Abrupt Changes: A Second Chance Romance (O-Town Book 3)

by Karen Renee

  “Liar.”

  My chuckle was silent. “You don’t want to be around me. So, I feel bad that my problems mean you’re forced to spend more time with me.”

  From the corner of my eye I saw him bite his lower lip. A muscle worked in his cheek and I hoped he kept his thoughts to himself.

  My hopes were dashed.

  “Never said I don’t want to be around you.”

  “Telling me I should be in New—”

  Without taking his eyes from the road, he grabbed my hand in my lap. “I told you I didn’t mean that shit, Raegan.”

  “Yeah, I just—”

  “Stop,” he bit out. “Let’s see if your car’s anywhere to be found.”

  His tone held finality to it, and I thought he’d let go of my hand. He not only continued to hold it, but he shifted our hands so he could lace his fingers with mine. When he squeezed my hand, I stared over at him. Had it not been for the quirking of his lips, I would’ve thought he ignored me.

  What was this?

  I faced forward and decided not to think about it. Whatever it was, it was temporary, and I couldn’t let myself get caught up in all that was Clint.

  Problem was, Clint had always been a force I couldn’t resist.

  That meant pulling into the Target parking lot, I was wrapped up in my mind and his voice startled me.

  “Some things never change. You still park as far from the doors as you always did.”

  To my total surprise, the rental car was still where I parked it, though I could see the driver-side door wasn’t fully closed.

  My lips shifted to the side for a moment. “Well, I can tell you right now, that’s going to change.”

  He looked at me but didn’t respond, other than gently pulling his hand from mine.

  I opened my door, but Clint was out of the truck and rounding the tiny rental car.

  “What are you doing, Clint?”

  He had settled halfway in the car, with one long leg angled out onto the pavement. It took me a moment to see he was checking for something in the passenger seat.

  “What are you looking for?”

  He looked over his shoulder. “Your purse. Did you toss it on the seat like you always used to do?”

  I shook my head. “I stopped doing that a long time ago.”

  “Then why was the door open?”

  I sighed. “The button for the trunk on the key fob wasn’t working. So, I had to open the doors to pop the trunk. Then I—”

  Clint popped the trunk and strode past me. Joining him at the back of the car, he held my purse up to me.

  “Thanks. I’m surprised they didn’t take my purse, though.”

  His brown eyes said more than the next words out of his mouth.

  “Your purse wasn’t the point, Rae.” He exhaled sharply, like he didn’t want to say anything more. “I don’t think you have any idea how fucking lucky you are to be alive right now.”

  My eyes widened. “Actually, Clint, I do know.”

  His eyes turned fiery. “Really? But you’re surprised your purse is in the trunk? They didn’t need whatever cash you got in your wallet because in all likelihood they had already been paid to abduct you.”

  My head reared back. “How can you know that?”

  He closed his eyes and sighed. When he opened them, the fire was gone. “I do shit like this for a living, Rae. I investigate things. On occasion we provide security. If a thug had come upon you and taken you, yeah. They’d have taken you in the car, and drained your wallet dry. But this isn’t that.”

  I pressed my lips together as I fought off my growing fear. Everything Clint said was true, but I didn’t know what to do about it. Rather than hold eye contact with him, I rummaged through my purse for the keys.

  “What are you looking for, Rae?” he asked, mocking my tone from earlier.

  I glanced up at him. “My keys.”

  He made a strange noise, then looked back to the trunk. “You didn’t buy any food yesterday, did you? ‘Cause that shit’ll be bad by now.”

  I huffed. “No. I suppose that’s a blessing. But, now I remember I had the key ring on my finger, so I doubt they’re in there.”

  He slammed the trunk shut. “Right. Well, the upside is you don’t have to report the car stolen, but you’re gonna have to report the keys lost. The other upside is that you got an older model, without the press-button ignition.” My brows furrowed, and he grinned at my confusion. “Been a helluva long time since I did this, but I get your car started, I’ll follow you back to the house.”

  Clint shoved the seat all the way back and reached under the steering column. After that, his hands worked so quickly I lost track of what he was doing, but moments later the engine turned over.

  “I had no idea you knew how to hotwire a car.”

  He shot a sheepish smile my way. “By the time I met you, those days were well behind me, honey.”

  I moved out of his way as he unfolded from the car. He grabbed my hand, guiding me toward the car. As I looked into his eyes, I again wondered what was happening here.

  “I’m following you, so don’t run any yellow lights. Got it, hotshot?”

  I gave a huff along with a small grin. “I would never —”

  His chin dipped. “You would’ve years ago, so just don’t do it now. Okay?”

  My grin fell and I nodded. “See you at Mom’s.”

  AS I PULLED UP TO MOM’S house, it hit me I wouldn’t be able to start the car again once I turned it off, not that I knew how to turn off a hot-wired vehicle. I parked it in the street and hit the button for the trunk. Clint’s SUV pulled up behind me.

  Standing in the open door of the car, I waited for Clint to get out of his vehicle.

  “How do I turn the car off, Ramsey?”

  A wry grin twisted his lips. “Outta the way, babe.”

  In a moment, he powered off the car, stood, locked the doors but thought twice and unlocked the doors.

  I gathered my bags from the trunk. As I reached up to close the lid, Clint grabbed the bags from my hand and sauntered up the walk.

  “I am capable of carrying things, Clint.”

  “So am I, Raegan.”

  He opened the door and Mom was right there.

  “See you got her car back. Everything okay?”

  Clint hesitated and Mom’s blue eyes narrowed on him. “Give it to me straight, Clint.”

  He walked into the house, speaking as Mom and I followed.

  “We got the car back. Her purse was in the trunk, but no keys.”

  From the sound of Mom’s walker, she picked up her pace behind me. “I told you to keep those keys off your fingers, Rae. Should’ve shoved ‘em in your pocket.”

  I took a deep breath and let Mom’s words roll off me.

  Clint stopped in the living room and looked past me at Mom. “The keys can be replaced, Penny. Better than having to deal with the car being stolen.”

  Mom settled in her recliner. “What aren’t you telling me?”

  “Nothing more to tell, Penny. I’ll let you two get on with your day. Raegan, walk me to the door.”

  Mom scowled at both of us, and I shrugged at her as Clint moved to the hall.

  I followed him down the hall, but he grabbed my hand and he yanked me into my bedroom.

  “What are you—”

  His hand cupped my jaw, his thumb pressing hard on my lips. My eyes widened, and like muscle memory a thrill shot through me, resulting in pebbled nipples and wetness between my legs.

  He left his hand there. His face dipped forward. “You aren’t going anywhere today, Rae. And not just because you don’t know how to get that car started. Even if they bring you a new set of keys, you stay here. Am I clear?”

  I nodded, which forced his thumb away from my lips. His thumb had moved, but his face came closer.

  “What’s going on here?” I whispered.

  Those gorgeous eyes traced my lips while his thumb did the same. “I’m not sure, but I know we h
ave to talk tonight.”

  I swallowed. “Um, you don’t need—”

  He shook his head. “Don’t tell me what I need, Connelly.”

  “But—”

  I said no more because his hand slid, and his lips were on mine. Having spent the night here, he hadn’t been able to shave this morning; his stubble stung my skin, but I loved it. My lips parted, my tongue darted out to touch his lips and he pulled away.

  He sighed. “I’ll be back. And I’ll bring barbeque.”

  I scrunched my nose. “Barbeque?”

  He smiled. “Yes. And you’re gonna love it.”

  “If you say so. I don’t mean to be dense, but what is going on here?”

  His hand at my neck squeezed. “You know what’s going on here, which is why we have to talk. Tonight.”

  He dropped his hand, turned and at the door he said, “Later.”

  Chapter 10

  Always Be Too Soon

  Clint

  AT DUSK, I PULLED UP to Penny’s house again.

  As I shut the engine down, I wondered what the hell I was doing. It hadn’t been my intention to kiss Raegan this morning, but I couldn’t stop myself. Her presence made me edgy and restless. Seeing her on the front porch the evening before forced a new perspective on me. The idea of the world without her in it didn’t bear thinking about. Once I came to that realization, I knew I couldn’t keep my distance from her. Plus, I needed to stay close since her attackers could be keeping tabs on her.

  Even if it would cause Mamá and my sisters shit-fits, I wanted another shot with Raegan. Her response to my kiss this morning sealed it, but I wasn’t getting my hopes up. Convincing her to try again was going to be an uphill battle. Big time.

  With the best barbeque in town in hand, I unlocked the door. In the living room, I noticed Penny dozed off in her recliner. I set the bag of food on the kitchen counter and wandered back to Raegan’s room since I had no idea where she was.

  Only, she wasn’t in her room, either.

  I didn’t know I was growling until the door to Wynnie’s room opened, Raegan saying, “What’s that noise?”

  I whirled on her and she yelped. “Clint! I had no idea you were here.”

  “And I didn’t know where you were, mamita. Do not scare me like that again.”

  Had I not been staring at her so intently, I would have missed the small smile which flitted across her face at me calling her mamita. Yet, the smile died a quick death, so I didn’t get my hopes up.

  “I was sorting through some of Wynnie’s things,” she whispered.

  When I noticed how puffy and red her eyes were, I swallowed my rebuke that she should’ve had the door open so she would hear me come inside.

  Shit.

  Of their own volition, my arms wrapped around her and I held her close. She squeezed me back with such force, it felt like she wanted to meld with me. Her hair smelled of flowers, the same as it did years ago. To the top of her head I whispered, “Little soon for that don’t you think, mi reina?”

  She leaned back, her big brown eyes outraged. “Mom shouldn’t have to do it!”

  “Shh,” I stroked her back. “Your mom is dozing in the chair. Or was. Come on. I brought dinner, and ribs are no good when they’re cold.”

  Her eyes narrowed a fraction. “What are you doing, Clint?”

  There was no way she didn’t know, but I didn’t want to tell her yet either. I tucked her hair behind her ear before I pulled away from her. “After dinner, Raegan.”

  She muttered to my back, “You’re not doing your part to ‘disabuse’ Mom of her hopes.”

  I grinned.

  PENNY FINISHED HER pulled pork sandwich and sat back in her chair. “This seems as good a time as any for you two to tell me what you were whispering about in the hallway when you thought I was asleep.”

  I hung my head and silently chuckled.

  Raegan reached out for Penny’s hand. “Mom, he was just looking for me. I was in Wynnie’s room trying to... help. We weren’t whispering about anything.”

  She nodded at Rae, but when her sharp gaze hit me, she stared at me like she could see into my soul. The first time she ever did that it was unnerving, but now I simply cocked a brow at her.

  “She tells no lies?” Penny asked.

  I shrugged a shoulder. “No. Though, I did whisper it was too soon for that.”

  Penny’s lips twitched, then she frowned. “It’ll always be too soon, Clint.”

  That was a wet blanket on our conversation if ever there was one and I sighed.

  “All right. Sorry, ladies, but I didn’t bring dessert. To make up for that, I’ll clear your dishes.”

  “Clearing the table doesn’t make up for no dessert, Ramsey,” Raegan said.

  I sauntered to the sink. “Your mother shouldn’t have it anyway. Sodium isn’t the only thing she needs to moderate in her diet.”

  “I’m sitting right here,” Penny snapped.

  Rae laughed and I bit my lip against the warmth growing in my chest.

  As I rinsed the plates, Penny stopped next to me. “Thank you for dinner.” Her smile shifted to a smirk. “And for giving an old gal hopes to cling to.”

  I clenched my teeth and glared at her, but she laughed before she shuffled away.

  Raegan wandered over to box up the remaining food. “You’re good for her, Clint. Thank you for that.”

  I hadn’t wanted to do this at the kitchen sink, but the opening she gave me was too good not to. “I could be good for you, too, Rae.”

  Her eyes widened. “What?”

  I turned off the water, dried my hands, crossed my arms and stared at her. “You asked me, ‘what was going on,’ three times. You know damn well what was going on. She needs you. For that matter, I’d argue you need her just as much, to help you get past Wynnie’s death.”

  Her face had been open with emotion, but now it shut down. Closed off.

  Shit.

  I closed my eyes. Unfolding my arms, I leaned a hand into the counter. “I’m just gonna say it. I want another chance. You aren’t goin’ back anytime soon, are you?”

  Her guard fell a touch. With wary eyes, she shook her head.

  “Then the question is, do you want to give us another shot?”

  I could see the war raging in her eyes. She twisted her head away from me, and my restraint snapped. I grabbed her neck with one hand and her waist with the other. Actions damn sure spoke louder than words.

  Raegan

  I WHIPPED MY HEAD AWAY because he had to be crazy.

  His strong, warm hand caught my neck while the other hand grabbed my waist to turn me back to him.

  My lips parted to protest, but his open mouth hit mine and it was all over. The moment Clint’s tongue entered my mouth, a familiar heat surrounded my stomach and I worked hard to keep my breath from deserting me. Then, the feeling of his tongue flirting with mine hit me and I kissed him back with a vengeance.

  Clint’s hand at my waist slid around and his strong arm locked around me. I wasn’t about to be left out, so I shoved an arm up his back to his shoulder blade while my other hand pushed into his hair. As I suspected, his longer hair was soft and silky, and felt glorious between my fingers, making me moan.

  Whether it was the sound of my moan or the feel of it, Clint pulled away from me, but I traced his upper lip with the tip of my tongue. He groaned. Then he bent into me, arching my back over his arm and he kissed me like he had never kissed me before. And that was saying something because he’d put serious effort into every kiss he gave me early in our relationship, and even more so at the end, when our time together was so limited.

  As thoughts of our kisses hit me, I straightened and pulled away from him. “Clint, what are we doing?”

  His toffee-colored eyes glittered at me. “What we should have been doing the last fucking decade, mi reina.”

  My lips parted to say something, but again he took advantage of their openness and kissed me senseless. Worse than that, I kisse
d him back and it progressed. As in seriously progressed.

  No one kissed me like Clint did.

  No. One.

  The song “No One” by Alicia Keys came to me unbidden. It was popular when we lived together. Who knew it would be so applicable? Ashamed as I should be to admit it, the fact was Clint could kiss me like no one else. With no guidance, no conversation, no nothing, he knew exactly what to do when he touched me, licked me, had me, grazed me. Any of it. All of it. He had been instilled with an innate knowledge of how to wind me up, get me going, and ultimately set me off.

  It was simultaneously thrilling and infuriating.

  His hand was under my shirt and my hands were under his shirt, when sense hit me like a sledgehammer.

  I pulled my lips away from him. “What are we doing?”

  His brown eyes held a delicious energy. “Already answered that, baby.”

  Much as I hated the idea of being a tease, I pushed against his body while removing my hands from under his shirt. “We can’t do any of that. We’re in the kitchen!”

  I peeked over his shoulder and lowered my voice.

  “And Mom’s in the living room.”

  A sinister grin spread across his beautiful face. “And we just made her fuckin’ day, mamita.”

  “Clint!” I hissed.

  He hooked me behind my neck. “Finish with the food. I’ll finish with the dishwasher. Once we know Penny’s well, we’re having a talk. In private.” He stressed the last word because it had become clear Mom could eavesdrop like a champ.

  By the time we finished our chores and entered the living room, Mom was coming out of her room. The Cheshire-cat grin on her face reinforced Clint’s belief that we’d tickled her pink.

  Great. Now she’d never give up on the hope Clint and I would reconcile.

  Hell, I had barely wrapped my head around the idea of a second chance with Clint, but she sat staring at The Wheel of Fortune like a hole in her soul had been filled.

  Dammit.

  I pulled away from Clint.

  Mom looked over at me with a bright grin like the one she gave little Jared. “You know that barbeque has me feeling energetic, my Rae-of-sunshine. I think I can get into my nightgown on my own tonight.”