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He closed the space I’d put between us and pulled my arms that I’d crossed over my chest free, then laced his fingers with mine. “I take care of what is mine, and you’re mine. I need to do it, baby. I want to give you every-fucking-thing you’ve never had. I want to hand you all your dreams. Give it all to you.”
My eyes stung, and I stared up at him. “You loving me is enough. The rest isn’t required.”
He smiled and shrugged. “It is for me. I like seeing you in the best. Having the best.”
I let out a frustrated groan and turned to look back out at the pretty red vehicle. I was giving in, and I knew it. He wasn’t going to see it any other way.
“I’m scared,” I admitted, not looking at him.
He tugged me against him, pressing his lips to the top of my head. “Of what?” he asked.
“All of it.”
“What scares you?”
I closed my eyes and laid my head back against his chest. “That I won’t recover when this ends.”
His arms wrapped around me. “It’s not ever ending.”
But everything always ended. Good things didn’t come my way. They never had.
• Ten •
“I will make sure you don’t see Storm again.”
Briar
I’d expected the parking lot to be more packed than this. Driving around to the back, I pulled in on the other side of Bash’s Mustang, but far enough away that nothing could touch my ridiculously expensive vehicle, which was also so damn pretty that I kind of wanted to pet it.
I shoved the guilt away, reminding myself that I couldn’t let Storm decide everything. He had agreed to let me make this decision. He handed me over the key and freedom with my new luxury vehicle. I didn’t leave to come here until I was alone again though. I hadn’t trusted that he wouldn’t pull some stunt to stop me if he knew I was actually coming to Highwater. I think he believed I’d change my mind once he said he didn’t want me to but he wouldn’t stop me.
Opening the door, I stepped down and headed for the back entrance. I didn’t want to walk in front and have to deal with people recognizing me. I was here to talk to Bash and nothing more. At least not tonight. I was at least going to tell Storm before I started working again. He had to give in on something. I was going to use that as my hook too. I’d moved into his house, taken the G-Wagon. Now, he had to let me have a job.
I checked Bash’s office first, but it was empty. Looked like I was going to have to go into the front of the bar after all. I headed that way, and the door to the bar opened. Bash stilled when his eyes met mine. Panic flashed in them as he came into the hall, closing out the noise behind him.
“Briar,” he said and gave me a tight smile.
What was wrong with him? I’d thought he’d be happy to see me. Hug me. Ask me how I had been. This was not what I had expected at all.
“Is everything okay?” I asked him.
He ran a hand through his hair, and his eyes darted around nervously. “Uh, yeah,” he finally said.
That was a lie. I didn’t have to be Storm to read that lie loud and clear.
“I don’t believe you.”
He let out a laugh that held no humor in it at all. “Sorry. You just caught me by surprise.” He pointed to the bar. “It’s real busy in there.”
I raised my eyebrows. “I saw the parking lot when I drove up.”
His fake smile fell, and he sucked in a deep breath, then blew out his cheeks as he let it out in a sigh. “Yeah. Guess you did.”
“Right. Now, tell me, what is wrong?”
He shook his head. “Nothing. I just got a lot on my mind. Personal stuff.”
Okay, fine. He didn’t have to tell me his problems if he didn’t want to. Maybe I should come back another time. But getting here again might be harder once Storm knew I was determined to do this. I needed a job before I faced him again.
“Can you talk for a minute?”
He hesitated, then nodded. “Sure.”
This was clearly not a good time, but I had to do this now. “I owe you the money you gave me, and I need a job. I was wondering if I could come back. Work back the money I owe you?”
He pulled at his collar and seemed jittery. What the heck was wrong with him? Was it because Storm had come in here before I left? Had that made him nervous about me being here?
He rubbed the back of his neck. “I don’t think that’ll work out. I got a full lineup right now. I don’t have any openings.”
