Bidding War by Cher Carson Page A

dealership.”
    “How do you visit your brother?”
    “My neighbor, Jake, takes me. He has family and friends there. He visits them while…” Her explanation faded away. “Shane, what’s wrong?”
    Clenching his jaw as he thought about her trapped in a car for hours with some strange guy who was probably hoping she would repay his generosity with sexual favors, he said, “I’m buying you a new car tomorrow.”
    “What? Are you insane? I can’t let you do that.”
    “You don’t have a choice.” He pulled her into his arms. “I’ll be damned if I’m going to let you take buses all over the goddamn city or, worse, accept rides from strange men.”
    She grinned. “You’re being ridiculous. Jack is a sweetheart.”
    “Tell me something. Has this Jack guy ever asked you out?” The crimson stain on her cheeks told him all he needed to know. “That’s what I thought. Tell him to fuck off. You don’t need him.”
    She laughed, shaking her head. “Jealous much?”
    “Only with you.” And it was true. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d been possessive of a girlfriend. Yet when he saw the contractors flirting with Lacy on a jobsite, he wanted nothing more than to fire their asses, but not before he had the satisfaction of throwing their tools out on the street.
    “I’m not interested in anyone else, Shane.” She ran her hands up the front of his chest. “Only you.”
    He’d waited so long to hear her say she wanted him. Getting the girl he’d pursued for months seemed surreal. He lowered his head and claimed her mouth in a possessive, demanding kiss that stole her breath. When he finally let her come up for air, he said, “That’s good, ‘cause I’m not letting you get away now.” He knew his possessiveness might intimidate her, but he couldn’t control it. Hell, he didn’t even want to try. He wanted her to be his, and he wanted the whole world to know it.
    Rolling her eyes, she said, “You have some serious control issues.”
    When she tried to step out of his arms, he pulled her closer, pinning her against his chest. “Does that bother you?”
    She smiled, lowering her head. “No, in fact I think it’s kind of sweet that you want to take care of me and protect me. No one’s ever done that before.”
    His hands drifted down to cup her firm ass, outlined in snug denim jeans. “I’d do anything for you. I need you to know that. When I’m in a relationship, I’m all in.”
    She threaded her fingers through his hair. “Yeah, I kind of figured that out. That’s what scared me in the beginning, but…”
    “But?” He held his breath, waiting for her response. He didn’t want to scare her; he wanted her to be willing to embrace the life he was offering.
    “But I’ve really missed you these past few weeks. I didn’t realize how much I looked forward to our coffee or lunch breaks on the job site. I know we weren’t dating, but it kind of felt like we were. I mean, I knew how busy you were, but you always made time to check up on me.” She shrugged, refusing to look him in the eye. “It may seem kind of silly, but you made me feel special.”
    He tipped her chin, looking down into her eyes. “You are special, you have no idea…” He claimed her mouth again. He couldn’t get within a few feet of her without having the urge to touch her, kiss her, or hold her.
    She traced her thumb over his lower lip when he finally pulled away. “I want this to work, but I’m still kind of scared.”
    Shaking his head, he said, “You have nothing to be afraid of, sweetheart. We’re gonna make this work, no matter what.” Failure was not an option for him, and in his mind, the stakes had never been higher. He knew what it felt like to make a stupid mistake that almost cost him the woman of his dreams. He wouldn’t let it happen again.
    Slipping her hand into his, she smiled. “Let’s go.”

 
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Nine
     
    The short drive to Emilio’s was punctuated with