Chapter 3 Brick

“ Y ou comin’?” I asked, already knowing Ginger wouldn’t resist since there weren’t any other options.

I wasn’t taking advantage of her, just the opposite. I wanted this sweet girl to get home to her family for Christmas. And if that meant I got to sit beside this intriguing, beautiful young woman and learn more about her, I was okay with it.

Somehow, I didn’t think my mother would object once she learned why I’d be absent Christmas Eve. It would be a long ass drive. Three trips in a short period of time, but with Ginger’s company, I’d be fine. The trip home? Plenty of caffeine. I had it covered.

“So you’ll take me home to Las Vegas?” Ginger clarified.

“After we drop off Dagger with my ma,” I confirmed.

“Does she live close?”

“Twenty minutes away.”

She stood there, contemplating the offer with one hand on her hip. Cute as fuck. “Only if you’ll accept payment.”

A loud laugh exploded from Dagger’s mouth before he hid it with a cough. Asshole.

The corners of my lips twitched. I knew exactly which gutter his mind fell into, and I contemplated kicking his ass for making Ginger uncomfortable. “We can work something out, Sugar.” I meant that. In a non-sexual way.

“I’m talking about money for your tank,” she explained.

Yeah, I got it. I shrugged. “Like I said, we’ll figure it out.”

“Okay,” Ginger replied, narrowing her eyes. “No sex,” she blurted, like it was the only real concern. Not the fact that I was a stranger. Or we could hurt her. Or the blizzard that would make travel hazardous.

Just sex, spoken in the huskiest, most sensual tone. Fuck me.

Dagger hooted.

I sent him a look. The kind that said shut the fuck up.

“I never said sex.” Concerned that she might think something untrue, I walked into her personal space. “I’m not like that. I swear. Talk to my ma when we stop by. She’ll insist on it anyway. If you’re not convinced I’m a good guy, she’ll find other transportation for you.”

Ginger nodded. “Alright.”

Unable to resist moving closer to her, I lifted my hands to tuck a few strands of her red hair inside the hood of her coat. “I might be a flirt, Sweetheart, but I would never take advantage of a woman. Not my style. Besides, I don’t want nothin’ that isn’t freely given. My mama would kick my ass for even trying to use force on the fairer sex.”

“Ain’t that the truth,” Dagger muttered. “She’d slice your balls clean off and stuff ’em down your throat.”

Ginger’s eyes widened.

I squeezed her shoulder, ignoring Dagger. “Don’t be afraid. Nan’s only a firecracker with the club members.”

She seemed to accept that.

“I’m parked close, but that wind is a bitch,” I warned.

“Then we should just make a run for it.”

Exactly what I thought.

Her hand shot out, reaching for mine. I closed my palm around her glove, surprised she reached for it. I couldn’t remember the last time I held a woman’s hand. Fucked? Got my dick sucked? Sure. Club girls took care of our needs easily enough.

But this? The sweetness of her trust? It felt more intimate than any of the sexual encounters I’d had in years. That was fucking pathetic.

Why? Because I didn’t feel anything for those women. It was a need being met. Transactional almost. They wanted my cock, and I liked the fact that I wasn’t tied down to an ol’ lady, so I could do whatever the fuck I wanted.

I never saw the need to cheat. Don’t be with someone if you don’t want them or are tempted to want another person instead. It wasn’t complicated. Maybe I was just getting older, and all that shit lost its appeal.

My mother understood before I did and spoke from the heart during our phone conversation. For the first time, I wanted to find a woman to settle down with and start a family. Give my ma those grandbabies before she got too old to enjoy them.

“You ready?”

She eyed the vortex of snow blowing outside the airport doors with apprehension. “I think so.”

I charged outside and led Ginger to my truck, trying to shield her from the worst of the storm. She turned her body into mine, and I picked her up as Dagger opened the passenger side door. I settled her in and backed out, letting Dagger block the snow before he slid in and shut the door.

I rushed to the driver’s side and pulled on the handle, throwing my body inside my truck as I yanked the door shut. The three of us shook snow loose as I started the engine.

“Christ,” Dagger muttered. “That wind is fucking brutal.”

“I know,” I agreed.

Ginger shivered and wrapped her arms around her waist. “it’s freezing.”

“Yeah,” Dagger deadpanned. “It’s Denver.”

She smirked. “I’m aware of that, Captain Obvious.”

Ha.

I grinned as I switched the wipers to the highest setting, used my low beams to cut through the falling snow, and blasted the defrost. “It should heat up fast in here.”

About three minutes later, we all relaxed. Ginger unbuttoned her coat and pushed back her fur-lined hood. Dagger had only worn a thermal long-sleeved shirt underneath a dark blue T-shirt and his cut over it. I dressed the same except my shirt was black. Neither of us liked coats. Too bulky. Made it difficult to reach for a weapon if shit went down. We both wore gloves, shitkicker boots, and thick denim.

We could handle the weather.

But the pretty redhead beside me? She was dressed in a long, heavy winter coat lined in white fur with big buttons, gloves, a scarf, and boots. Fucking adorable.

Dagger placed her luggage behind the seat as we got settled.

“Buckle up, Doll. The roads are shit.”

Ginger nodded, following my order. Even Dagger used his seatbelt. I buckled up and placed the truck in drive as we eased forward, noting that although the snow fell in heavy, fat flakes, I still had decent visibility. At least for about three car lengths. Beyond that, not much.

The drive to my mother’s house would take a hell of a lot longer than twenty minutes. Shit. I hoped it wouldn’t upset Ginger. Getting her home in this mess would probably take double the time, if not triple.

“Got bad news for you,” I began, keeping my eyes on the road. “Travel is gonna take a lot longer than I originally thought.”

“I figured,” she sighed. “An hour?”

“If we’re lucky.”

“I see.” Her hands clasped in her lap as her chin dipped.

“Hey, it doesn’t change a thing. We’ll drive all day and night if that’s what it takes.”

“Really?” She moved one hand and rested it on my arm. “I appreciate that, Brick.”

I tried to ignore the warm feeling in my chest with her response.

We ended up arriving at my ma’s house in about seventy minutes. I parked as far up her driveway as I could, glancing at the house and all the twinkling lights in multiple colors. Giant inflatable characters like a snowman, Santa, several reindeer, an elf, and a nutcracker decorated the front yard. LED-lighted trees added to the festive and welcoming scene. Candy canes lined the pathway to the front door. Her favorite part? The icicle lights that dangled from her front porch and over the garage. I’d hung them up the weekend before Thanksgiving per her request.

“My ma loves Christmas.”

“It’s very cheerful,” Ginger observed.

Dagger shook his head. “You have no idea.”

“Will we be staying long? I want to call my mom and tell her I’m on my way.”

“Not a problem. Twenty minutes should do it. Long enough to grab something warm to drink before we get underway.”

Ginger blinked, nibbling on her bottom lip. “I just realized I’m pulling you away from your mom on Christmas Eve. Will she be upset?”

Dagger snorted.

He knew exactly how my mother would react. I bet the entire state of Colorado would hear her shout for joy.

“C’mon. Time to meet my ma.”

Dagger opened his door when I did, and we all rushed toward the house. I tried to shield Ginger from the weather for the second time, noting that she pressed close to me long before we arrived at the door.

I didn’t hesitate to open it, hollering a hello so I didn’t startle the woman I respected and loved most in the world. “Ma!”

“Brick! It’s about time! Where have you,” she began, walking into the living room as the three of us stomped snow from our boots. Her hand slapped over her heart. “Lord Jesus! You did it!” Her lips widened into a grin so damn wide that I nearly cringed, guessing what she’d say next. “You brought a woman home to meet yer ma. Wow! I got my present early!”

I blew out a breath, loving her enthusiasm and hating it at the same time. “Ma. It’s not like that.”

She scoffed. “You brought this gorgeous redhead home for Christmas, and I’m not supposed to be ecstatic?”

Ginger giggled.

“When’s the baby coming? You pop the question yet?”

I jolted, daring a glance at Ginger.

Her jaw dropped open before she snickered, placing a hand over her mouth. I bet she thought she shouldn’t laugh. The more she tried to hold it in, the harder it became. After a few seconds, she erupted in laughter, dropping her hand. “I’m so sorry.”

“Don’t be. Anyone who can find humor in awkward situations is perfect for my son.”

Holy fuck. What did I ever do in life to deserve this shit?

Ginger held out her hand. “I just met your son at the airport. He was kind enough to offer me a ride since the weather ensured my flight was canceled. I’m Ginger.”

“Gingersnap. Just like the cookie. One of Brick’s favorites. Sweet with a hint of spice. I’m Nancy, but all my friends call me Nan. You should, too.”

I pinched the bridge of my nose. How many times would my mother try to sell me to Ginger in the hopes that we’d hook up?

Ginger nodded. “Of course. It’s lovely to meet you, Nan.”

“Oh, it’s my pleasure.” She winked and then steered Ginger toward the kitchen. “Tell me about how you met my boy.”

Boy. Like I was still twelve.

My ma turned and caught my scowl, flashing a toothy smile.

Uh-huh. I knew just what she was doing.

Dagger flopped onto the couch and leaned his head back. “To be honest, I’m glad the flight got canceled. I’d rather be in Denver than California. My family is worse than yours.”

I flipped him off. “Yeah, yeah.”

He ticked his chin my way. “Second thoughts? I could take Ginger instead. Let you stay with your ma.”

Hell no. I scowled, and Dagger chuckled.

“Didn’t think so.”

Fucker. “I should probably rescue Ginger.”

Dagger loosened the laces and kicked off his boots. “Give Nan five minutes to enjoy it first since you’re leaving her alone with me until tomorrow.”

“No shit,” I agreed. “My poor ma.”

He closed his eyes, breathing deeply. The guy could fall asleep anywhere within a minute. I’d been on more runs with him than I could count, and whenever we had a chance to kick our feet up, he was out fast.

My gaze slid over the flames crackling in the fireplace and the mistletoe and ivy strung up with red bows along the top. Twinkling white lights added to the festive feel. My mother didn’t miss any room in the house during the holidays. No matter where you went, the décor matched the Christmas theme. She spent an entire week putting everything up on November 1st and left it until the end of January.

It was wholesome and sweet, and I knew it made my ma happy.

I stood, lifting my gaze from the fire to the front window. The snow had hit a lull but still drifted down in fluffy flakes. It felt peaceful and appropriate for Christmas Eve. I almost wished I could stay here with my ma and Dagger and convince Ginger to join us.

My ma’s voice carried from the kitchen as I turned from the window. “You poor thing! Of course, you need to get home. Your mama and uncle and cousin need you.”

“That’s why I’ve got to insist we move along, Ma,” I announced as I entered the kitchen.

The mouthwatering aroma of brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg instantly brought me back to my childhood. I could still remember how delicious those first warm cookies of the season tasted fresh out of the oven. And how I always helped her push the chocolate kisses into the peanut blossoms. We made fudge, iced sugar cookies, and cut out gingerbread men.

Maybe it was the season that made it seem like a secret holiday wish. Santa, I thought with humor, I just want Ginger and a baby on the way for my present this year.

Humored by the wild thought, I reached toward the cooling pans of cookies, snatching one before my ma could catch me. I bit into the snickerdoodle and decided there wasn’t much in life better than my Harley, a pretty woman, or holiday cookies at my Ma’s house.

My ma shot me a conspiratorial wink, not at all surprised that I had stolen a cookie. “Well, Ginger, honey, you’ll need some sustenance for the trip. I insist you take some food, sweets, and hot cocoa for the trip.”

Ginger didn’t refuse. Smart woman. “Thank you.”

As Ginger buttoned up her coat, I hugged my mother. “I’m glad you understand.”

“Of course I do. Find a way to get a baby in her before you part ways. Might be a good idea to give her your number, too.”

“Seriously?”

“Yes.” Her chin lifted as she straightened her five foot two frame. “I mean it. She’s perfect. You need to make her your lady.”

“My ol’ lady?”

“No. Your wife. Sweetheart. Mother of your kids.”

“Ma.”

She gestured for me to bend down. Her hand patted my cheek. “Knock her up. It’s all I want for Christmas.”

Jesus.

“And for you to come home safe tomorrow.”

“Gee, thanks, Ma.”

She shoved the bag of containers and a thermos toward me. “Enjoy the drive. Stay safe.”

“Always.” I kissed her cheek before I straightened. “Love you.”

“My boy, I have loved you since the day you were born. Best thing that ever happened to me. Or it will be until I get a grandchild.”

This woman. “Yeah, I’ll see what I can do.”

“Thought so.” Lowering her voice, she ticked her chin at Ginger. “Something about her is familiar. Can’t place it yet, but I will. She’s one to hold onto, son.”

“Alright.” What else could I say to that?

She smiled and left me standing there as she rushed over to Ginger, fussing about her coat before hugging her.

Santa, you got a miracle to work.