by L. A. Casey
I exhaled a deep breath and sat on the bed, letting Jax sit beside me. I kept my hand on his back for balance.
“I don’t know,” I answered honestly. “Me head is so messed up, and when I think of why, it pisses me off. I don’t understand why Damien and I even argued. We aren’t a couple, and we’ve never been a couple, so it was all over nothin’ when you think about it.”
Aideen clicked her tongue. “You both have history, you share an attraction, and dare I say you even care for one another. You’re both just utterly shite at communicatin’.”
Unexpected laughter spilled free, and it felt good to relax and shoot the shit.
“It’s all just a big mess.”
“Do you plan on cleanin’ it up?”
I gnawed on my lower lip. “I’m goin’ to talk to ’im, but God only knows how that will turn out.”
“I don’t think it’ll be as bad as you think it will.”
“You’re right; it’ll probably be worse.”
Aideen chuckled. “You never usually talk this negatively.”
“I know,” I acknowledged. “I’m just a bit down lately.”
“Everythin’ will work out,” Aideen said with confidence. “What’s meant to be will be.”
I kissed Jax on the crown of his head.
“You’re so mellow since you had the kids.”
Aideen grinned. “Only when they’re quiet.”
I snorted and looked down at Jax as he grabbed and played with my fingers.
“Are you goin’ to stay for lunch?” my friend asked.
With my eyes still on Jax, I shook my head.
“I have to collect me car from your da’s garage,” I replied. “One of the lads had to replace the ruptured diesel pump. I had to wait for the part to be delivered.”
Aideen whistled. “Damien is at work today. He doesn’t just do roadside rescue with Ryder anymore. Me da has taken them both on as apprentices.”
I looked up. “But I thought Ryder said he wasn’t interested in goin’ back to school?”
“He wasn’t until he took an interest in engines.” She shrugged. “Me da already has them set up with FAS so they get paid for workin’ in the garage from me da, and get paid from FAS at the same time. The schoolin’ part of it is cool, too. It takes four years to get their certificate to be approved mechanics, and they split that up between workin’ in the garage and bein’ in school. They’re on the job eighty percent of the time, and then three months out of each year, they have their evenin’ classes to prepare them for their exams. They get trainin’ allowances too, so no college fees.”
“That’s brilliant,” I praised. “Your da really did them a solid.”
Aideen nodded. “He said they are as hard workin’ as me brothers, so he was happy to get them on board.”
“I’m happy for them.”
“Are you still goin’ to collect your car?”
“I have to,” I said with a shrug. “Not only do I need to go shoppin’ to put food in me presses, but I’ve also got a meetin’ in town tomorrow with a lad who applied for the assistant job to help me with the business, and I’m not takin’ the bus. They’ll be packed because the Luas is still on strike.”
“The Luas is always on bloody strike.”
I snorted and looked down at Jax, who was drooling on my fingers as he chewed on them.
“You’re lucky you’re cute, fella.”
Aideen laughed as I moved him into the centre of the bed and went to the bathroom to wash my hands. I popped my head back into her bedroom when I was finished and said, “I’ll see you later, okay?”
“Let me know how it goes and if you have a run-in with Damien!”
I leaned my head against the door panel. “Say a prayer for me.”
“I’ll say two.”
I grinned as I walked down the hallway.
“Bye, Kane!” I shouted as I opened the front door.
“Bye,” he hollered from the sitting room.
When I left my apartment building, I thanked God it wasn’t raining and started the thirty or so minute walk to C.A.R. to retrieve my vehicle. The walk did me good; it not only gave me time to think, but it allowed me to stretch my legs as well. Being holed up in my apartment for seven days straight was murder on my muscles, and the lack of use was evident as my thighs and calves burned with each step I took.
I reached the building quicker than I would have liked, but I was prepared. My plan was to get my car and be in and out of the garage before Damien or anyone else caught a glimpse of me. It was a good plan, a solid plan, a foolproof fecking plan.
I’ve got this.
I made it seven steps into the poxy place before I saw the back of Dante Collins. I quickly but quietly scurried my way towards the reception where I ducked out of sight so he wouldn’t see me if he turned around. My heart was hammering against my chest, and my palms were sweatier than usual.
This is a shitty plan.
“Why did I think this was a good idea?” I whispered to myself.
I was in a good place with Dante, but I didn’t want to stand around and shoot the shit with him knowing that Damien was on shift. I wasn’t that brave. I closed the door to the reception, and I hoped to God that none of the lads walked in because I honestly had no idea what I would do if either one of them confronted me. I had all of two seconds to myself before I just about jumped out of my skin when the door to the reception opened. I swung around, and when I saw it was only Mr Collins, I placed my hand over my chest and forced myself to relax.
I was wound up tighter than a cheap watch.
“Hello, Alannah love.”
“Heya, Mr Collins.” I beamed. “Are you well? ‘Cause you’re lookin’ well, sir.”
“You tryin’ to make an old man blush, kid?” he replied with a wink. “Have any of the lads dealt with you yet?”
I shook my head. “I just walked in.”
He nodded, then glanced around the messy room.
“I really need to hire someone to organise this mess,” Mr Collins scowled at the mountain of papers before he looked at me, his eyes suddenly wide and hopeful. “I don’t suppose you’re lookin’ for a job, sweetheart?”
I giggled. “No, sir. Sorry.”
“Figures.” He sighed, his hands going to his hips. “I need a miracle worker to get this business organised.”
“Put an advert in the paper or online,” I suggested. “You’d be surprised by how many professional receptionists are out there who need a good job.”
“I don’t think I have any other choice,” he said with a sigh. “We can’t watch the reception all the time ’cause we’re workin’ on cars, so people who come in and wait without service get fed up and leave. In this day and age, I can’t afford to lose costumers, especially since we bought the lot next door last year and had everythin’ renovated into one large shop. I’ve so much paperwork that I consider turnin’ to drink durin’ tax season. I need a fairy godmother at this point in time to sort this out.”
“Definitely try the advert,” I encouraged. “You’ll be fightin’ off applicants, just you wait and see.”
Mr Collins grinned before he looked over my shoulder and sighed.
“I’ll be right back, love,” he said. “I’ve to see to a customer who’s bein’ ignored by me lads.”
I nodded. “Take your time. I’m in no rush.”
Big. Fat. Lie.
I had never wanted to leave an establishment as much in my entire life. I placed my hands on the reception desk, then looked at the beautiful antique clock on the wall. It was after three p.m., and as it was a Monday, I would have my normal weekly dinner with my parents this evening at five. I hoped my da wouldn’t be there; I was in no mood to sit across from him at the dinner table and pretend I didn’t know he was having an affair.
I didn’t have the strength for it. Not today.
The door to the reception suddenly opened and closed. Silence stretched on for a few moments, and I could have sworn I hea
rd a snicker, which caused me to tense even more than I already was. I would just up and die if it was Damien.
“I told you this shite with Date was goin’ to cause problems, Alannah.”
My shoulders sagged as a sigh of relief escaped me.
“I know,” I replied with a firm nod.
I didn’t move a muscle as he moved next to me, his shadow falling over the countertop.
“Yet you ignored me words of wisdom?” he mused. “I bet you feel stupid now, huh, good lookin’?”
I turned my head, tilted it back, locked eyes with Harley Collins, then rolled them.
“I never pegged you for an ‘I told you so’ kind of man.”
“You pegged me wrong because ... I told you so.”
Harley was the only person who knew about my private relationship with Dante because the pair of them were extremely close. If either of them did something or someone, the other knew about it.
“Go away,” I grumbled. “You’re mean.”
He smirked down at me.
“Date said he couldn’t get hold of you and that you revoked his access to your buildin’. He was arrested when he tried to break in, ye’know?”
What the fuck?
I choked. “What?”
“Don’t worry, he was released without charge thanks to the landlord of the place not pressin’ charges.” Harley laughed, his shoulders shaking. “The fuckin’ eejit tried to use a fire escape as a back door after he was refused entry a third time. He ran from the security guards too but dropped like a fly when they tasered ’im.”
“He was tasered and arrested?” I asked, wide-eyed.
“Fainted and everythin’.” Harley cackled. “Don’t tell ’im I told you that; his ego is still sore about it.”
“I just spoke to ’im two nights ago, and he never mentioned anythin’.”
“And you won’t hear ’im speak a word. He made me and me da promise to never speak of it.”
“Your da?”
“He was with me when Date called me from the garda station.”
I facepalmed. “This week can’t get any worse.”
“Famous last words,” Harley murmured.
I was mad. Steaming bloody mad.
“Where is he?”
“Now, Alannah,” Harley said, raising his hands in front of his chest. “He only wanted to check on—”
I walked away from Harley, hearing him curse before he jogged to catch up with me.
“Dante Collins!” I hollered. “Where are you?”
He was across the shop, lifting a large piece of a car engine up into the air on a floor jack. He paused what he was doing, then looked over his shoulder, and when he saw me, he smiled. That smile slowly slid off his face as I approached him, and I wondered if he saw how mad I was, or if Harley was doing hand signals as he trailed along behind me.
“What in the hell is wrong with you?” I snapped at Dante when I came to a stop in front of him and thumped him in the chest. “Tasered and arrested? Are you naturally thick, Date, or were you born this way?”
“Born this way,” JJ and Gavin called out in unison from somewhere in the shop.
Dante rolled his eyes at his brothers before looking back at me.
“I needed to see you, to talk to you ... but since you made that impossible before our phone call, I had to go to extreme lengths.”
I scowled. “You’re lucky the owner of the buildin’ didn’t press charges.”
“The owner of the buildin’ is me future—”
“Your future reason for goin’ to prison if you try to break into his buildin’ again,” JJ all but shouted.
Dante cringed as he looked at his brother over my shoulder, before switching his gaze back to me. “What JJ said.”
“I don’t even want to know what you’re both talkin’ about,” I scowled, rubbing my temple with my fingers.
“Hey,” he said, stepping closer. “Everythin’ is okay. There’s no problem.”
I scoffed.
“Sex with you has caused me nothin’ but problems.”
Dante grinned devilishly. “It was worth it, though, right?”
I hated that I tried and failed to hide a smile.
“Are you here to see me?”
I shook my head. “To collect me car.”
“I finished replacin’ that diesel pump this mornin’ but give me five more minutes. I want to check the oil level on your car. I think it’s runnin’ low.”
Dante jogged over to my car and popped the bonnet. I stared at him and placed my hands on my hips. I scanned my eyes around the shop, keeping watch for Damien, but there were several cars and equipment that blocked my view. The garage’s extension meant the place was huge, but more space meant it had to be filled with something.
“Your body language is screamin’ how uncomfortable you are,” Harley murmured as he came to my side. “Relax.”
“How relaxed would you be if the lad you have history with worked with the lad you were sleepin’ with?”
Harley folded his arms over his chest. “Very uncomfortable, considerin’ I’m straight.”
I shoved a now laughing Harley away from me.
“You’re bloody hilarious.”
He came back to my side, slung his arm over my shoulder, and said, “Damien’s in the back room sortin’ new tools into the trolley drawers.”
Harley went over to Dante then and began doing God knows what with my car engine. I looked over at the doorway that led to the back of the shop, and before I could rationally think otherwise, I walked towards it. When I entered the room, I had to walk around large tool trolleys, but when I saw Damien’s white hair, my feet and my heart stopped. My eyes roamed over him. He had on black work trousers, the ones that had a million different pockets and hugged a man’s arse deliciously. He was wearing thick soled boots, and a fleece jumper with the shop logo on it. It was the only matching uniform item of clothing that the men in the shop wore.
I took a breath and said, “Damien?”
Instantly, he tensed and kept his back to me.
“Can I talk to you, please?”
He remained silent, tense and unmoving.
“I know I’m probably the last person you want to see right now, but I’d be really grateful if we could talk. Please.”
Nothing.
“It’s okay,” I said, my shoulders sagging. “I get it.”
I turned around and began walking towards the exit of the back room but came to an abrupt halt when a hand gripped my forearm. In one swift motion, I was spun around and pulled against a rock-hard chest.
“Damien!”
A split second later, his mouth came crashing down on mine. Absolute bewilderment overcame my mind, but not my body. My lips acted of their own accord, and so did my hands. I ran my hands up Damien’s arms, up his neck, and grabbed his thick hair tightly.
He hissed into my mouth and kissed me with the hunger of a man starving. His tongue plunged between my parted lips and danced with my own. His hands had somehow made their way to my behind, and he wasted promptly zero seconds in palming and squeezing it to the point of pain.
He didn’t stop there; he ran his hands up my back, neck, and buried them in my hair. When he pulled it, as I had done to his, my mouth opened on a gasp, and he used that moment to snag my lower lip with his teeth. I groaned when he sucked my lip into his mouth and hummed.
His hands slid back down to my arse, and then, suddenly, my back was pressed against a tool trolley. I moaned, and upon hearing that sound, Damien broke our kiss, placed his lips by my ear, and growled, “Now, I can talk to you.”
He stepped back away from me, and it was only then I realised I was trembling, and my body ached with need. My chest, like Damien’s, was rising and falling rapidly. I lifted my hands to my thoroughly kiss-swollen lips, and my fingers lingered for a moment before I dropped my arm to my side. I stared at his bruised eye, and I couldn’t believe how sexy he looked with it.
“Why did you do that?�
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“Do what?”
What did he mean do what?
“Why did you kiss me?” I asked breathlessly.
That wasn’t just a kiss, though, and I knew it wasn’t. It was more than that; it was a claiming.
Damien’s eyes were narrowed as he said, “I couldn’t talk to you knowing his lips were the last to touch yours, so ... I fixed it.”
“You fixed it?”
“Yep.”
“You kissed me like that just because you have a stick up your arse about Dante bein’ the last to kiss me?”
Damien’s right eye twitched. “Something like that.”
I threw my hands up in the air.
“You’re un-fuckin’-believable, Damien Slater.”
He surprised me when he grinned and said, “I know.”
I dropped my arms and scowled. “That wasn’t a compliment.”
He shrugged, and repeated, “I know.”
I placed my hands on my hips.
“Don’t kiss me unexpectedly like that ever again.”
“I can kiss you if you expect it then?”
“What? No!”
“Hey.” Damien raised his hands. “I’m just making sure.”
I glared at him. “No more kissin’. I don’t like it.”
Damien’s smile dropped, and he stepped closer to me. “It’s not nice to lie.”
I licked my lips, shivering when I tasted him on them.
“I’m not ly—”
“You’re still lying,” he said, his voice firm as he took another step closer to me. “You kissed me like a woman possessed, freckles.”
I reluctantly stepped back and realised Damien had me cornered when my back pressed against something solid. The tool trolley.
“Damien,” I said, my voice sounded raspier than I would have liked. “We have to talk, remember?”
His eyes were on my lips. “I remember.”
“Then back off and stop lookin’ at me like I’m your prey.”
He flicked his eyes to mine. “Do you feel like you’re my prey?”
Hell yes.
“I do,” I said, lifting my chin.
“Are you scared I’m going to eat you?” he asked, dropping his voice to a seductive whisper.
I sucked in a breath. “Stop it.”
“Stop what?”
“Whatever it is that you’re doin’ ... I can’t think.”