Page 13 of Call Out
“Right now.”
“But you’re in uniform.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll get changed first.”
“Okay.” I drag out the word.
“My partner in crime is waiting outside to chauffeur us around. I’ll clean up, and we can walk from my apartment.”
“Are you serious?” I say incredulously. “You’re taking me out to dinner in an ambulance?”
“Technically, Johnny is driving us to my place. I’ll escort you to the restaurant from there.” His feet turn, and he flashes me the sexiest grin I've ever seen. It lifts the edges of his mouth, so they almost meet his eyes. “Are you up for it?”
My pulse rockets into the stratosphere when he holds out his hand and waits for me. Without conducting a survey with my brain to gauge its thoughts, I let my heart lead the way, slotting my hand into his. He jerks me into his hip, so I have to look up at him.
“I’m up for it.”Omigod, this is totally harebrained.There isn’t a single cell in my body that wants to deny him. Given there are over 37.2 trillion cells within me, the numbers begging me to say yes are stacked pretty high.
“I’ve waited all day to do this,” he says in a low rumble.
His lips descend, covering mine with a leisurely, mind-melting kiss. I lose track of sanity and let caution drift out the window. Our lips linger, clinging for one last graze before he takes hold of my braid. With a tame tug, he removes the band securing the twisted strands. It flops free, and the plait stays entwined.
I tease out the lengths and ruffle the hair at my scalp to loosen it. Danny sinks his hand into the mass and clenches his fist. He maneuvers my head, fully exposing my neck. Feather light breath tickles and baits. A wicked tongue skates the curve, ending at my jaw. “Let’s go,” he says thickly, inhaling the scent of my skin after he speaks.
At this point I’m scrambling to piece together any semblance of a response, searching for the pieces of my brain that just exploded. I should be worried about my gooey organs and trembling limbs; however, nothing compares to this intimacy. It’s liberating. I’ve never been manhandled in that way before. It’s naughty and risqué and crazy.
Danny presses his lips to my forehead, then yanks me into the corridor. “Your chariot awaits, my lady.” He mocks with a fake British accent.
“You’ve practiced that.” I giggle.
“Never.” He links our fingers. “It didn’t sound too bad though, did it?” His laugh fills me with flutters as he ushers me out of Blossom Grove towards the ambulance.
The first time I met her was a fluke. The second was a blessing. The third encounter was one hundred percent engineered. I arranged for Johnny and me to be the crew who escorted her grandmother home. As it happens, they aren’t related, even though the elderly woman knew every single detail of Viv’s life. I asked a few questions, and the answers spilled out like hot tea. No current boyfriend. Favorite color is red. Loves old-fashioned movies. Lives alone.
She manages the nursing home and spends most of her time there too. Given all the intel I gained, I had a hunch she’d still be there this evening, and thankfully, luck was on my side for the first time ever. I found her in the hallway wearing a fire engine red bra.
I’ve no clue if she was expecting someone else, but that lacy styled underwear sent jolts of electricity straight to my dick. The rush was better than riding my motorcycle solo at sunset. It took all my restraint to keep my back to her while she covered up.
Viv isn’t the typical naturally stunning woman. She’s quirky, unique and clearly enjoys wearing fancy lingerie. Her unspoken innocence drives me wild. She owns the recipe for my dream girl, and I’ll happily combine all the ingredients and devour her in one sitting.
It’s a massive decision to invite her into my personal space. Yet with Viv, living a normal life seems within reach. She dulls the ache of suffering. Eases the shackles of guilt. Soothes the prospect of living in purgatory. It sure feels good to have a pretty distraction.
I hope to explore our connection, although her caution scares the hell out of me. At some point my sickly truth will unravel. I dread her spark of adoration dying in the ashes of my past.
Viv rode in the back of the ambulance with me for the brief journey to my apartment. She studied the assortment of medical equipment in silence, eyeing me every so often. I can tell questions burn the tip of her tongue. It’s inevitable. Answering or diverting them will be the ultimate challenge. Now, I’ve left her in the living room while I grab a shower.
Jeff’s final journey never escapes me. His plea to stop. Our argument tapping into my unconsciousness. The reality of my actions. The controversy of his murder. Unwanted memories flood in every waking hour and haunt every cursed dream.
“Dude, get in.”I haul open the car door. “You guys will make up tomorrow. Like you always do.”
Jeff swigs his beer. “Danny, she was flirting with Ryker.”
“She was talking to him,” I correct. “Get in. You can crash at my place tonight.”
My best friend since kindergarten slumps into the passenger seat and slugs the rest of his Bud. “I have to talk to her.”
I slam the door shut to pen him in. He’s had way too much booze on an empty stomach. This happens after every football game. Jeff always reaches for a liquid lunch, and I take on a double quarter pounder cheeseburger.
He’s already on the phone when I drop into the driver’s seat. “C’mon pick up, Zoe,” he growls.
