Elliot
Clues & Curses
“How’s the air?” I ask as I pull out of Dilynne’s driveway and cruise down her street, wishing my parents didn’t live so close so we’d have more time to talk.
She reaches up and tucks her hair behind her ears. “It’s good. Thank you.”
“You really do look gorgeous, Dilynne.” I want her to know that. When I first saw her just now, she stole the fucking breath from my lungs.
Dilynne in overalls with a bandana on her head and grease smudged on her face is hot. But Dilynne in a dress and heels with her hair falling around her face, dark makeup making her eyes even more striking?
She’s a fucking siren, and I can’t look away.
Not sure I even want to at this point.
The other night in her garage, something shifted between us. She opened up to me about why Motorlux is such a big deal for her, and after finding out that Vinnie is already messing with her mind, this protective switch inside of me flipped.
I looked up the model of the Porsche she’s restoring after I left, and it’s rare—there are fewer than 8,000 of them in the world, and most aren’t even in decent enough condition to restore anymore.
When I realized that, it became clear that Dilynne doesn’t make decisions without careful consideration.
Every choice this woman makes has a purpose, which means that even though she’s helping me deter Tori, she also agreed to this because she knew it would help her more than she initially realized.
So now, I just want to make sure I hold up my end of the bargain.
Tonight is our first time really performing our roles in front of people, which is making me more nervous than I care to admit.
But getting to touch her without overthinking it?
Yeah, I might be a little too excited about that detail.
“So, is there anything I should know before we get there?” Dilynne asks, breaking through my thoughts.
I adjust my grip on the steering wheel. “Well, my mom’s name is Theresa.”
“I know your mom’s name, Elliot.”
“Just giving you a friendly reminder. She has a Pomeranian named Mitsy that is basically her favorite child.”
“More than you? I thought boys were supposed to be their mom’s most precious babies?”
I chuckle. “I mean, my mom certainly is proud of me, but this dog is the baby now.”
Dilynne nods. “I see.”
“The dog will be on her lap while we eat. She’ll feed it from the table…”
Dilynne’s lips curl up. “That’s a bit much, don’t you think?”
“My dad lets it slide, so it happens.”
“And what if he said it couldn’t?”
I glance over at Dilynne. “Then my mom would obey.”
Dilynne’s face transforms into a look of disgust. “Um, not that you need to worry about it, since this is fake, but the fuck if you would ever tell me to obey you.”
“Trust me, I’m aware. But I’m not interested in a partner who doesn’t have a backbone.”
“Huh.”
I drift my gaze over to her again. “What was that for?”
“Not sure Tori is the type of woman I would have described that way, but you were engaged to her.”
I look straight ahead again. “That’s part of the appeal, Dilynne.”
“You—you want to get engaged again? Like go through with the wedding part one more time?”
I blow out a breath. “Yes…maybe? Fuck, I don’t know.” The more time has passed, the more I realized that the idea of finding someone to spend my life with isn’t something I want to give up on entirely. The problem is just finding the right person, which is what feels like the lost cause.
She places her hand on my thigh. “You’ll know if you find the right person. That’s what I keep telling myself.”
Our eyes meet for a brief second before I focus back on the road and she retracts her hand.
“You haven’t seriously dated anyone since Vinnie, huh?” I ask.
“Nope. Friends with benefits only.”
“I see.” The words come out clipped. The thought of another man benefiting with Dilynne sends my pulse spiking.
I can feel her eyes boring into me. “I’m a grown ass woman who can sleep with whoever she pleases.”
“I agree. It’s just…”
I hate the idea of you with another man.
And a few months ago, I wouldn’t have thought twice about that.
Now, all I can think about is how the tension between us could translate to our sexual chemistry. And how I’d bet money it would be explosive.
“We’re getting off topic,” Dilynne cuts through my thoughts. “Go back to what to expect.”
Grateful to her for letting me off the hook, even though she probably doesn’t even realize that she did, I grip the steering wheel with both hands now, noting that we will be at my parents’ house in less than five minutes. “My parents have a butler.”
“I’m sorry. What?”
“And a professional chef. And a housekeeper. So don’t be alarmed if there are people walking through the house dressed like service staff.”
“Damn. I didn’t know your family was that loaded.”
Her comment makes me think of something. “Yeah, well, I’m not so sure that’s the case now.”
“What do you mean?”
“Remember how I told you about the conversation between my dad and Tori?”
“Uh, yeah. I’m still trying to figure out the pieces to that mystery.”
“Well, I also saw a delinquent bill when I was in his office.”
“Meaning…”
“Meaning he’s late on paying a loan back to a bank or something.”
Dilynne rubs her forehead as she thinks. “Huh.”
“What are you thinking?”
“Don’t be mad, but I told the girls about the conversation you overheard, and Vienna made a good point.”
I glance at her as my parents’ house comes into view. “Which is?”
“People will do shady shit for money.”
Before I can respond, we pull up to the wrought-iron gate that surrounds my parents’ property.
Dilynne gawks out the windshield. “Wow. I can’t believe I’ve never been here before.”
I punch the code in and wait for the gate to slide open. “Well, we weren’t exactly besties having sleepovers.”
Dilynne huffs out a laugh. “Fair point. Speaking of sleepovers, I booked us a room for our Georgia trip next week.”
“Thanks for thinking of that. Just let me know how much I owe you.”
“I already told you, I don’t need your money, Elliot. Besides, it’s a trip to get parts for my car…just let me take care of it.”
I nod as I pull up to the semicircle driveway and stop right in front of the house, sliding the truck into park and shutting off the engine before turning to face her.
God, she looks so fucking gorgeous. Her dark eyes framed by dark lashes that make her look dangerous, lips painted the same cherry red as the bandana she usually wears, and her fucking boobs.
I’ve been near her without a bra on twice at this point, and Dilynne doesn’t have a massive chest, but whatever bra she has on tonight is making them look good enough to lick.
I wonder if she’ll take this bra off too, and then I can add it to my collection.
Oh, you mean the two you have now, Elliot? Since you snatched up the one from her shop the other night when she wasn’t looking?
“Fine. Then let me take care of you tonight. If it gets to be too much, just squeeze my thigh under the table and I’ll get us out of here, all right?”
She cups the side of my face, which I assume is meant to be playful by the grin on her lips.
But fuck, her touch is warm, soft, and makes me want to pull her lips to mine to see what she tastes like.
“I can handle whatever your dear ol’ daddy has to throw at us. Trust me, he’s the one who should be worried, not me.”
I don’t get a chance to say anything in response because I see the front door of the house open through the window.
“Game faces on,” I whisper before stepping out of my truck, rounding the hood, and opening up her car door to help her out. With her hand in mine, I lead her up the steps to the front door where my mother and father are waiting for us.
“Hi, Mom.” I greet her with a kiss on the cheek, still holding Dilynne’s hand in mine. Mitsy is in my mom’s arms, trying to give me a kiss back. “Hey, Mitsy.” I scratch her behind her ears.
“She’s missed you since you never come visit us anymore,” my mother says with a wink. And then her eyes land on Dilynne. “Dilynne Clark.” Her eyes go wide. “I have to say, I don’t ever think I’ve seen you this dressed up.”
Dilynne plasters a smile on her face that looks unnatural, but I see when her veil slips into place. “I only get dressed up like this for people who matter.” She releases my hand and steps forward, giving my mom a hug. “It’s good to see you. I can’t remember the last time we crossed paths.”
“It was probably when we dropped off our cars to get serviced at your shop.” My dad steps forward, reaching out to shake my hand. “Son.”
“Dad. You know Dilynne, my fiancé.” I drop his hand and place mine on her lower back, pulling her into me.
“I must say, Miss Clark. I didn’t know you could clean up so well.”
“I’m sure there’s a lot that you don’t know about me,” Dilynne replies. I have to fight to hide my smile. “But hopefully by the end of the night, that will change.”
My dad raises an eyebrow at her. “Indeed.”
Mom clears her throat. “Well, let’s stop talking through the door and head into the den for drinks before dinner.”
Dilynne inhales deeply, so I hold us back as my parents walk away from us. “You good?”
“Oh yeah. Just don’t let me drink too much because there’s no telling what will come out of my mouth.”
I chuckle. “Deal. Although, hearing you tell off my dad would be the highlight of my night.”
She twists to face me. “Don’t ask for something you aren’t ready for, Elliot Thorne.”
“I don’t know. I’m beginning to think I might like making some trouble for a change.”
***
“This wine is from Hart Winery, isn’t it?” Dilynne asks as she takes a second sip from her glass.
After my father poured himself and me some scotch, my mother had Ben, the butler, pour her and Dilynne a glass of cabernet before we all settled in the den.
“It is. Glad to know you can appreciate good wine.”
“Laney Hart is my best friend, so I know more about their wines than most people.”
“Their wine is fine,” my father adds. “I’ve had better, but your mother likes it, so I let her get the monthly subscription,” he tells me.