“Are you a romantic, Mr. Barrett?”
Nash grinned. “I like to think so. I believe we each have someone out there our heart is meant to merge with. Someone our soul is waiting on to make it feel whole.”
This didn’t sound like the man who had been burned and vowed never to let another woman in.
Turning my head, I stared out the passenger window as the scenery turned from hills to flat, expansive farm land.
“You don’t agree with me?” he finally asked, breaking the silence.
“I totally agree with you. I guess I haven’t been lucky enough yet to find that person. I asked my mother once how I would know when I found him.”
“What did she say?” Nash asked.
Smiling at the memory, I stared down at my hands twisting on my lap. “She told me everything would simply make sense when I found him. Like the entire world around you would suddenly seem clearer.” A slight chuckle slipped from my lips as her words came back to me. “Like when you’re sitting under a tin roof and the rain is hitting it. After you fall in love that sound is the most beautiful thing you’ll ever hear. Even though I think it’s beautiful now, according to her, it will be even more. Or how during a storm you will swear you can hear his whispered words among the thunder. That even the leaves in the fall will hold a more brilliant color when you’re in love. She said love changes everything.”
My teeth dug into my lip, and I wished I could take back the last few moments of this conversation. I had opened up and poured out all that nonsense. Even though I didn’t think any of it was nonsense.
“Stupid, I know,” I whispered.
“I don’t think it’s stupid.”
Lifting my gaze, our eyes met for a brief moment before Nash focused back on the road.
“Have you ever been in that kind of love?”
Oh. My. Gosh. Why did I ask him that? I already knew the answer. Kaelynn, you are so stupid and a sucker for punishment.
Nash didn’t say a word for a good minute. It was long enough to make me look back out the passenger window and curse myself for being so stupid.
“I thought I was in love with Lily. Thought I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her. It took me a long time to figure out that maybe it wasn’t just my heart I thought was broke, but more my pride. She left me because I didn’t make the type of money she made, and that really was a gut punch. I wanted to believe I couldn’t have loved someone so shallow, but deep in my heart I knew all along.”
“Oh, Nash, are you sure it had to do with money?”
He laughed, but it sounded empty and cold. “Trust me, it was. She kept our relationship a secret, and I thought it was because she didn’t want Tucker to find out. She was embarrassed, plain and simple. The first guy to come along with a bigger wallet turned her head, and she ended up sleeping with him and getting pregnant.”
I felt guilty making Nash think I didn’t already know the story.
“I could see why that would hurt you, her cheating on you, and then getting pregnant.”
He shrugged. “Yeah, at the time I felt pretty bitter and pissed off.”
“Time has healed that?”
When he turned and our eyes met, he smiled. “Yes, and other things made me realize it was time to move on.”
Lifting a brow, I asked with a smile, “Oh . . . do tell of these other things.”
His eyes turned dark and I felt a bit of excitement, or maybe it was anticipation, race through my veins.
We both jumped when Nash’s phone rang through the truck.
He hit the button and said, “Hello, yeah, Nash here.”
“Nash, it’s Rip, we have a problem at the Jefferson site. City inspector is here and he is saying we didn’t get the final permit on the plumbing, and we’re set to pour the foundation tomorrow.”
“We have the permit, it’s in my office in the project folder. Just have Morgan go in and get it, scan it over to you, and you can show him. That should be good enough for him to sign off. Tell Morgan to send it to his email.”
“Her. Email.”
Nash groaned. “Shit. Is it Jessica?”
“Yep. Nothing like an old lover scorned.”
My head jerked over to Nash. His cheeks filled with red as he shook his head and cursed.
“I’ll take care of it.”
Pulling over to the side of the road, Nash grabbed his phone. “Sorry, I need to make a quick pit stop. I know we’re on a tight schedule.”
Motioning with my hands, I replied, “No. Take care of it.”
I watched as Nash got out of the truck and paced in front of his hood. His hand sliced through his hair I swore every few minutes. The frustration on his face was evident. What had the guy meant when he said an old lover scorned? It was wrong of me to do it, but I lowered the visor, then I rolled my window down some. Leaning forward like I was looking at myself, I adjusted myself to try and hear him.
If your mother could see you now, Kaelynn Shae. Listening in on a conversation clearly meant to be kept private.
He stopped at the corner of the passenger side as he looked out over the field. I strained to hear him.
“Jessica, you know all I have to do is send the permit over to your boss, and he’s going to see you’re dicking us around. It was a one-night stand months ago; we both knew that going in. Why are you so fucking bitter about it?”
I leaned back in my seat and sighed. The thought of Nash and this woman together made my stomach ache, and that bothered me. I wasn’t with Nash. I laid no claim to him. Yet . . . something deep inside of me wanted more with him, and I couldn’t deny it.
Flipping the visor up, my gaze caught his.
He was staring at me.
Busted eavesdropping. You’ve hit a new low, Kaelynn.
He raised a brow, and I gave him a shy smile and stupidly lifted my hand in a wave.
When he smiled at me, I knew he wasn’t hearing a word Jessica was saying to him. He was too focused on me, and that made my heartbeat instantly speed up. Butterflies replaced the ache that had previously sat in my lower stomach like a rock. I swallowed hard as the pulse between my legs grew stronger.
Oh no. I want Nash Barrett.
“Kaelynn, what are you doing?” I mumbled.
My tongue ran over my parched lips, and I saw the corner of Nash’s mouth twitch up, as if he wanted to smile but stopped himself. Then he narrowed his gaze. I swore the sound of my pounding heart filled the truck. I somehow managed to pull my eyes away from him in an attempt to regain what little bit of self-control I had left.
Taking in a deep breath, I steadied my breathing and caught a glimpse of Nash making his way back into the truck. I raised the window and blew out a steady breath.
The urge to jump across the seat and push myself against him was something new. Where was this side of me coming from? My libido was in control here.
“What is happening to me?” I whispered as I forced myself to breathe normally as Nash opened the door, climbed into his seat, and flashed me those dimples.
“Sorry about that. Ready?”
The only thing I could manage to do was nod. I was ready for something all right. Just what that something was, I hadn’t quite figured out yet.
STANDING OUTSIDE THE tall building in downtown Houston, I waited for Morgan to answer.
“Barrett Construction, Morgan speaking.”
“Did that contract come through on the Miller project?”
“Hello to you too, Nash. My gosh, can’t you take a day off?”
“Thanks to you, I’m going to be behind with work.”
“I’m sure it is killing you to be stuck in your truck with a beautiful woman for the day.”
I sighed. “Did the contract come through?”
“Linda said it did.”
“Linda?” I asked, frowning. “Who is Linda?”
“The new office manager Dad hired. I thought you interviewed her.”
The anger that rose up in my body made me pull the phon
e away and let out a few curse words. I closed my eyes and brought the phone back up to my ear. “No, I didn’t interview her. I thought we had agreed on hiring Karen.”
Morgan chuckled. “Dad said she wasn’t what the company needed.”
“What in the fuck does that even mean?” I bit back.
“Hey, don’t get pissed at me, Nash. You need to have that sit-down with Dad sooner rather than later. Things aren’t getting any better, and I hate to say this, but even Mom is starting to ask me if you’re feeling a bit bitter.”
“Bitter? About what?”
The silence on the other end told me Morgan was no longer alone.
“Just have the conversation. I need to run; everything here is fine. Please just take the rest of the afternoon off. Enjoy the road trip and get to know Kaelynn. She really is such a sweetheart.”
Another sigh slipped from between my lips. “Let me know if you need anything.”
“Yes, boss.”
Boss. That was a joke. My father was clearly making a statement he was still very much in control of Barrett Construction. Never mind the fact I had landed us two huge projects that would put Barrett Construction on the map in Austin. We would make a great profit when it was all said and done. My father didn’t care though.
“Fuck it,” I said as I scrubbed my hands down my face.
“That doesn’t sound good.”
I spun around to see Kaelynn standing there. The corner of her mouth lifted in a smile.
“Sorry about that. How did it go?”
“Amazing. You haven’t been waiting long, have you?” she asked as she walked closer to me. Just her being near me today was making my mind wander off in directions I knew it shouldn’t be going. When I had caught her eavesdropping on my call to Jessica, I had to fight the urge to question her on it. She looked so damn cute with that blush on her cheeks. I also had to fight the urge to get back in my truck and pull her into my lap, Jessica be damned.
“Nah, I went over to the Starbucks and worked on some paperwork for a bit.”
“Good. I already feel so bad about you driving me all the way here and wasting a day.”
“Kaelynn, it’s not a big deal. Especially with you helping Morgan out like you are.”
She shrugged. “It’s my job, and I love doing it.”
“Speaking of,” I stated, pointing to the giant building behind her. “How did it go?”
“Great. The company hired a lawyer, and the board of directors was also on hand, so it was pretty simple to explain the process of setting up the scholarship. I think it is amazing that such a large corporation is willing to do something like this for one of their employees. It makes your heart feel good.”
“How’s the mom doing?”
Her smile faded. “She’s doing as well as can be expected. Her son gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country. I think with her employer doing this for her, it is helping with the healing. She pulled me to the side and asked me if I could send her a list of reputable charities for her to support.”
We started walking down the street to the public garage I had parked my truck in.
“Do you have a favorite?” I asked.
“There are some amazing ones out there, but my personal favorite is the Gary Sinise Foundation. I interned there for a bit. I’ve helped a few corporations set up support missions with the foundation. I even met a woman who didn’t have millions to leave but wanted to leave it to someone who would help our military. Gary’s foundation was my first thought. They help more than just our veterans and military; they also support first responders.”
“I’ve heard of it. He has his own band, right?”
She grinned. “Yeah. He does. The Lieutenant Dan Band.”
I let out a soft laugh. “That’s right.”
The rest of the walk to the truck was in silence. Not an uncomfortable silence, by any means. Kaelynn seemed lost in thought, and I wanted to let her deal with whatever memory she was focused on.
A few hours later, I pulled into the town of Elgin and parked in front of my favorite barbeque place.
“In the mood for some barbeque?” I asked.
“Sure. I’m sorry I’ve been on my laptop this whole time. I feel terrible; I know you have your own work to do.”
Slipping out of the truck, I looked back at her and said, “No worries. Work will always be there.”
Her head tilted as she regarded me for a moment. Then she turned and opened her door as I shut mine.
As we stood in line waiting to order, she bumped my arm. “How are you going to get Jim’s information?”
“I know the combo to his safe. I’ll just sneak a peek.”
She laughed. “Okay, what is your reason for sneaking a peek?”
We were next in line, so I leaned down and put my mouth to her ear and whispered, “I have my ways of getting what I want.”
Her entire body trembled, and her breath hitched. When the cashier called out next, I stepped up and rattled off my order. I needed to ignore the way my cock ached for Kaelynn. The longer I was around her, the more I found myself wanting her.
“Brisket, side of beans, potato salad, and a drink.” Glancing down to Kaelynn, I asked, “You know what you want?”
Her eyes jerked up to meet my gaze. When her mouth opened a bit, I had to hold back the moan threatening to slip out. Then she smiled, and I swore the whole damn building shook.
“I do know what I want, and I also have my ways of getting exactly what I want.”
My brow lifted as she kept staring at me. With a smirk, I asked, “Are we talking about food or something else?”
She shrugged, winked, then turned to the very confused girl waiting to take her order.
“I’ll have the same thing he is having.”
With a nod, the cashier read back our order, handed us two cups for the drinks, and told us to have a great day.
Once I slipped into the booth, Kaelynn only seconds behind me, I took a quick glance around. The restaurant wasn’t very crowded. Probably because it was between the lunch and the dinner rush. Regardless, I appreciated the quietness of the restaurant so we could talk freely without having to raise our voices.
“So, tell me about your family,” I said, deciding not to address the attraction I was pretty positive we both felt toward one another.
“My family?” she asked, a nervous edge to her voice
I laughed. “Yeah. You know . . . Mom, Dad, siblings. Are y’all close? What do they do back up there in Utah?”
Her eyes looked down at her drink and away from me. She shook her head and drew in a slow, deep breath while trying to act like this wasn’t a subject she wanted to discuss.
I couldn’t shake the feeling she was hiding something about her family. Maybe she wasn’t very close to them or had some sort of falling out. I hadn’t gotten that impression when we met. It was clear from her reaction she did not want to talk about them.
“Not much to tell. My dad works a lot, my brother is doing really good settling in with life after the military, and my sister is a pain in my ass who thrives on making my father happy.”
The nervous chuckle she let out made me draw my brows in some. “Do you not get along with your family?”
“What?” she asked as a shocked expression covered her face. “Yes, um, yes, we all get along great.”
“Okay,” I said with a chuckle. “That was just the vaguest answer I’ve ever heard someone give me when I asked about their family. You said they support your career?”
She nodded. “Did your mom and dad not want you to go into the family business?”
I let out a roar of laughter. “Oh yeah. My dad pretty much told me I would be disowned if I didn’t follow in his footsteps. When I first mentioned wanting to go into the Marine Corps, I thought he was going to have a heart attack. I wanted to be a pilot. Even took some lessons in high school when I saved up the money to pay for them.”
Her eyes lit up. “Wow! The Marines? Your dad didn’t want y
ou to join?”
“Nah. He was in and loved serving his country, but he came home and took over the construction business his father had started. It had been struggling and there were times we hardly had food on the table. But my father got it going, made enough money that we lived good, not great, but we had food and money to have decent holidays and family vacations. He put us through college, and in some way, I think he feels like I owe him for that. When I told him what I wanted to do, he told me it would break my mother’s heart and she’d do nothing but worry like she had when he was in—and he would never speak to me again.”
“Nash, that’s terrible.”
“It is what it is. I did what he wanted me to do, went to college, got a business degree, and went to work for Barrett Construction. It’s not the life I thought I would have, but I met Tucker and Blake my freshman year, then Jim, Terri, and Charlie. We’ve been best friends ever since. I can’t imagine my life without the five of them in it.”
Our food was brought out and Kaelynn started firing off question after question. I knew it was her way of keeping me from asking about her family.
“How did Morgan manage to get away from the family business?”
“She’s a girl. Dad knows she wouldn’t make any kind of a living being the office manager. She’s always had a passion for art and helping people since the girl could hold a paintbrush. I guess he figured that was a better way of life than being a Marine.”
“Are you happy though? Working for your dad?”
“I am, I guess, for now. I live a simple life and don’t really want for much. Some day I’d like to buy some land . . . a few hundred acres in the hill country. The price is going up, though, so I’ll probably have to be pretty damn far out. Doesn’t make sense to buy and try and build. Not when most of my work is in and around Austin.”
“Where do you live now?”
“In a house in south Austin. The lady was desperate to get out and was selling low. I purchased it, and within three years it’s pretty much doubled in value. It’s in a nice neighborhood. Nothing fancy, houses are a bit older, but everyone takes care of their places. I’ll make a nice profit when I sell it.”
Entice Me ~ Kelly Elliott Page 7