“I don’t care. It’s decided,” he replied.
Boy, he was bossy. After al our time together, nearly a year, I hadn’t been able to get the bossy out of him. It was likely I never would. It was also likely I would never stop trying.
I made another attempt. “Maybe we should talk –” He moved. Quickly.
Hands at my waist, he twisted, taking me over his body, rol ing us both to the other side and I ended up on my back, Lee mostly on top of me.
“It’s decided,” he repeated.
“You didn’t ask –” I started.
“Listen to me, honey,” he said softly but his voice was determined. “I got the choice of puttin’ on a fuckin’ suit in a coupla weeks in order to meet you at the end of an aisle or maybe puttin’ on a suit to stand by your coffin. I pick the first.”
Okay, he had a point there. I picked the first too.
“How do the other boys feel about this decision?” I asked.
“Ecstatic. None of us particularly enjoyed the shot at, kidnapped, beat up portions of the Rock Chick Experience the first time around. We’re not fired up for a repeat performance.”
Okay, he had a point there too.
“Al right,” I said.
At my unusual y easy capitulation, he smiled at me. I stared.
He had a great smile. After a lifetime of witnessing that smile (which I had, his parents were best friends with my parents, I’d known him since I was born) I was stil ready for another lifetime.
His mouth went to my neck. A shiver ran across my skin.
“I stil can’t believe you’re gonna give up,” I whispered and I couldn’t believe it because it was unbelievable. Lee Nightingale was not a man who gave up.
“It’s not givin’ up,” he murmured against my neck, his mouth moving up to my jaw. “What it is, is assessing priorities and not takin’ any chances.”
I had to admit, it was nice to know I was “a priority”.
Stil .
“But –”
His mouth came to mine. “Shut up.”
My eyes narrowed. “Don’t tel me to shut up.” His chocolate brown eyes got melty and I saw smile crinkles form at their sides.
“Al right,” he agreed.
Then he kissed me and I shut up.
*
Lee and I walked into Daisy’s big room. There were several boxes of LaMar’s donuts open and waiting, Smithie sitting in a chair eating a jel y donut and talking to Jules who was drinking coffee and looking pale. “Morning sickness?” I asked Jules.
“I’m in my fourth month and it’s sticking with me,” she replied on a grimace. “Can’t keep anything down until at least noon. Daisy’s breakfast yesterday… not fun re-experiencing that.”
“Fuck! Don’t talk about pukin’ while I’m eatin’ a jel y donut,” Smithie snapped.
“Sorry Smithie,” Jules returned on a smal smile.
“Where is everyone? We’re supposed to have a morning meeting.” Lee selected a chocolate-covered donut while I poured coffee.
I looked at Lee. He was ready to get this done. He had other, not so pleasant things on his agenda that day, like sitting down and giving into the threats of a very, very bad guy.
“Wel , I heard Roxie and Hank fighting on my way down.
Then I heard Eddie and Jet fighting. Didn’t hear anything from Luke and Ava. Vance is taking a shower. Daisy’s pouting because Smithie brought donuts,” Jules answered.
“She made coffee, put out the cups, cream and sugar and stomped off.”
“Fighting?” Lee asked on an eyebrow raise, completely unconcerned about Daisy pouting, which, given my vast experience with Daisy, I thought took precedence.
I decided not to share this nugget of information. Lee had enough to worry about.
“The girls are not fond of you boys fuckin’ throwin’ in the towel,” Smithie replied. “They like their action. Crazy bitches.”
Lee shook his head, clearly agreeing with Smithie.
I glared at him. He stared at me calmly. I gave up the glare and chose an old-fashioned donut.
“I don’t want to talk about it. In fact, I don’t want to talk to you, ” Jet snapped as she entered the room. She was angry but this didn’t stop Eddie from having her in what Jet cal ed an “Eddie’s Woman Hold”, arm wrapped tight around her neck, Jet tucked deep into his side.
Eddie seemed oblivious to Jet’s rant, then again, Eddie always seemed oblivious to Jet’s rants which were not frequent but not unheard of.
“Who brought the donuts?” Eddie asked.
Jet rol ed her eyes at me. I smiled at her in understanding and took a bite of my donut which I chased with coffee.
Eddie disengaged and grabbed a glazed cinnamon rol .
“What’s up?” I asked as Jet got close. “You pissed that the Hot Bunch are giving up?”
“Yes,” she snapped. “Eddie’s been working that case for a year, even before he knew me. He’s never given up on anything. But we had an Eddie Chat while in bed and you know what that means.”