Page 21 of Sassy Pants
“Your old man have anything to say about Jesse?”
“Yeah. I don’t care for what he had to say, and I got an inkling you won’t be a fan either. Put Erik in his walker, and we’ll talk over a beer.”
I get the kid settled and meet Chaser at the bar in the kitchen. Erik is racing back and forth between the backdoor and the refrigerator. “Shit. Already got a taste for speed.” I chuckle, and Chaser grins.
“That’s my boy.” He pops the cap off a bottle and passes it to me.
I take a swig and wait for him to share what Leroy had to say.
“Leroy says that Jesse has been asking after Gianna since she moved home. Wanted to knowwhere she worked. Where she lived. What kind of car she drives. Asked if she’s married or had kids. He didn’t think much about it. Thought Jesse was curious. Dad didn’t even know Gianna was back in town until I told him about a week ago. They haven’t exactly been close and kept in touch. Now I could get him fishing for info about if she were married and if she’s happy, but I don’t trust him. Not after he told me he saw him accost her outside today and manhandle her in a way that made him wish he owned a shotgun.”
“Fuck.”
“Yup.” He takes a hard pull off his beer, and I have the urge to put my fist through that asshole’s face.
Jelissa enters the kitchen. “You two look ready to commit a murder. What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” Chaser mutters, shutting her out of the conversation, but being the wife of abiker, she’s used to being on a need to know basis.
“Right. I have Gianna’s necessities packed and waiting by the door. Make sure she calls me later.”
“Will do. Thanks, darlin’,” I kiss her cheek and finish my beer.
“You’re not staying for dinner?”
“Nah. Got shit to do but soon.”
“Take care of my bestie.”
“You can count on it.” I shoot her wink and head toward the door.
I hear Chaser telling Jelissa he’ll be back. “Care to drop me back at the car. I don’t like leaving it next door to that fucker.”
“No problem.”
Chapter 11
Gianna
“Ithink that’s for you.” Antonio nods toward the door and my heart skips a beat.
Stud. Have mercy. If the man gets any sexier, I might combust. He’s leaning against the doorway in his leather jacket with a white long-sleeved tee underneath paired with dark jeans and his riding boots. Silver rings on at least four of his fingers on both hands that look like they’d do some serious damage in a fight. His dark hair seems shorter and my belly flutters. He had a haircut.
Then I spot the red long-stemmed rose he’s holding.Shit. He’s got a sweet side.
“You ready to go?”
“Yup.” I look back at Antonio and give him a small wave.
“See you next week.”
As soon as I reach Stud, he hands me the rose, brings me in close, gives me a squeeze, then tugs me out the door to his truck. I bring the rose to my nose once I’m belted in and he’s climbing in the driver’s side.
“Have you had dinner?”
“No. You?”
“Nope was waiting for you.” Again, with this sweetness that is so damn pure it makes my teeth ache. The truck starts and Stud places his right hand on my upper left thigh, sending heat to all the right places. “Need to tell you something, and I don’t want you to give me no lip or throw me any sass. It’s important.”
