Page 159 of Ransom

"Because you couldn't afford to pay anyone?"

"Partly. But mostly because if I kept them busy in the garage, I kept them out of trouble. I used Robert's strategy. I kept them so busy that all they had the energy for was work, eating, and sleeping." He grins. "Well, mostly. I had to hunt every one of them down at least once a week."

"I can't imagine it. It sounds tiring." Max is so much work. I know when he gets older, the work will change. It'll be hormones and relationship drama. I'm not ready.

"It was sometimes. But it was good for me. I needed the distraction. I needed something to focus on that wasn't losing you." His words hit me like a punch to the sternum, the casual honesty of them stealing my breath. My chest aches with the echo of that old pain, the endless nights I'd spent trying not to think about him.

I nod toward the newer Ford, swallowing hard against the lump in my throat. "You've picked up some new tricks since Dad taught you."

"Had to keep up with the technology." His eyes meet mine. "But the fundamentals—those came from Robert. Everything good in my life started in this garage."

“Mine too.”

The weight of everything that was between us, and everything that’s tugging us together now is thick in the air between us. Would it be wrong to lock up now and just focus on us? I want to, so damn bad. But I have a business to run, and customers coming to pick up their vehicles. Responsibility sucks sometimes. So instead of licking up the column of his throat like I want to, I step back and point toward the next car waiting. "Well, Mr. CEO, think you can handle replacing those brake pads?"

I pullthe heavy garage door down, the metal rattling in its track. My hands shake as I fumble with the padlock. All day, I've felt Ransom's eyes on me. Watching. Wanting. The air between us has grown thick. The good kind of thick. The anticipatory kind, like something big is coming. Something you've been waiting and wanting for a long time.

It's scary as fuck.

But I’m not going to run.

Never again.

"Let me help with that." His voice comes low and rough behind me.

"I've got it." The lock clicks into place. I step back, careful not to brush against him. I’m going to combust, and I don’t know what I want. My head’s a jumble. So I do what any mature, forty-three year old woman would do, and fuck with him. "I should get going. Max will be wondering where I am."

His lips quirk, and a he grins. Fuck he’s hot. "Max is probably out hunting frogs. Maggie will be there when he gets home."

He is not wrong. "Right. Well, I should still?—"

His hand catches my wrist as I turn to leave. "Blair."

"Don't." The word comes out breathless. "Please." You idiot. Don't, please? Really? You know you want him to throw you on the hood of that car and fuck you into oblivion. So shut the hell up, woman!

Thankfully, instead of letting go, he pulls me back against his chest, one arm wrapping around my waist. His breath fans hot against my neck. "I've been trying so hard to keep my hands off you."

My head falls back against his shoulder. "Ransom..."

"Do you know what it's been like?" His lips brush my ear. "Watching you bend over engines? You’re a fucking tease, McKenna. The very best kind. And your ass is fucking incredible. I had to jerk off in the bathroom at lunch just to make it through the day."

"Woah," I squeak.Shit. How smooth. My body knows exactly what it wants, melting right into him. Words going. Want. Need.

Yes.

"I know." His grip tightens. "Christ, Blair, I know. I've been telling myself that all day. I had a fucking plan. I was going to take my fucking time and let you get to know me again. But I can't—" He presses his face into my neck. "Tell me to let you go."

My mind races with all the reasons this is a bad idea. Max needs stability. Maggie needs me focused. Responsibilities and shit. But God help me, I'm tired of being responsible. Tired of putting everyone else first.

I deserve happy too.

"I don't want you to let me go." The admission tears from my throat. "For once, I just want..." I turn in his arms, meeting his darkened gaze. "I want something for myself."

His forehead presses against mine, our breaths mingling. "Tell me again."

"I want you." The words come easier this time. "Just you. I don’t want to dredge up the past anymore, or worry about what comes next and all the ways this could be complicated. I just want you."

A growl rumbles in his chest as his hands slide up my back. "You have no idea how long I've waited to hear that. But Blair, just so we're clear. I'm ready for all the complications."

---