Hard to Handle (Caine Cousins #2)(57)

Probably for the first time since he’d drawn the damn thing, Lynx felt the pressure on his chest release. He’d figured it could go one of two ways. She’d like it or she’d hate it.

This, of course, was what he’d hoped for.

But not at all what he’d expected.



Reagan felt as though she was in some sort of alternate universe.

And once again, Lynx Caine had rocked her already unstable world with his kindness.

Turned out, the bad boy of Embers Ridge had the biggest heart of anyone she knew.

And to think, she had wasted all this time running from him.

As she stared at the sketch — the really good sketch — of what his vision was for her new bar, Reagan couldn’t help but think this man really knew her.

“The old bar,” she explained, “it wasn’t really mine, you know?”

She looked up to see him watching her.

“I mean, it was mine according to the piece of paper I have showing it is. However, it never really felt like mine. But this…” Reagan glanced down at the notebook again. “This is incredible.”

“It’s a rough draft,” he said, his voice soft.

“No, it’s perfect, Lynx. It’s everything I’ve ever wanted.” Reagan frowned. “But I don’t know when the insurance company’ll be able to pay out.”

“We’re not worried about that right now,” he said.

Her gaze snapped to his. “Of course we are. I can’t build this when I don’t have the money to do so.”

“Like I said, Reagan, we’re not worried about that right now. There’re a lot of people willing to help, plenty of donations coming in.”

Reagan shook her head. “No. Absolutely not. I will not take handouts.”

Lynx sighed heavily. “Jesus Christ, girl. It ain’t a handout. Do you realize how many people come into your bar on a weekly basis? Hell, half this town stops in at least once a week. Some damn near every day.”

“I get that,” she countered. “But that doesn’t mean they have to help me rebuild.” Reagan shook her head again and got to her feet, but not before Lynx was on his.

When he pulled her toward him, she started to push him away, but resisting him was impossible.

“What happened to you that night … it happened to the whole town, Reagan.” He lifted her chin with his finger. “Don’t offend them by refusing their help.”

“You don’t get it,” she argued. “I don’t have the money to do any of it. Shit, I’m lucky I even have a place to live right now.”

His eyes narrowed. “You’ve got everything you need. Just ask.”

This time she did push him away. “No. No way.” Reagan turned and walked to the opposite side of the room. “I am not askin’ you for help, Lynx. Certainly not when it pertains to money. No fuckin’ way.”

Reagan prided herself on being able to take care of herself. Sure, she had lived with Billy all those years, but she had paid the bills herself. Half the time, Billy’s paycheck was spent before he ever made it back home from a job, and he certainly hadn’t spent it on her. She’d learned to live with that. And yes, they had argued every damn day about money, but in the end, Reagan had accepted the fact that she had to take care of herself.

“I need to go home,” she insisted.

She needed some distance, some time to herself.

Reagan needed to think long and hard about all of this. About what she wanted, what she didn’t want. She’d just gotten out of a long-term relationship. She wasn’t sure she was ready for another. Even if it was with Lynx, a man she loved despite herself.

However, love was one thing. Money was something else entirely. And she damn sure wasn’t going to be indebted to Lynx.

No way. No how.

That was the fastest way to ruin a good thing.

When she met Lynx’s gaze, she realized he was holding out his truck keys. However, when she reached for them, he didn’t hand them over.

Instead, Lynx cupped her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze.

“You are the most stubborn woman I’ve ever met.” He was smiling as he said this. “But I already knew that about you. So, do what you need to do, Reagan. But just know, I’m gonna do what I need to do.”

“What does that mean?” she countered hotly.

He dropped his hand from her chin, then pulled her against him. Reagan flattened her palms against his hard chest.

“It means I’m gonna take care of you, whether you like it or not.” His green eyes narrowed. “And like I told you. I’m not lookin’ for a one-time thing from you. So, you can be scared and you can be ornery, but that doesn’t mean I’m gonna back down.”

He pulled her tighter against him and her heart melted in her chest. This man knew all the right things to say.

“You knew what you were in for when you came to the shop this mornin’,” he stated firmly. “Yet you showed up there anyway.”

“I came to talk to you,” she said, although it was a lie.

“Right.” His smirk was both sexy and irritating. “I told you before that you couldn’t handle what I want from you,” he continued. “But you still came to me.”

“I came for sex,” she said, another lie. Good Lord, she probably shouldn’t go outside if there were any clouds.