KarinaWatching Mason drive has jumped to the top of my favorite things in the world list. There's something about watching his big hands rest on the steering wheel, his long fingers wrap around the cylindrical shape, and the way his forearms flex as he easily maneuvers through the streets of Laurel Springs. "You okay?" His shit-eating grin is proof he knows exactly what I was looking at. At dinner, I had a few margaritas, and I might possibly be replaying every second of what happened in the backseat of this Jeep the last time we were together. Crossing my legs to ease the ache between them, I let my gaze meet his. "Fine." The word is breathless and husky, even to my own ears. I sound like I should be on the other end of one of those sex-operator phone lines."You sure? A little tipsy?"Maybe I am, slightly. He hadn't been lying when he told me those drinks were potent. "Mmmm." I make a non-committal sound in the back of my throat. When he turns into my driveway, I want
Menace"What's that thing on the side of your neck?" Renegade asks as I duck into the squad car he and I are riding in today."What?" I pull the sun visor down and push back the plastic piece to look in the mirror. Son of a bitch, I got a hickey last night when Karina attacked my neck. "Must have cut myself shaving," I lie, knowing damn good and well I have a beard right now."Riiiigghhhtttt." He starts the car. As we pull out of the parking lot, I can feel his eyes on me."What, kid?""Don't give me that kid bullshit." He laughs as we drive up Main Street. "I have a wife, I have plenty of sex, and I know exactly what a hickey looks like. I've just never seen you with one before, so it's kind of weirding me out.""Weirding you out?"Renegade sighs. "I've always kind of seen you as a dad, but I also always thought of you as way older than the rest of us. Even though you and Whitney are close to the same age. I don't know, you've just been the one who had his shit together,
Karina"Thanks for coming with me." Violet grins over at me as we sit in the only nail salon that Laurel Springs has to offer. "Whitney gave me this gift certificate for my birthday, and I haven't had time to come and use it yet.""No problem." I watch as the nail technician cuts back my nails and starts painting the shellac I prefer on them. "I haven't had a manicure in a long time."Vi looks at me, an inquisitive look on her face."What?""What's going on with that single dad? Did you get things straightened out? Decide to see him again?""Yeah, actually I'm seeing him tomorrow. I'm heading to the fishing and hunting show in Birmingham with him and his son tomorrow." I play it coy, while still giving her some of the details."Oh my God, Mason is taking Caleb, and they asked Anthony to go, but he's working, and I've never seen him so bummed. They have new boats there," she frowns. "But at least Caleb and Mason get to spend some time together.""I know Caleb and Mason a
KarinaK: How'd you sleep last night with two teenagers under your roof?I can't help but give Mason a hard time. Caleb's a good kid, I know that from having him in my class, but he's also a teenage boy, almost a man, with teenage hormones. M: Slept like a baby, Rina. Told you I trust Caleb. Now had it been me and you'd been here? No doubt about it, there's no way I would have kept my hands off you last night.I'm trying to think of what my reply will be when another message comes through; a picture of Mason's head against what I assume is his pillow. His eyes are heavy with sleep, his smile lazy, and his stubble is grown in more, adding to the beard on his face. Looking farther down, I can see his chest on full display. Immediately I wonder what he sleeps in.K: You look cozy and fine as hell. What do you sleep in, Mase?M: Last night? I slept in these. The next thing I know, I get a picture angled a little further down, showing a flat stomach with light hair, leading
MenaceAs we've driven across town to Rina's house, I've been lost in thought, not paying attention to what's going on in the backseat of the Jeep. Feeling a little weird and guilty that my son and his girlfriend are sitting where Rina and I had sex, but there's nothing I can do about it now. I'm anxious to see her as evidenced by the way my fingers tap along to the radio on the steering wheel. Will this feeling of being excited to see her go away? God I hope not.We pull up to Karina's house, and I can't get over how hard my heart is tripping at the thought of being around her. "You two sit tight, I'll be right back."Slipping out of the driver's seat, I go up the porch steps two at a time, because I'm so excited to see her. Before I can knock on the door, she's opening it. "Hey." My voice is breathless because I'm so excited to see her.She smiles up at me, leaning in to give me a kiss.So badly I want to reach in, wrap my arms around her waist, and give in to the overwh
KarinaSince Sunday, I've been anxiously awaiting Wednesday. The week so far has been the slowest week of my life, but as the bell rings, I'm not hanging around; making sure no one needs me. No, I'm packing up my stuff and getting the fuck out of dodge.Caleb gives me a little grin and wink as he leaves. I do have the decency to be a little embarrassed, but at the same time, I'm beyond ready to see Mason. As I shut down my computer and lock my classroom, I'm pulling my phone out of my purse and pausing to shoot off a quick message to him.K: Leaving school right now. You're off shift in an hour, right?M: Yeah, so expect to be at the house in about two hours. I want to take a shower. Caleb's working tonight, so we should have plenty of time to ourselves.Given the way the two of us seem to behave with one another, I'm not sure if any amount of time will ever truly be enough. K: See you there, big guy!As I round the corner, heading toward the teacher's lot, I crash into
KarinaFebruaryI'm watching the kids that just filed into my classroom. On Friday afternoons, typically everyone is hyped up, not paying attention and ready to go. This afternoon, I notice one person in particular, is pretty far off that game. Caleb has a seat at the desk he normally occupies and puts his head down, burrowing deeply into the hoodie he wears, pulling it up over his head. I try to catch his eye, but he keeps his head down, eyes closed."How's it going today?" I ask the class as a whole."Long day, Ms. H," one of the guys sighs as he shakes his head. "Really long day. I can't speak for the rest of the class, but I had a freakin' pop quiz in Calculus that I'm ninety-nine percent sure I bombed. Happy Friday to me."Reaching into my desk, I grab a chocolate bar. "Here ya go, Maddox. Bury your sorrows in chocolate, works for me."He gives me a smile before he rips it open and eats half of it in one bite. "Anybody having a good day?" I prompt them.There's a
MenaceWhen I pull into my driveway, the pit of my stomach warms, and my heart beats a little faster. Having another car parked next to where mine normally is, having someone inside, waiting on me? I never imagined there would be a time in my life that I could count on any of it. No one is more surprised than me, that I can now. The house is quiet when I enter through the side door, but when I listen closely, I can hear the TV playing softly in the living room. It's seven at night when I check the clock, but obviously these two had a rough day. Taking off all my gear and slipping out of my boots, I make my way into the living room, and what greets me puts the biggest smile on my face.Karina lies on the couch, wrapped up in a blanket, wearing one of my shirts, sleeping so soundly she hasn't noticed me come in. As quiet as I can, I walk over to where she lays, gently putting my hand on her shoulder."Rina, wake up, I'm home," I whisper. She stirs slightly and then sits up wh