by Shyla Colt
“Yeah, I get you, geez. No reason to be so damn touchy.” Casanova held up his hands. “When you get tired of him, honey, come my way.” Casanova winked.
Juliette shuddered. A flash of real fear flickered in her eyes, and her gaze followed Casanova as he strutted off.
“Hey, no one here is going to lay a finger on you, all right?” Shooter asked.
She blinked and nodded slowly.
Skeptical, he continued to introduce her to others until they made their way back to Moose and Peaches.
“You want a beer, Librarian? You look like you could use it,” Moose said.
“I’d love one,” she said swiftly.
Moose laughed and smacked peaches on her ass. “Go bring us two beers, Peachy.”
‘I’m on it.” Peaches winked and sashayed off.
“Should I help your girlfriend?” Juliette asked.
Moose laughed. “You’re fine where you’re at, and trust me, that ain’t my Old Lady.”
“Oh, Okay.” Juliette glanced up at Shooter. He felt the chasm between them begin to form.
“Some women are around to have a good time, and we give them that along with the means to survive. Peaches is one of them,” Shooter explained.
“A prosti—”
“Now, now, no need for labels. Peaches choose this, we’re not sex traffickers, for Christ’s sake,” Moose said. “Better set your girl straight before she rocks the boat and the surly ones get testy.”
“Rock the boat with who?” Juliette frowned.
“Take a walk with me,” Shooter said guiding her away from the noisy clusters of people nearby and out onto a trail. With the rich green of the forest broken up by wildflowers, it had the potential for romance, if only the air between them wasn’t strained by stress so thick it rivaled taffy. “We choose to live this way and expect to be able to do so freely. That’s what Moose meant back there. I know it’s a lot to take in and I’d be stupid to not consider that this may not be for you. All I ask is you keep an open mind and keep your judgements to yourself.”
“Who said I was judging?”
“Aren’t you?”
‘I’m trying to wrap my head around everything. It’s like I walked into Oz or something. The people I know don’t live like this.” Confusion shone bright in her eyes.
“You want me to take you home?”
“No, I want you to explain why I’m here in the first place. I’m not your kind of girl.”
“Maybe that’s why. You’re the kind of girl I used to go for once upon a time. I thought I was over with that, bit then you come along and fill my mind with what ifs. I’m not a man who believes in regret, so I took a shot and went for it. I’m not going to treat you like one of the biker bunnies, if that’s what you’re worried about. I do know how to treat a lady.”
“I know. That’s the problem.” She groaned. “You’re like two men in one body. The biker who’s large, intimidating, and most definitely dangerous, but there’s also the man who holds open my door, puts his hand on the small of my back when we walk and for some god-awful reason, makes me feel safe. It’s been a long time since I felt that way with a man.”
“You can have both parts of me, but you can’t have one without the other.”
“I know.” She glanced down. “But I’m not sure I’m equipped for this lifestyle.”
“That’s for you to decide.” He placed a finger under her chin and forced her to meet his gaze. “I’m not going to be strung along, so I suggest you figure it out fast. I’m going to ask you again—should I take you home?”
Two heartbeats passed.
“No, I don’t want you to take me home. I want to stay.”
He grinned. “Then relax and enjoy yourself. I want to show you what life is like when you’re with me.”
“I get the feeling it’s going to be one hell of a ride with you, Shooter.” She tilted her head back and flashed a shy smile.
“I think you can learn to love walking on the wild side, Librarian.”
She leaned forward and he bent down, capturing her full lips. He thrust his tongue inside he mouth and moaned at the taste of her. She was lightness, sweetness, and sunshine. A ray of purity in his dark world. His soul rejoiced. His jeans grew tight. He deepened the kiss seeking more of the soul-nourishing vibrations she offered freely.
He slid his hands down her back and cupped her thick ass. She gasped. He swallowed the sound, greedy for more of the woman who made him feel. He knew in his gut he wouldn’t be able to let her walk away. He wanted to explore the connection that existed between them. The intensity of her lure was so strong he’d broken his rule about getting close and hadn’t looked back.
She pressed her hips against his gripping the edges of his cut. They moved their heads this way and that, exploring. His dick turned to granite. She rocked her hips and he pulled away, sucking in air.
“Unless you want me to lay you down here and now, I think we’d better stop.”
She glanced up at him, stunned.
He chuckled and rested his forehead against hers. “I’ve been dying to get between those killer stems of yours since I first saw you. But I know you ain’t ready yet.”
“And you don’t mind waiting?” She arched an eyebrow and he frowned.
“What kind of asshole would? I told you this isn’t just about pussy. When it goes down between us it’ll be worth the wait.” He let his arms drop to his sides and stepped away from her. “Let’s go back out there with everyone. You’re too damn tempting for your own good.” He wrapped an arm around her waist and led her back down the trail.
Chapter Four
Juliette stumbled toward the kitchen, in desperate need of caffeine after her impromptu late night. A breathy sigh slipped from her lips. Shooter was everything she should run from. But god do I want him. He made her toes curl in her shoes, her heart speed, and the well of happiness in her soul overflow. Shooter woke good things. He helped heal that badly bruised portion of her ego. She spun the carousel of coffee flavors, picked a dark roast, popped it into the Keurig, and pressed brew. The rich aroma filled the air and she grinned as the liquid filled her favorite mug. For now, she was okay with the risks she was taking. Shooter wasn’t the type off man you took home to your parents. He didn’t have a polished exterior or an affluent family. Yet, he embodied throwback qualities she longed to discover in a modern man.
A knock sounded on the door. She glanced at the clock. Who’s this at nine in the morning on a Wednesday? She walked over and peered out the peephole, surprised at the man clad in a brown uniform. Curiosity piqued, she opened the door. The close-shaven brunette smiled. His hazel eyes crinkled and he held up the electronic keyboard.
“I just need a signature from you, ma’am.”
“Okay.” She signed her name on the line and eyed the rectangular box tucked under his arm.
“Excellent, here you are, have a nice day.”
He handed her the box, and she took it, offering up a smile as she retreated into her home, confused. Did my mom send me something? It wasn’t unusual for her mom to send her goodies in the mail. Juliette was guilty of doing the same thing if she saw something her mother might like. Who doesn’t like surprises? Closing the door behind her, she engaged the lock and walked into the kitchen. She placed the box on the counter, grabbed a pair of scissors and gingerly cut through the tape. She pulled back the freed flaps and gasped at the brilliant display of wild flowers nestled in packaging with a square vase.
The doubts she’d harbored vanished. His lifestyle would be a challenge to understand Bitches, Biker Bunnies, and a set of rules she didn’t get left her off-kilter. While everyone seemed happy, it was harsh and cruel. A happy ending seemed doubtful. Then Shooter did something like this. Her hands shook slightly as she removed everything, filled the vase with water and added the flowers, carefully arranging the baby
’s breath among the multi-colored blossoms that included daises, sunflowers, peony, pompoms and a few others she couldn’t recognize. Butterflies danced in her stomach. The way this man made her feel was unreal. Wonder and awe for his hidden depths brought a silly grin to her mouth. The lack of a card seemed just his style. He didn’t strike her as a poet. She stepped back to admire her work.
I am in trouble.
She shifted her mug and sipped her coffee carefully. The last thing she wanted do was open the floor for her friends to judge her. Nibbling her lip, she shifted her weight. Best to keep it to myself for now. It was a good kind of secret to have. Pleased with her decision, she finished off her coffee, and padded down the hall, feeling like a teenager secretly dating the high school bad boy. Not that she saw Shooter that way. Bad boys had never appealed to her. Sure, there was something sexy about dark and brooding men, but she she’d never been drawn to them, which was why this thing with Shooter came out of left field.
After a quick shower, she snapped a picture and sent a photo.
Thanks for the flowers, they’re beautiful. J
Can’t take credit for that. You got a secret admirer? S
She frowned at the response. Who the hell would send her flowers?
No, it’s probably my mom. J
A woman has to keep things interesting, right? S
Juliette laughed. She hadn’t managed this on purpose, but she wouldn’t tell him that.
Keep doing what you’re doing cause it’s working on me. S
Their conversation in the woods had ended with an ultimatum. Holding her breath, she cast the die.
I’m in this for the long ride. J
Be sure. I’m persistent about the things I want, and I’m an all in or nothing type of man. S
Her stomach tangled into knots and moisture coated her panties. She could hear him saying the words in his sexy baritone. He’d been nothing but honest with her. There was no sugar coating or hiding things until a later date. So she took his words to heart. Mulling over the things that would happen if she said yes, she hesitated. She didn’t know his world. The things she’d seen going on at the lake shocked and partially disgusted her. It was like a mini-Woodstock. Men and women in various stages of undress. Smoking, drinking, and fornicating… there was no kinder word she could give the sexual activity going on in those tents.
The thing was, they were free. They did as they pleased and no one was being hurt, or forced into things. There was something admirable in that.
I’m sure. J
It’s a done deal then. S
The text sent blood rushing to her face. Things had changed between them. They were no longer dipping their toes into the water and seeing what happened. Her heart raced and her throat tightened. She took a deep breath, staving off the panic waiting in the wings to rush in. I will not become the things that happened to me in the past. I will move on and be happy. This is a huge step, but nothing I can’t handle. Her heartbeat slowed and she cherished the victory. She was nothing like the woman who’d retreated to lick her wounds.
Taking a deep breath finished calming herself. I’ll go into this with a level head. Everyone had secrets. It was just a matter of time until they came out. Her thoughts turned to Joey. I’ve known that girl all my life and she never said a word. Suddenly her best friend’s attraction to rebels made even more sense. Her thoughts shifted to her own mother and her stomach bubbled. An old-fashioned woman left alone to raise a child, she had a very narrow view on the type of man she wanted for her daughter. Her mom thought a good job, strong family ties, and dependability equaled happiness. If she only knew how wrong she was.
Brushing away unhappy thoughts from the past, she moved toward the bedroom to get dressed, and showered to go into work for the afternoon shift. Humming to herself, she dressed in a pair of black slacks, a white tank top and her favorite black polka dot cardigan. Despite the heat outside, the library was kept at a chilly temperature. She added a funky silver necklace with turquoise squares for a pop of color and got into her car feeling like a million bucks. Embracing the exceptional mood, she turned her Mp3 player to the Beastie Boys and sang along.
***
Exhausted from a day on her feet and not enough sleep, Juliette made her way toward the car. The library had been packed by kids working out on a term paper. It happened in spurts that way throughout the semester. She approached the car and froze. Tiny purplish-blue flowers with yellow centers were strewn across the hood off her car. Narrowing her eyes she looked around the empty parking lot. There was no sign of anyone, and all the other cars were untouched. The name of the flower eluded her. She wanted to place this on Shooter, but it didn’t feel like him. Nothing that man did was low-key. Maybe they were on other cars that left earlier?
Walking closer, she looked for signs of flyers or note. It wasn’t unheard of for churches to hit their parking lot, maybe this was a new gimmick? A really, really, creepy one. Blowing a stray strand of hair out of her eyes, she brushed the flowers off, keeping one to look up that night on Google. Unlocking the door, she slipped inside, locked the car, and shoved her keys into the ignition. The hairs on the back of her neck stood up. She didn’t like odd occurrences. Her trust in the basic goodness of humanity had been shattered, so she always thought the worst.
She turned the engine, threw the car into drive and sped from the parking lot. “I can’t let this make me go off the deep end. If I call the girls panicking, it’ll look like a back slide,” she said out loud, talking herself down. “It doesn’t mean anything. I need to calm down and wait things out.” Satisfied with her short-term plan, she relaxed.
Too wound up to head home, she took a detour and headed for her mother’s house. The only child to a single parent, she felt responsible for a portion of her mother’s happiness. She’d worked two and three jobs to keep them both fed and put her through school, so Juliette went out of her way to visit at least once a week. Not that it was a complete chore. She loved her mom. They had had very different views on how she could be living her life.
She pulled up in her front of the ranch-style white house with hunter-green shutters and smiled at the brilliant displays of flowers arranged around the large oak in the front yard, and in the flower beds in front of the walkway. A yellow beautification award from the community group stood out among the dark purple Impatients. She glanced at the clock, 9:00 p.m. A secretary for a local insurance company, her mother kept early hours, but the living room lights were on, which meant she hadn’t headed to bed yet. Climbing out of the car, she hurried to the front door and let herself in with a key.
“Juliette?”
“It’d better be. Or do you have relationship news you need to share?”
“Honey, I ‘m just fine being alone. A man would only be underfoot. I’ll be out, I’m just setting my coffeemaker.”
Juliette locked the door behind her and sank down on the comfortable beige couch.
“Take your time. I got off work and thought I’d swing by and see if I could catch you.”
Her mother emerged from the kitchen in a lavender robe, bunny rabbit slippers and a purple headscarf. “You come right on time. I haven’t gotten a chance to talk to you recently.” Her mother sat down beside her and they hugged. “How’ve you been?”
“Good, I’ve been getting out more.”
“I’m so glad. I know you took the breakup with Peter hard, but there are other fish in the sea. You really had a winner with him though.” Her mother shook her head.
Juliette bit the inside of her lip. She’d never told her mother what had actually occurred. It was far too shameful. “Just wasn’t meant to be. We weren’t compatible where it counted.” Because I’m sane and he’s a sexual deviant.
“Any new prospects on the horizon? I’d like to have grandkids one day, and you’re my only hope.”
“Mom, I have plenty of time.” Here we
go again.
“I know, honey. I just want to see you settled and happy.” Her mother patted her hand. “I don’t want to see you end up like me.”
“Mom, there’s nothing wrong with being like you. You’re amazing.” She squeezed her mother’s hand.
“A person gets lonely after a while. Always love yourself enough to be able to be alone, but don’t put things off so long you regret them.”
The wealth of sorrow in her in her mother’s words made her chest ache. “I won’t, Mom. As a matter of fact… I met someone. It’s new and unexpected, so I don’t want to get your hopes up.”
“That’s wonderful. Unexpected? Did you meet him at work?” The joy that light up her mother’s face reinforced the rightness of the impromptu reveal.
“No, while I was out with the girls.”
“So he’s passed the girlfriend’s test? That’s a great way to start off.”
“Mmhmm.” Juliette forced a smile. He hadn’t failed the test exactly, they just didn’t now she was still seeing him.
“Tell me about him.”
“We’re still getting to know each other, but so far, he’s very respectful and kind of old-fashioned in that masculine way you know I like.”
Her mother narrowed her eyes. “I’m not sure I like the sound of that. You have to be careful. You want to be the one running the show. A man will control you as much as you allow him to. Always have a backup plan. Money set on the side and enough of yourself held back to continue without him.”
“I know, Mom,” Juliette said. She understood where her mother was coming from, but she didn’t agree. A lukewarm love based on mutual likes and similar goals wouldn’t make her happy. It was all or nothing. She needed passionate, crazy, heated, and forever. Life was too short for watered-down versions of what you really wanted.
“You were always so sensitive and idealistic. It worried me to death growing up.” Her mother shook her head and placed a hand over her heart. “Just trust your old mom on this one.”