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  Jase shrugs. “I think his conscience got to him.”

  “How long have the two of you been corresponding?” I demand.

  “About a year,” he says. “Guy’s been through a lot.”

  I slam my hand on the table, but Jase doesn’t even act like he notices. “You didn’t think it was important to tell me?” A year? Why hadn’t he done the same for me? Why did it take his grandmother’s death to make him apologize?

  Jase levels me with a look, his dark blue eyes mocking. “Do you tell me about every piece of mail you get?”

  “No,” I sputter. “Why would I?” I blow out a breath. “I can’t believe you’re defending him!”

  Tipping his face to the sun, Jase closes his eyes. “Look, Ro, like I’ve said a hundred times to you before, you can hold a grudge against a man who went to jail for us when he could have put everything on me, or you can forgive him. It’s been seven years, sis. Let it go.”

  I flatten my mouth. “They finally let you watch Frozen, didn’t they?”

  “Don’t try to change the subject,” he says as his eyes open. “Why the interest in O’Connor all of a sudden?”

  “Because I’m living with the ass until Miss Myrtle’s estate has been taken care of, and I’m teaching him about running the business until he makes up his mind on whether or not to sell it. To me, hopefully.”

  Also, I screwed him in one of the empty offices at work. Go me.

  Jase gives me a look. “Are you that dense?”

  “No.” I make a noise. “About what?”

  “Honey, you’re sitting on the key to your future.”

  I make a face and punch my brother in the shoulder. “You are disgusting.”

  He laughs. “I’m truthful. Men are led around by their dicks, so lead him around by his. You did it easily enough when y’all were kids.”

  “It’s not that easy anymore,” I grumble.

  “O’Connor grew up on ya, huh?”

  He’d more than grew up on me. He’d turned into a man who didn’t put up with my smart mouth and saw right through my bravado. Though he said he loved it. Honestly, he’s the one leading me around, because I’m confused by him and my feelings. But those texts he sent last night…I’d gotten all mushy when he called me his compass.

  “Yeah, I hear the military will do that to a person.” I tap my fingers against the metal picnic table in annoyance. “I doubt that sleeping with Seth will get him to see anything my way.”

  “It couldn’t hurt, though.”

  Actually, it hurt a lot. I had no idea if Seth would come back from base. I only had his promises and his texts. “Clearly, you have issues.”

  “I haven’t gotten any in seven years, Rowan,” he says bluntly. “I’m a bit preoccupied with the subject.”

  “You haven’t had sex in seven years?” I practically screech. I blush when everyone turns to look at us. “Sorry.”

  “I’m not.” He laughs darkly. “Prison sex isn’t an exclusive club I want a membership in, and I told Giselle to stay away.”

  And I’m sure she did. God, I hate that girl. “Thanks for oversharing.”

  His lips suddenly curve into a smile that I’d kill to see every day. “So…I have news.”

  “Stinky Pete isn’t so stinky anymore?”

  Jase rolls his eyes at my Toy Story reference. But, this is how we communicate. Once, we had an entire conversation by quoting Spaceballs. “They’re letting me out next week. Friday to be precise.”

  I cover my mouth with my hand. “The parole board met? You didn’t tell me! Why didn’t you tell me, Jase?” Grabbing him up in a hug, I squeeze tight. His arms wrap around me, briefly, before letting me go. Tears of joy flood my eyes and I let them fall freely. “This is the most amazing news ever.”

  “I didn’t want to get your hopes up.” Jase lets out a thick sigh. “I didn’t want to get my hopes up.”

  Giddy, I clap. “I’m going to throw you the biggest homecoming party this town has seen.”

  A huge grin covers his face. “You can do whatever the hell you want as long as you invite my buddies and Giselle.” Rolling his head from side to side, he closes his eyes for a moment—as if he’s imagining the party. “God, I don’t know what I want to do first, fu—, er, see Giselle, take a shower, or drink a beer? Hell, maybe I’ll do all three at the same time.”

  I make a face. “Seriously?”

  Jase gives me an apologetic look. “Sorry, Ro.”

  “It’s not that. I mean, of course, ew…but, uh, Giselle’s not the easiest to get up with.” Unless you drive a nice car and have lots of money and a penis, but I’m not going to say that. Jase knows her; he has to know how she is.

  “Yeah. That girl is always busy.” Jase sits up, rubbing the back of his neck. He won’t meet my eyes. “Would you do me a favor and make sure you invite Piper? She’s been real good to me, and I’d like to thank her in person.”

  I level him with a look. “You want Piper Ross, aka my best friend, to come to one of our parties? The same girl who you said walked around like she was afraid of her own shadow?”

  “Piper wrote me when other people didn’t give a damn. Bribe her if you have to,” he almost shouts, then lowers his voice. I think it’s completely insane he wants Piper and Giselle at his coming-home party, or that he wants anything to do with Giselle at all.

  Then again, she’s a sure thing and she’s someone Jase has a history with, so I guess I can’t be all that judgmental. After all, I sexed up my ex at work.

  “I need Piper there, Ro. Promise me you’ll do whatever it takes to make it happen,” he pleads.

  “Don’t I always?”

  A slow grin kicks up his lip at the corner. “Thank you. And could you pick me up next Friday? Around three in the afternoon?”

  “Yep,” I say cheerfully. My cheeks begin to hurt from smiling so big, but I don’t care. “I’ll even drive your car and then let you drive home.”

  He nods, grinning. “Awesome.”

  “One more thing,” he adds and my stomach flips. The last time that phrase was uttered, Seth kicked me out of his life.

  I raise my eyebrows, not trusting myself to speak.

  “Invite O’Connor, too.”

  —

  Seth shows up at the shop bright and early at seven thirty Monday morning. He looks all clear eyed, despite the drive from Jacksonville this morning that probably had him leaving around four a.m. Honestly, I’m surprised he kept true to his word and came back.

  Actually, I’m more than surprised—I’m relieved. I fully expected him to say screw it, and not return until he had paperwork from Shaw to sign.

  He hands me a cup of coffee. “I picked this up on the way here. Hope you still like it the same way.”

  Another peace offering? I’ll take it, but nothing else. I don’t trust myself around Seth. I don’t trust him. But I do give him a friendly smile. Sometimes it’s better to play nice than to start WWIII. “I do like it the same way. Thank you. We’re shorthanded today, so you’re going to cover for Linda at the front desk.”

  He looks at me in confusion. “The front desk?”

  “I’m sorry. Did you expect to lounge around and watch everyone work while you collected a paycheck?” I don’t know why I come at him like that. He’s not even collecting a paycheck.

  Boyd laughs, and a few of the guys join in.

  Oh, crap. First rule of working with men: Don’t make them feel less than a man in front of other men.

  A muscle in his jaw ticks. “The front desk is great. I’ll get right on it.” He strides away, his hands clenching into fists.

  I blink after him. He was well within his rights to mouth back at me or—worse—fire me, but he didn’t. He showed me respect when I didn’t deserve it.

  “Hey, Seth,” I call out, trailing behind him. “Let me show you what to do. Linda’s job is super important, so—”

  “You’ll put the new guy up front?” With a wry smile, he moves around the counter, hooking h
is thumbs into the pocket of his jeans. His shirt slides up a little, giving me a glimpse of hard abs and his happily-ever-after trail that I’d followed many times before.

  He clears his throat, and I yank my gaze away, even as heat creeps up my neck. “Everyone will love the new eye candy.” I know I do. Not him…the view. “We have a lot of female customers, and Boyd just isn’t as pretty as he used to be.”

  “Hey,” Boyd shouts. “I resent that remark.”

  Seth merely grunts.

  “Look, whatever you plan on doing is out of my hands, but if you want to keep Gardner’s, then the people here need to get to know you again. They’ll need to associate a name with a face,” I point out.

  “And I really do need your help,” I add softly.

  “Show me what to do, Little Boss,” he says all businesslike and I frown. Where is his big plan to drag me off to bed? Or my plan to sex him up so I can get my way?

  Oh, right, I’d insulted him as soon as I saw him. In front of everyone.

  Stupid, stupid, Rowan.

  I move to join him behind the counter and set my coffee cup down. I brush his hand away from the mouse, my skin tingling at the contact. He sucks in a breath.

  “This is where you find the menu for jobs.” I scroll down and begin to type a message to him as I simultaneously explain how to record a transaction.

  I’ll be home tonight. Will you?

  He glances at me and I smile, letting my hands fall away from the keyboard. “Why don’t you give it a try?”

  “All right.”

  Yes, he types.

  I narrow my eyes at him. He gives me a look. “That’s good, but you forgot this part here.”

  Take me to bed and make love to me, I reply.

  I look up at him, wanting to apologize but I can’t. I can’t force the words out of my mouth.

  “Damn it, Rowan.” His hands shake as he replies.

  Our workday ends at noon. I’m driving.

  I nod. “That’s it.” Quickly, I erase our exchange. “Linda has a cheat sheet in the drawer to your right.”

  “Thanks,” he says just as the first customer walks in.

  “LB, you’re needed in bay two. I think Frank got his pinkie stuck in a rotor again.

  “You got this, right?” I ask Seth, walking to the back.

  “Yep.”

  “Okay.”

  “Hey, Rowan,” he calls out.

  Turning, I lock my eyes on him. “Yes?”

  “We have some paperwork to fill out at the lawyer’s office, so be ready to go at noon. That work for you?”

  My heart races. Although I know what he said isn’t the least bit scandalous, my face turns as red as the racing stripe on my car. “I’ll be ready.”

  Boyd gives me a strange look. “That’s one hell of a way to ask a woman to put out.”

  I almost choke on my saliva. “Excuse me?”

  “Rowan, I’ve known you and Seth since y’all were fourteen. Nothing gets past me,” he says.

  “Can you pretend you don’t know?”

  “For an extra vacation day.”

  “Deal.”

  Seth

  I should have kissed her instead of bringing the stupid coffee. Clicking through the menu, I ring up another customer and swipe their credit card.

  I glance at the clock. It’s a quarter till twelve.

  “Thanks for your business,” I say and close out my screen. I take the liberty of shutting down my computer and locking the front door. As far as I’m concerned, everyone’s getting the afternoon off.

  I head to the garage, where Rowan’s been hanging out for the past three hours and forty minutes. Yeah, so I’ve been keeping track. Sue me.

  I hear laughter and music playing. The closer I get to her, the harder my body becomes. I know what’s coming as soon as we get home. I know I’m going to have my hands on her gorgeous body. This time, I’m going to make it last and give her multiple orgasms.

  I push open the door to enter the garage and find Rowan’s outstanding ass in the air as she bends over an engine. There’s grease on her arms and legs, and her hair’s pulled up into a messy bun.

  “Damn,” I breathe.

  She scoots to one side, and I just stand there, taking her in. Watching her in her element. Her bottom lip is pulled in and there’s a furrow to her brow. Beads of sweat dot her nose, but damn if she doesn’t look happy. She’s in her zone, working a wrench up and down. Her arms are toned, and watching her slender muscles as they move, I’m turned on even more.

  You know that movie scene, the one where the girl’s bent over the guy’s car, looking fine as hell while knowing exactly what she’s talking about? Yeah, that’s Rowan. Except blonde and real and mine.

  Honestly, when she’s like this, it’s hard to pinpoint what I find sexier—her confidence or the shape of her body.

  “You ready?” I call out.

  Rowan jerks up, her eyes widening in surprise. Her cheeks flush.

  “I’ll take that,” Boyd offers, nodding toward the engine.

  “Hope you don’t mind, but I already shut things down for the day,” I report.

  Nodding, she washes her hands and arms. She peels off her work coveralls, and I have to take a step back. Damn, that’s hot. “Tell everyone they get the afternoon off, and call—”

  “I’ll take care of it,” Boyd says. He pins me with a glare. “You two go take care of the paperwork, but if the lawyer tries to screw my girl over, I’ll cut off his balls, fry them up, and make him eat them.”

  “Duly noted.” I’m not scared of Boyd’s threat. I’m not a kid anymore, but I am glad that she’s had someone like him looking after her.

  “Later, Boyd,” Rowan calls out as she walks over to me. She gives me a shy smile and hands over a set of keys. “We can go out this way. My car’s parked in the back.”

  Together we walk, almost touching. The tension between us is thick like a curtain that I’m ready to rip away.

  “It’s a damn good thing you live so close,” I say, opening her door.

  She slides inside and looks up at me, her blue eyes vibrant. “Why?”

  “Because I’m tempted to fuck you in this car. But I promised a bed.”

  I shut the door before she can reply and jog to my side. My hands itch to touch her, but I keep them to myself and concentrate on getting us home.

  Starting up the Camaro, I pull out of the parking lot at breakneck speed, racing to get home. I whip the muscle car into the drive a little harder than necessary, but I can’t wait. I can taste her.

  Her hand touches my leg and I hit the gas a little too hard, barely avoiding a collision with the porch on the side of the house.

  “I’ll give you a couple of minutes to go in first and take care of whatever you need to, then I expect you to be in my bed.”

  She gives me a shaky nod and lets go of me. I watch her walk inside, her hips swaying invitingly. I don’t start counting down until she actually goes inside.

  Fair is fair, after all.

  A couple of minutes seem like hours, but when enough time has passed, I jump out of her car and head inside, softly closing and then locking the door behind me.

  Chapter 7

  Rowan

  I don’t hear Seth when he first comes in, just the sound of his heavy footsteps as he approaches. I wait for him in bed, my palms damp and my heart racing. He enters the room, his dark gaze finding me as he unlaces his shoes and toes them off.

  “Stand up,” he orders and my shaky legs comply.

  The cool air hits my skin, making goose bumps appear. My nipples tighten painfully under his watchful eyes.

  He smirks a little. “Undress me.”

  I lift a brow.

  “My rules, baby,” he says. “You lost the right to control what happens when you decided to publicly insult me.” His voice is eerily calm.

  He’s correct, and he was well within his rights to do the same to me, but he didn’t.

  I walk to him, stop
ping inches from his body. Heat and his smell pour off of him. Slowly, I push up the material of his thermal shirt. He dips down a little so I can pull it over his head. In the dimly lit room, I can make out his dog tags, the silver chain they hang from, and the broad chest they complement.

  Before, we’d rushed to have sex, and I didn’t get a chance to really look at him, but now….I run my hand down the center of his body, feeling the hardness and the short crisp hair that merge into a single line trailing under the waistband of his jeans.

  He sucks in a breath when I unbutton his pants, working one button at a time.

  “Rowan.” My name is a warning on his lips.

  Standing on my tiptoes, I press a soft kiss to his mouth. “Don’t worry, Marine, I’ll do my patriotic duty and take very good care of you.” My hand slips inside his boxer briefs and wraps around his cock. Velvet over steel. I slowly move my hand up and down the length of him, watching as his eyes close and his hips jut forward.

  “Feels damn good,” he murmurs. His sexy mouth opens slightly and I lower to my knees.

  Pulling out his heavy erection, I kiss the head. Seth’s eyes snap open, glittering black as he stares down at me. Keeping my gaze locked with his, I part my lips and take him inside. His body shudders and his hands go to my head, fisting in my hair.

  I revel in this moment, in this power I have over him. For so long I was powerless when it came to Seth, but now, even on my knees, I’m holding him in my hands.

  Strangely enough I don’t want to lord that over him. I want to please him. Run my hands up and down his erection and listen as he groans my name.

  “Rowan.”

  Smiling, I take my time stroking and licking him. I learn what makes him moan and what makes him hiss. What makes his legs shake and his hands tighten in my hair. I work my way up his body, pressing hot kisses along the way and shoving his jeans down. Rediscovering Seth’s body is both painful and healing.

  My fingertips glide over his nipples, which are just as hard as mine.

  He cups the back of my neck, pulling me closer. “Kiss me.”

  Tenderly, slowly…oh, so slowly, I brush my lips over his. Again and again. He rumbles low in his throat and covers my mouth with his. He sucks on my tongue, making me whimper.