by Brooke Page
Once our laughter subsided, timidly, he asked, “Can I lay by you?”
“Yes.” I scooted so Colby could lay on the side facing my door. I felt safe when he was with me, as if he would block whatever monster could pounce through the door. “Want me to hold you?” he asked softly, his hands itching to pull me to his chest.
I nodded, letting him throw the beat-up Cinderella comforter I’d had since I could remember over us and snuggled into him. His arms wrapped around me as he whispered happy memories against my ear. He would stay with me until the morning, knowing my mother would be too high to notice he was in my bedroom.
“I wish you would tell someone about this,” he whispered. “You don’t have to stay here.”
I nuzzled his chest, well aware the school social worker was on to me and my situation. “She needs me.”
“It’s supposed to be the other way around, Lo.”
A tremor ran through my body. She was taking care of me the best she could. He held me closer, breathing me in, pressing his lips to my forehead. “In a year, I’ll have a good job and my own place. I’ll take care of you.”
My eyes scrunched closed, my hand fisting his shirt. “I can’t.”
Colby’s hand ran up and down my spine, his other stroking my cheek. “You’ve got a year to think about it.” Lifting my chin, he brushed my eyelid with his thumb, forcing them to open.
His blue eyes met mine. “I’ll never hurt you. I’m not like the men you’ve seen your mother with.”
“I know,” I breathed, afraid he thought I compared him to those demons. “You’re kind, sweet, and compassionate. I feel safe when I’m with you.”
My eyes followed the large gulp running down his throat. He studied me, contemplation clear on his face by the way his dark eyebrows pinched together.
He opened his mouth, but then closed it.
“What is it?”
Stroking my hair from my forehead, he studied my face, debating what to say. “You deserve to feel safe all of the time.”
My lip quirked upward on one side. “Does that mean you’ll stay with me tonight?”
“I’ll stay with you every night.”
I laughed under my breath, my eyelids closing briefly. When I looked at him again, his mouth was in a straight line. “I’m serious, Lauren. I love you.”
My eyes moistened. That wasn’t a phrase I heard very often. Come to think of it, I couldn’t remember the last time my mother told me she loved me.
I stroked his face, noticing the worry lines creasing on the sides of his eyes as he looked at me. I hated that I stressed him out. I wasn’t good enough for him, he didn’t deserve to waste his time on me when I didn’t know what I wanted.
My thumbs grazed his strong jaw as I bit my lip. I needed to give him something, but I didn’t know what. He needed to know how much he meant to me.
He swallowed again, touching his nose to mine. I sucked in air, my eyes fluttering closed. I’d never been kissed before, never had an interest in being that close to someone. I’d cuddled with Colby a plethora of times, but he was always a gentleman.
His breathing deepened. Licking his lips, his hand caressed my cheek. I could feel his heart racing underneath my hand, my own heartbeat beginning to quicken. Suddenly, my senses were on high alert. His scent infiltrated my nostrils, the smell of wood and freshly cut grass. I inhaled deeply, basking in the way his hands slowly drifted from a delicate, friendly stroke, to a firmer, more intimate caress. The sound of his breathing rang in my ears, mixing with the beat of my own pulse.
Licking my lips one last time, I bravely tilted my head to meet his mouth. He sighed heavily, his whole body tensing as though he were fighting his own movement. My kiss was shy, a small pluck, unsure if I were doing it right.
When I stopped sucking gently on his bottom lip, he took the lead, kissing me back softly. My body trembled, frightened yet curious from the foreign feelings that were arising.
Colby traced my lips with his tongue. Did he want me to open my mouth? With cautious lips, I did as his tongue requested, allowing him access. Colby grunted between kisses, his hands seeking underneath my shirt. The heat from his hands brought a new sense of comfort. I kissed him the best I knew how, trying to not be self-conscious and worry if I were doing it wrong.
His hand grazed up my spine, reaching the strap to my bra and unclasping it. My hands froze in his hair, my mouth stilling against his lips as he reached around my rib cage.
“I’m… I’m… not sure if…” I stuttered, squirming away from his touch.
Colby’s hand instantly halted, grazing back to my spine. “That’s fine,” his breath was shaky as he pressed his forehead to mine.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered, mentally punching myself for being such a wuss.
Placing his hands on the outside of my shirt, he shook his head. “Never be sorry for telling me to stop. You’re well worth the wait, Lo.”
Chapter Nine
Vance
“I was hoping to find your first Dove at the nest this morning, Vancy,” Marcus said as he strolled through the doors of the surf shop. I peeked up from the accounting book at the sound of his voice, closing it and sliding it under the register when he approached.
“She wasn’t good for the job,” I lied, knowing Lauren’s personality fit well.
Marcus’s smile was like a shark as he set his hands on the glass countertop. He didn’t believe me.
“You need to be faster. I’ll do a background check on her.”
My eyes narrowed at him. “You don’t even know who she is.”
Marcus scratched his chin. “Did you do a background check on her?”
“I don’t need to. She doesn’t fit.” I moved away from him, disgusted by the smirk on his face. His tanned skin matched mine, his eyes the same color green. I hated my resemblance to my father.
Marcus clicked his tongue. “It’s been two weeks since I’ve given you this task. Are you not up for it?” He sounded sincere, but his eyes were different. If I told him no, he’d kill me, and him killing me meant I wouldn’t be able to throw his ass in jail.
Or put a bullet in his head.
“I’ll do a background check on her,” I snapped, wanting him to get the fuck out of my sight. “I’ve got another girl I can take in, too. I’ll get a hold of her.” I added, remembering Abby from the bar I took Tucker and Colt to the day Marcus told me he wanted a Dove.
“Good. Playing surf shop owner isn’t your destiny, son. This entire empire is for you. Blood is thicker than the mud the world will drag you through. In the end, family is all we have.”
I swallowed hard. I didn’t want his empire of drugs and sex, and soon it would be gone along with him.
“I’ll let you know what I find,” I murmured, busying myself with a pile of kite ropes. “But from talking to her, she doesn’t seem as shut off as I thought.”
His lip quirked. “Women lie, son. I figured you’d realize that by now.”
I wanted to punch him in the face. He was referring to my mother. She’d made me many promises, that he forced her to break.
“We open in twenty minutes. Unless you want the trollers to see you, I suggest you leave,” I attempted reining in my anger toward him.
He gave me a snarky smile, then slinked to the door.
A bright, semi-familiar voice greeted him. “Oh! Sorry sir!” She squeaked, moving past my father.
My eyes widened; it was Marcy. Then fear crept through me as Lauren followed. Marcus’s eyes roamed over Lauren, and she shriveled under his scrutiny.
No no no.
“Shops not open, sweetheart,” he said to her, cocking his head curious at her timid stature.
“Oh. We can wait outside.”
“It’s fine,” my voice boomed as I zipped toward them. The way my father looked at Lauren like a starved lion was agonizing, and I wanted her as far away from him as possible.
“They can come in,” I stood between my father and Lauren. “They’re h
elping me out today.”
With a snake-like smile, my father instantly knew who Lauren was to me. “Get to work then,” he said smoothly and left.
“Is Colt working?” Marcy asked as she fingered through a rack of purple wetsuits.
“No.” I locked the door once my father left. “He doesn’t come in for another hour.”
Marcy pouted. I looked to my side, finding Lauren cowering away from me. Why was she afraid of me?
“Tagging along?” I asked her as I eyed the two of them.
Her voice was soft. “Yes. Marcy wanted to see Colt. Sorry if my being here bothers you.”
“No, doesn’t bother me at all.” I liked being around her. I just knew it was in her best interest to stay as far away from me as possible. She’d end up as one of Marcus’s Doves.
She bit her lip, confusion spreading across her face.
“Well, we can hang out until Colt gets here, or… you can rent us one of those dune buggy things.”
I peered out the window, noticing my father lighting a cigarette and standing outside of his car. Was he waiting for Lauren to leave? He no doubt would make a move on her. I knew the look he had in his eyes. My father took what he wanted, and Lauren was on his list.
“No, I could use your help actually.”
Marcy raised a brow. “We don’t know anything about surfing.”
“You don’t need to know anything about surfing to organize the booties by sizes.”
Marcy crossed her arms. “Water shoes? That sounds boring.”
“We can do it,” Lauren offered sweetly, walking passed me. Her butt looked awesome in her very short jean shorts. “Where are they?”
I waved for them to follow me. Six big boxes of different booties were sprawled across the floor, all holding different sizes. “Right here. This was going to be Colt’s job when he came in.”
Marcy jumped, opening the boxes and began sorting them by size. I smiled at her enthusiasm. Colt didn’t shut up last night about how bad he wanted her, and if he knew she were here, he’d drag his ass out of bed and get here in no time.
Lauren laughed as she hugged her bare arms. The yellow tank top she wore was tight to her frame, not leaving much to the imagination.
“You want to help me?” I asked, pointing to a pile of bumper stickers. She nodded, neatly stacking them before placing each one in their correct spots on the display rack.
“Listen, about last night,” I started to say, unsure what I was going to tell her. “It’s not you. I just… I’m not good for women.”
She gave me a half grin. “I believe that.”
I was taken aback by her statement. “What does that mean?” She was pretty upset with me for shutting her out, at least I thought she was.
Glancing at me, her half grin became a full-blown smirk. I couldn’t help but return her smile. She was playing with me, and her shy appearance was fading. I liked that. It made her personality less like a Dove’s.
“I feel as though you’re judging me.”
She shrugged her shoulders. “I call them how I see them.”
My curiosity got the best of me. “How exactly do you see me?”
Her grin faded as she stared at me. “I think I should be fighting whatever it is that keeps drawing me to you.”
I sucked in air. She knew I was dangerous. Was it that obvious that I manipulated women to help them join Marcus’s dark force as prostitutes? And now to be slaves. I was trying to be better, trying to get out of this hell hole, but how could I do that if I were just as much a demon as my father? So what if I helped to catch the monster? I was one myself. I was still the enemy.
Lauren’s eyes softened as she watched me. “I’m having trouble fighting it though,” she whispered, her eyes moving from me to the bumper stickers.
My heart hammered. She needed to be stronger, because I would eat her alive if I couldn’t control the monster inside of me that was aching for her.
“Did Tucker make it home okay?” she asked sincerely.
I was thankful for the change of subject, but talking about Tucker wasn’t ideal either. “He’s asleep in his bed. Isn’t scheduled until noon.”
“Good. I was worried you’d leave him out there.”
“I’m not that heartless,” I laughed. “Even if he deserved it.”
“Why would he deserve it?”
Because he was going to drug you and fuck you.
“If you can’t handle your liquor, then you deserve to sleep on the beach.”
She laughed. “Sleeping on the beach wouldn’t be that terrible. As long as you have someone with you,” she smirked. I offered a small smile, pondering if she was teasing me for being protective or if she had taken me seriously last night.
Lauren leaned across me, setting a bumper sticker on the rack closest to me. The citrus scent of her shampoo was intoxicating. “Just so you know,” she murmured, “I think Marcy would kill Colt if he watched the sunset with me.”
Tilting my head toward her scent, I whispered without thinking. “I think I’d kill him, too.”
Her eyes widened as she stood frozen in place.
Yes, beautiful, I’m dangerous, and I’m the only man allowed to watch the sunset with you.
“I couldn’t fucking sleep. I woke up with this raging boner,” Colt muttered as he sauntered through the backroom door.
I grinned, knowing he had no idea the causer of the raging boner was stacking shoes a few feet away.
Colt stopped in his tracks, a slight flush forming on his cheeks as he smiled at Lauren. “Oh, hey, Lauren.”
She offered him a slight wave, trying to hide her own blush. I wanted to stroke her cheek. I loved how innocent she really was.
The sound of shoes falling caused all three of us to look toward Marcy. “Damn it! I’m too fucking short for this!” she shouted. Colt rushed around the countertop to help her.
“Hey, what are you doing here?” He smiled broadly, taking the pile of shoes she was trying to hold.
Marcy’s anger turned into mush. “I was helping with your job duties. I hope that’s not weird.”
“Hell no!” Colt grinned, placing the shoes on the highest shelf for her then wrapped her in his arms.
I rolled my eyes. I’d give them a few minutes to catch up, even though it hadn’t even been twelve hours since they were caught practically screwing on the beach by YaYa, who happened to call me every obscene name in English and Spanish the entire way to the fire pit. I warned her I should get them first, otherwise she might see more of her granddaughter than she was prepared for. She only shouted at me in Spanish and shoved me to the side. Thankfully, their clothes were still on and only disheveled.
“Oh Marcy,” Lauren muttered under her breath.
I gazed at her with a slight grin. “I was thinking the same about Colt.”
***
The shop had been steady all morning, and I was thankful Marcy and Lauren decided to stay and help out. Lauren worked like a machine. She finished her task then asked for more to do. Some of the local surfers let their eyes linger too long on Lauren’s body, and I tried to convince myself it didn’t matter. She wasn’t mine after all, and the possibility of her being mine was slim.
Marcy helped some, but she more distracted Colt from working. He would attend to a customer, but then stop mid-sentence whenever Marcy would bend over to grab a shoe from the bottom of the box. I had to intervene a few times.
I was done telling him to stay away from her. He needed to fuck her and get her out of his system, but I knew that would only make him fall harder for her. Marcy had Colt in the palm of her hand, and it hadn’t even been a full twenty-four hours of knowing each other.
Tucker mozied in a half hour late, looking like shit. “Sorry, Vance,” he muttered, his head thudding when it hit the glass of the counter top. He hadn’t even noticed Lauren organizing the new shipment of t-shirts.
“You feeling okay?” she asked him sweetly. Tucker rotated his head so he could see her with o
ne eye. Shocked, he lifted his head and squinted at her.
“Am I dreaming?”
Lauren giggled. “Marcy wanted to see Colt.” She pointed in their direction, where they happened to be canoodling each other behind a row of surfboards. “I’ve been helping Vance all morning.”
Tucker's eyes narrowed. “Of course he needed your help.”
Lauren patted his shoulder. “Maybe you should go back to bed, you seem a little hungover.”
He raised a brow at her. “More than a little. I think the bartender slipped something in my drink.”
I smirked. Served him right. Now he had a taste of his own medicine.
“Hey, can I take off? I want to show Marcy how to surf,” Colt asked. His arms were wrapped around her as she looked dotingly at him.
“You’ve only been here for four hours.”
Colt frowned, then a smile crept on his face. “Yeah, but so has she, so if you think about it, we’ve been helping you for eight hours, and she brought Lauren, so that’s more like twelve hours.”
“I don’t mind staying and helping. I know I don’t know much about surfing stuff, but I can keep sorting and organizing,” Lauren offered.
I smiled at her. She was a hard worker. She was a survivor, they tended to get things done once they put their minds to it. I was a survivor too.
“Yeah, Lauren and I can close the shop down,” Tucker winked. I couldn’t contain my frown, but a grin slipped once I saw Lauren’s eyes widen. She didn’t want to be here all day with Tucker. Which was good, because there was no way in hell I was going to let that happen.
“Colt, you’re scheduled until four. You can teach her then.”
Marcy grumbled under her breath and Colt shrugged his shoulders. “Sorry, babe, boss’s orders.”
“You girls don’t have to stay.” Although I secretly hoped Lauren wouldn’t leave.
“I don’t mind,” Lauren smiled, carrying another box of shirts to the display shelf.
An image of her being here with me every day popped into my mind, her helping open the shop, working the long days with me then crawling into bed together. Her scent would surround me, her hair tickling my chest when she’d curl into me to sleep. The thought of snuggling with a woman had never crossed my mind. It was the most normal reality, an actual life every other human being in this world dreaded recreating every day, but I was infatuated with the idea.
