16. Cora
16
CORA
I sit in my car and stare at the “open” sign flashing in the window of Lowcountry Automotive. It’s early but I couldn’t sleep.
Last night had rocked me to my very core, and if I am being honest, I am still reeling from being in Talon’s arms.
From having him inside me.
I’d woken up deliciously sore and am reminded of the way I’d given myself to him with every step I take. Our connection had been intense and that scared the hell out of me.
It still does.
Talon Banks shouldn’t be the person who lights my soul on fire. He was my self-imposed, high school rival. And the one that broke my heart in a single afternoon—something he probably never thought about again after that day but one that still haunts me.
I’d never recovered from losing that simple wooden box.
And yet, I’d let the boy who’d grown into a man rip the lace from between my legs and fuck me against the wall of the garage.
Tears prick my eyes as I let everything wash over me again.
I’m embarrassed and ashamed.
But then again, I’m not.
I’ve let the memories from my past keep me in a choke hold and given them the power to derail my future.
Not anymore.
Blowing out a breath, I check my makeup in the visor mirror and turn off my car. “I can do this.”
Stepping out into the parking lot, I shove my phone into the back pocket of my shorts and grip my wallet and keys with shaky hands. Taking one more steadying breath, I turn the handle and pull open the door, spotting one of the other mechanics in the bay and Phoenix behind the desk.
“Cora,” he says not altogether pleasantly, “keys are in the truck and you’re all set.”
“What?” I ask like I didn’t hear what he just said.
“Talon said it was a bad battery. He replaced it and everything is all set.” He repeats the words slowly like he’s talking to a child, and I can’t even be offended because I’m still processing his statement.
“Why would he do that?”
“Because he’s a nice guy—even if you don’t think so—and he knows you work hard and whatever happened between you two yesterday…”
He raises a single brow and I cross my arms over my chest.
“Nothing happened yesterday,” I say evenly, and his lips curve up on one side.
“So, there’s no reason he tried to kill me when I mentioned a scrap of lace on the floor in the back?”
I match his expression. “Is that why Talon’s truck was in my driveway last night because you were a dick and couldn’t bring my roommate home?”
“That’s—”
“Give me Talon’s number, and we won’t speak of either incident again, deal?”
He eyes me then reluctantly agrees. “I thought he called you last night?”
“He called me from here, so I just have the shop number,” I say, waving my hand around.
“Fine.”
Pulling a sticky note from the desk, Phoenix scrawls a phone number on the little yellow paper and hands it to me. His eyes are fixed on the wall behind me, and even though I said we wouldn’t talk about it, I can’t make myself leave.
“Do you want to talk about it?” I keep my voice gentle as I try to read his expression.
“No. Yes. Fuck. I don’t know if I can handle a girl like her right now.” He drags his hands over his face before interlocking his fingers behind his head and looking up at the vaulted ceiling.
I don’t have to ask what a girl like her means because I get it. Aspen is outgoing and adventurous. She’s wild and sassy and fierce as hell.
“Do you want me to tell her you’re not interested?” I ask, forcing his gaze to snap back to mine.
“Hell, no.”
I chuckle but hold my hands up in surrender. “All right, maybe you could try being her friend? Tell her you’re not ready for something…yet?”
“I’ll think about it,” he says, looking away again.
Nodding, I wave the sticky note at him as I back away. “Thanks for this.”
His eyes track the yellow paper, and the hint of a smile is back on his lips. “Good luck.”
“I’ll be back with Aspen to pick up the truck,” I call over my shoulder, waving my hand without looking back.
Phoenix might have been kidding when he wished me luck, but he’s not wrong. I have a feeling I’m gonna need a lot more than my sunny disposition to get back in Talon’s good graces.
And the strangest part is, I want to.
I really, really want to.