Sweet Cheeks (19 page)

I wipe at my own eyes and roll onto my back. “Um ... nothing. Just get a bit hormonal and emotional sometimes. It’s a pregnancy thing.”

“JJ. I warned you. Now tell me, and stop spouting bullshit.”

I blow out another big breath and play with the hem of my t-shirt. “It’s nothing. You’re just being really nice to me, and I’m not used to it, I guess.”

Tanning cups my chin in his hand and turns my head to meet his beautiful eyes. “Yeah. Well get used to it, because I intend to look after you. And breakfast in bed is nothing, Sweet Cheeks.” Then he gives me a sweet kiss to match his sweet words, and my head spins at the feel of his lips on mine, and I’m so lost in him, I can’t breathe.

How, the hell did I get so lucky to meet this beautiful man? He’s perfect. And I think I’m in love with him. No, scrub that, I don’t think. I know I am, and that scares the living daylights out of me.

TWeNTY-ONe

_________________________

So, I'm in the kitchen waiting for Tanning to finish his shower. I've cleaned up the tornado of mess he made in cooking me breakfast. For future reference, might need to nip that in the bud. Though it was the sweetest thing ever.

We haven't talked, yet. Tanning said he wanted to take me out for the day, and we could talk then. He probably thinks I'll keep distracting him, if we stay in, like this morning. Mmmmm I love thinking about distracting Tanning. The best way to start my day ever.  I start fantasising about him, when he enters the kitchen and grabs me from behind wrapping his tanned strong arms around my huge waist. He nuzzles his face into my neck and I nearly melt into the floor. God, I can't get enough of him touching me.

“We need to get, going,” he whispers in my ear then sucks my ear lobe into his mouth. Holy, smokes, that is the biggest turn on. We haven't really got past second base and he's already hitting all my trigger spots. I can't even imagine what actual sex with him is going to be like. But, boy does my lust filled brain want to find out.

I spin around and lock my hands around his smooth neck and start stroking it with my fingernails. “You, sure you want to go out. We could always stay in,” I say, and reach up to kiss those luscious lips of his.

Tanning shifts back and shakes his head, then swoops me up into his arms. “There will be none of that, we have things to do,” he says and chuckles as he proceeds to march out the door still carrying me.

I pout a little. Can't help it, but I'm loving his playful nature.

He reaches the car, but doesn't put me down, instead he puts me on the hood and takes his keys out of his back pocket and clicks the button to unlock the car.

“I don't have my bag,” I say, still pouting a little.

“You won't need it,” Tanning says quick and moves to stand between my parted knees. Seeing as I'm wearing my black shorts with a matching swing top, I can feel the fabric of his denim jeans rubbing against my inner thigh. I lean forward and plant a quick kiss on him, before he can protest. He growls against my lips and kisses me back. Wow, that boy sure knows how to kiss the life out of me, but before we can become an x-rated public display, a car horn toots and we instantly part. I look over Tanning's shoulder to see a red convertible pull up at the kerb.

Oh great, it's the supermodel cousin. Just the person I want to see right now.

She fake smiles and waves. I know that smile. It's the one I wear, when I pretend to like someone, when in reality I want to pull out their perfect hair and scratch out their pretty eyes.

“Well, don't you two look all cosy,” she says as she gets out of the car.

Tanning doesn't move from me and I'm tempted to snuggle into his chest and disappear.

“What are you doing here?” Tanning asks, frowning at her.

“Do I need a reason, to visit my favorite cousin,” she says as she comes closer, swaying her hips in her short lemon colored dress that shows off her perfectly tanned, shaped legs. She really is beautiful. And I’m betting she isn’t used to having any male admonish her, like Tanning is now.

“We're just about to leave,” Tanning says bluntly, not bothering to make any introductions.

She stops when she reaches Tanning’s car, where I’m still planted on the hood, and limply holds out her hand. “I'm Donna, by the way, you must be Jennifer?”

Okay. I can play this game. I've done it often enough.

“Yes, that's right. It's
so
nice to meet you.” I give her my best fake smile in return and shake her hand loosely.

“Where are you two off to?” she says still smiling sweetly, as she takes her hand and casually wipes it on the side of her dress.

Nice.
I only wish I had a disease to infect her with.
 

“Out,” Tanning states as he opens the car door, then turns to picks me up and deposit me in the car, before shutting the door, so I don't even get a chance to say goodbye to the supermodel. If I hadn't heard the crass comments she made about me, I'd be feeling really uncomfortable right now. But instead I just keep smiling out the window at her.

Her pretty face must really be hurting keeping that fake smile pasted on. I kind of chuckle at the thought. Then she tugs on Tanning's arm and pulls him towards the back of his car. I look out the rear-view mirror to see that her smile has gone and she looks downright pissed.

Uh oh.

Tanning is frowning and crossing his arms, but doesn't look like he's saying a lot. Then he shrugs and moves towards the driver's side. I quickly divert my eyes and pretend like I'm playing with the stereo as he hops in.

I turn to him. “Everything okay?”

He winks. “Couldn't be better. You ready to go?”

“Where are we going?”

“It's a surprise.”

I smile at him. “I like surprises.”

He leans across and strokes my cheek, giving me an intense stare with those gorgeous green eyes of his, and I nearly stop breathing.

“Noted,” he smirks, then glances over his shoulder and backs out of the driveway.

The blood is rushing throughout my body, heating every inch, and my heart is nearly exploding in my chest. It only takes one little touch, or one little word from Tanning, and I could seriously become a puddle of goo at his feet. I am so in love with this guy. I never, ever thought anyone would make me feel like this.

I suck in a  meditative breath to calm down and look out the window, to stop my head from spinning.

We're heading toward Forest, and I wonder what he's planning. He might be taking me out for a late lunch, or early dinner. Except it's a little early for either, seeing as its only noon, and we only had breakfast a couple of hours ago. He hasn't spoken, and seems content to tap along to the music as he drives. I'm wondering when he's going to
talk
to me. I really don't have any idea what that’s about, and in some ways I'd rather not know. Things have been so perfect since last night, I just want to enjoy the moment. Talking always ruins things.

We pass the sign saying Forest and Tanning turns off down a street I haven't been before. I rarely come here, in fact, I've only made a couple of regular visits to the clinic since moving. He turns down a couple more unfamiliar streets, and then I see a large multistorey building surrounded by a huge parking lot.

“What is this place?” I break the silence to ask.

Tanning glances at me and smiles. “You'll see.”

He parks the car and gets out, racing around to open my door. He holds out his hand to help me get down from his truck, and then he wraps his arm around my waist and leads me forward.

The closer we get to the building, the larger the billboard advertisements.

“Is this some kind of new mall, or something?” I ask.

Tanning chuckles. “Not exactly a mall, but I think it'll have a couple of shops you'll like.”

I frown, not quite sure how he knows the shops I like. In the past I've done most of my shopping online. Not that I've been able to afford much. Probably why I've steered clear of shopping altogether. It's not exactly fun when you don't have any money to spend.

“But, I didn't bring my purse,” I argue, really confused now.

“I told you. You don't need it.”

Oh right. Like this shop gives away things for free. Not likely.

I'm still frowning as Tanning leads me through the large double glass doors at the front of the complex.

This place is huge. It looks much bigger when you're inside. I wonder why I haven't heard of it, before. But I guess I've had my head in the sand these past few years, and it looks really new. The place is crowded with weekend shoppers, and I realise it's a huge discount warehouse, full of the big chain shops and supermarkets.

Tanning keeps pulling me forward, through the huge building, then turns off at an exit and leads me down another walkway. When we turn the final corner, I take a huge breath. There in front of me is a massive store, called, Little Fingers and Toes.

Oh my.

I blink at Tanning and he grins wide. “Thought you might like to take a look and get some things for the baby. The flyer said they stock everything you need.”

I have no words right now. Since Travis stole my life savings, I haven't been able to think about not having the money I need to buy stuff for Treasure Pot. It's been eating away at me, but I've tried my best to ignore it, until now.

“Come on. Let's go look,” Tanning urges, as I stand there dumbfounded. I can't believe he's being so thoughtful. I didn't think it was possible to fall in love with him anymore, but in this moment I think I just did.

“But ... but ...” I swallow and hold back the tears.

Tanning pulls me to him and kisses my forehead. “I want to help, you Jen. Please. Let me do this for you and the baby.”

Oh God.

I wipe at my eyes, knowing a few tears have leaked out.

Tanning squeezes me one last time, then pulls away. “Come on, Sweet Cheeks, this should be a happy time. Let's go have some fun. Let's go shopping.”

I blow out a breath, and pinch his arm.

He flinches, his eyes widening in surprise. “Ouch! That's not exactly the response I was going for.”

I shake my head. “I'm just checking you’re actually real, and not a figment of my imagination. You really are too good to be true, you know.”

Tanning lets out a big laugh. “Oh, I'm real alright.” He leans down and whispers close to my face, his minty breath wafting over my cheek. “I'll show you just how real, later on.”

Holy smokes, my heart literally just leapt into my throat. I swallow again and grin big. “I can't wait for that,
Mr Too Good to be True guy
. Gotta see if you live up to your new nickname.”

Tanning chuckles again and grabs my hand, dragging me into the store. It's like being led into wonderland. And I can't stop the ear splitting grin, that eats up my face, in this most perfect, of perfect moments.

Life does not get much better than this.

Well, not my life, anyway and I intend to enjoy every moment.

TWeNTY-TWo

_________________________

Curses! I shouldn't have thought that.

The day started out so well. It was so beautiful. Tanning is so beautiful, and I was loving life and enjoying the moment. Until that text message from Jason.

Damn it all to hell!

Now I have no idea what to do.

I'm sitting next to the river, waiting for Tanning to get sandwiches and drink for our picnic lunch. My phone is clenched in my hand, and my eyes can't stop staring at the message.

You owe me a promise. I intend to collect. Meet me at three. Wicca Woods. I have something for you. Jason

I shiver as,
I intend to collect
, rings in my ears.

I was so stupid to think this would all go away. That being with Tanning would make it go away. If Tanning found out, he'd go after Jason. And I don't want that. Jason may be a chicken shit, but he has a dangerous edge, that unsettles me. He's unpredictable.  I could go to the police, but I don't trust them either. They'll probably dredge up old history of my dad, and all the trouble he got in with the law over his dodgy dealing and supposed tax evasion. Not that it was ever proven, and he got off by declaring bankruptcy. Still it doesn't matter, mud sticks, that's all there is to it.

I don't want that for Treasure Pot. I want a clean slate for my child.

I have to go and see what Jason wants. Maybe the threat of Tanning will be enough to scare him off. I mean Tanning would probably beat the crap out of him, with all the muscle he's built up doing all that construction for the past four years. Jason may be solid, but he moves slow. Though, who knows, he might be some kind of kung fu master, and it's more for those unknown reasons, I don't want Tanning anywhere near Jason.

This is my mess and I need to clean it up.

I check my phone and it’s half past one. Not sure how I'm going to pull this off, but I need to think of something fast. Jason is not the patient type and won't like to be kept waiting. I immediately think of Bailey. Not sure why, but she's the only one who knows about keeping secrets and I could probably trust her. I don't have many other options right now.

So I bring up her number and call. Luckily she gave me her number when she offered her spare mattress.

“Bailey, um, hi, it's Jennifer.”

“Oh, hi.”

“Um ... this is kind of strange, but I need a big favor.”

“Oh  ... okay.”

Wow, no questions. She really is nice. I'd be asking questions for sure.

“Can you ring me back in about five minutes.”

“Okay.”

“I’ll probably say some random things, but can you just play along. I really need you to do this without asking why.”

“Sure.”

“Is Cam with you?”

“Um ... yeah.”

“Can you go somewhere, so he doesn't hear?”

“Give me a sec.”

I wait a few moments and hear some movement. “Sorry, just went outside. Are you sure you're alright?”

“ Yeah. I'll be fine, but I really need this favor.”

“Oh. Okay.”

“And, Bailey, I need you to keep our conversation a secret. Can you do that?”