Abrupt Changes: A Second Chance Romance (O-Town Book 3) by Karen Renee (comprehension books .TXT) 📕

dipped. “You would’ve years ago, so just don’t do it now. Okay?”

My grin fell and I nodded. “See you at Mom’s.”

AS I PULLED UP TO MOM’S house, it hit me I wouldn’t be able to start the car again once I turned it off, not that I knew how to turn off a hot-wired vehicle. I parked it in the street and hit the button for the trunk. Clint’s SUV pulled up behind me.

Standing in the open door of the car, I waited for Clint to get out of his vehicle.

“How do I turn the car off, Ramsey?”

A wry grin twisted his lips. “Outta the way, babe.”

In a moment, he powered off the car, stood, locked the doors but thought twice and unlocked the doors.

I gathered my bags from the trunk. As I reached up to close the lid, Clint grabbed the bags from my hand and sauntered up the walk.

“I am capable of carrying things, Clint.”

“So am I, Raegan.”

He opened the door and Mom was right there.

“See you got her car back. Everything okay?”

Clint hesitated and Mom’s blue eyes narrowed on him. “Give it to me straight, Clint.”

He walked into the house, speaking as Mom and I followed.

“We got the car back. Her purse was in the trunk, but no keys.”

From the sound of Mom’s walker, she picked up her pace behind me. “I told you to keep those keys off your fingers, Rae. Should’ve shoved ‘em in your pocket.”

I took a deep breath and let Mom’s words roll off me.

Clint stopped in the living room and looked past me at Mom. “The keys can be replaced, Penny. Better than having to deal with the car being stolen.”

Mom settled in her recliner. “What aren’t you telling me?”

“Nothing more to tell, Penny. I’ll let you two get on with your day. Raegan, walk me to the door.”

Mom scowled at both of us, and I shrugged at her as Clint moved to the hall.

I followed him down the hall, but he grabbed my hand and he yanked me into my bedroom.

“What are you—”

His hand cupped my jaw, his thumb pressing hard on my lips. My eyes widened, and like muscle memory a thrill shot through me, resulting in pebbled nipples and wetness between my legs.

He left his hand there. His face dipped forward. “You aren’t going anywhere today, Rae. And not just because you don’t know how to get that car started. Even if they bring you a new set of keys, you stay here. Am I clear?”

I nodded, which forced his thumb away from my lips. His thumb had moved, but his face came closer.

“What’s going on here?” I whispered.

Those gorgeous eyes traced my lips while his thumb did the same. “I’m not sure, but I know we have to talk tonight.”

I swallowed. “Um, you don’t need—”

He shook his head. “Don’t tell me what I need, Connelly.”

“But—”

I said no more because his hand slid, and his lips were on mine. Having spent the night here, he hadn’t been able to shave this morning; his stubble stung my skin, but I loved it. My lips parted, my tongue darted out to touch his lips and he pulled away.

He sighed. “I’ll be back. And I’ll bring barbeque.”

I scrunched my nose. “Barbeque?”

He smiled. “Yes. And you’re gonna love it.”

“If you say so. I don’t mean to be dense, but what is going on here?”

His hand at my neck squeezed. “You know what’s going on here, which is why we have to talk. Tonight.”

He dropped his hand, turned and at the door he said, “Later.”

Chapter 10

Always Be Too Soon

Clint

AT DUSK, I PULLED UP to Penny’s house again.

As I shut the engine down, I wondered what the hell I was doing. It hadn’t been my intention to kiss Raegan this morning, but I couldn’t stop myself. Her presence made me edgy and restless. Seeing her on the front porch the evening before forced a new perspective on me. The idea of the world without her in it didn’t bear thinking about. Once I came to that realization, I knew I couldn’t keep my distance from her. Plus, I needed to stay close since her attackers could be keeping tabs on her.

Even if it would cause Mamá and my sisters shit-fits, I wanted another shot with Raegan. Her response to my kiss this morning sealed it, but I wasn’t getting my hopes up. Convincing her to try again was going to be an uphill battle. Big time.

With the best barbeque in town in hand, I unlocked the door. In the living room, I noticed Penny dozed off in her recliner. I set the bag of food on the kitchen counter and wandered back to Raegan’s room since I had no idea where she was.

Only, she wasn’t in her room, either.

I didn’t know I was growling until the door to Wynnie’s room opened, Raegan saying, “What’s that noise?”

I whirled on her and she yelped. “Clint! I had no idea you were here.”

“And I didn’t know where you were, mamita. Do not scare me like that again.”

Had I not been staring at her so intently, I would have missed the small smile which flitted across her face at me calling her mamita. Yet, the smile died a quick death, so I didn’t get my hopes up.

“I was sorting through some of Wynnie’s things,” she whispered.

When I noticed how puffy and red her eyes were, I swallowed my rebuke that she should’ve had the door open so she would hear me come inside.

Shit.

Of their own volition, my arms wrapped around her and I held her close. She squeezed me back with such force, it felt like she wanted to meld with me. Her hair smelled of flowers, the same as it did years ago. To the top of her head I whispered, “Little soon for that don’t you think, mi reina?”

She leaned back, her big brown eyes outraged. “Mom shouldn’t have to do it!”

“Shh,” I stroked her back. “Your mom is dozing in the chair.