“I’ll take a dog.”
I glanced up at the gravelly voice. Mr. Cavanaugh.
“Please,” he added.
My hands trembled as I rolled a dog onto the grill. “Of course. What would you like on it?” It was the first time I’d seen him since he told me I was nothing and that he’d do a jig when I lost Gran’s house. My stomach twisted.
“Katie, well, I want to say I’m sorry about pushing you like that.”
I met his defiant eyes.
“I’ve never laid an angry hand on a woman in my life. I’m ashamed my temper got away from me.” He blew out a breath. “I never should have said all those horrible things. They weren’t true.” He pulled on his earlobe. “I think I just wanted you to hurt as much as I did. If Nellie were here, she’d kick my behind for it. You’re a good girl, and you deserve better than the hand you’ve been dealt. I’ve got no excuses. I was wrong, and I hope you see fit to forgive me in time.”
Vision blurry, I tried to blink away the tears clinging to my lashes. He didn’t hate me, didn’t think I was rubbish.
“Oh, now, please don’t cry.” His voice shook. “I’m sorry.”
I nodded, my throat constricted.
“What the hell, Pops? You said you were going to apologize.”
At Aiden’s voice, I jumped, quickly wiping at my face. The tears wouldn’t stop, though. I crouched below the counter. I didn’t want them to see me lose it.
The truck tilted and then Aiden was there, pulling me up and crushing me in his arms. I pulled up my hoodie so I could hide.
He chuckled and ran one hand over my head; the other held me firmly against his chest. “We can still see you.”
“He doesn’t hate me.”
“What did she say?” Mr. Cavanaugh asked.
“She said you don’t hate her.” Aiden held me closer, rubbing his hands up and down my back.
Sputtering, Mr. Cavanaugh finally said, “Well, of course I don’t! I never... I didn’t, Katie. I was an ass. I was missing my Nellie and taking it out on you. Please don’t cry.”
I nodded my head against Aiden’s chest, but the tears continued to flow.
“Okay. I’ve got you. Pops, can you get that?” The truck went dark. “Shh. Katie. You’re killing me.”
I tried to push away, to get my emotions under control, but Aiden held firm. I wiped at the tears again. “I’m okay. I’m sorry. I don’t know where that came from.”
Aiden brought his hands up, capturing my face, tipping it back so he could look at me. He kissed my eyelids. “You’ve been holding that in for weeks; probably longer. You’ve been terrorized by giant rodents, harassed and cheated by your husband?—”
“Ex.”
“Thank goodness for that.”
I smiled.
“You’ve been yelled at by a deranged, sauerkraut-loving tourist. You’ve been insulted and pushed by your gran’s boyfriend. You’ve had no money. No food. You’ve been working in this truck, employed by a loudmouth drunk. You had your cupcakes stolen by a dog. And let’s not forget interrogated and almost arrested.”
“When you put it that way.” I gasped a laugh.
“That’s better. I wouldn’t want you to be crying when I...” His mouth took mine, a soft, seductive possession. He pushed down my hood and plunged his hands into my hair, tilting my head, deepening the kiss.
My body went up in flames. I made soft, mewling sounds as I got on my tiptoes, trying to get closer, wanting more. His hand dragged down my back, landing on my butt. He groaned, kneading me and pulling me closer.
He reached farther down, grabbed the backs of my thighs, and picked me up. He plopped me down on the counter, my legs wrapped around his hips. He leaned in, his erection rubbing just right. I gasped. His lips were on my neck. I shivered at the heat of his breath and the scratch of his stubble. His tongue teased sensitive skin, and my head fell back on a moan. His lips traveled down my throat while his hands clutched my butt, setting a rhythm with his hip thrusts. I’d never wanted to be naked more in my entire life.
