by Lola StVil
***
Shelby called me after I got home and asked a few quick questions. Then she did her thing, and a few hours later, a gift box about the size of a book is delivered to my house. It’s pastel and wrapped in an elegant bow. I don’t open it because I’m pretty sure no amount of training will enable me to wrap the box back up the way I found it. So, I wisely leave the box as is and head over to Sky’s apartment. She told me she and Kenzy would be hanging out there.
“Hi! I didn’t know you were coming by,” she says as I scoop her up in my arms.
“Don’t worry, I won’t stay long,” I assure her.
“It’s okay; come in,” she says as she steps aside.
“Hi, Kenzy.”
“Hey, hot stuff!” she teases as she lays out the snacks on the table.
“We are gonna binge-watch Stranger Things like the good Americans that we are,” she says proudly.
“Well, I’ll keep this short so that you can get back to being a patriot.”
“Thank you.” She smiles.
“We’re also multitasking because today is the day that Kenzy is actually going to settle on a gift for her parents for their twenty-ninth anniversary.”
“Argh! I know, I know. I’m running out of time. But it’s not my fault,” Kenzy pleads as she looks at me. “It’s just so hard to shop for them. They don’t like empowerment crystals; they never used the gift certificate I gave them for the palm reader. And Mistress Sashay books up quickly.”
“It’s almost like they are saying they don’t want anything out of the box,” I tease.
“Exactly!” Kenzy replies, failing to note the teasing tone in my voice. “Last year, I got them a box of metallic stones and a chart to help them realign their chakras. And they never used it! I mean, if you don’t take charge of your own chakras, who will?”
“Well, it doesn’t matter what you want to get them, we have to find something they will love,” Sky reminds her.
“Are you close to her parents?” I ask.
“Yeah, after my grandparents, they are all we had, my sister and I. It was an unofficial adoption. But they yelled at me, fed me, and grounded me like I was their own.”
“They sound like good people,” I reply.
“Yup, good people who are now visiting sex clubs,” Kenzy reasons. “It’s the only way to explain my dad’s turnaround. He’s happier; he’s smiling all the time. Maybe they are swingers,” Kenzy says. While she goes off on her own random thoughts, Sky comes closer and takes my hand.
“I wasn’t expecting you. Is everything okay?” she asks.
“Yeah, everything is great. I felt bad about you missing your trip, and I wanted to make it up to you two. So I talked to Shelby, and she figured you girls would like this,” I reply as I hold up the box.
“Tell me you managed to fit one of your brothers in there,” Kenzy says.
I laugh. “Next time, Kenz. I promise,” I reply.
“Honey, you didn’t have to get us anything. It wasn’t your fault you got sick,” Sky says.
“Hey, speak for yourself. I am more than happy to take your gift,” Kenzy says, leaping to her feet to take the box from me. She looks across the room at Sky, who gives her the go-ahead to open the box. Kenzy squeals like a kid.
“What is?” Sky asks.
“Shelby said it was a spa service or something like that. I let her take the lead on it,” I admit. She goes over to the box and reads the gold font on the engraved card.
“Cash, this isn’t one spa service. A single spa service is an hour long. This package is for the entire day!”
“Is that good?” I ask.
“Are you kidding? This is amazing! Thank you,” she says.
“Are you sure none of your brothers are single?” Kenzy asks.
“Jackson is single, but I think he likes it that way.”
“Damn it!” she swears.
“Cash, this is too much,” Sky replies.
“Um, no it’s not. It’s just enough,” Kenzy says as she gives me a quick hug and rushes back to the gift box. Soon, Sky and Kenzy start to speak another language. Okay, technically it’s English, but I still have no idea what they are saying—something about glowing salt, a tub of milk, and seaweed. All that stuff sounds awful to me, but God bless Shelby; she nailed it.
“Well, I’ll tell Shelby she picked the right gift. See you two later,” I reply as I kiss Sky and head out the door.
“I’ll walk you out.”
I’m hoping that’s just an excuse so we can be alone and I can get more of her lips because a quick kiss just won’t do it for me.
When we get out in the hallway, she closes the door behind her and tells me once again that I didn’t need to get her anything.
“I know that. But I wanted to, and anyway, if we try to take that gift away from Kenzy, there is a good chance she’ll kill us in our sleep,” I joke.
“That’s true. Thank you.”
We start to kiss in a way that lets both of us know it’s been too long since we’ve been together. Shit, I always forget the effect her lips have on my cock.
“Kenzy is at your place, and I have to work, so…”
She groans and pulls away.
“Hey, before you go, I have something to tell you,” she says.
“Wow, that sounds ominous.”
“Um, no it’s not. I just have something that I should have told you before, and I didn’t. And I want to tell you now because I don’t want it to become a thing between us.”
“Okay, what is it, babe?”
“I was at school not long ago, and there was a parent—”
“Shit,” I reply as I look down at my cell.
“What is it?” she asks.
“Work—I gotta go!”
“But—”
“We’ll talk tonight, babe.”
***
I wanted to run after him and tell him everything. Wyatt was right; not telling him what happened to me made it a bigger thing than it needed to be. But the more time passed, the more unimportant it seemed. Well, except for the part where I think I hear things that aren’t there.
I’m home, and it’s been hours since Kenzy left. And I swear I hear something out in the living room. I open the door, and it’s the wind from the window, causing the pen on the table to roll and rattle. When did I become so damn scared?
I close the window and try to go back to bed. And then a thought occurs to me. If there was someone in my apartment, what the hell would I do anyway? I have a bat in the closet but would I be able to swing it when I really needed to?
That question keeps me up all night. I only feel safe when I’m around Cash, and I can’t let that stand. I have to find a way to feel safe on my own. I have an idea of how I might do that, but I want to talk to an expert first. So when school lets out, I head to the police station and hope Wyatt has a few minutes to talk.
I find him on his way out; he tells me that if it’s important, I can speak to the guy standing at his desk. I turn to where Wyatt is looking, and there’s a muscular guy with dark blond hair and bluish-gray eyes—eyes that I’m sure get him laid—a lot. He’s in the middle of making a call.
“Who is he?” I ask Wyatt.
“My brother, Logan. He’s going on duty in about ten minutes, so he won’t have a lot of time. But whatever you need, he can help. How did Cash take it when you told him you were attacked?”
I don’t meet his eyes. He groans in frustration. “You gotta be kidding. Seriously? You haven’t told him?”
“I tried to tell him but he had to get to work...and look, I know you are right. And I will tell him as soon as I get to his house tonight.”
“Okay but in the meantime, this is the second brother you are about to meet, and he has no idea,” he warns me as he heads out the door.
“Crap.”
“Exactly,” he says as he heads out to his car. “Go talk to Logan. He’ll help with whatever you need.”
I walk over to Logan. Damn. Eve
n better looking up close. Kenzy will die just looking at him. I also spot his wedding ring, which is simple but elegant. Yup, Kenzy would die. He ends his call and looks me over.
“If you’re looking for Wyatt, he just left.”
“Yeah, I saw him. He said you might be able to help. I wanted to ask about something.”
“I don’t work Homicide,” he says as he starts to walk away.
“No, you’re FBI, right? No, that’s Jackson. I can’t remember what department you work for,” I admit.
“I don’t remember seeing you at the family BBQ, so what gives? Who the hell are you?”
“Oh, sorry. I’m Skylar.”
“Oh…Quick,” he replies.
“That’s not my name. That’s just what Shelby…”
“Yeah, Shelby,” he says disapprovingly.
“Yeah, she’s…interesting.”
“Wait, you met Shelby, and you didn’t end it with Cash? Wow. Brave girl,” he says, looking at me up and down. There is no inappropriate sexual vibe coming from him. If anything, he’s on high alert and suspicious.
“What’s up?” he asks.
“I came to ask Wyatt a question, but he’s gone…I thought I should ask you,” I reply.
“Make it quick, sweetheart. What do you need?” he says.
“A gun.”
Logan is not the least bit happy with the thought of anyone who doesn’t carry a badge having a gun. I tell him that I just want to see how it feels in my hand before I buy one. He suggests going to a gun range with Cash. In fact, he wonders why I’m not having this conversation with his little brother.
“You do realize that your boyfriend is one of the best marksmen in New York City, right?” Logan says.
“Yeah, he’s also very busy, and he already saved my life once—that’s a lot to put on a guy,” I reply.
“Look, I gotta tell you. If my wife, Shay, went to some other guy to learn to shoot, that would piss me off. Is that what you want to do to Cash?”
“No!”
“Too bad, that’s a good fucking way to piss a man off,” he says.
“He’s busy, and I don’t want to bother him. I don’t think he’ll care. I’m learning from his own brother, so I’m sure it’s fine. But if you won’t do it, I understand,” I reply.
I’ve already put Wyatt in an awkward position, why drag Logan into this? I start to walk away, but he calls me back. “Alright. I’ll take you. Here’s my card. Call me later tonight, and we’ll set something up for this weekend.”
“Thank you, Logan,” I reply.
“Yeah, but lunch is on you,” he says as he takes off.
“Deal,” I shout back happily. Now, all I have to do is go to Cash’s house and tell him about the incident at school and hope it’s not a big deal. And this time, I’m not going to put it off.
***
As soon as I enter the house, he kisses and embraces me tightly. Then he looks at my chest and smirks.
“I guess it’s cold out, huh?” he says. I look down at my chest, and my nipples are standing on end, taut and stiff.
“It got chilly on my way here,” I reply a little shyly as I fold my arms across my chest.
“So, remember I said we needed to talk?” I begin.
“Oh, no you don’t, I like this view.” He leans in, shakes his head, and removes my hands from my chest. I laugh as he places his hands under my shirt and sweeps his way up to my chest. He slides my bra down and kneads my breasts. I sigh as he grins.
“You can’t be wet this quickly, can you?” he says as he slides one of his hands down to the hem of my skirt. He makes his way up my thigh, and through the waistband and inside my panties. He sinks his fingers inside me—damn him. I’m soaked, as he knew I would be.
“I love how responsive your body is,” he moans in my ear. I can’t reply. I just close my eyes and try to manage the surge of pleasure building between my legs.
“Do you always react like this?” he asks as he kisses the nape of my neck.
“Honestly, no. Only you can make me this wet,” I reply.
He stops kissing me and looks deep into my eyes. “Say that again,” he orders.
“Cash, only you can make me this wet.”
He pulls me into him and claims my lips greedily. We don’t even make it to the bedroom. Soon he has me spread out on the floor and moaning as he takes me again and again. By the end of the night, I can’t remember my name, let alone what it was I was supposed to be telling him.
***
The next morning, I’m over the drama in my head. I don’t care if I have to strap him to a chair, he will let me say what I need to say—the only problem is, he’s not here. I look around the house, and he’s gone.
“Damn it!” I swear to myself.
He left a note for me on the counter:
“Had to go in early, didn’t want to wake you.
Dinner at my brother Wyatt’s place tonight.
Can’t wait for you two to meet!
PS You are quickly becoming my favorite addiction…
Okay, this isn’t a problem. By the time we get to the dinner, I will have already told him that I met Wyatt and Logan already. So it won’t be that awkward. I spend the day at work and find myself looking at the clock. Thankfully, I’m so worried about my little confession I don’t have time to worry about what to wear to the dinner.
I thought I’d have a chance to see Cash before it’s time to go, but that’s not going to happen. He texted me that they got a break on a case and that he’ll be late. He asked that I be ready by the time he comes. He’s just going to take a quick shower, and we’ll be off.
Sigh. C’mon, universe, cut me a damn break!
I pick out a simple but pretty wrap dress and add my favorite heels. I pin my hair up and put on a small amount of eyeliner and lipstick. Cash bursts through the door, and he grins as he looks me over.
“Fuck dinner, let’s stay here. I’ll help you undress,” he says, coming towards me.
“No, you don’t! I’m sure Wyatt went to a lot of trouble to set this up, so get in the shower and hurry!” I scold.
I seriously envy him. It only takes minutes to get ready. Men are so damn lucky! We get the cramps, we get the labor pains, and they get perfect hair that can air-dry. Sigh.
“Okay, I’m ready,” he says as he rushes towards the door. “Hey, I forgot; last night, wasn’t there something we were going to discuss?”
“Yeah, but let’s do it in the car or we will be late,” I reply. The last thing I want to do is be rude by coming to my first family dinner late.
Once we are in the car and headed there, I take a deep, calming breath and try to find the right words. I swear I open my mouth and his phone rings! Damn! Damn! Damn!
“Hang on, babe,” he says as he picks it up, and the call is on speaker throughout the car.
“Yeah?” he says.
“Logan is coming, he traded shifts with someone. I’m gonna run out of coffee, and both Wyatt and Logan are working the late shift after dinner, so coffee is a must. Can you pick some up for your favorite sister-in-law?” Winter asks.
“Yeah, on it,” he replies. Moments later we pull into a small market and grab extra coffee, and I make him get flowers to say thank you for the dinner. He tells me that Wyatt is the chef and that guys don’t need flowers.
“No, but Winter deserves them. It’s her dinner too,” I reply.
“Alright, babe, which ones?” he asks.
We select a lovely arrangement and check out of the store. Now, we’re back in the car, and there is no excuse. It takes a few moments for me to gather myself, about ten minutes or so, but then, I’m ready.
“Cash, a while back, I was at school, and there was—” The car stops moving.
“We’re here,” he says.
“What?!”
“Yeah, they don’t live that far, but we don’t have to go in right now. Talk to me, babe. What happened?” he says. Then out of nowhere, I hear that witch of a woman in
my head.
“Cash has a thing for weak, wounded birds. You know the Hunter brothers love a good pet project…”
“Nothing. It wasn’t important,” I reply.
I’m going to girlfriend hell.
“Are you sure, babe? You know you can tell me anything.”
“Yeah, I’m sure.”
Not only am I going to hell, I’m going on the express route. The route reserved for politicians who separate immigrant families and people who drink all the milk and put the container back empty.
Cash gets out, walks over to my side, and opens the door for me. He looks me over and grazes my cheek with his hand.
“I’m so glad you’re here with me. I was worried you would back out of meeting my family,” he admits.
“Really, why?”
“Well, it can be a big step. I’ve never had anyone over for family dinner.”
“Never?”
“No, not like this. I want my family to meet you because I know we will be in each other’s lives for a long time.”
“I’m honored by the invite.”
He smiles and gives me a quick kiss.
“Hey, hey, no one needs to see that,” Wyatt says as he comes out of the townhouse and down the steps. He brings with him three boys ranging from about five to nine years old. They are so adorable. They race past their father and shout, “Uncle C!”
Cash lifts the kids in the air one at a time, and each one complains they didn’t get enough time. Wyatt tells them to go inside since there is a chill in the air and he’s not about to hear it from Winter.
Wyatt and I exchange a glance and Cash says, “Wyatt, this is my girl, Skylar.”
Wyatt flashes me a quick look as if to say “What the fuck?” But it passes quickly and he shakes my hand.
“Nice to meet you, Skylar,” he says. “You look familiar,” he can’t help but add.
ARGH!
“Nice to meet you, too,” I reply as I shake his hand.
“Logan is inside already. C’mon,” Wyatt adds. We follow him into the house.