Justice is at a sleepover with Ezekiel. He doesn’t often stay at other places, but the boys have been friends since they were potty training, it seems. I know Juan and Emelia adore Justice and will keep him safe. Even knowing and trusting them, it’s still hard.
I miss him.
Justice is my whole world.
With the risk Brett can be, I also worry. One moment of not being hyper vigilant and Brett has my son. Juan knows more than most. He saw the marks and had his own encounter with Brett once over Justice. Even though I know he won’t let anything happen, easing my own anxiety is a challenge.
Letting go even for a moment is still hard.
Feeling like the house is too quiet, I move outside to my small front porch. Inhaling the night air, I try to calm my frazzled nerves. I shouldn’t be out here. If Brett is in the area this could be a problem. Past actions predict future behaviors. His past, our past, tells me if he has been watching, he knows I’m alone right now. Has he been waiting for it? The Hellions have been great about watching me yet allowing me to not feel smothered. Mostly Dean is the one following and posting up outside of my work which gives me an odd comfort.
A noise gets my attention next door. I glance over to Dean’s. He has music playing with the spotlight off his garage beaming down on his truck. I take another sip of my wine as I listen to him sing along to Chris Stapleton and can’t stop the smile forming. He has this long beard like Chris Stapleton, and I bet if he wore a worn-out cowboy hat, he could almost look like a taller, biker version of the singer.
The night air is crisp with a soft breeze, kissing my skin like an unspoken promise. Every breath rushes through me as my body comes alive listening to the raspiness of his voice as he sings about a broken halo. As if there is a pull from me to him, I find myself making my way next door.
Upon my approach, he calls out to the device playing to stop the music. “Hey Jo, sorry didn’t mean to keep you up. I’ll keep the music off.”
I shake my head. “No, I was enjoying the show.”
He smirks with the white of his teeth glistening under the light from his garage. “You want a show, baby, I’m happy to give it to you anytime.”
I step closer into his space. “You have an amazing voice.”
He smiles like I’ve never seen him smile before. “It’s my plan B in life.”
He turns to face me. We are mere inches apart as I playfully pat his chest. He is wearing black sweatpants with a red t-shirt that fits like a second skin. He isn’t wearing his cut. Seeing him without it almost feels like I’m seeing him naked. Lifting my glass, I sip my wine again.
“Justice asleep?” He asks with a hunger in his eyes that has goosebumps rushing over my skin.
“He’s spending the night at a friend’s house.” Suddenly, the fabric of my pajamas feels even thinner against my sensitive flesh.
When was the last time I had butterflies around a man?
Jonah.
I pause for the usual sadness to arrive, only it doesn’t. With my eyes on Dean, I can’t help but admire the masculine presence in front of me.
Dean steps closer. I stand still in anticipation. Will he kiss me again?
He tips my chin up as his head drops down. Softly his lips press to mine. I wait for him to move for more, instead he brings his head back leaving me to whimper in want.
“Jo,” my name comes out in almost a whisper. “You’re safe with me. You know that, right?”
I nod because somehow, I do know he will protect me. While I can’t trust my own choices, there is something about the way Dean makes me feel. It reminds me of the comfort Jonah once provided but in a different way.
Reaching over, he drops the tailgate of the truck. Before I realize it, he’s lifting me up and planting me in front of him as I sit on the tailgate, and he stands in front of me. Setting my wine glass down beside me, I boldly reach out wrapping my hands around his neck, pulling him closer. Leaning forward, the fabric of my shirt rubs against my pert nipples as I press my lips to his. As I open my mouth to intensify our kiss, he takes over.
Our tongues collide as passion consumes me like never before. I arch into him wanting more contact. His hands cup my back pulling me to the edge of the tailgate with him standing between my legs as we continue to kiss.
I moan as he pulls away wanting more.
“Need to know, Jo. You want this, you gotta say it.”
I nod as I bite my bottom lip. Can I do this? Is this another bad decision?
“Yes,” I whisper as he takes a small step back but not enough that I move my hands from his neck and his hands stay on the small of my back.
“Jo, I want this. I want you. But before things go anywhere, I need to share something with you.”
