I opened my eyes a few moments later when I registered his fingers gently stroking my cheek and found him staring down at me. His face was relaxed and calm, his eyes bright and focused on me.
"Was that good, baby?" he asked softly.
"Oh, yes," I assured him with a contented smile. "It felt so fucking good." The wicked smile that spread across his face at my words was breathtaking. He was the sexiest, most beautiful man I had ever seen. "Do you have any idea how hot you are?" I asked him, my smile widening. I slid my fingertips down the sexy stubble on his cheek.
"Not anywhere near as hot as you," he answered and kissed me sweetly, his lips gliding across mine.
"You're the hottest man I've ever seen," I told him as he pulled back to stare at me again.
"Am I?" he smirked with a devilish gleam in his eyes.
"Don't let it go to your head." I glared at him. "You already know what you do to me."
"I'd like to do you all the time," he growled and nipped at my chin. I giggled as he nipped his way down to my neck and buried his face into my hair. I wrapped my arms around his neck and hugged him tightly with a sigh. This was the Jensen I knew and loved, my wicked, yet sweet lover with his boyish enthusiasm that I had missed so much.
"Will you take a shower with me?" he asked me as he raised his head, his eyes pleading and irresistible. "I want to take care of you and make up for making you cry at dinner."
"I'd like that," I answered immediately. I was graced with another radiant smile. I loved it when he washed me. It made me feel special and close to him. He stood and gathered me into his arms. "I can walk up there myself, you know." I halfheartedly complained, knowing he wouldn't listen. I've never admitted to him how much I love being carried around in his strong arms.
"I know," he replied as he carried me over to the stairs. "I don't care." I sighed and smiled to myself. I was so glad he was acting like himself again. The distance I had felt between us earlier was simply gone now. I hoped to God it didn't ever come back again.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Jensen
"I'm fucking it up," I mumbled to myself as I got dressed in my bedroom the next morning. Yesterday was proof of that. I made Sydney cry twice in one day. I glanced toward the bathroom doorway listening to her horrible singing with a small smile. I don't think she realized I could hear her over the sound of her blow dryer. She was so vibrant and alive, and I felt like the opposite of that. I had inadvertently shoved a wall up between us yesterday, that I was grateful we had torn down last night. I didn't want to do it again. I had already done that with my own family, and I couldn't afford to do that with her. She was all I had left.
"Don't forget to call David this morning. I texted you his number already," Sydney called from the bathroom just after the blow dryer shut off. I growled under my breath. I had hoped she had forgotten about that.
"I won't, baby," I called back evenly, not wanting her to know how much I didn't want to see David again. He hadn't given me any real reason to dislike him. I just didn't like the way I felt inadequate when he was around. It was completely ludicrous. I was just going to have to suck it up and get over it.
"I really appreciate you doing this for him," she said as I turned to see her standing in the bathroom doorway. "I know it can't be easy to get used to a guy being such a close friend of mine." She looked apologetic and I schooled my face into a smile. She shouldn't have to feel bad about my own stupid messed up head.
"It's alright," I reassured her. "It'll give me a chance to get to know him better." I was such a fucking liar.
She walked up to me as I finished pulling on my T-shirt. "Thank you," she said as she placed her hand on my cheek. I turned my head and kissed her palm. I grabbed her wrist and pulled her into my arms. She looked adorable in her scrubs with her dark wavy hair flowing loosely around her shoulders. She smiled up at me, and I smiled back, unable to help myself. I loved her so much. I hugged her tightly against me. I could deal with it for one day to make her happy.
We left shortly after that. I got Sydney her coffee and dropped her off at work just before eight. I hated to leave her there. I longed to lie in bed with her all day, holding her. She kissed me good-bye, and I fought the urge to drag her back into the Camaro and take her home. Yes, I drove the Camaro; and yes, I did it to impress David. What the hell was wrong with me? I didn't usually drive the Camaro to work. I didn't like all the dust that got on her at work sites, but today I just didn't care about that at all. I was driving away scowling at myself when my phone started ringing. I saw Uncle Mathias' name on the screen and answered it immediately.
"Hey," I said, my voice sounding irritated.
"Are you on your way in yet?" he asked, ignoring my annoyance. I guess he was used to it by now.
"I just dropped Sydney off at work. What's up?"
"Do you think you could stop by Jack's office on your way?" he asked.
"Why?" I retorted irritably. That was the last place I wanted to go right now. I did not want to deal with Delaney again.
"Apparently, there was a mix up with the fucking contract and there were a couple of forms missing that you need to sign so we can finalize it," he explained in irritation himself. Well, fuck. Now I had to go there.
"Alright," I said with a weary sigh. "I'll take care of it."
'See you later, kid."
"Sure." I ended the call and clenched my jaw together hard, growling low in my throat. This day just kept getting better. A few minutes later, I parked my car about a half-block from the building that housed our corporate attorney's office. I sat in the car seething inside, and I hadn't even seen the bitch yet. Maybe I'd get lucky and make it in and out without having to see her at all. I picked my phone up, deciding that calling David sounded like a much better idea than going up to Jack's office right now. Who'd have thought I'd actually be happy to call David today? I found his number from Sydney's text and called it.
"Hello?" David mumbled when he answered after several rings. He sounded like I had woken him up.
"Hey. It's Jensen," I said. "Did I wake you up?"
"Yeah, but don't worry about it," he said calmly. "This jet lag is still screwing with my sleep. I'd usually be up long before now. It's no big deal."
"Sydney said you wanted my help looking for a car."
"Yeah, I've got this huge SUV that feels I'm driving a box truck since I got back. They don't drive anything that big in the Ukraine," he explained. "I want something smaller and easier to park, but I don't want to look like a soccer mom or a retiree either."
"Do you have anything in mind?" I asked. This conversation was going better than I had expected.
"Not really, but I wouldn't mind having something that looks cool to the ladies, if you know what I mean," he said with humor in his voice. I laughed at that.
"Well, my best friend Andy works at Purcell Auto. We could go there," I suggested, knowing that I would probably regret letting Andy meet this guy. I'd never hear the end of it, but I knew his family's place was reputable.
"I know where that is. They have a really nice used-car lot," David said. "I'm alright with going there."
"I could probably meet you there around noon."
"Noon sounds great. Maybe I'll be awake by then," he laughed.
"I'll see you then." I smiled briefly, and we ended the call.
I sat there for a few moments after that, then let out a deep resigned sigh as I finally climbed out of the Camaro. I just wanted to get in there, sign the damn papers, and get the hell out. Tension rose inside me as I walked toward the building. By the time I made it through the lobby and into the elevator, I was practically vibrating with it. I was starting to feel afraid of what I'd do if I saw her. I felt like I was balancing on a hair trigger. When the elevator doors finally opened on my floor, I burst out of it like a caged animal eager to get this shit over with.
I approached the reception desk and noticed Allison sitting there talking on the phone. Her eyes rose to meet mine, and her calm expres
sion changed to trepidation as she hung the phone up. I realized that I was scowling at her, and it wasn't her fault that I had to be here. I forced my face into a tight smile.
"Hi, Allison," I greeted her, my voice coming out in a low growl that I didn't intend.
"Hello, Mr. Hayes." She greeted my politely even though she still looked concerned.
"I'm here to sign some paperwork that got missed on Monday." My voice came out more normal this time, and I was relieved when she smiled and nodded.
"Yes, of course." She picked up the phone again. "Let me see if Mr. Tierney is out of his meeting yet." I nodded and watched as she dialed a few numbers. A moment later, her eyes met mine again as she began speaking. "This is Allison. Mr. Hayes is here to sign some papers. Is Mr. Tierney still tied up?" I could hear a faint female voice answer Allison. "Oh, okay." Allison looked anxious as she hung the phone up, and her eyes suddenly looked away from mine. "Um, Mr. Tierney is busy. Miss Morgan will be out in a moment."
I caught myself before I swore out loud. Allison's fearful expression made it obvious I wasn't hiding my anger very well. I realized then that I was just done with this, and I couldn't deal with it right now. I whirled away from her desk and started back toward the elevator. "Fuck this," I cursed under my breath. They could fax me the goddamn papers.
"Mr. Hayes," Delaney's nauseatingly sweet voice spoke behind me. I closed my eyes and let out a harsh sigh, frustrated that I hadn't gotten the hell out of here quick enough. I turned to see Delaney standing next to the reception desk with an annoying smirk on her lips as she met my eyes. "It's good to see you again." She was wearing a soft gray shift dress with a black belt around her waist. Her blond hair was twisted into a knot at the nape of her neck.
"I wish I could say the same," I told her with undisguised irritation. I was done being polite. I just couldn't do it right now.
"If you'll follow me to Jack's office, we can get those papers taken care of right now," she spoke politely as she ignored my insult and motioned toward the hall to her right. I followed behind her, staring daggers into the back of her head. It was surprising all the horrible names I was calling her in my head didn't blister the paint on the damn walls. We walked into Jack's office. Delaney went behind the desk and began sorting through the pile of papers stacked there. "You can have a seat if you like." She motioned toward the chairs in front of the desk.
"I'm fine," I replied in irritation as I stood facing her a few feet from the desk.
"How's Sydney?" she asked as she glanced up at me with a smile. Her gaze traveled down my body and back up to my face, her brown eyes heated.
"None of your goddamn business," I growled at her. The way she looked at me repulsed me, and I wished I had never touched her back then. I don't know what I ever saw in her.
"Does she please you like I used to do?" she asked with a twist of her lips. I realized that she was baiting me, and I didn't really know why. It didn't change the fact that it was working.
"What the fuck do you want from me, Delaney?" I asked her, my voice low and harsh. She smiled wider, walked around the desk, and stopped in front of me.
"Don't you remember how it was between us?" she asked seductively, placing a hand on my chest. I grabbed her hand and pulled it away from myself.
"Don't fucking touch me," I told her angrily. She stepped forward into my personal space, and I could smell her cloying perfume. It made me want to retch.
"Remember how I used to make you feel?" Her voice was low and full of seduction as she looked up at me with hooded eyes. I released her hand in a flash of disgust.
"Yes," I answered as I glared at her. "I remember mostly anger and disgust." I didn't mention the despair my broken heart had caused me. I wouldn't give her that ammunition.
"It's funny how we keep running into each other isn't it?" she asked, ignoring my comment. "It's almost like it was meant to be," she whispered and reached up to touch my face. I backed out of her reach.
"You need to find those goddamn papers now," I forced out, barely containing my rage. "I need to get to work."
"I'm not sure where they disappeared to," she said as she licked her lips and continued to stare up at me. I had this sudden suspicion that she had orchestrated this whole mess with the paperwork. It sounded just like something this manipulative bitch would do.
"Find them now," I growled out between gritted teeth as I stepped closer to her. I was rewarded by a brief flash of fear in her eyes, but then she placed her hands on my abdomen and slid them down to my waist. I snatched up both her wrists in my hands just as her fingertips brushed my belt. "What the fuck are you doing?"
"You used to like it when I touched you," she said breathlessly.
"That was before I figured out you were a whore," I told her as I stepped back and released her wrists. That comment actually got through to her, and she returned my glare with one of her own. "The papers. Now."
She turned back to the desk and took a few papers off the top of the stack. She laid them on the desk, snatched a pen off the desktop, and handed it to me. "Here," she said brusquely. I took the pen from her, careful not to touch her at all. "The parts that need signed are highlighted."
I pushed past her and leaned over the desk, quickly signing my name in three different places. "Is that all of it?" I asked as I straightened to glare down at her. She nodded stiffly. I dropped the pen on the desk, turned, and made it to the doorway before she opened her damn mouth again.
"Say hello to Sydney for me." Her voice was full of sarcasm and scorn. I hated her so fucking much. I paused and looked back at her.
"Why are you fucking with me?" I asked incredulously. "Wasn't what you did to me eight years ago enough? Or are you still pissed I left you hanging in a fucking bathroom like the whore that I know you are?"
"Get the fuck out," she said angrily, her body tense and her eyes blazing. Well, that definitely struck a nerve. Score one for me.
"Gladly," I said with a malicious smile and walked out of the room.
I ended up getting to Purcell Auto about fifteen minutes before noon. I was hoping to talk to Andy for a few minutes before David showed up. That way, I could explain the situation to him, and let him get his interrogation out of the way. He was going to have a field day with this. I looked up as I got out of the car to see Andy walking out of the building and heading toward me.
"Please tell me you're here to take me to lunch," he announced with a huge smile as he approached me. "You never take me out anymore."
"I can't afford to take you out all the time," I answered with a smile. "You're way too high maintenance for me."
"It's called high standards, baby, and you like me that way," he retorted as he stopped in front of me. "What's up, brother?"
"I need your help with something," I admitted reluctantly.
"Really?" he asked with a widening smile. "Does this go toward my debt?"
"Sure."
"Then I'm at your service," he said with a hand flourish and a slight bow. I rolled my eyes. I knew I was going to regret this.
"I'm meeting a friend of Sydney's here to help him look for a new vehicle," I told him.
"Oh," he said knowingly. "Is this that David guy you met the other night?" Lydia apparently already told Andy about Monday night. I should have known she'd tell him. The two of them shared practically everything with each other.
"Yeah," I answered with a scowl.
"She told me he was really hot, and that you were really pissed," he said with a wry smile.
"They're just friends, Andy," I said in exasperation.
"That doesn't mean it doesn't bother you." His smile slipped away. "It would bother me too."
"I'm trying to be okay with it," I admitted. "He's a really nice guy, so hating him has been almost impossible." I couldn't admit to him how David made me feel like I wasn't good enough for Sydney. I could barely admit that to myself.
"Well, I can't imagine Sydney being friends with a dick," he said reasonably.
&nb
sp; "True."
"You need me to be your buffer. I get it." He nodded. "I got your back, brother."
"Thanks, man," I said, feeling kind of shocked that he hadn't harassed me more about it.
Just then an enormous gray Ford Expedition parked on the other side the Camaro. We both watched as David climbed down out of the monstrosity with a sheepish grin on his face. He walked around the front of my car, eying it appreciatively, and approached where we were standing. David was wearing a red T-shirt and jeans. It made me feel a little less insecure seeing him dressed so casually this time.
"I told you it was huge," he said with a smirk as he looked at me.
"That's what they all say," Andy interjected with a huge wicked smile. David burst out laughing at that. I just shook my head at Andy, and rolled my eyes with a small smile.
"David, this is my best friend, Andy Purcell." I motioned toward Andy.
"I'm David Mazur." David smiled and thrust his hand out to Andy. They shook hands enthusiastically. "You own this place?" he asked Andy with an impressed expression on his face.
"I run it with my dad and my sister," Andy explained.
"Wow, I can't imagine working with my sister," David said with a smile. "I think we'd kill each other before the first day ended."
"Well, it helps that she runs the office, and I run the service department," Andy admitted. "Otherwise, one of us would probably have maimed the other by now."
"Who are you kidding, Andy?" I chimed in. "There's no way in hell you could beat your sister in a fight."
"That's because she fights dirty," Andy said with a scowl. "I could take her in a fair fight."
"Yeah, right," I added with a smile. "Keep telling yourself that."
"I hear you're looking for a vehicle." Andy glared at me as he changed the subject and turned to David.
Let Me Save You Page 12
