Junkyard Dog(62)

“You're happy now, right?”

“Yes, Angus. I was nervous about the trip, but spending time with you and the kids today was magic.”

“Well, it is Disney World.”

“With anyone else, it wouldn’t be as good. You were really funny today with the kids. I liked when you held their balloons. In fact, I think I have a picture of you playing their mule.”

Hayes grins. “I love you, Candy. I’m not always going to be a pleasure to be around, and running White Horse can make me an *. Still I’ll always put you and the kids first.”

“Put yourself first too,” I say, taking his hand. “You’re not a machine. All these years, you’ve worked so hard and barely taken any time to enjoy what you’ve built. I see what the groups in Common Bend and Hickory Creek built, but they did it with a group. You made decisions alone. That’s f*cking amazing, and I want you to sit back and let the success sink in.”

Hayes considers my words for a few minutes before speaking. “I’ve wanted to ease off the pedal the last few years, but I never had anything else to do with myself. Moot is the only guy I hang out with, and he was in prison. My dad never wanted to leave the house. No woman interested me. Work and Nightmare were all I had that gave me any pleasure. Then you walked into my office.”

“You were so hot that first day. I don’t know if I ever told you that, but damn.”

Hayes gives me one of his arrogant male smiles. I give him an approving glance. He looks pretty damn sexy tonight wearing all black with a buttoned up shirt and jeans. I let my fingers caress his strong thigh until he removes my hand.

“Spending the night with a raging hard-on isn’t my idea of comfortable.”

“Yes, but the kids will crash early tonight from all the walking. I can help you deal with your raging hard-on.”

“Then give it to me closer to the dealing with it part.”

I scoot my chair closer to him and lean my cheek against his arm. “I used to fear falling in love. I thought it would make me f*cking stupid, but except for the one night when I wanted to hump you in the house while the kids were upstairs, I’ve remained relatively smart. And you protected me when I did lose control.”

“I’ll always protect you.”

His tone sends waves of heat through me. I admire the hard-f*cking, ass-kicking, tough side of Hayes, yet always find his gentle side a welcome surprise.

Our food arrives, and Hayes eats like a man starving. I take my time with the steak and enjoy the chunky mashed potatoes. I moan approvingly about the food while stealing glances at Hayes. Tonight, when the kids are asleep in the next room, I plan to have raunchy fun with this man.

Halfway through the meal, Hayes places a small black box on the table and slides it over to me. He doesn’t look my direction or say a word. Once the box is next to my plate, he returns to eating.

I glance at the box but don’t reach for it. I’m nervous in a way I shouldn't be. I feel as if I open the box I will be forever changed. I know what’s inside. Hayes didn’t buy me earrings or a necklace. I don’t wear jewelry. He wouldn’t waste money on what I wouldn’t use. No, I know what he’s bought. If I open it, I will need to answer him, and I’m unsure of my answer.

Why is he in such a rush? Why can’t he be patient and enjoy what we have? Why can’t loving me be enough? Why are my hands shaking?

I rest them on my lap and lean back in the booth. Staring at the box, I’m afraid of this new step. If I say yes, I’ll create a million changes in our lives. If I say no, I don’t think Hayes’s ego will allow him to remain with me. He can’t be patient because he isn’t a patient man. He wants what he wants, and he gets what he wants.

And he wants me.

The fact is I want him too. The changes might scare the shit out of me. I also worry about the kids’ reaction to more upheaval in their young lives. Despite all of my fears, I love Hayes like I’ll never love anyone else. I have no doubt he’ll love and care for me like he’s never done another person. I’ve clawed my way into his heart and made him acknowledge his feelings. I can’t reject him now. Even at my cruelest, I wouldn’t have the heart to break a man like Hayes.

“Did you buy yourself one?” I ask, returning to eating.

“Why would I?”

“So women will know you’re taken and not to mess with my man.”

Hayes never stops eating, but I catch him grin. “Good point. Women are always throwing themselves at me. I should put an ‘out of business’ sign on me somewhere.”

“When we get back to White Horse, I'll buy you something big and gaudy.”

“Are you going to open it?” he asks, glancing at the box.

“Do you want me to start crying in public?”

“No. In fact, I might bolt if you start that shit.”

Grinning, I shrug. “Well, then I best not open it. I’d hate to embarrass myself or force you to run.”

“Good plan. I hate running. I’ll do it if I get to crush someone at the end, but just to run, no, I’d rather not.”

I lean my head against his shoulder and sigh. “I love you, Angus Fishhead Hayes.”

“Fishhead?”

“I don’t know your middle name, and I thought that one fit.”