Never Been Kissed

“I’m fine. There was a storm and I came to stay with Davis. He has a basement,” I add in, hoping he doesn't push. I’m going to tell him about Bow, but not when everyone is watching me. This having a man thing isn’t only new to me, it will be new to my brothers too. They always sent anyone that showed interest in me running. I don’t think that will work on Bow. “I’m sorry.”

“I love you and worry about you.” My eyes meet Bow’s.

“I love you too.” Bow sucks in a breath. My heart flutters in my chest. I know I’m saying it to my brother, but it feels so right looking at Bow and saying it too.

“I got the information you wanted.” He doesn't say Bow’s name but we both know who he’s talking about. “I know him.”

“You do?”

“Yep. Call me when you’re alone.”

“Will do.” I want to demand he tell me now, but I can’t. I am going to have to get away for a moment later. Whatever he knows about Bow can’t be too bad, or he’d tell me to get the hell away from him. Still, I’m nosy as shit and love to know the details.

“Later.”

“Bye,” I say, hanging up and handing Bunny the phone back.

“Come over later.” She takes the phone from my hand. She winks at me before heading out the door. She doesn't want to interrupt what Bow and I have going on, but she wants to talk about it. I have to admit that I’m looking forward to doing the girl talk thing. I’m going to have to carve some time out or she’ll be right back over. We’ve been glued to each other for the last couple years. It’s weird not being together all the time now.

“I should probably go get my phone.” I let the door fall closed behind me.

“You want to go home?” Bow shifts on his feet.

“I can’t keep wearing your clothes.” I look down at myself. His shirt is bigger than a dress would be on me. Not that I’ve ever worn one.

“I have your bag.” He points over to the bag sitting on the sofa. How the hell did I miss that? “I like you in my clothes.” He clears the space between us. I drop my head back to look up at him.

“See, you make me forget about everything.” I smile up at him. It’s nice. When I’m with him I don’t worry about anything. I know Bow will take care of me. Handle what needs to be handled. And more than anything I don’t feel the need to prove myself. To be strong. I can just be.

“I’m going to make my man breakfast and then we’ll get my phone.” I stand on my tiptoes for a kiss. Bow gives it to me. “That way those brothers of mine don't show up here,” I say as I head into the kitchen. “I don’t feel like cleaning up blood today,” I say jokingly. But knowing how my brothers are and seeing how Bow is makes me think it’s a real possibility.

Bow shrugs, not fazed in the least. No, nothing would send Bow running from me. He is staking his claim and I am going to let him.12DavisI run my hand down my face. If this isn’t the worst fucking timing I don't know what is. I can hear Precious in the kitchen humming away as she makes us breakfast. When my alert went off I was sure it was Precious’s brother calling me. I have no clue if he put together who I am. Oftentimes you never know how far up someone’s reach can be. He’s technically retired but that doesn’t mean shit in our line of work.

That’s what most of our records say. Usually guys like us don’t get out of this life until we’re too old to do it anymore or stop breathing. As for me I’m not supposed to exist. I’m only called in on special missions. That’s what today’s alert had been. I only have a few hours to report in. I have always gone without question when they’ve called before, but today is different. Before I had nothing to lose when I put myself at risk. Now I have everything to lose.

I fire a response. I want to ask how bad they really need me. It would be a stupid question because I know they only call on me if things are bad. What the hell am I going to tell Precious? I know I can’t tell her the truth about what I’m going to do. Not yet, anyway. The less she knows about what I do the better. It's safer for her that way.

What I do know is this has to be my last job. I don't want my girl living in fear each time I walk out the door. I know the risk I’m going to take when I do it. Before I only had to worry about myself. No one would miss me if I never came back. That has changed in the past few days because of her. Yet, duty calls.