Perfectly Imperfect Mine (Garrison Brothers Book 1)

by Amelia Shea

  “Oh my God, are you okay?” It was a female voice. She thought it was Barbie.

  Then a loud and mad as hell boom. “What the fuck is wrong with you? Are you trying to kill someone?” His voice knocked Sadie out of her shock and suddenly his arms were around her and she was being backed up to her car. She was aware of Barbie on her left as Stone crowded her front. Her eyes were planted on his chest as her body started to shake. She breathed heavily as her heart raced. The van had been inches away from running her down. Oh God!

  “Jeez, girl, you could have been killed. I thought for sure he was going to hit you the way he came speeding up and you kept walking and…” She never finished because Stone interrupted.

  “Rox! Enough. Shut up!”

  “Sorry, I just can’t believe…”

  “Just go move the truck for me.”

  “Oh right. Okay. That was crazy, I think that guy was going about fifty miles an hour…”

  “Roxanne! Shut the fuck up and move my fucking truck!” He was so loud that Sadie jumped back a bit but she had nowhere to go with his arms caged around her. His whole body was pushed into hers with one arm around her waist and his other hand on her neck.

  Roxanne, aka Barbie, muttered something which sounded like “dickhead” and then she was gone. Her mind was still racing when a hand reached under her chin and her head was lifted.

  “You okay?” He quietly asked. They were so close together their bodies touched. Yet she managed to move into him another inch which he welcomed with a gripping tug on her waist.

  She swallowed hard and nodded. She was pretty sure she was in shock. He was hovering over her and rubbed a hand against her back. It felt nice and soothing. She wasn’t accustomed to having others comfort her. She liked it, especially coming from him. This man confused her to no end. One minute he was insulting her, the next he was sweet, protective, and comforting. It was almost as if he was having an internal struggle with who he should be around her. Or maybe he just had multiple personalities.

  His left hand at her jaw caressed her neck. She liked that, too. She leaned into his hand. The moment was so intimate. She breathed him in. She knew deep down inside he could turn at any time and become an asshole but for now she was just going to pretend this was the real Stone. She’d never felt safer than she did at this moment. She was going to let herself have this.

  When he asked for her keys, she handed them over without a second thought. They walked over with his body hovered around her. He opened the passenger side door and motioned for her to get in. She slid into her seat. It was a strange view. She couldn’t remember ever sitting in the passenger seat of her own car. She placed her bag on the floor and looked around the car she’d had for years. It really was a piece of shit. It had blue stained fabric. There were cigarette burns throughout the back and the top liner had a rip. It was functional but ugly.

  Why was she in the passenger seat? Did he expect her to climb over the console?

  Before she could ask, she heard him speaking over the roof. “You drive the truck and follow me. And don’t change my station, I mean it, Rox. No country!” There was a small threat in his voice but mostly tenderness. A surge of jealousy came from inside Sadie again. He sounded playful with Roxanne. Even in the store, when he whispered in her ear, they seemed so comfortable together. She didn’t quite know why but that thought made her sad. Maybe because she knew he wasn’t for her, but somehow, seeing him with Roxanne, it was confirmed.

  A few seconds passed and he got in. He adjusted the seat and started up the car. He looked like a giant in her car. It was really silly for him to drive her home. Sadie knew he just pitied her. She had always despised pity.

  “I’m really okay to drive.” She turned to face him. “Seriously, I’m good, I can get myself home. You don’t need to do this. Really,” she said, with all the confidence she could muster. She needed to get away from him.

  He was backing up and pulling out of the spot while ignoring her.

  Let me try this again. “I appreciate you doing this but it’s really not necessary. Thanks for your help and thank your girlfriend for me!”

  He continued to ignore her. What the hell!

  When he pulled up to the stop, she noticed his truck pulled up behind them. She looked back at Roxanne. She couldn’t see her face well but her hand went up and she waved enthusiastically. She awkwardly waved back and turned in her seat. Roxanne seemed too happy for someone whose man was helping another girl, Sadie thought. She probably didn’t see her as competition. However, she was the girl who claimed to be his “side piece” and vulgarly described that they were just fuck buddies. Closing her eyes, she shook her head. Way to go, Sadie!

  She glanced over at Stone who had just pulled out of the parking lot. In the daylight his hair wasn’t as dark as she originally thought. It was dark brown, shiny, and a little long around the ears. He looked like a model for a biker magazine. She bet he had a motorcycle. She couldn’t see his scar from where she sat but she knew it was there. She wondered how he got it. He probably got it in a bar fight. He looked like a bar fight kind of guy.

  She turned in her seat and licked her lips. His brows furrowed forming a sharp peak. She’d seen him angry before but not quite like this. It was a seemingly silent rage.

  “Thanks for driving me.”

  His chin jerked in acknowledgement but he remained quiet.

  “You didn’t have to though. I would have been fine.”

  His lips tightened into a flat line and his fingers grasped the steering wheel showing his white knuckles.

  “I mean, I appreciate it but...”

  “Babe,” he snapped, and whipped his head toward her. “You nearly got fucking plowed down by a minivan. I’m gonna need a minute here to get myself in check. I’m seconds away from turning back around, finding that asshole, and beating the piss outta him.” He turned back to the road and lowered his voice. “He coulda killed you.”

  “Oh.” She sunk back into the seat never taking her eyes off of him.

  They continued west toward her trailer. She always hated that saying silence is deafening. It never made sense to her until now. The silence was deafening. But she would give him what he needed. His admission had left her speechless anyway. She peeked over at him. His left arm was on the door while his right steered. The music was low. This man was so damn confusing.

  During the ride she stared out the window. Cedar Bluff, Nebraska. It sounded pretty but it really wasn’t. Lots of dirt, land, corn, and cows. At one time, there were a lot of small family farms but they had since been bought out by larger farms. It had become a non-producing small town. It was just another casualty of the American dream. Sadie always thought she’d get out of there. She used to dream about packing up and heading somewhere exciting. But dreams cost money. She may have had the dreams but she didn’t have the money. Just another small-town girl stuck in Cedar Bluff.

  She saw the dirty cracked sign coming up on the right. The Bluff Carriage Homes. She rolled her eyes. Carriage Home was a fancy way of saying trailer park. She lived in the back section. There were about sixty trailers. Most were owned. The others were rentals like hers. Stone pulled into her spot and the truck pulled up behind them. Home at last.

  She opened her door to get out but she was stopped by a large hand grabbing hers. Not rough or hard but stern. “I’ll get your bags. You just go inside.”

  She stumbled a bit with her words. “Oh no, you don’t have to…”

  He interrupted with a grin on his face. “I said I’ll get them. Now get your sweet ass inside.”

  Her jaw dropped. Did he just call her ass sweet? She should be offended. She should be outraged. But she wasn’t. All she could think was that Stone thought she had a sweet ass. She could see it in her head, feminists everywhere were shaking their heads. But she didn’t care.

  She slowly got out, walked up her small deck, and unlocked the door. She always locked her door although it was pointless. The lock was broken. Just a w
iggle and a hard shove and anyone could get in. Someone did, three months ago. Nothing was taken, there was nothing to take. The manager had promised her a new lock. She was still waiting.

  Home.

  “Hey, let’s get inside, girl.” Sadie heard from behind her.

  A light touch to her back pushed her through the door. She walked in and turned on the kitchen light to find Roxanne. She refused to call her Brunette Barbie anymore. She seemed really nice and genuinely concerned back at the store.

  “Hey, uh, thanks for helping me out back there. I don’t know if it was shock or what…” Sadie felt embarrassed about the situation. “…but I appreciate it. So, thanks.”

  She smiled big. “You’re welcome. We didn’t formally meet in the store, I’m Roxanne Barrett.”

  She smiled back. “Sadie Wallace.”

  She had a glint in her eye as she let out a chuckle. “Oh, I know.”

  Stone came in with the bags and laid them on the counter. She watched as Roxanne looked around. She could only see the kitchen and living room combo from where she stood. There wasn’t much to her place. All used furniture and some trinkets here and there. Sadie wondered what she saw. She expected to see disgust in Roxanne’s face but she didn’t, all she saw was curiosity.

  “Rox, give me a minute here, will ya?” Stone asked.

  She looked over to Stone and then to Sadie. She had a small smile on her lips.

  “Yeah, sure thing.” She walked over to Sadie and grabbed her for a hug. Sadie immediately froze. She couldn’t remember the last time a stranger hugged her, if ever. It was so awkward.

  “It was awesome meeting you, Sadie. Wish it had been under different circumstances.” She leaned back out of the hug and grinned at Sadie. “Let’s get together soon. Maybe we can meet up for lunch and do some shopping.”

  One of Stone’s girlfriends wanted to hang out with her? This was so strange. She looked over at Stone to find an amused look. Well, she wouldn’t be rude.

  “Uh yeah…okay?” It was a statement posed as a question. She was so confused.

  “Great! I’ll be in the truck. Take your time, Stone.” She winked at him as she walked out the front door.

  She was planted in the kitchen, near the counter, not moving, trying to roll over everything that just happened when Stone came closer. She stepped back against the counter. He reached around and gripped the counter behind.

  She inhaled. “So, well, thanks again. I don’t want to keep you and Roxanne. She’s great by the way. She’s really nice.” Sadie continued to ramble. “I’m sorry for what I said back there. You know, about being your side piece.” She cringed when she said it. “You guys uh…make umm…a good couple.” She sounded like a complete idiot. Hopefully, she sounded believable.

  His lips came close to her ear. “We’re not a couple, Sadie.”

  “Oh, I just thought she was one of your girlfriends the way you guys were together and everything.” She was back to blundering words.

  He pulled back from her ear and leaned down until they were eye level, still whispering. “I’ve known Rox since she was five. She’s Ethan’s little sister, and mine, in every way except blood. We grew up together, all of us.”

  That was interesting. She was about to ask where they all grew up when his cell beeped. She assumed it was a ringtone for a text when he stood straight up and gave her his back. She heard him curse under his breath. He started typing quickly into his phone. Yeah, definitely a text.

  She remained where she was against the countertop. She assumed he’d leave now. She should have been happy but she wasn’t. She wanted him to stay. She wanted him to turn around and grab her and kiss her. She wanted his body against hers, rubbing and grinding. She wanted him to rip her panties off with his teeth. She wanted him.

  His abrupt movement dragged her out of her sexual haze. He was back, arms caging her in—bodies close, lips even closer.

  “I gotta go,” he said through tight lips. He didn’t seem happy about it. She bit her lower lip and nodded.

  “I’ll come by tomorrow. Are you working?” he whispered, his breath fanning over her face. His arms encircled her back and she was pulled into his chest. She gripped his arms feeling his hard biceps through his jacket.

  His green eyes peered down into hers. Sadie’s heart raced and panties moistened. She wanted this man. Now!

  She nodded the answer to his question. She feared if she spoke, she would beg him to fuck her.

  He leaned in closer and their lips were only an inch away from one another. “Are you going to avoid me?” His seductive tone had her rubbing her legs together.

  She jerked her head and remained silent.

  “Good. This game we’ve been playing, it’s over.” His warm breath fanned her face and he whispered. “I tried doing the right thing, keeping my distance but when it comes to you, I have no fucking control.” His eyes closed. “I can’t stay away.” His voice was so low she wasn’t sure if his last statement was meant for her ears. Her breath shallowed and her body tingled in desperation just to be closer to him.

  His nose touched hers and his breath warmed her lips. Déjà vu. She closed her eyes and said a silent prayer that he’d kiss her. With her heart pounding, her hands moved down to grip his waist. She pulled him deeper into her and he let her. She felt him so close, his breath so close. She angled her head up to his and soft lips brushed against hers. She leaned in closer to feel his tongue glide across her bottom lip. She opened up to him and he devoured her mouth. She released his waist and raised her hands to his chest.

  His phone started ringing but he didn’t stop to answer it. He gripped her waist and lifted her onto the counter. Never breaking their kiss, he spread apart her knees and stepped between them. She moaned when he grabbed her ass and pulled her deep against his body, feeling his hard length against her core. She wrapped her hands around his neck and slid them up to run her hands through his hair. He groaned and deepened their kiss. She licked his bottom lip before biting softly down.

  “You are so fucking sweet.” He groaned against her lips

  The phone rang three more times and then stopped again. He never attempted to answer it.

  Sadie whispered so low she didn’t even think he could hear her. “Please don’t stop.”

  A small tug on the corner of his mouth gave him a lopsided smile.

  “Sweet girl, I want to kiss you. I want to fucking kiss you everywhere. The thought of kissing you has kept me up at night. It’s all I fucking think about, you and those lips.” He grunted and roughly pulled her to him. “I’d give anything to be inside you right now.” He was breathing hard.

  She reached up to pull his head back down to hers and their lips crashed together. She moaned and rubbed herself against him.

  His cell phone rang again.

  “Babe,” he whispered against her lips pulling back slightly, “I have to go now. It’s business, and that phone will keep ringing until I answer it.” He leaned into her and gave her a quick kiss before pulling back. He stared at Sadie with warmth in his eyes. She loved his eyes.

  “Okay.” Her voice was quiet and disappointed. He had business to deal with and she understood that, but she really wanted him to stay.

  “Sadie.” She looked back to him. His face was calm and serious. “I’ll see you tomorrow. Yeah?” he asked quietly but confidently.

  She gave him a shy smile. “Yeah, and thanks for helping me out today.”

  He smiled back at her and leaned in and he planted soft kisses on her lips. His hands caressed her thighs.

  “You have to go,” Sadie whispered between kisses.

  “I know.” Stone continued to kiss her lips softly.

  Sadie wrapped her arms around his shoulders and pulled him closer. “I want you to stay, Stone,” she whispered.

  She let out a giggle. “It’s like fate doesn’t want us together.”

  He stopped kissing her, cupped his hands at her jaw and snorted. “Fuck fate, you’re mine, Sadie. I just
need to burn my cell and take you to a cabin in the woods where no one can interrupt us.”

  She smirked and whispered, “When do we leave?”

  Stone smiled back. He opened his mouth to say something but the front door crashed open.

  Sadie jumped at the loud slam of the door. A pale faced Roxanne stood in it. She looked freaked out and she was panting as if she just ran miles. She never looked over at Sadie, just at Stone.

  “Stone, we gotta go. Like right now!” Her voice was panicked and scared.

  His lips skimmed her forehead and he backed away.

  His face was serious as he looked at her. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Sadie.”

  Sadie looked between him and Roxanne. She looked completely freaked out. Something was really wrong. She looked back to Stone who was still staring at her.

  Sadie nodded. “Yeah, tomorrow.”

  “Come lock the door behind me.”

  He stalked over to Roxanne, who still looked jolted and gently nudged her out the door. Sadie followed behind him. He turned and his eyes met hers before the door closed. She locked the door and leaned back against it. Those green eyes sent her a promise. A promise she hoped he’d keep.

  ****

  Stone tracked Roxanne’s steps down the stairs, the cool air felt like cold water splashing over his face. Wake up, man. Roxanne jumped in the truck quickly with Stone following in the driver seat. There was an urgency about this situation—the job needed to be done and over, this was the priority. This assignment had been mishandled from the beginning. Usually they were meticulous. They anticipated problems or issues before they happened. Their jobs went according to plan. Everything about this job had become complicated and difficult. Throw Sadie in the mix, it was a complete clusterfuck.

  Stone started the truck, backed out, and headed to the meeting point. Shitty timing was always coming between him and Sadie. When he got the text, he was pissed. But he knew the job came first, it had to. He should have left immediately after the message. Then, when the calls started, he knew he had to leave, but still he stayed, touching her and kissing her. Finally, being with her. Really being with her. Her guarded walls came down and so did his. He’d never been with a woman who made him feel, made him want to open up, but Sadie did all of it. There was no denying his desire and that he wanted her but he needed more from her, not just the sex. After making her moan from pleasure and gasp his name past her lips, he wanted her voice in his ear, cuddled close in his arms, feeling the safety of his protective hold. She would open up even more to him giving her story, her past. He’d already read her file but he wanted to hear it from her. This woman just made him want for everything. And her future? Fuck! He couldn’t allow himself to think that far because if he did, he’d want to be part of it. His frustration was building throughout his body. The job came first but at this moment, he wanted nothing else than to be back at her place with her hands on him. She’s just some girl. He chanted it twice in his head hoping to get his mind back to where it needed to be. But he was too far gone, past the point of no return with her. A soft evil snicker whispered the truth. Sadie was never just some girl.