Keeping You: KJ Elite Inc. (7 page)

Jamie gasped and threw one hand to her chest and the other started pulling at the hem. Which was funny because it was already down to her knees.

I grabbed her hands again and looked in her eyes.

“It’s fine. I’m just pickin’ on you. Don’t even think about taking it off. There are few things in this world that are sexier than a woman wearing her man’s clothes.”

Jamie’s eyes blazed and it occurred to me that I’d declared myself her man. Not that it bothered me but I didn’t really give her a choice in the matter. I didn’t really plan on it either, but she really needed the chance to get to know me more so she understood me and how I did things: Take, don’t ask and don’t apologize. The man she’s getting now is patient and caring – something I’ve never been with women before. She brings it out in me but eventually she will meet the real me who can be a total dick and doesn’t ask for permission. I’m only praying that both versions learn to live cohesively because she deserves the caring and patient side.

Life is too short to worry about what other’s think. Except for Jamie. What she thinks means everything to me.

Great, now I sound like a whiny bitch.

I pulled one of my arms up to run a hand through my hair, quickly, and she flinched back.

“Please, please, don’t flinch like that with me. I will never lift my hand to you. The only smackin’ you’ll ever see me do, is on my brothers’ backs or your ass.”

She shivers but doesn’t acknowledge my slip of the tongue. I won’t lie, a small part of me was hoping she would strip and ask for a demonstration.

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t ever apologize to me, either. I get it. Let’s work on it, together, okay?”

Jamie nodded and moved to pick up her plate.

“Don’t even think about it.”

Her wry smile slid over those delectable lips, making me right pissed that I couldn’t set her up on the center-island and lick all of the syrup and powdered sugar flavor off of them. I’m gonna have to remember that for when she gives into what we have. Like I could forget a second of her existence.

What we will have. There is no doubt in my mind that Jamie is mine and I’ll go as far as I need to, to make her know it, too.

“If you need to, grab a shower and then throw some clothes on. We have a date.”

She blushed and disappeared up the stairs.

Thank the Lord above, she left; otherwise, she was bound to notice that my very loose fitting pajama pants were tenting out in the front. Suddenly, I’m fifteen again.

Great.

And it’s at that moment that Matt walks into the kitchen, or rather, hobbles.

He stops abruptly as he sees me starting to adjust myself.

“Don’t ask.” I grumble.

“Oh, I wasn’t going to. I was only going to say that if you touch her with that thing or hurt her, I’ll snap it off.” Matt smiled wide, flashing his teeth and the message was received.

“Don’t worry. I just made her leave so she wouldn’t see me like this. Bad enough she already saw me in the shower.”

Matt whistled and I glowered.

“I’m not worried – it’s your dick at risk.” He laughed and started making bowl of cereal, back to me before asking, “So does she know?”

“That’s a very wide net.”

“You.Shower.Leg.” His head bobbed left and right with each word while my heart stopped.

“How?”

“Don’t worry. I haven’t said anything to anyone and I won’t. I get it. I see your limp and I got some friends.”

We nodded at each other and silently took care of our business without acknowledging one another again. Our relationship was more of an acquaintance. For very childish reasons of my own. But as far as my own shortcomings, I wasn’t exactly in a hurry to talk about it with him or anyone. Especially with Jamie just upstairs. But fuck me, if he could tell, who else wasn’t I fooling?

A half hour later found us walking up to my mother’s house. She and Mrs. Vic were waiting for us, so they could “love on” Jamie and spoil her. In southern mother speak that means fatten her up. If they can’t do it, no one can.

“What if they don’t like me? I’ve been called some awful things in my career.” She asked, nervous as hell.

“Sugar, relax. They already know you and they already love you. Every time you ever met Mrs. Vic she came home and told Ma all about you. Just take a deep breath. Oh, and jump around a little. You gotta make some room in your stomach.”

She started to ask me what I meant when the back door flung open and we were accosted by mother hens abound. Well, she was accosted; I was completely ignored minus the jab in my gut as they flanked her and swept her inside.

At least they left the door open so I could come in; that was something. Once inside, I hefted myself up on the counter and out of the way.

“So tell us, baby, what do you like to eat?” Ma asked her, pushing Jamie down into a bar stool on the opposite side of the island.

The kitchen was done in all oak cabinets and white appliances. The décor was “crafty”. Whatever ma fancied to make with whatever fabric or print or bead or whatever, it was in here. She loved the arts and was always keeping herself busy with a new project which really was remarkable considering how much time she spent cooking and cleaning and being with Mrs. Vic. Bless mama’s heart she wanted her artsy side to rub off on even just one of us, but instead she got 4 military men. All damn good ranchers to boot, like our pa.

“Uh…” Jamie was really nervous, but not scared like she normally was. Maybe that’s because there weren’t any strange men around?

“She already had a loaf of french-toast and some bacon.” I piped up, fiddling with some new project ma left on the counter.

“Put that down.” She admonished me before turning back to Jamie. “You like milk, baby? Son, get her a glass of milk, would you?”

They both sprang into action without waiting for a reply. Jamie nibbled her cheek and looked around.

“You have a lovely home.” Her eyes were opening more and more, in intrigue. She honestly liked what ma did with the place. It wasn’t shabby or cluttered, but artistic and bright, homely and warm. Growing up here was nothing short of the best and it once again hit me like I drank sour milk; I’d give anything for Jamie to have grown up somewhere like I did. I’d even give up my spot in this house, take her place in hell if I could meet her again in that life.

Jamie might not see it, but she’s a survivor and she
is
strong.

For two hours, ma and Mrs. Vic baked, told stories, shared pictures and recipes, fed Jamie and laughed. They laughed so much, they cried and they even brought Jamie out of her shell, if only temporarily. While they all kept each other company, I got off the counter and stepped out the back door to make a call.

“Luke-almighty.” He answered, a smile in his voice.

“You gotta come get my computer and do whatever hoodoo it is you do, do.” I cracked myself up.

“What a pun.” Luke sighed, pretending to be off-put.

He could shove it, I’m hilarious.

“What’s going on now? I told you to lay off the porn sites.”

“Funny you’d say that since I haven’t been the one in possession of my laptop in over a week. And that’s just sad, Luke. You’re a good lookin’ sumbitch, you get it from me, of course. Just get off the computer and walk into town – that place where the people are. I’m sure you can find some willing…”

He cuts me off choking.

“You gonna talk like that with ma right behind you?”

He knows I’ll whirl around and probably hurt myself but I do and he laughs. “Dick.”

“Seriously though – what’s the issue?” I hear him slurp up his coffee over the line.

“Jamie got this email and there’s no information. I figure since anything with a power button is your kind of thing, you might could get something from it?” I try to sound casual but he knows better.

“What are you thinkin’ Noah? Tay and TJ just left… if it isn’t safe for them to be on their own, we need to be trackin’ em’.”

“I don’t think they’re the target, to be honest.” Looking around I spot a clump of dirt and give it a little kick. “You’ll see what I mean. Plus, you can’t tell me you ain’t trackin’ em’ anyways.”

“I don’t need your computer, I can log into her account and check it out.”

That’s what I thought.

“You can do that?”

“You question my abilities?” He scoffs.

“Not today. Let me know, and check the feed, too.”

“Asta.”

We hang up and I give the farm a good once over. My spidey sense is tingling and that is never a good thing. I believe in my training and I believe my senses – someone is out there. The question is, do they belong out there and do they know I know they’re out there. For the sake of ease, hopefully they’re none the wiser. I don’t actually think they’re on the property but “out there” in general. We can only keep Jamie here for so long.

Or so Taylor says. She mustn’t remember how stubborn I am.

Kidnapping isn’t exactly my style but I’m not really above it, either. Not if it benefits me in the long run.

Taking another trip around the farm with my peepers, I adjust my leg and head back inside.

Another system failure is not acceptable.

* * *

I was supposed to be finding the bathroom, so naturally I creeped into the room with a sign over the door that read “Noah”. As the door opens, you’re hit with the distinct scent of the man weaseling his way under my wall; Wood, some kind of oil and spearmint tobacco. The combination sounds odd but it’s delectable and sinfully sexy on him. I’ve never seen him “dip” as they call it and I really hope he doesn’t smoke because that’s a major turnoff – not like I’d care much when it came to Noah. His room was done up in sports things from his own trophies, medals and framed jersey’s to some team memorabilia here and there. The bed was done in simple white sheets, crimson red and black pillows, topped off by a fluffy comforter; the comforter was likely down and had a black duvet cover donning a large C with some bird in the middle.

I walked over, sat down where I thought he’d lay and fingered the emblem.

“Gamecocks.” A low, sultry voice said.

My cheeks burned knowing I’d been caught.

“What?” The word “Cocks” in particular had me on alert. It wasn’t exactly a word I used in every day conversation. Or ever.

“The team. It’s the South Carolina Gamecocks.” He gave a small laugh but the storm in his eyes was raging ferociously. Noah stood holding the door frame up by his hip.

“Who names a team…that?” I try to hide my face because no matter how dark it is, the blush is drowning me and I’m sure he’d notice it.

Another laugh, then he takes two long strides over to the bed and lays down beside me.

“A gamecock is a bird; a rooster that is pretty fierce. They’re commonly used for cockfighting because they’re so tough. It’s a damn good name for a team if you ask me.”

“Well, I suppose.”

“You know anything about football, Jamie?” Noah turns his head to me and we’re nearly touching at the nose.

“I know it has a ball, but it’s a wussy sport compared to hockey.”

Noah laughed so hard he shook the bed and a tear escaped the corner of his eye.

“It’s true.”

He held up a finger as he attempted to contain himself.

He was failing.

Miserably.

“I just…that’s…I can’t...”

“Alright already.” I lightly backhanded his thigh. My hand pulled back when I noticed how close I was to other body parts.

With lightning speed, Noah reached out and held my hand atop his thigh; he rolled onto his right side and looked into my eyes. “What do you know about Hockey then, sugar?” His voice was raspy and whispered.

A response was escaping me.

His beautiful storm had returned, or never left and for the first time ever in my life, I wanted to dance in the rain.

At the pace of a dead tortoise, I rolled over and moved my face to his, licked my lips and pressed them to his. Noah remained deathly still, eyes opened as I let mine close; it felt like I could better comprehend and sort every feeling, every sensation when our lips touched. My mouth felt like it had been hit with millions of volts, electrocuted and set on fire – though it didn’t hurt. It was the most magnificent feeling that my body had ever encountered.

All the money I had made, love Taylor and Matt had given me, being on my own and leaving my past in the dust never even skimmed the surface of how I felt right in this moment.

Time stood still, like Noah had. A small part of me wishes I could keep it like this forever, but the rest of me knew that the world would move on whether I liked it or not. I didn’t live in fairy tales; life was a cruel witch and if you didn’t hold on for the ride, you would get left behind.

Noah seemed to finally wake from his comatose state and squeezed my hand before letting go. He moved his hand up to my cheek and tilted his head away from the pillow, giving both of us better access to the other before moving his upper body to hover over me. It was like he wanted to cage me in but there was nothing so dark behind his motives other than him being just as affected as me and needing to get closer, to mesh together.