Little Hoodlum (Hood River Hoodlums Book 2) Page 7

  This is the most erotic thing I’ve ever experienced in my life.

  My body begs for his touch, trembling and whimpering in need.

  His palm slides down my outer thigh until he meets bare skin beneath the hem of my dress. Slowly, he drags the material up, his fingertips leaving a trail of fiery heat. He sucks on my neck again, this time a little harder. Our breathing is heavier and each hot breath on my flesh turns me on further. I’m squirming with desire. I want him to strip me and claim me.

  He pulls my thigh up over his hip. A draft of air flutters over my wet panties, making my cheeks burn with heat. His mouth opens wide, like he’s trying to devour me. Teeth scrape over the pulsing vein in my neck. I whimper, wanting him to bite me. Instead, he sucks me hard, to the point of pain. I cry out, inching my leg higher up his hip, needing friction. Needing him. He slides his palm up under my dress, teasing his fingertips under the edge of my panties on my ass.

  “Jordy’s passed out!” Terrence booms from the other side of the door.

  I fly out of Jordy’s arms. He reaches over to tug my dress down before pulling the blanket up over me. My heart is hammering in my chest. This thing happening between me and Jordy feels good, but I’m under no delusions that Roan will be okay with it.

  Roan will freak.

  And if Terrence or Cal or Hollis were to find us doing what we were just doing…

  I don’t want to know.

  Jordy just got back. The last thing he needs is all the Hoodlums hating him. He needs support and love.

  Terrence walks into the cabin, stumbling and cursing. When he sees us in the bed, he cocks his head. “We fuckin’ Little Hoodlum?”

  Jordy growls. “We aren’t doing anything. I don’t like Roux out there alone. I’m keeping her safe.”

  Not a lie.

  Not completely.

  “Hmph,” Terrence says, kicking off his shoes as he heads our way. “Scoot your asses over. I’m not sleeping on the floor and Cal took Tarrin Hooker to my tent.”

  “Fine, but your drunk ass is sleeping next to me, not Roux,” Jordy growls. “Understood?”

  Terrence laughs as he crawls into bed, playfully cuddling Jordy from behind. “If you wanted some ass, sweetheart, all you had to do was ask.”

  Jordy rolls his eyes but lets his friend pretend to rut against him. His dark eyes are locked on mine, a storm of brewing emotions. Guilt. Anger. Lust. Confusion. He doesn’t try to kiss me or touch me, but he doesn’t look away from me.

  “Go to sleep, Roux,” he murmurs, stroking his fingers down the length of my arm.

  “I’m not tired.”

  His dark eyes fall to my lips and he lets out a heavy sigh. “Please.”

  “Shhh,” Terrence groans. “I’m having sex dreams about Jordy’s ass. Stop interrupting, kiddo.”

  Jordy laughs and it’s infectious. Both Terrence and I laugh too. With my soul a little lighter at hearing Jordy’s rare laugh, I relax and my eyes flutter closed. A few times I pop them back open to find Jordy’s stare never wavering.

  I don’t know what’s happening with us, but I don’t want it to stop.

  Jordy

  I wake with a splitting headache and to the sound of people arguing. Reluctantly, I crack my eyes open. Terrence is no longer in the bed, but Roux is. The purple hickeys on her neck are a harsh reminder that last night was not some fantasy or dream.

  It. Was. Real.

  Fuck.

  Roan is going to murder me.

  And as much as that thought makes me sick to my stomach, I can’t look away from her. With her dark lashes on her apple cheeks and her plump lips parted as she sleeps, she looks like a fucking angel.

  I’m in too deep.

  Staying with them is going to be too difficult. I don’t trust myself. Every time I’ve been near her, I can’t keep my hands off her. What happens when I lose all resolve? I’ll take her virginity and make her mine.

  Sick, Jordy.

  Wake the fuck up, man.

  But I can’t. All I see is her and how goddamn much I want her. Even if I somehow could wait until her birthday to have her, it doesn’t change the fact she’s Roux. My best friend’s little sister. It’s part of the bro code: Don’t fuck little sisters.

  What about love?

  I’ve been loving Little Hoodlum for as long as I can remember.

  Not this kind of love, but the powerful kind that would mean walking into traffic if it meant it would somehow save her. Sure, maybe before I was a stand-in big brother of sorts.

  Now?

  Everything’s changing and I don’t know how to stop it. I’m not sure I want to stop it. I want to give in to these urges between us and claim her so fuckfaces like Kayden Ramirez can’t.

  She’s too perfect.

  Too fucking pretty.

  Too innocent for the likes of people like him.

  Mine to protect and love.

  Holy shit, I’m so screwed. This isn’t right. It’s fucked up.

  Voices outside begin rising, jolting me from my thoughts. Unease flitters through me. I climb out of the bed and throw on my shoes before heading out of the cabin. As soon as I open the door, I wish I’d stayed in bed.

  Renaldo motherfucking Ramirez and my goddamn brother.

  Looking chummy as fuck and ready to kill the Hoodlums.

  “Yo!” I call out, dragging the attention of all five men.

  Hollis is lingering off to the side, his brows furled together in concern. I lock eyes with him and dart them to the cabin. Roux. My unspoken word is heard loud and clear because he slips past me, closing the door behind him.

  “Holy shit,” Juno says, holding his arms out. “Get over here, little brother.”

  I walk over to him and hug him. Renaldo slaps my back.

  “We were just looking for you,” Renaldo says. “Been lookin’ all over, in fact. ’Bout time you check in.”

  “Check in?” I step back, crossing my arms over my chest. “For what?”

  Roan’s expression is murderous. “I told them you have a job lined out at a restaurant in town. One your parole board wants you working at. But apparently they don’t give a shit.”

  Terrence and Cal glower at Renaldo and Juno. The air is thick with tension. Over me. And my motherfucking girl is on the other side of that door. Worry over her clouds my every thought.

  “What’re they gonna pay you over there, Jordy?” Renaldo asks. “Minimum wage? So you can wash fuckin’ dishes? Come on, man. You know where the real money is.”

  Juno nods, grinning at me. “Same work as before, but we’re growing. The Ramirezes and the Martinezes are business partners now.”

  I grit my teeth and grunt at him.

  “Like Romeo and Juliet, man,” Renaldo says with a laugh. “Your side and mine haven’t exactly been friends, but we’re married now, bitch.”

  My brow lifts and Juno snorts.

  “We’re not fuckin’ homos,” Juno says, shaking his head. “It’s figurative. This shit we’re doing—the money we’re making—it’s fucking romantic.”

  “They both died in the end,” I remind them, pleased with the fact I remember something from high school.

  Renaldo’s gaze darkens. “Not this time.”

  “They’ll lock my ass back up if I violate my parole,” I say through clenched teeth. “I can’t chop cars for you, man.”

  “Naw,” Renaldo growls. “I need you keeping eyes on my brother. Make sure no one’s giving him any shit. He’s just a kid.”

  I scrub my palm down my face. “I’m not exactly your brother’s biggest fan.”

  “Kayden doesn’t get a choice in the matter,” Renaldo growls. “I need someone I can trust keeping tabs on him and making sure he doesn’t get his ass capped. You feel me, man?”

  “Yeah, I feel you.” I meet his hard stare. “And if I say no?”

  He cracks his neck and Juno scowls.

  “You won’t,” Renaldo spits out. His eyes drift to the Hoodlums. “Because if it’s not you, it
’s one of them. I’d rather it be you, but I’ll recruit any one of these guys. Even the blond one that pussed out and went inside.”

  Yeah fucking right.

  The rat wouldn’t last a second working for Renaldo.

  “Jordy,” Roan rumbles in warning.

  Ignoring him, I nod at Renaldo. “I’ll keep an eye on him when I can, but I’m not his goddamn babysitter. I have shit I have to do to keep my ass from getting locked up. If he needs a babysitter, then you need to stop giving his ass shit to do.”

  Renaldo’s eyes flare with rage, but he nods. “Fair enough. You’re on call, though. He’s to text you when he’s doing any big deals. I want you there. Eyes the fuck on him. Understood?”

  “It’s not like I have much of a choice,” I spit out. Because if it’s not me, it’s them, and I refuse to let my friends get pulled into Renaldo’s bullshit.

  His grin is wolfish. “I always knew you were smart.”

  “Are we through here, ’cause I want to get the hell out of here and shower?”

  Renaldo pins me with a hard stare. “Yeah, kid, we’re through. For now.”

  They head back for Renaldo’s suped up Tahoe, taking the tension with them. It isn’t until they start the engine and drive off that Roan lays into me.

  “What the actual fuck, man?” he roars, shoving me.

  I get in his face so our noses are touching. “You know what the fuck.”

  Panic flashes in his amber eyes. “Please don’t alienate yourself again. Please.”

  “Roan…” I close my eyes, resting my forehead on his. “I just…I’ll do anything if it means keeping them away from you and Roux.”

  Roan grips my shoulders, squeezing before he pulls me to him for a fierce hug. “We do this together, brother.”

  “We can’t.”

  “We. Can. Just… Just give me time to work some things out.” He releases me and frowns at me. “I want updates on everything he makes you do. We’re brothers. Do not cut me off again to try and protect me. I can’t deal with this shit again. You fucking include me and we figure it out together.”

  My chest aches at the prospect of letting him into this fucked up world I’m still attached to. “Roan, I don’t know—”

  “That’s right,” he growls. “You don’t know.”

  “We could kill them,” Terrence suggests like he’s recommending his favorite pie at the diner. No big deal. “Bury them here on the campgrounds. No one will ever find them.”

  Tempting.

  Hollis steps over to us, no longer in the cabin. “It’s amazing you Hoodlums lasted this long without my help. Too much brawn and not enough brains.”

  Roan laughs. “Watch your mouth, rat.”

  “Not today, Satan.” Hollis smirks. “I have an idea.”

  “On where to bury the bodies?” Terrence asks, perking up.

  “Less brutal, but still effective,” Hollis says. “I need to make a call, though. Get me what you can on Renaldo.”

  I gape at Hollis, shocked as hell. “Who is this guy?”

  “My husband,” Roan says with a cheesy-ass grin. “I taught him everything he knows.”

  Hollis’s ear is pressed to his phone, but he must overhear because he shoots us the bird before walking off.

  “For the record, I don’t like this one goddamn bit,” I state, crossing my arms over my chest.

  Cal slings an arm over my shoulders. “Too fucking bad, bro. We’re here for you. Can’t let your dumbass get sent to prison again. You’re too pretty to go back. You have douchebag college dickhead hair now. Someone’ll make you their bitch for sure.”

  I shove him away, laughing. “I fucking hate you.”

  “You love my ass and you know it.” He grins at me.

  “Speaking of college. These two fuckfaces will go back in a week, so they’re useless,” Roan says, shoving Cal into Terrence. “But Hollis and I will be here. We’ll figure out a way to get Renaldo off your back and Kayden away from my sister.”

  I flinch at the mention of Roux.

  As if on cue, she pokes her head out of the cabin. With messy hair and a sleepy face, she’s fucking adorable as hell. My gaze falls to the purple hickeys on her neck and I freeze.

  Shit.

  “What the fuck, Roux,” Roan snarls, no longer in a playful mood. He stalks over to her, pushing her hair aside. “Who did this? Kayden?”

  Her eyes dart my way, making Terrence snort. “He’s my boyfriend,” she screeches, her voice shrill. “That’s what boyfriends do.”

  I should tell him.

  It was me.

  I’m fucking addicted to your sister, Roan.

  All I can do is stare at her pretty, purple neck.

  “You’re not allowed to see him,” Roan growls. “Ever. Fucking. Again.”

  She lifts her chin, meeting his angry glare with a fierce scowl of her own. “Fine!”

  Roan deflates, shooting the rest of us Hoodlums a confused look. I try not to smile, but fuck if I’m not happy about the idea of her not seeing Kayden. She catches my smile and her cheeks turn pink.

  So beautiful.

  And young.

  Fuck.

  While she and Roan bicker, I try to remind myself of the fact she’s just a teenager. It guts me I can’t have her. I’m fucking obsessing over it.

  I know the law.

  If I hooked up with Roux and anyone found out, I’d go right back to prison where her dad wouldn’t be so welcoming this time. He’d beat me to a bloody fucking pulp and then eat my goddamn soul or some shit. You don’t fuck the meanest guy in prison’s baby girl.

  I need to stay out of prison to keep her safe.

  And I can’t do that if I fuck her.

  A bone-deep sadness settles inside me, weighing me down. Her amber eyes are pinning me, reading my goddamn mind before I have to even say the words. I’m practically dripping with resignation.

  “I need to go,” I mutter. “Terrence, can you give me a ride?”

  I ignore Roan calling out for me or the way Roux’s stare bores into me.

  Don’t look.

  Don’t fucking look.

  As soon as I get into Terrence’s car, I can’t help but drag my eyes up to seek her pretty face out.

  Heartbreak and anger.

  I fucked up.

  Again.

  It’s better this way.

  As we drive away, I pull out my phone and text Samantha.

  Me: I need to see you.

  Roux

  His stuff—a small, ratty backpack—sits in one corner of our living room, but Jordy’s intense presence is missing. He hasn’t come to the garage apartment since he blew out of the campground this morning. I don’t know where he’s gone and I don’t know how to get in touch with him.

  And I have no one to talk to about this.

  My fingers hover over the phone, considering if I should tell Charlotte my woes. We’re not exactly happy with each other right now. Once I found out she was alive and well this morning, I sort of went off on her. Normally, she would argue back, but she was strangely quiet. It makes my chest ache. I don’t understand this girl she’s become lately. Hell, I don’t understand myself.

  The apartment is empty. Hollis is visiting with his mom and Roan is at work. If they had big plans of keeping me locked away in my tower, they’re doing a terrible job. I could go anywhere right now and no one would care.

  The only place I want to go, though, is right into Jordy’s arms. If only I knew where that was.

  My phone buzzes, dragging me from my thoughts.

  Charlotte: I’m sorry for being a bitch last night and today. I love you.

  I smile and type out a reply.

  Me: I love you too.

  Charlotte: Come over. Let’s get ready together. Hollis just left to take dinner up to the station. Mom, Aunt Karen, and Penny just left to have dinner with Mike. I need my bestie. Don’t make me show up to Zac’s party alone.

  Roan doesn’t want me going to that party, but he�
�s not exactly here to stop me.

  Me: I’m going to break up with Kayden.

  She sends me about a hundred wow-face emojis.

  Charlotte: Get over here now, sis. We have so much to talk about.

  Me: Be there in five.

  I’ll probably get my ass handed to me by Roan, but I’m not going to worry about that right now. My best friend needs me and I need her.

  And I seriously need to break things off with Kayden.

  “Gross,” Charlotte complains. “Tarrin was just blowing Cal last night. She won’t be happy until she’s had the dick of every man in this town in her mouth.”

  Sure enough, Tarrin is on her knees, giving head to some guy who appears to be a few years older than us. I make a gagging motion with my finger that has Charlotte laughing. Tonight, she looks like her usual self. Flawless and effortlessly beautiful. Charlotte is charismatic and confident. It’s just who she is.

  “Hey, babe,” Ryan says, popping up beside us, a predatory glint in his eyes as he roams his gaze up her body in appreciation. “About time you got here.”

  All her confidence wilts right in front of my eyes.

  I don’t like the sudden change in her.

  Her shoulders hunch, her head bows, and she leans toward him. If I weren’t staring right at her when he showed up, I would’ve missed the entire transformation. It’s weird. I don’t think she even realizes how weird it is.

  “Roux, will you be okay if Char and I get alone for a while?” He pins me with a hard glare, daring me to say no.

  “Actually, I want to hang with you guys if that’s okay.” I smile sweetly at him, knowing he’s pissed. Screw him.

  He grits his teeth. “Twenty minutes is all we need.”

  Charlotte speaks up, aiding him. “Didn’t you need to tell Kayden something?”

  I deflate at her words. “Yeah, but…”

  “We won’t be gone long,” she rushes out. “Promise. We can make fun of Tarrin together in a little bit.”