“Sounds delicious,” I say with a wink. “We’re stopping on the way.”
He grabs my hand and brings it to his lips. “Thank you,” he says.
I raise myself on my tip toes and kiss him. “This is what family does.”
But before I can head for the bedroom to get dressed, he grabs me and presses his lips to mine in a kiss so all-consuming, it makes my blood burn.
“I don’t want to let you go,” he murmurs against my lips once we catch our breath.
“Don’t worry. I promise I’ll be back.” I grin.
I walk into the bedroom and open the closet door. It’s Saturday. No meetings, no clients. My hand lands on a blue sundress at the back of the closet. It’s soft cotton with thin straps and a billowy skirt. I never wear it because it doesn’t exactly fit my CEO image.
But today isn’t about being a CEO.
I pull it on and check myself out in the mirror. The dress hits just above my knees and leaves my shoulders bare. I smile, smoothing the front of it. It’s softer than my usual look. I like it.
When I walk into the living room, Lochlan looks up from his phone. His eyes travel down the length of my body, the heat of his gaze turning my insides molten. He doesn’t say anything for a second.
“What?” I ask.
“Nothing.” He crosses the room and slides his hands aroundmy waist. “You look good. Really good. Why haven’t I seen you in that yet?”
“Sundresses don’t exactly command respect in the boardroom.”
“Screw the boardroom.” He kisses my shoulder and I shiver. “I like seeing you this way. Relaxed. Sexy.”
I’m used to impressive, intimidating, formidable. This feels different. And so much better.
“We should go,” I say. “And I also want to see this Mustang you keep talking about.”
His whole face changes. “Yeah?”
“You’ve been working on it for three years, right? I think it’s time I meet her. Is the place on our way? But it’ll have to be quick so we can get to the hospital in time.”
“We’ll be good,” he says, flashing a grin so bright and wide, I’m struck speechless at his gorgeousness. “So I guess my two best girls are finally gonna meet.”
He takes the Escalade so we can fit Gavin in the backseat. His hand closes over mine on the gear shift as we weave through weekend traffic. Gavin’s sandwich is in a bag in the back.
I look out the window at the unfamiliar neighborhood. “I’ve never been to this side of the city,” I say.
“Yeah, it’s a little lowbrow for corporate CEOs,” he says in a joking voice.
My cheeks heat and I let out a small laugh. “Different is good,” I say lightly.
The garage is on a side street in Southie. It’s an industrial building with a heavy metal door. Lochlan unlocks it and hits a switch once we walk inside.
A gasp slips from my lips as the place floods with light. It’s a dingy place with oil streaks on the floor, the smell of car parts, rubber, and gasoline thick in the air. But in the center of it is a 1969Mach 1 in cherry red. He’s shown me pictures, but in person she really is something else.
I walk toward the car, circling it, taking in every detail. I’ve never been much of a car person, and I wanted to show Lochlan that I’m interested in what makes him happy and lights him up. But seeing the car up close like this… I mean, wow.
The interior is gutted. The seats have been pulled out, the dashboard is half-done, and there are wires everywhere. But even unfinished, I totally get why he’s obsessed.
And I’m completely fascinated by his meticulous work. I turn to look at him. “Lochlan, this is incredible. I’m so impressed.”
“Thanks. She’s almost done,” he says, running his hand along the hood.
I circle the car. “And you really did all this yourself?”
