Broken but Breathing (Jinx Tattoos Book 2) (11 page)

Her heart raced as she spotted her friend walking through the door with Todd at her side. She grinned and waved. Jolene gave her a small smile and an answering wave. She wasn’t comfortable, but her presence spoke volumes. They took a seat in front of her by the bar.

“You came,” Es exclaimed.

“Of course we did. Had to check out the place where my little sister was working,” Todd said with a playful wink.

Jole met her gaze. “You called me.”

“I didn’t like the way we left things,” Es replied.

“Me either. I shouldn’t have been so judgmental. But I was shocked, and I think…hurt. I felt like you were replacing me.”

“I could never do that. There’s only one Jolene Noll. The one who’s been my best friend for a long as I can remember. The keeper of secrets who loved me when I didn’t love myself. The things we’ve been through are ones no one else could understand. You’re precious to me.” Es reached her hand across the counter, and Jole squeezed it.

“Now what can I get you? You’ve yet to see me in action you know,” Es said.

“A Tom Collins for me. Jo?” Todd said.

“Surprise me.”

“A lemon drop martini I think,” Es said.

She stepped away to make their drinks feeling lighter than she had in the past few days. Snake was a bundle of raw nerves as he met with the lawyer, researched the Miles’, and worked on a point of contact. It pained him knowing where his daughter was and not being able to get her. The bidding war on the house didn’t help. He’d fallen in love with the two story red brick home with its wraparound front porch, large yard, and deck. It was a beautiful home just waiting to be filled by a family. The fact that St. Agnes was in walking distance added to its appeal.

“What have I missed?” Jole asked as Es returned from delivering a fresh round of drinks to the group seated on the opposite side of the bar.

“Nothing much. Work’s pretty much taken the place of schooling. I love it here. There are always new people with interesting stories.”

“And your beau?”

Es snickered at the world beau. “Good. Don’t know if that’s the title I’d give him just yet.”

“Hmm. I would,” Jole said swirling her drink.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Es asked.

“His eyes said a lot. The intensity was almost alarming.”

“Eh, he’s my support,” Es replied in an attempt to downplay the relationship they had yet to define. “What’ve I missed on your end?”

“Not much, the kids miss you and told us to invite you over for dinner soon,” Todd said.

“I’d like that. Next Sunday maybe?”

“Perfect,” Jole agreed.

Her phone buzzed. “Excuse me a second,” she said, stepping off to the side. Normally cell phones were frowned on, but Kal knew all about the house hunting. She saw the agent’s name flash on the screen.

“Hello,” she answered, moving to the corner of the bar.

“Ms. Noll?”

“Yes.”

“They’ve accepted your bid! Congratulations, you and Mr. Kolton are home owners.”

“Oh, that is excellent news!” she gushed.

“We’ll meet up tomorrow at say noon to finalize everything.”

“I’ll be there. Thank you again, Martha.”
Finally, some good news.

§

She left the bar just after three and made a quick stop at the twenty-four-hour drugstore before heading to the clubhouse. It was a standard practice she called Snake once she got home after work. Parking her car, she stepped out, amazed at how things had changed since she first came here. Grabbing her purse, she climbed out and rushed to the door, riding high on the good news. She knocked and smiled up at the peephole.

“Hey, Sprite. I wasn’t expecting you,” Sneak said.

“Yeah, neither is Snake. It’s a surprise.”

“I don’t think he’s going to mind, doll face,” Sneak said.

“Do you know where he is?”

“Last I saw him, in his dorm.”

“Thank you,” she called over her shoulder before she made her way through the crowd and down the hallway.

She knocked on the door, and he opened it. Locks of hair fell into his eyes. His sleepy expression made him seem years younger.

“Es, what’s wrong, sweet girl?”

“Nothing. I had something I need to give you that couldn’t wait.”

“Okay, come in.” Stepping back, he allowed her to enter.

She grabbed his hand once he shut the door and guided him to the bed. He sat beside her, and she rummaged through her purse, pulling out a small bag.

“Here.”

He raised an eyebrow.

“Come on, open it.”

He pulled out the tissue paper and lifted the gift box with a black bow. “Went all out, huh?”

“Mmhmm,” she said.

He pulled the ribbon free, lifted the lid, and paused. “Is this the key to your heart?”

“No, you cornball! It’s the key to your new home!”

“Oh shit! We got it?”

She nodded her head. He lifted her up and spun her around. Squealing, she held on to his shirt. A firm swat to her ass made her laugh.

“Snake.”

“I can’t help it. You’re getting some meat on your bones and I can’t help but want to touch, and bite, and caress.” He massaged her cheek, and she shuddered. “I thought you were tired.”

“Then you came along with good news and this ass. How’s a man supposed to get any shut eye?”

He set her back on her feet. “I think this calls for a celebration.” His voice grew husky, and his eyes darkened with lust. He’d been so selfless taking care of her needs mentally, and physically, it was time she gave something back.

“I agree,” she whispered, running her fingers down his chest and stomach as she knelt in front of him.

“Es?”

“Shh.” She hooked her thumbs into the sides of his boxers and eased them down. Blood rushed in her ears. It’d been so long since she’d done anything sexual.
What If I’m awful?
Her hands shook as she took him in her hands and stroked him from half-mast to eight thick inches.

“Give me those eyes, Sprite.”

Their gazes met, and a current of electricity flowed between them. Her panties grew damp, her breasts swelled, and her nerves calmed. She tightened her grip, and he moaned. This powerful man was giving her control. His eyelids were half-closed, and his dark eyes shone with passion. She flicked her tongue across his head and circled it slowly, savoring the flavor of salt and masculinity. She sucked him into her mouth and moaned. He was a slice of the divine.

A sense of power flooded her. He was restoring her piece by piece. Hollowing her cheeks, she bobbed her head and stroked up.

“Yes, just like that, babe” he whispered.

She focused on loosening her throat, taking him deeper with each pass. “Take it all, Es. Like my sweet girl.” He buried his fingers in her hair and thrust his hips. His husky timber made her core ache. He pulled her hair tautly.

She hummed her approval.

“Oh shit, that magical mouth of yours.”

She continued to hum and increased her speed.

“I’m going to come, and you’re going to swallow every last drop, aren’t you?”

“Mmm hmm.” She gagged as he fucked her mouth, surrendering herself to him. His body tensed and he roared as he shot a hot blast down her throat. Limbs trembling, he held onto her shoulders. She kissed his tip and pulled his boxers back in place.

“Give me a minute and I’ll return the favor,” he said.

“No, this was for you.” Rising, she started walking toward his bed. “Are you coming?” she asked, looking over her shoulder with a smirk. It felt good to be the one leaving him speechless for once.

CHAPTER NINE

Snake

She was a fucking moonbeam—ethereal and impossible to grasp. Every time he gave chase she eluded him, keeping her high walls up and side-stepping his attempts to take their relationship further. The cat-and-mouse game was old. Things were happening fast in his world. The house was purchased weeks ago, and they spent most of their free time filling it with furniture and decorations. He and the lawyer had written a letter which would be delivered to the Miles once he had all his shit together.

Best case scenario, they’d settle things out of court. Worse case, they’d drag the entire process out and burn up unnecessary amounts of money before he could claim Jocelyn. It was a small blessing that they’d kept her name. If they chose to fight him over custody, he couldn’t get into things half-assed. It gave him comfort knowing there had never been any misconduct reported. But he knew money was the ultimate silencer.

Another week and this place will be move-in ready.
All the puzzle pieces were lining up.
Except for Es.
He’d promised her to go slow. After her delicious display of surprise oral, he’d refrained from pushing for more than heavy make out sessions.
This ends tonight.
He was going to claim what was his and show her that denial wouldn’t stop the process they’d set into motion. He needed his woman and his daughter together under one roof. Life was a winding road full of potholes that could derail you in an instant. After all the shit he’d been through he refused to accept anything less.

He studied himself in the mirror. In a grey sweater he paired with a leather jacket and his nicest pair of denims, he was a dressier version of himself. He’d tamed his hair, slicking it back from his face with styling pomade, and trimmed and oiled his beard. He was going all out tonight, flowers and dinner after they stopped by the Clover Gallery to see Enzo and Aibhlinn’s paintings. Plus, his goddaughter, Aoife, would be there. It was a sneaky way to introduce Es to the rest of his circle.

He was rusty at dating, but he remembered how to do it right. When he’d met his wife, Jade, he’d been clueless. She told him what she expected and told him to step up his game if he planned on keeping her. He’d adapted. It was one thing he was good at. Approving his look, he spun away from the mirror and walked out of the bathroom, grabbing the brightly-colored bouquet off the island in the kitchen. Tangerine, fuchsia, peach, and periwinkle blooms would brighten any girl’s day according to the florist. For the price he’d paid, they’d better.

Grabbing his keys, he headed to his bike. The chrome and black Dyna Super Glide was the only lady in his life for years. She’d seen him through the dark, lonely times. He secured the flowers in a saddle bag, and ran his hands over the bike’s curves. In a matter of months, she’d become his number two woman with Es and Jocelyn firmly in the number one slot.

He snickered.
Never thought I’d be in this position again with an old lady and a kid.
An image of a little girl with dirty blonde hair and light brown eyes startled him. The thought of Es round with his child and getting the opportunity stolen from her warmed him through.
One step at a time.
He climbed onto the bike, started up the engine, and took off.

Backing into the parking space, he set the kickstand down. This was new territory he was diving into. His plan to conquer could backfire if she shut down on him. Right now, he couldn’t afford that. She kept him sane and calm in the insanity surrounding him. He needed that voice of reason. Taking a deep breath, he got off the bike and took out the bouquet. He’d never been a half-in type of guy.
All or nothing. At the very least, I’ll have the rest of the night to convince her. She’s too polite to bail on our date. Not that she’d call it that.
A pang of sadness flowed through him. Her non commitment bothered him. He gave a small self-deprecating laugh.
I’m turning into a sentimental sap in my old age.
On the verge of forty, he was feeling every one of his years.

No man wanted to end up alone without a woman to love him and a legacy to keep him alive after they put him in the dirt. Es represented his last chance at the total package.
If you’re listening up there, lead me to the right words and allow me to have this. I know I don’t deserve her. She’s way out of my league. But I will love and protect her until my last breath.
The thought took the air from his lungs.
Holy shit, I love her.
Astonished, yet determined, he continued his walk to her door feeling like a zombie as he went into auto pilot. He knocked, and cleared his throat, cracking his neck to dissipate the nervous energy encompassing him like an unwelcome shroud.

The door opened, and he was struck dumb. The white two-piece hinted at her newly gained curves and nipped in at her waist. Bright blossoms similar to the ones in the bouquet were on her knee-length skirt and beige stripped tank top. A layer of something light and gauzy covered both articles of clothing. There was something tantalizing about the sheer sleeves. He wanted to run his tongue over it, to taste her skin and feel the texture.

“You look beautiful, Sprite.”

She smiled, and pink flooded her cheeks and the tips of what he’d dubbed elfin ears.

“Thanks. You look handsome, too.”

He thrust the flowers at her. Her eyes widened.

“Oh, these are gorgeous, Xavier. You didn’t have to—”

“Yeah, sweet girl, I did,” he said, swallowing to moisten his dry mouth.

“Come on in. I’ll put these in water,” she said.

He moved inside, admiring the way her curls caressed her shoulders. It was growing out again. His fingers twitched. He longed to bury his hands in her silken strands and inhale her scent. But he refrained. If he did that, they wouldn’t be leaving the house. Her movements were graceful as she retrieved a mason jar and trimmed the stems. There was a lightness present she hadn’t possessed when he first met her.
Progress.

“We’re going to an art gallery?” she asked.

“Yeah, a few friends of mine are showing their work at the Clover Gallery tonight.”

“From the Club?” she asked, wrinkling her nose as she flashed him a look brimming with skepticism.

He laughed. “Nah. I have friends outside the club, too, Sprite.” The tips of her ears turned red, and he looked down to hide his smirk.

“Okay, I’m all ready,” she said, stepping away from the flowers she’d artfully arranged and placed on the kitchen table.

“You’re good at this decorating thing, Sprite.”

“It’s all the staging books and articles I’ve been reading for the house. I want to make sure you put your best foot forward if it comes to a custody battle,” she stated quietly.

His love for her grew.

“And I appreciate that.” He wrapped an arm around her waist, pulled her to his side, and placed a kiss on her crown. The scent of fresh blossoms rose up.

“A-Are you sniffing me?”

“And if I am?”

“Um… I’ll try not to worry about you trying to wear my skin.”

“You smell good, sweet girl. Just like the flowers I brought you tonight.”

“Charmer.” She placed a hand on his cheek and he marveled at the current that flowed between them.
This feels right.

“Come on, let’s go be fashionably late.”

“Wait, is there a certain time we should’ve been there?” she asked, pulling away and placing her hands on her hips.

In that moment, he could see the teacher and mother in her stern face.

“No, ma’am. It started at six, but runs until nine. It’s why I thought seven thirty would be the perfect time to slip in and say hi. We’ve got dinner reservations for eight thirty.”

She relaxed. “Okay. For the record, I hate being late.”

“Trust me, sweet girl, I noticed you run a tight ship a long time ago.”

“Hey, it’s not a bad thing.”

“Never said it was,” he said. He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and she tilted her face toward him. Unable to resist, he bent down and sucked her bottom lip into his mouth. She moaned, and his mouth tingled. When he slipped his tongue inside her mouth, she sucked on his tongue. He wound his fingers in her hair, pulled her neck back, and tilted her head, deepening the kiss as he sampled her. She was a fine whiskey, aged and flavored to perfection. She seared her herself on his heart and set his senses aflame. They pulled apart breathing heavily.

“If we don’t leave now, sweet girl, we won’t be going anywhere.”

She gasped. “Then we should go.”

“You sure about that?” he asked, searching her lust-filled glossy gaze.

“Yes?”

The uncertainty in her voice was the green light he’d been waiting for. Tonight she’d learn who she belonged to.

§

“Wasn’t there an act of terrorism here last year?” she asked as they stood outside the rebuilt building.

“Yes, a car bomb was placed outside. They were randomly targeted. No need to be concerned.”

“You sound so sure about that,” she said, narrowing her eyes.

“I know the owner,” he replied with a shrug.
And the perpetrators. But you don’t need to know about that.

“If you say so,” she muttered as they walked inside. The crowd was small, but the sold tags on the paintings told him it’d been a good night.

“Snake!” Collen exclaimed, greeting them.

“Hey, Collen, how are you?”

“Good. I’m so glad you came. The kids will be happy to see you. All three of them. Who’s your pretty friend?” Collen asked.

“Yeah, brother, who’s the beautiful woman you somehow convinced to show up here with you?” Enzo asked, coming up with Aibhlinn beside him, his goddaughter, Aoife, in her arms. Her dark curls spilled down her back, obscuring her face from his view as she snuggled into her mother’s shoulder.

“This is, Estelle, my old lady. Estelle, this Aibhlinn, Enzo, my goddaughter, Aoife, and their mother, Colleen.”

At the sound of his voice, Aoife pulled away from her mother and turned her head.

“Nake, Nake!” she cried.

“Hi, baby girl,” he said, rubbing her back.

“Oh,” Aibhlinn breathed.

“Wait, your
what
?” Es questioned.

“It’s nice to meet the woman who tamed this wild man,” Aibhlinn said.

“I didn’t—”

“Don’t let her fool you. She ran me through the paces, and makes me walk the line,” Snake stated with a wink.

Es sputtered behind him, sounding like a car out of gas.

Enzo laughed. “Did you tell her this before now?” Enzo asked.

Snake grinned, wrapped his arm around Es’s waist, and squeezed her hip. “I’m telling her now.”

He loved her blushing and speechless. She blinked and recovered after flashing him a look that said she’d have his ass later.

“It’s nice to meet all of you,” Es said.

“Show us around, brother. I wanted to brag to her about my artistic friends,” Snake said.

“All right.”

“Here. You take her. She’s going to pitch a fit otherwise,” Aibhlinn said, handing him the squirming Aoife.

“Hey, baby girl. You miss your Godfather?” he asked, tickling her face with his beard.

Aoife laughed and pulled on his hair playfully.

“I’ll take that as a yes. Be a good girl, so I can see Mommy and Daddy’s work.”

“Kay,” she said, giggling as she hugged his neck. He cherished her small weight, rubbing her back as he turned his attention to the adults.

§

Estelle

She’d always found Snake attractive. But seeing him with his goddaughter set her ovaries on fire and made it impossible to stay upset with him.
Old lady?
She understood the significance of the title. In his world, it was something akin to a wife.
Does he really feel that strongly about me? Do I feel that way about him?
The questions swirled around in her head as the wind blew her hair out behind her. They’d left the gallery reluctantly to make their dinner reservations. She liked his friends. Enzo and his wife both had a certain charisma which made it difficult not to feel at ease. The Irish brogue didn’t hurt either. She could listen to Aibhlinn and her mother for hours. She snuggled into his back, loving the smell of old leather. Riding on a motorcycle was exhilarating and incredibly arousing. The large machine vibrated beneath her, making her wish for a different beast between thighs.

He pulled into the parking lot of The Prescient, one of the most well-known steak houses in the city.
He really went all out.
The gesture cooled her anger even further. She removed her helmet and they climbed off the bike.

“I can’t believe you got us a table here.”

“I can do romance, and believe me, you deserve the best. I’m lucky you gave me the time of day. I know that. I wonder why you stay.”

His honest words stunned her. “Is that why you said that back at Clover?”

“No. I said that because it is true.”

“How do you get to decide that for both of us?”

“I didn’t. All I did was put a name to what’s been happening organically. It was a clarification.”

“According to you.”

“According to everyone with eyes, sweet girl. I promised you I’d go slow. I believe I’ve honored that. But I can’t have you hanging in the wind.”