Page 8

Gianna

“T hanks for the lift.” I lean across the seat of the truck and give Stud a kiss on the cheek.

I keep telling myself I need to stay away but there’s something about his whole cocky macho alpha thing he’s got going on.

He makes it work. Any other man talked to me the way he does, I’d probably tell them to get lost, but he owns it and its sexy.

“I’ll swing back by to take you to work around three. I gotta go talk to a man about a kitchen.”

“I told you. I’m a terrible cook.”

“We’ll see, princess.”

“You want me to cook for you, you’d better stop calling me princess. ”

“All right, sassy pants.”

“Ugh.” I don’t know which is worse. Though part of me secretly enjoys the way his eyes light up and he smiles when he uses sassy pants on me. I won’t admit it to him though.

“Later, baby.”

I shake my head and exit the truck. This man. Meeting Stud is unexpected, but he seems easy and uncomplicated. A bit bossy, but I find it attractive that he says what he’s thinking and feeling without holding back.

I get on the porch and start digging out my house key when I’m spun around and Stud is pushing me up against the door. “You’re forgetting something.”

“What’s that?” I manage to croak out even though my breath is caught in my throat.

“This.” His head dips and those skillful lips dominate mine, stealing what little breath I had left.

When he’s done, he doesn’t say anything.

Only giving me this look that says, ‘you’re mine.

’ And right now, I so want to be his. I want to tell him to forget the kitchen and take me to bed, but I hardly know the guy.

Except for some reason it feels so much longer than hours.

Like part of me has always belonged to him.

Maybe I drank too much moonshine. Because these thoughts and emotions are crazy. So crazy I must still be drunk.

Stud leaves for real this time, and I am in desperate need of a shower. By the time I’m out and dressed, Jelissa and my brother are back. He’s gone to bed and she’s starting the laundry I meant to do when I got in.

“So you and Stud, huh?”

I grab half the pile of towels and start folding. “Maybe.” I raise my shoulder slightly. “I do like him.”

“Guess I’ll tell Jay the date is off then. ”

“I think so.”

“He’s a player but I do notice this twinkle in his eyes when he looks at you. It’s kind of sweet.”

“I want to know what the story with Maxi is,” I press and wonder why she’s never told me anything about this bitch. Especially if Chaser has been stepping out on her. He might be my brother but that doesn’t mean I would defend him being a sleazeball.

“Ugh. I knew this conversation was coming. Maxi has a sister. Trixie.” Her face goes hard, and she lets out a breath before going any further.

“When I was pregnant with Erik, I gained a lot of weight and I hated my body. Hated for Chaser to touch me. I’m not making excuses for him because I’m still hurt and we’re working on things.

But he suffered believing he was unwanted by me.

One night he’d been drinking, and I was in a mood.

He came home and crawled into bed and when he tried…

I rejected him. There were some words. I’m not proud of how I acted, and he isn’t either.

Long story short I went looking for him when he took off, and I found him in bed with Trixie. ”

A tear slides down her cheeks and she swipes it away as quickly as it appeared.

“Now you know. Trixie left town but Maxi stuck around. They’re twins so every time I see her all I think about is that night. Yay me.”

“I’m going to kill him.”

Jelissa grabs my hand. “Chaser says he doesn’t remember any of it. Not talking to her. Not inviting her to his bed that night or fucking her. I want to believe him but its hard. I know what I saw. Maxi has a thing for Stud. You need to watch out for her. I don’t want you to end up hurt like me.”

“That bitch better watch her ass. Her and her whore sister. ”

Jelissa laughs. “I’m so glad you’re back home.”

“Speaking of being home. You didn’t tell me that Jesse is out of prison or that he’s fucking Donna.”

“I didn’t think you’d care.”

“I don’t but they came in last night, and I didn’t know she was there at first, and he came on to me. Why are men such dogs?”

“Isn’t that the million-dollar question.” The baby cries, and she leaves me to finish the pile of laundry while she sees to my sweet nephew. How could Chaser be so stupid? He’s never been that guy. The kind of man who’d risk it all for a cheap thrill. I don’t understand the male species.

Is Stud like that? Why am I even asking myself this question? His road name is Stud of course he’s like that. And I was falling for it hook, line, and sinker. I push away thoughts of Stud and men in general to phone my insurance company.

The sooner I have my own wheels again the better.

**

“I know he’s not your favorite person, but the pharmacy called.

They said your father’s prescription is ready, and I just put Erik down for a nap.

Could you maybe drop his meds off on your way to work?

You can take my car.” Jelissa bats her lashes at me playing innocent.

She knows I’ve avoided my father for years. Basically, since I left home.

“Fine. But don’t get any ideas about this meaning I’m ready to start doing your little family Sunday dinners with him. I’m only doing this because I need your car and nothing more. Do you need me to bring anything home with me after my shift?”

“Nope.” She dangles her keys at me .

“You’re so annoying.”

“But you love me,” she sings and drops the keys in my awaiting palm.

“That’s debatable.” I smirk and close my fist.