Page 58 of Cash

“James,” she explains.

“Everything okay?”

“Yeah, he’s home now.”

“Why’d he need your car tonight?” I ask as she moves into the same position I’m in.

“He had a date, and his truck’s in the shop. He just texted to let me know he’s home safe. We do that whenever we have a first date with someone we don’t know.”

“Smart move.”

“And he needed to text-vent. Date didn’t go well,” Livi says with a laugh.

“How bad?”

“The date spent the evening complaining about his ex, his mom and his last two drunk driving arrests. How the cops railroaded him, how he’d only had two beers, blah, blah, blah. The usual story we always hear. Every single drunk driver claims to have only had two beers.”

“James took him home after dinner,” I state.

“No. He called an Uber and left him still complaining in front of the restaurant,” Livi corrects my assumption. “James said he’s learned his lesson about dating apps. Again.”

“This isn’t the first time?”

“No. He keeps swearing off them but then tries again. It never ends well. I wish he’d meet someone worthy of his time. Of him,” Livi says with feeling.

I reposition myself and Livi to lying flat, pulling her tight to my side. Reaching out, I shut off the lamp. Lying on my back, Livi’s front to my side, I use my free hand to tip her face up to mine for a brief kiss.

“He will, Livi.”

*~*~*~*

Waking, I take a moment to enjoy the warmth of having Livi close. Her leg thrown over mine, her hand on my abs. Her head is tilted down, thick strands of her hair strewn across my chest. I can feel her exhales against my skin, and I like all of it.

I’ve always been different than most of the guys in the club. I’ve always preferred being in a relationship over hitting up club girls or one-night stands. I’ve done both but not often and not in a long time. I don’t need, or like, having biker groupies hanging on me or my every word. I don’t like the attention my bike, club or cut brings my way, but I never let that show. I work hard and do right by my club and family. That will never change. I am who I am, and I’m comfortable with that.

I can’t help the laugh that escapes me when I hear Snots snoring loudly over the baby monitor. He snores, grunts and then lets out a wuffle before starting over again. I’m impressed that Liam’s sleeping through it.

Livi shifts and I know I’ve woken her. Without warning, I roll her to her back as I roll on top of her. Looking down, I see her giving me a sleepy smile. Bracing on my elbows, I push both my hands into her hair on the sides of her head. Livi wraps her arms around my waist and splays her open palms on my bare back.

“I want you to come to the gym next week,” I say.

“Are you suggesting I need to work out more?” Livi asks with a small narrowing of her eyes.

“I want to see what skills you have. What, if anything, I can do to improve them. Your weaknesses, your strengths. We train a lot of different styles of fighting and self-defense. If there are holes in your training, we need to find them.”

“We get the basics in self-defense and takedowns, but that’s about all. Me and a few of the other female officers have taken additional classes on our own, but I’d love to learn anything you think could help,” Livi responds.

“Good. Now kiss me,” I order.

No hesitation, her mouth hits mine. I let her take the lead and enjoy the feel of her mouth exploring mine. I feel myself harden as her hands slide down my back and land on my ass. Using her hands, Livi pulls me down harder on her. Her mouth turns hungry and demanding. I grind my cock hard against her and enjoy the sound her throat makes.

“Fucking want you, Livi,” I say after pulling my mouth a scant inch from hers.

“How long do we have to get to know each other first?” Livi groans out as she wraps her legs around mine.

The doorbell rings repeatedly at the same time as there’s a loud, constant banging on the front door. I swear loudly while jackknifing up and out of bed. The racket continues as I storm down the hallway, still cursing.

Making it to the door, I jerk it open and grab for a laughing Axel. My intention is to do great bodily harm to him. His survival instincts kick in a second before I make that happen. He dives off the steps, head-first, leaving Pooh to face my wrath. The grin instantly leaves Pooh’s face.

---