She climbed on his lap and wrapped her arms around him. “As long as you love me, Connor. And as long as we both communicate better next time.”
“Do you really believe that now? That I love you?” he asked anxiously.
“Yes,” she answered, burying her face in his neck. “If I’m honest with myself, it was more that I didn’t believe that you could want me.”
Connor pried her head loose so he could look at her. “What are you talking about? I can’t believe you’d still want me after all that drama.”
“Well, I do,” she said.
Connor sighed, his gaze serious. “I’ve searched for you for so long, Amanda. Now that I’ve found you, I never want to let go.”
Their lips met again, and soon their bodies blazed with their passion, fuelled by their love.
*****
Amanda got off the bus, grateful she was able to leave work half an hour early today. But instead of heading home, she made her way straight to Connor’s shop. She wanted to catch him before he did something he might regret afterwards.
The phone call she got from Lori during lunch time made her nervous. Apparently, Lucas had issued another challenge to Connor that involved Amanda. And it was taking place at five thirty—several minutes from now. Lori had said the prize was something very precious to both Lucas and Connor. Unfortunately, that was all Lori knew.
She got there just as a Porsche was driving out, the man behind the wheel smiling. Another happy customer, she guessed.
The receptionist was on the phone when she walked into the building. They waved to each other, and she proceeded to Connor’s office.
He was fiddling through a filing cabinet, his back to her. When he whirled around, he spotted her standing by the threshold.
“Hey, honey!” he said, his face lighting up with obvious glee. He walked up to her and gathered her in his arms, then gave her a thorough kiss.
Mmm. Would it always be this blissful when being kissed by this man?
“You’re back from work early,” Connor said.
“Yes. I heard Lucas had issued you another challenge,” she said, caressing his nape with her fingers. “And you’ve accepted.”
Connor raised an eyebrow. “Gee, news reaches you fast. Who told you that?”
“Lori. What is it about, Connor? Apparently it involves me.”
Connor sighed. “I was going to tell you tonight.”
“But the event would already have happened, wouldn’t it?” she asked, trying not to sound too whiny.
Connor tightened his arms around her. “It was going to be a surprise.”
“A surprise?”
“Uh-huh.”
“For me?”
“Yup.”
“Why?”
“Because I want you to know how much I love you.”
She smiled, pressing herself against him and not caring if there were still staff around. “But I already know how much you love me. A lot.”
Connor grinned. “That’s good.”
“So why do you have to continue pandering to Lucas’ childish games?”
“Because he issued me a challenge I simply couldn’t refuse. Lucas thinks I won’t go through with it. He’s wrong.”
“What’s it about?”
“We spoke in depth this morning. He still can't believe I intended to deliberately lose the Melbourne challenge. I said to him that my only proof concerning that is the fact we’re together, that we’re in love.”
Amanda kissed him on the mouth, thrilled about his last sentence. Would hearing his declarations of love ever grow old?
“Keep this up and I won’t be able to tell you everything before he arrives,” Connor murmured against her lips.
She grinned and stepped out of his arms. “You may continue.”
He sighed. “Where was I?”
“You told him your proof is that we’re in love.”
“Oh, yeah. So Lucas laughed out loud about that. He said he knows that there are things I would never give up even for you. Well, I got insulted by that. How dare he insinuate I don’t love you enough? So I told him to go ahead and challenge me.”
“Oh, Connor,” Amanda said with a tsk. “You’re just playing into his hands. He’s baiting you.”
“I know. He thought he was being very smart about it, too. But I’ve accepted the challenge and I’m happy to meet it.”
“So what is it?” Amanda asked, super curious now.
“The challenge was that I give up my gloves collection to prove I’m willing to do anything for you.”
Amanda’s eyes widened, her jaw slackening. “Connor, no!”
“Already arranged, babe,” he said, grinning widely.
Amanda’s gaze flew to the frame on the wall where his autographed gloves collection proudly hung. “You can’t, Connor. You love that collection. It’s worth a lot to you.”
“Oh, and you’re saying you’re not?” he asked dryly.
“I’m saying you don’t need to prove anything to me. Why would you bother proving yourself to Lucas? Who cares what he thinks?”
“It’s done, babe,” he said.
“But I can’t let you do it. To think that Lucas will now own your prized collection—”
“Who said he’s gonna own it?”
She frowned. “Isn’t that the deal?”
“The only deal was that I give up the collection. I have it in writing too, which he emailed me to make it official. He wrote, ‘give up your gloves collection to prove your love for Amanda’. Now, there’s nothing in his email that said I have to give it up to him.”
“But that’s what he means, though, isn’t it? That he should be the one getting it?”
“Yeah, I’m sure that’s what he means. But it’s not my fault that he was careless with his words. He was the one who insisted we put this deal in writing so no one could back out of it. He was the one who wrote it. So whatever’s in writing stands. That was what I’ve accepted.”
“So who gets it, then?”
“My favourite charity. They’ll be auctioning it. In fact, one of their representatives will also be arriving in a few minutes to pick it up.”
“You’re really willing to give that up?” Amanda asked, glancing at the frame again.
“Yes.”
“I really don’t want you to,” she muttered, feeling guilty that she was the cause of his losing something he held dear.
“Hey, I still have the opportunity to win it back at the auction.”
Amanda laughed. “Oh, honey. You’re so smart.”
“Not really. If Lucas had worded the challenge properly, he would have ended up with it. But he didn’t. So it’s not that I’m smart, he was just careless.”
“Lucas won’t take it lying down.”
“Too bad. He can fight with the charity rep if he wants.”
Connor’s office phone buzzed. It was his receptionist announcing Lucas’ arrival.
CHAPTER TWENTY
“Lucas.”
“Connor!” Lucas said, giving Connor a big man-hug. “Good to see you again, bro. I must say I’m very impressed with your shop.”
“Thanks. Wanna have a look around?”
“Yeah. How’s business going so far?”
“Good, actually,” Connor responded as he led Lucas out the front door and to the side driveway leading up to the big service area at the back. “I’ve managed to secure a couple of big car hire companies as clients, and the marketing we’re currently running is getting a good take-up.”
“Really settling down, hey, dude?” Lucas said in a teasing tone. “Do you miss the excitement of being part of the race, though?”
“Not really. Things are so busy for me here that it’s a different form of excitement altogether. How’s everything going with you?”
“Great! I’ve no competition for the girls now that you’re not around.”
“Still haven’t changed your tune, I see,” Connor said with a chuckle. “Like I said before, the Mr. Fu
ck King title is all yours.”
Lucas laughed. “You do know it’s not the title, right? It’s the winning, man, it’s the winning. And I’m not satisfied with winning by default.”
“I’m afraid you have no choice,” Connor said amiably. “I was only in your made-up games by default because I was the only one you wanted to compete with.”
“Well, bro, the others can’t really put up any challenge whatsoever. Boring.”
They laughed and Connor proceeded to show Lucas the various service areas of his new shop.
“I’m really happy for you, Connor,” Lucas said sincerely as they made their way to the offices. “The place looks great and I can really see this business taking off. Again, I’m really impressed.”
“Wow, thanks, Lucas,” Connor said. “Does that mean I can expect you to set up a rival business soon?”
Lucas clapped Connor on the shoulder. “You never know, man. You never know. But for now, I’m happy touring with the team. Until someone else could honourably claim the title of Mr. Fuck King and do it justice, I don’t have a choice but to stick around.”
Connor snickered as they turned to the corridor leading to his office. “It’s a tough job, I know.”
“I’m glad you’ve resigned from it!” Amanda called from inside Connor’s room.
“Hey, Amanda! Glad to see you again, beautiful,” Lucas exclaimed, rushing to give Amanda a hug.
Connor narrowed his eyes as Lucas held Amanda for far too long. The man was even whispering in his girlfriend’s ear. “That’s enough, Lucas,” he growled.
Lucas looked at him, a wide grin appearing on his face. “Why, Connor? Scared?”
He snorted. “Don’t be ridiculous. She loves me. I just don’t want your paws on her for too long.”
“You really love this guy, Amanda? I’m sure you could do much, much better,” Lucas said.
Connor glared at Lucas. He liked the man enough to consider him a friend for life despite his immaturity, but Lucas still annoyed the shit out of him sometimes, like right now.
“Well, Lucas, for me, Connor’s the best,” Amanda said, giving Connor a sweet smile.
Connor melted. He pulled Amanda to him and kissed her on the lips.
“Aw. You guys are so sweet,” Lucas said dryly before pretending to gag.
Connor shook his head. “We can only hope that one of these days you’ll grow up, Lucas.”
Lucas laughed. “My mother tells me that all the time. Anyway, seeing this picture here,” Lucas said, sweeping his arm in front of the couple, “I’m assuming that you are still going ahead with my last challenge, Connor?”
“Last challenge?” Connor asked with a raised eyebrow. “Am I hearing you right? After this, you won’t rope me into any more of your ridiculous competition games?”
“Well, now that you’re in love, I can’t see how that would be possible. So yes, I’ll miss competing with you, Connor, but I think this is the end of the line for you and me.”
“Oh, how sad for you, Lucas,” Amanda quipped.
“Yeah, it is,” Lucas agreed gravely. “Now you’re lumped with him, Amanda.”
“I know,” Amanda said with mock resignation. “But someone’s gotta do it,” she added, putting her arms around Connor.
Connor smiled contentedly, squeezing Amanda against him.
“Well, a deal’s a deal. So, I’m taking this now, right?” Lucas asked, going to Connor’s gloves collection and taking it down from the wall.
“Careful,” Connor said, moving to help Lucas lay the heavy frame on his desk. “It’s not mine anymore.”
“No. But Amanda is,” Lucas said.
“Yes, I’m very lucky,” Connor agreed, grinning happily.
Lucas shook his head. “Unbelievable,” he muttered.
“Anyway, Lucas,” Connor said, trying to stifle his grin. “A guy from my favourite charity is picking that up shortly. He should be here any minute. I’ll let him know that they have you to thank for my generous donation.”
Lucas stared at Connor, his jaw dropping to the floor. Then he started laughing.
Connor watched his friend in bemusement. Lucas couldn’t seem to rein in his mirth. “I wasn’t expecting this reaction,” he said wryly.
“Oh, dude,” Lucas said, breathing deeply to control himself. “I should have known you’d think of something like this.”
“It was your fault, you know. Did you read your email? You forgot to specify that I should relinquish the collection to you.”
Lucas ran his hand on the frame. “My words were deliberate,” he said.
“What do you mean?” Connor asked.
Lucas sighed. “When I issued you the challenge, it was as a joke. I didn’t really think you’d take me seriously. But obviously, your love for this woman knows no bounds. So I was going to hand over the frame to Amanda after you’d given it to me.”
“Oohh,” Connor said, his lips rounding to an ‘O’.
“Seriously, Connor. I know how much this means to you. Do you really think I’d literally take it from you?”
“That’s so sweet, Lucas,” Amanda said, going to Lucas and giving him a hug.
“See, Connor? This is another reason why I planned it that way. How else could I make Amanda willingly hug me? Maybe I should come up with something bigger and more moving. Maybe then she’d agree to have sex with me—Ouch!”
Amanda pinched Lucas again on his side before returning to Connor.
Connor chuckled. “No chance in hell of that, Lucas. I’ll kill you first.”
“I was just joking,” Lucas said, rubbing his side. “That really hurt, Amanda. Your nails are long.”
“Sorry,” Amanda said, not sounding apologetic at all.
Connor sighed, going to his collection. “Well, I guess I’ll just have to buy this back when the charity holds the auction. It’s a good thing I believe in worthy causes.”
Lucas clapped his hands once, then rubbed them together. “Auction? So I do have a chance of legitimately owning this thing with a clear conscience?”
“Oh, no. No, no, no, dude,” Connor said. “You are not competing on an auction with me for this. You said this was the last challenge.”
“But I’m not challenging you. I am going to a charity auction to bid for this, whether or not you’re there.”
Connor squinted at Lucas before extending his hand. “May the best man win, then.”
“Oh, no,” Amanda muttered, rolling her eyes.
*****
Connor and Amanda waved goodbye to Lucas and the charity guy who came to collect Connor’s generous donation. They went back inside and Connor locked the front door, glad he was now alone with Amanda.
“How much do you think that would go for in the auction?” Amanda asked.
“Who knows?” he answered. “Many, many thousands, I guess.”
“I want you to win it back,” Amanda said, her gaze troubled.
He smiled. “If I don’t, then I don’t. At least the charity will get good money for it.”
“Well, I hope you’re the only person who could afford to make the winning bid. I think you can beat Lucas.”
“Fat chance of Lucas being my only major competition. Even if just one of the Carmichael brothers hears about it, I’d have very strong competition in my hands.”
“I’m sorry,” Amanda said, sounding gloomy.
“Why?”
“You did it for me.”
“And I’d do it again and again, sweetheart,” he said, kissing her forehead. “Come, I want to show you something.”
He led Amanda to an office at the back of the building that overlooked the state-of-the-art car service area. The room was still empty, except for a big TV hanging on a wall and a small bar fridge in a corner.
“This will be my permanent office,” he said.
“Oh, this is a nice room,” Amanda said. “Those new bigger windows on that back wall look great. You could watch your guys work on the cars from here.”
“Yeah. That’s why I thought this should be my office.” He took her hand and led her to the windows she was talking about. “Remember when I said to you that you’d probably find me spending too much time in the garage?”
“Yes.”
“I was wondering, since this room is large, what if you shop for furniture to fill this area here?” he said, indicating the space near the window. “Maybe you could get a sofa bed to go here so it’s facing the TV. And get rugs and blankets and throw pillows. You know, make it a nice living room. I have more than enough space over on that side for my desk and cupboards.”
“Are you planning on lazing around while your staff is hard at work?” she teased.
“No. I was hoping that on some weekends, or some nights, that I'm working—like when I get that old model Jag that I want to buy and soup up—then you could be here with me. You could watch TV or do some work or read or even watch me work. We could open this window and still talk to each other even when I’m outside.”
Amanda looked up at him, grinning. “I like that idea.”
“You do? Good,” he answered, seriously pleased. He knew he could be so immersed with tinkering with cars that time would fly without him noticing. He didn’t want Amanda to feel neglected. At least if she was just a wall away, he could easily take breaks and cuddle with her—or make love—before going back to his cars.
“What kind of colour scheme do you want?” Amanda asked.
“Whatever you want. It will mainly be your area. Just don’t make it too girly. I wouldn’t want the boys teasing me.”
Amanda placed her arms around his neck. “Can I lounge around here in my lingerie?” she asked sultrily.
His cock jerked. “You can even wear nothing, baby,” he said breathlessly, already imagining Amanda sitting on the hood of a car, naked.
“Hmm. I better look for a comfortable, durable sofa bed then,” she said, rubbing her leg against his.
“Yeah,” he agreed, lifting her in his arms and walking out of the room. “But right now, my desk in the other office will have to do.”
Again (Time for Love Book 3) Page 16