Chapter 14

Six weeks later

Carter

I step inside the door, scan the room and spot him just where Eloise said he’d be.

I have to smother a laugh when he sees me approaching. Even in my suit, and with a little more stubble on my face, he’s on his feet in an instant, eyes wide and color washing from his skin.

His eyes dart around the upscale bar Eloise’s friend lured him to, and he looks six shades of green when I stop in front of him.

Nate’s legs seem to give out before I tell him to sit back down. I take the seat opposite him and crack my knuckles. “You weaseled your way out of trouble with the cops, that’s not going to work with me.”

He swallows, and I can almost see him trying to talk his way out of this one. “Listen, I heard you’re running things now—”

I shake my head. “You heard wrong.”

He looks at me, hope lacing his voice. “No loans?”

I lean forward, suit pinching into my arms uncomfortably. My final visit to my lawyer to figure out a deal couldn’t have come soon enough.

I sniff as though I’m not bothered. “Not for anyone else. But for you, payment still applies.”

I shouldn’t take so much enjoyment out of the sheer terror growing on his face. But this is the most fun I’ve had in six tedious weeks of endless conversations with Rissa’s girlfriend, her boss and anyone else who wanted to talk to me about Jonas and his businesses.

I roll my shoulders back only to test out the pain level, which Nate seems to take as an intention to harm him. “I’ll need more time,” he rasps.

I shake my head. “You’re out of time. You’ll pay back every cent you borrowed starting tomorrow.”

His voice is shaking almost as much as his hands; he’s leaving sweat marks on the table as he drags his hands towards his lap. “How?”

Just when I thought this moment couldn’t get any more satisfying, Eloise appears at the entrance precisely at the moment we planned.

Dressed in a tailored suit and low heels, she looks as smart as I always knew she was. Nothing of the bimbo Jonas made her remains as she saunters over and leans over the table to inspect Nate.

I doubt Nate would recognize her, even if her hair wasn’t back to its natural brunette and her face almost devoid of makeup.

Her eyes run over Nate, and she purses her lips. “Is this him? Hmm. He’s pretty. I’ve got a dozen men who’d pay well. If he works double shifts seven nights a week, he might be able to pay off 30K in a year, possibly two.”

My fists clench under the table in an attempt to keep from laughing as Nate’s face goes slack.

I follow Eloise’s lead and lean back, crossing my arms over my chest and keeping my voice level. “I’ve got a half dozen girls saying you owe them for services rendered. You might feel a little differently about customers not paying now, huh?”

The expression on his face as he starts imagining every straight guy’s worst nightmare is priceless and if I weren’t enjoying this so immensely I’d almost feel sorry for him.

But after a little digging, it’s obvious he’s not going to stop conning women unless someone makes him. I almost wish Brooke was here to see him cornered and at Eloise’s mercy.

As Eloise starts to tell him in great detail all the hideous things he can expect as a man-whore, I start to reconsider my initial plan to take him to the whorehouse he likes just to scare the shit out of him.

Thoughts of Brooke and the promise I made to be the one to help her renovate and fix her house is dimming my enjoyment of his humiliation.

There’s a certain justice to Nate working the loan off doing actual hard labor when it’s obvious he’s not worked a day in his life.

I can live with him not working for me but what I can’t live with is him thinking he’s getting away without paying for what he’s done.

And I know the perfect recipient for his penance.

“Go home, pretty boy. We’ll pick you up tomorrow. And don’t try to run, we’re watching your place,” I growl at him.

He almost leaps to his feet, edging along the seat, eyes locked on mine as he nearly runs out of the bar in his knock-off suit.

Eloise bursts out laughing the second he’s gone and slides into the seat Nate vacated. “You have a mean streak,” she says.

I shrug. “He had it coming.”

Her smile dies. “So did Jonas.”

When I don’t answer because I can’t disagree, her face twists into a thoughtful frown. “I know you don’t want to talk about—”

I shake my head and lean back. I know what she’s going to say. It’s the same conversation we’ve been having for the last four weeks. “No, I don’t.”

She huffs a sigh and gestures to the waitress. “I don’t know why you’re being so stubborn about this. It’s ridiculous.”

I don’t want to start up an argument, so I jam my lips together as Eloise orders a cocktail and a beer for me.

When the waitress is far enough away, I lean forward. “I don’t want to keep having this argument. Just leave it.”

She looks at her nails as the waitress delivers our drinks and backs away, giving us wary glances.

Eloise toys with the umbrella in her glass as she looks at me through her lashes. “Have you spoken to her? Told her your lawyer worked his magic?”

I know what she’s trying to do, so I take a swallow of my beer and shake my head. “You’re a pain in the ass, you know that?”

Eloise snorts some of the creamy drink out her nose and kicks me under the table. “Yeah. Well, so are you.”

I rub my shin with my foot as she smiles at me.

It’s not the fake smile she used for Jonas to pacify him, but a real one she doesn’t share with many people.

And it’s a smile I’ve seen more and more since the police dropped their charges and Jonas was buried five weeks ago.

“I stalked her online. She’s a graphic artist. That’s how she makes a living. Did you know that about her?”

I shake my head, not sure why Eloise is so invested when she huffs an exasperated breath at me. “Carter, you know I love you like a brother, right?”

I have no idea where this is leading, so I just nod slowly. “Yeah.”

She spins her glass around on the table. “Well, you’re being a dick. Brooke’s a genuinely nice person. And whether you believe me or not, I think she needs you around more than I do now.”

I open my mouth to remind her that without Jonas, and people still stupid enough to take out illegal loans, someone will turn up sooner or later looking to fill his shoes.

She raises a hand to stop me before I can argue. “I don’t see why I should leave my home, even if it was his too. And if you’ll quit being so stubborn, I think I can find a way to help people he hurt.”

She sets her shoulders and shows me all the defiance and strength it’s taken her to endure Jonas for a decade. “We have helped. No one is collecting the loan repayments.”

Eloise pulls a face at me. “It’s not enough. Not nearly enough.”

As much as I’d like to dismiss her, she’s just as street smart as I am, knows more about Jonas than most and she’s more animated than I’ve ever seen her before without drugs.

This matters to her. And by default, apparently, it should matter to me.

She clears her throat. “I’ve been talking to Rissa about this for a while. I stupidly told Jonas, and he laughed in my face. But Rissa and her girlfriend have a few ideas too. And with your help, we can try to make this a better neighborhood.”

I release a sigh as she starts to talk. After ninety minutes, two internet searches on her phone a call to Rissa and two more beers later, I finally admit defeat. “You’re going to do this with or without me, aren’t you?” I say.

Eloise grins. “Yep.”

***

Brooke

My hands are covered in flour when I hear the knock at the door. I glance at the clock and frown.

Andy’s early. A full hour early and thanks to a demanding client wanting me to design a logo and menu on a tight deadline, I haven’t baked half the samples I planned.

With Andy’s endorsement, the owner of Stella’s Café was more than happy to a trial of selling cakes, muffins, the homemade granola and a few other ideas I had to use up Aunt Jane’s canned goods.

I dust my hands off as best as I can and grab a tea towel as I walk from the warmth of the kitchen and head towards the front door.

Out the window, I glimpse Andy’s truck parked out front, with a large piece of plastic-wrapped furniture on the back, but when I open the door, all I see is a set of footprints in the snow.

I step outside and squint against the sun as I follow the direction the footsteps have taken.

It’s too cold to go outside to see why Andy has gone around back, so I duck back inside and close the door.

All the air leaves my lungs in a rush as I see Carter standing in my living room, a toolbox in his hand, and an uneasy smile on his face.

“You left the back door unlocked,” he says.

I’m too stunned he’s here to do more than stare at him.

He puts the toolbox down and looks at the wall Andy painted. “I had to bring Andy’s truck back. He sent me to fix the sashes in your windows. And I brought you a new sofa. It’s a reconditioned one, but I think it’ll fit the décor.”

I have no idea how to answer any of that. “That’s why you came?”

His eyes narrow as he sends me a wry smile. “I also brought you thirty thousand dollars worth of manual labor.”

My jaw slackens as a slow smile creeps over his face. “Nate’s waiting in the café with Andy getting instructions on what needs to be done.”

Too many thoughts are spinning in my brain, after thinking everything was slowly returning to normal, he decides to show up, and he’s brought Nate with him?

My voice comes out angrier than I am. “You have got to be kidding me?”

Carter’s face falls, his body suddenly rigid. “Look—”

I cut him off. “No, you look. I haven’t heard from you in six weeks. I thought I’d never see you again. I thought…”

I let my voice trail off, mainly because I’m losing steam and because my voice is starting to crack, giving me away.

He can’t be here. He can’t be staring at me. He can’t. My eyes fill with tears as I slump back against the wall.

He slides his jacket off and hangs it on the peg, just like he did the day he arrived to fix the wall.

His voice is soft as he approaches. “You don’t need to keep Nate around if you don’t want him. I have other places he can work off his loan.”

He steps closer. Eyes locked on to mine. “Andy’s looking for a partner. He asked me if I was interested.”

There’s something in his eyes, something he’s not saying that scares me. “Are you interested?”

It’s not what I want to say. But I can’t ask the question I really want to. I can’t ask him if he’s staying. If he’s planning on picking up where he left off. I can’t ask if he’s left his old life behind and wants to start a new one.

I don’t ask him whether he has regrets or whether he has nightmares about Jonas, or whether he wakes in the night in cold sweats like I do.

I don’t ask him if he thinks about me as much as I think about him.

He steps closer, eyes searching mine as if looking for an answer. “That depends,” he says.

My breathing starts to increase, my heart jumping around in my chest as he leans closer. “Depends on what?” I breathe.

His eyes land on my lips then rise to meet my gaze. “On whether you want me to,” he says.

He’s so close I can feel his body heat and smell the subtle scent he wears. My pulse is frantic as I try to curb the impulse to lean into his body.

The slightest buzzing sound grows over the sound of my raging heart. He cocks his head in the direction of the kitchen and sniffs. “You’re baking?”

I swallow and ease away from the wall, so I’m not trapped so close to him. Ignoring every impulse I have, I hurry back to the kitchen, trying to place as much distance between us as possible, trying to remind myself of why I was angry.

I switch off the timer, grab the potholder and yank the oven door open, wincing at the horrific screech the springs make.

I’m muttering to myself when I feel his eyes on me. I ditch the tray of muffins on the counter, ready to tell him I was worried, that a phone call to let me know he was doing okay would have been nice, but when I turn around, his lips are on mine.

I sag against him, my body pressing into his as his tongue connects with mine. I groan as waves of desire shoot through my body.

I’m two seconds away from either slapping him or suggesting we go upstairs when he pulls back. “You deserve an explanation.”

I’m so flustered I can only manage a weak nod. My voice comes out ridiculously throaty when I try to speak. “I do.”

He runs a hand over his face and takes a step back so he can pull out a chair. “Things got complicated. I didn’t want to contact you until I was sure I wouldn’t cause more trouble for you.”

My legs are unsteady as I take a seat and place my hands on the table. “Did you speak to the police?”

He snorts. “Repeatedly and at length.”

I frown at him. “But you’re not in trouble?”

His lips tug upward. “Not exactly.”

He looks so apprehensive, I hold my breath and wait for what can only be bad news. “It’s easier if I just show you,” he says.

I frown at him, breath still locked in my chest as he pulls his cell phone out and carries on speaking as he taps on the screen. “Eloise wanted to do something to tear down the legacy Jonas left, so we’re building a couple of things.”

He flips the phone and shows me a photo of a rough drawing of a building. It’s crudely drawn on what looks like a napkin, but it’s the scrawled handwriting saying it’s a women’s shelter, a rehabilitation and retraining center that makes me wrench my gaze away.

Carter smiles, making my heart leap around in expectation of what else he has to share. “I’ve been looking at some of your designs. We’d like to retain you to design the website and the promo materials so we can get the word out.”

An odd grumbling sound escapes my throat as I struggle to find anything close to a reply.

When I just stay sitting dumbstruck, Carter reaches for my hand and starts to stroke my knuckles. “Jonas had a lot in the bank. He left it to me. I didn’t want it, but Eloise convinced me I could do something good with it.”

I can’t think about anything. My mind is completely blank. I’m barely breathing, let alone thinking. Is he asking for my help? My advice? I’m so focused on how good his touch feels on my skin; I have to pull my hand away from his so I can form a thought.

“I’m not sure what you’re saying. You’re here, you came back, but you’re what, setting up charities with Jonas’ money?”

He nods. “Yeah. And I’d like you to be a part of it.”

I lean back in my chair, frowning at him. “I can design the website, and whatever else you need, that’s not the issue, I just…”

Carter raises his eyebrows. “What’s the issue then?”

I shake my head at him, bewildered he’s asking this of me in such a calm manner.

My voice raises with every word that drops from my mouth. “It’s everything. It’s you not being here; it’s you turning up, it’s…bad timing. I have a million things I’m supposed to be doing to get ready in time for summer.”

Stupid tears sting at my eyes, so I push back from the table. I don’t even get to the door when he’s on his feet and spinning me around.

His forehead is deeply creased as he frowns. “That’s what I’m trying to talk to you about, woman.”

I shrug out of his grip. “You offered me a job and free manual labor, but that’s not what I need.”

His chest is rising and falling as his cheeks color. “Then what do you need?”

I shove him hard as tears start to choke me. “You! Here! Every damn day! Helping me fix things like you said you would.”

His entire body goes rigid as he staggers slightly. He looks ready to say something else, but instead, he yanks me towards him and kisses me again.

A surge of desire swims through me as my hands wrap around his waist. Pressure grows in my body as pent up frustration and lust removes all traces of my hurt.

When he lifts me, my legs curl around his waist so he can carry me to the kitchen table. He places me down and grins devilishly as he wraps his hand around the back of my neck. “You sure you want me?”

I growl my response, need making my voice too husky as I answer. “I’m sure.”

His fingers curl into my hair, sending shivers down my spine. A faint smile appears. “Then marry me, and I’ll fix anything you want, anytime.”

My eyes pop as I tug him towards me and kiss him greedily. “Anytime?”

His fingers tug at my jeans, and I wriggle out of them until my ass is on the table. “Anytime, anywhere, anything,” he says.

My lips curl into a smile as he pushes my thighs apart. “Show me you’re really okay.”

Without a word, Carter steps back so he can shrug out of his shirt and toss it on the table. I narrow my eyes at the scar on his shoulder and trace a finger over the jagged skin I couldn’t watch Rissa sew. “Does it hurt?”

He pushes himself against me, and I wrap my arms around his neck. “Not right now, it doesn’t.”

Carter kisses me so intently, so thoroughly I can barely breathe for the need he provokes in me.

His hands are sliding over my body, pushing my shirt up and running over my bra, until I’m desperate to feel his skin against mine.

I reach around and unhook my bra and tug off my top and pull him against me. I kiss his neck, his shoulders, his scar, his chest, the tattoos that cover his muscled torso and tongue his nipples until he’s groaning in pleasure.

His hands run down my bare legs until he’s pushing my panties aside and sliding his fingers inside.

I kiss him, legs parting as he starts to cause delicious waves of pleasure through my core.

My breath is ragged as I pant in his ear. “I’ll marry you. But I want it simple and I want it soon.”

I push my hand inside his jeans until I have his hard cock in my hand. He groans. “You don’t want to plan a big fancy wedding?”

I close my fingers around his tip and start to slide up and down. Another wedding to plan after the fiasco with Nate is the last thing I want. “I just want to be Mrs. Fixit.”

We keep kissing as I stroke him, feeling him growing as wet as I am until my orgasm builds and I’m exploding gloriously in his calloused hand.

He tugs off my panties and shoves his cock inside me, grabbing my hips and sliding me closer to him. His tongue twists with mine as he slowly starts to thrust.

I wrap my legs around him, drawing him in deeper until I feel another orgasm building.

I start to come, panting his name, legs spreading wider as white-hot pleasure shoots through my body.

My core is still throbbing when he pulls out. I’m out of breath and irritated he’s stopped when he takes my hands and pulls me off the table.

I’m hot, flustered, and wanting him when he smacks my ass lightly. “I’ve been fantasizing about this ever since I met you, so bend over.”

I eagerly do as he asks and twist around so he’s looking at my ass. His hands caress my skin before he slides back inside.

I grip the table corner as he starts to pump me from behind. His hands are on my hips as our grunts of pleasure echo around the kitchen.

I close my eyes, relishing how good he feels, how right he feels as he brings me to climax in a rush of primal passion.

My entire body is on fire when he comes in a shuddering roar. My muscles are trembling when he pulls out.

I slowly turn to face him, wondering if he’s as hot as I am in the warm kitchen. He’s sweating, breathing hard, but he’s smiling as he pulls me into him. “Won’t be able to do that when you have guests.”

I snort a laugh as my arms wrap around him as we stand naked, pressed into each other. “At this rate, it’ll be next summer before it’s ready for guests.”

Carter raises an eyebrow. “Does that mean I get to be your guinea pig until the house is done?”

I laugh, already picturing multiple scenarios where I can feed him all manner of delicious treats. “Only in exchange for you fixing things.”

He kisses me softly then looks me in the eye. “You really want to be my Mrs. Fixit?”

I twist my face into a mock scowl. “As long as you don’t have any other skeletons lurking in your closet.”

Carter narrows his eyes and cups my chin. “Nope. You met all my skeletons.”

I look into his eyes, searching for the truth within the green. Unlike Nate, I’ve seen the worst of what Carter tried to hide from me.

And after everything I’ve seen, every horrendous thing Jonas Quinn forced on him, I know with certainty Carter really is the sweetheart Eloise says he is.

My voice comes out raw with emotion. “I believe you.”

He tugs me close, holding me so tight I can’t breathe. When he releases me, his expression seems lighter. “Don’t even think about paying for the renovations. I’ll take care of them. I want to take care of you.”

At the sincerity in his voice, my chest grows tight. “I want to take care of you too. I’m kind of in love with you.”

His brow knots and he doesn’t seem to be able to meet my eye. For a horrible moment I think I made a mistake but his voice is thick when he speaks. “You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me, Brooke. But you should know, I’m not kind of in love with you. I am in love with you.”

I’m so overwhelmed, so dumbstruck he’s here, he’s mine and he’s staying that I almost have to pinch myself. We’re standing naked, vulnerable, honest and he’s telling me he loves me.

Stupidly, all I can think is what would have happened if Andy had come that Friday afternoon rather than Carter. “I guess I should be thanking Andy for sending you to fix my wall.”

A smile flickers at his lips. “I think his wife had a hand in that. But how about we keep the enforcer shit between us, eh? Andy thinks Nate is here because he wants to make amends. Nate’s too petrified to rat us out.”

When his hands slide to my ass, I have to suppress a giggle. I can only imagine what he’s threatening Nate with. But I have no intention of finding out.

The second I can, I’ll tell Nate to leave. Given Carter’s proposal and his past reputation, I can’t think Nate would even consider bothering me again.

I lace my fingers around his neck. “Don’t worry. Your skeletons are safe with me.”

He looks ready to kiss me again, so I infuse a tease into my voice. “Since you’re working for Andy again, how about fixing those window sashes?”

A lazy smile grows on his flushed face. “Sure. That’s why Andy sent me. Customer satisfaction is extremely important to him.”

I growl low as my hands slide down his back until I slap his ass. “Well then. For Andy’s sake, you better keep working until I’m completely satisfied.”

The End

Excerpt from One Wild Weekend With Sawyer

#4 One Wild Weekend with Series

© Lexi Hart 2019

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