In a funny twist, Renny found herself really uncomfortable with mostly naked women strutting around him. Not that they dared try anything.
The dancers learned, after the first time he popped in for a beer, to keep their hands off. Whoever thought human women were meek never saw Renny grab a girl by the hair and growl, “Keep your paws off my man, Tina, or I will make your furry ass into a rug.”
Because where Caleb was concerned, now that he was back, he was hers. And nothing, nothing would keep her away from him.
Although some idiots seemed intent on trying, like her boss at the supermarket who barked, “Suarez, why aren’t you working?”
Renny rolled her eyes before facing her manager, some guy sent down by head office to maximize the store’s revenue. “Work doing what?” She swept a hand toward her empty aisle. “There’s no one here, Benny.” Indeed, the few shoppers in the store had yet to finish and need a check out.
“Maybe there’s no one on account someone is too high and mighty to do her job because she’s too busy yapping.”
She clamped her lips tight. There wasn’t much she could say to placate Benny.
But Caleb didn’t know that. “It’s my fault. I was the one who came in and talked to her.”
If Caleb thought to diffuse the situation, he was wrong because the manager of the store didn’t care. Benny also didn’t realize when he took a step forward and aimed his florid face and vitriol at Caleb just who he was dealing with.
“Listen, you scarred freak. I don’t need your type coming in here and scaring off my clients.”
Renny might take a lot of flack at the hands of this miserable excuse for humanity, but like heck would she let him berate Caleb.
“Don’t you dare talk to him like that.” She came around the counter and stood before Caleb, who appeared surprised.
“It’s okay, Renny. I’m gonna have to get used to hearing shit like that.”
“No, it is not okay. You got those scars serving your country, and now this moron thinks he can insult you. Not happening.”
“Watch your mouth or you’ll be looking for another job.” Benny tried to look intimidating, but a human had nothing on the real predators she’d grown up with.
“Are you threatening to fire me? No need.” She fumbled at the buttons holding her red vest closed. Renny balled the fabric and tossed it at Benny. “I quit.” Turning to Caleb, she smiled. “Looks like I’m finished early after all. Let’s go see that surprise.”
“You can’t quit,” Benny hollered after her.
Renny stuck up a certain finger over her shoulder.
“Did you just tell him to fuck off in sign language?” Caleb asked. “That is so freaking sexy.”
“Weirdo.”
“Your weirdo, baby. Now are you ready?”
“For what?”
“You’ll see,” was his enigmatic reply.
What she saw was an overgrown front lawn and a tiny house whose wooden shingles were grayed from the weather and, in places, green from humidity. But the windows were intact if bare of curtains.
Inside, the wide plank floor had lost its varnish, but it was swept clean. Renny peeked around the space. The open living room with its sliding glass door to the backyard of the house. The kitchen with its white tile countertops and painted cabinets.
“Why are we here?” she asked, already guessing.
“Say hello to our home.”
“Our?” she asked as she spun with an arched brow. “Kind of presumptuous, don’t you think?”
He looked crestfallen. “Yes, ours. I mean, after the week we’ve spent, and—”
She placed a finger on his lips and laughed. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t tease you like that. Of course I want to be here with you.”
“Luke, too.”
A snicker escaped her. “Well, duh. We’re kind of a package deal.”
He made a face. “I am so bad at this relationship stuff.”
She draped her arms around his neck and smiled. “Oh, I don’t know about that. So far you’re doing pretty damned good. So good, I think we should test out this place before we grab our son and move in with our stuff.”
They made love that afternoon on the countertop. In the shower. And were now curled together with naked limbs in a nest on the floor.
For once, there was no rush to be anywhere. Not even to pick up Luke because Caleb had already made arrangements with Melanie. Since her best friend had to go see Bittech for her fertility test results, she’d drop Luke off on her way home after grabbing a bite for dinner, giving Renny and Caleb some alone time.
From the direction of her purse, her phone jangled, a catchy ditty titled, “I’m Going Bananas,” an old Madonna song she’d bought and used as a ringtone for Melanie
Rolling away from Caleb, Renny said over her shoulder on her way to grab it, “She’s probably looking for details.”