Repo
Repo wasn’tsure how most first dates usually worked but he felt like the luckiest man on the planet that Cat was his. He couldn’t take his eyes off her in that sexy dress and “fuck me” heels. She had asked him to order for her and he decided to go with steak. He knew it was a safe bet since she seemed to love it when he grilled burgers for her.
They talked about everything—their pasts, their futures, and he suddenly felt himself wondering if she saw him as part of her future. He had told her that he wanted to move to Gatlinburg permanently and run his business from his cabin. Hell, he offered her a job by his side, as his apprentice, but he was pretty sure Cat didn’t understand the extent that he’d go to keep her close. He wanted her for so much more than a work buddy and it was time that he spelled it out for her and let the chips fall where they may.
Repo helped Cat up into his truck and rounded the front to climb into the driver’s seat. He put the keys into the ignition and before he could turn on the truck, she turned to him and smiled, taking his breath away.
“Thank you for tonight,” she said. He was being a coward. He made excuses for himself—saying that telling her that he was in love with her in a crowded restaurant wasn’t romantic, but he was just being a chicken.
“Cat, I—I think I’m in love with you,” he whispered. Repo didn’t mean to just blurt it out like that. God, he was fucking this all up but she made him want things he never had before. He refused to look at her, too afraid that he’d see amusement in her beautiful blue eyes and that wasn’t something he could stand.
“Repo,” she breathed. “Please look at me.” He let out the breath he was holding and did as she asked. “I’m in love with you too. I have been since that day in court. I’ve just been a coward, not wanting to say it in case you don’t feel the same way.”
“I do,” he breathed. “God, Cat—I do.” Cat reached across the seat and took his hand into hers.
“Good,” she said. “I’m glad I’m not in this by myself, Repo. When you asked me to come work for you, I worried that you were only asking to help me out. Hell, for a while there I thought you were only offering because you felt bad for me. It never crossed my mind that you might be feeling the same way about me. What about all those times you pushed me away? You said you don’t fuck with your money,” she said.
“I told you that all changed for me, Cat. I thought we already went over all this shit,” he growled. “You said you agreed that things had changed for you too.”
“They did but you have to understand Repo,” she said. “I’ve never felt like this about anyone else. I didn’t believe you at first but these last few days—well, I get it now.”
“Thank fuck,” he said. “Tell me you’ll stay with me, Cat. Tell me that after your court date, you’ll come back here and live with me in my cabin.” He felt as though he was holding his damn breath waiting for her to give him her answer. “Please, Cat,” he begged.
“It’s not that easy,” she breathed. “What happens if I show back up to court and the judge gives me time? That week you were gone, I did some research and I know what the penalty is in Alabama for prostitution. I’m facing up to a year in prison and a hefty fine.”
“I don’t give a fuck about the fine,” he said. “I’ll pay whatever it is, Cat.”
“No,” she said. “You’ve done so much already,” she said.
“You can work it off,” he said. Cat gasped and pulled her hand free from his. “Shit, I didn’t mean it like that, Cat. Fuck—I meant that you could work it off as my employee. Shit,” he barked. Jesus, he was fucking this all up and when Cat covered her face, sobs racking her petite frame, he groaned.
“Don’t cry, Cat,” he begged. “I’m sorry—I sometimes don’t think before I speak. I fucked up.” Cat pulled her hands free from her face and threw her head back and howled with laughter. “What the hell, Cat?” he asked. She couldn’t seem to stop laughing. Every time he thought she was finished she’d start all over again.
“Mind sharing what’s so funny?” he asked.
“You, this—everything. God, we are quite a pair, aren’t we? You are tripping over your words like a teenage boy and I can’t figure out when a boy even likes me,” Cat said.
“First of all, I’m a man, Honey,” he corrected. “Second, I more than like you—I’m in love with you Cat.”
“I love you too, Repo,” Cat said. He’d never get tired of hearing her say those words to him.
“Then let me help you, Cat. We can figure out the rest later. I don’t give a fuck about the money or some damn fine. I think my lawyer we’re seeing tomorrow will be able to keep you from serving time,” Repo said. His lawyer promised him that he’d be able to keep Cat out of jail but he still had his concerns. If she had to do community service they’d have to stay in Huntsville until her parole was over. As long as they were together, he didn’t give a shit where they lived.
“I don’t want my problems to become yours, Repo,” she said.
“How about if I don’t mind, Cat?” he asked. “How about we start calling them our problems and see what happens?” Cat opened her mouth to protest again and Repo covered it with his big hand. “Just give this a chance, Cat.” She nodded her agreement and he could feel her smile. Repo pulled his hand free, “Thank you.”
“Can we go home now?” she asked. “I’m dying to get out of these shoes.” He started his truck and smirked over at her.
“How about you leave the shoes and lose the dress?” he asked. She looked down at her feet and grimaced, making him laugh. “That bad?”
“Yeah,” she said. “As long as I don’t have to be on my feet, I’ll live.” Everything Repo had planned for her involved her being on her knees and back, but he’d keep that bit of information to himself.
“Not going to be a problem, Honey,” he said.
“Subtle,” she teased.
* * *