One Chance (Hogan Brothers 1)

“My brothers and I restore old cars. We love the classics. This one here, our dad helped me rebuild from the chassis up.” He smiled remembering the fun they’d had doing it.

“Did you always want to be an, uh, um, mechanic?” The way she stumbled over her words was far more adorable than he’d have ever imagined.

“Yeah, sugar, cars were all I cared about for a long time.” He flashed her a bright smile as she squeezed his thigh.

Her smile was wanton as she said, “That must be nice.” Her voice was wistful, as though she didn’t know what that felt like. To have that kind of passion over something.

He’d give her something to be passionate about soon enough.

“Do you go to college?” he asked when she remained quiet again.

She turned her head towards the window, but not before he saw the sad look on her face. “No, I wasn’t smart enough.” She said it so matter-of-factly like there was no question about her lack of intelligence.

“I find that hard to believe.”

“I was never cut out for school, anyway.” Her voice wobbled at the end.

Reaching over to her, he gripped the back of her neck before pulling her to him. She shocked him when she unbuckled her belt, sliding across the bench seat to sit next to him. The light blush that was forever on her cheeks turned a deep red as she looked at him. She must have seen the heat in his eyes as she clicked her seatbelt into place once more.

Wrapping his arm around her shoulders, he played with her long ponytail, twirling strands around his finger as they arrived at the park.

“Here we are,” he announced with an enthusiastic grin.

“Wow!” She marveled, her eyes lighting up at seeing the clear blue Colorado skies and snow-capped mountains in the distance. Wildflowers as far as the eye could see. All he could pic

ture was Sophia spread out in the grass, her skirt around her waist as he pleasured her with his mouth. Her screams would float away with the wind.

Nox watched the wonder cross her features as she took in the sight before them. Her gaze lit up with amazement as she watched birds fly in the sky, clouds move lazily with the breeze. It was as though she were seeing it for the first time.

“How long have you lived in Loveland?” he wondered. Surely, she would have come across this view sooner if it had been for very long.

“My whole life,” she told him without looking away from the panorama.

Exiting the car, he held out a hand for her to take as she followed suit. Her movements were graceful as she walked with him. She was fluid, not toppling over in her heels. Popping the trunk of his car, he pulled out the basket and blanket his mom had given him before picking up Sophia.

The skirt of her dress blew around her knees with the wind as they walked to a small spot a few yards away from the car. “Hold this?” he asked her, handing over the basket as he spread the blanket out on the grass. Taking the carrier from her, he set it on the corner of the throw while taking each of his boots off and placing them on two other corners. Satisfied, he looked up to see her watching him with a raised eyebrow. “So the wind doesn’t blow it up,” he explained.

“Makes sense,” she whispered taking off her own shoes to sit on the blanket.

Christ.

Even sitting down, she was the picture of elegance. Ankles crossed and to the side of her body, her ruffled skirt covering her calves.

Taking off his coat, he sat behind her, curving his form around hers, boxing her in. “I’m gonna be honest here. Ma packed this picnic basket, and I’m a little afraid of what’s inside.” He loved his mother, but she could be a bit of a free spirit when needed, and that included doing crazy things when they least expected it.

“It can’t be that bad,” Soph said as she opened the lid on one side.

He watched as she began pulling dishes out.

Garlic and oyster linguini. Stuffed roasted red peppers. Chocolate covered strawberries, pears, and honey-glazed bananas for dessert. All aphrodisiacs. If he didn’t love the crazy woman so much, he might be tempted to strangle her.

Sophia’s gasp of surprise had his eyes widening as she pulled out a bottle of Moët & Chandon Dom Pérignon his mother had been saving for a special occasion for years.

After inspecting the bottle, Sophia looked at him wide-eyed. “This is a very expensive bottle of champagne, Lennox. Why would she give this to us?”

He honestly didn’t care about the bottle or what was in the basket, all he knew was that it showed his mother’s affection for Soph, so he responded, “She must agree that you’re something special.” He watched, fascinated, as a blush stole its way up her delicate features.

Lennox had to be one of the sweetest and nicest people she’d ever met. His interest in her was unparalleled to anything she’d known before. The look in his gaze as he watched her pull the items from the carrier never wavered. He didn’t pay attention to what she was grabbing; his sole focus was on her reaction to each one.