I know Ruth and Birdie would be safe in my house—as the owner of a security company it would be embarrassing if they weren’t—but someone showing up here would still be scary and nerve-racking. Not something I want Ruth or Birdie to go through.
Plus, the people at work will absolutely lose their shit over how adorable Birdie is. Rightfully so.
I lean against the counter, giving Ruth a grin as I imagine everyone doting on her little girl. “Then I guess we’re all taking a field trip to McKinley Security Systems in the morning.”
14
Ruth
This place is freaking gigantic. I saw pictures of McKinley Security Systems online when I was researching Tucker, but it’s even more impressive in person.
The building is modern and sleek. The design is gorgeous in a way that makes me eager to see the inside. It’s also sprawling. Big enough I can’t actually tell where it ends as we pull into the packed parking lot.
Tucker pulls up to a line of spots right in front of the two-story block of windows situated in what seems to be the center of the structure. He aligns his truck in a spot marked by a sign that says ‘reserved’, shuts off the engine, and climbs out.
I get myself unbuckled and the door open, only to discover he’s rounded the truck and is standing close, one hand out to help me down from the admittedly intimidating height. Accepting his offer—falling on my ass right out of the gate this morning has absolutely zero appeal—I hold tight to the calloused warmth of his palm as I perform a sliding sort of descent from my seat. The relieved breath that escapes when my feet are on the blacktop getssucked right back in when I notice how close Tucker’s body is to mine.
“You good?” His voice is a low rumble as his free hand comes to my hip, holding tight like he’s mistaken my sharp intake of breath for unsteadiness.
I’m not sure how wrong he actually is. The more time I spend around Tucker, the more wobbly I feel. The more I want to lean against him. Let him comfort me the way he keeps trying to. But there’s only been one person I could rely on in my life, and she went and died on me. Now I have to be the only person someone else has to rely on.
And holy shit is that a heavy burden.
“I’m good.” I look down and discover my hands accidentally found their way to Tucker’s biceps at some point. I pull them off his body, trying to look like I didn’t just have to fight the almost overwhelming urge to give them a little squeeze.
Just to see how solid they are. For science.
Tucker gives me a once over, his expression serious. “It’s going to be okay, Ruthless. Promise.”
I sure as heck hope so. Because if I can’t even handle his brothers and employees, there’s no way I’m going to manage his mother. “I guess we’ll find out.”
I expect him to step away so I can get Birdie, but Tucker lingers, his eyes moving over my face. “We’ve got to pretend today. That means I might have to touch you without asking.” His gaze drops to my mouth. “And kiss you from time to time.”
I can’t stop my tongue from darting out to wet a path across my lower lip. “That’s okay.” I swallow hard. “I’ll probably have to touch you too.”
Tucker’s lips pull into a slow grin. “You can touch me whenever you want.” He gives me a wink. “No audience necessary.”
I can’t help but smile as I roll my eyes over his flirting. At first I thought it was so ingrained in him he couldn’t help it, butI’m starting to think he does it on purpose. To distract me. To stop the nerves always ready to chew into my guts.
“You’re ridiculous.” I rub both palms down the jeans Tucker assured me were fine to wear today. Which was a relief since my work wardrobe is packed up in the apartment we’re supposed to visit on our way back to Tucker’s house tonight.
“Don’t worry.” Tucker mistakes my unease over having to visit my former home as more worry over meeting his family. “They’re going to love you.” He smirks. “And probably wonder why in the hell you’re with me.”
“I doubt that.” I’ve seen at least a few of the women who managed to catch his attention, and while I’m not unattractive by any means, I look nothing like those statuesque blondes.
A bite of something that will remain nameless adds to the gnawing in my gut. The thought of those women being the ones on the receiving end of his cocky smirks and annoying flirtations…
Nope. Don’t like that. Not at all.
I step away, sliding to the back door so I can get Birdie and her bag. Only to discover she’s well out of my reach.
Tucker’s hands are suddenly on my waist, the heat of his front warming my back as his breath ghosts against my ear. “Step up onto the running board, Ruthless. I’ll keep you steady.”
Considering he seems to be the thing making me decidedly unsteady, I’m not so sure how that’s going to work.
Miraculously, I manage to get a foot up on the little step thing I hadn’t noticed before, and heft myself up so I can get to work extricating my daughter. A much more difficult task with Tucker’s distractingly strong hands holding me tight.
Birdie gives me a toothy grin, little legs bouncing with excitement as I struggle to unbuckle the harness holding her in.
