Page 24

Chapter Twenty-four

One Year Later

“I can’t believe you’re moving back home.” Sam hugs me tight.

“Well, I mean, you are getting married and moving out on me,” I tease. “Besides, I want to be around for my little brother. Keegan is only a few months old, and he’s already getting so big. I’m missing out on all his firsts.”

“Okay. You’ve got me there. He is cuter than me.”

“I’ll be back for the wedding, and I’ll come visit.”

“Yeah. Yeah.”

I grab my phone off the counter and smile at the text that just came through.

Drive safe.

“You’re talking to him, aren’t you?” Sam accuses.

“It’s only a text.”

“Mhhmm.”

“We’re friends.”

“Because that always works out for you,” they tease.

“I admit Jonesy got weird on me.”

“Dude is a creep.”

“Then I guess it’s a good thing he’s in Alabama and I will be in West Virginia with a bunch of bad ass bikers who can kick his ass if he tries to get near me.”

Sam and I went down for one of his football games last fall and he was telling everyone that we were together and engaged after I made the mistake of hooking up with him. He was drunk when he was saying it, but it gave me the ick.

I had to threaten to tell my Uncle Link that he was harassing me and may have told him I have ties to Saint’s Outlaws MC. That seemed to be enough of a warning to deter him.

“If he hurts you.”

“I know. I know. You’ll cut off his balls and feed them to a bear or whatever. I don’t even know if he’s seeing anyone or if he wants to see me.”

“You know he wants all up in there.”

I scrunch my nose up.

“Don’t make that face at me. The walls between our rooms are thin. I know you’ve been having phone sex with him.”

“Sam!”

“Don’t try lying to me, Kiesha Marie.”

“Okay fine. We’ve been talking, talking on the phone and texting, but it’s been a long time since we’ve been around each other and people change. I could meet up with him and decide his breath stinks and never see him ever again.”

Sam laughs. “You’re so full of shit. Give me a hug and get out of here.”

“Love you, Sam. I’m going to miss our morning coffee chats and taco bars.”

“Me too.” They sniffle. “Now get before I cry.”

I load up the last of my bags and strap Fireball’s carrier into the passenger seat. She’s not happy about another move, but I’m excited about going home.

Jimmy and I ran into each other when I was home for Christmas, and I don’t know. He was different. More mature and the attraction between us was as strong as it ever was.

We started texting here and there, but when I told him I was moving home, he asked if I thought I could give him another chance. Nothing is set in stone, but I’m open to seeing where things lead.

After seven hours on the road, it’s late when I arrive in Charleston. As promised, I fire off a text to Jimmy, letting him know I made it safe and sound.

I’m here. Heading to Mom’s to crash.

It’s late. You should come here so you don’t wake them.

I doubt Mom would care, but he makes an appealing offer.

Is this your way of trying to get me alone?

I’ll sleep on the couch and promise to be on my best behavior.

What if I don’t want you to behave?

Is that a yes?

Text me the address.

Fifteen minutes later, Fireball and I pull up to Jimmy’s apartment building. He took over renting Trenton’s apartment when he moved across the hall with Stella. I park in the guest parking spot and before I get the chance, he’s opening my door for me.

“Hi.”

“Brat,” he calls me his nickname for me and my heart skips a beat at how it sounds in his gruff voice. He looks different. A good different. More muscles and tattoos. Thicker facial hair. Becoming a patched member of Bastard Sons has done him good. It’s like an instant switch to a bad ass hottie when someone joins the club.

All he’s missing right now is his cut, and he’d be picture perfect. He’s not even wearing shoes. I laugh at the sight of him barefoot and think back about painting his toenails with my little sister. He wouldn’t look so tough with pink glitter on his toes.

“What’s so funny?”

“Nothing. I’m slap happy from the drive.”

“Then I better help you properly stretch.” He grins and I shake my head.

“Don’t start.”

“Baby, I’m revved up and ready.”

“You’re such a dork.”

“That’s not what you said last night.” He flashes me another smile, and it hits me how much I’ve missed him. I climb out of the car and throw my arms around him, taking him off guard as he takes a step back while embracing me.

“I think you missed me.”

“Maybe just a little.” I inhale his intoxicating scent that I can only describe as being him. Spicy with a hint of smoke and leather. Simply him. His arms around me feel like home. I hold him a little tighter for a minute longer before breaking free.

He helps me unload my overnight bag and Fireball’s carrier from the car, then leads the way down the sidewalk to his apartment. I hold Fireball’s carrier in one hand and follow behind him, taking in the broad expanse of his back. His worn-in jeans look good on him, and I can’t help but stare at the tattoos snaking up his neck, noticing that he covered Sabrina’s name.

I smile to myself, relieved that it’s no longer there as a permanent reminder of the past.

Once we’re inside, he flips on the lights, and I’m surprised at how cozy it feels. It’s not fancy by any means, but it’s clean and it has a homey vibe to it that I wouldn’t have expected from him.

“This is nice,” I remark, glancing around at the worn furniture that looks well-loved and comfortable. He sets my bag down near the couch and I release Fireball from her carrier. She immediately starts exploring her new surroundings.

“Do you have her litter and stuff, or do I need to run out and grab something?”

“I have her stuff in my trunk.”

“Give me your keys and I’ll get it while you get comfortable.”

“Thanks. It’s in the pink tote with the white lid.”

“I’ll be back. Make yourself at home.” He grins at me again.

It’s good to see him after all this time. I pull out my phone to text my mom so she doesn’t worry.

Made it to Charleston. Staying over with a friend. See you in the morning. Love you.

When she asks what friend, I think about lying and saying I’m at Bethany’s, but this time I want to do this right. No lies. No sneaking around.

I’m with Jimmy.

Jimmy as in Knuckles?

Yeah. We’ve been sort of talking and I think I could really like him, Mom.

Okay. Be safe. Love you, Kiesha.

I smile at her text and grab my bag off the floor and take it down the hall to Jimmy’s bathroom to change into my pajamas.

By the time I’m finished, he’s back and already has Fireball’s stuff set up other than sticking her litter box in the bathroom.

“You hungry or thirsty?” he opens a beer, and I shake my head.

“I had a fountain drink right before I got here.”

“You tired or want to hangout a bit?”

I let out a yawn. “I can hang for about ten minutes.”

I flop down on the couch, and he turns the lights off and the TV on. He sits next to me and moves to slide behind me. I lay on my side, my back to his front. He slings a leg over mine and wraps an arm around my waist.

“This is nice,” I confess.

“This is heaven,” he whispers, brushing my hair back. “I’m glad you’re here, brat.”

“Me too.” I twist slightly to look at him and his lips come down on mine. And as if we haven’t spent a year apart, I melt into his touch as easily as I did the first time we kissed.

His lips press into mine, soft and warm, and I curve into his embrace, my body molding into his as if it was made for this very moment. His arm tightens around my waist and goosebumps rise over my skin at the feel of his fingers tracing patterns on my hip through the thin fabric of my t-shirt.

The kiss is slow and lingering, a testament to a year’s worth of unspoken words and feelings. He tastes like beer and something sweet, and I can’t help but deepen the kiss, my hand coming up to cup his cheek, the stubble of his facial hair prickling against my palm.

His fingers find their way under my shirt, trailing a path up my back that leaves me shivering. But just as quickly as his touch ignited a fire within me, he pulls away. He rests his forehead against mine, both of us panting slightly from the intensity of the kiss. “Fuck, Kiesha,” he breathes out. “I’ve missed you.”

“Then why don’t you take me to bed and show me how much?”

I go to my feet, and Jimmy leads me down the short hallway to his bedroom. The second we enter the room, he’s yanking my shirt over my head. He stops and takes in the sight of my naked breasts. His mouth practically watering.

“Tell me I’m not dreaming and you’re really here.”

“I’m here. I’m not going to disappear again.”

“Never thought this day would come. I mourned the loss of you. Feels like a dream come true. I won’t fuck this up. I swear.”

“Good.”

His hands are on me and his tongue is in my mouth as I undo the button of his jeans, eager to be with him.