by Erin Trejo
“You did what you thought was right. I know that and I never blamed you for that. Just like now, Neo. You need to be happy.”
“I need you to forgive me,” I nearly beg her.
“There’s nothing to forgive, my son.”
“There is though, Mom. There is.” I can feel the tears burn the back of my eyes as she blinks up at me.
“I forgive you,” she says as her eyes begin to flutter once more. Before I know it, she’s sound asleep once more. My chest feels tight as I stand and walk out of her room. I’m not even to the living room when I hear the front door open and close. Keys jingle on the key ring as they clank onto the table by the door. I hear Leesa sigh before seeing her walk into the hallway. She startles, her hand coming to her chest when she sees me.
“What are you doing here? You scared the shit out of me.” She smiles but it quickly fades when I don’t return it. “I didn’t mean it like that.”
I slowly shake my head and motion for her to come to me, which she does.
“I just wanted to see her. I’ve been thinkin’ about what you said. I’m takin’ a little time off from the club to be here for her, but I’m also wonderin’ if she’s able to travel.” She looks up at me and my heart melts for her. She looks at me with such intensity that I can’t think straight but I love it. I love that she can make me feel like this.
“Where do you want to take her?” she asks, a smile curling her lips.
“She’s always wanted to travel. Just see the little stores and things of smaller towns. Thought we might do it.”
Her smile couldn’t possibly get any bigger. She throws her arms around my neck and hugs me tightly. Wrapping my arms around her waist, I keep her close.
“I think that’s a great idea, Neo. She will love that.”
“I’m just worried she won’t remember me when we’re out,” I admit but never pull away from her. I like feeling her this close to me. I like holding her.
“It doesn’t matter. You give her new memories. You just have to be patient with her.”
When Leesa pulls back, I lean in and kiss her. She doesn’t stop me and for that I’m grateful. Something has sparked between the two of us and I can feel it deep inside of me.
“Will you go with us?” I ask between kisses. She gasps and pulls her head back to look up at me.
“As much as I’d love to, I can’t. I have to work.”
“No. I got you covered, babe.”
Leesa pulls out of my grasp and takes a step back, crossing her arms over her chest.
“You can’t just do that. I have to work, Neo. You aren’t my husband and I don’t want you paying my bills.”
Her words bring a smile to my face. I like the fire in her. I’ve seen it from the day I met her stuck under a garbage bag. It’s that fire that draws me in.
“Didn’t say I was. Talked to your boss. He’s givin’ you some time off.” She raises her eyebrow and glares at me. I know she’s about to say something else but I don’t let her. I raise my hand to silence her so that I can finish what I was saying. “You need a break. The shit with Ray was deep, darlin’. You still look lost, and to be honest, I want you to come. It would mean a lot to both of us.”
She stares up at me before that smile comes back. “You’re a stubborn ass.”
“And? You like my stubborn ass.”
“You’re lucky I do. I don’t take the whole caveman thing well,” she adds, raising an eyebrow.
“I don’t take mouthy little girls well either.” She laughs and I reach for her, pulling her back into me. “Say yes, baby.”
“Fine. Yes. When are we going?”
“Tomorrow after I finish fuckin’ you senseless. You’re stayin’ with me tonight.”
She looks up, her face suddenly unsure.
“All night?”
“Yeah. Did you think I’d get us separate hotel rooms while we’re out?” I laugh a little but she doesn’t. “What? What is the problem now?”
I know what it is. Leesa is afraid of commitment and after what that bastard did to her, I can’t say that I blame her. She has to know that I’m not him by now. I’m not going to do that to her. In fact, I plan on killing that bastard as soon as I get my hands on him.
“I didn’t know.”
“Yeah, you did. I told you were mine, didn’t I? I told you what I wanted and I’m pretty sure you agreed.”
She smiles now. “I know it’s just all so sudden.”
“Stop thinkin’ of a million reasons to end this. It’s not happenin’. You agreed. I’m here, you’re here. Neither of us are goin’ anywhere. Stop overthinkin’ it. I’m not him, Leesa.”
“You think I don’t know that? You are nothing like him, Neo, and for that I like you even more. It’s just all so fast. We hardly know each other.”
“Ask me anything, babe. I’m an open book.”
“What’s your favorite food?” she asks, quirking her eyebrow at me. I laugh.
“That’s what you wanted to know? All the things you can ask and you want to know what food I like?” She doesn’t say anything, just watches me. “Tacos.”
“Favorite color?”
“Blue.”
“Favorite sex position?” My cock responds to the huskiness in her voice.
“Any of them you’re willin’ to show me.” Her cheeks turn pink as I reach for the buckle on my belt. Her eyes move with me as I slowly undo it and slide my jeans down my legs, kicking them to the side.
“Can I wear that?” she asks, nodding toward my cut.
“As long as there is nothin’ else on your body,” I tell her.
Her eyes widen before she starts to strip for me. I don’t touch her. I like watching her take her clothes off for me. She doesn’t care that I’m watching her like a hawk. She doesn’t blink. She just does it and enjoys it, that’s what turns me on more. Leesa steps toward me, running her hands under the hem of my shirt and I find I’m having a hard time keeping my hands to myself but I like her like this. No fears.
“You’re so hard,” she whispers before dropping to her knees. Her hands find my hardened cock, slowly stroking me as I groan.
“Thought you wanted to wear this?” I remind her, sliding my cut down my arms. I drop it on the floor next to her before tugging my shirt over my head.
“In a minute,” she replies before sucking the tip of my cock into her wet mouth.
I groan and reach down, cupping the back of her head. One of her hands move around, gripping my ass while the other stays gripping the base of my cock. She sucks me in and I can’t stop the sounds coming out of me. She feels so good like this but I know that pussy of hers feels better. Each bob of her head, each suck, sends me closer to the edge. My fingers tangle in her hair, pulling her closer until I can’t take anymore. I pull her head back, her lips popping off the tip with a little noise. She looks up at me confused when I nod to my cut. She smirks and reaches for it, slipping it over her naked body. Of course, it’s too big, but fuck, seeing my leather on her does something feral to me.
“Get up,” I say huskily. She stands in front of me and I grab her waist, lifting her in my arms. With my cock already slick with her spit, I grab it and position it at her entrance before sliding inside of her. I groan before pressing her against the wall.
“You feel so good,” she mumbles.
“You feel better,” I groan as I thrust into her. The cool feel of my cut brushes against my chest and each plunge inside of her makes me fall even further into this girl.
Chapter 18
Leesa
I don’t know if any of this is a good idea. Ray is still out there somewhere. My life is a mess but the one thing I can count on is Neo. He has been there whether I wanted him to be or not. He’s stood by me, never looking at me any differently than he ever has and that’s the part that tugs at my heart.
“You overthinkin’ it again?” He asks, looking over his shoulder at me. Mrs. Garcia giggles in her seat.
“What is she overthinki
ng?”
“Us. She isn’t sure she wants to be with me, Mom. Can you believe that?” Neo responds to her with a smile on his face.
I love watching them when she’s okay. She’s mouthy and I get to see the true her. The woman she was before the Alzheimer’s took over.
“I can believe it. Look at you! You have too many muscles and all that coloring on you. No one wants to see all that, Neo.” I laugh this time. Neo smirks at me in the rear view mirror.
“What’s wrong with muscles? Women like them. They can grab on and hold tight.” She reaches over, swatting at his arm.
“Trust me. Men don’t need that to get a woman. Your father didn’t have all that and he got me. I was a catch back in my day.” She smiles as if she’s remembering everything.
My heart swells as I watch her, knowing one day she won’t be here anymore. It hurts to know that the one person that I could see myself talking to and confiding in in the future isn’t going to be here.
“I don’t need to hear this,” Neo chuckles.
“Sure you do. That girl back there doesn’t care about what you look like. She cares about your heart, mijo. If she needs time to sort her feelings, then that’s what you give her. Not everyone feels on the same levels as others. You can’t force it.”
She turns her head to look out the window as we drive but Neo looks in the mirror, his eyes locking with mine. I give him a small smile which he returns before pulling over. We’ve been driving for hours, and every time he sees a small town, he pulls off. I watch him climb out of the truck and walk toward his mom’s door when she raises her hand to stop him from opening it. She turns in her seat to look at me and smiles.
“He’s a good boy. He has a heart that most men don’t. He feels everything even when he doesn’t want to. He cares about you, sweetie.”
I smile and nod my head before she turns and allows him to open the door for her. I watch her climb out and wander toward the stores when he holds his hand out to me. I reach out, taking it in mine and hop out of the truck.
“What was that about?” he asks, nodding toward the front seat.
“Girl talk.”
“That’s all you’re gonna give me?” He smirks.
“That’s all you need to know,” I tell him with a smile in place.
He wraps his fingers around mine, leading me toward the shops his mom is looking at. It all seems so normal. Being around Mrs. Garcia has always brought me a sense of peace. One I didn’t know I needed at the time but I did. She looks so happy and carefree as she browses.
“I don’t know how to let her go,” he admits softly.
“Me either.”
Squeezing my hand tighter, he walks toward her. My heart beats rapidly in my chest as his words settle in. I don’t know everything there is to know about Neo, but I do know that he cares about her more than he lets on. That’s his mother after all. We watch her, looking through windows, a smile plastered to her face.
“You think she’s happy?” he asks me. I turn my head to look up at him and nod.
“She is. Look at her. Look at that smile,” I tell him nodding toward her. He turns his head and looks over, a smile crossing his face as well. It makes my chest swell with pride to see it.
My phone rings in my pocket just as she motions for him to come to her. He releases my hand, presses a kiss to my cheek and walks toward her as I slide my phone out and answer.
“Hello?”
“It would be a shame for that little old lady to get caught in the crossfire, wouldn’t it?”
My breath catches in my throat when I hear that voice.
“She has nothing to do with this. What do you want?” I hiss between my teeth.
“You, of course. I mean, I think it’s only fair that I get you back, don’t you? You conned me out of my money.”
“You sent the goddamn video!” I nearly yell. A few people glance at me but I quickly control my temper.
“You have a new little boyfriend, I see. I don’t like him,” Ray says.
“I didn’t ask you what you liked. You already fucked up my life, Ray. I won’t let you do it again.” Each word that I say is spoken with heart and truth. He can’t possibly think he can take anything else away from me. I open my mouth to say more when I hear the shot fired. The window next to Mrs. Garcia explodes, glass shattering all around. People scream. Neo moves into action guarding his mom. His eyes are wild as he looks for me. My heart slams into my ribs, my mouth falling open.
“You think I can’t hurt you more?”
“What do you want?” I ask as I watch Neo pull his mom toward the truck, his eyes never leaving mine.
“You. I want you. If you don’t do as you’re told I will kill them both. Do you understand me?”
“Tell me what you want me to do,” I say even though it feels like I’m digging my own grave. I watch Neo get his mom in the truck, the sound of sirens in the distance. Ray is so close. I can feel the hair on the back of my neck standing on end.
“For now, answer your phone. Don’t get too cozy with your little boyfriend, Leesa. He isn’t going to keep you.”
The line goes dead and my hands shake. Neo is at my side in seconds, pulling me into him.
“Why the hell are you still standin’ here? Get in the truck!” he roars, dragging me toward it. But my feet don’t want to move. They want to stay planted firmly in place because the more time I spend with Neo, the more I know Ray is going to come after them. I need to get away. I shove Neo away from me and stalk toward the truck myself. “What the hell, Leesa?”
“Stop touching me.”
“What?” He grabs my arm spinning me to face him. Hurt dances in his eyes and it kills a part of me. I know this is the smartest thing to do; it’s just going to hurt to do it.
“I said stop touching me. Get your mom out of here.”
“What the hell is your problem? Who was on the phone?” He hisses keeping my upper arm in his grasp.
“None of your business. We fucked, Neo, that doesn’t give you the right to know my business.” Snatching my arm from his grasp, I climb in the back of the truck, slamming the door shut. I see him running his hand over his face clearly confused by all of this, but I can’t do that to him. I can’t let Ray hurt him or his mom because of me.
Chapter 19
Neo
I tug at my hair unsure of how to react. Leesa has pulled away from me. She’s kept her distance. She has even gone so far as to sleep on the floor of the hotels we’ve been to. This week has been hell. Mom doesn’t know who we are most of the time. The doctor warned me of this when I talked to him. He said she isn’t getting any better and that now is the time to enjoy the moments we have left with her. Specifically, for this reason they okayed the trip. I can’t handle much more of this. I decided to cut our trip short and head home today. We are only a few hours out but that doesn’t do anything to ease the ache in my chest. I don’t know what’s happening with Leesa and that alone kills me.
“Any info yet?” I quiz Ransom through the phone. I called him almost immediately and had him start looking into things. He put some calls out and had local CCTV’s pulled.
“Nothin’, brother. I don’t see shit on any of these screens.”
“What about her phone?”
“I called Mystic in. He’s tracin’ it as we speak. If anyone can find something, it’s him.”
“Fuck! Let me know what you find. I’m headin’ out in about an hour,” I tell him before hanging up. I’m on edge. That shot was way too close to my mom and Leesa for my liking but something about the way Leesa just stood there is bothering me.
The hotel door opens and she walks in, heading straight to the bathroom. I’m aggravated as hell. Glancing over I see my mom is still asleep and head to the bathroom thanking God that she didn’t lock it. I step in and close it behind me, watching her as she shoves her things into her bag.
“Where do you think you’re goin’?” She jumps but turns to look at me. I can’t place that look i
n her eyes and I don’t like it.
“I can’t do this shit,” she says as she looks away from me now. She continues throwing things into her bag before trying to move past me.
“Do what shit?”
“This, Neo! I can’t be with you!”
Anger seeps into every single pore. What is she doing? What made her change her mind?
“This about the shootin’? I don’t know shit about that, Leesa. I don’t know who they were after.” Something flashes in her eyes but she shakes her head and it’s gone.
“It’s about everything. You need to spend time with your mom. You need to make things right with her before it’s too late, Neo. I’m in the way.”
She tries once more to move past me but I stop her again. Grabbing her bag, I pull it from her hand and toss it to the floor. She moves to grab it but I don’t let her. I step in front of her, pushing her against the wall. She huffs out a breath and rolls her eyes, but I grab her jeans and rip the front open. She’s panting, gasping for air that I plan on consuming. Shoving her jeans to the floor, I pull her shoes off and discard it all.
“You gonna answer me?” I ask her as I pull my own jeans down, stroking my cock as she pants.
“I have nothing to say to you.”
“Nothin’ to say but you’re gonna let me fuck you right here against this wall, yeah?” She looks up at me with a mixture of pain and lust. It’s confusing as hell but when I grab her and spin her to face the wall, she gasps. It only takes seconds to sink my cock into her. She moans and presses her hands against the wall in front of her.
“Neo.” She moans my name.
“Why are you runnin’ from me?” I ask as I thrust into her. “I told you were mine.”
“I can’t,” she whimpers.
Each thrust just seals my reality. I want her. I want all her attitude and fucked up thoughts. I want her shyness, her love of others. I want it all. Grabbing her hips, I pump into her harder, faster until neither of us can handle any more. When I come, she explodes. Her fingers curl into the palms of her hands as her lips part. I jerk inside of her a few times before I pull out.