Chapter 15
Kristie
“What a small world!” I said. My drink had already been refilled and I was completely at ease with these ladies. They were so down to earth and welcoming, and Shiv was a fellow scientist working at the CDC.
Shiv nodded. “Yep, I haven’t been there long, but I’m still happy to put in a good word.”
“Oh, I don’t know. For now, this is temporary. But I appreciate the offer.”
The women’s eyes all shot to each other, then they all sipped their drinks.
“What’s with the shifty eyes? I’m not drunk yet. I can see you,” I joked.
“It’s cute that you think it’s temporary,” Daisy said. “I thought I’d be here a few days. I’m an Old Lady now.”
Shiv nodded. “I thought the same thing. Now I’m an Old Lady, too, and my house is being built on the edge of the property.”
“I’m an Old Lady, too.” Lacy smiled. “What they mean is these guys are very decisive about their women.”
Daisy’s drink shot out and she choked. “Umm, honey–”
Lacy cut her off. “We don’t always have to highlight every detail. Still, it all happened fast.”
“Eagle had a moment, but it’s okay now because she is the queen of the world and he bows to her,” Shiv said as she grabbed a carrot from the plate.
Chuckling, I said, “I’m glad it all worked out.
But I’ve only been back in touch with Rooster a few days.
But I dunno.” My finger circled the rim of my glass as I considered Shiv’s offer.
“The CDC is kind of a bucket list job. Maybe worth at least trying to get an interview.” I’d been focused on compounds but I was also a biochemist. Working at the CDC on a vaccine or studying diseases was something I’d always had in the back of my mind but I took the path of least resistance, got a job with the help of a professor, then worked my way up there.
Plus, I was already used to living in Jersey.
I hadn’t really considered moving to Georgia.
“Do you have family besides your cousin in Jersey?” Daisy asked.
“No, actually. They’re all mostly in the Midwest. Some extended family members used to live there and some out in New York, but we aren’t close. Bit had only been staying with me a few weeks until she got settled. Now she’s staying with that rancher until further notice.”
“See, even more reason to stay,” Shiv said. “You won’t get lonely here.”
She wasn’t wrong. Bit sounded pretty serious about Sawyer, though she knew him even less than I knew this version of Rooster.
I didn’t have a job at the moment, and I wasn’t keen on going back to my current apartment.
Even though they didn’t rob me, the idea that those guys had been in my home was unsettling.
And how did I know they wouldn’t go back?
Plus, even though I told myself for years I’d stayed at that job because it was a good one, deep down I knew I’d stayed in Jersey in the hopes I’d maybe see him again someday.
“Maybe I’ll send my resume tomorrow. What’s the harm, right?”
“What harm?” Rooster asked behind me.
Daisy and Shiv’s mouths fell open but their eyes were full of wonder. Turning, my brows shot up. Rooster’s fists were balled so tightly his knuckles were white and his jaw ticked below the short scruff.
“No harm in sending my resume to the CDC, where Shiv works.” I reached out and grabbed his fist, holding it until he relaxed it enough to put my hand into his. “I’m alright.”
“Did you eat?” he asked.
Turning, I waved my other hand over the table. “Mama Hen brought us snacks, but I’m starting to drool from the smell of the grills.” Mama Hen, with the help of a member, had taken a bunch of meat outside to cook and the savory smell was wafting inside.
“Shouldn’t be too long. Want to hang out here or go outside?”
Shiv jumped up. “Outside, let’s go.”
The other ladies stood as well, so I followed their lead. “I guess we’re going outside.”
Shiv threaded her arm through mine, pulling me away from Rooster. I shot him a tight-lipped smile as we headed out front. “I need to soak up all I can. It’ll be too cold for me soon.”
“You grew up in Illinois,” Lacy said as we took seats around a fire pit outside.
“Yeah,” Shiv replied, “but I’m from an island and I like it warm. Georgia was perfect in the summer. I hated winters up north. I can function here in the cooler months, I’m sure, but won’t be able to enjoy basking in the sun when it’s cloudy and fifty degrees.”
“Is this your first fall and winter here?” I asked as I sat in one of the Adirondack chairs around the unlit fire pit.
“Yep. Told you. These guys move fast.” Shiv grinned as she looked up behind me.
Rooster stood behind me as if he was guarding a celebrity: back straight, chin up, hands clasped together in front of him. “You know you can sit, right?” I asked.
“These chairs are taken. I don’t want to go inside to drag more out.”
Looking around, we had the four chairs around the fire pit occupied. There were picnic tables scattered around, but I didn’t see any single chairs that we could easily move. Standing, I pointed to the seat. “Well, you sit, and I’ll just sit with you.”
Rooster cleared his throat and took a few beats, but he walked around the chair and sat, then reached for my waist and pulled me down. I giggled at first, but when I locked eyes with him, I got quiet. It was silly and cute… and intimate. Not in a sexy way, but a close way.
The last few days had been a whirlwind filled with angsty emotions and uncertainty. But sitting there in his lap, our arms around each other, his woodsy scent tickling my nose, and the heat of his palms over my back made it all seem so simple…and right.
“Tell me about this job,” he said in my ear. The low timbre of his voice sent goosebumps over my arms.
“Um, honestly, not exactly sure. Shiv said there were a few openings and I should apply. That would be kind of amazing. The CDC.”
He squeezed a little tighter. “The CDC isn’t too far from here.”
Shrugging with a grin, I told him, “Yeah. Kind of a hike from here according to my GPS search but I can always find something closer.”
“Hmm.”
“That’s getting ahead of myself. I haven’t even applied. But I think I might. I’ll take a look tomorrow morning. But after the long day, I just want to relax.”
He nuzzled into my hair, his warm breath dancing over my neck. “I’ll help you relax even more later.”
The promise of fun later wasn’t far from my thoughts as we coasted through the rest of the night. It was like a family barbeque. Music, good food, and good conversation were steady as the sun went down and a chill hit the air.
Stretching, I said, “What a fun party.”
“Oh, this was just a normal dinner. You’ll know when it’s a party.
Alright,” Shiv said as we sat around the fire pit that someone finally had lit for us.
“It’s too chilly, even with this fire. And I have work tomorrow.
” She stood, stretching and grabbing her drink.
“Kristie, welcome to the fam. Text me when you send your resume and I’ll get to work on the hookup.
” We had exchanged numbers earlier when she was convincing me to apply.
“I will.”
Rooster buried his face into my hair, his voice low in my ear. “You bout ready to go up?”
It had been a long day for us both. Stretching with a few pops from my back, I nodded. “Yeah. The last few days are catching up with me.”
“I’ll be around in the morning,” Lacy said. “Daisy goes to the shop before lunchtime and Shiv heads off to work, but you can find me.”
They both waved as I said, “Thanks, good night.” Rooster took my hand and we headed inside. “Sure is a lot of people to not be a party.”
He opened the door to the hall that led to the bedrooms. Or suites. Not sure what to call them.
“A lot of folks live here. Members, bunnies. Some guys have places off-site. They’re right, though. This was just a normal night. We haven’t had many big parties for a few months but still have the occasional get-together.”
“So those women helping at the bar and stuff, they live here?”
“Mmhmm.”
The rest of the walk to his room was quiet.
It had been a long time since we were together.
I’d been with other men. None lasted long, but it wasn’t for lack of trying.
And sure, I could get myself off, but that didn’t take care of that need for the weight of man on you, or the strong hands tossing you around.
Honestly, most of the guys I’d been intimate with since him were dull.
We’d explored a lot in the short amount of time we had together, and I trusted him, so it was fun to try new things.
Which was another reason it crushed me when he left.
Still, the thought that he may have slept with some of the women I’d seen around, or chatted with, was unsettling.
“You’re quiet,” he said as we entered his room.
I headed straight to the bathroom, but he was right on my heels and stopped the door with his hand.
“Do you mind?” I asked, mid-dropping my pants.
“You didn’t answer me.”
Huffing and dropping my pants anyway, then taking a seat, I said, “You didn’t ask a question.”
He stood, staring me down for a few seconds, so I shooed him with my hand. “Okay, I thought sitting would scare you away but seriously, I need to pee, so go away.”
“I’ve had my face in your snatch. You relieving yourself isn’t going to scare me away.”
Huffing, I shouted, “Oh my God, get out!”
After he closed the door, I finally went. We’d been drinking for a while and I had to go. Truth be told, I did also need a minute to calm myself. I was getting worked up over something I couldn’t control, and wasn’t around for.
After washing my hands, I splashed some cold water on my face and fluffed my hair. When I opened the door, Rooster was standing with his arms crossed, staring at the door.
“What’s on your mind, Sparrow?”