“Yo, sailor,” Jasper answered.
“I have to cancel lunch, and I need a favor,” I said, cutting right to the chase.
“Hello to you, too,” he responded dryly.
“Does your brother still own car dealerships?”
“Yeah.”
“There’s a shit junker parked outside Merrick’s house. I want it to disappear, and I’m hoping your brother can make me a deal on something to replace it.”
“Sure.” Jasper was quiet for a moment, then he chuckled. “This is about a woman, isn’t it?”
“None of your business,” I barked, feeling selfish about Piper and not wanting to share her, even if it was just a conversation with a friend.
Jasper outright laughed this time. “Yeah, it’s a woman. I’ll take care of the old car. Anything particular you want me to do with it?”
“I don’t care as long as she never sees it again.”
“You got it. I’ll have my brother text you about a new one.”
“Great.” I almost hung up but stopped at the last second, realizing what a dick move that would be. “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome. And don’t be surprised if you can’t talk Cory into letting you pay for the new car.”
I frowned as I pulled up to the curb in front of Piper’s house. “Why the fuck not?” I growled.
“You know why,” Jasper muttered before hanging up. I did know, but I’d spent the past five years telling him he didn’t owe me.
Jasper’s brother, Cory, was a billionaire who owned businesses all over the world. I’d risked my career to help Jasper rescue him after being taken hostage, but I’d never seen it as a favor that needed repaying. However, when it came to Piper, I’d do whatever it took to keep her safe, and if that meant swallowing Cory’s gratitude, then that was what I’d do.
Piper’s door was unlocked, and I gritted my teeth as I pushed it open. We would definitely be having a talk about that.
Her apartment was as small as it looked, with a tiny living room and kitchen, and two doors to what I presumed were a bedroom and bathroom.
She was standing at the sink and turned to smile at me as I entered. Her long hair was in a ponytail, and all the dirty things I could do while my hand was wrapped in it came flooding to the forefront of my mind. Her shorts were modest by LA standards, but I still didn’t like how much leg was on display. I frowned, but when I glanced at her face and saw her narrowed eyes, I cleared my expression and smiled.
“You look gorgeous, baby.”
“Are you sure?” She cocked her head and studied me. “You didn’t look so happy a second ago.”
I sighed. “I can’t help it if I want to keep your sexy body all to myself.”
Piper’s lips curled into a smile, and her blue eyes danced. “Jealous?”
“Damn, right,” I admitted with a scowl.
She grinned and walked toward me with an extra sway in her hips. “I should probably be annoyed by that, but the truth is, it’s flattering and kinda sexy.”
I sighed and grabbed her hand, pulling her from the house. “We need to go, or I’m going to find the nearest flat surface and show you just what comes from making me jealous.”
“Why don’t you—”
I shook my head and cut her off as I dragged her toward my truck. “Food. Trust me, you’re going to need it.”
3
Piper
After working my third twelve-hour shift in a row, I normally would have been exhausted. Instead, I felt invigorated as I walked down the sidewalk hand in hand with Deacon. Being with him fed a part of my soul that I hadn't known existed until today. I’d been so focused on what I’d needed to do to become a nurse that I’d barely noticed guys, but there was no way I could have overlooked Deacon. Not when every part of me was wholly aware of him in a way I’d never experienced before.
When he stopped at a truck parked in front of my place and opened the passenger door, I glanced up and down the street in search of Betsy but didn’t spot her. “Where’s my car?”
I thought I caught a gleam of guilt in Deacon’s blue eyes, but I couldn’t be sure since it was gone in a flash. As he helped me into the truck, he explained, “I left it at Merrick and Audrey’s place because the restaurant I want to take you to is near there. Since I couldn’t drive your car and my truck at the same time, I figured I’d pick you up in mine since this is our first date, and I want to do things right.”
“Sounds like a good plan to me.” Any irritation I felt over his high-handedness melted away with how sweet the reason behind his actions was. But I bit my bottom lip because I wasn’t looking forward to the drive home since I was bound to be beyond exhausted after our date.