Kenzie and Maize go with their parents to see the new addition to our family, and I pull out my phone and sit, trying to busy myself while everyone takes their turn visiting. Diesel gets up and moves close to me, taking a seat next to mine. I ignore him the best I can, but it’s nearly impossible when I can smell the fresh scent of his body wash and cologne. I’ve always enjoyed how he smells, even when I was teenager, but I’ll deny it till the day I die. I try my damnedest to breathe in the other direction, but it’s so obvious, he notices.
He clears his throat, trying to get my attention. Some things never change. I scroll through my social media to tune him out, but it’s no use. Diesel’s being so obnoxious as he shakes his leg and taps his foot. I turn my head and glare at him.
“What do you want?” I look into his green eyes.
He pops an eyebrow. His gaze meets mine, then trails down to my lips, my breast, and further before he shrugs.
“You’re an animal.”
When he leans over, his lips are mere inches from my ear, and his warm breath brushes against my skin. “Only in the bedroom. Care to find out for yourself?”
My mouth falls open, but I quickly close it. Swallowing, I try to force the images of him out of my head. Diesel is undeniably attractive and has muscles for days, but I also know his history. He’s known for banging women’s brains out and then not calling them the next day. While there have been times in my life when I may have gone for something like that, I don’t find that appealing anymore.
After my heart was used and abused by a cheating bastard, I need something more than to be dicked down by a manwhore. I need someone I can trust and who will treat me right. I have more respect for myself than a one-night stand with someone like Diesel, who I’ll have to see every day for the rest of my life. Plus, there’s no doubt Riley would murder him. The thought makes me grin, and he notices.
“What?” he asks.
“Oh nothing,” I sing-song and lean further back in my seat.
Seeing baby Zach, and my brother so happy with his family, I’ve realized that’s what’s really missing in my life. I want a forever relationship, not one that’s just temporary, but after Nick smashed those dreams, I’m starting to think it’s not in my future.
Almost as if it’s a divine intervention, I get a text message from Trace, a guy I sorta dated for a short time two and a half years ago. When we first met, he’d just moved here because his job transferred him to San Angelo. He’s older than me, nearly thirty now, but mature and well established in his life, which is a change from the guys my age. Things ended mutually when I left to go back to college, and we kept in touch as friends.
My smile grows even larger.
Trace: Welcome back to Nowhere, Texas! I didn’t forget to text you when I got back in town, but wanted to give you some time to settle back home. Hope we can get together soon!
Rowan: I’m ready when you are! When are you free?
Trace: Next weekend?
I think about my plans with my cousins and know I can’t cancel on them. I wouldn’t anyway, especially not for a guy, but Trace is one of the good ones. He’s also not bad to look at either.
Rowan: Dang! I’m busy next weekend. What about the one after?
Trace: I’ll be traveling that weekend. Hmm…we’ll have to reconvene again ;)
Diesel shifts in his seat. “Are you talking to that old asshole again?”
Frustration is written all over his face, and I find it adorable he’s so damn jealous. When I first introduced Trace to everyone at the Bishop’s traditional Fourth of July party, Diesel and Riley nearly lost their minds. They don’t like the fact that Trace is so much older than me, but I am a grown ass woman and will do whatever I want. The last thing I need is their permission or approval.
“What’s it to you, Adam?” I say his real name and watch him stiffen even more.
“It’s nothing to me. When you’re in public, though, everyone’s gonna wonder why you’re dating your dad. That’s all.” The snark in his tone isn’t lost on me.
“My dad?” I laugh. “Trace isn’t much older than us,” I remind him.
“Nearly ten years, Rowan.”
“Seven,” I correct.
He scoffs. “You need someone who won’t pull their back out to keep up with you.” He tilts his head. “Someone who’s used to working hard and not sitting behind a computer all day.”
“Oh really? Someone like you?” I snort. “No, thank you.”