“Shit, Tanner. I’m sorry. Truly. I don’t think you’re clueless atall.”
“Oh, I was talking about the goth kitten…” My brows come together. “Wait, did you tell Trip I wasclueless?”
This day has already given me ideas about the direction my life can go in, how I can help, and maybe even have a career doing something outside. I’m thinking Trip might…I dunno. Mentor me? It seems unlikely if Junior’s saying shit about me behind my back.
Junior takes off his hat and runs his hand through his hair, spiking up the ends. “I, uh, I did say that after you left.”
“Oh.”
I suppose I should give him points for being honest.
With my worst fears about myself confirmed, I turn and walk out of the garage, my future spiraling out in front of me. Not only am I an idiot for ever thinking Junior might be attracted to me, but I’m also super dumb for thinking I might have a clue about what to do with my life.
His firm, heavy hand on my biceps stops my forward progress.
I hate how grounding his presence feels.
Stupid upon stupid.
His words, however, are as soft as they are deep. “I said it because they were making fun of me for practically staring at you the whole time.”
I shake my head. Desi and I talked a lot about makeup, but that wasn’t all we discussed. He clocked the lack of self-esteem, like, immediately.
“You need to stop being so mean to yourself, Tanner. Even if you don’t yet believe in yourself, never—and I do mean never—let a man act like you’re worthless. You deserve someone who sees every good thing about you.”
I can’t turn to face him, but I can say my truth. “I might be a hot mess, but I’m not fucking clueless.”
“No, you’re not. I threw that word out there, knowing it was a lie, and they threw it right back at me.” His hand shifts and he slides a strong arm across my chest, pulling my back to his chest. “They see how brave you are, and so do I.”
I grit my teeth, needing this touch but wishing I didn’t. Wishing I could believe his words. I sniff, my nose and throat burning with unshed tears, my head swimming with conflict.
Junior’s lips touch the edge of my ear. “I’ve been working with you all day, Tanner. I didn’t do it because you needed the extra practice or because I have all the PTO in the whole wide world. Hell, I’ve got all sorts of shit to do when I get back to the ranch. I’m here because I want to be here.”
He slides his other arm across my stomach, melting my resistance.
His whispered words continue, “I like the goth-kitten style. I like how happy you’ve been today, jumping in with both feet and learning as you go. And I respect the hell out of you for standing up to your dad.”
I wonder how he knows I stood up to my dad. Then I remember the chain of friends. I bet it was Trip who told him, third or fourth hand.
My chest rises and falls as I find myself relaxing into his hold. I don’t know if it makes sense to trust him, but I do. From the deepest part of me, I do. Perhaps sensing my surrender, he slides his hand from my belly to my neck, the featherlight pressure from his fingertips directing me to look back up at him.
Fuuuuck. I’ve never seen his eyes look so dark. The intensity is a little scary but not enough to make me stop.
I tilt my chin farther, and his lips descend on mine as he tightens his hold on my neck. His other hand drifts down to my jeans, cupping my crotch. I pull back from the kiss, my eyelids fluttering, and I take a deep breath.
He ghosts his lips against mine. “Relax against me. Let me hold you.”
I nod, breathing heavily against his lips and…let go. Melt against him. Release the stress and anxiety as his hand drifts from my throat down to my waistband. For a moment, both palms stroke my jeans-covered cock.
As we deepen our kiss, my jeans are unbuttoned, unzipped, and his fingers skim over my soft lacy underwear. I bring my hands up and behind me to his shoulders, gripping them as I roll my hips. His answering growl makes my cock jump, and I inhale sharply as he pulls down my jeans and underwear to mid-thigh.
I’m exposed in this open garage, and I don’t care. I fucking need this like oxygen.
“Spit,” he commands, taking my cock in his hand.
I do as asked.
“Again.”
