Chapter 177 - Books
*Human beings make life so interesting. Do you know that in a universe so full of wonders, they have managed to invent boredom? – Terry Pratchett, Hogfather*
Neo walked into the apartment and found Jo sitting on the couch with her knees pulled up almost to her chest. The *Nightmare Before Christmas* blanket from her childhood covered her legs. Her hair was pulled up in a messy bun and she wore a dark blue sweatshirt, and he could barely see the top of the yellow print. He knew what was written on the shirt – PROUD NAVY SISTER.
Chuckling, he thought about the day that they had gone to the art museum. If the fact that JD was in a new uniform with hardly any ranks or ribbons didn’t tell people that they were a Navy family, all the sweatshirts and onesies did. It wasn’t anything that was done intentionally. They had all bought the shirts before leaving for Chicago.
PROUD NAVY DAD
PROUD NAVY MOM
PROUD NAVY BROTHER
PROUD NAVY SISTER
I HEART MY SAILOR
LITTLE NAVY BROTHER
LITTLE NAVY SISTER
MY FAVORITE UNCLE IS A SAILOR
Where most of them had been dark blue, Helen’s had been pink. And Dean had a custom one that had been made at school with the art department’s screen printing. On black cotton, gold glitter print with white shadowing declared – HANDS OFF LADIES, THIS SAILOR IS MINE
Neo’s smile fell when he realized that Jo was crying. She was looking at something in her lap. Her phone perhaps? Reaching up, she swiped tears off her cheeks and never looked up. Neo closed the door quietly and made his way over to her.
Sitting on the edge of the couch, he reached up and brushed tears off her cheeks with his thumbs.
“Jo, pet, what’s wrong?” he asked quietly, fearing that she would say that something had happened to JD. Or somehow Hank got free. He hoped that she had not heard about the asshole who threatened to kill her brother and sisters the other day.
Looking up at him, she gave him a watery smile. “It’s nothing.”
“Pet, if it has you crying, it’s something.”
She shook her head gently and lifted the book that was resting against her legs, and he had not seen. “It’s just a stupid book.”
“Do you like it?”
“What?” The confusion was evident on her face and in her voice.
“Do you like the book?”
“Yeah, but it’s just some cheesy romance.”
“And you’re crying because of what happened in the book?” another gentle swipe of tears with his thumb.
Her head nodded slightly with her messy bun bobbing and some of the shorter hairs sliding out. “I know it’s stupid and all…”
With a light touch on her cheek, his hand turned her back to his face and his other hand swiped at tears again. The anger inside him was well hidden and contained. He leaned in and kissed her forehead, taking in her scent and calming himself down.
Sitting back, he smiled at her. “I’m not him.”
“I know you’re not. You’re so much better than him.”
Smiling, he waited until she was through before placing his thumb over her mouth to keep her quiet.
“I’m not him. And I know that you know this. And I also know that dismissing your emotions is simply something that you are used to doing. But I want you to listen to me. Okay?”
She gave another little nod and more hair slipped out. Looking up where there was now more satin cloth than hair, Neo reached up and plucked the black scrunchie from on top of her head.
"Don't be ashamed of the fact that you read. It is a wonderful past-time and one that can expand your mind and take you on great adventures."
She gave a small smile and a nod.
“If the book is making you feel so deeply that you’re crying, the author did their job. The whole point of a book is to tell a story, real or made up. And the job of the author is to make you live that story. So, tell me, are these happy tears or sad tears?”
She gave a sad sniffle as he gently pried the book away from her. “Sad. They were just getting a good point in their marriage, their kids were moving out, they’re falling in love again… and she just died in a car crash.”
Sighing, she buried her face in her hands. “I know, it’s stupid. They’re just made-up stories…”
“They are.” Neo smiled at her. “But it doesn’t make them any less moving.”
He stood up and left the apartment, returning a moment later with her book and two others. Leaning over the back of the couch, he kissed her forehead and placed the three books on her stomach.
“Before you decide to give up on the story, you should read the next two books in the series.”
“Where did you get those from?” Jo asked quietly as she looked at the small stack of books.
“Probably the same place that you got that one. Little library up on the second floor.”
“Yeah.” She admitted and gave a little blush.
“That’s my library.”
“I thought that it might be Shelby’s book.”
“Nope. Shell is a card-carrying member of the audiobook and podcast book club. I’m pretty sure that if she had to actually read something not for school, she’d probably burst into flames.”
“She always has books with her.”
“Zack is an avid reader. She gets him the book of whatever she’s listening to.” Neo leaned in close to her ear. “He’s recently discovered the draw of the H. E. A. And if it goes the way he’s hoping,” he lightly nipped at her earlobe. “they’ll be writing out their own pretty soon.”
“What?” Jolene squealed and then moaned as his teeth grazed against her neck.
“Uh-huh. Now, go get a quick shower and get dressed. Before I decide to have you for dinner.”
“Is that an option?”
He let out a low growl as he pulled back from her neck. “If I hadn’t promised your mom that I would take you over so that you can help her make pies for thanksgiving, I’d say yes. But I’ve heard your brothers, Reese, Dean and about all of my guys rave about her apple pie. Damn it I want some pie.”
Jolene couldn’t help but laugh at him. “Her salted caramel or her cinnamon roll crust?”
“There’s two?” his eyes went wide. “Fuck the shower, let’s go.”
“Really?” She asked as she realized that he was being serious.
“Now, pet.” He ordered. As he reached out to caress her cheek, his face and voice softened. “You have the choice of a shower now, by yourself, or one later with some company.”
Swallowing hard, she lowered her eyes and quietly answered. “Later, Alpha.”
There was another deep growl that came from his chest. “Go get dressed, pet. No panties.”
“Yes, Alpha.” Jolene murmured as she got off the purple couch and dashed into her bedroom. Wanting to be comfortable, she pulled on yoga pants and a baggy sweater. Stepping out of the room, she found Neo standing by the front door and she headed for him.
“Hands on the door.” He ordered and she did as she was told. Pulling her yoga pants down, he knelt behind her.
“Such a beautiful little cunt.” His breath skirted over her dampening core. Pulling her hips back he spread her with his thumbs. Dipping his tongue inside her, he teased her until she was ready to explode.
“Neo?” She asked huskily as he pulled her tight pants back up and tugged her sweater down.
“Later, pet.” He promised as he grabbed his keys with one hand and her hand with the other.
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