Page 76 of Grouch-ish

Brock twists his lips before scratching underneath his chin. He hits the blinker on his truck and pulls off the highway into a rest stop. Parked at the back of the lot, he shifts in his seat.

“Explain this to me.” His eyes narrow and he rests his arm on the back of the seat. “You trick me into staying at the house. Give me twelve days of tasks. And now you’re worried about me losing my position with the fire department.”

Startled by his soft tone but confused expression, I take a deep breath before saying, “I was always worried about your position. After twelve days, I thought I’d be able to tell Dad you did all these things around the place to help him out and he’d forgive you. I didn’t plan for more to happen. I just thought it’d be nice to have some company while Dad was gone. And if he trusted you, I could trust you.”

“Or my balls would be chestnuts roasting over an open fire.”

I grimace. “Yeah, well, that was a little harsh.”

“What was harsh was hearing you tell your dad you were falling for me, but you haven’t said that to me.”

I stare at him surprised by the wounded expression that takes over his face. He turns away from me, draping his wrist over the steering wheel, and stares out the windshield.

“You know, if you’d only asked me to stay, I would have.”

“You were too eager to leave. Then you demanded to stay.”

He harrumphs, knowing I’m right.

“However, I should have told you, you no longer needed to.”

We remain silent a second. The heater is the only sound humming between us.

Finally, he speaks. “I didn’t do all those things for nothing, though.”

“Dad said you are cleared with the department?” My voice rises, hopeful and relieved. Dad couldn’t possibly fire Brock for my decision.

Brock turns his gaze back to me. “Has nothing to do with your dad. I’d have done those things for you. I’d feed you, by canning pears, and keep you warm, by chopping logs. Do anything you would have asked me, if you’d only told me the truth, instead of making me think I had to do those things. Had to do them for Cap, and the department, and myself, but not because you wanted me to do them.” His gaze drops to my lips. “All you had to say was you wanted me to take care of you.”

Did he want to take care of me?

“How do you ask a stranger such a thing?” I admit, lowering my voice, embarrassed again by what I say next. “I was lonely.” I’d already admitted it but it’s uncomfortable to confess again. And like I’d already said to him, he seemed lonely as well. I shrug hesitantly and fiddle with the edge of my zipper at the hem of my winter jacket. “I just thought we could be lonely together.”

Brock continues to watch me, but I don’t look up. I’ve opened myself up to him in more ways than giving him my body. Slowly, I glance over at him.

“I wasn’t trying to seduce you. I didn’t intend to fall for you. I just—”

Brock leans across the seat and cups the back of my neck. “I’m still mad at you.”

Confusion hits at the same time his mouth does, kissing me on a rush that draws me toward him, desperate to keep our connection. His lips move, hard and possessive. Anger lashes from his tongue. His teeth nip my lower lip. The kiss is my punishment.

Only, I don’t feel punished when he pulls back and sets his forehead against mine.

“You once tried to throw something at me.” He chuckles as we both recall me tossing a wadded piece of sandpaper at him. “But I didn’t see this coming. You threw me a curveball with what you did.”

I swallow a heavy lump in my throat, blinking back tears of shame.

“So, in the future, if you’re going to toss something in my direction, snowflake, I want it to be your heart. And I promise to catch it. Treasure it. Keep it safe. And never leave.”

“What?” I whisper, unable to hold back more tears.

Brock takes a deep breath after his admission, then kisses my forehead. “Now you owe me.”

“What?” I chuckle soggily, trying to process what he’s said. Am I forgiven?

And he feels the same about me as I do him.

“I’ve earned twelve more days, and only one way to prove I’m all in with you. I’m taking you to my place and introducing you to my kids.”