Bubbles Read online

  “I assume we’re doing bacon and eggs? Or eggs and sausage? How do you like your eggs?”

  “How long will it take you to get ready?”

  I considered. I didn’t need to wash my hair, so it wouldn’t take too long. “Maybe thirty minutes?”

  “Go. I’ll have breakfast ready when you’re done, and then you can clean up while I shower.”

  I stood, hesitated, and finally said, “Thanks again for inviting me into your home. I wasn’t even a tiny bit scared last night. I got a good night’s sleep. I’d have woke up every five or ten minutes if I’d been home. Every noise.”

  His face softened, and his eyes looked almost sad. “You’re welcome. Thanks for telling me, and thank you for trusting me to keep you safe.”

  I stood and he stayed seated, and our heads were nearly the same height. I have no idea what possessed me to lean in and kiss his forehead, but I did — and then I practically ran from the room, into mine to grab my bag, and into the hall bathroom. I closed the door, locked it, and leaned against it with my eyes closed and my heart trying to escape my chest.

  Fuck. I needed to get myself under control.

  I showered and took special care shaving. Nothing was going to happen, but still — just in case.

  I tried to be casual when I stepped into the kitchen, but then our gazes met and I didn’t know what to do, so I looked at my feet.

  He pulled the pan off the stove and the bacon stopped sizzling as loud. I watched his feet walk towards me, saw his hand come to my face, but I didn’t lift my gaze to look at him until his palm cupped my cheek and directed it up.

  “You’re a sweet little thing, Half-pint. I’m behaving, but much more of that and I might not.”

  It wasn’t a threat, or even a warning. It was Bubbles letting me know where he was. He was being honest.

  I couldn’t find any words, so I nodded — and then thought I might melt into a gooey puddle on the floor when he leaned down to kiss my forehead.

  “Breakfast’s almost ready. Eggs and biscuits are on the table. I have honey in the cabinet, but no jelly. Sorry.”

  “Honey’s good. Thanks.”

  “Have you mapped out where we’re goin’?”

  I nodded. “I’m taking you at your word that money’s no object.”

  He sighed. “It’s a little bit of an object — no more than eight-and-a-half grand before taxes at any single store, and don’t let the stores know we’re spreading the wealth around. I’ll take fifty large with us today.”

  Which meant even though his day job was legal, he still did enough illegal shit to have money he hadn’t laundered.

  “You know what I want,” he continued, “so I’ll let you talk to the salespeople. If you head towards the wrong style or color or whatever, I’ll either speak up, or will put my hand on your shoulder and squeeze. I scare people just by walkin’ in the door, and having someone else speak helps put strangers at ease. No need in checking in with me — if I don’t correct you, you’re on the right track. I won’t speak up until time to negotiate dollars.”

  “Okay, but what if we have a greenlight signal, just to help with my confidence? Maybe just touch my back or something if you want the piece we’re talking about?”

  “If I’m close, sure, but I may hang back if I think I’m making the help uncomfortable.”

  Something pissed him off and his eyes went hard. I had to look down to keep from showing my own fear. I took a bite, reminded myself Bubbles had me under his protection, and looked back up. I had to understand his reaction — and mine. “You were angry. Why?”

  His eyes were still hard. Cold. He focused on his plate and it almost felt as if the way he cut his damned steak was a threat. He’d fixed me bacon, eggs, and biscuits, but he had two steaks as well.

  But he didn’t scare me. I was under his protection. He was pissed at something, but I was safe.

  When he looked up again — I saw pain behind the new frostiness.

  I sighed. “I’m sorry I probed, and I’m sorry I was afraid for a split second. I don’t know why you’re still trying to scare me, but you told me I’m safe here, and I believe you.”

  He put the bite in his mouth, and watched me while he chewed — like he was a wolf and I was a little squirrel, and he was deciding the easiest way to catch me and add me to his meal.

  I sat up straighter and met his gaze. He told me I was safe, and Etta trusted me with him. I didn’t know what game he was playing, but I wasn’t up for it.

  He swallowed his bite and lost the attitude. “Okay, Half-pint.” He looked out the sliding glass door, and I followed his gaze. A preschool-aged little girl stepped out of the woods and was walking through the backyard.

  “Sit still.” He left without looking back.

  Bubbles stood in his yard with his hands on his hips looking as threatening as possible, and the little girl grinned and giggled at him. He finally shook his head, picked her up, and walked her into the house. He grabbed his phone and made a call.

  “Emmy’s at my house. She tells me they’re playing hide-and-go-seek in the woods.”

  He looked at the not-at-all-recalcitrant little girl while he listened, and then hung up without saying goodbye.

  “Gonzo says my house is out-of-bounds, and you’re cheating by hiding in my kitchen.”

  She put her little fists on her hips. “Not cheating. You carried me here. I didn’t walk!”

  He chuckled and put a piece of bacon from his plate into her hand. “Well, you can walk yourself back into the woods. I’m sure your playmates will be interested in hearing how you got around the rules.”

  She turned and looked at me. “Who are you?”

  “I’m Lexi.”

  She eyed Bubbles and looked back to me. “Are you Bubbles’ girlfriend?” She spoke surprisingly well for such a little thing.

  “No more questions, Emmy. Back into the woods. They’ve paused the clock until you’re back in bounds.” He’d stepped to the door while he talked, and he opened it for her.

  The cute little thing stomped out and down the steps, and ran back into the woods with her long hair flying behind her.

  “She’s too young to be in the forest by herself.”

  “They have adults stationed to keep the kids from heading too deep into the woods. It’s fine.”

  “She lives close by?”

  “No, but she visits a lot. She probably spent the night with Gonzo’s daughter.”

  He finished eating without saying anything else, and left. I heard the shower turn on a few minutes later, and I finished eating and started cleaning.

  4

  Bubbles

  * * *

  My alarm system alerts me with a frequency humans can’t hear, so Lexi hadn’t known she’d set it off. A camera is aimed at my deck, and I’d beat off while I watched her from my bedroom. Wrong? Maybe, but I wasn’t even a little sorry.

  But then I’d gone into the kitchen, and I’d stopped seeing her body and seen her. Perfect balance, perfect form. I knew enough to recognize it as yoga, but I could see martial arts in some of the poses. The wolf and I had watched our little Half-pint move from position to position, mesmerized. It was as if she took in the energy of the morning, and of the forest behind my house.

  Breakfast had once again shown me how grown up she was for a teen, and yet how sweet and innocent she was in other ways.

  I put on my dressiest jeans, a plain charcoal t-shirt, and sneakers — and reminded myself, again, that she was off limits. I trimmed my beard and slicked my hair back.

  Because I was so damned young on my first change, I had short hair and I’m stuck with it, since that’s how it is when I come back to human. However, I’d had to keep it even shorter in prison, and my attorney had suggested I keep to the same principles while on parole. I kept my beard trimmed close instead of shaving, but otherwise was following his advice.

  I needed to look semi-presentable to shop for nice furniture, so I did my best to look like a civi
lian. Businesses have to report anything over ten grand or anything over two grand they deem suspicious. Even a three-grand purchase by a gnarly biker would probably get reported, but I’d show up in my truck with a cute little girlfriend, and I thought we could pull it off.

  Lexi was wiping the counters down when I stepped back into the kitchen, and the room was spotless.

  “Do you have a mop? I swept, but it needs more.”

  “I don’t. We can buy one while we’re out. You should make a list.”

  “Why is every room tan except your bedroom?”

  “My bedroom is grey because I want black shit in there. The other rooms are tan because I had to choose something and didn’t want white. Leather furniture should go with tan.”

  My truck isn’t a monster truck, but it’s higher than most so I picked Lexi up and put her in. She doesn’t weigh much of anything. I handed her the seatbelt and waited for her to fasten it.

  “Pretty sure I could climb in without help,” she told me, “but thanks.”

  If I was honest, I’d admit I was looking for any excuse to touch her. The little Half-pint is more aware of the realities of life than many who are a decade older than her, and yet she’s like this little breath of fresh air. Young and new, without being naïve.

  And certainly not ditzy, as I’d expected when I first saw her hair.

  I walked around the truck and slid into the driver’s side.

  “If they ask, I work on classic cars. I’ll handle any questions about where I work. My name’s Adam; don’t call me Bubbles. If you start to screw up, switch it to Bubba.”

  “You’re trying to cut down on the chance they report the cash purchase as suspicious?”

  “You’re too young to know about that shit.”

  “I’ve helped my mama manage cash since I could count. I know the drill.”

  Right, because her mom’s a junkie whore. “Is Lexi short for something?”

  “Is Bubbles?”

  I couldn’t help my grin. The little Half-pint had spunk.

  “We’ll start in Dalton,” she said, “and make our way up the interstate to the Hamilton Place area, then Hixson, and then North Chattanooga last, so we’ll make a big circle before coming back.”

  “Unless we can walk out with something, in which case we’ll bring it back here before heading to the next store.”

  “Most of these places cater to the rich crowd, so they’ll expect to deliver it. Insisting you put it in your truck and leave with it might arouse suspicion.”

  She was right, but I hoped to at least have a bed and sofa while Lexi was with me.

  “Yeah. I’ll keep that in mind.”

  The first place we went in was so over-the-top fancy, it’s a wonder they didn’t offer champagne when you walked in the door. The saleswoman slowed and looked disappointed when she saw us, but was still professional. Lexi shook her hand and held her own with the overdressed bitch wearing enough jewelry to get herself killed if she ventured into the wrong area of town.

  “We need to fully furnish a new house. We’re starting over with everything. Adam’s a big guy, so we need solid furniture, nothing lightweight. Also, he prefers leather to fabric, and we like deep wood finishes. I’d like to see some marble-topped tables for his mancave.”

  I didn’t like any of the sofas, and Lexi didn’t even slow down at them. However, the second we walked into the room with the big, massive bed, it was as if she knew how much I liked it.

  She touched the wood and told the salesperson, “This could work. How much for the bed, side table, and armoire?”

  The woman consulted her tablet and turned it toward Lexi, but I could also see. I tried not to look shocked at the nearly twenty thousand dollar price tag.

  Time for me to speak up. “I’ll give you eight grand for the bed. Cash.” I stepped beside Lexi, wrapped an arm around her, and smelled her instant arousal. From just my arm around her. I’d promised her sister, but damn, this girl was testing my resolve.

  The saleswoman shook her head. “The bed is twelve nine ninety-five by itself.”

  “I’ve given you my offer. Please take it to your manager. We’ll wait here.”

  Ten minutes later, a man in a suit came into the room, walked to me, and offered his hand. “Mr. Ross? As it turns out, we’ll be cycling this bed out soon, and can sell the floor model for eighty-five hundred. What part of town do you live in?”

  “Near the battlefield. It’s early — any chance you can deliver today?”

  It took another thirty minutes to make the arrangements and pay them, and we were out the door and headed down the street.

  “They had a beautiful kitchen table,” Lexi told me as I pulled out of the parking lot. She’d wandered around while I was paying and arranging delivery. “If we can’t find something else today, we can go back in a week or two and get it, if you like it enough.”

  “Or you can find out who makes it and what it’s called, and we can order it through another store.” If all else failed, Matty could probably order it.

  The next place we went wasn’t anywhere near as expensive, but the furniture seemed solid. We ended up buying a leather sofa, loveseat, recliner, coffee table, side table, extra storage footstool thing, lamps, shit to hang on the wall, and a rug that supposedly anchored the room — all for just over five grand.

  We left with the rug and wall stuff. Everything else would be delivered in ten days.

  A furniture place near Hamilton Place had the perfect kitchen table and chairs, and said they could deliver them to my home Tuesday. A salesperson at another store convinced me microfiber could work for my living room, and I liked the feel of the sofa. Much like the place in Dalton, they sold me everything I needed for the room.

  “Pick a steakhouse,” I told Lexi on our way out of the building. “It’s lunchtime.”

  “Oh, I don’t eat that much. Whatever you want is fine. I’m not that hungry.” Her scent was off, and I realized she probably thought she’d have to pay for her own food.

  “My treat.”

  “No. I couldn’t. Today is supposed to be about paying off a debt, not creating more.”

  “No one goes hungry on my watch. You’ll eat.”

  “Bossy, much?”

  I leaned down and popped her on the ass. “You have no idea, Half-pint.”

  The spiced-honey scent of her arousal hit me hard, and my cock pulsed, but I evened my reaction out so I wouldn’t sport a woody. My hard-ons are noticeable, so I’d learned early how to keep them at bay.

  Neither of us spoke to each other again until we were seated and had ordered our drinks. I knew a big question was coming from her scent, so I wasn’t too surprised when she met my gaze and asked, “If my sister hadn’t made me off-limits, would you be interested?”

  “Oh yeah, Half-pint, but I’d use you up and then be done with you, and you aren’t that kind of girl. She’s right — I have no business in your pants.”

  “I’m not, usually. I mean, I’ve only been with a few people — guys I really liked and was with a while, but since I’m going to be staying with you anyway, what could it hurt?”

  Fuck me. She was offering herself to me.

  “I’m not in the habit of turning cute pussy down, but I made a promise to your sister.” I closed my eyes, reached a decision, and opened them. “If you offer again, she’s just gonna have to deal with it. Think it over, and be sure of yourself before you offer again.”

  She raced to the bathroom, and I texted Betty.

  * * *

  Your sister offered herself to me. If she does it again, I’ll accept.

  * * *

  It didn’t take her long to reply.

  * * *

  That wasn’t our deal.

  * * *

  I didn’t expect her to fucking OFFER herself to me. If I do her, you’re off the hook.

  * * *

  No. Leave her alone. She’s an innocent.

  * * *

  Then tell her not to offer hers
elf again. I won’t do anything unless she starts it.

  * * *

  The waitress had long since delivered our appetizers before Lexi returned, and she glared at me as she sat.

  “Didn’t peg you for a rat.” Her eyes bored into me, and I relaxed inside, happy the little thing wasn’t afraid of me.

  “Deal with it, Half-pint. She needed to know you were interfering with our arrangement.”

  “She says I won’t wipe out her debt to you if I do you, so there’s no sense in…” Her glare intensified. “You don’t play nice.”

  I woke my phone, opened it to the text conversation with Betty, and handed it to her. I saw the pain and hurt in her face, and told her, “She’s trying to protect you. Don’t be upset with her.”

  A deep sigh. “Yeah. Not the first time she’s lied to protect me. Probably won’t be the last.” She met my gaze again. “She said you’re huge. Was that another lie?”

  My brows lifted, and I couldn’t help my grin. “Cheeky little Half-pint, aren’t you? Only one way to find out.” I nudged the deep-fried onion towards her. “Eat.”

  “Are you gonna spank me if I don’t?”

  My wolf wanted to see her, but she didn’t know about him so I had to push him down. I’d let him look later, while she was sleeping. He can see out of my eyes but prefers to see out of his own. The focus and colors are different.

  “Almost sounds like you think you want a spankin’.”

  She fiddled with the onion — pulling a piece off, dipping it, and eating it. I figured she’d change the subject, but she finally answered. “Yes and no. I don’t know.”

  “I don’t want to have to spank you for real, so don’t do something dangerous to make it happen. If you’re headed that way, I’ll spank you just so we don’t have to go there.”

  She stared at her food, but I could only smell arousal and conflict. I had to know more.