Completion Chapter 96

Jon wasn’t happy. "So we’re moving in?"

"I’m planning to work for Reed. We need to be at his house when he’s out of town and it’s easier if we live there. I’ll be sharing a room with Bitsy so you can have your own room to yourself without having to sleep on a couch." Reed had discussed Jon moving into the main house, but I put my foot down. My brother would remain with Bitsy and .

"You think I’m stupid. I know exactly the kind of work he wants from you."

I had to tighten my fingers to keep from slapping his face. "It’s a job, Jon. I’m not having sex with Reed and I don’t plan on it." That was the biggest lie of my life. I sighed loudly and looked straight into my brother’s eyes. He deserved honesty even if my face flushed bright red. "Okay, I might have sex with him, but it’s not your business. I promise it won’t be in exchange for anything he gives us."

Jon looked away, but his voice carried his concern, "I like him, Jaycee, but I don’t want him hurting you."

"I’m not our mother, Jon." He turned back so I could see the look in his eyes. His lips tightened, but I didn’t let it stop . "Don’t take that wrong, I loved her too, but she was far from perfect. So am I, but I promise to use birth control."

"TMI, sis."

I gave him a blank look.

"Too Much Information. You have a cell phone. You need to get with the program and learn how to talk."

I laughed, but it was a nervous one. I’d dodged a bullet and realized once more how much Jon had matured.

I would continue working two nights a week at Tasty Burger. Reed didn’t like it, but I didn’t care. I couldn’t afford to lose the job if the one with him didn’t work out.

I spoke to Dwaine the next day and he was a doll. "Go for it, Jaycee. If anyone deserves a break, it’s you, Jon, and Bitsy. I’ll take you off the ergency fill-in call list unless you tell to add you back."

I gave Dwaine a huge hug and received a tentative pat on the back. My show of affection made him uncomfortable, but I didn’t care. "Thank you, Dwaine."

I worked my double shift. Like my other late nights since breaking into Reed’s house, he stood outside waiting for my shift to end. He was helping us move our stuff in the following morning and this was moving too fast. Reed was a steamroller. He’d called Jon and Bitsy’s schools, driven by Tasty Burger earlier in the day with un-enrollnt paperwork, and basically paved the way. I knew exactly what he was doing. Reed wasn’t giving a chance to change my mind.

After I left the restaurant, he pulled in for a light kiss. I wondered how he could stand the sll of fried food that clung to .

"What’s wrong?" he asked after the kiss.

I had no idea how he knew I was uncomfortable. "Nothing."

He moved away and pushed a few loose strands of my hair that had fallen from the bun behind my ear. "You are the worst liar."

When it ca to him, I was. "I sll."

He had the audacity to laugh.

"Thanks," I said with all the sarcasm I could muster.

"You sll wonderful."

"Now who’s the liar? I sll like burned grease and burgers."

He pulled back in close, his nose going to the hair under my ear, sniffing .

Oh, God, I was probably sweaty too. Reed had so serious issues.

He started kissing the sa spot he sniffed, traveling down along my jaw to my chin. I couldn’t help giggling like an idiot. "What’s gotten into you tonight?" I managed to say.

"Hmm, you I guess. I also got permission from your guardian to take you on a date."

"What?" His kisses made crazy and I must have misheard.

"Jonyour brother, surrogate father, fighter of evil baseball players who try to take advantage of his sister, keeper of the key that unlocks your chastity belt."

"Stop, please." I started laughing so hard it was hard to talk. "I do not wear a chastity belt."

His tone lowered to that oh-so-sexy deep whisper. "That’s what I wanted to hear, baby," he said then kissed again. Dwaine unlocking the front door startled us out of our lip lock.

"What are you still doing out here?"

Reed gave a low groan I hope only I could hear and replied to Dwaine’s question, "We’re going on a date, but like everything else, I needed to talk her into it." Reed backed away from and clasped my hand.

It was dark, but the nightlights from the restaurant allowed us to see Dwaine’s expression. "I know it’s a Friday night, but you shouldn’t have her out too late."

Reed’s fingers tightened ever so slightly around mine. "Yes, sir. I spoke to Jon already and he gave the rules for dating his sister."

I moved in closer to Reed and elbowed him in the ribs.

"Goodnight, sir," Reed said as he led to his car while rubbing the bruise I hoped I’d left behind. He buckled in like a child before we took off. I started laughing and his groan was louder this ti. His fingers rubbed his chin. "You have a legion of guardians. It’s a date. I’m not running off to Vegas with you or getting you so drunk you can’t resist . You’d think you were sixteen."

I had to bite my lip to keep from laughing again. "I’m sorry you went through all that trouble, but I’m not going on a date with you while I’m in my uniform and slling like a day-old hamburger."

He gave an exasperated glance. "I told you I like the way you sll."

"You need to take dicine for your stuffed nose then. But back to my point, I’m not going on a date with you while I’m wearing my ugly uniform either."

"I wasn’t expecting you to, though. I don’t mind and with you in it, that uniform is far from ugly. We’re going to my house so you can change."

Talk about maddening. "I don’t have anything to change into."

"Your brother packed you a bag."

Annoyed anyone?

I seriously wanted to slap him and then get ahold of my brother. Anger made my voice hard. "Is this what you do? Take over people’s lives, pre-plan what they’re doing and when they’re doing it? Do I even have a say?"

He ignored and continued driving until we pulled into his driveway. He stopped the car in front of his door and turned off the engine. Quiet settled around us. He unfastened his seat belt and turned. I couldn’t quite see his face in the shadows, but I was thinking that was a good thing at this point.

"You always have a say, Jaycee, but-"

I made a low grumbling noise in my throat.

"But-you live in a world where your sister and brother always co first. You’ve never co first. I understand how hard it must be, even if you think I don’t. I want to help and it’s not only because I’m trying to be a nice guy. You turn on, drive insane, and bring out all my protective instincts. I’ve never been unsure about anything in my life, but with you, I don’t know if I’m coming or going. I want to explore whatever this is. I want you living over the garage and working for because I actually need the help, and it will help you at the sa ti. I want to take you on a date because you deserve a date, so I’m asking." He hesitated, taking a deep breath then releasing it. "Would you like to go out with tonight?"

We were both insane, but he put in a place of constant hunger for sex-for him-frustration that I could no longer live with. And he wanted a date. I didn’t think I could take any more. I went for broke. "No, Reed, I don’t want to go on a date. I can’t sleep at night because I’m turned on and ready to explode. It’s driving crazy. It’s not a date I need from you."