Page 47 of Moving to Love
Gunnar hugged Joci. “Always.”
LuAnn gave a loud, “Geez, you act like she was in danger or something.”
She was largely ignored, but Joci got the feeling this might be a long weekend.
When they got back on the road, Jeremiah and Joci rode in the middle of the pack. The weather was beautiful and enjoyable. As they got close to the lake, the humidity in the air increased, making it very comfortable riding. They drove up the driveway of their rented house, and JT opened the garage door so the riders could pull their bikes in out of the weather. It was after 8:30 and the sun had just gone down below the horizon. They had worked out all the sleeping arrangements at the shop. The house had six bedrooms. Jeremiah and Joci got the master bedroom, which was amazing. It had its own bathroom with a big garden tub in it.
The other five bedrooms had multiple beds in them. Two of the bedrooms had a set of bunk beds and a double bed. Everyone was able to sleep in a bed. There was a gorgeous kitchen and two additional bathrooms in the house.
“Okay, listen up. Since it’s after eight o’clock, we can either find a bar to hit or go buy some drinks and stay here at the house. What does everyone want to do?”
“I want to go out and shake it,” LuAnn piped up.
Joci spoke up, “I think it would be better if we stayed and drank here, so no one is driving after drinking. I’m happy to go and pick up the drinks.”
“I think that sounds great. I’ll go, Mom. Why don’t you unpack—again.” Gunnar smirked.
“What does that mean, ‘again’?” LuAnn sniped, using air quotes.
Gunnar turned so he was facing LuAnn head-on. “It means that my mom just moved in with Dog, and she’s been unpacking the last couple of days.” He smiled at the look on LuAnn’s face.
LuAnn’s eyes narrowed as she looked past Gunnar, right at Joci.
Chase burst out laughing. “Careful, LuAnn, your face will stay that way.”
Jeremiah pulled Joci to the master bedroom while Gunnar and Ryder took drink orders and headed to the nearest store.
As they walked into the master bedroom, Jeremiah hugged Joci, picked her up, and laid her on the bed. He stretched out next to her and kissed her.
“I thought I was going to go out of my mind when those assholes got so close to you, Joci. I couldn’t stand it if anything happened to you.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him to her for a kiss.
“I’m fine, babe. Thank you for worrying.”
Jeremiah’s smile grew across his face.
“You called me ‘babe.’ That’s the first time you used an endearment for me. I love the way it sounds coming from your lips. Let’s make out.”
Joci laughed, but they heard Gunnar and Ryder coming back into the house. “Okay, we’ll finish this later. Now, think about that for the rest of the night,” he whispered in her ear.
The boys came in carrying their packages and putting beer and wine coolers in the refrigerator as Joci and Jeremiah walked into the kitchen.
Deacon’s wife, Julie, and Janice started mixing drinks and playing bartender. The kitchen had a breakfast bar, and they used that as a bar. As soon as everyone had drinks, JT proposed a toast to a great weekend. Everyone cheered and sipped at their drinks. The boys had also bought snacks and dips, and those were spread out on the kitchen table.
Joci began talking to some of the girls and trying to get to know them. Julie was an artist with a vividly creative mind. Janice was very sweet and closer to Joci in age. Joci knew her already, but they hadn’t had the time to get to know each other.
Jeremiah sat on the sofa and patted his knee for Joci to come and sit on his lap. Suddenly, LuAnn jumped in and sat on his lap first. She wrapped her arms around his neck and tried to kiss him, but he pulled his head back as soon as he saw what was happening.
His jaw tight, he growled, “Get the fuck off my lap, LuAnn.”
She acted pouty and said, “Dog, you know you want me.”
Jeremiah put his hands on her hips and picked her off his lap. When she was standing, he gave her a little shove.
“I’ve told you this is inappropriate. Enough.”
Jeremiah stood up quickly and walked over to Joci and grabbed her hand and pulled her out on the deck. Once they were outside, he turned to her and framed her face with his hands, holding her in place.
