Forbidden Fruit (10 page)

But he comes back. I hope he always does.

Eleven

Sunday morning with Jesse is a new kind of wonderful. We fix breakfast together and then turn on the sports channel. You wouldn’t guess it, but I enjoy watching men celebrate their penises by knocking each other down and tossing things at each other. So I snuggle up with Jesse happily, wearing a white dress shirt that belongs to him instead of the pajamas he made me take off the night before.

Later, I’m in the bathroom brushing my teeth when he comes in. He steps up behind me, wraps his arms about my waist and nuzzles my neck. I spit, drop my toothbrush in the sink, and turn into his embrace. Jesse lifts me up and carries me back to bed. We stay there for most of the day, and I only get up because it’s getting late, and I need to shower so he can take me home.

“No regrets?” I ask him, as I’m climbing into his SUV.

“Only that you’re leaving.”

“Good answer.”

“I warned you how this would go, though, Shan. You’re mine now, and I’m
very
opposed to sharing.”

“You think I’ll run into men who tempt me at Pretzel Pirate?”

He laughs. “When you put it that way…”

“Then I’m not sure what I’m supposed to take from this. I’ve been trying to hook up with you for weeks. Now that I have, you figure I’m done, mission accomplished?” I shake my head. “No thanks. I’d much rather be your girlfriend.”

“Yeah?” Jesse starts the SUV, looking pleased.

And frankly, after the last twenty hours, he should be. I know I am. “Definitely. Or were you trying to talk me
out
of a relationship?”

He leans over and kisses me. “No. You’re in this now. I tried to be smart and sensible and let you move on to somebody else. Hell if that’s happening now.”

“I don’t want anybody else.” A surge of love rolls through me.

“Keep talking like that, looking at me with those eyes, and I’m carrying you right back up those stairs, Shan.”

“I have to get back. My work uniforms are at home.”

Jesse bitches under his breath, giving me the first glimpse of how possessive he can be. But it’s not like it comes as a surprise. He puts the vehicle in gear and takes me back to my apartment. I think he’d like to come up, but that will just make it harder to say good-bye later, and I haven’t talked to Maria about having overnight guests. If her boyfriend has ever stayed, I didn’t see or hear him. So I feel like it’s polite to check with her first. Plus, my futon isn’t as big or comfortable as his bed.

He parks on the street and shifts to study me. “Work’s likely to keep me tied up this week. There are some things going on in the department. But if you have any problems, text me.”

“I can’t text you anyway?”

“You know what I mean.”

Yeah, I do. I’m teasing him. “If anything weird or scary happens, you’ll be the first to know.”

This is a little awkward because I don’t know where to go from here. I can’t seem to make myself get out of the SUV. Jesse kisses me again; this one is deep and lingering, his hands in my hair.

“I’ll pick you up Friday night at eight, sugar, unless there’s an emergency.”

“How should I dress?”

“Wear something sexy, suitable for dancing.”

“I have the perfect outfit.”

After that, I hop out and head upstairs. There’s no reason to feel so sad, like the minute we separate, he’ll have second thoughts and I’ll never see him again. He’s not changeable like that. In fact, I’ve barely gotten inside my front door when I get a text message from him.

I miss you already. Think about me this week, k? I’ll know if you are.

Okay, that’s kinda hot. I’m smiling when Maria wanders out of her bedroom. She takes one look at me and grins. “Good weekend, huh?”

I don’t know what she means until I peek at my reflection in the bathroom mirror. There are faint bruises on my throat, whisker burns on my cheeks and jaw. I’m not wearing my usual makeup to cover it either.
Damn. I can’t believe I left the house without putting my war paint on.
I can remember a time when I’d have died before doing that. Like, the house could be on fire, and I’d still apply cosmetics.

“You could say that,” I answer belatedly.

After checking to make sure I have a clean uniform for tomorrow, I crash with Maria and we have our Chris Evans marathon. During intermission, I ask, “So I’m wondering about your policy on overnight guests?”

“Not a rhetorical question, I take it. You finally bagged the hot cop?”

“You make him sound like a deer I shot.” I grin at her. “But yeah.”

“Then as long as he sleeps in your room and you’re not too loud, I’m fine with it. I’d appreciate it if you don’t send him out naked to rummage for food.”

“I suspect we’ll be at his place more often, but I thought I’d ask.”

She nods. “I appreciate the consideration. I’ve had so many roommates who did what the hell ever. And the last one left without any notice.”

“That had to suck.”

“Tell me about it. But I’m glad Chuch introduced us. I like you.”

It’s nice to have female friends. “Back at you.”

That night, I go to bed early and wake up in time to do some mundane chores. Our apartment doesn’t sparkle like Jesse’s, but it’s not a sty either. I already have a message from him on my phone. He warned me he would crowd me, but it’s not a needy,
where are you
, type text. Instead he’s written,
my bed was fucking empty without you
.

Way to curl my toes before noon, Saldana.

I type back,
you’ll be good and hungry by Friday night.

He must’ve gotten busy at work because he doesn’t reply until after I’m at the mall.
If I last that long.

I’m smiling up until the point where I reach Pretzel Pirate…and find Mark already behind the stand. He’s frowning at me. “You’re two minutes late.”

Vacation has not improved his temper. I want to protest that I’ll still have plenty of time to open because it’s not like it takes a full hour to turn on the machines, get the pretzels going, and put cash in the register. But men like Mark are petty dictators; that would only piss him off more. So I mumble an apology. And the day only gets worse from there.

Mark picks on me all damn day, bitching about every little thing. I’m starting to understand why he can’t keep employees. My annoyance builds to the point that Jesse actually texts me around four to ask,
you all right?

Fine. Just pissed. My boss is an asshole.

Somehow I finish my shift, but the next day is more of the same. By two, I’ve had enough. “This is bullshit,” I say, interrupting his lecture. “I did a great job while you were gone. I deposited all the money, balanced the cash drawer, handled all of the setup and break down. And now I’m done.”

“You can’t just walk off the job!”

“Watch me, fuckhead. I’ll drop off these stupid uniforms tomorrow.”

Earlier, I saw a
Help Wanted
sign in a clothing store that sells really cool merchandise: funky graphic tees, studded wristlets and belts, earrings, skinny jeans, that kind of thing. The workers are all around my age; most have dyed hair or piercings and tattoos, also. If I could get a job there, it would be leaps and bounds better than Pretzel Pirate. I mean, it would still be customer service, but maybe I could earn back a fraction of my lost dignity. I’m not applying dressed like this, though. Presentation matters in a shop like that, so I’ll put in an application tomorrow when I return these stupid polyester pirate suits.

Grumpy, I take the bus home. Maria’s not off work yet, so I throw myself down on the couch and watch Netflix. Around six, I fix myself some food and go back to watching feel-good movies. Half an hour later, somebody knocks at the door. Cautiously, I peer out the peephole and spot Jesse. It’s only Tuesday, and he told me he’d probably be busy until Friday. He holds up a carton of ice cream.

“You had a bad day,” he says. “So I brought the chocolate.”

“Best boyfriend ever.”

“Can I come in?”

“Sure.” I step back to let him into the apartment.

He smirks when he notices I’m watching
Iron Man
. “Most girls would be watching chick flicks.”

“Did you just lump me in with all the other estrogen bearers? For your sake, I hope that you did
not.
”

“No offense intended. Tell me what happened?” He pulls me into his arms, after I get a spoon.

And between bites of ice cream, I lay out my day. “So now I’m unemployed.”

“Not for long, I’m sure. If you need cash—”

“Stop right there. Taking money from the guy I’m sleeping with is beyond skeevy, and it will never, ever happen.”

“I see your point.” Before he can say more, his cell rings. Jesse pushes to his feet, listens, and then sighs. “Yeah. I hear you. I’ll be there in twenty minutes.”

“Work?” I guess.

“Yeah, sorry. I thought things had settled, but it seems not.”

“Everything all right?”

He hesitates, then shakes his head. “If I could say more, I would.”

I remember he mentioned there was some kind of scandal with the partner he had before Stella, and he’s still dealing with the fallout. “I get it. Thanks for stopping by to cheer me up. And thanks for the ice cream.”

He draws me up into his arms and kisses me until I’m actually dizzy. “I hate it when you’re sad. See you Friday.”

When Maria gets home an hour later, I’ve eaten most of the chocolate ice cream. I regret nothing. I don’t mention that I’m now sans income; she might fret. We watch a little TV, then I head to my room to pick out an outfit for the job I intend to snag tomorrow. The store is a better fit for me, similar to Hot Topic but cooler.

At eleven, Jesse rings my cell. I
expected
he might text. A voice call seems special, fancier somehow, mostly because people don’t bother anymore. I’m snuggled into bed, wearing the jammies I took to his place. Smiling, I tuck the phone against my ear.

“Feeling better?” he asks.

“You know the answer.”

“But it’s polite to ask.”

“Did you take care of things at work?”

“More or less. I put a patch on the situation anyway.” His voice drops low. “Wish you were here, Shan. How’s it possible that I already have a hard time sleeping alone?”

That fast, I’m turned on. He only needs to drawl the word
hard
and I’m like,
yes, green light, let’s go.
The chemistry between us has always been incendiary; he just didn’t want to admit it. I suspect he gets that flash of heat, but my breathing quickens, too. I can’t hide anything from him.

“Oh, honey.
Really
?” It’s like he can’t believe that’s all it takes.

“I think I’d better get off the phone now.”

“No,” he murmurs. “Stay.”

It’s pretty clear what he’s asking, and I don’t really know how to do this, but I’m willing to try. In the end, it’s mostly sounds and sighs while we both work, slow at first, then faster, until I hear him moaning my name, and then I’m gone, too. Gradually my heart rate slows.

“Wow,” I whisper. “I think I’ll keep you.”

“Please do.” And I hear his need, his uncertainty. This is his gift to me.

I’ll cherish it always.

Twelve

The next day, I wake up feeling off since strange dreams chased me all night long. Shaking that lethargy, I don my coolest outfit: striped stockings, combat boots, faux-leather mini, black lace peekaboo blouse with a corset vest over the top. I study myself in the mirror, then add chunky, funky jewelry. I take my time with my makeup. Fortunately, Maria goes to work earlier, or she’d wonder why I’m not a pirate today. Last thing, I bag up those fucking uniforms.

I take the bus and get to the mall by ten. Mark isn’t even at the stand yet.
Excellent
. I don’t want to see that asshole. I drop my stuff off behind the counter and hurry through the food court. Unfortunately, I run into Felix on the way. He seems really happy to see me.

“Hey, Shan, how’s it going? Damn. You’re looking hot today.”

“Thanks.” I feel like saying,
dude, I have a boyfriend. But even if I didn’t, this is not on. It will
never
be on.