Page 38 of Nixon’s Promise

“Why do you keep helping me?”

I wished I could pull the words back as soon as I spoke them. How stupid was I? I should’ve kept my big fat trap shut, but I couldn’t help wondering. Nixon was… well, Nixon. And I was a walking disaster. He seemed to enjoy his peace and quiet over on his farm and my life was anything but peaceful.

“Why wouldn’t I?”

“Oh, I don’t know. You’re Nixon Swagger. War hero, hot guy, who could have any woman he wanted.” I shrugged my shoulders like the thought didn’t have me green with jealousy.

“Hot guy?” His smile widened.

“Are you fishing for compliments? You know you’re hot. So, what I can’t understand is why you’d waste—”

“Don’t say it, McKenna.” He warned. “I’ve told you before, hanging out with Zack isn’t a hardship. And I hate to make myself sound like a total dick, but, babe, I want to get to know you better, and while that’s happening, I’d like you to be as relaxed as you can be. If that means me pitchin’ in over here so when you come to me, all you’re focused on is me, then I have no problem helping you out.”

He was full of shit. I didn’t believe for a second that’s why he was helping me.

“Is there a time you’d like me to come over with your cookies?”

Swear to God, swear it, the sexiest, devilish look came over Nixon, and when it did, I was fighting throwing him down on my kitchen floor and having my way with him.

“Have I ever told you how fuckin’ pretty you are?” I shook my head because I couldn’t think, let alone try and remember if he had.

One of his hands came up and brushed my hair over my shoulder. He leaned forward and placed a kiss on my neck. Damn, his lips felt so good.

“You got the rest of this under control?” he asked. I nodded even though I didn’t know what he was talking about. “Good. I’m gonna head home. Don’t make me wait too long, McKenna. I’m fucking starving for you. I was serious about you staying awhile. Tonight, we’re taking it slow. I’m gonna taste and touch all the parts I missed last time.”

Holy shit.

“And, babe, you better not run out on me this time. If there’s ever a time you’re unsure about something, you ask. If you want to know something, we’ll talk. What you don’t ever do again, is hide from me, because I promise you, I’ll find you.”

Dear God.

“Okay,” I agreed, because what else could I do? I liked that. All of it.

“See ya soon.”

Another kiss, this time to my throat, and he pushed off the counter and was gone.

I took a minute to gather my thoughts, then headed to the barn. I hoped that Mandy still wanted me to teach her how to bed the stalls.

16

Nixon wasn’t home fifteen minutes when Zack came walking up, pushing his dirt bike. He couldn’t help his smile at the sight of Zack. How many times had he pushed his own bike back to the barn after it’d conked out? It was a rite of passage.

“It stopped running,” Zack told him.

“You have gas?”

“Yep.”

“Did you check your oil?”

“Yep.”

“All right, let’s take a look.” Nixon walked over to Zack and asked, “What are the three things your bike needs to run?”

“Air, fuel, and spark.”

“Right.”