Page 83 of Bourbon & Blood

She put her arms around me and leaned into me some and plucked the ring off of my chest that she said belonged to her grandma or something. She turned it in her fingers and said, “You know, my great-grandma was the only person who was ever happy to see me until Maya,” she said and I focused on her face that was intent on the ring and her memories.

“My mamma didn’t want me, and my grandma had to raise me,” she said. “But my grandma didn’t want me neither. Told me all the time how much of a burden I was and how she was wasting what was supposed to be her life and her time on me.” She sighed and let go of the ring.

“My great-grandma, though? She was great. She was so wonderful to me. Listened to me, was happy to see me, and taught me how to escape a lot of the bullshit through books.” She tore her eyes from the ring around my neck and looked up at me, meeting my gaze which was intent on her face. “I guess I’m just trying to say I’m no stranger to the ones who’re supposed to love you saying mean things and breaking you down, you know? I get it, though. What you were saying about the whole blood is thicker than water thing. Maya is my sister of the heart. She’s the one who taught me what unconditional love and loyalty are supposed to look like. I guess… I guess the same way your club does for you?”

I nodded, and she smiled a little. I leaned down and kissed her forehead.

“Best test that water and stop up that tub,” I told her. “I’ll get you a drink, and come in here and sit with you, if you like.”

She smiled a little bigger and nodded. “Absolutely I’d like,” she said.

I went into the kitchen and got the bottle of my good bourbon out of my freezer and poured a couple of stiff drinks. When I got back into the bathroom, she was huddled in the tub, her hair twisted in a knot on the top of her head.

“Gon’ grab a shower,” I murmured, handing her down her glass and sipping on my own. She sniffed and closed her eyes, an appreciative smile curving her lips.

“I love a good bourbon,” she said, and I smiled on the inside. Well, hell, if it was gon’ be like that, she reallywasthe perfect woman. One I should and would have every intention of wifing up if it came to it.

“You sure you don’t want to join me down here?” she asked after a long sip.

“Nah,” I said. “I’m just not feelin’ a bath tonight.”

She nodded. “Okay.”

I started up the shower and got in with my glass, taking a sip and setting it on the little shelf on the far side, well away from the spray.

The water beating on me felt real good. The bourbon went down smooth, and the sound of her dulcet voice as we talked over the rush of the showerhead just made all the things that much better.

It was a nice way to cap off the night, but the best I hoped was yet to come.

I got out of the shower and dried off while my little Alina lounged back and relaxed and that was nice, too. I stood at the sink and shaved my head and my face as she chatted with me some more. Just quietly talking, we learned some about each other.

Finally, I went over to fish her out and dry her smooth skin.

“You got some lotion or somethin’?” I asked, and she nodded.

“Got to get your skin hydrated, boy – or this burn liable to really sting tomorrow.”

She smiled and asked teasingly, “You want to put the lotion on my skin?”

“Damn straight,” I told her, and she giggled like somethin’d just gone over my head.

I wrapped her up, and she helped me blow out the candles I had going down here. We went on upstairs to the bedroom.

I rubbed her down from head to toe with that lotion of hers, which led to me making love to her, slow and sweet. I left her trembling and quaking in our bed with all the passion and devotion I could show her, and that was mighty fine.

If it was one thing that Ididlearn from my daddy it was this – nothing else in heaven or on earth beat the love of a good woman. Only I aimed to do right by mine and if it came to it, any children she might bear me.

There weren’t no way I would ever be him. Not that way.

I slept hard and deep with her in my arms that night, and it was all good.

I ain’t have no one calm my soul like she did.

* * *

I droppedAlina off and rode up the way before pulling over to make my calls. I got a hold of Hex and asked, “Where are they?”

He knew what I meant, knew right away what I was talkin’ about, and told me where our boys were at.

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