Page 13

Ronnie

I ’m pretty sure her sister yells again and giggles upstairs. I don’t know what they do but I’m glad she went to someone who can comfort her after our intense introduction. That’s not what I was hoping for. But her Dad seems like a great man, and her little sister sounds entertaining.

While Bradley and Johnny talk I peer outside the window viewing the backyard and catch a movement from the outer wall.

His hood is pulled up as he struggles to lower his Jordan shoes to the ground.

I’m pretty sure Amber doesn’t have a brother so… I’m assuming this is her sister’s boyfriend sneaking out the back.

I look back at Johnny as they continue to chat, completely oblivious to his daughter’s shenanigans. Bradley veers his gaze to me and when he follows my line of sight, a knowing grin pulls at the corner of his mouth.

Being seventeen again… Luka and I already had bikes at that age and we drove our parents crazy. For me, it was a way to be free from the clutches of my disease. Each time I twist the throttle and that loud rev echoes it’s like saying “In your face.”

My eyes land on the boyfriend again seconds before he’s out of sight. You made it my man but wait till you get the lecture once you’re caught.

“It’s a beautiful day,” Johnny waves his hands to the sides, “Nice weather, you should enjoy the pool in the back.”

Nodding at me, Bradley agrees with a wicked smirk. “Yes, we should.”

“Go have fun, I’m taking my wife to her book club and then I’m going to play poker with some friends so you have the house to yourselves.”

Bradley moves to the exit with Teddy in his hands, signaling he’s getting our bags from the car. “Sounds great, Mr. Turner.”

“Please, call me Johnny.” He walks behind him, clapping on his back playfully. “I’ll see you later for dinner or are you visiting your family next?”

“We’ll probably stay here today, but if Teddy is a problem I can take him to our house.”

“No, you can leave him here. I always wanted a dog and I bet my younger daughter will be thrilled.”

“Okay.”

“Feel free guys, there is beer in the ice chest outside, and if you get your appetite back,” he turns his gaze at me with a smile, “There’s plenty of food.”

“Thank you,” I say as I get off the stool and fix it in place near the island.

“Later,” he waves as he strides away with Bradley who slides out his phone to exchange numbers.

Rounding the kitchen, I ascend the stairs searching for Amber and right as I reach the second floor she steps out of her sister’s room.

“You okay?” I stop an inch from her and tuck her hair behind her ear, letting my thumb trace her temple.

“Yeah, I’m better now.” The glint in her eyes replaces the anxiety she caged in there earlier. “Want to meet my sister?”

I grin back at her and plant a kiss on her forehead. “I’d love to.”

“Kat!” She yells and I chuckle at her sudden mood shift but I’m happy to see her like this. “I’m afraid to walk in maybe there is someone in the closet you’re hiding.”

“Oh, shush you.” Her little sister waltzes out of her room. “It’s not Vegas here.” Her spunky personality is just like Amber’s. “You must be Ronnie, Amber told me so much about you. She actually can’t shut up about you and Bradley, all she talks about is how amazing—”

Amber presses her palm over Kat’s mouth. “Could you not? I got a little excited since I almost slept on the streets.” Even her voice is sassier than usual.

They are so cute together it makes me miss my older sister. We are just like they are around each other. Unfortunately, she lives in California so I don’t see her much but whenever she visits that is a different kind of friendship that I hold dear to my heart.

Kat’s gaze is locked on the camera strap around my neck so I ask, “You’re into photography?”

“Yes. I really like it. Can you show me how it works? We can take a few pictures outside.” Her smile widens and pushes against her adorable chubby cheeks.

“Sure why not.”

Bouncing in place, she claps her hands together, “Let’s go to the pool it’s pretty there.”

I pull the strap over my head and hand the camera to her. “Go, I’ll be there in a minute.”

“Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.” She grabs it and quickly descends the stairs all cheerful and happy.

“Your dad said we can swim while they head out.” I focus on Amber again, and when she walks backward I inch forward until her back hits the wall. A little gasp escapes her soft lips when she cranes her neck up to maintain our eye contact.

“Where are they going?”

Crowding her, I press my hands to the wall above her. The flare of desire in her eyes draws me and I stop when my lips are an inch from hers.

“Book club and poker game.”

With a flash of wickedness in her eyes, her fingers drag the hem of her shirt upward and over her shoulder. My gaze falls to the arc of her silky breasts as soon as she exposes her white bikini top.

Little Bear came prepared.

The more I stare at her, the more her tender skin reddens, and the vein in my neck pulses harder.

My eyes roam over her curves, zooming in on the lightning tattoo decorating the curve of her breast and spreading down to her rib and side.

“Nice tattoo.”

“I need some help here,” Bradley’s voice snaps us out of our trance. We turn our heads downstairs, seeing him with a bag strapped to his front, one at the back, one in his hand, and Amber’s suitcase by his side. I can already tell he’s memorizing each curve of her exposed skin. “Love your tattoo.”

“Thank you. Done by yours truly about a month ago.” She replies, still sassy, still in a great mood, and I want her to stay like this.

“How did I miss you?”

“Maybe it was your day off or something.”

“Shame.”

“I got a tattoo from the best so I’m not bummed.”

When I said something similar he had the same sulky expression though it is a little tame now.

“Where’s Teddy?” I ask and straighten back up.

“With Kat. She stole him the second she saw us outside, poor boy lifted his leg to pee and she snapped a picture of his ding dong.”

And just like that Amber and I burst with laughter. He doesn’t even try half the time but I can’t scrape my smile when he’s around.