Page 2 of Full Throttle

“They don’t make mothers like you where I come from.”

Cherry tossed her hair and blushed. “Then you’ve lived a sheltered life.”

Chase stared between us, a grin on his lips. Hannah looked at us, surprise on her face.

Cherry’s teasing made me smile. “I guess I need to expand my horizons.” I crossed my arms. “Maybe you could help me with that—” I paused, rubbing my bottom lip and staring at her “—Cherry Gallagher.”

She lifted her eyebrows. “I wouldn’t hold my breath, Mr. Salvatore.”

I liked her defiance. “We’ll see about that.”

She swept past me, and I caught a whiff of her scent. It was warm and appealing. Much like her. “I’ll go tell the girls to come get something to eat.”

I spun on my heel and followed her, unable to resist. “I’ll make sure she finds them,” I told Chase and Hannah over my shoulder.

I heard Chase chuckle, but I ignored him. I was too mesmerized by the way Cherry’s hips swayed as she walked in front of me. Her ass was a perfect rounded peach in her leggings, and I had the craziest desire to grab hold of it and bite.

She glanced over her shoulder, one eyebrow raised. “I know my way, Mr. Salvatore.”

“Just ensuring your safety, Cherry G.”

“Are we expecting surprise mercenary attacks?”

“If we were expecting them, they wouldn’t be surprise attacks, would they?”

She began to laugh, tossing her head. Her thick braid fell down her back, almost to her ass. I had the sudden longing to tug it from the elastic that wrapped it up and see how beautiful the cascade of dark red looked. How it felt in my fist.

I faltered in my steps, my cock swelling in my jeans. Jesus, I needed to get a grip. I couldn’t grab her and pull her into one of the bedrooms and have my way with her.

Yet.

But I had a feeling Cherry Gallagher and I would be getting close soon enough.

At least, we would if I had anything to say about it.

I was impressed by the spread the two Gallagher women laid out. Sandwiches, dips, veggies. Cheese and crackers. Cut-up fruit. Cupcakes. It all looked delicious, and I piled a plate and casually strolled across the room once Cherry had hers, staying nearby. She eyeballed me then began to eat as if resigned to me being close. I had plans to get much closer, if possible. When they started discussing how to tackle the project, I interjected and offered to do the hall with Cherry. “I’ll do the high parts. Cherry here can look after the bottom. Once we’re finished, we’ll move into the living room since it’s the biggest area, and we can help with that,” I said with a pleased nod. It was a great plan. The hallway was narrow, so the chances of us brushing up against each other were high. I liked the idea.

Cherry didn’t object, although she didn’t express any excitement over the idea either. I took it as a win. I watched her as we ate, staying close. Charly and Gabby had arrived, and it took Charly all of two seconds to figure out the attraction I was feeling to Cherry. Charly looked satisfied, as if it had all been her idea. I noticed the amused glances Hannah and Chase were sharing when I would talk to Cherry or add another sandwich to her plate, not wanting her to be hungry. I ignored all of them.

Charly was enthusiastic with her response to my announcement of working with Cherry. “Good plan, Dom. I bet you’ll make a great team. Gabby and I will start the living room. We’ve painted together before.” She smiled at Chase. “You and Hannah can tackle your room, okay, Chase?”

“Sure,” he agreed easily, no doubt as pleased with the pairing as I was.

“We have the brushes, rollers, and paint trays in each area all ready to go,” Cherry said. “And the right paint. Lots of rags, plus the stepladders.”

“So organized,” I muttered. “I do love me a woman who is organized.”

Cherry snorted. “You have to be. Try being a single mother who has to get her kid ready for school and be at work on time every day. You learn fast.”

I lifted one eyebrow, staring at her. I admired her directness, and I had a feeling she had been, and still was, an awesome mother. Her daughter was a lovely woman, and they seemed to be very similar in many ways. I liked how she returned my glances, never backing down, even when a soft flush would color her cheeks.

I really wanted to know if she flushed in other places as well. And I was desperate to know what she was whispering to Hannah. I had no doubt it was about me.

Maxx and Stefano walked in, surprising everyone. They announced we were all invited to dinner after and that Mama Rosa was cooking. I was pleased to be included, recalling Stefano’s mother’s cooking fondly. Besides, it gave me more time with Cherry.

A double win, in my opinion.

The food disappeared fast, as it always did with this crew, then we got to work. In the hallway, I picked up a paint can and a brush, carrying the small ladder to the spot we agreed to start in.