Ride Me Sweetheart

I’m just not sure spreading my wings with Cade is smart…

“Earth to Finn,” Larry says, and I force myself to look at him and snap back into attention instead of zoning out.

“Sorry, I was thinking,” I tell him. We’re standing outside of the Avalanche. Larry is standing beside his bike. Cade and I walked over to meet him. I needed to drop off some paperwork at A-Plus Realtors for Emma who is assisting the city on finding someone to take over the shelter.

“That’s something you’re doing entirely too much of,” Larry chastises.

“Larry,” I sigh out feeling really old and tired.

“Do you remember what I told you when you first came to live with me, Finley?”

I smile because I do remember, but I also love the way he can alternate between calling me Finn when he’s just talking, but his voice goes tender and he calls me Finley when he thinks he should handle me with care.

“I was worried about fitting in and what the kids at school would think about me,” I answer.

“And what did I tell you, Finley?”

“You said as your sister I was part of the Saints now and here we live wild and embrace it. We don’t answer to the outside world. We make our own rules and fuck anyone that doesn’t understand.”

“And it’s even more true today.”

“I still don’t think you should have taught an eight-year-old girl to say fuck,” I mutter. He shrugs clearly not agreeing.

“Did I ever thank you for coming to rescue me and for giving my mom that money to stay out of my life?”

“It was worth every bit of that twenty-grand,” he shrugs.

“Twenty? I thought you told me you gave her ten thousand?” I gasp. “You shouldn’t have given her one damn dime,” I tell him, getting upset all over again.

“Bullshit. To get you away from her, Finley? I’d have paid her anything she asked and then some.”

“I love you big brother,” I respond, feeling tears sting my eyes. He envelopes me in a hug and I just hold him close. “I’m going to miss you, Larry,” I whisper finally.

“You’re part of the Saints, beautiful. I’m never too far away and if I can’t be there, one of my brothers will be.” He squeezes me and then steps back, looking at Cade. “Am I right?” he says, staring at him.

“I’ll be there,” Cade says, making my heart flutter in my chest. Larry gives him a nod and then hops on his bike and takes off without another word. I watch him go and until Cade wraps his arms around me from behind, his chin pressing into the curve of my neck, I don’t realize I’m crying.

“You’ll see him again, Red. You know as well as I do that man is not going to let you go, ever.”

“I know. I just…It’s going to be hard being away from him,” I whisper, my heart hurting.

“You could stay in Sweetheart,” Cade answers, letting me go so he can turn me to face him.

“No, I need to move,” I answer stubbornly. I don’t know why I feel so strongly about that, but I do.

“Okay,” he answers, not elaborating at all. He takes my hand, holding it as we start walking back toward the shelter.

“That’s it? Just okay?” I mumble, and I think I’m upset he’s not trying to talk me into staying.

Or going with him.

“Are you still planning on leaving Colorado, Red?” he asks, his thumb brushing against the back of my hand.

“Yes,” I insist. “But don’t think that means I’m going to follow you to Kentucky, Cade. I still say we could do a long-distance relationship until we see if we’re going to work. I don’t need a man with me constantly.”

“I know, Red,” he says, as he stops walking. He pulls me around to face him, his hand sliding along the side of my neck. His lips are close to mine. My heart beats erratically as I stare up into his dark, heated eyes.

“I need you to hear me, Cade. I don’t need a man,” I repeat, and I don’t know if I’m trying to convince him or myself.

“I know, Red.”

“You do?” I ask, feeling more than a little disappointed.

“You need me, sweetheart,” he groans, right before he takes my mouth in a kiss that I will never forget—not even if I live to be a hundred.

14

Keys

Red has been quiet since we ate at the Avalanche. I know she’s worrying about leaving her brother. She’s also worrying about the two of us. I could tell her to save herself some trouble. I’m not leaving Colorado without her and she sure as hell is not leaving without me. That’s just the facts, but I haven’t pushed it. I’d prefer she comes to that conclusion on her own. I lock the door and head upstairs to the bedroom. Red went up there over an hour ago, saying she had a headache.