After all this time, why was she reaching out now and what the fuck does she want from me? I stare at the phone for a moment and debate on asking that question, but I have Cassie and Rachel to take care of and don’t have time for this right now. I grab Cassie’s backpack and lunch and rush back outside.
“All set?” I ask as I tug on my belt.
“You sure you’re okay?” Rachel asks, and I avoid her questioning eyes as I back from the driveway.
“Listen, I meant to tell you, I found a radiator core for a good price.”
“Really, that’s great. What about the rod thingy you were talking about?”
I grin at her. “Look at you, talking shop with me.” I wink and say. “Tie rod end and I’m looking into that now.”
“Do you think you’ll be able to get a deal?”
“Probably.”
“Then the car will be done soon?” I glance at her and can’t tell whether that’s happiness or disappointment on her face. Sure, she wants her car back, but is she ready for this thing to be over between us. I probably shouldn’t be so concerned about that.
“Yeah, but I’ll have to do a wheel alignment after I repair it.”
“So I’m guessing at least another week.”
Not really.
“Yeah, something like that.” I reach Cassie’s school and pull up to the curve. She unbuckles as I slide from my seat. Before she can take off, I bend and say, “Now you remember what to do if Jacob pulls your hair, right?”
“I remember, Daddy.”
“Okay, good girl.” I give her a kiss on the forehead and says, “Now go have a good day.”
She skips off, and I give the playground monitor a wave as she ushers Cassie into the schoolyard.
“You’re a good dad,” Rachel says when I buckle back in.
“I’d do anything in the world for her.”
“I know.” I give her a quick glance. “That was a good cover this morning.”
“We need to be careful that never happens again.”
I frown. The last thing I need is for Cassie to attach herself to Rachel, or look at her as a mother figure. As I think of her biological mother, my mind races back to Sarah’s text and I swallow against a tightening throat. I want her to be a part of Cassie’s life, but only if she’s clean, and has no plans to run off again. No fucking way will I let her hurt our daughter.
“Agreed,” I say. “It can never happen again.” Without thinking my hands slides across the seat and captures hers. I run my thumb over her cold hands. “I miss the heat wave already.”
“So do my roommates,” she says and I can tell by her grin that she’s lightening my mood.
I shake my head. “You need to get out of that house.”
She laughs. “I guess they’re really not that bad. Sylvie told me she had a French maid outfit I could wear for when I’m cleaning your place.”
Oh, maybe I like these girls more than I thought.
She leans back, a tiny, mischievous smile on her face. What is going through that brilliant mind of hers?
“You know you can’t do that, right?” I say.
She angles her head, and blinks at me. “Do what?”
“Wear a French maid costume around me.”
“Oh,” she says.
“What did you think I meant?” I ask as I take the turn to her campus.
“That. That you didn’t like French Maid costumes.”
I squeeze her hand. “Believe me, Rach. I’d love it on you but if you ever came near me in one, I’d blow before I ever got inside you, and you know how much I like filling you with my cum.”
She squeezes her legs, and memories of this morning jump to the forefront of my brain. I put my hand on her thigh, and she exhales a slow breath, the sound reminding me of air being let go from a balloon. Her cheeks turn a pretty shade of pink, and I have to say, I like when she gets all sexually flustered.
“I’m probably going to have to pay you back for this,” she says as I pull up to the curb.
“Back for what?” I ask, feigning innocence.
She glares at me. “How do you expect me to concentrate when you say things like that to me?”
“If you can’t concentrate, we could always try that video technique that got you back on track last night.”
“Oh, yeah, I’m definitely going to pay you back for this.” She whacks my chest and I laugh.
“Well, for what it’s worth, I’m probably going to have to go home and tug one out,” I say bluntly, just to get a reaction out of her.
“Ohmigod, Jaxon,” she says and reaches for the door handle like she’s in need of a quick escape.
I capture her arm. “Wait.” She turns to me, and I settle my lips over hers. She tastes like coffee and mint. I kiss her a little longer, not quite ready for her to go just yet. When our lips break apart, we’re both breathless. “What time do your classes finish?”
“Three, but I can walk.”
“And I can pick you up.”
“Jax—”
I point downward. “I’ll be right here, at three.”
She rolls her eyes at me and exits the vehicle. She does a quick scan of the area, like she always does, and then catches up with friends. She angles her head to see I’m still watching, and when she finds me still here, she gives me that awkward wave that always thickens my dick. Yeah, I’m definitely going to have to rub one out.
Chuckling to myself, I head back home, and after a quick shower, I get to work on the cars in my shop. Time slips by, my morning gone before I realize it. I grab a sandwich. As I eat, I wonder what Rachel is doing for lunch. Something tells me she skips a lot of meals. I make a mental note to make a lunch for her when I’m making Cassie’s.
I head back downstairs and my
