|
abf5e88
|
I'm glad you needed a ride tonight," he said, his gaze on the TV. "I'm glad I was around when you needed that ride. It worked out, but you look tired." "I am." Cooper ran his index finger along my face and under my chin. "I'm messing with you, but that's all it is. I'm just teasing. I know you're tired and nothing's going to happen tonight. You can rest your eyes until the pizza comes and I won't take advantage of that. I want you to want..
|
|
giant-brain-and-bigger-ego
|
Bijou Hunter |
|
16fa49f
|
I don't know why you want to hang out when I'm half asleep?" Cooper leaned over and kissed me softly. His lips sucked at my bottom lip for a second before he pulled back and relaxed into the corner of the couch. "You pout when you sleep." "Huh?" "Like an angry little pout," he said, demonstrating with his lips. "It's the hottest thing I've ever seen. I thought you might give me a real talking to like my old gym teacher. Man, did that bit..
|
|
pout
|
Bijou Hunter |
|
82cfb06
|
Laughing behind my hand, I followed him out to his motorcycle. "I like to think I'm hot enough that I don't need to flirt well." "Do you? Fortunately, I agree. In fact, this time when you walk in front of me and think I'm checking out your ass, it'll be true." "Cooper, you have such a way with words. A real poet." "Don't I know it," he said, sliding on his bike."
|
|
poet
|
Bijou Hunter |
|
0c8a463
|
For the next few minutes, I made great shots until a creepy biker guy stood too close and I missed. Cooper took the stick and studied the remaining balls. "Don't cry when I beat your ass." "Hell yeah," the biker said, laughing. "Some girls just love it rough." Giving me a quick glance, Cooper glared at the guy. "Who the fuck are you?" "I know your pop." "Good for you, but if you don't back off and stop skeeving out my girl, my pop and ..
|
|
dont-skeev-out-his-girl
|
Bijou Hunter |
|
ae3324c
|
I really don't want to leave this house," she murmurs. "I know that feeling." "It's not healthy." "And your old life was? Healthy doesn't mean shit. Happiness should be our goal. Are you happy here?"
|
|
|
Bijou Hunter |
|
247a41e
|
I like when you call me your girl," I said, caressing his arm. "It makes me feel warm all over, but mainly in certain places." "Fuck no," Cooper grumbled even while grinning big. "I'm not getting distracted." "Big baby," I said, sitting down and crossing my arms over the prize. "Fine. I'll let you lose the old fashioned way. By sucking more than me."
|
|
suck-more-than-me
cooper-and-farah
|
Bijou Hunter |
|
9b488c5
|
You didn't explain why you want to be a teacher." "I just do." "No, I sense a story behind it. Tell me and I'll share my dessert." "What types of dessert do they serve?" "Awesome cannolis." I just stared at Cooper who frowned. "Don't tell me you've never had a cannoli." When I shook my head, he sighed. "Man, we could have fun, Farah. I'd show you a million things. Not necessarily sophisticated things, but cool shit nonetheless. Hell, ..
|
|
|
Bijou Hunter |
|
942031f
|
Cooper leaned forward and caressed my cheek. "You have a million walls up, baby. When I saw them the first time you walked into Spanish class, I told myself you were too much effort, but I was a fool. You're worth every ounce of trouble you give me." "Oh, and I give you trouble as part of my devious plan?" "No doubt about that. There's your finger. Here's me wrapped around it."
|
|
|
Bijou Hunter |
|
1574a98
|
Walking to him, I gave him my best smile. "With you, I feel safer than I've ever felt. Even in that room full of bikers, I felt like I would be okay because you were with me. I really believed you'd use Cooper as a shield to protect me." Judd laughed. "I would so shove his ass in front of you to take a bullet. He knows it too. It's why he's not being a bitch about our relationship anymore. He knows I'm not fucking you. I'm..." Unable to f..
|
|
|
Bijou Hunter |
|
497584a
|
I think about you when I'm alone," I whispered. Cooper's expression sent me into hysterics. Everything from horny boy to shock to joyous relief got stuck into one weird facial expression. Even after I was laughing, he seemed unable to respond. "You're a wicked little bitch, aren't you?" he finally said, adjusting in his chair. "Stop calling me a bitch." "I call everyone that. My sisters, my dogs even the male ones, my brother, my Harley..
|
|
|
Bijou Hunter |
|
386ea19
|
I know tonight will be no more than some very heavy petting," Cooper said full of sincerity. "I know my hand and I will have to finish the job without you. I know all that so don't freak out when I ask this question. Deal?" "Ask first." Cooper grinned. "This weekend, I'd like you to come to my house and hang out. We have the pool and a TV the size of this restaurant. Oh, a pool table too. It'll be fun and I'd like to spend time with you l..
|
|
|
Bijou Hunter |
|
a8ffb52
|
So are you bailing? Is that what this is?" he muttered, staring angrily at me. "I have your number. If I wanted to bail, I would have called and told you to fuck off." Cooper exhaled hard then looked around the courtyard. Returning his gaze to me, he shook his head. "Why is everything so difficult with you?" "Because you're an asshole who makes me feel bad," I said then added, "On purpose." "You wanted me to kiss you. We had a nice dinn..
|
|
throw-me-a-bone-here
|
Bijou Hunter |
|
c063636
|
What?" he whispered. "Nothing." Cooper stood behind me and wrapped his arms around my chest, pulling me to him. "You work at that job. You never miss school. You deserve a little fun and we're going to have fun. Soon, my pop will grill and you'll pig out and I'll lick barbeque sauce off your lips. Then, I'll take you home, safe and sound. Do you understand?" I nodded again, but Cooper sighed. "Why do you look ready to cry?" "I'm nervous..
|
|
|
Bijou Hunter |
|
7174328
|
Cooper gave me a very serious expression. "I'm going to do something. Do not freak out. Be casual. Can you do that?" "No," I said in a panic. Cooper reached behind me and I felt his fingers on my ass. Forcing myself to stay very still, I felt him fiddling around then he pulled his hand away. "That suit is old and it's riding up," he explained, taking a beer from his brother who walked by. "I didn't want anyone seeing my girl's ass cheeks..
|
|
|
Bijou Hunter |
|
faafdfc
|
Your mom is a great cook," I said, enjoying the macaroni salad. "Yeah, self taught. Trial and error. Can you cook?" "We usually didn't have a kitchen in the motel. I can warm stuff up, but that's it." Cooper studied me then nodded. "I'd have my mom teach you, but she's pretty scary in the kitchen. Her way or the highway thing. They have evening classes at the college where they teach cooking. Maybe once you get settled in, you can take a..
|
|
no-fucking-way-times-ten
|
Bijou Hunter |
|
e9bb670
|
Men suck," Bailey said, nodding supportively then frowning at Vaughn. "Why do you suck so much? Too much ball toxins?" "Sounds about right," he muttered, rolling another strike. "Girls get PMS. Guys get ball toxins. Common knowledge."
|
|
ball-toxins
vaughn
pms
men-suck
|
Bijou Hunter |
|
ebddbb5
|
I'm planning to go redneck chic with the wedding," Maddy announced, looking through the racks of dresses. "What the hell is that?" "Redneck chic is a nice way of saying I have bad taste, but I'm embracing it." Sizing up Maddy's blonde girl next door beauty, I found her dressed normal. "Bad taste how? Is this about Tucker because, yeah, I see it?" Maddy rolled her blue eyes then walked to the next rack. "Tucker is gorgeous. He's the clas..
|
|
classy
redneck-chic
maddy
raven
|
Bijou Hunter |
|
6b9827c
|
Cooper's dark eyes studied my face then he smiled. "I really am crazy about you. Let me make it up to you." "What about Nick?" I asked, daring him to freak out again. His jaw twitching, Cooper shrugged. "He's a guy. He gets it. In fact, I think he's hot for one of those giggly blondes in class. Shar, I think is the one. No need for me or anyone else to care about old Nick." "So I can study with him?" Cooper narrowed his eyes and exhaled..
|
|
cooper-and-farah
|
Bijou Hunter |
|
2319ebc
|
Tommy continued to leer at me like he often did through the curtains while promising to make me squeal. I didn't think he would give up his prize with just one guy standing in his way. Even moving fast, Tommy never stood a chance. Judd effortlessly grabbed the freak and slammed his head against the SUV hood. The first impact shattered Tommy's nose while the second strike splashed blood across the windshield. Tossing him to the ground, Judd..
|
|
scary-motherfucker
tawnys-thoughts
knight-in-shining-armor
|
Bijou Hunter |
|
72b2648
|
You're going to stop distracting me while I drive," he said and there was no humor in his voice. "Do you understand?" "Jeans tight?" I asked, daring him. Judd narrowed his eyes at me in a rather scary way. Instead of shirking away from him, I remembered how it was his job to get me to Ellsberg safely. Narrowing my eyes, I glared right back at him. We held those angry gazes for a few minutes then he grinned. "Yes," he said, answering my q..
|
|
pants-too-tight
trying-to-drive
|
Bijou Hunter |
|
333ed24
|
Judd tried to keep up his lie for another minute. Finally, he swore while running his hands through his thick dark hair. "I can't lie for shit when you stare at me like that." Leaning back into the booth, I smiled brightly. "Well, it's a good thing you and me ain't happening because I would so own your ass, wouldn't I?"
|
|
own-your-ass
judd-and-tawny
|
Bijou Hunter |
|
9ea967e
|
You aren't average. You're special because you're the only girl who's ever made my heart hurt.
|
|
|
Bijou Hunter |
|
a1ffe7f
|
My smile faded as we reached Ellsberg and I realized I would see Farah within minutes. Suddenly, I was terrified. "We've been apart for a month," I said after Judd called Cooper to say we were nearly there. "While Farah made a great life for herself, I was letting myself starve to death in a shit motel. I'll ruin everything for her and she'll stop loving me." "Angel, your sister needs you too." "No, she doesn't," I said, panicking now. "..
|
|
need-you
|
Bijou Hunter |
|
8bca99d
|
You saved me, Judd. Months ago and that night in the rain and the day in the woods and today and every day we're together, you always save me. You're my knight." Giving me a heartbreakingly beautiful smile, Judd took my hand. "And you're my angel."
|
|
|
Bijou Hunter |
|
483e121
|
Grinning, I stroked his arms, over the tattoos and muscles. "Today has been fucking perfect, Judd. You can't know how perfect." "Oh, I know. I've been counting my blessings since the moment I woke up with you next to me."
|
|
judd-and-tawny
perfect
|
Bijou Hunter |
|
744523e
|
You know what you were and it wasn't a job." His words taunted me, offering a glimmer of hope. Yet, his words on the driveway less than two months ago lingered in my thoughts. "Why are you bothering me?" "You're not to go around Mac again. Do you understand?" "I don't have to listen to you." Judd narrowed his eyes at me. "Fine. I'll tell him to stay away from you. He'll listen if he wants to keep both eyes." "Whatever. He's one guy an..
|
|
not-a-job
judd-and-tawny
|
Bijou Hunter |
|
2e99678
|
What's the problem, babe?" Judd asked, climbing off the bike and caressing my cheek. "I feel underdressed. I look trashy." Glancing over my jeans, gray sweater, beige jacket, and tennis shoes, Judd frowned. "We're visiting the Johanssons, not the Rockefellers." Crossing my arms, I felt dirty like I needed a shower. I felt hideous and unworthy of every good thing in my life. Judd leaned down and pressed his forehead to mine. "You know ..
|
|
pissy
stinky-bikers
this-close
judd-and-tawny
|
Bijou Hunter |
|
df8dd63
|
Can I come?" Sawyer asked, appearing from the yard. "We don't know where we're going." "I don't care. Tuck is bringing the baby over. It'll cry and everyone will pay attention to it and ignore me." "I know the feeling of being replaced," Bailey said, smirking at her sister. "Little kids suck." Sawyer rolled her eyes and looked at me. "Can I come?" "What do you want to do?" "We could barhop and scope out hot guys." I frowned at Bailey..
|
|
barhop
raven-sawyer
whered-she-get-that
|
Bijou Hunter |
|
62bb360
|
Ignoring all the whispering couples around him, Vaughn taught me to bowl while I faked like I cared. We were both on the outs and I suspected he wanted to find a new buddy now that Judd was attached to his angel. Every time Tawny laughed, Vaughn's frown darkened. "You should be happy for them," I said as he guided me towards the alley. "I am. Fucking overwhelmed with happiness. Now, pay attention." When I flinched at his tone, Vaughn sigh..
|
|
nicest-ever
tucker
vaughn
bowling
teacher
men-suck
lark
|
Bijou Hunter |
|
f65a673
|
Where did you get your tat?" "Aaron's shop. You want to get a tat?" he asked, grinning as if this was hilarious. "I have one," I said, rolling the ball into the gutter. "It's not finished though." "How come?" "My brother interrupted the tattoo and I never had the money to get it done again." "No, I meant how come you're such a bad bowler? Is it genetic?" he asked. "Like do you come from a long line of people who can't make a ball roll ..
|
|
pixie-dust
vaughn
tattoos
lark
hilarious
|
Bijou Hunter |
|
03c3615
|
Laughing, Bailey still put on a little frown. "I want a man to cuddle." Tucker stopped kissing Maddy long enough to look at Bailey. "Everyone needs love. Even the dipshit. I'll find someone for you." Tucker looked around. "How high are your standards?" Bailey opened her mouth and I knew a tirade of profanity was coming. Before she got started, I hugged her to me. "Tuck wants to help you. It's his asshole way of showing his love. Tell him..
|
|
tawny
tucker
cooper-and-farah
|
Bijou Hunter |
|
e289d30
|
You didn't walk away, Judd. You made me see the light when I was suffocating in the dark.
|
|
tawny-to-judd
|
Bijou Hunter |
|
0f0d8dd
|
The shower ran for a long time and I had nearly dozed off when he appeared nude. Closing my eyes, I ignored him as he climbed into bed and rested away from me. I figured he was still throwing a fit about me throwing a fit. Then, I felt his hand run down my back. Just once, as if he needed to feel me before he could sleep. Minutes later, I heard his breathing change.
|
|
thats-beautiful
|
Bijou Hunter |
|
754186c
|
When our lips parted, he sighed. "I love those eyes, angel. When they look at me, I feel like anything is possible."
|
|
judd-to-tawny
|
Bijou Hunter |
|
3906cff
|
Waking at two in the morning, I noticed Judd was gone from bed along with Pearl. As I pushed the covers back to find him, he appeared at the doorway with a few cans of soda and a plate of food. "Hey, babe, I figured you were hungry since we skipped dinner." Even smiling, I could barely keep my eyes open. "I didn't have much to choose from since I've been out of town," he said, setting the food on the nightstand and opening a Coke. "A lit..
|
|
yes
|
Bijou Hunter |
|
792fbb3
|
Sitting at his normal table, Judd wasn't the guy who awaited me when I woke up. Gaze hard and a tight set to his jaw, the man across from me now was an enforcer. Yet, he gave me a grin. "After my meeting, let's go nap again." "It's not healthy to nap all the time." "I heard napping is good for your skin." "We're not really talking about napping, are we?" I asked, grinning. "No, angel, we're not."
|
|
nap
|
Bijou Hunter |
|
ab097ad
|
Who is Aaron?" "He and I own a tattoo place," Cooper said, wrapping me in his arms. "I shelled out the cash and he's the artist. Known him since middle school. Solid guy and he'll make sure you're safe." I wasn't sure what my face did, but a smiling Cooper caressed my cheek. "He's not scary. Yes, he's sporting a snake up his neck and a shaved head, but the guy's the real sensitive type. Probably writes poetry."
|
|
|
Bijou Hunter |
|
ec84cd9
|
Tucker entered the room and sighed. "Maddy's a hormonal mess. Can't wait until she pops the kid out and we're done with that moody shit." "I think chicks are still moody after they pop them out," Cooper said, studying me. "Judd thinks Tawny can figure out our mole." "Is she psychic?" Glancing at Tucker, I smiled. "You haven't gotten laid in days. You know you did something wrong, but you don't know what and Maddy won't tell you. Instead ..
|
|
tucker
judd-and-tawny
|
Bijou Hunter |
|
b99d509
|
Stumbling to my feet, I glanced at my mom who still sat at the table. She looked at me then Larry then lowered her gaze and returned to her coupons. The logical choice for me was to run from the house. I was so much smaller than these three battling men and the smart thing was to run. Yet, Larry and his bullshit family were why Raven left. They were always telling me what to do and making me feel like shit. Now, he'd hit me and I wasn't run..
|
|
from-figurines-to-weapons
picnic-bear
lark
|
Bijou Hunter |
|
73412ca
|
Despite her love of pineapple on pizza, Lark was perfection. I felt like a love starved moth drawn to the light of her smile.
|
|
|
Bijou Hunter |
|
a51d279
|
Farah looked freaked out until Tawny hugged her and the tension faded from her face. A minute later, the table cloth lifted and Bailey appeared with beer bottles in her hands. "I figured you'd need booze to deal with the boredom of hiding." "I can't drink," Farah said. "I'm off the pill and trying to get knocked up." "I am knocked up. I also don't like that brand of beer." Handing the beers to Tawny, Bailey nodded. "Be back in a sec." A ..
|
|
fighting-men
bailey
tawny
farah
|
Bijou Hunter |
|
45b6e7e
|
Say you're beautiful," I whispered, stroking her. "I'm beautiful." "Good," I murmured, kissing her jaw then moving south. "Say it again."
|
|
say-it-again
beautiful
|
Bijou Hunter |
|
6cd28f7
|
Farah answered the door and I knew immediately her pants had recently been off. When our eyes met, I sensed she knew I knew. Farah gave me a casual smile then realized her ponytail was hanging weird off her head. "Sex is fun, huh?" Lark said, walking past her friend. "We're like rabbits too." Farah laughed. "We got home late and needed to let off some steam." "Four times," Cooper announced, bouncing the stairs. Grinning, I was ready to ..
|
|
cooper-and-farah
mocking
|
Bijou Hunter |
|
aaf4727
|
Professor followed me out to the studio. Pollack considered coming along then changed her mind and returned to snoozing on the couch. Once in front of the easel, I let loose. I sketched Lark smiling. Painted Lark laughing. Grabbed charcoal and drew her sleeping. My muse inspired me to create one image of her after another. Eventually, I sketched her expression when she had an orgasm. Hands covered in paint and charcoal, I sat down and sta..
|
|
|
Bijou Hunter |