Page 60

“Car show is next weekend, if you’re still in town,” he told Dad.

“The engagement party is next Saturday. Marge will have us fussing over everything until she shoos us boys away, wanting to do it herself.”

My father was trying to be good, but I could tell Brock was twisting his arm.

“So bring your sons down as well. I have a shit hot driver who’s going to take the HQ around the track. You lot could jump in as passengers if you like.”

Dad grinned like a naughty child.

“Alright, you’re on!”

“What shit hot driver?” I asked when we got into the car, trying to keep the jealousy out of my voice, but Brock just grinned as he looked over at me.

“Who do you think?”

I watched him turn the ignition with covetous eyes.

“You want me to drive my dad and brothers around a race track?”

“In a helmet, they’ll have no idea who’s driving.” He stared at me, the engine idling. “I know you’re very competent behind the wheel. Your parents obviously worry. Mine do about their baby girl, but maybe seeing the way you handle a tonne of steel at high speed might go some way to alleviating that?”

I didn’t want to smile, but I did, the muscles twitching until I was grinning.

“If it means getting to drive this car, then I’m sold. So, does that mean I get to drive home now?”

“Save it for the racetrack, Speedy.”

In some ways it was a let down, driving back to my place, but when I went to open my car door, Brock was there. Instead of stepping back and letting me out, he stayed where I was, forcing me to step into the shelter of his arms.

“I get it now, why you were willing to go through this,” he said. “I’ve met some intense parents, and let’s just say yours are up there, but…”

He edged closer and damn me if I didn’t want just that. The need to curl against his chest, let him shelter me from everything burning inside me. He’d follow me up and into my bed and just hold me until I forgot all about my family and focussed on him.

But that wasn’t fair.

Before, I thought we were on the same page, just horny and seeking relief. Now was different, and that knowledge stood between us.

“I just want you to know, you need me for anything? I’m here.”

“Brock—”

“No strings attached. I was your boss first, then your friend. Take that as an order if you can’t accept it for what it is.”

“Asking me out on a date?” I asked.

“An offer of friendship.”

He pulled me close as if to underscore his point, but as my arms went around him, he failed. I had hugged all the guys at work, but it didn’t feel like this. His strength, the breadth of his chest, the heat of his body all registered far too clearly in my head, but it was more than that. I was holding him. Warm, strong, reliable, and in my corner, and for just a second, I closed my eyes, soaking that up.

But I had to pull away.

My muscles were locked tight, my heart beating way too fast as I was poised, ready to run again. It took real thought to keep me right here. I wanted to say something appreciative, nice, sexy, sweet, something, but instead I nodded stiffly.

“Thanks. I’ll make sure to give you plenty of notice if you’re required for fake-boyfriend duty, just in case you’ve got other plans.”

“Jamie…”

He shook his head, and I just stared him down, daring him to say something, relieved when he didn’t. Instead, he got back into the car and drove off, leaving me standing there by the side of the road. That wrench, that feeling in my chest of wanting to call him back? It set my teeth on edge and had me marching off towards my place.