Little Hoodlum (Hood River Hoodlums Book 2) Page 5

  “Did you survive?” I ask Charlotte.

  “Barely,” a gruff, masculine voice mutters.

  My entire body comes alive with a mixture of heat and emotion. A voice I’ve heard only once since he was locked away.

  “Jordy?” I croak out.

  I peek out from under my arm to see his tall, muscular form standing over me. He’s here. Oh my God. With a squeal, I scramble to my feet, throwing myself at him. His strong arms haul me to him, hugging me tight.

  “Missed you, Little Hoodlum.” His warm breath tickles my neck where his mouth is only inches from. “So goddamn much.”

  I burst into tears, overcome by the fact he’s out. Here with me. I don’t understand how, but I’m so happy. He kisses my neck. Just a soft, sweet peck that makes my nerve endings come alive. I note that he doesn’t remove his lips. And I don’t let him go.

  “You smell like coconut,” he says with a chuckle.

  “You smell like Jordy.”

  “Yeah? What’s that smell like?”

  “Home.”

  He strokes his fingers through my ponytail. “Your pussy-ass brother cried when I saw him earlier.”

  “So did I,” I toss back at him.

  “But you’re little Roux, so it’s okay. I’m used to you crying.”

  I pull away to give him a sour look. “I kind of grew up while you were gone. Not so little anymore.”

  As though he’s just now realizing this fact, his dark brown eyes drop to my lips, then to my throat, and finally to my cleavage in my bikini top.

  “I can see that,” he grumbles in irritation.

  Flutters of excitement dance in my stomach as I wonder if he likes what he sees.

  “Did you come to swim with us?” I ask, inhaling his masculine scent and memorizing every detail of his face all over again.

  He’s broader than the last time I hugged him. Clearly been spending every waking minute of his life lifting weights. His hair that was once buzzed short has grown long on top and flops into his eyes, giving him a younger, softer look than I remember. I also never noticed how long his dark lashes were or how flecks of gold are hidden in his brown eyes.

  “Hmm?” he asks, his eyes roaming over my face.

  “I said…” I don’t remember what I said.

  His lips.

  They’re dark pink and full.

  The scruff on his cheek is in dire need of shaving, but it gives him an edgy look that sets my nerves on fire.

  “I missed you,” I murmur.

  “You already said that.”

  “I’ll say it a thousand times,” I tell him.

  He smirks. It’s maddening. And hot.

  “Where are your glasses?” he murmurs, his fingers once again stroking through my hair.

  “Over there.”

  “Do you need them?”

  I just need you.

  “Not right now,” I whisper.

  His dark eyes drop to my lips again, making my heart stammer in my chest. I have a boyfriend. I have a boyfriend. I have a boyfriend. I can chant it all day long in my head, but my body forgot. All it knows is Jordy. My Jordy. Here in my arms. Handsome as ever. All man and incredibly hot. Alive and well and smiling.

  He shifts one of his large hands to my hip. His fingers are so long, they curl around my backside, nearly touching my ass. A thrill races down my spine. His thumb brushes over my bare skin above my bikini bottoms.

  “Kelsey told me you’d be here swimming,” Jordy says. “I wore trunks I borrowed from Roan.”

  He starts to step back, but I can’t let him go.

  “I could swim,” I mutter. “Take off your shirt.”

  His eyes darken and his jaw tenses. “Let go, Roux.”

  “I can’t.” My words come out as a painful whisper. “I’m afraid if I do, it’ll all be a stupid dream.”

  His hand smacks my ass in a playful way that makes my pussy throb. “It’s not a dream. I’m here.” He grips my wrists and gently forces me to release his neck. When he brings our hands down between us, he doesn’t let go. “I’m not going anywhere ever again.”

  I nod, fighting back tears. He releases me to kick off his shoes and peel off his shirt. I shamelessly ogle all of his tattoos and bigger muscles. Jordy Martinez was always hot and I harbored a crush on him, but he’s reached new levels of gorgeous. It’s almost too much.

  “Jordy?” Charlotte asks, her voice shaking. “You’re back?”

  “Yep, little mouse. I’m back.”

  “Little mouse?” she bites out, cocking her hip to one side, making her boobs jiggle. “What the hell?”

  I’ve always been a little jealous of my best friend and how guys look at her. And even though I don’t see that Jordy is looking at her any other way than an annoying little sister, a flare of possessiveness ripples through me.

  “You’re the rat’s kid sister. Little mouse is nicer than little rat.”

  Penny snorts out a laugh. “I kinda like little rat.”

  Charlotte swats at her. “Don’t be a bitch. We legit just made up three seconds ago.”

  “We’re going swimming,” I state, interrupting their banter. “We have a lot to talk about.” I plead with my eyes for Charlotte to understand that I need time alone with Jordy.

  Her blue eyes dart between me and Jordy, before landing back on mine. “Penny and I were going to go down to the snow cone stand at the park.”

  “We were?” Penny asks in confusion.

  “Yep. Want us to bring you guys something back?”

  “Cherry,” both Jordy and I answer at once.

  Charlotte’s eyes gleam with delight. “You got it. See you in about thirty minutes.”

  They throw on their cover-ups and snag their shoes before walking off, leaving me alone with Jordy. Now that I have him all to myself, I want to spend the rest of our time hugging some more.

  If only you were this into your boyfriend, things wouldn’t be so strained.

  I cringe thinking about Kayden. Having Jordy here is going to be a huge complication. I shove those thoughts away and grab Jordy’s hand. He lets me tug him to the river. It’s cool, but it feels good when we step into it. When I get waist deep, I dunk myself under, needing to cool off completely. Eventually, I have to come up for air.

  “I missed this place,” Jordy says, staring off down the river.

  I drink in his beautiful form. The way the water droplets run down his shoulders. How his now-wet hair is slicked back. The sharp line of his jawbone. He’s just so lickable.

  “This place missed you,” I reply, my voice breathy.

  He turns to regard me, heat flashing in his dark eyes. My nipples are hard from the cold water but grow harder when he glances down at them.

  “Jesus, Roux,” he grumbles before diving into the water.

  I frown, crossing my arms over my chest. What was that all about? Irritated at his abrupt attitude, I glower at him as he swims farther into deeper water.

  Asshole.

  With a sigh, I start swimming after him. The currents are always strong, but we’re used to them. True river rats we are. When he realizes I’m following him, he starts swimming back.

  A predator in the water.

  Dark, hungry eyes.

  Approaching like an alligator ready to take a bite.

  Ravenous. Territorial. Fierce.

  He swoops an arm around me, tugging me to him. “Don’t want you getting sucked into the Columbia River.” The nearby river that Hood River meets has much stronger currents and is far more dangerous to swim in.

  I allow him to drag me flush against his hard body. He’s hard everywhere. Even his dick, which is pressed to my thigh. Every time Kayden rubs his erection on me through our clothes, a silent request for sex, I’m annoyed.

  I’m anything but annoyed right now.

  Slowly, I wrap my legs around him, my eyes locked on his.

  “Roux,” he chokes out. “Fucking Roux.”

  His palm rests possessively on my ass, squeezi
ng gently. Is this how it’s supposed to feel? Like you’re going to spontaneously combust unless you can devour the one who makes you feel so alive?

  “Jordy,” I murmur, shamelessly rubbing my body against the hardest part of him.

  He curses, resting his forehead to mine, and closes his eyes. “I’ve been in prison for far too long. I haven’t… I haven’t fucked anyone in forever, Roux. Don’t do this to me. Please.”

  His words cut me deep. Do what? Hold him? Hurt burrows its way inside me, carving out a place to hide and live. The rejection is colder than the river water, chilling me to the bone.

  He is not your boyfriend, Roux.

  You have one of those, dumbass.

  “Sorry,” I croak out. “I just… Sorry.”

  His nose rubs against mine. Our breath commingling, our mouths inches apart. I run my fingernails through his hair along his scalp, desperate to touch him anyway. He angles his head closer, inhaling my breath as it blows from my mouth. His lips nearly brush against mine, sending zings of desire straight to my core.

  Overcome with the need to kiss him, I tilt my head so that our lips do touch. I press a kiss to his lips. And then another. It’s the third one I realize he’s making no moves to kiss me back. His body grows stiff as he shuts down. He turns his head to the side and carefully extricates me from his body.

  “That…” He sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose. “That was a mistake.”

  I recoil at his words. “What?”

  “You’re fuckin’ seventeen, Roux. My best friend’s sister. Just because I’m horny as hell, doesn’t mean I need to make out with you, Little Hoodlum. I’m sorry. You’re just the first thing I’ve come across.” His words are icy cold and cruel. “I need to get laid. And not by you.”

  I suck in a sharp breath. “Fuck you.”

  “Stop,” he orders. “Don’t be a child about this.”

  I haul off and smack the shit out of him. “Don’t be an asshole about this.” My hand stings from the force I hit him with. I doubt it even registered to him. His dark eyes are fiery and intense as he pins me in place with one look.

  “You caught me at a weak moment.” He shrugs. “After this weekend, I’ll get laid and then things can go back to normal. It’ll be like old times. Me, you, and Roan.”

  I scoff at him. “Things aren’t like they once were. Now we have Hollis and Char and Kelsey.” I poke him in the chest. “And my boyfriend.”

  He scowls, fury flashing in his eyes. “Boyfriend, huh? Roan didn’t tell me you had a boyfriend.”

  “Probably because he’s been my secret boyfriend for a while now.” I smirk at him. “I think you know him.”

  Poke the beast, Roux. Excellent idea.

  “So help me,” Jordy growls, “if you’re referring to Kayden fucking Ramirez, I’m going to make your life a living hell.”

  He wants to hurt me?

  I can hurt him right back.

  I’m no longer the innocent girl he remembers. I grew claws when he left me here to fend for myself.

  “At least he actually wants to fuck me,” I spit out at him.

  I don’t wait for his reply, swimming back to the shore as fast as I can.

  Screw Jordy.

  He can’t destroy my life by leaving me and then destroy it again by coming back.

  “I’m going to kill him,” he calls out behind me.

  His words chill me to the bone because I know them as truth. He’s killed for me four times before. What’s one more?

  Jordy

  I’m halfway to drunk. Off three beers. Fuck. I scrub my palm down over my face, trying and failing to hear what Cal is saying. Apparently he and Terrence are having the time of their lives off at college. Those two idiots haven’t grown up at all, fucking everything that moves.

  Roan, on the other hand…

  His smile is serene as his fingers run through Hollis’s hair. Hollis, who’s sitting at his feet and nursing a beer, is happy as a lark. Husbands. What the fuck. I’m not a homophobe, I just don’t understand what Roan ever saw in the rat. He’s a total prissy dork. I mean…to totally go from manwhore who fucks every chick at our school to full-on gay was hard to comprehend. Yet, here we are. Hollis not only hooked my best friend, but he got him to put a ring on it.

  And they’re so fucking happy.

  I’m envious of them, even if I don’t understand it.

  “No offense, Hollis,” Cal says, his voice slurring slightly, “but I’d totally fuck your sister.”

  Hollis groans. “Have fun in prison.”

  “Say hi to Dad,” Roan chimes in.

  The reminder that she’s seventeen, like Roux, is a kick to the balls. What was I thinking? I almost fucked Roux Hirsch in the goddamn river. Holy shit.

  “What about Tara or Tayla or whatever the fuck that girl’s name is? She’s eighteen now,” Terrence offers. “You could keep your asshole safe.”

  Cal snorts. “Was your asshole safe in prison, Jordy?”

  “Why don’t you grab a bottle of water?” Roan grits out. “You’re being more than your usual dickhead self.”

  “Naw,” I mutter. “It’s fine. If we don’t joke about it, who the fuck are we? Certainly not Hoodlums.” I down the rest of my beer. “Nobody came after my ass because I’d beat the fuck out of them. And your dad had my back.”

  Roan’s brows furl, but I can tell he’s relieved to know Jace was looking after me.

  “Do you guys ever feel like losers still partying here with all these goddamn kids?” Terrence asks, tossing his empty beer bottle at some douchebag near the fire.

  “We’re only here to keep an eye on shit,” Roan reminds him. “Roux and Charlotte seem to like hanging out with these assholes. And some of these assholes think it’s okay to deal like this is their goddamn property. All we’re doing is reminding them they don’t run this town, we do.”

  Everyone sobers at that statement.

  “Is that baby Cuntingham?” I ask, nodding my head to the fire. “He’s fuckin’ little mouse?”

  Hollis groans. “She’s my sister. I’d rather not imagine her fucking anyone if that’s all right with you.”

  “Ryan Cuntingham almost got his ass kicked a while back,” Cal says with a laugh. “He’s kept in line since.”

  “Yeah? What for?” I tear my gaze from Cuntingham by the fire to my best friend.

  “For being a dick,” Roan says with a shrug.

  “Or, he was sending a message back to his older brother,” Terrence teases like he’s a goddamn gossipy girl. Fuck, I’ve missed these guys.

  “What sort of message?” I ask.

  Roan drains the rest of his beer and tosses it toward the fire. “Tyler wants to fuck my husband.”

  “Oh my God,” Hollis groans. “Seriously? This again? He was being nice. He doesn’t want to fuck me.”

  “I’ve seen the way he looks at you, man,” Roan grumbles in annoyance. “I’ll lay his ass out if he even thinks about acting on his fantasies.”

  “He can’t have me, rat lover.” Hollis twists to look up at Roan. “I’m yours.”

  They kiss and I watch them. Again, envious. Not because I want to dick down some dude, but because I want to have that connection with someone.

  A giggle pierces the night air.

  Her giggle.

  My dick twitches at the memory of Roux wrapped around me, kissing my lips. Fuck. That took self-control not to shove my trunks down and claim her in that river. I would’ve been so fucked, though. Not only is she underage, but she’s Roux. Little fuckin’ Hoodlum. So untouchable it’s not even funny.

  “You living at home?” Terrence asks me.

  I cringe as I think about the way my mom shook her head when I stood on the porch. No. She turned me away after she tossed a bag of my belongings at me. It was only fair when I did the same to her and Dad when they tried to visit me. That fucking hurt, but I was determined not to have to beg Juno for a place to stay. I was going to figure it out on my own, but Roan and H
ollis wouldn’t have any of it.

  “Nah, he’s gonna stay with us until he gets on his feet,” Roan says. “He’s family.”

  If he only knew how close I got to fucking said family, he’d murder me.

  “What?”

  The voice carries over the partygoers’ laughter, waking my cock much to my disgust. Roux traipses up the porch steps of the cabin where we’re all spread out in lawn chairs. She crosses her arms over her chest, only serving to push her perky tits up, making them threaten to spill from her sundress. I shamelessly check her tits out before tearing my gaze away. Maybe I ought to find that black-haired skank everyone was joking about earlier.

  “Jordy’s gonna take the couch,” Roan reveals. “That okay with you?”

  Her fiery glare burns into me. “What does it matter? It sounds like it’s already a done deal.”

  “It matters,” I bark out. “If you don’t want me there, I’ll find another place to stay.”

  She walks over to me, scowling. “Whatever. I don’t care.”

  Liar.

  “Hey, Roux-Roux,” a deep voice calls out. “A bunch of us are heading over to Zac’s. You wanna come hang with us?”

  I’m out of my chair before I can think better of it, my hands fisted and ready to pummel Kayden Ramirez. “Get the fuck out of here.”

  His boyish grin fades as he glares back at me. “What the hell, man?”

  Roux grips my arm, her nails digging into my flesh. “Stop.”

  Kayden’s eyes rake down to where she touches me, fury flaring in his eyes. I flash him a smug grin. One that says, “Your girlfriend’s pussy was on my dick hours ago.” He hears the unspoken message loud and clear.

  “Roux. Can we talk a second?” he hisses, his body thrumming with barely contained rage.

  She releases my arm and pats my chest. “Just stop, Jordy.”

  I watch her as she walks down the steps toward her secret boyfriend. The same boyfriend I’m going to fucking destroy. They can pretend all they want, but everyone knows they’re together. He crowds her like he can claim her just by standing near her.

  She’s not his.

  Fire burns in my veins.

  “I need a drink,” I grumble, never taking my eyes off them.

  Roan is at my side, gripping my shoulder. “I thought part of your parole was you weren’t to drink.”