Beat of the Heart (Runaway Train #2)(45)

His words, along with the tone he used, sent warmth crisscrossing over my body. “You’re such a flatterer,” I teased, before smacking his arm playfully.

“It’s the truth.”

Although I didn’t want to take his comments too literally, I couldn’t help wondering if a good f*ck was all I was to him. Sure, he said I was more and the mere fact I was going to Jake’s farm meant something pretty big, but everything seemed to lead back to sex with AJ. Trying to lighten the seriousness of my thoughts, I added, “Well, if you play nice, I’ll let you have me as much as you want tonight. How’s that?”

He nodded his head. “Okay then.” He peered over my shoulder. “Where’s your suitcase?”

“In the bedroom.”

“I’ll get it for you.”

“Okay. I’ll feed Jack Sparrow while you get it.”

AJ gave me a funny look. “Who?”

“My cat.”

“You gotta be shitting me that you named your cat after a character in Pirates of the Caribbean.”

I grinned. “I have a major crush on Johnny Depp.”

AJ’s nose wrinkled in disgust. “I sure as hell didn’t need to know that.”

Sweeping my hand to my hip, I countered, “Does that mean you won’t indulge a deep seeded fantasy I have of having sex with a dude in a Jack Sparrow costume with some fierce black eyeliner?”

“Seriously?”

I laughed and shook my head. “I’m teasing you.”

“Thank God. For a minute there, I was actually considering it!”

Knocking my hip playfully into his, I then motioned down the hallway. “Hurry up or we’re going to be late. I don’t want to make a bad impression on Jake.”

“Whatever,” AJ mumbled as he headed out of the living room. When he disappeared into the bedroom, I went to the kitchen and took out a bag of Whiskas. At the sound of the package crackling, Jack Sparrow came bounding into the room and hopped onto the counter.

He peered at me with his one good eye before rubbing his head up against me. “You gonna be a good boy while I’m gone?”

Flicking his tail, he gave me his usual apathetic response, but the moment I scratched behind his ears, the classic Siamese meow came from deep in his throat. All was good until AJ came around the corner, causing Jack to snap his head up and one-eye AJ suspiciously before hissing.

AJ sat my suitcase down and crossed his arms over his chest. “Hmm, looks like I’m not making nice with your *, huh?”

I snickered. “Testa di cazzo.”

“En Ingles, por favor,” he replied.

“Dickhead.”

He laughed as he closed the gap between us. Jack Sparrow growled before hightailing it off the counter and skidding out of the kitchen. “What’s up with his—” AJ motioned to one of his eyes.

“Oh that. He’d already lost it when I rescued him off the streets. He was living off dumpster food at St. Joe’s.”

“Ah, I see. Does he always act like that with strangers?”

“Just strange me. He and Dee have made friends over the year. I think he was treated badly by some men in the past.” A sad smile crept on my lips. “I think that’s why we get along so well.”

AJ took in my words before leaning over to bestow a sweet and tender kiss on my lips. When he pulled away, he smiled. “I guess I’ll just have to win him over and prove to him and his owner that not all men are douchebags.”

“I think that would be great,” I murmured. Deep down, I couldn’t help but doubt AJ’s sincerity or if he would really take the time and effort to prove to me he was different. I desperately wanted him to—more than anything I needed him to.

He nodded before grabbing my suitcase. “Come on, sexy. Your chariot awaits to take you to the great and wonderful Sticks of Bumblef*ck.”

I laughed. “Okay, let’s go.” After I got my purse and keys and threw on my sunglasses, I followed him to the door. I locked up and then we headed down the porch steps. At the sight of the gleaming silver chrome vehicle in the driveway, I raised my sunglasses onto my forehead to eye his SUV. “Nice Hummer.”

“Thanks. The ride is pretty cool, too.” When I glanced over at AJ, he waggled his eyebrows. “You walked right into that one.”

I shoved my overnight bag at him, catching him in the gut. “Douchebag.”

“Oomph,” he muttered before grinning. “I’m just glad to have this bad boy back. Seems like it’s been in the shop forever.” He opened the passenger side door for me.

“Thank you,” I replied as I climbed inside. Just before I collapsed on the seat, AJ smacked my ass. When I turned back to glare at him, he licked his lips suggestively. My response was to maturely stick out my tongue at him. He chuckled as he closed the door and made his way around the side of the Hummer.

When AJ cranked up, a Runaway Train song started playing. I cut my eyes over at him. “You were seriously listening to your own music?”

“Nope. I had it on so you could listen to my music,” he replied, as he pulled out of my driveway.

“I heard it last night. Wasn’t that enough?”

“I’m not convinced you’re a diehard fan yet.”