Chapter 6
Ipace around the garage. The smell of motor oil and gasoline is a constant at Rebel Autos.
Roman and Wes are under the hood of a ”62 Thunderbird, laughing as they work on pulling the engine out of the car.
“You two okay over there?” I call out. I trust them, but they may get hurt if they’re distracted by joking around.
“Yeah, we’re fine,” Roman says, standing and wiping his hand across his forehead. “Hey, boss, why are you so jittery today? You’ve been pacing around like nobody’s business.”
I set down the rag in my hand. “I”m taking Aimee up to King Mountain for a picnic after she sees the progress on the Mustang,” I admit, bracing myself for the inevitable teasing and bullshitting from my guys.
Quincy rolls out from under a car, his brow furrowed in grease. He smirks and exchanges a glance with Roman, Wes, and Clark. “Well, it’s about damn time.” He grins, wiping his hands on a shop towel.
I feel my face flush a little, but I meet all their eyes. “Yeah, Aimee”s amazing. She has this spark, and…she’s different. I can’t get enough of her. I’m taking her up for a picnic up on King Mountain.”
My mind wanders as I imagine holding Aimee”s curvy body close and caressing her soft skin. I want to see her curly hair spread out over my pillows, her eyes locked on mine as I make love to her. An overwhelming need to be with her consumes me.
Roman claps me on the back, grinning. “About time, man. You deserve to find some happiness.” He gestures around the shop. “Take all the time you need – this place will still be standing when you get back.”
Wes winks at me conspiratorially. “And if you lovebirds want to stay the night at one of Waylon’s cabins, don”t worry about the shop. We got you covered here.”
I laugh, shaking my head. “I appreciate that. You best not burn the place down.”
Just then, I see Aimee”s car pull into the lot. My pulse quickens, and I smooth my hair back. “You guys better not make a scene,” I warn, specifically looking at Quincy.
He laughs and holds up his hands. If there’s one thing to be thankful for, it’s that Claire has settled Quincy down. He’s still a smartass but he doesn’t have the chip on his shoulder like he used to.
I hurry outside into the sunshine, eager to have Aimee in my arms again.
“Aimee! You”re here!” I say as she steps out of the car. God, she looks gorgeous, her hair lightly blowing in the breeze and that pretty dress she’s wearing. “You look amazing.”
“Hey, Mack. I’m happy you called.” Aimee’s smile and the way her dress hugs her curves are the best things I’ve seen all day. This woman is it. “I can”t wait to see how the car turned out.”
“Let me show you where I’m at,” I say, leading her into the garage. I”ve parked the Mustang right in the center under the lights. I watch Aimee closely as she walks around the car and sees the progress I’ve made.
She gasps, her hands flying to her mouth. “Mack, this is…I don’t have words.” Tears well in her eyes as she runs her hand along the glossy paint and chrome detailing.
I grin from ear to ear and push my chest out. “I”m glad you like it. I’m waiting on a couple more parts, then she’ll be yours again and you can take me for a spin.”
Aimee’s cheeks flush pink, and her eyes widen. Good. She feels it, too.
“It would be my pleasure,” she responds, winking and sending my heart on a collision course with love.
I wrap my arms around her, breathing in the sweet scent of her hair. “I can’t tell you how happy I am to see you, Aimee. I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you, too,” she whispers, leaning against me.
Fuck. I could seriously get used to this.
I lead her out to my Chevy C/K pickup truck. “Let’s hit the road.”
We cruise down the two-lane highway leading to King Mountain. I glance over to see a huge smile on Aimee”s face. She closes her eyes and leans her head back, and I know this is the woman I’m going to marry.
We make small talk and joke around as I drive us out of town. Eventually, I turn down a winding dirt road that leads up to one of the ridges on King Mountain.
“Where are we going?” Aimee asks with a playful smile.
“You”ll see,” I say, reaching out and placing my hand over hers.
She glances at me and smiles, the shyness fading from her eyes.
After a few more miles, we arrive at an overlook. Pulling into a parking space, I breathe a sigh of relief that we’re finally here and it’s not crowded. King Mountain is a rejuvenating place to visit, and on any other day, I’d make it a point to drop in on Waylon and the other guys. They mostly keep their own counsel, but I know what they’re up to here, and I support it.
At the summit, the valley opens up before us, endless green fields dotted with wildflowers that seem to roll on forever.
Aimee rushes ahead. “This view is spectacular!”
I lick my lips as I watch her dress flutter around her legs. Fuck. I want to kneel before her and kiss those sweet, creamy thighs. She’s a gorgeous fucking picture of perfection, standing at the lookout.
“I’m glad you like it,” I say, pulling her into my arms and giving her a slow, gentle kiss.
Her breath catches and she wraps her arms around me, pulling me closer. I deepen our kiss, hungry to taste her again and feel her body yielding against mine.
“I sure like that, too,” she whispers, her breathing jagged.
I kiss her forehead softly and take her hand to lead her to the picnic area. “Me, too, sweetheart. I have more planned. Have a seat,” I say, gesturing to a picnic bench.
I return to the car and pop the trunk, grabbing the picnic basket and a blanket. It’s still early, but a cool breeze is starting up, and there’s no way I’ll let Aimee get cold up here.
Aimee turns to look at me, her eyes shining. “Mack! You did all this for me?”
“I thought we could have supper here and enjoy the view.” For the first time, a flash of nervous tension hits me. Have I misread Aimee and the chemistry we have? I’d bet my granddad’s car that I haven’t, but the rush of finding a woman I can see building a life with, and the not-yet knowing if we have a future, is a cocktail of confusion.
“That sounds perfect, Mack. You’re a wonderful man.” Aimee helps me unpack the basket, and it already feels like we’re in sync as a team. I don’t know what I’ll do if this doesn’t work out.
“What do we have here?” Aimee asks, sitting down and opening the food containers.
“I thought we’d have an old-fashioned picnic. There’s fried chicken, potato salad, fruit, and apple pie for dessert.”
Aimee looks at the pie box and chuckles. “Where did you get this apple pie?”
“From the bake sale at the high school. Roman made us all go and buy pies to support the fundraiser.”
Aimee laughs with delight. “Mack! That”s too funny. I helped my mom make pies for that bake sale.”
Now it”s my turn to look surprised. “You made that pie?”
“Quite possibly I did! My mom was always part of the PTA, and they still ask her to make pies for the bake sale.”
“Well, that’s something,” I say, smiling.
It seems at every turn, we’re finding connections between us like we’ve been orbiting the same planet, and it took far too long for us to meet. Jefferson may be a small town, but sometimes it feels like there are always new things and people to be discovered, even when you think there aren’t.
Our conversation flows as we eat, and the pie is as delicious as I imagined. With Aimee, everything feels so comfortable, so right.
After we eat and clean up from our picnic, I help Aimee to her feet and kiss her lightly. “How about we walk a little? There’s another spot I’d like to show you.”
“I”d love that,” she says with an infectious smile.
We make our way deeper into the woods until we reach a stunning lake surrounded by lush pines. We spread our blanket on the shore, and I pull Aimee close to wrap my arm around her shoulders.
“It”s so peaceful here,” she whispers. “Thank you for sharing this place with me.”
“Of course,” I reply. “This is one of my favorite places. I wanted to share it with you.” I’m unable to tear my gaze away from her beautiful face. I want to see this amazing woman every day for the rest of my life. Not making her mine is not an option.
My heart pounds as I muster the courage to express my feelings for her. “Aimee, I never thought I’d meet a woman like you. I admire that you fought to follow your dreams, and now run your own business. I admire that you donate your work to Warrior Cares. You’re also the most goddamn beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on. I never want to be apart from you. You take my fucking breath away.”
Color rises prettily in Aimee’s cheeks, but she squeezes my hand and laces her fingers through mine. “I feel the same way, Mack. Finding you was like finding home.”
I pull Aimee close, breathing in her sweet scent as our eyes lock and molten lust radiates through me. My body craves hers. I plan to spend a lifetime kissing every inch of her perfect skin and exploring every curve with my hands.
I’m going to make this woman my wife.