by Emily Bowie
He had given me a few packages while I was in jail to help a few of his crew out. Even in jail, I continued working for him, keeping my cover while gaining more contacts. Each day I stayed in jail, I became more credible to Kiptyn, and more valuable to the FBI.
“Happy to help, Kip.” The answer is honest. I do love my job, both of them.
Looking at Kiptyn, I see he hasn’t aged a day. He looks to have gained a bit of weight, but that’s about it.
“What in the hell are you doing out here?” He looks around. Only a few houses line the lone street that seems to signify where the earth drops off from Three Rivers.
Placing my hands in my pockets, I shrug. “Just taking a walk to clear my head. It’s too silent this time of night for my liking.”
He nods as if he understands, but he’s never seen the places I’ve been. He’s too smart for that. Or at least he was before he accepted me as a friend. I try to push that out of my mind. I can’t think like that while I’m in character.
“Is that why I got a call that someone’s nephew’s arm got broke tonight?” He watches my reaction, and I refuse to give him any. He’s referring to the guys who were thrown out tonight at Nelly’s.
My head tilts to the side before I choose my answer. “Those boys deserved it, I heard.” My face is still straight, all seriousness, even though a smile wants to tug at my lips. I had enjoyed kicking their asses more than anyone would like me to admit. It’s been a while since I’ve had a self-sanctioned fight. Typically, I have to create the perfect moment, to be set free and given the word to fight.
“Is that what you heard?” He looks right at me, no expression on his face. His voice gives him away, telling me he approves, for whatever reason he might have. I hope the FBI might see it that way too.
“Yup. Walking in dark alleys, anyone can sneak up.” I now hint toward my actions.
“No shit. You know who might’ve taken the jump?” Kiptyn’s voice is way too expressive as he plays along, sending us back to our old, easy friendship. I’ve missed his company.
“I’d assume someone who wanted to blame me.” Only now, I let the smile I was holding back creep onto my face.
He grunts, not looking like he really cares.
“Good to have you home. Don’t become a stranger at the mansion.” He pulls away from the window, sitting right in his seat.
“Beer’s too good to stay away.” I flash him my easy grin that gets me out of a lot of shit. With that, he continues on his way, leaving his fumes hitting my face.
CHAPTER 11
I find myself liking Three Rivers more than I should. The smiles, waves, hellos—it all makes me feel at home. Home. It has been a long time since I’ve thought of any place like that. What scares me more is that I’ve only been here a couple days.
I also shouldn’t have wanted Kellen to kiss me goodnight. I know better. Men like him don’t stick around for long after the goods are given out freely.
I’m not that girl, yet I did what all girls who say “I don’t normally do this” do. My wanting to see him again creates an internal war inside as I know I should be staying away.
I’m out of here as soon as I have enough money to leave a large distance between myself and every part of my past, including here.
I’m not looking for a stolen moment snuck away, but moments that are found and are able to be kept.
My phone vibrates in my pocket, and I know at this moment I’ve been found.
“Hey, cuz,” I answer sheepishly, my body tensing, knowing I should’ve reached out, and now I’ve been caught. I wait for the person on the other end of the line to give it to me.
“I thought I was seeing things last night when I saw the lights on at that old place. For a moment, I thought the old lady died and came back to give me hell.”
I can’t help but laugh. Granny did love to give Kiptyn shit about not being able to stay away from trouble.
“I would have called, but I only plan on this being a minor step till I head out.” I offer the excuse, hoping it will make it better.
“Aw, yes, and never come back.” He chuckles, carefree, hearing this too many times from me.
“This place has only ever been a pit stop.”
“I know. But maybe it would be good to have some family around for a change.” His voice has disappointment and defeat laced through it, making me feel guilty. My foot comes up, and it begins to twist and balanced on my big toe, going back and forth as I concentrate on it.
“You know me; I’m more like a gypsy, always on the move.” My voice is low, as his sweet words make my eyes prickle with wetness. Deep down, I do want to stay, but I have made that mistake before in the past.
I try to blink away the wetness, not needing it to drip through the phone. Kiptyn is the closest I ever had to a brother. A shaky breath releases from my lungs.
“Be sure to stop by the mansion before you decide to run off. It’s been a few years,” he tells me, trying to wear me down. I know Kiptyn only means well, which makes this all the harder.
Growing up, I knew I always had him if things got too rough. He is about five years older than me and always seemed to have his shit together compared to me. Even though we both left home around the age of fifteen. He would scare off guys who wouldn’t take no for an answer. Then, sometime between then and now, I lost sight of that.
And now I find myself staying away from the notorious motorcycle gang. I can’t help but shake my head at where I have led my life. Right here, I make a pact to stay away from Kellen at all costs.
*
Wandering the familiar streets from when I was a child and came here to visit Granny, I end up standing right in front of the vet. Craning my neck, I look at the large sign that says Three Rivers Veterinary Clinic. The one thing Granny made sure of was that I got some sort of education. Getting a vet assistant certificate just made sense.
Pulling the door open, my feet go one in front of the other until I stand at the front desk.
“What can I help you with?” A pretty redhead comes down the one hallway.
“I was wondering if anyone is looking for a vet assistant,” I reply, making my smile look bigger, trying to be friendly, with a dash of hope.
“Oh.” She pauses a moment, putting her thumb and finger under her chin as she thinks. “I know we are not actively looking currently, but we have been pretty busy lately. If you have a resume, I can give you a call back to let you know either way.”
I knew this was a bad idea, as I stand here empty handed. I hadn’t planned on actually stopping in here today. “Is it possible to email it to you?” I ask, afraid I look stupid now. “I thought there would be an application to fill out.”
“No problem. I’m Jewels by the way, but everyone calls me Ruby.”
“Sloan Tate,” I tell her, as she extends her hand for me to shake. “Nice to meet you.”
“You too.”
I walk out, knowing I may never hear from this office. Story of my life.
“Hey, stranger.” I look up to see Kellen right in front of me, looking sexier than ever. Of course I would run into him out here.
“Stalking me much?” I place my hand on my hip as I admire the view, pretending he doesn’t impress me.
“I think you might like that.” He gives me a wink that melts my panties, but my face stays stoic.
“Ugh, I’ll let you two be.” His friend goes inside the clinic.
“My friend Luke.” He nods to where his friend left. “He’s here to see his sister.”
Maybe I should have been nicer. Then I could make use of the old saying “it’s who you know, not what you know” for actually getting a job.
“Can I take you out for dinner?”
I hardly let him get the whole sentence out before I shut him down. “No.”
He looks slightly off guard, but his smile grows even larger, confusing me a little.
“No?” He says it like a question.
“That’s what I said.” This ba
nter shouldn’t be the highlight reel of my day, but it is.
“Care to further explain why not?” he asks slowly, like the whole concept is confusing to him, yet his body language is looking like he’s enjoying this as much as I am.
“Have a good day, Kellen.” My shoulder rubs against his, making my skin light up and my heart race.
When I’ve passed him, I allow myself to look over my shoulder, where he’s watching me leave. I can’t help myself; I wink before continuing on my way.
CHAPTER 12
It took one call to Nelly’s owner, Becca, to have Sloan back working there tonight. I bite back a groan, remembering Sloan sashaying away from me while giving me a wink this afternoon. Her ass looked fantastic in that tight denim and a tied-up tank that flashed just a bit of flesh. I would have loved to sink my teeth into her. She has those innocent, dainty features that scream class, but then she throws a curveball that has me thinking she would love to drop to her knees and do as I say. I think I’ve finally met my match. She keeps me on my toes, and I can’t help but like it. Looks like I’m going to have to make some of my own luck if she’s being stubborn and won’t give in to us.
The price—two hours at the park with Becca’s little ones—I think, is worth it. Should be simple enough. At first, I almost choked on my own saliva when she began negotiating with me. But then again, that’s this small town. The town seems to be divided when it comes to their opinion of me. Becca must be on the “pro” side of things, or maybe she’s just that desperate for a few hours of peace. Either way, I would make the deal all over again.
“Well, well, if I didn’t see it, I don’t think I’d believe it.” Shay, my younger sister, sits down beside me.
“What?” I ask, clueless to what she’s heard, not really caring what the town’s gossip is this time.
“Molly just called me.” My head turns to the bar where Molly and Sloan are gathering up their drinks. “And I had to come down and see it for myself.”
“What? Forgot what I looked like having a beer?” I grunt, hating that I seem to be under a microscope for everything I do.
“Somebody has a crush,” she singsongs, looking over at the bar I was just staring off at.
Sloan chooses that moment to look over at us, her perfect smile on her pink lips. Her ombré hair bounces past her shoulders with her movements. Those bright forest green eyes hold mine before her eyebrow lifts. Knowing I’ve been caught staring, I tilt my head up, giving her a man-nod before turning my attention back to my over-observant sister.
“Grow up.” I can feel my eyes roll into the back of my head. I watch as she laughs at me, enjoying that we seem to be back to where we used to be. There is no undercurrent of tension or anger. It’s refreshing. I never realized I’d been holding on to how we left our relationship all these years while I was in jail.
“You plan on talking to her?”
Resting my forearm on the table, I pin her with a look. “What makes you think I haven’t already?”
“Well, I never thought I’d see the day.” She laughs. “She keeps turning you down, doesn’t she?” Shay is now staring at her like some mythical creature and is in awe.
Fuck my life.
“Fuck off.” I playfully toss my drink coaster at her, hoping she drops the subject.
“Hey, guys.” Jewels walks in with her soon-to-be husband, Tyson. She immediately looks back and forth between the two of us.
“What did we miss?” she asks.
Shay nods toward Sloan, but I stand up, having enough.
“Sloan?” Jewels prompts innocently.
“You know her?” my sister asks, trying to gain more intel.
“Yeah, she came in while I was volunteering at the clinic to see if we had any openings for a job.”
Tossing a few bills on the table, I tell them I’m out. No need to sit here all night with them mocking me. I’ll start to think of ways to help Sloan get a job at the vet clinic too.
*
Just like last week, I stand waiting for Sloan to finish up at Nelly’s, knowing she refuses to drive her car. I lean up against a lamppost, with no other options to wait comfortably.
I watch for her gaze to land on mine as she walks out, scanning the deserted parking lot. I frown as her seemingly relaxed features stiffen before she turns her head, ignoring me to continue on her walk home. For a moment, I think I may have lost my magical touch.
“You know, I’m not some damsel in distress.”
I can hear the smile in her words, giving me all the confidence I need. “When you start driving to work, I’ll stop walking you home,” I explain, jogging to catch up.
Her head shakes, and I take the opportunity to study her tattoos on her forearm above her wrist. One looks like a world map, and the other is handwritten, Love me for who I am. Scanning the rest of her, I see no other visible tattoos before my eyes stray to her perfectly round ass. It’s the best ass I have ever seen, and the way it moves when she walks has me wanting to sink my teeth into her flesh. I can see her liking it.
“Liking Nelly’s?” My steps move faster until we’re side by side.
“Not the worst job I’ve ever had.” She looks at me as if she’s trying to gauge my reaction. “Tell me, what do you do?”
The question is innocent, but there seems to be more meaning behind it, almost like an accusation that I’ve done nothing with my life. It hits a nerve I never realized I had.
“I help my parents on the ranch.” I’d also like to tell her that I’m one of the good guys and have been working with the feds undercover for just over five years. But that would blow my cover and end my job. I’m not stupid; I know once this job is over, most likely so is my job.
There is a moment of silence before Sloan asks, “Do you at least like it?” Her nose crinkles up a bit, and I notice she’s changed out her hoop nose ring for a small diamond stud.
“Yeah, I do. I like that it’s honest work and that I’m good at it.” I’m shocked by my own truthfulness in my answer.
Deciding to test my luck, I continue. “So when does your boyfriend move up here?” Again, with her continual turning me down, the thought has crossed my mind that maybe she isn’t available. I’m not the type of man to cut into a happy home.
Her steps stop, and I’m forced to turn around to see her. “Do I seem like a girl who needs a boyfriend?”
“Why are you always on the defense?” I rub my chin, wishing I kept my mouth shut, to get back to our flirtatious banter.
Heavy silence hangs between us, and she refuses to move. I watch as her eyes assess me in a way no one ever has. I want to understand her, more than anyone I’ve ever come across. It would be nice to have that deeper understanding of each other.
Wow, where did that come from? Never in my life have I had a thought like that.
She clears her throat, her steps restarting cautiously. “I’m sorry. I’ve had to look out for myself for so long I forget what friendly looks like.” She looks at me nervously as she tells me something vulnerable about herself for the first time.
“Sorry, I shouldn’t have pried.” Her expression turns soft as I apologize.
“And for your information, there is no boyfriend.”
The info pleases me, while my mind lingers on her sculpted legs, shapely ass, and fantastic rack until my fingers brush against hers from walking too close. Electricity runs through me, waking me up.
The walk is relaxing, with the half-moon leading our way once the street lamps space farther and farther apart as we begin to reach the outskirts of town. I can feel the shift in her as soon as she decides to deem me safe. Her steps seem lighter, and there is this crackle of chemistry that keeps zinging from her to me. It makes the hair on my arm stand up, the same as my cock. I can feel her eyes constantly on me when she thinks I’m not looking, making me want to press her against a lamppost and see how her pussy clenches directly under the moonlight as I push my cock into her.
Then, much too soon, we find ourselve
s in front of her house.
“Do you want to come in?”
Her eyes rock from me to the house with uncertainty. Next time I touch her, there will be no uncertainty. I want her to want me as much as I do her. The fantasy of us together plays out in my mind, one with me ripping her panties off as she begs for my cock.
“Not tonight. I don’t want to break my promise of escorting you home safely. When I come inside, I want you to be 100 percent certain.”
I swear her jaw drops a little before she closes it.
“Suit yourself, Kellen.” Her smile stretches across that beautiful face of hers, and she gives me another heart-stopping wink before going inside.
CHAPTER 13
What this town definitely has is character and an understated beauty. Each shop has flowers in either pots or hanging baskets outside their doors. Houses are taken care of with pride. It makes the place my granny had look out of place and rundown. I should plant some real flowers. The thought has me pausing. It’s another I can’t be having; I can’t make this my home.
But I can make Granny’s house have better curb appeal. It’s about time I look into selling the old place. I could use the money to help set me up somewhere else. Now, that thought is more appealing.
I still have some time before my next shift at Nelly’s and decide to seize the moment. I’ve seen a real estate shop just down the road.
“How can I help you?” I’m greeted by an older gentleman as I walk in, a bell shaking above my head.
“I wanted to look into putting my house up for sale.” Immediately, his features light up as he ushers me farther inside.
“I haven’t seen you around before. What place do I need to come out to look at?”
My stomach twists at his words, the reality of it all setting in. Can I sell the last thing I have of Granny’s?
“Lois Tate’s old place,” I tell him.
“Oh, dear.” His face drops as if I’ve just gave him some sad news. He looks at me with sympathy and shakes his head. I know the look. It’s the expression one gives before they tell you something bad.
