“Why?”
Justine directed his gaze to the teenaged girl with murder in her eyes looking their way from across the park. “That’s one reason why, Noah. I’m already dealing with enough drama from Maggie as it is. I don’t need more. Maggie and her minions will probably be egging and toilet papering my house again tonight after seeing us talking to each other…and you touching me.”
Noah looked defeated as he frowned at Maggie. “I’ve asked her several times to stop that.”
Beau tapped her on the shoulder. “Sis, if it makes you feel any better, Maggie’s been doing that to any girl who’s seen talking to Noah.”
Knowing he deserved the unvarnished truth, Justine said, “That’s not the only reason, though. You guys are going to be leaving for your trip after graduation, and then you’ll both be off to college. Being the girlfriend you leave behind for the big world has zero appeal to me, Noah. Why not just keep it casual?”
Noah’s brows knit together for a few seconds, and then he said, “I guess that’s for the best. I wasn’t thinking.”
She tried to make her shrug look casual. “It’s okay.” She hadn’t had any boyfriends, though she’d fantasized about being his girlfriend for years, so she didn’t have much to compare to, but she knew one thing for certain. If she and Noah went down that path, her heart would be crushed when he left to start his new life. A life without her in it.
* * * *
Trevor Dornan thanked the employee of the hardware store located near the interstate as he helped him load up the lengths of chain and other hardware he’d just bought. His next stop was the surplus store he’d passed on his way out of town where he thought he could find a cot or sleeping bags and such, something for the bitch to sleep on that was nice and comfy.
The house he’d rented earlier that day, which looked like it was one step up from a crack house, was out in the middle of nowhere and ready to be retrofitted for his specific needs. And best of all there were no pesky neighbors anywhere in the vicinity. The landlord himself looked like he didn’t care much about anything but drinking, smoking, and watching television. He’d be no trouble at all and Trevor was a good renter, paying his bills on time like an honest man should.
“Yeah, he’ll have no trouble from me. Just like I’ll have no trouble from her.”
“I’m sorry, sir? Did you say something?” the pimply-faced teen asked as he loaded the last of the boxes.
“No, son. Just admiring the beautiful spring day,” Trevor said as he walked to the driver’s side door with a definite spring in his step.
“Yes, sir, it is,” the boy said before going back inside the hardware store.
Trevor grinned, thinking it was a good day. A day for him to take control of his destiny…and his kid’s as well. The doctor’s office was closed so there was no chance of missing the bitch if she showed up so he wasn’t worried. He’d be back at the job, ready to act on a moment’s notice. She wouldn’t know what was happening until it was too late. Way too late.
Chapter Nine
Like clockwork, Charity woke early one morning the week after Justin’s successful debut at the Divine Market Days. Between work and utilizing the evenings to finish up a few more pieces to take to Violet that morning, he’d been a busy man. Charity and Grace were taking Justine prom dress shopping since she and Beau were on spring break.
Attempting to not wake any of the guys, Charity slipped out of their slumbering embrace which felt more like the aftermath of a sleepover Twister game. The thought gave her a giggle which she tried to smother as one of the guys, she wasn’t sure which, tightened his grip on her bare hip before releasing her.
Padding silently across the bedroom, she closed the bathroom door behind her and started the shower in the dark. The pearly gray light of dawn tinted the bathroom window, providing just enough light to see by as she brushed her teeth and waited for the water to warm, and then slipped into the shower enclosure.
“Mmm,” she murmured as the hot water soaked into her hair and she smoothed it back from her face. She reached for her shampoo and stretched, ready to start her day. Being a part of a foursome agreed with her. It’d taken no time at all to get used to sleeping with three men instead of one. She chuckled to herself, thinking they might not be having it quite as easy, since she was a restless sleeper.
A cool draft swirled around her legs, and she shuddered as a tall, warm body joined her in the small space. “Mornin’, angel,” Ransome whispered in her ear as he wrapped his arms around her torso and pressed his chest against her back. One callused hand slid up to cup her breast and tweak her nipple and the other headed south to stroke her pussy.