Own It - M. Dauphin

All rights reserved under the International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, organizations, events or locales is entirely coincidental. This book is for sale to ADULT AUDIENCES ONLY. It contains substantial sexually explicit scenes and graphic language which may be considered offensive by some readers. Please store your files where they cannot be access by minors. Warning: the unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in prison. Copyright 2017 M. Dauphin Cover design © 2017 Inked Imprints





There was a time in my life I thought the only thing that mattered was if my eyebrows were waxed and my hair was freshly colored. There was a time when I would walk into a store and stare at the moms and their screaming kids like they were the plague, eye rolls and all when their child wouldn’t calm the hell down. And then? Then I had a baby. That day I thought my entire life was ending. I told myself I’d put him up for adoption so I could keep on with my plan of finishing college and getting that job at the veterinarian clinic I wanted so badly. I told myself I couldn’t love something that was about to ruin my plan. Especially since the entire reason I was pregnant in the first place was some drunken one night stand. I didn’t want a baby that reminded me of that mistake. It didn’t matter what I told myself, however. The minute I laid eyes on the beautiful baby boy I was a goner. At twenty two years old, I was a single mother. At twenty four years old I struggled with my son, forcing food down his throat when the chemo meds destroyed his body from the inside out. Then, at twenty-seven, I buried my son. My reason to breathe. Now, here I sit. On my brother’s couch, listening to his monthly lecture about ‘growing up.’ It all started about six months after the funeral; when I lost my apartment. When Sam died, I simply lost every will to live that I had. I stopped going to work immediately, and after a while the paychecks from the clinic stopped being deposited. I lost my car to the bank and sat at my kitchen window, watching while they towed it away. When I did leave my apartment, it was only during nighttime when I didn’t have to face the bright sunshine of the daylight hours. Happy things angered me for the longest time. It wasn’t until I lost my apartment that I was forced to accept life without Sam. So my brother took me in, him and all his millions of dollars that is. He’s been supporting me ever since. I’ve tried multiple times to get back on my feet, but every time I think I’m ahead in life, I always lose that grasp and fall miserably back down to rock bottom. This time? This time I was laid off from the restaurant down the street for throwing a glass of wine on a paying customer who decided that my ass would make a good napkin for his rib sauce soaked hands. He deserved it. I have no regrets. “Lauren, you can’t spend the rest of your life angry at the world,” Chris says, pacing the room. He only uses my real name when he’s super angry. I guess he was banking on me getting my shit together more than I was. “I’m not angry at the world,” I quip, tucking my legs under me on the oversized Italian leather sofa. “I simply don’t care, Chris.” I force a grin at him and he shakes his head. He lets out a strangled chuckle and rakes his hands through his hair.

“I need you to care, Lo. It’s been long enough. You have to get over this.” The knife permanently implanted in my cold, dead heart twists, and though I thought the pain was over, it never really is. I narrow my eyes at him and stand before walking over to meet him face to face. “You know nothing about what I went through, Chris. You weren’t there for me. At all. No one was, so don’t you dare tell me I need to just ‘get over it.’” I hiss, swallowing back tears. “You’ve never loved anything in your life but your job. I hope you never have to endure the pain of burying your own child. Ever.” I glare into his deep brown eyes and shake my head in disgust, then storm off towards my side of the condo. “I’m sorry Lo!” he yells. “Shit,” I hear him huff before a loud noise, probably him punching the wall, rings through the empty hallway. He’ll never understand, and not that I ever want him to either, but I have no will anymore. Yes, I’m almost thirty without a career. I could have one. I did for a short while, but I don’t have that drive anymore. It’s like I’m on auto-pilot but I like it that way. Wake up, do whatever I want, go to bed. Sometimes (if I have a job) I’ll go into work. If not, my days are spent in bed watching reruns of shows I’ve seen a million times. My brother disagrees with my way of life, but until I decide differently, this is the way it stays. I’d rather live this way than have to deal with feelings and emotions of any kind. I love my brother, and I know he’d do anything for me, but we’re different people. I no longer crave the life I used to. Hell, I used to love animals and have this daily craving to go to the clinic and help them. I loved it. Now, I see no point in it. Death happens. Always. Why just prolong the inevitable? Sure, sometimes I wish I had the drive I used to, but then I think back to how it all quickly fell apart and I forgo the mission of caring. It’s easier this way. I groan when the sun pierces my eyes from my open window and move to close the blinds immediately. I spend so much time inside nowadays that even the sunlight coming in through the windows bothers me. Some may say this is no way to live. Fuck them. A knock on my door makes me roll my eyes. He’s never able just to let shit go. “Lo, can you let me in please?” Chris’ voice sounds sincerely apologetic but I don’t buy it. Not this time. He’s always hounding me about getting over it and moving on. My baby died! I shouldn’t have to deal with it yet! “It’s unlocked,” I huff, laying down on the bed and staring up at the ceiling. The recessed lighting is even too bright for my eyes today. I’m trying to be numb to feelings anymore, but being told to get over my kid’s death really puts a damper on that plan. The door clicks open and his footsteps approach the bed. “I’m sorry, Lo,” he whispers, sitting on the bed next to me. “You suck, Chris.” I whisper the words because anything else will make the emotions come up I’d rather not have. “I’m just worried about you.” “So you tell me the one thing I don’t need to hear.” I let out a hard chuckle and scoot back to sit up. “I’m not good with this shit, Lo. You know this.” “Yea,” I chuckle harshly. “Trust me. I know.” He huffs and stands up, walking over to the window. “I think you should take the job I offered.” He spins to watch my reaction, which I feel I’m doing a good job of masking. “It’s steady pay, not stressful, work stays at work and you can set your own hours.” “Thank you, Chris. I appreciate it. But I’m not working for you.” He takes a breath and shoves his hands in his pockets. Pockets that probably cost more than I have

in my bank account right now. It’s amazing how different our lives turned out. We shared the same mom so we lived together most of our lives, but his dad was well off and my biological dad was nowhere to be found. He had things handed to him. I’ve always had to work for them. Not saying I don’t like handouts, because living here rent-free for the time being is pretty snazzy. I’m just saying he seemed to have it easier because of the money. “You wouldn’t be working for me,” he all but growls. “You’d be under Brian.” “Ooo I’ve always liked Brian.” I grin and flick my eyebrows up, stretching my legs out. “Not like that- fuck, Lo!” I let out a laugh and paste on a smile for him. “I know, big bro, but I’m really okay. I have a few leads for something that will be good for me. Promise.” I lie. Standing from the bed, I walk over and wrap my arms around him as he hugs me back. “You promise?” “What?” I pull back and grin at him. “You don’t like me living here already? It hasn’t been that long. I didn’t think you’d tire of me yet.” I’m giving him a hard time, but I honestly know it’s about time for me to get out of here. I just need to be able to care again… and I don’t care about caring or not. Jesus I’m fucked up. “You know I love having you here. I just don’t want you to ruin your life.” He’s trying, but he’s too late. No one in my family wanted to help when I had a kid. No one wanted to help when he was sick. I was the black sheep but I was determined… and look how far that’s gotten me. I roll my eyes and walk back to the bed. “Trust me, it was ruined earlier this year, Chris.” I plop down and pull the covers back up to my chin. “I’m taking a nap if you’re finished with me.” I roll over, away from his gaze, and close my eyes. It takes him a moment to move, but when he does I can hear his hesitation. He knows I’m closed off to the world. He’ll never understand, and he’ll never stop trying to turn me into someone else. Listening for his footsteps, I wait until the door is closed to will myself to sleep. The consistent buzzing of my phone wakes me from my dream. A dream of a better life I obviously never had a chance of. A dream of hot men, no money worries, and all the brilliant food in the world without gaining a pound. Ha! That shit only happens in romance books. “What? Shit, hang on…” I mutter into the phone as I try to unplug it without throwing shit off my nightstand. “Lauren?” “Bex?” I glance at the clock. Three forty in the afternoon. “What’s up, woman? Why aren’t you at work?” “I am, listen I can’t get a hold of your brother,” she says quietly. “Hang on, Lo. Don’t hang up,” she mutters, then the phone goes on hold and I’m left with annoying hold music. Bex is my brother’s ex-girlfriend, but she and I have stayed in contact since their break up. Their love story is one for the ages, but she finally got tired of his games and left him right around the time I got pregnant. She wanted more and he had nothing else to give her apparently. Typical bullshit that reminds me why I’m still single. Shit’s easier this way. You could say she’s been the only ‘friend’ there for me through everything. She has her own demons, though, so we rarely get to hang out anymore. “Hey you still there?” “Yep. Not going anywhere,” I mutter, sitting up in bed. “So anyway.” She huffs. “I’ve been trying to get a hold of your brother but he’s not answering my

calls.” “Big surprise,” I murmur, biting a fingernail. I should really stop this. Meh. Whatever. “Yea, for real. Grow the hell up, Chris.” I can hear her rolling her eyes, she’s that annoyed by him and chuckle to myself. “I’m kinda of busy, Bex. What’d you need? I can relay it to him.” Glancing down at my pinky nail, I sigh at its horrible state and move on to the next. “Please, you’re probably still in bed,” she scoffs. “Like I said. Busy.” “Lo, can you please just get up and get him for me?” “Fine,” I groan, crawling out of bed. “Only because I love you, woman.” “Thank you.” Her tone is hushed so it’s hard to tell if it’s something bad or just that she misses him. Either way, who am I to stand in the way of true love? Oh they have it alright. They’re both just too stubborn for their own goods. I find my brother in his office, big fucking surprise, and hand him the phone. “For you,” I say smiling. He narrows his eyes and takes the phone hesitantly. “Yes?” He answers with such authority; always in business mode. He listens intently, and shortly his face falls and eyes go wide. I know that face. That’s the face of loss. Even my brother can’t hide that.



“What’d she want?” I practically screech, trying to hold back the anxiety I’m feeling. “Uh,” he mutters, handing me the phone back and standing up. He starts to pace and I give him a moment to accept the news he just got before prying even more. While he freaks out silently, I sit in his oversized office chair and wait. My mind keeps racing through every scenario that he could have gotten while he paces the room, hands on his head. Then he pauses and looks over at me. “Brandon d-” He clears his throat and looks over at me with the saddest eyes I’ve ever seen on my brother. “Brandon died.” My eyes fly open and the air is knocked out of me. I was expecting something sad... like maybe a dog dying or a job lost or some old person finally meeting their end… but Brandon? Brandon. Chris’ oldest friend. They grew up together. They went to Ivy League together. Brandon had a wife and kids and was really making something with his life. “He’s dead?” I whisper, starting to feel that familiar pang of loss in my chest. I was never super close to him, but he was like a brother to my older brother for the longest time. I can still remember their many parties they would hold at the house when our mom would leave for the weekend on one of her many trips. I can still remember his bright smile each time he saw me. For the longest time I had the biggest crush on him, but that’s what younger sisters are supposed to do to their older brother’s friends right? The Voss brothers had amazing genes and neither was about to let anything in life slow him down. I don’t know what happened to Brandon’s older brother, he was never really in the picture from what I remember and I heard after high school he split and left the family. Frank was his name… or John? Something typical I think. Brandon plowed through school like it was a second thought. He opened his own company and has worked his ass off to make it the largest in the state. Petroleum Engineering. A fancy fucking way to say ‘how to get oil safely and efficiently out of the ground.’ The man was a genius and I know my brother looked up to him. He was a force to be reckoned with in the business, buying land, developing new strategies to better serve the people around the drill sites. And now he’s gone. Fast as that. “Yea.” My brother huffs and glances over at me with glistening eyes. “Holy shit, Lo.” He shakes his head, more than likely unsure what to do with the emotions inside him. I mean, he is Christopher Manners. He’s not one to ever show emotions. He moves to me as soon as I stand and his arms go around me. “He’s fucking gone,” his muffled voice rumbles through me. “I know,” I whisper. Nothing that I say right now will help him so I hold him until he pulls away and runs his hands through his hair. “What happened?” I ask, following him to the kitchen. I watch as he pours a short glass full of whiskey and downs it, then slides the bottle to me and I do the same. “Bex said she thought it was a heart attack but they don’t know for sure yet.”

“A heart attack!” I down my own glass and slide the bottle back to Chris. Damn this shit’s strong. “Who has a heart attack at thirty years old?” “Fuck,” Chris huffs, taking another double shot. “Shit.” We sit in silence for the longest time, taking turns downing the gold liquid. I’m not sure why I’m drinking like this with him, other than I know the feeling of loss all too well. I feel for his wife. She now has to explain to their kids that daddy isn’t coming home again. I can’t imagine how a mother could do that. Chris’ phone buzzes in his pocket and he slides it out and stares at the screen before sliding it back in his pocket. I watch his jaw tick before be pours another glass and throws it back. “The funeral’s on Friday,” he mutters, his fingers tracing the top rim of the glass. I silently nod and don’t take my eyes off the bottle we’ve almost finished. “You’re coming with me, right?” He looks over at me, his glossy eyes a product of the alcohol he’s consumed tonight. I grit my teeth and smile at him, not answering his question. If I had it my way I wouldn’t go with him, no. I’d rather not walk into a funeral home again. Not this soon after Sam and not under such sad circumstances. Brandon was never meant to go this early. He was healthy and fit and active. He and my brother still had monthly hiking trips in the mountains. This shouldn’t have happened. It could very well have been my brother who died and not him. Hell, if anything my brother works twice as hard as Brandon did. Who’s to say he’s not next? “You’re the best, Lo. I love you,” he stumbles over his words and I nod silently. Shit, how am I going to get out of this one? “You’re a lightweight, bro,” I mumble. “You’re a lightweird!” he cackles. “Oookay,” I say, stretching my limbs and taking away the almost empty bottle of whiskey. “Bedtime.” He doesn’t put up a fight when I walk him to bed, practically carrying his heavy frame because the alcohol has really done a number on his ability to walk tonight. “I don’t drink much,” he says as his head hits the pillow. “Ya, I can fucking tell.” I grunt, trying to pull his legs onto the bed. I pull off his shoes and stare at him. “You’re sleeping in your clothes. I’m not stripping this hot mess of expensive ass suit off you.” I’m met with a loud snore and roll my eyes. Perfect. I shuffle across the condo, grabbing some Motrin and water to leave on his side table for when he wakes with a splitting headache, and on my way back to my room grab the whiskey bottle and carry it with me. My bother might be a lightweight, but I’ve gotten very accustomed to the buzz. A few more shots won’t kill me. “Come on Lauren, we’re going to be late,” my brother snaps from my bedroom door. “I’m not certain why you need me to go with you, Christopher,” I mutter, placing an earring in the second hole in my ear. I haven’t gotten this dressed up in a long time and I’m sad that it’s going to waste on a day like today. The black dress dips just low enough in the front to be considered inappropriate for a funeral and the backless design leaves barely anything to the imagination, but to be honest I don’t plan on going inside the funeral home. I’m just like this for the plans after the funeral. Milky’s bar and grill. Sounds like a dump, right? Well it’s not. It’s the most up and coming ritzy

bar the city has to offer and my brother managed to rent the whole place out this afternoon. I just have to make it through the morning then I’m on my way to finding a warm bed tonight. “You’re my sister and he was my best friend. Of course you’re coming. Plus,” he starts, walking into the room. “I’m tired of seeing you mope around the house. It’s time to get out and take your life back, Lo.” “Starting with a funeral,” I mutter, bringing the deep purple lipstick to my lips and swipe it on. I spin in my chair and lock eyes with my brother who’s staring at me like he’s seeing a ghost. “You look like mom, Lo.” He whispers. I furrow my brows and look back to the mirror Sure, the distinct jawline and brown eyes may be the same, but I’m nothing like that woman. “No, I don’t.” “You do. She’d never wear anything that revealing,” he growls, tightening his fists at his side. “But you do. Beautiful.” “Right,” I chuckle nervously. I don’t want to remind anyone of that woman. “Come on, let’s go.” I want this over with. We walk outside after a short elevator ride down the thirty three floors of the condo building and are met with the driver for the day. Aaron. “You coming?” “Yep.” I climb in. “Hey I think I’ll just stay in the car while you go in and pay your respects.” I don’t look at my brother while talking. I can’t. I know he wants me with him today, and I’m here for support, but I can’t walk into that funeral home and not lose my shit. I think I’m dealing rather nicely… at times… but that will break me completely all over again. “Are you sure? You knew him too, you know.” “Yea… I just.” I take a break and shake my head, looking up at him and forcing a smile. “I can’t, Chris. I just can’t.” His eyes turn sympathetic and he nods, reaching across the bench and taking my hand in his. “I get it. It’s ok, I won’t be long. Promise.” I smile and nod, pulling my hand away. “Thanks. And don’t worry. My phone’s fully charged and I just started a good book. I could sit here and read all day.” He shakes his head and returns his gaze out the window, giving me time to remember to breathe as we pull down the street of the funeral home. It’s such a big city, but of course my son’s funeral and the funeral of my brother’s best friend have to be at the same place. Of fucking course. “You ok?” he whispers, looking across the car at me. “Absolutely.” I muster a brave smile before he leaves me by myself in the car. Well, myself and the driver. “Not going in today?” His eyes pin me from the rearview mirror. He’s pretty, but I’m not about fucking my brother’s employees. “No.” I pull out my phone and open my reading app. This book was just starting to get good when I had to go to bed last night and I haven’t had time to read at all yet today. Sometimes I get so wrapped up in a book I can sit there for hours on end until I read the entire thing, which is what I wish I could have done with this one. At least I know I have some time until my brother comes back and we head to the bar. I tuck my headphones into my ear and get comfortable in my seat as the driver finds a parking spot in the lot. I probably am being rude to him, but I need to read and get my mind off what’s happening inside that building right now. The book sucks me in, and before I know it I’m staring at the end, attempting to turn the pages to get more of the story but it’s not moving. Two hours and I still didn’t get the ending of the book! And now

I have to wait for another one! “Fuck!” I belt, tossing the phone on the seat. “Fucking book.” She was just getting through to him… they were going to be okay… then BAM! Car crash and end of book. I can’t deal with this. I need the next one! “Miss, you okay?” Aaron asks from the front seat. I glance up at him and he’s smiling back at me. “I noticed you looked pretty distraught there. I hope you don’t mind, you just look so beautiful and it gets pretty boring sitting up here all this time with nothing to do. “ Who does that? Isn’t he supposed to be a professional? “Uh… yea, I’m fine. Just a really good book,” I mutter, grabbing my phone and shooting a text to my brother. ME: Driver’s creeping me out. I don’t like getting hit on in a car. Need to fire him. I hit send and roll my eyes. The crowd outside isn’t dying down and I’m sure my brother’s in the middle of it, mingling like the businessman he is. I wait a half hour and when there’s no response I huff and groan to myself. “Hey Aaron, I’m heading in to get him. I’ll be back.” Grabbing my clutch I open the door and the sunlight almost blinds me. Shit. “Here, let me help.” Aaron’s at the door of the car holding it open for me, probably just wanting to get a glimpse of the back of this dress and I can’t blame him. It’s hot. “Thanks. I’ll be back shortly.” I’m certain his eyes follow me as I trek across the parking lot but I’m just happy to be out of the car with him. I walk into the funeral home with one goal in mind. That is, until I plow into a hard body just inside the front doors. “Shit, sorry,” I mumble, almost losing my footing from hitting him so hard. “Good thing you weren’t old, I probably would have plowed straight over you.” I nervously laugh as I lean down to pick up my purse and when I stand and look at the person I just assaulted he’s staring at me with a look in his eyes I can’t place. His beautiful eyes. “Holy fuck.” I manage. “I could say the same thing,” he whispers. He extends his hand and, being on autopilot out of pure embarrassment, I slide my palm into his and let his warm, massive hand, engulf mine. “Sorry for that,” I say, smiling like a damn schoolgirl. When I hear someone near me sniffle I’m brought back to the reason why I’m here and I shake off the lust that was momentarily clouding my judgment. “Sorry, I really should get going. I was trying to find someone and it’s awfully crowded in here.” I look around at all the people and no one even resembles someone my brother knows and I inwardly groan. This is going to take forever. “It was nice meeting you. Maybe we’ll meet again.” He winks then heads towards the doors and I step aside. “Of course. Have a good one,” I say, definitely not watching him leave. Damn that’s a cute butt. I scour the building, each room of the damn funeral home, looking for my bother. I don’t want to go into the final room, but it looks like I’m going to have to. The family room. The room they reserve for grieving family members that need a break from everything going on out there. From the looks of it, the place has been full of people for hours on end now,

so any and all of the family that’s here is going to be taking breaks at some point. When I walk through the door I see my brother with his arms wrapped around Paisley, Brandon’s widow, and roll my eyes so fucking hard at him. Less than a week and already moving in on his best friend’s girl. Jesus, Christ. “Hey,” I state loudly enough for him to know I’m talking to him and see everything he’s doing. “We need to head out.” I raise an eyebrow at him and flick my gaze to Paisley, who’s currently wiping her nose that’s redder than Rudolf’s. “Sorry,” he mumbles to the widow. “I’ll be in contact. Don’t hesitate to call or text if you need anything.” He pulls her in for another hug and I have to leave the room before I say something that I’ll regret. Storming to the car, he’s hot on my heels and the minute we’re behind closed doors he lays into me. I knew it was coming, I could tell from the twitch in his lips when I walked into that family room that he was annoyed. At least he saved it for private eyes only. “You plan on telling me what that’s all about?” He’s angry, sure, but it’s more annoyance than anything coming from him. “I just walked in and watched you groping your best friend’s widow, Chris. Save it.” “I wasn’t groping her, Lo. I was consoling her. It’s what people do when their friends suffer a massive loss.” He huffs and loosens his tie. “Fine. Just watch it. Don’t be that guy, I’m warning you I’ll rip off your testicles and feed them to you.” He barks out a laugh and looks over at me. “You’re losing your damn mind, little sis. You know that?” “I sure as hell do. Now let’s get to the bar. I’m thirsty.” “Hey that text you sent me a little bit ago?” he holds his phone up, just now reading the SOS text I had sent and his brows pinch together as he nods up front. “Yes. I meant every word of it.” I cross my arms and lean back in the seat and he chuckles. “It doesn’t work like that, Lo, but I’ll keep that in mind.” “Thank you.” I smile at him, then turn my gaze out the window. I did ok today I think. I managed to walk inside a funeral home, during a funeral, and not freak out. Actually, I was so rattled by the man at the door than by seeing my brother with Paisley that I completely forgot to be worried about the type of setting I was in. I’d say that’s as good a reason as any to get plastered tonight and find someone to go home with.

“For once in your life couldn’t you be on time?” My mother scoffs from the front seat. How the fuck old am I? She’s treating me like I’m twelve, but I’m fairly certain I just celebrated my thirty-fifth birthday. “Mother I got held up at the door. It won’t happen again.” I sigh and lay my head back on the seat in pure exhaustion. If it weren’t for the woman plowing into me just inside the door and causing me to take a moment to catch my breath and collect my thoughts I’d have been on time for the funeral procession. Apparently I’m holding things up… but we’re still sitting here so I know it’s not my fault. Fuck. My baby brother’s goddamned funeral. How the hell did this happen? He was always the safe one and me the wild one. If anyone should have gone first it should have been me, not him! “You could at least act like you want to be here. It’s your brother’s day and all.” She shakes her head and I completely lose it. “Mom! Wake the fuck up, I don’t want to be here! No one should want to be here! Because here?” I wave my arms around at all the cars and people around our vehicle, “here is a fucking funeral for your son that shouldn’t have ever had to happen in your lifetime!” She looks like I just slapped her across the face. “You know what, I’m riding with Uncle Tony. At least they see today for what it really is and not another publicity stunt. You fucking lost your son. You should look like you care more.” I huff, opening the door and stepping out of the Lincoln Navigator and making my way three cars back to my uncle’s car. There’s no music at the cemetery. He was cremated so the only thing to carry is a tiny fucking box. A box with my brother’s ashes. Fuck my life, what the hell did he do to deserve this? I take my seat right next to his widow and reach over, grabbing Addison, my baby niece, and placing her on my lap. If I focus my attention on making her happy I won’t have to focus on the ceremony. I’d rather not focus on anything right now other than making these kids happy. My nieces mean the world to me, and now they don’t have a father to help raise them into outstanding human beings so I’m making it my job to help with that however I can. Paisley, my brother’s wife… er, widow… is an amazing mother to these girls, but she’s also now a grieving one who has to learn how to raise these kids on her own. Sure, I’m certain financially she’ll be fine, but she’s already stretched thin. Now it’s just going to get worse. That’s where I come in. I already have been thinking of turning one of the extra rooms in my house into a bedroom for the girls. It’ll be nice for when Paisley needs a break and hopefully help out. Hell, I don’t know. Maybe that’s dumb and presumptuous, but what else can I do? By the time the funeral ends my sister in law is reduced to a puddle of tears while she clutches onto their nine month old baby girl like she’s her lifeline and their three year old Emma is fast asleep in my arms. This I can do. I can do ‘good uncle.’ This I know. “Ah, Jett,” my brother’s business partner, Stan, stops me on the walk back to Paisley’s waiting car. I turn and give him the look that says this isn’t the time for business, but that’s never stopped him before. “I’m going to need you to come in to the office this week, you know, once everything settles down. We need to go over your brother’s things.” He clasps my shoulder and nods. “I’m really sorry for your loss,

man.” He manages to look distraught over this but it’s hard to tell with him. “Why would I have anything to do with my brother’s belongings at the office? I haven’t been there in years,” I whisper, not wanting to wake Emma. “All the same, there are still things we need to discuss.” He gives me a curt nod and walks away, leaving me wondering what the fuck is going on. “How you doing?” I ask Paisley as I lock Emma into her car seat. “Fine,” she clips, putting the baby’s car seat into the base. “Just fucking perfect.” “Hey,” I stop and look across the car to her. “I’m your brother. You don’t have to put on a tough face for me.” She closes her mouth and takes a deep breath. “I have to stay ok for the girls, Jett. That’s all there is to it. We’ll get through this.” Her voice tightens and she tries clearing her throat to push away the tears but fails miserably. I round the car and wrap my arms around her. “It’ll be fine Paise. Totally fine.” I murmur into her hair as she lets go of another round of tears. I can’t imagine what she’s going through right now and I feel like a dick for not asking sooner how she’s holding up. I mean, it’s a fucking stupid question to ask a woman at her husband’s funeral, but I feel like I should have been paying more attention to her today. I’m her only brother, after all. “I can’t do this without him,” she hiccups into my shirt. “Yes you can, and you will. And when you’re having a shit day and just need to down a few bottles of wine, I’ll take the girls off your hands. I’m their uncle. They need to grow up knowing how amazing I am.” I smirk and she pulls back and laughs. “Yes. They do. Sorry about the wet spot,” she says, trying to wipe it away. “No worries. It adds character.” I shrug. “You heading to Milkey’s with everyone?” “I need to get the girls home.” She looks drained and I can bet the girls aren’t going to let her get an ounce of sleep tonight. Maybe I’ll take them to the zoo or some shit soon to give her a break. “Got it. I’ll call tomorrow, okay?” “Thanks, Jett. I’ll be fine, I promise.” She gives me another hug then slides into the car. I stand and watch her pull away before walking to my uncle’s car. My entire family, minus Paisley and the girls, will be at Milkey’s so when my uncle hands me a flask as soon as I close the car door I take it willingly. I’ve made it a point to distance myself from my family. I love them, but they never truly accepted that I didn’t want a part in the business I started with my brother or be a lawyer like my father was. I like my freedom too much. I was the wild child of the family. The wild card, so to speak, and I fucking owned that card. That fact alone is the only thing that’s kept me going today. After today’s over, I’m free from them once again. I just have to make it through tonight. “Your brother was a beautiful soul, Jett. You should be proud of everything he’s accomplished. He really made something of the Voss name.” I huff and take another swig of my beer. If it wasn’t for my initial financial help my brother’s business wouldn’t have been where it is now. The man that’s been talking to me for a half hour now smiles and for the life of me I can’t remember who he is. I take a swig of my beer, having lost count an hour or so ago, and nod. “Yep,” I say, trying to find a reason to get away from this man who only wants to talk about my brother. I mean yea, this is his party, but I’m not all for reminiscing old times. What’s the good in looking back? I’m a ‘strictly look forward’ type of guy. Find the positive.

I need to find the positive in this entire situation, and I will. “Excuse me,” I finally mutter, interrupting his talk about stocks or some boring bullshit. Sure, I have money. Not a ton, but I’m better off than most and I have my brother and his exquisite financial skills to thank for it, but if there’s one thing I hate it’s talking stocks. I stand and gain my bearings before heading back over to the bar. Three steps into my journey and a very familiar scent flows in front of me right before a very luscious, devilishly curved body in a killer black dress slams into me. “Shit!” she squeaks and I attempt to not fall flat on my ass but fail miserably, taking us both down and bringing a chair with us. We land with a crash and the room goes silent. “Fuuuck,” I groan in pain. She fucking squished my balls! I push her off and try to breathe out the pain and not vomit here on the floor. “Oh God I’m so sorry,” she giggles, a hiccup escaping her. I open my eyes and glance up at her, because any girl so drunk to plow me over and be at the hiccup stage of inebriation is a girl I need to know. “Are you ok?” She asks, holding her hand out. I take it and stand, righting the chair then looking back at her. The pain between my legs is immediately calmed with one look at this woman, though another type of feeling is creeping up on me and if I’m not careful I’ll be pitching a tent right here. “I’m fine.” Is all I can manage. Her eyes hit mine and things I’ve never felt start to course through me. Things. That’s a good fucking way to explain this. Things. “Can I buy you a drink after that debacle?” She smiles and bites her lip and my eyes trail down to her plunging neckline and start to imagine all the things I could do to her in that dress. To find a girl like her; plowing me over, shaking it off, and then offering to buy me a drink? “Marry me,” I murmur, making her laugh loudly and reaching out to grab my hand. “Come on. I think I may have really hurt you with that fall. More alcohol will do the trick.” She pulls me through the crowd and I don’t have time to respond before we’re standing at the bar and she’s ordering for the both of us. I remember this girl. She’s the one from the funeral home. Damn. The same hot chick, plowing me over twice in one day? Hell. Yes. “Here,” she slides a shot glass over to me and clinks hers with mine before downing the clear liquid. I do the same, cringing through the burn. I slam my glass down and look at her, her brown eyes are beautifully glassy and she’s smirking at me. Holy hell this girls’ my match. I’ve finally found my match. “What’s your name?” I murmur, leaning in closer to her to breathe in her scent. Vanilla. And cinnamon. She smells like a goddamned cookie and I’m suddenly starving for sweets. “Lo,” she says, leaning in to me. “This place sucks.” She whispers before backing away and smiling at someone in the crowd. I bark out a laugh and shake my head. She’s either too drunk to realize who I am or she has no clue. Who says that to the brother of the deceased on funeral day? This girl… And I think I may love her for it. At least my drunk self loves her. “Yea, it really does, doesn’t it?” I chuckle and look around. Half these people here only liked my brother for his money. God, I’m actually glad Paisley isn’t here to see all these ‘fake’ friends. They know nothing about the man my brother was, they only know his business sense and his money. That’s fucking it. Well, other than the man in the corner sitting with his back to me. I’ve been avoiding him all day, but I know he’s here. Chris Manners. He’s my brother’s oldest, truest friend, and I’m not ready for those emotions yet. I respect that man as much as I respect my brother, but I also respect my privacy. A meeting like that, between brother and best friend of the fallen, is something better done in private and not at a party. Plus, I’m certain I’ll blubber like a fucking baby at this point in my day if he tries talking to me. I was always jealous of the connection he and my brother had, but I understood and respected him

immensely for it. “You never told me your name.” Lo purrs from the bar stool next to mine, her slender fingers rest on my forearm. No ring. That’s a plus. “Jett,” I say, smiling over at her, waiting for the realization of who I am to hit her. There’s not many people with my name so it’s only a matter of time until she realizes who I am then starts the whole ‘awww I’m so sorry for you’ charade that I don’t need right now. Maybe I should just take her into the bathroom and fuck her brains out before she starts that shit. “Weird name,” she blurts, making me do a double take to this gorgeous woman. Who the hell is she and can I keep her? “Uh… yea, I guess.” “I mean… why? Who thinks ‘that’s a good name to give my kid’?” Her laughter rings through my ears and I have to close my eyes and control myself… because I’m about to bend her over this bar and fuck her right here. I’m not certain who this chick is, and I’m not entirely certain why she’s here tonight, but I know one thing: she’s hella fun to be around and I can bet you she’s a brilliant fucking lay. If I have it my way, I’ll be finding out the second part of that later tonight. “Apparently my parents did,” I say, chuckling. “You’re parents are weird.” She takes a sip of the margarita she ordered for herself and looks around the bar, giving me time to admire the beauty in front of me. The black dress, the dark curls of hair falling over her shoulder. Her fucking cleavage… sweet Jesus. She crosses her legs and clears her throat and my eyes flick back to hers. “Like what you see?” She’s grinning and letting her finger trail down the front of her chest. “Who the fuck wouldn’t?” I growl. She grins at me and bites her lip. Before I can ask her if she wants to get out of here, we’re interrupted by a male voice. “And you told me I was being bad. This tops the cake, Lo,” he laughs and if I didn’t recognize it I’d have turned and punched the guys lights out. Instead, I spin in my stool and give him a curt nod. “Hey Chris.” I’m trying not to act as drunk as I am right now in front of him, and I don’t even know why I care, but I do. “Hey man.” He gives me that sad look that’s only reserved for funerals, then his eyes flick back to Lo. What’s his deal with this chick? “I just got a call from work. I’m going to need to head out of here. You ready?” I narrow my eyes at her and something pulls at my inebriated memory but I can’t place it. This interaction seems… strange. Why does this seem familiar to me? The way he looks at her, the way she rolls her eyes at him. I feel like I’ve seen this before but I’m too far gone to even try to think about figuring that out tonight. I watch the exchange between the two of them, still wondering how they’re here together, then he clasps his hand on my shoulder and nods at me. “Well… take care of her. And yourself.” He turns his attention to Lo again and narrows his eyes at her. “I’ll see you at home tonight, Lauren.” She gives him a wicked sexy grin and I’m so fucking confused right now I’m not sure which way is up. Maybe that last shot wasn’t the best of ideas. “So it looks like it’s just me and you, big boy.” She croons as Chris walks off. “I hope you don’t mind me telling him you’ll take me home tonight.” She bites her lip and twirls a tendril of hair between her sexy fingers. How can fingers be so sexy? “I’ll get you back safely,” I promise and smile slowly at her, and even drunk I still remember I don’t have a car here but that doesn’t stop me. She laughs and finishes off her drink. “Wanna get out of here?” She stands and her hand grazes my crotch and my fucking dick practically jumps out of my pants for more of her touch. I growl and stand, praying no one notices my

erection as we walk out. I don’t bother telling any of my family goodbye, because the way her lips are coming in contact with my neck right now and the way her fingernails are digging into my forearm, all I can think about is fucking her and I’m not certain my family would appreciate the show. Home. Must get her home.

We slam into his front door; unable to take our hands off each other since the Uber ride here. His lips won’t leave mine alone but I’m not complaining. He tastes like whiskey and is just as intoxicating. His hands fumble with the keys all while trying to ravage my body through this dress. By the time we make it inside the dark house I’m so wet I can feel it between my legs. He wastes no time ripping the dress off me, literally, then grins as he holds it up in front of him. The way he’s grinning makes me feel like I’ve seen him before somewhere, but I can’t place him and I’m not going to spend too much time trying. “Looks like you won’t be wearing this home,” he chuckles. I should care. That was expensive, but the way his hungry eyes are staring at my body right now make it all worth it. “I’m sure I can get a free cab ride home like this,” I say spinning and shaking my ass for him. I hear him growl then I slowly bend over and slide the fabric of my thong down my legs, stepping out of it before turning back around. He’s loosened his tie and his shirt buttons are undone from me trying to get to his chest in the back seat of the car. “Oh you won’t be going home tonight, sweetheart. I have too much planned for you and those beauties tonight,” he whispers, eyeing my tits that I’m currently cradling in my palms. He rips his tie and shirt off in one clean break, letting the buttons fall to the hardwood. I bite my lip, more brazenly than I’ve ever done before, and we move for each other at the same time. We’re a tangle of limbs, moving towards the nearest surface; the dining room table. He wipes the shit on top to the floor and lifts me, spreading my legs and going to his knees in front of me. The minute his fingers slip into me I moan. “Oh God,” I manage, bucking up towards him and throwing my head back. “Fuck you smell so good” he murmurs, his breath warm on my clit. He’s so fucking close to where I need him to be, but when he brings his palm to my abdomen to hold me down I’m unable to buck up for contact. His fingers play me and his tender kisses, teasing around my clit, are enough to bring me close to my first orgasm. When his lips come around me and he sucks gently, burying his face in between my legs, I lose all composure. “Fuck!” I scream, grabbing onto his hair and shoving his face hard between my legs. He continues licking and sucking my clit, his fingers never relenting, as I ride out my orgasm. “Oh God, stop,” I manage, half laughing and trying to get away from him. “That fucking tickles!” I scream. He pops his head up, his fingers still enjoying their job, and grins at me. “That was the best meal I’ve ever had, Lo.” He stands, smiling wide, and pulls me to sitting. His lips press to mine and just tasting myself on his lips has me ready to go again. Jesus Christ that’s hot. “I need you to fuck me,” I gasp, tugging his pants down and hopping down from the table. His hands spin me and he pushes my hair to one side as he presses his erection against my ass. His lips go to my neck and they start their assault on all of my senses. The most tender spot, other than between my legs, of my entire body and this mystery man’s lips are treating it like it’s a temple. He pushes me down to the table and his hand trails down my back. “Hold on, sweetheart,” he growls, right before slamming into me and making me scream out in pure pleasure.

He takes me hard, like he knows exactly what he wants and he’s not afraid to take it. He hits my core and the mix of pain and pleasure, added in with the sting of his hand on my ass sends me barreling quickly towards my second orgasm. “Oh God, Jett,” I moan, gripping onto the sides of the table. My eyes fly open at the new sensation of his thumb on my ass. His relentless rhythm and the delicious feeling that he’s giving me with his thumb is too much. “Oh fuck!” I hear him chuckle from behind me as his thumb slips inside me and I lose it again. Every sound around me muffles, my legs turn to jelly, and I’m coming for the second time tonight on this stranger’s kitchen table. “Oh God,” I pant, resting my head on the wood of the table, hands still clenched around the sides of it. I feel his hand roaming my backside, his thrusting not slowing a bit. “This is just the beginning, baby,” he whispers, gripping me by my throat and forcing me to stand as he fucks me. I whimper in his grasp but this new angle has him hitting spots I’ve never known possible. “I won’t be finished with you until the sun comes up.” Mmm sunlight. Soft bed. Warmth. There’s something warm on me. Oh… oh hell I’m going to be sick! “Move!” I blurt to the arm on top of my abdomen, pushing it off and hearing a slight grunt as I run to what I pray is a door to a bathroom. I swing it open and the porcelain throne awaits me. Thank fuck! Last night is a massive blur. One I’ll never forget. His body. His toned, lean, so fuckable body. He did things to me last night that I’ve never even imagined… and I can’t say I’m mad about it. The alcohol made it an easy decision to go home with him… I think. I mean, I remember meeting him and knocking him off his feet, literally. I remember the first orgasm… kind of. If I weren’t spilling my guts into his toilet right now I’d try to have a replay of last night now that I’m sober. But as it stands, I’m going to have to do the walk of shame with a barf-bag. Talk about a hot fucking mess. I flush the toilet and groan, attempting to stand up but the room starts spinning so I close my eyes and rest my head on my arm on the floor. Well, bright side- if I can’t get up and walk out of here there’ll be no such thing as the walk of shame! Fuck. “You alright in there?” His groggy voice on the other side of the door makes me realize I should probably get my miserable self off his bathroom floor and find my way home. “Fine, thanks,” I mutter, standing and closing my eyes, taking a few deep breaths before turning on the water. The cold water I splash on my face does nothing to warm my completely nude body, but it helps wake me up a bit more. “There’s tea by the door.” I hear the telltale sound of a mug being set on a tile floor and for some reason I find myself smiling. He doesn’t have to be this nice… After rinsing my mouth out with his mouthwash and trying to tame the wild mess of hair on top of my head, I open the door and slowly bend to grab the mug. Looking around the room, I try to remember if this is an apartment setup or a home and I can’t even remember that. I guess if I was going to remember anything from last night, the sex is a good thing to remember, but still I was way too drunk to be out in public. I walk over to the bed to try and grab my clothes but they aren’t anywhere to be found. Instead, I pull the black sheet from the bed and wrap it around myself. With mug in hang, I shuffle out to the hallway and try to find my way back to the door. Or my clothes.

Hell this place is big. “Hey you,” he says from behind me as I open a door that definitely leads to a supply closet. I spin, eyes wide with embarrassment, and try to smile. “How the hell big is this place?” It’s not the best morning after discussion, but a girl could get lost in here. “Too big,” he chuckles, nodding behind him. “Come on, I have food.” As if my embarrassment couldn’t grow any more, at the mention of food my stomach growls loudly and I groan. “I’m not certain I should be eating right now.” I mumble, following him back down the hallway. We turn a corner and walk into his kitchen and my eyes dart towards the table and I feel the color rising on my cheeks just thinking about what we did there last night. I flick my eyes towards Jett, standing next to the stove and I see the grin on his face. “I should probably clean that today.” He smiles so wide, so genuinely, that the creases next to his eyes form and for a moment I completely forget that I’m in a stranger’s house. His tight jawline, the scruff on his cheeks, the dark and damn hear perfect eyebrows and his very well styled bedhead has me wondering who the hell this man is. Men typically don’t look this perfect, do they? Tearing my gaze from him, because I would stare at him all day if I could, I make my way to a bar stool at the island and adjust the sheet wrapped around me so I can sit. “Have you seen my clo-” the second the words start to flow from my mouth I remember it all very vividly. My eyes go wide with the realization that I will, literally, have to wear this sheet home. “Shit.” I whisper, locking eyes with Jett again. Damnit, he’s like a train wreck- I couldn’t look away if I wanted to! “I have some shit you can throw on. I’ll get it back from you later,” he says, shrugging and piling bacon on a plate. He slides it across the island to me and I stare at it, suddenly ravished. “Thanks,” I say, surprising even myself that I want to eat this entire plate. “Do you have cof-” He slides a cup across the countertop and grins at me. “Cream?” He’s holding up the creamer and I nod, shoving more bacon into my mouth. We sit in silence, every now and then he’ll toss more bacon or toast on my plate. Finally, when the bacon is gone and I’m on my third cup of coffee, I’m done. “I swear I’m not a fatass.” I groan and stretch, almost forgetting about the sheet wrapped around me. When it starts to slip I panic and tug it up, standing from my stool to tighten it. “Don’t be modest around me. You weren’t last night.” He takes his coffee cup and walks to the living room, leaving me standing in the kitchen super confused as to what today is. Typically, a one night stand ends in the wee hours of the morning when I sneak out of the guy’s house and back into my room before my brother notices. Not that I should care if he knows or not… but I do. This, though? This is different than anything else. The only thing I know about this guy is his name is Jett and he keeps his place clean. That’s it! And I actually feel comfortable around this guy? I do… I think I’m going mental. “Hey… uh…” I look down to the shredded dress on the floor and take a breath, giving myself a moment to mourn a sexy dress that is no more. I glance up and he’s sitting on the couch watching me with heated eyes, probably replaying ripping it off me last night. “You ok?” “I… uh… I think I need to head home,” I mutter, not sure if I even believe my words. “You feeling better?” He asks from his spot on the couch, not making a move to grant my request. “Yea. Thanks.” I nod, tucking my hair behind my ear. “So uh… if you have some shorts and a tshirt... I can get them back to you. Or mail them. Or something.” Why am I being so awkward right now? “Absolutely. On one condition, however,” he says, standing and walking over to me. He stops just

short of running into me, his body so close I can smell his cologne, and wonder when he had time to smell so delicious this morning. Or maybe that’s his normal smell? “And what’s that?” I ask, way too breathily for my liking. He smirks and his hand comes to my cheek, cupping it, and looking straight into my eyes. “Have dinner with me tonight to return them. Let me buy you food as a token of my apology for ruining that dress.” I grin and bite my lip, averting my eyes to the dress on the floor next to us. Looking back at him, the lust swirling in his eyes right now is enough to make me want to drop the cloth and go at it again… but I really need a shower. And my own toothbrush. “I’m busy tonight,” I lie. “Then tomorrow. I’m free.” He shrugs. “Or you can go home in the sheet. Your call.” He backs away from me and watches me, his face stern and hands shoved in his pocket. I let out a laugh and cock my head at him. When he doesn’t move to get me clothes, I nod. “Alright. Tomorrow night, then. Now can I please have some clothes?” I make it home just a little past eleven thanks to the cab driver that took a wrong turn and landed us in a traffic jam miles long. Trying to sneak into my brother’s condo is futile at this time of the day. Typically he’s at work by now but it’s the weekend and he’s definitely home and in the middle of a workout when I waltz through the back door, directly next to his in-home gym. I cringe to myself when the door slams and I hear the swift hits to the bag pause. “Lo?” he calls out, and I roll my eyes, huffing as I walk to the gym door. “Hey,” I manage softly, feeling like a child that blew way out of her curfew. “Glad to see you’re okay,” he huffs, taking a long drink of water. “Yea, sorry. My phone died. I’m alive!” I smile and raise my eyebrows at him. “I’m gonna hop in the shower and grab some food.” And get away from your judgy mc-judgerson eyes. I spin to leave but he stops me before I make it down the hall. “Whose clothes are those, Lo?” Chris sounds so confused and I groan, turning back around quickly. “A friends,” I say sweetly, smiling as I spin and speed walk to my room.

This suit does nothing for me. Or my body heat. Fuck this fucking thing’s hot! Who decides ‘hey this is what I want to have to wear to work every day?’ Who in their right fucking mind wakes up and thinks this is a great fucking way to spend their life? Fuck! “Hey man, he’s ready for you,” Carmen, the front desk male secretary that seriously needs to find a new profession, says to me from his seat. I nod curtly and walk back, back to the office my brother and I built from the ground up. The big glass doors, frosted for privacy, open and lead me into a new environment. It’s sterile in here. There are a few cubicle workers but everything else is separate offices. It smells way too clean and cold. Very cold. How is it that he works with something so crude and dirty as oil, but the office for this place looks like it’s never been touched? And why is it too cold back here? I was just fucking burning up, and now I’m cold. I think I’m losing my goddamned mind. “Hey, Jett!” Stanley, one of my brother’s partners, announces from his office in the very back of the building. He stands from his desk and meets me at his door. “So good to see you, Jett. It’s… hell it’s been a week hasn’t it?” “You could say that, yea. Why’re you working on a Saturday?” “We’ve been swamped lately… since the incident. Trying to catch up on all the pots your brother had boiling before he die -” he pauses and looks at me with that look in his eyes then changes the subject. “Have a seat. Tell me all about the shop, how’s things going?” I nod and look around, not one fucking picture of my brother on his corkboard. Not one thing in this office reminds me of my brother. Why does that make me so angry? “Uh… yea the shop’s been going great. We contracted a few new bikes for a seller in Mexico a couple months ago on top of the currently running contract we have with the local PD department for upkeep so things are staying pretty busy, I guess.” “Good. That’s good, I’m happy for you. It’s like you’re finally doing something you enjoy.” He smiles at me, a completely fake smile, and I narrow my eyes at him. “So what’d you need from me, Stan? I thought I was clear this isn’t my thing?” I was… I very vividly remember telling them all off when they tried roping me into being stuck in this business. Sure, I have the chemistry degree from Harvard, but that means jack shit to me. It wasn’t what I wanted to do with my life… I was simply doing what I thought they wanted me to do. Being the older brother and being told growing up I had to set a good example for Brandon, that’s just what I did. I realized shortly after starting this place up with him that it wasn’t what I wanted. He took half of my inheritance from my grandparents to help start this company. I worked my ass off for months until one day I realized this isn’t what I wanted to do with my life. I don’t want to climb a corporate ladder of greed and money. When I turned 28, I took my trust fund and set up the bike shop. It took me a few years of struggling but now I’m doing pretty well on my own, all things considered. “Listen, I know you said you wanted out of all of this. Hell, you made your point loud and clear.” “Right,” I nod, still in the dark about today’s meeting.

“Your name’s still on the documents as the legal owner of this company, Jett,” he huffs, sliding the papers over to me. My stomach drops and I pull the papers up to read over them. One after the other, each one listing my name, right next to my brother’s, where it shouldn’t be. “I signed off on it being removed,” I all but growl. “I fucking signed the deal for the buyout… I’ve been getting the payments, Stan!” “It was never finalized.” If the man could roll his eyes any harder they’d be out of his head by now. “This business… the business lifestyle? He always thought it was in your blood, Jett. He always wanted you back. Your fallout when this happened? It ruined him.” “It’s in my… fuck! It’s in my fucking blood? Is dying too early in my blood too, Stan? Fuck!” I stand and start to pace. Un-fucking-believable. “Your brother made it clear in his final will that you’d take over the company.” He clears his throat and slides the will across the desk. I storm over and pick up the piece of paper, my eyes darting to my brother’s not so manly scribe on the bottom. A growl builds inside me as I read the plan my brother has laid out in case his early demise would happen, listing me as the full beneficiary to the business. “What about Paisley and the girls?” I whisper, sitting in the seat and taking it all in. This is too fucking much. This place will ruin me! “They will still get his cut of the paychecks until the girls turn eighteen.” He leans back in his chair and clasps his hands in front of him. “So what’s going through your mind?” “That my brother was a fucking idiot,” I grumble, setting the papers on the desk and wiping my hands down my face. “Are you going to honor his wishes?” I look at him and let out a strangled chuckle. “Do I have a choice?” “I mean we can always buy your portion out from under you, then remove your name from the company all together.” He shrugs and takes a drink of his coffee. “And Paisley and the girls are still set? No matter my decision in the matter?” “Unfortunately not. That’s the one clause your brother was adamant to put in. You keep the company afloat and the girls get their money. You leave? They lose out.” “What?” My fist slams to the desk, surprising Stan, and I stand. “That’s fucking blackmail! You can’t write blackmail into a will!” “It’s his wishes, Jett. Are you going to go through with them or not?” I narrow my eyes at this man, and though he’s the bearer of bad news I feel like this entire thing is his fault. “I have no fucking choice, Stan.” “Good,” he nods. “If you could sign right here.” He points to the bottom line on the papers in front of me but I can’t. The lines all blur together, I only got a chance to read about a paragraph of these. I can’t do this right now. “Fuck no.” I blurt. “I have a shop to get in order, a manager to bring in and train, and apparently I need to freshen up on whatever the fuck it is that I’ll be doing here. That shit can wait,” I wave towards the office, grab the papers and storm out of the office, stupidly pissed. “You have sixty days, Jett! Then it goes to court!” He yells after me as I storm away from him. I head straight for my bike and rev the engine, pulling out into traffic faster than I should have but I need this release. This is what I need. Open road, open schedule, no firm daily plan or fucking suit wearing… all that shit isn’t for me. Now, though? Now I’ve gotten myself into something I don’t know if I can get out of. I mean, sure, I can take my name from it like I wanted so long ago, but can I do that to Paisley and the girls? No. Fuck to the no I can’t. My phone rings, lighting up the visor in my helmet with Chris’s number, the one man I possibly

could talk to about this shit, and I hit end, deciding to pay him a visit. I was never super close to him, but we didn’t get to talk yesterday and I know he and I both need it. Well… maybe I do more than him. I make a U-Turn and head to the North of town, slowing as I pull into his parking garage. Christopher Manners is the epitome of wealthy young adult that’s worked for his money. He’s powerful and intimidating, even if he’s almost five years younger than me. “It’s Jett,” I say into the buzzer in the lobby of his condo. The doorman knows me, I used to fuck a chick on the seventh floor, so getting in was no problem. It’s getting up where I need help. Ha! First time I’ve ever had that fucking problem. “Come on up, man.” His voice rings loud and clear, unlocking the elevator and bringing me straight to the top. This lifestyle of showing off your riches never was something I understood. We have money, sure, but I’ve always tried to live modestly. Who knows when something’s going to happen that makes you wish you didn’t have such an extravagant lifestyle. The shop could close any day and leave me with the measly few k a month from my brother’s company… then what? The elevator doors open and I walk into the foyer of Chris’ condo right as he’s rounding the corner. Clean cut and clean shaven, the man even looks presentable on a Saturday when he’s lounging around the house. I’m over here dying in this suit and he’s in khakis and a white button down… his ‘relaxed’ look. Fuck man, my relaxed look is naked… how is it that I’m the older one between us? Ha! “Hey, Jett,” he says, bringing me in for one of those awkward as hell man hugs. I grunt, backing away as soon as I can and shove my hands in my pockets. “I saw you called. I was out riding the area so I thought it’d be okay if I stopped by.” “Of course. Come on, I’ll grab us a drink. You like scotch?” “I do, but just water for me. Thanks.” He walks into the kitchen and I make my way to the living room, taking a seat on the sofa. Holy hell this thing’s incredible. “So I meant to stop and talk to you yesterday, but I really didn’t know what to say,” he says, walking in and setting my water on the coffee table. “Thanks,” I mutter, picking it up just to have something to focus on. “I’m sorry about your brother, Jett.” He finally says, breaking the silence. “Yea, me too.” My eyes trained on the floor, I hear his shoes hit the hardwood as he walks over to the chair next to me and sits down. “You holding up okay?” “Perfect.” “You know you can come to me if you ever need anything, right? I mean, we’re practically like brothers.” I grit my teeth, jealousy of his closeness with my blood brother and claiming he’s a brother to me. I had one brother. He’s dead. “Thanks, man.” I take a drink of water. “Hey listen… so Brandon’s company,” I say, fiddling with my water glass. “I need you to take a look at something and tell me if it makes any sense. Something seems sketchy to me.” “Why’s that?” he growls. “I guess since Brandon’s gone they finally have it all to themselves and they’re worried they won’t be able to keep it afloat on their own or something. That’s what it sounds like, at least. Either way, they told me my name’s still on the paperwork as part owner.” I look over at him and he nods. “You knew about this?” “Yea. Brandon was adamant that you’d come back. He didn’t want to write you off.”

I bark out a harsh laugh and shake my head. “Figures you’d know,” I grumble and he raises an eyebrow at me. “Well now they say if I don’t come back, Paisley and the girls lose their cut of the money they’re owed.” “Excuse me?” Chris growls. “How is that legal? You’re not their legal guardian so your decisions shouldn’t affect them.” “You’re the fucking lawyer, man! You tell me!” “I’ll take a look at it.” He stands and walks down the hall, returning shortly with his laptop. “So what’re you going to do in the mean time?” He never once looks up from his screen. If there’s one thing I know Chris is good at, it’s business and calling frauds out. I don’t want my brother’s company, but I have a feeling whatever they pulled today isn’t the truth and it’s not legal. There’s no way my brother, knowing how I truly felt about working in that world, would have linked his daughters’ livelihood on mine. No fucking way. “I mean I’m hoping you… we… can figure this out before I have to make a decision. I have sixty days.” Because the decision will be in favor of my beautiful nieces which in turn will destroy my happiness that I’ve worked so hard for. “Absolutely.” He nods. “This all the paperwork they showed you today?” He holds up the pile of shit I handed him and I nod. “I didn’t sign, Chris. I just… Fuck man. I don’t know what to do. Those girls are my world, I can’t do that to them. But I also have worked my ass off so I don’t have to be in that type of business anymore. That’s not me.” He stops what he’s doing and looks over at me. “Sometimes you have to do things for other people, Jett. That’s just how this world works.” He says it with a sour tinge to his tone and I have no clue what he’s talking about. I always help people. Why do I feel so guilty for wanting to keep the happiness and lifestyle I’ve worked so hard for? “Yea.” I stand, pulling my keys from my pocket. “I’m going to head out, thanks for listening to me whine, I’ll be in touch,” I say, heading for the elevator doors. His voice stops me before I can hit the button. “Hey, about my sister,” he says from behind me. “Stay away from her.” I spin and everything from my childhood comes rushing back to me. His sister. Lo. Well shit. I thought she seemed familiar last night, but the alcohol was fucking with my memory and honestly it’s been well over twelve years at least since I saw her last… and fuck if she doesn’t look a hell of a lot different now. . I smile and chuckle. “She’s a grown woman, Chris. You can’t control her.” I didn’t come here to get into a confrontation with him… but I also plan on seeing his sister again. And again. And again. I won’t be deterred because he feels he needs to run her life. He glares at me for a moment before clearing his throat and nodding. “Right. That’s how it’s going to be?” “Doesn’t have to be any way, Chris.” I shrug. “It is what it is.” “Have a good day, Jett,” he grits out, body tense. I chuckle and spin, hitting the elevator button. When the doors open automatically I’m immediately grateful for not having to wait there, but it’s not until I’m out of Chris’s glare that I let a breath out. Perfect, now I have him against me too. Fuck! This week can blow itself. As I hop onto my bike, a text from an unknown number comes through and I open it up and find

myself grinning. I stole your number while you weren’t looking earlier. Turns out I’m free tonight. I cleaned your clothes… when should I be prepared to return them? -Lo I let out a small laugh to myself and hit reply. I’ll meet you at six at the local market on 5th. Wear something comfortable. Bring something else. Who knows where the night will take us.

For some unknown reason I’m way too giddy for tonight. I shouldn’t be… but I can remember through the haze how much fun we had last night. This time I plan on not being plastered so I can remember even more of it. I know I told him I was busy tonight, but when I finally started feeling better this afternoon I realized I really… really… wanted to see him again. All it took was almost an entire day’s worth of sleeping. I tuck his clothes into my large purse and turn off my computer. Heading out to the kitchen to grab a drink before leaving to meet him, I’m met with my brother in his best suit, sitting at the island staring at his phone. “Where ya headed tonight, big bro?” His eyes flick up to mine and he looks my outfit over. It’s warm outside… a tee and shorts are going to have to do. “You feeling better?” He grunts, bringing his water glass to his lips. “Yep,” I sigh. “It’s amazing what a shower and some sleep can do for ya. What’re you up to tonight?” “Gala for the charity the company just donated to.” He looks back down at his phone. “You don’t look like you want to go,” I say, shifting to sit on the counter across the kitchen from him. “I do. It’ll be great for the company.” He looks up at me. “Plans tonight, Lo?” I smile and cross my ankles. “Dinner. Drinks.” I shrug. “Nothing too exciting.” “With who?” He stands and brings his cup to the sink, then raises an eyebrow and stares at me, crossing his arms. “A friend, Chris. I do have those, you know.” “That friend’s name wouldn’t be Jett, would it?” He asks like he’s the smartest fucker on earth and I want to punch the smugness of his face. It’s unnecessary. “Could be.” I hop off the counter and grab my bag, slinging it over my shoulder. “He’s not safe, Lo. And he’s too old for you.” “Ha!” I bark, spinning to glare at him. “When are you going to realize you don’t, nor will you ever, run my life?” I don’t even want to know how my brother knows him. It’s like he knows everyone in this damn city… of course he knows him. God he annoys me! He makes me feel like an annoying teenager sometimes, and I fucking hate it. “I just don’t want to see you get hurt, sis. You need to get back on your feet, not knocked off them.” “I think I know exactly what I need,” I growl. And it happens to be Jett right between my legs.

Glancing around the room, there’s no sign of Jett anywhere. I pull out my phone to check that this is the correct spot and I didn’t mistake ‘market’ for ‘bar’ or ‘restaurant… but I didn’t. He said the local market on fifth street. It’s raining outside so I came in, the vendors are crazy and even at 6 pm it’s insane here! Honestly, I’ve never been here even though I’ve lived in the city my entire life, but I’m happy I’ve avoided it. Way too crazy for my liking. “Lo!” I hear him yell from across the room. When I spin, I find him in the doorway, bike helmet in hand, grinning from ear to ear. I smile, an almost genuine smile, and walk over to him, having to push my way past a group of tourists trying to get twelve people into a small picture shot. “Hey,” I huff when I finally make it to him. “Here, put this on.” He’s smiling brightly and shoving a bike helmet in my hands. I hold it but it’s completely foreign to me. “A helmet?” I question hesitantly. “I’ve never ridden a motorcycle, Jett.” Eyebrows raised in question, he takes the helmet from my hands and slides it over my head, pushing my ponytail flat against my head. There goes the cute messy bun I worked so hard on. “It’s raining outside!” I literally giggle at the immense smile on his face. “Yea, and? You’re not going to melt, are you?” He slides his helmet on, still smiling widely, and grabs my hand. “Wait!” I wail in laughter as he pulls me outside and into the pouring rain. He throws his leg over the bike waiting by the curb and holds his hand out for me. I take it, thankful I used my backpack style bag tonight, and hike a leg over the back of the bike. He shifts around enough to reach me and flips down the visor, still grinning like a madman, then turns around and pulls my arms around him. The rumble of the engine comes to life and suddenly the shorts I’m wearing feel like nothing compared to the wet leather and the warm body in front of me. “Shit,” I whisper, tightening my body around him. I feel him chuckle, then he takes off. We ride into the countryside, just outside the city. It doesn’t take me long to get the hang of being on the bike. Jett’s an amazing rider, smooth and controlled. Without him I’d probably have fallen off seconds into the drive, but with him I feel safe. He doesn’t slow down as we approach cars on the road; he glides around them with ease and perfection. The rumble of the bike and me being pressed against Jett is doing all kinds of things to my libido right now. Who would’ve thought that a bike ride could turn someone on so much? The rain slows around a half hour into the drive and by the time the city starts to disappear so do the clouds. “You okay back there?” I hear in my ear, taking me by surprise. “Perfect,” I say, watching the sunset through the breaking clouds on the horizon. “This is amazing.” “Figured you’d like it.” He relaxes a little and I let my grip loosen out of comfort. “Tighten those hands, kid.” I grin and tighten my arms around him, pressing my body against his as hard as I can. When the bike slows the sun’s almost completely gone and I can just see the glow of the city lights in the distance. He pulls over, and we travel down a few country roads before he finally pulls to a stop. I unbuckle the helmet and pull it off, fluffing my hair while he hangs the helmets on the handlebars. He stands, pulling me off the bike and helping me stand. I let out a giggle when I realize my legs feel like jelly for riding for so long. “You alright there?” He smirks at me and I can’t help but smile back. He’s infectious. He makes me feel light and free… I haven’t felt free in a long time. Why would my brother warn he’s not good for me? “Perfect, thank you.” I spin and look around. The countryside is a stark difference from the city life. The trees, the wild grass flowing in the wind. Hell, even the stars out here are brighter. “It’s beautiful out here.”

“Yea. I come out here a lot when I need to think.” “I believe it,” I whisper, finally meting his gaze. “Do you know who I am, Lauren?” He asks out of nowhere. His eyes steel on mine and I scrunch my eyebrows in confusion. “Uh… Jett,” I answer, feeling like a dumbass for only knowing this guy’s first name. “Yes. Correct,” he says, half chuckling. His hand goes to the back of his neck and he shoves one in his pocket. “So you don’t remember much from last night, huh?” Is he embarrassed? Why would he bring me out here if he’s embarrassed? What the hell’s with this guy? “Uh… I mean I remember a lot,” I stammer. “A lot of amazing, delicious things.” I bite my lip and take a step towards him. He chuckles and curses. “You’re Chris Manners’ little sister,” he states and I stop moving towards him. If my brother even got to Jett I’m gonna kill him. “And?” “It’s me, Lauren. Or should I say Lanky Lauren? Jett Voss.” His use of my childhood nickname almost stops my heart and the last name... Oh God. “I haven’t heard that nickname since Brandon used to call me it in seventh grade,” I whisper, eyeing him strangely. “You’re his older brother.” Last night something was digging at my memory but I couldn’t place it. I didn’t think twice about it today. No fucking wonder he was there last night, Brandon was his brother! “Oh God,” I moan, shoving my hands in my face so he can’t see the embarrassment. “Oh my God, I’m so sorry!” I manage through the emotions. What the hell have I done? Chris is really going to kill me! I… I was giving him trouble last night about Brandon’s widow but… I slept with his brother! Jett laughs and lets out a frustrated growl, making me look over at him. “When did you find out?” I ask. “Today. I stopped by your brother’s place to talk… I didn’t get to yesterday. He warned me away from you,” he says, grinning. “He did, did he?” Wait. Jett was at my place and I didn’t even know it. I must have been out to the world for longer than I thought. It all starts to make sense. What he said to me last night at the bar, his being nosey in my life all day today. He knew the whole time. And then he tried telling Jett not to be around me? That… well that infuriates me. “He sure did,” he whispers. “And what exactly did you tell him.” Taking the three strides it takes to get to me, his hands are on me and his lips crash into mine. He kisses me like he’s starved for it. He kisses me like I’m his one. His own. It terrifies me but it ignites something in me that I thought was long dead. His tongue glides past my lips and he lets me taste him… and fuck he tastes good. His arms grab my ass and lift me, allowing me to wrap my legs around his waist as my hands find their grip in his hair. We devour each other, only pulling back when it starts to rain again. “Well,” I pant, my hands moving to the side of his face. Mere inches away, he’s still fucking grinning and I can’t stop the same from spreading on my lips. “If that’s how you responded to my brother I can’t wait to hear why he didn’t punch you.” He barks out a laugh and sets me on my feet then presses his lips to mine again. “You’re something else, kid,” he says against my lips. This new nickname, though I feel I should hate it, makes me feel more special than I probably should. This guy is all kinds of sex on two legs; he’s probably fucked three other girls just today. Okay so that’s more than likely not possible, but come on! The toned body, tanned skin, perfect hair, chiseled jawline – any girl would be lucky to have this man yet here he is with me!

“You wanna have some fun?” I blurt, eyeing the bike before flicking my eyes back to him. He’s narrowed his eyes at me, waiting. “I’m always down for fun, Lo,” he growls. I bite my lip and start to unbutton my shorts and slide them down my legs, underwear and all, before stepping out of them and tossing them at him. “I’ve never had sex outside,” I whisper right before pulling my shirt over my head and tossing it to the ground. “That’s going to get all kinds of dirty down there, kid,” he manages, though his hand just went to his crotch and is rubbing himself so softly I know he’s not really worried about the dirt. “I want to get dirty,” I whisper, walking over to him. “Don’t you, Jett?” I pout my lip out and he snaps, reaching out and pulling me fully against him and taking my lip into his mouth, biting it until the pain starts to overcome me and I whimper in his arms. “Knees,” he demands, his eyes made of steel. I grin and fall to my knees, the mud underneath me strangely turns me on even more than I already am. I immediately start to work his jeans off him. When I pull him free from his boxers, I grin up at him, his eyes hooded with desire, and I lock eyes with him as my mouth goes around his tip. He curses and his hand goes to the back of my head, pushing me tight against him, letting his dick fill my throat until my lips hit his base. “Fuck, Lo,” he huffs, pulling my head back a bit. “Your mouth feels way too fucking good,” he growls. I let him take the lead, every now and then my mouth pops off his tip and he hisses, groans, and makes any other sexual noise a man can make. And fuck I love it. “Get up,” he demands, and I do as I’m told, grinning and wiping the spit from my mouth. He narrows his eyes at me, then kicks off his pants, takes my hand and walks over to the bike. Straddling the bike, he pulls me onto the seat facing him. My core directly in line with him, his hands on my lower back, his eyes locked on mine. “Fuck me, Lo.” His voice gravel, full of lust and need, and a shudder rakes my body. The rain starts to come down heavier as he helps lift me over him. My legs rest on his strong thighs and my feet find the passenger footrest as I sink onto him. “Oh God,” I gasp as I start to rock on him. “Not too fast, kid,” he groans. “I’d like to end this my way, not in the mud.” He holds me still for a moment, pressing his forehead to mine. “Good God your pussy is fan-fucking-tastic.” I moan and start to ride him, slowly rocking back and forth, each time thrusting a little harder and faster. He leans down and bites onto my tit, his hand fisting in my hair as I fuck him until my legs are shaking and my orgasm is threatening to rip through me. “I’m going to come,” I gasp. “Oh God I’m gonna come.” My hands grasp onto his shoulders, fingernails digging into his skin, and I ride him as hard as I can. “You want to come, huh?” he growls, pushing my body down so I’m lying on the front of the bike. His hand rests on my pelvis and his thumb starts to play lazy circles on my clit, feeling the buzz in every fucking part of my body. “Come around me, Lo,” he growls loudly, slamming into me. “Oh God!” I cry out as the most intense orgasm I’ve ever had rips through me. “Fuck yes,” he hisses, pumping into me a few more times before letting out a feral growl and clenching onto my tit, hard, and completely letting go of his release. “Holy fuck.” he pants, pulling me up and cradling my body. The rain’s dousing us and all of our belongings, but neither of us care. This man… holy hell this man.

I scoot away from him and grin. “I’m soaked!” I squeal, realizing the rain isn’t letting up like I figured it would and wiping water from my face. “I fucking know.” He reaches between my legs and I lean back slightly, letting him slide his fingers in me with ease and moaning at the sensation. “Jesus,” he whispers and I watch him bring his fingers to his lips and taste me. If I could melt into this bike right here I would. God that’s hot. And then my stomach growls and completely ruins the moment. In pure embarrassment my eyes go wide and I flip my leg over the bike and start searching for my bag. “Sorry,” I grumble, pulling my clothes out of the bag. Forgoing the bra, I throw on the t-shirt and shorts faster than I ripped the other ones off. He’s sitting on the bike watching me with an amused look on his face. “I gotta say. That’s the fastest someone’s ever gotten dressed after fucking me into oblivion. I’m not even certain I’d be able to walk right now if I stood up.” He laughs and leans back, spreading out his arms and letting the rain hit him full on. I watch him while I button my pants and wonder why this man seems so carefree. His brother just died… shouldn’t he be more on my level of not caring about life? His ripped body, the happy trail leading to my favorite place on him, the muscular but still somehow lean and not ‘bodybuilder’ body style is probably the sexiest package on a man I’ve ever seen. “What are you doing?” I laugh. “Rinsing off. It’s like a shower, kid!” “Why do you insist on calling me kid?” I shriek when he hops off the bike and shakes his head right next to me, the water droplets hitting my face. “Well, you’re younger than me. Still in your twenties and have a fuck ton of life to live… so kid. It fits.” “It’s weird.” I scrunch my nose at him but he doesn’t notice as he puts his wet clothes back on. “Could be, but it stays. Now,” he huffs, putting his hands on his hips and smiling. Our outfits are ruined, everything is sopping wet, but I haven’t felt this happy in a long time. “You ready to get some food?” “I mean, my stomach is trying to eat me from the inside out.” I shrug, throwing my mud soaked bag on my back. “But I’m a little too gross to go out in public.” “I know the perfect spot.” He winks at me and I shake my head at him before sliding back on the helmet and climbing onto the back of the bike.

‘Stay away from her.’ HA! I couldn’t fucking stay away from her if I tried! When she messaged that she’s ‘suddenly’ free tonight I couldn’t stop the grin from spreading. She never had fucking plans to begin with… and apparently I got through to her enough for her to need to see me tonight. Then… good God then she pulled that in the field and I fell so fucking hard for this woman. She’s guarded, but I’ll break those walls down if it’s the last fucking thing I do. She’s not like anyone else I’ve ever been around. She’s different. I feel terrible that I didn’t recognize her last night when I first laid eyes on her, but seriously- that body looked NOTHING like that the last time I saw her. Hell, she was still in grade school then! Can’t blame a guy, really. Her hands are tight around me, her body pressed firmly to mine as we ride back to my place. I almost feel bad for ruining clothes of hers two nights in a row, but not bad enough to take her home to change. She can put on clean clothes at my place. Or no clothes at all. Plus it’s Saturday night and I have nothing to do until Monday when the world will, yet again, come crashing down on me. I’m going to enjoy her while I can. “Where are we going?” She says into her helmet. I grin to myself, revving the engine as we head back to town. “I thought we’d go back to my place. Maybe throw in a movie and order some pizza. Unless you were hoping for something fancy.” “Oh God pizza sounds amazing!” She wiggles a bit behind me and my dick is begging for more already with her body pushing up against mine like this. I grunt and rest my hand on hers as we drive back to the city. She’s so much more than she tries to put off, and even though I shouldn’t, I want to know every layer of this girl. I want to make her smile… really smile. I’ve watched her and have yet to see her not force a smile. Sure, sex smiles are one thing. That’s hormonal based. I want to make her smile because she’s happy. I want to know everything about her. I shouldn’t; hell I know there’s enough going on in my life right now without adding on this girl to the load, but I can’t exactly stop thinking about her. We pass the city limit sign and I turn down a back road to head up to my house. Bakersfield, California isn’t the biggest of cities. It’s not the most populated of the state and not the wealthiest of areas, but it’s perfect for my lifestyle. Hours away from the biggest and most populated cities the country has but quiet enough to not feel like I live in the middle of Hollywood central. Sure, we get plenty of tourists here. Something about California in general that makes people think we’re all celebrities. I’m just happy to have my house and land all to myself out here. I pull the bike into the garage and help her off the back before sliding my helmet off and looking up at her. Jesus, she’s beautiful. “Thanks for that.” She smiles and starts fidgeting with her bag straps as she waits for me to get off the bike. “Come on, let’s head in.” I grab her bag for her and head inside, silently switching on the lights in

the house and setting her dirty clothes by the door, making a mental note to throw them in the washing machine later. “You want a drink?” I head for the fridge, because if I don’t busy myself right now I’m going to rip her clothes off and I don’t want her thinking the only thing I’m good for is fucking. Well, I mean I am good at fucking. I grin to myself and turn to look at her, waiting for an answer. “Beer?” she asks. Hell yes she drinks beer. “Of course.” I grab a Sam Adams for each of us and head to her, handing it over after popping the top. “So what type of pizza do you like?” “Mmm,” she hums, taking a swig of beer. “Pineapple and peperoni.” She nods and grins. “Yea that sounds perfect.” I glare at her and narrow my eyes. “I’m sorry what’d you say? Because I thought you just said pineapple and pepperoni. And that just isn’t right.” “What!” she boasts, smiling wide. Still that damn forced smile, like she thinks she’s fooling me. “I love pineapples on my pizza!” “You’re fucking weird too.” I mumble, grinning as I dial Dominos. She starts to protest but I push my finger to her lips, effectively ‘shushing’ her. Her eyes go wide as I start to place the order. “Yes, I need a large meat lovers,” I start, then pause when she opens her mouth and takes my finger between her lips. I clear my throat and continue ordering. “A uh... the Meat Lovers, yes. And a medium-” she sucks, hard, on my finger, eyes locked on mine and a low groan escapes me. Holy fuck. “A medium pepperoni and pineapple for the lady.” I manage quickly, my voice cracking when she pops my finger out of her mouth. I manage to get my address out correctly even though Lo’s seduction of my finger has my dick fucking screaming at me to let it at her. When I hit end, my hand goes to her neck, pulling her towards me and tilting her head up to me. “Think that was funny?” I growl, feathering my lips on her skin. She lets out a strangled laugh and her hands rest on my abs. “SO funny. Don’t fucking shush me like a child again.” I press my lips to hers and kiss her, wanting nothing more than to fuck her right here in this foyer. Her phone goes off and she rolls her eyes, walking across the living room to her bag. I grab my beer and watch her rapidly reply to a text before tossing the phone back into her bag. “Everything ok?” I ask, watching her as she puts back up the happy façade. “Perfect,” she smiles at me, grabbing her beer and joining me in the kitchen. She takes a swig and I watch her swallow it down and my dick feels the urge to be inside her mouth. Again. Fuck me- this girl. “Nothing of too much importance, I guess?” I grin at her. “Just my brother checking in on me.” She shrugs and takes another swig of beer, this time my mind’s too busy on her brother than fucking her… and that’s a problem. “He know we’re out tonight?” “I think he assumes it. Whatever, he doesn’t own me, Jett. He’s not my father.” She lets out a laugh and finishes her beer. Good God this woman is perfect. I should care more about her brother. I shouldn’t be doing this with her… not when he’s my only hope to get help with this work situation, but I can’t. Not when she’s standing there staring at me. “You’re goddamned right about that,” I growl, watching her set her beer bottle down and grin at me. “So… can I use your shower? I’m a mess and I don’t feel right touching anything in this place with

all the mud that’s caked on me.” She gives me this cute as fuck grin then glances around the room and I have to laugh. She’s covered in mud, she’s fucking right about that, but hell if it isn’t sexy as fuck. “Absolutely.” I finish my beer and toss the bottle in the recycling bin then show her where everything is. I have to force myself to walk out of the bathroom when she turns on the water or I’d end up in the shower with her and my plan of showing her that I’m more than an amazing fuck is out the window. No, the rest of the night tonight will be spent getting to know each other. That’s my plan. Get to know the girl I’ve fucked twice already in less than forty-eight hours. Get to know my brother’s best friend’s little sister whom he warned me away from. Yes. Tonight is a ‘get to know you’ night… so tomorrow morning I can fuck her properly in my bed and not feel guilty about it. This girl needs fun in her life. I can fucking feel it… and though I’m not as wild as I used to be, I can tell you I still know how to put out a good time. I don’t know her story, but I fucking want to and I want to make it better. If that doesn’t tell you how goddamned insane I am for her then I don’t know what does. The pizza comes while she’s in the shower so I busy myself with grabbing plates and drinks and anything else we may need, setting up in the living room and turning on the TV to see what HBO has to offer in the new release department. I need something that isn’t too emotional, nothing with too many ‘sissy’ feels and shit but something that’s going to hold her interest enough to not pass the fuck out or want to go home. Just as I’m about to decide, she walks around the corner wrapped in a towel and I groan, making her grin a little. “Can I throw my clothes in your washer so I have something to wear?” She raises an eyebrow at me and I’m fucking speechless right now. This girl, practically a stranger, has been in my house twice in less than two days and both times she’s been parading around in a sheet or a towel and it looks like she gives zero fucks about it. Maybe that should worry me, but the only thing it does is turn me on. Crazy fucking turn me on. I hop up and grab her clothes, throwing them in the wash and return to the living room with an oversized t-shirt of mine from college. She grins and takes it, dropping her towel right there in the middle of my fucking living room and tossing the shirt on, then looks down to inspect it. “Harvard, huh?” Her eyebrows rise in amusement and I let out a chuckle before forcing myself to head back to the couch. “So I’m dealing with an elite snob, am I?” “Absolutely,” I say as she walks to the couch and sits next to me, tucking her feet under her before reaching into the pizza box and taking a piece and bringing it to her mouth. “Uh,” I watch in awe as she devours the pizza, not even bothering with the plate I brought for her. “I mean there was a plate…” Her eyes go wide and she lets out this laugh, mouth full of food, and for the first time since I met this girl I feel like I’m finally getting to know her. I mean, getting to know her body is one thing. But getting to know the person is a whole new thing to me… but hell I want to. “Does this gross you out?” She asks, bringing another slice of heaven to her mouth and shoving it in. It’s like she’s fucking teasing me with it and my dick is screaming at me to let it at her. “I’ve never wanted to be pizza so bad in my entire life,” I whisper. “Meh, you’d just end up living your second life as shit in someone’s toilet. Looks like you got a pretty sweet gig in this life.” Good God this woman. What the hell is she? Who says that? She takes another bite and chews, smiling at me as she goes on. “What is it that you do anyway, Jett Voss?” “I own my own custom bike shop…” I pause and take a bite of pizza, giving myself time to decide if I’m going to tell her about all the drama with my brother’s place or not.

Fuck it. “I also own part of a million dollar petroleum company. Not sure if you’ve heard of Shuer gas or not… but that’s apparently now mine too.” I shrug and watch her eyes go wide. “You own Shuer gas?” Her mouth falls open and eyes are stuck on ‘wide open dry out’ mode. “Your eyes are creeping me out,” I mutter, grabbing my beer. “No fucking way you own that. I mean… your brother did, yea. But you… don’t.” She shakes her head in confusion and I know she’s eyeing my tattoos and wondering how someone that looks like me could possibly be that smart. I let out a strangled chuckle and shake my head. “I fucking do own it. I fucking started it with my brother years and years ago right out of college. Then I fucking decided that it wasn’t what I fucking wanted to do with my life so I walked away. Fuck that. Then… THEN he fucking dies and leaves it in his will that I must take the company back or his wife and kids are left without any money. So yes, yes fucking way.” I take a breath, completely unsure why I just did what I did, and shake my head. “Sorry.” “Wow,” she nods. “SO… why don’t you tell me how you really feel.” I let out a laugh and sigh. “I definitely did not mean to throw all that at you. It’s just so frustrating.” “What are you gonna do?” She asks while picking the pineapple off her slice and popping it into her mouth. Her delicious mouth that I’m currently craving to be on my skin. I shrug and take a swig of beer, grabbing a slice of pizza. “I have your brother looking into it,” I grunt. “I’m hoping there’s a way for me to get out of it but I can’t leave Paisley and the girls without that money, so if worse comes to worst I’ll just have two jobs.” I act as if it’s not bothering me, but it is. It really fucking is. I’m not sure how long the shop will last if I have to devote my time to Shuer. “Yea, well at least you have a job,” she says, stretching her legs out so her feet land on my lap. I look over at her, confused, and wait for her to elaborate. “And you don’t?” I add when she decides to take her time with telling me what she meant. “Nah. I got fired last week.” “For what?” I growl, my hackles up for no fucking reason. “I poured a glass of wine on some creep that used my ass as a napkin.” I bark out a laugh and she rolls her eyes. “That’s the best way to get fired, though,” I say, laughing at her face. “I’ll find a new job. I just haven’t started looking yet.” The expression she’s wearing right now worries me. She’s a grown adult, shouldn’t she be worried about not having an income? “What’d you do before the waitressing act?” I ask, needing to know everything about her. “Read books?” She asks, then starts to laugh and finishes her beer, hopping up from the couch. “You want another one? I want another one. I’m getting another one.” She’s walking into the kitchen, making herself at fucking home and completely ignoring the question at hand. “Uh, yea thanks.” I yell into the other room. She returns with two beers and a bag of chips in hand shortly after and plops her cute ass right next to me. “So you read books for a living before waitressing?” I ask, grabbing a bottle opener and popping the top on the beers for us. She pauses her hand, mid reach for a chip, and takes a breath. “I like to read.” She shrugs. What are you holding back, Lo? “Man, I wish I could get paid to read every day,” I sigh, leaning back on the couch. I know she’s fucking lying to me but I’ll give her the time she needs to tell me whatever she needs to. She tosses a chip in her mouth and chews, eyes trained on the TV as I scroll through countless dumbass movie titles.

“I was a veterinarian,” she whispers finally. I smile and set the remote down. “Nice. I love animals.” “You don’t have any.” She states, looking back at me un-amused. “You don’t have to say that just because you want to get in my pants. I’m not sure if you’ve noticed or not, but I’m not wearing any.” I smile at her and raise my eyebrows. “Not everything’s about you, you know, kid. I would love to have a dog, but with my lifestyle I can’t have that type of commitment.” “Your lifestyle? You own a bike shop.” “And I regularly like to leave town for a week or two on end. The shop will still be here when I get back, but if I left a dog at home that long it’d probably be dead by the time I got back.” She’s watching me, nodding, then huffs. “Okay then. So you like animals. That’s awesome.” “It is. I volunteer at least once a month at the local humane society. There’s something about innocent animals that make me realize the world isn’t all shit.” She clears her throat and nods silently. I lean forward, elbows on my knees and look at her while she tries to ignore me. “Why’d you stop doing what you love, Lo?” I whisper. She closes her eyes and takes a deep breath, then spins on the couch and looks me straight in the eyes. “I had a kid. Sam. He was the only person in my life that didn’t judge me for being a single mother in college. I finished Vet school when he was one. Started working at the clinic shortly after. He died of cancer less than a year ago. I don’t like to talk about it because I can’t change it, but it pretty much ruined me for caring about other things if I couldn’t even keep my own child alive.” Holy fuck. It feels like she’s punched me in the fucking gut. “Lo-” Shit. I reach for her but she pulls away. “Excuse me,” she huffs, standing from the couch and heading down the hallway. Damn. Talk about a curveball.

Don’t ask me why I just told him all that. I guess I figured if we were going to be spending time together it’d be better if he knew right off the bat, but it didn’t make it any easier to say. Hell, that’s the most I’ve talked about it in a long time. Probably because this is the most time I’ve spent outside the house and not at work in a long time. There’s something comfortable about Jett, which is insanely weird because I’ve only known him a couple days. Maybe it’s the fact that he’s Brandon’s brother and I’ve known Brandon practically my entire life. Maybe it’s the fact that I’m feeling super fucking vulnerable and he just happened to come around at the right time. Maybe it’s the fact that he’s hot as fuck and I’m not used to the attention. I’d like to go with the first, however weird that is. Is it super strange I didn’t put two and two together last night? Yep. So weird. And I almost feel guilty for fucking him as drunk as we were, but I don’t. I feel like I should feel weird tonight being here, acting like I live here, but I don’t. Not one bit. I stare at myself in the mirror and shake my head in disgust. Why would someone like him take an interest in me? I’m nothing special. I don’t really wear makeup anymore; only on nights like last night when I need to get dressed up but those are few and far between. My hair’s usually a mess on the top of my head. The shower tonight did wonders for it (insert mega fucking sarcasm) and it’s now sitting in a frizzed out bun on the base of my skull, just waiting to get out of the rubber band and explode all over the room. Ok, not really, but seriously. The frumpy look must do wonders for Jett’s libido, because that’s about all I have going for me right now. “You okay in there, kid?” His voice comes through the door and I let out a genuine smile; something I’ve found myself doing more and more around him. He seems to get me… either that or he cares even less than I do. Whichever it is, he makes it easy to be around him. I like easy. “I’m fine. I’ll be right out.” “I’m going to finish cleaning your clothes, but I’m right here when you need me.” I hear him walk away from the door and let out a sigh of relief. I didn’t run to the bathroom because I was about to cry like most people in my situation would have. I ran because I felt myself getting all kinds of angry and wanted to punch something. Or someone. Or hurt something. Hell, I know what I went through was hell, but there’s no use crying over it. It’s not like crying is going to bring him back. But that doesn’t stop the anger from building each time I think about it. I ran because I didn’t want to keep talking about it and possibly say or do something I regretted. At home, when Chris gets on me about ‘needing to care’ more, I can lock myself in my room and pretend the world doesn’t exist. Running to the bathroom was my way of doing that. I take a breath and splash cold water on my face. “You can’t change shit, Lo.” I tell myself, tightening my messy bun and looking down at my forearm, letting my fingers trace the tiny roman numerals on my inner arm. My one and only tattoo that

holds so much meaning. I take a deep breath and walk back to the living room, holding a hand up to stop the look on his face before I want to smack it off. I’m not one for bodily harm, but seriously… pity makes me rage. “Please don’t treat me any differently than you were just a few minutes ago.” I state firmly. “If you can’t take me as I am without looking at me with pity for something neither of us can change, I’m leaving right now… no pants and all.” Jett stands and walks over to me in one seemingly fluid movement. His hand goes to my cheek, gently cupping it and he grins down at me. “If you leave with no pants on can I at least record it? Because I feel like that could make me an internet sensation.” He grins and I pretend to punch his gut then walk back to the couch. “So movie or no?” I say, flipping back through the titles. Jett walks into the living room and stands in front of me, locking eyes with mine. I’m seriously starting to think this guy has a staring problem. “Can I help you?” He narrows his eyes at me and lunges, grabbing me and throwing me over his shoulder like a crazed caveman. “Jett!” I laugh, slapping him in the back. “What are you doing?” “I tried not fucking you tonight, Lo. I fucking did. And it didn’t work,” he growls. He storms to the bedroom, sliding his hand up my thighs and stopping just before he sinks his fingers into me. I moan and wriggle in his arms, but we make it to the bedroom and he flips me on the bed and spreads my legs, immediately ripping off his clothes then dipping his head between my legs and licking one long stroke up my core. “Oh fuck!” His finger slides in me and he pushes the shirt up enough for his hand to reach my nipples and softly swipe over them, causing them to pebble at his touch. “I fucking crave this,” he whispers, locking his gaze on mine and bringing his mouth around my clit. “Fuck!” I scream again, pushing up into his face. He takes his time, stroking me with his tongue until I’m about ready to combust, then crawls up my body, slipping off the oversized shirt and latching onto my nipples. One hand bracing himself over me and the other with fingers still playing me, he softly and slowly attacks every single one of my senses when he pushes his lips to mine and lets me taste my juices on his lips. “I need to be inside you, Lo,” he whispers, his lips fluttering across my skin and letting his teeth nibble on my neck. “Please,” I gasp. “Please, Jett.” He kneels on the bed and growls, “turn over.” I grin at him and roll over, laughing when he grabs my hips and pulls them up to him. “I like this sweet ass, Lo,” he hums, caressing my ass. When his hand comes down on it I want to cry out in pain, but the only noise that comes out of me is some type of muttered purr, and I find myself wiggling my ass begging for the next hit. “You like that?” He leans down and whispers, wrapping his hand around me and feeling how wet he’s made me. “We’re just getting started, kid.” His hand comes down on my ass, again and again, and just when I think I can’t take the pain and want to crawl away, he slams into me, causing me to scream out in pure ecstasy. “That’s a good girl,” he growls, dominating me like I’ve never been before. “God, Jett,” I gasp. “Fuck it feels so good.” I push back in to him, meeting every thrust. The feeling of him hitting me so deep is pure pleasure, edging on delicious pain.

I never thought I’d be able to get off on pain. Apparently I was wrong. He leans down and grabs me by the neck, still pounding into me, and pulls me up, his hand firm on my throat. “You like my dick in that sweet pussy, Lo?” He whispers, grunting when I clench my walls around him. I grin and close my eyes. “Mmm I do,” I gasp. His free hand snakes around me and soon he’s rubbing very calculated circles around my clit. “Oh fuck, Jett!” I gasp, his hand tightening on my throat as he makes his fingers play me to the edge of orgasm. “I’m going to come!” I wail, the assault on my body too much to hold off any longer. My moans get louder, my body goes stiff as he flicks my clit. His hand tightens and the lack of oxygen sets me off. “That’s it, come on me, Lo,” he growls, slamming into me harder and harder. “Come, damnit!!” “Fuuuuck!” I scream, my entire body quivering. “Je—aaah!” I completely shatter. Every part of my being feels like it’s freefalling and I vaguely remember the expletives I screamed while coming apart under his control. “Yes, fuck that’s it,” he huffs, then growls and pushes me back down the bed and grips my hips hard, slamming his release into me. I’m completely done. “Fuck, babe,” he huffs, falling on the bed next to me. I mutter something incoherent and my eyes flutter open, I find myself smiling deliriously at the man that just absolutely rocked my world. “I didn’t hurt you did I?” His eyes search me, full or worry. “No,” I whisper. “Jett that… holy fuck that was more than words can say.” I sit up on my elbow and sigh. “I’ve never experienced something like that before.” “You’ve fucked the best, babe. I’ve officially ruined you for any other man.” He winks, pressing his lips to mine. I should run. Right? What man, after two days, says that to someone? I’m not running, though. I’m curling into his arms, completely filled with post orgasmic bliss, and I’m going to enjoy this for whatever it is. It’s been too long since something good happened to me. Maybe Jett Voss is my ‘good.’ A noise from outside jolts me awake, and I’m met with a room I don’t immediately remember. “Stay here,” Jett murmurs, tossing the covers back and disappearing into the dark as night house. It takes me a moment to gain my bearings but when I do I realize I probably shouldn’t have let him run into the danger like that alone. “Jett?” I whisper as I make my way through the house. I see the side porch light flick on and move to the door, stepping outside and looking around. “Jett?” I whisper louder this time. It all happens so fast- one second I’m staring into the dark, trying to make sure a killer or burglar isn’t trying to kill Jett, and the next a screeching noise is flying at me and I’m met with the sharp paws of a killer raccoon attempting to claw off my face. I’m fairly certain I scream. I mean… who the fuck wouldn’t? I hear Jett yell for me but I’m too busy wailing while this devil being is attempting to murder me. “STOP!” I wail, trying to pull him off me but the grip this thing has on my rats-nest on top of my head is horrendous! I can only imagine what the newspapers will say tomorrow. ‘Naked Girl Dies Attempting to Fight off Rabid Raccoon.’ Ha! FUCK this thing is out to kill! Ouch! One second I’m attempting to fight to my death and the next the animal is gone and I’m being pushed back in the house, the door slamming behind us.

“Jesus Christ, Lo! What part of ‘stay here’ didn’t you understand?” Jett paces to the kitchen and I hear the water running before he returns. “I thought you were dead,” I mumble, taking the wet rag from him and pressing it to my lip, letting out a hiss when it hits the cuts. “I mean, thanks for trying to save me, but now it looks like you’re the one that might die.” I whip my head around to glare at him and he smiles wide. “What?” “I mean… rabies… ya know.” He shrugs and nods to his bedroom. “Come on. I have shit to clean you up with.” “I’m not getting rabies,” I mumble, but I follow him because at this point I’d do anything to get the germs off me. I’m not down with rabies. “Sit,” he demands, pointing to the toilet. I close the lid and plop down, attempting to roll my eyes in annoyance but cringe when I realize how badly my head hurts. “This may sting a little,” he mumbles, not giving me time to prepare for the burn before pressing a cold cotton ball to my cheek. “Shit,” I hiss, pulling away from him and covering my face. “You want it clean or not, kid?” He huffs. I pout but move back in to position, uncovering my face. It takes him a good ten minutes to clean me up, adding ointment to my clean cuts and a Band-Aid to my cheek then grins. “I only have Disney princess Band-Aids,” he says, trying not to laugh. “Do I want to know why?” I murmur, taking the water and aspirin he hands me. “My nieces. If I don’t have them I get yelled at. Keeping them in stock is just easier.” “How old are they?” There’s something about men and kids that always makes me swoon. It’s weird, but I can’t help it. He smiles and starts putting away all the medical supplies. “Well one’s just a baby, the other’s three.” He pauses mid reach, closing his eyes and I watch him attempt not to say anything about my loss. Please don’t. “She’s a diva,” he murmurs. “Just like her daddy was.” I laugh and follow him out of the bathroom. I feel like I should console him about his brother, but he doesn’t seem like the type that needs consoling. Plus my face is killing me. “Come on, let’s get some sleep. You’re gonna be sore in the morning.” “Mmm sleep,” I mutter, falling into bed. My eyes flutter closed and I sigh… then I hear the telltale sound of his phone camera clicking and my eyes shoot open. “What’re you doing?” I shriek. “I mean, you got mauled by a raccoon. And you have bright pink and yellow princess Band-Aids on your face. This needs to be archived forever.” He smiles and waves his phone, snapping one more picture before putting it away and pulling me into his body. “You’re cruel,” I grumble, too exhausted to complain too much. “I know. You’ll get used to it.” When I wake in the morning it only takes a moment to remember where I am. Two mornings in a row now I’ve woken up in this bed. Some people may call me crazy… hell I probably am. There’s just something about this man that’s getting to me. I get him… and weirdly he gets me. Our life experiences differ so much, but he gets me and he doesn’t pity me. That means a ton in my book. It’s so weird… when I read books that have that insta-love connection I find myself not finishing the book. That shit really doesn’t happen… but here I am. I won’t call this love, simply because it’s so

early, but there’s definitely a connection here. That’s undeniable. “Morning.” His half asleep, groggy voice, is even sexier than his wide awake smartass one. “Hey,” I smile… that is, until I realize how much my face hurts. “You look like shit,” he says, laughing when he sees the reaction on my face. “I mean you look like you feel like shit. Because… you know... you went all superwoman and tried protecting me last night.” Jett’s not like any other guy- most guys wouldn’t say that to a girl, right? I mean, not on day three of… well whatever this is. “Thanks for not sugar-coating it.” I crawl out of bed, going for my clothes that he finished washing and drying for me last night. I think it’s time to spend the day by myself. My feelings for this man are way too strong… and way too scary. I don’t like feelings. I’ve worked so hard this year to turn off all feelings… but Jett brings them out whether or not I want them. “Where ya headed so fast?” He says, standing completely nude in the hallway, leaning against the doorframe while I pull on my shirt. Fuck he’s gorgeous. “I need to head home. I have plans this afternoon,” I lie. He grins like he knows the truth and nods. “Alright. Let me throw some clothes on and I’ll take ya.” “It’s still raining outside and I don’t feel like getting soaked again.” I scrunch my face, praying I just didn’t offend him. “That’s fine. I have a car too, you know.” He winks at me and I roll my eyes. There’s something about this man that’s way too comfortable. Romance doesn’t happen like this. Relationships don’t take off this easily. Right? He walks out shortly after getting changed with keys in hand. “Ready?” He raises an eyebrow and I hop off the couch from where I was reading and grab my bag, thankful he’s not giving me a hard time about wanting to head out so early. I guess he bought my ‘I have plans’ ruse. We lock up and as we walk out to the garage I cringe at the memories of last night. Good thing Jett doesn’t have neighbors or else they’d have probably reported me for that naked stint on the deck. “So where am I heading?” “504 east Main. The Aspire building. You can’t really miss it,” I mumble. He turns and looks at me from his seat in the car. “You live in the same building as your brother?” He pushes his brows together. I close my eyes and take a deep breath. I’m not embarrassed by it, but it’s just another one of those things I don’t like to talk about. “Yep. I live with him, actually.” I stare out the window so I don’t have to see his judging eyes. He’s silent as he starts the car and pulls out of the long driveway. He doesn’t say anything as we head into town. He doesn’t mention anything about it being weird that I’m a grown woman who needs to live with her brother because she can’t support herself or keep a job. He doesn’t say anything about any of that. He just takes my hand in his and holds on to it tightly. His thumb starts rubbing the side of my hand as we get closer to my brother’s building and by the time we’re pulling into the parking garage I can’t stand it. An entire drive of silence and I’m certain he’s been silently judging me the whole time. “I needed help getting back on my feet after everything happened.” I blurt and he glances over at me and smiles, pulling into a spot and putting the car in park. “I believe it. I couldn’t imagine what you went through, Lo.”

“I just… I don’t care anymore.” I shrug. “Nothing’s good anymore,” I say, pausing and looking down at where our hands are still connected. “I mean nothing used to be good. For the longest time I couldn’t even get out of bed. I lost my job, my car, and eventually my home. My brother took me in and that’s where I’ve been.” I shrug. “One day maybe I’ll get back on my feet. Until then, this is where I am and I’m sorry if it bothers you.” I huff, feeling better it’s all off my chest. I look over at Jett and find him smiling at me, shaking his head. “You think you living with your brother bothers me?” He raises an eyebrow in question. “What grown adult lives with her brother because she can’t control her life?” I mumble. I used to not care who I lived with. I didn’t care that I was feeding off my brother… suddenly I feel very guilty about it. “One who’s been dealt a shit hand, Lo. That’s who.” He sighs and shakes his head. “It’s not the event that makes you, Lo. The loss of your son? You don’t have to let that loss devastate and destroy the amazing woman you are. Own it, but own it in a way that makes you a better person. I believe you’ll do it. It just may take time.” “Yea,” I mumble, trying to let his words sink in. Is he telling me to get over it? Or is he telling me it’s ok that I don’t care? “I need to get upstairs and get ready for today. I’ll text you, okay?” “Absolutely,” he whispers, leaning over and pressing his lips to mine. “Have a fantastic day, Lo.”

I was certain I was never going to hear from her again, but the next day I got a ‘good morning’ text with a picture of very bare legs that I missed insanely. To say the text made me smile is an understatement. It made me ecstatic. I had pretty much told the girl she needs to learn to move on from the devastating loss of her child, one I will hopefully never fully understand, and she still wants to talk to me. She doesn’t have to. We don’t have any ties, we just met a few days ago, but she still wants me around. It’s been the longest week in the history of my fucking life. Each day we text, but my schedule’s been so fucking insane I haven’t seen her in four days and I feel like I’m losing my goddamned mind. I’m currently attempting to reconstruct this bike that some dumbass skidded across a four lane highway without fucking up the original design that I created mere months ago but the thing’s shit. He crunched too many important parts of this fucking bike for it to come out being the same thing. Fucking idiot. “How’s it going?” Marla’s voice croons from the front counter. I roll my eyes and stop working, grabbing a rag as I head to the front of the shop. “What do you want, Marla?” I try my hardest not to growl at her but she’s so fucking annoying. I can’t believe at one point in my life I thought she was it for me. Jesus I was young and stupid. “I need some help,” she whines, smacking her gum. Her tits are practically falling out of her shirt and I can’t tell if she’s wearing shorts or if those are underwear. Either way, the bone thin woman with huge tits in front of me isn’t the type of woman I want to be looking at right now. “What type of help?” I narrow my eyes at her, skeptical of her ‘needs.’ “I just…” she pauses and huffs, walking around the counter and stands way too fucking close to me. “I’m lonely, J.” She pouts her bottom, pierced, lip out and looks at me with her big puppy dog eyes. That’s one thing she was always good for – that ‘I’m so pitiful please feel sorry for me’ look. “I don’t have time for this,” I huff, starting to walk away but her body stops me from plowing her over. “J it’s been so long. I miss us.” She pushes her tits against me and her hand trails down my arm. A growl starts deep inside me but I swallow it down. She’s just here to see what she can get from me and I have nothing to give anymore. Apparently my mind only likes one type… hell one specific woman. And it’s only been a fucking week. Damn I’m fucked. “I have nothing for you, Mar.” “We’re so good together, J. Come on, you know that,” she whispers, her hand moving for my crotch. I grab her wrist, stopping her and her eyes fly up to mine. “I told you I have nothing for you, Marla. Take a hint, I’m not fucking interested anymore.” I walk around the other side of the counter and head back to the shop. “What?! You go and find some other whore that likes it rough?” That’s. Fucking. It.

No one calls Lo a whore. “Get out, Marla!” I bellow. “Out, and don’t step foot back in this place until you need my business.” I shove my finger towards the door and she just laughs. “Damn you got it hard, J. Watch out for those girls. Those are the ones that break your heart.” She adjusts her tits and I don’t even have to stop myself from staring at them. I know what she’s doing but I simply don’t want any, I just want her gone. “Out, Mar.” I sigh, glaring at her and holding my arm up towards the door. She scoffs and makes sure to slam the door as she leaves. Fucking bitch. I crank up the music, a playlist full of shit from my teenage years ranging from blink 182 to My Chemical Romance, and get to work. This bike isn’t going to fix itself. This is my zone. I enjoy doing this. The welding, the bending, the shaping into something as beautifully intricate as I can? I fucking love it. I don’t want to have to stop doing this because my brother was in a bad mood when he wrote out his will. I haven’t heard from Chris yet about the legality of it all, which tells me I’m fucked in that department. The longer he takes the less chance I have of being able to easily put a fix to all this nonsense. Hell, if I have to go back to work full time at that hell hole soul sucking business I can kiss the shop goodbye. Sure, right now I have a couple mechanics that I trust to work when I take off for a bit, but having to leave this place up to them? No. Nope. I couldn’t fucking do that. Maybe if I had someone smart with the business side of things that could run it for me until I can get back here then yea, but Dan… hell he’s great with his hands but not so much with the money. I have another meeting with Stan in a couple hours and I was hoping by then I’d be able to tell him something about the legality of a bribe in a will. I guess it’s time to call Chris. I wait until a few more songs play through, giving me time to at least form a plan as to how I’m going to fix this bike and compile a list of how much it would cost total and shoot it over to Blake, the dumbass that wrecked it. After washing up and turning down the music, I lock the front door and pull out my cellphone where a new text awaits me. Lo: Bored and horny ;) Attached to it? Her mother fucking tits. I groan and take a deep breath. I have work to do, but hell if she isn’t fun to play with. Me: I miss those tits. And the body they’re attached to. LO: They miss your mouth. I guess I miss you too… you’re not too bad. Me: Dinner tonight? Lo: Sure. What time? I think about the phone call with Chris I still have to make and the meeting with Shuer and take a look at the clock and groan inwardly. Me: Is seven too late?

I feel like an anxious teenager waiting for her to text back. My foot’s bouncing in my chair and as much as I want to start getting things ready for my meeting today all I can do it stare at the phone and pray she messages back soon. When my phone dings I almost jump out of my fucking chair. Lo: Perfect. Chinese? I’m craving Chinese. Good. Me:Anything you want.  I’ll pick you up. Can’t wait to see you. I find myself smiling like a madman but the fact that I get to see her tonight has me feeling a fuck ton better about the rest of the day. Something’s wrong with me, I shouldn’t be pining after a girl, especially Chris’ sister, but I can’t fucking stop! I find his number in my phone and hit send. “What’s up Jett?” He’s all business already, not even answering like a normal person, and I’m ok with that. He’s to the point but he’s fucking brilliant. “You got anything for me yet, man? I can’t walk in there today and tell them I’m ok with what my brother did.” “I’m close. I know it’s legal to put contingencies in wills but when it comes to the kids, they’re covered being beneficiaries of him, and he had that all setup for them to get the money no matter what, so that extra clause in there just doesn’t make sense.” “I’m going in to start to clean out Brandon’s office today, Chris. What the hell do I tell them?” “You tell them you have your legal team taking a look into the will and as soon as you hear something you’ll let them know. They have no ground to force you into a decision, there’s no date on this will, and it’s been a fucking week since your brother died.” He pauses and the silence on the line says it all. This is too much to have to deal with right now. “Yea, thanks man.” “No problem,” he says, pausing like he wants to say something else. It’s the first awkward moment between us and I briefly wonder if what I’m doing with his sister is wrong. I mean, not that it would make me change my mind about being with her. He’s not my best friend, and she’s too much to let go of. He’ll just have to get over it. “Listen I gotta go,” I say, standing and shoving the papers in the file. “Call me as soon as you know something.” I hang up and huff. Why does this type of shit have to take so long? I just want to be clear and keep my sister in law and the girls protected. And God knows I’m not about to burden her with this mess. She has enough on her plate right now. I make my way downtown and head to the headquarters for Shuer. Don’t ask me why we named it this. It’s my mother’s maiden name and I always knew Brandon was up her ass so far he couldn’t see straight, but to name a company she has no stake in after her just seems weird to me. I walk straight past the empty front desk and through the glass doors. On my way to my brother’s office, Stan calls down the hall for me. “Ah, Jett. Just the man I wanted to see.” He holds his hand out for me and I take note of the frazzled expression on his face. He waves me in and I huff. I fucking know this man had something to do with the will. He’s not smart enough to run this place, I know this and my brother knew it but my fucking brother would never have put his kids on the line like that. “Sorry it’s taken all week to start to get his things in order, Stan,” I sigh, sitting down in the chair. “It’s all good. I’m just glad you’re here. Finally back where you’re useful.” He smiles a fake ass

smile at me and I grit my teeth. Where I’m fucking useful. Fucker. “I wish I had better news for you, Stan, but I took the papers to my legal team and they’re bogged down this week so until everything is final I won’t be in.” His face falls and I watch him contemplate his next move. “I wish you wouldn’t have done that, Jett,” he grits out. “Is there something you’re not telling me, Stan?” I raise an eyebrow in amusement at his sudden red face. Stan... Satan… they both look about the same right now in my mind. “Nothing. It’s just those types of things take time. Time we don’t have.” Oh he’s definitely frantic. “I hoped you would understand, Stan. I want nothing but the best for this company, but in order for me to come back would mean everything else in my life has to come to a halt. The shop… it’d probably have to close.” I lie but he doesn’t know this. “I understand,” he huffs, clearing his throat. I turn and look down the hall. “I’m going to start going through the things in Brandon’s office. See what I can clear out and not.” The brief blip of panic on his face is masked quickly but is all I need to know. Something’s going on. Let’s just hope Chris is good enough to figure it out legally before I have to find a different route. “Of course,” he says. “You know where it is.” He doesn’t stand when I exit the room and I call back on my way down the hall, “I’ll be in contact with you soon, Stan!” He doesn’t reply and I laugh to myself. Fucking asshole. My brother’s office is the most ‘lived in’ office I’ve ever seen. For having a family, he sure spent a lot of time here and it doesn’t look like anyone’s touched his shit since … well since him. Fuck. Losing a brother hurts. Like, really fucking hurts, and I haven’t given myself time to get over it. We were at odds when I got the news. He was still pissed that I left the company like I did, and though it had been years he was still harboring feelings towards me that I couldn’t understand. I sit in his seat and take a deep breath. His jacket still hangs by the door. His briefcase is still sitting on his desk. I crack it open and the contents are spare, boring work shit. Maybe I really should look through his things to see what’s been going on in the company since I left. I know there were some big projects happening when I left… but I don’t want to. I don’t want to be reminded of how he worked himself into the grave. I don’t want the same fate… but I won’t have this company fail either. I don’t give a damn if my name is on or off the title for the company. I just don’t want something my brother lived and died for to be run into the ground, but I can’t come back here. I can’t do this daily. Hell, just being in this office this long is making me feel claustrophobic. I can’t imagine spending day in and day out in here. I head out, closing the door behind me after taking his jacket off the hook and carrying it with me. I should come back soon to really empty this place out but I can’t do that now. I thought I could, but I can’t. I don’t want anyone else touching his shit, though, so I need to get it done before Stan gets in here. I head out to my motorcycle, the sun already setting, and make my way to Lo’s. I don’t call or text, even though I’m a couple hours early. The bellman knows who I’m here for and after attempting to contact him with no use, he lets me head on up. When the doors open I hear the reason we weren’t ever responded to. “He’s not good for you, Lo! You’re just going to end up getting your heart smashed and I can’t watch my sister go through that again!” Chris bellows. I freeze just outside the elevator doors and listen. “He is good for me,” she hisses back, bringing a grin to my face. “He’s the best thing that’s happened to me since Sam, Chris! He makes me feel something!” “You don’t know him like I do, Lauren.”

Oh well that’s just perfect. He doesn’t fucking know me like he thinks he does! “Please, tell me what’s so bad about him, big almighty brother.” “He leaves, Lo. He has no issues walking away from things. He needs his space and open road and freedom… none of those are the best thing to need in a relationship!” “I know this! I’m… fuck Chris, just let me fucking be!” I slowly walk into the room, yelling out “Hello?” as I walk. I hear Chris curse, followed by his footsteps retreating further into the condo. “In here,” I hear Lo call out. Following her voice, I walk into an office and see her sitting in the chair. “What’s up?” I ask, walking in. “My fucking brother.” She huffs. “Just thinking he can run the entire world, apparently.” “Well, he does own most of the city,” I counter, grinning. She pouts and stands up, picking at her nails and not looking at me. “How much did you hear?” “Enough.” She looks at me with the saddest eyes so I walk over to the wall of books and start reading some of the boring ass titles to distract her from her brother being an asshole. “He read this shit?” “Yep,” she pops her ‘P’ and walks to the door. “Come on, let’s get out of here.” “Hey,” I stop her before she leaves the room. Walking over to her, I pause and try to form the words correctly before I make an ass out of myself. “Thank you for sticking up for me,” I whisper, my hand going to her cheek. She starts to respond but I shake my head. “I’m not done. Thank you for standing up for me, Lo. No one’s ever really done that before. Your brother is right, though. I like freedom and I can’t stand typical jobs. I hate being tied down,” I pause when the look on her face falls. “I used to, at least. I’m losing my mind over you, kid.” I let out this half nervous laugh and she smiles. “I thought about heading out the other day, getting out of here for a bit… but I couldn’t. I can’t leave you… Fuck,” I laugh, backing away. “Talk about a fucking pansy ass thing to say a week after meeting you.” The grin on her face slowly spreads into a full on smile and she moves to her tip toes, pressing her lips to mine. “That was a pretty pansy move, Jett.” She winks and walks away, leaving me feeling like a tool. A completely smitten, light hearted tool that apparently wears his goddamn heart on his sleeve. I make it to the elevator just in time for the doors to start to close. “Geesh, I thought I was going alone!” She scoffs, grinning. “And where exactly are we going?” She looks so fucking cute today. Pitiful, yes… but a sexy cute type of pitiful. “Chinese food,” she shrugs. “I need some crab Rangoon in my life.” I fucking hate Chinese food. I was really hoping she’d change her mind. “Whatever you want, kid,” I smile and grab her hand as we walk out to my motorcycle. She sees it and grins back at me. “A ride. I want a ride, too.” She bites her lip and slides on the helmet. Oh I’m fucked with this one.



“Glad to see you woke up here today,” my brother grumbles from over his bowl of cereal. A grown businessman still obsessed with Lucky Charms like he’s five. Some things he’ll never grow out of I guess. “I’ve woken up here a lot this week,” I say, walking to the pantry and ignoring his scowl. He’s going to have to start to be okay with Jett sooner or later. I’m starving, my ovaries hate me, and all we have left is boring unflavored oatmeal. “Do we have any bread?” I search the pantry and drawers but come up empty. Chris sits at the counter and stares at me, watching until I give up. “Haven’t grocery shopped lately?” He takes another bite of food and quirks an eyebrow up at me. “I’ve been job hunting and trying not to spend money I don’t currently have.” I narrow my eyes at him. “Did you hide food from me?” “I wouldn’t ever do that to you, Lo,” he scoffs. “Just haven’t had time to go shopping. Here, have some oatmeal!” He walks to the pantry and tosses a packet of instant oatmeal at me. “Gross,” I mumble, throwing it back at him. He laughs and grabs a cup of coffee. “Any plans today?” “Just waiting to hear back from the three interviews I’ve went on so far. Searching the internet and papers for more job openings. Something’s gotta give, Chris.” “I told you, you can work-” “I’m not working for you,” I cut him off and he holds his hand up. “Okay, okay. Just let me know if I can help in any other way.” He stand there, grinning at me and sipping on his coffee. “I will,” I grumble, angry at the world today. “My ovaries hate me today, Chris.” I moan and lean on his shoulder and he pushes me off. “You’re almost thirty, Lo. I’d think you’d be used to this by now.” He shakes his head and laughs when I slug him in the arm. “Let me be pitiful today!” I scream at him as he walks off. “Get a job, Lo!” I flip him the bird and head to grab my shit. If only it were as easy to get a job as it were to lose one. I mean… I shouldn’t have lost that job waitressing. I was actually starting to enjoy it. I had friends, a social life… then BAM. Grabby hands ruined it all. Whatever. I’ll find another money maker. There are days I think ‘hey, maybe I’ll get back into veterinary work’… I loved it when I was doing it. It gave me a sense of pride and purpose… but God I don’t think I’m ready for that. I’m not certain I’ll ever be ready for it. I sigh and walk over to the oatmeal, begrudgingly opening it and preparing it. Maybe my body will stop trying to kill me today if I feed it something. Right on time, ol’ aunt flow decided to start her cycle

and I’m not being a massive baby when I say it feels like someone’s trying to dig out my lower back with a pitch fork. I take my coffee and oatmeal to the couch and plant myself down with a blanket and my newest book download, secretly praying no one calls for a follow up interview for a couple days so I don’t have to move. I sip on my coffee and after choking down the oatmeal I open this book everyone’s been talking about. Typically I don’t get excited about the ‘popular’ books. Just because someone knows your name and you’ve made a big list doesn’t necessarily mean you’re the best out there. Ten minutes into the same storyline I’ve read a thousand different ways, Chris walks back into the room. “Mom wants dinner soon.” He stands there, all ready for work and buttoning the cufflinks on his shirt. “I don’t want dinner with mom.” “She wants to see both of us, Lo. You’re coming.” “I have plans,” I mumble, staring at my phone. “We’ll schedule around them.” “Ugh fine!” I belt, tossing my phone in my lap. “You two win. I’ll go, but I’m not happy about it.” My mother was nothing short of nasty to me when I got pregnant, telling me she feels sorry for all my poor choices and not once did she offer help when Sam got sick. I’m the selfish one. I’m the one that everyone talks bad about. I’m the one that’s always in the wrong. Why would I want to be around that? “Thank you. I’ll let you know when we plan it.” My phone blaring in my ear wakes me from a deep sleep and I groan, not answering it until it starts singing again, making the headache worse. I must have given up on the book and passed out. “What?” I answer without looking at the screen. “Jesus, are you okay?” Jett’s smooth, deep voice is sexy as hell but it’s doing nothing for my headache. “Dying. Ovaries.” I grumble, pulling the blanket over me. “What time is it?” “Five. Babe, did you sleep all day?” “Mmm.” “You hungry?” “Uuuugh nooo.” I pause and sigh. “Yes. I’m dying starving.” “Can I bring you something?” “I’m dying. You don’t want to be around me.” He barks out a laugh and I wish I could smile but I feel like shit and I’m letting the death monster own me right now. “What you have isn’t contagious, Lo. You get some rest, okay?” “I’m cold. I need blankets.” I grunt getting up, making a mental note to grab some Midol next time I’m in the bathroom. I pull some blankets from the ottoman and move back to the couch. “Rest, Lo.” Jett’s voice is soothing but all I can focus on is the blankets. “I’ll talk to you in a little bit.” “Mhmm,” I mumble, ending the call and curling back into my blanket fortress. “Lo?” I hear him call out and I crack my eyes open. It’s dark in here. Why is it dark in here?

“Lauren, babe,” he says, and I think I hear a hint of amusement in his voice. “Am I dead?” I whisper, closing my eyes. “You’re very much alive,” he says, tugging down the blanket to just past my nose. “You’re also very much adorable right now too. And pitiful.” He grins then leans in and kisses my nose. “Your lips are cold.” “Well your entire body feels like a furnace. How about we get one of these seven blankets off you?” He lets out a chuckle as he pulls the layers off me. “There, one blanket. It’s summer out, Lo, you don’t need all that.” “I was comfy.” I pout. “I brought presents! Will that cheer you up?” He smiles at me and I grunt. “Come on champ. Sit up, I’m gonna grab the bags.” Bags? What the hell is he talking about? I scoot up to a sitting position, pulling the blanket with me and wrapping it around my body. Some months I’m totally fine. This month I just want to give up. Everything aches and I’m just tired. Of everything. “Alright kid, here’s some movies to pick from,” Jett says, tossing a pile of Redbox movies on the couch next to me. I watch him as he carries not one, but six grocery bags into the room. “What did you do?” I ask, trying not to smile. “Well, I’ve never dealt with this,” he says, waving at me, “before. So I figured I’d be on the safe side. I probably overdid it, but Google said you’re maybe craving sweets? Or just junk food in general?” He starts pulling shit out of the bag and it takes every ounce of energy I have not to die of laughter over this man. Cheetos, Pringles, cheesecake, a bottle of wine and a pack of beer come out first. Then come the ice cream tubs, the frozen jalapeño poppers. Then pickles, Nutella, crackers, and last but not least… a can of chicken noodle soup. “Your Chinese noodles and rice and… well pretty much most of their menu… will be delivered shortly. There’s only so much I could carry up here on my own.” He smirks a sideways grin and I smile. “There she is,” he whispers. “You googled… you did all this for me? How did you get up here?” “Well, when you didn’t answer my first few calls and messages I talked to your brother.” “Oh God,” I groan. “Oh no it’s all good. We had a nice little discussion. I’m allowing him to kick my ass if I break your heart.” He smiles at me. “So I guess I better stay the good guy, right?” “I mean, my brother isn’t that strong. You could probably take him.” I shrug, eyeing the box of poppers. “I can assure you we won’t have to worry about that.” He winks at me and jumps up. “Shit, I almost forgot!” He takes off into the kitchen and comes back with a bottle of something and a glass of water. “You also need these,” he shoves the Midol in my hands and then the water. “Stay hydrated.” “I’m not sick,” I protest, taking the pills anyway because they’ll hopefully help the cramps from attempting to murder me. “No. But… I mean I thought it’d help.” He grins and I roll my eyes. “Well it does. Why’d you do all this?” “You needed me.” He states it so simply that it’s hard for me to fight it. I didn’t need him… but in a way I did. And I do. And I fucking will if he keeps this up. “I just need the next three days to be over with,” I grumble, pulling the blanket around me. He picks up the movies and sits on the sofa, flipping through them. “How much did you spend on movie rentals?”

“Well, your brother said all you have is a blue-ray player-” “You guys really talked didn’t you?” Astonished at his attempt to make my brother ‘ok’ with whatever we are, I can’t stop grinning. “Yea. I told you, we’re besties now.” I look at him and laugh. “What? You girls say that shit right?” “Who are you?” “Well today I’m your best friend that’s going to make you feel awesome in your time of need. In a few days I’m out of the friend zone and back into the ‘you want to fuck me on every surface’ mode.” His quirked grin makes me swoon in ways I never thought possible. “Even in my darkest times you wouldn’t be able to get out of the fuckable zone, Jett.” He grins and nods. “Good.” “So what are our movie choices?” “War, love, sex, robots, the future,” he mumbles. “Just surprise me.” I snuggle next to him, laying my head on his shoulder as he wraps his arm around me. He sighs and shifts so he’s more comfortable. “How about no movie right now?” he whispers, his hand rubbing my back. “Oh God that feels good,” I moan as he continues rubbing. “So did you sleep all day?” I hear the amusement in his voice and I bet he’s smirking at me but I’m too comfortable to look. “I had oatmeal today. And I read for a bit. I tried waiting up to hear from the few people I interviewed with but they never called.” I roll my eyes and moan again when his hand finds my lower back and starts rubbing. “No luck with the job search?” “None. I have to pee.” I groan and stand up, stretching. When I pause and look down at him, he’s staring at my tits and if I’m not mistaken he’s sporting a pretty big chub right now. I grin and spin, making my way to the bathroom. Normally wearing no bra, boy shorts and a tank top would have me feeling all kinds of sexy, but right now I feel about as sexy as a hippo in a bathing suit that’s been teased all her life. No sexy here. “Hey I have an idea,” he says from the other side of the bathroom door. “Jesus, a little privacy Jett.” I huff. “What? There’s a door here.” “Go away!” I shriek. Gah, men! I finish and walk out to the living room where he’s waiting with the Chinese food. “Oh God that smells amazing,” I sigh. “Thank you.” “So… about this brilliant idea.” “Yes, please do tell.” I shove a forkful of orange chicken in my mouth and moan, then look up to him and cock my head. “I need you to stop making those noises when you eat, Lo. I’m really trying to be comforting and shit tonight, but I have no problem taking you right here on this sofa.” I stop chewing and stare at him. “I’m on my period, Jett. You don’t want anywhere near this hot, gross mess.” I wave my arm around my body and he growls. “You don’t tell me what I want. I see only perfection when I look at you right now.” “Sure,” I laugh. “You wouldn’t be saying that once the layers come off.” “Hey!” He boasts, reaching over and taking my chin in his hand, forcing me to look at him. “Stop,”

he whispers, his eyes flicking to mine. “I don’t care about periods, Lo. It happens. Monthly, from what I’ve learned in my lifetime. There’s nothing wrong with it and there’s nothing gross about you. At all.” He presses his lips to mine and ignites a fire in me I didn’t know was possible on a day like today. When he pulls away I feel my cheeks flush. “Okay then,” I whisper. “Please tell me about this idea of yours.” I stretch my feet across the gap between us and lay them in his lap while I eat my food. He’s so in tune with me I don’t even have to ask for a foot massage and he starts rubbing. This man will spoil me for every man. “Work for me,” he blurts, a brief look of worry crossing his face. “Say what now?” I scrunch my nose at his random idea as he goes to work on rubbing my feet. “I mean… we could always use help at the shop.” He shrugs and his fingers start pressing into my feet at all the right pressure points. Holy hell that feels good. Like, too good. A type of good I shouldn’t be feeling right now… not when I just… fuck. I let out a sigh when his thumb presses just at the right spot and he grins at me. “A bike shop?” I clench my thighs together trying to seem unfazed by this sudden desire running through me. “I know nothing about bikes… other than they’re super fun to fuck on.” “Ha! Well, I’d prefer you didn’t fuck people on the clock, but I can work something out after hours for ya.” He winks and I let out a moan, closing my eyes and breathing through the tingling between my legs. How the hell can a foot massage feel this delicious? “What makes you think I’d make a good… whatever it is that you need?” My voice is breathy and pretty soon I’m going to be soaking wet, if I’m not there already! “Well you’d be working the front desk, so you’re definitely hot enough for that. I’m gonna have to order tighter tank tops, however, because those tits will need to be on display.” I laugh a real laugh, something I’m starting to do more and more often when I’m around Jett. “So what you’re saying is just sit there and look hot? That’s all I’d have to do?” I raise an eyebrow at him, expecting him to mention the hot mess I am today but he just looks me up and down and nods. “That, and schedule shit when people call in. So phone answering, scheduling, fucking me on my lunch breaks,” he shrugs and I bark out a laugh. “I mean that sounds like the perfect job.” Too good to be true, really. “I thought so too!” He lets out a laugh and I smile again, nervous that this whole thing is a joke. If I could get a job this easily… and get to see him every day? I’m down. “You’re serious about this?” I narrow my eyes at him. “Why wouldn’t I be? I mean, if I end up having to go into Shuer more often I’m going to need someone running the place.” “Don’t you have any other employees?” I ask, confused. I swore he said he likes to take random road trips. You can’t do that with a business unless someone else is there running it. “Yea… but Dan’s really only good when it comes to working on the bikes. He’s not a front desk type of person.” He chuckles and stops playing with my feet. Thank God, because I was about to forget about the current situation between my legs and jump him anyway. Let’s not talk about how gross that would have been. “So when do I start?” I wiggle my toes on his lap and he grins. “Monday?” ‘That’s perfect.” I sigh and shift closer to him, laying my head on his shoulder. “You’re perfect,” he mumbles, his hand going to my hair and smoothing it down. “You’re delusional,” I grumble, letting my eyes flutter closed.





My phone rings just past ten and Lo’s already fast asleep with her head resting on my lap. “Yea?” I answer Paisley’s call in a whisper. “Are you okay?” She sounds tired and I feel bad I haven’t been there for her more than I have. “Fine, I’m good. What’s up, everyone alright?” “Yea, everything’s fine. I was… well I wanted to ask what you were up to this weekend?” I look down at Lo, my hand rubbing her back absentmindedly and sigh. Her talk of the weekend reminds me I’m just one week closer to having to work a job I hate just to support the family I love– my brother’s family… and all the while all I really want to do is stay with Lo in our own little world. “Not much planned,” I whisper. “Need me to watch the girls?” Lo takes a breath in her sleep and I pause so I don’t wake her. “Actually yea, if that’s ok? Just Saturday to Sunday…” “Overnight?” Shit, I’ve never watched them overnight. I mean, I don’t know the first thing about a baby. “Yes, overnight Jett. They’ll be fine and my parents are close to town if you need anything. Maybe I can just call and find-” “No, I’m down. I mean, I think it’d be a fun time, absolutely yes I’ll watch them.” “Oh awesome. Thank you so much!” she sounds relieved, reminding me she has no adult to help her anymore. She’s probably in dire need of a break. “I’ll call you tomorrow,” I whisper, ending the call. The room is dark and I know I need to get home. Tomorrow morning is going to come quick at this rate. “Hey, Lo,” I murmur, letting my thumb caress her cheek. She mumbles something in her sleep and curls up even harder on me. “Lauren,” I whisper, allowing my fingers to trace the outline of her lips. She’s so peaceful; so serene. If I could stay here all night with her I would, but I can’t do that to her or her brother who should be getting home any minute now. “Baby, I have to head out.” I manage to wriggle out from under her, not so gently but it doesn’t stir her too much. She’s out cold. I’ll never be able to understand what women go through each month, but I’m happy I could be here with her tonight. I write her a note on one of the napkins from dinner and clean up some of the shit I brought in. I more than likely overdid it, but I’m embarrassed to say I don’t know her all that well so I wasn’t sure what she’d like. I’ll learn. There’s plenty of time to learn. On my way out of the lobby her brother comes strolling in and quirks an eyebrow at me. The blonde on his elbow looks me over once and I roll my eyes at her. Typical arm candy. Probably nothing in between those ears but some blood and bleach. “Heading out for the night already?” he asks, letting a smirk rise. “Yea. Work early tomorrow.” “How’s she feeling?” He asks quietly as the blonde picks at her nail, like she can’t fucking hear

him or something. “She’s sleeping on the couch.” I say it as a warning not to fucking wake her up with his fuck buddy, but his place is so big they shouldn’t even come in contact with her. “My sister’s one of the good ones, Jett,” he says, walking away. “I want her to stay like that.” I roll my eyes at him and walk away, waving off his final comment. I wasn’t lying when I told Lo I had a conversation with her brother. When she didn’t answer I texted him to make sure she was okay and got the rundown on her situation… and an earful of protective brother syndrome. He hasn’t been mean about it, and I have to say it makes me respect him more in a way because of how protective he is with her. ‘She’s been through too much,’ he said. ‘I can’t see her break again. I won’t stand for it,’ he warned. There were threats and a final understanding that I have no plans on hurting her. He still doesn’t think too highly of it, but at least he won’t give her a hard time about it anymore. Hopefully. I don’t know what Lo and I are, honestly, so answering that question when he asked me was difficult. We enjoy each other immensely. I think about her constantly. Hell, I can think about a future with her in it years down the road… but it hasn’t been long enough for that shit to surface yet. She seems like the type of girl that if pushed too hard and fast she’ll run. That would ruin me. “Uncle Jett!” Emma comes barreling into my kitchen as I hear the front door close. “Ems!” I scream back at the same decibel and tone. She laughs as I pick her up and swing her around. That carefree smile of a child you can’t get anywhere else warms my heart. “God I missed you,” I murmur, bear hugging her. She squeals and attempts to wriggle out of my grasp. “Uncle Jett let me down!” She laughs as I start to tickle her. “You’re getting her all wound up… you know she’s going to stay that way all night,” Paisley says, walking into the room with a baby carrier in one hand and overnight bags in another. “Good!” I boast, setting down Emma so she can run free and head straight for the baby. “You sure about this?” I glance up at Paisley and she looks worried… and absolutely worn down. “I’m positive Paise. You bring the gate-gismo-crib thing?” I grin when her eyes go wide. “Oh God Jett,” she murmurs worriedly. “Maybe this isn’t such a good idea. I’m not sure what I was thinking, I’m just so tired and need sleep.” She looks up at me. “I just need some sleep.” “I know, Paise. And I got this. If it makes you feel any better my girlfriend’s coming over later. She’s a whiz with kids.” The lie rolls off my tongue with a terrible taste but I’d rather Paisley feel comfortable about all this. I love my nieces, but they’ve never spent the night here before…. This could honestly get interesting. “Girlfriend, huh?” She grins. “You didn’t tell me about this.” “It’s new,” I say, switching my attention to Addison. “Is it serious?” I grin again and nod at her bags, changing the subject. “Everything I need in there?” I want to rave to the world about how I feel for Lo… but honestly how I feel this early in the game would cause all kinds of drama in the family. I’d rather not get a phone call from my mother reprimanding me for thinking I ‘love’ a girl just because she’s pretty and to watch out for her stealing our money and blah, blah, blah.

Fuck that noise. “Yep,” she sighs, taking my subject change as a sign. “Addison was just fed and changed so she’ll be good for a few hours. Naptime for both kids is around two so you’ll have a break pretty soon, just throw a movie on and chill on the couch. Uh, let’s see… Emma likes cheese roll ups, pizza, pizza rolls, hotdogs, Mc Donald’s-” “Hey Paise?” “Hmm?” She looks up from unpacking the bags and I grin at her. “I got this. Now shoo. Go get a massage or whatever shit it is you moms do to relax.” She smiles at me. “Thank you. I appreciate it. Text if you need anything, okay?” She’s talking on her way to the door and I can’t help but laugh. “Go! And don’t do anything I wouldn’t do!” “That’s not saying a lot, Jett!” She yells from the car. I shut the door after waving goodbye and lock it tight behind me. Somewhere in the house I hear Emma screaming and laughing and soon her footfalls come barreling towards me. “Can we play hide and seek, uncle Jett?” She shrieks, twirling around and making her costume dress she’s wearing fluff up around her. “Absolutely. You go count, Addi and I will hide!” She runs to the couch and buries her head in the pillows and I head into the kitchen and hide behind the island with a very loud, laughing nine month old. We spend the afternoon playing and by naptime I’m in dire need of a break. No fucking wonder Paisley looked so worn down. This parenting thing is nonstop! It takes two episodes of Mickey Mouse, but I finally get Emma down for a nap and lay Addi in her pack-n-play before heading into the kitchen for a snack. My phone’s lighting up on the counter and I grab it while shoving a chip in my mouth. Lo: What r u up to tonight ;) I smile and walk into the living room, snapping a picture of the sleeping kiddo on the couch as my response and hit send, smiling to myself as I walk to the fridge for some food. Being a cool uncle is fucking exhausting and I’ve learned I really need to baby proof this place if they’re going to start spending more time here. Shouldn’t be too hard to know what needs to be done. Just let the baby go for a little bit and there’s a laundry list of shit that needs to be safety-rigged. I also need to get to work on converting my spare room to a room for the girls. Jesus so much to do. My phone dings and I pick it up, shoving a pickle in my mouth. Lo: OMG! I love her! I chuckle and shake my head, typing out my reply. Me: The baby’s asleep in the pack and play. I’m eating everything in sight. These devils are insane! I shove another pickle in my mouth and grab some water. Hell, who needs the gym when you’re crawling all over the floor entertaining kids? I’m thrilled these girls are here and that Paisley felt comfortable enough to leave them with me over night. I just hope I don’t blow it. My phone dings again and I hit the silencer so these texts don’t wake the kids. Just the thought of

Lo sitting there texting me has my balls screaming for attention. Hell, that girl’s done something to me and I don’t want it to stop. Lo: You’re a good uncle <3 Me: Damn straight I smile and head to the bedroom, flipping on the TV and hit ‘send’ on the call after I pull up her number. “Hey you,” Lo croons into the phone. “Hey yourself.” I shift back on the bed and sigh, laying my head back and ignoring the TV. “What’s up?” “Break time, thank God.” “You dealing okay?” “Yea, for now. I have to do bath time later. Not certain how well that’s going to go over.” She laughs and I groan. “I’m serious. These kids never stop moving. How do I not drown one?” “Oh my God, Jett. Do you want me to come help you?” “Well yea, thank you. I was hoping I wouldn’t have to ask, God took ya long enough.” She barks out a laugh. “I would have been there to help all day, you know.” “I know,” I sigh. “I haven’t seen them since the funeral and I kind of missed them. I feel like I needed some bonding time with the little runts.” “All kids need an uncle like you,” she croons. “It’s so awesome.” “I’m pretty fucking awesome,” I murmur. “I’ll be over soon. Unlock the door for me.” She ends the call and I smile to myself. The kids don’t need a bath; I just wanted her to come over. She’d hiding from the world. She’s closed herself off from feeling anything. Tonight may not be a good idea, but at least it’ll make her feel something. I give her a half hour then head out to the kitchen, unlocking the side door and shooting her a text to come through that one so she doesn’t wake the kids. She walks through not five minutes after I send it, all smiles. “What did you bring?” I ask, eyeing the bags in her hands. “Well, you said one niece was a baby and you have no baby proofing shit. SO I brought some necessities. The rest you can get later. Also… snacks. Because kids love snacks. “ “You didn’t have to do this.” “I did. Because you don’t have kid friendly things here.” She smiles and huffs, putting her hands on her hips. “Why didn’t you tell me about this?” Her eyes narrow at me and I almost lie to her. Almost. “I didn’t know how you’d be able to take it. You know… with… well.” Her eyebrows shoot up and though I’m happy I told the truth I feel like a massive dick. “I’m a grown woman. I don’t hate kids because mine was taken too early, Jett. That’s not how it works.” “Well you said yourself you don’t care anymore.” “I care!” she whisper-screams and I grin, making my point. She fucking cares. She doesn’t want to, but she does. “Well good.” I grin. “So what else did you bring?” She narrows her eyes at me as I stand here grinning from ear to ear. I’ve made it my goal to make her realize that she can’t just slum it in her brother’s place… not in those words obviously. She needs to

realize that there’s still life out there even though she thinks hers ended. I’ve got her to accept a job and now I got her to accept that she still does care about shit, even if she acts otherwise. One day soon, Lo, I’ll make you see that life isn’t worth living if you’re not completely living it. She needs to live fully. And she will. “Well you said they needed a bath… and I know for a fact you don’t have kids soap here…” she pauses and grins. “So just some bath shit and toys for the tub and whatnot.” She rambles off and quickly dismisses the bags and she tiptoes into the living room. She fucking brought so much shit for kids she’s never met and for a moment I think I’m going to blurt those fucking words that’ll ruin everything, but I hold them back. But Jesus! This woman is amazing! She walks back in, silently grinning from ear to ear, her arms crossed in front of her. “Jett they’re beautiful,” she whispers sadly then walks over to me and lays her head on my chest. I wrap my arms around her, knowing she’s full of emotions right now, and hold her until we hear footsteps in the living room. “Emma?” I whisper, watching her peek her head into the room. She grins and scrunches her nose at Lo. “Who’s that?” She asks me but won’t take her eyes off Lo. I smile and let go of Lo as she backs away and smiles down at Em. “I’m Lo. What’s your name?” Lo crouches down to Emma’s level and Emma walks over to her. “I’m Emma. I’m free.” She holds up three fingers and grins at her. Lo smiles so wide I think her fucking face may crack. Why can’t I ever get that awesome of a smile out of her? “Well I’m way older than you, but I was hoping you could teach me how to play with this new toy I brought today, Emma.” She walks over to the bag and pulls out a bubble blower. Emma’s face lights up and her eyes go wide. “Uncle Jett! She bwought us a bubble bower!” she screeches. I laugh and scoop her up. “Yes, I see. That’s awesome, pugs, but you gotta whisper. You’re about to wake your sister,” I tell her, attempting to be stern when her cute little face is scrunched up right in front of mine. God I love these girls. “I can take you out back if you promise to teach me how to use it,” Lo tells Emma. She squirms out of my arm and runs to Lo, grabbing her hand and heading for the door. Lo smiles and winks at me on her way by and my heart swells so fucking big for this amazing woman. “Bath time later, I guess?” She grins from the door. “Oh they don’t need one. That was a total lie just to get you here.” I grin back and cross my arms. Her mouth pops open but before she can retort, Emma yanks hard on her hand. “We’ll discuss this later, Jett,” she whispers on her way out the door. Yea, sure we will. Later will be infested with kid activities and as soon as they go to bed I plan on having my way with the woman who’s completely stolen my heart. The baby starts to whine shortly after they head outside and I rush in to grab her before it turns into an all-out scream. I take her into my room to change her diaper and halfway through the mess of diaper explosion 2017 I hear footsteps in the hallway and turn my head to see Lo standing in the doorway watching me with a look of pure awe on her face. “Emma had to use the potty,” she says, nodding towards the bathroom. “Ah,” I say, turning my attention back to Addison. I’ve left her without a diaper one time too many and I don’t need these sheets getting pissed on right now. “You know how to change a diaper,” she says from the doorway. I grin to myself and nod, finishing up the clasps on her onesie and picking her up. “Hell yes I do. I’m super uncle, you know.” I bounce Addi and she laughs as I make funny faces at

her. Emma comes barreling out of the bathroom and grabs Lo’s hand again. I wink at Lo and she can’t stop grinning at me and if I’m not certain, I think I just completely stole her heart. Man it’s amazing what hot men and babies can do to women. “Addi, you’re the best wingman I’ve ever had,” I whisper to her after Lo and Emma are out of hearing range. She giggles and I take her to the living room to get some tummy time in before dinner. This pretend-family time tonight has got me thinking about my future. Could I really have a family and settle down? Yes, I could. As long as it’s with the right girl. And by ‘right girl,’ I mean the girl out back chasing bubbles with my niece like she’s her own. Fuck me I’ve turned into a love sick sap.



Last Sunday I woke up on the couch to a three year old playing with my hair. There have been plenty of mornings I’ve woken up in that house lately, but that was the first morning I’ve felt completely full of joy in a long ass time. It was amazing. It was surreal. And it almost brought tears to my eyes, but I couldn’t let Jett see me get emotional. I just couldn’t. He doesn’t need to know how miserable on the inside I am. Especially now that I’ve decided to take the job and move on with my life… I feel like moving on is me forgetting about Sam. I feel like if I let myself get too happy it’s somehow going to look bad on me as a grieving mother. Right? Hell, I don’t know. Jett makes me happy. I want to be happy… I think. But then I feel fucking guilty again! Jesus! I glance up as the door to the shop opens and the sun glares in for a brief moment. I plaster on a smile even though I’m really not feeling it today. “Can I help you?” I ask a woman as she slams the shop door behind her. She looks up at me, shocked apparently, and slowly narrows her eyes. “Who are you?” She clips, throwing her hand to her very bony hip. “I’m Lo,” I smile. “What can I help you with?” I’ve been at this gig for four days and it’s the easiest damn job I have ever had… mind numbing at times. Not to mention the fact that Jett pays me absolutely too much to sit here with this tight tank top on and take phone calls. I tried talking him down but he wasn’t having it. He was convinced on Monday that I’d work for the money… so far I’m not doing much other than running calls and making appointments. I fucking went to veterinary school and this is what I’ve diminished to. But I said I didn’t care, I let my life spiral out of control… and according to my brother I have no one to blame but myself. I beg to differ. “I’m Marla. I’m just here to see Jett.” She grins and bites her lip, sashaying her stick figure frame and super fucking fake tits right by me and to the back of the shop. I sigh and attempt to calm my nerves. “He misses me, gotta make sure to keep him on his toes.” She winks and walks to the back of the shop before I have a chance to stop her. I don’t care. He can see whomever he wants to see. We haven’t ever talked about being exclusive so I have no grounds to feel as rage-tastic jealous as I am right now. Straining my hearing to try to hear what she’s crooning over, I about damn near fall off the stool I’m sitting on when she starts whining about her tits. What? “What’d I tell you last week, Marla?” I hear him growl. Last week? Why’d he see this woman last week? She whines something else in response but she’s

so quiet that it’s hard to make out what she’s saying but I have a pretty fucking good guess. “No. Not again.” He says it with a sigh and I feel my heart break a little. It shouldn’t be. I haven’t given him my heart… Right? Fuck! Marla doesn’t waste any time in waltzing back out front and smiling at me. “Men, right?” She winks and walks to the door, turning to grin back at me before she walks out. “He wouldn’t know which side of the bed to get out of if I wasn’t here to hold his hand the entire time.” She lets out a laugh and I clench the pencil in my hand so hard as she walks out I break it in half. Mother fucking bitch. I just need to breathe. I have two hours until I can leave here and you better fucking believe I won’t be going back to Jett’s house tonight. I’m actually hurt he didn’t come out here and try to clean up that mess that just waltzed out of here, but maybe he doesn’t care as much as I thought he did. I shoot a text to Bex angrily. Me: We need to go out. Tonight. It doesn’t take her long to reply. Never does. Bex: Done. Meet me at Halter’s at seven? Me: See you then. Bex: Good lord. The proper short texts– there better be a good story, woman Me: Oh trust me. There isn’t. I slide my phone in my pocket as Jett walks up from the back. He’s covered in grease and Jesus Christ if it doesn’t turn me on. Why? Why does this man radiate so much sex? “You doin okay out here, kid?” He’s wearing a super worried expression, whether he knows it or not, but I’m not about to give him the time of day right now. If he fucked her last week… he was fucking me last week! Fuck! “Yep. I’m so good,” I say, leaning forward on the counter and letting him get a good eyeful of my cleavage. He wasn’t lying when he said he was getting tighter shirts. This shirt makes my tits look amazing and I fucking know it. “Great,” he all but growls, shoving the towel he was using into his back pocket. “Few more hours left. I should have a new client coming in in a few. Make sure you let me know when he’s here.” He’s talking to me but his eyes won’t leave my cleavage and I grin, sitting up and taking away the view from him. He growls and grins at me. “Got it, boss.” I smile sweetly and he narrows his eyes at me. “I like that coming out of those sweet lips. Am I going to get to taste them tonight?” “I have plans,” I pout, shrugging dramatically. “Maybe tomorrow.” “Tomorrow’s your dinner with your mom,” he states. “Yep,” I say, standing up. “I’m gonna head to the bathroom.” I walk by him and make sure to brush against him, grinning when I hear Dan call for help from the back. He groans and walks off; no doubt angry he can’t join me in here for a quickie. I mean, we’ve done it every other day this week.

Good thing he didn’t though. I’m not letting him anywhere near this until he tells me what the fuck that was with ‘Marla.’ Hell, just saying her name makes me cringe. Like, that little slut Darla from Little Rascals. Boy hungry bitch. Just as I start to text Bex about details for tonight, the door opens and the god of all Greek gods walks in the front doors. I’m certain my mouth falls open when I make eye contact with him. “H-Hi,” I stammer, making him chuckle. “I’m Antonio.” He extends his hand and I take it, letting out a giggle when his finger tickles my palm a little. He winks and pulls his hand away. “What can I do for you Antonio?” I’m a firm believer of not flirting at work… but I mean come ON! This man is tanned skin, toned lean body, tattoo sleeves running up both arms and then some considering the ink I see peeking out from the neckline of his black t-shirt. Plus, I’m really hoping Jett sees this and he wants to rage as much as I do today. Payback’s a bitch. “Well I was here for Jett, but I think I’ve set my sights on something a little more delicious,” He grins and I about cream my panties right there. Holy God. I let out a giggle and lean forward. Antonio’s eyes flick to my tits and I immediately hear Jett clear his throat and grin to myself. “Let’s leave the lady alone, Antonio?” He poses it as a question but after turning and looking at the red face and clenched fists I know he’s not giving the man a choice. I sit up and roll my eyes, looking back at Antonio. “It was amazing meeting you, Antonio. I hope to see you again soon.” He takes my hand and kisses it and Jett lets out a growl before flinging the door to the back open. “Right this way,” he all but yells, glaring at the man as he passes through the door. He doesn’t look at me and I’m glad – I almost feel guilty for that show of attraction, but if Jett can have playthings why can’t I? Antonio isn’t here for long. Something tells me Jett isn’t going to take his business from the way that Antonio leaves in a hurry and Jett glares at him on the way out. He flicks me a glance before slamming the shop door and a few seconds after that I hear a round of curses and tools clashing and can’t help but smile. It feels good to make him jealous… to make him feel like he made me feel with Marla. Two can play this game, Jett Voss. At six I lock the front door and head to the back, getting a decent view of Jett doing what he does best. The way a man can mold and shape bikes into works of art is just amazing. I never knew so much could be done with a vehicle, especially one like a bike. I mean, there’s only so much you can work with, but Jett uses every space and always ends up creating something brilliant. The silver masterpiece he’s currently working on was commissioned out of Mexico, more than likely for a biker gang but I’m not one to ask. No need for more drama where it’s not needed. “Hey you,” He says when he notices me standing there staring. “That time already?” Jesus he’s sexy. “Yep,” I smile and sigh, angry with my body for reacting the way I am with him. One fucking look from him and I’m ready to fall to my knees and bring him to the back of my throat. I crave the man, even when I’m angry at him. “I’ll miss you tonight.” He smiles sweetly at me and I narrow my eyes at him, momentarily forgetting that he doesn’t know I’m angry with him. Sometimes I don’t understand the games we girls play, but I’m playing it anyway because the work place is no place to get into a fight and I’m certain this shit with Marla is going to end up in a fight. “Yea, you’ll see me soon.” I smile. “I’d hug you but you’re covered in grease and I’m going out tonight.” I wiggle my eyebrows and walk to the back door, feeling a pang of guilt that I made his face fall

as much as it did. “Be good, Lo,” he yells after me. “Yes boss,” I whine back, letting the door slam behind me. It’s time to get my drink on and try to forget why I’m so angry right now. “So you and my brother?” I shriek at Bex who’s smiling across the table. She fucked my brother? Again? “It’s just a one-time thing,” she shakes her head. “We’re total opposites, Lauren.” “Lo,” I correct, taking another sip of my drink. Drink three? Or four? “So you mean to tell me after all these years denying feelings for each other, you end up in his bed the one fucking night I’m not there last week and you forget to tell me?” I raise an eyebrow at her and she giggles. Fucking giggles! Bex doesn’t giggle. “I did. And I’m sorry, but we’ve both been busy, am I wrong?” She brings the straw to her mouth... er… cheek? “Anyway, Chris and I aren’t a good match apparently. I think.” She struggles still with the straw and I bust out laughing. “The fuck is wrong with you?” I laugh as she attempts to find the straw with her tongue. “Ya fucking drunk.” I mumble, making her laugh even more. “Oh man, Lo. I’ve missed you.” “Yea.” I look around the room and notice a few pieces of man meat I’d like to taste. “What about that one?” I ask, changing the subject. She spins in her chair and looks over to where I’m pointing and scrunches her nose. “What’re you doing, Lauren?” She spins and pins me with her angry look. Ooooh Bex’s angry look can kill a fly right in its tracks. I mean, she’s intimidating as it is with the pitch-black hair, dark eyeliner, and tats lining her left arm. Add in the look of death and she could make a grown man cry. “You have a brilliantly hot man waiting for you… why are you out here searching?” I pout and finish off my drink, sighing when she won’t stop glaring at me. “You’re not going to like it,” I mumble. “Please, enlighten me.” So I do. I tell her about Jett and I. I tell her about all the feelings I thought I had for him. Then I tell her about Dick head Darla Marla today and she lets out a growl. “And did you ask him about her?” “I’m not answering this un-holy question.” I wave the waitress over and order another round of drinks for us. “Because you’re being irrational?” She raises an eyebrow at me and laughs when I don’t answer. “Lo, you’re the worst communicator in the history of ever. Trust me, I’ve known you long enough. You read all these books and bitch to me about these fictional asshats that don’t talk, and the first time you have an ‘issue’ with something that you THINK he did, you run and try to fuck him out of your system?” I glare at her and try to process what she’s telling me, but I’m too angry. How could he do this to me? “Lo, you need to talk to him. You heard part of a conversation and probably took it the wrong way.” She shrugs and takes the drink from the waitress, sliding mine over to me. “Last drink. Then we’re Ubering it to his house and I’m forcing you to talk it out.” I put the straw to my margarita in my mouth and suck. Hard. Not giving her the benefit of an answer. If I’m going to discuss ‘feelings’ with Jett, I’m going to do it drunk. That way when I start blubbering like a baby because he hurt my feelings I can play it off that it was just the alcohol’s fault. She pays the bill and pulls me away from a group of hot men, grumbling something about cheating

but I ignore her. Apparently Jett and I aren’t official so it’s not fucking cheating! We pull up in front of his gates and Bex lets out a low whistle. “Holy fuck, Lo. Is this man made of money or is he a serial killer?” The Uber driver lets out a nervous chuckle and turns around in his seat. “You know how to get into this place?” he asks and I scrunch my nose at the gate. “Nah. But let’s give it a try!” I open the door and look back at the driver. “Don’t leave me here! The raccoons hate me out here!” I gasp, realizing there may be one around here. I sneak to the gate and a light on the panel lights up. “Lo?” Jett’s voice comes through the speaker and I sigh. “Me!” I giggle. “I don’t know how to get this open!” I hit the gate but it doesn’t budge. “Hang on,” he grumbles. I sigh and look back at Bex and give her a thumbs-up. “Touch the keypad, I’ve unlocked it for you. Just put your thumb on it.” I do as I’m asked and the scanner takes my thumbprint and the gates start to open. “Nice,” I mutter. “Creepy!” Bex yells from the car and I spin and shush her. “Is someone out there with you?” he asks through the intercom. “Bex. My bestie. She’s in the car… waiting and shit.” “Is she drinking and driving, Lo?” he growls and I swoon over his protectiveness… then I have to yell at myself internally for swooning over a man that’ll fuck someone else and not tell me that he’s breaking my heart. “No. Steve, our Uber driver, is waiting.” “Steve, say hi!” Bex yells and Steve mumbles ‘hi’ from the front seat, obviously annoyed with the drunk girls. “Wow, okay... so are you coming in?” Jett asks, probably more annoyed that I dropped in on him… oh. Oh no! What if Darla is in there right now? “Uh… am I allowed to?” “Of course, kid. Get your ass up here before another raccoon attacks you. I’m all out of princess Band-Aids.” I laugh and spin, waving Bex off and she gives me the thumbs-up pep smile as they pull away. “Mind telling me what you’re doing here tonight? I thought it was girls’ night?” He’s standing in the doorway, arms crossed and wearing nothing but gym shorts and I almost forget why I’m here. “Do you have company?” I walk past him, ignoring how delicious he smells. “Nope,” he says, locking the door behind him. “Well that’s a relief,” I huff and sit on the couch. “You’re drunk,” he says, grinning. “I am not. But I have to tell you something.” I sit up and point at him with a shaky drunk finger. He raises his eyebrows and sits next to me. “Shoot, kid,” he says, obviously amused. “You hurt my feelings.” “You have feelings?” He counters. “I fucking do. One. And sleeping with Darla hurts it.” His face falls and for once the man is speechless. “See. No fun.” I huff, standing to leave. “I said my piece.” He jumps up from the couch and his hand wraps around my wrist as I attempt to drunkenly storm past him. “Is that all you’re giving me? You’re not even going to hear my side of it?”

He’s so close and he smells so good. And that couch is more comfortable than my brother’s.



She’s fucking serious right now and I’m fighting the urge to grab my phone and call Marla to see what the hell she said to Lo today. I fucking knew something was up with her but I couldn’t figure it out. The way she shot me down and enjoyed it, the way she reacted to Antonio walking in the door. Jesus, I was so jealous I thought my head was going to explode. I thought she hated me and I had dreamed up all the fucking times I saw her falling for me. She did hate me, but it’s only because of fucking Marla. I told her not to come back until she had work for me, which I knew she wouldn’t because she doesn’t even own a fucking bike. But of fucking course she walked back in today and had to have said something to Lo. “You have five minutes, then I’m leaving.” She sits on the couch and I grin at her. She’s not going anywhere. I watched that Uber driver drive away minutes ago and he’s not coming back. Plus there’s no way I’d let her leave right now anyway. Now that I finally have her here, she’s not going anywhere. “Let me get this straight,” I say, clearing my throat. “You think that I fucked Marla last week, correct?” She lets out a growl and narrows her eyes at me, crossing her arms in front of her and unknowingly pushing her tits up towards me. Fucking begging me for attention. Good god. “And why do you think that?” “Because of what she said to me today,” she says. “And what exactly was that?” “I don’t remember exactly.” She rolls her eyes. “Something about making sure you get out of bed on the right side every morning. Something else about having to visit you because you miss her. I mean… why the hell would you hire me to work at a place if you knew she was going to show up?” I clench my fists into my lap and attempt not to explode. She’s drunk, she’s hurt, and she’s obviously delusional. “Lo, you realize you’ve woken up here more in the last few weeks than you have your brother’s place, correct?” “Mhmm,” She raises her eyebrow and starts to inspect her nails, pretending to ignore me. “And you believe her? You believe that I’d do that to you?” She pauses then looks up at me and shrugs, feigning indifference but I fucking know better. “You’re a man. You see a woman like that and probably can’t control yourself,” she shrugs again and I lose all patience with this girl. “Is that how fucking low you think of me?” I boast, standing. “You… you honestly think I’d do that to you?” Fuck! “Listen, Jett. We never established what we are-” I cut her off before she can go any further. “I didn’t think we had to establish it, Lo. I thought we were both on the same page. I don’t want any other girl. I want you. That’s fucking it,” I growl, glaring at her. “Just me?” she whispers. “Just fucking you, kid. I’m sorry if you don’t like it, but I’m stuck on you.”

Those eyes hit mine and she whispers, “I’m sorry.” “Sorry for what, Lo?” With my hands on top of my head, I’m pacing the room and attempting not to let this girl crush me but she’s almost there. “I’m sorry for not talking to you! Sorry for assuming you fucked her! I’m sorry for showing up here and ruining your fucking night,” she grumbles, standing from the couch. As she starts to walk past me I grab her elbow and pull her to me, pressing my body against her. “Stop trying to walk away from me,” I growl. “I’m just ruining shit being here,” her breathy voice comes out. “You didn’t ruin anything. Yet. You just need to learn to fucking talk to me when something’s bothering you. We could have avoided all this shit,” I growl, my breath warm on her neck. She shudders under my touch and her head rolls to the side. I take my invitation and leave a trail of kisses on her skin. “I hate feelings, Jett,” she gasps. I bite onto the lobe of her ear and she moans, her hand coming to the side of my face. I pull back and grin at her. “I’m just glad you have them.” I grin at her and bring my hand to the back of her head, twisting my fingers through her hair gently. She’s so fucking beautiful and my heart breaks for this broken woman. “Way too many,” she whispers, her eyes searching mine, then she crashes her lips to mine, tugging at my shorts frantically while my hands try to keep up and rip her clothes off her. My dick is hard as a fucking rock for this broken woman and the noises she’s making tonight. We fall to the couch and she straddles me, her hair cascading around her face as she looks down at me. “I’ve never felt the way I feel for you, Jett,” she whispers, her hands firm on my chest as she lowers herself onto me. Her eyes flutter closed and my hands have such a grip on her hips, warning her to take it slow, that I may be leaving marks but I don’t care. “God, this,” she mumbles, slowly rocking back and forth. Her eyes flick open and her lust filled gaze hits mine. “This is right,” she says, setting a rhythm. She fucks me with passion she’s never shown before. This is so much more than just sex. This is raw, emotional… this is love. “Fuck, Lo,” I pant, each time she rocks back on me and as my dick hits her inner wall I about lose all composure. My hands grip her hips and I slam up into her, hard, making her scream out. Her noises bring me to the brink of orgasm, each thrust into her, each time I hit that spot and make her moan out my name – it’s enough to make a man go insane. “I’m so close, Jett,” she pants, bending down and slamming her lips to mine as she rides me to the perfect rhythm. The change of angle has me hitting new heights, and soon she’s tensing around me and her entire body starts to shake. “Come, Lo,” I whisper on her lips, my arms wrapping around her body and pressing her to me as she continues to fuck me hard. “Oh God!” Her muffled cry into my lips, her tits pressed against my chest, I can practically feel her heartbeat elevate as her orgasm takes over, milking mine from me and sending me into a spiral. I growl, squeezing her against me and thrusting into her as hard as I can, not wanting this to be over until it hits me and everything around me but her and I goes blurry. “Holy fuck,” I pant, my hands roaming her back. She’s still on top of me, we’re both a panting, sweaty mess, but I don’t want her to go. I never want her to go. Her head finds the crook of my neck and she sighs, letting her hand play circles on my pecs. “I’m sorry I over-reacted,” she whispers, unmoving from her spot on top of me. Not that I’m complaining. I could stay here with her all night. “If the make-up sex is that good every time in the future, I’ll take it.” I grin and sigh. This girl is it for me. I fucking know it. She’s the one.

“So you’re not getting rid of me because of my freak out?” “Never, Lo. I’m never getting rid of you.” I kiss her head and she peeks up at me and grins. “Just us, right? No one else?” “Just us.” I agree, tightening my arms around her. “Will you stay the night?” “Always,” she mumbles, watching her fingers play on my skin. I bring my fingers to the ink on her forearm and trace over the roman numerals. “What’s this for?” I ask, wishing I could see her face and watch her reaction to what I think this is. She takes a breath and surprisingly doesn’t pull her arm away as I continue to trace the script that surrounds the numbers. “Sam was five when he died. He would have been six the month after… we didn’t make it.” She whispers. “I bet that was hell for you.” I know she doesn’t want to talk about it, but I do. I said I’m never letting this girl go and I meant it. That means I want to know everything. I’ll never understand what she went through, but I want to try. She doesn’t say anything, her breathing steadying out and as soon as I think she’s ignored my question and fallen asleep she takes a deep breath and speaks up. “I had no help. Chris was ashamed of me and my own mother embarrassed her only daughter could do this. Getting pregnant by a one night stand in college? She wasn’t having it.” She clears her throat and shifts to get comfortable and I stay quiet, letting her take her time. “Sam was supposed to go up for adoption. I had Vet school to finish and I couldn’t do it on my own… but then he was born and the small alien I pushed out, full of black hair and bright blue eyes started crying and I knew I couldn’t do it.” “Alien huh?” I almost chuckle. “All babies look like aliens.” She quips. “Anyway, I kept him. Of course. And I struggled through finishing school but I did it. He was diagnosed a month after I graduated. He had a tumor on his brain stem. They didn’t give us a good prognosis but I had hope.” She lets out a harsh laugh and I grit my teeth. This woman’s been through so much... and all alone. I could kick her brother’s ass right now for not being there for her. “Shit went downhill fast. I tried keeping the job at the clinic that I loved, but with all the doctor appointments and paying for a sitter when I had work… it just wasn’t evening out. Chris started helping a little with medical bills but he wasn’t the best of uncles and didn’t really want anything to do with us. I think he knew it wasn’t going to end well and you know… people distance themselves when they grieve. My mother never once helped. Ever. I was alone, and when my baby took his final breath I lost it. The hospital security guard had to hold me back as they took him away from me.” She takes a breath and brings her hand to her face to wipe away a tear and I feel that knot in my throat I would get as a kid right before the tears fell. “I was alone, I was lost, and shortly after the funeral I lost everything. In a way Chris saved me from being on the streets, but he’ll never understand. I know he grieves for his nephew, but he’s such a tough one to break I’ll never know exactly how he feels about it.” “You’re the strongest woman I’ve ever met, Lo.” My hand caresses her back as she dries her tears. “And I want to kick your brother’s ass,” I growl, earning a chuckle from her. “Yea, I did too for the longest time. He’s starting to redeem himself, though. He’s tried in his own way to help me but he just isn’t good at that part of life. He can throw money at you, but he can’t show many emotions.” “I hear ya.” “He’s a good guy, Jett. I don’t want you thinking less of him because he wasn’t there for me.” “Well I do.” I grumble and pull her tighter to me. “But I’ll work on not wanting to beat his ass.” “Thank you,” she murmurs. “Hey Jett?” “Yea, kid?” “Will you come to dinner with me tomorrow night?” A weight lifts off my chest and I smile, holding tight to her.

“Absolutely, kid. Anything you want.” “I want to sleep for three days,” she mumbles, and shortly after her soft snores fill the room. I lay there most of the night, uncomfortable but not willing to wake her up just for my comfort. She’s content, she’s happy, and that makes me happy. Who cares about sleeping on a couch when you have the woman you’ve been unknowingly waiting for your entire life turns up and passes out here. From the moment I met her, Lo’s barged her way into my life. She damn near trampled me twice in one day; that should’ve been a sign. Now, just a few weeks later, I’m completely smitten with her. I pass out sometime after two, thanks to the clock on the wall keeping me company up until then. When she starts to stir, I try to pull her tighter but she has other plans. And they aren’t what my dick is wishing this morning. “I have to piss,” she grumbles, rolling off the couch and making her way to the bathroom. I never said she was the most lady-like of creatures… especially not in the morning… but she’s mine. And I’m keeping her. After stretching out some sore muscles, I grab my running shoes and start to stretch out for a run before the sun gets too hot. “Where are you going?” She asks from behind me. I turn back and look at her, hair tussled, no pants, and one of my old t-shirts on. I can’t help but smile at this vixen. She’s so fucking sexy and isn’t even trying! “A run,” I say, standing. “And when I get back, we’re spending the entire day in bed.” “Until dinner tonight,” she grumbles, spinning and heading for the bedroom. “I’ll be waiting for you!” she yells on her way. “OH hey!” I yell back at her, shaking my head. I completely forgot to tell her this last night, and I hope she says yes because I’ve already bought our plane tickets. She stops and looks back at me. “I need you to come to Mexico with me next month.” I smile when her eyes go wide. “What?” She shrieks. “I can’t just up and go to Mexico, Jett! I have a jo-” She pauses and slowly grins when the realization hits her. “And you’ll get paid for it. Obviously. Since it’s a job requirement and all.” “Sneaky, sneaky, Mr. Voss,” she tsks. “Go. Run. I have plans for us today.” She winks and heads into the bedroom, stripping off the shirt she’s wearing and tossing it on the floor on her way. … Fuck this. I’ll get my cardio in another way today. “You okay over there?” I grin at her and try to calm her nerves but she looks like she’s about to open the car door and bolt… and we’re doing 70 on the interstate. “Fine,” she clips. “Perfect, why?” She flashes me one of those fake smiles and I shake my head, holding back what I really want to tell her. Like- You don’t need your mother’s acceptance, so fuck her and let’s go get Chinese food. OrYou look fucking beautiful tonight, let’s skip this shit and go back to my place and continue savoring each other’s bodies. Neither of those are supportive boyfriend statements, so I keep my mouth shut and reach over, taking her hand in mine. She smiles gently over at me, this time a real one, and relaxes a bit in her seat. As we pull into the parking lot of the ritzy seafood place her brother apparently picked she groans. “Hey,” I whisper. Her eyes flash to mine sadly and I grin. “It’s dinner, Lo. With your family. It’ll be fine. And if it’s not, I’m right here, ready to kick ass and take names.” “Just don’t let her get to you, okay?” “Bah, please!” I boast, opening my door. “Nothing can break me.” I lie. Lo. Lo can break me.

I open her door and help her out. It’s unnecessary, I guess, but I was raised to respect women so it’s second nature for me, really. We walk in and her brother, alone at a table in the middle of the restaurant, waves us over. “Hey man,” Chris says, throwing Lo a strange glance as he gives me a bro-hug. “So where’s mom?” Lo asks, sitting down in between us. It’s almost like she’s using us as a safety barrier from the woman we’re waiting on. I’m slightly nervous to meet this woman who has my girl wound so tight. If she’s anything near as bad as Lo makes her out to be I’m not sure I’ll be able to keep my comments to myself tonight. “Hey anything new with the will?” I ask Chris, trying to take Lo’s attention off the pending dinner disaster. He sighs and shakes his head. “All signs point to everything in the will being legal. If you want, I can have Paisley-” “No. Stop right there.” Fuck no he’s not getting her involved in this. “This is the last thing she needs to worry about. You and I both know the minute she finds out about this she’ll fucking flip. She doesn’t need this stress. If I have to go back to work there for a few years until the girls turn 18 then I fucking will.” I growl, feeling my blood pressure rising over the thought of having to leave the shop. I really thought Chris was going to find something but I guess when there’s nothing to be found… that’s it. Lo’s hand rests on my thigh, relaxing me. When Chris clears his throat and nods towards the door, Lo stiffens and I give her hand a squeeze. “My Christopher!” A woman croons, embracing him like she hasn’t seen him in ages. “Mother,” Chris says, just polite enough for a stranger. But this is his mother! What the hell is wrong with this family? I chuckle to myself softly… it’s my fucking family. Are all families as fucked up as ours? The woman, not much taller than Lo but baring a bone chilling resemblance to her, flicks her gaze to me and chills run down my spine. I thought my mom was bad. She’s rainbows and glitter shits compared to this woman’s cold gaze. “Who is this?” She states the question like I’ve officially ruined her day and I grin slowly, standing and reaching over the table to shake her hand and introduce myself. “Jett Voss, Ma’am.” She eyes my hand and slowly flicks her stare from me, over to Lo who’s still sitting in her seat, and back to me. “Why are you here?” She narrows her eyes at me, with no intention of returning my gesture, and I hear Chris clear his throat. I let out a small chuckle, because it’s not nice to punch a lady in the throat, and sit back down. “He’s my boyfriend, mom.” Lo states, her shaking hand coming to my knee. “Mm,” her mother replies. She takes her seat and immediately calls over the waiter for a bottle of wine. The way she completely ignores Lo makes my skin boil. She’s over there, talking to Chris and completely dismissing the fact that her other offspring is sitting right next to him. Why the hell are we even here right now? It’s all I have in me not to speak up and tell this woman off. The way she’s reduced Lo to a pile of ashamed skin is embarrassing for her and making me literally shake. Lo looks over at me and smiles, about to say something when her mother finally speaks up. “So you brought a play thing to dinner with us?” Her eyebrow, perched high on her forehead, looks like it’s stuck in this judgment casting glare. I take a deep breath but the look Chris is giving me right now tells me to let Lo handle this. “I brought my boyfriend, mother. His name’s Jett, and you can speak to him, he won’t bite.” “I just don’t get why you’d do this to me. I never see you, then when I do you bring this… man?”

Lo plasters on that fake smile I’ve seen way too much today and takes a breath. “This man goes where I go. He’s good to me. I need good in my life, don’t you think?” Oh sweet Jesus if looks could kill her mother would be murderous right now. “I think you need to re-evaluate what’s good for you, sweetheart,” he mother croons. I let out a growl but Lo’s hand clamps onto my knee and she grins over at me, her face void of every emotion and it creeps me the fuck out. “Jett is good for me,” she says, shrugging. “Coming from the girl who thought keeping a baby she didn’t deserve was ‘good for her’? Oh Lauren, I don’t know where I went wrong with you. You know how well that whole mess of trying to keep a human life alive went for you, how are you supposed to keep this… relationship…” she rolls her eyes and I’ve never wished I could hit a woman before. “Alive.” Her gaze, full on contempt and hatred blaring through those cold as fuck eyes, land on Lo and I watch Lo for a response. “Mother can’t we just have a calm dinner? You are the one that wanted this, anyway,” Chris speaks up, trying to pacify her before Lo loses it. “I did. I was hoping my daughter would be able to tell me she has her shit together, though,” she scoffs. “Between her using you for housing and feeding off this Voss…” she looks over at me and I’ve never felt so small in my life. “I know your family. Your brother was a workaholic and your dad a drug addict? Am I right?” “Ma’am-” I start but Chris cuts me off. “Enough, mother!” he blurts. Lo curses then bolts as fast as she can away from the table and out the front door. “Shit,” I huff, standing and hearing a gasp come from her mother. I spin and glare at the woman before rushing after Lo. “You’re a fucking piece of work, you know that? You’ve abused her for too long. It ends now. Your daughter wanted a baby and fucking lost it… you never deserved to have children in the first place. I feel sorry for how miserable you must be to have to treat your own flesh and blood the way that you treat her.” She’s gaping at me, at a loss for words for probably the first time in her life, and I nod at Chris before Jogging outside just to miss Lo as she slides into a cab. “Fuck!” I blurt, so fucking pissed right now. How the hell did this happen? Who even set this fucking dinner ‘meeting’ up? “Hey man, sorry about her,” Chris huffs from behind me and I’m so pissed I could slug him. “This your doing? You force her to do this?” “Mom asked for dinner,” he says, rolling his eyes. “Won’t make that mistake again.” “No. We fucking won’t, will we? Now she’s fucking gone and I have no clue where she went!” He nods silently for a moment then pulls his keys from his pocket. “Your car here?” He asks and I nod. “Good. Follow me, I think I know where she went.” I groan and begrudgingly follow him to the outskirts of town. When we stop at the entrance to a small cemetery my heart sinks. I climb out of the car just as Chris is getting out of his. “She comes here to think sometimes. His plot is the third row in on the left. You can’t miss it.” The look on his face right now isn’t that of a calm, cool, and collected man. It’s that of a broken uncle. “Think she needs some time alone?” I shove my hands in my pocket, not sure if I’m ready for all the emotions of being at her son’s gravesite. “I think she needs you, Jett. I could go up there but she still hates me for being so distant when he was sick.” He huffs. “Jesus I was a tool. I loved that boy… I did… but I didn’t have the time for them. I never have the fucking time, I guess.” He rolls his eyes and takes a deep breath, relaxing against his car.

“She’s not been the same since he died. I’ve tried, but the first glimpses of the girl I used to know started showing when you came in to the picture. You’re what she needs, Jett.” I nod and thank him for helping me find her, then walk towards the grave. A five year old’s gravesite. One covered in balloons, flowers, and stuffed animals. Still, fresh flowers. She’s sitting on his grave, one of the stuffed animals in her hand, and when she hears the crunch of the gravel under my shoes approaching she looks up and her eyes go wide. “Hey kid,” I manage, walking over to her hesitantly. “I didn’t kill him,” she sniffles. “I did my best. It’s not my fault he’s dead,” she manages, before breaking down in tears. My strong Lo, always trying to hold back, is still completely shattered. “I know,” I whisper, taking her into my arms and holding her tight while she falls apart. I don’t know how long we stay like this, on the ground right next to her son’s grave, but when she pulls back and looks at me, her red rimmed eyes are dry and she’s breathing evenly. “I’m sorry about my mom,” she says, picking at the grass. “Don’t be. The woman is vile, that’s for sure. You’re not doing any of those lunches or dinners or any meetings again without me there. And next time I won’t be so polite.” I growl. “She’s always been bad, but today it’s like she truly hated me.” “Well I don’t hate you, and isn’t that all that matters?” I nudge her and grin, trying to lighten the mood. “You sure about that? After you met my family?” “Very much the opposite, kid,” I whisper, reaching out and tucking her windblown hair out of her face. I could have just said it… finally said the words that I know are true… but I didn’t. Today’s not the right time. “How about we get out of here,” I say, standing up and helping her to stand. “I am super hungry. I didn’t even get to eat my dinner,” she laughs. “First stop, China King!” I remark, making her smile. “There’s that smile I love so much.” I lean in and kiss her. “So you really paid for me to go to Mexico with you?” She asks on the walk back to the car. “Of course.” “Do we have to come home?” She asks, making me laugh. What her mom has done to her is beyond repair. I can’t help their relationship, but I can make sure I’m here for her; to help fill any void she may feel. The girl I saw at the table today isn’t my Lo. My Lo is fearless, strong, and stubborn. That’s the girl I fell in love with.



A month goes by faster than you think when you’re trying to prepare for our out of country trip. Between the scheduling of the bike delivery to the plane tickets and hotel stays and all the extracurricular shit Jett has us doing, we’re landing in Mexico City before I can take a breath. “I can’t wait to fuck you on every surface of this fucking place,” he growls, throwing me over his shoulder and carrying me into the house we rented on the beach for the week. I slap his ass and when he lets me down, slowly, I make sure I press against him in all the right spots, making him groan. “You’re gonna kill me, kid,” he mutters when my hands go to his crotch. “It’s vacation, babe,” I purr, falling to my knees in front of him. It’s been too long since I’ve tasted him and I’m ravenous for more. Pushing his pants down and springing him free, I take him all the way to the back of my throat. He growls and fists his hands in my hair, then gently starts thrusting into my mouth. I cup his balls with one hand and bring my other hand between my legs. “Are you fucking playing with yourself right now?” I pop my mouth off him and grin, continuing working my clit. “You like that?” I whisper. “Fucking Christ I do.” In one swoop he lifts me and sets me on the counter then backs away. “Keep it up.” He nods to my pussy and I grin, sliding my fingers through my wet core. His hand goes to his dick and we lock eyes as we masturbate for each other. Watching him pleasure himself is too much, and when I feel my orgasm starting to tingle through me I squeeze my eyes closed. “Open them!” he barks, and I snap my eyes back open to his. Lust filled, hooded eyes lock onto mine and within seconds I’m coming completely undone and all under Jett’s gaze. “Holy fuck that was hot,” he grunts, his hand working faster. I grin, biting my lip, then hop down and go to my knees right in time to help finish him off. Swallowing, I hum and lick my lips looking up at him. “I haven’t had a meal that good in a long time,” I whisper, reaching out and licking his dick. He growls and backs away, huffing. “That was hot as sin, Lo.” “I tend to agree with you,” I stand and walk to my phone when an email alarm goes off. “No work this week,” he grumbles, taking the work cell phone from my hands. “In a week, we go back to reality and I more than likely start working my life away.” He rolls his eyes and pulls me onto his lap. “So there’s nothing my brother can do for you?” I don’t want him to leave the shop – he loves the shop– but I also don’t want his nieces to suffer. Like he said, the shop stays, his love for it will never grow old, and the minute he can get out of Shuer for good he is. “Not from the looks of it. It’s completely legal having a clause like that in the will, and he can’t look any further because he wasn’t the one that my brother appointed to the will.” “That’s just weird,” I mumble. “They were best friends, why wouldn’t he have Chris do it?” “Who knows,” he huffs, standing. “Enough work talk. Let’s go. The beach awaits.” He holds his hand out to help me stand.

We spend the afternoon doing absolutely nothing on the oceanfront. The city is beautiful and bustling behind us, but the only work we have to do there is tomorrow when we meet to deliver the bikes. The rest of the time we’re doing jack shit, and I couldn’t be happier. Spending all this time with Jett has my brain thinking of a future with him. It has me wondering what I’m actually doing with my life. Sure, losing a child is devastating, but maybe Chris has been right this entire time. I can’t let it ruin me. I’m young. I’m smart. I can still have the life I wanted… I grab my laptop when Jett steps into the shower after a day at the beach and start to try to unmuddle the part of my life that I lost sight of. “Ooo look, babe. A wedding!” Jett runs up to me, the water from the ocean dripping on my warm skin. He’s smiling from ear to ear, his skin already kissed from the sun and looking incredibly fuckable. Four days here in this little slice of paradise and I’m still as turned on and infatuated by this man as I was a few months ago when I met him… if not more. He’s a force to be reckoned with in the business world, a magnificent bike designer, and gentle lover, taking exactly what I need. He’s perfection. And I’m scared stupid for my feelings for him. “Should we head inside?” I whisper, like me talking is going to disrupt everyone taking their seats. “Nah… I have a better idea.” He grins like he’s up to no good and grabs my hand, pulling me up. “Jett what are you doing?” I screech as he approaches the crowd. I’m wearing a skimpy string bikini and he’s dripping wet from the ocean. Definitely not wedding attendees. He smiles and nods at some of the guests as we walk past them and he heads for a cabana a few rows over from where the wedding will be starting shortly. I keep my head down, slightly embarrassed, but when he all but throws me inside the cabana and yanks the curtain closed behind him, the look he gives me practically melts my swimsuit right off me. Good Lord. Is he about to do what I thi“Off,” he growls in a low whisper. My eyes go wide but I’m too afraid to make any noise with the huge crowd nearby. I shimmy out of my bottoms and he grins, right before extending his hand holding them out the crack of the curtain and drops them. “Oops,” he deadpans, grinning as his hands rake their way up my legs. I sigh and lay my head back on the pile of pillows, gasping when his thumb gently glides over my clit on its way up to my nipples. “We shouldn’t do this here,” I whisper, pulling him up to press my lips to his, not even attempting to back my words with actions. “We fucking should, actually,” he mutters, his hand tightens on my breast and I let out a small moan. “Sweet Jesus these things are so fuckable,” he mumbles, pushing my tits together and examining them. “Why haven’t I been taking advantage of this?” “Quiet!” I laugh. “Just fuck me,” I whisper, grabbing him by the back of his head and pulling him back down to me. He chuckles and moves back down my body, tracing his fingers around my core. I moan and he brings a finger to my lips, ‘shushing’ me for the second time ever. I take his finger in my mouth and suck, hard. When he slips one inside me I moan again, making him pull out and go back to teasing me. When I growl, he lets out a low laugh and smiles up at me. “You don’t like this, Lo?” His warm breath leaves a trail down my thigh and straight to my core. When I moan and arch up for him, his lips come around my clit and I scream out. His hand comes up immediately and clamps onto my mouth. My eyes frantically dash to his and he’s beaming a brilliant smile from between my legs.

“That mouth of yours is going to get you in trouble one of these days,” he says, chuckling. His fingers slowly tease me while he grins up at me. “There’s what, about fifty people within hearing distance? Maybe a hundred? It’s up to you whether or not they get a show tonight.” “Oh God,” I moan when he dips his head back between my legs. The fact that we’re doing this in public turns me on more than I ever thought it could. His fingers slide in and out of me, teasing me just to the edge before backing off again. His lips, talented in their own right, know just the right amount of suction to send me spiraling towards an orgasm before slowing down the assault and allowing me more time to enjoy the pleasure. “Jett,” I gasp when his fingers hit that spot. “Yes, Lauren?” His low growl sets a fire inside me I never knew I had. “Fuck. Me.” I manage. He chuckles and flips me. “Knees,” he whispers. His hands squeeze my ass and in one thrust he’s deep inside. I let out a moan and he pauses. “You’re killing me here, kid,” he huffs, his hands tight on my ass. “Mm but it feels too good,” I groan, stretching my arms out and grabbing onto the side of the bed. The wedding music is starting just outside the cabana and the crowd is quieting down. “Ever tried orgasming without making any noise?” Jett whispers, slowly pumping into me, driving me absolutely insane. “I can’t,” I squeak. “Oh God I can’t.” He chuckles and continues slowly thrusting into me. “Like this? You can’t like this, Lo?” He whispers then I feel his thumb press into my puckered hole and have to bite onto the pillow to keep myself from making any noise. “Please don’t stop,” I whisper as quietly as I can. The wedding going on outside, people being so close? It turns me on way too much. And his finger dipping into me while he fucks me? Fuck. His thumb massages me and his methodic pumping into me sends me spiraling towards one of the most intense orgasms he’s ever given me. “Oh God,” I whimper, biting onto the pillow and muffling my cries. Jett slams into me, his movements turning more jerky and soon we collapse next to each other on the oversized cabana mat. “Fuck, I love you, Lauren Manners,” he pants, smiling up at me. My heart sinks and I have a moment of panic before his touch brings me back to the present. Do I love him? Is this love? “Yes,” I whisper, giggling at the look on his face. “I mean thank you.” “Oh!” he barks out a laugh. “Ouch. My ego just got smashed a little.” He grins at me and wraps his arms around me. “I love you too, you idiot.” “Good,” he huffs, rolling his eyes and grinning at me a sideways grin. “Because that would have been super awkward if not.” “Know what’s going to be awkward?” I ask after peeking my head out the cabana opening to grab my swimming bottoms that magically disappeared... well shit “What’s that?” “Leaving here nude from the waist down.” “So don’t leave,” he pulls me back down to him and I giggle. “We have to at some point, Jett.” I sigh. “I wish you’d just move in with me already. It puts a damper on the whole being able to fuck you whenever I want thing.”

“Wouldn’t that be nice?” I answer, trying to calm my fervently beating heart. Like, I’m fairly certain it’s going to beat out of my chest. I love him. I want him. I can see myself with him forever. Why am I freaking out right now? “Hey you two how was Mexico?” Chris asks from the driver’s seat. “Big brother you’re looking more and more civilian!” I croon. “Look at you, driving your own car, dressing in jeans! Who’s done this to you?” I secretly hope it’s Bex; they’re perfect for each other once you get past their hold-ups. “Can we talk about that tan, Lo?” His high pitched voice throws me for a loop. He’s so happy… giddy. God I hope it’s Bex. “I know, right? And Jett? And that tan line!” “Stop. Absolutely not funny,” Jett grumbles from the back seat. “Oh do tell.” My brother pulls out into traffic and I start in on how Jett and I fell asleep on the beach one day but a towel must have blown over his back and now his back looks like Cruella Deville’s hair. I died when we woke up and noticed it... him, not so much. “Hey, anything new with the will?” he asks, trying to change the subject. I sigh to myself while he and my brother start in on business talk. It was nice being away and off the grid for a week, but I knew this whole deal was bothering him. He doesn’t want to leave the shop, but from the sounds of it he’s going to have to until he can strike a deal with Sheur that gets the girls’ what they need. “Looks like I’ll be going in tomorrow,” he says, sighing. “Your sixty days are about up, Jett. Just go in, see what they have to offer... maybe it won’t be as bad as you remember. And I’ll keep working to try and figure a way out of this for everyone.” “Thanks, man.” I hear my phone go off and grab it from my purse as the two boys make small talk. My email’s been going crazy since we’ve gotten off the plane. There’s one waiting for me from the CVMA, California Veterinary Medical Association, and my heart does this weird flip in my chest. Am I really thinking about doing this? “Here we are,” my brother sighs, pulling into Jett’s driveway. I glance over at him, shoving my phone back in my purse before he sees what the screen says, and he smiles. “You coming home, sis?” Home. I smile and start to answer but I hear Jett clear his throat from outside the car and he’s giving me this lopsided grin. I grab my purse and open the car door. “I’ll text ya later. Thanks for picking us up.” Right now isn’t the time to tell Chris I’m moving in with Jett. Maybe tomorrow… Chris smiles at us, a very uncharacteristic smile, then drives away. It’s been months but I’m not used to this new Chris that’s completely ok with Jett and I being together. I’m happy for it, though. It makes me feel like I’m making the right choice. “So… home?” He says, opening the door. I smile at him and walk in. “Yes. Home.”



A month in to a job you can’t stand makes a man want to rip his hair out. Having to walk into this place, day in and day out, knowing my girl and my shop are waiting for me, is the worst feeling ever. I said I could do this until both the girls turn eighteen. That’s only about seventeen years away. I’m not certain I’ll make it that long. “Did you get those reports run?” Craig, the IT guy asks. I glare at him and push open my office door. “I’ll have them to you by lunch,” I grumble, setting my shit down and sitting back in my brother’s black leather office chair. The office looks pretty much like how he left it, but mainly because I don’t have the energy to clean it out. I do my minimum time here; just enough to keep the proverbial wheels greased, then get the fuck out. Most days I’m home by five. Some nights Lo and I spend at the shop, other’s we spend at home. Asking her to move in just seemed right. It was like we were already playing house most nights anyway, why not have her move her shit in? This month with her in my home, it’s actually started feeling like a home and not just a shell that happens to look nice. Lo’s a hard worker and she’s doing wonders with the shop and I don’t know if I’d trust leaving it to anyone else when I’m not there to run the books, but I’m still working on her getting back her passion for life. Trust me, there’s no passion missing when our clothes are off, but there’s still something she’s holding back on. I’ll get there. “Hey,” Stan says, walking into my office. “Numbers are in from the Blankenton plant.” He tosses papers on my desk and I roll my eyes and pick up the papers, scanning over the information. “Why did they stop pumping three days ago for a day and a half?” I can feel my pulse rising but I told myself I wouldn’t let stress of this place get to me. It’s simply a means to an end. “They hit a snag… I told them to push through.” Stan’s a weak man, I’ve found out in the last month, but even now I can tell something’s not right. “What type of snag, Stan?” “Oh… uh… It’s nothing. Nothing big. They drilled a little to… uh… deep?” “Deep? There’s a fifteen thousand foot leeway until you get too ‘deep’ in this area, Stan,” I growl. “What the fuck happened?” “I’m finding out,” he mutters, backing towards the door. “It’ll all be taken care of. I promise. Just… sign off on that when you’re done looking it over.” “Close the door on your way out, Stan.” He nods and leaves me to my papers. I toss them on the desk and growl, my fist slamming into the desk. The business I started and the business my brother grew are two totally different entities. I was worried about the environment. I was the one looking out for wildlife and keeping up with the EPA requirements and making sure we disrupted the least life forms. I understand that shit happens, but my

brother has built it into what seemingly is an uncaring, ruthless business from the sounds of it. On the outside, the public still sees it as I hoped, which I guess is a fine thing, but being on the inside makes me fucking rage. This isn’t what I wanted. None of this is what I wanted. He’s started fracking in the outlying areas and I don’t even want to get into that mess yet. My phone rings around lunchtime and when Lo’s face lights up the screen I smile to myself. God I’m a lucky man. “Hey sexy,” she croons when I answer. “Why do you sound so hot right now?” I moan, leaning back in my chair. “Working with motorcycles gets me that way,” she whispers. “Don’t even, Lo. I don’t want Dan thinking you’re fresh meat because I’m not there.” “He’s with a customer anyway,” she says. “Who?” “Antonio,” Lo states it so simply but just the fucking man’s name makes me want to burn shit. “Are you trying to kill me, kid?” “Just the opposite. I’d love to fuck you, but you’re not here and I’m bored.” “You’re bored?” “I am,” she states. “All the paperwork is done, bills have been paid, and I’m on my fifth piece of gum today. “What’re you wearing?” I ask, bringing my foot to rest on my desk. “Ooh Mr. Voss,” she whispers. “Only the best for the boss man.” I can hear her grin into the phone and I let out a moan. “I can’t have your tits hanging out when Antonio is there, kid. Please put them away.” I sigh and rub my forehead when I hear her start to laugh. “You’re too much sometimes, Jett. You know that?” “I know your tits are a force to be reckoned with. Put them away today and I promise you I’ll fuck them tonight.” “Well in that case-” she starts to say, but someone talking to her cuts her off. “Absolutely,” I hear her say away from the phone. Her voice is way too happy right now. “Lunch?” I hear the man ask and I ball my fists, almost crunching my fucking cellphone. This. This is why I need to be there right now. Fuck the bikes. I need to claim my fucking girl. “No. Sorry,” I hear her say. “I have your number. We’ll call when it’s in.” “If you change your mind, you have my number,” I hear him say. Fuck! “I’m going to beat his ass,” I grumble, then hear Lo let out a real, genuine laugh. “You could probably take him,” she says. “What the hell kind of man does that to another dudes girl?” “Well, Jett, last time he was here you were too busy with Darla-” “Marla-” I correct her but I stop myself from going any further when she stays silent, probably rolling her eyes at me. “I get it. This is why I need to be there with you.” “I’m a big girl and you trust me don’t you?” “Of fucking course I do.” “Then no worries. He just got a face of tits that’s it.” “Lo!” “I’m fucking kidding, Jett. Calm down. What time will you be home tonight?” “By four. Maybe three. Or maybe I’ll burn this place down and I’ll be home by lunch.”

“It’s an oil place. I feel like that’s a bad idea.” I bark out a laugh at her innocence and she lets out a growl. “Stop laughing at me.” “Babe, you know there’s no physical oil being pumped here, correct?” “I do. I was… joking. And shit. Just- go back to work. I fucking miss you here, Jett.” She sighs and my heart sinks. “I know. I miss you too. I have to figure something out, though, because I can’t keep doing this.” “Maybe you can talk to Pais-” “No. Not happening. Ever. She doesn’t need to be bothered with this.” “I feel like she has the right to know, Jett.” “This discussion is over, Lo. I have to get back to work.” “Love you,” she croons. “Love you more.” I end the call with a huff and stretch back, pushing the heels of my palm into my eye sockets. Think if I push far enough it’ll damage brain cells then I won’t be smart enough to work here anymore? Shit. The rest of the day is spent in meetings either telling people they aren’t doing their job right or wondering why we don’t pay people for doing their job so well. In the days between my brother’s death and my finally coming back to work here, this place got fucked up. They need me, and I don’t want to care but I do. I tell myself not to bring my work home, but there’s nights where I lay in bed long after Lo falls asleep and worry about this place. I know how my brother worked himself into an early grave. I won’t let that be me. I’ve already started keeping an eye out for potential employees that could take my spot at the top when I leave… I just have to figure out how to get out of here without Paisley and the girls losing their share of the money. It’s six before I’m walking in the front door and the first thing I notice is the smell. Is something burning? “Babe?” I drop my brother’s briefcase by the door and rush to the kitchen where I can’t help but stop and smile. “You’re home!” she says, holding her beer in one hand and a burnt piece of what looks to be garlic bread in another. “Sorry I’m late,” I smile. “I cooked!” She rushes over and plants her lips on mine, dropping the toast on the table. “I missed you,” she whispers on my lips. I grin and pull her hips against mine. “I fucking missed you too.” “So I made dinner,” she huffs, walking back into the kitchen. “Spaghetti. It’s Chris’ favorite so I thought I’d try it on you.” “It smells delicious.” “It smells like burnt shit on bread in here. Don’t lie.” She sets a bowl in front of me. “Fork or spoon?” Her eyebrows crunch together and I stare at her. “Um… fork?” She nods and brings it to me. “Is it weird I didn’t know that?” “No. It’s weird you eat spaghetti with a spoon.” She shrugs and grins, grabbing herself a bowl and sitting next to me at the table. We’ve started using this table for more than fucking and bill collecting. It’s nice having her here… it’s more than fucking nice. I never want her to leave.

She’s being quiet, eating slow, and poking at her food like it’s going to attack her. Something’s wrong with her… “How was the shop today?” “Oh... great, fine.” “Dinner’s amazing, Lo.” It’s no lie, I fucking love it. This is the shit homemade meals are made of. It’s more than likely not the most healthy of dinners but who gives a fuck when it’s this delicious? This is how couples get old and fat together, but as long as I’m with Lo I don’t give a damn. “Thank you.” She smiles over at me and shoves a bite into her mouth. “Hey, what’re you doing tomorrow?” I know the answer but I’m not about to tell her that. “Saturday. Sleeping.” She nods and grins up at me, making me laugh. “Good. I have plans for us.” Her face brightens a bit and she cocks her head in question. “Nope. It’s a surprise.” “I hate surprises,” she says, narrowing her eyes. “I think you hated me at first too. You’ll learn to love it, just like you’ve learned to love me.” “I never hated you!” She smiles and I grin. “I know.” I wink at her and take our bowls to the sink, rinsing them off before tossing them in the dishwasher. “I’m gonna hop in the shower,” she says from behind me. “Okay,” I answer, but she’s already down the hall and probably didn’t even hear me. I text Chris as I hear the water turn on. He and I have actually been talking a ton more this last month and something’s changed with the man, and he’s opened up a lot. I can honestly say he’s quickly becoming one of the closest friends I’ve ever had outside my brother. Me: talk to your sister today? Almost immediately I get a reply. Chris: Earlier. She okay? Me: Just acting weird. Wanted to make sure your demon mother didn’t get a hold of her. Chris: Tomorrow marks a year. I’m surprised she didn’t tell you. “Fuuuuck me.” I groan. How the hell did I not know this? I storm to the bathroom, tearing off my clothes as I go, and when I slide the curtain over I see her standing in the steamy stream of water, covering her face as the tears fall. “Oh baby,” I mutter, pulling her to me. “I’m not weak. I fucking hate this, but I’m not weak.” “I know, Lo. You’re the strongest woman I know.” I hold her there for what feels like ages. I hold her until the water runs cold and goosebumps start to form on her skin, and when I wrap her in a towel and take her to bed, she curls into me and the tears start to flow again. “I can’t turn them off,” she whispers. “If I try, then I feel so guilty… like if I’m not crying, then I’m forgetting… and I don’t want to forget.” “Hey, listen to me.” I sit us up and look her straight in the eyes. She needs to fucking hear this. “Life gives us shitty things sometimes and you’ve been dealt the shittiest of hands. I swear to God if that

had happened to me I wouldn’t be standing right now. Shit happens and sometimes there’s absolutely nothing you can do to stop it. It’s okay to break down, it’s okay to have moments where you think you can’t go on, but you will get through this. You will own it and you will find yourself again. Living your life to the fullest isn’t forgetting about your son, Lo. You don’t think he’d want you to be happy?” She sniffles and takes a breath, dropping her eyes. “You know, even at five years old I feel like he knew more about the world than I did sometimes.” She looks up at me with red rimmed eyes and a blotchy face but she’s never looked more beautiful and pure. “He told me a few weeks before he died that he was proud I was his mommy and he’ll be waiting for me in heaven.” She hiccups at the last of her words and the tears start flowing but she does nothing to stop them. “He wasn’t scared… I was. I needed that little boy to live, and no one understood that.” She loses it and fuck my heart breaks. God this hurts watching her like this. I wrap my arms around her and as a tear slips down my cheek I clear my throat and hold her tighter, because that’s all I can do for her right now. We fall asleep wrapped around each other and I lay in bed for hours, trying to think of anything but the pain she’s going through but I can’t. I can’t fix her pain, but I can try to help her see the bright things in life again. Tomorrow’s going to be hard, but it’s my goal to make sure she makes it through the day smiling as much as she can. “Come on, I have something for you.” I say, hopping out of bed the minute I notice the sun coming through the blinds. She looks at me funny and I grin. “Up!” I bark with a smile on my face. She rolls her eyes and stretches, then she throws on a pair of pants and one of my t-shirts. With no makeup and her hair on a pile on the top of her head, I fall in love all over again with this woman. “Where are we going?” she mutters, sliding into my car. “To get Emma.” I smile at her and her soft smile warms my heart. “She’s cute.” “She is. She’s going to be so excited for today.” “Did you let your sister in law know we were coming?” She’s staring out the window, her arms wrapped around her stomach, so I reach over and open her, holding tight to her hand. “I did.” I nod. “And what are we doing today?” “You’ll see.” I smile wide at her and she shakes her head at me. Paisley is more than happy to let go of Emma for the day. The girls definitely had a major turn of lifestyle when Brandon died, and I can tell Paisley isn’t taking it well... but other than helping with the girls, there’s no other way I can help. “How’s work going, Jett?” Paisley innocently asks from across the room and I look up at Lo who’s about to tell her off for this whole ordeal but the look I give her shuts her up in her tracks. It’s not Paisley’s fault I’m in this situation right now. “Just fine,” I huff, busying myself with the kids. “I’m sure there’s a lot Brandon left that you weren’t aware of,” she sighs. “You could say that,” I growl. More than you know. I watch Lo roll her eyes and huff. “How are you doing, Lo?” She asks as I finish packing Emma’s bag across the room. The two of them haven’t ever talked as far as I can tell but Pais is acting like she knows Lo. Interesting.

“I’m good. Thanks.” Lo plants that fake smile on and crosses her arms again. She’s full of so much pain today and she’s holding it all inside like a fucking pro. I don’t want her to hold it in. I need her to be able to let it out and move on with her daily life. I need her to live. “You ready!” I clap my hands at Emma and she smiles wide, super excited to have a day with us. “Yea, let’s go!” She runs to the car and I follow, leaving Lo inside with Paisley. They follow shortly after, as soon as the car seat is locked and loaded in the car. “You guys have fun,” Paisley says, then turns to Lo. “Call me if you ever need someone to talk to.” I watch Lo smile sadly at her and reach out, resting her hand on Paisley’s elbow. “Same to you. I mean it.” Paisley nods and waves as we drive away with a very excited child in the back seat. “Where are we going, Uncle Jett?” She screams… probably because she only has one noise level today. “You really want to know?” “I do!” I smile, “You really really want to know?” I taunt. “Yes!” “I think we’re going to the grocery store,” Lo chimes in, grinning back at Emma. “Nooooo,” she pouts and I chuckle. “What about I take you to Klanouk Animal center like I did that one time. We can spend the day playing with puppies?” I raise an eyebrow and glance over at Lo who’s glaring at me. “Puppies!!!” Emma shrieks and starts clapping. “A day with animals?” Lo narrows her eyes at me. “You love animals. Said so yourself.” I shrug, praying she’s not pissed. Her face contorts into this weird grin and she barks out a laugh. “Just the way I needed to spend today,” she sighs, taking my hand in hers and moving her gaze out the window. Here’s to hoping today isn’t a flop.



I don’t know how he did it, but he knew exactly what I needed today. He must have talked to my brother, because not once has he mentioned today’s significance, but he’s dealing with it like a true gentleman in love. I love him. I fucking love this man. I’m still blown away as to how he managed that one. It’s only been a few months but I know- he’s it. “Lo!” Emma giggles from across the room where one of the puppies won’t stop licking her face. We’ve been in this room playing with a new litter of puppies for a couple hours now and just the joy on her face is making every other worry today melt away. I smile and laugh from my perched spot on the bench, petting a small black runt that doesn’t feel like playing with everyone else. “You seem to have taken a liking to that one,” Jett says, walking over holding a bulldog pup. “He looks like you.” I grin and he chuckles, pressing the puppy to his cheek. “I thought so too. Maybe I’ll bring him home.” He kisses its head and it squirms to get at his hair, scratching at him and whining. “Bulldogs are actually a pretty high maintenance dog. What with the skin folds needing cleaned and the skin problems, and let’s not talk about the vet bills that’ll start to rack up when it gets sick.” “Good thing I know a vet.” He winks at me and my heart flops in my chest. “I’m not a practicing one,” I say after him as he walks way, but he ignores me. “I could be though,” I mutter, suddenly feeling like some of my life choices this past year have been poorly decided. Being here today has reminded me of my love for these furry creatures. Yes, I was dealing with a crisis… and I had no one to help me wade through everything. I have Jett now, and he’s going to make sure I don’t fail. Hell, I’m going to make sure I don’t fail this time around… for both of us. “Can we see the kitties now, uncle Jett?” Emma asks, still carrying around one of the pups. Good thing dogs are pretty resilient – she’s been man-handling them all day but they love it. I smile down at her and crouch down, petting the puppy she’s carrying. “I think your uncle is allergic to cats,” I lie, but he looks so content in the corner with the dogs crawling all over him. “But I can take you.” I glance over at Jett and he’s watching with awe in his eyes as he pets the bulldog pup he won’t put down while being mauled by the others that want attention. “You ok if we switch it up for a bit?” “Absolutely. Rex and I are having fun.” “Rex, huh? You named him?” “It fits. He’s got tiny arms and he’s feisty.” “You named a shelter dog, Jett. That’s one step closer to taking him home.” I grin at him and he shrugs, standing and taking Rex out the back door to go play outside for a bit. Emma and I spend an hour playing with the cats. Cats haven’t ever been my most favorite animal,

but they’re sweet in their own regard. At least to a three year old little girl who just wants to snuggle them. I think they sense my apprehension because on more than one occasion I have to jump out of the way when one attacks my ankle. It’s worth it, though. Watching Emma’s face brighten when one gives her attention is worth anything. A child’s joy… it’s exactly what I needed today. It’s afternoon before we break for lunch. I’m starving but I think Jett and Emma could go a few hours longer at this rate. The two of them together are a team of giggles and laughter as they work their way through the shelter, playing with each animal. Even the fish… she named one Fred. I can’t get over how amazing Jett was with her all day. He’s a natural with kids and with animals. How did I find a man this perfect? And then when he lifts and spins her? Ovary. Explosion. “I think she’s a little worn out,” he whispers from the front seat, glancing in the child mirror on his rearview. We’ve filled up on chicken nuggets and the blank stare Emma’s giving the window tells me she’ll be out soon. “Sam used to get that look right before naptime,” I whisper. Jett glances over wearing this sad smile and reaches over, taking my hand. “I bet he looked just like you,” he whispers. “He did. Thank God,” I scoff, laughing to myself. “What ever happened to his dad, Lo?” Jett’s thumb gently caresses my hand as he slows the car to a stop in a parking lot. “We’ll let her sleep for a bit.” He nods to the back and grins. “He was never around,” I answer, skirting the question. “How can a man just not be there for his kid… or the fucking mom?” he growls and I grin. “Well to be honest he never even knew he had a kid,” I shrug. “I was young, I liked to party, and honestly I don’t know who the dad is. It was a weekend away on the east coast that landed me pregnant.” I smile at the memories of that weekend. It was fun, and it was completely worth it even though it changed my life permanently. I look over at Jett and he’s nodding, staring out the windshield. “Did I finally take all your words away?” “I couldn’t imagine not knowing I had a kid.” He whispers. “I mean, not that I blame you- you’re a country apart and you had no clue whose it even is, but still…” He spins to look at Emma. “They’re beautiful creatures. I’m sorry you had to go through that all alone, Lo.” I take a ragged breath, grinning and letting out a chuckle because if I don’t I’ll start to cry. “It’s been a year, you know,” I whisper and he nods, his hand squeezing mine. “I know. Your brother told me.” “Figured,” I sniffle, letting a tear fall and cursing. “Sorry.” I take a few deep breaths and dry my eyes. “You want to go see him? I can stay in the car with Em while she sleeps.” His face is painted with love and understanding as I slowly nod and without another word he puts the car in drive and heads across town to the little cemetery. “I won’t be long,” I manage, opening the car door. “Take as long as you need, Lo. She’ll be out for a while.” I smile and steel myself, closing the door gently. It’s starting to get cooler outside. It never gets too cold here, but fall is well underway so it’s about time. The trees are rustling in the wind and the leaves crunch under my feet. Last year it was raining, but the way the sun shines today it doesn’t look like that’s happening any time soon. When I look up the hill towards Sam’s grave my stomach drops at the sight in front of me. “Chris?” I blurt, walking faster. He turns as he hears my steps approaching and I see his red eyes. Good. At least the man knows how to show emotion, even if it is in private. “What are you doing here?” He asks, clenching his jaw and leaving his hands clasped in his lap

holding a teddy bear. The knot in my throat threatens to spill over all the emotion inside of me right now, but I steel myself and cross my arms. “I could ask you the same thing,” I huff, glaring at him. “You never come out here.” “I come out here every week, Lo. He’s my nephew.” He glares right back, and before I know it it’s as if the entire last year didn’t happen. All the pain I felt a year ago today is back tenfold watching my brother sit here and cry over the loss of a nephew he never paid much attention to. I drop to the ground next to him and let him wrap his arms around me as I cry tears I’ve been holding back an entire year. Tears for mourning… but not for myself. For Chris. “I thought you didn’t care about him,” I manage and he sits back. “I know,” he whispers, looking down at the bear. “You know, I bought this when he was born. I was so mad at you for ruining your life, but I was also ecstatic I was going to be an uncle.” He smiles and shakes his head. “I never gave it to him because… well you shut me out. Rightfully.” “You called me a whore, Chris,” I whisper. “I did. I was angry… but I think I was more jealous than anything. I always wanted the family life, Lo. And you were getting it while I was working my life away.” “It wasn’t much of a family life, Chris,” I scoff. “I worked hours on end just to make ends meet. Barely.” He nods silently and we sit there in silence, taking in the world around us. My brother being here really threw me off today, but I can’t say it’s made me mad. I’m happy he’s here. I’m happy he knows how to show some sort of emotion. I was starting to get worried. “I’m sorry Lo,” he finally whispers and I raise an eyebrow at him in question. The man has a lot to be sorry for lately, but I’m curious what specifically he means. “I wasn’t ever there for you. Even growing up, I was the entitled one and you were just struggling to buy your own school supplies. I should have been there for his birth… I should have been there for his life… and his death.” I nod. “Yea. You should have been.” I take a breath and stand, wiping my jeans off. “He was a great kid, Chris.” “You gave him my middle name… I would have hoped he was the best.” I help him to stand and he sighs, looking down at his grave. The marker is remarkable. Black granite with his name and dates etched elegantly. My brother paid for it after the funeral when he found out I couldn’t afford anything. It took the death of my son to bring my brother’s heart around to acting correctly. “When he was a baby he used to play with my hair… it reminded me of when you would only be able to fall asleep with my doll’s hair in your fist.” “I was a kid,” he grunts. “At nine years old?” I laugh and he shakes his head. “That stays between the two of us.” He laughs and clears his throat. “Can you ever forgive me for how much of an ass I was?” he looks so sad… so worn down. This isn’t the business first brother I know. This is a man hurting from making too many mistakes in his life and missing out on a beautiful life because he was too busy caring about himself. “I think I can,” I grin, nudging him. “Just get your head out of your ass and stop working so damn much.” He laughs and we link arms, walking back to the car. “He treating you ok?” He slows his pace, nodding at Jett. “He is,” I smile. “More than okay. He’s good for me.” “Have you told him about the job yet?” he asks, kicking a rock as we go. “No… I will. Soon.” I was offered a position at the county animal clinic part time with full time options if it works out.

Chris got me the interview somehow and it’s only been a day since the offer. I don’t know if I’m going to take it and they’ve given me enough time to think about it… but I really want it. “You’re not going to say anything to him, are you?” “That’s your business, little sis. I’m just here for support.” He grins as we get to the car. “Finally,” I mutter, grinning when he huffs. “Thank you.” Jett opens the door and steps out, quietly closing it and nodding at us. “Hey man,” he says to Chris before smiling over at me. “That Emma back there?” Chris asks, bending down to see the sleeping kid in the back seat. “Yea, she conked out after the shelter and lunch.” “She’s a good kid. You’re a good uncle, Jett.” I watch Jett narrow his eyes at my brother and I do the same but neither of us ask questions. Interesting. If my brother’s fucking Paisley, Jett’s going to fucking flip. “I’m trying.” Jett sighs, his eyes going straight to mine. “Ready to head home, kid?” “Yea,” I smile. “You have a ride, Chris?” “My driver’s down the road. I just shot him a text, he’ll be here soon.” “Oh back to the driver now are we?” “The company makes me use him.” He rolls his eyes and I laugh at him. “Pinky’s up!” I tease and he brings me in for a hug. “Make fun all you want. I still miss ya, sis.” “Yea? I knew you would.” I shrug. “I’m pretty damn awesome.” “You take care of her, Jett.” “Wouldn’t have it any other way.” Jett grins at me and nods at Chris before slipping into the car. “Thanks for being here today, Chris.” I say again. “Anything for my little sis, Lo.” He squeezes me once more and starts walking towards an approaching car. I’ll never understand his life… nor do I want to. I’m perfectly happy the way things are right now. I just have to grow the balls to tell Jett about this potential career change. I guess I’m scared he’s going to have to close the shop if I leave… but I can’t run a motorcycle shop the rest of my life. As good as the shirts make my boobs look, that job is a perfect filler job for someone that doesn’t have a college education and a love for a career she needs to get back to. “Hey Paisley,” Jett whispers, carrying Emma into the house. I follow with her bag and her car seat and as he walks Emma to her room to lay her down Paisley comes walking into the room with the baby on her hip. “Hey,” she huffs, wiping hair out of her face. ‘Sorry, I was cleaning up throw up.” She rolls her eyes and smiles as Jett walks back into the room. “Hey baby!” He pulls Addison from Paisley’s hands and spins with her, making her stare at him in pure confusion. “Oh no, Jett she’s-” Paisley tries to stop him but it’s too late. One second Jett’s all smiles and the next he’s taking a mouthful of baby vomit and I can’t control my laughter. “Sick,” Paisley gasps as Jett who’s now trying to shove the baby back at her before running to the bathroom. “I can’t!” I laugh, heading outside to get the laughter out so I don’t wake Emma. “I’m gonna be fucking sick,” he grumbles, walking outside with a towel pressed to his shirt. “Took one for the team, champ,” I laugh and drive us home while he bitches the entire time about eating vomit for snack.

While he’s in the shower I pull up the website for the animal clinic and start browsing. When I hear the shower turn off I walk to the bathroom door and push it open with full intentions on telling him about the job. He’s standing there, towel wrapped around his waist, brushing his teeth harshly. He turns and smiles wide at me, toothpaste starting to drip out of his mouth. His chest is still wet from the shower, his biceps begging for my grasp… and let’s not start on the ‘V’ that did me in the first time I saw it. “You vant fum?” “No!” I shriek, grossed out but not enough to walk away. His body is begging me for attention right now… the job news can wait. I grin at him and he narrows his eyes at me as he scrubs the baby vomit away. After he rinses he wipes his mouth and quirks an eyebrow at me. “Sup, kid?” I could tell him, but then I wouldn’t be enjoying his body like I want to… The look I’m giving him must be giving him the same signals, because in one swoop me has me in his arms and sitting on the bathroom sink. “Fuck me you have too many clothes on,” he murmurs, his lips pressed to mine still. I can feel him grinning as he unbuttons my pants and we wriggle to shove them down. I hop down from the counter and spin, bending over the sink, and his hand caresses my back. “Hang on,” he says, standing me up and spinning me around. I pout and reach for his erection, gently stroking it and locking my eyes to his. “I need to do this right. Your body deserves more than a quick bathroom fuck.” He helps me kick off my jeans and carries me to the bedroom where he strips me of all my layers and lays me out on the bed. Crawling up next to me, his hands roam my skin and his lips devour mine. He tastes fresh, his tongue exploring my mouth like it’s his final kiss for ages, his hands not missing an inch of my body as he worships me. “I fucking love you, Lo,” he whispers, his eyes locked on mine. “I love you, Je-” I gasp mid-sentence when he slides his fingers inside me. Letting out a growl/chuckle, I push up to his hand and slam my lips to his. He plays me perfectly and to the edge of bliss. Then, when I don’t think I can take it any longer he moves on top of me and slides into me. In one movement everything around me blurs and all there is is us. The two of us, moving as one. The air is ours, the light shining down around him is ours… This life is ours. His movements aren’t hard nor are they taking. They’re soft and sweet and smooth. Our bodies pressed together, he rocks into me, his mouth clamped to mine with his elbows resting on either side of me. In this moment, he’s claimed me. Ruined me for anyone else. “Oh God, I’m close,” I whisper on his lips, wrapping my arms and legs around him, trying to get as close to him as I can. “Let go, Lo,” he growls, rocking into me with the perfect rhythm and pressure. I come completely undone at his hands, and he follows suit, leaning down and biting down on my shoulder as his orgasm rips through him. “Fuck!” I belt, the pain and pleasure swirling together and sending me over the edge and spiraling down. Holy fuck. This man… I’m speechless. He’s too perfect.

She’s ruined me. I knew it would happen. I just didn’t know it’d happen in this way. The first time I laid eyes on this girl I knew she was too beautiful, with too many skeletons, and she’d probably ruin me. Well, she did it… but not in the way I thought she would. She’s ruined me for every other female out there, but I don’t care. I fucking love it. I plan to keep this one for life. I want to fucking buy her flowers every time I see them but she yells at me because ‘I’m wasting money on something that’s just going to die.’ I want to do everything for the woman, but she’s adamant that she’s not helpless. I fucking know this, but she’s mine and I can’t stand to see her struggle! She’s turned me into a lovesick puppy and I fucking love it. “Hey babe, can I talk to you?” she asks walking into the living room with one of my t-shirts and no pants. Damn she’s sexy. It’s Saturday, and after the week from hell at work I’m ready to do nothing but enjoy my girl. Her words, ‘can we talk,’ make me leery that something’s going on and of course my mind immediately goes to Antonio at the shop. He ended up signing on to work on a project with Dave and I know he’s been there multiple times this week. I swear to fuck if it’s about him I’m burning this place down. “What’s up?” The look on her face tells me she doesn’t want to tell me what she is about to and it has my hackles rising. “So I uh-” she pauses and grins at me. “I have news.” “News?” She’s smiling. She’s not cheated on me or she wouldn’t be smiling… right? Is she pregnant? Oh fuck is she having my baby? “I got a job,” she blurts, covering her hands with her face and I can honestly say I’m let down. I was really hoping she was pregnant. See, lovesick I tell ya. “A job?” She works… for me? She runs my shop… “I did, and please don’t be mad. I wasn’t really even looking but it came up and I couldn’t turn it down and the pay is great and it’s benefits meaning I’ll finally have insurance for birth control and-” “You’re not on birth control?” I grin and try to remember her last period… then I fail and start getting a fucking chub because I’m thinking of her pussy way too much. “Focus, Jett.” She sighs. “I start in a week.” I narrow my eyes at her and shift on the couch, facing her. “Where is it?” I try to keep the hurt out of my voice that she’s leaving the shop, but I think I fail by the way her face falls. “I’m so sorry!” She looks so worried and it’s honestly cute as fuck. “I’m not mad, babe. Just where are you starting work in a week? I need to know where my girl’s going to be all day… you know, since she’s leaving the shop I hired her for so I could see her every day.” “Please, you haven’t been in but maybe once a week the last few months. It’ll be fine, Jett.” She takes a break and locks her eyes with mine. “I’m in at the clinic on the west side of town.” “The animal clinic?” I grin. When she nods her head my heart almost bursts from pride. I swoop

her onto my lap and my hands encase her beautiful face. “You got a job at the clinic?” “I did,” she smiles back and shrugs. “It’s just the walk-in’s and it’s only part time, but if it all works out they may be looking for another resident vet soon so I could be in for good.” She grins, her face glowing with excitement. “That’s fucking brilliant, Lo!” I press my lips to hers and pull her against me. “Fuck I’m so proud of you.” She fucking did it… she found her drive again. “It’s your fault,” she mumbles into my neck, making me chuckle. “I believe it. I knew you had it in ya, kid.” She pulls back and smiles at me. “So you’re not mad about the shop?” “No!” I scoff at her and rest my hands on her legs that are straddling me. “Not at all. Dan can run the place until I figure out what’s going on with Shuer.” “I’m going to be working weird shifts for a while… we may not see each other very often.” “Well then,” I growl, grabbing her ass and standing. “We better start enjoying each other more. What say you?” I don’t give her time to react as I push her shirt up and latch my mouth around her nipple. Fuck I love no bra Saturdays. She moans and shoves her tits into my face as I walk us to the bedroom, where I intend to show her exactly how proud of her I am. “Did you tell Dan yet?” I ask into the phone, since it’s late Monday and I’m still not home to my girl. This place is running all cylinders all the fucking time, and if you miss one tiny thing you’re set behind weeks. It’s fucking infuriating how they have it set up, but I’m slowly making it better. Slowly. “I did, yea.” I hear her sigh and I grin. “You know this is a good move, right?” I stop working and lean back, stretching out my sore muscles. Working in the shop I was always moving and staying active… now I sit at a desk and in meetings all day and it’s really starting to fuck with my body. I’m fucking miserable here. The only bright spot to my day is getting home to Lo but even that hasn’t been happening as much lately. And when she starts this new job of hers I’ll probably never see her anymore but when we’re sleeping. Jesus this is fucked up. If I were at the shop I could set my own fucking hours. I’d be happier. I’d be free of this fucking place. Fuck! “I know. I still feel bad. Dan’s like a dad to me!” Her laugh is contagious. “I’m sure he’d like to know you think of him as a father figure.” “I mean he’s not old, but he’s wise. Like a wise old owl.” “I’d stop while you’re ahead, babe,” I chuckle. “You just turned him into an animal.” “Either way, I told him. He wished me good luck- then he asked me to go get him a pack of beer.” “While on the clock?” What the fuck is happening over there? “Oh no, he was heading out after work so I ran and grabbed him some so he didn’t have to stop on his way.” She laughs. “You’re too stressed, Jett.” “I’m fine, kid,” I lie. This place is eating me alive and I can’t stand it but there’s no way out of it. Not yet, at least. “I have to get back to work. I shouldn’t be much longer.” “I’ll be waiting.” I can only pray it’s nude in my bed. “I’ll hurry. I love you.” “Love you too, big man.” She ends the call and I groan. Fuck I miss her.

The men working on a project up North haven’t sent in their numbers for three weeks so far and it’s eating at me that they’re doing shit off the radar. With all the projects my brother had going when he died it’s been hard for me to get shit under control. I feel like Stan is fucking useless here so it’s like nothing got done the entire two months before I came on and now I’m playing catch-up with everything. I told her it’d be soon, but it’s going on ten pm before I’m even able to call it a night. On my way to lock up my office door there’s a commotion at the front of the offices. “Now,” a man barks. Immediately I run to see what the fuck is happening and when I burst through the massive frosted glass doors I’m met with a fuming Chris and a very scared looking security guard. “What the fuck is happening?” I growl, noticing Paisley standing in the corner. “He’s been demanding to get back but I didn’t think anyone was back there,” the security guard stammers. “He’s fine. Let’s go,” I all but growl to the two of them. We make it to my office and I close the door, walking over to my desk while Chris paces towards the back wall. “Nice to see you, Paisley,” I say smiling at her. I wish you weren’t here right now, however. Her being here confirms my fears of her finding something out. “Tell him,” Chris blurts, making her jump. I glare at him and he stops pacing and crosses his arms. He looks exhausted and slightly annoyed, “You tell him or I am.” With shaky hands, Paisley silently pulls out papers and slides them across the table to me. I take them and sit down, opening them up and start reading. “What the fuck is this?” I whisper as my eyes scan over the words. Final will and testament for Brandon E. Voss. Dated July 2016 “Why did you bring this? What the hell are you doing here?” I’m glaring at her and she takes a breath. “Why are you here, Jett?” She asks and I feel like I’m missing a very intricate part to this game. “I fucking work here, Paise!” I boast. “But why?” “Because I want to.” I grit out the lie and it burns. Chris chuckles a smartass chuckle from behind her. “That’s Brandon’s will, ya fucker.” He says, shaking his head. “I know,” I grind out. Fuck what the hell is with these people? Chris storms over to me and flips to the fifth page, shoving it in my face. “This! This is Brandon’s fucking will!” He shakes the paper so I roll my eyes and grab it. The fifth page. The first time I read this page my life changed forever. I don’t know why he’d want me to read it again. “Yea, yea, yea,” I mumble, reading over the page. When I get to the bottom of the page my stomach drops. “What the hell?” I flip the page over and over, turn to the other pages in the document… “What the shit, guys?” I huff, looking up at them. “He knew you hated this place.” Paisley shrugs. “When I heard you were back here I wondered why, but I thought maybe it was your way of coping or something.” She chuckles lightly. “We all knew how much you hated it here, Jett.” “What is this, Pais?” I shake the papers and toss them on the desk. “What, you think? That making a fake document is going to get me out of this? I’m not risking that,” I growl. “No, that’s… Jett this is his legal will. What Stan showed you… he’s gone off the grid and paid people to file a fraud final will and testament.” She huffs and looks back at Chris. “Help, here?” “Dude, he took the will that was presented to him and added in the clause of you working here.

I’ve been doing insane amounts of digging because I knew your brother wouldn’t force you to work here. When I couldn’t find anything, I turned to Paisley.” “I asked you not to do that.” I clench my fists, glaring at him. “Yea, well it’s a damn good thing I did, man. She knew immediately what Stan had done.” He nods down the hall. “That man added a clause very illegally to a will. He went as far as to pay multiple people at the courthouse off to swap it for his ‘will’ that way when I went looking into it I wouldn’t find any bread crumbs.” “He’s a dead man,” I growl. “We gotta play this smart, Jett. Step one is making sure there’s someone capable to run this place. Step two is putting Stan’s ass in jail.” “Step three is putting his ass in jail.” “What’s step two?” He asks with a slight grin. He knows me all too well. “Kicking said ass.” I growl. “Who’s going to run this place, though?” Paisley speaks up. “I just so happen to have a name of a kid Brandon was training. Hampton Bates. Brandon’s protégé of sorts. Name ring a bell to you?” “Nah,” I huff, unable to process all this right now. “No surprise. Stan fired him the day after Brandon’s death and seemingly deleted all files on him. Looks like he wanted to make sure you’d walk in here and the company would be struggling… forcing you to work hard for the money.” He shrugs. “I can bring this kid back and see what he knows.” “Worth a shot,” I huff and look at them. “So…. Ten pm on a Monday night is a good time to do this? Not earlier today?” “Oh we had to wait until the kids got in bed,” Paisley says, standing up and I flash my glare to Chris. “Yea uh… and I had a meeting until now,” he stumbles over his words and I grin at them. Sure. I don’t fucking buy it. “Right… well, thank you for this. I have to get home to Lo.” I clear my throat and grab my things. This place can so fuck themselves. I wish it all the best, but I’m fucking done here. “I heard about her new job. That’s great for her!” Paisley speaks up as we lock up my office. “Yea, it’s amazing. I’m really proud of her,” I say honestly. I’m so proud of her and I only hope she loves it as much as she did when she first got into the profession. “I’m glad my sister has you, Jett.” Chris nods. “We’ll be in touch tomorrow, I assume?” I nod and he returns the gesture before walking to the car with Paisley. I spin and look at the ominous building and kick a rock at it. Fuck me. I’m getting the fuck out of this place! The ride home was the most freeing ride I’ve had since that first one I did with Lo. It’s been a few weeks since we’ve gone out together and she’s been begging me to help her pick out her own bike. Now that I’ll be at the shop daily, I think that just might have to be on the agenda. As much as I love her pressed up against me on one bike, seeing her driving her own? Good god just thinking about it makes me hard. “Oh honey, I’m home!” I yell, opening the door and finding the house dark. Well, dark expect for a line of candles making their trail back to the bedroom. “Good fucking Christ, yes,” I growl, stripping my clothes as I go. “I thought you’d never get home.” She whispers from the bed. Not quite nude, but the get-up she’s wearing hardens my cock to almost painful levels. “Holy fuck, Lo,” I whisper, dropping to my knees and crawling to her. She’s sitting at the foot of the bed, her legs spread wide and her pussy absolutely glistening. The black fishnet body suit she’s wearing has convenient holes for easy access and is cut out around her tits. Her dark hair cascades around

her face and she looks down at me with a devious grin on her face. “Welcome home Mr. Voss.” Her seductive whisper is enough to make a grown man weak in the knees. And if I weren’t already on mine in front of her I’d be a sinking ship. “What in fuck’s sake did I do to deserve this?” I whisper, my hands going to her thighs as I breathe in her scent. She moans and brings her hands to my head, pulling my face forward and allowing me to taste just how wet she really is. I hear her moan and switch to auto pilot, enjoying bringing her to her first orgasm of the night in mere minutes as soon as I slip my fingers inside her. “Fuck, Jett,” she gasps, riding my face. I suck, flick, and finger fuck her until she’s pushing me away and staring at me like a starved animal. “I could do with those home-comings shenanigans every fucking night.” “Just don’t make it a habit to be so late,” she purrs, her hands roaming my body as I stand in front of her. “Don’t worry, I’m in charge now.” “Right. Until the next employee needs you or the next drill breaks.” She rolls her eyes and I grin at her. “Why are you smiling? I fucking miss you.” Her hand cups me through my pants and I groan, focusing on the topic at hand. “No more Shuer, babe.” I grin at her when she looks at me with a look of confusion. “Stan rigged the will. He’s in a fuck ton of trouble and there never was a clause that I had to work there in order for the girls to get their money. Your brother and Paisley figured it all out.” I’m fucking beaming, never been so happy before than I am right now. I have my girl. I have a bike shop I own and love, and I no longer have to work for the corporation I helped establish. Fuck. Yes. We spend the rest of the night in bed together worshipping each other’s bodies and I wouldn’t have it any other way. When the sun rises in the morning, I don’t make a move to get up. Today’s a new day, and I’m living my life the way it needs to be lived. We’re doing this for us, and not for anyone else.



“New Year’s Eve is supposed to be fun!” Jett’s being a party pooper and giving me grief about going out tonight, but I’m not going to let him ruin this. Bex and I have really been trying to get the boys to be more social the past few months and so far we’ve only succeeded in one couples date since Jett left Sheur and the stress of the corporate world left his shoulders. And thank God for that because I seriously thought he was working himself into the grave just like his brother did. That place sucks your soul and it was doing just that to him. When he came back to the shop his entire demeanor went from stressed and angry back to the light hearted man I fell in love with. These past couple months have been surreal. I never knew I could feel this happy again after I lost Sam, but Jett has taught me how to live with my demons. Sure there’s bad days, but I know that’s all they are. Days. My life almost ended after my son died. Jett taught me how to live again. This last year had it’s ups and downs, but we’re about to start a new year fresh, happy, and most importantly – together. I never thought I’d rely on someone else as much as I do him, but it just feels right. “I can have just as much fun here in bed with you as I can out in a field with a hundred other people.” He rolls his eyes and shoves the toothbrush in his mouth. I grin and cock an eyebrow at him. “We can always have fun out in the field. I seem to remember having a grand ol’ time a few months ago in one.” I wink and spin, walking into the bedroom to pick out my outfit for tonight. Winters here aren’t too cold and even tonight is supposed to be mild, so I’m not worried about being too cold outside. I’m more worried about having on too many layers in case we decide to have a little outdoor fun… “I’ll have fun with you wherever I please,” He growls from behind me when I walk back into the bedroom, his hands going around my waist. I grin and grind my ass against him, feeling his erection swelling. “Oh I know that, big boy.” I let out a small moan when his hand slips under my panties and goes straight for my core. “Fuck, Lo, you’re always ready for me, aren’t you?” His lips land on my neck and I roll my head to the side, letting him play me into a stupor. “I’m glad I didn’t get dressed yet,” I murmur as he pulls my panties all the way down. His hand presses firm on my upper back, bending me over at the waist and I grip onto the bedspread. He slowly pushes into me, making me moan in pleasure, and his hand falls quickly to my ass. “Fuck!” I scream. “Bend over the bed, babe,” he whispers. I do as I’m told and purr when I hear the lube bottle click. We’ve done ass play before and each time I think I’m going to hate it but it just keeps getting better. The cold liquid falls over my ass and as he thrusts, his thumb slips into my hole and I moan. “Oh fuck, Jett.” In and out. In and out. His thumb plays me until I don’t think I can take it any longer, then he pulls completely out of me and slaps my ass hard. “Noooo,” I whine, wiggling my ass back to him.

“Knees on the bed, babe. Spread ‘em.” I look behind me and grin, bring my knees up to the mattress and watch as he strokes himself. His hooded eyes locked on my pussy and just that act makes me so fucking turned on. His hand rests on my ass and as he slips into me, so slowly, he locks his eyes on mine and I bite my lip from the pressure. “Slow, Lo,” he whispers as I try to push back onto him. “Fuck,” he huffs, throwing his head back. He’s filling me in a way no man ever has before and it feels almost too good. “Ah,” I squeak when he pushes in a little more. Reaching back, I feel the base of his dick as he slides it all the way into me. He locks his eyes on mine and slowly starts thrusting once I’ve adjusted to him. “I’m not gonna last long like this, baby,” he grunts. “God damn you’re so tight.” I reach down and start playing with my clit, every time he pulls out to thrust back in I come a little bit closer. “Oh God, I’m almost there,” I manage. “You going to come, Lo?” He slaps my ass and I’m a goner. “Yes!” I belt, my orgasm starting to peak. He slams into me once more and as I start to clench around him he pulls out, bringing me so much pleasure I can’t help but scream out. “FUCK!” I feel him release his own climax on my back but I’m still trying to come down from that. Holy fuck. He falls next to me on the bed and slams his lips to mine. “Fuck me that was so fucking hot,” he pants, hands on his head. “I never knew it would be that good! Why have we not been doing that?” He turns and grins at me, then pecks a kiss on my nose and sits up, moving to get ready to leave. “I think we’re going to be late… but I really don’t care.” I moan and stretch on the bed. He never ceases to amaze me and I can’t wipe the smile off my face as I watch him get dressed. That was definitely something I never thought I’d be okay with, but fuck it felt so goddamn amazing. “I mean we could just stay here?” He shrugs and grins at me. I laugh and roll from the bed. “Right. Bex would be so mad.” “What’s up with her and Chris anyway?” I huff, trying to pick which outfit to wear tonight. “Honestly I don’t know. My brother’s too uptight… she’s too carefree. They’re the total opposite but I really hope it works out for them. They both deserve something happy.” “He seems to be a little less uptight lately. Maybe she’s fixing him.” “He was broken?” I laugh, tossing a light sweater on. He grins across the room and chuckles. “Kinda. Workaholic type of broken.” He shrugs and winks at me before walking over and taking my face in his hands. “Hey,” I whisper. “I love you. You know this, correct?” “I do.” I furrow my brows. “I love you too, dork.” He shakes his head and lets out a chuckle. “I mean really, truly, forever love, Lo. Always.” “That’s what love is, Jett,” I grin at him and rest my hands on his forearms. “So when I do this, you better not laugh at me,” he whispers, his eyes searching mine. I nod in complete confusion. Then he drops to one knee and my eyes almost bug out of my head. “It’s been less than a year, Jett,” I whisper, not believing what he’s about to do. “It has,” he grins. “But you had my heart on day two.” “Why not day one?” I grin and he lets out a frustrated growl.

“Because I was too drunk to know any better on day one. I think I remember proposing on day one and you turned me down. Day two I woke up and you were here and I fucking knew it was you. You were it.” I can feel my heart attempting to beat out of my chest as he reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small red velvet box. “If that’s a locket I’m going to junk punch you,” I whisper and he laughs a nervous laugh, shaking his head. “Leave it to you to ruin a man’s proposal.” “I’m just saying. You set the bar-” I pause and stop my rant as his word hit home. “Proposal?” He grins a devious grin and flips the top to the box open. “Oh shit,” I whisper, my eyes taking in the massive diamond ring waiting for my finger. “Shit you weren’t kidding!” He smiles wide and clears his throat. His hand is shaking and I can see the nerves running through his body. “You’re not like anything I ever imagined, Lauren Manners. My Lo. Please say you’ll marry me and keep me an honest, happy, driven man the rest of my life?” “Was it the anal? Was that the kicker?” I quirk an eyebrow at him and he busts out a laugh. “You fucking know it was, kid,” he says, standing. “So what do ya say? Will you let me stick it in your butt the rest of our lives?” “What if I have diarrhea?” I grin and can’t hold back the laugh. “Good fuck, Lo. Will you or will you not marry me?” he boasts and I can’t help but laugh. “Well of course, idiot! Took ya fucking long enough,” I grumble, letting him slide the ring on my finger. A Perfect fit. “I mean, I thought it was pretty decent timing. I haven’t even known you for a year.” “Yea, but you’ve known of me your whole life. You just never knew how amazing I was.” I grin and he presses his lips to mine to shut me up. The best ‘shut up’ kiss ever. “You’re here!” Bex exclaims, running over to us. Her arms go around me and I can already smell the alcohol on her breath. Looking around, it looks like everyone around here is already plastered but it’s not even ten pm yet. They weren’t joking when they said it’d be a ‘blowout’ party. “We’re here,” I squeal, matching her excitement. I smile and raise my left hand, showing off the diamond engagement ring and wiggling my eyebrows at her. The scream that comes out of her attracts everyone’s attention and she grabs my hand, pulling it up to get a better look. “Holy fuck, Jett!” She grabs him and pulls him in for a hug. “That’s fucking beautiful! Chris!” She yells as he approaches us. “Did you see this?” “I did,” he says, his speech already starting to slur. I roll my eyes and smile at him. “Of course you did,” I scoff. “He needed help picking it out. And something about you not having a dad and needing my approval in life because he looks up to me so much…” Jett punches him in the arm and Chris laughs. “Joking. Kinda. But I did know. Congrats, sis.” He lifts his beer to me and takes a swig. “Thank you,” I smile. “Let’s get this party started, looks like we’re behind!” I grab Jett’s arm and he follows close by as we head for the hard liquor. The next hour and a half is full of music, laughter, and letting all the people I used to hang out with meet my fiancé. Damn I’ll never get used to that term.

“Sloshed isn’t exactly my style,” he whispers as I pour myself my fourth glass for the night. “But it looks fucking amazing on you.” His hand goes for my ass and I grin, taking a sip of my drink. “I happen to know there’s a very empty barn just across the field that would love to be christened by us,” I whisper. “It’s almost midnight. We stay for the fireworks then fuck to the yes. But I’m not lying in any fucking hay. That shit itches.” he shudders, making me laugh. “Alright guys! Get the fuck out here, it’s almost midnight!” Bex screams to everyone inside the barn. We head outside and everyone is soon chiming in with the countdown. “Five!” Bex screams. “Four! Three! Two!” I belt. Jett’s hands go around me and grab onto my ass, pulling me to him. “One,” he whispers, pressing his lips to mine. My lips part and he slides his tongue into my mouth and we completely shut off the outside world as the fireworks start blasting around us. Someone eventually yells at us to get a room so we break it up and grab a spot in the field to watch the fireworks show my brother no doubt paid for. I’m not sure if this is legal, but it’s pretty as fuck. “I can’t even say how stoked I am to start a new year with my fiancée,” Jett whispers, standing and pulling me to him. I take his hat and turn it backwards, pressing my lips to his. “I think I need to fuck you in that barn over there, now.” I say over the sound of the fireworks banging. Jesus it’s so loud. I back away and turn to finish watching the fireworks and he grabs my ass. “I think that’s a fucking bril-” He stops talking and grunts uncharacteristically. I spin, his eyes locking on mine and the color immediately draining from his face. That’s when it happens. He falls flat to the ground and I realize I’ve been splattered with something warm… and red. The screams around me shock me at first, but when I realize they’re my screams I start to look around at all the people staring at us gawk-eyed. What the –? My brother runs straight for me and grabs me by the arms, shaking me “Holy fuck, Lo!” He shakes me and I look around. “Were you hit?” There are people all over us and I can’t get my body to shop shaking. One minute he was here… and now…. “Jett,” I gasp, locking eyes with my brother. “Jett!” I scream, looking just past him to the ground. I push past him and he flanks me, trying to stop me but it’s no use. “Oh no, no, no!” I scream, falling to the ground next to him. The people around him are taking pictures and one is trying to stop the bleeding but too many people are just standing here! “Help him!” I scream. “Someone call for help!” I scream. I push the useless girl out of the way and my brother takes over trying to stop the bleeding from his chest. “What the fuck happened?” I scream, looking all over the crowd. “Someone call 911! Fuck!” My hands go to his wound to try to help my brother apply pressure but it feels futile. “No, Jett, baby can you hear me?” I manage, tears falling free from my face. “Lo?” He whispers so low I can barely hear him. His eyes crack open and he grins at me. “Hang in there, we’re getting you help.” I’m panicked but I have to stay strong for him. “I did it,” he smiles. “What?” I lean in, searching his eyes. I think he’s losing it. “I did it. I made you care. I brought you back to life.” he starts to cough and his eyes squeeze shut. “Jett don’t talk, it’s going to be fine.” I huff, wiping the tears away. He did… but if he dies I’m as good as fucking dead. He gurgles something but his eyes flutter closed as he tries to find me. Fuck. “Chris there’s so much blood,” I cry. “We have to apply pressure, Lo. Come on,” he grunts, jaw tight.

I lean down and kiss Jett’s lips but he doesn’t do the same… he can’t. “Chris,” I cry. “I can’t lose him!” “Here, push down,” He grunts, nodding to his hands. I do as I’m told and he rips his shirt off, instructing me to lift momentarily as he slides it over the wound. Blood starts pumping out immediately so I clasp my hands back over top of it and push. “He still has a pulse,” Bex says. “It’s faint, but it’s there. Ambulance is on its way.” “Hang in there, Jett. We’re getting you taken care of.” I sniffle and focus on keeping pressure on the wound. I hear people muttering about a stray bullet from the celebrations but the only thing I can focus on is Jett and his rapidly cooling body. This isn’t okay. This can’t be happening. “Get him a blanket or something!” I scream. People start tossing their jackets and shirts and my brother starts covering his body to try to keep him warm until the medical personnel get here. I can’t lose him. “What the hell’s taking them so long?” I mutter, wringing the hat Jett wore tonight between my hands. I found it lying on the ground when the medical team took him away. They called for a helicopter to bring him to the best ER in the country, per my brother’s instructions, and it’s taken us an hour to get here. Thank god there was one fucking sober person at the party to drive us or I don’t know how I’d have gotten here. An hour. An hour and they still can’t tell me anything. “It didn’t come out the other side,” Chris huffs. “Meaning they have to go in and dig it out.” I let out a growl and squeeze my eyes closed. This can’t be happening. “Ma’am can they tell us anything on Jett Voss yet?” I’ve asked this nurse about twenty times so far but we’ve been here four hours and they haven’t given us any updates. “Only that he’s still in surgery.” She gives me a sad smile and nods, heading to the back again. “Fuck!” I belt, slamming my fist to the counter. “Here, take this.” Bex shoves a pill in my hand and I look at it. “The hell is this?” “Xanax. You’re going to give yourself a panic attack, Lo. Just take it and drink.” She shoves a bottle of water in my hand and I toss the pill back, rolling my eyes. “If they’d just fucking tell me what’s happening I wouldn’t be this antsy.” I huff and sit back down next to my brother. “They’re working on saving his life, Lo. At least they haven’t come out here and told you he’s dead.” The knife my brother’s so good at twisting in my gut twists a little tighter and I feel like I could vomit. “Horrible phrasing, Chris,” Bex chides, sitting down next to him. “Lo, he’s going to be fine. Jett’s a fighter… you’ll see.”

Six. Six. Fucking. Hours. Six hours since I’ve seen him. “Family of Jett Voss?” A nurse walks into the room finally. I look around and huff. That’s me. We tried getting a hold of his parents but they’re on vacation in Paris apparently so I’m it. Chris gives my hand a tight squeeze and suddenly I’m not as antsy to hear the news. I won’t be walking out of this hospital on my own if he didn’t make it. I can’t do it. He taught me how to live, but never how to live without him. “That’s me,” I walk slowly to her and she gives me a sad grin. “The doctor would like to speak with you in private.” “Wait!” I stop her as she walks to the double doors. I turn and look at Chris. “I can’t do this alone,” I whisper, somehow managing to get out through the thickness in my throat. He nods and clears his throat before standing and taking my hand as we follow the nurse back to hear the news. Fuck.



Jett taught me to own the things that make me unique. He taught me to love myself again. He taught me to care about myself again. He did things for me that I was unwilling to do for myself. Our love was one of those love at first sight, insta-love romances. It was a whirlwind of what I first thought was lust, but soon realized it was much more than just desire. I’ve never felt about anyone the way Jett made me feel in those first few weeks. I still don’t. I never will again. “You ready, sis?” Chris’s somber tone from the door rattles me. Even for Brandon’s funeral he wasn’t like this and he was closer to him than anyone else in his personal life. “Yea,” I huff, standing and inspecting myself in the mirror once more. Drained. I look absolutely drained. Who wouldn’t in my situation, though? Futile weeks on end spent at the bedside of the man you love? And then this? Chris is lucky I’m standing right now. “I like this dress on you,” he says gently, holding his hand out for me. I look down at the long sleeve, straight black dress and sigh. “It’s all I had,” I mumble, taking his arm and letting him walk with me to the car. “You going to be okay today?” He opens the car door for me and waits until I look up at him to answer. “I don’t have a choice, Chris. What about you?” “Same,” he grunts, rubbing the back of his neck. Like most things in my life, I don’t have a choice in how they go. I didn’t have a choice in my son’s life, I didn’t have a choice with falling in love with Jett and everything that happened thereafter, and I don’t have a choice now. He slams the door and moves to his side of the car, starting it up and sighing. “You’re a strong woman, Lo. I’m proud to call you my sister and I don’t tell you that enough.” I smile a genuine smile, one I haven’t felt in a long time. It’s been a while since I’ve had anything to smile about. “Thank you, Chris. That means a lot coming from you.” We drive to the funeral home in silence. A part of me is screaming on the inside that this shouldn’t be happening, but I’m so worn down I’m finding it hard to feel anything today, especially in these circumstances. And of course, it’s the same fucking funeral home. In a city this big, with as many funeral homes as there are, this has to be the one that’s used for all the big crowd funerals. Sam’s wasn’t a big ‘crowd’ funeral per say, but my brother knows a lot of people that like to show their face when death strikes to make it seem like they care. They don’t. “I’ll drop you off then find a parking spot. Meet me in the lobby?” He slows the car to a stop and I stare at the doors.

Those doors mean so much to me… because that’s where I first laid eyes on him. I take a deep breath, steeling myself for today, and smile at him. “Got it. Right inside.” I get out of the car and close the door, my hands clamming up immediately. I wipe them on my dress and sling my purse over my shoulder. I can fucking do this. I can own today. My hand comes in contact with the door handle and that’s when I hear him. “Be careful opening those doors kid. I wouldn’t want you running into the next man you fall in love with.” I grin, his voice immediately bringing me back to earth, and spin straight into Jett. “Oh God I’m so happy you made it,” I whisper as he pulls me against him. I feel the weight of the last two months fall off my shoulders with him standing here holding me. “You thought I wouldn’t?” He pulls me tighter to him. “I wouldn’t leave you alone today.” “But they wouldn’t let you out of the hospital!” I back away and take his appearance in. The only thing showing his struggle the past eight weeks is a sling holding his arm up. That’s it. He smiles widely and shrugs, then cringes a bit before masking on the ‘I’m fine’ face. “I’m a grown ass man, kid. I do what I want.” He nods to the lobby and grins. “So we going in or just gonna chill out here today?” “She’s going in,” Chris interrupts. “Glad to see you doing better, Jett. You gave us all a scare there.” “Me fucking too,” he grumbles. The last few weeks have been nothing short of stressful but it’s an understatement when I say that Jett took it like a champ. He rocked recovery once he got there, but it was his stint in the ICU that scared me. I still remember the day he flat lined. “Don’t talk right now, babe. Just listen,” I whisper, sitting next to him in bed. He woke up yesterday, groggy and in pain, but at least he’s alive. Thank God he’s alive. I open the book I started reading to him last week after they finally let me see him and continue reading. His hand comes to rest on my thigh and I smile at him. The coloring is starting to come back to his face, his skin starting to feel normal again and not as dry as it had gotten. The bullet was centimeters away from killing him and they told Chris and I the pressure we applied kept just enough blood in him to keep him going until they could get him stabilized. I still have nightmares of that night when I sleep, but I’m trying not to focus on it. My Jett’s here. He’s alive. “What about work?” His voice is gruff and he looks at me with so much concern I almost start crying again. “Babe, don’t worry about that. The clinic knows what happened and they’re holding my spot until you’re healthy. The shop is thriving with Dan at the helm,” I say and he grunts. “I’ve got the books under control. Everything is under control. I’ve got this.” I smile wide at him “I’m proud of you, kid,” he rasps and I close the book, smiling at him as he grins at me. “I love you, Lo.” “I love you too, Jett. And your stubble.” He tries to laugh when my hand scrubs gently on his cheek. His laugh turns to a coughing fit and soon all his monitors are going off. “Jett?” I say, standing from the bed. He starts wheezing, the alarms start beeping, and soon the room is full of medical professionals.

He flat lined moments after that and it took shocking his heart back to life to keep him alive. After that he was put in the ICU for a stint to make sure there was nothing more inside him that was going to blow. “I don’t want to stay here long,” I tell Chris and he nods. “She was your mother, Lo,” Jett says. “Don’t cut today short because of me.” “She was a vile woman who I never truly knew. I’ll be here to pay my respects but I will not stay.” “I’ll be able to drive you two back in a little bit,” Chris says, nodding at Bex. “Excuse me.” “Think they’ll ever figure their shit out?” Jett says grinning from next to me. “Hopefully.” I watch as Paisley opens the door and practically runs into the two of them and an awkward moment ensues. “I’m not jealous of that situation at all.” Jett chuckles and starts coughing and I know we need to get out of here. I don’t know how he got out of the hospital today but I can assure him he’s not getting off that easily. We’re going home and I’m babying him until he’s back to one hundred percent. I thought I lost him twice in the past two and a half months. I’ve known the man for a very short amount of time, but in that time he’s been able to pull every emotion I’ve ever had from me and make me fall head over heels in love with him. “You don’t have to come with me,” he grumbles from the passenger seat. He’s not okay with being handled with kid gloves, but until he gets the all clear from the doctors I’m not leaving his side. Period. We’ve gone as far as making a schedule so I can get to work at the clinic. When I’m at work in the evenings, Chris is at the house hanging out with him. Jett’s not happy about it but there’s not much he can do about it either. “You can’t drive yourself yet, babe. And I’m not leaving your side for a very long time.” I smile at him and hit the turn signal to turn into the Shuer parking lot. The entire mess with the will still isn’t finalized. Stan has a trial set in a month or so and you better fucking believe Jett will be there, but he’s still working on training the boy that took over the company. I say boy. This kid is my age but he’s so green. With Jett recovering in the hospital and Stan fired immediately when the truth about the will came out, Hampton had to take over immediately. We’re lucky he’s comfortable with the company, but there’s so much this kid needs to learn still. “I shouldn’t be too long.” Jett smiles and kisses me on the cheek before heading back to the meeting room where Hampton and the other managers await. I take my seat in an empty office and wait. My ring glimmers in the light and I grin, letting myself daydream about the day we can finally get married. I haven’t brought it up to anyone since the day we got engaged. Bex has tried talking to me about it and asking what I’m going to do, but I haven’t had the energy. With burying my mom a week ago and trying to get back on schedule in our everyday life, plus the physical therapy that Jett still had to undergo, now’s just not a good time to add wedding planning. I need him healthy first and foremost. I flip through my phone as I wait and shoot Bex a text message. Me: How’s things on the home front? Bex: Dumb. Stubborn. Pretty much any typical day.

I smile at the thought of her giving my brother a hard time, but someone has to. I was right. It was her that was making him such a happier person, but the two of them have a relationship I’ll never understand. He’s stubborn, but she’s no princess. I just hope that they can work it out. I’ve never seen my brother as happy as he is with her. I’ve also never seen him as angry. Bex: We still doing dinner tonight? Me: Yep! I’ll call on our way. As soon as I hit send, Jett walks back into the room with a smile on his face. God this man is beautiful. “Hey Lo,” he stops mid-sentence and spins in the hallway, staring with a fake grin on his face. “Stan.” He all but growls the words and I stand, walking to his side. What the shit is he doing here? “I’m just here to grab some shit, Voss. Call your hounds off.” He points behind him to the security guards and I grin. Good. They shouldn’t have even let him in the building without notifying someone first. “What the hell is he doing here?” I hear Paisley’s voice and turn to see her standing in the middle of the hallway, directly behind Jett. “What’s she doing here?” I whisper to Jett who’s now in the middle of these two. “She’s ownership and wants to stay in the know. She’s at all the meetings now,” he whispers, backing away. My brother pops out from behind her and I feel like I’m missing something, but Jett leans over and whispers, “he’s legal team. He needs to be here while the switchover of everything is being finalized.” I nod and watch the tension in the hallway build. “I thought we made it clear you weren’t welcome here anymore, Stanley.” I’ve never seen Paisley angry, honestly I wasn’t sure if she could get angry. “I left some important paperwork,” Stan huffs, rolling his eyes and walking towards his office. When he approaches Paisley, Jett tenses but I see her stand her ground, unmoving, not allowing him back. “Move, Paisley,” Stan’s annoyed tone fills the otherwise silent hallway. Paisley lets out a chuckle and grins, shaking her head at him, then before we know it she’s swinging as hard as she can right at his nose. “That’s for fucking with my deceased husband’s company!” Her knee comes up and hits him square between the legs and he falls to the floor, holding himself. “And that’s for fucking with my family.” “Paise-” Chris blurts, pulling her away from him. “He’s not welcome in here anymore. Stan, whatever you left on your desk is now property of Shuer.” She growls. “You bitch!” he screams out at her and before she moves to kick him in the face Jett and Chris both rush her and block her from bringing any more harm to the man. “Get him out,” Jett grinds out, jaw tight. I didn’t think she had it in her, but damn that was impressive! I stand and watch as the guards remove Stan from the building and Chris fawns over Paisley. Jett walks back over to me and chuckles, wiping his hand through his hair. “Ready to get out of here, kid?” The lopsided grin on his face melts my fucking panties. These next few weeks until he’s cleared for sex is going to be harder than I thought. “Absolutely.” I take his hand and we head out to the car. The sun is shining and for the first time since the accident I feel like nothing can stop us. With Jett by my side, we’re capable of anything. Jett was and forever will be the best thing that’s ever happened to me.



“You okay over there?” Bex is only joking but I feel like I could have a heart attack. Are the dudes supposed to have feelings like this on the day of their wedding? Maybe I’m having a heart attack. “No. I need to see her,” I growl, tightening my fists at my side as I glare at the back doors to the church. Bex lets out a laugh and smiles. She’s beautiful, Chris is a lucky man that needs to get his head out of his ass. “It’s your wedding day, Jett. The wait is totally worth it! I promise you she looks heavenly.” Lo made me wait one entire year from the accident to get married. She wasn’t joking when she said she was going to nurse me back to health. She made me sit at home for almost two months before going back to work. I couldn’t fuck her for months after the accident because she was afraid of sending me into cardiac arrest. She’s the hottest, strictest nurse I’ve ever met but damn if that didn’t make me love her harder. I’ve never had someone care about me as much as she does. It’s fucking amazing. The road to recovery wasn’t amazing. It wasn’t fun. I was brought back down to square one when it came to my physical attributes but I’ve been working hard on gaining my strength and I’m almost back to where I was before that fucking stray bullet hit me. Anyone who thinks shooting guns just for shits and giggles into the fucking night sky on New Year’s Eve is a douche and deserves to be hit with a stray one just once in their life. The music changes and the wedding guests all stand but I have the perfect view of the aisle and the doors. When they swing open I see nothing but her. The dress, the veil… holy fuck she’s stunning. Why the fuck is she walk so slow down this isle? “You’re bouncing,” Bex whispers across the front of the church at me. “I need my fucking girl,” I all but growl back at her. The priest clears his throat and I roll my eyes. I still wish we would have gone to the courthouse, but she wanted the wedding and my girl gets what she wants. She always gets what she wants. “You look so beautiful,” I whisper when she and Chris make it down the aisle. “Take care of her or I will have you taken out without a trace of evidence,” he whispers, grinning. His threat means the world but I know he’s only half joking. He better fucking know I’ll take care of her. Forever. “Ready to get hitched?” She grins at me and wiggles her eyebrows then leans in to me. “I can’t wait to show you what I have on under this dress.” She backs away and grins a devious smile at me and I’m stuck for the rest of the ceremony trying not to think about fucking her senseless. Perfect. By the end of the day I’m ready to peel this dress off her and enjoy my wife. My. Fucking. Wife. The best thing that ever happened to me.

Now I just have to convince her for a baby right away and I’ll be set for life.

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About M. Dauphin An avid, self proclaimed closet book nerd by the age of nine, Dauphin didn’t take her love of fictional worlds public until she self-published her first book almost 20 years later. Since putting to paper the voices in her head, she’s fallen in love with a career of building, ruining, and rebuilding fictional character’s lives. Her love will always reside with the romance genre, but she does enjoy going off the grid every now and then with non-fiction. From Southern Illinois, born and raised, she now resides with her husband, two small boys, and one very busy dog. If you friend her on Facebook, you’ll be subjecting yourself to a whole lot of awesome…. So what are you waiting for?! Find her here: www.facebook.com/authormdauphin if you want to follow her author ramblings, go here www.mdauphin.com if you want to see what she has to offer (and some hot guys, too) and if you want to chat, email her here: [email protected]. You can also follow her on Instagram at @M_Dauphin3 or Twitter @AuthorMDauphin.

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Works by M. Dauphin and H.Q. Frost For3ver : http://amzn.to/1TRH0z5 BANG: http://amzn.to/1XvlbIl Little Bird: http://amzn.to/1OswTwk Dirty Bird: http://amzn.to/2j30vHk