AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Good evening,” Bailey said, walking around her and off down the main street.
“If you don’t wantthat woman, then I’ll take her.”
Joe was still trying to process what Bailey had just said to Mary Howard, right here on the main street of Ryker. The verbal battles he’d had with the woman had always been conducted in private. People knew, but he rarely let anyone else get involved—but now Bailey had laid it all out there. He should be pissed, but what he felt was a steady build of heat in his chest.
“What?” He looked at Fin.
“Are you going to just stand there like an idiot, or go thank her for defending your honor?”
Joe looked down the road to where Bailey was fast disappearing. He started running. Dodging around people, some of whom called out to him. Ignoring them, he caught her at the end of the street. Grabbing her hand, he pulled her into a shop doorway.
“Bailey.” Her name was a sigh. “God, Bailey.” He touched her chin, lifting her eyes to meet his. He then kissed her until he couldn’t breathe. When they came up for air, Joe’s hands were in her hair, his body pressed into hers. Their breath mingled as both tried to inhale.
“J-Joe.” She looked and sounded a bit dazed.
“Thank you.”
“Sh-she’s a horrible woman.”
“No arguing here,” he whispered against her lips, before leaning in for another kiss. This one was gentle, a soft brush and nip of her bottom lip.
“I know how hard that was for you to do... both of those speeches, Bailey. The one in the hall, and the one outside it. That you did so in support of me makes me feel like I could scale the tallest mountain—twice, about now.”
“I’m not sure how that happened. I mean, the hall thing that had to be said. Those people are wrong, Joe, in thinking only those children who have nothing or come from abusive families need a rec center.”
“I know, baby.”
“I had to speak up then. Someone had to say it.”
“You did, and we got the vote, and to my mind part of that is down to what you said.”
“I’m glad.” Her smile was sweet. “Glad that those kids will have a place to go instead of a cave in the side of a hill.”
He snorted. “I liked our cave.”
“Me too.”
Joe pushed hair from her cheek, then slid his hand around the back of her neck and hauled her closer. She rested her cheek on his chest. It felt so right, it should have scared him.
“While I don’t like the idea of Mary Howard having you in her sights, it felt surprisingly awesome to hear you tell her she needs to have whatever is lodged up her ass surgically removed.”
“I can’t believe I said that.” Bailey pressed her forehead into him, moaning. “I don’t lose control, Joe, but I just did, and people saw.”
“You did, and it was a nice touch. It’s fair to say no one will mess with you now—or me, for that matter.”
“I’m glad you find it funny.” She looked up at him again.
“Not funny, baby. It felt amazing, wonderful, and several other words I can’t think of right now, but I’m sure they’ll come to me.”
“What’s the deal with that woman and you, Joe?”
Joe couldn’t seem to keep his hands from moving over Bailey. Stroking her hair, touching her cheek; he needed the contact, but only with her.
“Her son and I used to run together as children. He broke into a store one night, and stole money and supplies, and she blamed me, even though I wasn’t there. Jay was then sent away to military school and has never returned. My guess is she blames me for all of it.”
“What a foolish woman.”
“So, you think I’m a wonderful man?”
