Chapter 128
700 Words
“It’s OK, baby,” he said quietly. “No rush. Let’s just sit here together, OK?”
Jenny glanced up at him now, saw that those amazing gray eyes were watching her steadily. He smiled.
“OK,” she said.
“This is good for now,” he said. “Just sit next to me, just relax.”
She nodded, and her heart slowed down a bit. She cast around for something to focus on besides his huge, strong body so close to her own.
“So, tell me about work,” she said. “Just… talk to me.”
“Sure,” he said easily. “This next week is going to be busy, I think. King’s been away for most of the break, and I’ve been away, so I’d lay money that things are behind.”
“The guys fool around when you and King are gone?”
He shrugged. “Kind of. Mostly they just go for lots of smoke breaks and ride around on their bikes.”
“They ride motorcycles in the dead of winter?” she said.
“Hell, yeah.” He grinned. “Bikers ride all year-round, and some of those boys are hardcore.”
She paused. “Can I ask about King?”
“Sure. What do you want to know?”
“Well, I’ve never met him, but he’s kind of… known around Denver. Is he really connected to the motorcycle clubs? The bikers?”
Chris leaned back a bit. “For sure, though I can’t say how much or in what ways. All I do know is that whenever those guys need their bikes fixed, they come to King’s garage.”
She nodded. “And you? Are you… connected?”
“Me?” He laughed. “Oh, God, no. No, I just work on their bikes, and collect my paycheck from King. He’s a great boss, it’s a great job, and I love handling those machines. I’m outside of it all though, Jenny. I have no interest at all in being a part of some underground biker thing. I’m good aboveground.” He grinned. “I pay my taxes, I pay my rent, I pay my car insurance. Boring and predictable – that’s me.”
“You say that like it’s a bad thing,” she said, a note of teasing in her voice.
He shrugged. “Well, for some people it is. But I’ve had more than enough excitement in my life, trust me. I’m happy with boring.”
“I don’t think you’re boring.” She looked down at his hand again, wishing she had the courage to hold it. “I think you’re amazing.”
“Well, thanks. And I think you are.”
Right away, she blushed and moved away from him. “Oh, Chris… I’m not. Not at all.”
“OK, let’s talk about this part of the whole thing now.”
“What part of what whole thing?” she asked.
“Listen, baby. Part of being with a man who cares about you is having him tell you that you’re beautiful, and smart, and talented. A man who cares about you will give you compliments, and you need to let me do that, so you can get used to it. No moving away when I do, no rejecting what I tell you. If I say that I think you’re amazing, then it’s true, and you let me say that. OK?”
She forced herself to look up at his handsome face. “OK. I’ll – I’ll try.”
“So.” He smiled. “I think you’re amazing.”
She felt her breath catch, and she fought to stay where she was.
This is Chris, and he doesn’t lie to you. If he says something positive about you, it’s because he believes it. So believe him.
Chris watched her face as conflicting emotions rolled over it: fear, disbelief, hope, joy. Finally, finally, he saw acceptance and a sense of calm.
“Thank you,” Jenny said.
He smiled. “You’re welcome.”
OK, man. We take this slow and steady, and maybe – just maybe – it’ll all be OK.
- Writer
