Page 11 of High Velocity

“Yeah, I know your ways,” Bradley continued.“And if that’s what makes you happy, then good for you.But I want something meaningful.Something lasting.”

“Well, then, I hope you find it.”

“And you don’t?Just going to fuck your way through every woman to cross your path and be satisfied with that?”

Roark clenched his jaw because, fuck, no, he wasn’t satisfied with that.In fact, he hadn’t fucked a woman in months because one-night stands had lost their appeal.It was less complicated to whack one out in the shower when needed.

“That’s what I thought.”Bradley started to walk away but quickly stopped in his tracks.Roark followed his line of sight, watching as a beauty of a car rolled to a stop in the dirt lot beyond their row of pits.They watched as Harvey Whitman exited the passenger side, laughing at the driver who had yet to make an appearance.

Roark strained to see as dark hair emerged, and a tall figure stood at the car’s side, shutting the door.When the woman turned, both brothers sucked in their breath.

“No way,” Bradley said first, followed by Roark’s, “Holy fuck.”

“CC!”Bradley yelled.The woman’s head whipped around and a dazzling smile that could be spotted from the moon took shape.

Before Roark could respond, his brother was sprinting in her direction, barreling through the gap in the fence, and hoisting her up in his arms.Their laughter could be heard from where Roark stood, and instant longing flooded his system.He didn’t want to be jealous of his brother holding the beauty in his arms, spinning circles while she held on tight.He didn’t want to feel like knocking his brother out sohecould be the one whose arms were wrapped around the girl that never left his thoughts.

Correction ...woman.Charli Campbell was now all woman from his point of view.He could make out her curves, and when his brother set her on her feet, he could see she had a few inches on him.Her long, dark hair gleamed in the sunlight.Roark scanned her body, noticing the swell of her breasts beneath the simple pea-green t-shirt.He could make out tattoos along one arm and one leg.And the barely-there denim shorts?Holy fuck.He practically salivated looking at her plump ass and a wealth of tanned leg.

Legs he could imagine wrapped around his waist—

“Pick your jaw up off the ground, son, and get ready to greet an old friend.”

Roark turned to face his father whose face held a knowing look and a wily smile.

“Did you know she was back?”

“Only about an hour ago when I got a call from Stacks who got a call from his wife.Harvey and CC had dinner at The Grill.Surprised the shit outta Cook, in a good way.Marlo said the man never smiled so much in all the time she’s known him.”

“Yeah,” Roark said absently.

Owen slapped his back.“Happy face on.Here she comes.”

Roark watched Bradley escort Charli across the lot and through the fence while Harvey followed.Once they hit the gravel, Charli’s head came up, and her gaze collided with Roark’s.

And shit if he didn’t feel the weight of her stare like a punch to the solar plexus and all the way down to his balls.Fuck, she was gorgeous.She’d always been a pretty girl, and during her last summer here, she’d started turning into more than a girl.Hell, he’d nearly done the unthinkable and kissed her.Truth be told, he’d wanted more than a kiss.But she’d only been fourteen, and he’d been nineteen.No.Fucking.Way.

“CC,” his dad cooed.

Roark watched as Charli sank into his dad’s embrace, closing her eyes and holding on tight.Her fingers gripped the back of his t-shirt like it was a lifeline.This was a rare occasion when his dad didn’t have on his cut.After a few moments, his dad pulled away and Charli opened her eyes to stare at him.Her smile was timid, but her hazel eyes held a wealth of emotion.

“Hey, Owen.”

They had yet to let their arms drop from each other, as if Owen knew she needed the contact.

“How ya been, girlie?”

Charli laughed.“Better now.Much better.How have you been?Glenda?The family?”Her eyes darted to Roark, lingering a moment before landing on Bradley.“Harvey caught me up on a lot while we had dinner, but I want to hear more.”

“You must have all night,” his dad joked.

“Well,” she glanced back at Harvey before continuing.“As long as I’m not late for my first day of work in the morning.”

“No shit?Barely back in town and you’re already working for Harv?That mean you staying a while?”

“I’m staying for more than a while.I’m back, Owen.Truly back.”Her gaze flitted to Roark for a brief instant before returning to his dad.

“Well, now, that is the best news I’ve heard all year.”He pulled Charli back into his arms.“Welcome home, baby girl.Welcome home.”