Page 84 of Needing Your Love
“Don’t threaten me with a good time, Chief.”
“Mmm,” I hummed, steering him out into the cold with a hand on his lower back.
We climbed into his BMW I’d started by remote a few minutes earlier.
“Thank fuck for heated seats,” he said while buckling in.
The boy was spoiled. My Bronco didn’t have a remote start or fancy butt warmers, so that vehicle was off-limits until at least May, according to him.
Even though breath fogged and noses turned red, the small set of bleachers at our town’s football field was jam-packed as usual with faithful fans of our small school’s team.
Jimmy sat huddled against me, my arm around his shoulders, tucking him in tight. He shivered but was a trooper in encouraging our high schoolers along with me.
Jamie was helping out again tonight since he wasn’t on patrol. He caught sight of Jimmy and I front and center at the fifty-yard line while the boys had warmed up out on the field pre-kickoff.
Dex used to be my partner in crime at these games, but he’d declined the invite to go with me and Jimmy. Said he was busy.
Probably fucking Christian.
Dex had been cagey and secretive the few times I’d seen him lately, but I had my own full plate with this new…whatever it was between Jimmy and I. Dex and I would catch up eventually, and even though I’d been enjoying the hell out of having Jimmy by my side, I missed my best friend.
I hoped he played it safe both physically and emotionally while doing whatever he was up to with that Cole guy. He tended to get a little rough in the sack, had a definite kink for domination without the pain aspect. Cole didn’t seem to be submissive in any way shape or form.
They would be incendiary, no doubt, and I kept my fingers crossed they didn’t burn Pippen Creek to the ground once the gossip erupted into flames. Surprisingly, Babs knew nothing about the current state of affairs between the two men, so I was in the dark as well.
After our team’s loss, we helped pack out Frenchie’s. Jamie and Chaz had gone home rather than hang out, and while Dex and Christian were absent, The Moose’s Muse owners were both sitting at the bar.
“Jimmy!” Kendra stood from her seat and hugged him, squeezing tight. “I’ve been missing you!” She motioned toward the empty stool beside her, and Jimmy slid onto the seat.
I greeted them both and shook hands with her husband Harry before settling on Jimmy’s other side.
Kendra leaned forward to see around him. “So you’re the one making my favorite renter stay out all night.”
She didn’t ask a question, and I was well aware of the rumor mill’s current focus.
“What can I get for ya?” Iris asked, keeping me from having to respond.
“Stella and a glass of pinot noir.”
Jimmy squeezed my knee, and I slid my arm around his shoulders, reminding him with touch that I knew what he wanted and was more than willing and happy to provide for him.
“So your room is up for renewal on Monday,” Kendra said, and I stilled, eyeing Jimmy in my periphery. “Seeing as how leaf peepers are hanging around, I’ll have no problem filling the vacancy if you’re ready to give the room up.”
He glanced at me.
I turned so he would have my full attention, hating that this discussion might happen in a public place.
Baby blues implored me to answer Kendra’s question for him as Iris set our drinks in front of us.
“Want something to eat, Chief? Jimmy?” Iris asked.
“I think we’re good,” I answered.
Iris ambled off.
“We’ll swing by tonight to get the rest of Jimmy’s things,” I told Kendra, and she beamed, her eyes alight with excitement knowing she had a golden nugget to start sharing around town.
Jimmy relaxed at my roundabout way of speaking my intentions toward him, a soft smile curving his mouth. I wanted to lick the taste of cherry off his glossed lips before probing my tongue inside to enjoy his natural sweetness.
