I don’t know what’s going on with them, but my Uncle brings my attention back to his warm, brown eyes.
“Now, put that thing away and look excited about the game before I donate half of your trust fund to a youth sports program.”
I suck my teeth to my uncle’s amusement. “Okay, that threat never really worked on you, but test me, Ma’am.”
He reaches out his hand for my tablet. I make a face at him and hand it over.
Uncle Link flashes his perfect teeth. “That’s my Babygirl.”
* * *
Bree
That’s the last of it. I tell the movers as they add the last boxes to the trunk that will transport my stuff cross country. My uncle is so extra; he hired someone to move my place and car to Cali so I can ‘sit my ass on a plane and arrive in four hours’—his words.
Pushing back about my ‘grownness’ was pointless especially when It called me ‘Aubree.’ Hearing my name on his lips meant the conversation, and his opinion, were final. Luckily, growing up, he’d allowed me to use faces to express my emotions, as long as my mouth remain shut. As an adult he just laughed even if I give him one hell of a face like I did over the travel debate. In his world he didn’t give a shit if I was happy with his decision as long as I executed his word.
Jason’s truck appears just as my last possession disappears.My stomach flutters at the sight of him. The closer I get to leaving him, the stronger my desire to be at his mercy grows. I’d give anything to have him stalk over, grab me and make me feel everything he’s capable of giving. I swallow hard and wave as if a piece of my heart doesn’t chip off with every sighting.
“Hey, Bree.” The coarseness of his voice makes my nipples hard. “What are you up to?”
His green eyes roam up my body before connecting with mine.
“Hi, Jason,j ust shipped off the last item.”
He glances behind me into the empty townhouse. “Wow, it’s empty.”
“Yeah, It’s just me and my luggage for the flight.”
“When does your flight leave?”
“Tomorrow.”
Jason raises a brow and runs his fingers through the hair I miss pulling.
“Your bed isn’t in there, right?”
“No, it’s all gone.”
Jason slides his hands in his pockets, the movement stretches his shirt across his marvelous torso as he considers my words. I’ve dreamed and hoped for a moment like this. A moment where he’d have the opportunity to spend time with me and take it.
“So, where are you sleeping?”
I try not to cling to the hope building inside of me. “Um, I’m sure I can call my uncle, go to a hotel, or camp out on my floor, maybe.”
“Okay,” he accepts my answer and steps to his door to unlock it.
I suck back my irritation, so he can’t see me sweat.
“Or,” he looks in my direction, “you can hang out with me. We still need to celebrate, and it looks like it’s now or never.” He pushes the door open. “You can even spend the night, if you’d like.”
“You’re sure?”
Please say yes. Please say yes. Please say yes.
“Of course, Bree.” Jason smirks, but his eyes are intense. “What are friends for, right?”
“Right,” I agree as I enter his home.
