Chapter 13

She barely remembered getting to Travis’s house or how she ended up in bed. It was now the next day, and her head throbbed as if she’d had a wild, drunken night. She walked out of Travis’s room and saw that he was still asleep on the couch. She reached for her phone and saw it was one in the afternoon. She was about to panic about missing work but saw she had a text from Patsy.

Don’t worry about coming in today. Penny’s covering for you. Take care of yourself, honey.

Because Tarpon Springs was such a small place, she wasn’t exactly surprised that Patsy already knew the gossip. There was also a message from her mother, but she wasn’t awake enough to deal with Rita, although the message was surprisingly coherent. She set the phone aside and went to get ready to tackle the day.

JL was sitting in the kitchen of Travis’s apartment nursing a cup of coffee when Travis came in, took it from her hand, and began drinking. “You want to talk about it?” he asked.

“Not particularly.”

“You do know I wasn’t really asking, right? What’s going on, JL?”

“You know the Walls?”

“Of course, everyone does. That’s where all the kids go to smoke weed.”

“Not going to ask how you know that,” she said. “It’s also full of those big painted murals.”

“Yeah, I know. I love the one of Yoda getting it on with Chewbacca.”

“You would.” She rolled her eyes. “There’s also some great ones. Ones that look lifelike and professional.”

“Have you seen Yoda’s face? He’s clearly enjoying himself.”

She snorted a laugh. She knew he was trying to lighten the mood and make her feel better. “Seriously, though, there’s some great art there.”

“I know, sis. I was just pulling your leg. So, what about the Walls?”

“I paint there. Have been for about a year. But there are two cops who seem to make it their life’s mission to arrest us.”

“This is the second time I’ve heard about you doing art stuff. Why didn’t you tell me about that, JL?”

She shrugged. “Not sure.”

“You could’ve told me, you know?” Travis said, looking hurt.

“Wasn’t sure if I was any good.”

“Doesn’t matter, JL. Even if you’re terrible, we don’t keep shit from each other. You’re my twin sister.”

“I know.” Her eyes watered. “I’m sorry.”

“You need to get that woman’s voice out of your head.”

“That woman? Mama, you mean?”

“Yes. She put us down all the time. I know it was worse with you but you have to let that shit go. I have.”

“Really?” she said sarcastically. “I’ve never seen you with the same woman twice.”

“That doesn’t mean that I have issues. That just means I’m a man.”

“You’re in denial,” JL said. “The art thing, it wasn’t a big deal. I didn’t intentionally hide it from you.”

“How about you and Enzo? What’s the deal there?”

She stood and paced around the kitchen for a few moments. “Don’t know.”

“Never seen you so jittery before, darlin’.”

“I’m not jittery. I’m—”

“Insecure,” he said, standing and placing his hands on her shoulders.

She scoffed and brushed his hands off her. “No way.” She continued to pace. “I mean, it’s not a matter of insecurities; it’s a matter of compatibility. He’s a white-picket-fence-and-a-houseful-of-kids kind of guy, and I’m a bartender at a local dive.”

“That’s ’cause you want to work there, JL. You can get a job somewhere else. Shit, you can go to school if you want to. Personally, the thought of having kids gives me hives, but I never pictured your life without kids and a husband and, hell, a white picket fence. You deserve that. It’s who you are. You always took care of me when we were little.” When she didn’t say anything, he continued. “Grew up right there next to you, darlin’. I know how it felt and how others looked at us when we had holes in our clothes and no lunch money. But we’re not kids anymore. You’ve got to let that shit go. You have a job and friends, and you are good enough for him. If anything, he’s not good enough for you.”

Her eyes teared and she wrapped her arms around her brother and laid her head against his chest. “How’d you get so smart?”

“I am the smarter older twin.”

“By, like, a minute.” She playfully smacked his chest and laughed. “I’m going to call Enzo.”

“Good idea. Make sure he knows that if he hurts you, I’ll kill him.”

“Bless your heart, you really think you can take him on,” she said with a laugh.

His eyes bulged. “You did not just say that to me. I can kick his ass ten ways to Sunday.”

She took the cup from his hand and started washing it. “Since we’re sharing today, what’s up with you and Penny?”

He sighed. “That woman is impossible. Been trying to go out with her for months. Won’t give me the time of day.”

“She doesn’t date,” JL said.

“What do you mean?”

“I’ve tried to set her up, and she said she doesn’t date. I think there’s something going on with her. She’s been missing work and coming in late. She’s mysterious and secretive.”

Travis seemed to ponder all that as JL did the dishes.

“Still, she seems nice enough. Maybe you should keep tryin’,” JL said as she walked back into the room and pulled out her phone.

An hour later she was sitting next to Enzo on her sofa. “Why didn’t you call me?” Enzo asked.

“Why would I? I’ve been alone a long time.”

“That’s bullshit and you know it. You didn’t call me because you weren’t sure where we stood.”

“I don’t need a Prince Charming to come save me.”

“Sure ’bout that? Seems like that’s exactly what you needed.” His tone didn’t match his statement.

“Thank you, Enzo. Really, I can’t thank you enough. You were a lifesaver last night. I mean that from the bottom of my heart. I’m not trying to be a bitch. It’s just that if you weren’t there, I’d have gotten by.”

“Why do you just want to get by? I never claimed to be Prince Charming or a knight in shining armor, Jamie Lynn. I am, however, a man with a lot of resources, and I want to use my resources to help make my woman’s life easier.”

“Your woman? It’s not as if you called me at all yesterday.” She exhaled loudly. “You’re right, I wasn’t sure where we stood.”

“I thought the same thing. I kept waiting for your call.”

“I kept waiting for yours.”

“I don’t play games, JL. I’m not some kid. If you wanted to talk, you pick up the phone and call me.”

She let out a loud snort. “Pot calling the kettle black, don’t you think?”

“It’s different. You’re skittish, and I didn’t want to scare you away. If it was up to me I’d pack your bags and move you in. Don’t forget I was in a relationship with the same woman for most of my adult life. I haven’t done this dating thing before. It’s new to me and I’m somewhat set in my ways. I can be possessive and protective, and I don’t want to scare you off, but at the same time I don’t know how to keep you.”

She looked up and smiled sweetly. “I want you to keep me too,” she admitted. “I’m sorry I didn’t call you. I know I have to work on not letting my pride get in the way. Let’s just agree to not be dumb in the future and to be clear about our intentions, okay?”

“Okay.”

“So, what now? I mean, we had great sex and—”

He reached forward and took her hand in his. “Jamie Lynn, it wasn’t just great sex and you know it. I don’t want to keep you around just for the sex.”

“Okay. Fine, it was more than great sex. I had a really good time with you, Enzo. I think I’m in major like with you.” She said it with a snarky laugh, and he wasn’t sure whether she was teasing him or not. Hell, he was already in complete and utter like with her and it had only been less than a week. The way he was feeling scared him. He’d never expected to come to Florida and start a real relationship. He hadn’t even been sure if he wanted one after his disastrous marriage.

“No more being stupid, then. We’re up front. No games.”

“No games,” she agreed. “We’re really doing this, then?”

“We are,” he said with a big, loopy grin.

“So you’re like, what? My boyfriend?”

He rolled his eyes, feigning annoyance. “I suppose if it gets me all the great sex, why not?”

She playfully shoved him and then cuddled close. “I like being close to you.”

“I know,” he said, pulling her on top of him. “I like it too, sweetheart.” He kissed the top of her head. “I like that you’re softer with me.”

JL looked up at him, her brows drawn together, so he clarified. “You can be quite scary. I think Cain’s terrified of you, and he’s a mercenary and an Army Ranger. You seem to have your life perfectly figured out when the rest of us are still trying to get our shit together. You’re funny and outspoken, you make everyone feel at ease, and you’re so confident. Damn, baby, you are so confident and self-assured. You’re like no one I’ve ever met before. You have a potty mouth, and we’ve had sex outside—more than once—without batting an eye. But then you tell me you like me and that this thing between us feels big, and you tell me this looking up at me through your eyelashes shyly. I think I’m the only one who’s seen this side of you, and I have to tell you, sweetheart, I like it. I like knowing that it’s me who can get you to put your guard down. That makes you at ease enough to get all soft and sweet.”

Her eyes were wet and her lips quivered for a second before she looked away. “You think you’ve got me all figured out, don’t you, Pretty Boy?”

“I know I do.” He caressed her cheek. “You’re an insomniac who’s afraid of the dark, of heights, of bugs.”

She groaned into his chest, and he chuckled.

“I’ve known Violet for years and she doesn’t know this,” she admitted. “Well, she knows about the bugs.”

“You’ve slept well since we’ve been sleeping together, though,” he said proudly.

“Yeah, I have.”

“You feel safe with me.” It wasn’t a question. “I’m glad. I want you to feel safe with me. I want to protect you, possess you, take away your fears. I want you to call me when you get arrested.” She laughed into his chest. “I don’t want you to leave, Jamie Lynn. I want this date not to end. At least not for a while.”

“I’ve never had somebody.”

“Somebody?”

“Yeah, like a person who wants to be there for me like that. Violet’s the closest thing to that I’ve had, but she’s had her own issues in her life, and I never wanted to burden her with anything. And of course Travis is great, but he’s usually an oblivious boy.”

“Now you have somebody, then.”

“And you do too,” she said into his chest. “I mean, you probably have a team of somebodies at your beck and call, but if they all call in sick one day, you’ve got me.” Neither spoke for some time after that, and eventually she pushed away a little, far enough to look up at him. “We should totally get matching tattoos. I’m thinking on our forearms. The cutesy corny kind that when we put our arms together they make one cheesy design.” He looked down at her, horrified, and she couldn’t help but laugh. “I was totally kidding, Enzo.”

“Is that a turn-on for you? Tattoos? Do you find that attractive in a man?”

She shrugged. “I have dated men with tattoos and men without. Means nothing. Unless they have a Tasmanian devil on their chest or something. Then no—that would be a total deal breaker.”

“Good. Because I don’t think it’s something I’d do.”

“I know, and I don’t care. In fact, I don’t think I’d like one on you. You’re too pretty and flawless for one.”

“I’m far from flawless.”

“Haven’t really seen any flaws yet, Enzo,” she said softly.

“You trust me, Jamie Lynn?”

“Yes,” she said with certainty.

“I’m going to make love to you,” he said, surprising her when he stood up with her in his arms, making her yelp. “Shh. I got you, baby.”

JL was surprised by the sincerity in Enzo’s voice and manner. It was as if something had suddenly clicked and there was a noticeable change in him. He gently laid her on the bed and slowly reached to pull off his white polo shirt, placing it neatly over a chair. Then he sat on the bed and took off his shoes and his socks, tucking the socks in his shoes and putting them by the side of the bed. He unbuttoned his jeans and slid them off, folded them, and set them on the chair. Everything was methodical and much more in line with the Enzo she’d met a year ago rather than the one who she’d been sleeping with. Looking at him standing there in front of her almost naked, the soft wisps of hair over well-defined ab muscles and miles of tanned skin, made her breathless. His corded forearms bulged as he slid off his white boxer briefs. She sucked in a breath and let her head hit the pillow as he met her eyes. It was too much. He was too beautiful, too perfect, too untarnished, too classy, too—

“Stop thinking,” he said as he knelt on the bed and began to unfasten the laces on her lime-green Converses. “You take control of sex most of the time. Not that I’m complaining. But today I’m going to show you how I have sex.” His voice was hoarse as he concentrated on his task. She couldn’t imagine how things would be any different—or any better, for that matter. Damn, she wasn’t even sure if she could handle better sex. As it was, it was phenomenal.

His eyes skimmed her body, causing her face to warm and her heart to race. If there was ever a day she’d have wanted to be in her fishnets, heels, and push-up bra, it was today. She didn’t even have lip gloss on. He tucked her socks into her shoes and put them aside, just as he’d done with his own. She’d have toed off her shoes, flung them aside, gotten naked, and rushed to the sex part. She was impulsive and fast, while he was slow and methodical, and even though she’d have thought this would have been dull, it was having quite the opposite effect. He carefully undid the button of her cutoff shorts and slowly unzipped them, tapped her thigh for her to lift up a little, and then slowly—agonizingly slowly—slipped the shorts down her legs, his eyes staying on hers the whole time. He folded her shorts and placed them on top of his. Then he slid his warm palms up her torso and her braless breasts, taking the shirt with him. She lifted her arms and he finished removing it. Again he set it aside carefully.

Everything neat and controlled. She should’ve been bored. She should’ve been anxious at his lack of speed. Instead, the way he looked at her, the way his hands skimmed her body, his breath close to her skin, the slowness of it—it was making her desperate for more. He lifted one of her legs, rubbed the sole of her foot, and then lightly trailed kisses along her leg and inner thigh. He repeated the move with the other leg, never touching the place she needed him to touch most. The process took forever! By the time he finished giving attention to her legs and carefully admiring all her tattoos, he straddled her thighs. His very hard cock twitched with need on her stomach. She couldn’t take her eyes off it, though he didn’t seem to care he was naked. On her. Hard. Pre-cum leaking onto her belly was a sure sign he needed to be touched as much as she did. Instead he placed his palms flat on her stomach and caressed upward to her breasts and her neck, down her shoulders, and along her arms. His warm, tanned skin over her overly sensitized body had her writhing underneath him.

He took one hand in his and kissed each finger, then repeated the action with the other hand. He leaned forward, careful not to put too much weight on her, and placed her hands above her head. “Keep them there, okay?” His voice was a deep whisper. All she could do was nod, her heart pounding in her chest, and she had to squeeze her thighs together in need. Still straddling her thighs, he ran his palm up her torso through the valley between her breasts and to her neck, his thumb placing a little pressure on her pulse, which was beating wildly. It was possessive and dangerous, and for a split second she thought she’d panic.

He must have sensed this, for he commanded gently, “Look at me.”

She focused her eyes on his.

“Would I ever hurt you, baby?” He shifted his thumb from her pulse by her throat to her cheek, the place she loved to be touched—his touch there a soothing affection she’d never known she wanted, but now she craved. She closed her eyes and pressed closer to his touch. His thumb moved across her lower lip and then he slipped it inside her mouth. She sucked it until he took it out and ran his wet thumb down her torso and right into her plain white cotton panties.

“Oh!” she moaned when he barely touched her clit, just a feather-light graze by his finger. He pulled his thumb out and then put it in his mouth. Everything for the next half hour went more or less the same. He barely moved; his cock looked angry and needy against her stomach. But he was controlled and serious as he touched her lightly and sensually until she didn’t know whether she could handle it any longer. Every time she moved her arms, he stopped, and she would put them back up without any words needing to be spoken. The only sounds were their heartbeats and her whimpers. At some point, when every single nerve ending in her body was alight, he stood and slowly took off her panties, setting them aside with the rest of their neatly piled clothes. He returned to the bed and pushed her legs apart. “You ready for me?”

She wanted to yell: Yes! But the words stuck deep in her throat and all she could do was nod. He guided his cock into her while spreading her thighs further apart. He was in so deep—so damn deep—she had to close her eyes and exhale. “Okay?” he asked, and she nodded because she was feeling way too many things, most of which were not physical. He moved in and out at a languorous speed that was making her crazy. Slowly he released her thighs and moved his body down, hands by her head, and hastened the speed. She hadn’t had sex this way—ever. Having a man on her this way made her anxious, and even though she knew he wouldn’t hurt her, she was beginning to feel nervous. He must’ve noticed it, though, and before she knew what was happening he had flipped her over so that she was on top. “Better?” The fact that he could read her so well after such a short time made her heart soar.

“No.” She shook her head. “No, I want you to make love to me. I want to try your way.”

His expression softened even further. He flipped them once again and put even more of his body on hers, while caressing her cheek just the way she liked it. He pumped into her while softly speaking sweet words. “You’re beautiful, Jamie Lynn. I’d never hurt you.” He gazed into her eyes. “You have all the control. Don’t be scared. Get everything out of your mind, sweetheart. I’m here with you.”

He continued to move in her and touch her cheek and kiss her neck. “Never felt this way,” he said. “Never knew it could be this way.”

When she didn’t think she could take it anymore, he moved one hand down, lifting her thigh higher and gripping her hip tightly, but the thumb on her cheek and his soft melodic words remained while her orgasm began to build and build, until she felt as if she was floating above her body. The pleasure was like nothing she’d ever experienced. She was too far away in a world where only ecstasy lived to take notice of the words he grunted and the warmth that she felt deep within her when he thrust into her one last time as he came.

His body had a sheen of sweat and his breathing was erratic. Still inside her, he turned them around so that she lay flat on top of him. “Didn’t want to smother you, but I wasn’t ready to let go,” he admitted.

Everything felt perfect. Sunshine and butterflies floated above her in this world where maybe the poor girl from the wrong side of the tracks would get a happily-ever-after. She felt as though she was in a bubble of euphoria that she never wanted to leave. He ran a finger caressingly up and down her spine and kissed her neck and shoulder.

“You, Pretty Boy, give good missionary.”

He chuckled into her skin. “It’s not the position, sweetheart, it’s us. We’re good together. Can’t you see it? Feel it?”

She rested her chin on his chest and looked up at him, “I can. It’s pretty intense.”

He smiled back and kissed her nose as he shifted to leave the bed. As soon as he pulled out, she felt the wetness run down her leg.

“Enzo!” She sat up. “You didn’t use a condom.”

He didn’t seem to process it immediately and just looked at her. Then he began to murmur something in Portuguese that didn’t help calm her nerves at all. She jumped off the bed, pushed him aside, and went to the bathroom to wash up. It had been great. Perfect, really. But not let’s-make-little-babies-together perfect.

The bubble burst.

Exploded was more like it.