Page 22 of Jimmy

“Ready?” Jimmy offered her the helmet. “We’ll go to my place.”

“Sure.” She checked her watch. Twelve-twenty. So late. It was also the start of their third day. Only four more days left… until the spell would be over? Shit. She wasn’t sure. She needed to talk to Sarah again. She’d never been given all the particulars concerning the spell.

Jimmy helped her onto the bike, then tapped a fob. The garage door opened. Jimmy climbed into the bike while Kurt backed out. He left the garage, then closed the door and tapped another button.

Her heart hammered. She’d be going home with Jimmy, the sexiest man alive. Holy shit. She threaded her arms around him.

Jimmy sped off into the night, leaving Kurt behind. She held on tight, afraid that if she let go, the dream would end.

He rode through town to the west end. She’d taken the bus out here to a party thrown by a professor. She’d never driven here in her car -- the car had been totaled by then.

Jimmy pulled into the Kirkpatrick Estates, and her breath hitched. The Kirkpatrick Estates was an exclusive area, gated and well-protected. Jimmy waved to the guard at the gate, then continued into the development.

After meandering through the streets, Jimmy slowed, then turned into the driveway of a brick ranch-style home. It didn’t strike her as the kind of house he’d own -- but what would he have?

He parked in the garage and put the overhead door down. “Welcome to my home.”

She took the helmet off. “I’m happy to be here.” She spied a second motorcycle and a sports car. “Wow.” She’d seen that particular model of Camaro, but not in person.

“The car?”

“Sorry. Yes.” She shouldn’t act so starstruck. She should be more casual. Being from the poor side of town, not having much to her name and believing she’d never rise out of her level, meant she saw life differently from most people. Flashy cars impressed her.

“The Camaro was my impulse buy.” He touched the fender of the car. “I’ve always wanted one and saw the color I wanted, so I bought it. I don’t take it out much because the bike is easier -- unless it’s snowing.”

“Makes sense.”

He offered his hand. “Come inside with me.”

“Sure.” She needed to stop being so awed, but the car was nice.

“I ordered pizza before we left the shop. Should be here in a minute or two.” He led her into the house. “Forgive the decorating. I’m good at art and tattoos, but not furniture arrangement.”

“You don’t have to apologize.” She held his hand. “I have milk crates and one-by-sixes for bookshelves and a mattress and box springs that sit on the floor. I’m not the height of chic.”

He gathered her in his arms. “I wish I’d found you earlier.”

“Why?” She clung to him. “I’m not special.”

“Are to me.” He kissed her. “You make me happy.”

“You make me pretty happy, too.” She’d hoped he’d have seen her before now and would eventually fall in love with her, but she’d never expected any of that to come true.

A bell dinged.

He loosened his grasp. “Pizza is here.”

She left her purse on the table and explored the house. Dark carpets, lots of wood, and one of the lamps appeared to have been made from an oversized vodka bottle. The furniture didn’t match and compared to the immaculate landscaping and outdoor lighting, the inside of the house didn’t match. The interior screamed of masculinity and the outside spoke of order -- like the development demanded the landscaping be pristine.

Jimmy returned with the box. “My friend Gino makes the best pizza.”

She hadn’t been hungry until she smelled the pie. Her stomach rumbled. “Smells delicious.”

“I’ll get plates,” he said and carried the box to the coffee table. “Make yourself at home.”

She kicked out of her sneakers and shrugged out of her jacket. She missed living in a house. Missed being able to walk in the front door without having to go through a maze of entry points and using so many keys. She settled on the sofa and breathed in the scent of his cologne on the fabric. She felt surrounded and protected by him.

He returned with plates, napkins and two glasses of water. “Want to watch a movie?”

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