“What happened? You said she left. Why did she leave?”
I knew this would be the question. I haven’t talked about Lorna in so long, I hate to even now, years later. “She didn’t want to get stuck in this small town. She didn’t like Whiskey Run... she didn’t like that I was a mechanic.”
She shakes her head, confused. “I don’t understand...”
“Eat,” I tell her, pointing at her food.
She takes a few tiny bites and chews slowly. I can see her thoughts whirling. “She was from here... She knew I was a mechanic, she just decided that she wanted more...she wanted better.”
She gasps and drops her fork. “Don’t say that.”
I lay my fork down and push my plate away. “I’m not ignorant, Lakelyn. I’m dirty more than I am clean... I’m not well educated or going to be rich... I’ll be happy if I live in Whiskey Run forever.”
She pushes her chair back and walks around the table. She pushes me to lean back, and when I do, she sits in my lap. Instantly my arms go around her. “You’re a good man... a good mechanic... a good brother from what I can tell. The people of Whiskey Run seem to like you and respect you... I like you.” She trails her finger up and down my chest. “Plus, I sort of like you dirty.”
“Lakelyn.” I grunt her name. All it takes is for me to smell her, see her, hear her, and I’m hard for her.
She moves her butt across my lap, rubbing across my cock. “Oh!” She feigns surprise. “Is that for me?”
My hands go to her hips and hold her still. “You know it is.”
She stands up, and I reluctantly let her go. She gets as far as the door before she turns around and points at the bulge in my pants. “Come on, I need to shower, and we should probably take care of that.”
I’m up and trailing behind her faster than I’ve ever moved in my life.
I may not get to keep her long, but while I have her, I’m going to make the most of it.
Chapter10
Lakelyn
Iwake up the next morning thoroughly exhausted and sore in places I didn’t know could be sore. I’m completely wrapped in Tate’s arms, and I wish I could stay here, but after everything I put the crew through yesterday, I have to be on time today. I slowly disentangle myself from him and go across the house to the guest bathroom to get ready. I probably should have brought my car here yesterday but didn’t even think about it. I don’t think I’ve driven my car one time since I parked it when I got into town. But at most, the walk into downtown will only be twenty-five minutes. Thirty max.
Once I’m ready, I put my bag by the front door and tiptoe back toward Tate’s room. I don’t dare kiss him bye. I don’t want to wake him. He barely got any sleep either, and I don’t want to be the reason he misses out on more.
I look at him closely. He’s hugging the pillow that I just left. The sheet has dipped down around his waist, and I admire his body. How anyone could think Tate’s not good enough is beyond me. He’s everything I would want in a man. I would give anything to stay here in Whiskey Run with him... anything. But he didn’t ask, and all the time we talked and learned about each other last night, he never mentioned the future, and neither did I.
Regardless, I know this isn’t goodbye. I’m not going to be able to just leave Whiskey Run and never see him again. As soon as taping is done today, I’m going to hunt him down back at the shop.
I pull my phone from my pocket and take a picture of him sleeping before I turn and walk toward the front of the house. I grab my bag and take off walking, thinking of Tate and last night the whole way.
* * *
Tate
She left.
That’s the first thought I have when I wake up. Somehow I just know she’s not in the house anymore. But that doesn’t stop me from running room to room to find her. I had told myself I would enjoy last night... that one night would be enough. But it wasn’t. Not nearly enough.
I pull on my clothes and run out the front door. She took her bag... there’s nothing that she left behind... only her scent that is still permeating my pillow and my skin from where I held her all night. I make it downtown in record time and jog down to the square. They’re already filming, and I pace on the side as they are taking pictures and shooting video. She’s holding hands again with the same guy from yesterday. I hate it... I hate seeing her smile at him, I hate him having his arm around her... but I can’t look away.
I know she sees me and is probably wondering what I’m doing here. I have the same clothes I had on yesterday... and even though I showered last night, I’m sure I smell of motor oil and sweat. But I’m not going home to change clothes. I’m not taking my eyes off Lakelyn until I get to talk to her.
I stand on the side for what seems like hours but in fact is only twenty-five minutes. As soon as they take a break, Lakelyn is striding toward me. I hadn’t thought about what I’m going to say, but when she gets close enough, I say the one thing that comes to mind. “You could be pregnant.”
She jogs the rest of the way and grabs on to my hands. “Shhh... what are you trying to do, tell the whole town we had sex last night?”
I shake my head. “I don’t care who knows it... what if you’re pregnant?”