TWENTY
HER SIDES ACHED. They’d had a private dinner, maybe a few drinks, and were in the back of the car again.
Darroch was an apt storyteller. The Breckenridge boys’ antics could be made into a movie, a series of them. Money and madness led to a bunch of craziness. They had means and often put them to good use. Every story was some other secret that he and his brothers kept from their mother.
“I can’t believe you did that!”
“It wasn’t my fault, I was just a guy there. Tripp, he’s the one, it was all on him.”
She tugged a Kleenex from the box above the fridge. “You blame a lot on him,” she said, catching moisture at the corner of her eye. “He’s always in the thick of these things.”
“Just the way it is, baby.” Locking his fingers between hers, he pulled them to his lips. “You have an amazing laugh. I could listen to that sweet sound all night.”
His lips were still there, lingering on her skin, as he assessed her.
The Kleenex sank to her lap. “I’ve never laughed so much in my life.”
“It’s a barrel of fun being a Breckenridge,” he said, tracing his lips back and forth. “You’ll see.”
Had she thought resisting her attraction to him would ever be possible?
Parting her lips, she filled her lungs, searching him for what she found in herself.
“You’re an incredible man.”
“Who’s interested in you. Don’t think I’m just an ass who talks about my family all day long.”
“You’re proud of your family.” Just like his mom. “They’re amazing people.”
“I want you to be comfortable. For as long as you want, I’ll fill the silences and keep your mood up. When you’re ready to talk to me, really talk to me, about you, I want every word. But I have no intention of rushing you. We have all the time we need.”
She didn’t expect such calm understanding and patience. The least she could do was give him honesty, voice her misgivings.
“My life isn’t like yours, my upbringing was different…” except she didn’t know that, did she? “I know you said this wasn’t going to be… I don’t know how to be with men like you. This life is a fairytale, and I come from a completely different world. I’m just not… made for it.”
The car stopped, her building loomed large beyond the side window behind him.
“You wear them on your face,” he said, stroking her jaw with his thumb. “Your emotions.” Did she? “You’re nervous about going upstairs. Do you want me to come up with you?”
Her focus shifted from the distance to his eyes.
“You want to spend the night?”
“If that’s an invitation…” he said, once again provoking her laugh. Somehow he managed to make her feel better. “I can have Ferguson check it out.”
“He’ll spend the night?”
“Ha, not a fucking chance I’ll send another man to your bed.”
She leaned in. “Who said anything about bed?”
“Sorry, the thought’s always in there when you’re around.”
Another laugh. “Thank you. For tonight. I’ve had fun. It’s been a while since I—”
“You don’t have to go upstairs. You should never be afraid.” Intent, his sincerity was subdued but adamant. “Come back to the house with me.”
“No! Whoa, no. You want your mom to think I’m some harlot? I like your mom.”
“I like her too.” He squinted. “Help me out, how does one relate to the other? She’s married, if you were considering making a move. And, if you’re looking for some side action, I’d put good money on Mom chewing me out for not bringing you home.”
“Do you bring a lot of dates home?” To his parents’ house? That seemed kind of crass and disrespectful of the class his mother exuded. “Into your parents’ house? Do they get breakfast with Buoy?”
“You stayed at the house last night. Was I there?”
“No.”
“And I don’t have to be there tonight. Breckenridge House is a safe place for anyone who needs it,” he said. “I’m betting my mom told you that.”
“She told me I never had to be afraid there. Support not judgment.”
“And there’s the answer,” he muttered then called to Ferguson, “back to the house.”
They were driving again. Before her mouth could close, they were turning off the block.
“I shouldn’t, Darroch. She already thinks…”
“Thinks what?”
He curved an arm around her, pulling her tight to his side.
“I don’t know, but she brings you up like she… suspects something.”
“She doesn’t suspect, she knows.”
“Knows what?”
“I’m attracted to you. I want you. We can’t hide that shit from my mom, gave up trying to do that before puberty, she reads every one of us. And she knows we’re dogged. Giving up? A Breckenridge? Not a chance.”
“So it’s inevitable?” she teased.
“Yep, you should just give it up now.”
He caught her face to try guiding it around, but she resisted.
“Is that the cost of safety at Breckenridge House?”
“Shit, you want my mom to disown me? We don’t extort anyone, and we sure don’t exchange sex for safety.” He kissed the top of her head. “Sometimes it scares me.”
“What scares you?”
“The way you talk, the things you say… You don’t owe anyone anything. Ever. Not me or my mom or anyone. If someone makes you feel differently, send them my way.”
She slid a hand across his stomach, settling against him.
“Who I am, what I came from, doesn’t match what you and your family have. I’ve never met such…”
“Generosity?” he asked with a smile in his tone.
She peeked up. “Have I used that word?”
“Once or twice. My mom is generous with her time. My father is generous with his money… to a point.”
“Unless your mother is involved. Then it’s all her.”
“You got that right. Me, I’m generous with something else.”
“Yeah? What’s that?”
“One day you might be lucky and I’ll show you.”
“Oh, is that your game?” she asked, restraining a laugh. “You tease women with maybes?”
“I’ll maybe you right here, baby, if that’s what you want.”
“Tell me more about your family,” she said, coiling his arm around her. “I like the sound of your voice.” She closed her eyes, resting her head against him, basking in his scent. “I don’t care what you say, just talk.”
Looking at him got her in a muddle and speaking to him didn’t always go well. But absorbing those words and the rumble of his chest beneath her ear, she could spend a lifetime right there.