The girls went to work, setting out the plates of food.
“Come on, Had,” Daphne called after her daughter. “Time to eat.”
Justin scooped up Hadley as she toddled by and said, “You hungry, little princess?”
Hadley clutched her favorite stuffed bird in one hand. The ends of her wispy hair bounced as she nodded, lips pursed in a tiny scowl, brows knitted. She was the most serious child Chloe had ever met. It practically took an act of God to get Hadley to smile, and they all loved her to pieces.
Justin sat with Hadley on his lap and began fixing her a plate. “Berries?” he asked, and the scowling cutie nodded. “Waffles?” She nodded again. “Eggs?” Another nod. He glanced across the table at Daphne, silently seeking approval.
Chloe looked around the table, and it was clear that she wasn’t the only one taken with the sight of her bad boy’s tender side coming out.
Justin must have misread Daphne’s expression, because he said, “What? Is she allergic to something?”
“No,” Daphne reassured him with a dreamy expression.
“We’re used to seeing you flirt with Chloe,” Emery explained. “But now I’m having visions of you and Chloe with babies.”
Chloe’s eyes just about fell out of her head. Us? We just started dating. It was one thing to admire how good Justin was with Hadley, but quite another to think about having babies anytime soon.
“By the look on Chloe’s face, I think we’re a long way from that,” Justin said with another wink.
Chloe breathed a sigh of relief.
“Don’t wait too long. Chloe’s no spring chicken,” Serena teased.
“Hey,” Chloe said, putting a waffle and fruit on her plate. “I’ve got time.”
“Don’t worry, babe. I’m not in a hurry,” Justin said as Hadley plucked a piece of fruit from the plate. “I have a lot of road to cover before I strap a baby seat to my bike. But I do know of a few dogs and cats who need good homes.” Justin looked around the table and said, “Who’s coming to the Wicked Animal Rescue adoption event this weekend?”
“Harper told us about it,” Emery said excitedly. “Dean and I are going to swing by and see if we can find a pup that won’t mind living with two crazy cats. But we have to come by early. We’re meeting Tegan and Jett at Dean’s parents’ house for lunch.”
“Wait until you see the introduction boards I’m making for the animals.” Chloe told them about her newest project and about the bows and bow ties that Tori, Evie, and Sid were making.
“I want to go just to see all that.” Desiree patted her baby bump and said, “We’ll try to stop by, but between Cosmos and the baby, Rick and I are going to have our hands too full to care for a new pet.”
“And I have all I can do to keep up with Hadley,” Daphne pointed out. “Sorry, Justin.”
Chloe eyed Serena. “You and Drake could use a fur baby while you practice making a real one.”
“We’ll try to stop by,” Serena said. “But I’m not sure if we’re ready for a pet just yet. We’re still in barely-making-it-through-the-door-before-getting-naked stage.”
Justin’s gaze collided with Chloe’s and a crooked, conspiratorial grin slid into place. They were in that stage, too, and she was in no hurry to leave it.
He winked and turned his attention to Serena. “Even if you can’t make it to the event, why don’t the four of us grab an early dinner at the Salty Hog Saturday night? You can get to know me and my family better,” Justin suggested casually.
The hope in Justin’s voice told Chloe it was more than a casual suggestion. The day after she’d told him about that horrible night at the Salty Hog, he’d said they never had to go back. But she’d reminded him that they were making better memories to erase the past. He knew how much Serena meant to her, and the fact that he thought about bringing her along to try to build those better memories, further blending their worlds, made her fall even harder for him.
“We’d love that.” Serena raised her brows at Chloe and said, “Meeting the family sounds serious.”
“Oh, we’re serious.” Justin’s eyes locked on Chloe and he said, “I’ve got lots of future plans for me and that beauty over there.”
Chloe’s heart tumbled in her chest.
“Speaking of future plans, your birthday is coming up in a few weeks, Chloe. Ticktock,” Serena teased.
“How old are you going to be?” Daphne asked. “Wait, you were twenty-nine last year, right?”
Chloe looked at Serena, and they both said, “Twenty-nine. Always twenty-nine.”
“When Chloe turned twenty-nine, she decided she would never admit to being any older,” Serena explained.
“How long ago was that?” Daphne asked.
“Sorry, sister from another mother, but I cannot reveal that information.” Serena looked at Chloe and said, “Are we still on for our annual birthday lunch, or is that tabled now that you have a man in your life?”
“Who am I? Mom? I’m not going to ditch my girlfriends because of any man.” She looked at Justin and said, “Sorry. I hope that didn’t sound mean, but…”
“I have yet to hear you sound mean to anyone, babe,” Justin said as he cut a waffle for Hadley. “I knew you had lunch with the girls last year and assumed you would probably do it again. But I’m hoping your schedule is clear for the evening.”
“If hers isn’t, mine is,” Daphne said, looking dreamily at him and Hadley, causing everyone else to laugh.
Hadley wiggled out of Justin’s lap and climbed into the empty chair between him and Daphne. She sat up on her knees and continued plucking food off Justin’s plate.
Justin set a seductive stare on Chloe and said, “What do you say, sweet cheeks? You and me on your twenty-ninth birthday?”
“For you, Mr. Wicked?” Chloe teased with an arch of her brows, thinking about last night when Justin had texted her after his church meeting asking if she was still busy with the girls. His timing had been perfect. She and the girls had enjoyed their time together, and they were in the parking lot saying their goodbyes. She’d responded to his text with, No, but I’d like to be busy with my biker boy. Race you to your bedroom…He’d been ready and waiting when she’d arrived, but they never made it to the bedroom.
Justin moved the plate in front of Hadley without taking his eyes off Chloe and said, “That’s right, sweetheart. What do you say? Let me spoil my girl for a night?”
“You spoil me every night.” She was sure the space between them was going to ignite. She’d watched her girlfriends and their men taunting each other for long enough. It was her turn to be bold. She picked up a strawberry, nervous about trying to seduce him in front of her friends, but maybe that was why she wanted to do it so badly. To finally shed her careful, safe skin. Or maybe it was because his animal magnetism was too strong to deny. She had no idea how she had ever held back from him. She didn’t know exactly why she wanted to get him hot and bothered so badly, but she wasn’t backing down, and that was empowering and thrilling. She held his gaze as she slowly licked her lips. His eyes darkened as she placed the berry on her tongue and bit into it as sensually as she was able, hoping she didn’t look ridiculous.
Justin bit his bottom lip, as he’d done the first night they were intimate. “Mm-mm. I could eat your strawberry all day long.”
Good Lord. That noise he made when he bit his lower lip sent desire pounding through her veins, but the heat in his eyes, and the way he spoke, full of hunger and something much deeper, did her in. She was toast.
“Yup. Twenty all right,” Emery said, and she bit off a piece of bacon.
“More like twenty thousand.” Desiree fanned her face with her hand. “There’s an empty bedroom upstairs if you need it.”
Justin’s gaze never left Chloe’s as he said, “If we hit the bedroom every time we got a little heated up, we’d never come out.”
But we’d definitely come.
Holy cow. Her boldness had felt so right, but now she felt a little exp
osed. She lowered her eyes, blushing fiercely.
“Who knew my conservative sister was such a seductress?” Serena said.
“I’ve always known,” Justin said, reaching across the table and taking Chloe’s hand, drawing her eyes to his. “Her intimate secrets don’t need to be seen to be felt. She needs only to decide who deserves to feel them.”
He was no longer looking at her like he wanted to devour her. He looked like he wanted to climb across the table and hold her in his arms, to protect her from her own embarrassment. That look was even more powerful and special than all the others put together.
THE AFTERNOON PASSED in a blur of meetings, phone calls, and ticking off her to-do list, none of which dampened the high Chloe had been on all day. By the time the Wickeds arrived for a tour of the facility, she was nervous and excited to show them around. She wasn’t surprised that Rob, Reba, Conroy, and Ginger had shown up with Mike, and she wasn’t even surprised that Justin had come with them. But she was a little surprised that Tank had come along. While Justin stuck by his grandfather’s side, Tank took up the rear of the group. He was taller than all of the men, and his watchful eyes took everything in. He didn’t say much, though he’d nodded his approval when she’d shown them the separate wings of the facility.
“Let me show you the courtyard,” Chloe said as they turned down the hall that led outside.
Agnes Berger’s grandson, Kent, was pushing her wheelchair through the doors that led to the patio. Chloe felt bad that she’d already been pulled aside by a few residents who simply wanted to chat while she was giving the Wickeds their tour, but Justin’s family seemed to understand, and she’d tried to make their conversations quick. Agnes was in her nineties and Chloe had noticed that she’d become noticeably frailer over the past few months. Chloe didn’t know how much time she had left with Agnes, so she took a moment for a brief hello.
“Hi, Agnes, Kent. It’s good to see you getting out to enjoy this beautiful weather.”
Agnes reached for Chloe’s hand, as she always did, and said, “Kent took me to see the gardens earlier. You know, he’s still single, and he’s staying for dinner if you’d like to join us.”
Kent looked at her apologetically.
Chloe received offers like that often from the residents. Luckily, the men who were offered up were kind about their elderly relatives’ matchmaking. “Thank you, Agnes. You know how much I like Kent, but actually, this is my boyfriend, Justin, and his family. I’m giving them a tour of the facility.” She motioned to Justin.
“It’s nice to meet you,” Justin said warmly.
“Oh goodness. I’m sorry,” Agnes exclaimed. “I hadn’t heard the news. I’ll be sure to tell my lady friends that you’re spoken for.” She pointed a shaky finger at Justin and said, “You’re a lucky man, Justin. We adore Chloe, so be good to her.” She lowered her hand and her gaze moved to the rest of his family. “I have lived here for several years, and there’s no place I’d rather be. Chloe is always making sure we have new things to do, and we’re well taken care of. We’ll let you get back to your tour.”
Kent nodded kindly as he pushed her wheelchair past the group.
“I bet that happens a lot,” Reba said to Chloe as they continued down the hall. “It’s not surprising. It’s evident how much you’re appreciated here.”
“Thank you. I’m lucky to have a job I love, working with people I enjoy. I get to plan new programs all the time. Did Madigan tell you that we worked together to prepare a proposal for a puppetry program?”
“Yes. She is excited about it,” Reba said.
“She’s been a tremendous help. We’re crossing our fingers in hopes of getting funding approved for a trial program.” Chloe pushed the button on the wall by the glass doors, and the doors to the courtyard opened. The late-afternoon sun cast shadows over the courtyard, where residents were playing cards and other games. “This is one of my favorite places. As you can see, our residents enjoy it, too. Our yoga instructor, Emery Masters, is a good friend of mine. When the weather is warm enough, she teaches right out there by the big oak tree.” She pointed across the lawn.
“I won’t be doing any yoga, but I might sit up here and watch the show,” Mike said with a chuckle.
“Pops.” Rob shook his head.
“Not everyone likes to do yoga,” Chloe said. “If you enjoy taking walks, we have paved paths throughout the property, and as you can see, there are always games available.”
“That sounds great, doesn’t it, Poppy?” Reba asked.
“Sure,” Mike answered. He said something under his breath to Justin and Tank, who both grinned.
Ginger nudged Chloe and said, “You have to watch Mike around women and card tables. My husband’s road name is Con, and it has got nothing to do with the shortening of his given name and everything to do with the cardsharping his father taught him when he was young.”
Mike gave Ginger a sideways glance. “Don’t go getting me in trouble when I haven’t done anything yet.”
“Yet is the operative word,” Conroy said, crossing his arms and lowering his chin to give Mike a serious stare. “You can’t swindle people here, Pops.”
Mike said, “Swindle is a harsh word, son.”
“Not for you it’s not,” Rob said.
“We have a few shifty card players here that we keep our eyes on.” Chloe motioned to a table across the courtyard, where two longtime residents of LOCAL, Nelson Byer and Robert Crumptin, were playing checkers. Nelson winked at Chloe.
“It looks like you have a fan, Chloe,” Reba said.
“Nelson is known for flirting and for card trickery. He and Mike will get along just fine.” She squared her shoulders, looking at Mike as she said, “But I’m sure you’ll respect our other residents and play fairly. Or you’ll have me to deal with.”
“My girl’s tough, Gramps. You’d better listen to her,” Justin said.
As Justin and his family looked around the courtyard, Chloe stopped by Nelson and Robert’s table. “Good afternoon, gentlemen. Are you enjoying this lovely weather?”
“I’m enjoying beating my friend in checkers,” Nelson said.
Chloe said, “It’s good to see you playing something other than cards for a change.”
“Figured I’d wrangle a few bucks out of the guys at the card table next and maybe take you to dinner with my winnings.” Nelson waggled his brows.
She patted his arm and said, “You have a long enough list of lady friends waiting their turn for a dinner date with you. Enjoy the game, gentlemen.”
Chloe wanted to give Justin and his family time to talk among themselves. Reba and Ginger were gazing out at the grounds, and Justin and the men were talking on the other side of the courtyard. She studied the men for a moment. Tank stood with his thick, tattooed arms crossed over his leather vest, chin low, jaw tight, dark eyes as serious as Rob’s, who stood next to him in a matching stance. Justin and Conroy appeared far more relaxed as they chatted with Mike. Mike, on the other hand, looked to be hovering someplace between the harsh stances of Tank and Rob and the easygoing natures of Conroy and Justin. Mike’s face was serious, but whatever Justin was saying brought hints of happiness. Conroy laughed loudly, and Justin laughed, too, his eyes suddenly catching Chloe’s. Justin winked, and a thrill skated through her. She did a quick visual sweep of the courtyard to make sure the residents weren’t watching her, and then she discreetly blew him a kiss.
Ginger and Reba sauntered over, following her gaze across the courtyard to the men.
“Rob and Tank are so serious,” Chloe said. “Do you think there’s something about the facility that they didn’t like?”
“No,” Reba reassured her. “It’s just who they are.”
“Tank has always been serious, but he hasn’t been the same since we lost his younger sister, Ashley,” Ginger explained. “It was a long time ago, but they were close.”
“I’m so sorry for your loss.”
Ginger said warmly, “Thank y
ou, honey. Losing Ash changed us all, but Tank became even more protective of the people in his life. He joined the firehouse shortly after we lost her, and he’s been on a mission to save everyone around him ever since.” Ginger nodded toward the men and said, “Like Justin, Tank and Mike have a special bond. I don’t want to think about what will happen to those two when we lose Mike.”
“Let’s hope that doesn’t happen anytime soon,” Chloe said. “I thought Tank was just broody, but now I see there’s much more to it.”
“Oh, he is broody,” Ginger said, gazing lovingly at Tank.
“I’ve always said that Tank should have been Rob’s son,” Reba said, looking at the two men. “And that Zander and Justin should have been Conroy’s.”
“Not Justin,” Chloe said. “I think he’s always needed to be exactly where he was with your family. He told me how everyone has been there for him. This might sound a little strange coming from me, but thank you, both of you, for raising Justin to be the man he is. I’ve never been with someone like him before. I can tell him anything, and I know that if ever I feel overwhelmed, or like I’m standing on the edge of a cliff, he’ll be there to soothe my worries or catch me if I fall.”
Chapter Twenty
JUSTIN WAS SURE there was some kind of sin in staring at his girlfriend’s ass as they followed her back toward the lobby after the tour. And if that was a sin, then thinking about absconding with her so he could have his way with her in any one of the offices they’d passed would definitely get him a ticket straight to hell. But he didn’t care. Chloe was always a vision of sexiness, but seeing her in control and taking charge of her professional domain had blown him away—and turned him on. Then again, just about everything she did blew him away and turned him on. Today’s tour had given him a whole new level of appreciation and understanding of just how much responsibility Chloe had on her shoulders and how eloquently she handled it.
Tank nudged him, snapping him from his thoughts as they entered the lobby.
“I have to say, Chloe, I’m impressed. I wasn’t sold on the idea of Mike moving out of our house,” Reba admitted. “But now I can see that he could have a much fuller life here, with people closer to his own age.”
A Little Bit Wicked (The Wickeds Page 28
