Seriously. “What does that even mean?”
“Means I don’t really want to talk or move yet.” He relaxed against the headboard, gently stroking my back despite his fine words. I lay against his chest. His heart pounded beneath my ear. Nice to know we were both in the same worn condition. Inside of me, his cock softened a little, but stayed put. I liked that, still feeling him.
“I think I’m dead.”
The jerk pinched me on the ass.
“Ow.”
“Still alive,” he said.
I retaliated by pinching one of his nipples.
“Damn it, woman.” He grabbed my hand, holding it captive in his. “Enough. I surrender. Let’s be friends.”
I don’t know how long we stayed like that, glued together. Neither of us seemed inclined to move. After a while, I may have even fallen asleep. The man was just comfortable, plus I was exhausted. Ever so gently, my hair was brushed back from my face. A finger traced the sensitive rim of my ear.
“Complicated,” said the man.
Had I been more awake, I’d have agreed.
*
The next day, Joe was back to work at Dive Bar. I was again positioned at a corner table, working on my laptop. Yes, I could have worked in the quiet of my hotel room. Strangely enough, it turned out that people watching actually got my mind going—my creativity rocking and rolling. I kind of liked just being on the edge of things, watching. I never realized that I didn’t have to be sucked into the thick of things, surrounded by people and constantly dealing with the frenzy of the big wide world. The fringes were fine too. And so was watching my mountain man hottie (not that he was my hottie), and occasionally chatting with Nell or Rosie. It was nice.
Everything had been quiet until Eric arrived just after the lunch rush.
“Come see,” he called out from the front door. Smile wide, practically buzzing with excitement.
“What?” Joe paused mid-motion, a couple of beers in his hand for restocking the fridge.
“Everyone!” he yelled.
Eric disappeared back outside while we gave each other confused looks. Out of the kitchen lumbered Boyd, one of the cooks, along with Nell. Rosie and Taka were the waitstaff on duty. With a shrug and a frown, they headed out the door too.
I hunched down in my sweater, shoving my hands into my back jeans pockets to keep warm. A cold wind was throwing autumn leaves around, the sky a clear blue. And parked at the curb was a shiny red muscle car with white racing stripes.
“Two thousand eight Shelby GT500,” said Eric proudly. “And I got it for a song, only twenty-five grand. Owner had just died and apparently his wife hated him.”
With a nod, Boyd turned and wandered back inside. Guess cars weren’t his thing. I kept quiet and stayed back. Cars weren’t really my thing either.
“Didn’t you already have a reasonably new working vehicle?” asked Rosie, arms crossed.
“It’s a guy thing, you wouldn’t understand.” Taka bent to check out the inside through the open passenger-side door. “Nice. Very nice.”
“Take you for a drive sometime,” said Eric.
“You better.” Taka followed the unimpressed Rosie back inside.
Still beaming, Eric turned to Nell and Joe. “Well? Isn’t it beautiful?”
Nell blew out a breath. “Yes, it is. And it only has two doors. That’s going to work out great for transporting a baby.”
Eric frowned. “I figured you’d just be using your car for the kid.”
Nell said nothing. But you could almost see the haze of storm clouds gathering around her head, the frustration and anger wound up in her balled hands—clearly she was experiencing way more stress than was good for a pregnant person. She too went back inside.
“What the hell?” Eric muttered, hands on hips, scowling after her.
Joe just hung his head.
“Seriously? You too?”
“Fuck me.” Joe licked his lips, shook his head. “Ever wonder why I don’t worry about you repaying the money you owe me? Remember the loan you hit me up for when you wanted to buy into Dive Bar?”
Mouth shut, Eric stared at his brother.
“Because the business was still getting going. Then, when things got out of the red—surprise!” Joe held his arms wide, a vein bulging out of his neck. “You knocked up Nell. You’re going to be a father. I figured you need the money, that you’d be helping out Nell with stuff for the baby. You know? Not buying a fucking muscle car.”
Eric’s lips looked dangerously thin.
“When the hell are you going to grow up and start thinking about your responsibilities, huh?” asked Joe, voice harsh. “Good work, brother. Solid effort.”
Joe marched back into the bar, leaving me standing there. I ever so subtly side-stepped closer to the door. Really, I should have taken the opportunity to run back when Boyd did. The guy might not say much, but he was smart. Yet, I couldn’t help but be impressed by Joe’s hard stance. Sure as shit, his pleasing days were done.
Jaw set, Eric slammed the car door shut. “What about you, Alex. You going to give me shit too?”
“No,” I said, keeping my face blank. This situation had nothing to do with me and I was happy to keep it that way.
“He’s been different since you arrived.”
Lips. Shut. Tight.
The man then mumbled expletives all the way around to the driver’s side, tearing open the door before throwing himself inside. A toddler couldn’t have thrown a better tantrum. Engine growling, he roared off down the street. Sending more leaves into the air than the wind.
Wow. Conflict sucked. Just being around it made my pulse manic.
Back inside, Joe was standing behind the bar, staring at the ground. Not happy.
“Hey,” I said, standing on a stool’s rung, rising high enough to lean part of the way across the bar.
“Hey.” He took my offered hand, letting me draw him in nice and close. Then I kissed him. It wasn’t a polite peck on the cheek. Hell no. I pressed my lips against his and gave him the kind of kiss best reserved for lovers in private.
Behind us, someone wolf whistled. Another person clapped.
When I finally pulled away, his eyes had calmed, and the beginnings of a smile curved his mouth. Much better.
“Thanks,” he said.
“Anytime.”
*
“Your brother is quickly working his way up the ranks toward being an all-time legendary douchebag.” Nell slung a handbag over her shoulder, lips tight and eyes as fiery as her hair. “He was supposed to come pick me up at closing. Would you mind giving me a lift back to your place?”
“Not a problem.” Joe forced a smile.
“He’s probably off somewhere masturbating over his new car.”
Joe grunted.
I said nothing. It was a disturbing visual, and possibly even true.
It was late, the streets empty. Above us, the stars were spread out across the sky in all their glory. Such a beautiful cold pristine night. Even the wind had calmed down some.