Brawn - Laurann Dohner [8]
Her father drove her crazy and living on the same estate was a really bad idea. It wasn’t as though she were stuck there though. She had the money to move but the idea of giving up her oasis on the property left her feeling a bit fearful. She’d lived in the outside world with Bradley and that hadn’t gone well. She poured and downed a few more shots when the sound of the doorbell pulled her from her depression.
She yanked open the door expecting her father but instead someone else stood on her doorstep. She gave him a genuine smile. “Well, if it isn’t Trey Roberts. Don’t you look good!”
He grinned. “I brought groceries and uniforms for the new guy.” He held two large bags and had a thick garment bag draped over his shoulder. “Point me to the kitchen. Is he here yet?”
She nodded and led Trey into the kitchen. She assessed the man who was her father’s favorite. If her dad had ever had a son, she knew he’d wish Trey were it and he’d shoved her at Trey for years hoping she’d marry the guy. She flirted with him but wasn’t interested. He was too similar to her father, except Trey was nice and had a sense of humor.
“He’s actually upstairs showering.”
Trey glanced up at the ceiling before studying Becca. “What is he like?”
“His name is Brawn. He’s huge, has gorgeous eyes and he’s nice. He looks like he’ll fit right in with you guys. I wouldn’t arm wrestle him though. He’d kick ass.”
Trey nodded and started to unload the bags. “Where’d your old man go?”
“He has a date.”
Trey laughed. “Uh-oh. I wonder how long this one will last.”
“Probably two weeks. That’s about the limit. He starts barking orders at them and they run for the hills. I’m waiting to see what kind of idiot stepmother he eventually finds. She’s going to have to be a first-place winner of the total-moron championship contest if she thinks his bossiness is cute.”
“Now I see why you won’t date me. I like giving orders.”
“I’m too smart.” She helped him unload the groceries until she took notice of what was going into her fridge and freezer. “What the hell?”
He grinned. “We were told by the NSO to make sure he’s stocked with a hell of a lot of red meat.”
“I think he’ll be happy then. You must have bought fifty pounds of steaks and roasts.”
“I’m just following the list we were given. I was supposed to find out if you have any cast-iron skillets. They like to sear their meat in one.”
She pointed. “Right there.”
He opened the lower cupboard and peered at the set. “That should do.” He set the largest one on top of the stove to make it impossible to miss.
“Anything else?”
“No. If he needs anything, he’ll tell us. Let me grab the sodas from my truck.”
Becca held the front door open and her mouth dropped open. Trey brought in three cases of soda. “Were they having a sale?”
“New Species have a fondness for caffeine.” Trey unloaded it all and leaned against the counter. “So, who are you dating right now?”
“I’m not.”
“Do you want to go out to dinner with me?” He smiled.
She smiled back. “Nope. But thanks for the offer.”
He winked. “Do you want to at least have awesome, mind-blowing sex?”
She laughed. “I’ll pass.”
His smile faded. “Have you gotten past it? It’s been over a year since his death.”
Her grin died too. “I went out a few weeks ago with a guy I met through work and I had fun. He kissed me but all I could think about was how it wasn’t the way Bradley did it. That kind of killed the moment and I sent him home. I refused a second date. He was a nice guy and I didn’t want to string him along.”
“I won’t kiss you.” He suddenly grinned again. “I could do you right here.” He pointed to the wall. “I bet that wouldn’t remind you of him. I can’t see him lifting and holding you in place while he screwed you blind.”
“Go home.” She shook her head at him, laughing. “That kind of talk is probably why you’re still single. Does that work with women?”
“Sometimes. I’m just trying to help you.”
“Right. You want to help me right out of my clothes.”
All humor faded from his intense