“Perfect. I’ll let you get back to work and see you around noon. Wear long pants and your leather jacket.”
“It’s going to be warm today,” she complained.
“We’re going on a long ride. I may not own you, but I damn well want to protect you. Leather, baby cakes. You want to bring a pair of your sexy shorts in your bag, be my guest.” He leaned down and planted a hard kiss on her lips. “In fact, please bring your sexy shorts.”
CRYSTAL WORKED ON the costumes for most of the morning, taking a short break to make a bedcover for Harley out of the red satin Bear had picked out. She added a few strips of black lace and fitted it over the kitty bed. Harley purred as she curled up on the luxurious fabric with one of her toy mice. Crystal picked up her phone to text Gemma, glancing at the beautiful orchids Bear had given her. She’d set them by the windows so she could enjoy them while she worked.
She startled when Jed’s ringtone sounded in her hand. “Hey?”
“Hey, sis. You sound like you have way too much energy.”
She paced. “Sorry. Big day planned.”
“With…?”
“Not sharing details,” she said with a smile.
“I’d come over and torture it out of you, but I can’t drive, which is why I’m calling.”
She stared up at the ceiling. “Oh, Jed. What did you do now?”
“I brought Mom cigarettes, which unfortunately is not on my way to or from work. Dickhead McCarthy pulled me over.”
“You’re a few weeks from getting your license back. Why would you chance it for her?”
“Because she guilted me into it. But I’m taking the ticket to court to try to avoid points and hopefully still get my license back on time. My buddy referred me to a lawyer, but I need a ride a week from Tuesday around one. Any chance you can take me?”
She rolled her eyes. “Yeah. I’ll have to clear it with Gemma, but she loves you, so I’m sure she won’t mind.”
“Thank you. And thank Gemma for me, too. I have another favor to ask.”
“Jesus, do you need me to fight the ticket for you, too?”
“I figured it’s better to lay all the shit on you at once. My buddy’s wife is going in for surgery and I’m taking on more hours at work. Can you make dinner at Mom’s two Sundays from today instead of during the week?”
“Sure. Do you need a ride to her house, too?”
“I’ll let you know.”
“Okay.”
“Shrimp, you sure you don’t want to tell me who you’re going out with?”
His curiosity took her by surprise. He never pushed his way into her personal life. “I’m sure.”
He tried to joke it out of her. Every joke was worse than the last.
“Jed, please. Why do you even care?”
“It’s been a long time since we’ve really talked. I guess I just miss you.”
She wanted to believe him, but she’d been let down so many times in her life, she was afraid to let him in. Because letting him in would make it that much harder when he let her down.
“Thanks, Jed. I miss you, too. We’ll catch up when we have dinner.”
After she ended the call, she opened and reread the text Bear had sent half an hour after he’d left.
Big Bear misses you. She’d returned the text with a playful one. How can a text make me swoon? His response had been immediate. It’s not the text. It’s the memories of my paws all over you. Feeling cheeky, she’d responded with, I do like your paws, and your mouth, and your…Now let me work before my boyfriend catches you texting me and kicks your ass. He’d responded with an emoticon of a bear and the word growl.
She loved the feelings he stirred and reveled in allowing herself to finally experience them. But what she loved most was sharing that newfound confidence with him.
Grinning like a fool, she snapped a picture of the costume she’d been working on and sent it to Gemma with the text Warrior Princess is almost done!
She went into her bedroom and grabbed her chunky, silver-studded black boots out of her closet. She’d chosen one of her favorite outfits for her date with Bear. A short, black lace dress with a studded leather belt, stud earrings, and a wristful of black and silver bracelets. She pulled on leather leggings beneath the dress for the ride.
Her phone vibrated, and she sat on the edge of the bed and opened Gemma’s text while she laced up her boots. A stream of pictures of tattooed penises popped up, and she laughed out loud. They were the pictures she’d sent to Gemma when Gemma had first started dating Tru. Crystal had teasingly asked if Tru had ink below the belt.
An increasingly familiar wave of guilt washed through her as a second text rolled in from Gemma. Well?
Her smile faded as she typed her response—Haven’t explored that area yet—worrying over how she’d ever be able to reveal her lies to her best friend without losing her. Her finger hovered over the send button as she contemplated texting something like, Can we talk later? But they were in the middle of planning Gemma’s wedding. If she told her the truth now, she’d be hurt and angry, and…
Crystal’s throat thickened at the thought of hurting her. She couldn’t do it. Not until after the wedding. She’d waited this long, and it wasn’t like Gemma knew she had anything to confess. At least after the wedding she wouldn’t hurt her and ruin her big day. A knock at the door sent her thoughts scattering. She quickly transmitted the text and went to greet her man.
She pulled the door open and was immediately swept away by Bear, looking devilishly badass dressed in head-to-toe black. He’d trimmed his scruff, bringing out his chiseled chin and making him look even sexier. He raked his eyes from her face all the way to her toes, and like a leaf in a windstorm, her body quivered.
“Damn, baby cakes. You look good enough to eat.”
She grabbed him by the shirt and yanked him forward, her stomach swirling with memories of him doing just that earlier. “If we’re going to make it out of my apartment, you can’t say stuff like that, because my newly unleashed hormones are like live wires desperately seeking a plug.”
He cocked a brow.
Yes, please.
“No,” she said firmly, and pressed her lips to his, pulling away quickly. “No long, lusty kisses, either. You make my insides feel like the Fourth of July.”
“I’m totally digging this new Crystal who spills all her secrets.” His arm circled her waist, and he kissed her so freaking deliciously she mentally debated throwing caution to the wind and forgetting their date.
Harley wound around Bear’s feet.
“CB.” He scooped up the kitty. “Did you miss me?”
“Her name is Harley.” She grabbed her backpack and shoved her keys in the pocket where she’d tucked a worry doll. A little extra courage never hurt anyone. Her phone vibrated, and she checked the text message quickly. It was a picture of Jed holding up a paycheck with the caption Told you I was really working.
“Everything okay?” Bear asked.
“It’s from Jed. I think he really is trying to clean up his act. He sent me a picture of his paycheck.” She returned his text. This makes me so happy! Love you! Then she stuffed her phone in the backpack.
“That’s great. When will you see him again?”
“Two weeks from Sunday, when we see my mom for dinner.”
“Yeah? I’d love to meet the woman who raised you.”
“No, you wouldn’t. Trust me. She’s a hot mess.” She lifted her bag over her shoulder.
“I don’t care. I’d still love to come along.”
“Didn’t your parents ever teach you it’s rude to invite yourself places?”
“Not where you’re concerned. I want to meet your mom so I know what you’re dealing with. I want to hang out with Jed and hear all the embarrassing stories about when you were little. And I don’t want to argue about any of it.”
“You’re a pain.” As embarrassed as she was about her mother, she was still oddly pleased he was pushing so hard to meet her.
>
He kissed Harley and set her in her new satin bed with a surprised expression. “That’s what you did with the satin and lace I picked out?”
“Some of it.” She grabbed his vest and tugged him out the door. She wasn’t about to tell him that she had a sexy idea for the rest. A girl needed a few surprises up her sleeve.
Twenty minutes later they rode over the bridge, leaving Peaceful Harbor behind. Riding on the back of Bear’s bike on wide, open roads was completely different from the short stop-and-go trips they’d taken in town. As they passed long stretches of rural land, the air smelled fresher, and even though she was wearing her leather jacket and pants, she still sensed pockets of warmer and cooler air. She tried to tie them to the clouds, but it was impossible.
What other mysterious, wonderful things had she missed by riding in her car with the windows rolled up?
She held on tight, wondering where they were going. Bear had been secretive, but as time passed, the pungent scents of the sea crept back in, and the causeway came into view. She realized he was heading to Capshaw Island. She pressed her hands tighter on his stomach, excitement rushing through her. She’d never been to the island, even though it was only a little more than an hour away. Capshaw Island was a small fishing town, and she’d heard stories about wild ponies and the lack of commercialization there, and it had piqued her interest. She was surprised that her badass biker would want to go to such a quiet place. She’d imagined them hitting the highway and stopping at roadside biker bars. Then again, Bear knew how she’d lost her father, and he’d been so careful with her in every other way. This was another thoughtful gesture. And it made her first trip there even more special.
As he drove over the causeway, she wished she could whip off her helmet and let the air kiss her face. Long, marshy grasses sprouted up through the rippling water. Paddleboarders moved seamlessly across the water, and in the distance a powerboat motored along, leaving a trail of whitecaps.
They rode down the main drag, which looked old-fashioned compared to Peaceful Harbor. Painted brick and wood-sided storefronts boasted scalloped awnings shading wooden benches and planters full of summer flowers. From what she could see, there were only two blocks of businesses, just as she’d heard.
Bear parked on a side street. He was smiling as he chained the helmets, watching her taking it all in.
“Have you been here before?”
“No, but I’ve always wanted to.”
“Then I’m glad we came. I’ve driven through with the club, but I’ve never stopped to walk around. A first for both of us—there’s nothing cooler than that.”
“Speaking of cool.” She hooked her fingers in the top of her leather leggings and stripped them off. When she reached the top of her ankle boots, she laughed. “Oops. Not cool.”
Bear was already bending down to unlace her boots. “Sexiness has a price.” He flashed a wink as he pulled one off.
She steadied herself with his shoulder as he slipped the pants over her foot. “If you get bored down there, I can think of something to keep you busy.”
Desire flared in his eyes. “Careful poking a hungry bear.”
After he finished helping her off with her pants—and on with her boots—he ran his hands up her outer thighs as he rose to his feet and rather blatantly adjusted the formidable bulge in his jeans.
“Sorry,” she whispered, grinning from ear to ear.
“What was it you said to me last night? I’d make up for it later? Quid pro quo, baby.” He kissed her again and tucked her pants into the backpack. She reached for it and he gave her a you-must-be-kidding look as he slung it over his shoulder.
She’d never had anyone take care of her the way he did, and even though she secretly loved it, she couldn’t resist teasing him. “Sounds like ownership to me.”
His arm darted around her shoulder, and she snuggled in to her favorite spot.
“Call it whatever you want,” he said.
They walked to the main road, Bear’s eyes scanning the faces of every man they passed, giving off that threatening vibe again, like he’d done in Whispers. She was coming to accept that being with him went hand in hand with being watched over like a hawk. Maybe that wasn’t such a bad thing, but she had a feeling there was more behind his watchfulness than mere boyfriend-like protection. He hadn’t said anything more about what happened in college, but she sensed it was eating him alive.
As they meandered through a gallery of nautical sculptures and paintings, she wrestled with what she was really asking of him. Was it fair of her to expect him to let her past go? She’d had years to deal with it, but she’d laid it on him and demanded he do nothing.
They left the gallery and visited a marine supply store, and as they walked around, she told herself that her decision was the right one. It was what she needed, and hopefully he’d eventually get past throwing off the killer vibe. On their way out, Bear bought a dark purple carabiner.
When they left the store, he opened the backpack and hooked the carabiner to her keys.
“What’s that for? Are you going to buy a leash next?”
“If you’re not careful, I might.” The tease in his eyes tugged at her as he hooked the carabiner to a leather loop inside the backpack. “You can hook this to your keys, then on your jeans or inside your bag. That way you’re not always digging for your keys. It’s safer this way.”
She snuggled up to him again, loving that he’d been noticing everything about her. “You really do care.”
“Babe, if you’re still figuring that out, you’re miles behind.”
Maybe so, but she was catching up quickly. “You watch over me so carefully, and I appreciate that. You were protective before I told you what happened, but ever since, you’ve been even more watchful.”
He guided her out of the middle of the sidewalk to let another couple pass by, and his face went serious. “As long as that guy is out there, I’ll worry.”
Her stomach knotted up. “Bear, please. I know it’s hard, and I’m sorry for asking you to let it go, but I wish you could just forget it ever happened. I left that part of my life behind.”
“And all I want to do is make sure it stays there.”
They visited a few more stores and stopped at a café for lunch. After Bear ordered fries, Crystal added a milk shake to her order.
Bear dunked a fry in her milk shake and fed it to her, watching her intently as her mouth closed around it. “You are totally into dipping my fry in your milk shake.”
“If you’re still figuring that out, you’re miles behind,” she teased.
They kissed for the millionth time, and she hoped they’d kiss a million more.
The waitress told them about the island’s weekly Sunday market down by the water and an observation deck located off of Ocean Drive, where they could see the wild ponies in their natural habitat. When they were done eating, they walked down to the market, passing rows of small, weather-beaten cottages.
“It’s nice getting out of town for something other than seeing my mother.”
“We’ll go on lots of rides together.” He smiled and added, “Do you know how long I’ve wanted to take off on my bike with you?”
“I’m sorry it took me so long to come around. But you’re a little intimidating—in a good way, not a scary way. Just being around you made my pulse go bonkers. There is no easing into Bear territory.” She gazed up at the bright sun, enjoying the warmth on her cheeks.
“Don’t be sorry, babe. I’d have waited longer. I might have gotten frustrated, but I wouldn’t have given up until you told me I had no chance.”
“What a load of bull that is.” She laughed. “I told you dozens of times that nothing would happen between us.”
“Verbally, yes. But your eyes told a different story.”
She knew that was true. Gemma had told her as much. “I’m glad you were so perceptive.”
When they reached the market, the road was blocked off with orange and white construction barr
iers. Helium balloons danced in the breeze, and a bright blue banner stretched across the road that read SUNDAY MARKET. Beyond the barriers, crowds of people milled about beneath a sea of white canopies. They joined the crowd passing booths selling fruits and vegetables, homemade jams and jellies, arts and crafts, and beaded jewelry. The scent of popcorn hung in the air from a vendor at the end of the street.
“Baby cakes, check this out.” He nodded toward a T-shirt vendor, where a short, stocky man was talking with customers while a tall, thin woman worked an iron press. “I want to get Kennedy and Lincoln a little something.”
They looked through the children’s shirts.
“How about these?” she suggested, holding up T-shirts that said I love Mommy and I love Daddy.
“Those are always good choices,” the man behind the table said, flashing a kind smile.
“Can I get something custom-made?” Bear asked.
“Sure.” The man grabbed a pad of paper and a pen. “What would you like?”
“I’d like a girl’s size-three pink T-shirt that says ‘I love Uncle Bear,’ but spell ‘Bear’ with an ‘H’ instead of an ‘R.’” Bear lowered his voice and said to Crystal, “She needs something unique, like you.” To the man, he said, “And I’ll take a black T-shirt for a one-year-old boy that says, ‘Future Dark Knight,’ with a ‘K.’”
“No one can say you aren’t the best uncle ever,” Crystal said as the man and woman began working on his order. “While you’re waiting, I’m going to use the restroom.” She pointed at a sign for the restrooms.
“I’ll go with you as soon as he’s done.”
“Don’t be silly. I’m a big girl.” He kissed her like she was going off to war, and then he kissed her again until she laughed into the kiss. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
“Seems like a long time to me.” He held her hand as she stepped away, his fingers slipping down to her fingertips and then finally breaking away.
She followed the signs to the public bathrooms and waited in line to use the facilities. Afterward, as she washed her hands, she took a long look at herself in the mirror. She felt different inside, but she was amazed at how different she looked, too. Her eyes seemed clearer, and even her skin seemed to glow. She wished her father could see her now. He’d be happy for her, and proud of her for doing so well. It was a good feeling, thinking of him, and she smiled all the way back to the market.
Truly, Madly, Whiskey Page 15
