by J. M. Dabney
Maybe she could apologize during the day and bypass some scene. Weren’t public apologies safer? She’d seen the station number on his uniform for the firehouse he worked at. Men liked sweets. Or she thought they did. She didn’t have much experience with what men liked or didn’t like. The only thing she knew for sure was they didn’t like her too much.
She ducked into a bakery and stood waiting. A bubbly woman behind the counter had her snarling her nose, and she squeezed her hand around her new phone.
Don’t do it, Violet, don’t do it, she repeated in her head.
Okay, she’d grown up in a home where happiness was frowned upon unless it was after a violent victory. She could take her four brothers down to the ground by the time she was eight. They counted their wins in stitches and black eyes. Her dad didn’t look at her any different than her brothers. Thankfully, her juvenile record was sealed on her eighteenth birthday.
The real world had been a pain in the ass. She’d learned to handle her problems with fists or a baseball bat. Being a grownup, she had to learn diplomacy—that shit wasn’t her strong suit. Adjusting to a world where violence wasn’t a daily occurrence had turned into the hardest lesson to pick up.
At twenty-five, she’d worked her way up in the event planning company she’d hired on with after college. She had her own clients, and people asked for her by name. It should be something to take pride in, but even though she kept her temper in check during business hours, she couldn’t say the same for the rest of the time.
“Good afternoon, ma’am, what can I get for you today? Would you like to try anything?”
The vision of ruining that bright, perky smile brought a smile to her lips.
“Actually, I need three dozen of whatever. I’m taking them to a firehouse.”
“I’ll get that together for you.”
She felt herself move forward to jerk that bouncing ponytail and snatch the bitch bald. She closed her eyes and worked to slow her breathing and bring her irritation levels down. Her shrink told her that it would take a while to work through the damage done by her childhood. Most days, she didn’t think anything was wrong with her, but last night proved she had a problem. She’d tackled a strange man and pummeled him, and she barely remembered coming out of her house.
Thankfully, the donuts and pastries were boxed, paid for, and she was out the door. She called a cab, and when it arrived, she gave the address. It wasn’t too far from her office so she could walk back. She hoisted her messenger bag onto her shoulder. Checked her pale pink dress and scuffed the toes of her Mary Jane’s on the backs of her calves.
She knew the man’s name because the cop called him Gio. Maybe he wouldn’t be there, and she wouldn’t have to pretend to be nice. She walked toward the bay and froze at a huge dark-haired man with a blue t-shirt straining across his back muscles and an ass that screamed for her to spank or bite. She closed her eyes again and took deep breaths.
Once she was calm, she stepped forward.
“Ma’am, can I help you,” another huge guy asked.
Was it the land of giants around this fucking place?
“I’m looking for Gio.”
She didn’t know why the guy suddenly had a huge grin on his face, but she wanted to punch—
Violet, calm down.
“Right this way, Bro, you got a visitor.”
The big man with the ass she’d just been ogling turned around. He was so handsome that she wanted to mess up his face. Mere mortals shouldn’t be that fucking gorgeous or sexy.
“Violet, what are you doing here?”
She inhaled deeply. “I wanted to say I’m sorry for tackling you last night and thanks for not letting me be arrested. Although, I think I’d do well in prison.” She thrust the three massive boxes in his direction and forced him to take them.
“Oh, you didn’t have to apologize, you were having—”
“Just take the fucking donuts,” she hissed under her breath.
The giant who was Gio’s brother started to laugh, and she snarled her nose.
“Violet!”
She clenched her back teeth and unclenched her fists she hadn’t even noticed she’d curled. Then she noticed Gio’s brother was looking at Gio with a strange look on his face.
“You shouldn’t use that tone with her, Gio.”
“Renz, take a walk,” Gio ordered.
“I’m just saying. You should treat her with more respect. Just wait until I tell Ma, she’s going to be so disappointed in you.”
She studied Renz and wondered where the hell these people came from. Also, what kind of name was Renz?
“Take these to the break room.”
“I should go, my lunch is almost over. Um, I’ll keep my music down. I got new earbuds today.”
“Do you think that’s wise, you’ll ruin your hearing.”
“I’ll be fine. I don’t know what’s in the boxes. I just told them to put whatever in.” She started to turn.
“Violet, thanks.”
“You’re welcome.”
He oddly studied her for a moment. “You look very pretty today.”
She felt her brows pull together and her lips tug into a frown. Should firemen drink or do drugs on duty?
“What?”
“Just saying.”
“Thanks, I guess. I’ve gotta go.”
Her cheeks felt funny like they were on fire. Almost like when she got pissed, but she wasn’t feeling angry. No one ever called her pretty before. She dug her phone from her bag and dialed her best friend.
Her friend’s sweet voice said hi, and she ignored the pleasantries.
“Someone told me I was pretty and my face felt funny, like it was burning.”
“Violet, that’s called a blush. Normal women do that when given a compliment.”
She side-stepped people as she made her way down the busy sidewalk. That was one thing she hadn’t worked through yet. People touching her made her skin crawl, and that didn’t do anything for her rage.
“Why was I given a compliment? Have you seen me? I’m a train wreck of rolls and stretch marks, don’t even get me started on dimples.” She snarled as some well-dressed guy gave her a funny look and satisfaction filled her as he hastened his pace.
“You’re being paranoid. We’ve talked about this. You’re a very beautiful woman.”
“The newest boyfriend—”
“You dated him for two months. He wouldn’t even take you to meet his parents.”
“He wouldn’t fuck me either. Said my ass jiggled too much.”
She didn’t care about things like that. Sure, she was a little insecure about parts of her, but really, she boxed, and she walked everywhere she went. So, it wasn’t like she didn’t get exercise. For as long as she could remember, she’d been chunky, and she was okay with it. If men didn’t like it, so what, her toys got her off just fine.
“There is absolutely nothing wrong with your ass.”
“Why do people talk about their flesh suits like they’re something to be proud of?”
“We’re not going to get into this again.”
“But, Lauren, it’s squiggy skin slapped over the internal ugly bits. Why do they put so much importance on—oh fuck!”
“What,” Lauren yelled.
“I showed some strange man my ass last night, lifted my dress and asked him if my ass was too fat.”
Lauren giggled. “You need supervision.”
“Celibate is the way to go, that’s worked for me.”
“Um, I think as much as you masturbate and the fortune you spend on batteries, you’re not celibate.”
“A girl has needs, and no man wants to take care of mine. We do what we gotta do.”
“Men aren’t all they’re cracked up to be, Violet.” Lauren sounded sad.
“How’s the fetus?”
“Your goddaughter is fine.”
“You haven’t had an ultrasound yet, how do you know it’s a girl?”
“I just have a fe
eling.”
Lauren had found out she was pregnant a month before and her boyfriend had been out the door the next day. The bastard hadn’t even bothered to say goodbye. He’d just left a note on the kitchen table. It wasn’t like the bastard went very far. Lauren had to see the man every day at work. That’s why people shouldn’t buy their meat where they make their bread, too much weirdness when shit fell apart.
“Dinner at my place tonight?” Violet asked.
“That would be great. I need out of the house. I go to work and come home…it’s getting boring.”
“Be at my place at five, and we’ll order in.”
“Of course we’ll order in. But don’t you have your meeting tonight?”
“I can skip one. It’s no big deal.”
They weren’t court ordered, so it wasn’t like she was going to get in trouble if she skipped one. She could go to two meetings next week.
“When are you going to buy furniture and actually put groceries in your fridge?”
“One day, I promise.”
“You keep saying one day. It’s been a year, and you still haven’t done it.”
“I’m fine. People put too much stock in material shit. I got what I need.” She didn’t want to argue about this shit, and it always turned into a pissing contest with Lauren trying to convince her she needed to settle in and start living a normal life. She didn’t know shit about being normal.
They said their goodbyes as she reached her office. So, what was the big deal, she hadn’t settled into her place yet. A year ago, she was Lauren’s roommate before Lauren got serious with her boyfriend and Violet thought they’d needed some privacy. She couldn’t bring herself to make that house a home. Her dad and brothers were always in trouble, and they’d moved a lot. She’d lived out of suitcases and motel rooms for most of her teens.
She just didn’t understand normal. She watched all those people going about their lives so content. The couples were so happy together. She didn’t comprehend, and she knew she never would. She knew how to survive; no one ever taught her anything else.
Violet Was Actually Sweet Under That Psychotic Exterior
Gio stood at his kitchen window and stared out at their shared backyard. He had the window up, and he could hear Violet and another woman talking, or more exactly Violet was lying on her stomach and talking to the woman’s belly. Violet was sweet, and he hadn’t expected that. He smiled when he remembered her blush when he told her she was pretty after she’d stopped by with the bakery boxes. He wondered if no one had ever said that to her before.
Rude or not, he listened in on the conversation.
“Violet, she can’t hear you yet.”
He heard the amusement in the strange woman’s voice.
“Let me do this, okay, now, since you’re my goddaughter and you will be called Gina.”
“Why Gina?”
He leaned heavier on the sink and pressed his face closer to the screen. Part of him wanted to go outside just so he could possibly spend more time with the woman. He’d spent the last week not being able to think about anything but Violet, her curves, and her hatefulness. That shit shouldn’t turn him on, but there was something about Violet that he couldn’t seem to resist.
“Because it’s my middle name and I say so.”
“Why are we friends again?”
“Because no one else wants to put up with me, now, hush. So, Gina…” Violet rubbed her chin on her friend’s exposed belly. “The greatest lesson to learn in life is how to throw a proper punch.”
He snorted and instantly covered his mouth. He didn’t need to be caught, but Violet wanting to teach an unborn baby how to throw a punch was just too Violet.
“Violet, you’re not teaching my daughter how to throw the perfect punch before she’s escaped the uterine prison.”
“These are important lessons to learn. Do you know how many black eyes and busted lips I avoided growing up? Dude, I could’ve been a heavyweight.”
He frowned at the thought someone would put their hands on the tiny woman. Yes, she was plus-sized, but she was still a woman even with her anger issues. If she’d grown up in an abusive home, then she didn’t know any better. From what it sounded like, she had.
“We’ve talked about this.”
“We talk about a lot of things. Will I squish the fetus?”
“No, you won’t squish her.”
He leaned closer to the window with his nose almost touching the screen as Violet turned over and laid her head on her friend’s stomach. The woman combed her fingers through Violet’s hair.
“Have you talked to your dad and brothers recently?”
“I called Dad at rehab a few weeks ago. Did visiting hours with the sibs except for Clem. I haven’t had time to drive to Kentucky yet.”
“When are they up for parole?”
“Staggered over the next year or two, they talked about coming here to stay.”
“Violet, that’s not a good idea. The last time you all lived together, what happened?”
“It wasn’t all bad, Lauren.”
“It definitely wasn’t all good. You’re still living in the past. No furniture in your house. You won’t even buy groceries. The only things you own are a punching bag and a bed.”
“Don’t forget my toys.”
Inappropriate thoughts of Violet with her toys filled his head, and he closed his eyes for a moment and then opened them again.
“Okay, your pleasure chest goes everywhere with you. There’s this nice guy who just started at work.”
He frowned at Lauren’s attempt at a setup, and he didn’t want anyone near Violet. It might not be the sanest decision he’d ever made, but he wanted to get to know the woman—bad attitude and all.
“No, I don’t want blind dates. If I was normal—”
“You are normal, just your own brand of it. Your dad made you and your brothers brawl for hierarchy, and he didn’t care if you were the baby and a girl.”
“Mom wasn’t any better. It wasn’t just dad.”
“Your mom’s a pit boss in Vegas.”
“We all have our talents.”
“They considered you the runt of the pack and needed to—”
“Lauren, life isn’t all roses and happiness. Some of us just take what we can get. Do you want to order food now?”
He had an idea. He stepped out of the door off the kitchen and descended the steps, and both women turned his way. He almost smiled at the way Violet sat up, then smoothed Lauren’s shirt back over her soft belly. Her touch lingering a bit. The woman wasn’t all psychotic tendencies.
“Hello, Violet.”
“Gio, um, this is my friend, Lauren.”
“Nice to meet you. What are y’all doing?”
“Violet was just going to work her impressive skills and order us takeout.”
“Perfect timing, I was about to heat up the grill. Why don’t you two join me? Eating alone sucks.” He didn’t mention that he never had to eat alone. His brothers were getting together at their favorite pub for dinner. He’d planned to go, but he couldn’t get past the urge he had to spend time with the crazy, little woman. He didn’t know what happened to him since he’d met Violet.
“We wouldn’t want to be a bother.”
Lauren was sweet, all light and happiness while Violet was Violet. He studied Lauren for a minute, she had curves that matched Violet’s, but a few inches taller. Although, nothing about Lauren got his cock perking up like just a thought of Violet had done.
“It wouldn’t be a bother. I come from a family of eight kids. Even living on my own for the last twenty years I still miss the chaos.”
“I can’t offer anything,” Violet said as she got to her feet and started to help Lauren up.
“Violet, I’m two months pregnant, I’m perfectly capable of getting up on my own.”
“Shut up and let me help. Fuck, do as I say.”
He covered his smile with his hand as the two women argued and Violet didn’
t let her friend go until she made sure Lauren was steady on her feet. That was weird after he knew she could tackle a grown man to the ground with no fear. He didn’t expect her to be kind and attentive, but she was doing it for her best friend who was pregnant. That had to be different.
“You don’t have to offer anything. It’s just steaks, but if y’all want to help that would be great. I was going to roast some potatoes and veggies.”
“We can do that.”
Lauren made the offer while Violet seemed to turn quiet and withdrawn.
“Come on to the house.” He turned and headed back to his side of the yard.
“When did the massive hottie move in next door and why wasn’t I told?” Lauren’s whisper wasn’t quiet enough, and he suppressed a chuckle.
“He lived here first.”
He liked that she didn’t deny the hottie remark. He wasn’t vain. In his family, actions dictated what people were judged on, whether they were kind and respectful. Not that him and his brothers didn’t know they were attractive and the fact they were firefighters got them a good amount of attention. All of that proved they weren’t ogres.
He opened the door and motioned them inside first. Violet’s ample ass was right in his face as she passed him on the steps. He’d dreamed of those curves last night and wondered what it would feel like to wake up with them pushing back against his dick. He did love slow, lazy morning sex. He’d been single too long, and it was seriously fucking with his head.
“You know where everything is. The places are mirror images of each other. Help yourself to whatever is in the fridge. I have a few beers, but I’m not much of a drinker.”
“I don’t drink,” Violet said as she opened the fridge and pulled out a bottle of water for Lauren. “You don’t have chocolate milk.” She handed the bottle to Lauren. “I’ll be right back.” Violet left the kitchen through the back door.
“You’ve committed a mortal sin,” Lauren whispered as she slightly leaned into his side.
He had a sense that it wasn’t her flirting just the way she was, so he relaxed. The angelic blonde just wasn’t his type, hell, until last night he hadn’t considered Violet his type either.