“He doesn’t do anything without my command.”
“I once knew a Marley reincarnation.”
“Yours?” Ryn looked up at Jackson, squinting against the setting sun.
“No. This doctor I knew got it for his girlfriend. He tried to get her to take it to obedience school, but I think they dropped out after the first day. The mutt was a nightmare.”
“Gunner was trained to be a guard dog. I don’t think I’d be able to sleep at night if I didn’t have him.”
“Because you’re single?”
“Because I’m divorced.” Ryn kept her eyes focused ahead. “I left an abusive relationship. He didn’t want to accept it even after I filed the restraining order. I don’t like guns, but I needed a way to feel safe.”
“Gun-ner.” Jackson smirked. “Nice.”
“So … I noticed you have some crash-type pads and different equipment in your basement. Are you a boxer?”
“I’m not a boxer, but I can box. Jillian and I like to spar for a good workout.”
“Do you know any self-defense moves?”
His lips twisted to the side. “A few.”
“Would you be willing to teach me sometime?”
Jackson didn’t say anything.
“It’s just that Gunner’s not always with me and I wonder what would happen if the mace on my keychain didn’t work or if I dropped it and was left defenseless. I know I sound paranoid, it’s just—”
“I’ll teach you.”
“You will?”
He nodded.
“I’ll even pay you or we could barter for the house cleaning.”
His lips curled into the most mischievous grin. “Bartering … yes, but not for the house cleaning.”
“Oh …” A cold chill inched up her spine. “Do I want to know what you have in mind?”
He looked over at her. “I don’t know. Do you?”
She tried to lighten the moment, thick with suggestion. “If you’re thinking of trying to take Gunner or Maddie, then the answer is no way.”
“Maddie?”
“My daughter.”
“I think you already offered me your daughter.”
“What? I did not.”
“You offered to fix us up.”
“I-I-no … I asked if that’s what you were implying.”
“And if I would have said yes, you were going to give me her phone number with your blessing.”
“I most certainly was not.”
“Why?”
It was a good question.
“That’s what I thought.” His smug smile wasn’t sexy. Really it was, but she didn’t want it to be.
“For your information, my daughter is too young for you.”
Jackson chuckled. “I’m closer to her age than your age.”
“So?”
“So, here we are … on our first date. Don’t you think I’m too young for you?”
Yes. Of course she did.
“This isn’t a date. It’s a dog walk.”
“It’s a date.”
Ryn shook her head. “It’s not.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re too young for me. There I said it. Happy now?”
Men like Jackson were put on Earth for one purpose: to rob every ounce of confidence from women like Ryn. They ate it up and saved it for themselves, as if they could possibly need any more. Then they flaunted it to get the attention of the lucky recipients who were Maddie’s age. The twenty-somethings thrived on it.
“I know all my ABCs. I’m potty trained. I chew with my mouth closed, and I require limited supervision.”
Ryn didn’t want to laugh, but she did anyway. “Shut up, now you’re just being stupid.”
“Oh and I can count to one hundred—forward, backward, and even with my eyes shut.”
She sighed. “Have you ever been married?”
“No.”
“Kids?”
“No.”
“So our total time spent together so far in the past week has been five hours, and we might not have anything in common, which would only be compounded by our age difference, and you expect me to believe you are seriously interested in me?”
“Yes.”
“Fine,” she huffed, hiding her grin. “I’ll marry you.”
Jackson laughed. It made her want more.
More laughter.
More resplendent smiles.
He held her gaze, lacing his fingers with hers then gently squeezing her hand. That made her want more too.
More of his touch.
More of the happiness that swelled in her heart.
His touch felt like a spell. For a moment she forgot about her age, her physical imperfections, and the fear that held her hostage to a past she could never escape.
They finished their walk in silence. It wasn’t awkward, it was perfect. The most indelible moments are spent in quietude with a worthy companion. Gunner had been that worthy companion for years.
When they reached her front porch, it felt like waking from a dream. Their age difference returned to her thoughts again as all the insecurities she tried to overcome came rushing back. She attempted to release his hand, but he tightened his grip and pulled her to him. He smelled good, really good. Her eyes closed on their own accord as she took a slow inhale, hoping he didn’t notice her trying to smell him.
“Candles,” he said.
Ryn opened her eyes.
“I smell like sex candles.”
She laughed a little. “Sex candles?” Whatever they were, she needed to buy some.
“Yes. Jillian sells them and until just recently she’d been using Woody to transport them.”
Sex candles and then Woody. Maybe she was too old. Clearly they didn’t speak the same language.
“Well, sex candles smell good on you.”
He smiled. It was a hungry smile with his tongue wetting his lips.
“You know what else would smell good on me?” he whispered, ducking his head a breath away from her lips.
The enormity of his dominating presence wrecked her ability to conjure coherent thoughts and formulate words to go with them.
“Um … what?” She couldn’t even remember his question. Why were his lips just lingering over hers? It was torturous.
“You.” He touched her lips, just barely.
She felt the very tip of his warm tongue touch her top lip.
“Good night, Ryn.” He strode with extra confidence to his car because he stole hers. He stole everything and left her speechless, standing on the porch with her lips slightly parted, making soft panting noises. Pathetic.
“Night,” she whispered long after he was gone.
Chapter Seven
“How’s AJ?”
“Still alive.” Jillian shrugged.
Lilith gave her a reprimanding look. “Char’s a mess. She didn’t take it so well.”
“I know. That’s what he said. How could she? It’s messed up. Children aren’t supposed to die before their parents.”
“Is he?”
“Is he what?”
“Going to die.”
Jillian didn’t know the answer to that question. She was too close to the situation to even look at the possibilities with any sort of objectivity.