10. Chapter 10
Chapter 10
I regretted allowing Jackson to see me with Sweet so soon after that fateful kiss. I knew I was glowing, and the pheromones were wafting off me in droves. Then again, I tried not to hide too much from my son. Secrets were his father’s downfall, not mine.
Jackson bombarded me with dozens of questions that evening. I answered as truthfully as I knew how, though I wasn’t as sure about my own mindset as I should have been. Yes, I wanted Sweet, as any woman with eyes would.
But I was terrified and wary over who and what he was. He was a dangerous man living in a terrifying world of shady dealings. I knew he’d done illegal things, some far worse than I cared to think about. Yet, in my heart, I knew he was a good man. It was all so damn confusing.
“Well, do you like him, Mom?” Jackson probed.
“He’s growing on me. After all, he came to our aid when your dad went nuts, and he’s teaching us to protect ourselves. Why wouldn’t I like him?”
“That’s not what I meant, and you know it. I’m not a baby. I’m asking if you like him the way a girl likes a guy, you know for kissing and stuff?” he asked.
I sighed. My nino was getting all grown up. His questions were very to the point.
“I might. Well, actually, yes I do. I’m a little confused about it.”
“Why? If you like him and he likes you, what’s the problem? Ask him to be your boyfriend. The girls at school do it to us guys all the time. I’ve said no three times this year. I prefer my girls to be older,” Jackson boldly stated.
Shocked, my mouth fell open, and I couldn’t speak.
“Don’t act surprised, Mom. I bet you were asked out when you were my age. Grandpa and Grandma probably would have freaked, but I know it must have happened. Doesn’t Sweet think you’re pretty? Maybe, I’ll ask him.”
“Don’t you dare! If he thinks so, then he’ll tell me. Don’t bother him with these kinds of questions. And you’re too young for a girlfriend, especially one who’s older than you. Where did you learn all this?” I asked.
“Oh, please!” he said while rolling his eyes. “I watch television, listen to songs, and you gave me ‘the talk’ two years ago. How can I not know about all this stuff? Linda was kissing Greg in the hallway just last week. They got detention, but it was probably worth it.”
I closed my eyes and prayed for intervention, or at least some patience to deal with my son. I wasn’t ready for this anymore than I was ready to admit I wanted Sweet in my bed.
“Come on! Don’t wait for Sweet to ask you for a date. He won’t because he thinks you’re freaked out by him. He still thinks his tattoos give you nightmares. You’ve got to ask him out instead. It’s okay for the woman to ask. The Bachelor show says so. That’s how Linda got Greg.”
“I don’t like to put myself in that type of situation, Jackson. It would hurt to be turned down. My ego couldn’t take it,” I admitted.
“He’s not gonna say no, Mom. You’re pretty, even I know that. I saw the way he looked at you today. He likes you, too. It’s how Amy looks at me, which I hate because she irritates me. But you like each other, so that’s different. You can do it. I believe in you,” my sweet boy explained.
“Fine, I’ll do it,” I nervously replied. “It means you’ll need a babysitter, though. And don’t try to argue your way out of it. After what your dad did I won’t leave you alone at night.”
He groaned, but answered, “Okay. Old Mrs. Gruber can come over. She’ll play rummy with me, then fall asleep so I can watch my shows. I can deal with that. Call Sweet right now.”
I knew I’d lose my courage if I didn’t, so I made the call.
“What’s wrong?” Sweet answered.
“Nothing, unless you turn me down. Would you care to go to the movies with me on Saturday? I’ll even let you choose the show, and I’ll buy the popcorn. Or do guys like you do movies?” I suddenly wondered.
“We’re normal human beings, Jemma. I like a good movie now and then, and when you add in a beautiful woman who can resist? It’ll have to be an early evening show. I have to be at the bar by ten before the crowd gets too drunk and rowdy. Will that be okay?”
I let out the breath I was holding and said, “It’s perfect. Jackson’s babysitter will appreciate getting off before midnight. She’s old and a little cranky.”
“Poor kid,” Sweet replied, making me laugh.
Sweet showed up on his motorcycle. I offered the use of my car, regretting that the bike made me feel intimidated. He had a good laugh at my expense when he took a look at the car I drove.
“Sugar, there’s no way I can bend this body into a small enough package to fit into that car. I’m not in the mood for calling a taxi, and even if I was it would make us late for the movie. Your jeans are just fine for riding with me. I brought a helmet I borrowed from Flame. If you hang on tight I’ll do my best not to scare you too much.”
He was right. He’d never fit in my compact. The huge bike loomed before me like a dragon waiting to attack. I refused to show fear in front of Sweet or let it take control of me. I’d faced far worse in the past.
I forced my self to stop shaking, stepped forward, and took the helmet he offered. Sweet swung his leg over the bike and showed me where to put my foot so I could get on behind him. My hands lightly touched his sides, and I declared myself ready to go.
“You’ll fall off the instant the bike shoots forward. Wrap your arms around me tight,” he ordered, pulling them around him and mashing my chest to his back.
He was warm, his muscles solid and hard, and he smelled marvelous. I wasn’t going to fight him. I was gladly going to stay exactly how he’d situated me. The sensations I was feeling were better than anything I’d experienced in a long time. Just touching that firm body made me wet, though I’d never admit to him.
The bike took off like a rocket, and I understood why he’d positioned me against him. It took a few minutes to get the courage to lift my head off his broad back and stare at the landscape whizzing by. I got a rush. This was true freedom. I loved it and didn’t want the ride to end. My fear had been so stupid, based on what a bunch of fools had warned me about since childhood. They were the ones missing out on a wonderous experience.
I was grinning when we reached the theater. Impulsively, I bounced up and kissed Sweet’s mouth lightly.
“Well, damn. I should have got you on the bike sooner,” he stated.
“I’ve got to do that again, as often as possible,” I replied.
“You’re wish is my command,” Sweet promised.
He took my hand and led me into the theater. Everyone stared as he bought a bucket of popcorn, candy, hot dogs, and two large drinks. He’d adamantly refused to let me pay.
I grinned as women swooned and men scowled at the sight of him. Security went on alert, and for some reason I found that hilarious.
“Is it like this everywhere you go?” I had to ask.
“I’m used to it. Some of it’s necessary. I’m not exactly an angel. Not every visit to such an establishment has been so peaceful. There’s been some rumbles. Security doesn’t much care for our members. They recognize the tat,” he said, pointing to his neck.
We sat through the movie holding hands. Every once in a while, Sweet would tip my head up and kiss me gently. I felt like a teenager stealing forbidden kisses. I tingled all over, and felt a shiver go through him once or twice. He was being a gentleman, but it was obviously difficult.
He took long strides to get back to the bike after the show. I practically had to run to keep up or be dragged behind him since he never let go of my hand. He didn’t allow me to catch my breath once we reached our destination. His mouth slammed onto mine, and he took all that I had to give. He devoured me. There’s no other way to describe it. Tongues twisted, lips were nibbled, and it was like he was drinking my soul.
When he came up for air he growled, “That’s what I call a kiss. That shit during the show was politeness. It was a tease, and I hated it. I want to eat you alive.”
“I don’t know whether to take that as a compliment or a threat,” I answered to keep from swooning at his feet.
“It’s a damn compliment. I’m warning you it’s going to happen sooner or later. So, I hope you’re ready for it when the time comes. I don’t make promises I don’t keep,” he stated.
The expression on his handsome face told me he meant every word, as did the tic in his cheek. My body burned in desire. If he’d dared take me right then and there I’d have allowed it. The man had so much testosterone he was irresistible. My head wasn’t in charge. The area between my legs was.
“Get on the bike before I take the offer in your eyes,” he rumbled.
I obeyed out of self-preservation.
The sight that met us when we turned onto my street had me tumbling off the bike. I raced behind Sweet who had barely taken the time to shut off the machine before taking long determined strides toward the officers standing in front of my house.
The flashing red lights made the evening appear eerie and even more frightening once I factored in the idea that Jackson was involved. It helped that there wasn’t an ambulance, EMT vehicle, or firetruck parked at the curb. My assumption was that Mitch had showed up again, and Mrs. Gruber had called the cops.
“What the hell is going on, and where’s Jackson?” Sweet demanded.
“Who are you?” the young, fresh from the academy cop challenged.
“The man who’s gonna rip off your balls and feed them to the pit bull next door if you don’t tell me where Jackson is,” Sweet retorted.
“Sweet, ignore the kid. He’s a little over eager to take out the bad guys,” the older cop replied. “He’s never dealt with you and the Sinners the way I have.”
“Look, Carmichael, I don’t give a damn about your newbie. We need to know the kid’s okay,” Sweet hostilely replied.
The officer turned to me and said, “Ma’am, I assume this is your house. Your son is just fine. He’s having some cookies and milk courtesy of his babysitter. She called us when the dog next door went nuts and she checked to see what had gotten him going. She discovered a bag leaking blood on the front porch and a note pinned to the door.”
“Oh god! What was in the bag? Was it an animal or just bloody meat? Please, not Mrs. Gruber’s cat.” I gagged at the thought.
“No, but she was afraid it might be. It turned out to be a squirrel. Do you have enemies, ma’am? The note we found was threatening, and a bloody dead animal is often a sign of retribution for something you’ve supposedly done wrong,” Officer Carmichael explained.
“I don’t really have enemies, and I’ve done nothing to deserve this. However, my ex has made himself an issue in my life. He brought his trouble to my door. This may have something to do with him and his illegal way of earning a living, although it’s probably more about the money he owes rather than what he’s earned. What did the note say?” I asked.
He handed over a clear, sealed evidence bag so I could read it for myself.
His sins are your sins. We’ll get payment one way or another. We take flesh from you or him. It’s all the same to us. We won’t wait forever.
“We’ll be taking that in for fingerprinting and DNA testing. But I doubt we’ll find much. Whoever did this will have been careful. I’m leaving an officer in a car outside the house for tonight in case they come back, but the budget and lack of staff won’t allow me to keep one here longer than that,” the officer declared.
“I understand. If you’ll come inside and turn off those flashing lights so that the neighbors go to bed, I’ll tell you everything I know or imagine about Mitch’s trouble.”
He nodded, sent his newbie to shut off the lights, and followed me inside. Sweet stomped his way in, too. I could feel the rage coming off him. He was definitely not going to wait for the police to deal with Mitch or his enemies. He was making plans of his own to finish this mess, and I was okay with that. Jackson’s life was worth more than remaining on the legal side of things.