AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I lead him into the back room to where the portrait is leaning against a mid-nineteenth century dresser and I’m not surprised when he heads straight for it.
“I see why you’re interested in it,” Harry says, going down to his haunches to look at it closer. “It’s an intriguing piece.”
“It’s ugly, but I just wondered if we could find anything out about it before I put it up for sale.”
“I’ll have a dig around. Do you mind if I take it with me?”
“Not at all.”
He lifts the portrait by the frame and moves toward the door. “Next time I’m around let’s have lunch. I wish I had the time today, but I’m rushing off to make an auction this afternoon.”
“Absolutely. It’s been too long.”
He hugs me and then I walk him to the door. I watch as he puts Mr. Creepy in his trunk and wave him off as he takes off.
I’m about to go back inside when I notice something out of place. A little boy. It’s Jared’s son, I think.
He’s wandering around outside, looking a little lost. When he heads around the side of the building my heart starts to race. Where’s he going?
I can’t see Jared or any of the other guys working in the workshop, which makes my panic skyrocket.
I jog across the street, heading in the direction he disappeared, and see him just a little ahead of me.
“Cooper?”
He turns and smiles. “Nee Nee. Have you seen my Daddy?”
My heart doesn’t stop racing until I’m right beside him. I hold my hand out to him and he takes it without question. Safe now, I feel my pulse return to normal levels.
“Let’s go find your Daddy, okay? I’m sure he’s worried about where you are.”
“He was supposed to be back soon, but he was gone ages, and I need pee pee.”
The overshare has my brows arching, but the kid is only little, so I guess oversharing is what they do.
“Okay, we can sort that as soon as we find your daddy.”
I lead him back to the front of the garage and as we round the corner, we’re practically bowled over by Jared. He reaches out to steady me and I see the concern there before his eyes drop to his son. The concern is replaced by relief.
“Coop!” He squats down and pulls the little boy into his arms and I see all his fear leech from him. “You left the office. You know you’re not supposed to leave.”
“I needed pee pee.”
He closes his eyes for a moment, as if trying to regain control. “You scared the heck out of Daddy.”
Cooper’s little face pulls into a frown. “Sorry.”
“I saw him wandering around,” I explain.
Jared surprises me by pulling me into a hug. I stiffen before I relax. He smells amazing—a mix of cologne and engine oil, a smell that is uniquely Jared. I try not to melt into his arms, but it’s a difficult thing when he’s gripping onto me like a lifeline.
“Thank you,” he murmurs into my ear.
“You’re welcome,” I say back, although I sound a little dazed.
He lifts Coop into his arms, his hand going to the back of his neck as he breathes out, ruffling his hair as he does.
“Thank you,” he repeats, his eyes locked onto mine, and I swallow hard. The look he’s giving me is intense and has my stomach flipping a little. I’ve never been someone’s personal savior, but right now, that’s what he’s looking at me like.
And I wish he’d stop looking at me like that, because right now my world has narrowed to just him and me, and that’s a dangerous game—one I’m not sure either of us are ready to play.
