“Down the hall to your right,” Violet said. “Do you need help?”
“Nope, I got it,” I said, and scooted to the bathroom.
When I wheeled myself back out, a hot cup of tea and a couple of cookies were on the table beside the recliner, so I settled myself back in and waited for Violet to join me.
Their living room had two huge picture windows that showcased the gorgeous white expanse outside, and their tree was directly in between the windows, which made the whole scene cozy.
“Let me know if you need a blanket,” Violet said as she sat in the sofa next to me. “Sometimes it’s just nice to wrap yourself up and watch the snow.”
“Seriously. I would kill to live somewhere with snow. Unfortunately, no one in my family will ever leave Savannah.”
“What about Mouse?”
“I’m not sure he’s overly keen either, but I could work on him.”
Violet smiled. “Y’all would have a place here if you ever wanted it. My dad loves Mouse.”
I chuckled. “Who doesn’t?”
Violet’s dad, Sundance, was the president of the Primal Howlers, and in theory, that would be a great fit, except that they’re a one-percent club, and the Dogs of Fire are clean, so I don’t know if it would work for me or Mouse.
“True,” she conceded. “How did you two meet?”
“One of my best friends died and I met him when I was dealing with that.”
“I’m so sorry,” Violet said, grabbing a cookie.
“Thanks. It sucked.”
“But you got Mouse, so that’s a positive, right?”
“Jury’s still out on that,” I retorted.
“Uh-oh.”
I smiled slightly, then sipped my tea. “We have one thing we do really well together.”
“Sex?”
I chuckled. “Yeah. How’d ya guess?”
“It’s how it always is. If the sex is bad, there’s no point in moving forward, but if it’s good, mind-blowing good, then you find ways to stay in it even if you shouldn’t.”
“Oh, I’ve tried to get out. A hundred times.”
“But he fell in love and held on like a vice-grip?” She held her hands up and made a gripping motion as she grimaced.
“Jesus, yes,” I hissed out.
She grinned. “Been there.”
“My ski trip was supposed to be my chance to shake him loose for good, but then I biff it on the slopes, day one, and he runs to rescue me. He got me high and I confessed how I felt—out loud, goddammit—and now we’re in some kind of long-term relationship.”
Violet laughed. “Oh, you poor baby. You’re in love with a gorgeous man who loves you back and fucks you right.”
I sighed. “I know. I’m an ungrateful bitch.”
“And you’re in a romantic, snow globe setting.”
I wrinkled my nose. “Keep rubbing it in.”
She grinned. “Want more?”
“No.” This time, it was me who laughed. “I just have to figure out how to let him love me. I haven’t had the greatest track record with men.”
“Me neither.”
“Really?”
“In that there wasn’t any track record.”
I snorted. “Your dad wouldn’t let them anywhere near you?”
“Ding, ding, ding,” she retorted.
“My dad doesn’t know a damn thing about the men I’ve dated. Well, except for the one who murdered several women.”
“What the fuck?” Violet breathed out. “What happened?”
“He and his cousin apparently went on a murderous rampage but dated ‘nice’ girls for cover. The problem was, Seth couldn’t fully hide his true self for long, and after he’d beat me and attempted to rape me, I got the fuck outta Dodge and didn’t look back. He was the last guy I introduced to my parents, and my dad almost lost his mind after he hurt me. I think he returned the beating, but no one has ever confirmed that. Seth’s in federal prison under suicide watch after he cut out his tongue.”
“Oh my god,” she squeaked.
“He and Thomas were the most prolific serial killers the country had ever seen to date, working in tandem so they’d always have an alibi. It took a while to catch them.”
“That’s terrifying.”
I nodded. “Very. Jasmine was actually kidnapped by Thomas.”
“Alamo’s Jasmine?”
“Yep.”
“Holy shit.”
“I know. It’s like a Dateline story where you’re actually the headline.”
“I can see why you’d want to write off men.”
I sighed. “Yeah. I just wasn’t expecting Mouse. He’s the best man I’ve ever known outside my father.”
Violet smiled. “Our dads gave them big shoes to fill.”
“You can say that again.” My phone buzzed and I glanced at the screen. “Mouse has texted me three times in the last fifteen minutes. Excuse me, I’m just gonna call him real quick.”
“You okay?” he asked.
“You’ve been gone less than half an hour,” I pointed out.
“So?”
I smiled. “I’m good, honey.”
“Fuck me,” he rasped.
“What?”
“That’s the first time you’ve called me ‘honey.’ I like it, baby. Keep doin’ it.”
“I’ll consider it.”
He chuckled. “Do you need me to come down?”
“No, we’re good here. Just have fun and I’ll see you when you get back.”
“Love you.”
“Love you too, honey.”
“Fuck me, I’m coming back now.”
I laughed. “No, you’re not. I’ll see you later.”
“Okay, Lace.”
He hung up and the warm fuzzies were back again. This time, however, I let them settle over me like a warm blanket.
Kennedy
The next day, I woke up snuggled close to Mouse. It was the first time I’d spent an entire night with him, and I liked it. A lot.
“Mornin’, baby.”
I met his eyes. “How long have you been awake?”
“I haven’t really been to sleep.”
“What? Why?”
“Because the second I’d fall asleep, your leg would find its way to my side of the bed. Pretty sure I came close to a broken shin myself.”
I gasped. “Really?”
He chuckled. “Yeah.”
“I’m so sorry,” I breathed out, trying to sit up, but Mouse held me tighter. “I’ll sleep on the sofa—”
“Like hell you will.”
“Honey, I don’t want to hurt you.”
“I’d take any punishment you dole out if it means you’re next to me.”
“Aww, you’re so ’mantic.” I kissed his pec.
He chuckled. “Don’t ruin my street cred.”
“Well, your secret’s safe with me but only until I decide I want to tell someone.”
“Fair.”
“I need to take a shower in a bad way.”
“I
