by Mia Carson
“And you ran off?” she asked curiously.
He sighed and his hands fell into his lap. “Nope, my bride-to-be stood me up.”
Kristen reached out a hand, but it dropped half way to him and she coughed, taking a large step backwards. “That’s terrible, sorry.”
“I’m not too upset about it, but like I said, it’s a long story. Now, I get to be free and do what I want for a change,” he announced as his arms encompassed the room. “And if that means being stranded in the middle of nowhere, then that’s what I’m going to do. I’m going to be free for a while and I’m going to live.”
“I’ll help you live,” she said, her tone lower and her pupils dilating as they observed his body again. She shook her head and stumbled back a step, ready to run for the door after saying something so cheesy.
Edmund reached out and caught her arm gently before she could make it to freedom. “I think I’d like that.”
Chapter 5
You idiot! What the hell are you thinking! she screamed at herself. The words had slipped out before she could stop them, and running back to hide in her garage was the foremost thought in Kris's mind. He took her arm with his hand, and the zinging thrill that shot through her body froze her.
She raised her face to his infectious grin. Unable to resist, she smiled at him and relaxed. “What I meant was, if you need anyone to show you around town, I’m your girl.”
He grinned even wider, and mentally, she told herself to shut up before she said something she’d really regret. This man had been left at the altar, so either there was some really stupid woman out there willing to give up a man who bordered on drop-dead gorgeous, or there was something really wrong with Edmund Eastwood. No red flags sprang up in her mind, and his hand on her arm warmed her and chased away any lingering doubts. His smile brought out two small dimples under his sharp cheekbones, and the sudden urge to lean forward and kiss them roared through her body.
Molly may have called dibs on the man, but he currently held onto Kris. Why not have a little fun with the new guy in town? For years, she’d been the good granddaughter, doing what Grams said and following her rule of not messing around before marriage. Kris was pushing twenty-seven, and if she was ever going to have a one-night stand, doing it with a man who would leave town quickly seemed like a smart move. No one would be able to ask him what had happened because he wouldn’t be around to ask. His car would get fixed and he’d move on, never to return.
His hand slipped away, and she mourned the loss of his touch. He stepped back, and his hands twitched at his sides.
“Why don’t I give you my number?” she said, voice rough. “That way, you have at least one person you can talk to in this crazy town.”
“Doesn’t seem too bad,” he said, but when she raised her brows, his smile fell.
“There’s a crowd outside the inn, just a heads up,” she warned.
He handed her his cell, and she entered her number. When he took it back, he glanced over the entry. “Kris?”
When he raised his head again, she noticed the faint scar on his right cheek. “Yeah, it’s what everyone calls me—in case someone mentioned me. I didn’t want you to be confused. So, I’ll just go and if you need anything, give me a call.”
He tucked his cell in his pocket. “Thanks, Kris, really.”
“I’m just glad you broke down outside my town,” she blurted and immediately clamped her lips shut. “I’m going.” She hurried to the door and opened it as he followed close behind. Every instinct told her to turn around and kiss him, run her fingers over that faint scar, but she stayed strong and strolled out the door before she could embarrass herself more.
She reached the front of the inn and leaned against a wall, glaring at the ceiling above her. “Stupid, stupid, stupid,” she muttered. “Now he’ll never call you.”
“What’s that, dear?” Grams murmured from the front desk.
Kris jumped. “Nothing at all. Isn’t your shift over yet?”
“Just waiting on Billy,” she said.
“Good. I’m making that pulled pork tonight,” she said. “I’m assuming you’ll be over for dinner?”
Grams barked a laugh. “Miss my granddaughter’s cooking? Like hell.”
Kris grinned. “Good. Oh, and don’t give the new guy too much trouble. He’s had a rough weekend.”
“Uh-huh, and how has Mister Fancy-pants had a rough weekend?”
“Grams, be nice,” she said sternly. “I’ll see you at the house later.”
She walked out before Grams could grill her about Edmund and his almost wedding. She ignored the curious onlookers outside the inn and walked in a daze back to the garage. The last date she’d been on had been a year ago. Nervously, she fidgeted with her tools on the worktable before she scolded herself and went back to work on the other cars in her garage—anything to keep her mind off her jealousy at those drops of water dripping down his slicked chest. Kris licked her lips and imagined her hands on those tensed muscles as she licked the water off his skin—
“Are you ever not here?” a man said right behind her. Kris jumped, smacking her head on the hood of the old truck. “Oh, ouch, that one hurt.”
She whipped around, glaring at Charlie as she tossed her dirty rag at his face. “One of these days, you’re going to give me a damn concussion, you asshat.”
“Asshat, nice.” He sniggered.
“Why are you here?”
Charlie gathered his black hair into a ponytail and buttoned up his jumpsuit. “The parts for that bike are coming in tomorrow morning. I wanted to make sure it’s prepped and ready to go.”
“That’s Frank’s project,” she frowned. “Why are you working on his shit?”
“He’s coming off a weekend. You really think he wasn’t drunk the whole time?”
Kris grunted in agreement and rubbed the sore spot on her head. “Should I just fire him?”
Charlie dragged a short stool over to the bike on the other end of the garage and set to work. “Nah, you know you’d never stop hating yourself for it.”
“Why am I so nice to drunks?” she grumbled.
“You’re nice to me, and I’m not a drunk,” Charlie argued. “And I hear the new guy in town isn’t a drunk either. Already made your way into his room though, look at you go.” He winked as her mouth dropped open.
“Is that what they’re saying already?” she hissed. “All I did was tell him what was wrong with his car!”
“You should’ve had him come here,” he said through his laughter. “Do you not want to fool around with him?”
Kris hopped up on the worktable, swinging her legs as she gazed across the street at the inn. She and Charlie had dated for a few months years ago, but unlike the other guys who’d dumped her because she wouldn’t put out, Charlie respected her decision. They broke up for normal reasons. They were better as friends than a couple, and lately, he was the only one she confided in about anything.
“Maybe,” she admitted. “He’s got a nice body.”
“Yeah? Please save the details,” Charlie muttered.
“Hey, you opened this can of worms by asking.”
“I just wanted to know if you’re going to be the good, small-town girl and show him around?”
Kris shrugged. “Not much to see, is there? I’m sure I’ll see him some more. He’s going to be in town for a while.”
“Then as your friend, I say you go for it,” he shrugged. “What have you got to lose?”
“That's pretty much what I was thinking.” The decision made to at least go on one date with Edmund, she slipped from the table and grabbed another stool. “Want some help?”
“I dunno, you did just hit your head. Probably not sound enough to help me.”
She shoved him hard enough to knock him off his stool, and they cackled together.
Edmund held his cell in his hand as he watched Kristen—Kris—walk back across the street and disappear into the garage. Jenny might’ve embarrassed the hell ou
t of him yesterday, but it didn’t feel like it now that he had met a woman like Kris. Whether it was because he never had a chance to date or she had seduced him that easily, Edmund wanted to spend more time with her, and he wasn’t sure how long he could wait.
He let the curtain slip back into place and paced around his room. His stomach growled, and he decided to grab some grub at some point, then crash in his room the rest of the night. His cell chirped in his hand, reminding him of the twenty or so missed calls from his mom. Not wanting her to send out a damn search party for him, he lounged on the bed and called her back. He debated hanging up before she answered and tracking down a bottle of booze first, but she answered quickly.
“Edmund! Oh God, where are you? What happened?” she wailed. “I’ve been out of my mind here!”
“I’m fine, Mom, still in the state,” he assured her.
“Where are you?” she repeated.
“Yeah, I’m not going to tell you that, not yet,” he told her. “I need some time to myself. I’m going to take a few weeks to clear my head and figure things out.”
The pregnant pause told him Sarah Eastwood was most likely grinding her teeth and tracking down his dad to talk some sense into their son. “Please, just come home. We need you here. The businesses—”
“I’m sure they’re fine.” He cut across her. “Dad can handle everything. You don’t need me.”
“Fine, fine, but what are you planning on doing while you’re out gallivanting around Kentucky? I hope you’re not planning on finding yourself a few women to hang on your arm,” she warned, and Edmund frowned.
“I can do what I damn well please after being stood up by your perfect woman for me,” he shot back. “God, Mom, I just need a break. Is that too much to ask?”
She sputtered through the line, but a moment later, his dad was there. “Edmund, are you in a safe place?”
Gritting his teeth, Edmund tried not to blow up at his father. “For the record your son is nearly thirty, so can you stop treating me like a teenager? I’m fine, Mom, promise.”
He huffed, but ignored his words. “And you have your car and money and clearly, you still have your cell?” his dad asked, and he heard Sarah whine in the background, but Edward talked over her. “Will you please be quiet while I talk to our son? Edmund?”
He grinned in surprise at his dad’s sudden support and was willing to forgive his moment of acting like Edmund was still a kid. “Yeah, I have everything I need.”
“Good, then take your time. Do what you have to do.”
Edmund rested his forehead in his hand. “Thanks, Dad.”
“But when you return, we will be discussing your future endeavors without Jenny. I already have several prospects lined up for you, and I think they will do as a replacement,” Edward said sternly. “Understand?”
Gripping the edge of the bed hard, Edmund grit his teeth again. “Sure, Dad, whatever you say.”
He hung up before either parent could say anything else, and with a growl of annoyance, chucked his cell at the bed as he paced angrily around the room. He was close to thirty, and they still believed they had full control over his life and where that life would go. His family had dealt in horses and whiskey since they’d settled in Kentucky, and that was what they wanted him to do—carry on the family businesses without question. That he could handle, but the meddling in his love-life, never giving him a choice on who he dated or saw in public—hell, they’d even been planning when he and Jenny would have their first kid!
Maybe he wouldn’t go back. Once his car was fixed, he’d hop in and keep on driving until he hit the end of the country, then find a boat and leave the continent behind. He loved his parents, but after so many years of putting up with their controlling bullshit, he needed to find out who he was without them, be reckless for a change.
Like seducing and sleeping with a beautiful woman who smelled of honeysuckle and motor oil.
Shoving his dad’s words of warning to the side, he marched across the room and pulled back the curtain again to stare at the garage. It was early in the evening still, but maybe later, if the light was on, he’d pay her a visit. He had two weeks to fall into bed with this woman who was nothing like Jenny or the other women in his circle. He’d barely spent an afternoon with her, and already, he knew she was blunt and sarcastic and damned gorgeous, jumpsuit and all.
Edmund grabbed his room key and locked it before he headed left out of the inn and strolled down the sidewalk to the diner. Several people stopped and stared, but at least he wasn’t wearing tux pants anymore. He stepped inside to the happy jingle of a bell, and a waitress behind the counter told him to take a seat anywhere. He glanced over the menu quickly, and when the bouncy waitress swung by his table to take his order, he grinned up at her and swore she was going to swoon.
“Just a burger and fries, please,” he said. “And maybe a milkshake.”
“Sure thing, doll,” the waitress said with a wink. “I’ll put that in right away.”
He thanked her and stared out the window, watching the few random cars driving by. Most were old and rundown, and though the people were all a bit rough around the edges, they smiled and waved at each other with that small-town charm he had never been around. The door opened again, and Edmund watched as a woman caught his eye and rushed to the counter to whisper with the waitress.
When she glanced at him again, he tried to hide his laughter, but she sidled over to his table and tucked her hair nervously behind her ears. “Hi,” she said and held out her hand. “Heard you were new in town.”
“Yes, I am, just for a few weeks. Edmund Eastwood,” he said politely.
“Molly Garrison,” she giggled. “I work at the retail store down the way.”
He squinted at her and recalled her red hair amongst the racks of clothes. “I think I remember you,” he said, and the gentleman in him took over. “Care to join me?”
“Oh, I wouldn’t want to intrude,” she said, the hint of desperation in her voice plain.
Edmund motioned to the opposite booth. “I insist. I hate eating all alone.”
With a loud laugh, she sat down quickly and rested her elbows on the table, gazing into his eyes. Edmund rubbed a hand over his mouth, wondering what he’d just got himself into. This was not the woman he wanted to have dinner with, but maybe she could tell him a bit more about the town and about Kris.
The waitress returned and took Molly’s order, too, before she bombarded him with questions, so fast he barely had a chance to answer before she was onto the next one. While she interrogated him, she twirled a strand of hair around her finger and watched his mouth intently when he did manage to get a word in edgewise. At one point during their dinner, her toes found his calf and slithered up higher and higher until he shifted his legs and coughed at the same time so she would stop.
“You should really come to Louisville some time,” he told her as their empty plates were taken away and he paid the bill. “I’d love to show you the horses we race.”
“I would love that! I’ve never really been too far out of Green Valley. None of us get out of here.”
“I’m sure you could if you wanted to.”
She shrugged and sighed, leaning back in the booth. “Strapped for cash, like most of the people in this town, but it ain’t all bad. Every now and then, we get the random stranger who passes through and livens everything up.” She licked her lips and leaned over the table. “You know, it’s still pretty early.”
Edmund spotted the lust in her eyes, and he quickly yawned and stretched his arms over his head. “I’ve been driving all night, otherwise I would love to. I’m afraid I won’t be much fun for too much longer.”
“Pity. Maybe another time, then.” She slid a napkin across the table. “Call me.”
“I’m sure I will. Thanks for the company.” He tucked his card back in his wallet. “Well, good night, then, Molly.”
He took her hand and kissed the back of it as he had been taught to do since he wa
s a teenager. She blushed and pressed a hand to her chest with a sigh. He walked out before she had a chance to follow him and corner him inside the inn–or worse, manage to find her way into his room.
“Certainly a lot of interesting characters in this town,” he mused as he meandered down the street. Most of the shops were closed because it was a Sunday night, but the bar across the way had its doors thrown open and country music blared out the doors, accompanied by laughter and yelling. He considered heading there for a drink, but he saw Molly and the waitress darting across the street and ducking straight into the bar. Laughing, he resolved to turn in for the night when he realized the garage’s doors were open and lights were on inside. What are you doing? he wondered, and his feet took a turn, heading across the street to the gravel lot outside the garage.
Music that was not country flowed out of a radio and echoed off the metal building. Edmund knocked, but when he saw the hunched over frame of Kris, his hand froze and all he could do was stare. She worked under the hood of another old car. The jumpsuit was gone, and all she wore were her work boots, shortie shorts that barely covered her ass, and the tank top from earlier. Her hair was slung in a messy ponytail, dangling down her back. There was the hint of a tattoo on her lower back he saw more of each time she leaned over further. Her legs were as well-toned as her arms, and an imaginary flash of her wrapping those legs around his waist shot white-hot arousal straight to his groin. He envisioned his hands tangled in her hair, tugging it back as he kissed her neck and made love to that curvy body, listening to her moan in his ear as she clenched him tighter.
Kris turned around, and his hand slipped off the wall where it’d been resting and he nearly fell flat on his face. Laughing and holding a wrench in her hand, Kris cocked her hip to the side. “Something I can help you with, Ed?”
Praying she didn’t notice his erection, he shook his head and smoothed his hair back, his face flushed with embarrassment and want. “Edmund, and no. Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.”
