Crank

by Shauna Allen

  I heaved a strangled breath. Blake.

  With my hand on the knob, I leaned my forehead against the cool door, trying to get my bearings. I wasn’t sure I could face him right now.

  Suddenly, his voice seemed right next to my ear. “Delilah?”

  I lifted my head and pressed my hands to the door, not sure what to say.

  “Princess,” he continued. “I know you’re in there. Your car is in the lot. Please open up.”

  I willed my nerves to settle as I looked through the peek hole again. He was in front of the door now, his head bowed. After a long moment, his chest lifted with a giant breath then he slowly turned away.

  Some unseen, unconscious, desperate part of me couldn’t let him go. With my mother’s words fighting for a hold on me, I fumbled with the lock and threw the door open.

  He froze then pivoted back, his eyes burning with emotion. “Princess.”

  I simply stared, not trusting myself to respond.

  He took a step in my direction. “Can I come in?”

  My body automatically reacted to his presence. I wanted to throw myself into his arms and sob. The expression in his eyes, one I’d never seen before, beckoned to me. I stepped back and opened the door wider. “Sure.”

  Relief washed over his features. “Thanks.” He brushed past without touching me, but his scent reached out and wrapped around my heart. The leather of his jacket, his soap . . . him.

  I clicked the door closed and watched as he paced then finally faced me. “I know what I want.”

  I didn’t move, my fingertips still pinned to the door like a frightened, caged animal. “Huh?”

  He made no move to touch me, but I felt him on every inch of my skin as his eyes bored into me. “You asked me what I wanted. At the hospital. I know now.”

  A faint recollection of our last discussion tugged my memory. I shuddered to think what his answer would be, he looked so resolute. Now that we didn’t have a child, had he come to truly and finally end things so he could focus on his business?

  I hated to ask, but it whispered out of me. “What?”

  “You. Forever, you.”

  I nearly crumpled into a heap on the floor, but somehow I kept myself upright. I did not want to believe him. “Why?”

  “That’s not all,” he added before I could voice my doubt. Taking a step in my direction, then another, he let his deep gaze communicate what his words couldn’t. “I want to be the man you deserve. The father of your children.” He paused and swallowed, his eyes downturned. “I’ve never given myself the chance to be those things because I knew I was just a time bomb waiting to detonate. To become my father. And you don’t deserve that.” He glanced up. “You don’t. You deserve the moon, the sun, all the damn stars. And I want to give them to you.”

  I hugged myself tightly, unwilling to let my heart spill out of my chest at his words. “I’ve heard this before. What’s changed?”

  “Me,” he said simply. “I can’t really explain it, but I’ve spent these last couple days figuring out why the hell I keep backtracking to the shit of my past. And you know what I figured out?”

  “What?” My voice was wobbly and emotional, even to my own ears.

  He shoved his fists into his front pockets. “I realized that, yes, I am my father. Parts of him, anyway. There’s no avoiding it. But I’m also my mother, my experiences, my dreams . . . you. I’m my own man, and the only person holding me back was me. I’m so sorry I wasted so much of our life together on a lie.”

  I relented and moved to him, allowing myself to brush his arm. “It wasn’t all a lie.” And it wasn’t rebellious.

  He blinked and glanced away then back. “No. Not all of it.”

  Silence filled the room and I tried to wrap my head around this new Blake. That he’d finally realized all the things I’ve always known about him.

  “You should also know I’ve made some changes at the shop, effective immediately.”

  I tilted my head. “What kind of changes?”

  “Well, for starters, I’ve promoted Micah to manager and he’s going to be taking over a lot of my duties so I can have more free time. No more weekends for me unless it’s truly urgent. Trace and Jesse are gonna handle the normal garage work while I take over on the restoration side of things.” He offered a beautiful half-grin. “I’m getting lots of calls now that I’ve sold the Spyder to Spark.”

  My mouth fell open as he explained the way that came to be, and he seemed more than thrilled. I was happy for him, just as I always was every time he succeeded.

  “But, don’t worry,” he continued. “I’m not starting any more projects until February.” Pause. “I’m taking a month off to work on my marriage. No work. Nothing but you and me. Period.”

  “I’m not sure what to say here,” I admitted.

  He reached into the interior pocket of his jacket and produced a sheaf of papers. “Well, let’s start with we’re not getting a God damned divorce.” He tossed the papers down on the coffee table. “I’m in this for the long haul and I won’t sign. You’re my wife and I refuse to live without you. I’m not perfect, but I love you more than any single thing on this planet, so you’ll just have to take me as I am. A work in progress.”

  I gaped, disbelief and hope warring in my chest. I eyed the papers, hating what they represented. He stood, unmoving, while I made up my mind. I had to take this step and take it on my own. If we were going to survive, we had to be in it together.

  I walked over and picked up the papers, letting them fan through my fingers. I glanced at the last signature page where my name was already signed neatly on the first line. His line was empty. My mother’s words echoed in my mind again.

  Look at who you married, Delilah.

  I peered up at him. Yes, look at who I’d married. A perfectly imperfect man, who loved me more than anyone else in the world. Who loved me enough to accept me as I was. I could do no less for him.

  Finally, with my gaze still glued to his, I gripped the stack and tore it down the middle with a resounding rip. I stacked the two piles into one and yanked, trying to rip it all into fourths. It was too thick, so my efforts were in vain. I pulled harder until finally Blake gently took half the papers from me. We wore matching smiles as we tore them at the same time.

  His eyes twinkling, he tossed his ripped up papers over his shoulder to the floor and collected me into his arms. “God, I’ve missed you. I love you so much.”

  “I love . . .”I spoke between kisses. “. . .you . . .too.”

  He eventually drew back and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. “Thank you for having faith in me. I won’t let you down this time. I swear it.”

  I cupped his jaw and studied the eyes that had snared me in high school. For the first time in what seemed forever, I believed in him again. Believed in us. And it felt so right.

  Like coming home.

  Blake

  18 months later . . .

  I circled the tuxedo black Rolls Royce that had just returned from the paint shop, eyeing the end results of what had been a yearlong restoration project. She was a damn thing of beauty.

  Jesse whistled between his teeth and the guys huddled behind me, admiring her as well.

  “I know, right?” I murmured, making my way to the rear. I had to admit we’d done a damn fine job.

  But as beautiful as the car was, it was nothing compared to my Princess, who was on my mind. She was supposed to be here any minute for our lunch date. We’d squeezed in as much private time as we could this past year and a half since we tore up those divorce papers . . . something we’d agreed to never discuss again.

  I’d put her and our marriage first, even over the demons that still threatened to visit once in a while. She was my priority and I’d painfully learned that when I almost lost her. I made sure I honored every single promise I’d ever made to her, and some I hadn’t even made yet.

  I took her to Tahoe. I made up with my brother and learned to not hate my dad so much. What
ailed him was no longer my problem, and if anything, I felt sorry for him now. I’d also started counseling, which had done wonders in helping me heal and reconcile my past, though my wife had become my biggest saving grace. My best therapy.

  As I continued my perusal of the car, I smelled her before I felt her. Berries and sunshine. Her arms wrapped around me from behind, her large, rounded stomach bumping into my lower back. “Hey, you.”

  “Hey, yourself.” I shifted and brought her under my arm, tipping my head toward the car. “Whatdya think?”

  Her big baby blues traced the lines of the Rolls. “Beautiful.”

  She turned her shining face to me, but I hadn’t taken my eyes off her. “Sure is.”

  A cute pink blush stained her cheeks and her hand unconsciously cupped her belly. Our daughter.

  I leaned in and kissed her, letting my lips show her how much I loved her. How I couldn’t live without her, without our family, ever again.

  “Get a room, you two,” Jesse hollered from the far corner of the shop.

  “That’s what got them into this situation to begin with,” Micah added in an uncharacteristic burst of humor.

  I laughed and Delilah’s blush deepened.

  “Seriously,” Trace added, his booted footsteps sounding on the concrete as he made his way to the Cadillac he’d been working on. “Aren’t you like about to pop? Ryder’s dying to meet that little girl.” He glanced our way with a smirk. “He wants to teach her how to fix cars.”

  “That’s her daddy’s job,” I murmured, linking my hand with Dee’s over our baby. “But he has a point. I’m more than ready to meet my little girl.”

  Delilah’s smile lit up the entire room. “Soon enough, Daddy. Well, if these contractions I’ve been feeling all day are any indication.”

  I flinched. “What? You’re having contractions? Why didn’t you call me?”

  She full out laughed at my protectiveness, making me frustrated. “I didn’t call because it’s too early. A few mild contractions are nothing when you’re past due. They barely even hurt.”

  “Nothing? There isn’t anything about you or this baby that’s nothing.”

  Her face softened as she gripped my forearm, brushing her fingers unconsciously over her name on my skin. “It’s fine, Blake, I promise. No blood. She’s happy and kicking up a storm in there. This is normal.”

  Normal. I tried to grasp that as visions of our last four miserable trips to the hospital after losing other children reared up and I could barely stifle them. I wanted our happy ever after. I wanted it all.

  And I got it all and then some about eleven hours later, when our daughter, Molly Grace Travers made her wailing debut. And in that one precious moment, with tears streaming unabashedly down my face, I offered up a silent prayer of thanksgiving and embraced my new, perfect world.

  Thanks again for reading Crank! I hope you loved it! As always, your honest review will be so appreciated! In case you missed it, you can catch the beginning of Blake and Princess Delilah’s story in Burnout, available now at all major e-book retailers.

  Curious what’s up for the rest of my Jack ‘Em Up boys? Well, Jesse and Rachel’s story is coming to you soon in Torque! And, be on the lookout over the next months for Trace and Micah!

  Also, if you haven’t already, please sign up for my Angel Kisses Newsletter to stay up-to-date on what’s next in a no-spam zone.

  Oh! Don’t forget to join me on social media. I’d love to chat with you and hear what you think of my Jack ‘Em Up boys and their ladies! Here’s all the linkeys:

  Website

  Facebook

  Author page

  Twitter

  Goodreads

  Pinterest

  My YA alter-ego

  I’m also a part of a fabulous Facebook group called Divas, Ink with some other ahhhmazing Contemporary Romance authors. If you’re up for even more fun, check us out!

  If you’re intrigued by Jesse and Rachel, check after my acknowledgments for a teeny weeny taste test of what’s to come. Happy Reading and Big Hugs!!!

  xoxo

  Starting a new project is always daunting and a bit scary. But I’ve been surprised and delighted as I set out on this Jack ‘Em Up journey and I owe a lot of love to some very special people.

  First, thank you, Lord. I am truly blessed.

  Second, to my husband and kids, you are my sun, moon and stars. I love you more than you’ll ever know.

  Thank you, Mommy, for the love, support, and encouragement. I miss you every day, but I know you’re smiling down on me.

  The biggest of hugs to my Daddy, now one of my dearest friends. You are a rock star!

  Thank you to every reviewer, blogger, and reader who has supported not only this book, but all my others. I couldn’t do this without you.

  Ginormous hugs and smooches to my awesome beta readers: Julie, Anna, Beth, Shelly and Sarah. Your help made this book shine and all your enthusiastic cheerleading also made it so much fun. I’m thrilled you love Blake and Delilah as much as I do. Also, a big thank you to Belinda “Leta” Joyner for the use of your and your beloved son’s name. I hope I did you proud.

  Thank you to my besties, Jan Nash, Jami Crumpton, and Jennifer Uthoff, you ladies fill my life with so much sunshine. Love you! An extra big thank you to my other BFF, Susan Muller . . . you whipped through a critique in no time because of my deadline, even when you weren’t feeling well. Mwuah!

  To my fellow Divas, Ink authors, Selena Laurence, Sharla Lovelace, Jamie Ferrell, and Rachel Harris, thank you for the love, the support, the encouragement, and the laughs!

  Same goes for all of our infamous Divas…you guys rock!

  Thank you is simply not enough to express my love and gratitude to my assistant, my wonderful Girl Friday, Kimberly Dawn. I hope you know how much I love you.

  To all my Shauna’s Angels Street Team, I’m humbled by your love. Thank you for showering me with your awesomeness!

  Thank you to E.M. Tippetts for their professional and stupendous formatting and for being generally wonderful. And, to Najla Qamber Designs for the most beautiful covers in the history of covers. You are a true gem in this industry.

  And, lastly, to you. My reader. I thank you from the bottom of my squishy little heart for taking your time to read my little stories. I hope they make your day a little brighter.

  Love and lots of hugs,

  ~Shauna

  Torque: Book II of Jack ‘Em Up

  Jesse

  There’s always been a darkness in me.

  You can come from the most perfect family, have the perfect upbringing, live in the most perfect fucking town and still be broken.

  I’ve never been able to understand it and I’ve hidden it well. Maybe too well. Because ever since I laid eyes on Rachel Chaseman, I’ve been hooked. She’s like a drug to me. Everything about her calls to me in a soul-deep, elemental, raw way. Her deep, delicious red hair, that pale, soft skin, those sexy eyes dark as freshly roasted coffee . . . and she’s just as hot. No fucking joke.

  She’s also untouchable.

  But I touched her anyway. And it was a mistake.

  Read other books by Shauna Allen

  Copyright © 2015 by Shauna Allen

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

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  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Other Books by Shauna Allen

  Dear Reader

  Dedication

  One

  Two

  Three

  Four

  Five

  Six

  Seven
/>   Eight

  Nine

  Ten

  Eleven

  Twelve

  Thirteen

  Fourteen

  Fifteen

  Sixteen

  Seventeen

  Eighteen

  Nineteen

  Twenty

  Twenty-one

  Twenty-two

  Twenty-three

  Twenty-four

  Twenty-five

  Twenty-six

  Twenty-seven

  Twenty-eight

  Twenty-nine

  Thirty

  Thirty-one

  Thirty-two

  Thirty-three

  Thirty-four

  Thirty-five

  Thirty-six

  Thirty-seven

  Thirty-eight

  Epilogue

  Thanks again

  Acknowledgments

  Coming Soon

  Copyright Notice