Read Online Sidewalk Flower by Carlene Love Flores - Free Book Online

looked down.
    “But didn’t you?”   She gave a small humph and was about to
explain in more detail when he asked her if they could find a place to
stop.   He said he needed to use the
restroom but he looked like he needed more than the few feet of space
separating them in the Jeep.   Five quiet
miles later, she threw on her blinker to exit the freeway.
     
    The Quick ‘n’ Grab filling station was
the only option in no-man’s land, where Trista had decided to pull off.   She sat while Lucky silently pumped the gas.
    Her head sweating along the hairline, she
leaned out her window, wanting to get this over with.   “Look, I know it’s hard to understand,
especially with Jaxon.   He’s a
very…carnal being and living in the room next to him was an education for
me.   But that’s all it was.   He took me under his wing at a very crucial
time in my life.   He got me a job with
the band.   We were roommates for a good
seven, eight years.   Then he met Vangie,
had a baby, and I moved out.”
    “You sound bitter about that.   Did you have different hopes for things?”   Lucky stared at the pump as the numbers
ticked sluggishly.
    “You mean hopes for me and Jaxon?”
    “Yeah.”
    “No, not like that.    I wanted Jaxon to be happy.   At first I thought he had found it.   But, well, it just hasn’t worked out that
way.”   She waited but Lucky didn’t
respond.
    He jiggled and then hung up the
nozzle.   His shirt sleeves were still
hiked up to his elbows and she decided then and there he had the sexiest
forearms she’d ever seen.   He tucked the
receipt into his pants pocket and came around to re-enter the Jeep but then
asked if he could drive.   “Sure.”   They switched places.   She’d let it be for now.
    “You ready, darlin’?”   When he looked at her, she could see the
blood shot of his eyes and the heaviness of his lids.   He must be desperate to be in control with
his offer to drive.   Something she
completely understood and appreciated.   The whole darlin’ thing?   Not so much.   But it did make her
toes curl a little each time he said it.
    “You call me that and I feel like I’m in
another world, one where I’m to be the proper lady and you the unquestionable
gentleman.   Not really in league with how
I’ve acted so far around you.”
    “There’s still a little proper country
girl in you.   A little
inhibition, holding you by the toes.   You haven’t let it all go by the wayside.”
    “How can you see that?”
    “I’ve been lookin’.”   He in fact looked over at her just when a
large semi blurred past them, causing him to swerve.   “Shit!   Sorry, pardon my language.”
    “Lucky, there are a few things you should
know about me.   One, I’ve been on the
road for months at a time with a bunch of horny guys.   I’ve heard their stories about getting all
sorts of favors performed backstage.   I’ve had to live in very close quarters with them which means I‘ve even
seen ‘em naked.   So please don’t feel the
need to apologize for your language.   You
can’t offend me.   It’s not
possible.”   She folded her arms across
her chest, glad they weren’t harnessed to the steering wheel anymore.  
      “Well, if it’s all the same, do you think you
could just humor me and accept my lame apologies?”
    “You’re not lame.   You’re awful sweet, though, and I’m sure I’ve
already offended you plenty.”   Her tongue
working so hard and fast against his that first night flickered like a burning
sash around her thoughts.   He had allowed
her to release that fierceness after only having known her a few hours.   He could claim the title all he wanted but
underneath the southern gentleman, there had to be a man who wanted her.   That hope knocked the air out of her.    
    “Shocked, yes.   Offended, not hardly .   Remember, I am a guy and I wouldn’t pretend
to be anything else.”
    “Good.”   She grew quiet, knowing that in