by Loni Ree
As she snuggles in close to me, my eyes begin to drift shut. She kisses the side of my chest. “I don’t know how I got lucky enough to find you.”
Chapter 8
Slater
The next morning, I wake to find the early morning sunlight peeking in the blinds. It takes all of my self-control to scoot away from the warm, sleeping woman, but I want to take Duchess out and make breakfast while my woman gets her rest. As I’m leaning against the breakfast bar, drinking my second cup of coffee and watching the princess dog pick her favorite pieces of food out of her bowl, two soft arms wrap around me from behind.
“Good morning. You should have woken me up,” she mumbles against my back.
My dick wakes the fuck up and begins throbbing against the zipper of my jeans while I enjoy feeling her soft breasts cushioned up against my back. “You needed to sleep,” I manage to grunt through the intense arousal surging through me.
“Uh, what is Duchess doing?” As Elyse laughs behind me, the motion causes her to rub up against my sensitized nerves, and I miss her question.
Spinning around, I lift Elyse and pin her curvy body against the kitchen wall. She sighs down my throat as my lips cover hers. I’m so caught up in her delicious body, I don’t realize the phone is ringing until Elyse stiffens in my arms. “FUCK! This better be a fucking emergency.” I grab the damn phone while holding my woman still wrapped around me. Zander’s name and picture are flashing on the screen, and I hit the accept button. “You must want to die.”
“Good morning to you, too. TBD was robbed last night. Put your dick away and get down here.” Elyse hears his words and lowers her legs to the ground.
Rage and frustration war within me. This weekend has been an exercise in bullshit. “I’ll be there in a few.” After hanging up, I turn to Elyse. “I need you to get ready. I’m not sure what the hell is going on, but I don’t want to leave you here by yourself.”
My beautiful girl doesn’t argue, and I follow her up the stairs, telling my cock the entire way to have some patience. She’s going to be living here from now on, so there’s plenty of time to finish what we started in the kitchen, but the fucker isn’t paying any attention to me.
After parking in the side lot at TBD, I close my eyes and take a few deep breaths. I’m filled with red-hot fury and don’t want to scare the woman I love, so I remind myself it’s only a business. We have insurance that will pay to repair the front window and whatever else the fucker who broke in last night damaged.
“Is the front window the only damage?” Elyse slowly rubs the skin on the back of my hand, and her touch helps bring my rage under control.
“I have no idea. Let’s go inside and see. I want you to stay right at my side.” I help Elyse out of the truck then lead her into the back entrance.
Zander and Brock are sitting at the table in the backroom, talking to a deputy. Zander runs his hand down his face before sighing. “Brock got the emergency call at five am. By the time the cops got here, the perpetrator was gone, but they managed to break the front window and steal a few rims out of the display area. Other than that, there was a little spray paint shit written on the wall.”
“I’m going to go take a look.” I turn to Elyse. “Sweetheart, why don’t you stay here. I’ll be right back.” Elyse looks like she wants to argue, but she drops on the sofa and pulls her phone out. As we walk through the lobby, I get a good look at the damage, and we discuss it. It appears that it was more an attempt to trash the place than rob us. The assholes stole a few rims and ran.
After looking at the window, I turn to my partners. “I’ll try to get the window fixed today, or at least covered. Are we going to try to open tomorrow?” Before they can answer, I walk over and turn on the computer. “Let me look and see what our appointments look like.” I look through the schedule and swear under my breath. Of course, it’s a busy fucking day tomorrow. It’ll take us all day today to call and reschedule all these appointments. “We’re booked fucking solid tomorrow. I vote we clean up and try to make it work.”
Brock bites the inside of his lip and shrugs. “I don’t give a shit. Let’s do it.”
We both turn to Zander, who looks up at the ceiling and growls, “What the fuck? It’s an excuse to get away from your nutcase step-sis. She’s driving me fucking crazy.”
Elyse insists on helping us, and it takes most of the day, but we manage to get some semblance of order in the shop. I’ve been slacking and letting my partners take on way more of the responsibilities for our business since I met Elyse, so I offer to come in early to open up. I also arrange to be the emergency contact for the next two weeks. It’s time for me to pull my weight around the shop.
Chapter 9
Elyse
My body is aching after the long day at TBD Auto. Throughout the day, I’d look over at Slater, and every time I did, the desire burning in his eyes would turn my insides to Jell-O. The day stretched into one of the longest of my life. We ordered pizza and ate at TBD with the other guys before they decided we’d done enough for one day. The shop is ready to at least handle customers tomorrow. Slater has arranged for the insurance adjuster and the window repairman to meet him at TBD early tomorrow morning. The plan is for me to stay at his house and sleep in since I work nightshift tomorrow night.
The entire ride back to Slater’s home, I’m fighting with my body. Even though I’m dead on my feet, I’ve been staring at Slater’s gorgeous ass in his tight jeans for the last eight hours, and there’s no way I’ll be able to rest until I’ve taken care of my little problem.
“I’ll take Duchess out and feed her. Why don’t you head up and shower?” Slater kisses me then grabs the pouting dog. I stare at his tight ass as he walks out the patio door and decide I’m going to take this situation into my own hands.
After stripping, I drag myself into his massive bathroom and turn on the hot water. The large marble shower takes up an entire wall and could easily hold ten grown adults. As the bathroom begins to fill with steam, I sit on the marble shower bench and let the hot water run over my tired muscles. The steam clears slightly when the bathroom door opens, then a few seconds later, Slater steps into the shower with me. I stand and lean up against him. “I was hoping you were going to join me.”
Slater runs a gentle hand up and down my tummy as the hot water pours over our bodies. “You’re impossible to resist,” he groans against the side of my neck before gently nibbling his way from my chin down my collarbone. I forget all about my exhaustion.
Spinning in his arms, I kiss the tip of his nose then surprise him by winking and sliding to my knees. The shock in Slater’s deep brown eyes is replaced with desire when I wrap my hand around his hard cock. As I lean forward and close my lips around the purple head, Slater grips the back of my head. “Fuck, I’ve died and gone to heaven.” His back falls back against the cool marble wall as I begin to suck while stroking the rest of his dick with my slippery hand. His thick thigh muscles begin to shake, and his hold on my head gets tighter before Slater grunts, “You need to fucking stop, now.”
I ignore his warning and increase my efforts, moaning around his pulsing flesh. His roar fills the steamy bathroom, and I swallow his cum as it shoots down my throat. “You’ve done me in.” Slater’s hold on my head loosens, and he pulls away from me before dropping onto the shower bench. I wrap my body around his and lay my head on his shoulder.
The hot water beating against my back, combined with his hand rubbing circles on my sensitive skin, causes me to squirm against his lap. I soon realize his dick is steadily growing hard against my hungry center. After a little maneuvering, his hardness slides into my pussy, and we both moan. I pant against his ear, “You don’t seem too done-in to me.”
Slater’s hands wrap around my hips, and he uses the hold to drag my body up and down on his thrusting cock. Before he kisses me, he nips my bottom lip and agrees, “Any time I’m around you, my dick is ready to go. No matter how tired my body is.” The wet sound of our bodies slid
ing together under the jets of water fills the bathroom. When Slater skims his thumb over my clit, an orgasm explodes through my body. He thrusts a couple more times then holds me down while his orgasm thunders through him. “Damn, now I’m fucking over-done, but damn it was worth it.”
I sit on top of the bathroom counter while Slater stands in front of me and dries my hair. As he runs his fingers through it to separate the damp strands, my head falls forward. When it’s finally finished, I sigh. “I’m so relaxed; I’m not sure my legs will carry me.”
He places a hand under my chin and lifts it up so I’m looking in his eyes. “I’ll always take care of you.”
I don’t even remember him laying me in the bed. The next thing I know, I hear Slater moving around the room. There’s a little bit of sunlight streaming in the blinds, so I know it’s morning. Rolling over, I stretch and call out to him before he walks out the door. “Were you going to leave without kissing me goodbye?”
Slater turns and strolls over to the bed. His dark brown hair is still slightly damp from his shower, and his yummy masculine scent surrounds me as he leans down and kisses me. “I knew it would be almost impossible to leave if I got a taste of you this morning.” He pulls away and kisses my nose then stands. “I can’t blow off Zander and Brock, or I’d strip and spend the day with you.”
I smile at my love and pull the covers up over me. “I work tonight, so I need to sleep all day anyway. Will you be home in time for dinner?”
A smile covers his entire face before he leans over and kisses me until I’m breathless. “I love that you called this home. And I love you.” Slater straightens and backs toward the door, winking as he gets to it. “I’ll bring dinner home with me in plenty of time to eat and drive you to work, so sleep all day. I’ll set the alarm.”
After he waves and continues out the door, I roll over and attempt to fall back asleep. My phone dings with a text a few minutes later, and I almost ignore it, but curiosity gets the best of me. It’s Slater letting me know he took Duchess with him, so I don’t have to get up to take care of her. I thank him and then roll back over.
Chapter 10
Elyse
I’m about to pull on my scrubs when I hear Duchess’ little paws running up the wooden stairs. I turn to find Slater, leaning against the doorframe and staring at me.
He smirks at me. “I have dinner waiting downstairs. If I walk in this door, you’ll never make it to work on time, so come down to the kitchen when you’re ready.” Slater turns and heads out the door with Duchess hot on his heels. After splashing cold water on my face to cool myself off, I grab my things and follow Slater down.
Slater drops me off at work, and it’s one of the longest nights I’ve ever worked. I swear the clock hanging on the wall above the nurses’ station never moves. I find myself watching it throughout the night, and it appears to move backward. After my last round of checks, I look at my watch and find it’s almost time to give a report. Thank God this endless night is almost over.
I rush out the employee entrance and look for Slater’s huge black truck. “Hey, gorgeous.” Slater’s parked to my right, and he walks up and wraps his arms around me. After melting into his embrace, I lift my chin and kiss him. I don’t care if all my co-workers who are leaving at this time are watching us. I’ve spent the last twelve and a half hours missing him.
“Come on. I want to get you to bed.” He leads me to his truck and helps me in.
His words send fire my blood and desire shooting through me. My face heats, and I’m unable to control my constant squirming as I sit in his leather seat. Slater leans over me to fasten my seatbelt and smirks. “After you sleep, I’ll take care of your other wants.”
“You big tease.” He winks at me playfully before taking us home.
Since I’m off until Thursday, we decide to go get some things from my apartment after my long nap. Slater spends the day at the shop and comes by the house to get me after work. I’m convinced he’s developed some sort of aversion to me driving myself around. We grab dinner then head over to my apartment. Before we leave, I attempt to explain the situation to the Hendersons, but they aren’t convinced I’m doing the right thing. I promise to keep them up to date on my plans.
The next day, I decide to bring him a surprise lunch at the shop. I stop on the way to TBD Auto and grab a pizza. Rachel smiles when I walk in then points her head at the garage door. “He just stepped out to check on something. I’m sure he’ll be back any minute.”
I hold up the pizza. “Are you hungry?”
“Heck yes!” Rachel rushes toward the breakroom, and I follow behind her.
She’s grabbing paper plates out of the cabinet when Zander sticks his head in the door and barks, “Why the hell is the front desk empty? You can’t just decide to leave it.”
Rachel rolls her eyes at me, then turns and glares at him. “I can hear the bell over the door in here. Calm the hell down.”
Zander’s face turns a scary shade of red, and I regret coming in without talking to Slater first. He storms over to Rachel and stands right over the short woman. “I’m your boss. It’s time to either treat me with respect or find another damn job.”
“What the hell is going on in here?” Slater demands from the doorway, and all of us turn. “You two are going to give me a fucking heart attack. Rachel, stop egging Zander on and do your job.”
Rachel’s eyes narrow as she turns her back on the men, and I feel bad that I’m the one who started the entire issue. “I’m sorry I stopped by without calling first. I thought it would be okay to bring a pizza for lunch.”
Slater wraps his arms around me and kisses the side of my neck while Zander and Rachel stare at each other. After kissing me, he whispers in my ear, “These two need to figure their shit out. Don’t worry about it.”
Brock comes strolling in the breakroom and spots the pizza. “Thank God, there’s something to eat. I’m starving.” Rachel and Zander sit on opposite sides of the table, and we have a mostly uncomfortable lunch.
We finish eating, and I’m helping Rachel straighten up the breakroom. After we’re done, I follow her out to the lobby to look for Slater. When we walk around the corner, the men’s argument carries over to us. Brock insists, “Look, you need to fuck her and get it over with. I’m tired of dealing with your horniness.”
“That’s my stepsister you’re talking about, asshole.” Slater points his finger in Brock’s chest then turns to Zander, whose mouth is hanging open. “And he needs to leave her the hell alone.”
“Now, wait just a minute. I just want to get her the hell out of my hair. She’s a pain in my ass. Nothing more. Another thing, she’s probably the reason our shop got trashed. Her asshole ex is our number one fucking suspect.” Zander’s voice carries throughout the lobby.
“We have no idea who trashed the place. It could have been Dooley, or it could have been fucking Tony after Slater fired his ass. Hell, it could’ve been some random asshole that we don’t even know, so you can’t blame Rachel.” Brock cuts in and takes up for Rachel, but it’s too late. Rachel stiffens after she hears Zander, then spins on her heel and walks back into the breakroom.
I follow after her and wrap my arms around her shaking shoulders. “Men can be real assholes. You need to come and stay at Slater’s with us,” I suggest, but she’s already shaking her head no.
“I refuse to stay with you guys. I’m a big girl. I have a job here and enough money to rent a small room or something.”
An idea comes to me as she’s speaking. “You know, I have a small apartment that’s just sitting empty. Why don’t you move in there? It’s over the garage of a cute little elderly couple.” Her eyes brighten at my suggestion, so I continue. “They can keep an eye on you, and Slater drives right by, so you could get a ride to the shop with him.”
As she throws her arms around my neck, happiness fills me.
I introduce Rachel to Emerson, and the three of us hang out at Sunny Sue’s a few times a week. Slater is
n’t crazy about my time away from him, but he understands that I need girl time, too. Rachel is slowly getting used to life in the small town of Darian with the help of Emerson and me. Although there’s still a sadness about her anytime Zander is mentioned, we work hard to cheer Rachel up and keep her too busy to worry about the king asshole.
Chapter 11
Slater
I hate the idea of Rachel staying alone, but Zander is a bullheaded asshole, and Rachel refuses to back down. The two of them are fighting non-stop, and Brock and I are at our wits ends. The shop is a war zone, and the mechanics are asking for hazard pay. The cops have no idea who trashed TBD Auto. Whoever it was stayed right out of the range of the video cameras, so I’m leaning toward that little son-of-a-bitch, Tony. He’d know right where the cameras are, and he’d know how to avoid them.
“I’ll help Rachel move in today if you can manage without her for a day. It’ll give those two some time apart.” Elyse looks over her shoulder at me and smiles.
We’re having coffee, and I lean down and kiss the side of her sweet-smelling neck. I hate to let them do all the work without my help, but I have two meetings in a neighboring town, and I’ll be gone most of the day. “I’ll be in Trenton all day, or I’d help.” I continue kissing her soft skin then smile. “I promise to give you a massage later to help with the muscle soreness.”