by Wilder, L.
“It’s your job to know! You gotta pay attention to shit like that,” Pappy scolded.
“He’s right. You can’t make those kinds of careless mistakes.” Trying my best not to lose my temper, I told Jackson, “A ninety-one is unacceptable, Jackson. We gotta do better than that.”
“Damn straight, we do.” Pappy was fuming, and in all truth, he had every right to be. We’d made too much progress to fuck it up now. “Even before we did all the renovations, we never scored below a ninety-eight on any of our health inspections, and we’re not about to start slacking now!”
“Yes, sir. I’ll make sure we do better next time,” Jackson promised.
“You damn better, or you’ll find yourself out of a job.” Pappy pointed to the kitchen. “Now, go get that ice-maker cleaned up.”
Jackson nodded, then stood and made his way back to the kitchen. I glanced over at Pappy, and he looked pissed as ever. Hoping to settle him down, I said, “I’ll make sure everything’s in order; then I’ll call Doris and see if she’ll come back early next week to give us another inspection.”
“Fine, but Jackson better get his ass in gear.”
“He will,” I assured him. “I’ll make sure of it.”
“Good.”
“I need a favor.”
“Oh, yeah? Whatcha need?”
“Can you cover me tonight?”
“Shouldn’t be a problem.” Pappy cocked his head with an inquisitive look. “Everything okay?”
“Everything’s more than okay.” I stood up and gave him a pat on the shoulder. “In fact, they couldn’t be better.”
“Do I even wanna know what you’re talkin’ about?”
“Probably not.” I chuckled as I headed over to the bar. “Just plan on taking over around six.”
“You got it.” There was a slight warning in his voice as he said, “Just don’t be going and gettin’ yourself in any trouble.”
“You know me better than that.”
Paps gave me a nod of affirmation, then went back to studying our health inspection form. With the Saturday lunch rush quickly approaching, I didn’t have the time to dwell on it with him. I just had to push forward and make sure we had better results the next time Doris came to inspect the place. Just as I’d expected, the next few hours were hectic at best. It seemed everyone in town was in the mood for one of our famous quarter-pound cheeseburgers and a cold beer—which suited me just fine. It helped to distract me from the fact that Lauren would be at my place in a few hours.
As soon as six o’clock rolled around, I grabbed a couple of bottles of wine from the back and headed out to my truck. I made one quick stop, then headed home. Time wasn’t on my side, so I rushed out to the garage and started to set everything up. I took a couple of tarps and spread them across the floor, then went over to the storage cabinet and pulled out several cans of different colored paint and placed them on the tarps. Before going inside, I grabbed a few paint brushes and tossed them next to the paint cans.
I put the bottles of wine in the fridge and then took a shower. I threw on a clean pair of jeans, a black fitted t-shirt, and boots, then sprayed on some cologne and was set to go. I glanced over at the clock and noticed it was almost eight, so I went into the kitchen and grabbed two glasses out of the cabinet. I’d just placed them on the counter when I heard a knock at the door. It was her. I ran my fingers through my hair and inhaled a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. I made my way to the door, and the second I opened it and caught sight of Lauren, I felt like the wind had been knocked out of me. Her freshly styled blonde hair was curled and barely touching her shoulders, and she wore slim-fit jeans and a V-neck t-shirt that hugged her curves in all the right places. Lauren looked absolutely beautiful, and when she smiled, it got me right in the gut. A light blush crept over her face as she muttered, “Hey.”
“Hey there.” I opened the door wider and motioned her inside. “Come on in.”
“I can’t believe I’ve never been here before.” Her eyes grew wide as she stepped inside and took a quick look around. “It’s really beautiful.”
“Thanks. I’ve been doing a little remodeling.” As I led her into the kitchen, I continued, “I’ve made some progress, but I’ve got a long way to go.”
“What else are you planning to do?” She ran her hand across the new marble countertops. “’Cause it looks incredible the way it is.”
“I need to finish the addition in the back, and I’m going to redo the back porch...maybe add a swing and a fire pit.”
“Wow, I didn’t know you could do all this.”
“I can now.” I chuckled. “I didn’t have a clue as to what I was doing when I started.”
“You’d never know by looking at this place. I mean it. What you’ve done here is very impressive.”
“I’m glad you think so.” I went over to the fridge and pulled out one of the bottles of wine. “Up for a drink?”
“I’d love one.” She watched as I opened the bottle and poured her a glass, then asked, “You’ve obviously been busy with remodeling the house. What else have you been up to?”
“Pappy made me partner down at the bar, so I’ve been pretty busy there.”
“That’s really great, Flynn.” She picked up her glass of wine and took a sip. “You should be proud of yourself.”
“I am.” I leaned back against the counter. “I’m hoping I’ll be able to buy him out in a few years. Just waiting on Pappy to get ready to retire.”
“If Pappy is anything like I remember, that might be a while.”
“You’re telling me. The old bird will probably work till the day he dies.”
“You’re probably right, but you know as well as I do, Danver’s wouldn’t be the same without him.”
“No, it wouldn’t.” I took a quick drink, then said, “So, I heard you’re teaching down at Glenn Oaks.”
“I am.”
“How you liking it?”
“I love it.” Her eyes lit up as she said, “The kids are great, and I really like the people I’m working with. I was lucky to get a position there.”
“They’re the ones who are lucky to have you.”
“I don’t know about that, but thank you. It’s very sweet of you to say.”
“Just telling it like I see it.”
“Well, hopefully they’ll agree, because I went to look at apartments today.”
I shouldn’t have been surprised. Lauren had graduated and was starting a new career. It made sense for her to move out and get a place of her own, but the thought of her leaving again hit hard—harder than I could’ve imagined. “You’re moving?”
“Well, yeah. I can’t stay at home forever.”
“So, you’ve found a place?”
“I think so, but I promised Dad I’d take him by to check it out before I signed a lease. I have a feeling he’s going to give me a hard time about it.”
“Why’s that?”
“Because he’s my father.” She giggled. “It’s his job to be overprotective.”
“Yes, it is.” As much as I was enjoying our conversation, I had plans for us out in the garage, so I asked, “Would you be up for helping me out with something?”
“Sure. What is it?”
“You’ll see.” I motioned my head towards the back door. “It’s in the garage.”
“Um, okay.” After I grabbed the bottle of wine from the fridge, I led Lauren out the door and into the garage. Her eyes widened at the sight of all the tarps and paint. I could only imagine what she was thinking. “What is all this?”
“Patience, babe. Patience.” I walked over to the back end of the truck and took out the oversized box, then placed it on top of the tarps. I quickly opened it, revealing a four-by-six-foot white canvas. Once I had it positioned on the wall, I grabbed a couple of painter’s coveralls from the back shelf, then handed one over to her. “Might want to put this on.”
“Why would I need to put this on?”
I slipped on my cov
eralls and replied, “So, you won’t mess up your clothes when we paint.”
“What?” She gasped. “I hate to break it to you, but I don’t have a clue how to paint.”
“Sure, ya do.” I bent down and, one by one, shook each paint can before I opened it, then picked up one of the larger paintbrushes and dipped it into the bright, royal-blue paint. Once the bristles were covered, I flicked it forward, spattering the bottom edge of the canvas with droplets of blue paint. “See? It’s not that hard.”
“You’re crazy.” Lauren was smiling from ear to ear as she slipped on her coveralls, making it clear she was excited about our little project. Once she’d zipped them up, she grabbed a paintbrush and jabbed it into the red paint. “But I like it.”
“I thought you might.” I dipped my brush into the black paint and slung it towards the canvas. “You know, it just wasn’t the same around here when you went off to college.”
“Oh, really?” She placed the tip of her paintbrush into the red again, then twisted her wrist towards the canvas, sending a small spray towards the center of the painting. “Is that your way of saying you missed me?”
“Maybe.”
“Well, you know...You could’ve come to visit me.”
“I wasn’t asked.”
“Seriously?” She placed her hand on her hip and huffed. “You’re saying you would’ve come if I’d asked?”
“I don’t know.” I shrugged as I teased, “I was never asked.”
I sensed a twinge of jealousy in her voice as she said, “Yeah, well, maybe if you weren’t so busy with all your little lady friends, I would’ve had a chance to ask you to come up for a visit.”
“All my lady friends, huh? What about you and all your boyfriends? I bet they kept you all kinds of busy while you were away.”
“Oh, yeah, like I had sooo many boyfriends.”
“Don’t try and pretend that you didn’t have guys beatin’ down your door, Lauren.” I let my eyes slowly skirt over her curvaceous body. “I know better than that.”
“You’re right. I had a boyfriend or two.” She walked over and picked up her wine glass. After a long sip, she continued, “I had some fun, learned a few things, but in the end, it just didn’t work out.”
“And why’s that?”
“You know how it is. They just weren’t the one for me, so I moved on.” Her eyes were locked on mine as she lifted her glass and took another drink. “I guess you could say I’m holding out for my Mr. Right.”
While I was relieved I hadn’t lost my chance with her, I was bothered by her comment about having “some fun” with other guys. I knew what she’d meant. I also knew I had no right to be jealous. I’d been involved with several women over the years and had some fun of my own, but I’d never let myself think that Lauren had done the same. Hoping to ease the knot that had formed in the pit of my stomach, I finished off my glass of wine, then went over to the canvas and dragged my brush across the paint splatters, blending the various colors as I moved my hand back and forth. Once I’d done the entire canvas, I stepped back and was impressed with the results. “I think it’s looking pretty good.”
“I think it needs a little yellow.”
“I think you’re right.” I pointed my hand towards the small container of yellow paint. “Give it your best shot.”
“Okay, but I think I need a little inspiration.” She glanced around the garage as she asked, “Do you have any music out here?”
“As a matter of fact I do.” I walked over to the rear counter and turned on the radio; then I flipped through the different stations until I heard a familiar tune and looked back at her. “How’s that?”
“Much better.” After she dipped her brush into the yellow paint, she stepped over and swiped the brush along the top half of the canvas, intermingling the bright color with the dark. Lauren’s hips swayed along with the music as she continued to move the brush from side to side, and it was all I could do to keep myself from crossing the room and taking her into my arms. Damn. She looked so fucking incredible dancing around in those crazy paint coveralls, and when she turned to look at me with a spark of mischief in her eyes, I almost came unglued. “Well, what do you think?”
“You were right. The yellow was just what it needed.”
“I have to admit this has been fun. I can’t believe you thought to do this.”
“Well, I have my moments.”
“That you do.” Her lips curled into a sexy smirk. “Have you done this before? You know, with your other lady friends?”
“No.” I took a step closer to her. “There’s only one person I’d do all this for.”
“Oh, really?” She cocked her eyebrow with a smile. “Well, I’m flattered you’d go to all this trouble for me.”
“I’m just glad you’re enjoying yourself. I know I am.”
We spent the next hour drinking and talking as we added different sprays of paint onto the canvas. There was no rhyme or reason to our technique, but I had to admit, it looked pretty damn cool. Lauren took a step back and placed her hand on her hip as she nodded her head. “I think it looks fantastic.”
“I do too. What do you think we should name it?”
“Name it?”
“Well, yeah. All great masterpieces have a name. I think this beauty deserves the same.”
“Okay.” She studied the picture for a few moments, then asked, “What about New Beginnings?”
“I like it. Now, we just need to sign it.”
“You think?”
“Absolutely.”
I walked over and signed the bottom corner, leaving enough room for her to do the same. Once she’d done the same, I refilled our wine glasses, and we both took a drink as we looked at our masterpiece. Lauren leaned over and bumped me with her shoulder. “I think it looks very modern and cool.”
“I absolutely agree.”
When I started to remove my coveralls, Lauren followed suit. I took hers and mine and tossed them on the counter, then watched as Lauren picked up her glass of wine and took another drink. I’ll be damned if her tongue didn’t slip out of her mouth and glide across her full lips. I clenched my jaw as I shifted my stance and asked, “You about ready for another?”
“Maybe in a minute.” She gave me one of those looks, one that was filled with hunger and desire, and my entire body grew tense. Fuck it. I couldn’t take it a minute longer. I stepped over to her and reached for her hand, and her eyes widened as I pulled her close. “What are you doing?”
Without answering, I put my arm around her small waist and pulled her body close to mine, and for the first time that night, I finally had her right where I wanted. Being careful to avoid the tarps and paint, we slowly swayed to the rhythm of the music, and once she started to relax, she lowered her head to my chest. It was nice, romantic even. As I held her close, I tried not think about how good Lauren smelled or how fucking incredible she felt in my arms, but then she looked up at me with lust-filled eyes and I was done.
Unable to resist a moment longer, I lowered my mouth to hers, and as soon as our lips touched, I knew one kiss wouldn’t be enough. My hands roamed across the curves of her body, and damn, she felt so fucking good. It was all I could do to keep myself from losing all control. When she inched closer, squirming against me with a slight whimper, I couldn’t take it any longer. I eased away from those sweet lips of hers and let out a deep breath. Looking down at the confused expression on her face, I kind of felt a twinge of guilt. “I think it’s time for us to get some fresh air.”
“Oh, okay.”
I took her hand in mine, then led her outside and over to the front porch. We sat down on the swing, and after a gentle push, we started swaying back and forth. After several moments, Lauren whispered, “It’s getting kind of late. I should probably be heading back.”
“Okay.” We both stood, and I followed her over to her bright red Volkswagen Beetle. “I’ll drive.”
“What? I’m just going across the street, Flynn.”
“Yeah, but you’ve been drinking.”
“And so have you.”
“I’ve had two glasses, and I’m a guy.” I motioned my hand towards my chest. “We handle our booze better.”
“You did not just say that.”
“I did, but only because it’s true,” I teased.
“I never took you as the male chauvinist type.”
“I’ve gotta do something to keep you on your toes.” I chuckled then said, “How about this? I’ll walk you home and bring your car over in the morning.”
“You sure?”
“Like you said, it’s just across the street.”
“Okay, suit yourself.”
We started down my driveway in silence. While it was dark, the moon was bright enough for us to make our way down to the road. When we got to Cotton’s drive, Lauren stopped and looked over to me. “I really enjoyed tonight. I’m glad you asked me to come hang out.”
“Me too. We’ll have to do it again sometime.”
“We definitely will.” She eased up on her tiptoes and kissed me on the cheek. “Night, Flynn.”
“Good night, Lauren. See ya soon.”
With that, she turned and walked up to the house. I stood there at the end of the drive until Lauren disappeared inside. As I headed back home, I thought about our night together and how good it had been. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d enjoyed myself so much. There was no doubt about it. My life was better with her in it, and after that unbelievable kiss we shared, I knew I was one step closer to making her mine.
Chapter 4
Lauren
“Was that Flynn I saw you with outside the other night?”
“As a matter of fact it was.” It was no surprise that I’d been seen with Flynn. The guys always kept an eye on things at my parents’ house along with the clubhouse. It was just another reason why I’d been so adamant about finding my own place. I tried not to sound annoyed as I told Smokey, “I didn’t realize we were being monitored by the Fury police.”
“Wasn’t monitoring you two,” Smokey answered defensively. “I was just getting ready to head home when I noticed you two talking at the end of the driveway. Then saw him drop your car off the next morning. Guess I was surprised you were hanging out with him is all.”