Chapter 2
Rocco
F uck, she was gorgeous. I let my eyes slowly run down her body.
Her straight, sandy brown hair was pulled into a high ponytail that accented her strong cheekbones and jawline.
The skin-tight jeans and low-cut blouse she had tied in the front were about as casual as I’d ever seen her dress.
Not that it mattered. Her long legs brought up the same desire I always felt.
Being around Danielle always pulled at my chest. All I wanted was to walk over to her, pick her up in my arms, and carry her off somewhere private so we could fuck until neither of us could breathe, but those days were over.
At least that was what she said the last time.
According to her, she needed to make some changes, but that was all she said.
I still wasn’t sure why she brought our deal to an end.
“I’m sure I can find something else.” Her chest rose just enough that I knew she still felt some attraction to me.
“What’s going on?” I walked further into Dermott’s house. There were boxes everywhere. I still couldn’t believe he had asked Daphne to move in with him. Didn’t he know he was just setting himself up for heartbreak when she left? And they always leave. It didn’t matter what anyone said.
“Danielle here needs a ride to Saddleback for her ‘foster’ sister’s wedding.” Sunny actually used air quotes. I didn’t think people still did that.
“And we were just talking about how nice it would be if you would let her travel with you.” Hailey Wynters, Daphne’s sister, smiled.
“I’m sure Danni would be ever so grateful for the assist.” The way she looked between us made me nervous.
Surely she wasn’t trying to fix us up. No one in town tried to fix me up with nice girls anymore.
There was a time that had been different story.
Being the son of Heartlands Falls city council leader and one of the owners of the biggest brewery in the country made you an eligible target.
The fact I had been on track to join Dermott as a pro hockey player had been a bonus.
That was before my life took a turn and I found out true love didn’t exist. It was all smoke and mirrors.
The only relationship that wasn’t a lie was a physical one.
At least sex didn’t have to involve the heart.
“I’ll be fine.” Danielle kept her back to me. “Once I call the rental company, they will fix everything and get me another car.”
“You were going to drive by yourself?” Nerves ran up my arms. I didn’t like the idea of her being on the road alone. Anything could happen.
“Yep.”
“Absolutely not.” I didn’t try to keep my distance. There was no way I was going to let her travel by herself. “You’re going with me.”
“I’m a big girl and I can make my way on my own.” Her green eyes met my dark blue ones. We weren’t the same height, but we were close.
“You don’t have to.” I was not going to budge. “It’s no big deal. I have plenty of space.”
I had just purchased a bus-sized RV that I was testing out on this trip. The thing was huge and would easily work for both of us. It also only had one bed. It would take us a week to get to Tennessee. That was a lot of nights alone. If I played my cards right, she’d be spending them all naked.
“I said I’ve got it.” Damn, her fire was such a turn on, but it didn’t matter. I’d made up my mind, and she was coming with me, on the trip and otherwise.
“And I said you’re with me.” I smirked. “Unless you don’t think you can handle a few days on the road with me.” I knew she hated a challenge. “I’m rolling out Friday morning and I expect to see you there.”
Her eyes narrowed as she curled her lip in. It was a toss-up as to if she was pissed or debating the chances she could really find another ride.
“What else do you need help with?” I turned my attention to Dermott. As far as I was concerned, it was a done deal.
“There are a couple more boxes.” He pointed out the garage door.
As I passed Danni, I made sure I was close enough that only she would hear me.
“Be sure to pack that red lace thing I love.” It was an asshole thing to say, but I couldn’t help it. It was a wonder she didn’t hit me. “But that’s only if you want to come.” I let my hand brush hers and felt the small shiver.
I’d have her in back in my bed by the end of the first night. I was sure of it.
7:52 AM.
Where the hell was she? I had actually thought Danni would show up. I was a fool. Women always walked away, but I’d honestly wanted another chance with her. It sucked that I wouldn’t get it.
I didn’t like the idea of her traveling alone, but other than showing up at her house and kidnapping her, I couldn’t make her travel with me.
I couldn’t kidnap her and make her ride with me, right? I might have a bad reputation, but I wasn’t that much of a bad boy. Was I?
The thought swirled in my head as I finished putting my clothes away in the bedroom and double checking I had everything I would need.
This RV was something I had been thinking about almost as long as I had been thinking about getting a motorcycle.
I didn’t need either, but I wanted them.
As much as I loved Heartland Falls and I loved my family, I needed something more.
I needed a space where I wasn’t a Crane or a Sterling by blood.
Both last names carried too much pressure sometimes.
Maybe that was why things changed for Danielle.
I heard a knock on the window and looked up, still hoping to see Danni, but my older brother and my eldest cousin stood there instead. I tipped my head toward the open door and waited for them to walk in.
Sebastian and Kellen both looked around at the luxury interior.
As hard as it sometimes was to live up to the expectations of my last name, it did come with its perks.
Having a trust fund was one of them, but I rarely touched it.
I made enough with my custom woodworking business and doing some consulting for my cousins at the distillery.
It had taken longer than I wanted to save the money without using the trust fund, but I was glad I did.
“Damn, this is bigger than my whole freaking house.” Kellen joked. It was a lie. He didn’t have a huge house, but it was definitely bigger than this.
“Only in your imagination.” I shook my head. “Where is Antonia and Emmett?” Antonia was my sister-in-law, and Emmett was Kellen’s son.
It had been a complete scandal when Kellen came home from college after his sophomore year with a new baby and no girlfriend, fiancée, or wife.
He didn’t talk about what happened. I wasn’t even sure my aunt and uncle knew who the mother was, but it didn’t matter.
We all loved that little boy more than just about anything.
That was one thing I missed the thought of.
Back in high school and college I knew I would be a father.
My dad was amazing and I wanted to be just like him.
I still wanted to be a dad, but I saw how doing it alone changed Kellen.
How hard it sometimes was on him. All the whispers and questions.
Emmett was almost seven years old and still people acted as if it was a big deal that Kellen wasn’t married or that Emmett’s mom never came looking for either of them.
As much as I would love a child of my own, I didn’t think I would want to do it by myself.
“Antonia is still asleep, but she sent her love and told me to tell you to be careful,” Seb told me. “She also wanted me to remind you that most of the car accidents that come into the hospital involve motorcycles.”
I shook my head. I loved my sister-in-law, but she could be a bit of a worry wort. “Let her know I plan to be extra careful.”
“Yeah, I’m sure that will appease her.” He snorted.
“And Emmett?” I changed the subject.
“With my parents.” Kellen filled me in. “It’s their weekend.” My aunt and uncle took Emmett once a month so that Kellen could have a bit of a break from time to time.
“Do you have everything?” Seb asked in true older brother fashion. I loved him, but damn he could make me feel like I was still the little kid he had to look after all the time.
“Yes.” I nodded, still thinking about Danni. I didn’t have everything. “I was just double checking.” And debating committing a felony.
Was kidnapping a felony? Could having a father and brother on the city council get me out of any trouble that came from doing it?
“And you’re determined to do this?” Kellen raised an eyebrow, bringing me back to the moment.
My family wasn’t exactly happy about the idea of me going to a motorcycle rally or getting a motorcycle. They had this idea that it was going to be all drug dealers and gangs riding around causing holy terror. At least that was how my mother described it.
“Yes.” This was like the hundredth time I had this conversation.
“Why don’t you take Logan or Colby with you?” Kellen suggest two of his four younger brothers. “I’m sure dad would give them the time off.”
As much as I enjoyed hanging out with my cousins this was just for me, and possibly Danielle.
“Thanks, but I’m good.” I couldn’t force her. Could I?
“Fine.” Seb blew out a breath. “Be careful.”
“Thanks Dad.” I rolled my eyes.
“Not for another three months.” He gave me a half smile. “But that doesn’t mean I can’t worry about my little brother.”
“I know.” And I was grateful for his concern.
“Call from the road,” Kellen instructed. “And if you need anything, let us know.”
“I will.” I couldn’t kidnap her. As tempting as it might be, I knew it was wrong, and she’d probably kick my ass.
I looked at my watch. It was fifteen after. If Danni was going to show up, then she would already be here.
“I need to get going.” A bit of my excitement for the trip dimmed, but I pushed past it. I had always planned on this trip being just me.
“Alright.” Sebastian patted my shoulder. I could see there was more he wanted to say, but he held his tongue.
I gave them both hugs and walked them to the door. They each continued on to their respective cars.
“I’ll check in,” I assured them. “And I’ll see you when I get back.”
A few minutes later they both pulled off.
I went back inside and turned on the engine.
I let it run, listening to the sound with a smile on my face and my eyes closed as I waited to be able to pull in the slides.
Another knock on the door made my body jerk and my eyes pop open.
The smile I was wearing widened for a completely different reason.
Danni stood there with her hand raised and a bag over her shoulder. I stood and went over to open the door.
“Sorry, I’m late.” She let out a breath.
“Second thoughts?”
“More like fifty.” She shrugged the bag higher on her shoulder. “If I go with you, it doesn’t change anything. This is just for convenience.”
“If you say so.”
“I mean it Rocco.” She looked up at me. “Things are different now.”
“If you say so,” I repeated.
She let out a gust of wind and let her bag fall next to her rolling luggage. “Rocco, please.”
The anxiety in her voice touched me and I backed down. “Alright. Nothing changes.” I reluctantly agreed.
“Thank you.”
I stepped down so we were both on the ground. “But, I reserve the right to try to change your mind.”
“You won’t.” She lifted her chin in the cutest show of stubbornness.
“If you say so,” I said just to rattle her.
“Let’s just get going.” She went to pick up her bag, but I beat her to it.
“After you.” I let her step up into the RV and followed behind her, already planning my next move