By the time they finished discussing Jarrod’s cars and what he wanted done, it was close to lunchtime. As they stepped out of the small office, he took Alex’s hand and tugged her close, wrapping his arm around her shoulders. He was enjoying this whole role-play thing a bit too damn much.
Rusty and Piper stayed in the office, but she could see them pretending not to look when he led her over to the Super Bee.
“Thanks for doing this, Jarrod. You helped me out of a tricky spot. And for bringing the work our way. You won’t be disappointed.”
“I wouldn’t have brought them here if I thought otherwise.” He brushed his thumb across her jaw. “And I’ll play your lover anytime, though the real thing would be far more enjoyable, I can assure you. If your situation with Deacon changes, give me a call.” He slipped a card from his breast pocket and slid it into her hand.
Then, before she knew what was happening, he slid his other arm around her waist and pulled her into him. She turned her head as his lips descended, and they thankfully missed their target, hitting her jaw. She jerked back. “Right, well, thanks.”
“I hope you do call, Alex. I think we could have some fun together.” Then he climbed into her dream car and drove off.
She shoved the card in her pocket and blew out a shaky breath as his car disappeared into traffic. “Holy crap.”
As she turned to head back inside, she spotted the silver Mercedes sitting on the other side of the parking lot. The door opened and Deacon stepped out, face hard, jaw clenched.
He was in Mr. Chill mode, and those cold eyes never left her as he strode in her direction.
Shit. She’d just ruined everything.
Chapter Seven
Jarrod fucking Prescott was a dead man.
He’d decided to give Alex a day, had stupidly thought that’s what she needed after running from him in the middle of the night, again. Worried that he’d pushed too hard, too fast.
Idiot. The woman had made a complete fool of him. He’d left her alone for twenty-four hours, and she’d already found his replacement.
Alex shoved her hands in her pockets and took a step back as he strode toward her, paling before his eyes. Control a thing of the past, he gripped her upper arms when he reached her. “What. The. Fuck, Alex?” She gaped at him; her lips moved, but nothing came out. “Is this you trying to punish me?”
“What? No, I—”
“Yo, big bro.” Rusty chose that moment to come flying out of the workshop. She flew at him, forcing him to let go of Alex, and dived straight into his arms. “We didn’t know you were coming.” She wrapped her arms around his waist. “It feels like forever since you’ve come to the garage.”
Try six months.
He tore his eyes from Alex, who looked like she wanted to throw up, and gazed down at his insanely beautiful, hard as nails sister. “I missed my sisters. Thought you might like some lunch?” It wasn’t a lie, not totally. He hadn’t seen them as much lately, and he hated it.
“Sweet. I’m starved.”
“I’ll take Alex with me to Tate’s. She can help me carry everything.” He locked eyes with her, and she scowled.
Rusty still had her arm flung around his waist, staring up at him. “Hey. You just missed meeting Alex’s new man. He drives her dream car.”
“Is that right? What’s he like?”
“You’ll have to ask Alex that,” she said, so full of innuendo he wanted to punch something. “Seems nice, though, couldn’t keep his hands off our girl. Almost told them to get a room when he pulled her into his lap and started making goo-goo eyes at her.”
“Is that so?”
Alex shook her head and forced a laugh. “That’s bullshit, Rusty, and you know it.”
“Don’t be coy now, girl. It’s about time you got some action.”
Deacon had heard more than enough. Releasing his sister, he wrapped his fingers around Alex’s wrist and started toward his car. “Be back soon,” he called over his shoulder.
He yanked the door open. “Get in the car.”
Alex glared up at him. “Jesus. Calm the hell down and let me explain.”
She climbed in, and he strode around and got in the driver’s side, started the car, and peeled out of West’s. “Deal’s off.” The words were out of his mouth before he could stop himself; his pride had taken a hit. Not to mention the way his chest had felt like it was going to fucking explode when he saw them together. He’d already had one screwed-up relationship in his life, a relationship full of lies and hurt and infidelity. He couldn’t do that again, not with Alex.
She spun to face him. “What?”
He wrenched the car to the right and pulled into the loading bay between Carter’s Mufflers and Dalton’s Auto Parts and Repairs before he caused an accident and turned to her. “I stopped playing these games in high school, Alex. I told you how it was. I don’t share. Ever.”
“But I didn’t—”
“Is this about me taking your virginity? Did I hurt you that badly? Is this you trying to hurt me back?” He didn’t know where the words came from, but right then he needed to know the answer. She stared at him, wide-eyed, biting her goddamn bottom lip in that way that made him want to kiss her, strip her bare. “Answer me.”
“No, Goddammit. I—”
“What?” he yelled. She froze, eyes narrowing. She stared him down, fire in her gaze, as pissed off as he was. “Did you call him right after you ran out on me the other night? Did you go to him?” He sounded like a crazy person, but Alex had that effect on him. Drove him fucking insane.
“Wow. I knew you could be a dick, Deacon, but this is a whole new level even for you.” She jabbed a finger at him. “I’m not seeing Jarrod. Jesus. If you must know, he came to West’s to discuss the cars we were talking about the other night…”
“He kissed you. I saw him with his filthy lips all over you. Are you denying it? Am I hallucinating?”
“Yeah, he kissed me, and yeah, he was all over me,” she fired back.
Boom. He lost it. “I’ll fucking kill him.” He smashed his fist against the unforgiving dash so hard he thought he heard bone crunch.
“Christ, Deacon, stop it.” She grabbed his wrist and held on. “We were pretending, all right? He arrived, and Rusty put two and two together and came up with fifty-seven. She knows I’m seeing someone. I had to have an excuse for being out all the time. Jarrod agreed to play along when I freaked out. End of story.”
Air hissed between his teeth, partly to calm himself and partly because his hand hurt like a bitch. “Pretending?”
She scowled harder. “That’s what I said. Shit.”
“So there’s nothing going on between you and Prescott?”
“No, there’s nothing going on, you overbearing asshole.”
They stared at each other, both breathing heavily. She couldn’t hide it—she was as turned on as he was. That’s when he lost it again. He hauled her over the seat, into his lap, and smashed his mouth down on hers, thrusting his tongue into her sweet mouth, taking back what was his. Her fingers immediately slid into his hair, fisting it, pulling hard, punishing him for the way he’d treated her. He deserved it.
But after seeing another man put his hands on her, the thought that she might actually welcome Jarrod’s touch? He’d become a jealous dickhead. Shit, he’d loved her for so damn long, the thought of her wanting someone else, being with someone else, fucking cleaved him in two. Pulling back, he kissed along her jaw to the shell of her ear. “I’m sorry, baby. I’m so sorry.”
Alex moaned as he undid the button of her shorts, then worked down the zipper. She spread her smooth legs wider for him, giving him better access, and he shoved his hand inside her panties. Fuck, she was wet, drenched. He pushed a finger inside her, and she whimpered against his throat, tongue darting out to taste his skin.