Chapter Five Brad #4
“Bostwick, you’re an asshole,” I growled. He hadn’t been around much longer than Smith, but at least Smith had the ability to read people. I knew Bostwick had been warned not to mention the Barbed Wire Killer around me, but he should have smartened up after his Google search at the bar.
“Sorry.” Bostwick shrugged. “You guys ready to go?” He looked around. “I’ve seen Blair Witch one too many times for my subconscious to be cool with this place.”
“Yeah, but first, do me a favor and drop this off to Wes.” I handed him an evidence bag containing the envelope with the green substance. He didn’t question it. He knew better. “All right, let’s get out of here.” I pointed for Bree to get back into the car. “Thanks, guys.”
“Sure thing.” Bostwick waved, and we all drove back out to the main road. Bree’s eyes were as big as saucers, and she kept her head on a swivel until we hit the city limit.
“Home is that way.”
“I don’t think it’s a good idea to head to the ranch.” I didn’t trust we weren’t still being watched. “Whoever that was wanted to make a point, and I don’t know about you, but I don’t need them knowing where our families live.”
She sat back and thought about what I said. “Okay, that makes sense. My truck’s not far from the station. I can sleep there tonight.”
“No. Are you crazy? You think I’m gonna leave you alone in your truck in the middle of a parking lot in town?”
“No?” She peered over at me.
I wasn’t having it. “You’ll come back to my place, and I’ll drive you to your truck in the morning, then you can go home.”
“No, Brad, really, I’m fine. I’ve spent plenty of nights in my truck.”
“Great, but you’re not tonight.” I ignored her huff and drove. I pulled down my street and parked in the driveway.
“I see nothing’s changed.” She grabbed her bag and opened the door. “You’re still the same old Brad, bossy as ever.”
“And you’re still the same old Bree.” I got out, and we walked to the front door. I stopped before I opened it and looked down at the girl who used to stop my heart whenever she smiled at me. “Pain in my ass, fights me at every turn.”
“Like you’d want it any other way.” She arched a brow, and her eyes twinkled like they used to. Something inside me sparked, and I was taken aback by it. “You’ve never been a man that liked the woman in your life to be a doormat.” Bree knew me well, and I found it comforting.
“I like the women in my life to listen.” I poked at her feisty personality because it was fun with Bree. She made me feel youthful again, and that was something I’d suppressed for a long time.
“Give me a reason to listen, then.” She barely got the last word out when I stepped toward her, and she stepped back so her back hit the wall by the door.
I hovered over her as she raised her chin to look straight into my eyes.
Her smell engulfed me, and I gave in to it and bent down and pressed my lips just below her ear.
Her breathing fluttered when I gently brushed my lips over her skin, giving in to a long-ago teenage crush.
She didn’t pull away nor seem to care that we were on my front porch for all to see.
“I’m not a teenager anymore, Bree. I’m different from how I once was.” I pulled back a little and looked into her eyes.
She flattened her hands against my chest, and I closed my eyes, relishing how good her touch felt. “Do tell.” She grinned and gave me a sexy look.
“Don’t tempt me.” I darted my tongue and stole a quick taste of her sweet skin. She sucked in a sharp breath. Just as I was about to surrender to her, my front door swung open and there was my ex-wife shooting daggers at both of us.
“Sherry”—my voice fell flat—“I told you tonight wasn’t a good night, and where the hell is your car?”
“Down the street.” She lifted a shoulder as if it wasn’t a strange place for her to park instead of in the driveway.
“I thought I heard someone out here.” She made a point of looking at Bree’s hands on me, so I stepped back and let them fall away.
I didn’t want Bree on Sherry’s radar. “I made dinner for you.” She pointed over her shoulder, then moved her attention over to Bree.
“Sherry, I don’t appreciate you coming over like this.”
“Well look here, the rumor is true.” She ignored me. “Bree Jaminson is back in Sheffield.”
“Sherry Cummings.” Bree never could hide her dislike for Sherry. “I should get going.”
“No.” I took her bag from her arm and walked by Sherry, who gave me a confused look. “We have work to do, Sherry. Like I said on the phone, I’m very busy right now.” I didn’t miss the fact that Ginger lay on a mat near the door instead of her usual place on the couch.
“Busy doing what exactly?” Sherry tossed her words at Bree, then seemed to pull herself together. “Okay, okay.” She lifted her hands, not wanting to fight. “I’ll just set an extra spot for Bree.”
“No, really, I just called a ride. My truck’s only a couple streets away from the station.” Bree stood in the doorway looking beyond uncomfortable.
“Bree, get your ass inside the house before I bring it in myself,” I commanded, and she jumped inside. I hid my smirk. See? She can listen.