Forgiven (Touched Series #2) (20 page)

Chapter Twenty

I walk out into the cool night air, summer coming to an end and as I round the building I see Harley leaning against the side lighting up a cigarette. I walk over and his head turns my way, a frown appearing as he takes a huge draw and then blows the smoke out, the small breeze taking it away. “Hey, man. How’s it going?” His brows lower and he takes another drag. I lean against the brick beside him and cross my arms. “Don’t talk much, do ya?” He just shrugs and blows out another puff of smoke. I look down at my feet and let out a sigh. “Well, that’s ok, I guess, but…. That’s my sister in there and I wouldn’t be a great brother if I didn’t tell ya to be careful around her.” I look up to find he’s staring at me. “Look. I don’t know what your story is and to be honest, I don’t really give a fuck but what I do care about is that she doesn’t get hurt. You seem to be an okay guy, kinda too quiet for my liking, but you seem to work hard, you’re good with the customers, just don’t…. Just don’t hurt her, okay? I’d hate to have to kick your ass.”

The corner of his mouth rises a little and he looks down as he drops his cigarette butt, stomping it out with his boot. “I’m a private person. I don’t get into anyone else’s business and all I ask is people give me the same respect.” He looks up at me as he pushes away from the building. “She shouldn’t get involved with me. It wouldn’t be good for her.” He stares at me for a beat and then turns away, walking down the sidewalk. Well, that just told me a ton of information.

I watch him walk for a few minutes and then turn around and head back inside. The girls are laughing, still at the table. I sit back down in the chair beside my girl and kiss her rosy cheek. “Let’s go home, Peaches. You need rest and I have a bunch of work to do tomorrow.” I look over at Pearl and wink. “Night, sis.” She smiles, and I take Stormy’s hand as she rises. I release it long enough for her to walk over to Pearl, giving her a kiss on her cheek and then whisper in her ear. Once she returns I take her hand once again and lead her out of the bar. When we’re safely across the street we start our short walk to our apartment.

“Ok, fess up. What did you say to Harley? Is he still gonna work at the bar or did you run him off?” I laugh and look down at my girl. I love it when her dander is up and she gets all snarky.

“Nah. I just told him he needed to watch himself ‘cos I’d hate to kick his ass.” One of her eyebrows raises, and she presses her full lips together contemplating her next words. Then she stops abruptly, pulling my hand back and her breasts crash into my chest, which makes my cock twitch. “Better be careful, my love, or you’ll find yourself against the wall in the alley in about two minutes.” Her hands crawl up my arms and over my shoulders until they are resting around my neck, her fingers gliding up through my short hair, and I close my eyes with the feeling.

“I know I wouldn’t want to mess with you but just so you know….” My eyes open to her beautiful face and I know I’m in trouble. “Don’t screw it up for her or I’ll have to kick yours.” Her hands release their hold from my neck and she walks around me heading for home.

I stand there and watch the swaying of her hips, her cute butt rocking back and forth and lick my lips. Shaking my head of its horny thoughts, I run to catch up with her and put my arm around her shoulder and lean down to her ear. “God, I love it when you talk tough. Turns me the fuck on.” We round the corner into the alley, and soon I have her pressed against the wall, my hands holding her wrists above her head, and she looks up at me with her eyes full of desire. “Fuck! I want to take you right here,” I whisper as I lower my head and take her mouth with mine. We kiss until it becomes heated. Dropping her arms, I lift her up and carry her to the stairs. Once we get into the door, I take her to our apartment and can only make it to the couch before I lay her down, and I’m on top of her. I don’t even waste time removing her shirt, I get her jeans lowered enough then mine and just thrust into her, my hand moving quickly under her shirt and bra until I’m squeezing her breast as I claim her mouth again. She’s soon squirming underneath me. My balls begin to tighten with the feeling of my climax approaching fast and her inner muscles start clutching my cock tighter. She yells out, and I watch her face change from love and desire to the most beautiful orgasmic look. Her eyes flutter as her head moves back and I come just from looking at her. “Damn, I love to watch you as you cum,” I whisper in her ear between pants. I get up and lift her into my arms, carrying her up the stairs and lay her in our bed. Once I’ve gotten us both cleaned up, I crawl into bed next to her sleeping form and pull her into my arms, and I’m in heaven.

“Yes, Dad. I know! Ok, well see what you can do. I will. Thanks, Dad.” I hang up the phone and look back at the computer. So much has happened in the last few months that I’ve let my grades slip into the dirt and will need to make up my last few classes but Dad thinks he can get them to let me retake the courses online since I’m so busy here and with everything else going on. It sucks, but I know I can ace them even taking them online. I have too much to do with getting the wedding planned and keeping up with the restaurant and also Pearl’s books for the bar. She’d asked me last night if I could help her with those since I already know how to do them, so I figure I might as well. If it will help, then I’d do it for her. I’ve spent all morning setting up files, reports and invoices for her bar and going over everything. She’s already doing very well with her profits, but I’m seeing a couple of things that don’t look right. My feeling is one of her employees is dipping into the cash and I have a pretty good idea which one. I look up from my desk when Stormy walks in, and my smile develops quickly.

“Hey, baby. Here’s some food.” She sets down a plate on my desk and leans her hands on the edge. “I’m getting ready to head downstairs to get ready for the lunch crowd. You’ve been in here all morning. I miss you.”

I stand up quickly and make my way around the desk and wrap my arms around her, kissing her soundly on her pouting mouth. “I always miss you, Peaches,” I tell her as I lean back. “I’ll come down later. Just going over the bar’s reports and making sure all is right there. You have a great day.” I kiss her again, and her smile appears. Turning my head, I watch as she walks out of the room and then sit back down. Now, how am I gonna tell Pearl about my hunches without hurting her feelings?

By the time I get to the bar I’m in need of a good drink. When I walk in I look around and am thankful that Pearl isn’t around. I glance at Harley behind the bar as I walk up and sit on a stool, his eyes shift to me and then back at what he’s concentrating on. “By yourself today?” He asks as he walks over to the fridge, getting me a bottled beer and setting it on the counter in front of me while removing the cap.

I pick it up and take a long drawl then set it down and smile. “Well, thought maybe we’d have a little talk.” I watch as he picks up a rag and starts cleaning the counter. “Okay, maybe I’ll talk but feel free to chime in.” His eyes look at me briefly and then back at the counter. “See, I’ve been doing the books for the bar, keeping track of the profit and losses….” I take another drink and notice he hasn’t stopped. “I’m just wondering how you think the bar is doing?”

He finally stops cleaning but keeps his eyes on his hand covering the rag. “Doesn’t matter what I think. I just work, keep the customers happy and leave.” Okay, this isn’t getting me anywhere.

“Right. Do you know any of the other employees, noticed maybe any of them being dishonest or maybe doing something they shouldn’t?” I take another drink of my beer, emptying the bottle and slide it across the counter.

“Another?” I nod and he gets me another one, setting it down and throwing the empty away. He leans his hands on the counter and stares at me. “Brenda takes cash from the drawer every two customers and Tom only puts half the cash into the drawer from his but you didn’t hear it from me.” He picks up the rag and resumes his cleaning.

“Why haven’t you said anything?” He doesn’t stop but rubs harder.

“Not my business,” he says but not looking at me.

“And what do you do?” Now that’s got his attention.

He stops and looks up with a sneer on his face. “I’m not dishonest. I work for what is mine and I earn what I make. Anything else?”

Shaking my head, I take a big drink, reach in my pocket and throw money down on the counter. “Have a good day.”

Walking out the front door, I head around the corner and down the alley and run up the stairs, knocking on the door quickly. I hear Pearl’s footsteps on the other side and when she opens the door, smiling, her face straightens immediately. “What’s wrong? Is it Stormy?” I push my way in and walk towards her apartment, hearing she’s hot on my heels and once inside I walk straight to the kitchen, open the fridge and grab a bottled water. “Bo! Talk to me!” I turn and lean against the counter and take a quick drink.

“Two of your employees are stealing from you. At least two, not sure about the rest.” She swallows hard and slowly sits down at the table.

“I knew this could happen, there’s always a chance but who and how do I know if anyone else is? What should I do?” I walk over and sit beside her, patting her knee with my hand.

“I have a friend. He’s willing to be a manager here, you can afford it, and he’ll keep track of your employees and what they’re doing. He’ll weed the bad ones out and hire some good replacements. He’s also a great bouncer. Three birds with one stone.” Her mouth lifts into a smile, and I can tell she’s relieved.

“Call him. When can he start?”

By the time we finish our chat, I give Pete a call on the way to the restaurant and he will start at the bar tonight. I know Pearl’s relieved and I am too since I can’t be in two places at the same time. “Yeah, make sure you keep a close eye on Harley but I have to give it to him, he told me he saw the other two taking cash. Don’t think he would have said that if he was too. Unless, he’s being a suck up but he doesn’t seem the type. Good, how fast you think they can start? Excellent! Okay, man, talk to you later.” I walk into the restaurant and stop when I see Stormy talking with some customers at their table. She’s a vision of beauty, and she’s finally mine.

♥    ♥    ♥    ♥

“If you don’t calm down about everything, you’re gonna work yourself up and get sick,” I tell Bo as we sit in the small patients room at the OB’s waiting for Dr. Butler. I smile when he sighs and squeezes my hand again. Our heads both rise when the door opens and the doctor walks in. She’s smiling, her glasses are down on her nose and she has a very compassionate look about her making me feel comfortable in an instant.

“Stormy Reece?” I nod, and her smile broadens. “Good. And you must be Bo.” She reaches out her hand and he releases mine, with reluctance, and shakes it. “Very good.” She sits down on a small stool, clipboard in hand, and reads. Looking up over her glasses, she smiles again. “I understand you’ve had a past miscarriage, one that wasn’t so long ago?” I nod and she lays her papers down on her lap. “Dr. Phillip
called me and informed me of everything.” She looks at me and then Bo, simultaneously. “I just want to assure you both that because you’ve had one, and under those circumstances, does not mean you won’t carry this child just fine. There is always a small percent of a miscarriage even with the healthiest of pregnancies, sometimes there’s no valid reason for them and other times it’s due to various things but the rate of a normal and healthy pregnancy is much higher.”

I look over at Bo and see that he’s concentrating on everything she’s saying and then when I look back at the doctor I see she’s reading again. When she looks up at me, I feel a sense of peace wash over me, I’m not sure why. Maybe it’s just her kind face, her smile but I feel it and am relieved. “Thank you for giving me the urine sample again. I know you just did this for Dr. Phillip the other day and the blood the nurse took a few minutes ago is showing some great results.” She stops and sits up, folding her hands down on the paper. “It’s too early to provide a due date yet but all tests show you are pregnant. How are you feeling? I know Dr. Whiteman gave you prenatal vitamins. You can come here from now on to get refill prescriptions.”

I look over at Bo, who has a huge smile on his face and can tell he’s a little more relaxed then I look back at her. “I feel great, amazing really. I’m crazy busy but I’m trying to eat and drink healthy and watch my stress level. He really helps with all that.” I squeeze Bo’s hand, and my eyes shift to him as his looks at mine.

“Very good. I think for now just keep up with that, try to get plenty of rest and on your way out you can schedule appointments in one month increments until we decide you should start coming more often.” She stands, shakes my hand and then Bo’s again. I watch her leave and look at Bo.

“Feel any better?” I ask smiling.

He gives me a serious look and then relaxes. “Yes, for now but I’m still going to be overly cautious until the baby is born.” I slide off the table, pulling him with me, and head for the door. Thank goodness I didn’t need to get undressed this time.

“Good. I wouldn’t want it any other way.”

Once I’ve made the next appointment, I turn to leave and notice Bo isn’t anywhere in sight. What the hell? I’m about to go look for him when he comes walking through the door where we had come from. He walks right over to me, kisses me on my lips quickly and then takes my hand leading me out the front door. By the time we get into the elevator my curiosity has gotten the better of me. The doors close and I pull on his hand. His head turns to me and the smile on his face is just gorgeous. “Where’d you go? I thought you were standing next to me that whole time.”

He laughs and leans down, kissing my cheek. “I just wanted a word with the doctor. Just making sure all the sex we’re having is okay and not hurting you or the baby. I’m feeling a lot better about it all now, thanks to her.” I roll my eyes but deep down I find him so sweet to be so concerned and love him even more for it.

Once we got home, Bo left to go running on beach at his parents’ house. I’m bored laying around flipping channels on the TV. I’m not used to not being busy, and my mind begins racing with what I can do. I’ve been sitting here for a couple of hours and about to go crazy when a light tap on the door makes me jump, but then I laugh to myself knowing I’m safe and there’s nothing to be jumpy about. Opening the door, I’m excited to see Pearl, grab her hand and lead her into the living room where we both sit down on the couch. “Oh! You’re just what I need! I’m so bored,” I whine while she gets comfortable. I stop short when I see the look on her face. I reach out and brush some hair from her face. “What’s wrong?”

She looks down at her hands and sighs. “Bo discovered some employees are stealing cash from the bar.” She looks up and I can see the wetness in her eyes. “Did he tell you?”

I scoot over to her and give her a hug. “No, I’m so sorry.” She nods, her head moving on my shoulder and I move back a bit. “What’s going to happen? Do you know who it is? It’s not that Harley guy, is it?” She takes a deep breath and the frown on her face tells me what I need to know.

“No! It’s not him! Why does everyone want to blame him so quickly? He even told Bo who the two people were that took the money. Dammit! Why can’t anyone give him a break?” My mouth opens in shock, not only from giving the wrong blame but how much she’s sticking up for him and not really knowing him that well.

“Hey, it’s ok. Honey, I know you like him but you really don’t know him and I also know it’s so easy to place blame on someone you don’t know. I’m sorry. What are you going to do?” She wipes the tears from her eyes and seems to relax.

“Oh! Bo hired a friend of his, Pete, to help run the bar and manage the employees. Of course I’m brought into any decisions and kept up to date but he’s really good at this, I guess. It makes me feel a little better. He’s already fired the two who stole the money and said if they didn’t leave quietly he would make sure I’d report them so they left. I know he’s talked to all the other employees and he’s also hired two more. I have to say he was a little taken aback when he talked to Rider.” My brows crease, and I’m trying to think who that is. She laughs and takes my hand, playing with my engagement ring. “Ha! That’s the big guy that works the door.” My eyes widen. I had no idea what his name was. “I guess Rider got pissed that he would ask him questions when he stands at the front door and keeps out the riff raff and breaks up fights, which thank God we haven’t had yet. But I know that’s only a matter of time.” She bends her arm and looks at her watch, jumping up at the same time. “Ack! I need to get back over there. Are you all gonna stop by later after you close?”