“Would you like to stop by Beau’s to tell him how much you like it?”
“Yes, that sounds awesome. He’s… he’s a genius.”
“He’s a genius with cars. Don’t go giving him too much credit.”
“Jealous?”
“Never. Because I know what I can give you.”
Julian grinned. “Also Corbin would murder me if I even tried to start something.”
“There is that.”
When we pulled into the lot at Beau’s Body Shop, Beau and Sam stepped out of the office. They were only open half a day on Saturday, and it was nearly closing time. The rest of the crew that was there, including Travis and Dax, came running up too.
All of them were obviously eager to find out what we thought, but all I could think about after watching the ecstasy on Julian’s face as he drove his car was getting my hands on him. I quickly circled the car, dragged him from the driver’s seat, and pushed him up against the hood. His eyes widened, and I whispered, “I love you,” then kissed him. I didn’t care who was watching. I didn’t care what they thought. Julian giving into his desire for speed was one of the hottest things I’d ever seen.
I pulled back just enough and said, “I want you to take me driving every fucking day.”
“Lance, everyone is watching us.”
“I don’t give a fuck.”
“We do,” Travis said. “At least use the storage room like they do.” He jerked his thumb toward Beau and Corbin. “I don’t want to hear Corbin bitching about how scarred he is from seeing you fuck his new friend.”
It was only the thought of how horrified I’d been to walk in on Corbin and Beau that gave me the strength to take Julian’s hand and pull him toward the building.
“Fuck no,” Beau said. “Get in that car and go home, and don’t mess up the interior. We worked fucking hard on that.”
“I can’t make too many promises, but we’ll come back to you if it needs fixing up.”
“Gross,” Corbin yelled. “Beau is not cleaning your jizz off the seats. Go home.”
“Lancelot Theriot, you’re so embarrassing.” Julian tried to look angry, but I could tell he was trying not to laugh. “Do you want to drive this time?” He held out the keys.
I kissed his hand after I took them. “I’d love that.”
Dax
I watched Lance peel out of the lot and wondered how long it would be before he got a ticket. Maybe Julian would have the sense to keep him in check. Or maybe not. He seemed to like Lance’s wild side.
They were an odd couple, but it was clear they fit. I was glad my cousins were happy even if I couldn’t imagine settling down. Who would want the guy who specializes in torture, the one who knows countless ways to make a person bleed but not die? I wasn’t a good person. I never had been. I’d always been the one willing to do the darker stuff. I suspected Ambrose had done things in the army that even I would refuse to do, but he was keeping that a secret.
I felt eyes on me. I tried to ignore the way my neck prickled, but I couldn’t. Travis was watching me. I caught the wistful look on his face before he turned away and headed toward the rear building.
He walked slowly, shoulders slumped, trying to make himself small, something he’d done since he’d come back into Beau’s life and started working at the body shop. He’d been through hell. He’d fucked up badly, but Beau had forgiven him, and I could tell he was truly sorry.
I was drawn to Travis. I’d tried to fight it, but it hadn’t worked, so I’d started watching over him, putting myself in the position of his guardian angel. That was all I could ever be. He didn’t need a man like me. I wasn’t sure I was capable of loving someone, and that was what Travis needed—someone to care for him. He’d chosen his lovers for all the wrong reasons, and I wasn’t going to be another in a long line of men who hurt him. I was going to make sure he was treated with the gentleness he deserved, but I wasn’t going to touch him. I’d break him, and he’d only just begun to put himself together.
Just because I was going to keep my hands off him didn’t mean we couldn’t be friends.
“Hey, Travis!” I jogged to catch up with him.
He turned, and his expression brightened. “What do you need, Dax?”