Stay (5 page)

God knows why he kissed her. Hell, he practically took her against the wall, but the things he did and said to her was to prove a point and to get her out of the office and away from the motel where it wasn’t safe, but the end result was him falling asleep with a rock-hard cock and visions of getting her naked in his head.
Jesus, I need a good fight.
Hart took a walk past the Motel Six and walked into the bar with a horseshoe over the door. Everyone cast a glance in his direction. No doubt Skum had made everyone aware of exactly who he was. He pulled up a stool in front of the bar and waited for the action to begin.

“What are you having, stud?” The waitress looked like she was ridden hard and put away wet.

Yet Hart smiled at her like she was a diamond in the rough. “I’ll have a Devil’s Cut over ice, dollface.”

“Oh, you get a double,” she purred. Two seconds later she was back with his drink. “I hope I’ll be seeing you later.”

Doubtful
, Hart thought but kept it to himself. “You never know, honey.”

She was happy with that and walked away to serve another customer. He could feel the stares and the hair on the back of his neck rose. But nothing happened for a while. He drank another Devil’s Cut and another followed. A good buzz and a good fight would put Crystal right out of his mind.
Yeah, right
, his subconscious chided. Two more drinks and the voices behind him were getting braver and louder.

“Hey, Skum, is that the guy you beat up in the motel?” someone yelled.

Hart laughed. “Is that what he said? Who has the bruises, me or him?”

One of the men he recognized as a Honeywell deputy came and sat next to him. “You don’t want this, son.”

Hark chuckled. “You’re obviously younger than me and wet behind the ears. I’m not your son.”

“All I’m saying is that you got your kicks in with Skum and now you’re setting up to get yourself killed,” the deputy said conversationally.

“I’m looking at you and thinking ‘where did this kid go wrong’, but from what I’ve seen, you like this life.” Hart took a sip of his drink and then hit the deputy with a cold stare. “You’re going to jail, eventually, and these guys are going to use you like a blowup doll, baby boy. I’m the least of your problems.”

“You think you’re tough, huh? Go ahead and get yourself killed. We’ll clean up afterward,” the deputy said and walked away.

“I think I’ll do that,” Hart muttered and nursed his drink.

The next hand he felt on his shoulder tried to drag him out of his seat.
Finally!
Hart threw back the last few sips of his Devil’s Cut and whirled around. He ducked the arm that threw the first punch and got a good one under the ribs of his attacker. Two big men forcefully restrained him and Skum came up to him with a swagger in his drunken step.

“Here’s what I’m going to do. I’m going to make you bleed,” Skum said. His breath was foul as he got close to Hart’s face. “Then I’m going to find that sweet piece that runs the motel and have a go at her. I’ll make her kid watch so the little bitch knows what a real man likes…for when she’s older.”

In the midst of their laughter, Hart saw red and his anger went from slow burn to inferno. He’d make sure they didn’t lay one finger on Crystal or Kaydee even if he had to kill them all himself. Skum didn’t know the line he crossed but Hart was about to show him. They may have his hands pinned but his feet were free. With a kick to the face, Skum met the sole of Hart’s biker boot and stumbled backward, falling over a table, blood running down his face. From there, it was a straight out brawl—Hart against the rest of them, and he relished it. He fought like a man possessed and gave as good as he got.

When the fighting slowed down, and most men were either on the floor or too tired to continue, he knew that he had at least one cracked rib or maybe a few bruised. He looked at some of the guys lying on the ground and grinned. At least a few of them would be pissing blood for a week. The cops were rushing in just as he was sliding down the wall closest to the bar.

“Dollface, bring me a bottle!” he called out.

“You may want to rethink that since you’re getting locked up,” Sheriff Layton snapped.

“For what? They started it. Ask dollface or anyone who wasn’t fighting.” He grabbed the bottle that she had brought over and took a swig. “But if you’re taking me I’ll be using my one call to speak to my commander and have the military police come down here to get me. I’m sure you’d like to explain all this shit to them.”

“He looks like he needs a hospital,” the deputy standing next to the sheriff said.

“Is that because he’s friends with Crystal? Jim, you better pick a side, son,” Sheriff Layton pointed out.

“I already have,” Jim said calmly. “Now if you tell me to lock him up and it’s without proper medical care and he dies, it will all be in my report and if his family sues an the military police will have an inquiry…well, then…”

Hart grinned. “I like you.”

The waitress spoke up. “Sheriff, he was drinking at the bar and they started it. I saw it all.”

“Take him to the hospital and dump him somewhere,” Sheriff Layton grumbled.

“Yes, sir.” Jim hauled him up.

Hart felt the sharp pain in his ribs bloom. “Well, shit, that hurts.”

“That’s to be expected when someone uses you as a human xylophone,” Jim snapped. He helped Hart out of the bar and into passenger seat of the squad car.

He stuck out his hand as soon as Jim got in on the driver’s side. “I’m Hart. Thanks for the assist.”

“You’re lucky I don’t punch you in the head. You’re also lucky I was working and heard the call and knew about you from Crystal and Lyn,” Jim said angrily. “I’m going to tell you this…”

“Yeah, what?” Hart answered.

“Either you’re an asshole with some kind of idiot death wish or maybe you’re too stupid to understand the meaning of giving a damn.” Jim put the car in gear angrily. “But if you want to be badass and ride off into the sunset, go ahead. But if you leave Crystal and Kaydee in the ashes of your big exit, I’ll shoot you myself. Maybe you should start thinking about someone outside of your own stupid self-destructive behavior. Or, if you want to be the lone cowboy, stop talking and get out of town. We can handle our issues.”

“Is that an order, Deputy?” Hart’s voice was snide.

“No, it’s advice,” Jim answered.

He was silent the rest of the ride and much to Hart’s surprise he stayed at the hospital with him while he was treated. Instead of dropping him off at the motel afterward, he took him to his house where Crystal and Kaydee were staying and set him up in a small mother-in-law suite over the garage. Jim threw him his bag with the pain meds in it and turned to leave the room.

“Can I get a ride to the motel tomorrow? I need to check on my bike,” Hart said.

“I’m picking it up as well as your stuff and bringing it here after my shift. I’ve got another guy watching the motel,” Jim answered.

“Um, okay, I guess. I don’t want to put you out. I really don’t mind staying there,” Hart said.

“You’re not putting us out. This is where I hide my mother-in-law when she’s in town so she doesn’t drive me insane,” Jim said. “Just remember what I said. Life and the people in it are complicated. You’re either part of it or you’re on the outside looking in. Your choice.”

Hart watched as Jim closed the door before opening the bag and taking the pain pills out. He took two without water before lying back on the bed and staring up at the ceiling. The buzz from his drinks had faded long ago so his mind was clear.
Christ,
he thought. He should’ve pushed the bike to the next damn small town instead of stopping in this one. This entire situation, including Crystal, was messing up his basic rule. His subconscious called him a liar once more and goaded him into admitting the truth. Maybe he was looking for more than just a good bar fight and long, open roads. Maybe he was tired of deployments and the changing faces and scenes without something permanent to hold on to. The thoughts swirled in his head until the pain meds kicked in and he fell asleep. Even then, the taste of Crystal’s lips tempted him, and in his dreams she dared him to make a change.

“I can’t believe he started a bar fight,” Crystal moaned, dropping her forehead against the cool tile of the kitchen counter.

“You forgot the part about the hospital and is now currently sleeping off a hangover,” Lyn added.

“Jeez, I let him around Kaydee.” Crystal sighed. “I have the worst luck with men.”

Lyn pushed a mug full of coffee toward Crystal. “I think it’s sweet. He was defending your honor. Jim said from the report that Skum said something about you and Kaydee and Hart went postal and took on like fifteen guys. I think Jim said he broke an arm on one guy and the leg on another.”

“That’s…that’s…” Crystal couldn’t find the words.

“That’s hot,” Lyn finished the sentence. “A guy busting up bodies for you is hot.”

“Lyn!”

Lyn raised an eyebrow. “Tell me you weren’t thinking it.”

“I wasn’t,” Crystal denied.

“Liar.” Lyn took a sip from her own cup. “I’ll pick Kaydee up from preschool on my way home in case you want to go play nurse to the stud upstairs.”

“I do not,” Crystal denied again. “Besides, he’s bandaged and in pain.”

“He has bruised ribs and is a soldier. The man can still work it or he can lie on his back and you do all the work,” her friend said.

“I refuse.”

Lyn kept prodding. “Didn’t you tell me the man can kiss like a dream? Imagine what he can do if both of you are naked.”

“This is not a romance novel. He’s not a man who wants a woman with a kid in tow,” Crystal explained. “He likes his life and being unattached.”

“Maybe that’s because no one ever asked him to,” Lyn commented.

“Asked him what?” Crystal said.

“To stay.” Lyn picked up her workbag and her to-go cup filled with coffee. “I have to meet Mrs. Limburg to change her will for the umpteenth time. I’ll see you this evening. I’ll have Kaydee. Don’t forget we’re going to go get manicures and pedicures and then frozen yogurt.”

“You’re spoiling her,” Crystal commented.

“You can return the favor when Jim and I have some kids,” Lyn replied. “But, seriously, Crystal, if you see something in Hart that you think is worth it then take the plunge. If not, you can do better, but follow your instincts. Not everyone is Liam; many men see the value of an amazing woman and child. See you later.”

“Be safe,” Crystal called as Lyn went out the door.

Did she dare take that step and open herself up again?

Crystal pondered that question all morning. It was around ten when she made Hart a breakfast tray and headed upstairs. She was still torn because it wasn’t just her but her daughter who she had to think about. Her decisions would affect them both. The door to the guest suite was unlocked and she was just going to put his tray down in the small kitchenette and leave. Hart was lying on the sofa wearing only red plaid pajama pants and was barefoot. His ribs were wrapped and he had his forearm over his eyes. He didn’t move so Crystal assumed he was asleep and tried to leave quietly without disturbing him.

“It smells good, whatever it is,” he said without moving.

She stopped. “It’s a veggie omelet, whole wheat toast with honey butter, bacon and sausage. There’s a thermos of coffee.”

“Veggie omelet, whole wheat toast.” He groaned. ‘That sounds kinda gross.

“With honey butter,” she pointed out. “It’s good for you, and you forgot sausage and bacon.”

“That’s a staple in itself.” Hart sat up with a grimace.

“I’ll bring it to you,” she said hurriedly. “Maybe you shouldn’t be moving.”

“This is nothing. Being shot is much worse,” Hart answered.

“You were shot?” Crystal asked.

“In Afghanistan and Iraq. Went back to duty after eight weeks on each,” he said and cleared the coffee table when she came with the tray.

“Well, aren’t you a robot?” she said sarcastically.

“What’s your problem?” Hart asked as he took the plate from the tray. “You got something against soldiers?”

“No, I support the troops. I just wonder why people like you have to wear being shot like it’s some great honor,” Crystal replied.

Hart met her gaze. “It’s more than that.”

Crystal blew out a frustrated breath. “Liam was the same way. He wanted me to ooh and ah over every little nick and cut. When I didn’t do it, he found others who would. He missed out on getting to know Kaydee and watching her grow up. I made him a video of her first steps and he said he would’ve preferred pictures of my boobs.”

“Well, they are very nice breasts,” Hart pointed out.

She gave him a withering look. “I know, they’re mine, but that’s not the point.”

“The point is he was an adrenaline junkie who didn’t know what he had,” he stated flatly and forked a piece of omelet into his mouth.

“One could say the same for you. What was last night about?” Crystal asked. “You could’ve gotten yourself killed.”

“By those guys? Please,” he scoffed.

“You can’t repel bullets. It was a stupid and idiotic move,” Crystal snapped. “I don’t even understand your motivation. What if you’d been stabbed or something?”

“I did it to try and beat you out of my brain,” he replied angrily. “Jesus, woman, do you know what you do to a man? I kissed you and can’t forget it and even before that, shit, you make me want to protect you and Kaydee. I can’t stop feeling things and I figured a good drink and bar fight would cure that.”

“You’d prefer to be beaten half to death instead of having emotions?” Crystal said in disbelief. “Oh, joy, that makes me feel so special.”

“You should. I don’t do home, barbeques, or any shit like that,” Hart said.

“I can’t wait to hear where this is going,” Crystal snorted.

“But I met you and Kaydee and then I started thinking about stuff like that.” Hart sighed. “What is it about you, woman, that makes a man want to put down roots?”

“Give it a few days. It won’t last. Men like you like the thrill of the chase, but it gets old really quickly,” Crystal answered.

“I don’t think so,” Hart said. “In fact, if you come over here I’d probably take you on this sofa right now.”