Shamrock Kisses (Kissing Junction, TX 7)

Before I know it, we are in the bath and my back is resting against his chest. We sit there in comfortable silence until I start to yawn.

“Let’s get you into bed baby, then I will go make us something to eat.

“Mmmkay.”

I say with another yawn, not even bothering to open my eyes. He kisses my neck and chuckles before standing up. He grabs us a couple of towels and wraps one around me when I get out. After I am dried off he picks me up and puts me on his bed. The last thing I remember is him telling me he’ll be right back before my eyes close.

Chapter Eight

Ryder

The hardest time in my life is finally over. If it was hard on me, I can’t really imagine how hard it was on Suzy. A month of never ending meetings with lawyers and court dates finally ended up in our favor. Several other nurses came forward with allegations about Cole. One even had proof. Physical proof in the form of a security tape from the hospital. According to all of his victims, his MO was getting them alone in the locker room and attacking them. This video was so eerily accurate to all accounts, the jury found him guilty. Unfortunately, I was also found guilty.

After spending five days in jail for misdemeanor assault, I was released. Originally, I was sentenced to thirty days, but once the other victims came forward, my lawyer got my conviction overturned. I left Eddie in charge of Shamrock’s while I was gone.

Cole was sentenced to five years for his assault on Suzy and twenty-five years each on two counts of rape. We won’t have to worry about him anymore. Suzy and who knows how many other women are safe because that using, disgusting, piece of shit is behind bars, for what essentially adds up to a life sentence.

When Cam came to pick me up at the Dallas County jail, I was so ready to see my girl. We made a quick stop at my place, so I could shower and change into a suit, but no tie. That is where I draw the line. I grab the ring I bought a few weeks ago and put it in my pocket. Grabbing my cell phone, wallet, and keys, Cam and I head back out.

“Thanks for picking me up, bro. I really appreciate it.”

“No problem. The bar was packed when I left earlier, but Eddie was closing it down at seven.”

“That sounds good.”

It’s gonna be a long night. Since tomorrow is St. Patrick’s Day, I won’t be able to find my bed soon enough. The day starts early and ends late, especially with it falling on Saturday this year.

Tonight, I am not worrying about that stuff. Tonight, we party. On the Shamrocks is hosting a “Ryder is out of jail” party. Suzy deserves to relax and hang out with our friends. When I enter the bar, I nod to the guys, but they are not who I need to speak to right this second.

Glancing at Suzy, the amount of love I feel for this woman cannot be measured. Teagan is sitting on Marc’s lap. He has barely left her side since she inadvertently set her parents’ house on fire. That was a fun Thanksgiving. I think, chuckling to myself.

&n

bsp; Suzy is laughing with Teagan. I am too far away to hear what they are saying, but her head is thrown back and her hair is curly and cascading down her back. She hasn’t seen me yet, so I can take the time to appreciate her beauty. Just the sight of her has me getting hard, but now is not the fucking time for that. Though it soon will be. I love this woman.

She looks amazing in her skin tight black dress. Her tits are spilling out and the sight makes me groan. I don’t want other people to see them, but looking around at this private party, everyone else is either gay or taken.

Well, everybody except Gage and Donnie, but I am not too worried about those guys stealing my girl. Gage and Lorelei are arguing in the corner, as they usually are. When that thing happens, it’s going to be explosive. Really, everyone should watch the hell out.

What has me pausing is two things. If Donnie stares at my little sister, Verity, any harder, he is going to bore a hole into her skin. She is Victoria’s nanny, but I know from several conversations with my sister that she is nuts about that little girl as well as her father. I know she is too shy to do anything about it, but if Donnie has his way, she is done for. He’s got the look. The look literally every other man in this room has for their girl.

Speaking of men, the other thing that is throwing me through a loop is Sheriff Lawrence and Eddie. Well shit, I never thought the resident bad boy and the cop would hit it off. They are sitting on the leather couch over in the dart board area. They seem pretty comfortable with each other. At the moment they are making out. Full on like teenagers. It is much more than I want to see of my girlfriend’s brother and my best bartender, but I am happy for them.

Making my way toward Suzy, I stand beside her. This is the first time I’ve seen her in five long ass days.

“Baby! I’ve missed you so much!” She jumps up from her seat and into my arms. She grips me so tightly, I almost can’t breathe. She puts little kisses all over my face. Eventually, my inappropriate hardness gets the better of me. When she almost rubs against the ring box in my pocket, I angle my pelvis away from her. Reaching up and gripping her hair in my fist, I tilt her head back and kiss her deeply.

The feeling of her back in my arms where she belongs is like a euphoric drug. One I need to hit again and again. The immediate sense of home is all around me. I will do everything in my power to never leave her alone again. We kiss for an extremely long amount of time. The catcalls and the applause bring us back to the present.

While I was in jail, though I know it was only five days, I did a lot of thinking. Suzy not being tied to me in every way, is no longer an option.

“I missed you too Anamchara.” I kiss her again and let her slide down the front of my body.

“Was jail horrible? I have seen Jail on tv. It looks hellish.” She asks as I grab her hand and lead us toward the bar.

“It was just county lockup, Suzy. No big deal.” I say. Actually, it was disgusting, but she was already feeling terrible when I left. I tried to tell her that it wasn’t her fault, but I couldn’t make her see reason.

At the bar, I pour myself a shot of whiskey and offer her one. She shakes her head and reaches for a beer instead. She links her arm in mine. I down the shot and grab a beer for myself. We mingle around, being sure to talk to everyone. As I look around at all my friend’s girls, I realize every damn one of them is knocked up.