Chapter 23
The force of the breezepressed against Lydia's face.She turned her head and placed the side of the helmet against the back of Baddy's shoulder, using him as a windbreak.He rode easy, lulling her into relaxing the farther away they got from the diner.
She recognized the area.They were heading toward his house.
Her pulse quickened.She had no idea why he was taking her back to his place, but being with him eased the stress that had built throughout the day while she worked.
The regular customers had quickly forgotten about the drive-by shooting.Patty was right when she claimed they'd all forget if they didn't make a big deal about it.So, each waitress pretended nothing happened and went back to smiling for tips.It worked because no one asked about the new windows.
When he parked in front of the garage, he glanced over his shoulder at her."Was the ride okay?"
"Yeah."She slid off the seat."The new jacket keeps all the wind out.Much better than..."
She didn't want to remind him that the old leather jacket she wore before had belonged to Sonny and was too big for her.He was aware without the reminder.It was probably why he'd bought the jacket on impulse when he was paying for her new clothes at Harley Davidson.
Inside, the house was the same as when he'd brought her here when they first met.Clean but lived-in, masculine without trying.She inhaled deeply.It was probably her imagination that she could smell butter and syrup as if he'd had pancakes recently.
"Go ahead and get comfortable."Baddy headed to the kitchen, washed his hands, and took out a pan.
She sat on the end of the couch and eyed him while he moved around, opening cabinets.
Soon, the popping of popcorn filled the house.She kicked off her shoes and pulled her feet up on the couch.Her mom used to make microwave popcorn when Lydia was younger, but she never made it on the stove.
The popping stopped.Her stomach growled.
"I'm gonna have a beer."He opened the fridge."What do you want to drink?"
"Pop or water is fine."
He handed her a Pepsi to her, then picked up the remote and dropped it beside her."Pick something for us to watch."
She sat at one end, curling her legs under her, flipping through the streaming apps.Baddy sat beside her, close but not touching.
"You're sitting too far away," he said, voice low.
Heat rushed to her cheeks, but she didn't argue.She scooted closer, then closer still, until she was pressed against his side.His arm lifted automatically, letting her tuck beneath it.She draped her legs over his, entwining their bodies.
She kept scrolling until Yellowstone popped up.
"You ever watch this?"she asked.
"A couple of episodes."
"Which ones?"
"First two, I think."
She nodded and clicked on episode three.
As the opening scene played, Baddy's hand settled on her thigh.She leaned into him, seeking his comfort.
