Page 25 of Loving Her
“Lead the way.”
We hold hands as we walk into my bedroom. With each step, a strange calmness moves over me—strange because I havea million reasons to be nervous. Yet, I only feel relieved that Breaker is here beside me. “Do you want the bathroom first?” I ask.
“You go ahead, I can after you. Besides, I’d like to take a shower. I brought some of my clothes back from the bunkhouse. I put them in your closet. I don’t want you to think I was being overconfident because I wasn’t. I just knew if you would give me the chance, I was going to be prepared. I promise it was only something to sleep in and two outfits. That’s it. The rest of my clothes that Cooper and I went out and bought are in the bunkhouse because I know you think this is moving too fast. I want you to understand that there’s no pressure from me, Doc.None.”
“We are moving too fast. Seriously, you have to admit that you feel that way too, Breaker.” In response, he grins down at me but doesn’t verbally respond. “What?” I prompt.
“Honey, if I had my way, all my shit would be in your closet. I would be buried deep inside you every night, and every man in this town and the surrounding ones would know that you belong to me.”
I listen to his words and I’m pretty sure I stop breathing. I don’t even know how to respond. My mouth goes completely dry.
“Indy?” he pushes.
“I’ll go first,” I squeak, my voice strained and squeaky because my throat is so dry.
“Okay, honey,” he says gently.
I stare up at him, drawn in by the tender smile resting on his face. I like the way it makes the corner of his eyes crinkle. “Okay,” I answer, unable to say anything else as I walk backward to the bathroom, so I can keep my eyes on his beautiful face. I don’t want to turn away from him. I need to memorize this moment because I suddenly realize that it’s too late to stop myfall. I don’t know how I’m going to protect my heart if Breaker hurts me.
Because I’m already gone for the man.
Chapter 15
Breaker
A week in heaven. That’s what I’ve had. I spend my day doing odd jobs and my evenings are filled with Indy and Tinny. I can’t imagine being happier than this past week has brought me. I know I have a lot of shit I need to face, but I’m enjoying just concentrating on the two ladies who completely own me. I’m not in a hurry to rock the boat by trying to unearth my memories. I don’t really want things to change. No man who gets to wake up with Indy in his arms every morning would.
I’ve been working on Indy’s place, basically fixing things that desperately needed it. The fact that I’m not working and earning my own money has been weighing on me. The jeans that I was wearing when Indy found me had a little over three hundred dollars in a side pocket. I suppose whoever tried to kill me really was an idiot, or else they would have patted me down better. That money is mostly gone, though. I bought clothes with it when Cooper took me out for supplies. I’m seriously going to have to look at trying to get a job here in Bryson City. Indy doesn’t want me to do that just yet. Cooper discovered that the Savage Brothers MC and some of their allies have decimated the club responsible for the attempt on my life. That’s made Indy feel better and worse. She’s glad the threat is neutralized, butshe’s worried about my connection with the club. I’m not sure what her biggest worry is. I think it’s the fear that I will leave her and Tinny behind when my memory comes back.That is never going to happen.I can’t imagine my life without them. I don’t want to. Indy and I have steadily been getting closer. Some of our make-out sessions have become intense, but I never stepped over the imaginary line. When Indy is ready to take our relationship to the next level, I’m here. I refuse to rush her, though. I’ve become the King of cold showers, but I can deal with that easily if the reward is having Indy in my arms and in my bed.
“I think this takes care of the porch,” Jeff says, interrupting my thoughts. I look at the railing we just replaced along the front steps of her veterinarian office. I have to admit it looks good. I don’t know if I did a lot of carpentry work in my previous life, but I have a knack for it. It also comes kind of naturally, so I figure I must have some experience.
“It looks pretty good. You still planning on leaving at the end of the week?” I ask, not wanting him to leave. I’ve spent a lot of time with the guy. He confided that he just got out of jail after a five-year stint for killing a piece of shit that was abusing a woman. He found her wondering the side of the road one night in the rain. The young girl, not even eighteen yet, was terrified when he found her. Despite that fear, the girl testified on his behalf. Jeff didn’t say, but I got the feeling that pissed him off even more. The man wanted to help her, not put her through more shit. I understood the sentiment, I suppose. Still, there’s no way in hell Jeff should lose years of his life for ending a sack of shit that needed to be put down. If I’d found Indy like that, I would have burned the fucking world down to protect her and Tinny. I wouldn’t even think twice about it.
“I’ve already stayed a week longer than I was going to. I can’t ask Carson to keep paying me when there’s work to be done forhim that I’m not doing,” he mumbles, and I nod. “I’m sure Indy would pay you to stick around here, but I doubt it’s the kind of pay you’re looking for.”
“Eh, it’s just me. I don’t need much. Indy doesn’t need me, though. You can do what needs done around here, and I think we both know that you aren’t going to be leaving her alone.”
I grin. “Not a chance.”
He nods, with a sad smile—sad because it doesn’t reach his eyes. There’s a sadness that clings to the man—as if he’s grieving.
“Good, you shouldn’t,” he murmurs. “Being a single mother is damn hard. Women who carry everything on their shoulders alone deserve a man willing to do anything in his power to lighten her load.”
“Speaking from experience?” I ask, and his face goes solemn.
“Let’s just say I tried, but I was the wrong man for the job. Still, my mother did the same for my brother and I, so I know it matters.”
I nod, understanding that darkness that clings to him now. If I lost Indy to another man, I’m not sure I’d still find the will to keep breathing.
“Hey, Breaker?” I hear Indy call from the front door. I look up with a big grin. Just the sound of her voice makes the day better. I don’t care if that makes me a lovesick fool.
“What’s up, honey?”
“Oh good, Jeff, you’re here too. Can you guys help? There’s a girl coming in with her German Shepherd. I need you guys to help me get him on a board and carry him in.”
“You got it,” Jeff calls out and I follow him.
“She said she was about five minutes out,” Indy murmurs. She’s got a stethoscope and a black bag with her. “I’ll climb up in the back first and check him out. You guys follow me,” she says while reaching behind the reception desk of her clinic, “andcarry this. We’ll transfer him to it when we move.” She reaches the board over to me and I grab it quickly.