Beat of the Heart

Jake cleared his throat. “For what it’s worth, I’d like to have you come, Mia. It’s really low-key. We’ll do some grilling, hang out around the bonfire, roast marshmallows and shit. I think you’d like it. I mean, I can’t totally account for your taste since you seem to be really into AJ.”

Mia laughed while I scowled at Jake. “It sounds like a lot of fun. I’m supposed to work Sunday, but I’m pretty sure I can find someone to take my shift.”

Clapping his hands together, Jake grinned. “Awesome. So I’ll see you guys tomorrow around noon.”

I nodded. “It’s a date.”

“Good.” He eyed my pillow-clad junk. “Now put some fucking clothes on before we’re never asked back here again.”

With one hand, I flipped him off, and with the other, I chucked the pillow at him. Jake ducked just before it smacked him in the face. “Later, dickweed,” he called as he headed out the door.

Once he was gone, I went over and locked the door, so we could get dressed without any more interruptions. When I turned back, Mia had gotten into her panties and bra with lightning quick speed. “So does coming away with me for the weekend mean we’re good now?”

She giggled. “I would have thought we were good right after you, wait, what did you call it? ‘Fucked some sense into me’?”

I laughed. “That’s true.”

Wrapping her arms around my neck, Mia kissed me gently. “Yes, I’d say we’re not just good, but great. And whatever I have to do to spend more time with you, I’ll do it. Including hanging out in the sticks with your band mates.”

Grinning, I pulled her closer to me. “Hey, you haven’t truly fucked until you’ve fucked in the sticks.”

Mia burst out laughing. “I guess you’re just going to prove it to me.”

“Oh I will. That’s a promise.”

13

I was just throwing my makeup bag into my suitcase when the doorbell rang. Actually, it began a full on assault of lightning fast rings. Rolling my eyes, I started down the hallway. When I flung open the door, AJ stood braced against the frame grinning from ear to ear. “Miss me?”

“You personally? Yes. You being a dick by screwing around with my doorbell? No.”

He laughed as he leaned in to kiss me. It was only three hours ago that I was finally able to extricate myself from him and his bed to go home and pack. After our backroom tryst, we’d left Eastman’s together, and I’d spent the night at AJ’s penthouse. It was long after three am before we were finally spent of each other and could sleep.

AJ’s gaze roamed appreciatively over my ensemble of strappy sandals, khaki shorts, and a red tank top. “You look sexy as hell.”

I snorted. “At ease, big boy. You just had me four hours ago—twice if I remember correctly.”

“But it seems I can never get enough of you,” he said in a low, throaty voice.

His words, along with the tone he used, sent warmth crisscrossing over my body. “You’re such a flatterer,” I teased, before smacking his arm playfully.

“It’s the truth.”

Although I didn’t want to take his comments too literally, I couldn’t help wondering if a good fuck was all I was to him. Sure, he said I was more and the mere fact I was going to Jake’s farm meant something pretty big, but everything seemed to lead back to sex with AJ. Trying to lighten the seriousness of my thoughts, I added, “Well, if you play nice, I’ll let you have me as much as you want tonight. How’s that?”

He nodded his head. “Okay then.” He peered over my shoulder. “Where’s your suitcase?”

“In the bedroom.”

“I’ll get it for you.”

“Okay. I’ll feed Jack Sparrow while you get it.”

AJ gave me a funny look. “Who?”

“My cat.”

“You gotta be shitting me that you named your cat after a character in Pirates of the Caribbean.”

I grinned. “I have a major crush on Johnny Depp.”

AJ’s nose wrinkled in disgust. “I sure as hell didn’t need to know that.”

Sweeping my hand to my hip, I countered, “Does that mean you won’t indulge a deep seeded fantasy I have of having sex with a dude in a Jack Sparrow costume with some fierce black eyeliner?”

“Seriously?”

I laughed and shook my head. “I’m teasing you.”

“Thank God. For a minute there, I was actually considering it!”

Knocking my hip playfully into his, I then motioned down the hallway. “Hurry up or we’re going to be late. I don’t want to make a bad impression on Jake.”

“Whatever,” AJ mumbled as he headed out of the living room. When he disappeared into the bedroom, I went to the kitchen and took out a bag of Whiskas. At the sound of the package crackling, Jack Sparrow came bounding into the room and hopped onto the counter.

He peered at me with his one good eye before rubbing his head up against me. “You gonna be a good boy while I’m gone?”

Flicking his tail, he gave me his usual apathetic response, but the moment I scratched behind his ears, the classic Siamese meow came from deep in his throat. All was good until AJ came around the corner, causing Jack to snap his head up and one-eye AJ suspiciously before hissing.

AJ sat my suitcase down and crossed his arms over his chest. “Hmm, looks like I’m not making nice with your pussy, huh?”

I snickered. “Testa di cazzo.”

“En Ingles, por favor,” he replied.

“Dickhead.”

He laughed as he closed the gap between us. Jack Sparrow growled before hightailing it off the counter and skidding out of the kitchen. “What’s up with his—” AJ motioned to one of his eyes.

“Oh that. He’d already lost it when I rescued him off the streets. He was living off dumpster food at St. Joe’s.”

“Ah, I see. Does he always act like that with strangers?”

“Just strange me. He and Dee have made friends over the year. I think he was treated badly by some men in the past.” A sad smile crept on my lips. “I think that’s why we get along so well.”

AJ took in my words before leaning over to bestow a sweet and tender kiss on my lips. When he pulled away, he smiled. “I guess I’ll just have to win him over and prove to him and his owner that not all men are douchebags.”

“I think that would be great,” I murmured. Deep down, I couldn’t help but doubt AJ’s sincerity or if he would really take the time and effort to prove to me he was different. I desperately wanted him to—more than anything I needed him to.

He nodded before grabbing my suitcase. “Come on, sexy. Your chariot awaits to take you to the great and wonderful Sticks of Bumblefuck.”

I laughed. “Okay, let’s go.” After I got my purse and keys and threw on my sunglasses, I followed him to the door. I locked up and then we headed down the porch steps. At the sight of the gleaming silver chrome vehicle in the driveway, I raised my sunglasses onto my forehead to eye his SUV. “Nice Hummer.”

“Thanks. The ride is pretty cool, too.” When I glanced over at AJ, he waggled his eyebrows. “You walked right into that one.”