Dog Days of Summer (21 page)

Thursday night found Jeremiah and Joci sitting in his parents
’ living room, celebrating Eli’s graduation. Eli was Bryce and Angie’s youngest child. The whole family was there, including Gunnar. They were having a great time, laughing with each other and enjoying time together. Joci was really having fun. 

Gunnar, JT, and Ryder spent a lot of time together, laughing and talking. Joci loved watching her son develop the friendship with Jeremiah
’s boys. If things continued to work out with Joci and Jeremiah, they would be brothers.

Gunnar invited JT and Ryder out the following Saturday to listen to the Golden Girls. The crowd was growing. He had also invited Connor, which he had just told Joci this evening. Joci would tell Jeremiah as soon as they had a minute alone with each other. He wasn
’t going to like that at all.

Staci sat down next to Joci and patted her on the knee.

“Looks like you and Jeremiah are doing well. How are you?”

Joci smiled at her.
“I think we’re good.”

Joci looked over at Jeremiah when she said that, and he looked at her at the same time, like he knew she was talking about him. He was standing across the room talking to his dad and Dayton. Joci smiled at him and blushed a little to be caught talking about him.
“We’re really good,” she said.

Joci looked at Staci and blushed. Staci smiled at her and nudged her in the shoulder.
“We’re thrilled, you know. He has never, in all the years I’ve known him, looked so happy. You make him happy, Joci. We’ve all talked about the change in him since you’ve been in his life.”

Joci looked at Staci and furrowed her brows a little.
“Really? He seems the same to me.”

Staci laughed.
“That’s because you’ve been in his life.”

Angie came over and sat by them. Soon they were joined by Erin. They all talked about kids and Joci moving in with Jeremiah. Dayton and Staci
’s daughter, Emily Ann, was expecting her first child in a couple of months. Staci was buzzing about that. The conversation just flowed all evening. Emily had joined them for a while, when she wasn’t hovering over someone or pulling food out for someone, or fussing somewhere along the way. She was thrilled when her family was all together.

Emily looked over at Jeremiah and watched him watching Joci. She smiled at her son, and he caught her looking at him. He smiled back at her, and Emily got up and walked over and hugged Jeremiah.
“I can see you’re crazy for that girl. I love the look on your face when you look at her. You look happy.”

Jeremiah snickered.
“God, Ma. I’m so happy I could bust. I love her crazy.”

Emily looked over at Joci talking to her daughters-in-law and nodded her head.
“What are you going to do about it?”

Jeremiah leaned down close to Emily
’s ear, and said, “Mom, I’m going to marry her and get her pregnant as soon as I can.”

Emily looked at Jeremiah with a smile on her face. She hugged Jeremiah hard and then looked over at Joci again.
“Does she know that?”

Jeremiah
’s brows drew together. “Not yet. I don’t think she wants to have another baby. I’ve brought it up a couple of times, and she gets scared and changes the subject.”

Emily shook her head at her son.
“Don’t you think that’s because she doesn’t want to be a single mother again? Even if you would marry her if she got pregnant, she may not want you to marry her because you have to. She would more than likely only want to get married because you wanted to marry her. The baby could, and should, come after.”

Jeremiah kissed his mom on the side of her head.
“You’re a smart woman, Mom. I didn’t think of it that way. I love you.”

With that, he walked over to where Joci and his sisters-in-law were sitting. He sat on the floor
at Joci’s feet, and they all talked about a variety of topics. It didn’t take long before his brothers all started gathering around. JT, Ryder, and Gunnar followed, and they sat in a circle on the floor and talked for a couple of hours.

In all his years, Jeremiah had never had a moment like this. His brothers had all had these moments, when their respective women came home and got to know the whole family. Jeremiah never had, until now. His heart swelled again as he looked around at the faces of the people he loved and watched them laugh and joke and get to know Joci and Gunnar. Most of them knew Gunnar from his years at the shop, but getting to know him on a more personal level was nice.

Jeremiah and Joci walked into their house a bit after midnight. She was bone tired, but happy as could be. Since Jeremiah had opened up about Lance and why he kept LuAnn around, their relationship had been moving forward at a rapid pace. Joci felt like she understood a little more, and that burning jealousy wasn’t there as much. She was still jealous, but it was more manageable now.

Jeremiah picked her up and walked to the bedroom with her. Joci wrapped her arms around his neck and enjoyed his strength. When he set her down on the bed, his voice was full of emotion.
“Do you know what it does to my heart to watch you enjoy yourself with my family? My chest was so tight all night just watching you, Joci. Just when I thought I wouldn’t—couldn’t love you more, you prove me wrong.”

He leaned down and kissed her, leaving no part of her mouth untouched.

“Take your clothes off. I want to watch you suck my cock.”

Gawd, she loved his…what was it? Domination? Determination? Whatever it was, she loved it. Joci slid off the bed and slowly started taking her clothes off. Jeremiah enjoyed the show. She licked her lips a few times as she shimmied her jeans down her hips. She stepped out of her jeans watching Jeremiah
’s face change from love to lust.

He was lying on the bed watching her. She leaned down and nipped at his cock through his jeans and he groaned loudly. Joci smiled and pulled her t-shirt over her head. She ran her hands up and down his legs, stopping at the juncture between his thighs where there was an impressive bulge in his jeans. She circled her thumbs over the bulge, and he hissed out a breath.

“You better stop teasing me, or I’ll come in my pants and you won’t have any fun.”

Joci looked at him with her sexy, come-fuck-me look.
“I’ll take care of myself.”

Jeremiah closed his eyes. Christ, the thought of watching Joci make herself come almost made him come. He leaned up on his elbows and looked at her.

“Take your panties off and touch yourself,” he said with a ragged voice.

Joci hooked her thumbs in her panties and slid them down her legs. She looked at Jeremiah, and a slow smile spread across her face. She spread her legs a little farther apart and sucked her forefinger into her mouth. She slowly pulled her finger out of her mouth and slid it over her clit. She moaned as she slid her fingers into her wet folds and lightly circled her clit. Then she reached back with her free hand and unhooked her bra. She let it fall down her arms and moved her finger away long enough to let it fall to the floor. She looked at Jeremiah and licked her lips. He started rubbing himself through his jeans.

He undid the button on his jeans and then slid the zipper down. He pushed his jeans down along with his boxer briefs. He made quick work of his t-shirt, and as soon as he was lying there completely naked, he started fisting his cock and pumping his hand up and down the full length. Soooo sexy. Joci licked her lips again and he looked at her with pure lust in his eyes.

“
You’re licking your lips like you can’t wait to get me in your mouth, baby.”

Joci smiled at him.
“Oh yes, I want you in my mouth. In my pussy. In my ass. Everywhere.”

“
Jesus.”

A little moisture formed on the tip of his cock.

“Lick it off,” Jeremiah said through a tight throat.

Joci smiled and leaned over to lick the pre-cum off the tip of his cock. She slid her tongue over the tip and swirled it around a few times. Then, she opened her mouth and took him in. He groaned loudly as she went down on him. He dug his hands into her hair and pushed her head down further on his cock. His breathing was choppy. Fuck, he had to get her off before he went off. He just loved watching her mouth suck his cock. She sucked then, applying pressure on his cock, and he thought he would lose it right then and there.

He quickly sat up and pulled Joci up to straddle him. He pushed her down on him and impaled her with his cock. Joci groaned as he slid inside of her. She looked into his eyes and saw his passion. His love, looking right back at her.

“
Ride me hard, baby. I want to come in you. I need to come in you.”

Joci started riding him. She dropped herself down on him and rode him. He scooted his heels back to his butt so his knees were in the air and raised himself up as Joci was coming down so he could be inside of her all the way. They set their rhythm fast and furious.

This was the best feeling, having Jeremiah inside of her. Making love to him was like nothing before and nothing else she would ever feel again, except with him.

Jeremiah grabbed a breast in each hand and massaged them. He rolled her nipples between his thumb and forefinger, applying pressure, causing Joci to let out a deep sigh.

He watched those stormy gray eyes became clouded with emotion. She loved him. He could see it in her face. He loved the way she looked, the way she felt, the way she made him feel. He continued paying special attention to her breasts, loving the weight of them in his hands.

“
Jeremiah…I’m…close.”

“
Then let go, baby. Come on me.”

Picking up the pace, holding her hip, he thrust into Joci. She cried out his name and stiffened as her orgasm hit and then he let go, spilling into her. Thank God. He didn
’t think he could have lasted any longer.

Joci fell on top of Jeremiah
’s chest, and he quickly wrapped his arms around her to hold her close. He kissed the top of her head every so often while they were both trying to catch their breath.

Joci stood in the closet trying to decide what to wear. She was as nervous as a cat tonight. Jackie, Sandi, and Joci had gone out plenty of times and sang Karaoke, but it had always been always impromptu. This felt staged and planned, and she had butterflies beyond belief. She had even gotten together for lunch with Sandi and Jackie today to practice a little. Jackie and David had a portable Karaoke machine at home. The girls went to the garage and practiced some of the songs they liked to sing. Jackie and Sandi thought she was being silly. But, she didn’t want to embarrass herself, or Jeremiah. Now, what to wear?

“
There you are. What’s up?”

Joci turned to look at Jeremiah standing in the doorway of the closet. God, did he always have to look perfect?

“I don’t know what to wear. I’m nervous,” she said softly.

Jeremiah walked toward her and slid his hand in her hair. As he cupped her head, he leaned down and kissed her softly.

“You could wear a sack and still look perfect, babe. But, maybe I can help.”

Jeremiah walked past her in the closet and pulled a little package off a top shelf. He handed it to her with a smile on his face.

“I bought this for you.”

Joci opened the package and pulled out a beautiful gray blouse. It had capped sleeves and crystals all over the front of it. It buttoned up the front to a low V. Joci
’s cleavage would be front and center. It was a beautiful blouse. The material felt silky and soft in her hands. He just continued to amaze her.

She looked up at Jeremiah and smiled.
“Thank you. It’s just beautiful.”

Joci stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Jeremiah
’s neck. She kissed his lips softly and tenderly. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close. Joci wrapped her arms tighter around his neck and squeezed him tight.

“
I don’t know when you find the time to shop for me, or why you do, but I love that you do it. Thank you, babe.”

Jeremiah squeezed her one more time and pulled his head back to look into her eyes.

“I think about you all the time, Joci. You’re always in my thoughts. When I drive past a store that has something in the window I think you’ll look hot in, which is everything, I stop and get it. It makes me feel good to buy things for you.”

She squeezed him again and turned to jump in the shower. She was still feeling nervous, but not as much as she was before.

At 8:30, they were walking into Purcell’s to meet their friends.

Sandi jumped up and ran over and hugged Joci when she saw them. She said hello to Jeremiah and pulled Joci forward to a group of tables they had pulled together to accommodate their large group. Sandi and Jon, Jackie and David, Gunnar, JT, and Ryder were there. Connor was just walking in, which made Jeremiah scowl. Staci and Dayton, Thomas and Erin, and Jackie and David
’s friends, Tami and Joel, were due to join them as well.

A waitress came and took their drink order. They all sat and talked and were introduced as the rest of their group arrived. Half an hour later, the first
Karaoke singer went up on stage and the show started. Joci needed a few drinks before she could go up there. Her nerves were getting the best of her again. After a few singers had tried their hands, or voices, at singing, the crowd started warming up and having more fun. Of course, the flowing drinks didn’t hurt.

“
Dog? God, that is you. How are you, darling?” a seductive, smoky voice said.

Jeremiah and Joci turned to see a tall brunette standing next to them. Jeremiah
’s jaw was tight. “Debra. I’m good. I’d like you to meet Joci. Joci, this is Debra.”

Debra shook Joci
’s hand and looked her over, head to toe. She looked back at Jeremiah and licked her lips. “Are you taken for the whole night, Dog?”

Joci
’s stomach turned. This must have been one of his past women. She was very pretty, tall, long brunette hair, large breasts. Everything Joci wasn’t. He must have thought she looked hot, or he wouldn’t have been with her. Joci was going to excuse herself to go to the bathroom, but Jeremiah grabbed her hand and held on tight.

“
I’m taken for the rest of my life, Debra.”

Debra looked back at Joci and smirked. She turned her gaze back to Jeremiah and licked her lips again.
“Well, if that changes, you know where you can find me.”

With that, she sauntered away, hips swinging.

Jeremiah leaned over to Joci and kissed her lips. He continued to hold her hand.

“
I’m sorry. I can’t change the past, babe. I didn’t even know you then. If I had, I never would have been with her.”

Joci looked down. How many times was she going to have to encounter this situation? Sandi was sitting on the other side of Joci. She put her arm around Joci and leaned in to whisper in her ear.

“Debra is jealous as hell of you. That has to make you smile, even a little. You are hot, talented, and you have Jeremiah. She doesn’t. Don’t let that bother you, Joci. Remember when I told you about running into a couple of Jon’s former fuck-buddies? It was awful. But, in the end, I have him forever. They don’t.”

Jeremiah looked over at Dayton and David, who were sitting across the table from them. Dayton shrugged his shoulders and David called the waitress over. He spoke to her a minute and she left. A few minutes later, the waitress was back with a tray full of shots. David held a shot up to Joci and winked at her.

“Come on, Joci. I need to hear my girl sing. The Golden Girls need to make their appearance.”

He handed Joci a shot of Goldschlager. Then he gave one shot each to Jackie and Sandi. He passed the tray around and told everyone to take one. He stood up when everyone had a shot in
his or her hand.

“
Over the years, Jon and I have been very fortunate to enjoy the performances of the Golden Girls. Of course, we also each get to sleep with one.” He winked at Jackie and everyone laughed.

“
Tonight, we’re proud to introduce Dog, and the rest of you, to the Golden Girls. You’re in for a treat.”

With that, they all drank up. Joci loved Goldschlager. It tasted like cinnamon. She smiled at Jackie as they both remembered how they got their name, the
“Golden Girls.”

They had been in a
Karaoke bar listening to some pretty awful singers. Joci looked around and saw that not only were they surrounded by bad singers, but Jackie, Joci, and Sandi were the oldest women in the bar. They started laughing about that. Joci had ordered a round of Goldschlager and that’s when it hit her. She raised her shot glass to Jackie and Sandi, and said, “I hereby dub thee the ‘Golden Girls.’ ” With that, they drank up and decided to show the youngsters how it was done. That had been how many years ago?

Suddenly
Sandi jumped up, ran over to the DJ, and wrote something down. Joci assumed it was the songs they were going to sing. Jon ordered another round. Joci needed at least three shots before she could find the courage to get up on stage.

The waitress brought the shots, and Jon decided to give his toast.
“Ladies.” He looked at Sandi and winked. He looked at Jackie and raised his shot glass. Then, he looked at Joci and raised his glass a little higher. “Joci, thank you for making my girl so happy over the years. Thank you for being the best friend she could ever have. And thank you for coming out tonight. David and I haven’t heard the Golden Girls sing for a very long time.”

They all raised their glasses and drank them down. Jon leaned down and kissed Sandi in a scorching, hot kiss. Everyone at the table started cheering and catcalling.

Jeremiah leaned over and whispered in Joci’s ear.

“
I’m so excited to hear you sing. It’s hard to wait. I’m jealous that David and Jon have gotten to share you with their girls over the years.”

Joci turned to look at him.
“I know what you mean. I’m a little jealous myself.”

Hurt flashed through Jeremiah
’s eyes. He wanted tonight to be fun for them. He hated that Debra had come over and ruined it. He had only been with her once. She had tried calling and stopping in at the shop a few times afterward. Jeremiah wasn’t interested. He was horny one night and had met her in a bar. That was it for him. He leaned in to tell Joci that.

Just then, a new singer strolled onto the stage. Guess who? Yup, Debra was going to sing. The song
Fighter
by Christina Aguilera started up. The first few lines were speaking. But when the song started, Sandi started giggling.

Debra was drunk…and terrible. Jackie looked at Debra and raised her eyebrows. She turned her gaze to Joci, and they both started giggling. Jeremiah ordered another round of shots, and for the remainder of Debra
’s song, they were busy passing around the shots and talking to each other. Jeremiah raised his shot glass and looked at Joci.

“
I’ve been excited about hearing the Golden Girls sing for a long time now. Thank you all for being here to share this special time with us. I love you, Joci.”

“
Here, here,” was said by all, and the shots were downed.

Gunnar stood up.
“Okay, Mom. You’ve had your three shots. Time to sing.”

Joci looked over at Jackie, who was giggling, and started to stand up. Sandi was already up. They just loved singing for their men. Sandi had told Joci that Jon loved watching her sing so much that when they got home, they were going to burn up the sheets. She was probably more excited about that than the singing. Sandi tugged on Joci
’s arm and pulled her out of her seat. They walked up to the DJ, who nodded to them to go on ahead.

Debra walked off the stage, giving Joci the eye as she passed.

Sandi grabbed the microphone and cleared her throat.

“
We are the Golden Girls.” The crowd cheered, especially their tables at the front. “We’ve requested three songs in a row. We hope you don’t mind. We’ll try and make it worth your while.”

She was smiling at Jon
, who winked back at his wife. Yup, they were going to steam up the sheets when they got home. Jackie and Joci each grabbed a microphone. Then Joci grabbed a guitar, Jackie pulled a keyboard up next to Joci, and Sandi picked up a guitar as well. They were ready to begin. These were fake instruments in case someone really wanted to put on a show.

The first song started, Sheryl Crow
’s
All I Wanna Do
. It was Jackie’s favorite song. Each of the girls sang a verse. They were good. David looked over at Jeremiah, his smile wide.

David leaned forward and said,
“See what we mean?”

Jeremiah nodded. They
were
good. His heart swelled with pride. Gunnar whistled loudly and the girls smiled at their tables. They were enjoying themselves, playing their instruments, and singing with each other. They exchanged looks often, and smiled and winked as they sang.

Once she got into it, Joci had to admit it really was fun. When the song ended, the crowd cheered and clapped. No one clapped louder than the tables there for the Golden Girls. But, the whole bar clapped and whistled and cheered. It helped going up after Debra. She had been pretty awful.

The next song was one they had started singing a couple of years ago. It had become Joci’s theme song. Well, until recently.
Stronger
by Kelly Clarkson started playing. Joci sang the all the solo parts and Jackie and Sandi joined in for the chorus.

They were amazing. Jeremiah couldn
’t take his eyes away from them, from Joci. She could sing! At one point, he looked over at Dayton and Staci. They were staring, mesmerized by Joci. Staci looked over and winked at Jeremiah. He looked back at her and put his fist over his heart. Staci nodded at him and smiled. Gunnar was whistling and jumping up and down. He loved watching his mom sing and enjoy herself. JT and Ryder were impressed. They grinned and whistled. They each were looking between Joci singing and Jeremiah. It was clear on his face that he was so proud of her.

The song ended, and as the girls were getting ready for the next song, Jeremiah caught Conner watching Joci. He could see the love Conner had for Joci; it was written all over his face. Jeremiah had to give him credit though; he never got out of line with her. Jeremiah would put an end to it if he ever did. Gunnar jumped up and took Joci
’s seat next to Jeremiah.

“
She’s really good, isn’t she, Dog?”

Jeremiah wrapped his arm around Gunnar
’s shoulders and pulled him in for a hug. “She’s fucking amazing, Gunnar. I had no idea. She never lets on like she’s anything special. But, boy, she is.”

Gunnar nodded. He had downed a few shots, so his mouth was a little looser than normal.

“Are you going to marry her, Dog?”

Jeremiah smiled at Gunnar. He looked him in the eye.

“I was going to talk to you about that next week. I would like your permission.”

“
Fuck, yeah! I mean, I would love that. She loves you. I can see how much more confidence she has now. And...she’s happy.”