Page 8 of Duty and Desire

“About the car.”

“I already told you, babe. It’s a nice vehicle, and the price is right,” I say, and she chews on her bottom lip, a tic of hers that causes me to shift on the small-ass chair.

“You did say that.”

“What has you second-guessing your decision?”

“I don’t know. I guess that it’smine, and I don’t want to get something only to turn around and wish I hadn’t.”

“You have ten days to change your mind after you pull off the lot.”

“I guess you’re right.” She lets out a breath, then drops her gaze to the notepad on her lap. “And the car payment including insurance is less than what I pay now, so that will be a big relief each month.”

“You’re working for your dad now, right?”

“Yeah.” She ducks her head, and color spreads up her cheeks.

“There’s nothing wrong with working for your dad.”

“I know. It’s just…getting coffee, answering phones, and running errands isn’t something I want to do forever.” She lifts one shoulder. “Especially when I know that isn’t a position that actually existed before I went to my dad to ask for a job.”

Hearing the sadness—or maybe it’s dejection—in her voice, I have the urge to pull her onto my lap and just hold her. It’s the same feeling I had this morning when she laid shit out about why she’d been with her ex and why it hadn’t worked out between them. Then again, after hearing that douche spew bullshit at her, it’s no wonder she didn’t want to stick around, even with vacations, a fancy house, and expensive clothes.

Being friends with Aiden since we were kids, I learned firsthand how tumultuous his relationship with his family was. His parents were selfish and

self-righteous—his mother still is. His father, who recently suffered a stroke, has gotten better, but who knows if that will last. And Bridgett, she was the little sister he didn’t pay much mind to. When they got older, he would just talk about how spoiled she was and how much she reminded him of his mom.

But after hearing what she said this morning and right now, I wonder if, like her brother, she was looking for a way out. Only instead of going away to college and then eventually playing soccer in London like Aiden, she got married, hoping to escape. Obviously, that didn’t work out. Now, she’s pushing herself to do the complete opposite of what she did before.

“All right, the guys are putting the temporary plate on your car as we speak,” Hunter says as he walks back into the office. “As soon as they’re done, they’ll pull it around front.” He holds out a single key. “This is your spare. If you have any issues, just give us a call.”

“That’s it?” she asks as she takes the key from his grasp and clutches it in her fist.

“That’s it. Your paperwork is all signed. You’re free to go.”

“That was easier than I thought it would be.”

“Glad to hear it.” He chuckles as we both stand. “Nice meeting you both.” He lifts his head to look me in the eye. “I saw your truck out front. If you’re ever in the market for an upgrade, come back here. We’ll hook you up.”

“I’m good, but thanks.” I reach out my fist, and he bumps it before I place my hand against Bridgett’s lower back to steer her out of the office.

When we get outside, her new-to-her Toyota is parked next to the curb with the engine running, so I walk her around to the driver’s side door and open it. As she stops, she tips her head back and locks her eyes with mine.

“Thank you for coming with me today. I would have been lost without you.”

“No, you wouldn’t have been,” I tell her quietly because I know she needs to hear that she’s capable of doing these things on her own.

“Still, I appreciate it a lot.” Her fingers play with the handle of her bag. One that probably costs more than I make in a month. “Do you work tonight?”

“I’ve got the night off.” I watch her nod. As she licks her lips, my attention instinctively drops to her mouth. Shit, I need to get out of here. “All right, babe, drive safe.” I take a step back.

“I will.” She lets out a breath. Then, in the blink of an eye, her tits are pressed against my abs, and her arms are around my back. I return her hug on instinct and tell myself to ignore the fact that she feels good in my arms. That her soft curves feel perfect pressed against me. “Thanks, Noah.” She lets me go, and I let my arms fall to my sides.

“Anytime, babe.” I watch her get into her car. Once she’s seated, I shut the door. She smiles up at me through her closed window, and my chest feels strange. But I tell myself to ignore that shit too as I take a step back and watch her drive off.

With a shake of my head, I walk across the lot to my truck and get behind the wheel to head home.

Where I do not get any fucking sleep.