by Leaona Luxx
I call the realtor, explaining that I’m on my way in. An hour later, I’ve rented a house next to the beach in a gated community. I paid a hefty price, but I like the added security.
My next stop is to find a few pieces of furniture and staples. By the end of the day, I’ve set up my house and filled the refrigerator. A glass of wine in hand, I hit the beach for a few minutes alone. The waves are comforting as they crash to the shore.
The late spring evening makes the air cool, but being from the north, I don’t mind it. It’s warmer than the temperature at home. The night sky is clear, showcasing the stars as they dance high in the sky. Setting my glass down beside me, I wrap my arms around myself.
Soon, memories haunt me like demons. Mistakes made I’ll always regret. Some, I’ll never forget. The ocean is restless, mimicking my thoughts. The moon hangs high overhead, helping me to find my way back an easy walk.
Starting my day at six, I spend a few minutes on emails, sending and approving things back at the office. I open Tina’s attachment for construction companies in the area, combing through each one and checking references. One stands out above the rest, the owner is an engineer, and the company also offers landscaping. I feel as though I’m a bit too lucky, but we schedule a meeting for eleven this morning.
The construction company, based in Raleigh, North Carolina, has been in business for seventy-five years. The founder’s grandson took it over and relocated the home base here in Cherry Grove. Specializing in commercial construction, including some of their own buildings. They also have recommendations a mile long.
If I hadn’t verified the company’s background myself, I would be doubting they could do the job. The office building is small and adjacent to a landscaping business. Woods Commercial and Residential Construction is the highest rated in the tristate area.
Opening the office door, there’s a stunning lady sitting at a desk. She looks at me with a smile before standing. I immediately introduce myself. “Good morning, Torrie Harrington for Malone Woods.”
She offers her hand. “Hi, I’m Thayer Turner of Living Designs. Malone is my brother.”
“Hello, it’s good to meet you.” Taking her hand, I give it a firm shake.
“Malone will be right out. Please, call me Thayer. Are those your plans?” She motions to the cylinder in my hand.
“They are. I must admit, I’m playing clean up after someone who dropped the ball on us.” She nods as she reaches for the tube.
“No worries. We’re a little laid back, but my brother is brilliant at his job.” As she pulls the plans, I scan around the room. Family photos are scattered everywhere.
“You have a large family.” It’s breathtaking.
“We do now, yes. Most are of Malone and his family. They have eight children and one on the way. Good thing he can build things, helps with additions.” She giggles.
“I can see where that would help. You’re also expecting?” Pointing to her adorable bump.
“We are. My husband is One’s lead foreman. Oh, here they are now.” Standing again, she makes the introductions. “Malone, we call him One, this is Torrie Harrington of Harrington Holdings. Torrie, One and my husband, Hardy. If you’ll excuse me, I’ll just go grab my plans.” She ducks out the door.
“Hi, Ms. Harrington. If you will, our conference room is just around this corner.” He points me in the direction. “The engineer had a bit of a family emergency, so he’s running late. I’m thankful he wasn’t busy considering we needed one immediately.”
“Torrie, please. That’s fine, we can go ahead and get started while we’re waiting if that’s good for you?” Turning to him as I sit down.
“Of course, let’s see what you have.” Hardy lays the plans on the table as Thayer re-enters with hers.
Going over every detail, One assures me there will be no issues. “The engineer is a subcontractor; he can start immediately. We just need to pull permits, submitting new papers with city hall,” One explains. I’m surprised by the family’s closeness. I suppose some families can get it right.
“We’ll need the engineer to draft new plans, but it won’t take him long,” Hardy explains.
“Excuse me.” One steps out of the room as Thayer shows me her mock-up for our landscaping.
“Torrie Harrington,” One says as he enters the room again. I stand and turn toward him when my breath is knocked out of me, “our engineer, Brannon O’Hurley.” Some would think ten years should be enough time to heal all wounds; apparently, it’s not. Looking at him, I see the same hazel eyes I believed in so much at one time. His features more matured, still ruggedly handsome. He wears a beard and mustache now, it looks good. I’m speechless as we stare at one another. I’m sure he’s trying to find words also. His eyes search mine but before he can say anything, I pull myself together.
“Oh, excuse me. Alright then, it’s been a pleasure. I’ll get back to you this afternoon.” Gathering my things quickly, I keep my eyes down.
“Okay. Let me get you my card so you can call my cell if you have any questions.” One turns to the table.
“Good. That’s fine. I, umm, okay.” Taking the card, I rush past, refusing to look at him again.
One follows me out of the room. “Torrie, is there a problem?” he asks.
Stopping me in my tracks, I consider his words. I also think about the position I’m in with this project. I don’t have any choices here, I can’t walk away. Taking a deep breath, I choose my words carefully.
“There is, do you have another engineer?” I ask calmly.
“No, this is last minute, he’s who’s available,” he says as he shakes his head.
“Alright, I need Mr. O’Hurley’s credentials. Could you email them to me?” I rasp from the knot that’s formed in my throat.
“I’ll send it this afternoon. May I ask what the problem is?” Moving closer to me, his voice lowers.
“I’ve had dealings with Mr. O’Hurley before, and my father wouldn’t approve.”
“And we wouldn’t want that, would we?” Brannon growls from the doorway.
“No, I would not,” I snip.
“I’ll do you the favor. I apologize, but it looks as though I can’t take the job. Thank you.” He hurries past me.
What the fuck? He’s already walked away from us once, he doesn’t get to again. I’m the one who got screwed between my father and him. I follow him out the door, barking at him, “What? No, that’s not how this works.”
“How what works?” Turning quickly, he stares at me as if he hates me. He hates me?
“It’s my decision whether to keep you or not, not yours,” I say sternly.
“Oh, what about your father?” He’s such an ass. I could kiss–kick him. What the fuck?
“It’s my call. Besides, I’m sure you don’t have an issue cashing my father’s checks, do you?” That should do the trick. This has been brewing for ten, long years.
“You know what, it’s not worth the money.” He storms away. Son of a bitch.
I step back into the door to find One looking concerned. “Torrie, we don’t have another engineer available,” he says.
“Can you find one? Raleigh, maybe?” I’m begging.
“I’ll see what I can do, but I’m not sure we’ll salvage the start time.” One looks closer through the plans.
“Just try. There’s no way we can work together.” I begin worrying my lip between my teeth.
“I can see it could be a problem, but we may not have a choice,” One replies.
“Do what you can, and I’ll see if I can resolve a few things.” Taking my bag and plans, I leave the office. Hurt, confused, and mad as hell.
Jumping in my truck, I ram it into gear and get the hell away from her as fast as I can. I speed down Seventeen, trying to not turn around and find her so I can set her straight. What in the hell is she doing here? Did she not remember; this is my home?
Spoiled, rich brat is acting as if she’s doing me a favor. I’ve got news for h
er, I don’t want to work with her. And I sure as hell don’t want to work for her father. Besides, I’m sure I’m not good enough for either one of them.
Sitting in my truck, I look out over the farm. The two-story white house needs paint, as does the red barn sitting over to the left. Fencing and new shingles would be great. The fields lining the driveway need to be worked. We have so much that needs to be done this summer, but there’s no way in hell I can take their money, I refuse to. No matter how much work needs to be done, I can’t work with her. Trying to calm myself down, I count to ten, breathing slowly.
Why? After all these years, is she here, as beautiful as ever? Her blonde hair laying in curls around her face, soft and gorgeous. Black, tight skirt with a white button-up blouse. I’ve never seen better calves in black heels.
Something catches my eye; my mom walks down the steps.
She asks as she touches my arm, “What’s going on?”
“Nothing, thinking. We may need to put off the fence for the back half until fall,” I suggest as I look out over the fields.
“That’s fine. I know you’ll do your best.” She glances over her shoulder. “So, what happened?”
Shaking my head, I drop it in disgust. “I don’t think I can take the job.” I’m always disappointing her. I’m sick of never having the chance to prove myself.
“Why is that, Brannon?” Her voice no more than a whisper.
“Torrie,” I answer, still in disbelief myself. “Torrie Harrington.”
Her head spins around as her mouth pops open. “What?” she asks.
“She’s here. It’s her father’s hotel, she’s doing the leg work,” I tell her.
“Did you see her?” Mom’s brows are pulled low. She knows what no one else does, I’m in deep.
Nodding my head, all I can see is Torrie. “Oh, yes. She’s pissed as hell. Looks amazing.”
Mom’s face softens as she studies me. “Still angry, huh?”
“Yes. Extremely angry. Because, of course, she’s the only one hurt here. No one else is involved or broken,” I rant.
“You left, she doesn’t have a clue as to what went on.” Mom tries to look at both perspectives.
“I know, I know. What about the things she’s done? She must’ve accepted his offer,” I say defensively.
“Maybe so, maybe not. Until you talk to her, you’ll never know,” she says then walks toward the house.
I jump from the truck, following her inside. “So, you think I should try to talk to her again?”
Facing me, she asks the million-dollar question. “I don’t know. Do you want to?”
Shaking my head, I answer, “It’s not so simple.”
“It’s love. It is,” she says as I walk past her, back outside. It’s not simple, never was.
Walking to the barn, I decide to do some yard work to get my mind off things. I love working on the farm, it’s one of my passions. I used to wonder why my parents’ loved this farm so much. The work is hard, and there’s no great money in it.
My dad would work from sun up to sundown, taking care of every inch of this place. Now, I take pride in it once I’ve completed a hard day’s work here. I’m working on the lawn mower when my phone vibrates in my pocket. Taking it out, I see it’s One calling. My nerves get the better of me as I slide it open. “Hey, One.”
“Brannon. How are you?” One is a good man, I knew he’d be worried.
“I don’t even know.” I huff as I sit down on a bale of straw. “Shocked is a good word.”
He draws in a deep breath before he tells me why he’s called. “I think everyone is. I need to talk to you about the project.”
Sighing, I give him lead. “Yes, of course.” Here we go, I’ve gotta find a new job.
“First, I’d like to know what happened.” And he’s incredibly direct.
I scrub my hand over my face, annoyed, then lay it out there for him. “We met in college. Her father didn’t approve, so he offered me money to walk away.” Shaking my head on the last words, they seem to get the most attention.
“Can you work with her?” His question has so many variables, I answer as best as I can.
“I can try.” I really want to tell him hell no, but I can’t. “I need the work, it’ll look great on my resume.”
“True. Be here tomorrow at noon, let’s see if we can salvage this project,” he says with optimism painting his words.
“Will she be there?” I have to know, I’ve got to prepare to see her again.
“Hopefully, if not, we don’t have a job.” Chuckling as he replies, “One more question.”
“Yeah?” I mumble with wariness.
He pauses, this is big. “Do you love her?”
I don’t even think about it, it rolls from my tongue every time I think of her. “Forever.”
Breathing heavily, he finishes, “Well, hell. Okay, tomorrow.” The call ends.
I kick the mower as I shove my cell in my pocket. I’d hoped to never have to say it out loud again in my life. Some things are put away for a reason, I have good reason with Torrie. Opening old wounds won’t be good for anyone.
I finish cutting the main acreage, and Mom reminds me I need to pick Andi up from school. I hurry through a shower so I can get to town in time for the school bell. I’m waiting in the pick-up lane for Andi when I see a black SUV go by, and it looks like the one from the office. I watch as it stops at the flower shop across from the school. Torrie gets out of the SUV, the breeze blowing through her blonde hair. She holds the front of her dress as the wind picks up. Stepping away from the SUV, the wind grabs the back of her dress, picking it up. She jumps with a squeal, slamming her body against the door to keep it down. Her hair plays around her face in the wind, making it look full and wild.
Memories flood my thoughts, Torrie beneath me, me tickling her breathless. Her smile so bright you would think you were staring at the sun. Her cheeks full of laughter, pink from happiness. Blue eyes so brilliant, they twinkle when she looks at you. Radiant from within for what little praise I gave her.
Her body against the truck, has my imagination running wild. Thinking of pushing her up against the door, taking her mouth. Dragging her dress up over her thighs, to find her exposed to me, ready. Flipping her around, I press her breast into the cool metal.
My fingers gripping her hips, pulling them toward me as I spread her legs. Heat burns in my groin as I think of sliding deep in her wet pussy. Opening my stride, I pound into her with vengeance. Reminding her of everything she walked away from.
The bell rings, signaling the end of the school day and my time with Torrie. My dick’s so hard, I could change a tire with it. Fuck. I can’t decide if I’m mad as hell or should thank my lucky stars that she’s here.
She walks into the shop, and I survey my surroundings. It looks as if the coast is clear, so I adjust my hard-on. Andi will be here any minute, and there’s no way I can explain this shit. Shaking my head, I try to clear it of Torrie.
As soon as Andi climbs into the truck, she hands me a list of items she needs for a project that’s due tomorrow, of course. Scratching my head, I set my hat back in place.
We have to make several stops to get everything she needs. We walk down the street doing a little window shopping along the way. Sandy, the occasional sitter that mom uses, calls to us from across the street. It’s been a while since we’ve seen her.
Crossing the street, Sandy stops to talk with Andi. “Hey, little lady. How are you?”
They talk about school and the upcoming dance, which I don’t like. As they talk, Sandy plays with Andi’s hair. It’s grown and so has Andi, Sandy notices. She hands me her number, the old one is no longer in use. She pulls Andi close, hugging her tightly. Something bumps into my back and I turn to find Torrie.
“Oh, excuse me,” Torrie exclaims, looking up from her phone.
“No problem, but you should be more careful,” I reply.
“You. I shouldn’t be surprised.” Her eyes narrow as s
he waits for my response. Andi’s here, and I will not do this in front of her.
“No, not at all considering this is a sidewalk.” She stares daggers at me until movement behind me draws her attention.
Peaking around me, her eyes grow wide as she takes in the scene. “Oh, I didn’t realize you were with someone.”
“Would it matter? Could’ve sworn your hate for me was ongoing, knowing no bounds.” I roll my eyes at her.
Her face heats to a blood red, I fucking love it. “Yes, it does, but I can be civil. Something you might want to learn.”
Leaning in, I go for the kill. “But you always liked me rough, country club.” Maybe the smirk on my face is too much? Naw, it isn’t.
“I did, until you proved how rough you could play. I still have the bruises.” She glares at me, her voice low and menacing.
Stepping closer to her, I drop my voice to a growl. “What’s wrong, Torrie? Do you need to make your father mad again, is that why you’re here? Are you slumming?”
Her mouth falls open, ready to unleash on me. “No, that’s not why. If I had known you were here, I wouldn’t have come. The last thing I want is you back in my life.”
“Maybe that’s all you need, Torrie.” My words are no more than a whisper.
“Maybe we should clear it with the lady with the little girl waiting on you.” She inclines her head toward Sandy. “You know what, I don’t care.” She turns, marching off in the other direction.
Damn that woman, I could kiss her. I mean kick her, she’s so bullheaded. Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath, she’s all I see whether my eyes are opened or closed. At least if they’re closed, I can feel her lips on mine. Her body against me, her scent all around me.
I have to get my shit together for the meeting tomorrow. One’s right, I need this project. Whether I hate Torrie or love her, I have to make this work with her. Although, it doesn’t look as if she’s ready to work with me.
I’m sure her father made our split more than worth her while. She is worth more than she gives herself credit for, always was. Her father has her self-worth wrapped up in his company, instead of in her soul.” “It was good to see you, Andi, you too, Brannon,” Sandy says.