He nodded. “Yeah, I think this would be perfect. Let’s get together this week and talk details.”
Fuck the details. Where did she sign?
She squealed and threw herself at Screw, who managed to unwind his arm from Jazz in time to catch her. “Thank you!” she whispered as she hugged him tightly.
He squeezed her until she worried she’d pop. “I’m as excited as you are.”
Over his shoulder, she caught sight of Saint leaning against the clubhouse with his arms folded over his chest and a scowl on his face. He watched her every move with hawk-like intensity.
“I’ll come by this afternoon to fix up Miss Mary Lou, that work?” she asked as she released him.
“Perfect.” Screw hugged her one last time. “Love you, kiddo.”
Saint’s eye twitched.
Rolling her eyes, Beth moved to hug Jazz next. “Long time since I’ve been a kiddo.”
That had Jazz laughing. “You could be fifty, and he’ll still call you that,” she said as she and Beth embraced. “Better tell your guard dog to be careful,” she whispered in Beth’s ear. “He’s shit at masking his feelings.”
“I don’t… I mean…”
“I fully approve,” Jazz whispered. “And I’m here if you need me.”
She nearly cried right there on the spot. What had she done to deserve such incredible women in her life?
As they drew back from the hug, Jazz winked. “Love you.”
“Love you too.”
She bid goodbye to Mary Lou and Gumby as well. The trio took off. Screw stuck Mary Lou in a doggie backpack for the bike trip while Jazz climbed on behind Gumby.
As soon as they left, she turned and walked toward Saint, whose irked expression hadn’t changed. “He’s like an uncle,” she said, rolling her eyes.
“I know.”
“And yet you have a problem with him hugging me?”
“I have a problem with anyone touching you who isn’t me.”
His gruff voice sent a shiver down her spine. “I probably shouldn’t like that so much, but I do. It makes me want to get back in bed with you so you can show me just how much you hated him hugging me.”
“Fuck.” His eyes flared with instant lust. After a glance left and right, he grabbed the back of her neck and yanked her in for a bruising kiss that weakened her knees instantly.
It ended before it started, but was no less brutally core-shaking.
“You’ll make an incredible business owner,” he whispered as she tried to find her footing.
“Oh, thank you.” Excitement surged. “I can’t believe Screw wants to open a grooming salon with me.”
Saint tilted his head, studying her. “I can. You’re fucking amazing. I’ll follow you to his place later so you can fix that rat dog.”
“Hey! Be nice. She’s a sweetie.”
He leaned in and whispered in her ear, “Then afterward, maybe we can go back to my place, and I’ll show you what happens when you let another man touch you, platonic or not.”
Her knees wobbled. Her thighs clenched.
He kissed the side of her head, then strode away as though he hadn’t lit a fire between her legs.
