Hell Yeah!: Gun Shy (Kindle Worlds Novella) (6 page)

“Why?”

“Because if we stay, you know we’ll end up taking them all.”

Her smile was so brilliant, it made his heart stop.

Chapter Six

“I hear you’re starting a menagerie.”

Andy stilled and then whirled around at the familiar voice. He hadn’t expected to run into anyone he knew in an Austin home improvement store. He’d decided to make the trip into the big city today because Melissa was working. “Joseph,” he said thrusting out a hand. “Fancy meeting you here.”

Joseph chuckled as they shook. “Gotta get my fix somewhere.” He waved at his cart, filled with fence posts and hardware.

“Right?” Andy’s cart held similar items. He was planning to build a workbench for the glass studio. He’d already visited the store in town that carried a selection of kilns, forms and sheets of colored glass. And while he hadn’t officially decided to stay, he’d somehow found himself ordering enough supplies to keep himself busy for a year.

And what was even more mystifying was the exhilaration dancing in his heart.

He hadn’t felt exhilaration for a long while.

Somehow, for some reason, the pieces of his life were just…falling into place. He liked the way it looked.

“So Melissa told us about the dog thing.”

Andy rolled his eyes. “Yeah.”

His friend barked a laugh. “Who would have imagined under that gruff exterior beats a bleeding heart?”

“I’m hardly a liberal,” he joked.

“Yet, you are rescuing strays.”

“That ain’t on me. That was Melissa’s idea.”

“Right.” Joseph winked. “But you agreed.”

“They are great dogs.” He’d come to love them both, more quickly that he would have thought possible. In the month he’d had them, little Sadie had gained twenty pounds.

No one had warned him to check out the size of her paws.

When he took her to the vet to get her shots, he’d been stunned to be informed she would probably grow to the size of a small horse.

“I guess I’m a softie after all,” he said.

“About that…” Andy really didn’t like the way Joseph trailed off. “How are things between you and Melissa?”

“Great.”

Joseph narrowed his eyes. “You know that’s not what I mean. She said you hired her to refurbish your house.”

“Are you worried I’m going to steal one of Isaac’s waitresses?”

“You know that ain’t it. We just…worry about her.”

“We?”

“You know.”

Oh, he did.

The McCoys had once intervened on his behalf, but it was something else altogether to have the shoe on the other foot.

His hackles rose.

“Just say it, Joseph.”

“We don’t want her hurt.”

“Neither do I.” It took an effort not to snarl the words. Of all the people who might hurt her in this world, he was the absolute last man on the list. Hell, he wasn’t even on the list.

“Okay. All right. I’m just touching base here. She seems to be…”

His nerves sizzled. Joseph seriously needed to quit trailing off like that. “Be what?”

“Be spending a lot of time with you.” It was clearly
not
what Joseph had intended to say.

“She is
working
for me.”

“And that’s it?”

Goddamn McCoy chivalry. “What are you asking, Joseph?”

His friend blew out a sigh and scrubbed his face with his palms. “Are you planning to seduce her?”

What the actual fuck?

“I don’t think that’s any of your business.”

“I think it is. We look out for our own, you know.”

When had Andy stopped being one of their own? But he knew better than to ask.

He scraped his fingers through his hair and frowned. “We’re just friends.”

“But you want more.”

Not a question.
Shit.

“I’ve always wanted more with her. She knows it. We’ve talked about it.”

“She’s been through a lot.”

“I know exactly what she’s been through.”

“I know. That’s why…”

God damn it. “Why what?” But he knew. He could see it in Joseph’s eyes. Hell, the thought had boiled through his brain more often than he cared to contemplate.

What if I turn out like him? What if I become my father?

“That’s why we worry.”

“You don’t need to worry.” He was not a weak man. He had control over his emotions. “I’m not a violent man.”

Joseph lifted a brow in a way that made the little hairs on Andy’s neck prickle. “You’re a Navy SEAL.”

“Former SEAL.”

“Not a peaceful existence.”

No. It had not been. But a man got to a point where he was full to the brim with death and destruction. Where he dreamed of a quiet life. Where he craved tranquility. Where all he wanted was to settle down with a beautiful girl with a magical laugh and large brown eyes who looked upon him with something resembling hope.

“I’m not what you think I am.”

“You were a hothead as a kid.”

“That was a long time ago.” Life had tempered him. Hell, life had beat the shit out of him.

“You came from a bad situation.”

“I got out.” Reformed himself. Reclaimed his soul. Recreated his identity.

“We’d feel better if we had a chance to get to know you better.”

Andy stared at Joseph, fury roiling in his soul. How dare he question Andy? His life? His motives? His fingers closed. His pulse thudded painfully. Bitterness and an odd sense of betrayal flooded him.

But then, he realized the truth.

Joseph wasn’t being a pompous ass just to be one.

He cared about Melissa.

He was trying to
protect
her.

That Joseph was trying to protect her from
him
wasn’t the point.

Sucking in a deep breath, he willed himself to relax and then he shot Joseph a rueful smile. “She’s lucky to have friends like you,” he said. “I’d be happy to undergo the McCoy interrogation.”

He meant it as a joke, but Joseph took him at his word. He nodded and said, “Great. We’ll expect you for supper on Sunday.”

Awesome.

When Andrew picked her up from Millie’s to head for the ranch, he was unusually solemn.

“What’s wrong?” she asked. “Did you not find what you wanted in Austin?”

His features tightened. “It was great.”

“Was it? Because you don’t look like a man who just had a successful shopping spree.”

She was gratified when his lips quirked in a smile. “How does a man look when he’s had a successful shopping spree?”

“A damn sight happier than you look.”

“Well,” he said. “It was a successful trip. I ordered a kiln and some glass and as soon as that’s all delivered, I’m looking forward to starting some projects.”

“That’s nice.” Also nice was the glimmer in his eye. “So what happened to ruin your mood?”

He shot her a look. “What makes you think something happened?”

She lifted a shoulder. “I know you.” Such simple words. The depths they reflected were astounding. She did know him. Working with him for weeks, sharing meals, talking about everything and nothing… She did know him.

The revelation seemed to shock him too. He paled.

She refused to let him off the hook. “So what was it?”

“I ran into Joseph McCoy.”

“Really?” She studied his expression. “I thought you were friends.”

“We are. We just had a difficult conversation.”

That was kind of surprising. Joseph was not a difficult conversation kind of guy. At least, not in her experience. He, of all the McCoys, was the most playful one. “What did you talk about?”

He waited until he pulled into the driveway and put the car in park to answer. He turned and fixed her with a steady gaze. “You.”

“Me?” She forced a laugh. It even sounded fake. “Why?”

“He’s worried about you. Well, they all are.”

“All the McCoys?”

“Apparently.” He grinned, but it didn’t meet his eyes. “They’re worried about you spending time with me.”

She gaped at him. “Wh-why?”

Andrew sighed and raked his hair. “Listen, Melissa, there is something you need to know about me.”

Anxiety skittered up her spine at his tone. She couldn’t imagine there was anything she didn’t know about him. Anything that mattered, anyway. “Okay.”

“I…ah…” He stared at the house; a muscle flexed in his cheek. “My dad was a bastard.”

Yeah. She’d figured that much out already. “And?”

He flicked a look at her, but quickly resumed scowling at the house. “He beat my mom, the way Baron beat you.”

Heat flared in her veins as she realized everyone knew her business. That
he
knew it.

Damn small town gossip.

“He beat my brother. And he beat me. But the physical abuse was only part of it. He…”

She had to stop him. She didn’t want to hear. Didn’t need to. She set her hand on his arm and he flinched. “I know. You don’t have to tell me.”

“Melissa…”

“What does any of this have to do with us?” Or the McCoys?

“I’ve never had a relationship. You know. A long term thing.”

“Okay.”

“Because…I didn’t want to discover that I…”

Oh, God, this was tearing him apart. She knew his deepest fears. She could see through to his soul. See those dark shadows writhing in his heart.

“Do you think you’re like him?”

He seemed surprised that she just came out and said it, tearing away the veil and revealing his snarling dragons. He stared at her for a long moment. “I… It worries me. That I could be.”

She had to laugh. That seemed to surprise him too. “You’re not.”

“How the hell do you know that?”

How did she? She saw it in his eyes.

“For God’s sake, Andrew. I lived with a batterer. You get a sixth sense about these things. Trust me, I’ve been watching you. Waiting for you to lose your temper since the day we met.”

“And what do you see when you look at me?”

“I see a man who can control his temper. A man who loves French toast.”

“Melissa…” he tried to wave off her joke.

“
Really
loves French toast.”

“Be serious.”

“Oh, I am. You and I have had debate after debate about your stupid political leanings—”

“Now hold on there—”

“And how many times did you smack me in the mouth for disagreeing with you?”

He gaped at her. “None. Shit. None. Why would I—”

“How many times have you screamed at me for spilling paint on the carpet?”

“It was an accident.”

“And when Toto ate your shower shoes, what did you do?”

“I don’t remember.”

“You laughed. Laughed.”

“I’m not following.”

“Of course you’re not. Do you know why?”

“Obviously not.”

“Because,” she said, cupping his cheek and staring into his eyes. “You’re not like your father. You need to see that. You need to believe me.”

And then she leaned closer and did what she’d been dreaming about for weeks.

She kissed him.

And she didn’t even mind that his mouth was surrounded with bristles like a scrubbing brush.

Because he tasted delicious.

Chapter Seven

Andy’s heart thudded as Melissa’s lips took his.

Damn.

Damn, damn.

Kissing her was even more amazing than he’d imagined. But it was more than that.

She believed he was a good man.

She believed he was nothing like his father.

With those simple words, she released such a weight from his shoulders.

All a man needed was a woman who believed in him.

That was all he needed.

And God, he needed her.

When it seemed as though she was going to withdraw, he had to wrap his arms around her and deepen the kiss. He’d been patient, waiting for her to feel comfortable enough for him to make a romantic move, and this was it. He couldn’t let the moment just drift away.

Beyond that, he hungered for her.

It took every lick of discipline in him to keep from laying her back on the seat and taking her here, in the front seat of her car, but he knew this was not the time.

He pulled back—though he wanted nothing more than to kiss her, forever—and cupped her face. “I’ve been wanting to kiss you for a long time,” he said.

She blew out a wet snort. “I’ve been wanting you to for a long time.”

“Really?” He laughed. “You should have said something.”

“I was raised to let the man take the lead.”

“Yet here you are, kissing me.”

Her lips quirked. “You took too long.”

“I was waiting for you.”

She frowned. “Waiting for me?”

“When we met, you said you weren’t ready. I didn’t want to make you uncomfortable.”

“That is so gentlemanly.”

“I ain’t saying it was easy.”

“Well, I’m ready now. I mean… I’m ready to explore this.”

He nodded. “We won’t ever do anything you’re not ready for. I promise.”

For some reason she sighed heavily. “Does that mean I have to initiate everything?”

“Probably.”

She shook her head and levered out of the car and together they headed for the house. “I can’t tell you how inconvenient that will be.”

“I’m sure you’ll survive.” He followed her like a puppy dog, a love-struck swain, which, he was certain, he was. “Will you stay for dinner?”

“I have to work,” she reminded him and he grimaced. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if he had her all to himself? “How about tomorrow?”

His glower darkened. “Tomorrow I’m being grilled by the McCoys at Sunday supper.”

“Sounds uncomfortable.” He unlocked the front door and they were promptly attacked by his guard dogs who, apparently, chose slobber as their weapon of choice. Although Toto was also adept at worming his way between a man’s legs and trying his best to trip him in the foyer.

Melissa laughed and picked the little bugger up. She nuzzled his face.

“You’re getting wet.” Andy thought it prudent to mention.

“He needs to lick someone.” She shifted the dog to the crook of her elbow and proceeded to scratch him silly. “So you’re going to the McCoys tomorrow?”

“Joseph wants to make sure I’m not a psycho.”

“Um…why?”

“Because I’m spending so much time with you.”

“Oh. How sweet.” Her laugh trilled and he glowered at her.

“Really?”

“I should go with you,” she said.

“Oh, would you?” Surely there was not a thread of desperation in his tone.

“I would love to.”

All of a sudden, his anxiety over Sunday supper wafted away.

Because she would be there by his side.

And she believed in him.

When Melissa finished the work she had to do at the house that evening, Andy drove her back to town and dropped her off at Hardbodies. He hated that she had to work as much as she did, jumping from one job to another all day and half the night, but he had no say in the matter. She was her own woman and determined to get that place of her own. All he could do was be there to support her.

Once he was at the bar, he decided to hang around for a while.

Surely not because it was a Saturday night and the bar was chock full of wranglers and douchenozzles, all of whom had eyes for a certain honey-haired waitress.

“So. Andrew.”

He turned around to see Emma standing behind him with a whisky. “Yeah?”

At the sound of his voice, she unerringly set the tumbler before him. “She’s been talking about you.”

“Um, who?” He had a pretty good idea.

“Melissa.” She cocked her head to the side and stared through to his soul with sightless eyes. “Want some advice?”

“Okay.”

“Don’t hurt her.”

What?
This again? “I don’t plan on it.”

Emma snorted. “No one ever plans on it. But if you do hurt her, I’ll have your guts for garters.”

“Heard. But I’m telling you, my intentions are noble.”

“Noble?” The way she said it, she didn’t carry much truck with nobility.

“I really like her. I want what’s best for her.”

“And what is best for her?”

He shrugged. “At the moment, a friend.”

“That’s all?”

“As long as that’s all she wants.”

Emma blew out a breath, as though considering his words. “All right then. Drink’s on the house.”

“Thanks.”

She turned to walk away, but then stopped and glanced back at him. “Want some more advice?”

“Sure.”

“She really hates beards.”

He barked a laugh. “How do you know I have a beard?”

Her nose wrinkled. “Maybe I can smell it?”

The thought horrified him.

She laughed. “Or maybe she told me.”

Oh, thank God. And then, “Can you really smell beards?”

Her shoulder lifted. “I can when guys use that beard oil. It has a particular…odor.”

“Wow. I did not know that.”

But then there were lots of things he hadn’t known.

Like the fact that Melissa didn’t like his beard. He’d started growing it as a SEAL, because the facial hair made them stand out less in Iraq. Then he’d kept it because, well, because he’d kept it.

But now that he knew she didn’t like it…

Well, that fucker was going to have to go.

Andrew was supposed to pick Melissa up at Millie’s on Sunday afternoon, and then head out to Aron McCoy’s for Sunday supper, but he was late. Melissa sat in an empty booth and sipped her coffee, scrolling through her email messages as she waited.

The bell on the door tinkled and she glanced up.

Her gaze locked on the man who’d just stepped inside.

Her heart shot up into her throat.

Holy God.

He was gorgeous.

A gorgeous, beautiful hunk of man.

Shaved clean.

Her pulse thudded. Drool collected in her mouth.

How on earth had she not remembered how perfect he was?

Because it was Andrew, but bereft of that scraggly beard.

Holy God.

Had she thought him ominous with it?

He was practically devastating without it.

Especially when he grinned, which he did now. Dimples erupted.

She sat there, gaping, like a landed trout.

“You ready?” he asked.

She shook her head, speechless. Practically mindless. “I need a minute.”

“Um…okay.” He sat on the bench across from her.

She stared.

Stared so long he rubbed his cheeks self-consciously. “I, ah, do you like it?”

Like it?

Hell. How did she answer that?

“Melissa?”

“Andrew.” Something of a sigh.

“Emma said…”

Her stomach churned. “What did Emma say?”

“She told me you don’t like beards. So…I shaved it.”

“For me?”

He nodded.

Something in her heart trilled. No one had ever made such a gesture for her. Baron would certainly never have lifted a finger to please her.

“So… Do you like it?”

“I like it.” She hated that her voice broke. “I like it very much. It makes you…”

“Yeah?”

She sucked in a deep breath. “It makes it easier to
see
you.”

“It was just a beard,” he said with a laugh.

He didn’t understand what she meant. What she really meant. With the beard gone, she could see him. His features, the light in his eyes, his smile. His soul, perhaps.

“I really like it.”

“I’m glad.”

“And, Andrew?”

“Yes, Melissa?”

“Thank you.”

His grin was sheepish and maybe a little pleased.

All of a sudden, she wished they didn’t have plans for dinner.

She wished they could go to his place, make pizza and eat it on the deck, watching the sunset.

But there would be other nights. Other dinners. Other evenings.

She was sure of it.