I tossed my son the keys to my truck. “Here you go.”
“What’s this all about?”
“I have something that I need to talk to you about.”
Luke eyed me suspiciously. “Is this the kind of conversation that I should be sitting for?”
My hip rested against the counter. “You know about the wrongful death lawsuit.”
He nodded and took a seat at the island.
I exhaled a shaky breath. “Well, the settlement was reached.”
His brows arched. “And it’s good news?” he asked. “Damn, that sounds so shitty to say—yay, we got a bunch of money because some asshole decided not to follow the rules and make sure his station was safe.”
I didn’t scold Luke for his language. This was how he felt and I would not stifle him, not when it came to his father and his brother.
I moved to where my son was seated and then I wrapped my arms around his shoulders. “I understand, honey. If you feel up to it, would you like to come with me to buy a new vehicle?”
He pulled back to look up at me. “Wait, if you’re getting a new car, does this mean I get your truck when I get my license?”
“Yes.”
“Thanks, Mom. I’ll take good care of it, I promise.”
I smiled. “I know you will.”
I pulled out of the dealership in my new black Nissan Pathfinder. Luke followed behind me in my old truck. It was his now. Luke had passed his test with flying colors and I was glad to see him so happy. As we drove through the streets of downtown, I tossed all my fears about Luke driving out of my mind. It was time.
I spent the better part of the week before fall break researching SUV’s and trucks before settling on this one. I test drove it after work one afternoon and was completely sold. New car smell, there was nothing like it, and this was the first new car I’d ever had in my life. I parked in the driveway and Luke pulled up beside me.
“You better hustle,” I called out. “Brandt will be here soon to pick you up.”
“I’m all packed,” he assured, taking the front steps two at a time.
I set my purse on the island and then grabbed a glass from the cabinet. Earlier that morning, I made a pitcher of autumn harvest punch with the apples, pears and cranberries that I picked up at the farmer’s market.
Luke barreled down the stairs with his bag slung over his shoulder. “Mom, are you going to be okay while I’m gone?”
My brows pinched together. “Of course. I’ve got a shift at the diner and a few projects to do around here. I’m thinking about baking a loaf of chocolate chip banana bread.”
He took a seat at the island. “Have you thought about dating someone?”
That question took me by surprise. “You want me to start dating?”
He lifted a shoulder. “Only if you want to.”
My hip rested against the counter. “And you’d be okay with another man being a part of my life?”
“As long as he’s not a jerk and he treats you well, I have no problems with it.”
“Well, thank you for your seal of approval,” I joked, before swallowing a drink.
Knock. Knock.
“That’s my ride, see ya. I love you,” he said, coming around the island to hug me.
“Love you. Have fun.”
“You too.”
I will.
“My son is officially a licensed driver and I am yours for the next four days.” My arms snaked around Wyatt’s neck.
His fingers dug into hips. “Good for Luke and even better for me.”
“Yeah it is.”
“Do you want something to eat?” he asked.
My hands went to the zipper on my dress, I worked it down and gravity did the rest. “Didn’t you say something about waiting for you naked in your bed?
His eyes raked over my body. “Oh, yeah, it’s all coming back to me now.”
I walked towards the stairs unclasping my bra and depositing it on the newel post. Wyatt turned his head, his breath coming fast and hard, almost as if my little strip tease had tested the limits of how far he could be pushed.
This display of emotion is what separated our public relationship from the one we had behind closed doors, where no eyes were on us for judgment. I loved the primal side of Wyatt, the one that bent my body and spread me beneath him with an unleashed strength.
He stalked towards me, and I moaned when his hands palmed my breasts and his teeth scraped over my neck biting softly. My fingers tore at his shirt as my lips crushed to his.
“My bed now,” he growled, pulling me up the stairs to his bedroom.
Yes.