Major (Blue-Collar Bad Boys Next Door Book 5) Read online

  “I think Felix’s going to sleep well tonight,” he comments, chuckling.

  “So will Bongo,” I say, shaking my head. “I think they’re a match made in heaven.”

  He glances at me then, his dark eyes deep and threatening to pull me under. “I’d say love at first sight.”

  I swallow, grateful for the setting sun to hide the blush I’m sure is on my cheeks. If I didn’t know better, I’d think that had a double meaning.

  “It’s kinda crazy,” he continues. “How we’ve lived next door to each other for so long and never really talked or, you know…” He gestures to our two beer bottles. “Had a beer together.”

  “I was thinking the same thing earlier,” I reply. “I guess—I never knew what your situation was, so I didn’t want to interfere. Plus, I’m kind of shy.”

  “My situation is that I’m a single dad with full-time custody of my son,” he replies frankly. “I got divorced a couple years ago. My ex-wife lives in California, doesn’t get back often to visit Felix. I own a towing company with my dad, and I’m in the Army.” He smiles. “What’s your situation?”

  I let out a little chuckle. “I’m a photographer. I’m a dog mom. And…that’s pretty much it. Kinda boring.”

  “Not boring,” he says immediately. “Peaceful. And artistic—photography is cool.”

  “I mainly do portraits and weddings and stuff like that. But every now and then I do something unique. That’s how I met Bongo, actually.” I tell him briefly about the rescue photo shoot. “Now I’m up to my ears in engagement sessions, weddings, senior portraits. I’ve even done a couple boudoir shoots.”

  Major lifts his brows. “That’s awesome. I’d love to see your work. Not the boudoir stuff,” he adds hastily, and I giggle. “That’d be weird.”

  “I’d be happy to shoot you and Felix sometime,” I tell him. “I don’t know if photos are your thing, but…”

  “We’d love that.” He nods. “It’s been a long time since we had family photos taken.”

  “Great,” I say heartily. “We’ll have to pick a day soon. I can do it anytime you want.”

  He gives me a slow smile. “Thank you. Yeah, let’s plan something soon.”

  I go home later that night with a smile on my face. Even if my crush doesn’t go anywhere, I’ve made a new friend. Major is an amazing guy—just like I knew he would be.

  But when I check my phone finally as I’m sliding into bed later, my good mood dims.

  I’ve got thirteen missed calls from “Unknown.”

  3

  Major

  On Friday, I stroll into Whitmore’s Towing, whistling. Actually whistling. I can’t remember the last time I started a day in such a great mood.

  “Morning, Pop,” I call out, walking through the garage into the office we share.

  My father Leroy splutters into his mug of coffee, lifting his eyebrows at me. “You scared me, son.”

  I grin and clap him on the shoulders. “Sorry about that.” I head over to the coffee pot and pour myself a cup.

  “I take it evening walks are going well still?”

  I smile into my cup. Since Sunday, Felix and I have gone walking with Cecily and Bongo every night, right before it gets dark. A couple of times, last night included, we got ice cream. I’m not sure when this will stop, but Felix has been thrilled, Bongo seems happy, and while I hate speaking for people, I think Cecily is pretty content too.

  And me? Well. Remember when I said I walked in this morning whistling?

  “Yeah, Pop,” I reply. “They’re going well.”

  “Boy, you’re in love,” he chuckles.

  “Whoa, now.”

  “Oh, please.” He gives me a scornful glance. “Don’t be trying to get all tough with me.”

  “I mean, I still hardly know her,” I argue. “We talk on the walks, but we got Felix with us. We can’t really talk about the things we should be talking about, that I think we should be talking about, to even be considering love.”

  “You got a pretty damn good job,” Dad says. “Two, even.”

  “And?” I chuckle. “You gonna hit me up for some money, Pop?”

  He throws me another look. “I’m saying, take the woman out. You want to have meaningful conversations, take her to a nice meal and talk. Drop off Felix so your mother can spoil her grandson. We’d love to have him.”

  I smirk. “You really want me to go out with her, huh? Or, you just want to spoil the mess out of my son.”

  “Well, both.” Dad joins me at the coffee pot. “Look, son. It’s time you moved on from Tonya.”

  “I am moved on,” I protest. “I respect her as the mother of my son, and that’s all. She has her life, and I got mine.”

  “Except you ain’t got no life,” Dad says gently. “You work, and that’s it.”

  “I live for Felix.”

  “That’s all well and good, and you’re a fantastic father. I’d say you learned from the best.” I scoff, but it’s true. “But that’s not living, my boy. You’re a young man. Thirty years old and got your life ahead of you. Now, you say you got a good woman staring you in the face. You owe it to yourself to see where it goes.”

  I shrug, lowering my gaze. “I don’t have feelings for Tonya like that anymore. But sometimes, I look at Felix and wonder how he’ll feel about all this when he grows up. I’ve always had you and Mama to show me what a good marriage, what real love looks like. I’ve always known what it was to have a mother and a father. I wanted—I want—that for my son too. And instead, he’s got two divorced parents and a mother he hardly hears from, let alone sees.”

  “Son, look at me,” Dad says quietly. “And I want you to hear me. You are not a failure as a man or a father because your marriage failed. Do you understand?”

  Slowly, I nod.

  “Your mother and I were lucky. I was lucky to find her at a young age. Yes, we’ve always been together, but it hasn’t always been easy. Not every couple is meant to be together, and certainly not forever. You and Tonya were one of those couples. But someone else is meant for you. And Felix can still have a mother in his life who sees him every day and cares for him as much as if she gave birth to him herself. Blood is blood, but love is love.”

  A strange little lump forms in my throat, but I clear it and chuckle, giving my dad a teasingly suspicious look. “Where the hell you get all that life knowledge from, Pop?”

  “Shit, life.” He drops a large hand on top of my head, hauls me close, and pecks my forehead. “I love you, son. Now get your ass in gear. We got a full day.” He turns toward the computer desk.

  I gaze up at my dad, feeling beyond gratefully I had such an amazing role model in my life.

  “And do like I said—you ask that young lady on a date. A real date, not this bullshit and nonsense clubbing you youngsters do.”

  “Roger that, sir,” I reply, smiling.

  “Oh, and, uh…” Pop turns around to peer at me. “If you do make a date with her, pack an overnight bag for Felix.”

  My face grows hot. “Pop.”

  He holds up a hand. “Just do it. Who knows? You might thank me later.”

  “Okay,” Cecily says the next afternoon. “Major, I want you sitting down. Prop up a knee and then drape your arm—yes, just like that. Felix? Can you go stand by your dad? Put your hands on his shoulder. That’s great!”

  She clicks away on her super highspeed camera, crouch-walking around us to get the shot from different angles. We’ve been at it for an hour now, shooting in the meadow behind the park near our houses.

  Her wavy hair is up in a high ponytail and she’s wearing a light blue tank top and army-green shorts that show off those incredible curves and legs to perfection. I find myself getting distracted by the way the muscles in her thighs tense and contract as she deftly switches positions to shoot from different angles. I never knew photography could be athletic, but here it is.

  “Okay, now, Felix, climb into your dad’s lap. Just plop right down. Major, kee
p your knee up like that. Lean your head a little so your cheek is on top of his head—perfect.” Snap, snap, snap. “You guys are so cute in your matching outfits.”

  We’re both dressed in basic, soft white T-shirts and dark-blue jeans. Cecily recommended basic, solid colors, so this seemed easy enough to achieve. Felix is a little ham, grinning and making faces for the camera.

  “I think that’s a wrap, guys,” Cecily says, smiling. “You’re both so photogenic.” She casts me a sidelong look from under thick, dark lashes, her cheeks turning dark pink.

  I’d never disrespect any woman by claiming to know anything about them, but my instincts tell me Cecily is definitely interested in me, attracted to me like I’m attracted to her. As Felix scampers off with Bongo, her photography assistant for the day, I walk over, hands in my pockets as she’s packing up her equipment.

  “Need a hand?” I ask.

  “Oh, thanks, I got it.” She smiles. “I should have the digitals for you to look at in a couple of days. Then you can pick all your favorites, as many as you like, and I’ll edit them for you. I can even get prints made if you like.”

  “That’d be great. How much do I owe you?”

  She pauses in her packing, looking up at me. “It’s on the house, of course.”

  I gawk at her. “No way. Absolutely not. I fully intended to pay—”

  She holds up a hand. “This is a thank you. From me.”

  “For what?” I ask, mystified.

  Cecily shrugs, lowering her gaze again. “For being my new friends. Mine and Bongo’s. The last few days have been really nice.”

  “Nice” is one of those generic words that often loses its meaning, but when she says it now, I feel every ounce of sincerity that gives it new intensity.

  “My parents live out of state,” she continues. “I moved here for photography school and ended up staying. I don’t get back to see them as often as I want to, so, sometimes it gets a little lonely. Even for a shy introvert like me.”

  I smile. “Well, would the shy introvert be willing to step outside her shell for one night?

  Like tonight?”

  Cecily darts a look at me, her beautiful jade eyes wide.

  “Dinner,” I clarify. “I’d love to take you to dinner. Talk. Get to know you better.”

  I swear, I didn’t mean for the last part to come out as…sensually as it did, but my voice drops lower into almost a purr.

  She flushes again. “You don’t have to—”

  I hold up my hand. “It’s not payment. It’s more like bad timing.” I’m rewarded with a musical giggle. “But I do really want to take you out. It’d be my pleasure.”

  Her teeth sink into her plush bottom lip, and it takes everything in me to conceal another low, growly purr of want. “What about Felix?”

  “He has two very devoted grandparents who love spoiling him rotten,” I reply. “What about Bongo? Will he be okay by himself for an evening? If you want to go, that is?”

  “I…want to go,” she says softly. “And as long as we’re not gone too terribly long, I think he should be fine. I’ve never actually left him alone longer than an hour before.” She pauses, her tongue darting out to swipe over her lips. Is she trying to kill me? “But, you know, if the conversation’s great, we can always continue it at my place. In the kitchen or out back,” she hurries to add.

  “The kitchen,” I say. “Sure. Anything you want.”

  She draws in a breath, lashes fluttering.

  Oh hell. Can she feel this, too? There’s a magnetic heat between us. If Felix wasn’t around at the moment, I can’t say for sure I wouldn’t try to kiss her.

  “So,” I say, my voice raspy. “Is it a date? Seven?”

  Cecily smiles. “Hell yeah, it’s a date.”

  4

  Cecily

  I lean close to the mirror to swipe on some lip gloss and give myself a final onceover before I meet Major outside. I’m not sure where he’s taking me, but I opted for a pale pink sundress that accentuates my curves and let my naturally curly hair flow free. I feel pretty. And more than anything, I’m beyond excited to finally be going on a date with him.

  I spritz myself with an orange cardamom and honey perfume, grab my purse, and waltz out of the bedroom.

  Bongo is lying on the couch, muzzle on his paws, watching me. He looks like he’s pouting—he can probably sense I’m going somewhere.

  “Just for a little bit,” I insist, rubbing his ears the way he likes. “I’ll be back before you know it.”

  He lets out a soft whine. Yeah, right.

  “I will never leave you,” I promise him, looking into his soulful brown eyes. “Be a good boy while Mama’s gone. I’ll bring you a treat.”

  His ears perk straight up at the mention of the T-word.

  My cell phone, tucked in my clutch under my arm, buzzes, vibrating against my ribcage. I pull it out, expecting to see Major calling, but instead it’s a text message from “Unknown.”

  The expectant smile on my face drops away.

  ???: You need to seriously think about giving the dog back.

  I don’t get it. What’s the push to get Bongo back? Moreover, who the hell is this person? I’ve been ignoring the calls since the first day I received one, but now, I decide to take the bait.

  Me: Tell me why you want him back so bad and I’ll think about it.

  That’s a lie. Bongo’s not going anywhere, ever, but I want to draw this person out and see what their deal is.

  ???: He has sentimental value to his owner.

  Me: That’s all? Sorry, not good enough. And just so we’re clear: Bongo’s MY dog, and he always will be. YOU need to seriously consider never contacting me again.

  By the time I finish the message, my hands are shaking with rage. The light and excitement inside me just minutes ago are gone now, replaced by a sick feeling. I gaze at Bongo, wondering if it’s even safe to leave him.

  There’s a knock on my door. I jump, staring at it in dread for a second before I remember I’m supposed to be going on a date.

  I check the peephole to see Major standing on the porch, and then open the door. He’s looking seriously delicious, in jeans and a cream button-up with the sleeves folded up to his elbows and revealing his thick, sinewy forearms.

  His full, luscious mouth curves up on one side, his dark eyes slowly taking their time as they slide over me.

  “Exquisite,” he says quietly.

  My heart leaps. “Thank you. Back at you.”

  Then he tilts his head, his smile fading a little. “What’s the matter?”

  I thought I did a pretty good job of composing myself before opening the door, but apparently not. Gripping the side of the door, I cast another glance back at Bongo.

  “It’s kind of a long story,” I tell Major. Um, I hope I’m not ruining your plans by asking, but is there some place we could go that has outdoor seating so we could bring Bongo?”

  Major’s forehead creases as he looks over at my dog, who hasn’t gotten up from the couch or lifted his head but wags his tail as Major’s attention falls on him. “What’s wrong? Is he sick? We should take him to the vet if he’s not feeling well.” He walks over and scratches Bongo’s head.

  “It’s not that,” I hedge. “I don’t feel…safe leaving him alone.”

  “Cecily…I don’t understand.” Major steps over to me and reaches for my hand. The gesture feels so natural and comforting, I have the strange urge to burst into tears. “Talk to me.”

  I draw in a breath and tell him about the phone call I got, the missed calls I’ve been getting off and on, and then I show him the text message exchange.

  Major reads it a few times, scratching his chin. “I don’t get it. I mean, Bongo’s great, of course, but why is this dude so pressed to get him back? He’s fixed, right?”

  “Yeah, the shelter fixed him before I adopted him.”

  “The reason really doesn’t matter.” Major hands me back my phone. “It’s threatening without maki
ng any outright threats. Have you thought about calling the police?”

  “And say what?” I set the phone down and throw my hands out to the sides. “That someone wants their dog back?”

  “You’re being harassed.”

  “My phone number is public for my business.”

  Major folds his arms. “That doesn’t give anyone the right to call you for non-business reasons.”

  I shrug helplessly.

  “Listen, let’s not worry about going out this time,” he says.

  I lower my gaze to my feet, crestfallen. “Okay. Um, yeah, we can raincheck.”

  “No, no.” He grasps both my hands this time, shaking his head. “Sorry. I didn’t mean cancel the date. I just meant, change the location. We can stay here with Bongo so you feel comfortable. I think he’ll be happier, too.”

  I smile up at him. “Really? I hope I didn’t ruin any plans.”

  “Nothing that can’t be undone. Besides, the important plan was to spend time with you.” He gives me a slow smile that makes tingles erupt low in my belly. “As long as I get to do that, it’s a perfect evening.”

  I smile back. “You don’t mind?”

  “Not one bit. But…” He leans closer. “We will raincheck the going out part. I want to spoil you and treat you to an amazing night out.”

  Oh, holy hell. My heart breaks into a sprint. “Okay,” I whisper.

  “Okay.” He strokes a thumb down my cheek. “There’s a great little bistro not far from here. We can order and get food delivered. Sound good?”

  I nod as Major takes his phone out and accesses a food delivery app. “I’m going to let Bongo out real quick, then feed him. I’ll be right back.” I make a kissy noise at Bongo, and he leaps off the sofa and follows me toward the kitchen, where the back door to the yard is.

  “Hey, Cecily?”

  I glance over my shoulder at Major, who’s clearly been watching me walk away. “Yes?”

  He gives me another sexy smile. “Don’t change out of that dress.”