“No. It’s the closest place, though, to warm up. Ryker is working. We can chill in the back for a while.” And he was known to give free food. That was always a plus.
“What’s your mom’s name?” she whispered.
“Amelia.” My gut tightened at the mention of her name and the sight of her today. So thin and broken. I immediately pictured Damon as well. He’d been tough-looking when he found me earlier today.
“You handled her really well.”
“Felt like shit, though.”
“That’s why they call it tough love.”
“No doubt.” I hated seeing Mom suffer, though. If only she’d get clean.
Finally the store came into sight. And thankfully it wasn’t so busy. Ryker’s tall, lanky frame came into view, and he strode around the last aisle in the store from the office. Good, because I needed to get in there and talk to my Sarah.
Maybe a little more than talk, but talk for sure.
Heat stormed through my body as it came to life more than it already had when I first saw her and kissed her. I needed a little more of that. Needed to find out what the hell was going on with her. Somehow Walker was involved, and my brother risked everything coming to find me. Not only to tell me about Mom but…warn me about Sarah.
If she was on Walker’s radar…that was never a good thing. Best to lay low.
“Smells good.”
“Jeremy’s famous hot dogs.” I’d lived on those when things got especially tight. Jeremy was good to me. “Let’s get you warmed up.”
I pulled open the door and led her inside.
“Hey, man!” Ryker said over the top of the candy aisle. “Glad you’re here.”
“What’s wrong?” I stopped.
“Your brother stopped by.” Ryker rounded the corner of the aisle. “Dickhead just sniffed around. Wouldn’t admit to looking for you, but I could tell. You think he’s okay?”
“Yeah.” I led Sarah to the back. “We’ll be in the office.”
The kid winked at me. “Do not disturb, I get it.”
Sarah’s face went red.
“Ignore him,” I said. “I need to ask you a few things. Well…and maybe kiss you silly, but talk for sure.”
“I like the kissing part.” She hurried after me.
Okay, that got me even more revved up. I opened the office door and ushered her in. I gave the store one last look, then followed her in. I shut the door and engaged the lock, then turned to her.
She met me with a bruising kiss. “Kiss, then…talk.”
No problems there. I unzipped her jacket and pushed it off as she did mine. Her hands slid up my chest, then wrapped around my neck. Her body formed to mine, and I let out a moan.
Tender lips met my neck and trailed up to my ear. “Missed you.”
“Why’d you shut me out?” I slid my hand down her back and curled it around her waist, bringing her flush with me.
“I—was stupid.” She nailed me with a green gaze.
“What brought you back to me?” I kissed her tender skin along her neck and then behind her ear.
She shoved her hands in my pockets and pulled me against her.Oh God. That pressure, that…felt good.