Purple Rain (The Rain Series Book 2)

by TJWEST

  What was more ridiculous was no matter how angry he made me I wanted more from him. I wanted his huge, muscular arms wrapped around my waist and his wet kisses kissing every inch of my body. Shit I wanted him so bad.

  “Mom?” Joey snapped me out of my insane thoughts.

  “Hey, mister what’s wrong? Come here.” I patted my bed

  He climbed into bed with me. “I don’t feel so good.”

  “Oh no, baby. Is it your stomach?” He shook his head no. “Your throat?” He nodded yes. I checked for a fever and he felt pretty warm. I went and got the thermometer. He had a fever of a hundred-one. I gave him something to help with the fever and he fell asleep next to me. My poor boy. I hated knowing he wasn’t feeling well. I hope he’ll be better tomorrow, if not I’ll need to take him to urgent care. Before I went to sleep I read for a bit. That helped me get drowsy and eventually I fell asleep.

  The next morning Joey still wasn’t better. His fever spiked again and his throat was really sore. I had no choice, but to take him to urgent care. I phoned Vivian to let her know he was sick and hoped she wouldn’t get whatever he caught. She was so sweet and told me she had three children and went through every virus that she could imagine and wasn’t afraid of some little sore throat. It still worried me though.

  After I got Joey checked in at the urgent care we waited in the big empty waiting room with just a few scattered patients. I had my son lay his head on my lap while I stroked his back. “It shouldn’t be too long, okay?”

  I got out my phone and texted Peta. We had plans to take Joey and Peta’s nephew, Aaron, to the science center today, but I had to cancel. She told me she hoped Joey felt better soon. Then she had to say something about my ‘wolf man.’ I rolled my eyes and smirked at her text. I filled her in last night about the most recent event and she of course howled with excitement, but wasn’t too thrilled about how he ended it. Knowing Peta, she still had hope. I couldn’t think about him right now. My boy was sick and that’s where my attention was needed.

  All my attention then got thrown into the direction of the automatic doors. I couldn’t believe my eyes when ‘my wolf’ came through the doors with Red. Of all places and people! “You’ve got to be kidding me,” I said under my breath.

  As Quinn took off his sunglasses he stopped dead in his tracks, when he caught the glimpse of me. I heard him tell Red to go check himself in. Our eyes never left one another. He looked so damn fine with his tight ass jeans and blue tshirt - wow, he was mouth watering. This was the most awkward moment I have ever felt because it was in the presence of my son. My sick son. It was wrong of me to be even thinking this way when I should have been paying attention to Joey. But Quinn’s stare was anything but unavoidable - I was locked in his gaze. He gave me a chin lift. A chin lift? Really? Okay, whatever. I had no intention of leaving my son, but I slowly got up and placed Joey’s head on the seat of my chair. I whispered to him, telling him I was going to talk to a friend. Ha, a friend I wanted to fuck. That thought made me want to laugh.

  I walked over to him. He just stood there with his arms crossed and legs spread. I wanted to straddle and ride him right here - he looked so HOT. I was seriously in trouble if I couldn’t get dirty thoughts out of my head while my poor sick child was lying on a chair. I didn’t get too close to him, but I still had to look up at him since he was so tall.

  “Hey.” I said.

  “Hey.” He said back.

  “Is everything okay with Red?”

  “Not sure. He’s not feeling so hot. Sore throat, fever.”

  “Huh, must be going around, cuz my son has the same symptoms.”

  “Oh, that your boy over there?” He sounded interested.

  “Yeah.” I smiled.

  “What’s his name?”

  “Joey.” This whole thing was utterly strange. Not ever have I told a man I was with, or much less someone I made out with a couple times, about my son. He has never been at the top of my discussions with any man. Well, no harm done there because Quinn and I were hardly together and it looked like it wasn’t going to go anywhere anyways.

  Quinn nodded his head and said, “Good name.”

  “Yeah, thanks.” I responded.

  “Sandy?” Red asked as he was walking back from checking in.

  “Hey, Red. I’m sorry you’re sick. I hope you feel better soon.”

  “Goddamn, me too. Watcha doin’ here, sweetheart?” Red took a seat.

  I kept my eyes on Joey as I responded back. “Joey. He’s sick too.”

  “Aw, shit, poor fella.”

  “Joey Brooks?” The nurse called.

  “Oh, that’s us. Get better Red. Visit some time okay?”

  “I’m plannin’ on it darlin’. Take care of that boy.”

  “I will. Bye, Quinn. See you at work.”

  “Yeah, see ya.”

  I’m sure Red could sense the sexual tension as we locked eyes with one another, because he cleared his throat and brought my lack of attention back to getting Joey inside the doctors office.

  As I turned toward Joey I could feel Quinn’s eyes watching my every move; he made my heart jitter a mile a minute I didn’t know what to do. I shook him out of my head and continued to focus on my son.

  By the time we left the urgent care Quinn and Red were no longer in the waiting room. I took Joey’s hand and led him out to our car. He had a case of strep throat. Not good. We had a prescription for some medication, so before we went home we stopped off at the pharmacy. Thank goodness it was a drive-thru one. Not too many of those around.

  I was so glad to get home. I had Joey take his first round of meds and had him lay in my room to watch some tv. He seemed in good spirits, but just really tired. I kicked off my shoes and settled on the couch. I closed my eyes and took a breather. My cell vibrated in my jeans pocket. What the? It was a text from Quinn? How did he get my cell number? Oh, right, my file. He asked, “How’s Joey doin?”. Huh, very thoughtful of him, but so out of character. I texted him back, letting him know he was fine and that he was on medication. Then I said, “Thanks for your concern. Hope Red is okay as well.” I didn’t expect him to text back, yet he did. “Red’s fine. On meds. Glad your boy will be ok.” I wanted to text back, but I just didn’t think it would be appropriate. Gosh, really? Was there anything appropriate about our “so called relationship?” I put my cell on the coffee table, put my legs on the couch and took an early nap.

  By Monday Joey was a lot better, but I had him stay home from school anyways. I didn’t have to be at work until the evening so that gave me another few hours with my him. Joey was into all kinds of video games, but his favorite, as of right now, was the Skylanders game. Most of the day I heard him talking very loudly and pretending to be one of the characters. He cracked me up; I loved how he could entertain himself. As a baby he was the same way. He didn’t need me to play games with him all day. I was able to rest while he had fun playing with his baby toys or spinning wheels on his toy trucks. I also got such a joy watching him play. He was certainly very imaginative.

  Vivian came up to my apartment to relieve me so I could get to work. Whenever I would work a night shift she usually stayed at my place until I got off. We agreed it was best that Joey sleep in his own bed every night.

  I was running a bit behind so I dashed to my car. Of course since I was rushing to Del Mar I got caught up in some heavy traffic. I was cursing under my breath, but there was nothing I could do about it. I could feel the perspiration building up underneath my armpits - I seriously hated being late for anything. I kept telling myself to calm down, but being an early bird by nature, nothing could help me. I was almost to the staff parking lot when I got a text. I didn’t check it until I got to a stop light. It was from Quinn. Again? Why is he all of sudden taking advantage of this texting thing? I really didn’t like it. The text said, “youre 10 min late. where the hell are you?” Huh, wow, nice text. Wolf has some tough balls if he thinks he can treat me like this. What happened to the concerned m
an I talked to on Saturday? Why couldn’t he be like that on a daily basis? I don’t know what he thinks he’s accomplishing by being such an ass all the time - I don’t see him treating anyone else this way.

  I finally got myself parked. I blew out a relief of stress when Quinn came up knocking on my car window. I unlocked my doors and he opened the drivers side for me.

  “What the hell, Quinn? I’m fifteen minutes late, big whoop! There was a bunch of traffic.”

  “Next time, call in if you’re running late.” He started walking away.

  “Hey, wait just a minute!” He turned around to face me. Or to face down at me. Damn he was so tall. “Are you like this with all the employees or just me?”

  “Shorty, get to work.”

  “Quinn, stop this! Ugh, I can’t take these moods swings you’re giving me! It’s really not fair and you know that.” He had his hands on his sexy hips again. Why is he so friggin hot, but such a jerk!

  “Get. To. Work.” He left me standing. Great, that leaves me with no choice, but to talk with Red. I don’t think he has a clue with how his son treats me or anyone else for that matter.

  The whole evening I felt Quinn’s presence; whether I liked it or not I was drawn to him - I hate that I feel anything for him. If only he would put down his barrier and show me the kindness and concern he gave me on Saturday.

  It was a long, busy night - made some great tips, but man I was beat. I was clearing my last table when Quinn started helping.

  “Why are you doing this? Where is the goddamned busboy?”

  Whoa! This was a side of Quinn I haven’t seen before; he’s actually helping me, and pissed off at someone else besides me.

  “It’s okay. Thanks for helping me though.”

  “How’s your boy feelin’?”

  “Oh, uh, he’s much better, thanks.” We took the rest of the dirty plates to the washing area. I wiped my brow, undid my apron and went to the bar to count my tips. Quinn sat right beside me; his nearness made me uncomfortable - not in a bad way though - In a, ‘I wanna jump your bones’ way. I didn’t like it.

  “I’m glad he’s better.”

  “How about Red?”

  “Good.”

  “Glad to know. Uh, I have to count this now, so if you don’t mind?”

  “Not a problem, Shorty. I’ll just sit here. You won’t even know I’m here.”

  I chuckled. “Seriously? Don’t you want to get home or something?

  “Count, Shorty.”

  Geez he’s so damn bossy! And yet, I kind of like it. Oh, my God what is wrong with me?

  It took me over ten minutes to count all my tips and to distribute it among the busboys. Quinn didn’t seem too happy about that, considering he was pissed at the one who didn’t clean up the last table, but I had to remind him it was restaurant policy.

  “I’ll walk you out.” Quinn offered.

  “Okay, thanks.” I guess…Ugh, so confused!

  I unlocked my car, but didn’t open the door. Quinn stood in front of me while I leaned against it. We didn’t say anything to one another for a few seconds. It was strange. The atmosphere was growing pretty hot even though we were outside.

  I looked up at him. “Um, Quinn, what’s going on? Why are you being so nice to me right now?”

  I could feel his eyes burning through mine; they were so dark I couldn’t even see his pupils.

  He cleared his throat. “I kinda overreacted tonight. About you being late and all.”

  I started laughing, which I know wasn’t very nice, but I couldn’t help myself. “You? Overreact? Never!”

  “What the hell, Shorty, I’m tryin’ to apologize here.”

  “Okay, sorry. It’s just you’re so unpredictable. I don’t know whether you’re gonna snap at me or kiss me -”

  “Is that what you want me to do?” He got up closer to me, which took my breath away for a second.

  “Do what?” I replied breathy. I had to look up into his steamy eyes. The parking lot lights made him look like a big shadow. I felt so small underneath his glare.

  “Kiss you. Do you want me to kiss you?” He huskily asked.

  Oh, my God what was happening here? He placed his big hands on the car door frame, arms stretched out, and little ole me stuck in between. Yes, I wanted him to kiss me. I wanted him to do a lot more than kiss me, but the thought of that was crazy. My breathing started to get shallow, as he looked at me intensely. I must have looked scared because I could feel my eyes bug out, and my mouth slightly open.

  “I, uh, I need to get home, Quinn. It’s late and all.” Even though it was hard to turn around from that stare (most of all those arms on each side of me) I twisted, slowly, to face my door, but felt him move closer to my backside. Oh dear Lord I was in trouble. I felt his breath on the side of my ear, my neck.

  “Shorty.” He whispered. “I don’t know what the hell I’m doin’ here, or why I want you so fuckin’ bad, but I do. You don’t ever take shit from me and that’s somethin’ I’m not used to. I’m not used to some firecracker blowin’ up my world, but babe, you’re doin’ that to me right now and I have no idea what to do about it.”

  Shit, what he just said was not something I had expected. Just like him, I didn’t know what to do about it. Chills went up my spine when he placed his hands on the sides of my waist. I sucked in a breath with his touch. Heat from his mouth covered the side of my neck - it felt so good, I wanted more, but I knew I had to get home. This couldn’t go any further - not right now it couldn’t.

  “Quinn” I whispered. “I have to go.”

  “Turn around.” He slowly flipped me toward his front. He brought my face into hands and bent down to kiss me. It wasn’t rough this time - not that I was complaining about the last two times he kissed me, but this one was slow and very hot. I couldn’t back away from him even if I tried. His mouth covered mine and tongues collided together. I seriously thought I was going to pass out, but I took a hold of his waist and brought my hands lower to the backs of his pockets. I gently squeezed his beautiful ass and heard him moan. I wouldn’t be surprised if my car tilted because he was so close to me - pushing his hardness into my happy place. I was on my tip toes from the aroused pressure of our kiss. Our mouths made passionate love to one another. Roughness from his facial hair braised the sides of my lips, knowing it was going to leave a slight burn - a burn that I would appreciate. He was such a wonderful kisser; so hot, experienced, and so very sexy. When our lips parted I wanted nothing more than to kiss him again, but it was late and I needed to get home.

  “Yeah, I think you wanted me to kiss you.” And he smirked again - bringing more tingles in-between my legs.

  “Such an ego, Wolf.” Oops, I let that one little word slip again, which brought a slight smile to his face - a smile that made me weaker in the knees. Man he was smokin’ hot.

  “Drive safe.” He bent down and gave me one last kiss. He brought me up from my car door and opened it for me. I wasn’t sure how I was going to leave with what was happening between us, but some how I made it inside, buckled up and left. I watched, from my rear view mirror, how he was watching me drive away - legs spread, and arms crossed - Hotness.

  Quinn was turning me into something I never thought could happen to me - sex crazed; I wanted him so bad my body was still craving for him when I went to bed. In the silence and darkness of my own bedroom I pleasured myself that formed into an aching orgasm - all because I couldn’t get him out of my mind. I fell asleep to the deep thump of my heart beating and the thoughts of seeing Quinn again.

  Chapter 8

  Quinn

  I watched her a lot tonight, even when she wasn’t looking; she was moving non-stop from one table to the next - she was so damn busy I don’t think she even realized how fucking inspiring I found her. This led me to wanting to help her clean up the dirty table and to apologize for being a dick. I’m not sure why I only pay attention to her while all the others are non-existent to me. I rarely speak to any of the other employ
ees, but they don’t seem to mind since most are afraid of me. I make sure Shawn and I are on the same page and he normally does all the communicating for me, except Sandy - everything to and about her is directly from me, personally. I’m sure her co-workers notice the attention I give her, but that doesn’t seem to affect her. She pretty much stays out of everyones way and works. Works fuckin’ hard.

  Seeing her with her boy at the urgent care made me realize that she sacrifices a lot for him. From what my Pop has told me she’s been on her own for quite some time. She’s got no family here. No dad for her boy - a boy who needs a fuckin’ father. That thought enraged me from the inside. As a kid my Pop was always there for me; from building bikes together, to throwing a football together - that’s what Sandy’s boy needed. The protectiveness I’m feelin’ is unfamiliar and it confuses the hell out of me. I’ve withheld feelings like this for so long that I have no fuckin’ clue what to do with them.

  On the way home I thought about our kiss, and how much more of her I want. The parking lot isn’t doing it for me anymore - I’ve got to have her in my bed. Her responses are unforgettable; from the way she tries to resist me, from the way she moans and moves while I devour her mouth, shows me she will be even better under me, in my bed. My dick is way ahead of me right now. Hard as hell. Fuck, what is that woman doing to me?

  It was nearly midnight by the time I made it inside the house. My Pop has been in this house for God knows how long. Just like Reds, the house brings back plenty of unwanted memories. I don’t get why he would want to stay in this shit hole when he could be happier someplace else. A place that doesn’t remind him of Jake and those fucked up years. I never bring up the past. That’s something we never discuss anymore - too much has happened. We said and did too much to one another that has stayed buried with my brother. Ma is never brought up either. He still has a picture of her with Jake, next to his bed, but the pain will always be there. I keep thinking I should get a place of my own, but I’m still not convinced that my taking over Reds is a permanent thing.