The Heiress and the Mechanic: San Diego Social Scene Book 5

by Tess Summers

  Ben’s eyebrows went up.

  “Ten thousand a month?”

  “Fortunately, my firm offers good medical insurance. I don’t know what’s going to happen when I eventually have to stop working. Medicare doesn’t cover the medicine I’m taking.”

  “You could go on my insurance.”

  “Ben, you’re a small business. My pre-existing condition would make everyone’s rates skyrocket.”

  “We’ll figure it out, Scout. I’m not scared.”

  A wave of relief washed over her at the realization she no longer had to worry about him finding out, no longer had to hide her symptoms from him. It had been taking its toll on her—masking them all day at work, only to come home and hide them from him, too. In the back of her mind, she knew she wasn’t going to be able to keep up that pace much longer and was definitely headed for a flare.

  She hadn’t had one since starting the medication, but she had also been able to relax at home. When she’d gone through her divorce, battling the stress meant she came home from work and went straight to bed so she’d have enough energy to get through the next day. She had done that for months on end until she began to heal emotionally, and her body was finally able to recover.

  “I sleep a lot,” she blurted out. “I’m clumsy and fall down—often at the most embarrassing times. I can’t do math anymore, and it can take me a really long time to understand something simple. If it weren’t for GPS, sometimes I wouldn’t be able to find my way home from work. I have no short-term memory—if I don’t write it down or tell my assistant, Becky, I’ll never remember. I have to have a routine so I don’t forget simple, mundane things. When I’m really tired, I walk with a limp.”

  He nodded thoughtfully.

  “Still not scaring me.” He reached over and cupped her face in his palm momentarily. “If anything, it sounds like you’ve got some pretty good strategies in place to cope.”

  “Well, yeah, I guess I do. I mean, I made junior partner after being diagnosed. Granted, my life at the time consisted of working and sleeping, but I did it.”

  “What do the partners think? Are they good about giving you time off if you need it?”

  She sat back in her seat and looked straight ahead. “No one at work knows, and I plan on keeping it that way.” She glanced at him. “But yes, they’re very good about making sure their people don’t burn out. I was really lucky to get in with them.”

  “And you’re not going to tell them?”

  “Never, if I can help it.”

  Ben frowned. “That’s not very realistic, is it?”

  “Why not? I’ve gone three and a half years without them knowing.”

  “Aren’t they legally obligated to give you accommodations if you need them?”

  “Yes, but they aren’t legally obligated to promote me any further or give me any more lucrative cases. Telling them would be career suicide—and like I said, I need the health insurance.”

  He chuckled. “Understood.”

  She noticed they seemed to be driving around aimlessly instead of going to his house.

  “Where are we going?”

  “Nowhere in particular. I just wanted to drive the point home that you belong to me, and that I’m not going anywhere. I thought having you in a moving car—unable to escape—would be the easiest way to get you to listen.”

  Kudos to him; she never would have thought of that.

  And as if they were out for a Sunday drive, he casually asked, “Want to get a milkshake?”

  Of course she did.

  “I look a mess.”

  “We’ll go through the drive-thru at Sonic,” he said with a wink.

  She stared at him as he drove.

  “Thank you,” she said quietly.

  “For what?”

  “Loving me. Not bolting,” she said, reaching for his hand and squeezing it.

  He smiled and brought her fingertips to his lips.

  “You’re not getting rid of me, Scout.”

  ****

  Ben

  He was feeling confident he’d finally gotten it through Scout’s thick skull that he wasn’t going anywhere, so they ordered their shakes and headed back to their house.

  “Your grandfather wants us to go to brunch on Sunday at his club.”

  “How did you kn—?” She narrowed her eyes and gave a smug smile. “Oh, that’s right. You’ve met.”

  “I didn’t know you were his attorney. Sheesh. But you knew about brunch? Were you going to invite me to come?”

  “Of course I was; I just forgot. Did you not hear a word I just told you about my memory?”

  He looked at her skeptically.

  “Honest!” she said, slipping the straw between her lips with a smile.

  “Why do I get the feeling you’re going to use that excuse a lot?”

  “Because I will, and it’s the truth. You’ve been warned.”

  He wasn’t lying when he’d said he wasn’t scared, and that she wasn’t getting rid of him. He’d read a little bit about multiple sclerosis since finding out she was afflicted with it. There had been several advances with different medications over the last two decades, and people suffering with the disease were living long, relatively healthy lives. He didn’t know what Tyler’s problem was—maybe fear of the unknown. But what guarantees were there in anyone’s life regarding their health?

  What he was most concerned about was how to help her without insulting her.

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Harper

  She noticed that Ben gave her lighter boxes to take to the truck on Saturday, and insisted on waiting for Luke to arrive before moving the toolbox that was as tall as she was from his garage. He was going to bring his bike today, too.

  Harper hadn’t realized she had a thing for bad boys until she felt her lady parts tingle while she watched, mesmerized, as he straddled the black leather seat. The colorful tattoos on his arms were on full display while he put his aviator sunglasses on, then started the black and chrome bike. If Luke hadn’t been sitting in the cab of the truck with her, she would have hopped out and dropped to her knees to worship his cock right where he sat in the garage. Maybe even while the shiny, silver exhaust rumbled under him.

  As she and Luke drove the Chevy through the lighter weekend traffic of San Diego while Ben drove his Harley, the SWAT sergeant asked, “Do you guys want to come over for dinner tonight? I’ve found a few dogs that might be a good fit for Honey that I wanted to tell you and Ben about.”

  “Yeah, that sounds fun. We don’t have any plans that I’m aware of. What can we bring?”

  “My wife is a huge fan of wine and dessert. I knew you two were going to be friends when you walked in with cheesecake and wine last time.”

  She laughed. “Hard to believe that was only two weeks ago.”

  Luke replied with a contemplative, “Yeah. Two weeks.”

  Harper knew what he was thinking—she’d had the conversation with herself enough over the last week.

  “You think we’re moving too fast.”

  “That’s not what I’m thinking at all. Is it fast? Maybe. But I know Ben, so I’m not surprised he’s jumped in with both feet—that’s his style once he makes a decision.”

  “So why am I sensing disapproval from you?”

  “No—not disapproval. More like I never thought I’d see the day when Ben moved in with a woman.”

  “Really? Why? He’s had girlfriends in the past.”

  “Yeah. But they’ve always been far more serious about him than he was about them. I’ve never seen him like this.”

  “What do you mean, like this?”

  “In love. Committed. Don’t get me wrong—he’s always been loyal to whoever he was with, but he’s never been all in. He’s all in with you.”

  She already knew that, but hearing his best friend reiterate it made her feel warm and fuzzy inside, and she couldn’t hide her smile.

  “You can trust him, you know,” Luke said quietly.

/>   The way he said it, encouraging yet chastising, made her realize Ben had told him about her MS.

  “I’m guessing he talked to you about my disease.”

  She didn’t think he was expecting her to be so blunt, because he blinked fast and seemed to be at a loss for words.

  “Uhhh…”

  “It’s okay,” she said, shaking her head slightly. “It’s obvious you know.”

  There was an uneasy blush to his cheeks and he let out a nervous laugh, like he’d been caught with his hand in the cookie jar. “He needed advice on how to talk to you after he met with your grandfather.”

  “I don’t know what your advice was, but he said the right things.”

  “Do you mind if I ask…. Did you tell him, or did he tell you he knew?”

  “He told me he knew, after shocking me with the news that he’d met my grandfather.”

  A slow, crooked smile formed on Luke’s lips, like she’d affirmed something for him.

  “What?”

  “I knew he wouldn’t listen to me.”

  ****

  Ben

  After Luke left, they worked until mid-afternoon unloading things and putting them away. By three o’clock, she looked beat.

  “I’m going to go take a nap,” she said after emptying a box.

  He’d been just about to suggest the same thing.

  “If I promise to behave, can I go lie down with you?”

  She closed her eyes, her expression soft, as if picturing it.

  “Mmm, I’d love that, actually.”

  “Go,” he swatted her ass. “I’ll be in as soon as I finish putting the rest of this box away.”

  He took his time, wanting to give her the chance to fall asleep before slipping in next to her. Her Tempurpedic mattress was nice, and she usually fell asleep quickly. He didn’t wait too long to quietly crawl into bed next to her; if history was any indicator, she’d sleep for about thirty minutes before getting up again.

  Her breathing was steady, and Ben was having second thoughts about whether being there was a good idea. She needed her rest—he was probably going to disturb that. The decision to stay was made for him when she rolled over and wiggled her ass into his hips. His cock reacted accordingly, but he brought his arm around her middle and made no attempt to do anything more.

  Lying next to her brought a sense of peace he only felt when he was holding her. It was as if being with her gave him a reason for being—a purpose beyond running a successful business or being a good friend, brother, and son.

  Would he like to have a child with her someday? He thought so, but the biology of their child wasn’t important to Ben. Not in the least. But that was a long ways down the road; he’d worry about crossing that bridge when they came to it. Right now, first things first—putting a ring on her finger. He hoped she liked it.

  ****

  “Babe?” he heard a voice whispering behind him.

  “Hmm?” Ben answered, his eyes still closed.

  “Do you want to shower before we go to Luke and Cassie’s? If you do, you probably should wake up now.”

  His eyes slowly opened, and he looked at the clock on the nightstand. He’d been asleep for over an hour and a half. Shit. So much for his plans before going to his friends’ house.

  The bedroom smelled like her body wash and shampoo, like she was fresh out of the shower.

  “Why didn’t you wake me when you got up?” he groaned, reaching for her.

  “Well, like you always tell me—I assumed you needed the rest.”

  He tugged her towel off and pulled her naked body back into bed with him. Her soft tits mashed against his bare chest made his dick move, followed by his small gasp when her cold, wet hair landed on his warm skin. He didn’t pass up the opportunity to grab her bare ass in the process and pull her against his cock, contained by his underwear.

  “Benji, we don’t have time. We were late last time—we can’t be late again.”

  His lips found her neck, and he murmured between soft kisses, “They’ll understand.”

  He could tell she was starting to relent when she didn’t move to get out of bed, and instead lay there and let him fondle her tits and kiss her neck—even tilting her head to give him better access.

  With a groan, she sat up.

  “No, you have to take a shower.”

  He sat up with her and began sucking on her nipples.

  “Why don’t you join me?”

  Harper slowly slipped out his grasp and stood up, retrieving the towel from the floor and wrapping it back around her body.

  “Because I have to finish getting ready.”

  “You’re no fun,” Ben grumbled as he got out of bed, his cock tenting his boxer briefs.

  She rubbed him playfully over the fabric.

  “Oh, baby, I’m fun,” she purred seductively. “I’ll show you how much fun when we get home.”

  He reached under her towel and grabbed a handful of flesh.

  “I’m holding you to that.”

  “Good,” she said with a tiny smile.

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Ben

  “Let me see!” Cassie squealed when they walked in the Rivases’ front door. She made a beeline for Harper while Ben tried to subtly, but frantically, shake his head at her as he stood behind his not-yet-official fiancée. He’d slept through his plans to propose today.

  Luke saw his best friend trying to ward his wife off, and grabbed her around the waist before she reached Harper, laughing, “It’s only cheesecake, babe,” as he spun her around and whispered in her ear.

  “Well, you know how I love cheesecake,” Cassie said far too loudly, her tone now obviously phony.

  Harper looked at the other woman suspiciously as she handed her the dessert.

  “What’s going on?” she mumbled to Ben through smiling, clenched teeth.

  “I’m not sure,” he whispered. “Maybe she’s drunk.”

  That made Harper giggle.

  “Tío!” Lucas shouted from the upstairs landing, then scrambled down the stairs and slammed into Ben’s hip at full speed.

  “Hey, little man,” he said, his arms going around his godson as he tried to steady himself from the impact. “What have you been up to today?”

  “Uncle Ron and Aunt Brenna took me and Sofia to the zoo today. Have you ever been?”

  “Of course I have, lots of times.” Ben looked over at Lucas’s parents with raised eyebrows. “Uncle Ron? Aunt Brenna?” The boy had always addressed Cassie’s sister and brother-in-law as tía and tío.

  “He’s trying to improve his English before he goes back to school in the fall,” Cassie offered in response.

  “I hope he’s keeping his Spanish, too.”

  “Of course. If for nothing else, so he can communicate with Yanna and her family when they visit,” Luke responded.

  Yanna—Adriana—was Lucas’ biological mother; she was only allowed supervised visits.

  “Do you know how many classes I had to take, then live abroad, before I was fluent? No way would I let Lucas lose his Spanish,” Cassie added.

  “Ah, yes, my Spanish-speaking guera,” Luke said sarcastically as he hugged her into his side.

  Guera—loosely translated in Mexican slang, meant white girl. Luke underestimating Cassie’s ability to understand Spanish had gotten him into trouble once.

  Cassie didn’t ease into his hug like she normally did. Instead she pulled away and shrugged unapologetically with pursed lips, almost as if daring him to relive that night. “Yep.”

  Like the smart man Ben knew his friend to be, Luke changed the subject. No one wanted to revisit those events. The only bright side to them was that it had been when Lucas was introduced into all their lives.

  Harper and Cassie opened the wine and settled into the loungers on the patio with Sofia Claire on Cassie’s lap while Luke, Ben, and Lucas stayed in the kitchen preparing the food to grill.

  “Why didn’t you ask her? Cold feet?” Luke asked.
>
  “Hell no, I didn’t get cold feet. We fell asleep, and I didn’t wake up until it was time to get ready.”

  “You should wear socks if your feet are cold,” Lucas observed, pointedly looking at the flip-flops Ben was wearing with his cargo shorts.

  Ben ruffled his godson’s hair.

  “That is good advice, little man. I will definitely do that next time my feet get cold.”

  “So, are you going to do it tonight?”

  “I’m going to play it by ear. Depends on how tired she is when we leave.”

  Luke winked at his friend. “I’ve got your six, man. You’ll be out of here by eight. Eight-thirty tops.”

  Just then Charlotte’s cries came over the baby monitor. Ben could see Cassie craning her neck from the lounger, peering into the kitchen to see whether Luke was going to get her or if she needed to get up. He patted the SWAT sergeant’s shoulder, then opened the slider and called out, “I got her,” before heading to the nursery.

  ****

  Harper

  Ben came onto the brick pavers, bouncing baby Charlotte in his arms. She was a beautiful child—as was her sister. And Lucas was the spitting image of his dad.

  “They sure do make beautiful babies,” Harper murmured wistfully when Ben sat down on her patio chair next to her.

  “They don’t always smell so good though.” With a wide animated smile at the little one, he cooed, “No, they don’t. They’re stinky after naps, huh? Uncle Ben had to wear a gas mask to change you.”

  Charlotte immediately responded with a toothless smile.

  “You changed her diaper?”

  “Well, yeah. She was dirty. I couldn’t let her sit in that for a second longer.” He turned his attention back to the little baby hanging on his every word and expression. “That would be gross, huh?”

  Cassie, who’d been checking on Sofia in her sandbox in the corner of the patio, returned to her chair.

  “Hi baby,” she cooed to Charlotte, then said to Ben, “You changed her clothes.”

  “Yeah, I kinda had to.”

  “Oh my god, she has had the most explosive diarrhea lately.” Luke and Lucas walked onto the patio as she blurted that out, both of them making a face. “You should have called me; I would have taken care of her. You didn’t have to do that.”