Chapter 25
What in the hell is Merv talking about? I’m a good employee! I’m never late, I hardly ever take time off or call in sick. I don’t complain about stupid customers who don’t know the level of octane they need for their cars.
So why is he firing me?
“Don’t worry, you’ll get a nice severance package so you can take your time before starting your new job. I’ll miss ya. But it’s time to move on.” Merv sniffs and clears his throat. Is he getting emotional over this?
“I don’t have a new job! You’re not making any sense, old man.”
“If I may,” Slater interjects. “The reason I wanted to talk to Merv was to make sure I was making a good decision in offering you a job at my shop. I figured you were a good bet, but Merv’s spent the last ten minutes raving about what an amazing mechanic you are, so now I’ll be bummed if you tell me no.
Though, it sounds like you might be in need of a job, anyway, so… ” He trails off with a smirk.
“Y-you want to offer me a job? Why?”
“You didn’t see the way Saint was moping around for you, even though it’s been less than a day.
I don’t like to see him hurting, and I have the means to solve the distance issue.
Plus, I could use an extra set of hands at the shop, and I’d be honored to have someone of your expertise working for me. ”
“I don’t have a place to live.”
Saint’s hand tightens in mine. “My home is yours, Mikey. Just like my heart.”
I chew on my lip, my head spinning with how fast everything has happened. This is crazy. Saint and I are moving too fast. We barely know each other, and I’m considering taking a new job, moving to a different town—living in his house—just to be with him?
“This feels too fast,” I admit out loud.
Merv scoffs, rounding the front desk to stand in front of me.
He places a calloused hand on my shoulder and holds my eyes as he says, “It may be fast, kid, but don’t let it stop you from following your heart.
What ya and the baker have is special, anyone can see it.
Ya ain’t gonna find love under the hood of a car.
Ya gotta open yourself up to it. Take chances.
Plus, you’re fired. So, I think ya should take the job. ” With a wink, Merv steps back.
“Who’s going to replace me? Surely you don’t want Rob to train the new guy.”
“I’ve got another seasoned mechanic ready to start when I give him the go ahead. I’ll train him myself. Rob was always going to be temporary, so I was lookin’ for his replacement.”
“I guess I’m moving to Cupid’s Cove.” I look at Slater, who has a big smile on his face. “Looks like you’ve got a new employee.”
Saint spins me around, grabs my hips, and crashes his lips against mine. “You won’t regret this, sweetheart.” Kiss. “Thank you for trusting me.” Kiss. “I’m so fucking happy.” Kiss. “I love you so much.” Kiss.
Then he freezes and pulls back, his eyes wide, like he didn’t mean to say it out loud.
“I’m happy for ya, but I don’t need to see that shit in my shop,” Merv barks, causing Saint and me to break apart before I can say anything.
My face heats with embarrassment, but Saint’s chest is puffed up like a peacock.
“Sorry, Merv.” But he doesn't sound the least bit sorry. “Mind if I hang out here today so I can go home with my girl?”
“Wait, you’re staying in Salem? The part for your van won’t be here until tomorrow.”
Saint shrugs. “Ruby can handle the café, and when the van is done, we can pack up your stuff in the back and move you home.”
Home.
Growing up, my home was the house I shared with my dad.
When I moved out, I still considered it home.
When he died and I sold it, I didn’t have a place to call home.
I haven’t felt that breath of relief when you’re in a familiar place, the nostalgia that feels like being wrapped in a warm hug, in so long.
Until this weekend with Saint in Cupid’s Cove.
Now, my home is with a man who smells like cinnamon and vanilla, bakes for a living, and will seemingly do whatever it takes to be with me.
After a long day catching up on work, Saint and I ride the elevator up to my apartment hand in hand.
His thumb swipes back and forth across my knuckles, and the touch soothes the anxiety swirling in my stomach all day over the upturn my life has taken in the last six hours.
Saint stayed in the lobby all day, reading. At lunch time, he went and bought us pizza, and we ate in the small break room while he told me about the book.
Listening to Saint talk about a mafia boss fucking his girl in the back of a car because they couldn’t wait to get home made me squeeze my thighs together.
I wanted to drag Saint into the bathroom.
The tension between us was already thick from earlier, and with every passing minute, it only increased.
I’m greasy and sweaty from working all day, but my baker is looking at me like I’m the most delectable pastry, and he wants to take a bite.
As soon as we’re inside my apartment, Saint pins me against the front door, sliding a thick thigh between mine and pressing a slow, sensual kiss to my lips. I whimper into his mouth, relishing the way his beard tickles my skin.
“Saint,” I murmur as he tries to deepen the kiss. “I’m smelly and sweaty. I need to shower.”
He shakes his head. “Don’t care. I need you so bad. Been dying to have you all day. I have some apologizing to do. Let Daddy show you how sorry he is for deceiving you.”
A needy sound rips from my throat, but I refuse to let him anywhere near my pussy when I’m dirty.
“Shower first.”
“Fine.” He steps back, motioning for me to go ahead. Before I can make it far, he snags me around my waist and brushes his lips against my ear. “Be quick for me, Mikelle. I’m an impatient man when I’m hungry.”
I don’t believe it for a second, but his words hit their mark, and a shiver rolls down my spine.
I gather some clean clothes and shut myself in the bathroom, rushing through my shower and simple skincare routine. I twist my wet hair into two braids and slip on a pair of boxers and a tank top that does nothing to hide the way my nipples are puckered.
I know as soon as I walk out the door, there’s no stopping Saint from having his way with me, and I’m already wet from the thought.
How did I go so long without sex, when one weekend with Saint has turned me into a needy slut for the man?
When I open the door, I jump, startled because Saint is standing on the other side, his broad frame filling the entire doorway.
“Time to eat,” he says right before he scoops me up. He makes it to my bed in three steps and tosses me onto the mattress.
The bed creaks before the feet of the frame collapse, the angle sending me sliding to the floor.
“Oh, shit, Mikey, are you okay? I’m so sorry.” Saint crouches down and runs his hands on my body like he’s checking for injuries.
I can’t answer him as I struggle to breath, my body shaking with silent laughter.
“Shit, do I need to call someone? Are you hurt?”
A laugh finally wheezes from my throat as I turn to face him. The concern on his face isn’t funny, but this situation is ridiculous. “I-I’m fine,” I finally manage to squeak out.
“I’m sorry I broke your bed,” Saint murmurs as he picks me up and wraps me in a hug.
“It’s okay. We’ll just move the mattress to the floor. Good thing you have a nice big bed for us at your house, so I don’t have to buy a new one.”
His arms tighten around me at the mention of moving in. “Our house, Mikelle. You’re moving into our house. Our bed.”
I swallow around a lump of emotion. “This isn’t too soon? This isn’t crazy?”
“Who’s to say what the right timeline is? Other people may think we’re crazy, but they’re not us. They don’t know how we feel about each other.”
“How do we feel about each other?”
He said it earlier in the shop, but I didn’t get to respond like I wanted to since we were interrupted. I want him to say it again. I want to say it back, but I want to make sure he means it.
Saint pulls away from me to cup my face.
“I said it once already today, but I don’t mind saying it again.
Over and over again until you believe me.
I love you, Mikelle. I’m in love with you.
Every minute I’ve spent with you has made me fall deeper.
Yes, it’s fast. People will say we’re crazy, but I know it feels right for us. Who cares what other people think?”
His thumbs stroke along my cheek, his words settling deep in my heart. I used to care a lot about what other people thought of me. In some aspects, I still do, but he’s right. Who cares if this is fast or unconventional?
“I love you, too.”
I barely get the last word out before Saint makes a sound in the back of his throat, and his lips meet mine. The kiss quickly deepens, our tongues tangling as our bodies press together. I feel Saint’s hard cock against my belly, and my clit pulses with the need to feel him.
“I need you, Daddy,” I whimper into his mouth.
Saint groans as he pulls away. “Strip while I do this,” he commands as he quickly pulls the mattress off the bed frame and onto the floor. “Lie down, sweetheart.”
I take off my clothes quicker than I ever have.
As I lie down on the mattress, he rids himself of his clothes, his cock springing free as his underwear falls to the floor. My mouth waters at the memory of his satin skin on my tongue.
“Not now, Mikelle. You can suck my cock another time. Right now, I’m making love to my girl.”
Saint kneels on the mattress and hovers over me, cupping my face and pressing a sweet kiss to my lips as he gently thrusts the head of his cock against my entrance, the head hitting my clit with each pass.
“Please, Saint. Let me feel you,” I beg shamelessly. “No condom. My last test was negative, and I have the implant.”
“I haven’t been with anyone in years. Are you sure?”
“I’m sure. Please, Daddy.”
“Fuck.”
As he pushes inside me, the piece of myself I left in Cupid’s Cove settles back into place. My soul feels complete with the knowledge this soft, sweet, incredible man loves me.
My emotions overwhelm me, and a tear slips down my cheek. Saint kisses the dampness away.
“Shh, don’t cry, Mikey. I’ve got you. I’ve always got you.”
“I know. I love you.”
“Fuck, I love hearing those words from your pretty mouth. I love you, too. Till the end of forever. You’re mine, and I’m yours.”
Saint’s thrusts are slow and deep, only pulling out enough to thrust in again.
One of his thumbs rubs gentle circles on my clit as our lips meet over and over again.
I clench around him, and he moans into my mouth.
He thrusts harder, I moan into his. Our breaths intermingle, and sweat forms on our skin as our bodies and hearts come together as one.
When I come, I whisper his name, and a few thrusts later, he’s spilling himself inside me.
Saint rolls so he’s lying next to me, his hand tracing lazy circles over my belly as we catch our breath. The anxiety from earlier is still there, but it’s dimmed by the excitement of the prospects of my new life.
“Come on, let’s get cleaned up. Then we can order dinner since you only have frozen meals and packaged dinners.”
“Hey, there’s nothing wrong with that.”
“No, there isn’t. But I want to take care of you. Let me feed you.”
It’s hard to argue with him when he sounds so sweet. “Okay.”