Page 49 of Minus

“Don’t get me wrong, I’m not at all happy about the way he went about things, but knowing what I know now, he probably saved my life. Maybe even yours.”

“What do you mean?” she asked.

“I was crazy about you back then, Cricket. I was more focused on you at the time than I was on the club, and that put you in a dangerous position.”

“How?”

“If you’re not paying attention to your enemies, you’ll never know when they’re coming for you, and the people you’re closest to. The people you love are always the most vulnerable.” Cricket’s eyes met mine. “Cutter didn’t send me away because of you, but I’m glad he did. I was young, angry, and too impulsive back then. I would have fucked everything up between us one way or another. At least now, maybe we have a chance.”

“Slow down, tiger,” she said. “Just because I’m listening, doesn’t mean I’m down with the cause. And just because we fucked, doesn’t mean there’s awe.”

“Is that all that was to you? A good fuck?” I asked.

“I just said it was a fuck, I never said it was good,” she deadpanned.

“Ha, fucking, ha, Cricket. You know what I mean. We’ve both admitted how we felt about each other back then, and how hard it was to be apart. I think it’s safe to say that whatever flame we held for one another back then is still burning now. I think it would be a little difficult for you to deny that at this point.”

“It’s not difficult for me to deny anything. My reason for talking to you last night was the same for fucking you. I had unresolved issues.”

“And you don’t anymore?” I asked, a little shocked by her response.

“I never said that, but let’s just say that I’m good for now.”

“Oh, how nice it must be for you,” I said.

“What do you expect from me, Jase? Just because I have a better understanding of what you went through and why you left, doesn’t mean I’m willing to forget about everything. Obviously, I still have some sort of feelings for you, but it’s not like I’ve been sitting around pining for you all these years, or that just because we screwed, I’ve fallen in love with you again.”

“Well, damn, Cricket. Tell me how you feel, no need to hold anything back now,” I said sarcastically.

“I’m very curious to know why you think we’d have any kind of chance, romantically or otherwise. We’ve been down this road once before, remember? Trying to balance our love life with your club life didn’t quite work out for us last time.”

“I wish I could show you all the ways I’ve changed in the past few years. I’m aware that I’ve done a spotty job so far, but with a little time, and some patience on your part, I hope to prove myself to you, and show you how much I’ve grown as a person.”

“I hope so too, because if you hurt me, you’ll never hear from me again,” she said, once more using her ‘all business’ tone. “And Hatch’ll probably kill you.”

“I understand,” I said and leaned in for a kiss. I wanted more, but right now I needed to focus on getting our money back, and how to deal with Los Psychos. I broke our kiss and said, “I’d like to continue this conversation later tonight if you’re free.”

“I’ll have to check my schedule, but I think I can make myself available,” she said, unable to hide her smile.

“Good. I’ve got to go pick up Cutter and go over some last-minute details with Clutch about today’s meeting.”

“Be careful, Jase. You up and getting yourself shot wouldn’t quite be a ringing endorsement for your proposed business venture.”

“All I ask, is that you continue to keep your mind, andlegs, open to me while we figure this out.” I slid my hand between her thighs and kissed her again. She moaned and pulled me closer.

Club business would have to wait.

* * *

Cricket

“You want my legs open?” I asked, pushing him onto his back and straddling his hips.

“Yeah, baby. I do.” He slid his hands up the outside of my thighs, squeezing my ass once he reached it.

I ran my thumb over his bottom lip, then slid my finger into his mouth. He sucked on it and I slid it to my clit, pressing the wetness against it. I felt him shift and I shook my head. “Don’t move,Minus.”

He grinned, slipping his hands behind his head. “You want control, Cricket?”

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