Alamo

The next morning, I was in my shop when Jasmine’s sister pulled her Volvo up to one of the open bays. I made my way to her open window and leaned down. “Hey, Jules.”

She sighed. “Hi, Alamo. Thank you so much for taking a look for me.”

“No problem. Go ahead and lock up and I’ll have you fill out some paperwork in the office.”

Juliet nodded and did as I asked, then followed me inside. I handed her a clipboard and a pen just as I saw Simon pull into the parking lot. Juliet signed the paperwork and set it down with a smile. “I think that’s everything.”

“I’ll have a look at it and call you with what I find,” I promised.

“Thank you.”

Simon walked in with a grin and wrapped an arm around his wife’s waist, kissing her cheek. “You didn’t wait for me, sweetheart.”

Juliet’s cheeks reddened, and she leaned into him. “Sorry. I couldn’t stand it anymore. It’s driving me crazy.”

“You’re all set,” I said, breaking their moment when I handed her copies of her paperwork.

“Thanks, Alamo.”

The couple left the shop and I went about trying to figure out what was causing the rattle.

* * *

Four hours later, Juliet’s car was fixed (loose wiring mechanism in the dashboard which required a full disassemble in order to find the fuckin’ issue), and I was headed out.

I was workin’ in Dalton’s shop for the rest of the week, so Shutter was running my store while I was gone. I had other, more pressing, things to deal with at the moment, however, so I climbed onto my bike and took off.

* * *

Jasmine

“Are you serious?” I asked, my stomach roiling.

“Sorry, baby, I am,” Alamo said.

He’d just informed me he’d be staying at the compound for the next two nights, ergo, I wouldn’t see him until late Friday afternoon.

“Are we okay?”

“Yeah, why would you think otherwise?”

“Because you’ve been a little distant and now I won’t see you for three days—”

“Two.”

“Fifty-four hours,” I countered.

He chuckled. “Your skill with numbers is a little scary.”

“I’ve been told that before,” I grumbled.

“But in answer to your question, we are fine. This has nothing to do with you or us. Just shit I need to take care of.” Alamo sighed. “It’s not like I’m happy about this either, Jasmine.”

“I know.” I bit my lip. “I’m sorry. I’m just frustrated.”

“I get it.”

“Maybe I’ll stay with Parker.”

“How come?”

“I don’t know if I can sleep in my bed without you now,” I said, somewhat pathetically.

“Fuck, baby, you’re killin’ me.”

“How badly?” I challenged. “Enough to come home tonight?”

“No.”

“Okay, then I’m going to stay at Parker’s.”

“That’s fine, but make sure you check in with Shadow whenever you go anywhere.”

“I will,” I promised. “You have Parker’s address, right?”

“Yeah, why?”

“Just in case you finish sooner and want to sneak into my bed.”

“Baby,” he said with a chuckle. “God damn, you’re cute.”

“I’m not trying to be cute, but thank you.”

“Gotta go, Firefly. I’ll call you later.”

“Okay, honey.”

He hung up and I dropped my phone on the kitchen counter. I tried to hear what he was saying (that his distance had nothing to do with me or us), because I didn’t want to be one of those people who didn’t take people at their word, not to mention, Alamo had never lied to me. But he was acting a little weird, and I wish I knew why.

I sighed, putting my morose thoughts aside, and called Parker. She had some client files to go over, but said I could come anytime as long as I promised to keep Scruffy from killing her.

“Shit. I forgot about Scruffy.”

“Wow, you must really be in love if you’re forgetting about Satan.”

“I am totally besotted with the mean, mean man.”

She giggled. “Yes, he’s a beast.”

I groaned. “I suppose I should put on my big girl panties and just stay home. It won’t kill me.”

“There’s the spirit,” she said. “Up to you, Jazz. I do have to go, though. I’m slammed.”

“Okay, honey.”

“Text me if something changes,” she said, and hung up.

I leaned across the counter and stared at Scruffy who had raised his head to glare at me.

“I’m sorry I forgot you,” I said. “And in case you care, I’m staying home.”

“Meow.”

I fired off a text to Alamo to let him know I was staying put, then found an old movie and settled in for a long, lonely night.

* * *

Thursday afternoon, I was moping around the salon. The client who had been scheduled for just after lunch canceled, which meant I had three hours to kill before my next appointment.

And this meant, I had time to execute a plan.

Stopping by the café, I grabbed lunch for two, and then headed to the BMW dealership. I hoped Alamo was both there, and happy to see me. Walking into the waiting area of the shop, I saw Alamo in the office, his head bowed over what looked like paperwork. I started toward him when I heard, “Ma’am, can I help you?”

I turned to the pretty blonde standing behind the counter and smiled. “I’m here to see Alamo, actually.”

“He’s busy.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Pretty sure he’ll make himself un-busy if he knows I’m here.”

She stared me down... legit stared me down... then straightened her shoulders and forced a smile before walking through a coded back door and into Alamo’s office. He raised his head then turned it to me and smiled before turning back to Blondie.

Whatever he was saying to her was taking way too much time. I had a brief moment of panic thinking he might refuse to see me, but then he stood and waved me in, and I forced myself not to grin in triumph at Blondie the Trollop.

After she opened the door for me, I headed into the office. Alamo met me, leaning down to kiss me. “Hey, baby. Whatya doin’ here?”

I held up the plastic bags full of food. “I brought lunch. I hope that’s okay.”

“No clients?”

“Cancellation.” I cocked my head. “Honey, is it okay that I’m here?”

“Yeah, baby. Just don’t have a whole lot of time.”

“Well, you have to eat, and I needed to get eyes on you, so...”

He chuckled. “I like your thought pattern, Firefly.”

“You mean my stalking tendencies?”

“Those too.” He closed the door and cleared off a space on his desk for the food. “How you doin’?”

“Not sleeping,” I said, pulling burgers from the bags. “You?”

“Same.”

“Really?”

He chuckled. “Baby, I love wrapping my arms around you at night and being able to kiss you when you snore to get you to stop.”

“I do not snore.”

“It’s cute you think that.” He bit into his burger with a grin.

“Who’s the trollop?”

“Which trollop?”

“Blondie out there.”

“Mandi? She’s not a trollop.”

“Her name’s Mandi. Of course she’s a trollop... I bet it’s Mandi with an ‘I.’ She probably even dots the I with a heart over it.”

Alamo dropped his head back and laughed. “Holy shit, Jasmine, warn me when you’re gonna go all bat-shit on me.”

“I’m not crazy, Mo. She’s all hot for you. She probably has to change her panties twelve times a day when you’re working.”

He lowered his burger. “Jasmine.”

“What?”

“Are you jealous?”

“Stupidly, yes. A little bit.”

“You know I’m all in, right?”

“Of course I know that, but I still get a little insecure when my magic pussy is kept from your dick,” I ground out. “It’s not that I think you’ll do anything with anyone, I just miss you.”

“Fuck me, you’re gorgeous.”

“I’m horny, is what I am.”

“I hear ya,” he said. “I’ll be in your bed tomorrow night.”

I sighed. “Good.”

“Eat.”

We finished our lunch and then it was time for me to go. Alamo gave me a chaste hug, which pissed me off a little, so I pulled him closer and felt plastic, then heard him hiss.

“Ohmigod, Mo, are you hurt?”

“It’s nothin’.”

“Let me look.”

“No,” he said, and settled his hand on my back to push me out of his office. “It’s fine.”

I frowned. “Why are you acting so weird?”

“I’ll tell you everything tomorrow.”

“I’m not planning on us talking much,” I countered.

He kissed me quickly. “I’ll tell you in between fucking you.”

“Valen—”

“Baby, seriously, I’ve gotta get back to work.” He turned me to face him, smiling and leaning down to kiss me again. “Thanks for lunch.”

“Are you being safe?”

“Yeah.”

“Then what got you hurt?”

“Swear to Christ, baby, you keep pickin’ at me, we’re gonna have a fight over nothin’.”

I spun on him. “If we fight, it won’t be over nothing.”

He squeezed his eyes shut for a second, then looked at me again. “Jasmine, tomorrow you’re gonna know everything. Can you just be patient? Please?”

I grimaced. “Is it that bad?”

“There’s nothing bad,” he ground out. “Go back to the salon, baby.”

“I don’t like it when you’re all secretive and shit.”

“You’ll like tomorrow, I promise.”

“Mo—”

“Jasmine, go.”

I sighed. “Fine. I’ll go. But tomorrow, you better make it up to me.”

“I will. I promise.” He leaned down and kissed me again, then smacked my ass hard enough I’d remember it in the morning.

* * *

Friday night, I waved to Lindy and Marcus, and headed to my car. We were done. Ready to mass produce and sell. I had appointments set up with distributors at the end of the month, and provided they picked the product up, my life’s work (to date) would be released into the world.

As I approached my car, I forced myself not to do a happy dance. Alamo was leaning against the hood, his head down, focused on his phone. I took a second to study him before he met my eyes and smiled.

“Hi,” I rasped, closing the distance between us.

“Hey, Firefly.” He reached out and pulled me up against him, his mouth covering mine. Dropping his forehead to mine, he smiled. “Fuck, I’ve missed you.”

I nodded. “Me too.”

“Gonna take you home and fuck you now.”

“Yes, please.” He held out his hand and I dropped my keys into his palm. “Where’s your truck?”

“Couple of the recruits dropped it off at your place so I could drive you,” he said as he started my car.

“I’ll bake them cookies.”

Alamo laughed. “I’m sure they’ll like that.”

We drove in virtual silence, my heart racing partly in anticipation, and partly because I still felt a little off-kilter by our distance. I knew he was going to fill me in, but I waffled between wanting to know and wanting to be kept blissfully in the dark.

Alamo parked the car, and I led him into my condo. “You okay?” he asked.

“I’m nervous for some reason,” I admitted.

He chuckled, sliding his cut off, dropping it onto the sofa. “I’m gonna show you somethin’.”

I grinned. “Bet you say that to all the girls.”

Reaching behind his neck, he pulled off his shirt and I frowned. A black piece of plastic was taped to his chest and I wasn’t sure what he was trying to show me.

I gasped. “You are hurt.”

“Not hurt, baby,” he said, as he peeled the tape away, revealing a brand-new tattoo.

It took me a second to register what I was looking at, and then the dam burst, and tears leaked down my cheeks. A firefly (its wings forming a heart) sat right over his heart. “Mo.”

He cupped my cheeks, wiping my tears with his thumbs. “I love you, Jasmine. Needed a way to make you see how much. I never want you to doubt it.”

“Ohmigod,” I whispered.

“Do you like it?”

I nodded. “This is why you were so secretive. Ohmigod, I’m so sorry I thought you were doing something shady.”

Alamo smiled. “Let this be your lesson.”

I rolled my eyes. “Can I touch it?”

“It’s still a little tender... so, let’s put a pin in that.” He reattached the bandage and I wrapped my arms around his waist.

“You’re always surprising me.”

“Good.”

“I love you.”

“Love you too, baby,” he said, and leaned down to kiss me again.

“Can you do something for me?”

“Anything.”

“No more keeping me in the dark, even for a good surprise... at least to the point of you not being in my bed at night.”

He grinned. “I can do that.”

“Thank you,” I said. “Now, are you going to fuck me or feed me?”

“Fuck you, then feed you,” he said, kissing me again, lifting me so I could wrap my legs around his waist.

Mindful of his tattoo, I attacked his mouth as he carried me down the hallway. I could not get enough of his tongue and couldn’t wait for it to be on my pussy. But that could wait.

Closing us into my bedroom, he set me on my feet and divested me of my clothing. Once we were both naked, I pushed him onto the mattress where I slid my hand down his length, covering the tip with my mouth, soaking his cock with my saliva before straddling him. Then I raised my hips and anchored myself on his thighs, impaling myself slowly.

“Fuck, you’re perfect.” Alamo thrust up hard, pushing me forward, his hands cupping my breasts, then palming them roughly. “I love how hard your nipples get while your magically tight little pussy grips my cock.”

“Me too.” I dropped my head back while he held my hips and drove into me. Riding him thrust for thrust, I mewed with need. “Mo!”

“Wait, baby,” he demanded, pinching a nipple.

“I can’t.”

He grabbed my thighs and thrust up again.

“Mo, get there,” I begged.

One of his hands left my breast and slid between my legs and I knew he was close. Within seconds, his thumb landed on my clit and I exploded, falling over him as his cock pulsed inside of me.

“Fuck!” he breathed out, kissing me deeply before gently pulling out of me. “Perfect.”

I smiled. “Yes, yes you are.”

Alamo slid off the bed and headed into the bathroom just as my phone rang. I groaned. It was my mother. Impeccable timing as always.

“Hi, Mom.”

“Hey, honey. Long time no hear.”

“I know, I’m sorry. I’ve been slammed.” I sat up and smiled at Alamo who flopped on the bed beside me. “What’s up?”

“Daddy and I would like you to bring your man to dinner on Sunday.”

“Jules spilled her guts, huh?”

“No, it was actually your brother.”

“What? Seriously?”

“Very unlike him, yes,” she said, reading my mind. “But true all the same.”

“If you feel anything like Jared, Mom, I’m not bringing him.”

“What are you talking about?” she asked.

I gave her the Reader’s Digest version of Jared’s little ‘talk,’ skipping the subsequent visit between him and Alamo. My mom said nothing until I was done, and then she sighed.

“What does that mean?” I demanded.

“Your brother’s an idiot. Don’t get me wrong, I love him, he’s my first born, but he’s a moron. I’m not going to get in the middle of it with you two, but I will say, we have never thought less of anyone for any reason. It’s all about how those people treat our babies. And, yes, maybe Daddy’s gonna want to have a conversation because he’s your dad, but he won’t judge Alamo without getting to know him first.”

“Well, that’s good, then. Because, I swear, Mom, I might kick Jared in the ding-dong on Sunday. Just warning you.”

“I’ll look away, honey,” she promised. “Six?”

“Wait,” I said. “I need to find out if he can make it. I can’t just make a decision for him without talking to him first.”

“I have faith in your powers of persuasion, baby girl. We’ll see you both on Sunday.”

Then she hung up without a goodbye, and I faced Alamo. “Dinner with my family on Sunday?”

“Sounds good, Firefly.”

“Ohmigod, seriously?”

“Yeah, baby. I’m kinda in this...” he pointed to his tattoo, “... so dinner with your parents is the inevitable next step.”

I groaned. “I guess.”

“You don’t want this to happen?” he asked.

“Not because of you,” I rushed to say. “My dad’s going to be extra... well, fatherly.”

“I get it, baby.”

“You haven’t met my Dad.”

He tugged me down on top of him. “All in, Jasmine, remember? Nothin’ your dad says to me is going to change that.”

I sighed. “I hear you. I don’t know why I’m so freaked. He won’t be like Jared.”

He chuckled. “Me neither.”

“Sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry,” he said. “We’re in this together. I got your back.”

I grinned, kissing him. “I know you do.”

“Good. Family get-together on Saturday night, so you’ll get a chance to hang with Quin and Kinsey and get grilled by them.”

“Can’t wait.” I smiled. “Jules said you found the rattle in her car. Well done.”

“Yeah, had to pull the dash apart, but I found it.”

“Was she bossy?”

“No.” He raised an eyebrow. “Why would you think she was bossy?”

“Because she’s bossy. Sometimes I worry about Simon, because he’s so... sweet.”

Alamo dropped his head back and laughed.

“What’s so funny?” I demanded.

He met my eyes and stroked my cheek. “Watch them next time you see them. Simon’s most definitely the alpha in that relationship.”

“What? There’s no way.”

“Watch them and then decide,” he said, kissing me quickly. “Okay, I’m gonna feed you now.”

“That’d be appreciated.”

Alamo headed to the kitchen while I cleaned up, then dealt with Scruffy. The rest of the evening was pretty low-key, but still no less perfect.