Page 12 of Slide
“You’re definitely hotter than summer, baby.”
“I’m not the only one.” She slid off his lap and held her hand out. “We made a mess on you.”
Travis looked down. “That we did.”
“How about a shower, then we can clean your jeans.”
“Would love one. I’ve got a backpack in the truck. I’ll grab it and meet you under the water.”
“Are you staying?”
The question caught Travis off guard. She tossed it over her shoulder before disappearing into the bathroom. She had a right to ask and for him to answer. Only, he hadn’t thought one way or the other about spending the night in her bed. He would take her to work the next few mornings and bring her home, but sleeping with her? All night?
Could he? Would he?
He sure as hell wanted to. Able to touch her whenever he wanted, roll her over and make love to her whenever the urge struck him? Oh yeah, he wanted to stay, but should he? Would it be fair to her?
He waited until he heard the shower turn on then went outside to get his backpack. He’d deal with her question if she asked it again because right then, in that moment, he didn’t know what answer to give.
* * * * *
Thursday Morning
“Did you sleep here last night?”
Travis looked up from where he sat on the edge of the worn leather sofa in his office. “For the few hours I actually slept, yeah.”
“Why?”
“Was working.” Technically, that was true. At least, once he got back to the garage.
“I called you,” Miles stated with a hint of accusation. Travis chose to ignore it. He hadn’t slept but a few winks here and there and been up the rest of the night working on Bella’s car. He’d called a yard down in Knoxville yesterday afternoon about a transmission. He had hers out of the car and the replacement would be in that afternoon. The fuel injection system needed a flush, too. If everything went according to plan, by end of day, he’d have all he needed to finish the job.
And as exhausted and worn out as he was, he wasn’t in the mood to deal with an inquisition. About the only thing he wanted to exert energy over was a shower and Bella’s nonstop sexual appetite.
“Busy,” was all he said, hoping to avoid the conversation and resulting confrontation.
“Busy, huh? Saw you leave town yesterday afternoon with Bella Drake in your truck.”
“Yeah.”
“Well?”
God, he hated explaining himself. He’d told Bella he could handle any shit that came his way and he’d meant it. He’d hoped he didn’t have to handle it from Miles so soon, though. “Well what?”
“What was she doing in your truck?”
“What business is it of yours?” The brothers glared at one another. Miles was the only person besides Travis’ father who could make the vein in his temple throb. No one else had been able to get close enough to push his buttons the way they could. “Shit, Miles. I drove her home, all right?” Travis tossed out.
“What the hell, Trav? She’s bad news. That whole family is. What’s left of ’em, anyway.”
“She’s not her brother.” Travis had said as much to Bella yesterday. Guilt by association was all it was and yet people wanted to make it out as more.
“Doesn’t make her any less guilty.”
“I don’t have time for this, Miles. I’ve got a full garage today and a couple of new jobs coming in.” A change of topic was necessary. They didn’t need to get into an argument over a woman they would never see eye to eye on.
“You’ve always got a full garage, Trav. C’mon. And I’ve always got work to do too. We help each other, but we don’t usually keep secrets.”
