Pieces by Michelle D. Argyle Read Free Book Online Page A

I’ll find out more then.”
    Even from across the street, Naomi could see the muscle in his jaw tightening with anger. She knew it wasn’t aimed at her. “You aren’t attempting,” she said. “I’ve taken the initiative, so it’s not your fault.”
    “Yes, but if my parole officer finds out about this, he won’t be happy. I was lucky enough to be released to my father. If you’re found here, I’ll be in more trouble than you can imagine.” His face was stiff, his body tense. Naomi realized what a mistake she had made, but there he was, right in front of her. It was too much. She took a step forward, relieved the road was quiet with no traffic at the moment. Jesse glanced down the street, then back to her. His expression softened as she walked toward him. Each step was heavy, as if she didn’t believe she would ever reach him.
    “Naomi,” he said when she was halfway across the road, “I have an impeccable record so far. It’s why I was put on parole so early. If I ....” His voice trailed off as she stepped closer. The need in his eyes was apparent now. He was lonely and tired and desperate for her— that much she could see as he rushed forward and took her into his arms before she could reach him on her own. He kissed her hard on the mouth, his lips as steady and passionate as she remembered. The kiss blossomed around her, his breaths deeper as he squeezed her so tightly she almost ran out of breath.
    He pulled out of the kiss. “I missed you.”
    “I know,” she whispered. “I missed you too. I need you. I couldn’t stay away. I’m sorry.” Burying her face in his shoulder, she let herself melt against him despite the sharp, bitter smell of grease and dust on his skin. Being in his arms felt so good she thought she might start crying with joy.
    He rubbed her back and kissed the side of her head. “Naomi, I know you want to stay with me, but I have to ... I have to get you back in your car. You have to leave.”
    She pulled away and nodded. Her nose was starting to run. He always made her cry. Nobody had seen her cry as much as he had. It should have been embarrassing, but a part of her felt more attached to him because of it. He knew her weakest spots and how to patch them up when she couldn’t do it herself. He knew her better than anyone.
    Guiding her back to the Mercedes, he kept an arm around her. She sensed he didn’t want to let her go, but one of the reasons she loved him was because of his desire to do the right thing. It was why he had gone to prison, and sometimes she wondered if it was all for her, or if none of it was.
    He peeked into the backseat. “You told your mother you were taking pictures, didn’t you?”
    Blushing, she opened the door. “Yes.”
    “And you drove straight here without stopping to eat.”
    She looked up. “How did you—”
    “Why else would you be eating licorice right now?” he asked, laughing. “You do realize I hate licorice, right?”
    “You do?” It was something she hadn’t known about him, but then again, she hadn’t known him that long in the grand scheme of things. Not that it mattered.
    He leaned forward and licked his lips. “Yes, I do, but I’ll kiss you again anyway. I’d kiss you forever, even if you tasted like licorice every time.”
    “How brave of you,” she replied with a laugh. He kissed her again, not as passionately this time, but enough to make her breathless once more. She wrapped her arms around him as she leaned halfway into the car through the open door. Jesse kept her steady, and she ran her hands down his arms, noticing he was more toned than before.
    “Jesse,” she said between kisses. “Where are you working?”
    He stopped kissing her and smiled. “At a construction site. I wear a hardhat all day.” He looked down at her hands on his biceps. “I also worked out in prison.”
    She frowned. “You’re qualified for better work than construction. Why—”
    “Because I took what I could get, Naomi. It