Total pages in book: 37
Estimated words: 34166 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 171(@200wpm)___ 137(@250wpm)___ 114(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 34166 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 171(@200wpm)___ 137(@250wpm)___ 114(@300wpm)
“What did you do, sugar?” I walk deeper, heading to the fridge to grab a bottle of water when I’d much rather have a beer, but since I’m driving, I’ll wait to have one with dinner.
“Fucking Christ.” I pull on the handle to the fridge and see the damn thing is completely packed—fruits, vegetables, coffee creamer, milk, and cheeses. I grab the bottle of water, then check the freezer beneath and see that’s packed, too. I’m not even going in the garage to look at the deep freeze. Though, it shouldn’t need much considering I keep a half cow stocked year-round in there.
Me: Sugar, we got two things to discuss. One: you feeling the need to clean the house when we can both tag-team it. Two: the groceries. The palm of my hand is itching to spank that ass of yours.
I fire off the text, toss my phone on the counter in front of me, and lean my ass on the one behind me, then take a long and heavy pull, not stopping until the damn thing is empty. My phone lights up, alerting me to an incoming message.
Sugar: I help make the mess. Besides, you worked last night and had to do the same early this morning. As for the groceries, it’s only fair. You cook because we both know that’s not my strong suit, so it’s the least I can do. Plus, you in the kitchen, me watching you work, it’s really hot, honey.
Me: Still don’t mean you gotta do it all. Givin’ you a heads-up, meeting Jace for dinner, and then he wants to hit up the bar. Your bar.
Sugar: I like helping take care of you. I can’t say that I’m surprised. He never responded to my messages.
When she tosses out the honey in a text, or when she’s whispering it breathlessly while I’m giving it to her, well, it’s hard to be upset.
Me: Lettin’ you go. Know you’re at work. See you tonight.
Sugar: Later <3
Now that I’ve got shit cleared up, all that’s left is to strip out of my work clothes, hop in the shower, get redressed, and head out the fucking door again. Goddamn, wish I could stay home, and I wish like hell Jade were here with me.
“Hey, big brother, Locke.” Jade looks from Jace to me. I hold her attention for a smidge too long. It’s a good thing Jace has his eyes focused on something else; what that is, I’ve got not one single fucking clue.
We ate our fill of steak, baked potatoes, and salad. Jace had a Jack and Coke, I had a beer, we shot the shit for a bit then moved to The Social shortly after.
“Hey, Jade,” I pipe up when her brother still doesn’t say shit.
“Jade.” Jesus, fuck, I’m gonna have to kick him in the dick tonight.
“Did you happen to get my text?” she asks, heading to the cooler to pull out the two bottles of beer; we each prefer something different.
“Kind of like you picking up the phone when I call you, right?” I don’t wade in, not yet. Jade can handle herself when it comes to her brother, but if he gets disrespectful, all bets are off.
“Yeah, well, when you act like a jerk, it takes me a minute to cool off. You’d realize that if you pulled that shit on me. And for future reference, I don’t ever call you when you’re on a shift at the Steel Mill because I care about you, and the last thing I want is for you to get distracted. So, excuse me for worrying about you.” She slams his beer down on the bar top, then does the exact opposite to mine before she turns away to help other customers.
“Shit,” he mutters, “I fucked that up, per fucking usual.”
“Come on, we’ll grab a high top, play a game of pool. When things die down, try and talk to her, maybe start with apologizing. It might help.”
“You’re right. Gotta get my head screwed on right.” He sits down, looking out the front of the bar at the passersby walking down the main drag.
“Yep, that you do.” I settle in, keeping my eye on Jade, and when her brother isn’t looking, she sends a megawatt smile my way. It hits me right in the dick, stirring up a deep-seated need I only feel for, and I see it reciprocated when I shoot her a wink.
Fuck, tonight is going to be a long one. And waiting to have Jade to myself and my hands on her might do me in.
10
Jade
“Girl, you’re in deep with that one.” Ronnie shoulder-bumps me. It’s rare she’s here near closing time these days. But her crew is here celebrating. Rory, her man’s sister, officially graduated high school and has been accepted into a college out of state. Their group is massive. They also threw this together last minute, which means we’re not really staffed for the nearly thirty top.