Page 119 of 5+Us Makes Seven

I got in the passenger’s seat and found my knees up against the dashboard. I tried awkwardly for the handle of the seat to push it back.

Eden laughed at me. I smiled back at her as I fumbled for the handle.

“Sorry, Jack. Not used to having anyone so tall in the car.” She was still laughing at me as she leaned forward to get the handle under the seat. Her hand brushed past my leg and I could smell her perfume and hair as she leaned forward. Her head was only a few inches from mine.

“There we go,” she said, and the seat clicked back half a foot or so.

She looked up at me, eyes wide. A smile still on her face, but there was a glint in her eyes.

Does she want me to kiss her? Is that desire I can see in her eyes? I mean, shit. She’s still leaning over towards me. Well, here goes nothing.

I brought my hand up to her face, gently brushing her long hair back with my right hand as I softly caressed the fading bruise on her cheek. My hand looked huge against her small features, and I pushed her head up to face mine by her chin, leaning forward. Her lips parted slightly and a flush of color rose to her cheeks.

I leaned forward and pressed my lips to hers, gently at first. Her smell and presence filled my senses as I kissed her again, slightly harder this time. She returned the kiss, her hand on my thigh, squeezing me gently.

I reached my hand around behind her neck and cradled her head as I caressed her tongue with mine, groaning with desire. She tasted sweet, and I could feel the warmth from her buxom body as we kissed. I felt myself swelling at the thought of her naked, imagination running wild…

Her hand pushed into my chest as she sat back, gasping.

“Sorry, Jack. Not here. It needs to be right.” She was panting slightly, and her cheeks were flushed. I tried my best to clear the impulse I had to lean over, slip my hand under those pants and into the panties underneath them, make her gasp with pleasure while I kissed her neck…

“Eden. Don’t apologize. I got a bit carried away there.” I took a few deep breaths and focused my mind, trying to push away the thoughts of sex.

“Anyway, we got something to talk about. You said you were in trouble? Can you tell me what’s up?” I looked at her, my expression soft. I frowned with concentration and crossed my large arms, hearing the leather of my trench coat rub against itself. I tried to affect a dominant, concerned demeanor. Tried to put her at ease.

I saw her looking hungrily at the muscles bulging beneath my jacket. Then my shoulders, then up to my face. She sighed. Her voice was thick and husky when she spoke.

“Yeah, I got into some trouble. I really wish I hadn’t, so we could be somewhere else right now. Anyway, I got a visit from… well, from my old boyfriend.” She paused, looking up at me apologetically.

“We split up years ago, and I hadn’t even heard a word from him since. Then, all of a sudden, he turns up on my doorstep.”

I nodded sagely, waiting for her to continue.

“Thing is, Jack. My ex is Conall O’Rourke. He managed to get away when the O’Rourke gang was taken down. Now he’s back.”

I nodded again.

“I know, Eden. I’ve heard he’s back and cornering the meth market in town.” I saw her sigh with relief at my words.

“Oh. Well, he gave me some meth. The bruise too. Well, that wasn’t him. One of his horrible cronies.” She frowned angrily. I guessed the memory was still fresh in her mind.

I put my hand on her thigh reassuringly.

“Don’t worry, Eden. I’m looking into Conall O’Rourke. I’m gonna take him down.” She smiled at me, relief clearly evident on her face.

“Thing is, it would be much easier with your help.” I remembered her bruised face.

Not Conall? Then who, I wonder. Someone I need to go pay a visit, that’s for damn sure.

“Can you remember what the guy looked like who hit you?” I asked, keeping my voice low and reassuring.

“Not really. He was ugly. Looked a bit like a pig. And he had lots of gold teeth…” My sharp, angry intake of breath stopped her short.

“John O’Hanlan. That piece of work. Knew he was a scumbag, drug dealer, and a snitch. I thought he wasn’t worth my time, but he’s crossed the line now.” I suppressed the anger that was building within me.

Fuck you Goldie. Told you to stay out of my way. You’re in trouble now, sunshine.

“Oh, you know him? Well that’s something at least.” She looked up at me, concern on her face as she studied my features. I tried not to let the anger show.

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