by Jen Davis
Covering her hand with his own, he grasped her fingers and slowly pulled them toward his mouth. His breath fanned hot over her skin as he kissed her palm.
Something tightened low in her stomach. Her lips parted.
And a passel of kids came tearing down the path, one screaming he was about to make the other “it.” The boy leading the charge ran so close to Liv, she had to sidestep quickly in order to avoid being run over.
Effective as a bucket of ice water in killing the moment. Kids must be united in some kind of cock-blocking mission today.
She growled at the intrusion, but it only made Jonathan chuckle. Raising her eyebrows, she cocked her head to the side.
He rubbed his big hand across his forehead. “If they would have come through five minutes later, we might have traumatized them for life.”
“Fine by me,” she muttered, but she didn’t mean it. She had no desire to put on a show for a group of eight-year-olds.
Jonathan tugged her toward the truck. “Now you’ve gotten me all hot and bothered, let’s cool off in the a/c.”
The truck may have looked old, but thankfully, the air conditioner worked fine. She stuck her face right in front of the vent.
“Why go-kart racing?” He shifted in his seat. “Don’t get me wrong. I had a great time. Was it another one of the places you went with your dad?”
The cool air, which felt like a relief a moment earlier, now felt icy cold. She leaned back and looked out the window. “No.” She exhaled. “It was kind of a promise to a friend.”
He waited for her to continue.
Damn. I guess we’re going to do this now.
“I told you about the cancer.” He nodded. “I met my best friend in treatment. You met her once at Moe’s. Her name is—was—her name was Carol. She died.”
The air turned warm again. Or she was warm, but the air was cold. Fuck. This sucked. “Anyway, when we finished our chemo, we made a list of all the things we wanted to do.”
“A bucket list,” he acknowledged.
“Yeah. I thought she was better, like I was, but it was a lie. She knew she was dying.” She could hear the bitterness in her voice. She shook her head, trying to find her center. “We called it the Dare to Dream list. The first thing on it was cliff diving.”
His fingers latched around her knee. “Please tell me you’re not jumping off a cliff.”
The nerves in his voice pushed away her melancholy. “Too late. We did it before I met you.”
“You jumped off a cliff?” It came out strangled.
“Out of a plane too. It felt like flying. Words can’t describe it.” She chuckled at his expression and patted his arm. “Don’t get me wrong. I was terrified.”
“Then why did you do it?”
She thought about his question. The answer was one she was only now coming to understand, herself. “I thought that was what it meant to really live. Do crazy shit. Or maybe just do things because I never would have done them before I got sick.”
“Like jump out of a plane.”
“Jump out of a plane. Show up at a student’s house.” She shuddered. Hesitated. “Fall for a different kind of guy.”
She stole a peek of Jonathan from the corner of her eye. He looked gobsmacked.
“And riding go-karts was on your list?” he asked slowly, ignoring the more obvious question.
“Not exactly.” She turned to face him fully. “After what happened the other night, I realized living doesn’t have to mean jumping blindly into crazy shit. It means figuring out what I want, then going after it, because it’s right for me.
“The next thing on the list was driving a race car. But I don’t need to go two hundred miles an hour, or whatever it is they go. I don’t need to risk my life to feel alive.”
Jonathan shook his head. “Please don’t.”
“The go-karts felt like a way to honor the spirit of the list. And even if you didn’t know why, I guess I wanted to share the experience with you.”
“Thank you.” He blinked. “What else is on the list?”
“Bungee jumping.”
He shook his head deliberately. “Uh-uh. What else?”
“Scuba diving?” He gave her the side eye. “Though I thought maybe I could change it to snorkeling. And don’t worry, I’m not bungee jumping. The sky-diving was close enough.”
“Anything else?”
“One I really liked was ‘change someone’s life.’ I thought I could do it with Devon. I really wanted to.” She licked her lips. “The last one was to fall in love. Carol added it at the end. A little surprise for me after she died.”
“The last one might be the most dangerous, you know.”
“And probably the one most worth the risk.”
The tips of his ears turned red, and for a moment, silence reigned. His gaze flicked to the steering wheel, down to his lap, and over to a bag from the BBQ place on the floor. The corner of his mouth quirked. “I don’t suppose there’s anything on the list about indulging in something sinful every now and again.”
He lifted the bag and pulled out the container left inside. “I ordered it while you stepped into the ladies’ room. Pecan pie for two.”
The second he opened the carton, she could smell the irresistible blend of decadence and vanilla. “Oh my God, yes.” Snatching the bag, she rifled for the forks inside and made quick work of the plastic covering on hers. The rich flavors exploded on her tongue.
Jonathan paused with his bite halfway up to his mouth.
“What?” she mumbled, covering her mouth with a napkin.
“No. Don’t stop. Watching you eat your pie gave me an idea of what your face must look like when—” His cheeks colored, and he turned his attention to his own food.
She laughed. “You mean what I look like when I come.” Her voice was husky.
His blush grew even darker. “You, um, seemed like you were really enjoying it.”
The poor guy was obviously embarrassed, so she threw him a bone. “Best pecan pie I’ve ever eaten. Could have something to do with the fact we worked up such an appetite together.” She shook her head at her own double entendre. “Sorry, guess we’ve both got sex on the brain.”
“It’s hard not to.”
“Heh. Hard, huh? Well, maybe we should head to a bar and order a stiff drink.”
He caught on. “I like it. I could go for something wet right about now.”
“Maybe Sex on the Beach? Or we could do shots. I always did love sucking back a creamy Blow Job.”
He held up his hands in surrender. “I give up. Unless you want me to embarrass us both by having you right here in the parking lot, I suggest you accept your victory and allow me to keep some dignity.”
She speared another forkful, then held it up to her mouth. “Where’s the fun there?”
He grabbed her hand and wrapped his lips around her fork. His tongue peeked out in the process, raising the hair on the back of her arms. “Someday soon I’m going to find out what you taste like, Livie-mine.” His voice came out so deep and gravelly, he barely sounded like himself.
She thrilled at the possessive nickname he used when she turned him on. “How long are we going to keep teasing each other?” she whispered. Dozens of people milled around the cars outside, but it was getting harder to remember they were in public.
A text chimed on his phone before he could answer. He grimaced as he checked the screen. “All good things must come to an end.” Dropping his fork in the bag they used for trash, he signaled dessert was over.
It had to be his boss calling.
She drooped as she swallowed one more bite. There was still a little pie left, but she’d lost her appetite. Of course, she knew this day couldn’t last forever, but it didn’t make it any better when reality reared its ugly head. Neither of them spoke as she shoved the remainder of the food into the bag and buckled her seatbelt.
They drove for a while in silence. After about ten minutes, he turned on the radio, the volume barel
y loud enough to hear. Scott Weiland crooned about being half the man he used to be.
She leaned back on the seat and closed her eyes, soaking in the warmth of the sun through the window. Stone Temple Pilots gave way to Staind, and she hummed along.
And Jonathan’s low baritone joined in with Aaron Lewis.
She blinked.
His voice was beautiful, though he kept it low, and his focus stayed planted firmly on the road in front of him the entire time he sang. She held her breath, staring, mesmerized by him. She’d grown up on car-karaoke, but she’d bet a week’s pay it wasn’t something Jonathan usually did in front of anyone.
Warmed, she unbuckled, slid to the center of the bench, and snuggled into his side. His arm came down around her shoulder. “We’re going to figure this out. I’m not going to let you go.”
Pressed against his body, she barely noticed as they drove into her apartment complex. Jonathan insisted on walking her inside.
She’d barely opened the door when she came face to face with Izzy. “What are you doing here?” It came out an octave or two too high. No one was supposed to be in her apartment, and seeing someone—even her sister—shook her more than she cared to admit.
“Just picking up the boots you stole from me to bring on my trip.” Iz held up the footwear in question.
She wrinkled her nose, her heart rate returning to normal. “I didn’t steal them. I borrowed them.”
Iz shoved them into the duffel bag hanging from her shoulder.
“Hey, before you go, I want to officially introduce you to someone.” She tilted her head from her sister to the quiet man beside her. “This is my sister, Isobel. Iz, this is Jonathan.” His eyes widened at the use of his given name. It looked like it would take some getting used to.
Izzy didn’t hesitate. Her sister reached out and grasped his hand in a firm handshake, then gave her a chastening look. “I did see him at the gym, you know.”
“You did such a good job ignoring him, I wasn’t sure.”
Iz grunted and returned her attention to Jonathan. “My sister says you saved her ass the other night.”
He gave a short nod. “I guess I did.”
Iz tilted her head. “Of course, my brother says you’re nothing but trouble.”
“Also true.”
Izzy tugged on his hand and pulled him closer. Pure flint reflected in her ice-blue eyes. “Are you going to take care of her—or am I going to have to take care of you?”
She grabbed her sister’s shoulder and tugged. “Iz.”
Jonathan lifted his free hand. “It’s okay. I want to answer her.” His gaze met her sister’s. “I am trouble. It’s why I tried so hard to stay away from her, but there’s a reason we keep coming together. I’m tired of fighting it.” He stood straighter. “I want this. I want her. So, yes, I will take care of her. I will do everything in my power to make sure she’s not touched by who I am and what I do. Anyone who wants to do her harm will have to get through me first.”
Izzy gave him a cool once-over. “Good enough. Liv sees something in you worth taking a chance on. You’re welcome here as long as you do right by her.”
“Uh, guys?” She wiggled her fingers in front of her face. “I’m standing right here.” She shooed her sister out of the door. “See ya when you get back from your trip, Iz.”
Izzy smirked and waved as she walked away.
She closed the door behind her.
“Your sister’s going somewhere?”
“Only for a few days; some kind of martial arts expo. She wanted to cancel, but I’ll tell you what I told her: Don’t worry. We’ve already established Tre doesn’t know where I live, and Will is going to be watching me like a hawk.”
“She was right to question me, you know. She only wants to protect you.” His deep voice was quiet.
“I know. She’s been looking out for me for as long as I can remember.”
“You’re lucky to have her.”
“I am. She didn’t say anything I didn’t expect.”
He tucked another wayward lock of hair behind her ear. “I’m not going to give up on us.”
“Promise me,” she whispered.
He kissed the top of her head. “I promise, but I need you to promise something too. You’re going to be on guard when you go back to work tomorrow.”
“Oh, I promise. I already went through this with Will. He signed off on the security guard. He’s not even banging the drum for me to stop seeing you anymore. I’m surprised he didn’t want me to hire my own personal bodyguard.”
“It wouldn’t be the worst idea.”
Spoken like another overprotective male. “You two have more in common than you think.”
He hugged her closer against him. “Oh, we’ve got something in common. Both of us would take a bullet to keep you safe.”
***
Brick
Brick reported directly to his boss after he dropped Olivia back home. It had been two hours since Sucre had texted him, and though he’d answered him right away, the man did not like waiting for anyone.
“Ah, Brick.” Sucre rose from his throne and held his arms open. “Glad to see you could finally join us.” The boss reached to the table beside him, where two chocolate muffins rested. One was half-eaten. Sucre lifted the other and offered it to him. “Muffin? They’re sugar free.”
And unmistakably from the bakery where he shopped for his grandmother. Were those her muffins? He refused to ask, but his blood pressure soared.
Bowing his head, he played the game. “No, thank you. Sorry to keep you waiting, Boss.” When he got the call to come in, he’d texted Sucre he went out of town scouting for a hunting cabin. Olivia had done some quick research on her phone before he left her apartment, finding a few places for sale or for rent. He had a list in case Sucre pushed for more details. He’d wait until Sucre asked, though. Offering too much information without prompting would look squirrely.
Sucre sniffed. “I don’t know why you want to be out in nature. We’ve got everything you need right here.”
It wasn’t a question. He stared at the floor, waiting submissively for instructions.
“I have some new product coming in tonight. Go stand at the bar and look intimidating.”
Motherfucker. There wasn’t even a reason to call him in. Sucre had only done it to interrupt whatever he’d been doing.
Shaking his head, he turned toward his assigned destination.
“Oh, and Brick?”
He stopped.
“Maybe I do need to think about spending some time in the great outdoors. Send me some addresses.” His voice hardened. “Or better yet, show me the GPS in your phone.”
This is where it paid to be prepared. He had already cleared his history from the track and the falls and punched in four of the cabins Olivia had found on Zillow. He pulled up his GPS app and handed the phone over to his boss.
Sucre narrowed his eyes and gave the phone right back. “Just go. And next time, don’t keep me waiting.”
Chapter 22
Brick
Brick didn’t have to face Will for several days. He’d talked with Olivia every night since their date, and she’d told him her brother knew everything they were dealing with. As much as he dreaded facing the fallout it would bring, he was glad Will kept her safe in the afternoons. He was doing his part by keeping Tre occupied at night.
The electricians were installing the light trim at the house on Burgundy Street, which had the entire construction team focused on the Decatur house for the rest of the week. Will stood waiting for him by the front door when he pulled up Thursday morning.
“Let’s go out back.”
He followed Liv’s brother around the property to the backyard that butted up against a wooded area.
Will lit a cigarette and took a deep drag. “You know how I feel about the idea of you and my sister.”
“I think the whole crew knows. I get it. I know she deserves a regular guy, one who doesn’t do the shit I
do. I swear, I tried to stay away from her, but I can’t.”
Will was sucking down his cigarette so fast, it was already halfway gone. “Tell me you are not a danger to her.”
He wished he could, but it would be a lie. “I promise you I will never hurt her, and I will do everything in my power to keep her safe from anyone who would try.”
Will tossed the filter in the dirt and ground it in with his heavy boot. “This Tre guy. He’s bad?”
“The worst I’ve ever seen.” Which said a lot.
“You have no idea what I’ve been through to keep my sisters away from this kind of shit.” Will kicked over one of the barrels of construction debris. Chunks of sheetrock, nails, and two-by-fours spilled out on the ground. “I failed once with Izzy. I’ll be damned if I come up short with Liv too.”
He bent over to right the now-dented can. “You didn’t fail her,” he said gently. “She told me how you stepped up after your parents died. You mean the world to her.”
“I wasn’t there when she got sick.” Will cursed under his breath, and they worked together to clean up the mess on the ground. “I heard a lot about you when I was inside. Can you at least tell me you’re not as bad as your reputation makes you sound?”
“No. I’ve done some bad shit. I still do. The only thing I can tell you—something hardly anyone knows—is I hate every second of it. I always have, but I’ll use it, you feel me? I’ll use the reputation, the skills, whatever. I will fucking break anyone who touches her with a goddamn smile on my face. We do what we have to do to protect the people we love. You understand.”
“Better than you even know.” Will sighed. “I won’t stand in your way. Not like it would have made a difference anyway.”
He offered Will his hand, and they shook. “It will make a difference to her. Thank you.”
Will stayed behind, already pulling another cigarette from the pack, while Brick made his way inside the house. He could see significant changes in the layout since the last time he’d been here. The man who’d commissioned the build had decided he wanted an additional bedroom downstairs with an attached bathroom. So, they’d had to extend the foundation and plumbing before they could even start adjusting the framing, which they worked on today. At least, he was working on it with Kane and Matt. Will and Cyrus focused on some task in the backyard.