Whiskey Burned (Flawed Heroes Book 2)

by Jessalyn Jameson

  Tamryn was thankful she didn’t live in a suburb somewhere green like Missouri or Colorado, so she didn’t have to be reminded of him every waking second of every single day. She imagined walking outside on any given morning to find every neighbor mowing their grass.

  No, Jake consumed her thoughts enough as it was, thank you very much.

  He waved his hand in her face, wafting his scent over to her like an invitation. “Hello? Anyone home?”

  Pouting for effect, she looked up through her eyelashes and met his gaze. “I only made thirty-six bucks.”

  “What? Only? Heck, TB, that’s thirty-six more than you had this morning!” He slapped the table and laughed.

  What an ass. She’d never convince him to give her the paychecks she made if he wouldn’t take her seriously or empathize with her plight. She shook her head. If only she could leave this place, set out on her own and get a job somewhere else…

  But that would mean leaving Jake, and, worse, leaving the memories of Colby. Jake and this place, this town, were all she had left of her brother, and his final request that she stay with Jake was one she’d honor, regardless of the frustration she often felt.

  Jake cleared his throat and Tamryn looked up into his perfect face. Who was she kidding? The eye candy alone was reason enough to stay.

  “Oh, hey, that reminds me. Can you make another batch of muffins tonight?”

  Tamryn smiled; he’d asked the magic question. “Of course. What kind?” She lived for two things: baking and Jake Johnson.

  Jake considered his answer, then grinned widely.

  She shook her head on a laugh. “Seriously? Again?”

  Forcing a pout, Jake batted his eyelashes. “You know they’re my favorite.”

  “Fine.” Tamryn shook her head.

  “You’re my favorite baker, Baker.” He winked as he pushed himself to the edge of the bench, then jumped up and walked toward the bar.

  Speaking of baking…now was as good a time as any to tell him about her dreams for the empty storefront he owned next door. She inhaled a deep breath, gathered her courage, and spoke before she could stop herself. “Hey, Jake?”

  He turned around. “Yup?”

  With his bright eyes on her, bravado slipped away. She swallowed hard. “Uh—”

  “Jake, honey, you ready?” Gennie called from the bar.

  Jake tilted his head and held his hand up in the air. “One second. TB?”

  Chest tightening, she struggled to find words. The familiar and absurd notion that she should beg him not to leave with Gennie—again—eclipsed all thoughts in her head, nearly making her forget why she wanted to talk to him in the first place. Any ounce of courage she had was suffocated beneath images of Jake and Gennie ripping each other’s clothes off—

  “TB?” he asked again, frowning.

  Tamryn swallowed hard and cleared her throat. Gen and Jake, and whatever they did behind closed doors, had nothing to do with Tamryn’s dreams for the old storefront beside The Bar. “Um, I want to offer singing lessons. Next door.” Only half the truth, but at least she hadn’t slipped up and begged him not to go with Gennie tonight. And, this way, if he agreed, she could use singing lessons as a front while she worked on converting the space. Doing so was risky, but maybe, just maybe, her initiative would pay off in the end.

  Maybe, just maybe, if she brought her goals to fruition, he’d finally see a woman when he looked at her, not a little girl.

  Jake strode back to the booth, his face crinkled. “In the empty shop?”

  “Yeah. Can I? I mean, do you mind? I know it’s not mine to use, and it’s yours, and its empty, and maybe you have other plans for it. Are you going to rent it out? Maybe you’re planning to sell it. I don’t know.” She waved her hand in the air and sucked in a breath. “But I could pay rent or something, maybe work extra shifts or help out on inventory days, or…” She closed her mouth to put an end to the word vomit.

  Jake’s lips twitched on a smile, then he looked up to the left, considering. Coming to a conclusion, he shrugged. “I don’t see why not. Let me know when you want to start, and I’ll clean the place up for you.”

  “No, it’s okay. I can do it!” She sounded like a too-eager beaver, but she was excited and she finally had a chance to prove to him she could handle things on her own. Once he could see how easily she cleaned up next door, she’d let him in on her long-term plans and pray he agreed to them. Excitement bloomed in her chest, tickling with warmth he could probably see in the red flush of her skin. “I just need the keys.” She smiled sweetly, hoping he’d hand them over without question.

  “Jake, baby, I’m starving. Let the girl count her tips in peace.”

  Jake glanced back at Gennie, who stood halfway inside the backdoor. She waved him over.

  “One sec, Gen.” He met Tamryn’s gaze once more, narrowing his eyes. “I feel like you’re up to something.”

  “What? No, of course not.” Rein it in, Baker.

  Jake tilted his head, clearly not buying it. “Suit yourself. But if you need me, don’t try to be all stubborn about it.” He pulled out a set of keys that would make any janitor green with envy and handed over a tarnished old key ring with one single key, holding it just out of reach. “Deal?”

  “Deal.” She wrapped her fist around the key, one step closer to her goal.

  He released the key then swiftly wrapped his hand around hers.

  Tamryn’s heart stopped as she tried to quickly memorize every detail of the way his hand, so warm, so firm, felt wrapped around hers. What would those hands feel like roaming her body?

  “Don’t be late tonight. You have muffins to bake me.” He winked.

  “Yes, dad.”

  Jake chuckled, his blue eyes crinkling, then gave her hand a quick squeeze before letting go and strolling over to Gennie. Tamryn sighed as quietly as possible, bringing the hand with the key to her lap, the skin still vibrating where he’d touched her.

  Gennie waved goodbye to Tamryn, then slid her arm around Jake’s waist and a vise around Tamryn’s aching heart.

  Don’t be late tonight, he’d said. If only he knew why she stayed away after work—especially the nights he took Gen with him. If only he knew that she never actually went anywhere, just hung around The Bar with Reed or Randy, or whoever would stay with her after hours so she wouldn’t have to hear Gennie giggling down the hall. In Jake’s room. In Jake’s bed. In Jake’s arms.

  Where Tamryn so desperately wanted to be.

  She considered the muffins she’d promised Jake, and though these late night, early morning hours were her favorite time of day for baking, when all the rest of the world was asleep and Tamryn could be alone with her thoughts, there was just no way she could thrive in the kitchen with Gennie and Jake doing it down the hall.

  Once the two of them disappeared out the back of the building, Tamryn joined Reed at the bar.

  He raised his eyebrows in question. “Singing lessons, huh?”

  Tamryn looked away. “Yep.”

  “Mhm.” Reed nodded, then slid a cold wheat beer toward her. “You’ll tell me when you’re ready.” He tossed an orange wedge in the air, spun around once and caught it, then placed the fruit on the top of her beer bottle.

  Tamryn smirked. “That’s not going to fit.”

  “That’s what she said.” Reed grinned, crossing his arms over his chest and waggling his eyebrows.

  “Gross, Reed. Can I have a glass, please?”

  “Look at you, all classy and shit.”

  “You know it.”

  “So,” Reed began, dragging the word out. “Do you want to come back to my place, maybe use my kitchen?”

  Tamryn smiled. “Thanks, but…I’m sure they’ll be done in a little while. I’ll bake then.”

  His smile wavered, and he glanced toward the back of the building, Jake’s house just beyond.

  “I wish you’d just tell Gennie how you feel.”

  Reed whipped his head back around to face her. “W
ell, isn’t that the pot calling the kettle black?”

  “That’s not fair. It’s different with Jake and me. He…” She tugged on her bottom lip, averting her eyes. “He thinks I’m his little sister.”

  “Yeah, well, for all I know, Gennie thinks of me as a brother.” He sighed, then tossed back a shot of tequila.

  Tamryn raised an eyebrow. “With your history? Doubtful.”

  “Okay, maybe not like a brother, but definitely no more than an ex. If she even thinks of me at all.”

  Tamryn looked up as Reed refilled his shot glass. “I have an idea.”

  He slammed his shot back, then met her gaze. “Is it dangerous?”

  “Sometimes.”

  Reed grinned. “This time?”

  “Maybe.”

  “Could we get into trouble?”

  “Maybe?”

  He raised an eyebrow.

  “Okay, yes.”

  “I’m in.”

  “Aren’t you the least bit curious?”

  Reed grinned. “Nah, I trust you.”

  “Famous last words.” Tamryn jumped off the barstool and grabbed a set of keys from the wall. “Come on.”

  They slid through the back door quietly, then locked up The Bar. Tamryn grabbed Reed’s hand and pulled him toward the old barn.

  Reed gave a low whistle. “You wouldn’t.”

  Tamryn looked back at him and flashed a smile, then set to work unlocking the padlock on the massive barn doors.

  “He’s going to kill us.”

  Tamryn brought her finger to her lips and shushed him. “He doesn’t even have to know.” She hauled the giant doors open and flicked on a light, while Reed stood there helpless, clearly questioning his blatant trust for Tamryn. She laughed, then nudged him forward. “I mean, if you’re too chicken…”

  Reed turned around, a wicked smile on his face. “Now, Tamryn Baker, when have you ever known me to be chicken?”

  Tamryn giggled, then skipped toward the Panhead, delicately tracing the handlebars with her fingertips. “He loves this thing, you know.”

  “He’s going to kill us.”

  “You mentioned that. What are you waiting for? Help me push it outside.” Reed still hesitated, so Tamryn smiled. “Remember what he did to your Bertha? You owe him a little payback.” It was a shitty thing to say, but she knew the memory of what Jake had done to Reed’s old car would bring Reed to the dark side.

  He shook his head, but his eyes danced. “Low blow, Baker.” He stepped up to the bike anyway, shaking his head. “I must be out of my mind.”

  “The best people are.”

  A quarter of a mile out of earshot later, sweating from exertion and the rush of adrenaline, Tamryn slid onto Jake’s baby behind Reed, straddling the bike and wrapping her arms around Reed’s waist. She buzzed with anticipation, excitement making her smile a permanent fixture on her face. She’d ridden a motorcycle before, but never behind Jake and never on his most prized possession. Not for a lack of trying, though; she’d begged him a million times. And even though this wasn’t the perfect scenario she’d been waiting for, because this was Reed between her legs and not Jake, she was no less excited about this secret ride.

  “He’ll murder me if anything happens to you.” Reed’s words were muffled by the bandana he’d wrapped over his face.

  “Please. He’ll murder you if anything happens to his bike.” She squeezed Reed, then whooped. “Let’s go!”

  Reed shook his head, but Tamryn leaned forward, pressing herself against his back and tightening her grip on his waist. She rested her head against him and held on tight as the engine rumbled to life beneath her. A steady growl vibrated between her legs, and all at once her body lit up with adrenaline. Reed guided the bike forward, picking up speed as they cruised down the deserted highway.

  Chapter

  Four

  Gennie slid her hands up and over Jake’s shoulders, her feather-soft touch growing more firm with each motion, massaging his abs, his chest, his shoulders, then repeating the motion. He pulled her earlobe into his mouth, eliciting a soft moan from her lips.

  “Jake, honey, you’re killing me.”

  Always in such a rush, this one. She didn’t want foreplay, didn’t need intimacy. She wanted Jake and she wanted him right now.

  Normally, such haste wasn’t an issue, but tonight felt somehow…less than.

  Less than what, Jake didn’t know, but something nagged at him, and he couldn’t quite focus on the task at hand.

  Something he’d forgotten to do, or something he needed…

  A motorcycle roared to life in the distance, drawing Jake’s mind to his baby in the barn. He hadn’t taken her out for a spin in a while. Maybe he should finally take TB for that ride she always bugged him about. She’d have to braid her hair, seeing as how long it had grown over the past few years, and—

  “Jake, honey, where are you tonight?” Gennie’s hands travelled south, her fingers tugging roughly at his jeans as she nibbled at his jawline. She ran her mouth down his neck, biting and suckling—something that usually drove Jake wild.

  Tonight, though…he struggled against the urge to wipe Gennie’s saliva from his skin. What the hell was wrong with him?

  Gennie worked his button fly quickly. First one button, then the next, and within seconds she’d freed him. She ran her palm over his shaft, then paused. “Something on your mind, darlin’?”

  Jake groaned, grabbed her by the waist, and pushed her backward until her legs hit the bed. “Turn around.”

  Gennie’s green eyes lit up like a sparkler and she licked her lips, stumbling in her rush to obey. She shimmied out of her jeans and leaned forward, stretching her torso out across the bed, her ass arced straight up in the air. She practically vibrated with want.

  Jake ran his hands up her pale back, pressing into her. She wiggled a bit, and he sprang to life, his dick throbbing against her supple cheeks.

  “Jake, please.”

  He leaned forward, kissing his way up her spine. Why would TB want to clean out the cobweb and dust-covered empty building by herself? Why didn’t she want his help?

  Jake couldn’t decide if he was angry or hurt that she’d dismissed him so easily.

  He kissed Gennie’s freckled shoulder, gazing at the wall, his eyes blurring out of focus. Lord knew the last time that empty space had been cleaned. For all Jake knew, a family of rattlers could have moved in and set up shop. No, he couldn’t let TB tackle such a hefty task alone. Colby wouldn’t have done that.

  Damn. That’s what ate at him. Guilt. He’d been a poor excuse for a fill-in brother. He should go tell TB that he was going to help her clean out the space whether she liked it or not.

  “Jake? Hello?” Gennie looked back over her shoulder.

  Jake blinked, realizing he stood frozen against Gennie, his dick softening with every passing second. He quickly licked his lips and pressed against her center, squeezing his eyes shut to focus, and hardening when she stood on her tiptoes then lowered back down, sliding her slit against his shaft, coating him with wetness. She nestled her supple cheeks against his dick, then repeated the up and down motion until she was practically writhing against him, impatient for him to fill her.

  Jake pressed the tip of his dick against Gennie’s opening, teasing her until his dick grew hard enough, quickly slid on a condom, then thrust inside with one long stroke. Closing his eyes, he moaned when Gennie pushed back, clenching his cock from within. She reached back and grabbed the meat of her ass, massaging the pale flesh. Gennie Hayes was a woman who knew exactly how to fuck.

  What would TB be like in bed?

  Jake almost choked on the thought. What the fuck? He focused on the woman in front of him as he pounded harder, each thrust of his dick intended to push the thought of TB from his mind.

  You do not think of TB while fucking Gennie.

  Jake shook his head. Ah hell. You do not think of TB when fucking anyone.

  Yet here he was, thrusting into Gennie wi
th Colby’s kid sister on his mind.

  Legs still vibrating from the ride, Tamryn tiptoed back behind The Bar to the front of the home she shared with Jake. Careful not to miss the doorknob, she slid her key into the lock and slowly turned until the door unlocked and she could push it open. She looked back at the parking lot side of the bar and waved to Reed, then slipped inside the house.

  Creeping down the hallway, she froze as Gennie’s soft moans filled the silence.

  Tamryn squeezed her eyes shut, then inhaled a deep breath and continued to her room, pushing the door into place quietly so as not to alert them of her presence. Moving around in the darkness of her room, she kicked her shoes off, then stripped down to her bra and panties.

  Something—or someone—thumped against the wall.

  Tamryn groaned. Flipping off the couple in the next room, she slid in between the covers and closed her eyes, but the attempt was futile. No matter how hard she tried to go to sleep, her mind relentlessly bombarded her with images of what went on just one room over.

  Gennie riding Jake.

  Jake riding Gennie.

  Whatever it was, she’d imagined it time and time again. A personal copy of Jake Does Gennie on constant loop in her brain.

  Hell. On. Earth.

  Tamryn sighed. The sweet oblivion of sleep would never come. She might as well bake. At least the kitchen was a bit further away from the master bedroom, since Gennie was clearly in it for all night this time.

  Mumbling under her breath, Tamryn stood, grabbed her robe, then quietly opened her door. Poking her head into the darkened hallway, she listened for any signs of movement. Noises from down the hall had ceased; maybe they were done for the night and off to sleep. Satisfied that she was alone, Tamryn slipped her apron from the hook near the doorway and tiptoed from her room, eyes downcast, focusing on the path before her.

  A board creaked a few feet away. Tamryn froze, a breath caught in her throat and only one arm in her robe.

  “Can’t sleep?”