Mechanic - Riley Alexa - Страница 14

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“You cook?” I can’t picture him working his way around a kitchen. A car, sure, but making spaghetti? Not so much.

“When I’ve got food I can, but I’ve been too busy to get to the store. Someone has had me chasing them all over town.” He turns to smile at me as he pulls eggs and cheese from the fridge.

It’s crazy how easy this feels. Like we’ve been doing it forever. Maybe when it’s right, that’s just how it is. I don’t have experience with men, but my grandma told me when you find the right man, you just know.

I kept getting worried that she’s going to ask me if Scott was the one, but she hasn’t. Maybe she just thinks he is. Why else would I agree to marry him?

“Hope you like egg-and-cheese sandwiches. We can run to the store and stock up tomorrow on some stuff. I plan on keeping you in our bed for the next few days.”

Butterflies take flight in my stomach at the word ‘our.’ He’s acting like I’m never leaving. Maybe I’m not. I don’t think I’ll be able to go home when my dad finds out I’m not marrying Scott.

It’s all so simple here. I glance around, taking in Paine’s home. It’s warm and cozy. Hardwood floors run throughout, with deep gray-blue walls. The floor plan is open with the kitchen off to the side of the living room, and a big dining room to the other side of the kitchen. A giant fireplace takes up one wall, with silver tiles surrounding it.

One thing I’ve always disliked about my family home is that it is too big. I love the idea of being able to cook in the kitchen and still be able to talk to someone lying on the couch. I can easily picture a family here.

Me in the kitchen cooking dinner, Paine lying on the couch watching a baseball game and talking to me while I cook. The kids at the dining-room table, doing their homework before dinner. It makes me miss something I never knew I wanted. Being here with Paine, it’s all so clear.

“What makes you have that look on your face?” I turn back from my domestic fantasies and study him. If he meant half of what he said when he took me to bed hours ago, then maybe we’re on the same page.

“How many?”

“How many what?” I ask.

“Kids.”

I run my hands down his tatted-up arms, pulling him closer. He sets a plate down on the counter next to me and wraps his arms around my waist.

“Three.”

“Only three?” he teases, and I’m relieved that the fairy tale I just dreamed up moments ago is so close. I can almost reach out and touch it, or maybe it’s already in my grasp.

“Let’s start there. We still have an uphill battle,” I remind him.

“It’s time to start talking.” He jumps up on the counter with me, handing me one of the sandwiches he just made, and I lay it all out for him while we eat.

“I’ll figure it out. He can’t keep you from seeing your grandma.”

“I’m not so sure. Scott’s the family lawyer, and I have no idea who controls what. I’ve never had to worry about it before, and I know my father has some powerful friends, Paine. I just—”

“Baby, calm down.” He jumps back off the counter, grabbing my face between his hands. “I promise you. I won’t let him keep her from you. I told you, I’ll give you everything you’ve ever wanted, and if you want to see your grandma, you’ll see your grandma.”

I believe him, and I don’t know why. I’ve only known him for such a short time, but I can tell by the look in his eyes he means it. And it’s quite clear Paine gets what he wants.

“Trust me, Duchess.”

“I do.” He pulls me to his chest and holds me tight, that feeling of being home warming me again.

A knock at the door pulls us from our embrace.

“Who the fuck…” Paine glances over his shoulder to look at the clock on the stove. “It’s almost midnight.”

“Booty call?” I half-tease. Who else would show up at his house so late?

Paine gives me a stern look. “I told you I never invited a woman back here. Don’t push your luck or I’ll spank your ass.”

I wiggle at his words, thinking about him spanking me as he takes me from behind. The image makes everything in my core clench.

“My dirty Duchess. You like getting your ass spanked? I’ll have to remember that.”

I go to lie and tell him I don’t, but another knock sounds on the door.

“I’m fucking coming,” he shouts. “Don’t move.” He shoots me a look, and I stay rooted.

I watch as he makes his way to the door, wearing just his underwear. It better not be a woman out there, because I don’t want someone else seeing his boxer briefs hugging his thighs tightly. It’s then I notice all of his tattoos across his arms and chest are on display. I didn’t realize he had so many. He was wearing long sleeves when I first met him, and only a few of the tattoos peeked out at his wrist. I don’t know what it is about his hard side that draws me to him. I’ve never met someone like him before, and men like him don’t run in the same circles as I have all my life. Maybe that’s why I never knew what attraction was until I met him.

When the door opens, I hear Paine sounding pissed at whoever it is. “This is private fucking property.” I can’t see around him, his big body filling the door and blocking the view, but I know who it is when a familiar voice speaks.

“Where’s my daughter?”

“Where she’s supposed to be,” Paine fire backs. I get down off the counter and try to get past him to face my father, not wanting them to go to blows.

“I know for a fact she isn’t with her fiance,” my father says, but it’s clear Scott told him who I was with. There’s no other way my father could possibly know I was here with Paine.

“Then you thought wrong because you’re looking at her fucking fiance.” There’s no missing the possessive tone in Paine’s voice.

“Stop it. Both of you.” I finally make it past Paine, ducking under his arm in a quick move, but I don’t get far. He wraps an arm around my waist, pulling me back to his front.

The cold night air hits my legs, reminding me I’m only wear Paine’s shirt. Lucky for me, he’s a freaking giant and the thing comes almost to my knees.

My dad looks at me in disgust. Like he has room to talk. Not only is he married to a woman five years older than me, but everyone knows he sleeps around on her. I have a feeling she does, too, with the looks she shoots my brother at Thanksgiving dinner.

“Put some clothes on. We’re leaving.”

“She’s not going anywhere,” Paine answers for me. I don’t know why I’m so intimidated by my father, but I am, and I’m glad to have Paine standing behind me.

“Your grandmother got hurt. We had to call the doctor to come out. She’s asking for you, Penny,” my father says, using the nickname for me I haven’t heard in years.

“Let me get my things.” I try to break from Paine’s arms, wanting to get to her as soon as possible, but he’s holding tight.

“Give us five and we’ll be ready,” Paine says, finally letting me go.

“I won’t let him on the property.” My dad’s tone is final, and I know he won’t. He’ll call the police and have Paine thrown in jail.

“I don’t go, she doesn’t go.”

“I’ll tell your grandmother you couldn’t be bothered then.” My father turns to leave, and I feel so angry at how he always says ‘your’ grandmother, like she’s nothing to him. Like she’s not the mother of his late wife. Like she’s not his mother-in-law.

“No, wait!” I yell at him, making him turn to look at me. He has a smirk on his face, which makes the wrinkles around his mouth more prominent. Time hasn’t been good to Dad these past five years. Most of his hair would be gray now if he didn’t dye it. He’s even put on some weight.

“Duchess,” Paine says, holding on to my arm. His grip makes it clear he isn’t letting me go.

“You asked me to trust you, Paine. Can you trust me? I have to go. I’ll come back.” I look up into his eyes, wanting him to see what I saw moments ago when we were in the kitchen together, talking about the life we wanted.

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