Mechanic(23)

“I know for a fact she isn’t with her fiancé,” my father says, but it’s clear Scott told him who I was with. There’s no other way my father could possibly know I was here with Paine.#p#分页标题#e#

“Then you thought wrong because you’re looking at her fucking fiancé.” There’s no missing the possessive tone in Paine’s voice.

“Stop it. Both of you.” I finally make it past Paine, ducking under his arm in a quick move, but I don’t get far. He wraps an arm around my waist, pulling me back to his front.

The cold night air hits my legs, reminding me I’m only wear Paine’s shirt. Lucky for me, he’s a freaking giant and the thing comes almost to my knees.

My dad looks at me in disgust. Like he has room to talk. Not only is he married to a woman five years older than me, but everyone knows he sleeps around on her. I have a feeling she does, too, with the looks she shoots my brother at Thanksgiving dinner.

“Put some clothes on. We’re leaving.”

“She’s not going anywhere,” Paine answers for me. I don’t know why I’m so intimidated by my father, but I am, and I’m glad to have Paine standing behind me.

“Your grandmother got hurt. We had to call the doctor to come out. She’s asking for you, Penny,” my father says, using the nickname for me I haven’t heard in years.

“Let me get my things.” I try to break from Paine’s arms, wanting to get to her as soon as possible, but he’s holding tight.

“Give us five and we’ll be ready,” Paine says, finally letting me go.

“I won’t let him on the property.” My dad’s tone is final, and I know he won’t. He’ll call the police and have Paine thrown in jail.

“I don’t go, she doesn’t go.”

“I’ll tell your grandmother you couldn’t be bothered then.” My father turns to leave, and I feel so angry at how he always says ‘your’ grandmother, like she’s nothing to him. Like she’s not the mother of his late wife. Like she’s not his mother-in-law.

“No, wait!” I yell at him, making him turn to look at me. He has a smirk on his face, which makes the wrinkles around his mouth more prominent. Time hasn’t been good to Dad these past five years. Most of his hair would be gray now if he didn’t dye it. He’s even put on some weight.

“Duchess,” Paine says, holding on to my arm. His grip makes it clear he isn’t letting me go.

“You asked me to trust you, Paine. Can you trust me? I have to go. I’ll come back.” I look up into his eyes, wanting him to see what I saw moments ago when we were in the kitchen together, talking about the life we wanted.

“Don’t count on it,” I hear my father say from behind me, and I can see the tension rolling off Paine.

“She’ll be out in a minute.” Paine pulls me into the house, slamming the door behind us. “I don’t like this. I think he’s playing at something.”

“Let me check.” Breaking away, I head back to his bedroom where I find my purse, and I pull my phone out to call Law. Paine watches my every move like a hawk while I call my brother. He picks up on the second ring and I get straight to the point.

“Hey. Is Grandma okay? Dad just told me—”

“I haven’t gotten to see her yet. The doctor is still in there, checking her over,” Law says, cutting me off.

“Okay. I’m on my way.”

I hang up the phone, putting it back into my purse. “I have to go.”

“I know. I just don’t fucking like it.” Paine’s whole body looks like it’s filled with rage.

I walk over to him and reach up to grab his face. I pull it to mine so we’re only a breath apart. “I want what we talked about,” I tell him, letting him know I’ll come back to him.#p#分页标题#e#

He kisses me hard before reluctantly pulling away. “Don’t clean up. If you’re leaving this house without me, the cum on your thighs and pussy stays put.” I should be appalled, but I’m not. I like that I still smell of him. That when I leave, a part of him is coming with me. I nod, making my retreat into the bathroom.

I make quick work of putting my dress and shoes back on. I toss Paine’s shirt onto the bed. When I enter the bedroom, I see Paine is also dressed and is just pacing back and forth like a caged animal.

“Paine.” My voice makes him stop and turn to look at me.

I can’t read the look on his face, but I reach out, wanting him to come to me. He walks over, his big hand engulfing mine. I lead him down the hallway and to the front door. I open it and see my father still standing there.