Jardin's Gamble (Haven, Texas 9)

“What? What’s wrong?” he barked, tensing up. He was way too protective of this woman. It must have something to do with the way they’d met.

“Oh, nothing except a blocked shower drain and two fighting children.”

“You have children?” She seemed too young for kids, but that was stupid. She had to be in her mid-twenties, of course she could have kids.

“Uh, no. They’re my brothers. Would that be a problem if I did?” There was a funny note to her voice that warned him to tread carefully.

“No problem at all,” he replied smoothly. “I could come help you with that blocked drain if you like.”

As soon as he said it, he willed the words back.

Too soon, idiot.

“Oh, uh, thank you. I think you’re doing enough by fixing my car.”

She doesn’t want me to know where she lives. That was just weird to offer to fix her blocked shower drain. Fuck it. When did I get so bad at this?

“Right. Sure. Well, if you change your mind . . . ”

“Hopefully, it doesn’t take me too long to deal with this drain or I’m going to have some stinky boys on my hands.” She laughed and it went straight through his body, warming him, leaving him wanting to hear more.

Damn, man.

That’s why he stuck to cars. He knew what to say to cars, or more accurately, he didn’t have to talk at all. People were much harder.

“Carrick? Are you still there? Sorry, I wasn’t laughing at you,” she said quickly, her distress clear to hear.

“I know you weren’t.”

“Oh, good. I’m sorry, I haven’t had much sleep these last few nights and I’m afraid I get paranoid when that happens. Everything seems much scarier and harder when you’re overtired, you know?”

Why wasn’t she sleeping? Was everything all right?

Easy.

“And it seems I also talk strangers’ ears off and tell them far too much about my personal life,” she muttered.

He had to grin. “I like when you blurt things out. Gives me some more insight into you.”

“Right, ’cause you really want to hear about how I’m dealing with a blocked drain, and two grumpy kids on less than three hours rest.”

“Any reason you’re not sleeping?”

There was a definite pause. “No, just one of those things.”

It was a clear lie. And it was on the tip of his tongue to press her for the truth. But it wasn’t his place. That galled him, though. He wanted to have that sort of relationship with her. One where she’d call him without hesitation if she needed a drain unplugged or help getting back to sleep. Now, that sort of help he’d be more than willing to provide.

A relationship where there wouldn’t be any lies, where everything would be shared. Where things would be equal. Well, kind of. In the bedroom, he’d be firmly in charge. He’d always liked being the boss when it came to sex. Although with the right person he thought he just might take orders.

Don’t think about him. You’re talking to a hot woman. The past needs to stay there.

He wondered what Thea enjoyed. If she’d like him to tie her to his bed and eat her out until she came so many times and so hard she couldn’t remember her own name.

Shifting around, he adjusted his hard cock.

“Carrick?”

Shit, had she said something and he’d been too busy thinking about sex to pay attention. Get your head in the game, man.