Chapter Seventeen
Alpaca My Giant Bags
Harlow
“Okay, this is officially the most kickass car ever.” Reaching out, Piper touched the screen, messing with the radio and temperature. “Don’t tell Bo,” she warned, talking about her own car like it was a person.
“He is getting up there in years,” I pointed out.
“Shh, don’t start. Jake’s already been on me about it. My dad gave me Bo, and I’m definitely not ready to move on.” She tapped the screen again, bumping the bass up. “But this thing is sweet.”
“You’ll have to teach me how to do that.” I’d had the car for two and a half weeks and was still clueless about most of the controls.
Flicking on my signal, I turned into the restaurant’s lot, parking next to Ray.
“I almost forgot. Ray’s gotta pop into Hyde to pick up something for Edge’s bike, so I’m gonna hitch a ride with her.” She jerked her head back to the pie and bag of cookies she’d set on the floor. “Any chance those will actually make it to your mom and Hadley?”
“I’ll go over for a visit after this.” I shrugged. “Maybe the goodies will still be around when I get there.”
Her lips tipped up. “Visit?”
I couldn’t remember the last time I’d slept in my own bed. Other than going to see Hadley and Mom, or pack different clothes, I hadn’t spent much time there.
My home doesn’t feel like home anymore.
When the hell did that happen?
Still smiling, Piper threw open the door and greeted Ray. “Long time no see.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah. I missed you both. Now move so I can take a look at the car.” Ray peeked in. “Oh, we are so cruising around sometime. We’ll grab coffee and just drive.”
I grinned. “You had me at coffee.”
Heading inside, I opened the restaurant door and inhaled deeply.
“I freakin’ love that smell,” Piper said, beating me to it. “Carbs. So good.”
“Agreed. Do you think they make a perfume?” Ray asked.
“They make candles. Jake got me a bunch, but I don’t burn them often. They make me hungry!”
After getting our sandwiches, we sat in a booth in the corner, me on one side and them on the other.
I swallowed a bite of delicious, salty roast beef. “How’s the bakery?”
“Amazing, but busy,” Piper said. “I hired two part-time employees to work the register and do dishes, which is the only reason I’m able to sneak away on a Saturday. But I think I need to bring in another baker.”
Ray arched her brow. “You think you can give up control enough to do that?”
“Yeah. Maybe.” She drummed her fingers. “Probably not. I need someone who’s a good baker, but also happy to follow the exact recipe. That’s like finding a unicorn hanging out with Bigfoot.”
Thinking about the cooking shows I’d seen, I was confused. “I thought bakers always go by recipes.”
“Good bakers tweak. They play. We’re like chemists, but our end results are delicious.” Her lips turned down before she muttered, “Usually.”
“So you think someone would mess with your recipes?”
Her shoulder went up. “Dunno. But since I’m just getting the storefront running, it’s not necessarily a risk I wanna take. I’m not unreasonable. If they had an idea, we could totally test it. But my eye is twitchy just thinking about the potential drama.”
“Let’s change the subject before you start talking to yourself,” Ray suggested with a teasing smile.
“Good idea.”
Ray looked around, her mouth pulled in a mischievous smile. “So, Harlow, how are you?”
“Don’t start,” I warned around my mouthful.
“Speaking of things not starting, how’s the new car?”
“What’d I say?”
“I’m just asking an innocent question.”
I made a very ladylike, sarcastic snort. “Right.”
“How much did you fight him on it?”
“By the time I found it, it was already too late.”
Piper grinned. “Jake told me about their junker lie.” She turned to Ray and explained while I pretended to not be impressed.
“Sneaky,” Ray said, nodding her approval. “And clever.”
“And controlling and underhanded,” I added.
“And thoughtful and considerate.”
I smiled. “Yeah, it was that.”
“So you aren’t mad and plotting your escape?” Piper asked, a genuine question hidden in her humor.
“Nope. He knows I would’ve put off getting a new one until something major happened.” I focused on the condensation dripping down my cup, trailing my finger in it. “When I lost my dad and my mom got sick, I got pretty focused on saving money to help if anything happened. It’s, uhh, why I worked at Wicked before taking the job at Rye.”
I hadn’t planned on telling them, but it seemed like a good opening to blurt it out. I’d been putting off the conversation. Truth be told, I’d been hoping I could keep avoiding it and just move on.
Unfortunately, the longer I kept it to myself, the more it lurked in my mind, like a glitter tits elephant in the room.
I wasn’t ashamed, and I knew my friends wouldn’t judge me. It was just a random subject to broach.
When their silence stretched, I began to doubt my decision. Slowly, I looked up to see them staring at me with the same dropped jaw and wide-eyed shock.
Ray spoke first. “Like as a…” Her voice trailed off.
“Yup.”
A grin spread across Piper’s face. “That’s so kickass!”
Ray’s expression stayed stunned. “I’m normally good at reading people, but you’re always surprising me. I had you pegged as an airhead at first.”
Piper elbowed her in the side.
“Ouch!” Ray rolled her eyes at Piper’s glare. “I thought she was a cool airhead, at least. Then I thought you were kind of a goodie goodie.” She looked down at my ‘My fandom will salt and burn your fandom’ tee. “And a hipster geek. Now I don’t know what to think.”
I shrugged. “I’m me.”
“The sweet and tattooed ex-con and the geeky, hipster stripper.” She smiled. “You two were made for each other.”
“To be fair, I’m an ex-stripper.”
“Semantics.”
Piper began shooting off rapid fire questions. “How long did you work there? How was it? Oh! Can you teach me some moves?”
“It was only a few months,” I said. “And it was actually kinda fun. We were like a dysfunctional family. And yes. But only after a pitcher or five of margaritas.”
“Sweet.” Her smile faded. “Why didn’t you tell me before? Did you think I—”
“It wasn’t that.” Reaching out, I covered her hand with mine. “I knew you’d be cool; it was just my own issues. If I told you I was dancing, I’d have to explain about Mom and all that. By the time I was ready, Kase had already gotten me fired, so it seemed like a moot point.”
Ray leaned in, looking more surprised than before. “He got you fired? What an asshole move. I could see him charming you until you agreed to quit, but getting you canned seems harsh.”
“He’d been trying to be patient with me, but sometimes I need a gentle push. And then a hard shove. And then to be dragged, kicking and screaming. He was chill for a lot longer than I expected, thank God.”
My stomach twisted at the thought of him giving up and moving on.
Piper didn’t say anything as she bit back a smile.
I guess me opening up makes her feel better, too.
I flipped over Piper’s wrist and tapped on her cupcake tattoo while looking at Ray. “Speaking of my goodie goodie vibe—”
Ray’s face lit up. “Are you finally gonna let me ink up that skin? I can squeeze you in tomorrow.”
Piper nudged her.
“Oh right, we got that, uhh, thing.”
And I thought I was a bad liar.
Before I could call her on it, she continued, increasing my heart rate. “I can do Monday.”
“So soon?” My voice was more of a squeak.
“We’ll sit down, get it all sketched, and do it before you back out.”
“Just something small, though.”
“Okay, a half sleeve, got it.”
“Tiny.” I held my thumb and index finger a miniscule distance apart.
I was already dizzy.
*******
Kase
This is either the smartest thing I’ve ever done or I’m fuckin’ up my whole life.
No pressure or anything.
I watched Helena carefully as she bounced around the room like she’d drunk her daughter’s quantity of coffee.
I was nervous, but it was nothing compared to her.
She glanced up at the clock for the twentieth time that minute. “Do you know what you’re going to say?”
I lifted my hand to gesture around us. “Think it’s pretty self-explanatory.”
“Yeah right. You know she’ll have questions. Then more questions. And then she’ll probably come back with a PowerPoint presentation of rebuttals and follow-up questions.”
Harlow was seriously fuckin’ funny. After spending time with her ma, it was easy to see where she got it from.
My ma and I’d had a special bond. Our good moods would feed off each other, growing and wiping out some of the ugliness from around our family. It fuckin’ sucked to lose her, but she’d been gone a long time. Willa obviously hadn’t been warm and maternal, scooping cookie dough with her heroin spoon.
I’d forgotten what it was like to have someone motherly around.
Having that back in some way was just another thing Harlow gave me.
“Probably,” I agreed through my chuckle. “But I think I’m covered.”
“I hope so.” She glanced back at the clock.
“Helena.”
She looked at me, her expression concerned. Her coloring was paler than usual, the dark circles under her eyes showing her fatigue.
And I got it.
I seriously fuckin’ got it.
Looking at Helena, seeing how stress hit her harder than most, I finally understood why Harlow had been living her life like she was. The boxes, the anxiety, the worry.
The not living.
“It’s gonna be okay,” I said, my voice gentle. “No way would I do this if I didn’t know for sure.”
Tears filled her eyes, but she laughed. “I know.” She wiped at her cheeks. “Really, I do. I’m just being a mom.”
“Kinda your job.”
Just as she began to relax, a car pulled into the driveway, making her tense again.
She wasn’t the only one.
Here’s to not fuckin’ up my life.
The door opened and closed. “Anyone want cookies and pie?” Harlow called out, rushing on without giving time to respond. “No? I should just eat them all myself? Okay then, if you say so.”
When she reached the doorway, she glanced in quickly. Her eyes snapped back, darting around the room to all of the boxes.
Playing it cool, I finished assembling one before starting on another.
Her mom grabbed a stack of books and packed them up, following my lead.
Harlow’s brows drew together and she tilted her head to the side. “What’s going on?”
Her mom hustled over and took the desserts. “Piper is so sweet. I’ll just take these into the kitchen. And, uhh, stay there for a while.”
“What’s going on?” Harlow repeated as Helena rushed away.
“Stupid to keep your stuff here when you’re not.”
“Is that your way of saying I’m moving in with you?”
I jerked my chin up and set the assembled box with the other ones. “Doesn’t make sense for you to be getting up and hauling ass because you forgot something here. Or you having to pack and transfer ten fuckin’ duffle bags and giant purses back and forth.”
She crossed her arms and leaned back against the wall, her expression blank. “Ever heard of asking?”
“I did. You said no.”
“And you took that to mean I wanted you to come and pack up anyway?” While her tone wasn’t pissed, it was lacking her normal bubbly enthusiasm.
I moved in front of her, my arms going to either side of her head as I leaned in close. “I took it to mean you were scared.” I tapped her temple. “Listening to the fear swirling around in there.”
“That’s not—”
“That’s exactly what it is. Go to bed with you every night, ipo. The smell of citrus in my nose, your hot as fuck body sprawled over me.” I lowered my voice. “Roll over and eat you, fuck you, just fuckin’ feel you next to me. I want that without the hauling ass all over. You don’t like the house, wanna move, wanna change it? We’ll do it. I just want you in it.”
“Okay.”
Wait, what?
I did a slow blink, pressing in close. “What?”
“I said okay. What’s been packed—”
Taking her mouth with mine, I cut off her words.
Her ma is in the next room. Don’t fuck her against the wall.
You can’t fuck her against the wall.
She clutched my shirt at my chest, pulling me closer.
Fuck it, fuck her against a wall. Just not right this second.
Before my dick took total control of me, I lifted my head but didn’t back out of her space. “Expected a fight.”
“I’m sorry, did I give in too easily and feed your ego?” She moved her hands up to cup my head. “Is the explosion imminent?”
I barked out a laugh. “I think all the times you shot me down before are keeping me humble.”
It was her turn to laugh. “Right. Humble.” She bit the inside of her cheek, her eyes going to the side for a moment before she looked back at me. “Are you sure about this?”
“Been sure for months, ipo. Only stopped asking ‘cause you looked ready to flee into the night.”
“I wanted to say yes.”
“I know.”
“I was just scared.”
“I know,” I repeated. “And I was cool to wait. Even now, you tell me you aren’t ready, we’ll unpack and then grab some dinner.”
“I’m ready.”
No hesitation, no bullshit, no games.
Closing my eyes, I dropped my forehead to hers. “Good.” I stood up fully and stepped away. “‘Cause I really don’t feel like unpacking.”
“You’re gonna have to when we get it all moved. And, fair warning, I’ve got a lot of giant purses.”
I rubbed my beard, pretending to think. “Hmm, I dunno then.”
“Too late, sucka.” Harlow looked toward the kitchen before shouting, “It’s safe to come out now!”
Helena entered the room, carrying a couple cookies. She handed one to each of us. “Piper has outdone herself. White chocolate and cornflake, can you believe that? Delicious!”
Harlow glared at her. “You think sharing a cookie will distract me from the fact my own mother is pushing me out the door?”
“Uhh, yes?”
She sighed dramatically, her lower lip sticking out. “I think maybe some of that chocolate pie might help, too.”
I worked to keep from smiling. “She gotta bribe you to move in with me?”
“Dude, play it cool. I’m trying to get us some pie.”
“You can have pie later.” Helena picked up a box and handed it to Harlow. “Now that you’re here, you can start on your room.”
Glancing at the stairs, a blush spread across Harlow’s cheeks. “Yeah, what’s been packed?”
“We’ve been working on the stuff from down here. I figured you wouldn’t want Kase to see all the lipstick kiss marked boy band posters and notebooks that say ‘Harlow plus Kase equals forevvvva’.”
Harlow rolled her eyes, but her shoulders suddenly relaxed.
Wondering what private things she had hidden in her room, my dick started to harden as my dirty mind ran wild.
I turned away and started for the door. “I’m gonna pull the moving truck back into the driveway. Be back.”
One minute longer, and I’d have been holding a box in front of my pants.
And definitely not the box I want right now.
*******
Harlow
Don’t try to fuck Kase.
Don’t try to fuck Kase.
Okay, push all the furniture against the door and then fuck him.
“Keep looking at me like that, ipo, we’re gonna be getting sweaty and worn the fuck out in a whole different way,” Kase said without turning around. Kneeling on the floor, his shirt was long gone as he worked to disassemble my bed.
Well, my old one.
Using the broom I held, I started sweeping again. “How’d you know?”
“Think I can’t feel your eyes on me?” He looked over his shoulder and gave me a cocky smirk. “Plus, you’ve been cleaning that same spot for five minutes. I’m surprised there’s any varnish left on the wood.”
I glanced at the door quickly. “Speaking of hardwood…”
“Not fuckin’ you in your ma’s house. I will be fuckin’ you in our bed, in our house tonight, though.”
“Fine.” I forced a sigh when all I felt was warmth and happiness spreading through me. Leaning the broom against the wall, I picked up a box. “I’m gonna bring this out to the truck and see what else I have laying around to pack. You almost done with that?”
“Yeah.” Sitting up, he pushed his hair back as he drained the ice water my mom had brought him. “Your ma asked me to move around the dressers and take some junk out, but that won’t take me long.”
Watching the way his muscles flexed, I didn’t doubt that.
“Harlow,” he warned, his voice low.
“Right. Back to work.”
After dropping the box off in the truck, I made my way through the downstairs, gathering up odds and ends that I needed to pack or throw away. There wasn’t much. I hadn’t realized how much I’d already gotten rid of.
“You doing okay?” Mom asked, handing me another cookie.
“Other than my own mother plotting to kick me out?” I slumped my shoulders. “I guess so.”
“Somehow I think you’ll survive.”
Giving up my attempt to garner sympathy and more cookies, I got back to work. “What do I have packed in the attic?”
“I think that’s mostly childhood and baby stuff that I’d be more attached to. Do you have stuff in the garage still?”
“Yeah, that’s my next stop.”
“You might want to make it quick. Hadley and Abbey should be back soon.”
“Maybe she won’t notice I’m gone.”
“Without your makeup to get into? She’ll notice. Are you sure you don’t want me to talk to her first?”
The first bit of sadness sank in as I shook my head. “No, I will.”
Heading out to the garage, I started opening boxes. Most of it was junk that I added to the growing pile near the curb. Things I’d sworn I couldn’t live without suddenly had no purpose. I couldn’t even remember why I’d kept most of it.
Knowing I was short on time, I looked through things quickly before deciding whether to bring it to inspect at a later time or toss it.
A lot of it was tossed.
If I was that emotionally attached, it wouldn’t be in the stinky garage.
Almost a half hour later, I turned around to see Kase leaning in the doorway with a tall glass of ice water I was about to fight him for. Lucky for him, he handed it over. “It’s a big house. You don’t have to throw everything away; we’ve got the room.”
I nodded, chugging the water and trying not to dribble it down my face.
Well, not much of it.
“Trust me, there’s enough in the truck that you’ll be glad I’m dumping some.”
“Good point. Wanna toss any of those giant ass bags?”
“Sure. And a bunch of my skirts. Oh, and the heels.”
“Point made,” he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck as he looked down at my legs. Seeming to shake himself from his thoughts, his look sobered. “Hadley’s on her way. I’m gonna move the truck a couple houses down. You done in here?”
Handing him the last two boxes, I nodded. “I’ve gotta wash up and prepare to make a five-year-old cry.”
“Well, that’s a weird hobby to have, but…” Setting the boxes down to the side, Kase pulled me close. “Happy you’re living your life, ipo. But I’m fuckin’ thrilled you’re choosing to live it with me. I love you.”
And that’s exactly what I needed to hear.
I closed my eyes and rested my head on his chest. “I love you, too.”
“That said, I’m not above bribery.”
I pulled back to look at him. “What’s that mean?”
His eyes were bright and twinkling. “You’ll see.” Smacking my ass, he stepped away and grabbed the boxes.
I heard the truck door clatter closed moments before it roared to life, snapping me into action.
Hurrying inside, I washed up and changed into a spare tee I had in my purse.
Ha! See? Giant bags for the win.
I’d just started down the steps when Hadley burst through the door.
“There’s a lot of garbage outside. Did you make Mama mad? Did she make you clean as a punishment?”
Crouching down, I blinked away tears that’d already started to form. “No, Freckle Face.”
“That’s not my name. And I’m glad I was gone. Abbey took me to the park and the movies and to eat!”
“Sounds like a good day!” Scooping her up, I blew raspberries in her neck. “How about we go sit outside?”
“Can we sit on the hamper?”
“You mean the hammock?”
She giggled. “Yeah. That.”
“Deal.” Carrying her out, I set her down and carefully sat next to her. Using my toe, I rocked us back and forth.
“You and I have to talk, Freckle Face.”
“Is this about the lipstick? ‘Cause I got five dollars from the Tooth Fairy and you can have it. I just thought it would look pretty on my doll.” Her nose crinkled. “But she looked awful. I think ‘cause she can’t do this.” She rubbed her lips together before make a popping noise.
“What lipstick?” I shook my head. “Never mind, I don’t think I wanna know. It’s not about that.”
“What then?”
“Kase and I are moving in together.”
She gave me a huge grin, showing off her missing teeth and chubby cheeks. “Hooray! That’s the best news ever!”
“Really?”
I mean, I’m glad she’s not crying, but at least a little sadness would’ve been nice.
But that’s cool. Whatever.
“Now we can all watch movies and play Barbies and have breakfast together and everything!”
Realization dawned, breaking my heart and making me regret my goofball thoughts. “No, baby. I’m moving in with Kase. Into his house.”
Tears immediately filled her eyes, spilling over and down her cheeks. “You’re not gonna be my sister anymore?”
“Always,” I whispered fiercely through the lump in my throat. “I’ll always be your sister. I’m just not going to live here. But you can—”
Launching herself over, Hadley’s body hit mine. The hammock spun and we toppled to the ground, me on my back. Not seeming to notice or care, she just wrapped her arms around me tighter.
“I’m sorry about the lipstick. And the shadow colors. And the macara. I’ll give them back.”
Shadow colors? Macara?
Figuring out she was talking about more of my makeup she’d pilfered without me noticing, I tried to reassure her. “It’s okay, that doesn’t—”
“I don’t want you to leave. I won’t take your lipstick anymore. I’m sorry, Low Low. Please don’t go. I’m sorry,” she cried.
Knowing nothing I said would sink in, I made soothing noises as I rubbed her back.
“Sorry to interrupt,” Kase said from above us. “Your ma saw you guys hit the ground and wanted me to check on you.” Reaching down, he lifted Hadley.
Loosening her grip on me, she wiggled around and latched onto him. “I don’t want Low Low to go. I don’t want to lose my sister.”
“You’re not,” I swore, wiping the dirt off my back the best I could.
“Definitely not.” Kase patted her back. “You’re getting a brother.”
Still hiccupping, her tears slowed as she pulled away to look at Kase. “A brother?”
“Yeah. That’s how it works.”
She looked thoughtful, muttering, “I always wanted a brother.”
“And now you’ve got one.”
“Can I come to your house?”
He nodded.
“Tonight?” she pushed.
“Do you wanna help carry in all the boxes and unpack?”
She looked horrified. “No.”
“Then not tonight. How about next weekend? You can come see the toads now that it’s warm.”
Her face lit up with amphibian happiness. “Toads? Yes!”
“I’ve got another surprise,” Kase told Hadley as he started back to the house.
I followed along behind them, my interest piqued.
Once upstairs, he set her down outside my closed door and crouched in front of her. “Other than getting a brother, you know what else is cool about Low Low moving out?”
Her face fell, her bottom lip jutting out. She shook her head.
Kase jerked his chin up. “Open the door.”
Hesitantly, Hadley reached out and turned the handle. Tears brimmed her pretty eyes as her face grew red with her effort to not cry.
“My toys!” Running through the room, Hadley threw open bins and boxes. “I’ve got a toy room now!” Coming over, she grabbed Kase’s hand and pulled him around, showing off her stuff.
“Told ya,” Mom said as she moved into the hallway with me. Her hair was still dripping from a shower, her dusty clothes replaced by clean ones.
“Your idea?” I asked.
“I was tempted to keep it as a shrine to you, but I figured the toy room would be more practical. It’ll be worth it to not step on Legos and Barbie shoes downstairs.” She glanced into the room to see the mess that was already being created. “Okay, not as many. But that’s not what I’m talking about.”
“What then?”
“I know a good person when I see them. And him?” She tilted her head toward where Kase was sitting on the floor near Hadley, the sound of the ridiculous voices he was making barely audible over her laughter. “It’d be easy to judge. To just see the tattoos, his size, and even that darkness in his eyes. But he’s a good person.”
Seeing that darkness and knowing the pain that put it there, I was constantly amazed by just how easy he made it look. To move on, to be happy.
To live.
“And he loves you.” Her voice lowered, her gaze going beyond me. “It’s like—”
“Yippeeeeee!” Hadley interrupted, breaking the mood as she bounced around. “Mama, Kase is gonna come over next weekend and paint the room any color I want!”
My brows shot up at the idea of him being used as a decorating service. “He is?”
“I hope you don’t mind I asked him to help. He did such a good job at Piper’s bakery. I thought Hadley and I could come see your new place and give him time to work.”
Hadley danced, excitement wiping away her earlier heartbreak.
“That sounds good. Just no airbrushed dragons… or other things,” I joked.
Kase looked up at me, trying to hide the heat behind a smile. “Getting late. We should head home.”
Home.
When I left Mom’s house, I would be ending a visit and going home. I should’ve been freakin’ the fuck out. Plotting my escape or coming up with a million reasons why I needed to stay.
But I wasn’t because I needed to move on.
I wanted to.
Instead of fear, all I felt was excitement over what was to come.
And come it will.
Perv, not in front of your family.
Unfortunately, where Kase’s words had filled me with peace and an inappropriate excitement, they’d reminded Hadley how her new toy room came to be.
Launching herself like a rocket, she wrapped her arms around my thigh. Her chubby dimpled hands clutched onto me. “Please don’t go. I’ll miss you. You can just go visit Kase still.”
I dropped to my butt, pulling her into my lap. “Where will I sleep? In the dolly bed?”
“In my room.” Her words became muffled as she shoved her face into my neck. “It’ll be a sleepover all the time!”
“But that sleepover won’t involve toads. Or dogs. Or sandcastles.”
Leaning back, she sniffled as she wiped her face. “Sandcastles?”
“There’s lots of sand. And no one else around, so you can use as much as you want.”
“Are there buckets?”
“I’ll go to Target and get some.”
She nodded and started to stand, but I pulled her back into a tight hug.
“I love you, baby.” Trying to lighten the mood, I continued. “No matter where I am, you’ll always be my Hadley Freckle Face.”
“And you’ll always be my Low Low.”
Closing my burning eyes, I released my hold on her. “I’ll see you next weekend for toads and sandcastles.”
Hadley climbed out of my lap and trudged into the toy room.
“I’m not saying goodbye,” Mom said as she turned from me. “I’ll start crying and I don’t think I can be bought off with promises of sandcastles and toads.”
“How about homemade margaritas?”
She looked over her shoulder and smiled, though it was weak. “Sugar rim?”
I scrunched my face. “Salt. Always salt.”
“I’ll just bring my own sugar,” she muttered with a shrug. “Go before we start crying.”
“Good idea,” I said, though I didn’t move.
Turning back away, her voice was thick. “You better hurry before I break out the home movies to show Kase. Remember the butterfly hairclip phase? Or the goth one?”
“I wasn’t goth.” I shifted to face Kase. “See, this is why I don’t wear black or gray. I’m so pale already, I end up looking like Pippy Longstocking and Wednesday Addams had a love child.”
Kase’s lips curved as he stroked across his bearded chin. “Looking forward to movie night sometime soon.” Chuckling at my scowl, he reached for my hand.
Before he could grab it, I darted to the side and wrapped my arms around my mom from behind.
Her own arms covered mine, pulling them tighter. “Love you, sweet girl.”
“Love you, too.” Releasing her, I stepped back and leaned into Kase’s side.
“Hey, Hadley,” he called out, pointing to the corner. “You didn’t show me those ones.”
Lifting a big stuffed alpaca out of the way, she picked up a still boxed toy. “These aren’t mine,” she said, lifting them to show Mom. “There’s more!” Carefully setting the box down, she looked behind the row of toy bins. “There’s a lot more! Where did these all come from?”
Mom held her hands up. “Don’t look at me.”
“I just moved all the stuff into the room. Maybe you forgot you had them,” Kase said with a shrug. Reaching out, he squeezed Mom’s shoulder and lowered his voice. “Let me know if anything changes for Saturday.”
“It won’t,” she said. “See you both then.” A stuffed animal started blasting a loud and annoying song. “And, for the love of my sanity, no more toys.”
“Can’t make that promise.”
After giving my mom one last hug, I took my opening and started sneaking away.
“What’re you doing?” Kase asked, his tone amused.
“Being a ninja.”
“Pretty sure that’s unnecessary. She’s got enough in there to distract her for a while.”
“Yeah, ‘cause you bought the entire toy store.”
“Told you I wasn’t above bribery. Speaking of…” Stopping at the top of the stairs, he pulled me close where we were out of view. “How about we get you into the cloud bed with a salted rim margarita while I unload the truck?”
“Hmm, that does sound good.” I licked my bottom lip, pretending to be deep in thought. “Or we could strip naked and you can fuck me wherever you want in our house.”
With a growl, Kase put his shoulder to my stomach. Lifting me up, he hooked an arm around my waist. His other hand spanned my ass, his thumb rubbing between my legs. He took the stairs two at a time. “Time to go home.”
*******
Leaving my mom’s house, I drove my car while Kase took the moving truck. Taking advantage of the alone time, I cranked some music and prepared for the onslaught of doubt and panic.
They never came.
I didn’t know why I was surprised.
My happiness wasn’t centered around Kase. My mom was healthier than I’d seen her in years. Piper and Ray were kickass friends. Even the other guys from Hyde had made themselves comfortable in my expanding social circle.
I was happy because life was awesome.
That didn’t, however, negate the fact that Kase made my life that much better. He was patient, showing he knew me well enough to give me time. And then he showed he really knew me by giving me the push I needed to move in with him.
Plus, though I was sure it would’ve taken all his self-restraint, I had no doubt he really would’ve backed off if I’d said I wasn’t ready.
But I was.
Driving along with nothing but music and my own thoughts, I wasn’t obsessing and worrying. My anxiety wasn’t pushing in, making it hard to breathe.
Instead, I was decorating in my head.
I spent the ride thinking about throw pillows, new coffee tables, and whether Piper would part with one of her bread scented candles.
Mostly, I was focused on the kitchen. There were about ten appliances I wanted, four I needed. My number one priority was a coffee maker.
If I have a machine, though, Kase won’t have any reason to surprise me with hot and iced coffee.
Okay, maybe scratch that off the list for now.
I wasn’t a gourmet chef by any stretch of the imagination, but I liked to cook. I especially liked the idea of really making use of his kitchen.
Our kitchen.
My stomach flipped with anticipation as I pulled into the driveway.
Grabbing my electronics bag, I got out of the car. Before I could stand fully, Kase took the bag and pushed in tight against my body.
His arms went to either side of me as he dropped his head. Lightly, he brushed his lips against mine. “Welcome home, ipo.”
Before I could convince him to fuck me against the car, he took my hand and started for the house.
Unlocking the door, he walked into the dining room. “You hungry?”
“Not really.” I kicked my shoes off.
He kept his back to me as he set my bags on the controlled chaos he called a table and shuffled through the mail. “I think you’ve got enough tequila for a small batch of celebratory margaritas.”
“Maybe later.” I yanked my shirt over my head and threw it at him.
Reaching up, he grabbed it off his shoulder as he turned around. The beginning of a playful smile left his face as he realized what I’d tossed.
I unbuttoned my pants and pushed them down while he watched each movement like I’d be testing him on them later. Stepping out carefully so as not to face plant, I kicked them to the side. I reached for my bra, but he stopped me.
“Don’t.” With a sharp shake of his head, he stalked toward me, tugging his shirt off as he went. Gripping my hips, he twisted me so the mirrored coat closet door was in front of us.
“Let’s go upstairs,” I breathed as he kissed up my neck. Reaching back, I fisted his jeans to steady myself.
“Here.”
“But—”
He bit down on my shoulder before licking across the spot. “Shh.” His large hand palmed my breast, his thumb stroking along the edge of my bra cup.
I stared, mesmerized by his other hand inching down my stomach. His fingers were fanned out, a splash of color against my pale skin.
It was erotically beautiful.
Reaching my panties, his middle finger stroked me over the fabric barrier. When he groaned against my neck, I knew my growing wetness had soaked through. Shoving the cup of my bra down, he tugged my nipple, rolling it.
Fighting to keep my eyes open, I watched as he hooked a thumb into the side of my panties and pulled them down to the middle of my thighs. Slowly, he skimmed his rough fingertips up.
Goosebumps broke out across my skin. Like electricity ran through my veins, a shiver travelled down my body.
His hand pushed between my legs, blocking my view as he cupped me. His palm pushed against my clit, his middle finger gliding through my wetness.
I tried to spread my legs to give him more access, but my panties around my thighs were pulled taut.
Looking up, I met his heated gaze in our reflection. He maintained the eye contact as he pushed his finger hard into me, taking me up onto my toes before easing back down. Curving his finger to stroke in and out, he put more pressure on my clit.
My orgasm built quickly, my body tensing. I tightened my hold on his jeans.
When I was just at the edge, pulsing and ready to belly flop into an orgasmic abyss, he pulled away.
I’m gonna kill him. We’ve lived together for five minutes, and I’m already planning his demise.
A tight ache settled low in my belly, my loathing for him growing even as my hips shifted, seeking him.
Releasing his pants, I started to turn. “What—”
My words were interrupted as his belt clattered to the ground. His pants and boxers were shoved down after it, leaving him impressively hard and naked. Before I could get my fill of the view, not that we had a million years, he knelt and yanked my panties the rest of the way down.
“On your knees, ipo,” Kase ordered through gritted teeth.
Lowering myself to the ground, I barely had my knees under me before he slammed into me. My palms slid across the cold tile, his firm hold on my hips keeping me from falling.
Slowing his movements, one of his hands followed up my spine. He unhooked my bra, pushing the straps off my shoulders so they fell around my wrists on the floor.
Before I could remove it fully, Kase reached around to cup my breast. Using his hold, he lifted me upright so my back was to his front.
I was surrounded by him. Overwhelmed. His large frame eclipsed mine. His scent, an arousing mix of his soap, hard work, and him, was all I could smell. Panting breaths and deep, guttural groans were all I could hear.
And with our mirrored reflections staring back, we were all I could see.
Colorfully inked, golden skin against pale, like art against a canvas.
Sitting back on his feet, Kase positioned his knees between mine. Spreading his legs, he forced mine apart, too.
Exposing all of me.
All of us.
It was too much. Too exposed, too raw.
Too real.
My eyes shot up, unable to watch anymore. Instead, I looked at Kase in the reflection, watching him watch us. His eyes were glued to our connection. Predatory possession burned in his gaze.
His thrusts quickened again, hitting deeper as he used his hold to slam me down.
“Watch, Harlow,” he ordered, his whispered voice harsh in my ear.
I shook my head, my eyes closing as my orgasm built. “Too much,” I forced out on a moan.
Leaning back and lifting me up, he pulled almost all the way out. “Watch or I stop.”
I opened my eyes.
Wide.
Inch by inch, his glistening cock eased into me, disappearing from view. I was suddenly unable to tear my attention away.
It was exposed, raw.
It was real.
And it was mine.
Releasing my hip, Kase rubbed my clit as I rode him, my movements erratic and frenzied.
My knees fought to close, but his held them in place. Overheated and tingling, my head shot back as I clenched, pulsing around him. I came hard, my orgasm ripping through my body like the electrical current in my veins had been set on fire.
With a low, harsh groan Kase raised his hips and slammed mine down a few more times before holding me tight as he came.
When he loosened his grip, I fell forward, my palms slapping the ground. My head hung as I fought to catch my breath and calm my racing heart.
Kase shifted, though he stayed hard inside me. His cock jerked and twitched with each movement I made.
Lifting my head, I barely recognized the reflection staring back at me. My hair was a mess of craziness. Eyes hooded, my liner was smudged just enough to still be sexy and wild without crossing into pirate territory.
I looked well fucked and seriously flippin’ happy.
Turning to peer over my shoulder, I saw Kase leaning back on his arms. His ab muscles were tightly ridged. The cut definition in his arms looked like it was chiseled. But it was his smile that melted my heart and soaked my panties.
Well, it would’ve had I been wearing any.
He looked well fucked and seriously flippin’ happy.
“You okay?” he asked, his breathing still heavy.
I grinned. “It’s good to be home.”