Dax (The Theriot Family 4)

I was about halfway to the door and fighting the urge to run when Dax called, “Hey, Travis!”

I looked behind me and saw him jogging to catch up with me. I told myself not to get too excited. He’d been keeping his distance again. Why would that change now?

“What do you need, Dax?”

“I was just wondering if you’d help me change the oil in my motorcycle. It’s nice to have someone to talk to while I do it. Unless you have other plans. I assumed you’d be staying here since you’re living here now.”

“I’d love that.” The words came out automatically. And really, what other answer could I give. I didn’t think I’d ever have the strength to say no to a chance to spend time with him. I’d caught him watching me several times. He tried to play it off, but I’d started to wonder if he was as aware of me as I was of him. That made absolutely no sense, though. Dax could have whoever he wanted. Why would he want someone as fucked up as I was?

Maybe because he’s fucked up too?

I knew what he did, and no sane person could torture people on a regular basis without it affecting them, but he seemed so together, so in control. I longed for him to take charge of me.

But if he wanted that too, why had he stayed away from me for so long? Did he just feel sorry for me? Did he think I was lonely?

“Don’t feel obligated to ask me. I’m fine on my own.” I turned toward the garage and started walking again.

“Travis.” He said my name in such a serious tone that I stopped and looked at him. “I want your help.”

The way he said the words in a low, rich voice, he might as well have said I want you. My cock reacted, and I hoped to hell Dax wouldn’t notice. Was there any chance I could be close to him and not make a fool of myself?

“Okay, so let’s… um… get your bike.”

I opened the bay door so he could pull it inside.

We didn’t say much as he wiped down the engine around the oil filter, and I grabbed a drain pan, a funnel, and a wrench.

His hand brushed mine as he reached for the wrench to loosen the drain plug. I felt the tingles all the way down my spine. When Dax leaned over me, I drew in his scent. How could he work here all day and still smell so damn good?

As the oil drained into the pan, I let my gaze linger over his body, the defined muscles of his arms, the strong line of his jaw, his hands that looked so damn powerful. What would it feel like for him to hold me down as he fucked me?

Dear God. I needed to stop. My cock was half-hard, and if he noticed, I might die right there on the spot. It had been so damn long since I’d been with a man, and I’d never been with a man like Dax, a big, strong, confident, beast of a man.

He turned and looked at me, making me realize he’d asked me something while I was lost in my fantasy.

“What did you say?”

He didn’t answer. He just looked at me like a predator studying his prey. He was scary as hell, but I wanted him to scare me. I wanted the thrill of it, and I knew no matter how fierce he was, he also knew how to be gentle.

“I asked you to hand me a quart of oil.”

“Oh. Sorry.”

He smiled. “No problem.”

I reached for the oil on the counter behind me and gave it to him.

“Thanks.”

It was clear he didn’t really need help, so why had he asked me? Did he have a reason why he thought he needed to keep a close eye on me?

But if that was it, why would he have let me walk away first?

I watched Dax as he tipped the oil can, not the funnel, but a noise drew my attention. At first, I dismissed it as someone pulling a car around to the back. Then I realized everyone else had left.

“What was that?”

Dax froze. We were both silent. The air around us seemed to hum, then I heard a car door slam. “It’s probably just someone who didn’t realized we’re closed.”

Dax shook his head. “Beau never forgets to arm the gate after hours.” He reached for his gun. “Have you got a weapon?”

I shook my head. He pulled another gun from his ankle holster and handed it to me. “Stay here, and I’ll check it out.”

“Dax—”

He was already moving toward the bay door. I prayed Beau had just been careless, but I knew better. We’d lived too much of our lives under threat from someone or something for him to ever let his guard down, and it wasn’t like Corbin was going to be lax about security either.