by Meghan Quinn
“Are you serious about Gigi?”
Ew, Gigi is a horrible nickname. Caught off guard, I answer honestly. “Dead serious.” And it couldn’t be more true. Evidently, Georgie has wiggled her way into my life, and I have no intention of saying goodbye anytime soon.
“Then between well-respected men, you have a responsibility. You need to shut down this bridal shop idea of hers before it becomes an embarrassment to the family.” I blink a few times. He’s so unsupportive, so fucking awful. My dad would never have treated anyone so disrespectfully. “She’s had her fun, but it’s time for her to get back to reality, to be put back in her place. Her mother needs help with her charities, so Gigi can dive into that. But it’s your job to help her see that.” Mr. Westbrook puts his hand on my shoulder. “If you want to be a part of this family, it’s best you ensure Gigi realizes where she belongs. It’s best you show her how absurd her shop is and how it will shut down in a few months. Rein her in, son. Rein her in.”
Son.
Fuck that, I’m the farthest thing from this man’s son and honestly, I would be ashamed to call him my dad.
Stepping aside, I brush him off my shoulder and watch as his jovial expression turns into a sneer. Hell, he’s not going to like what I have to say next, but fuck if I’m going to stand by and let him talk about Georgie like that. Rein her in. Fuck that, I want to set that beautiful woman free.
“Pardon me, Mr. Westbrook, but the only thing that needs reining in is your shitty fathering. You should be ashamed of yourself, because frankly, I’m disgusted listening to your nonsensical, chauvinistic dribble. Your daughter, the one you want to repress, the brilliantly talented, intelligent daughter, doesn’t need to have her wings clipped. Her father should be uplifting, cherishing, and supportive. But you see zero worth in your daughter’s abilities, and that’s not only pathetic, given you’re the man who raised her, but sad. You have no fucking clue what you’re missing.” Shaking, I step into his space and stare down at him. “Georgiana Westbrook is simply more. She’s brilliant, funny, quick-witted, and doesn’t back down. She’s tenacious, yet cautious when she needs to be. She is proud, but also sweet and caring. And above all else, she’s strong-willed because she’s had to fight through the years of bullshit you’ve handed her. When she prevails, when she proves your small mind wrong, fuck, I wouldn’t want to be you. She’s going to make me so damn proud, and she will have no one to thank but herself.” Leaning in closer, I say, “Stay the fuck out of her way because she’s going places, and if anyone, and I mean fucking anyone, tries to put a speed bump in her way, I will personally make it my mission to bulldoze over that sorry motherfucker. Got it?”
Being the arrogant SOB he is, he doesn’t acknowledge me, so like the classless man I am, I roll up my napkin, plop it in the cup in his hand, and take off.
What a pitiful, sorry excuse for a man. No man should ever be allowed to father a child when they’re as prehistoric and vile as Donald Westbrook. Moments like these make me realize how incredible my dad really was. He gave me everything I needed for life. I only hope I’ll get the chance to pay that forward one day.
And fuck, I couldn’t be more turned on by how strong Georgie is. Rein her in. I shake my head.
No way in fuck.
I will do everything in my limited power to ensure that incredible girl finds her wings and soars. She not only deserves to succeed because of that dickhead, but because she is phenomenal despite that dickhead.
Fly, Georgie . . . fucking fly.
Chapter Twenty
GEORGIANA
“What is going on? He’s shaking in there and won’t say anything to me. He hasn’t said a word to me since we left the party.”
I’m standing by the ice and vending machine, a dollar in hand for some “chocolate” as I secretly meet up with Madison. I had one of the best days ever, secured not only Natalie Roman for the shop, but some of her high-designer friends as well. I was floating on cloud nine until I found Racer pacing back and forth by the side yard shrubs. When he spotted me, he asked me how everything went, I told him my good news, he nodded, congratulated me, and then said we were getting the hell out of there.
That is all I know. And thanks to his stubbornness, he won’t tell me a darn thing, and we’ve missed the rest of the day’s events.
“Ah, G. It’s not good.”
Great, his Lady Gaga lying got the best of him. I told him not to go too far, but then again it’s Racer, and he really never knows when to stop.
“Did he get caught? Did someone else know Lady Gaga?”
“No, this has nothing to do with Lady Gaga.” She takes a deep breath and looks me straight in the eyes. Oh crap, this can’t be good. “G, he saw your dad.”
Oh God.
Oh GOD!
I shake my head in disbelief. This did not happen. Please tell me this didn’t happen. I look for a seat, but there is nothing around, so I lean against the wall enclosing the vending area.
“My dad was there today?”
Madison nods. “He was. I saw him talking to Spencer, which pissed me off. I mean, I know he’s your dad and everything, but like I told Spencer, he should extend his loyalty to you. We fought about it for quite some time, which I won’t get into, but once we were finally able to calm down, we spotted your dad talking to Racer.”
They talked? Oh crap . . . OH CRAP!
Knowing my father, there is no way he would recognize Racer. He barely acknowledges our staff, so a weekend-only laborer wouldn’t cause a blip on his radar. But he talked to him?
“Did you hear anything he said?”
Madison bites her bottom lip. “Only the last half. I hid behind a lawn statue, posed like the damn thing so I wasn’t caught, as if I was in some spy novel. Missy Richards caught me and asked me what the hell I was doing. I told her challenging myself for the charity posing I do for art classes. And for some odd reason, I blurted out to her that I do it in the nude.” Madison rolls her eyes. “I would never pose nude unless I asked Leonardo DiCaprio to draw me like one of his French girls.”
Still bewildered, I say, “Madison, you know I love you, but please, no rabbit trails. What did they say to each other? Was Racer caught? Did my dad know who he is?”
My stomach is churning in knots, flipping all over the place, making me so incredibly nauseated I don’t know if I should step outside for some fresh air or barf in Madison’s ice bucket.
“No, your dad didn’t recognize him, but he did tell Racer to rein you in.”
“Rein me in?” I pinch my brow.
“I’m assuming from your shop. Missy was talking to me then so I couldn’t hear that well. She’ll be getting a fruit cake for Christmas, that’s for damn sure.”
“What did Racer say?” I’m shaking, so scared.
“He let your dad have it.” My body seizes from her words. When I look up at her, she nods. “Big time, G. He told your dad off, called him a horrible father, and beautifully stuck up for you. The things he said, God, he likes you, G, and he likes you hard. If you weren’t my best friend, I would have thrown my body at him. It was sexy.”
My stomach continues to flip but now in an entirely different direction. “He told him off?”
“Yeah. Donald Westbrook ate his freaking words tonight. I’ve never heard anything like it. Honestly, I was a little turned on when he was done. He told your father he would personally bulldoze anyone who got in your way. Like . . . how freaking sexy is that?”
Beyond sexy.
“He believes in you, G. Straight-up, that man is a keeper. I know you’re guarded, and you have every reason to be. But Racer? Even though you’ve never looked for or needed a knight in shining armor, that is what he is. Not as a rescuer, but as a believer. In you. He is completely and unashamedly there for and with you.” Leaning in, Madison gives me a hug and then takes off toward her bungalow with an empty ice bucket.
He defended me.
Even though I shouldn’t be surprised, I am a little. Not because it’s out of cha
racter for him, but because of who he stood up to. For me, he stood up to the most intimidating man in my world, the man who could take Racer down with a flick of his wrist. Truthfully, it scares me a little that he will still try.
My heart just expanded a few inches for a blond-haired, cocky, fun-loving, loyal, and insufferable prankster.
***
After I quietly shut and lock the door, I spin around to see Racer already in bed, shirtless, with his hands behind his head, casually watching the TV. I hear the low hum of announcers talking about a home run. Baseball.
Since I’m ready for bed, I stick the Milky Way I purchased at the vending machine—so I didn’t come back empty-handed—into my purse. I kick off my shoes and undo my hair, letting it fall over my shoulders. From the corner of my eye, I can see Racer staring at me, watching every move I make, so I give him a good show.
I start with my shorts and slip them off. Since I’m not wearing underwear, Racer is getting one heck of a view now. I hear him lightly growl just as the TV is turned off and the moonlight becomes the only source of light for the room. Next, I slowly lift my tank top over my head. Completely naked, I turn toward him and slowly walk in his direction. As I draw closer, he sits up in bed, his eyes fixated on my body, chest rising and falling rapidly.
When I reach him, I carefully stroke his face, loving the way the scruff of his jaw prickles under my exploring fingernails. “Thank you,” I whisper, unsure how to broach the subject.
He looks back and forth between my eyes for a few seconds before realization hits him. He helps me move on top of his lap and under the covers and slowly runs his hands up and down my thighs.
“I meant every word I said.”
I cup both of his cheeks now, not minding that I’m naked and he’s still in boxer briefs. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because you were on such a high from connecting with those designers. I didn’t want to ruin it for you.” He shakes his head. “You didn’t need to know.”
With all the intentions of keeping things innocent, I lean forward and press a light kiss on his lips while I grip his cheeks. I speak softly. “Thank you for sticking up for me.”
His hands caress my back now, tangling in my hair occasionally. “No need to thank me, Georgie. I believe in you. You’re going places, Princess; don’t let anyone stop you from taking your dreams and making them your reality. Got it?”
This man.
How could he be so insufferable at times and then the next minute, so capable of stealing my heart with one sentence? He believes in me. It’s such a simple thing, to believe in another human being, to look at them and say, you’re capable of accomplishing your dreams. But that simple act can change the outcome of someone’s life. It can change the outcome of your heart.
With heartfelt encouragement comes monumental accomplishments.
I can feel it. My dreams, my goals, they’re right in front of me, ready to be steered in the right direction. Prior to this stranger coming into my life and making my goals his, the only encouragement I’ve received is from Abe, Waverly, and Madison. It’s like we’re . . .
“Seelenverwandt,” I whisper quietly with my head down.
“What?” Racer asks, tipping my chin up.
“It’s German. For short, it means kindred souls.” I take a deep breath and say, “We’re two of a kind, Racer. Both reaching for goals, both needing support, both yearning for an end to the relentless speed bumps we’ve been forced to roll over each day.”
“It was like you were meant to step on the hose to my nail gun.” His smirk catches me right in the heart. When everything around me seems so cruel, it’s a beautiful smirk that can pull me from diving into a deep dark hole head first.
“I didn’t do it on purpose.”
He chuckles and grips my hips, situating me on his lap better. “Lies, Princess. You had your eyes on me the moment I lifted my hammer from my tool belt. You thought to yourself, how could I possibly get this man to notice me? Oh, I know. I’ll dress nonsensically in heels and a bikini and strut around the pool.”
I roll my eyes and deadpan, “Yup, you caught me.”
“I know.” He answers with such cocky finality in his voice it grates on my nerves . . . almost. “It’s what you’re doing now. Strutting around here, naked, tits fucking perky as hell, trying to entice me to do naughty things to you.”
“You’re so full of yourself. You’re the one who pulled me onto your lap. I just came to say thank you and then take a shower. You’re the one turning this into something else.”
“You kissed me.”
“Without tongue. It was a simple kiss to say thank you.” I shrug my shoulders. “Face it, you’re the one making this naughty. Not me.”
“Uh huh . . .” He studies me, his entrancing eyes devouring me. “Then tell me, why are you moving your wet pussy along my hardened dick.”
I smile wide and place my hands on his chest. “Because I love the way your dick feels when I slide over it.”
Laughing, he pushes me backward and hovers above me. Brushing a strand of hair off my face, he meets my gaze. “Fucking stubborn woman.”
“Why am I stubborn?”
He starts to slip his boxer briefs off, and I can’t help but look down as he reveals his erection. A shiver runs up my spine from what’s to come. I want nothing more than this man to be buried deep inside me, his arms wrapped around me, protecting me from the outside world.
“Because you can’t admit when you’re attracted to me, that you want me.”
“It’s because you already have a huge ego, no need to inflate it.”
He pushes his briefs to the side and slips on a condom right before he spreads my legs open. “Sometimes having a big ego is all show, Princess.”
“Are you telling me you’re insecure?” I’m joking but from the wave of seriousness that passes over his face, perhaps he’s not. “You’re insecure?”
“Intimidated.” He says the word quietly and then starts moving the tip of his cock over my wet slit. “I have to keep up with you, with your strength and courage. I want to make sure I’m doing right by you.”
“Seelenverwandt,” I remind him. “I’m with you and you’re with me. We’re one of a kind, Racer. Kindred souls.” He inserts himself inside me. My head falls back and I gasp. So full, so right.
“Kindred spirits,” he whispers as he leans down and cups my cheeks, his elbows next to my head.
I kiss him and nod. “So different, yet so much the same.”
His thumbs stroke my face lovingly, as if he’s truly seeing me for the first time. “So beautiful, so stubborn, but so strong.” He presses his lips softly against mine and gently moves his hips, making sure I can feel his entire length.
Our hands connect, our fingers twine together, and our chests collide—his pressed against mine—as our lips remain locked. He grunts into my mouth, I moan back into his. I wrap my legs around his waist, his hips move faster, harder.
Our lips search each other out. Our tongues mesh, our sweat mingles, our skin smacks. It’s erotic, yet real. I can feel his need for me deep in my bones with every thrust, every kiss, every grip of his hand on mine.
This isn’t just a fling; this is something else, something brewing that has the potential to knock me out.
“Yes,” I moan.
His hips take over the rhythm and I let them, holding on, never wanting to let go.
“How close, Princess?” he grits out.
“I’m there.”
Grunting, he swivels his hips and slams into me one, two, three times. Everything around me fades to black. The only thing I can hear is Racer. The only thing I can feel is pleasure racing through us.
“Fuck,” he moans, his hips stilling as my entire body throbs while I tilt over the edge and fall into complete bliss. I wiggle my hips up and down, riding out my orgasm over his thick cock.
“God, yes,” I mumble as I open my eyes and look at the most handsome man I’ve ever met. His blon
d hair is a mess, his deep green eyes heady, and his lips swollen from mine.
So sexy.
So mine.
He leans in and kisses my lips softly. “Give me a second.” He hops off the bed and cleans himself up. When he returns, I escape to the bathroom for a quick second. When I walk back to the bedroom, the covers are pulled back and his arm is inviting me to have a naked snuggle. Don’t mind if I do. Clothes are useless at this point. I know I’m in for a long night of his body moving inside of mine, and I wouldn’t change it for anything.
“Snuggle up, George.”
“Calling me George doesn’t freak you out?” I ask while I fit myself into his embrace.
“Not even in the slightest. It’s kind of cute actually. Fits you.”
I chuckle. “An old-man name fits me?”
“It does.” I feel him smile into my hair right before he kisses my head. “So I have a question for you?”
“Yeah? What’s that?”
“We go back to Binghamton tomorrow. I want to know, have I deserved the right to be called your boyfriend? Did I do the title justice?”
A part of me wants to continue to joke around with him about the title, to wait until we get back to Binghamton to let him know. But I can’t do that, not after the way he stuck up for me to my father, not after the confidence he has in me. I would be so lucky to be able to call him my boyfriend, and he needs to know that.
I sit up, place my hand on his chest, and look him in the eyes. “I would be the luckiest girl in the world if I could call you my boyfriend, Racer. Which seems so bizarre to say, given where we began, but in the time we’ve spent together, I can’t think of another person who has helped me learn to live, to follow my dreams, and to feel cherished. You’ve done so much for me, Racer. I can’t let you go.”
He studies me for a second. “It’s because you don’t want to say goodbye to my dick just yet, isn’t it?”
“Oh my God.” I swat his chest. “Can’t you be serious for a second?”
“Where’s the fun in that?” He sweeps me back onto the mattress and caresses my cheek. “You’re beautiful, Georgiana. I can’t believe you even looked my way. I’m the lucky one, and I promise to carry the title with pride. You’re mine to protect, to watch over, and I promise to make sure no one gets in your way.”
