Read Online Little Memphis by Bijou Hunter - Free Book Online Page B

too. Some people just draw trouble to themselves. A girl like you could use a scary fucker to keep her safe from all that trouble.”
    Jenn steps back and smiles. “Or you can be like Darby and grow old alone.”
    “Single and loving it,” Darby says, giving me a wink. “Marriage was great, but I have no interest in ever doing it again. Love is a lot of fucking work and I’ve grown too selfish for it.”
    “Darby is special,” Jenn says as she returns to cooking. “Most of us want a warm body next to us each night. When I first met Lucky, I thought he might rob me.” Darby and I laugh, but Jenn just smiles. “He had the worst pickup line too. Something about me a seductress and making him my slave. It was awful and he also made a comment about my boobs. I wasn’t impressed, but he did make me laugh. The next time I saw him, he was shirtless and I realized he was more than funny. The rest is history.”
    My thoughts returning to Ford, the image of him shirtless sends me into heat. I need to regain control of my hormones. Darby senses this much.
    “She’s got it bad for Ford.”
    Jenn snorts then realizes Darby’s serious. “Oh, honey. Ford won’t marry you. Sleep with him, but don’t get addicted. He has commitment issues from all those years in foster care. Besides Pax, the man doesn’t really care about anyone.”
    I want to ask about his past. Or maybe not knowing is best. I have my heart set on getting close to Ford. Reality might destroy the fantasy, so I choose ignorance. For now anyway.
    Leaving the women, I walk into the large backyard and watch Jenn and Lucky’s kids jump on the trampoline with other kids from the club. Paige thinks I’m cool and keeps telling me about her school. I suspect she thinks I’m her sister. Everyone keeps thinking I am Lucky’s kid. No doubt if I grew up here with parents like Lucky and Jenn, my life would have been a lot different.
    Paige is around Donny Junior’s age, so I ask Paige questions about her friends and hobbies. Listening to her, I feel the pain of missing my brothers. The night before on the phone, Devin starting crying and didn’t stop for five minutes. My new start in Little Memphis broke his little heart.
    When Paige talks to the other kids, I step back and think about my little brothers. I wonder if I could save up enough money to get an apartment, so they could live with me. The idea of Mom moving here doesn’t fill me with warmth. She’d likely spend all her time whining about how far away Donnie was and how he’d never leave his wife now. I’d tolerate her crap, if I could have my brothers close by.
    “Bad day?” Ford asks, walking up to me.
    I let my gaze take in how wonderful he fills out the gray long sleeve shirt he’s wearing. His hair looks damp and he smells like soap. I can feel his lips on my forehead and I suspect I look like a fool staring at him.
    “Just thinking about my brothers back in Hawthorne,” I say, looking away.
    “Younger or older?”
    “Ten and eight. They’re good kids, but my mom is a flake and I feel guilty for leaving them behind.”
    Ford studies my face then reaches out and runs his strong hand down the back of my hair. It’s a simple gesture, but his touch relaxes me.
    “Thank you for the roses,” I say, studying my feet. “No one’s ever sent me flowers before.”
    “Then I popped that cherry for you. Good to know.”
    Focusing my gaze on him, I smile. “I’m happy you’re safe to ride. I’ll keep that in mind. You know, for one day…eventually…if the mood strikes me.”
    Ford squints at me. “I can’t tell if you’re teasing or just frigid.”
    “Both.”
    He smiles. “You okay with the color? Any girl will like red or pink roses. You’re not any girl though.”
    I stare at him, wanting everything and knowing none of my hopes are possible. Wearing a sly grin, Ford knows I’m hooked. His grin isn’t overly cocky. Just enough to make me feel like an idiot.
    “Your name is