by Bijou Hunter
“Yes. Vaughn Majors is very strong and sexy. So, wouldn’t any strong, sexy guy I hooked up with be similar to him? I’d basically have to fuck a weak troll to avoid screwing a father substitute.”
“True, true. Very wise, but you also fuck chicks. Right there is an option that doesn’t involve daddy fucking or troll humping.”
“Yes, but I didn’t meet a woman who made me consider waxing. I met Sam.”
“So, you are considering it, then?”
Narrowing my eyes, I ask, “Me being waxed is very important to you, isn’t it?”
“For the roleplaying sex games, yes.”
“But it’s a fantasy, so just imagine me however you want.”
“As a critical thinker, I lack any imagination. So, I really need you to create the fantasy for me.”
“To sustain our friendship, I’ll go ahead and lie the next time I see you and claim I’ve been waxed. I’ll even seem tender in my lady parts to truly sell the ruse.”
“It’s what a good friend would do.”
“And as my reward, you agree not to bring up fucking my dad every time I mention wanting Sam’s dick.”
Smiling warmly, she says, “I can do that.”
“And if he turns out to be a dud, you won’t point out how I should have known better.”
“I won’t mock you at all.”
“And if he breaks my heart and I’m forced to move to another town to run away from my problems, you’ll come along to keep me company.”
“Sure, but only if you run to Conroe. I can’t live in Shasta where it stinks of a rendering plant.”
Nodding immediately, I agree. “No go on Shasta. Besides, I can’t live in the same town as my oldest brother. River is my least favorite male sibling.”
“Makes sense. His big personality does overshadow you quite easily.”
“True, so if I have to run away like a whiny bitch again, I’ll move to Conroe. You’ll come live in the farm town, where there's no viable entertainment.”
“Lesbians live there, though. I can hang out with them and talk shit about you.”
“But not to my face.”
“Of course not, sweet Nev,” she says, full of love. “You’re my best friend, and I love you. Plus, you’re very violent, and I’ve never learned to take a punch.”
“True, you do tend to just fall down and stay there for a long while.”
“I choose to turn a painful experience into a vacation on the ground.”
“Smart. Not like you can do much else.”
Alyn smiles at my cocky threatening nature. I’ve protected her ass plenty, so she’s very happy I’m a violent monster.
We stop talking about Sam. Instead, the conversation turns to how Alyn might be mom material on account of how she was able to carry on a conversation with Capri’s nine-year-old daughter, Exene, on two separate occasions.
“I’m a natural, and Exene is totally warming up to me,” she explains as we take our soup out to the back porch. “I feel as if I have the right personality for parenthood.”
“Really?”
“Very much so.”
“Now, just to clarify, you don’t have pets or plants because they need to live, and that’s just too much pressure for you. Do I remember that right?”
Shrugging, Alyn blows on her soup. “Yes, but those things can’t use human speech to ask for what they need. If a plant could just ask for water and sunlight, I might avoid killing it.”
“I’m happy for you. If anyone deserves joy, it’s the person who’s put so little effort into achieving it.”
“Good stuff does just fall into my lap,” she says, flashing a bright smile.
“Mine, too. I’ve got this great house and a fun job where I can punch unruly men. I come home every night to my five fur-babies who are excited to see me.”
“Well, not so much Cornflake,” she says of my orange cat.
“And I have my brother Maverick to thank for my many blessings,” I say, thinking of the fourth born Majors child.
“Really? Kinda seemed like he didn’t want you to move here.”
“Why would he? We’re not warm people, and he feared I’d embarrass him.”
“So far, you haven’t, though.”
“No, I’ve been on my best behavior. You know, as a way to thank him for luring me here.”
“Didn’t he just choose to move here with no consideration for your needs at all?”
Grinning, I reply, “Yes, that’s absolutely true. Mav wanted a safe place for his lady love. He chose Pema since Conroe is a farm town full of Johansson offspring and lesbians.”
“Maverick could have moved back to Ellsberg.”
“And be a lesser version of our cool dad? No go. Pema really was his only choice.”
“And you followed him like a good little sister.”
“Only after the twins. I let them dip their painted toes into the water here to ensure it wasn’t filled with piranha.”
“As your older sisters, I’m sure they were proud to be of assistance.”
“I sensed they were. Of course, I didn’t ask in case they used that question as an excuse to barf their emotions on me.”
“And only I’m allowed to do that.”
I flash her a frown. “You doing that is the core problem in our relationship. It’s why we argue and will avoid talking for days or even weeks.”
“Oh, I assumed it was your lack of drama that caused the problem.”
We share a smile and fall silent. The soup tastes yummy. My dogs run around in the yard. In a month or so, it’ll be warm enough to use the pool. Hell, if I’m not living the life of champions here.
My thoughts shift to Sam on his first night of freedom. I picture him at his parents’ house. I imagine his kids smiling the way they only seem to do when together. I grin at the thought of Fred and Pricilla doting on their only child. I’m sure even the parakeets—Rainbow and Sunshine—are having a ball.
My fantasy of their time together feels right for them. However, I have zero ability to imagine myself fitting into the Donner family’s groove.
Clearly, Sam and I will need to keep our adventure strictly sex-and-fun-based.
THE CHARMER
Brick kept my Harley in tip-top shape while I was locked up. After the kids are on the bus and my parents start their morning power walk, I climb on my shiny black bike and let the engine sing to me. I’ve had this old boy since before my kids came along and I was still with the Silver Swords Motorcycle Club.
I drive around Idyllwild before hitting the backroads where I can open up the engine. My mind goes quiet, focusing only on the path in front of me. I don’t think of Teigh’s absence or the kids’ awkwardness or my parents’ flakiness. I’m not worried about my place in the Reapers now with the new management. My mind doesn’t even wonder about the sexy blonde whose number is burning a hole in my pocket. It’s just me, the Harley, and the road.
But I can’t keep going, tempting as it might be. I have responsibilities in the rearview.
After driving to Pema, I park in front of Whiskey Kirk’s next to several other Harleys. Though I assume my president and VP are already inside, I don’t hurry to join them.
The outside speakers play Buffalo Springfield, and I plan to enjoy the song. Sitting on my hog, I close my eyes and experience the world on my terms. No one around to tell me otherwise.
After the song ends, I finally enter Whiskey Kirk’s to find my president, VP, and Brick sitting at a back table separated from the rest of the customers. My ass hasn’t even gotten comfortable before Nev is next to me with a menu and a hand casually touching the nape of my neck.
She offers me a smile and then leaves us to talk. As soon as she’s out of earshot, Colton smiles conspiratorially.
“You’re lucky to be on her good side,” Colton tells me. “A guy back home in Ellsberg ended up on her wrong side, and she kicked him so hard one of his balls got dislodged.”
“Good Lord,” Brick mutters.
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“You have to understand, she had just recently started bartending at Whiskey Kirk’s,” Colton says, glancing back at where Nev takes someone’s order. “And she was into wearing a lot of short shorts and cut-off shirts. Men were bound to sexually harass her, so she needed to set them straight.”
“Why couldn’t you set them straight?” Brick asks Maverick.
“If I do it, she can’t,” my blond VP deadpans. “Why would I steal my sister’s chance to break a man’s balls?”
“See, that right there is why we make a good team,” Colton says, patting Maverick’s back and almost gaining a frown for his troubles. “My sisters would want me to help out.”
“Your sisters are royalty in Ellsberg. Mine are the castle guards, meaning they need to know how to dislodge a man’s testicles.”
“What’s this about junk damage?” Nev asks, appearing behind us and very casually resting her hand on my shoulder.
“We’re explaining to Sam how you’re hot,” Colton tells her.
“But I’m standing right here, and he has the power of sight. Why explain what’s obvious?”
“Also, that you’re dangerous.”
“Oh, well, then the junk-damage thing makes more sense,” she says, sliding her fingers away as she lifts her hand.
“Could you be more subtle?” Maverick asks in his emotionless way.
“Doubtful.”
“Then, thank you for trying at all. I know that must be difficult.”
Nev holds her brother’s gaze, and I get the sense something might go down. Not sure what, really. The tension between the siblings is powerful, and I imagine them throwing punches. Rather than violence, she licks her index finger and slicks down one of his stray blond hairs.
“You’re so handsome,” she says softly, smiling wider as he shoots her a frown. Turning to the rest of us, she asks, “What do you boys want for lunch?”
After getting our order, Nev walks away. I twist around in my chair to watch her leave, enjoying her tight ass swaying back and forth as she leisurely returns to the bar top. Maverick studies me, no doubt unimpressed by my lust. Then again, he understands his sister’s sexy.
Turning back around, I notice the men watching me.
“Been a while since he had a woman,” Brick tells Colton and Maverick as if I need a defender.
“Even if I hadn’t been locked up, Nev is worth noticing.”
“Fair enough,” Colton says and glances around. “Have you had any issues over in Idyllwild?”
“You mean last night?”
“Yeah. Have people given you attitude?”
“I didn’t see much of anyone.”
“Good. People are behaving, but that might change.”
“Because of me?”
Colton runs both hands through his blond hair. “Because we’re remodeling an old church here in Pema.”
“What for?”
“To sap power away from the COC,” Maverick answers.
“The what, now?”
Brick explains, “The Community Outreach Committee.”
“That’s right,” I say, chuckling. “They gave themselves the name COC. Very pious of them.”
Colton smirks. “We thought we could leave them be, but the Cosgrove family and their preacher keep stirring up issues. Nothing big yet, but the asshole’s sermons are becoming more specific about who their enemy is. By having a Pema church, we hope to peel away many of their parishioners and dry up some of their funding. It’s that or wiping them out.”
“Might have to do both,” Maverick adds. “Some people can’t help causing trouble.”
I glance back at the bar, where Nev fiddles with one of the overhead TVs.
“War in Idyllwild isn’t an easy option with our people living there,” Colton says.
Turning around, I look over the men. “What do you want me to do?”
“Heidi said you’re good at construction,” Maverick answers. “She also suggested you deal with a few hard cases around Pema.”
“But not right off,” Colton adds, and I sense Maverick is irritated despite his face not doing anything different. “You just got out. Take a few weeks to settle in. Get a feel for people and the town. Hang out with your family. Take a vacation, even.”
“My kids are in school.”
“Maybe go away for the weekend, then.”
Nodding, I can’t imagine where to take the kids. I realize I don’t know them well enough. They talk to me about school in vague terms. Raimi is in dance class, and Caesar takes online coding classes. They’re on the same baseball team.
But last night, they didn’t say much of anything. Normally, Teigh would take charge. She was always restless, needing something she couldn’t quite find. I never cared where we went or what we did. It wasn’t on me to take charge. I can find entertainment anywhere.
Now, maybe, I need to be the guy calling the shots.
“Pick a day when you want me to start,” I tell Colton when the appetizer arrives. “Otherwise, I can’t plan.”
He screws around on his phone while the other men dig in. Somehow, I lose track of myself and end up following Nev back to the bar top. She turns to find me behind her. For a moment, her green eyes sharpen, becoming hostile even. I’ve invaded her space. She’s on alert.
I don’t flinch or back away. Nev isn’t my enemy, and I don’t frighten that easily.
Her tension fades after a second as if realizing why I’m right here with her.
“Did you need a refill?” she asks, smirking.
“I’m trying to figure out how to get to know you better, but I’m coming up blank.”
“Why is it so complicated?”
“I’d ask you out for a date, but I can’t really leave the kids in the evening yet. Is breakfast an option?”
“Or lunch.”
“But you’re working.”
“I’m the manager,” she says, leaning against the bar top and tapping her foot to the Joan Jett song playing. “I’m here because I want to be. We could have lunch tomorrow if you’d like. Go out somewhere or stay at my place. Depends on if you’re looking to keep your pants on for dessert.”
I chuckle at the pink rising in her cheeks. Did her words embarrass her? Or has her mind descended to such a dirty place that she’s overheating inside?
“Your place sounds best and not only so I can remove my pants. Fewer eyes on me.”
Nev studies my face and nods. “When I moved to Pema, I felt out of sorts for a while. I realized I wasn’t thrilled with the changes like I thought I would be. And I’d only moved from one hick town to another. Adjusting for you must be an entirely different ball of stress.”
“Now that you mention it, I am feeling like the world shifted under my feet. Can’t get a handle on why it bothers me more this time around than the last few.”
“Why don’t we talk about your situation tomorrow? Either while dressed or not.”
I’m normally a man of unlimited patience. However, I’m unable to wait until our lunch date to stroke her soft cheekbone. Nev’s eyes warm, and her breathing increases.
“I never flirt with men,” she whispers.
“Because you don’t have to,” I reply, thinking of how many times I said the same about myself.
“Exactly. I don’t like the chase. The games. The interview-like dating. None of it interests me,” she says and then does to my cheek what I did to hers. “For the life of me, I don’t know why, but I’ll put up with it for you.”
“I could say I’m too old for that crap, but I didn’t have any interest in it when I was a young man.”
“No doubt, you simply smiled, and women swooned.”
Grinning, I shrug. “Something like that.”
“I’ve never swooned before,” she says, tugging at the seam of my gray T-shirt.
“Neither have I. Seems stranger for a man my age than a girl yours.”
Nev instantly goes still. I’m gifted another taste of the Majors family’s iciness. Like he
r father and brother, Nev goes stone-cold when unhappy.
“I’m not a girl.”
“If you’re planning to react negatively to every little wrong word, I don’t know how long you and I will get along.”
“Because you can’t watch your words?”
“Exactly. I say what I want.”
Cocking an eyebrow, she mutters, “Did you do that in prison?”
“If I’m worried about offending someone, I don’t say anything at all. I won’t put on a show like a dancing monkey.”
Nev smirks. “Well, I don’t want you going quiet to avoid offending me. Your silence will only scream how you’re hiding your words. That’s as annoying as saying them out loud. I guess I’ll have to let things slide.”
“Or get upset. No harm in losing your temper when you want.”
Nev’s grin widens. “There’s something very sexy about a man who lets me off my leash.”
“Welp, if anyone’s locking you down, you best do that junk-damage move you pulled on the guy back in Ellsberg.”
Her fingers again tug at my shirt seam. “I wish it was tomorrow already.”
“Naw, best you enjoy every day. Tomorrow might not show up.”
“Gloomy way to think.”
“We don’t live safe lives.”
“True,” she murmurs and offers a little grin. “I’m also a terrible driver, so there’s that, too.”
Grinning, I reach over to stroke her knuckles. “Well, then, yeah, you should most definitely enjoy every day.”
“Or I could become a better driver.”
“Seems like if that was an option, you’d have done it already,” I say, caressing her forearm now. “After all, you’re not a girl anymore.”
“Sly dog.”
“You have no idea.”
Freezing again, Nev frowns at where the waitress carries food to my table.
“I guess you best eat your meal,” she says, sounding as disappointed as I feel. “Can you be at my place by eleven, or is that too early?”
“Apparently, I’m on vacation for the time being.”
“You did right by Heidi, and she wants you to relax. Since she’s a pushy bitch, people usually go along with what she wants.”
