7. Rowen

"I'm not ready to forgive you, Bridger." I don't bother looking up from the paperwork I'm going through when I hear Braxton's office door open and close.

"It's a good thing I'm not him, then." Braxton saunters his way towards me, my eyes watching him the entire time. He must have stopped and washed his hands on the way in here because they're clean and his coveralls are tied at his waist like yesterday.

"I'll say, I'm sorry he said what he did." His hand moves the hair that fell from its haphazard sloppy bun out of my face. It got hot in Braxton's office, so I nixed my cardigan, put my hair up, and got to work. Nothing could have prepared me for the number of invoices that need to be taken care of. Some weren't marked as paid, some I can see Braxton either paid himself or wrote them off as donations, much like I have a feeling Mrs. William's repair will end up.

"Yeah, our secret is out of the bag. There's no way I was going to lie to his face, but I may have made it a bit difficult for you tonight when you go home. Though, I think we'll reap the benefits in the long run. Because tomorrow night, it's you and me, the Fall Festival, and you aren't going home afterwards." I see the heated desire blazing in his eyes as they're only getting darker with what he's telling me. I could get drunk off them without taking a sip of whiskey. That's what he does to me.

"I bet that was an interesting conversation. I'll let Mom know not to wait up for me. Knowing her, she'll give Dad hell. She's been livelier than ever lately and dishing it out to Dad. Just last night, she called him an old coot. Even then he couldn't get upset with her," I tell him with probably more enthusiasm than I should have, but a night out with Braxton without it being a secret, and to sleep in his arms after, it has me on the edge of my seat.

"You could say that. I'm not too worried about him. The guys will calm him down. Before I forget, your car won't be ready till next week. Christ, you can tear a vehicle up. Do you know how low on oil you were?" he asks.

"No, the reminder didn't come on like it usually does. It could be out too?" I really paid no attention to what's been going on. It's not like I was home much. When Mom was in the hospital, it was in the next town over, so I just drove over there and sat with her if no one else could. We all did it on shifts, Aspen less than anyone, but she always came home once a month to see everyone. Even Berkley would come along. We'd sit with Mom and do word puzzles, questioning her about what the answer could be. Those things always stumped me.

"Fuck, I'm telling you, babe, your car is going to need more repairs than it's worth. Not sure what y"all were thinking buying it without me looking at it." He shakes his head in disapproval.

"Well, to be fair, it's not like you and I were really talking. Though, Bridger or Dad could have asked, but you know, macho men know macho stuff," I say with a small laugh, trying to lighten the mood.

"No shit. Still, until I've inspected it from top to bottom, stay in my truck. Tomorrow, I'll pick you up at your place, and we'll take the Bronco." I beam up at him with the news we'll take his project truck. I couldn't be happier. He's been working on it for years. It's a 1981 with black exterior and interior. It's a beast, and I know he's almost finished with it.

"Think you'll let me drive the Bronco?" I question, already knowing the answer.

"Do you know how to drive a stick?" He cocks his head to the side.

I throw my head back on a laugh. All the innuendo he just put into that statement has me chuckling like a loon.

"No, but I'm sure you could teach me a thing or two about driving a stick, in more ways than one." Braxton moves so he's standing above me in the office chair I'm sitting in, his hands gripping the arms. He's wearing a smile on his face, and when he bites that lower lip of his, I'm freaking swooning.

"Oh, I will, but it won't be in my office. And our first time, it won't be in the Bronco either. It'll be when you're on my bed, naked, writhing in pleasure after I've had my mouth on every inch of your skin. Only then will you learn just how to drive my stick." Braxton leans in, his lips finding mine, the slow sneaking of his tongue teasing my lips causing me to open for him, but he's a tease. I only get a hint of a kiss before he pulls back.

"Ugh," I grumble, rubbing my legs together, the lace of my thong drenched in my desire for him. Braxton sees it all—the movement of my thighs, the way my nipples are in desperate need for his mouth, he sees it all.

"Be patient. It's been how many years? One more night won't kill you. The guys are almost done for the day. You can be done if you want," he offers.

"Uh, that would be a negative. The phone has been ringing like mad. I still need to finish a few things, but then yes, I'll get out of your hair," I joke. I'm not sure if his shop is always this busy or how he managed it before I came in.

"It can wait, but if you're going to hang for a bit, I'll call the diner and pick us up dinner. I have Mrs. Williams car I want to finish so she can pick it up in the morning, and then I'll take a look at a few things on yours, but I'm telling you, siren, it'll be in the junkyard before winter hits," he states, like it's a matter of fact.

"Dinner, yes. My car, that's a hard no. I'm saving to find a place to lay my head at night. I love my parents, but that is not where I want to stay for the next however many years, and my car is paid off," I throw back at him.

"Tell me what you want. We'll come back to where you'll be living and what kind of car you'll be in." He kisses my forehead, leaving me in a stupor until he disappears from my sight.

"That man is going to give me anxiety. Who the hell knows what will really happen? I mean, sure, I'd love to live with him, but there's no way he's getting rid of my car," I grumble out while returning to my work.

"I heard that. You want to move in? Consider it done, but we're not negotiating about the car."

"Holy shit! Quit sneaking up on me!" My stomach drops when he makes that announcement.

"Not my fault you're so lost in the clouds. Just letting you know, we are the real thing and this is happening." This time, he really leaves, and I keep my mouth shut, but my smile is taking over my face because I know Braxton means every word he just said.