Finders Keepers (The Nighthawks MC Book 3) Page 9

  Ivy bent down and kissed her, her lips feather-light on Callie’s. She put down her Coke and stroked Callie’s face, then brushed aside that beautiful brown hair.

  “You taste so sweet,” Ivy whispered into her mouth, “like cinnamon candy. Spicy sweet.”

  “Shut up,” said Callie. She kissed Ivy deeper, using her good arm to draw Ivy down to her. They kissed far more deeply.

  “I’m afraid I’m going to break you,” said Ivy. She drew over her chaise lounge, and they held hands and kissed. They moved in like they were magnets and stroked each other’s face and hair.

  “Let’s take this to my room,” said Ivy, as Ghost and Alicia left the Jacuzzi holding hands. Lily and Ace took their place in the Jacuzzi.

  The went up and started touching and groping in the elevator. Ivy was super-careful of Callie’s cast.

  “I’m not encased in glass,” said Callie. The elevator door opened.

  “Pain is part of life, suffering is optional,” said Ivy. “Hurting you is something I don’t plan to do.” She fumbled with the electronic lock.

  Bella was still with Grace in the adjoining room. They could hear snatches of fishy dialogue through the wall.

  Ivy carefully put Callie on the bed, propping up her arm on a stack of pillows. She hovered over her; kissing, touching, stroking like she was the love of her life.

  Callie’s voice grew raspy as she reached out to Ivy and said, “Come closer.” They moved together, Ivy sliding her hands up and down Callie’s side as she kissed her, making Callie arch her back.

  Callie carefully took off her bikini top, a pink bandeau. Her breasts came out; small and firm, brown with dark-pink leading to dusky rose tips. Ivy took her time taking off her teal bandeau top, her larger breasts coming out into Callie’s good hand. They stroked each other’s breasts, and then Ivy carefully flicked her tongue on Callie’s breasts, one after another, making Callie groan. Callie kept her hand on Ivy’s breast, caressing it, then moving to the other one.

  Ivy worked her way down, then slid off her bikini bottom; she took off her own. They laid together, breathing hard, as Ivy slid her fingers onto Callie’s button, and began pushing and caressing it. Callie covered her own mouth, straining, trying not to scream as she came. Her breath came in hard pants.

  Callie did the same with Ivy, making her gasp and moan. They slid their fingers into each other simultaneously and moved their hips on each other’s fingers. They came… Callie first, then Ivy, moaning and gasping into each other’s hair. Ivy hopped up, brought out a warm cloth, and they cleaned each other up. She then pushed up Callie’s leg and kissed her thighs. By the time she touched her again, Callie was ready to come. Ivy flicked her button with her tongue, and Callie came hard, screaming into a pillow. Ivy wiped her down and held her close.

  “Being with a woman is much better than a man,” said Callie.

  “It’s your first time?” asked Ivy, stunned.

  “I had those feelings in high school, but I can’t fault my five minutes with Robbie,” Callie laughed, “because it got me Grace.”

  “Then that was worth it,” said Ivy.

  “I hope Grace can handle me having a girlfriend,” Callie said.

  “Gotta be better than having a boyfriend,” said Ivy.

  Callie laughed bitterly. “Absolutely,” she said. “Guess she’ll be just fine.”

  Ivy helped Callie into a warm bath, carefully washing her hair and putting in conditioner. She washed her from head to toe with a puffy scrubber, except for the cast. She carefully cleaned each finger and got a wire hanger, untwisted it, and used it to scratch under the cast.

  “Oh, thank God,” said Callie. That was driving me crazy.”

  Ivy got her out, wiped her down with a fluffy towel on her body, and a smaller one for her hair. She blow-dried her hair, then wiped her down with lotion. Ivy then took her own shower, put her hair in twists, and dressed in shorts and a T-shirt. She found Callie in bed, asleep, in her bikini bottom and one of Ivy’s shirts. She laughed, put a “Do Not Disturb” sign on the door so Bella would sleep elsewhere. She set the alarm, slipped in beside Callie, and held her in her arms. Callie flipped over, put her broken arm over Ivy, and rested her head on Callie’s breast. They both slept.

  When the alarm went off, Ivy kissed Callie awake. “Go slip in bed with your daughter,” said Ivy.

  “Mmph,” said Callie. She kissed Ivy, stumbled to the door, and walked out. Ivy smiled and fell to sleep.

  El Paso

  They ate a huge breakfast by the pool; those that wanted to take a last dip did. They took showers, checked out, and hit the road.

  The day was hot and clear. They stopped for drinks, snacks, and dog walking, not wanting for anyone or any animal to get dehydrated.

  They took the scenic drive to the overlook of El Paso. They took selfies, and the boys got into a strange Dorito-flinging game before they were stopped.

  “Cool Ranch Doritos aren’t toys, boys,” said Lily. “That’s a criminal act against a chip!”

  “Sorry,” said Keiran, not sorry in the least.

  They went to Ranger Peak for the tram ride up to the top and back down. Grace was fearless, peering out over the edge. Callie relaxed against Ivy. Her eyebrows went up, but no one said anything.

  The view was amazing. They all took selfies.

  “I’m hungry,” said Keiran.

  “Is he never not hungry?” Lily asked Ace.

  “Nope,” said Ace.

  They went back down and hit up the Dairy Queen near the entrance. The passed around chicken strip baskets, fries, onion rings, popcorn shrimp, and paninis. The grilled sandwiches were a hit. Henry cut them into fourths and passed them around. They all had different desserts. Yummy sundaes, waffle cones, and brownies with Oreo cookies and ice cream. They shared, laughing as the boys fought a mock duel with plastic spoons about who got which banana in the banana split.

  They found a dog-friendly mission-style adobe hotel fronting the Riverwalk. Everyone took a nap before venturing out. They went on a boat down the river. Grace was absolutely entranced. She loved everything she saw.

  They hopped off the boat and split up. “Let’s take the boys and go get into some trouble,” said Ace.

  “Better take the dogs, too,” said Lily. So, they each got a dog, a leash, a water bottle and collapsible bowl, and dog poop bags! They ambled off, the boys’ ability to talk with their hands impeded by holding the leashes. Henry went with Ace and the boys.

  “We not goin’ with,” said Ghost. “We wanna drink us some adult beverages.”

  “Go for it,” said Ivy. “Ladies, shall we find something to do?”

  Callie smiled at Ivy. “Let’s go.”

  Grace found everything she wanted to do. Including a glass shop, where Ivy bought her a tiny glass figurine of a dragon, and she got to watch a person blow glass. She found a face painter who also had some stick-on tattoos, so Grace covered her face in daisies and her arms in fake, rose tattoos.

  They shared pink cotton candy, and Grace said she needed a soda. They got some chocolate sodas from an old-fashioned soda shop. Grace found a stuffed-toy-machine arcade. Ivy handed out quarters. Callie couldn’t maneuver well with only one hand; Grace won herself a blue rabbit with huge floppy ears. They bought her a little backpack to put it in. She found some girls her age making multicolored friendship bracelets at a kids’ craft table, and Ivy dropped ten dollars to let her craft to her heart’s content.

  “Let’s sit nearby,” said Ivy.

  “There,” said Callie, picking an outside table with a diagonal view of the tent with the girls.

  They ordered mint lemon-limeade, and relaxed. “My God,” said Callie. “She sure takes it out of me.”

  “You’re still healing,” said Ivy.

  Callie waved her arm with its blue cast. “Just itches. I have your invention in my pocket.” She fished out the scratcher made out of a coat hanger and scratched.

  Ivy laughed and said, “Sucks, I know. It
could be worse. It could be ribs.”

  Callie made a face. “Had a horrible scooter wreck when I was thirteen. Broke two ribs, and used my arm on the road. A nasty case of road rash.”

  “You worried about riding?”

  “No,” said Callie. “I was thirteen. I was trying to impress a boy.”

  “Grace’s father?”

  “Yes,” said Callie. “The cutest boy in school. My mom and dad told me I’d find a boy; marry, settle down, and have kids. My parents were married at seventeen. I decided to do it super-fast so I could get it over with.” She laughed ruefully and put away her scratcher when the drinks arrived.

  They both sipped, grateful for the cold drinks in the heat.

  “I had sweaty sex in the back of a car,” said Ivy. “Damia was the best thing that ever happened to me, until she stopped babbling, stopped paying attention.”

  “What is autism?” asked Callie.

  “It’s a brain difference,” said Ivy. “What is the most important thing you are paying attention to right now?”

  Callie pointed at her daughter. “Grace.”

  “The second priority?”

  “Our conversation.”

  “And the tree we’re sitting under?”

  “We’re sitting under a tree?” asked Callie.

  Ivy laughed. “Your brain prioritizes what is important and what isn’t, kind of like a filtering system. Autistic kids seem to be missing the filter, so everything coming in from the senses bombards their brains.”

  “That would be terrifying,” said Callie.

  “Exactly. The school she’s in, it minimizes inputs. The walls in a section are all the same color. The classes are very, very quiet. Everything starts and stops at a certain time. There are transitions so the kids will know what happens next, and not get overwhelmed. They have horses. My daughter loves her pony. She brushes it. She has a little friend she builds block houses with named Yan. Yan’s dad and I want the two of them to interact as much as possible.”

  Callie took a sip of her drink. “Wow, I’m a prejudiced monster. I thought all the moms who put their kids in institutions were lazy. I didn’t think about how hard it would be to get the needs of a severely autistic child met.”

  Ivy’s voice broke, “Every day, I want to bring her home. Every. Fucking. Day. But, she’s much better where she is.” She dabbed at her eyes and said, “She needs doctors and physical and occupational therapists and a pony.”

  Callie smiled listening to Ivy’s beautiful words.

  Ivy beamed a watery smile. “I’m loud, I love rock, I love to dance. None of that is good for Damia.”

  Callie took her hand. “Let’s share them both, Damia and Grace. We can see your daughter when we can, and Grace can be here when you can’t.”

  “Thank you,” said Ivy. “Thank you so very much!”

  “Wanna see pictures?” asked Callie.

  “Sure,” said Ivy. They exchanged a steady flow of pictures, from infancy to present day, for both of their daughters on their phones.

  They were on their second drink when Grace skipped over. “Whachu doin’?” she asked.

  “You’ve been around Ghost,” said Ivy. “Her speech is rubbing off on you. Want something to drink?”

  “Sure,” she said. “A strawberry ice.”

  “Strawberry ice it is,” said Ivy.

  They found a rock wall, and Ivy decided to try it. She put on flexible shoes, a harness, and a helmet.

  “Wanna race?” asked Grace.

  “I’d lose,” said Ivy.

  Grace laughed. “Hands first, then feet. Act like Spiderman. Arm, then other foot.”

  Ivy laughed and said, “Spiderman it is.” Grace did ring the bell at the top first, but Ivy was shocked to find she was a natural.

  She climbed back down, then said, “We’ve got to do this at Red Rock. I know there are plenty of climbing clubs in Vegas.”

  “What’s Red Rock?” asked Grace, taking off her helmet.

  “It’s a beautiful place in Las Vegas, where we’re going. The rocks are red, and pink, and black, and there’s lots of good climbing. It’s super-hot, though.”

  “It’s super-hot here,” said Grace, pulling off her climbing shoes and putting her sandals back on.

  “Good point,” said Ivy.

  They found a spray fountain, where kids ran and were randomly sprayed with water. Ivy and Grace got sprayed; Callie just got her hair and feet sprayed, because she had to keep the cast dry. They all laughed, and then dried themselves in the sun on some chaise lounges they pushed together. Waiters came by to give them poppers, and chicken fingers, and fries, and strawberry drinks while their clothes dried. Grace got another coating of sunblock; her third, from her mom.

  Grace actually fell to sleep soon after. “I think she’s got batteries,” said Ivy.

  Callie laughed and stated, “I think so too. Be nice to get her into a night school. She can run around before she goes, and we can sleep after I pick her up. Be nice to tuck her in for a change.”

  They held hands, and they fell asleep too. Callie catnapped, always with an eagle eye on her child.

  They wound up the day with a concert, mariachi, and dancing. Ivy sent a text, and the others met them. They boys were full of laughter and stupid jokes. Henry danced with Grace. Ivy and Callie took a slow dance, both smiling wide. Ace and Lily danced; Lily in a silver tee and a brand-new flowing teal skirt, new turquoise and silver earrings, bracelets, and a stunning necklace around her neck. They watched, stunned, as Ace walked her through a complicated dance, and she whirled in her silver sandals. He lifted her by the waist and swung her around.

  “Did you have any idea he could do that?” Henry asked Lily.

  “Absolutely not,” she said.

  “They should get married soon,” said Pavel.

  “Yeah,” said Keiran. “But which one of us will be the best man? I’m the brother, but he’s your guardian now, kinda your dad.”

  “You,” said Pavel. “I will help Lily.”

  “Girls don’t have a best man,” said Keiran.

  “Why not?” asked Pavel.

  “Good point,” said Ivy. “Pavel, that’s an excellent idea. I think they’ll get married at Lake Mead, probably at sunset.”

  “Must be soon,” Pavel reiterated.

  “August is nice,” said Callie.

  Pavel whipped out his phone. “It should be on our break after summer session.”

  “On a Saturday,” said Henry.

  “Nope,” said Ivy. “The bar’s closed on Monday.”

  “I look for good dress,” said Pavel.

  “Lots of those in Vegas,” said Ivy.

  “Dude,” said Keiran. “Wedding dresses? Seriously?”

  “Dude,” said Ivy, “you have to pick out the tuxes.”

  “This is hard,” said Keiran.

  “You have no idea,” said Henry.

  They left Lily and Ace to shake their groove things. On the way back to the hotel, they found a teen club. Henry hung out at a nearby coffee shop while the boys drank Mountain Dew and danced to house music. Ghost and Alicia leaned up against a nearby wall, bopping to the music and talking.

  Ivy bought three manicure kits, cheap bottles of base coat, nail polish, and top coat at a dollar store. She also bought a box of microwave popcorn and popped all three bags at a convenience store, and took flavored waters back to the hotel room. They got into a Disney movie marathon. Callie went for shell pink nails, Grace for electric pink with flower stickers, and Ivy went for shimmering silver. They sang songs and laughed and were, blessedly, able to get Grace to sleep. They sat up in bed and watched stupid movies, and kissed.

  Ace and Lily had to stop; the band was packing it in. “Shit,” Axe said. “Wanted to dance all night with my lady.”

  Lily laughed and said, “If I don’t sit down, my feet will fall off.”

  They got flavored waters from a convenience store and walked hand-in-hand in the warm summer night.

&nbs
p; “Did Henry tell you about the boys?” Lily asked.

  “That they’re planning our wedding? Yes!” said Ace.

  “That Pavel is my best man,” said Lily.

  Ace burst out with laughter. “We’re going to have one wild wedding. Lake Mead? In front of the Nighthawks?”

  “Of course,” said Lily. “The boys picked August and sunset and a Monday night.”

  He kissed her and then swung her around to the music from a bar they passed.

  “Dancing?” he asked.

  “Of course. And a bonfire. And another one of those luau pit-pig thingies.”

  “Can you wear what you’re wearing now?”

  “Take a picture,” said Lily, running to stand under a streetlight. She posed, and he took several pictures. “Send to Pavel. He’ll find a swirly wedding dress for me.”

  “I can’t believe we have two kids to look after,” said Ace. “My brother… fine, great. Any time, any day. Pavel is a great kid, too, but that means two in a very expensive private school, and two in college…”

  “So, we pick up a side job,” said Lily.

  “Like what?” he asked.

  “Rehabbing houses.”

  Ace made a buzzer noise, “Housing prices tend to tank.”

  “I can do the books for other bars,” said Lily.

  “Okay,” said Ace. “What do I do?”

  “Plan Harley rides for tourists?”

  Ace grinned. “Gregory would love it. The problem is, that guy works as much as he wants. Everyone wants a custom or museum-quality, rehabbed Harley.”

  “What about Bonnie?”

  “She’s a gearhead,” said Ace. “On her own personal mission to turn gangbanger women into Harley mechanics. And doing very well at it, I might add.” He thought a minute. “I’ll ask in the club, but I think one of the Iron Knights would be the best idea.”

  The Iron Knights were made up of primarily ex-military and law enforcement. They were very active in Las Vegas, and they hung out at Dirty Vegas, Ivy and Ace’s bar.

  “Ivy knows them,” said Lily, kissing him.

  “Ivy knows everyone,” said Ace, kissing her back.

  They made it up to the room, and Lily was barely in the door before her sandals came off. Ace took off his boots and knelt to rub her feet.