Bidding War by Cher Carson

know you, all the times I watched you kicking back and having a beer with the contractors when you thought I wasn’t watching…” She smiled. “You couldn’t have faked that. You’re a good guy. I know that.” She sighed. “That’s not to say it doesn’t still sting a little when I think about…”
    He leaned into kiss her gently, tenderly, appreciating the sweet taste of her lips all the more because he’d been so sure he’d never sample them again. “Don’t think about it. Let me help.” you forget,” he whispered, brushing her hair aside so he could kiss her neck.
    She moaned, leaning her head against the wall. “I wish I could, but I have to get to work.”
    “Screw that. You’re not going back there,” he growled, sliding his hand up her silk-clad thigh. “We have a triplex that needs your attention. You can start tomorrow.”
    She braced her hands on his shoulders and pushed him back. “I made a commitment to them. I can’t just leave them high and dry.”
    He smirked, glancing at the bulge in the front of his jeans. “You’d rather leave me high and dry?”
    She slapped his chest, a smile tugging at her lips. “No, I don’t want to do that either.”
    He grinned. “Why don’t you see if you can get someone to take your shift? We’ll pass by there on the way to my place and you can give them your uniform and letter of resignation. Is that fair?”
    She seemed to consider his proposal. “Okay. Just let me get changed and make a few phone calls.”
    Shane wandered around the tiny apartment while she changed her clothes, admiring the framed photos of her mother and brother.
    Lacy smiled as she pointed out the photo of Mrs. Roberts sitting beside a decorated Christmas tree. “She didn’t want to put up a tree that year, but I insisted. I told her it wouldn’t seem like Christmas without one.” Slipping a t-shirt over her head, she said, “She’s been like a second mother to me. I don’t know what I’d do without her.”
    He watched her shimmy the slim shirt over her rounded hips before reaching for a pair of jeans. He would love to strip her down and take her right here, but the single bed tucked away in the corner didn’t look too sturdy, and he wanted to take his time loving her tonight. Besides, he wanted to make sure she handed in her resignation at the restaurant so she could be back on the job for them tomorrow. He wasn’t kidding when he told her they needed her. They had a triplex to furnish for an open house on the weekend and he and his brother were clueless.
    He scrolled through the emails on his phone as she spoke to her co-worker.
    “All set,” she said, smiling. “Janine would love to take my shift tonight.” Her smile slipped when she said, “She was in an abusive marriage. She has a little boy to support, and it’s been rough for her.”
    Shane hated to hear stories like that. “Oh yeah? Maybe we should pay her ex a little visit on the way to the restaurant. You got his address?”
    Smiling, Lacy stepped into his arms and tipped her head back, looking up at him. “Ah, my hero.”
    He tightened his arms around her waist. If any guy ever thought about doing that to Lacy, he wouldn’t hesitate to put him in the hospital.
    Frowning, she asked, “Hey, you okay?”
    “Yeah, I’m good, hon. Let’s get the hell out of here.” He took her hand and led her toward the door. “You know what? Grab an overnight bag. I’ll drop you at the triplex in the morning.”
    “You don’t have to do that. I can take the bus.”
    He rolled his eyes. “Your days of taking the bus are over, sweetheart. What the hell happened to your car?”
    She turned around, heading for the chest of drawers tucked away in the corner of the room, but he grabbed her wrist before she could escape. “I asked you a question. What happened to the car?”
    She shrugged, swallowing. “I couldn’t afford the payments anymore. My lease was up next month, so I just took it back to the