Chapter Twelve
Bones
“Can we walk the pier?” Sunny asks, pointing ahead, her big, cherry-red-framed sunglasses reflecting the ocean as we walk.
The Jacksonville Beach Pier stretches out before us into the sapphire blue depths of the Atlantic.
At just the right angle, when the light hits it just so, it looks like a sparkling pathway into eternity—a beam of light that beckons you to surrender to the beauty of forever.
It’s popular with locals and tourists alike.
“Sure, we can,” I answer. “You’ll love it. ”
Sunny dances out and stops at the Visitors Center window. “Two, today, please,” she says, reaching into her bag and rummaging around for her purse.
The lady at the kiosk looks up and spots me approaching. “Bones!” she calls out with a familiar smile. “Oh, you’re together?” She looks back to Sunny. “Oh, no charge, lovely. Enjoy your walk!”
My blonde angel looks momentarily confused, but when she sees me tip my chin, she grins. “Oh, thank you.”
“Hey, Gina,” I say as I wrap my arm around Sunny. “How’s Vinnie doing?”
Gina places her hand over her heart and breathes a dramatic sigh, her dark eyes full of motherly tenderness and anxiety. “He’s on the mend,” she says. “He’s out of the wheelchair and learning to walk with crutches now.”
Sunny covers her mouth and gasps, looking between us. “What happened?” she asks. “Who’s Vinnie?”
The Jacksonville local rolls her eyes and runs a hand through her wavy black hair. “Vincent, my son,” she explains. “He got himself into some trouble at the pub a few weeks back and Bones saved his skin.”
Sunny’s eyes grow wide and her mouth falls open. “Oh, my god. I’m so sorry, but it’s good to hear he’s getting better. Is there anything more we can do to help?”
“Oh, no, dear. Thank you for the thought, though. He’s just going to need time, I’m afraid. Hopefully, this will serve as a costly and painful reminder not to run his mouth in future, or he’ll end up like his grandfather—God rest his soul.”
I grimace. I know from stories my mother shared that Gina’s father was killed in a gang shoot out with the mafia, and it’s certainly not the way I want to see Vinnie go. “He’s a good kid,” I say, rising to his defense. “He’ll turn out fine. He just had a few too many drinks that night.”
Gina purses her lips tight, like she’s sucking on a lemon, and shakes her head. “Well, he needs to learn to handle his liquor, or go without, because he can’t always count on the Sons to come to his rescue.”
I wink at her. “Don’t sweat it, G. We’re good for it. We look after our own.”
The middle-aged woman nods and exhales without argument, as if trying to let go of what she can’t control—namely her eighteen-year-old son.
“You’re right. Stressing does us no good.
And on that note ... shoo! Away with you both.
Even though you can’t see the sunset from here, it’s still a beautiful view as the light fades.
When you get to the end, be sure to look back over the bay at the lights of the city.
Their colorful reflections in the water are a sight. ”
“All right, catch you later, and thanks, Gina,” I say as I glance toward the end of the pier.
“Bye! And thank you!” Sunny echoes, taking my hand again as we begin our leisurely stroll. “You saved her son?” she asks when we’re out of earshot. “What actually happened? Did you get hurt too?”
I chuckle. “It’s no big deal, honestly. We were all stupid kids once and did dumb shit.
He just ran his mouth at a bunch of skinheads without backup.
I stepped in as VP and those bald fuckers know better than to mess with the Sons of Sin.
And I only had to break two noses to remind them of that fact. ”
“Wow,” says Sunny, her gaze flicking up to mine with admiration. “You’re so badass! You fought a group of men and won? Were you scared?”
A smirk quirks my lips and I shrug. “Everything in life is harder for women in a men’s world,” I say.
“I’ve had to bust ass to get where I am, to prove myself worthy.
So, when I can use my influence around here to keep the peace and protect a local kid who meant no real harm, I endeavor to.
As far as fear goes? I still feel it. I used to get scared, but over the years I’ve learned to use it to fuel my actions, rather than letting it take over and control me. ”
Below, the sea laps at the pylons of the pier and salt spray fills the air, dusting us in a mist of coolness that settles on our hot skin.
The gulls above shriek, diving and squabbling over fishermen’s bait scraps, while the light of the day fades and the world falls away.
Soon, we reach the pier’s end—a large T-junction—and there’s no one else around but us.
We’re alone, hand in hand, side by side as dusk settles over everything for as far as the eye can see.
“It’s beautiful,” Sunny breathes, pulling free of my grasp to seize the wooden railing with both hands. “I could just imagine coming here to read, or think, or draw.” She sounds so wistful and looks absolutely breathtaking as the first stars begin to prick the shadowed sky around us.
“The pier’s okay, I guess,” I say nonchalantly, “but you’re the real view from where I’m standing, sunshine.”
The blonde bombshell turns to face me, removing her sunglasses as she does, before slipping them into her bag and reaching out for mine too.
Then with her back to the sea, she drops her satchel bag from her shoulder and smiles, her jewel-toned gaze focused on my lips.
“May I kiss you?” she asks, already stretching up on her toes, her eyes half-lidded with desire.
“Yes,” I breathe as my heart begins to race. My mind takes a backseat, and I drop the box of treats without a second thought.
“Oh!” Sunny glances down briefly and makes a cute little sulky sound, her lower lip all pouty.
I take her gorgeous face in my hands and gaze down at her.
“Don’t worry, baby. You can lick the box later,” I purr.
Sunny’s pupils dilate and I swoop in, my lips catching hers as I press my firm body to her luscious curves.
Everything about Sunny has me feeling absolutely intoxicated.
The scent of her perfume on her salt-kissed skin, the feel of her long, honey blonde hair as I rake my fingers through it.
.. Fucking hell. The inner flicker of light in my otherwise dark heart wars with my desire to dominate her—but ultimately, my deviancy wins and I push Sunny back against the railing with a dark smile.
Sunny’s big blue eyes reflect the stars as she searches my dark gaze. “What are you doing?” she whispers, swallowing hard.
As if I have all the time in the world to answer, I leisurely trail my fingers down her chest. With every tantalizing inch of flesh I take, her breathing quickens.
I notice every little tremor and twitch, reveling in the way she responds to me.
A part of me could enjoy teasing her all night long, but the urge to let her know she’s mine prevails.
Giving into my dominant nature, I pinch her nipples until she cries out.
Leaning forward, I crowd her out, trapping her against the railing as I growl by her ear. “I’m going to fuck you right here, baby girl,” I drawl. Thrusting my knee between her legs, I spread them, allowing me unhindered access to her pussy. “The stars need to know who they’re competing with.”