Full Throttle

Chapter 1

Ihit the button, the large garage door rolling down smoothly into place. I engaged the locks then headed to the office, wiping my hands and shifting my shoulders. It had been a busy morning, and I had plans for another active afternoon.

Chase was shutting down the computer, his jacket already on. I laughed at his enthusiasm. “Anxious, kid?”

He grinned at me and shrugged. “I don’t want Hannah doing all the painting without me.”

I grinned back. The kid had it bad for his supposed “roommate.” He was already falling for her, and I had a feeling that wasn’t going to change anytime soon.

“I’ll stop and get some cold beer and pop.”

“That’ll be great. Hannah’s mom is coming to help. Charly and Gabby. With all those hands, it’ll go fast. I know they have food planned too. We can eat before we start working.”

“Sounds great.”

“Thanks for doing this, Dom.”

I waved him off. “Anytime. I’ll see you at the house shortly. I’m gonna grab a shower. I got pretty dirty with that valve job.”

“Great. See you soon!”

He left, and I headed to the bathroom at the back, stepping into the shower. The hot water felt good on my shoulders, and I soaped up, my mind drifting as I thought about the direction my life had taken.

Not long ago, I had stopped at the garage, my vehicle giving me trouble as I was taking a drive on a nice day, exploring the countryside. I had been pleased to see Stefano Borrelli, a mechanic I had worked with previously, was in the shop. Between us, we found the problem fast, and as we chatted, he told me they were looking for experienced mechanics to help run the place. One thing led to another, and I met Maxx Reynolds, the owner of the garage. We liked each other, and before I knew it, I had a new job.

I found a small house in Lomand, a slightly larger town than Littleburn, where the garage was located, and I moved in to the furnished space right away. As the weeks went by and I settled, I discovered how much I liked the two little towns. The people. The garage.

They were a close-knit unit here at Reynolds Restorations and had accepted me as one of their own. It was the first time in years I felt the desire to settle in one place for a while. I had a feeling when I was with the group—as if I had found something I had been looking for. They were like a family, something I had longed for but never thought I would be part of. I liked being a member of the crowd, accepted for who I was. No questions, no judgments. They included me in their dinners, the after-work drinks. Family time.

I, in turn, wanted to be part of their projects. Help out where I could. I enjoyed the camaraderie and the time spent with them as a group or one-on-one. Chase and I were close, working together the most. He was a good guy, and he had shared his painful backstory with me. He was like a little brother to all of us, and I liked spending time with him. I also loved playing with all the kids, their innocent laughter bringing back memories that, at times, were painful, yet made me smile.

As I stepped out of the shower, I wondered if perhaps I would reach out again. Try to reconnect to a piece of my past that I longed to be part of my life. I sighed as I towel-dried my hair, already feeling the pull of disappointment. I knew it would probably never happen. Every time I had tried, it had failed. Yet, time and again, I attempted to bridge the large gap, hoping against hope this time it would work.

I studied my face in the mirror, shaking my head. I looked upset. I always did when I thought about the past. The things I regretted. I couldn’t think about it now. I had places to be and people waiting for me.

The person who wanted nothing to do with me needed to be dealt with another day.

I would soak up the good today.

The bad was always waiting.

I walked into Chase’s place, the sounds of laughter greeting me. I strolled into the kitchen, smiling at Chase, who was talking to two women. One was his new roommate, Hannah. Or Cinnamon, as he called her, referring to the hundreds of freckles scattered on her cheeks and the bridge of her nose. She was a police officer whom he had met on a bad night when he was intoxicated and down. And instead of arresting him, she had reached out to Brett, who had come to help him. Chase crushed on her immediately. She showed up when he was advertising for a roommate, and he was a total goner. It was amusing to watch him navigate his feelings and actions.

But it was the other woman who got my attention. Shorter than Hannah. Curvier. Brick-red hair hung over her shoulder in a thick braid. The loose shirt and tight leggings she wore were simple but incredibly sexy on her lush form. Intelligent, hazel eyes were set under delicate brows, and although her freckles were far fewer in number than Hannah’s, they were no less appealing. Our eyes locked and held, and for a moment, the earth stood still around us. She captivated me instantly, and from her frank appraisal, she approved of what she saw. Realizing I was staring, and we had an audience, I shook my head and set down the cans of beer and pop. “I, ah, brought refreshments.”

I held out my hand, needing to connect with the woman. “Dom,” I said, my voice sounding rough to my ears. I cleared my throat. “Dom Salvatore.”

“Hi,” the woman murmured. “Cherry Gallagher. I’m Hannah’s?—”

I cut her off. “Older sister.”

“…mother,” she finished.

I blew out a whistle. “Impossible.”

“I assure you, I am.”

“They don’t make mothers like you where I come from.”

Cherry tossed her hair and blushed. “Then you’ve lived a sheltered life.”

Chase stared between us, a grin on his lips. Hannah looked at us, surprise on her face.

Cherry’s teasing made me smile. “I guess I need to expand my horizons.” I crossed my arms. “Maybe you could help me with that—” I paused, rubbing my bottom lip and staring at her “—Cherry Gallagher.”

She lifted her eyebrows. “I wouldn’t hold my breath, Mr. Salvatore.”

I liked her defiance. “We’ll see about that.”

She swept past me, and I caught a whiff of her scent. It was warm and appealing. Much like her. “I’ll go tell the girls to come get something to eat.”

I spun on my heel and followed her, unable to resist. “I’ll make sure she finds them,” I told Chase and Hannah over my shoulder.

I heard Chase chuckle, but I ignored him. I was too mesmerized by the way Cherry’s hips swayed as she walked in front of me. Her ass was a perfect rounded peach in her leggings, and I had the craziest desire to grab hold of it and bite.

She glanced over her shoulder, one eyebrow raised. “I know my way, Mr. Salvatore.”

“Just ensuring your safety, Cherry G.”

“Are we expecting surprise mercenary attacks?”

“If we were expecting them, they wouldn’t be surprise attacks, would they?”

She began to laugh, tossing her head. Her thick braid fell down her back, almost to her ass. I had the sudden longing to tug it from the elastic that wrapped it up and see how beautiful the cascade of dark red looked. How it felt in my fist.

I faltered in my steps, my cock swelling in my jeans. Jesus, I needed to get a grip. I couldn’t grab her and pull her into one of the bedrooms and have my way with her.

Yet.

But I had a feeling Cherry Gallagher and I would be getting close soon enough.

At least, we would if I had anything to say about it.

I was impressed by the spread the two Gallagher women laid out. Sandwiches, dips, veggies. Cheese and crackers. Cut-up fruit. Cupcakes. It all looked delicious, and I piled a plate and casually strolled across the room once Cherry had hers, staying nearby. She eyeballed me then began to eat as if resigned to me being close. I had plans to get much closer, if possible. When they started discussing how to tackle the project, I interjected and offered to do the hall with Cherry. “I’ll do the high parts. Cherry here can look after the bottom. Once we’re finished, we’ll move into the living room since it’s the biggest area, and we can help with that,” I said with a pleased nod. It was a great plan. The hallway was narrow, so the chances of us brushing up against each other were high. I liked the idea.

Cherry didn’t object, although she didn’t express any excitement over the idea either. I took it as a win. I watched her as we ate, staying close. Charly and Gabby had arrived, and it took Charly all of two seconds to figure out the attraction I was feeling to Cherry. Charly looked satisfied, as if it had all been her idea. I noticed the amused glances Hannah and Chase were sharing when I would talk to Cherry or add another sandwich to her plate, not wanting her to be hungry. I ignored all of them.

Charly was enthusiastic with her response to my announcement of working with Cherry. “Good plan, Dom. I bet you’ll make a great team. Gabby and I will start the living room. We’ve painted together before.” She smiled at Chase. “You and Hannah can tackle your room, okay, Chase?”

“Sure,” he agreed easily, no doubt as pleased with the pairing as I was.

“We have the brushes, rollers, and paint trays in each area all ready to go,” Cherry said. “And the right paint. Lots of rags, plus the stepladders.”

“So organized,” I muttered. “I do love me a woman who is organized.”

Cherry snorted. “You have to be. Try being a single mother who has to get her kid ready for school and be at work on time every day. You learn fast.”

I lifted one eyebrow, staring at her. I admired her directness, and I had a feeling she had been, and still was, an awesome mother. Her daughter was a lovely woman, and they seemed to be very similar in many ways. I liked how she returned my glances, never backing down, even when a soft flush would color her cheeks.

I really wanted to know if she flushed in other places as well. And I was desperate to know what she was whispering to Hannah. I had no doubt it was about me.

Maxx and Stefano walked in, surprising everyone. They announced we were all invited to dinner after and that Mama Rosa was cooking. I was pleased to be included, recalling Stefano’s mother’s cooking fondly. Besides, it gave me more time with Cherry.

A double win, in my opinion.

The food disappeared fast, as it always did with this crew, then we got to work. In the hallway, I picked up a paint can and a brush, carrying the small ladder to the spot we agreed to start in.

“I can edge the higher parts,” Cherry informed me. “I’m quite capable of climbing a ladder.”

I tilted my head, studying her. “I’m well aware you can probably do anything you set your mind to, Cherry G, but why don’t you save the climbing for later?”

“Later?”

I leaned down, grinning at her. “You can climb me.”

“In your dreams.”

I dropped my voice, bending close to her ear. “Oh, you’ll be starring in those, Cherry. Trust me.”

Her eyes widened, and the flush on her cheeks was deep this time. She tossed her head, her braid swinging side to side. “You are too much.”

Unable to resist, I picked up the heavy braid and tucked it over her shoulder. The hair felt soft under my fingers, and I had to tamp down the impulse to lift it to my nose and inhale the soft scent. “Or maybe, I’m just enough.”

“We need to start painting,” she insisted, looking flustered.

“Okay. Let’s go.”

Her ass was spectacular when she bent over. I had her start on the other half of the hall, ogling her shamelessly every time she added paint to her brush then stretched down to edge the trim. I was faster, but I purposely slowed down so I could watch her longer. We didn’t talk much, but on occasion, one of us would ask a question.

“Are you liking it here?” she asked. “It seems like a nice little town. Safe.”

“It’s great,” I agreed. “Far better pace than Toronto.”

“And safe,” she repeated.

“Safe, yes,” I agreed, sensing she needed that reassurance.

“Chase seems very nice.”

“He is. He’ll watch over Hannah. We all will.”

That earned me a wide smile. I wanted more of those.

“So, her mother,” I mused. “Still finding that hard to believe.”

“I had her when I was eighteen. I’m forty-six. Entirely possible.”

“Two years younger than me.”

“Is that relevant? You like women younger?”

I chuckled. She was determined to paint me with the wrong brush. It was amusing. Vexing, but amusing. “No. Two years is perfect.”

She abruptly changed the subject, making me grin. “Do you like painting?” she asked.

“It’s not my favorite hobby,” I admitted.

“Why are you here, then?”

I leaned on the ladder, meeting her eyes. I wanted to be sure she heard me. Understood me.

“Chase is my friend. He’s a great kid who’s had some bad raps in his life. I care for him a lot. We get along well. He needed help—I’m there for him. He’d do the same for me. Hell, he does it for everyone. It’s his time to get shown he means something. So, anything he needs, anything Hannah needs, I’m there.” I paused as her eyes widened. “I look after those I care about, Cherry G. There aren’t a lot of people I call friends, so those I do get all of me. Painting? I’m in. Moving some furniture? Let me rub on some Voltaren, and I’ll be right over. Had too much to drink and need a ride? There in five. Need to talk? The coffee is on. Whatever you need. That’s what a friend does.”

Something in her face softened.

“That goes for you too.”

“You hardly know me.”

“But I want to.”

She blinked. “Okay, then. Um, I’ll remember that.”

“Good.” I nodded and went back to painting.

At one point, she studied the wall, taking the brush from my hand and climbing the ladder. I held it, curious as to what she was doing. She frowned in concentration as she ran the brush over my work, ensuring the line was straight where I had missed a small area. She teetered a little, and I gripped her thighs, holding her. “Steady,” I murmured.

Her muscles contracted under my touch, and I heard her fast inhale of air. Unable to resist, I stroked my thumbs in circles on her leggings, eliciting another tightening of her legs. I met her narrowed eyes. “Making sure you don’t fall. Any other missed spots?” I asked innocently.

“Over there, in the corner,” she replied as she climbed down.

I moved the ladder, and Cherry edged past me, our bodies sliding against each other. I stifled a groan as I felt her curves sweep by my torso, her full breasts pressing into my chest. I swore I heard her whimper, and she stumbled. I reached out and caught her around the waist, holding her upright.

“Okay there, Cherry G?”

She looked up, and I stared down. Her eyes were mesmerizing, the colors swirling in them making them unique and pretty. She blinked at me, caught in my gaze. We were so close, I could feel her rapid breaths on my skin. Sensed her instinct to move closer, even as she began to pull away. I brushed away a loose tendril from her cheek, wanting to follow the path with my lips. I began to lower my head when she made an odd squeaking noise and stepped away.

“Oops, almost got paint on you. I-I need a break. Going to get some water. Cool down. It’s hot, isn’t it? All this work?” she babbled.

“It’s not the work that’s hot.”

Her eyes widened, and without another word, she turned and fled.

I let her go, laughing under my breath. It had gotten hotter.

And once again, my jeans had gotten tighter.

Painting had never been this stimulating before. I doubted it ever would be again.