Flawlessly Flawed

by Amelia Shea

  “Sorry.” He turned toward the door.

  “Hey, T?”

  Looking over his shoulder, he saw her smile.

  “I’m glad you didn’t mean it. And thanks for not letting her beat my ass.” She winked.

  T snorted and walked back into the kitchen, grabbed a cup of coffee and headed back upstairs.

  Chapter 12

  THE silence in his truck was driving him nuts. She had spent the last hour blatantly ignoring him when he yelled at her for naming the puppies. She stormed off upstairs and slammed her door. After cleaning up the kitchen and taking the brownies out of the oven when the timer rang, he finished getting ready.

  When he walked downstairs he found her playing with her phone on the couch, a tray of brownies next to her, ignoring him. He sighed. Dressed and ready to go, they walked out the door not uttering a word to each other.

  T was usually one for quiet. He hated small talk. He was an introvert in every sense of the word but sitting next to Cassie, knowing she was pissed at him was making him extremely irritable. What the fuck is her problem anyway? You can’t name something that’s not yours. Besides, Stone would flip his shit if he heard Cassie calling the dogs those names. Baxter might be okay, but Lulu? What the fuck kind of name was that?

  He broke the silence. “What time you need me to come get ya?”

  She looked out her window and continued to ignore him. He looked over at her sitting in his truck with her arms crossed. She wore a dress that hiked up to mid-thigh when he lifted her into the truck. The only words he had heard from her then was a begrudged, “Thank you.”

  “Don’t like being ignored, you’d do best to remember that,” he growled.

  Still no response. He turned the wheel quick and jolted onto the shoulder. Not expecting it, Cassie’s body flew to the left and her hands reached out to the dashboard. A loud horn sounded from behind them and she whipped her angry eyes in his direction. T threw the truck in park and turned his body toward her.

  “You mad I yelled at you? Fine, be fucking mad, I don’t give a shit. They’re not your dogs and you are not naming them. Fucking get over it and stop acting like a little girl who’s pissed she didn’t get her way.”

  He knew his anger stemmed from something deeper than her naming the dogs. Leaving her was bothering the piss out of him. He needed to keep her safe and wanted her with him. When he suggested it earlier, she flat out denied him and said she couldn’t miss work. His concern had turned to aggravation, now he was just mad. Add the sexual frustration, and he was like a bomb about to explode.

  She stared at him with wide eyes and gasped. He scowled back at her waiting for her to talk shit. He was ready for a fight. But instead her eyes turned down to her lap and she folded her hands. The air in the truck was tense; he was waiting for her smart mouth. He wanted her to come back at him. He’d take anything he could get right now from that mouth.

  “Sorry. You’re right; they’re not mine, I just…” She gulped. “Forget it. I get off at five.”

  T stared down at her. Where was the fight? She gave him nothing, just an apology.

  “You just what?”

  Her round blue eyes looked up at him and she gave him a sad smile. “I had two dogs when I was a kid, Baxter and Lulu. They kind of reminded me of them, that’s all.”

  Feeling like a dick, he sat back in the truck and gripped the steering wheel. His girl was a sweetheart, something he was not familiar with and it caught him off guard. Give it to her, man.

  “Fine, call them whatever ya want but don’t do it around Stone. Dogs will be all fucked up when Sadie tries to name them and I don’t need Stone all over my ass.”

  “I don’t want you to get in trouble.”

  He raised his brow. “Do I look like I’m afraid of Stone?”

  She shook her head. “You don’t look like you’re afraid of much.”

  T shifted gears and the truck rolled back onto the road. “I’m not,” he responded without glancing her way.

  Her small hand landed on his thigh and his entire body tensed. Through hooded eyes, he peered over at her.

  “Thanks, T.”

  He lifted his chin and cursed the tightness, not in his jeans, but around his heart.

  The ride to her office was filled with talking about upcoming events at her company. He liked how excited she got when talking about it. She was more animated than any girl he’d ever been with, or maybe not. However, this was the first time he was paying attention. He pulled up to the front door. He put the truck in park and was about to get out but she grabbed his hand.

  “I got it this time, I’ll just slide down.” She unbuckled and handed him the tray of brownies.

  “What’s this for?”

  She smiled. “It’s for you and the guys. A little thank you.”

  T was looking down at the tray when he felt her body lean into the side of his. Her face came close and he closed his eyes when her lips met his cheek. He turned his head and her smile faded, desire took its place and she pressed her lips to T’s. Her lips were soft and wet. She pulled back too quickly.

  “See you later?” She smiled again.

  “Later.”

  She opened the door and slid out. He watched her head pop back up with a triumphant smile and arms spread above her head. “See, I did it.”

  T couldn’t hold back, he chuckled. “I see.”

  “Bye, T!” She waved and walked through the door. When the door closed, she looked over her shoulder and smiled brighter. Fuck, this girl was getting in, and for the first time in his life, he wanted her to get in and stay.

  T drove to the office while his mind wandered to Cassie. She was different from the women he’d been with, she was special. He had to rear back and give her time. He was a hard man with a past that he kept hidden. A past he would someday share with her but not until he was ready.

  His dick cursed him. Not only was he a hard man but an even harder lover. She would have to be eased into the kind of fucking he wanted, needed from her. This would definitely test his patience but Cassie was worth it.

  He saw the big picture, years down the road. He saw it like a movie in his head of his future and she was there. She was there for everything and he was not about to fuck it up. He’d never given a second thought to be with anyone, sharing his life with one person, until now. The thought should have him running but it felt just the opposite. He wanted to jump into a life with her. He didn’t want to hold back. He wanted her in his bed, in his house, within his family but above all, he wanted to be that to her.

  He just had to take it slow with her, even if it fucking killed him.

  Chapter 13

  THE rest of the week followed the same routine. T would drop her off at eight-thirty and pick her up at five from work. She’d give him a kiss, always trying for more but he’d fend her off. She was starting to feel like she was pressuring him. Any doubt he wanted her was refuted in his eyes. She saw the longing and she felt it in his kiss—he was holding back.

  They hung out after work. He took her to his gym and she tried to work out but mostly watched and drooled over him, along with every other girl in the place. She couldn’t blame them; after all, his body was perfection. The lines on his stomach were cut and his biceps bulged.

  They usually ate dinner, watched the news, then headed to bed, separately. Each night she would get a little bit ballsier and try to entice him but he never took the bait. She was growing frustrated. He checked in through text messages but they were generic.

  Cassie had thought after the kiss at her apartment and some signs he showed that he might be feeling something for her, but maybe she was reading this all wrong. It was very well possible he had no interest in her other than keeping her safe. The heat she saw in his eyes could be annoyance. While she wasn’t a virgin, she didn’t have tons of experience. Especially with a man like T.

  There were a few nights that he had gone out and Bogs had come to stay wit
h her. He was awesome, except for the fact that he still called her baker girl, no matter how many times she corrected him.

  Tonight was one of those nights she was being babysat by Bogs. He came over with beer and tacos and three movies that were ‘epic,’ according to him. T left with Stone at nine. He looked over at her before he walked out. She thought and hoped he’d come over and kiss her but instead he gave her a chin nod and walked out.

  Maybe he just doesn’t like me.

  Bogs started to laugh. “Baker girl, your ass, fine as it may be, would not be in this house if T didn’t like you. Trust me on that.” He took a big swig from his beer and grabbed a taco, shoving it in his mouth.

  She blushed and closed her eyes. Damn, she said that out loud. Great.

  “He’s just trying to keep me safe. He would do it for anyone.” She tried to sound unaffected by her last statement.

  Bogs stopped in mid-bite and glanced up at Cassie. “You think so?”

  She nodded.

  “Let me tell ya something about T. He’s an asshole, probably the biggest asshole I know.” He paused and stared at her. “But to me, my family, us, he’s the best guy I know. That’s T. He doesn’t give a shit about the outside world. But for us? Well, there isn’t anything he wouldn’t do.” He slapped his hand over his heart. “When he lets you in here, there is no better man than T. None. He gives you his heart, baker girl, you take it, and don’t let go.”

  Cassie felt her body warm. Thinking of T the way Bogs described him made her smile. She saw glimpses of good behind his shield of dickery. Having T’s heart?

  Their sharing moment was short-lived when Bogs put in a movie that was sure to give her nightmares forever. All the blood and gore and chopping people up had her covering her face with the blanket. Bogs spent most of the movie laughing at her as she huddled under the blanket only peeking out every few minutes.

  By the time the third movie was over, lights were flashing into the front windows. Bogs brought the empty bottles and wrappers into the kitchen and Cassie turned off the TV. The door opened and T and Stone walked in as Bogs came back into the living room. T’s eyes immediately met hers.

  “What are you doing up?”

  “Hey, man, we just finished the movie marathon.” He turned to Cassie. “Epic, right, just like I said?” He was smiling, obviously amused that she spent the majority of all three movies with her head under the covers.

  She gave him a puzzled look and sighed. “Yeah, epic, if you call spending five hours with my head under the blanket epic.”

  Bogs burst out laughing and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “Awww…I would have protected you, baker girl.” He squeezed her into his side and she shook her head and laughed.

  Stone raised his eyebrows and gave her a strange look while T tightened his jaw.

  “How’d it go?” Bogs asked T, who was still watching her. She gave him an awkward smile which was not returned.

  Stone answered. “Close. Talked to the sister, fucking junkie, she was useless. But she knows something, just not willing to give it up.”

  Cassie’s ears perked up. Tina, they were talking about Tina. Cassie stepped forward. “How’s she doing?”

  All three men simultaneously looked over at her but it was T who answered. “She’s detoxing.”

  “But is she okay, in jail?”

  “She’s not in jail; she’s at a halfway house, getting clean. That’s the only way her ass will stay out of jail.” His tone was callous.

  “But you said…”

  “I know what I said, it was bullshit. Needed a story, used that one.” His words were harsh and his anger seemed to escalate. She had grown accustomed to T being hot and cold with her but right now he was downright frigid.

  So he didn’t send her to jail, he got her help. While that seemed nice Cassie felt the surge of jealousy course through her. He said she was just a job but he kept her out of jail. Maybe he was lying to her when he said Tina was just a job, maybe he did have feelings for her. Cassie released a sigh. She always thought what they had was just bullshit but with him helping her, maybe there was more. Cassie stood in the center of the living room and her shoulders sagged.

  “Oh,” she whispered.

  “Yeah, oh,” he mocked.

  She looked up at him. His usual scowl was in place, his dark eyes forcing her to avert her own eyes. Why was he being mean?

  “Well, I’m gonna go to bed.” She turned to Bogs. “Thanks for hanging out with me.”

  He smiled back awkwardly. “Sure thing, baker girl.” He winked and she turned to go up the stairs.

  Cassie got to the top of the stairs but stopped and listened when she heard Bogs’ voice.

  “Hey, T, man, what’s the problem? Kinda being a jerk to baker girl.”

  “Fuck you, Bogs. You don’t get to tell me dick about how I act, ya fucking feel me, man?” He growled. Cassie inched closer to her door but listened closely. “I told you to watch her, not fucking cuddle under the covers with her, asshole.”

  Bogs laughed. “What?”

  “Shut up!”

  There was silence and then she heard a burst of laughter.

  “You afraid I’m putting the moves on baker girl?” Bogs said. “Hmmmm…she does make good brownies.”

  Cassie’s eyes widened. Bogs was taunting T about her? A loud crash echoed through the house and voices shouted.

  “Say it again, motherfucker.” T’s voice shook through the house.

  “Jesus Christ, T, let him go,” Stone yelled.

  Bogs’ laughter grew louder. “Oh, how the mighty have fallen for the pint-sized hottie.”

  “Shut up, Bogs!” Stone shouted again.

  She faintly heard the sound of a growl. T.

  She thought about running down there, but what could she do? Were they really arguing over her? Was T jealous? She stood up and backed into her room before closing the door. He seemed fine when he came in but he had changed. A small smile played on her lips when she realized exactly when T’s mood changed. His face got hard with a deep scowl when Bogs had put his arm around her. Her hand covered her mouth, trying to keep her giggle suppressed. He was jealous.

  * * * *

  T left his room the next morning and peered across the small hallway to Cassie’s. The door was open and the bed wasn’t made. He made his way to the doorway and peeked inside the small room. Her bag was on the floor with a shirt hanging out the side. The room was beginning to smell like her, apples and sunshine. He wanted to punch himself for even thinking it but it was true. Turning his head he saw the bathroom door open and empty. He made his way down the stairs and stopped on the second to last step when the couch came into his view. There, stretched out, was Cassie. One leg was under the blanket while the other was thrown on top with her perfect round ass cheek peeking out of her pink sleep shorts. Her arms were tucked under the pillow, leaving a small gap showing her side boob poking out of her shirt. T felt his body get hot and his cock take notice of the sexy little pixie on display on his couch.

  Why was she sleeping on the couch in barely nothing? He walked over to the couch and stared down at her. The TV was on with the sound low. Now, looking down at her, he became completely erect. Seeing her face and body made him want to grab her, roll her over, and bury himself deep inside her.

  He had been pissed at her last night though she hadn’t done anything. His warped mind hated seeing her so comfortable with Bogs. She was supposed to be like that with him, not his brother. She saw the confusion in her eyes when he handed her his nasty attitude. Didn’t miss the hurt either when he was talking about Tina. She had the wrong idea, he could tell, and he said nothing to explain it to her.

  He kicked the couch with his booted foot out of clouded frustration. She jolted but didn’t completely wake up. Another kick had her waking up fully, slightly disorientated. She sat up and the blanket fell to her lap. His eyes zoned in on her tits, braless, and her nipples peeking throu
gh her shirt. He had been wrong about her—that was more than a mouthful. His breathing shallowed as she looked up him and smiled dreamily.

  “Hey.”

  “Why the fuck are you sleeping on the couch?”

  She shook her head at his tone and rubbed her eyes. The movement had her jiggling her tits and T suppressed a groan.

  “Oh.” She looked at the couch and back up to him. “I must have fallen asleep, didn’t think that was going to happen.”

  “What are you talking about, why couldn’t you sleep?” His tone was gruff. It angered him to be standing there staring down at her, all beautiful and sexy, and not be able to touch her. He was so fucking mad he wanted to throw something.

  “Yeah, well, the movies from last night? Let’s just say I’m not a fan of horror.”

  “Then why didn’t you tell Bogs ya didn’t want to watch it?”

  “Because he was so excited and he thought I’d like them.”

  “So?”

  “So…he was doing something nice, I wasn’t going to be mean and tell him no.”

  T stared at her again. That right there was why he couldn’t get her outta his system. He could fuck her, he could taste her, and he could devour those lips a million times over but he’d never get that part of her out of his system. She would always be that girl who asked about others, even when she’d been fucked over by them. She’d always do her best not to hurt other’s feelings. His Cassie would always be a good girl, the kind of good that he wasn’t going to let go of. He was taking her and her fucking sexy body, and beautiful face, and that sweet, good girl. She was his.

  “What? Why are you looking at me like that?”

  “You still pissed at me?”

  “About what?”

  “Tina.”

  She shrugged a shoulder. “No.”

  “You lyin’ to me?”

  “I just don’t get why you would send her for help instead of jail. Unless, I don’t know…”