Jonah licked his lips. “I think we should call it a night.”
Her mouth gaped, and he could read her shock. Of course she was surprised. Their dates always included dinner and sex. Now he was bailing on what he presumed was her main desire. The sex.
“Really?”
“Yeah, I had a long day. I gotta be up early in the morning.” He had a tight grip on the steering wheel. He felt like an ass feeding her this bullshit.
She sat back in the seat and eyed him before curling her lip. “Okay, then maybe next time?”
“Yeah.”
She leaned forward until they were inches apart. “Well, I won’t say I’m not disappointed.”
He cleared his throat. “Sorry.” But he wasn’t sorry. There was only one woman taking up space in his head, and it wasn’t the one next to him.
She slid her hand up his neck and curled her fingers around his chin. “Don’t be. What you and I have … this thing we do? It works.” Her eyes softened. “For now. But I’m hoping that one day soon, it won’t work for me.” She smiled slightly and dipped her chin. “Kind of hoping to meet someone who wants to have breakfast with me.”
Fuck, I’m an asshole!
“Rach …”
She placed her finger on his lips. “Nope, you don’t get to feel bad, and I’m not trying to guilt you. This works for us, but I know you aren’t the guy for me, and that’s okay. I’m just saying, I want to meet someone I can fall in love with, you know.” Her finger slid from his lips, down his neck. “And I want that for you, too.” She brushed her lips against his in a soft kiss. She pulled away, got out of his truck and turned back to him with a smile.
“Drive safe, babe.”
He jerked his chin and waited for her to go inside her place before backing up and heading home. The drive gave him time to think. But all he wanted was the current vision out of his head.Roxanne.
He turned up the music, rolled down the windows and focused on the road. He calculated his day for tomorrow, and soon, she faded into the background.
Jonah pulled into his driveway. The lights on the porch were on, which meant no one was home yet.Of course, they aren’t. It’s fucking nine-thirty.He turned off the engine and sat back, staring at the house he’d rebuilt. It’d been a long road, but he and his brothers were finally home. Very few knew, but they’d grown up in this house. It was where he and his three brothers were brought home from the hospital. All of Jonah’s core memories of his family belonged to this house. After his parents and brother died, Jonah thought it was best they left it behind to give Holden and Cord a fresh start. To this day, he regretted leaving. It had changed hands twice but he hadn’t been in a position to buy it at the time. Until two years ago, when it came back on the market. The previous owners had let a lot of things go. It was in pretty awful shape. His real estate agent called it a money pit and tried to dissuade him from purchasing it, but she didn’t know their backstory. Jonah knew what the home had once been and was determined to bring it back to life.Best decision I ever made.
Jonah dragged his hand over his jaw, eyeing the house. It wouldn’t be long before Cord and then Holden would be out on their own, and the place would feel even bigger. It was a large family’s dream home. Too big for just him. But he had no intention of letting it go again.
When his phone pinged, he straightened his back, and clenched his jaw.
Roxanne: Hey Jonah. I’ve been thinking, and I’m going to get the repairs done at the shop. After your donation to the auction, this makes us even. We’re good. Have a nice night.
Jonah felt the heat rise in his chest and up his neck, spreading across his cheeks. What the fuck was she talking about? How much did she have to drink that eating the cost of repairs sounded like a good idea? He slammed his hand against the steering wheel. He’d royally fucked up tonight.
Jonah resisted the urge to text her back. He didn’t know what to say. But, one thing was for damn sure. She wasn’t paying for anything.No!He was doing the work. It didn’t escape his mind that his anger also stemmed from the thought of not seeing her again on Saturday. He grasped the handle, threw the door open and then slammed it shut. He stalked up the path, fuming with the anger riddling the depths of his body.
He was going to see her again.
Fuck!
Chapter Seven
“Dad?” Roxanne pulled her keys from the lock and closed the door behind her.
She never knocked on the door of her childhood home but always gave fair warning when she arrived. Especially when her father wasn’t expecting her. She scanned the entry, which opened into the formal living room. Unlike some homes, theirs was used daily growing up. Almost as much as the family room, tucked in the back of the house. The vibe in the home had always been warm and welcoming.
“Dad?”
“In the kitchen,” his voice echoed through the halls.
The house was enormous. A six-bedroom, seven-bathroom, old farmhouse. It wasn’t fancy by any means, but it held many happy times and wonderful memories. There’d been plenty of updates through the years, but her parents kept much of the original charm and integrity of the home. It was big enough for her and her siblings to have their own rooms. Her parents thought it was important they have their private space. Coming from different backgrounds but similar situations, each had their own demons to carry, and some took longer to adjust to their new life.
Roxanne dropped her pocketbook on the bench in the foyer, noticing the luggage next to it. She’d spoken to her dad a few days ago, and he hadn’t mentioned anything about traveling. Where was he going? And more importantly, who was he going to see? The corner of her mouth curled, and she glanced at the doorway to the kitchen. Roxanne respected her father’s privacy,but this had gone on long enough. There was no reason to keep his romantic life separate from his family. None of his children wanted that.
