Changing Gears
Page 17
To be pushed outside of my box.
To feel free.
CHAPTER THIRTY
Jake
TRACY DUSTS HER HANDS and stretches out her back. “Alright, I think that’s the last one.”
“Thanks, guys.” I look around my apartment. For someone who’s lived as a nomad, I sure do have a lot of shit. Boxes are stacked against the living room wall and on the kitchen counter, and last I saw, my bedroom was littered with duffel bags. I got a decent deal on a couch and recliner, Tracy and Craig foisted their old coffee table and dining set on me, and Lauren’s Aunt Sheila practically paid me to take a dresser and an assortment of end tables and kitchen stuff. Despite the fact that it’s still a mess, a sense of peace washes over me.
This feels right.
Reece hops from one foot to the other. “Can I sleep over?”
“Sure, Reece’s Pieces. But, uh, not tonight, okay?” My eyes dart to Lauren. I have plans for someone to help me christen my new bed, and it’s not my nephew.
Lauren’s cheeks flush as Reece’s shoulders slump.
“I promise that you and I are gonna have lots of sleepovers, okay, buddy?”
Reece nods, but his little shoulders look like he’s carrying the weight of the world.
“Come on.” Tracy ruffles his hair. “For being such a big helper today, what say we go get some ice cream?”
“Okay.” His face lights up. “Can I get sprinkles?”
“Absolutely.” Tracy sighs, a wistful look on her face. “Ah, to have the attention span of a flea.” She looks around my place and nods. “You did a really good job picking this place out. I like it.”
“Thanks.” I wink at Lauren. “It was a joint effort.”
“Well, you two definitely make a good team.”
“Yeah, we do,” I say.
Yet another thing that feels right—being with her. Before getting injured, I never would’ve pictured myself being happy settling down in one place, let alone with one woman.
But now I can’t imagine anything else.
After Tracy drags Reece away, I lock the door, leaning against it to get some of the weight off my leg. Lauren frowns. “I told you not to push it so hard today. How bad is it?”
“Uncomfortable, but nothing I can’t handle.” In truth, I probably should’ve used my crutches, but I really hate those things. “And I’m pretty sure a good therapy session tonight will help. A lot.” I limp over and wrap my arms around her. “Maybe two therapy sessions. I’m a mess.”
She draws her head away from me, her nose wrinkled. “Yeah, and you’re not smelling so hot right now, either.”
“I thought you liked my man sweat.”
“Not when we have that fabulous tub in that fabulous bathroom of your fabulous new apartment.” She waggles her eyebrows.
“I knew I liked you.”
She runs her hands under my T-shirt and shimmies it up and over my head, tossing it to the floor. “Yeah, well, right back atcha. Now come on... Less talking and more walking.” Grabbing my hand, she drags me to the bathroom.
“Damn, woman. Keep it in your pants.”
“Are you sure that’s really what you want?”
“Nope. Not at all. Forget I said that. In fact, get out of your pants. Right now.”
She bites her bottom lip, keeping her eyes on mine as she wiggles her hips, slowly teasing her shorts down.
“Oh, my God. Get there faster.”
“Slow down there, speedy. Good things take time.”
“You’re killing me. Or at least causing potential brain damage, seeing as how my blood is nowhere near my head right now.”
Her gaze dips to the tenting in my shorts, and the flush on her cheeks intensifies. “Yeah. I can see that.”
A wicked smile curves her lips as she continues her slow, sexy striptease, and I growl. “Fine. But don’t say I didn’t warn you.” Crossing to her, I press her against the counter and yank off her shirt. Her bra follows. Oh, sweet Jesus. I will never get tired of her perfect breasts.
She purrs as I use my tongue and fingers to show them how much I admire them.
“Bathtub. Now. Please,” she pants.
“I thought you’d never ask.”
FOLLOWING SEVERAL SPECTACULAR christenings of my new tub, I relax, Lauren sprawled on top of me like a limp noodle.
Damn. I didn’t think it was possible, but every time with Lauren just keeps getting better. I never knew something like that was possible.
“Oh—remind me to update the website with the new children’s program,” Lauren mumbles against my chest.
“How can you even think about that right now?”
“Big brain. I’m multitasking.”
“Of course you are.” Even though she’s now being more vocal about what she wants, Lauren’s still knee-deep in the shop. Between the two of us, the new programs are really starting to shape up. Sessions for kids, like what I did for Reece, individual and group sessions for adults, and a new cycling and stress relief program with Tracy and Kylie.
And, of course, there’s the new City program, which is a whole other beast. While I think it has the potential to be really good, it’ll be a miracle if both Kylie and Spencer make it through alive. If the shop wasn’t so heavily dependent on it, it would probably be fun just to sit back and watch the fireworks.
I trace the butterflies on her back. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” She cocks her head and peels open an eyelid. “For what?”
“For being you. And showing me who I really am. Who I can be. I know you think I broadened your horizons, but believe me, you broadened mine, too.” I kiss the top of her head.
“While we’re on the subject, I should thank you, too.” She snuggles against me and places her hand over my heart. “You make me feel like I can soar.”
I clear my throat, suddenly thick with emotion. “And you feel like coming home.”
THE END
EXCITED TO SEE WHAT happens with Kylie and Cycle Moore? Stay tuned for book two in the Shifting into Love series, GEARING UP.
AUTHOR BIO & WHERE TO FIND ME
Roseanne Beck is an award-winning author of romantic comedies whose writing style has been described as “witty and funny and a little bit sexy.”
She loves to make things awkward for her characters, and her stories tend to feature strong, flawed women, injured men, and a hint of the paranormal.
Physician by day, she uses of mixture of writing, laughter, and 80s music to help relieve stress.
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Thank you to everyone who has helped me in this most exciting journey.
I have an amazing group of critiquers and beta readers. Although there are too many of you to name, I couldn’t have done this without you. A special shout out to the Marbles, who not only helped me find the plot but also provided endless encouragement and cheerleading.
And of course, I thank you, the reader. Thank you for taking a chance on a new author. I truly appreciate your time and energy.
ALSO BY ROSEANNE BECK
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COPYRIGHT
CHANGING GEARS
Copyright © 2019 Roseanne Beck
This work is fictional. All incidents, names, characters, events, organizations, and places in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any similarity to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
All rights reserved.
No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, including but not limited to photocopying, recording, or scanning, without the prior written consent
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Cover by Fresh Design