Human Interaction (21 page)

He began to chuckle softly. A second later, it blossomed into full-blown belly laughter.

Hurt, I stood pouting, not seeing anything funny about the whole situation.

"Think of it this way, Princess. Everything has a silver lining," Ducian commented when he could catch his breath.

"Yeah, well. What's good about this?" I grumbled back.

He leaned down to look me in the face. "Couple of things. He must care enough about you that he's allowed you to live. Anyone else did that and he would have wiped them off the face of the earth by now."

"And the second?"

A wicked grin appeared as he tapped my nose. "You have more free time to spend with me."

Oh, goody.

Slipping backstage, I found Meat standing in the hallway, chatting with another dancer. He spotted me immediately, walking over to meet me halfway with a lop-sided grin. "Missed me?"

I smiled at his warm greeting, which banished my lingering nerves. "I always do." Stepping into his embrace, I hugged him tightly, savoring being in his arms once again. He rubbed his chin over my crown.

Leaning back, I looked up at him. "Are you coming to my birthday party on Saturday?"

"Wouldn't miss it for the world. But, I have to be out of town for a couple of days for a job. Leaving right after work, actually."

"Oh?"

"Nothing big. Just a PI job I accepted. Have to follow some leads in another state."

"The mighty 007 never rests."

He chuckled. "James Bond, 007 was a spy. I'm a PI. Big difference, baby."

"I'll miss you."

"Miss you, too." He nuzzled my cheek as a pounding beat started onstage. "That's my cue." With a quick kiss to my lips, he shoved some money in my hand.

I blinked up at him.

He shrugged and started backing toward the stage. "I crave your touch." With a wicked smile, he spun around and disappeared.

Good thing I left my bracelet at home. While I might enjoy ripping the tiny thong off Meat, I didn't care to share the moment with a club full of screaming banshee women.

CHAPTER 20

After I blew up his pride and joy Jesse James original, I scurried to fix things, which involved a trip to the West Coast, and meeting with the owner and creator, himself. After much pleading and explaining, with a bit of diversions around the whole truth, I received a verbal commitment to build another bike. Jesse has a big heart for kids and when I explained my situation with being a widow with two small boys, he started to really listen. As the story unfolded about my waiting so long to date again, and then found someone who adored my children and had so much potential, his interest piqued. Then I told him about the accidental explosion and how I only wanted to wipe that look of desperate loss off Meat's face and replace it with a smile.

He still had the blueprints, so to speak, from Meat's original bike. Pulling the papers out, he studied the information listed and finally gave me a reassuring smile. It would cost me a greatly discounted amount of twenty-five thousand dollars, and he could have an identical match ready for Meat in two days. A miracle in my book, a charitable donation in his. Needless to say, I jumped on the deal, thrilled and overjoyed as I scribbled out the check and handed it over.

The extra-large sticker price wiped out one of my savings accounts, and I set up payments for the remainder. In order to make Meat happy again, I could easily buckle down on the budget for the next few months to compensate. The boys wouldn't go without; I would just make a few minor adjustments in my lifestyle.

Saturday arrived before I knew it with a couple dozen family members piling in the house for a large family meal followed by cake and ice cream. As much as I protested they made too big a deal out of my turning a year older, they doggedly stuck with their plans for a big birthday bash. I loved them all the more for their support and caring. For a woman with no immediate blood family except my boys, I had a ton of adoptive family members who were as close as or closer than any blood relatives could be.

Spying a familiar black jaguar pull up into the driveway, my heart sped as a smile popped onto my face.

"Mom!" I stepped away from the window, heading to where Sasha stood in the middle of the living room.

"Grandpa said I have to sit at the kids' table." He frowned.

I patted his head, hearing the doorbell ring in the background. "It's just for today, honey. Besides, I'll sit with you."

Jessica opened the door, greeting Meat as he stepped in. He spoke quietly to her, saying something that made color leap to her cheeks.

Sasha spotted him immediately, dashing over to hug his leg. "Meat!"

"Well, hello there." Meat crouched to ruffle Sasha's hair.

"Grandpa said I have to sit at the kids' table." He tossed in a big pout for extra measure.

Meat glanced up, meeting my eyes, a small smile appeared. "I had to sit at that very same table when I was your age."

Sasha's forlorn expression remained.

"How about I sit with you? I don't think I'm too old for the kids' table, am I?"

Leaping into a tight hug, Sasha beamed with joy. "Yay!" Releasing Meat, he dashed off toward the kitchen, yelling in excitement. "Meat is going to sit by me!"

I smiled and shook my head at his antics. Such a charmer, Sasha could talk anyone into anything. Not always a good trait, but he rarely attempted to abuse his talent.

Meat stood, striding my direction. He stopped directly in front of me and peered down into my face, his lips cocked into a crooked grin. "Do I get to spank the birthday girl?"

My face burned.

The ogre laughed and pulled two red roses just beginning to transform from a bud state, on their way to full bloom, from behind his back. "They reminded me of you."

I accepted them, sniffing them immediately. "They're perfect. Thank you for my present." I smiled up at him.

"Oh, this isn't your present."

"It's not?" I tilted my head in question.

"Oh, no." He grinned like a Cheshire cat. "That I'll give you later. When we have some alone time."

Oh, boy. Alone time.

"Bike, Mommy. Bike." Chance called from across the room where he stared out the front door. The room turned silent as conversations ceased and people hurried to see what my youngest announced. Sasha dashed over, dodging legs and bodies to get to the front. "Mommy. Hurry."

Meat shot me a curious glance. With an innocent grin, I grabbed his hand and tugged him through the crowd. "Come on. I have a feeling you want to see this."

"See what?"

"You'll find out." Reaching the front door, I led him through, finally catching sight of the small trailer hooked to a truck with the motorcycle maker's logo painted on the door.

"Shy McDaniel?" A tall, redheaded man asked while holding a clipboard.

"That's me."

"Sign here, please." I took the offered pen and paper, scribbling my signature.

"You've got a beauty here. Jesse wanted it perfect and delivered express." He grinned and shook his head, tossing the keys to Meat.

"Shy?" Meat caught the keys and shot a bewildered look from the delivery man to me. "You didn't…?" He walked around the corner of the parked truck. "Damn."

I handed the papers back. "Thank you so much." Following Meat's trail, I found him running his hands over his new motorcycle, identical to the one that I'd accidentally blown up.

The delivery guy hopped in his truck and drove away, allowing everyone to see the new bike for the first time. A chorus of "Ohhhh" followed. The door slammed as people made a beeline for a closer look.

Adoration, emotion, and happiness flashed across Meat's face as he acquainted himself with his replacement toy, right down to the helmet and license plate. Fresh paint glimmered in the sunlight, a flashy, eye-catching beacon with the ability to make bike lovers drool with envy.

A group gathered around, the men busily checking out the new bike, making comments, begging to borrow the pretty red motorcycle for a long ride. Meat shook his head, declining to share.

Leaving the group, Meat's gaze found mine. Striding over, he paused by my side. "Thank you for the motorcycle." He leaned in to whisper in my ear, "I'll thank you properly when there are fewer witnesses. Although, I should spank that pretty little butt of yours for spending that much money."

The kinky kitty had returned. His outright flirtation threw me off for a moment as my mouth opened and shut in muted answer.

He wrapped an arm around my waist, pulling me against his hard body. Another kiss brushed across my nose. I met his eyes, half hooded, tilted my head back, and watched as his mouth moved slowly closer to my waiting lips.

"Mom?"

I jerked back, shooting Meat an apologetic look. "A mother's job is never done."

His grin broadened. "They have to sleep sometime. Besides,"—he gestured to the collection of family still fawning over his present—"you have a houseful of babysitters." He leaned close once more. "I vote you take advantage of them so we can thank one another for the gifts."

"Mom!" Chance tugged at my leg. "I'm hungry."

"We're getting ready to eat now." I patted his head. He latched onto Meat's hand. "I get to eat with Meat." A proud smile lit up his face.

"At the kids' table." Meat smiled down at him, swinging their hands as Chance skipped along.

"Yep."

I kept pace, intertwining my fingers with Meat's other hand as we headed back inside. "Don't be surprised if you get cornered by some family or friend or a whole pack of them today." I stood on tiptoe and pecked him on the cheek. "Maybe you should just stick with me. Probably the safest place to be."

The goon laughed. "Not sure about the safest, but definitely where I want to be."

CHAPTER 21

After a nice birthday dinner with the whole bunch, everyone settled down to digest, watch football, or just hang out with one another. Belching, laughter, and a few threats of bodily harm carried through the over-packed living room. Considering the various personalities, species, and dominant attitudes, anything less than a full blown boxing match meant success.

Meat walked into the kitchen, glancing at the pile of dishes. "It'll take you until next year to get all those washed. Besides, birthday girls shouldn't have to do dishes." He shook his head.

"It's okay." I smiled back at him, running hot water in the sink. "Jessica said she'd help me in a bit."

He snapped his fingers and immediately the dishes stacked on the dining room table, sparking in the light with cleanliness.

"Wow."

He smiled at my reaction, stalking closer. "Now we can get to that private time." His voice rumbled from his chest, sending little shivers coursing up my spine.

Nervously, I chewed my lip, wiping my hands dry on a nearby kitchen towel. "But… there are all kinds of people through the door. They could and probably will barge in at any moment."

"No worries. When it's time for that kind of privacy… and there will be… then I will make sure we're safe from any interruption." Meat leaned in, rubbing his chin across the top of my head.

I gave him a shove and frowned. "Hey! None of that! Everyone told me I stunk before. I certainly don't want the entire family clamping their noses shut and dashing for the exit."

A wicked grin appeared on his face. "That's one way to get to that 'other' private time."

I smacked his arm. "Neanderthal."

"Nope. Liger. Horny liger." He stepped close, tugging me against his body.

Like the horny part is anything new.
I wiggled, putting some space between us once more. Time for a subject change. If nothing else, escape to the main room with dozens of witnesses. "What was the present you mentioned?"

The corner of his mouth hitched up. My ploy for distraction obviously didn't fool him a bit. A paper appeared from his back jeans pocket. He unfolded it and handed it over to me.

"What's this?" I accepted the paper and quickly began reading.

"You're hard to buy for since you don't care for the items women typically love. And, I wanted to do something special."

I scanned the words, picking up on a few that stood out. "So, you made a donation?"

"I found a small local animal rescue. They were on the verge of having to close due to lack of funds."

Looking up, I searched his face.

"I decided to make a large donation in your name."

Glancing down at the letter once more, I discovered the actual amount written in black and white. "Oh, good grief." Let's just say he paid me back for the bike and a bit more.

"You spent way too much!"

He shrugged. "It's for a good cause." A small grin followed. "They said you could even choose a name for the rescue. Just write it in and send the letter back to them."

I tapped my chin, thinking about that.
A name? For a rescue?
A sudden inspiration hit me. Digging through a small drawer in the kitchen, I pulled out a pen, and wrote down the new name.

Meat's eyebrow shot up. "Speedy thinker?"

I smiled up at him and tossed the pen back in the drawer. "No. I just know the perfect name for this place. We lost a wonderful, special person from our world not too long ago. I think this would be something she would've liked." I held the paper up for him to read. "Dr Dee's Memorial Animal Sanctuary."

Stepping close, I kissed his cheek. "Thank you. From both of us."

He snagged me close, wrapping both long arms around me. "You're welcome. Now, where's the nearest empty bedroom?"

"That's for me to know and you to find out."

His eyebrows arched, eyes twinkled. "First the bedroom door shut and locked, then we'll find out if you have wet panties."

Oh, boy.

* * * *

"Time for my rugby game. Who wants to go?" Dad stood up from the couch and stretched.

"I do. I do!" Sasha ran over to hug his leg.

"Me, too!" Chance bounced in front of him. "I wanna see rugby."

I grinned at the boys' excitement from my position sitting on the bottom step of the staircase, Meat right next to me.