Page 96 of Preacher Man

P: 10:18 - Where are you?

R: 10:18 - On a bus. It smells like feet and peas. I saw Seb for a little while. They don't live far. I should confess it was a reason, not the only one, but the big reason for coming with you, I hope you don't hate me for that. I wanted to go with you, as well.She included a row of heart emoji’s. He liked that she did something to make herself happy, at least. And he wasn't mad for her reasons for coming along on this trip. As much as he'd dreaded seeing Red Light again having Ruby at his side felt nice, felt right.

P: 10:22- I’m seeing you when I’m back in town.

Thank god for predictive text. The back of Preacher’s skull was hurting from concentration.

R: 10:22- Sure :) I need to get the car bill from you anyway.

Goddamn, this woman. Could he strangle and fuck her at the same time? Nah, that was Hawk’s deal. But the urge was there. Clicking his tongue, he strode across the room to grab his cut, slipping it on, followed by his jacket. His phone pinged again.

R: 10: 24 - My legs still hurt. Just as well I took the bus lol.

P: 10:25 - Heading out, babe.

R: 10:25 - Oh? Got a hot date?

He smiled. Smiled again as he replied.

P: 10: 27 - Tell me something.

R: 10:27 - Sure. you know all my dirty laundry now. What do you want to know?

R: 10:28 - IS IT A DATE????????????

He ignored that. It would do her good to stew in her own juices and think he was going to fuck someone else after fuckingherstupid for hours.

He was still pissed off. Not done with Ruby Steele. Not by a long shot. She would just have to deal with that. She could run but she could never hide from Preacher.

P: 10:29- You wet for me, babe?

A minute went by. And then two. He was outside standing at the side of his bike when her reply finally came.

R: 10:33 - Against my better judgment, always.

P. 10:34 - Good. As I said I’ll see you when I’m back. Let me know you got home safe.

R: 10:34 - Sure. If you want me to.

P: 10:35 - I do.

P: 10:35- Stay wet. You’ll need it when I get my hands on you. Later, tiny dancer.

It was the closest Preacher had come to sexting. He preferred the up close and less technology approach. But he hadn’t minded it. In fact, knowing she was probably turned on and thinking he was off for a hook-up. Yeah, he felt damn good.

Throwing his leg over his bike, he stuck the key in the engine and fired her up, she purred like a dream, but she should, he took better care of that bike than he did his own body, giving her a tune-up every week, fresh oil, she was a pampered little thing, and he loved her.

R: 10:36- You didn’t answer. Is it a date?????

R: 10:36 - Preacher man!

R: 10:36 -There will be no hands on me if you’re sexing up someone else.

R: 10:37 - I mean it.

R: 10:37 - Ugh. Stupid man.She added on a row of angry red-faced emoji’s. He just laughed, feeling lighter in his chest cavity.

No more messages came after that, not for a long time until Ruby was home and she sent him a single text to let him know.

---