“I didn’t mind it so much.” I feel a smile tug at my lips but my sudden uncertainty takes over and I stare up at the ceiling. Afraid to see any trace of regret on his face.
“Ari?”
“Yes,” I say, still looking up.
His hand touches my face and turns it to him. “I was going to tell you you’re amazing.”
“Was?”
“You are amazing. But I already knew it before tonight.” He brings his smile to my mouth and brushes it against my lips.
“You’re pretty amazing yourself.”
“And you’ve got goosebumps.” He head-gestures above us where the air conditioner is blowing down. He sits up and runs a warm hand down my thigh before grabbing a blanket folded at the foot of the bed. He drapes it over us as he lies back down, facing me. I turn to face him.
“Thank you,” I say, not holding back a small smile.
“Thank you for letting me take care of you.”
I squint in confusion because though that’s a sweet thing to say, I’m not totally sure what he means and I’m not sure I’m comfortable with some of the possibilities.
He must sense my uneasiness because his satisfied expression fades. “Wow, I’m sorry. Please don’t read into that. I meant the blanket. And well…”
“So, not that I’m a kept woman?”
“I mean, if you want to…”
I shove his shoulder and he laughs.
“Seriously. I only meant that I like doing things for you. Making you feel good and happy. Is that so wrong?”
“No, it’s not. It’s just that you have done a lot for me and I’m grateful but it’s hard to owe someone—”
“Stop right there,” he says, hooking my waist and pulling me into him. “First of all, you don’t owe me anything. Secondly…you may not believe this, but you’ve done a lot for me too.”
I roll my eyes because he’s really reaching now.
“I’m serious, Ari. I mean besides the obvious”—he lifts his eyebrows suggestively, making it a struggle not to smile—“you’ve taught me a lot about strength and priorities and…I don’t know, it’s unquantifiable.”
I love hearing his easy confidence and how he wants to make me feeling comfortable, even if he is stretching the truth. “You’re so full of it.” I laugh and he takes my open mouth with his, slipping his tongue inside.
The kiss turns rugged and I lift my leg over his hip and see he is ready for round two. Though I am too, I pull away and lock gazes with him. “Is there a thirdly?”
“Absolutely.” He rubs his jaw and looks in thought over his shoulder across the room. “And thirdly…you gave me socks.”
I roll on top of him and sit up, the blanket sliding to my waist. “Damn right I gave you socks.” I lean down, letting my hair drape our faces into a dark cave, and kiss him. Then I sit back up and take control of round two.
* * *
Later, after getting a snack and drink and getting back into his bed, we lie there sharing stories of our lives. He has many more than I do since his family is much bigger than mine. I don’t mind, though. I love hearing about him as one of four boys, doing crazy things I can’t picture him doing now. And he’s had his share of heartache with his mother passing away when he was a boy and his stepmother dying not long ago.
The conversation turns to his family’s business and how well it’s doing. I ask him about his plans for house-flipping he and Logan are doing on the side.
“My brothers and I will do most of the work. We all grew up in this business, learning the trade from my dad.”
“Well, according to Ray, you’re a paper pusher.”
“Shit, he said that?”
“Not really but…”
“It’s true. It’s been…maybe twelve years since I’ve done any real hands-on work, but maybe it’s time I got back to my roots. I know Logan has been itching to do it and with Justice’s unsure future, this just might be something he’d want to do. Hell, Ryder’s almost eighteen and depending where he’ll go to college—if he goes to college—he can help too. Either way, they know they are always welcome at Bridges Construction.”
“I can see the light in your eyes. This possibility of working with your brothers makes you very happy.”
“It does. But what makes you happy, Ari? What do you want from life?”
“Such serious pillow talk.”
“I mean it. What about art school, having your own gallery…tell me what you dream of.”
All of the above and more. And doing it with Mason by my side. “I haven’t had much chance to plan for the future. Art school wasn’t possible for me and a gallery…that seems so out of reach.”
Mason’s arm squeezes me tightly. “Ari, I have no doubt you’ll make your dreams come true.”
I don’t say anything in response, just rest my head back down on his chest. Dreams can be dangerous. The thought crosses my mind that if I don’t get up soon, I’ll be staying the whole night in his room. I don’t know if that’s what he wants. It was only hours ago his ex-girlfriend was right here in this house. And what the hell was she doing here anyway? I suppose a conversation needs to happen about his relationship with her, but is now the right time? I decide to ease into it.
“I guess Megan hates me now, huh?”
“She doesn’t hate you. She just doesn’t like it when someone has the upper hand.”
“Upper hand? I don’t get it, I helped her.”
“Exactly. You saved her so she’s indebted to you, which means she can’t treat you the way she wants to treat you. Also, you’re here and she’s not.”
“Guess I’m the lucky one.” It slipped out before I could catch it, and based on Mason’s face, he’s not too thrilled about it. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing…really.”
I lift up, balancing myself on his chest. “Are you regretting this?”
He drapes a reassuring hand over my hair and down my shoulder. “No. I don’t have one ounce of regret in me, but I can’t help feeling a little…”
“What, a little…douchey?” I laugh and tease him further. “Maybe a little pimpy, like you took a young homeless girl off the streets and took advantage of her? Do you want me to turn some tricks, now?”
“You know that is completely fucked up.”
“I know. I’m just kidding.” I dip my head and kiss his chest. “Why don’t you just pretend I seduced you and then you will feel better?”
“You did. Come out smelling like that…looking like that!”
“Yeah well, I could have had you on the first night if I wanted to. I don’t know how I kept my hands off of you this long.”
“My thoughts exactly.”
Chapter 15
Mason
I ring the doorbell for the second time after knocking between rings on Uncle Frank’s door. Justice and Ari were supposed to be here, watching the kids and studying Spanish. Ari hadn’t answered my text when I told her I’d come over after I went in to take care of some work; I hope she doesn’t think I’m checking up on her.
I check to see if the door is unlocked and it opens, so I step in. Disappointment settles over me and I debate whether to get on my little brother’s case as I make my way through the empty living room. Faint laughter comes from the back but it’s so low I realize they must be in the backyard.
As I approach the kitchen, I see the remnants of a chaotic lunch of peanut butter and jelly. Though Frank is probably just grateful for the free babysitting on a Saturday afternoon, being a single parent is tough, and coming home to this mess sucks. Out the kitchen window, a blur of bodies zips by, their screams chasing after them. A squirt gun fight is in full effect, and all four of them are in soaked shorts and shirts. This is the perfect summer day for that, with the sun beating down from a bright blue sky. Memories of my brothers and me flash by, days when I was as carefree as any of the Bridges kids.
I can’t help the grin that pulls at my mouth. Justice has his cousins, Belle and Colton, corner
ed against some bushes and is pummeling them with water. At seven and twelve, the two worship him, a football star in their eyes even though he’s not even playing now. More than three years ago when we lost our stepmother to a fatal car crash, Colton and Belle lost their mother too. The devastation was too much for everyone, and Uncle Frank and the kids ended up moving into our family home for a year to cope. The bond that formed then is unmistakable in the beaming faces in the yard.
I sweep my gaze across the counter and decide to help out. I start with the jars and bread and put them back where I assume they go and then sweep all the pieces of crust and crumbs into the trash. I keep bouncing my gaze from the counter to the yard, waiting for Ari to come back into view.
She slinks up behind Justice and sprays him right in the back of the head, laughing hysterically. It amazes me how she can possess such wisdom and youth at the same time. Part of that scares me. And I admit, a pang of jealousy flops in my gut at the connection she has with my brother. I can’t blame her for not wanting to sit around my place now that the painting job she was doing is done. I only wish I had more work for her, but none of our current projects have contractors painting at this point.
Justice ducks his head into the spray and charges her. He tackles her to the ground and she squirms beneath him, yells to the kids for help. They comply and gang up on Justice, spraying him from top to bottom until he gets up, hands in the air.
Ari rises after and gives Belle and Colton each a high five. The kids look over her shoulder, toward the window and wave at me with glee. Ari follows their line of sight. Her hair damp and straggly, her whole face lights up and she never looked more stunning.
I hold her gaze a moment, struck by the odd feeling coming over me. An ache pulsing through my chest. Not so much desire, though she is adorably sexy all wet and holding that squirt gun. But it’s something more. A yearning so deep it penetrates every fiber of my being, and I know there’s only one possible way to sate that need—I need Ari in my arms, as close as possible, for as long as possible. Fear settles in with that thought. The other day, I heard Ari talking to her friend Kiki about moving in with her after she gets her stuff. I can only hope she is just keeping her options open—because I have no intention of letting Ari go anywhere.
A loud noise against the kitchen window throws me from the moment. Justice has noticed me and is spraying the window in typical annoying Bridges brother fashion.
I shake it off and head to the sliding back door. The kids drop their guns and run to me. Belle jumps into my arms and wraps her arms and legs around me. “Mason! Are you here to play with us?”
I rub the back of her damp head and sink into the joyous feeling of love from a child. “I—” I pull back, bringing us face to face and laugh, suddenly realizing my clothes are dampening and I don’t even give a damn.
Belle must have had the same thought. “Sorry…” Her face scrunches up.
“It’s okay, Belle. I’m so glad you’re having fun.”
“We got Justice good,” Colton says at my side.
The kids proceed to talk over each other, telling me all about the fun they’ve had. Feeling guilty to just take off, I sit outside with them for a few minutes, catching up while they eat popsicles and Ari changes into dry clothes.
When she’s ready, we say our goodbyes to the kids and Ari tells Justice to text her when he wants to study for the next test. I can’t help hoping this damn Spanish class is a short one, ending soon. Maybe if I didn’t feel like our relationship was so uncertain, I wouldn’t be jealous and insecure. I don’t even know if Ari is feeling the same thing I am. I know what Logan would say. Don’t be a pussy. Just ask her how she’s feeling. That’s why I’m not going to ask for his advice.
I’d originally planned to take Ari to a fine dining restaurant to distract her from the real purpose of the night—staking out Alex’s place. I told Ari I needed to see it ahead of time. The location, the neighborhood, position of the house, are all important for what we need to do. As if I’m some expert on casing a joint and then sneaking in. I just can’t take any chances.
Seeing her now as we walk to the car, hair still damp and face rife with worry, it doesn’t feel right to take her to a fancy place. But there is no right in a situation like this so I stop her at the passenger side door to ask where she wants to eat. Then something takes over and I slip my arm around her waist and pull until her chest is pressed against me and our lips are a breath apart.
“Mmm, surprising,” she says, her dark eyes pinning me.
I cover her mouth with mine, finding her tongue ready and waiting. The soft curves of her body are like heaven against me but still I end the kiss sooner than I prefer. “I guess I just lose control around you, Ari.” What I don’t tell her is that this is the first time I’ve felt that with a woman. Like everything I ever thought, planned for, worried about…all take a back seat when I’m near her.
“I like you out of control, Mason.” She glances over my shoulder and grins. “But those little faces watching out the window might prefer we wait until we’re home.”
Home. Shit, my blood turns hot hearing her say that. Having Ari at my place and in my bed, is quickly becoming my favorite thought, and I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure that doesn’t change.
I lean in and smell her damp hair before shaking away my desire and opening her door. “Where to?” I ask as I back out of the driveway. She directs me to a place without telling me where, and we end up at a little hole-in-the-wall Vietnamese Restaurant.
“Have you been here before?” It’s seat yourself and we’re here early, so I pull out a chair for her.
She tucks her teeth under her lips. “Yeah, uh, I used to come here with Alex.”
“You’re kidding, right?”
She gives me a look that tells me she knows exactly how to calm me down. Then she rubs my arm and says, “I’m sorry. I’ve been craving this Pho and Gỏi cuốn forever, and since we were going to be so close, I couldn’t resist.”
I glance around, suddenly concerned, as if Alex would happen to walk in here right now. At the moment, there’s only one other couple in the place. It’s small, has dim lighting, and modest decorations.
“Hey,” she says, getting my attention. “Relax. This was my thing. Alex didn’t even like it.”
I cringe when she says his name again. I wish I could erase his existence from her memory. Not only because he hurt her but because he didn’t deserve her, and I don’t want her talking or even thinking about him. My heart is racing at the thought of him, and a hazy scene of me with my fist connecting to his jaw materializes behind my eyes until soft lips press against mine.
“I’m sorry,” she whispers.
A server comes over with waters before I can respond. I let Ari order for both of us and when the woman leaves, Ari tilts her head to gain my attention. “I hate that my mistake is spilling into your life.”
I touch her cheek with the back of my hand. “There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do to help you.”
My honest reaction doesn’t sit well based on her face. She grabs my hand and places it on the table. “But you shouldn’t have to. I can’t help but feel like you got dragged into this from the very beginning.”
I nod and let out a short breath. “You know, you’re right.”
She slaps my arms. “Thanks!”
I rub my skin as if it hurt, but I’d do anything to keep her hands on me. “Trust me when I tell you, I wouldn’t change a thing. Meeting you, having you in my life now, it’s like a shift happened. I was stuck in this place and didn’t know it.”
She leans into me. “I knocked you on your ass…like an earthquake.”
The picture couldn’t be more accurate.
The meals come, looking and smelling as delicious as she claimed. I spend the next twenty minutes watching her lips as she sips, chews, and speaks with a sweet grin. Her eyes raise above me and light up with a twinkle. She wipes her mouth and rises when I finally break from the trance
she put me in and realize there’s a man standing at our table.
“Mr. Phan.”
The older gentleman, who measures in around the same height as Ari, reaches his hand to her. “Ari, you’re back.”
She takes his hand in one of hers but reaches over his shoulder with the other to embrace him, his face showing the obvious signs of interaction with Ari. The two take their moment and then simultaneously turned to me as an afterthought.
“It’s so wonderful to see you again and with…”
I stand and nod, waiting for Ari to take the lead.
“Mr. Phan, this is…my friend, Mason.”
“Nice to meet you.” I offer my hand and though he seems hesitant at first, he takes it and then smiles. His protective nature is not off-putting to me but comforting to see Ari actually does have good people who care about her.
“Please sit. Finish,” he says to both of us, pointing to the table. When we continue to stand there awkwardly, he pulls out Ari’s chair and she takes it. When I sit, he turns to me. “I only wanted to see this beautiful smile and make sure she was okay.”
I don’t need more information to see that he clearly was aware of her situation and concerned about it, so I attempt to give him a reassuring nod.
“So good to see you, Mr. Phan.”
He smiles and backs away. “Bảo trọng, Ari.”
“Tôi sẽ.”
My mouth gapes. “Wow, you speak Vietnamese?”
“Not really. I learned a little coming here.”
“What did he say?”
“Just to take care. And I told him I will.” The twinkle in her eye suggests I might have something to do with that.
“I’m guessing you used to come here a lot?”
She lifts one shoulder slightly. “It was one of my places…when I needed space or just to breathe.”
“He was really worried about you.” I glance up to the kitchen area and think I catch a glimpse of him watching just before moving away.
Broken Bridges (Bridges Brothers Book 2) Page 12