Damaged and the Bulldog

by Bijou Hunter

  “Nice save,” Bailey teased.

  Once Lark caught sight of all the goodies in her salad, she grinned at me. “I love you, Winnie.”

  “We all do,” Harlow said, standing up and tugging me towards the door. “I’m going to love her on the porch.”

  Bailey wanted to come along, but Harlow put her hand up as if telling our dog to stay. Though growling like Spud, Bailey obeyed.

  “What’s wrong?” I asked while we sat on the porch swing.

  “I love you and would never do anything to hurt you.”

  Panic struck me even though I couldn’t imagine what Harlow might have done.

  “You like Dylan and he likes you. The girl you saw him with wasn’t a date. He’s waiting for you and I think we need to end the wait.”

  “You talked to him about that girl?”

  “Yeah, I also asked him out for tomorrow night and he said yes.”

  “You asked him out?” I asked, frowning.

  “For you, dork.”

  Both happy and terrified by this news, I stared at my bruised hands. “I don’t know how to go on a date.”

  “You know how to talk to people. You even talked to Dylan before the stuff happened with the Devils. All a date is you and him eating and talking. Nothing hard about that.”

  “What do I wear?”

  “I read on the internet the first date is always a pink track suit.”

  Laughing, I kicked her gently. “Did he seem like he was only saying yes because you’re pushy?”

  Harlow squinted at me. “He likes you and this is his chance. The doofus was salivating at the idea, so I didn’t have to twist his arm.”

  Studying the quiet street, I thought about Dylan’s hand on mine the day in the car. Instead of grossing me out, his touch felt good. Even wanting to feel good again, I was scared to do something stupid on the date.

  “Don’t cry,” Harlow said, hugging me.

  “I’ll mess it up. I’ll say something stupid or embarrassing. Maybe I won’t say anything at all and he’ll think I’m a loser. If I mess this up, I won’t ever have another chance.”

  Harlow shushed me. “It’s a date. Everyone says stupid things on dates or spends the entire dinner with something stuck in their teeth. You’re a person and people are lame. Dylan will probably do stupid stuff too. You just won’t care because you think he’s a sexy beast and want to stare at him.”

  I gave her a little grin. “I do think he’s sexy and staring at him is fun.”

  “And he thinks you’re sexy too. So sexy he likely won’t care what you say. Guys aren’t really complicated,” Harlow said then added, “Or so I’ve heard.”

  Sighing, I wiped my eyes. “That girl he was hugging is prettier than me.”

  “It doesn’t matter if you think she’s prettier because Dylan picked you.”

  I hugged Harlow. “Thank you for doing this for me.”

  “You’re not mad?”

  “I’m too scared to be mad.”

  Harlow caressed my face between her banged up hands. “Don’t be afraid of Dylan. He’s not a normal guy who doesn’t understand you’re shy.”

  “I’m more than shy.”

  “He doesn’t care,” Harlow said, standing up. “Want to get dating advice from Bailey and Lark?”

  Pulling at her arm, I whispered, “No. I can’t handle the pressure of everyone knowing about the date.”

  “My lips are zipped.”

  We returned to the house and found Lark over halfway done with her huge salad. Bailey sat at the end of the couch while massaging Lark’s feet.

  “I’m a princess,” Lark said with her mouth full.

  We smiled at her happiness, but I knew she was exhausted from even the smallest amount of effort.

  “Everything okay?” Bailey asked suspicious now.

  “Never better,” Harlow responded. “Why don’t we head out and leave the quiet gals for their nap time?”

  Likely thinking she would get info from Harlow once they were alone, Bailey agreed to leave. Lark mumbled something to them then returned to her salad.

  “I don’t care about manners,” she told me once they were gone. “I used to be nicer, but people show up then they leave without any rhyme or reason. It’s like they drop by to check on the fat chick and make sure I haven’t exploded yet. Then they go away. Oh, well. Once I get these babies out of me, I’m going to show up at everyone’s houses, eat their food, and leave without warning. You just wait.”

  Sharing her smile, I suspected she would go through with her threats and I didn’t blame her. People were weird when someone was sick. They worried at first then got bored and awkward when the illness didn’t go away quickly.

  Even with my issues, people tried to be supportive, yet they hoped I’d get over it long before I ever did. I didn’t blame them for losing patience with me. I’d lost it plenty of times too. I only hoped I could keep my problems in check during my date with Dylan.

  Chapter Four ~ Dylan

  After Harlow left the work site, my mind thought of nothing except the impending date with Winnie. By the time I sat in my SUV and watched her house, I convinced myself the date would go horribly. I would fuck up and lose my shot forever.

  Maybe I’d push her too hard or get too needy or ask the wrong questions. My very presence might convince Winnie that I wasn’t right for her. My girl needed gentle and I wasn’t really that guy. Hell, I lacked the patience to have a damn dog.

  When I arrived at her house the next evening, I was ready for the worst.

  Jace Todds answered the door and frowned at me like I’d shit on the carpet. The kid had a dark gaze that screamed future sociopath. I didn’t want to know what kind of douche he’d be in his teens. Yet he let me inside after giving me the once over.

  Moments later, Harlow appeared with Winnie hiding behind her. They were both dressed in jeans, boots, and blue sweaters. Harlow looked nice, but Winnie was like an angel with her long dark hair pulled up in a ponytail. I couldn’t tell if she was wearing makeup, but her lips were pink and perfect.

  A lot of men might have been upset to find their date unwilling to make eye contact. Winnie’s gaze was so focused on the floor that I thought she might never look at me. I didn’t care though. I needed to be near her. Besides, the hope that one day she might look at me again was enough to satisfy me.

  Yet Winnie peeked at me and her gaze made my heart race. I was even struggling against tightening jeans, but her father’s appearance put an end to that problem.

  Tad Todds wasn’t a big guy like many of the Reapers. He had a wiry build, affable face, and dark red hair. Tad was a nice religious fellow who would have me killed if I crossed him.

  “Good news,” Harlow said without looking too thrilled. “We’re doing the chaperone thing and I’m the third wheel. Yippee.”

  Tad smiled. “I thought since this was Winnie’s first date that a chaperone would be helpful.”

  “Okay,” I said instantly.

  I didn’t give a shit if the whole family came along. I needed to be close to Winnie. Looking pleased with my agreement, Tad hugged Winnie then Harlow.

  “You girls be home by eleven.”

  Harlow saluted him then took Winnie’s hand and headed for the door. I followed them into the cold evening. Tugging her coat tighter, Winnie shivered then looked upward. Harlow and I followed her gaze to find a star-filled sky.

  “Where are we eating?” Harlow asked.

  “I don’t care,” I said. “I mean, wherever you want.”

  “Is Red Lobster too expensive because I could really go for stuffed flounder?”

  Giving her a slight smile, I focused my gaze on Winnie who was still looking up at the stars. “Red Lobster will be great.”

  Winnie suddenly looked at me and smiled for only a moment before turning away. The moment was enough for me to live off for an eternity.

  In the SUV, Harlow sat in the backseat then leaned over the seat to play buffer between Winnie and me.
>
  “You like this old 1970’s music, huh?” Harlow asked, making conversation since Winnie couldn’t.

  “Yeah. My dad always hates it, so I knew it must be good.”

  “Your dad is on the city council, right? The tall guy who smells likes peppers.”

  I grinned at Harlow and nodded. “He does smell like peppers. It’s his cologne.”

  “I personally wouldn’t know, but that’s how Mom described him. She’s not a fan.”

  “Few people are.”

  “He owns a car dealership too. Car salesmen are notoriously sneaky. Are you sneaky, Dylan?”

  Winnie had been staring out of the window until this last question. She frowned at Harlow whose grin widened.

  “Yeah, I’m sneaky,” I said, glancing at the two of them.

  “Honest though. Good to know.”

  Winnie’s frown eased and she returned to staring outside.

  “As you probably know,” Harlow continued, “Bailey gifted Winnie to Lark who is on bed rest. I am happy to report that Winnie loves her new job and looks forward to helping with the twins.”

  When I smiled at Winnie, she kept her head down. I did catch her grinning though.

  “Next week, I’m turning Aaron’s gym into a nursery. Doing the project myself to make sure it gets done right.”

  “Well let’s hope this date goes well. Can you imagine how awkward it’ll be for you and Winnie to see each other, if you mess up and order the wrong thing at dinner?”

  Now I frowned at Harlow who leaned back into the seat. “What a shame it would be for you to make that mistake.”

  Concerned, I struggled to remember if the Todds had a religious problem with any foods. I studied Harlow in the rearview and found her grinning. When I peeked at Winnie, she was smiling too.

  “She’s messing with you,” Winnie whispered.

  “Well it worked.”

  When Winnie covered her mouth and laughed, Harlow sat forward again and nudged my shoulder.

  “I got her to talk, didn’t I?” Harlow said. “Yeah, I have a way of making people do what I want. I really ought to be a shrink,” she added, sitting back into her seat. “Or a con artist.”

  “Or a car salesman,” Winnie whispered.

  Harlow laughed. “That’s cold.”

  I smiled at the sisters teasing each other. Winnie caught me watching them and the confidence deflated out of her. Crossing her arms, she stared out of the window. I thought I caught her pinching her hands too.

  “Baby steps,” Harlow said from the backseat.

  The rest of the drive was silent except for the radio. A song by Joan Jett inspired foot tapping from the sisters. I memorized everything about Winnie. How she pulled at her long fingers. The little waves in her long dark hair. How she bit her full bottom lip.

  When we arrived at the restaurant, Harlow took Winnie’s hand and hurried ahead of me. I ran around them to open the door.

  “Ah, he’s a gentleman,” Harlow said and Winnie grinned behind her hand.

  Once seated, I tried to care about the menu, but my mind was on Winnie.

  “Here’s the deal,” Harlow said to me. “Winnie doesn’t order for herself. Can’t do it. I would do it, but I’m not her date. You’ll need to be all macho and order for her.”

  Winnie frowned at Harlow, but I could see she was only partly embarrassed. I sensed she was happy to have her sister helping with the date.

  “What does she want to eat?” I asked Harlow while looking at Winnie.

  To my shock, Winnie held my gaze while Harlow explained the order. No way could I look away when my obsession focused on me. We stared at one another until the waitress appeared.

  “Do you like your work, Dylan?” Harlow asked after we ordered.

  “Sometimes. I don’t love all the managing stuff. Being a boss is a pain, but taking orders is worse. I like the hands on stuff better.”

  “What about it do you like?” Harlow asked, looking completely uninterested in my answer.

  Winnie cared though. I even wondered if these questions were agreed upon before the date.

  “When I was a kid, I spent hours building with LEGOs. I liked taking things apart, figuring out how they worked, and putting them back together. These days, my favorite jobs are fixing up a broken down house. I have a few I bought and am renovating now. I’m thinking about keeping one to live in since my apartment building is filling up with college idiots.”

  “Fascinating,” Harlow mumbled while checking her phone. “Winnie, did you play with LEGOs as a kid?”

  “I don’t really remember,” she whispered. “I have a bad memory.”

  “I can’t spell for shit,” I said and Winnie’s eyes lit up.

  “Spelling is overrated.”

  “Childhood memories are the same way.”

  Winnie smiled like I was magic. Hell, if I didn’t feel the same way about her.

  “Heartwarming,” Harlow said, standing up. “I’m going to pee.”

  “Should I go too?” Winnie asked, alarmed.

  “No, just hold it.”

  Winnie frowned until Harlow winked at her and walked away. Returning her gaze to me, she exhaled uneasily.

  “I’m sorry my dad made us have a chaperone.”

  Winnie was clearly lying, so she’d seem normal. I didn’t give a crap about average especially when the alternative was this beautiful creature.

  My fingers tingled, desperate to feel her skin against mine. Reaching across the table, I placed my hand over her bruised one. Winnie’s gaze locked onto mine and I waited to see if she freaked.

  “The girl I was with was a friend. You need to know I meant it when I said I’d wait.”

  “I have no right to worry about who you’re with. We’re not together,” Winnie mumbled, likely thinking of Sera.

  “If I saw you with someone, I’d go fucking nuts. I’d want to tear his head off,” I said then added, “We’re on a date, so that means we’re together now, right?”

  Winnie nodded, yet her expression was filled with uncertainty. Once her eyes focused on me, she whispered, “I like that you’d be jealous if I dated another guy.”

  Nearly leaping across the table to kiss her sexy pink lips, I forced my ass to remain in the chair. Spooking Winnie wasn’t an option when I was so close to getting what I needed.

  Whatever Winnie saw on my face both freaked her out and made her smile ever so slightly.

  “I have bad taste in women,” I blurted out and Winnie’s smile faded, thinking I meant her. “Every girl I liked was either a super bitch or clearly off-limits. You’re the first good woman I’ve ever cared about and I’ll wait however long it takes for you to be ready.”

  Winnie’s expressive hazel eyes lit up like a kid on Christmas. The emotions I saw calmed me in a way I didn’t think possible.

  She remained bright-eyed after Harlow returned to ask more childhood-related questions. I doubted Winnie heard my answers. I sensed she was repeating the last sentence in her head. I know I was and I meant every word.

  Chapter Five ~ Winnie

  Even feeling guilty Harlow was stuck playing interrogator for me, I wished the date would never end. My sister made the best of the situation while I enjoyed the sound of Dylan’s voice. He could read the phone book in his deep voice and I’d never get bored.

  Eventually, we finished eating. With our curfew approaching, Dylan drove us home.

  Harlow sighed when we parked in the driveway. “You have ten minutes then I’m sending Dad out,” she said, climbing of out the SUV.

  Once she shut the door, I looked at Dylan who watched me in the dark car. His strong jaw clenched and I worried I’d done something to upset him.

  “Thank you for dinner.”

  “I want to see you again,” he said then added, “Soon.”

  “I have to ask my dad,” I mumbled, overwhelmed by my need to be close to Dylan.

  When his gaze found me in the dark car, my skin flushed under the heat of his desire. “If y
ou’re not ready, I’ll wait for as long as it takes. No one else will do. It has to be you.”

  “Why?”

  Dylan leaned closer and I struggled not to pull away. “Why not?” he whispered, leaning down to kiss me.

  Jerking away without thinking, I pinched the top of my hand hard. Dylan reacted like a normal person and rested back in his seat. I saw disappointment, maybe even anger, on his face.

  “Sorry,” he said and I realized he was irritated with himself instead of me.

  “I want to,” I whispered, losing my voice. “I want you.”

  Even remaining perfectly still, Dylan’s demeanor immediately shifted. “That’s all I need to hear. I’ll wait.”

  Inching closer, I pinched my forearm to keep me from chickening out. I needed this moment to be better. If I left his SUV and walked inside without my first real kiss, the regret would eat at me.

  Facing him, I lifted my lips and closed my eyes. Dylan’s breath smelled a bit like cheesecake and I smiled at the aroma. When his lips touched mine, I wanted to pull away and hide in my house. I feared my ugly rising up inside me. I hated being touching and this was the worst kind of touching.

  Except I needed Dylan and this was my chance. Holding myself still, I enjoyed the tenderness of his touch. His full lips sucked softly at mine, causing me to shiver. I knew he wanted more. His hunger filled the air, but he didn’t push more than I could take. As he pulled away, Dylan studied my face as if wanting to remember it always.

  “When can I see you again?”

  “Tomorrow,” I said instantly.

  Dylan’s cocky smile set off every nerve in my body. My lust terrified me. He leaned forward to kiss me again and I nearly pulled away. Likely sensing my fear, he only rested his forehead against mine.

  “I think about you all the time. The waiting kills me, but you’re worth it.”

  My heart pounding so hard, I could barely breathe. My arousal and panic made me lightheaded until my fight or flight instinct kicked in. I always ran.

  “I should walk you to the door before Tad comes looking for you.”

  Nodding, I was ready to run inside and lock the door. As much as I wanted Dylan, I felt a million hands clawing at me. As if exposed and under threat, I needed to scrub away those fears.