together longer. Are we technically together? He says we are, but I wonder if I’ve been railroaded into this relationship. Something to talk over with Dr. Rawlings, because I worry that maybe I’ve jumped into the deep end of the pool with no floaties to keep my head above water.
“What are you doing here, Elijah?” Cassarah asks him.
“Came to make sure you had enough money. I hear there’s shopping in your plans for the day.”
“Oh you did, huh? And who pray tell gave you this information?” she asks him, but is looking at me with a mischievous look on her face. The hussy knows exactly who told him this! I’m gonna murder him! How did he know all the women would be going with me, and that I didn’t want it to be just a sister shopping day, with Hannah and myself? He’s really bringing out a side of me that I haven't seen since my teenage years, I don’t know if this is a good thing or a bad one.
“I did,” Capone states, walking in behind Law and making a beeline toward me.
I grab him by his shirt and drag him down the hallway. “I want to talk to you,” I state, and my voice doesn't sound so friendly to myself. I wonder what it sounds like to him? Once we’re in the breakroom, I let go and find my hands fisting on my hips. “What gave you the right to share that I was shopping today? What if I had wanted to go with Hannah, just the two of us? What then? You can’t just...just barge in and take over everything, Capone! I have rights, and I can choose who the hell I want to shop with and who I don’t want to.”
“You saying you don’t want to go with the old ladies?” he asks.
“That’s not the point,” I say, stomping my foot. “I’m saying it should’ve been my decision to make and not yours to dictate. God you’re so hard-headed!” He smiles at me, and I nearly cave when I see those dimples come out to play. “What the hell are you smiling at?” I nearly shout and I shock myself, because it comes out as a growl. Dammit, I don’t growl! I’m a woman, we don’t make these types of noises.
“Gotta say, I like this side of you, Bridge. I like it a lot,” he replies.
“What side?”
“The feisty side. I don’t want you to ‘take my shit’, woman. I want you to question when I do something that you’re not comfortable with. I want you to stand up for yourself, and use the things that Dr. Rawlings has been teaching you, to realize that you have importance, value, and worth. Standing up for yourself is one of those ways you’re taking back control of your life and honestly, it’s hot as fuck to me. Turns me on, makes me wa
nt to put your back to the wall, and bury myself balls deep inside of you.” Well, there went the wind outta my damn sails.
“So what you’re saying is, you’re not upset with me? I don’t mind going shopping with everyone, though, Capone. I like these women and think they like me too.”
“What’s not to like? You’re beautiful, have a good heart, and are loyal to a fault.” Me, beautiful? I’ve never had the reason he’s stating to see myself like that. I know I’m shaking my head because he walks closer and cups my face in his hands and leans in, saying, “Yes, beautiful.” Oh my panties are on fire and I feel like they could melt off of me at any given time. The huskiness of his voice, the conviction behind his words, it all makes me go weak at the knees and I want to give him whatever it is he desires. Before I can say anything else, he places the sweetest kiss on my lips. “You’re my diamond in the rough, baby. Life has tried to crush you and you’ve finally climbed to the other side of it, flipping it off, and using that to become the woman you probably always wanted to be.”
“Capone…” I start.
He doesn’t let me finish, fully claiming my lips in a way that has me pushing closer, wanting nothing to separate us. Long moments pass before he pulls back, leaving me breathless. “Yeah, Bridge?” he murmurs.
“Thank you,” I say, as I attempt to catch my breath. My chest is working overtime, but I do as I was instructed to do when I had panic attacks, I count and breathe in and out. Before I know it, I have complete control and get mesmerized by the look his eyes are portraying to me. I see something deep in their depths, and know that I’m in serious trouble here. I finally realize that I’m as much his as he is mine. Oh lordy, I’m going to be putting in some major overtime in my therapy sessions.
“My pleasure, baby. Whatever it takes, if it’s in my power, I’ll give it to you. Now you should probably get back to work. We came to pick Emma up and take her to Nan.” With a pep in my step, I follow him out and join the others on the main floor.
Later that night, I find myself laughing at Capone’s facial expression as we make the bed. “Purple! Come on, babe. I’m a man. We don’t do fucking purple, pink or rainbows.” I burst out laughing. It was DJ’s idea to mess with him a little since he tried to control everything… ‘He can’t control things if he’s not with you,’ she said to me. I think it’s the best advice I’ve received to date. It’s not like it’s a vibrant orchid color, for fuck’s sake. I got a pale lilac and gray comforter set with a bit of sage green running through it, and matching lilac sheets. Not overly feminine but I’m sure since it’s not black or brown, it might as well be huge vibrant flowers. Silly man.
“There’s nothing wrong with purple. Your manhood won’t fall off because you sleep in sheets that are that color.”
“It’s a dick, Bridge...say it.” I feel like he’s challenging me. Well guess what...challenge accepted, asshole.
“Fine! Your dick won’t fall off because you sleep at night wrapped in purple sheets.”
“Won’t be wrapped in any sheets, woman, only your arms and pussy. Those are the only things I’ll ever be wrapped in again.” I find myself fanning my overheated face. Holy shit, he has the words that always make me feel so overly heated. He catches my action and smirks. “You okay, Bridget?” he asks me.
“Uh, yeah, why wouldn’t I be?” I shoot back. I’m not falling for his charms this time. Tonight, he’ll be bowing down to mine.
“You’re so fucking sexy when you get that determined look on your face. What are you thinking over there, baby?”
“Just thinking that you’re coming off as a pussy over the damn color of some sheets.” There, take that.
“I am, am I?” The look on his face makes me want to run and hide in the bathroom so I have a locked door between us. Not that I’m worried he’ll harm me in any way, but he’s looking at me as if he’s a predator and I’m his prey. No one’s ever looked at me the way he does or tracks my every movement. I feel both protected and freaked way the hell out by it. He stalks closer and I shriek before trying to run out the bedroom door. He catches me by my waist and twirls me around. I land on the bed face first with him on top of me. He starts tickling me and I laugh hysterically. I’m extremely ticklish, always have been.
“Take it back,” he says, not taking a break.
“Never,” I reply, trying to buck him off of me, without success. He’s heavy. I have no upper body strength and have a hard time trying to remove him from his purchase.
“Then face the consequences, my lovely,” he replies, using a fake-ass pirate voice.
“Oh my God, Capone!” I wheeze out! “You’re squishing me!” He immediately rolls off but keeps his legs over mine so I still can’t move. I feel my claustrophobia trying to take over. I tell him instead of losing myself in a panic attack.
“Trigger!” I call out, and he immediately removes himself from me. I roll onto my back and close my eyes. I take in some deep breaths, then exhale, aware that his hands that were previously tickling me, are now rubbing my arms and legs in a soothing manner.
“I’m sorry, Bridge,” he murmurs over and over. “Didn’t mean for that to happen. I only wanted to play with you and make you laugh.” Glancing over, I see the concern in his eyes and reach my hand out to stroke his jaw.
“Not your fault, Capone. I know I’ve got more hang-ups than a wind chime store, but I’m trying to get over them.”
“And you will, baby. You’re doing so fucking well it’s admirable. If you were a man, we’d have patched you into the club already because you’re a badass whether you know it or not.” His statement makes me laugh out loud which I think was his intention all along.
“Thank you for the compliment,” I say, and smile his way, so he knows I’m good now.
“You amaze me every day. Most men I know would’ve crumbled if they’d had to deal with some of the things you have. My wish for you, is for you to one day see yourself the way that we all do.”
“I wish for that too,” I tell him, and find myself meaning every single word of it.
“Let’s get comfortable and I’ll order a pizza so we can break in the bed.” My eyes must show my apprehension at his words because he quickly says, “To watch a movie, baby. This bed is perfect for a lot of things and we’ll get there, but tonight, we’re going to find a movie and chill.”
Capone
“You need a new television, this one is shit,” I say to her. For one it’s so fucking old that the channels aren’t coming across clear. Two, the screen is small, and I don’t like having to squint my eyes to see everything happening during a scene I’m into. Mind made up, whether she likes it or not, she’s getting a new TV. She can cry, scream, stomp those feet, but this is happening.
“It’s what I could afford, Capone,” she says. Her voice is so small and quiet. My woman sounds so...fuck, I’ve fucked this one up, I think.
“Bridget, I think I offended you and that wasn’t my intention. But, baby, how do you watch it? There’s a blue line that comes across sometimes.” She deserves better than this. And I’ll be damned if she doesn’t get everything her little heart desires including the things that she needs. I’m here to make life easier on her, not make her upset about finances. I need to figure out a way to where she’s comfortable asking me for things she needs or wants. I don’t want to have to force those things down her throat.
“I mostly had it on for noise when I was studying. It gets quiet in here sometimes and I couldn’t concentrate over my brain screaming shit at me.”
I nod in understanding. “Gonna get a better one for you, okay?” I ask. I love it when she’s feisty, but I also don’t want to undermine her independence.
“That’s fine, it will be more for you than me anyways...I’m not much of a television person. I’d rather curl up in a comfortable chair with a good book, have hot chocolate instead of wine and listen to music. Television is just background noise for me, when I’m studying or feeling lonely.”
“Do you ha
ve one of those things you can read on?” I ask. I’ve seen her bookshelves and they’re stuffed to the brim.
“An e-reader? No, that’s on my list of things to get once I start making money doing hair.”
“Can I get you one when I get the TV?” I ask. I’m treading carefully here which is totally unlike me. Normally, I’d just go and get it, but I don’t want her upset.
“Why? I mean, it won’t be long before I can afford one.”
“Because I’ll already be at the store getting the TV, sweetheart.”
“Hmm...I’m not sure, I’m not too comfortable feeling like a kept woman.” A kept woman! Where the hell did she come up with thinking something so absurd?
“You’ll never be a kept woman. Just saying, I like your independent self. I love that you care enough about your future to fight for it by taking your classes and by getting a certification and going after what you love. I don’t want to take anything from you, I want to add to what you’re building and creating. Let me be part of your journey, Bridget. Give me this. And maybe some other things that may come up, but I’ll never take over things that are important to you and your self-worth.”
“You say I amaze you? Listen to the things you say to me, you make me feel amazing each and every day I’m with you. You are just as compelling to me as you claim I am to you.” I could easily fall in love with this woman in my arms, I care for her deeply, but I’m not sure I’m quite ready to say I love her as of yet. I’m a patient man so I feel confident that the more time I spend with her and get to know her, it’ll happen. I can see forever with her...at some point. I’m not ready for the insta-love my brothers found with their women, I want to work at it, earn it and deserve it. She’s worth that and more whether she believes it or not.
“Let’s get some sleep, baby. It’s been a long day and I’ve got church before work tomorrow,” I say in an attempt to leave my wayward thoughts.
“Capone?”
“Hmm?” I hum, closing my eyes.
Capone_Rebel Guardians MC Page 6