There are many ways to spend a Sunday morning after church in Kanla. Lunch with family, breakfast at Ducky-Lows diner or a nice long swim at the public pool.
I would’ve done all of those today if Jo was around, but today is Tara’s birthday. So, after church this morning I dropped her off at her six-year-old friend’s place two blocks from our house.
Not sure what I was doing today except spending it with DJ. I was expecting her around ten. What I don’t expect coming home as I park my Camry in the driveway is the two men I find at the back of my yard nailing planks to my tree.
I jump out of the car kicking the door with my three-inch heels. The sound of my hurried steps have both men turning around. The light grey knee-length pencil dress which is one of the few nice dresses I kept after my failed marriage rides up with my quick pace.
“Good morning Hannah.” I recognize the younger biker from yesterday.
Today he’s wearing a short-sleeve grey tee with his army tag hanging from the outside. His jeans are new and dark blue with a pair of very black sneakers.
What happened to using old clothes for building?
“Good morning to you too,” I say cheerily, my hand going to shield my eyes.
“I didn’t quite catch your name yesterday.”
“That’s because he didn’t give it to you.” At the sound of that unmistakable husky voice, I slant a glance to River who is standing near the tree with a two-meter plank in his grip.
My breath catches in my throat as a rush of warmth races over me. The memory of last night still fresh in my mind. He’s dressed in a pair of very distressed denim and a black tee that stretches over his chest and arms.
His black boots have also seen better days but the get-up looks really attractive in an ‘I don’t give a shit way’.
“What happened Hannah Banana, you seem a little flustered there, finish pray for your sins?” I don’t miss the sarcasm inked in his question or the way his light blue stare traces my body like a dog eyeing its treat.
I look good today. My expression says I know it, because I made an effort. I always do when I go to church.
“As a matter of fact I did, I also prayed for yours too.” I try hard not to smile when he chuckles.
He doesn’t say another word as he turns away from me and I admit I’m disappointed.
The young biker strolls right on overto were I’m standing. He extends his hand. It’s the first time I get a good look at the guy.
“Names Killer.”
He’s absolutely fucking gorgeous. So gorgeous, I cream my panties staring into the bluest eyes I’ve ever seen in person.
His facial skin is smooth and shaven. My hand’s envelope around his extended one feeling the power of his grip. The hardened calluses on his hand have me take another more in-depth glance into his gaze. And the blank coldness of his stare as he smiles tell me something about Killer – He isn’t called Killer because of his looks.
I’m staring into the eyes of a killer. Seeing those tags around his neck, I don’t feel danger. Quite opposite actually.
“Killer, I need help man.” Killer winks at me as he releases the tight grip I have on his hand and saunters off.
It’s passing eleven, DJ arrived a few minutes after I left the two men to their business. Well, not precisely left.
For the last thirty minutes, that’s after I got lunch in the oven; DJ and I have been playing peeping tom through the bedroom window.
I watch River’s naked back as he lifts a thick plank, and boy do I get an eye full. His muscles are ripped and covered in tattoos of various shapes, sizes, and colors. I’ve never had a guy so big before. It’s not the first time I wonder what it’ll be like to have a man like him under me, spreading me wide as I own him.
But that will never happen with River because this man has a beautiful woman who has already snatched his heart and will no sooner hold his body. That said body shines with a light sheen of sweat as he pulls on the rope that is used as a harness for the planks.
And Lord forgive me when I don’t stop admiring all the planes of his back and arms. Even knowing he isn’t mine and will never ever be mine, I salivate at just the wonder of it.
Isn’t that what single parents do? We feast from afar that which we can never have.
The tap on my shoulder and ice-cold bottle on my neck startle me. I jump with a scream.
“I swear to fuckin’ Christ I’m going to kick your ass woman,” I curse, grabbing the beer from her outstretched hand.
Taking a long sip from her own bottle, DJ’s green steady focus observes me with a contemplative gleam in them.
“So you don’t want a drink then?”
My answer is to plant my ass on the bed, take a long swig of my bud. Her red painted on lips thin before she throws her head back in a good old fashion DJ laugh.
“Oh, my fuckin’ word Nay you should see your face.”
She smirks. That devil smile of hers never gets old. The all-knowing glance she gives me right before she saunters up next to me on the bed tells me that my red and white-haired best friend knows exactly what I want but could never have.
Even DJ knows I don’t stand an inkling of a chance apart from a single night with River right?
River will give me that, I’m certain.
The question is – Will I be able to live with that?
What if he and Lauren remain my neighbors? I know I just met the guy but there is something so warm about him. Akin to a home that is a person.
I can’t explain it.
He just feels like a guy you instantly melt into. A person that once you meet them it’s just as sudden as you are familiar with them.