Wreck Me

It’s so loud. My ears ring and the background noise is muffled. Damn, I’m aching all over. I can hear sirens. Wait. Sirens? What’s happened? F*ck. My heart beats wildly in my chest and my breathing is erratic. I’m panicking and I have no idea what’s going on. I need to check my body. I look down and see blood. It’s everywhere. It’s all over me. My hands are stained crimson and I run my hands over my body to see where I am wounded. But nothing. I am not wounded. It’s not my blood. I look around, but everything is blurry. Where am I? I rub my eyes and my vision clears enough to see two figures in the distance. Maman and Papa. It’s them! Maman! Papa! I scream for them, but I don’t think they hear me because they haven’t stopped. Maman! Papa! Please! Don’t leave me again! Please! Don’t go! They won’t stop. They keep walking away and I am reduced to nothing. I fall to my knees and plead. “Don’t leave me. Don’t leave me. Don’t leave me. Please stay. Come back!” My shoulders slump forward in defeat as I watch their figures disappear in the distance like a taunting mirage. I lurch back and forth with painfully intense sobs that rip through me leaving a quaking wounded soul in its wake.

“Come back to me. Please. Please. Please.” I startle and jolt awake when I feel strong arms tangle around me.

“F*ck, Jo! You scared the shit out of me. You had a nightmare. You’re okay now. It’s not real.” I shake in his embrace and work on calming my breathing and pulse. He has no clue just how real my dream was. I wish I could agree with him and say that it’s not real, but it is. My parents are still dead and I am as alone as a person can be. I have no family or friends. Only Sutton’s old ass and now Damon and I am not even sure what the hell I agreed to with him. He turns me to face him and wipes sweat from my brow with his thumb.

“Want to talk about it?”

“No.”

“You’re okay, Jo. Go back to sleep.” He turns me back to my other side and pulls my back to his chest again. He tucks me under his arm in a protective manner and it’s a magic cure. In this position with him I feel safe. My eyelids are heavy and I give into slumber.

I wake up to my phone chiming. “Shut up.” I groan and cover my head with my pillow. The phone silences and begins ringing all over again. I leap from the bed and instantly remember where I am. The luxurious carpet beneath my bare feet is my first reminder. Shit, I’m naked. I snatch up my annoying cell phone first. “Hello?” I snap down the line.

“Jo, I need you in early today. I have some things I need you to get done right away.”

“What could you possibly need done right away?”

“We are liquidating. It’s done.”

“No! You can’t give up yet. We can figure it out!”

“I can’t afford it. We have to crate up inventory and start selling it off. Store’s done. I’ll see you shortly.” Sutton hangs up on me before I can utter another word. I crawl back into the empty bed and cradle my head in my hands. Where is Damon? I can’t think about Damon right now, I have bigger issues at hand. F*ck. This is really happening. It’s over. The store is really going to close. What am I going to do? No one is hiring right now. I’d be lucky to get a job flipping burgers or cleaning toilets. There’s another book store close to my place, but it’s a giant chain store and they would never hire me. I don’t kiss ass, make coffee, or act bubbly like some cheerleader. I damn sure don’t believe in that saying that ‘the customer is always right.’ That’s a steaming pile of horse shit and I refuse to deal with it. If some jerk off wants to argue with me about something that I know he is wrong about I am going to tell him. If some ladies kid is clowning in the store and knocks something over causing damage, guess what? Mommy of the year is going to pay for it. I get that it is good business etiquette to kiss ass when necessary, but I just can’t. It isn’t in me. No one will hire someone like me. I’m too rough around the edges. I don’t have a college education. I have a lousy GED and that’s it. I am so royally screwed. I snap out of my thoughts when I feel eyes on me. My eyes zero in on Damon standing in the doorway of the bedroom staring at me.

“What’s wrong?” I grab the sheet and quickly wrap it around myself.

“I have to go. My boss called. He needs me in early. I guess we’re liquidating inventory. The store is closing.” I scan the room for my clothing and spot them on the floor. Damon remains standing in the doorway in black pajama pants that draw my eyes to all the right places on him. His chest is bare. His hair is a beautiful sloppy mess of dark brown locks. He looks perfect and the memory of that amazing cock buried within me sends a shiver down my spine. He walks towards me and climbs in the bed. He pulls me down to my back and wraps his arms around me before hauling me to his chest. I think he likes me in this position. I huff in exasperation. I really don’t have time for cuddling bullshit. Sutton needs my help to end the only good thing in my life. Wonderful. Just f*cking grand. I hate this. I can’t stand the idea of it being sold and turned into some cookie cutter yogurt shop or tanning salon.

“Tell me about it.”

“I can’t. I have to get over there.”

“Tell me.”

“Dammit, fine. We have been struggling for some time. I knew it was coming, I was just holding out a little hope that things would turn around you know? I have some great ideas that might help our profit margin. Or lack thereof. Well, anyway, Sutton has to sell the inventory and close down. He can’t afford to stay in business open any longer.” Tears sting the backs of my eyes and the lump in my throat builds. What the hell is wrong with me? I never cry this much. I glance to Damon and he appears to be digesting what I have said.

“So you’re unemployed now?”

“Gee thanks a*shole. Don’t lessen the blow on my account.” He chuckles and nods.

“Okay, you’re right that was rude. It’s the business part of me. Don’t worry about it, Josephine. It will all work out.”


“Hmph!” He would say that shit to me right now. It’s just like all those damn volunteers use to say. “Don’t worry. Things are going to work out.” I don’t need or want to be fed some line of bullshit. It doesn’t make me feel any better and it damn sure doesn’t change the bottom line. It only pisses me off. Things never just work out on their own. If things work out for me it will be because I did what I had to do to change my life. That’s the bottom line. There is no genie in a lamp, no lucky penny found, no magical wishing wells. All that shit is a fairy tale that I won’t buy into. The store closing is a problem, but I will just have to find a way to manage. I have done it before, I will do it again. I will be okay. I peel myself from his arms and carry about dressing myself minus one pair of destroyed panties.

“I really have to get to the store.” Damon looks less than happy about me leaving. That’s the last thing I need right now.

“Promise you’ll call me once you get out of there.” He is a bossy ass in and out of bed. But, I have to admit that it’s hot. There is something sexy about his commanding style. Maybe it’s because it’s new to me. That’s it. I like it because this is my first experience with a man like this. I don’t feel so uncomfortable with my strange feelings toward him now. It’s new and exciting is all. I will get over it in a day or two and his bossy attitude will be annoying and short lived. This works. I’ll play along with him, for now.

“I would call, but I don’t think I have your number.” A sly grin spreads across those soft lips of his and it spells out mischief.

I grab my cell phone and scroll through my extremely short list of contacts and there it is. It’s the only “D” in my list of contacts. He has given me his cell number, office number and email. Wow. I nod my head up and down as I observe the info he has input into my phone.

“Okay. I guess I do have your number.” I glance at him and half smile. “I’ll call you when I’m free.”

“Howard has your keys at the security desk.” I have clothed myself and I am prepared to endure my walk of shame when I feel his arm hook around my waist and pull me to him. He turns me by my shoulders to face him.

“Call me,” he murmurs. His lips press against mine and my knees instantly go weak for him. Oh these lips feel incredible pressed to mine. I will definitely want more of Damon. I don’t feel so skeptical about agreeing to see him anymore. I am really liking what he does to me. I can’t walk away after just one night. Not just yet.





I walk through the door and hear the familiar dinging of the old silver bell above the door. I walk three steps into the store and see nothing but packing crates and tissue paper. The sight of it all drives it home that we are closing and it makes me angry with everything. “Son-of-a-bitch!” I spin around on my heels, sweep three fat hard backs from the closest shelf and stack them on the floor in front of the door. I step up on them and snatch the familiar silver bell down with force. The thin leather strap it hangs from snaps and I dust off the bell before shoving it into my bag. I’m pissed. Sutton may have the power to close up shop, but dammit I am taking this f*cking bell!

“I called you an hour and a half ago. ASAP means as soon as possible. Where have you been?”

“Thank you for clearing that up for me Captain Obvious. I was banging this guy I may or may not know.” I answer honestly in the most flat, indifferent tone I can conjure up. F*cking nosey ass Sutton really knows how to pluck each and every one of my nerves. He scoffs and navigates his thin frame between two tall stacks of boxes.

“I have a buyer for about two-thirds of our inventory so we need it boxed, labeled and ready for delivery by the end of today.”

“Great,” I draw out feigning excitement. He is undoubtedly going to go lounge in his office where he will likely snooze for most of the day while I bust my ass to get this gargantuan amount of books packed up. The bastard could at the very least get the labels done while I do the lifting and packing. But, that’s Sutton for you. Grumpy. Lazy. A*shole. We tolerate each other but most days he makes me feel like some pesky annoyance and I do my best to make him feel ancient. We are two birds of a feather really. We work well together. Truth is I guess I am just as pissy and grumpy as he is. It has got to be why he won’t hire anyone else. I don’t think anyone could work for him anyway. If he hired help for me they would quit the first day. Once they got a dose of both of us the poor sucker would high tale it to the nearest therapist. I can be just as rough as Sutton I guess. I don’t even realize when I am doing it. Sutton will come to me, and remind me of how much of a raging bitch I was to a customer, and honest to God I don’t mean to. It’s a natural kind of royal bitchiness I suppose. I don’t mean it, and sometimes I feel bad about it. I try to tone it down, but I am just one of those generally unhappy people. If you’re looking for lollipops and rainbows while you shop for the latest best seller, you best not come to me. I won’t chat you up and tell you how cute your kid is. I won’t smile and flirt. I won’t stroke your ego about the jewelry you are wearing or the shirt you have on. I will help you find what you need. I will recommend books and hell I even talk about what I liked about one book over another but all that other shit is just not my thing. I remember when I waltzed into the store to ask for a job. Sutton’s shiny bald head was barely visible from behind the counter and I waited for him to get up. He popped up from behind the counter and damn near had a f*cking stroke. I guess he probably thought I was going to rob him or something. I looked like your typical homeless kid even though I did my best to clean up before I came to the store.

“Geez, cool it chief. I’m not going to bite.” Sutton’s brow’s rocketed up his face at mock speed. I guess I surprised him with my mouth. It happens a lot.

“And who the hell are you?”

“Miss USA and you?”

“Captain America. Can I help you?” I couldn’t help but giggle under my breath.

“Fitting name. I want a job,” I state very matter of fact. He crosses his arms over his chest and looks at me like I have sprouted a second head right in front of his eyes.

“And why in the hell would I hire a bum?”

“I can tell you why. I love books. Probably more than you. I have likely read every book in here at this very moment. I can tell you authors names along with their works off the top of my head. I live in a book most days and dream of them most nights. I’m honest. I know how to work my ass off and I wouldn’t bail on you. Clearly I am in no position to throw away a steady job. Not hiring me would be a loss on your part Captain.”

“Favorite author?”

“J.D. Salinger.”

“Catcher Rye huh?”

“You got it.”

“Fine. Your hired. But you have to clean yourself up more. I don’t want to smell you and neither do the customers. My granddaughter has left for college and she has old clothes in my attic. I can bring you some decent pants and shirts. Just this once though. Once you get your first pay check I’ll expect you to look presentable, girl.”

“Jo. My name is Jo. Call me that or nothing at all.”

“Fine. I’m Mr. Sutton. See you tomorrow morning, Jo. Don’t be late or I’ll fire you.”


“I’ll be here, Captain.”

I’m snapped out of my lamenting when my phone buzzes against my butt cheek. I stand and pull it from my pocket. I have a text from Mr. Tall, dark and handsome.

Can I steal you away for lunch? Subs?

I sigh. I honestly would love to see Damon right about now. I could use the distraction from this disaster, but I can’t go. I have entirely too much to do around here. I plan on conning Sutton into ordering takeout for us. He’ll do it. He always does. I send a text back.

Sounds great but I can’t. Swamped here.

I hate that I have to spend my lunch with Sutton instead of Damon. I am teetering on the edge of a total nuclear meltdown today. I am dealing with the after effects of the sixteenth anniversary of the accident, I had an awful nightmare reliving all those feelings of abandonment, and I agreed to…whatever with Damon. I feel so unlike myself and it’s f*cking with my head. I could use a glass of wine or two. I stride over to Sutton’s office and walk right in. The old grump is knocked out cold in his old chair.

“Sutton!” The old man lurches up out of his seat looking like he is going to have a coronary and I end up feeling just a tad guilty for startling him.

“God-bless-it Jo! You scared the shit out of me.”

“You wear those old man diapers so you’ll be okay. Are you going to order some lunch for your slave girl or shall I starve while you dash my hopes and dreams?”

“Oh, cut the shit, Jo. You know this is hard on me too. What the hell do you want to eat?”

“We can order Chinese from that place you like.”

“Gives me heart burn.”

“Everything gives you heart burn,” I toss over my shoulder as I walk out of his office to get the menu from under the front counter.

“Holy hell! You scared the shit out of me!” I nearly jump out of my skin at the sight of Damon holding a big brown paper sack in front of the counter.

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. You said you were swamped so I thought you would like some lunch?” He grins feeling very proud of his charming gesture, no doubt. It is nice. I smile and snatch the bag from him.

“What the hell did you bring? This thing is heavy!” He shrugs and looks sheepish again which does something weird to my insides. I get all mushy when he looks at me with those bashful amber eyes.

“I don’t really know what you like yet, so I bought one of each.” There are enough sub sandwiches in the bag to feed a dozen people. I can’t believe he would order all this food. I would have eaten whatever he brought. The gesture alone has me feeling gushy and giddy on the inside. It’s bizarre.

“Oh and I didn’t know what you wanted to drink so I got a variety.”

“Thank you.” I smile broad and I swear it feels like the first time I have smiled…ever.

“You’re breath taking, you know that?” His voice is low and lust filled. It makes my insides stir and crave his touch. I set the bag on the counter and then take the other bag from his hand and turn to set it on the counter. I step forward and get up on tip toes to kiss him. I wrap my arms around his neck and his chiseled arms enfold me. He pulls me into him and lifts me from my feet. I lean in to cover his mouth with mine and do my best to show him my appreciation. Not just for the lunch, but for the distraction too. I feel like my world is crumbling beneath my feet but Damon walks in and I have something to grab onto. It’s frightening and comforting all in the same. His velvet tongue slips over my lips and moves rhythmically against mine. I moan into his mouth and his arms tighten around me. I can feel his erection pressed against me and damn I wish we were at his place right about now. I can feel my skin turn flush with heat and arousal. I break away from his amazing lips and press my cheek to his while I catch my breath.

“Has anything come to mind yet?”

“No.” I answer honestly. I still have no clue why I feel like I know him and really haven’t had much time today to explore my memories.

“You?”

“No. Nothing.”

“Let’s eat.” He lays another kiss on my lips before setting me to my feet. I sigh and grab his hand to lead him. I pop my head into Sutton’s office. The old bastard is sleeping again. Pitiful. Maybe it’s a good thing the store is closing. He really should have retired a long time ago. I don’t want to give him another heart attack but I know he is hungry.

“Pssst!” His eyes crack open and he peers at me sleepily. I grin and hold up the bag.

“Looky, looky Captain. Come eat old man.” He rumbles and grumbles under his breath as he sits up and stands from that rickety chair. One day it’s going to give out and he is going to break a f*cking hip. I’ve told him that, but he ignores me. We sit down at the small table at the back of the store and I drag over an extra chair for Damon. I dig out the multitude of subs and make the introductions. “Damon this is my boss Stanley Sutton. Sutton this is my friend, Damon Cole.” They shake hands and Sutton eyes Damon speculatively.

“Friend huh?” Sutton grumbles. I give him the stink eye, but he ignores it. I’m afraid he has grown accustomed to my dirty looks over the years.

“Yep. Friends. That alright by you?” Damon says nothing while watching me verbally duke it out with Sutton.

“Fine by me as long as nothing interferes with your work.” He stares across the small table at Damon and they are exchanging some subliminal man thing. I don’t get it but, whatever. I have never introduced Sutton to anyone I have hooked up with for obvious reasons. I have the feeling Sutton may be a tiny bit territorial here. Maybe he is being protective?

“Okay boys, chill out. Let’s eat. Sutton you want the ham with Swiss right?” I don’t have to ask. I have been ordering his food for seven years. I know him better than even he knows himself some days.

“Yeah,” he mumbles as he pops open a soda. I glance at Damon and he watches me observantly. I sort through the sandwiches and choose one for myself. Damon picks one and we all devour our food. I begin clearing our mess and putting away the left-over food.

“Damon, may I have a word?” I pause and shoot a death glare in Sutton’s direction. He doesn’t even acknowledge my irritation.

“Of course.” I snap my attention to Damon and he winks at me before following Sutton into his office. I hear the door click shut and I debate on whether or not I should eavesdrop. F*ck it. I don’t care. Let them talk. I finish cleaning up from lunch and busy myself with labels while I wait on Mr. Tall dark and handsome to reappear. A full half an hour later I hear the office door open and Damon walks toward me. I can’t help it. I want to know what they were talking about.

“I have to get back to the office. I have some time sensitive matters that need my attention. Walk me out?”

“Sure.” He extends his hand to me and I take it. He leads us out the front door and we walk at a snail’s pace to his car. This time he is driving a BMW and it matches his appearance. He looks amazing in his gray suit, dusky blue shirt, and silver tie.

“You should know that he loves you.” I snap my head back in shock.

“What?”

“Sutton. He loves you. Trust me.” I scoff and shake my head.

“He does not love me. That’s total bullshit. He can barely stand me and trust me the feeling is mutual.” He shakes his head and chuckles in amusement. He releases my hand and cups my face in his big hands. My heart speeds and my stomach flutters. He is just so damn handsome and charming. He has no glitches. He seems to be perfect aside from his semi-screwed up childhood. He has got to be too good to be true. Has to.


“You have a dirty mouth,” he breathes.

“Yeah, but I think you like my dirty mouth.”

“I like a whole lot more than this mouth of yours.” He runs his thumb across the seam of my lips and I bite it. He sucks in air through gritted teeth and fire blazes in those amber eyes.

“Text me your address. I’m picking you up as soon as you get home from work. Your ass is mine tonight. All night.” His lips silence the protest that I was contemplating on making. Oh to hell with it. I kiss him back and give as good as I get. I agreed to more sex and I am a woman of my word. Besides, I won’t deny that I am starving for more of him. He ends the kiss too soon for my liking and I groan in protest. He smiles and presses my cheek to his stubbly jaw as he wraps me up in a tight hug.

“Okay,” I say softly. He plants a kiss on my cheek and releases me. He slips into his fancy ass car and drives away leaving me to count the seconds until I feel his skin against mine again.