“Like a date?” She raises an eyebrow, and I run my thumb over it.
“Mmhmm,” she bites her lip, and I want to replace her teeth with mine.
I run my finger from her temple to her bottom lip, then pry it out from between her teeth and rub it with my thumb, waiting for her answer.
Her pulse jumps, and her breath catches at the action.
“You’re dangerous to my health.”
I shrug with a cocky grin.
“Probably, but I promise only to ruin your panties.” I wink at her as she glares at me.
And once I do, you’re fucking mine.
1
JOEL
Present Day
“Thank you for coming,” I shake another anonymous hand and nod as my voice gives out.
It’s funny how a woman who never had any visitors other than her two grandchildren suddenly knew half of fucking Jersey. The entire church filled up with faces I’ve never seen before, all here to pay their respects to my Gran.
Juana De Novar was a sharp-witted four-foot-nothing woman. Widowed in her late twenties, she worked her ass off to raise her two boys alone through the seventies and fought even harder to keep the only thing my granddad left her, the house that now belongs to me.
My summer sanctuary as a teen.
Dad raised us in Philly, but every summer we spent at the shore at Gran’s. It’s where I learned how to swim, ride a bike, and it’s where I fell in love. Almost nineteen years old and ready to ship out to the Navy.
I gave my heart to Haven Demato, the girl next door, only to have her rip it to shreds.
It’s been years since we spoke, and I still have no idea how I fucked it up. I shake off the memories and find myself face-to-face with the woman in question.
Dressed in black from head to toe, with her signature cherry cola hair peeking out from under the big hat she’s wearing.
My goth pinup girl.
“Joel,” her voice breaks through all the other voices that I wish would disappear.
I’m surprised to see her here. Life has been throwing me so many curveballs lately, I’m not sure which way is up. I’ve been home from the Navy for less than a month, and I find myself inheriting troubles no one wants.
A house falling apart, a job I didn’t ask for, and a motorcycle club that won’t take no for an answer. And somehow, she’s involved, and I need to find out how.
More importantly, why?
“Thank you,” it seems to be the only words I’m capable of saying today.
She smiles and nods as if she understands. If she does, I wish she would explain it to me. My little sister, who’s standing next to me, throws her arms around Haven and whispers a little louder than she needs to.
“Fucking posers. Don’t any of these assholes know Gran,” I can’t help but smirk as Father Brian clears his throat.
“Sorry,” Coraine sighs as she lets Haven go.
“Please tell me that you’ll be at the house.” Haven glances at me, and I shrug.
She knows I want answers from her.
