“Lie through your damn teeth. Then sic Jude on hacking into the video feed of everywhere she’s been.” Colt brings up a good point. The only problem with that is, I’ve got no fucking idea where all she’s been except for her place, myplace, Ophelia’s business, and Twisted Oak. Other than that, it’ll all be up to Jude.
“You’ve got a point. Don’t like the idea of someone following her, either. It fucking sets my teeth on edge.” Now more than ever, I’m glad Jude did what I asked him to do today. Blowback may come from it, but her safety means a fuck of a lot more.
“Can’t say mine wouldn’t, either. Here are the keys. I’ll invoice you the bill later this week.” Letty is standing off to the side, biting at her thumbnail, arm beneath her breasts, elbow on top. The stress she is under is showing in every part of her being.
“Thanks, I owe you one.” We shake hands, and I pull him in for a half-hug, slapping his back.
“I think we’re even now. You never know, though. I may need an attorney in the middle of the night or a Sunday morning.” Last time Colt needed me, it was in the middle of a three-day holiday weekend, when fucking everything is closed down and getting a judge to look at what Colt needed wasn’t an easy task. I somehow managed to get it done but owed the judge a fuck of a lot, which came in the form of an expensive bottle of whisky, along with a similarly priced bottle of wine for his wife.
“Whenever. I’m only a phone call away.” Colt heads back to the truck he was working on earlier today when I called, and I make my way to Letty. Her keys are in my hand, and damn if I’m not reluctant to give them back to her. I’d rather have her glued to my side by whatever means necessary. But there isn’t a snowball’s chance in hell she would allow that to happen. She’d argue that she can do things on her own, andshe’s right. She absolutely can, still doesn’t mean I have to fucking like it.
“You’re deep in thought.” Letty is staring off into space or really looking at one particular place in the shop, and I startle her when I speak.
“Yeah, sorry.” I take her hand in mine, the one she had near her mouth, entwining our fingers and giving it a firm squeeze.
“Anything I can help with?” I pocket her car keys in order to get my other hand on her, too. I wrap my hand around her lower back and pull her into my chest, placing my chin on top of her head, and finally, when she sinks into me, I can feel the weight of her worries lift away.
“You’ve done so much already. I’ll never be able to repay you as it is. I’m just thinking about how I’ve monopolized everyone’s day, what I can do to show my appreciation rather than voicing it. Tomorrow also starts another busy week, and sometimes I feel like I’m a hamster on a wheel, where all I do is stay in this never-ending cycle.” She gives me another piece of her without me having to pry it out of her. Fucking finally. Soon, she’ll realize I’ll be her safe place no matter what storm comes her way.
“Kitten, the last thing I want is for you to feel obligated to me. I think you realize what we have is important to me. It’s also permanent. We’ve got a future, one that I’m sure you see with me as well.” She tips her head up, and I lock eyes with her, showing the sincerity in my statement. “Now, since we didn’t get a chance to eat before Colt called, if you really want to show your appreciation and cook dinner, I’d be much obliged. It’s either that, or I’m going to starve.”
I’ve got an idea in mind: dinner, a glass of wine, and maybe, just maybe, it’ll lull her into tranquility, allowing me to talk her into staying the night. I’ll still have to figure out the rest of the week, and with any luck, at least tomorrow, I can have Jude look into things. There’s also the phone tracker, and I’m not above taking my work on the road, if need be, to watch out for her.
“Is that right? I can’t let you starve, I suppose.” Letty’s smile lights her up from the inside out. It’s fucking contagious.
“No, you really can’t. As for Colt and Locke, they’re good. They got paid regardless. Plus, I’ve helped them before. Don’t take on that worry. As for feeling like you’re in a rat race, the only advice I have for you is to lean on someone while you do what you really want.” Letty sucks her bottom lip into her mouth, teeth lightly depressing on its plushness, and her eyebrows furrow. I have a distinct impression that I’m not going to like what tumbles from her lips next.
“Besides my mom, who was all I really had to begin with, and now that she’s gone, I don’t have anyone.” Fuck, I didn’t think I could be gutted. Yet, with those words, she just filleted me wide the hell open.
“You have me, and with me comes a group of people who will no doubt have your back.” We’re childhood friends who stuck together well into adulthood, and each time a new member is added via the form of a wife, fiancée, girlfriend, or child, they pull out the welcome wagon and have no qualms about opening their arms to include anyone. As long as you’re not a piece of shit and don’t judge, we’re a good bunch. You get on our bad side, well, we rally and take careof fucking business. It’s mostly us guys who deal with a lot of the issues. But we all saw Shae’s claws come out to play when an incident happened at Luke’s office. Then the girls got in on the action, helping devise a plan, and we learned they can take care of their own.
“Matthew, there are more pieces to this puzzle. And to follow up on what I skipped over, not on purpose, obviously, I, well, I want this. I want us. It’s just that I’ve got a lot of baggage, and while right now, I can’t really talk about it, I promise when I’m ready, I’ll tell you more. As far as your friends, I figured they were good people when you recommended Ophelia’s, and three of them hired our service.” Letty stops talking for a moment, and it solidifies that I’ll be showing back up at Jude’s tomorrow, probably with the gang in tow. It’s either that, or I send out a text, cluing everyone in, and we meet up at Johnny’s. Either way, I’m going to make it happen.
“As for Colt and Locke, I know Colt owed you a favor, and Locke was technically paid through your tow service. I’d still like to show my appreciation. Maybe the next time I bake cookies, I’ll make a batch for them?” It’s more of a question than a statement.
“They’d probably like that, though, are you asking me or letting me know?”
“I’m asking you. I’ll pay for the ingredients, of course. Could I use your kitchen? I mean, obviously, I’d be baking them for you as well. It would just take me a bit longer to do four batches instead of two.” A part of me doesn’t want her to share anything she cooks or bakes, wanting to keep her to myself and not let anyone have a piece of what she lovinglycreates. But I’d be the worst type of asshole there ever was if I so much as uttered those words.
“Anytime you want to use my kitchen, it’s yours. I sure as hell don’t use the damn thing unless it’s for coffee or reheating something.” The laugh she gives me is something else. Letty’s head tips back, her shoulders shake, and it's so goddamn pretty I can feel it in my dick. I don’t interrupt her, even though she’s laughing at my expense.
“I’m going to teach you to cook, at least the basics,” she says between her pouts of laughter.
“Good, we’ll do tit for tat. You teach me to make something edible, and I’ll teach you how to take me.” The conversation takes a turn, one that has me walking Letty backward until her back meets the wall.
“Matthew.” Her voice turns molten fucking hot, desire is written all over her face, and when I glance down, I can see it taking over her body. The thin shirt, along with what must be a lace bra, highlights her taut nipples. While the weather is cooler than normal, it’s not that cold. She’s reacting to me.
“I like you this way, hot and bothered, soft and sweet. Now, I’m going to kiss you, then we’re going to go back to my place. We’ll figure out the dinner situation, and as long as you’re good with the direction this is going, I’m going to hear the moans you’ve gifted me over the phone. The only difference is, I’ll get to watch you fall apart with my own eyes.” I drop my head and graze my nose along hers, hoping like fuck she’s all in.
“Yes, please. As long as I get to watch you, too.” I seal my mouth to hers, hands cupping her cheeks, and relish how she cups my wrists. There’s no reason to respond. I’d give hereverything if she asked for it. Letty lets out a whimper, lips opening for me, and I slide inside. My tongue meets hers, and she meets me, slowly tasting me as I taste her. Things go from hot to hotter when her body arches into mine. I dip my hips and allow her to feel what she’s doing to me. My damn cock is so hard it’s dying to get inside her, and when realization hits that Colt or any other fucking person could see what’s meant for my eyes and my eyes only, I pull back.
“Come on, kitten, let’s get out of here,” I mutter once the fog has lifted from her face.
“Okay.” Her response is sweet and only makes me harder.
13
LETTY
