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I put my hands on her hips, pulling her into my body. “In every size and color you want.”
She giggled. “That would be quite the sight for the checkout person to behold. How about you take me, and I’ll get what I need?”
“You’ve got it. You okay to ride on the back of my motorcycle?” In hindsight, I should’ve brought my truck.
“You have a motorcycle?” The excitement in her voice made me smile.
“Sure do. Hop on.” I’d bought my first Harley in college and used to drive it everywhere. But once I’d returned from my last deployment, I’d spent less time riding. On a nice evening like tonight, though, it felt good to take the bike out. I handed her my extra helmet and fastened my own. I loved the way she put her arms around me and even more the way she squeezed tight and let out a squeal when I revved the engine and took off.
Making Addison happy was my new favorite pastime.
After a short stop at the pharmacy, we headed back to my house. While she was in the bathroom, I grabbed some clothes for her to get comfortable and put them on the guest room bed.
By the time she came out, I had the gas fireplace roaring, the television on, and two beers poured.
She was beautiful with her hair up in a top bun, my T-shirt hanging down to her knees, and baggy sweats.
“How do you feel? Need anything?” I asked.
“I took a hot shower and some more Motrin, so I’m good.”
“You want to watch a movie?”
“Yeah. A movie sounds good.” She checked her phone and sighed.
“Did you hear from your cousin?”
“No. I would’ve thought she’d apologize.” She took a seat on the sofa, and I grabbed her legs to drape them over mine. I liked touching her.
“What happens if she doesn’t apologize?”
“You don’t think she will?”
I rubbed her feet loving when she relaxed with my touch. “Women like Malorie need validation and attention, particularly regarding their looks. Anyone who takes the spotlight away from her is a target of jealousy. I’m sorry she hurt you, but I’m glad you didn’t sit there and take it.”
“We were never close friends, so although it stings, it’s not like having my best friend betray me. She was always my adventurous older cousin, and when she offered to let me move in, well, I jumped at the chance.”
“You can move in with me.”
“Eventually, but for now—”
“Whenever you’re ready, but the invitation is open.” I ran my hands up her legs. “I wouldn’t hate coming home each night and spending more time with you.” This wasn’t a romantic-relationship thing as much as it was a cohabitation thing, I told myself.
“I wouldn’t hate it, either.” She laced her hand with mine and turned them both so she could see the knuckles. “What are these letters on your fingers?”
“The initials of the three men I lost during the last tour.”
Mesmerized, I watched as she lowered her mouth to each knuckle and brushed a feather-light kiss on each one.
“And this with the lightning, when did you get it?” Her fingertips skated up to the ink on my forearm.
“College. It was one of my first. Then I had it built into a sleeve.”
She tugged at my T-shirt, lifting it up over my head and throwing it to the side. Although I’d always taken pride in my ink, I’d never had someone study me the way Addy was.
Her small touches were sweet torture. “Are these demons on your back?”
“Yeah.” Those I’d gotten six months ago. Because if you can’t beat them, then permanently ink them on your skin.
