Chapter 12
Chapter Twelve
Josephine
“Mom, when are you guys heading back out?” I ask while restocking the back shelves of the salon.
We’ve been back in town for a week now, and since getting back, my parents have also decided they were going to park their RV in my driveway.
The two of them said they just missed home and being around me.
But I swear they’re driving me up the wall.
With them here, I haven’t been able to spend hardly any time alone with Scythe.
After the weekend we had, I wanted nothing more than to be alone with him.
At the same time, weary of the two of us going further.
While in that hotel room, Scythe nearly drove me insane with desire from his touch.
The way he used his hands. That mouth of his.
And another appendage altogether. He’s remarkable in the bed and outside of it.
I would never have thought his dominating ways could be so enticing, but the way he controls my body at any time keeps my heart beating with such enthusiasm.
It’s like, with one look, I’m ready to melt into him, and honestly it kind of scares me. The sensations are nearly too much, and he keeps pushing, sending me spiraling. So much so I love it, but more than I don’t think I can be without it.
“We’ll be heading out soon enough,” Mom answers, pulling me out of my thoughts. She turns to me and gives me that smile of hers that always made me feel safe growing up. “What’s the rush?”
“Nothing. I just figured you guys would be ready to head out for the next grand adventure.” I shrug, not wanting to get her started on Scythe.
The woman isn’t ashamed of talking about sex with her kids.
Hell, she and my dad would make out right in the kitchen, thankfully, they’d keep it minimal when we were around, but that didn’t mean we didn’t walk in on them.
It’s why I’ve always wanted a love like theirs. To me, it’s a beautiful thing, and I love it.
“Your dad and I have been discussing it,” she admits. “As much as we love traveling, we’re thinking of taking a break. Buying a little house and staying awhile.”
My jaw nearly drops at the news, and I twist to look at her with wide eyes. “You’re moving back?”
“I believe we are.” She beams. “Will that be a problem? I mean, if I decide to be here at the salon.” She turns to face me completely, and I follow suit, holding several bottles of toner in my hands.
“Mom, you being here would be great,” I answer honestly. “You might have given the place to me and Jamie, but he didn’t want it, just wanted to get his profits as a silent partner. Having you here just means I get to work with you again.”
Granted, when I worked with her, I wasn’t doing hair yet, but rather cleaning and managing the phones. Then for a few months, after I became a certified cosmetologist and she got to see my work, she decided to retire.
“Good, then it’s settled,” Mom says and goes back to work stocking the shelves.
A knock on the door gets our attention. Cocking my head in that direction, I find Zoe, my receptionist, standing in the doorway, holding a box of chocolates and a card.
“These just dropped off for you, JoJo,” she announces.
Handing my mom the bottles, I furrow my brow and take the items from Zoe. “Do you know who dropped this off?”
“Came by courier. Someone must be missing you.” Zoe giggles and heads back to the front.
“I’ll be right back,” I tell Mom and go into my office. If Scythe sent me something, I want to see what it is in the card without anyone around. Who knows what he could have put in there.
Sitting at my desk, I open the chocolates and bite into one, moaning at how good it tastes. The creme inside it just melts in my mouth. Opening the card, I scan over it and smile at what it says.
Thinking of you. Can’t wait until we’re together again. ~ S
Setting the card down, I pop another piece of chocolate in my mouth, grab my phone, find Scythe’s number, and lift the phone to my ear.
“Freckles,” he greets me, sounding amused.
“I just wanted to call and say thank you.”
“Thank me for what?”
I could just imagine him cocking a brow and a grin playing at the edges of his lips.
“For the card and chocolates, of course. It was sweet, but you didn’t have to send me anything,” I remark and eat another chocolate. They’re my favorite, and I’m never able to hold back from eating just one or two. I could sit here and consume the whole box.
“What are you talkin’ about, Jos? I didn’t send you anything.”
“Yes, you did. Who else would say something so sweet to me.” I frown, unsure why he’d say he didn’t send the gift.
“I’m tellin’ you, baby, I didn’t send anything,” he growls, and I can hear movement in the background that sounds a lot like . . .
I swallow the chocolate and feel a pang of disappointment. He must be with someone. But then why would he answer my call?
“I have to go,” I whisper, feeling funny. I pull the phone from my ear and press the end to the call, not paying attention to Scythe yelling through the speaker. Getting up from my desk, I grab all my stuff and head out. I’ll call my mom later and tell her that I’ve gone home.
Having heard the sounds of moans in the background while talking to Scythe has my stomach churning. I should have known that what we’d been sharing wouldn’t be enough for him.
I shake my head, trying to clear my mind and get in my car.
It’s a good thing I always park near the back entrance.
I blink and focus on the road as I pull out into traffic.
My emotions are running high. I don’t know if I want actually to go home, but the way I’m feeling lightheaded, that’s where I need to be.
Something’s not right. Like, really not right.
My vision blurs, and my head becomes heavy. I rub at my eyes and keep my other hand tight on the wheel, determined not to run off the road or hit someone else. I make it to my road before I realize I can’t go any farther and go to pull off to the side, only to put my car in the ditch.
Great.
I go to grab my phone, but it’s too far away, and my strength wanes.
Leaning back against the headrest, I rock my head from side to side, closing my eyes.
I barely realize what’s happening around me.
Then I feel my door opening, my body being dragged from within, and the shouts of someone else.
I don’t even cry out when my body is dropped, and I hit the asphalt, the side of my head bouncing off it like a basketball.
“Lady, you okay?” is the last thing I hear.