Page 9 of Big Easy
Stepping up to the truck, I place an order for three bottles of water, along with three chicken avocado wraps. I slide the cash to the vendor. "You mentioned the hospice center." I hand her a bottle of water.
"Thanks." She takes it from me and twists off the top. "I take care of people who are nearing the end stages of their illnesses. It's super important to everyone, including the families, to experience a smooth and comfortable transition. Facing one's own mortality can be very overwhelming. As hard as it is on the heart, I take great care in making sure they get the best care possible."
I hang on every word she says, spoken with conviction. I pass her one of the wraps. "You didn't need to feed me but thank you just the same. I skipped breakfast this morning, and I'm starving."
I find myself wanting to know more about this woman beside me. She's physically stunning, attractive beyond words, but the pull I feel goes beyond the bedroom. Don't get me wrong, I want nothing more than to explore the curves of her body. I slow my pace, letting Sutton lead the way for a moment, and drink her in—breasts the perfect size to fit my hands, a small waist, hips that flare out ever so slightly, giving her the flawless hourglass figure, toned legs, tiny feet. Her long blonde hair falls in waves down her back, the ends almost brushing her ass. My need goes beyond the bedroom. The way she talks about her chosen profession shows the compassion she has for people. She is selfless. I'm drawn to her like a moth to a flame.
"Are you staring at my backside, Mr. Carter?" Sutton asks, not once looking back.
"I am," I chuckle, not bothering to lie.
Sutton suddenly stops in her tracks. "Shit," she mumbles.
"What?" I ask, trying to figure out her mood change.
"My ex." She shields her face, trying to hide, but she couldn't look less noticeable. Sutton chances a look over her shoulder. "Oh, my God. He's walking this way and has the bitch he cheated on me with him," she says, her voice tight.
A second later, the man in question stops a few feet away. "Fancy running into you, Sutton." His snobbish, preppy boy attitude reeks.
"Knock it off, Noah. You knew I would be here." Sutton narrows her eyes. "What do you want? I have nothing to say to you, or"—Sutton's eyes shoot daggers at the thin as a rail brunette hanging on her ex's arm—"her," she finishes.
"Haven't you heard?" He looks at Sutton and I want to grind his face beneath my boot and wipe the smug look off of his face. The brunette shoves her hand out. "We're getting married," she gloats, and flashes her cheap ass diamond ring.
My irritation for their pompous behavior surpasses my tolerance level. I snake my arm around Sutton's waist and pull her into my side. The scent of her floral perfume invades my senses, and the look of shock replacing the smug expression on her ex's ugly mug gives me endless satisfaction.
"I'm not sure if you're aware of the fact, my woman here has moved on to much bigger and better things. So, she sure as fuck don't give two shits what pussy you choose to stick your pencil dick in."
His mouth gapes open. "Bullshit." He pulls away from his fiancé. "You're with a Hades Outlaw—a fucking biker?"
I step in front of Sutton, and before thinking it through, my knuckles connect with his face, punching his sorry ass square between the eyes. "Watch your fuckin' mouth."
His hands fly up. Blood trickles between his fingers and onto his crisp baby blue polo shirt. "You broke my nose," he whines like the pussy he is.
"You talk to Sutton like that again, I'll do more than break your fuckin' nose." I look at the bitch he's with. "Get your trash out of here." The woman nods as she bends down to help Sutton's ex up off the ground.
A few minutes pass in silence before Sutton speaks. "He's been a thorn in my side since the day I caught him cheating. Always flaunting her in my face any chance he gets."
"He won't be a bother anymore."
Sutton laughs, her smile returning to her face. "The look on his face when you said I was your woman was priceless." She looks at me and sighs. "Thank you."
We reach Millie, who is still seated in the chair we left her in. I hand her the wrap and a bottle of water. "Thank you, Jaxson." She opens her bottle and takes a sip.
"Umm, listen. I need to get back to my tent before the crowd gets much larger," Sutton says.
"Where?" I ask.
"Oh." She turns and points toward the park entrance. "Over there. I'm helping with free medical screenings today." Facing Millie, she tells her, "You take care, and don't overdo it."
"Of course, dear." Millie begins eating the snack I bought.
"It was an experience meeting you, Mr. Carter." Sutton smiles my way.
"Call me Jaxson," I tell her, and I feel Millie's eyes on me.
"Have a good day, Jaxson." Sutton turns and begins walking away.
"Sutton," I call out, causing her to stop and look over her shoulder. "What do you say you and I get a bite to eat sometime?" I can't believe I just asked her out on a date. Who the hell am I?
