I let out a sigh. “Because I didn’t want people thinking that Uncle John gave me the job because of who my dad was, because Uncle John was my dad’s best friend.”
“No one would’ve thought that.”
I give him a look. “They would have so thought that. I’m a moderately attractive young female mechanic—”
“Moderately attractive?” He raises a brow. “I’m more inclined to say you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen in my life. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw you that first time, bent over my car with your long legs and sexy arse stuck up in the air.” He squeezes my bum with his hand. “Jesus, I almost came in my pants. Hottest fucking thing ever, babe.”
Laughing, I lightly slap my hand to his chest. “If everyone knew who my dad was, they’d have thought that was the only reason I was there. I just wanted to prove myself before people knew I was his daughter.”
“You’ve proven yourself more than enough times. You’re brilliant at your job.” He slides his hand down over my bum and along my thigh. “You do realize, now that I have you, I’m never letting you go, right? From my garage or my bed. You have to stay forever.”
Forever.
I ignore the little ripple of fear in my chest. “Works for me.” I smile. Running my fingers down to his abs, I start to trace them, loving the feel of him shuddering beneath my touch.
“It’s because of your dad, what happened to him…that’s why you didn’t want to be with me?”
That jolts me back. Emotions flood me, stilling my hand.
“I didn’t…I still don’t want to go through losing someone that I care about again.”
“You won’t lose me, Andressa.” He tips my chin up with his fingers, so I’m looking him in the eyes. “I’m not going anywhere.”
“You can’t promise that.” There’s a broken edge to my voice.
“No, I guess no one can. But things are different now, safer than they used to be when you lost your dad.”
Carrick drives at speeds close to three hundred and seventy-five kilometers an hour. There’s nothing safe about that.
“I just…the way I feel about you, Carrick…it terrifies me. That’s why I tried to stay away for as long as I did. When I think about losing you…the panic consumes me, and I know it doesn’t make sense, but it’s the fear of losing you that makes me run.”
“No more running, babe.”
He presses the sweetest kiss to my forehead. It brings tears to my eyes.
“You terrify me, too.” His lips brush over my skin. “I’ve never felt this close to anyone in my life. The way I feel about you…it’s beyond anything I’ve ever known. But we can do this because we’re meant to be together.”
And as he wraps his arms around me, holding me tight, I try to ignore that tiny debilitating voice nagging away in the very recess of my mind that’s telling me that it’s only a matter of time before the fear takes hold again.
I WAKE UP TO THE FEEL OF CARRICK. His body on mine, his mouth pressing soft, sweet kisses to my lips.
I moan my acquiescence, my lips parting, and he deepens the kiss, sliding his tongue into my mouth, bringing me to life in an instant.
My body feels deliciously sore in the only way it can be after having copious amounts of sex, but even still, I’m ready for more with him.
Last night, Carrick ordered us dinner in. We had pizza, which we ate in the living room. We also started to watch a movie, but I couldn’t tell you a thing about it because I only saw the first ten or so minutes of it. We went at it again on his sofa, which ended up with me bent over the coffee table while he took me from behind.
After we caught our breath and cleaned up, Carrick suggested going to bed, which I was ready for—tired from all the sex. We made it to the staircase before we were going at it again. Clearly, I wasn’t that tired.
He took me right there on the staircase. I didn’t know you could have sex like that on the stairs, but apparently, you can.
I’m pretty sure I have carpet burns on my arse, knees, and elbows. Like I care though.
We’re doing it like horny teenagers, and I love it. Sex with Carrick is like nothing I’ve ever known before.
He likes to screw me in lots of different positions. I try not to think about how he’s so experienced in having sex in so many different ways.
Instead, I focus on his sexual appetite for me and how insatiable it is. And how I’m the same for him.
We can’t get enough of one another. I’ve never been like this for a guy before.
But then Carrick’s not exactly your average guy.