Chapter 4

Liam

I regretfully put the finishing touches on Kayla's car, as if after it's finished our connection will be severed. It's been three days and I haven't seen her around and the one text I sent her after our evening obliterating the high scores on the pinball machine at Ronnie's has gone unanswered.

But I know I didn't imagine that there was something more to that kiss than just the thrill of victory. I still have trouble concentrating when I think about her hot little body pressed against me. The eager way her mouth opened to take my tongue. Every small movement and sound is etched into my memory, leading to some sleepless nights.

I shove away from the car, forcing my thoughts away from Kayla. Trying to focus on making sure every last ding is out of the front end instead of the way my cock is pressing against my work pants isn't an easy feat.

She was cute back in the day, but I couldn't waste my time on a freshman, and then when Pop got sick, I didn't have any time for anything but making sure he got the best care we could afford and keeping the garage afloat.

Now she's all grown up, and I need to know everything about her. Whenever I asked her a question about herself the other night, she'd somehow deflect back to me. Why doesn't she want to brag about her perfect life? Does she feel sorry for me?

Shaking my head, I remember that kiss and the way she clung to me. The look in her eyes was anything but pity. I send her a message that her car is ready to pick up and sit on the floor waiting for my girl to message back this time.

Oh, awesome! I'll walk over there soon.

"What's this dummy talking about?" I say aloud, scowling at my phone. Her house is on the fancy side of town, three miles away.

I'll come get you.

There's a brief pause before I get another message. It's okay, my dad can drive me.

I already want to clean up before I see Kayla again, but that makes me change out of my work clothes. Am I trying to impress her dad?

When they arrive, Gavin Woods strides toward the shop. He's got his nose in his phone the second the car door slams behind him, leaving Kayla scrambling to keep up. He nearly lets the door close in her face, but she catches it with her palm just as I'm jumping forward. She looks adorable in a pink skirt that brushes her knees and a crisp white blouse that clings to her enticing tits. A bit too dressy for vacation, though, but that's Kayla I guess.

I greet her with a bright smile, not bothering to say anything to Gavin until he gets off his phone. I was trying to impress this guy? He's not impressing me one bit, especially when I see how strained Kayla looks, like she's trying to signal something to me with her eyes.

"How much do I owe you?" Gavin snaps, lowering his phone.

"Dad," Kayla hisses, turning to me. "Thanks for getting it fixed so fast. And thanks for coming out in the storm for me." She didn't get her polished manners from her dad, that's for sure.

"That's his job," Gavin grunts.

As he's signing the invoice and handing over his card, I make faces at Kayla over her father's head. She bursts out laughing and slaps her hand over her mouth.

"Did you hear that the carnival is coming to town?" I ask her.

Her eyes look hopeful and I reach for the stack of fliers a worker dropped off for me to hand out to customers. I circle the opening night date and write ‘ you and me' before handing it to her. She beams at me.

"You'll be working late most evenings," her father says. "No time for something like that."

"It's open late," I say to stop Kayla's frown. "I'm sure you can—"

Gavin shoots his hand up to silence me when his phone rings. He answers it, heading out the door. "See you back in the office, Kayla," he says, slamming out the door.

Her cheeks are burning as she watches him go.

"Some people let phones control their lives these days," I say, trying to make her feel better. "And some people can't seem to return a message to save their lives," I needle.

Her face relaxes but stays bright red. "I seem to have gotten a job for the summer," she says, trying to smile. "Internship at my dad's firm. Yay, investments."

I lead her out to her car, but keep the keys in my hand. I'm not letting her go. "Try to sound more miserable," I say. "I bet you can't."

She smiles grimly. "That's a bet you'd lose."

"Well, then. I'll have to show you the fine art of ditching. Come with me." Heading into my office I pull two cans of soda out of the fridge. I open the back door leading to my front yard where I have deck chairs. "Have a seat."

"Did you actually skip school a lot?" she asks, settling in and sipping her drink.

I roll my eyes. "Yeah, but I didn't have any fun. It was always to get my dad to an appointment."

"So let's both ditch right now," she says, glancing at her phone. "For twenty minutes."

"Come on, are you even getting paid? An hour," I counter.

"I'm getting paid with experience." Her shoulders slump.

"Fuck that."

Her laugh is music to my ears and the glum look disappears. "I like the way you think."

"So when are you going out with me?" Instead of sitting next to her, I plant my hands on the arms of her chair and lean over, challenging her to deny me.

Her eyes meet mine. "I really thought I'd get to have a little fun this summer."

‘You're going to have a lot of fun," I promise.

Her phone buzzes but she doesn't look away, moving closer to me, the heat between us increasing as her mouth is only a few inches away. More buzzing. Flustered, she looks down and answers.

"I just stopped for a soda," she says.

Christ. How controlling is her father that he has her on a timer?

She ducks under my arm and apologizes. "I wish I could stay."

"Then stay."

With a sad smile, she heads back to her car. Leaning against the door, she holds out her hand for the keys.

"Tell me when you have time," I demand. Her head drops and I tip up her chin with a fingertip, making her look at me. Her eyes can't lie. She knows she's mine. "Tell me," I repeat.

"Liam," she whispers. "I…"

Her hands rest on my chest and the light touch sends me over the edge. I wrap my fingers in her hair and tug her head further back. Her eyes are hungry and pleading.

"Tell me," I say again.

"Kiss me," she replies.

Our mouths collide, her soft lips opening so my tongue can enter her. Her hands slide up my chest and lock around my neck. With soft murmurs, she presses her body to mine as I tighten my grip in her hair.

We're in the car bay, with nothing but a huge glass window between us and the world. Anyone could walk past or come in. This only adds to my frenzy. I don't care—I want people to see that she's mine. I let go of her silky hair and pull her body roughly to me. She gasps when she feels the steel of my cock against her middle but doesn't pull away.

It's me who gasps against her lips when she wraps her leg around mine, grinding even closer.

"Liam," she says, breathless as she pulls away, running her fingers through my hair.

The sound of her saying my name with such urgent longing has me dipping for another taste of her tongue. Tugging her top out of her skirt, my hand finds its way up the smooth length of her back, easing under her bra strap.

Her chest heaves up against mine and I push her back just enough to get my other hand on one of her ripe tits. Her nipple hardens under my palm, the layers of fabric between me and her heat about to drive me insane.

"Oh my God, Liam," she says, letting go of my hair to press against my chest. Her pupils are huge in her wide eyes, her lips wet, and the edges of her mouth reddened from my beard. "This is so good, but I have to go."

It's then that I notice the incessant buzzing coming from her bag, abandoned at her feet when we grabbed each other. I smooth her tousled hair behind her ear, tracing my finger down her cheek. Her eyes flutter shut for a moment but she shakes her head.

"I really have to go."

"For now," I say. "Tell me when I can come get you. Because I am coming to get you, Kayla."

She blushes, smiling shyly up at me. "I'll see what I can manage. Maybe lunch tomorrow?"

"Definitely." I step away so she can get in the car. As soon as she's seated, it's like a cloud descends around her. Her shoulders round and the misery is all over her face again. Before she closes the door, I lean in. "You should live your life for yourself," I tell her. "Make sure that you're happy. You first, got it?"

She looks stunned and a little confused, but nods as she starts the car. I watch her back out and keep my eyes trained on her car until she rounds the corner. I need her to understand that she's the most important thing in the world to me. I'm not going to stand seeing her so sad. Whatever it takes, that's going away for good.

I lean against the wall, still rock hard, my blood coursing from the feel of her still on my fingertips.

Holy fuck, and I thought that kiss at the pizzeria was hot? It's going to be another sleepless night.