“No, it’s not that,” I answer before sighing. “It’s just that she told me something last night about her past… something traumatic, and it’s just driving me crazy today. I want to fix it for her.”
“Oh, for fuck’s sake!” she exclaims, leaning back in her seat as she shakes her head. “Freaking men. You all want to fix everything but she didn’t share that part of herself with you so you could fix it.”
“I know…”
“No,” she interrupts. “You don’t know if it’s still bugging you. When she told you whatever she told you, she was giving you a piece of herself, of her heart, and the only damn thing you need to do is protect and cherish it. Believe me, if she needs you to fix something, she’ll let you know.”
“How am I supposed to just listen to it, knowing that she’s in so much pain and not do anything about it?”
She rolls her eyes. “Don’t be dense, Luke. It’s not a good look on you. By listening to her and holding her as she breaks down, you are fixing it. If she feels safe enough to open up to you, then you are fixing it every fucking day you’re with her so all you gotta do is not fuck it up.”
“Right,” I say with a nod. “Don’t fuck it up. Any other advice, nosey?”
We pull into Sunrise Diner where Tate used to work and where we’re meeting our client, Kayla. Tate shakes her head. “Not right now but I’ll let you know if I think of anything else.”
“I’m sure you will.”
She grabs the file of photos and receipts we’re presenting to Kayla today and opens it, skimming through the shots I got last week.
“Shit,” she hisses when she gets to a particularly lewd shot of Kayla’s husband, Bobby, getting his dick sucked. “What an asshole.”
“You ready to do this?” I ask and she nods. I scan the parking lot as we climb out of the truck and spot Kayla’s car on the far side of the lot. I never like these kinds of meetings but I get the feeling that Kayla’s just looking for an excuse to leave her husband and that’s exactly what I’m bringing her today. I’m not delivering terrible news or breaking someone’s heart and it’s a nice change of pace.
Tate nudges me as we walk into the diner, pointing to the back corner where Kayla is sitting, gazing out the window. She waves to a few of the employees as we make our way through the tables and Kayla looks up as we approach her table.
“Hi,” she says, standing and shaking both of our hands.
“How are you doing, Darlin’?” I ask as we sit down and her lips part as she shrugs.
“Oh, you know… just going a little crazy. Did you guys find anything?”
I nod, sliding the folder across the table. “Yes, ma’am. We did.”
She opens the folder, anger replacing her smile as she flicks through the photos. Finally, she slaps the folder closed and nods.
“Well, I suppose that’s that, then.”
“We’re very sorry,” Tate tells her. “We know no one likes to get this information.”
Kayla shakes her head, seemingly shaking off her anger at the same time. “Please don’t apologize. This is what I hired you guys for.” She reaches across the table and lays her hand on mine. “And I appreciate all your hard work.”
“You’re welcome,” I answer, pulling my hand away.
“There’s just the small matter of payment,” Tate cuts in with a grin on her face.
Kayla nods. “Oh, yes, of course.”
As she pulls out some cash and counts out enough bills for our fee, her gaze keeps drifting up to me and when she sees me looking at her, she smiles before tilting her head to the side slightly to expose her neck. I know exactly what she’s doing but it’s never going to fucking happen - not with a client and especially not with Quinn waiting at home for me.
* * * *
“Lucas,” she whispers as she opens the front door, a bright smile lighting up her gorgeous face and everything inside me urges me forward until I wrap my arms around her and pull her close.
“Hey, gorgeous. Miss me?”
She nods, pressing her hands flat against my chest as she looks up at me. Fuck, the adoration in her ice blue eyes is a punch to the gut and I don’t know how I will ever walk away from her. How the hell do I ever get anything done during the day when I know this is what is waiting for me?
“Terribly.”
“Will you forgive me if I brought food?” I ask, holding up the dinner that I picked up on my way over here and she nods.
“I suppose I can let it slide this time.”
I grin and dig my fingers into her side as she squeals. “How gracious of you.”
“Lucas!” she screams, trying to wiggle out of my arms and I finally release her as a shriek comes from the living room.
“Brooklyn,” I call out and laugh when another shriek echoes through the house.
“She’s going to freak if you don’t go in there to see her.” Quinn laughs and I pull her tighter, molding her sexy body around mine as I lean down and claim her lips. She sighs and grips my t-shirt. When I pull away, her cheeks are pink and she is quietly gasping for air. All I can imagine as she licks her lips is finally getting her underneath me and I barely hold back a groan.
“Dada!” Brooklyn calls from the living room and Quinn shakes her head, reaching for the bag of food.
“Give me that and go see your girl.”
Grinning, I hand her the bag of food and watch as she walks into the kitchen, her hips swaying back and forth with each step.
“Dada!”
Brooklyn’s shriek snaps me out of my daze and I can’t help but smile as I walk into the living room and Brooklyn grins. I have no idea if her calling me “Dada” means anything or if she’s just babbling but I can’t lie - I love the way it sounds.
“Hey, baby girl,” I say as I reach her playpen and she holds her hands up to me. I lift her into my arms and she immediately cuddles into my neck, shoving her tiny little thumb in her mouth. I rub her back as I carry her into the kitchen and Quinn’s smile is soft when she turns and sees us.
“The two of you…” she mutters as she shakes her head. “Dinner’s on the table.”
I carry Brooklyn over to the table and buckle her into her high chair before sitting across from Quinn and pulling food out of the bag. Once everything is passed out, Quinn starts feeding Brooklyn her mashed potatoes and I study her, frowning at the dark circles under her eyes.
“Rough day?” I know she’s been stressed with this gala coming up but I wish there was something I could do to help.
She nods. “Yeah. I didn’t have very long to plan this thing so I’m being run a little ragged this week. I just need some sleep though.”
“You sure?”
“Yes,” she answers, offering me a reassuring smile. “I’m sure.”
“Here, let me help with that,” I say, taking the spoon from her hand and start feeding Brooklyn as Quinn digs into her food. She asks about my day as we eat and I tell her about Kayla’s case, specifically leaving out the part where she hit on me and afterward when Tate told me I was already in deep and “totally screwed”. Not like she’s one to talk. She was all about avoiding relationships when she met Kodiak and that changed pretty quickly. Besides, I still don’t know what is so bad about what they all have now.