There was a light knock to John's office door and the kiss finally broke but the grip he had on me never let up. Christ knows I didn't want it to. Firm hands had found their way onto my cheeks and his hard front pinned me against the wall.
A few more minutes like this and I would have given him anything he wanted. My chest rose and sank as I tried to catch my breath as endless blue pools met my eyes and a second knock echoed through the room followed by Polly's voice. "John," she called, followed by another heavy knock. "John, you open this bloody door."
His jaw clenched, those perfect blue eyes still locked with mine but with another heavy knock he finally released me to do as he was told. With a force he yanked the door open and stepped away and I did my best to pull myself together, fixing my dress the best I could.
"I don't want to hear it Aunt Pol," he spat, turning his back to her. "He was bloody out of line," he pointed. "Coming into our shop, disrespecting our staff. I won't hear of it," he spat.
She closed the door behind her then crossed her arms as he faced her. "Agreed," she nodded once, "but don't you think it's time the poor girl got cleaned up? Look at her, she's a bloody mess, walking around with no shoes, let alone a pair of stockings, it's no wonder the man came at her," Polly shook her head then sighed.
"I'm sorry Aunt Pol," he replied, shaking his head.
"Don't apologize. Just get her upstairs and do it now. You and your brother had your fun. Now do the right thing. I'll go through some of Ada's things," she replied opening the door. "Hopefully I can find a proper pair of shoes that matches her dress," she added before she left, closing the door behind her.
John let out a heavy sigh as he leaned his back against the desk, his fingers ran through his hair before he reached out his hand for mine. I bit my lip taking it as he pulled me between his legs.
"I should've took you home," he whispered, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear.
"No, it was my choice to come back to the shop. If anyone's to blame it's me."
"Still, I should've," he replied, shaking his head as he looked to my feet. "Alright then, let's get you upstairs before Polly starts again. This way love," he said, nodding towards the door.
He never let my hand go leading me up the stairs to a living space. It was usually only Shelby's that were allowed up here as far as I could tell.
"Have a seat," he said motioning towards the couch and I did but I couldn't help but look around. It was much different being up here. It felt more like a home than a shop. I could still hear the hustle and bustle downstairs but it was more like background noise than anything else.
He rolled up his sleeves as he left the room for a moment coming back with a basin, placing it at my feet.
"I'm sorry bout all this," he finally said, crouched down by the tub, pouring in the warm kettle water that was already on the stove.
"You have nothing to apologize for," I assured him. He hadn't said much to me since we left his office. He wouldn't even really look at me. Instead he fixed his eyes on whatever he was doing. I knew he felt partially responsible for what happened but it wasn't his fault. It was no ones. "As long as I'm a woman, things like this are bound to happen," I replied but I felt that pissed him off.
His jaw clenched and he shook his head and finally looked up to meet my eyes. "I plan to change that," he warned before he headed towards the stairs just as Polly was walking up. She watched him pass but neither of them said a word.
With a heavy exhale, she set a pair of shoes on the ground by the small table before sitting in her chair that faced me. She then lit a cigarette and offered me one.
"Thank you," I whispered.
God knows I need it just to face her. A proper lady let alone a woman doesn't run around without shoes and stockings like some child on the streets.
"Ruff day?" She questioned outing the match with a few flicks of her wrist and tossed the box to the table.
"I've had worse," I admitted and she smiled, shaking her head.
"Well that's good to hear. I have to admit, I like having you 'round. You're thick skinned like your mother," she said leaning back and crossing her legs. "You have to be a bit thick working here. The men can make it a bit hard to stand at times."
"I honestly didn't think I would like it here at all when I first walked in. It was so busy and everywhere you looked was a bloody man but it's grown on me," I replied.
"You sound surprised."
"I am. Very surprised actually," I lightly laughed.
"It's in the blood," she replied. "You have a head for it," she added but I wasn't sure if that was a good thing, having a head for illegal business.
"Tommy told me the same thing."
"Speaking of Thomas, he wanted me to speak with you," she said taking a draw, causing me to feel a bit nervous, thinking it could've been about my father.
I sat up a bit more straight in my chair. "Is everything alright?"
"As it can be for the moment, but this morning, he tells me he's about to make a move that could affect this entire family, mainly John."
"What kind of move?"
"That I don't know," she said shaking her head. "He wouldn't say, never does but I need to know your intentions with our John. No bullshit, woman to woman. You don't have to worry I wont tell him and nothing will come of it."
I bit my lip, looking to my feet in the water as my heart started to thump a bit harder till it felt like a bloody hammer in my chest. It was one thing to feel how I felt and know what I felt, but it was another to say it out loud. To admit something to someone you've hardly admitted to yourself.
"It's alright if you're just flirting, having a bit of fun—"
I shook my head, and even frowned, "no. It's not that, it's not that at all. It's just a bit hard to admit but I've always wanted this type of attention from John."
Her brows raised as she nearly choked on here cigarette smoke. "So you actually like him?"
"I've always have, ever since we were kids."
Polly was more than a bit shocked, to say the least. "Even though he bullied you every single God given day? You two would even fight in the bloody church yard."
The memory made me smile. "He was the only boy who wasn't afraid of me. He didn't care who my father was or what could've happened to him. I know it doesn't make sense but—"
She laughed, "you're bloody right about that— but your father was a gangster after all and ya mother kept at his side. So of course you'd like a rough little boy like John."
I smiled at my feet, "he's a lot sweeter now."
She laughed again showing teeth, "to you maybe but he's as dangerous as they say— but I'm sure you knew that."
"He doesn't scare me Polly, neither does the things that he does, because everything he does is for family," I replied and she smiled as she stood to her feet.
"I think I've heard enough but a bit of advise, be careful of Thomas. John gets very jealous, even of his brothers and I won't forgive you if you come between them," she said over her shoulder on her way out. "Now hurry out the bath before you catch a cold."
I did my best to dry off and slipped into one of Ada's lowest pairs of heels in the shade of navy. John was waiting for me by the stairs when I finally made it down. The way he grinned, you knew the bastard was up to something.
"Ready?" He questioned, heading towards the back door.
"Ready for what?" I questioned, pinning up a loose strand of hair, following him outside and when the wind touched our faces, he looked back at me with this devious smile, pulling two shillings from his pocket. "Two up."
"What about the shop?" I questioned looking back at the long everlasting line that reached out the doors. The boys were in there busy like bees. I could hear the shouting and laughing from the streets. If Polly knew we were leaving she'd kill us both.
"I'm sure they can manage for an afternoon."
"Are you sure?"
"Trust me," he replied and I bit my lip, knowing this was his way of trying to make things right. It was probably best to indulge him. "Alright, let's get on with it then."
With his thumb he launched the two coins in the air and we both stepped back to let them fall on the sidewalk. When they finally settled we both looked.
"Looks like we're watching a film," John smiled, throwing his arm over my shoulder. The wild butterflies filled my stomach and my cheeks burned as they flushed.
It was hard to ignore the looks we got as we walked down the busy block but it didn't seem to bother him much, I'm sure he was used to it, the looks and the whispering. But it all seemed to fade into the background when he would smile down at me every now and then.
"So what did you and Polly talk about?" He questioned, crossing the road.
I felt nervous lying to him but I had no choice. "It was more of a lecture on being a proper lady. How I shouldn't let men exploit me for money."
He couldn't help but laugh. "She must take a liking to you to lecture you."
"She reminds me of my Aunt," I replied.
The picture house was mostly empty when we walked in. The film hadn't started yet so we sat alone far in the back. His fingers twined with mine and my head found its way to his shoulders, watching as the people slowly trickled in.
"What's next after this?" I questioned but before he could reply five Blinders walked in looking for John and he sighed shaking his head.
"For fucks sake," he spat as he stood buttoning his jacket. "I can't even watch a bloody film without shit happenin'?"
"We're sorry John, Tommy needs you," Skudboat replied.
The shop was just as busy when we got back and I made my way into the middle, unsure where I was needed.
"There you are," Polly said, touching my shoulder and I was thankful she never realized I left. "I need you to do some sorting for a bit. The next race is about to start and Tommy just called for a family meeting."
"Alright," I replied, heading for the table piled high with coins where only a single man tried sorting through the endless pile alone.
John was pissed heading into the side room but it couldn't be helped. Business always seemed to come first with this family. It was something that I would have to remember in future. He looked at me before he walked in and sighed but I tried to smile, letting his know it was alright.
As boring as sorting looked, I didn't mind it. It always gave me time to think. It was a mindless task but probably one of the most important and one of my favorites when I had a lot on my mind. It made the time go by.
The doors for the side room finally opened as the Shelby's finished their family meeting. The brothers put on their caps, getting ready to head out but John came over to me first.
He reached from behind me to grab the empty top hat off the table, whispering in my ear as he did. "I'm heading out, try not to miss me too much sweetheart," he whispered and I rolled my eyes as I tried not to grin.
He walked off but I felt compelled to say something, anything. "John," I called and he stopped to look back at me. "Be fucking careful, alright," I said and he lightly smiled before leaving through the door behind Arthur.
There was a loud banging coming from my front door hours after midnight. Loud enough to wake me out my sleep and I'm sure the neighbors too. I grabbed my gun, making my way down the stairs but the closer I got the more I recognized the big bloody mouth of John fucking Shelby.
I sighed with relief, placing the heavy gun down on a table near the steps but my heart still pounded away against my chest, as he grinned down at me when I finally opened the front door.
"For fucks sake John, what the hell's happening?" I spat, closing my robe, the chilling night air biting at my skin. "What are you doing here so late? There's men watching the bloody house tonight, I swear it. I saw them myself."
Of course he was piss drunk with a cosh leaned against his shoulder and a bundle of wood in the other hand. He rank of rum and cigar smoke that swirled and blended with his cologne.
"I promised I'd bring you wood," he simply replied and I couldn't help but smile just a little, leaning against the door frame. Even drunk off his ass the bastard still remembered. It surely made me soft for him and I sighed.
"Would you like a cup of tea?"
"You invitin' me in?" He questioned with this endless grin.
"Well, you don't drink tea in the streets now do you?"
He made his way into my home, leaning the cosh against the wall and dropped the wood beside it as I locked up. He then stripped from his coat and cap, eyeing my nightgown under my thin robe as he did.
I did my best to cover up but what was the bloody point? The man had already seen, grabbed and kiss nearly every inch of me. He stepped closer, raising his hand to touch my cheek but blood on his face caught my attention.
"Is that blood?"
"It's nothing," he admitted touching the small knick under his left eye and then I noticed the bruising on his knuckles. He'd been fighting, I just prayed it wasn't with the bloody coppers. "Don't make a fuss over it."
"Whose fussin'? At least let me clean it," I spat, moving his hand to get a better look.
He grinned, stepping into me, his hands on my hips. "Clean it? You looking to be my nurse?"
I rolled my eyes. "Just go sit by the fire, let me get a rag." I ordered breaking from his hold.
"Would you like something to eat with your tea?" I asked over my shoulder, making my way into the kitchen.
"No love, forget the tea. I just need my nurse," he replied and I rolled my eyes again.
With that, I turned off the kettle, grabbed a clean rag from the cabinet and ran it under the water from the sink. He was standing by the fireplace, tossing in a few pieces by the time I got back. It should be more than enough for the rest of the night and I was thankful.
"Go on, sit," I ordered, taking a seat on the sofa, folding one of my legs under my knee so I could face him. The fireplace blazed and the heat pressed against my skin, forcing my out my robe.
With a sigh I moved some hair behind my ears then leaned in to wipe the small cut. At least it was small and nothing too serious.
"Thanks again for bringing the wood. I honestly forgot all about it," I whispered, giving the wound a few light taps.
"No problem, I always try to keep my promises."
I smiled, mostly to myself. "That's a good thing you know. It means you're reliable even though you're reckless," I replied.
"You're not going to ask what happened?"
"Clearly, someone in Small Heath is walking around with a bloody hole in their face," I replied and he chuckled. "Besides, I figured if you wanted me to know you would just tell me, aye."
"I don't think I've ever heard a woman trying to mind her business before," he replied.
I laughed, putting down the rag and applied some ointment. "Then I guess I'm a different type of woman then. Most of what I remember about my childhood here was of my father being reckless. After a while, my mother just learned to stop asking questions— they got along better that way," I nodded. "After a while I think she was just thankful he came home at all," I added but hearing myself say it really made me look at John. Did I want the same life or relationship my mother had. Sometimes I wonder if she would've been happier with a simpler man.
"You're very gentle," he replied, bringing my mind back.
"I've had a lot of practice. There, that should do," I smiled as I finished, then brought his bruised knuckles to my lips to kiss them, like I remember doing as a child to my father. It was more out of habit than anything else.
Without warning, he pulled me into his lap straddling his waist and my little heart rightfully took off. Without his coat and jacket, I could actually smell him and the butterflies went wild in my stomach. His arms wrapped around my waist, locking me in place, my breasts pressed up against his chest and I could feel it all in my core.
This wasn't good.
"John—"
"I'm sorry about the film," he whispered cutting me off, moving some hair behind my ear as he looked up at me. His fingers brushed against my cheeks and I nearly closed my eyes. I never noticed how much I missed his touch, craved it. His heavy head then met my chest and I melted, like the snow.
"It's alright. We can always see another one," I replied, running my fingers through his hair.
"Do you think I can spend the night?" He questioned but I already knew that's why he came. "I promise I'll try to be a gentleman. I can sleep on the couch again."
I sighed, still running my fingers through his hair, down to his neck soothing him. I don't know what he went through tonight but it was clear he was in need of some comfort.
"Tonight?"
"Please Anna," he begged pulling me closer and I could feel this ache between my legs.
"That'll be two nights in a row. Dear God, what will the neighbors think?" I teased.
"Fuck the neighbors," he spat in a tired tone and I smiled a bit. It was hard to tell him no, to refuse him when we were like this.
"And the children?"
"They're with Aunt Pol tonight," he assured me.
"Then I guess it's alright then," I replied, not like I would really send him back out there like this anyways.
He held me impossibly tighter, his left hand worked its way up to my breast and gave it a nice squeeze till the strap of my nightgown fell off my shoulder.
"I thought you promised to be a gentleman," I giggled softly and his face buried deeper into my breast making the ache worse, almost too much to handle.
"I couldn't help it," he admitted and I shook my head.
"Well let's get upstairs then, it's late," I whispered.
His eyes met mine, surprised. "Are you sure Anna?"
"We've shared a couch, what's a bed?" I replied and he didn't question it. Instead he stood to his feet, lifting me as he did. I wrapped my arms around his neck for support and his lips pressed hard against mine. I giggled against them as he made his way up the stairs. "John, slow down!"
He sat me on the edge of the bed and I could see the conflict in his eyes as he hands rested on either side of me. "I know you said only once, and I'm trying to respect your wishes—"
I shook my head, this shit again. "Just forget I said it," I panted, pulling him back to my lips.
I know what I said but it wasn't easy for me either. Back then I didn't know I would want it this bad. I stripped him out of his vest, working on his dress shirt as he kicked off his shoes and dropped his pants before he climbed into the bed with me.
Warm hands ran up my thighs, catching my nightie pulling it right over my head. I then made space for him, letting him position himself between my legs. His hand found it's way into my hair gripping before his lips met mine earning a light moan in his mouth.
With the other hand, his fingers found my wetness teasing me to no end, waiting, waiting for my approval. "John, please," I begged, breaking my lips from his and was breathless when he finally entered my heat, pressing all the way to the top. My nails dug into his back riding out this pure unrelenting pleasure. His kissed along my neck as he worked his hips in quick thrusts.
"Christ," he moaned against my shoulder as he sped up, rocking the bed till it hit the wall. "Shit," I moaned, feeling myself ready to come undone as the grip on my hair tightened.
"Cum for me," he whispered against my ear and with a few more quick fluid stokes I did and he came right behind me.
My head felt light until my face tingled and my heart beat furiously in my chest. He rolled off, laying breathless beside me but pulled me into his arms and I laid my head on his chest. His fingers softly brushed against my shoulders before placing a kiss to my forehead. "Smoke?" he questioned and I nodded.
"Top draw," I replied.
It was peaceful, sharing a cigarette in the moonlight, both looking as the light shined in through the curtain. My leg wrapped over his and his fingers gently combed through the edge of my hairline. I never felt so comfortable and safe than I did right now with him.
"I guess that can make up for one of my dollies," I said as he was outing the cigarette on a dish on the bedside table.
He chuckled, rolling on top of me ready to give me more. "Only one?" He questioned, his lips brushing against mine and I nodded, wrapping my arms around his neck. "I told you, you're a greedy woman Anna," he said before he devoured my lips, ready to go again.
Hey everyone, I hope I didn't take too long with this chapter and it's to your liking. Please let me know how you feel in the comment section and I'll be back with another chapter soon. Thanks for reading this far. You don't know how much it means to me!
