2 - Into Kerry Cream

“Hey, Wolf,” she said casually as possible, flicking her head to remove the hair from her face. “Where’d this come from?” Her smile gave her away as peeled the tamper seal from under the lid then poured it.

He pulled the jewelry box closer and chuckled. “You know where it’s from, sweets.”

She sipped her hot coffee slowly, simply taking delight in watching him sort through her earrings. He was a man of a wild, hot, and dangerous life, a man of many faces and a lot of power. To some, he was Jet. Others, Blaze. To her, he was Wolf. He never lost an opportunity to remind her how sheerly lucky she was to have him. For all he saved her from, he kind of deserved it.

“I’ve already told you, any color other than black, red, orange, or maybe yellow is simply overrated,” he said as he rummaged. “Where did these blue ones come from? Really, you just ought to get some really cool ones. You know, the snazzy symbols or shiny or something.”

“Why can’t you get some for me?” she laughed. “You have all the money. I just have this little house—and you.”

He rolled his eyes, but even without the flicker of a smile she knew he was pleased. “Whatever. Just put on these red ones and get to work.” He took his black leather jacket off a kitchen chair, and slid the desired pair across the table. He slammed the box shut with finality.

After pulling on his hefty boots, he made his way to the door. She lifted her hand, and peered at the pair he chose. They were tiny, but in the light they flashed, both red with flecks of orange. They looked like tiny eyes, which was why he chose them so often.

From outside, he revved the engine. She jumped. “BABE!” he howled. “Get over here! I’m driving! Do you want to walk or what?”

“Hold on!” she called back. Hastily, she put her earrings in, then snatched her cup off the island and nearly ran outside. She slid into the front seat and slammed the door behind her. Almost immediately, the car lurched forward.

She settled in and carefully sipped her drink. At a stop light, he reached over and straightened the ring in her left ear, but nothing else exciting happened on the trip.

He pulled in before the front door of the corner coffee shop Kerry Cream. Quickly before he threatened to drive off, she left the car, leaving her empty mug on the seat.

The car jerked away and roared out of the parking lot. She shook her head as she took the steps up to the door. He took every opportunity to show off and exit in style. Entrance too, if he could. But of course, his life was the ideal life.

She blinked, realizing her though gave her a dark feeling, like she was left out. I am not, she scolded herself, I have everything. She chased away the thought by opening the cute little door to the cute little shop, her nose bombed pleasantly with the smells of the coffee and baked goods, her face hit with the comforting warmth of the place that felt like an embrace, reminding her she did indeed have everything. Ah, that would be James—he was always early, always beginning the setup for everybody else before they came. It made the place feel like home to her—home outside of the little house Wolf bought for her. The seasonal window stickers had changed—they were now robins and flowers, for the beginning of spring. Every morning she felt this was her favorite place in the world.