“I cannot with you. Both of you. No wonder it takes four grown-ass women in that place to make sure it doesn’t all burn down to the ground.” Although…it almost did three months ago, so maybe I’m hitting a sore spot.
“Too soon, Doc.” Sledge is right…it probably is too soon.
“Turn back to the compound, Spence. You and me are going to find out just how excited you are to see me naked.”
I scoff. How did this conversation get here?
“You’re both drunk and probably higher than a Georgia pine, so no.”
At the next intersection, just before we get to the Hilton in lower Old Town, I make a U-turn, and this time I drive a little faster than earlier. As much as I love being in the car with Grinder, and as much as I'm trying to ignore his hand still cupping my junk, I need to breathe something other than his intoxicating scent.
“You know, Doc, you should learn to ride a bike. Then you could prospect for us.”
I almost choke on my spit at Sledge’s suggestion. He must be tripping on acid or higher than I originally thought—probably on something harder than weed—because, no. Not happening. Not now, not ever.
“I’ll teach you. You can keep my ass warm with your hard cock.” Oh, good Lord. His hand gives me a final squeeze, then—thank the damn universe—he lets go and turns to Sledge. “I’ll teach Parker, too. I can’t think of anything better than being the meat in a Pah-Kah-Spence sandwich.”
“Fuck all the way off, Grinder. I don’t need to be picturing my sister in any kind of sandwich.” This whole conversation is making me super uncomfortable and also very fucking turned on, which is weird because girlie parts don’t do it for me. They’re just so…not hanging.
“I’m sure y’all can find a way to make a whole bunch of foods sound unappetizing without involving me in it.” I want no part in this crazy shit. None. Lord knows I have enough problems, what with my ex-and-also-dead boyfriend’s cat that’s half deaf and I’m pretty sure blind, too.
That cat is demented and every night before I go to bed, I pray he doesn't end my life with a slash of the claw. I know he wants to.
As I reach the compound, I’m barely in park when Sledge jumps out of the back seat and throws up in the nearest bush.
What is up with these people trying to make my car stink? First Gryffin and his baby poop and now Sledge with his nasty vomiting.
“Why aren’t you turning off the car?” Grinder leans in and his mouth is so fucking close I can taste the liquor lingering on his breath.
“I’m going home. It’s late and I still need to study for my exams.” My power move is dead. I’m supposed to answer with short, decisive answers, but here I am, giving him the story of my life.
“Studying for what?” His tongue peeks out and he licks the edge of my jaw. Why is that hot?
“To be a doctor.” I’m breathless. This is so fucking embarrassing.
“Hmm, then when I call you ‘Doc’ it’ll be for real.” Now his lips are sliding up and down my neck and I’m pretty sure he’s the son of the devil and I’m about to go to Hell and love it.
“Yeah, I guess so.” I close my eyes and imagine all the things he could do to me. The way his hands would explore every inch of me. The way his tongue would taste every piece of me. The way—
“Hurry the fuck up, Grinder. I need help getting to my room.” Saved by the drunk.
“Motherfucker. I’m going to put itching powder in his bed as payback.”
Then he’s gone and all I have left is the ghost of his touch.
Chapter Nine
Parker
Appearances are everything. At least, that’s what my dad tried to instill into me. To some extent, it worked. I have designer clothes, I know how to make myself look respectable in any given situation, and if I try really fucking hard, I can say and do all the right things.I just don’t want to.
The trouble is that both of my parents are dead, and while my dad was amazing, making sure I always had everything I ever needed—albeit via nefarious means—my mum was an addict. She snorted up any inheritance Dad left for me, which would have made this whole finding-my-brother journey a lot easier. I mean, not getting stabbed and having to pay a dodgy doctor almost everything I had would have made this easier too, but here we are.
Unwrapping myself from the thick blanket I acquired from a couple trying to bang on the beach in the early hours of the morning, I stretch out my limbs and roll my neck. The sunrise glittering through the trees is definitely a view I could get used to, and if the weather holds out, I could probably spend my nights here until I can get myself a job and a regular income.
For starters, I don’t know this town well enough to know all of the players, which means pulling any con jobs to get some money puts me in a dangerous position. Not to mention the stabby fuckers from months ago and the dead man in the alley…I need to lay low.
Secondly, this is the town my brother lives in. He and his motorcycle club that I just know aren’t as legit as they look on paper. According to my research, the club has been in this town since forever, so I can only imagine they have some kinda deal with the cops. I don’t wanna fuck that up because I want a big brother.