“Christ, every day, I discover something new with you. Don’t think I’ll ever peel back all the layers.”
“It’s a good thing we have all the time in the world,” I reply, but now I really do have to go.
“Truth. Gonna be bagels for breakfast. I need to hit the grocery store sometime today.”
“I’m good with whatever.” I shrug my shoulders, moving out of his arms and out of the bed. We land at Locke’s place nine times out of ten. His home is big and spacious compared to my postage-stamp cramped studio apartment. It’s above a garage, has a small kitchen, a smaller living space which also houses my bedroom, and a small bathroom. I’m pretty sure it’s less than four hundred square feet. It’s also cheap, was my first big girl move. While I love my mom and my brother, I’d lived with them long enough. Jace with leaving his dirty socks everywhere. Whenhe moved out, I think both Mom and I breathed a combined sigh of relief. This happened my sophomore year of high school, when I was fifteen and he was twenty-five. Then last year, it was time for me to do the same, ten years later. I would never admit this, but apparently, there are parts of me that follow in my brother’s footsteps.
“Figured you would be, since you probably only have condiments in the fridge at your place,” Locke says behind me.
“Hey, I have iced coffee and yogurt, too,” I say over my shoulder before making it to the bathroom.
“Probably expired,” I hear him mutter as I close the door behind me. I roll my eyes, but also, he’s not wrong. Minus the iced coffee; I keep that on hand religiously as well as the creamer. This week, it’s toasted coconut vanilla. Next week, it’ll be something different. I go about my business, naked per his request, and I’m more than okay with this, because if I’m naked, so is Locke. It also means our morning is only beginning. I’m in the middle of brushing my teeth, bent over at the sink, when the door opens. I see Locke’s reflection in the mirror. The look on his face is one of annoyance.
“Do eggs expire?” I ask, spitting out the toothpaste and putting my toothbrush in the holder next to Locke’s.
“Yeah. Remind me not to eat what’s in your fridge fucking ever.” His hand wraps around my waist, and his mouth meets my shoulder, lightly dragging his lips along my skin.
“It’d be hard to do since there isn’t any food in there. Plus, we always eat here.” I tip my head up and to the side, giving him more room to work his magic.
“You like it that way, too.” He cooks, whereas I keep us hydrated in the form of drinks and either sit at the bar while he creates an amazing meal or he plants my ass on the counter. I’ve made a few things for us, mainly basics, like spaghetti, which I managed to not burn. I can’t say the same for baconor the chicken or the pork chops. “Got shit news and wouldn’t usually barge into the bathroom when you’re in here. Unless the shower’s going.”
“What’s the news?” Locke spins me around, hands going to my hips, and he’s lifting me up and sitting me on the countertop. I let out a hiss. “That’s freaking cold.” He wedges himself between my thighs, opening me for his big, ambled body.
“Gotta head out. There’s a pile-up out on the interstate.” My stomach sinks with worry.
“Be safe?” I slide my hands to his chest, looking into his soft slate-gray eyes.
“Always. Want you to stay here. Like coming home to you, Jade. Like it a whole helluva lot.”
“It’s a good thing I like being here.” I didn’t have any plans for the weekend, my first one off in months. Usually, I’m at the bar a solid five to six days a week, mostly closing, but this week is different, and I’ve never been more thankful. I also have plenty of things to do while he’s out on a call.
“Good. Time to shower.” He drops a kiss to my lips, lifts me up, and walks us into the shower, where he proceeds to clean me thoroughly only to dirty us both up just as thoroughly. When he does leave, it’s with his phone going off, a kiss so hot I’m nearly breathless, a wicked gleam in his eye, and a promise of more to come.
2
Jade
After Locke left for the day, I didn’t remain at his place like he wanted, or I wanted, really. That’s due to the fact that Colt called me and finally had a chance to look at my car more thoroughly than when I first brought it in. Plus, I didn’t want him to drop everything else on the books when Locke offered a vehicle for me to use. The only problem I’m conflicted about now is what’s going to happen long term.
“Hey, Kara, Sable,” I greet as I walk into the reception area. There are a couple of other customers waiting, munching on a donut, sipping a cup of coffee, and listening to the television drone on about today’s weather forecast.
“Hey,” Sable returns with enthusiasm.
“Hi, Jade.” Kara looks up from the computer to greet me.
“It’s busy today.” I move until I’m closer to the counter.
“We’ve been slammed for the past three weeks. I’m not going to complain, but a vacation wouldn’t hurt my feelings, either.” Kara is Colt’s sister, Sable is his woman, and though Colt’s little girl, Nellie, is from a previous relationship, she’s Sable’s all the same.
“Ditto. Too bad I don’t see that happening anytime soon.” Sable shrugs her shoulders. Kara looks at her like a deer in the headlights. “Come on, you know as well as I do that Colt won’tshut down the shop unless it’s a major holiday. Plus, if he takes off, that means you can’t, or vice versa.”
“I hate when she’s right. Weren’t you and Nellie going to do something fun today, like hit up a craft store?”
“Are we really?” Nellie appears out of nowhere.
“Yep, which means we need to go say goodbye to your dad and ask what he’d like for us to pick up for dinner since it’s game night.” Nellie snuggles into Sable’s side, and the pair cuddle into one another. “Later, ladies.”
“Bye.” I give them a finger wave. Nellie moves toward Kara, and she bends down to hug her niece, both of them careful not to hurt Kara’s legs, a long-standing battle she’s dealt with since the accident that coincidentally caused a domino effect, one that took Nellie’s mom way too early and her being subsequentially born entirely too soon.
