Page 22 of Sassy Pants

I straighten in the seat. “Okay. I’m listening.”

“Told you I was seeing about a kitchen today.” He pulls onto the main road, and I notice he isn’t driving toward Chaser’s house, but I keep my mouth shut because I said I’d listen.

“Jesse Lancaster is bad news.”

“We already discussed this.”

“Babe, listen, remember?” I narrow my gaze at him but remain silent. “From the moment he marked you back in the area he started working your old man for information. Started about two weeks ago. Wanted to know everything your father could share, but he didn’t know much being you hadn’t been close. Got reason to believe he’s up to something and that he tampered with Jelissa’s car while you were at your dad’s place to get you alone. I don’t know what he had planned, but we got eyes on him. Until we know what he’s planning you’re with me.”

That’s a lot to take in, and Stud drives in silence allowing me time to process. I mean yeah Jesse was a bit aggressive, but maybe after all this time he was simply curious and wanted to know how my life was before he approached me. Would he hurt me? He doesn’t have a reason to. Maybe Stud is using this as his in. I don’t know what to think. “What do you mean I’m with you?”

“Living situation has changed. Got all your stuff at my new place. So I mean not only are you with me as my woman, but you’re living with me at least until we know what Jesse wants with you. And after if you wanna stay we’ll figure out where we’re at.”

“Whoa. Back up. Has Jesse threatened me?”

“No.”

“Has anyone threatened me?”

“No.”

“Stud.”

“Look, I get how this might sound, but if Jesse is a threat do you want to chance him hurting Erik?”

Damn he’s got me there. My nephew is the most precious thing in this world to me. Chaser’s dark eyes and Jelissa’s blond hair. He’s adorable and perfect. If anything, ever happened to him, and it were my fault, I don’t know what I’d do.

“All right. I’ll stay with you until you and Chaser figure out this thing with Jesse, but I’m sure he’s harmless.”

The truck slows to a stop. I was so caught up in our conversation I wasn’t paying attention to where he was taking me.

“Where are we?”

“Home sweet home.” He climbs out the driver’s side and hurries around to thepassenger door to help me out. Its too dark to tell much about the outside. Stud leads me up a set of wooden deck stairs, taking me in through the back door of a trailer.

The hallway light flickers on and we’re standing in front of the laundry cove. We move to the kitchen. It’s simple, bare, but also clean. “You got a kitchen.” I say lamely.

“Told you I want to decide if that meatloaf is ring worthy.”

“Dude.”

“Don’t dude me. I don’t expect to sample it tonight, but sweetheart, I want a taste.” Grabbing my left hip with one hand, he slides my purse strap down my arm with the other. I don’t think he’s talking about meatloaf. My purse is placed on the counter behind us along with my rose. Stud backs me up against it, and then he’s on me. Tongue delving between my lips and battling me for control.

I let go and give it to him.

Sliding a hand through my hair he kisses me hard then soft…rough and sweet. It’s real nice. I adore this side of him a lot. His cell phone vibrates from his jacket pocket and he breaks away.

“Talk to me.” Stud smiles at me, brushing his knuckles along my cheek. “Right. Bastard.” His smile fades, his green eyes darkening with flashes of anger swirling through them. “Yeah. Alert came through I received it. We arrived a few minutes ago. Yeah. I’ll talk to her. Later, man.”

I wait till he lays his phone on the counter. “What is it?”

“Shit that I don’t want spoiling this, but I’m afraid it’s gonna.”

“Spit it out and tell me, Stud. I’m a big girl. I can take it.”

“That was your brother. He called in some favors and the last girl Jesse dated nearly lost vision in one of her eyes he beat her so badly. He has a case pending against him for terroristic threatening and sexual assault.”

My stomach rolls. “What?”

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