Body Work (9 page)

Ten

Burning Rubber

All Lisa wanted to do was cover her ears, close her eyes, and wait for the blow, but she didn
’t. She faced Franklin straight on, without blinking.

When he continued his advance on her, she wanted to run, but she
’d never hidden from her mother’s raised fist and she wouldn’t hide now, even as frightened as she was.

Heat rose into her face, and fire burned in her belly as she prepared herself for Franklin
’s attack. She braced for the feel of his hands on her, ready to fight back with all she had.

Before Franklin could reach her, Tyce stepped in front of him and grabbed him by the shirt collar. He brought the older man to a dead stop.

“Be very careful what you say, Delaney,” Tyce said with an intensity Lisa hoped never to have directed at her.

Franklin finally seemed to realize that Tyce had hold of him and quieted. He tried to smooth his shirt front, but found Tyce still had a firm grip.

“All right now?” Tyce asked in a tone frigid enough to form crystals.

Franklin looked at him, cleared his throat and nodded. He was a fussy man, always manicured and pressed. Lisa doubted he
’d ever owned a pair of jeans, let alone faded ones and here he was with his shirt front wrinkled and pulled out of his waistband.

My, my.

She finished righting her clothing and pressed the button to open the garage door. The garage filled with light and fresh air, bringing a trace of normalcy to the charged atmosphere. In spite of her desire to run and hide, she turned to Harris’s son to have this out once and for all.

“
Why are you here?” she asked Franklin, wary because her lawyer had told her Franklin had accepted the idea of the auction.

“
I came to talk sense into you, but I can see that’s a useless endeavor.” The sneer on his face and disdain in his voice was used to make her cringe, but she refused.

She would have shriveled under his degrading stare a couple years ago, but not now. There was nothing wrong in her feelings for Tyce, nothing wrong with her having a relationship. Harris had taught her that in the first weeks of their marriage.

Whispers and gossip couldn’t hurt if you knew the truth he’d told her. The truth was she was in love and women in love took crazy chances.

“
Talk to me about what?” she asked in the cool tone she’d taken four years to perfect.

Tyce took a step back, leaned against the work bench and watched Franklin closely. She was grateful he
’d controlled his temper. The rigid control he exerted made it clear that if she wasn’t here, he might have let loose.

Unused to displays of control under such circumstances, she fell in love with him all over again, aware that he would always, always keep a rein on his temper around her.

Every word she’d told him about her mother’s rages had been heard.

Other people
’s anger still tended to bring out the worst in her, something Franklin would soon learn.

“
I know you’ve been shipping Dad’s cars out of the state. I want them back.”

“
No.” She stood her ground, eyes firmly on her adversary.

Something dangerous shifted in his eyes and he turned them to Tyce.
“Branton, I can see why your business is doing so well. Lucky man, you. Blow jobs in the middle of the afternoon, and a fine piece of ass all night. No wonder most of your references come from women.”

As steady as Lisa felt, his sick comments rocked her. Even so, Lisa stepped forward to snag Franklin
’s attention. “Get out,” she said.

“
I don’t take orders from trailer trash who can’t keep her hands off the hired help.” The sneer he gave her again said it all. The feverish look in his gaze was sick; as if it turned him on to catch her in the act. He’d watched her like a hawk for four years and had come up with nothing filthy he could take to his father. He must feel vindicated at finding her like this.

“Trailer trash?” Tyce said and
grabbed Franklin by the throat again. The other man made a gurgling sound. Tyce’s knuckles were bloodless against the navy collar of his shirt. Still, he showed iron control.

“
It must burn you to find me with a man now, after all this time,” she said. “After you finally realized I wouldn’t sleep with you, you tried so hard to set me up, to catch me with someone else. Your father knew everything you were up to. You’re a sorry excuse for a man, Franklin.” She shook her head, feeling empty pity for a man so small minded, so consumed by jealousy of his own father that he would want to deny his father his happiness.

Franklin
’s eyes bugged out in shock and fear. Lisa touched Tyce’s bulging forearm.

“
Stop, Tyce. He can’t hurt me. He’s never been able to hurt me. That’s what irritates him most.”

Tyce let him go and wiped his hand as if he
’d dirtied it on something.

Relieved, she set her sights on Franklin again, noted the sharp scent of fear that radiated out from him.
“All those times you propositioned me, all those times you tried to buy me, got you nothing, Franklin.”

“
My father bought you even when I–”

“
When you what?” She was no more than curious now and relieved that Tyce’s temper was again under control. She wouldn’t want him to suffer for something he’d done to protect her.

“
I found out exactly where you came from. I told him about the trailer park, Lisa, told him you were the daughter of a drunken slut.”

She laughed and shook her head.
“So did I, you pompous freak. That first afternoon when I saw how much he liked me. I never tried to hide where I came from and that was one of the things your father liked about me. My honesty.”

Franklin glared at her.
“That’s not true.”

Tyce moved toward him again but Franklin quickly stepped back out of reach. Lisa moved in and took Franklin
’s hand in both of hers. She patted it gently as she leaned in close. “It is true. Do you know what else is true?”

“
What?” he asked softly, clearly taken by surprise at her touch and nearness.

She raised her hand then cupped it next to her mouth and his ear and whispered to him.

He jerked his hand away from hers. “No! That’s such a fucking waste,” Franklin snarled. “I’m telling my lawyer.”

“
The paperwork’s already done,” she said, stifling an urge to laugh. “Your father approved and set everything up before he died. He knew if he left the cars to you it would never happen.”

She stepped back and crossed her arms, gave him a dismissive glance from head to toe.
“You know, Franklin, I don’t see the tiniest resemblance between Harris and you. He had integrity and honor, worked hard all his life and faced his battles head on while you, you’re–”

“
I will not be spoken to this way!” he cried, trying to sound imperious but only succeeding in a whine.

“
It seems to me you’ve made a lot of wrong assumptions about your stepmother here, Franklin.” Tyce’s voice cut like glass. “One of them being that she’s above physical violence. I’m going to do you a favor and give you a chance to run before she kicks your ass.”

Lisa lost it at Tyce
’s boldface lie and burst out laughing at the look that came over Franklin’s face.

“
Whatever it was she whispered to you, you’d better believe it, because Lisa Brady Delaney does what she says she’s going to do. She got out of that trailer park on her own long before meeting your father. And you wonder why he married her? Look beyond the beauty, Delaney. She’s got integrity, strength, and endurance and I don’t know how the hell she put up with you all this time.”

He snarled at the cowering man, while Lisa did her best to control her laughter. But when Tyce stamped his foot and made Franklin jump in fear, she broke out into peals again.

“Now get!” Tyce said.

Franklin pushed past them both and scurried across the courtyard and climbed into his car. The engine roared and the rear tires squealed as he made good his escape.

“What the hell did you whisper to him?” Tyce demanded with a chuckle.

“
My secret,” she said, trembling from the adrenaline rush. Now that it was over, shock set in and she had to lean against the workbench to stay on her feet. She hated screaming scenes.

He noticed her reaction and swept her into a hug. Rubbing her arms he soothed and crooned to her.
“It’s okay, Lisa. Take it easy. He’s gone. You’re right. He can’t hurt you.”

She nodded, but didn
’t speak. The tension had been so high and she’d been trapped by it. If Tyce had lost control, she might have too. Nothing frightened her more.

Eleven

Pride & Joy

Tyce wiped his hands on his rag and patted the fender on the old Ford. She was a spectacular ride, a highway cruiser with elegant lines, strong fins
, and a full backseat that made a man think about hot women and hotter sex.

He
’d bet she’d seen a lot of action on that cool two-toned upholstery.

Lisa opened the kitchen door and turned to him with a smile and wave.

As she approached, he took stock. Weak smile, lifted chin, suspiciously moist eyes. She’d tied her hair back today and covered herself in blue jeans and a fleece vest the color of daffodils.

Jason carefully drove the Ford up onto the trailer and secured her for transport.

“That’s it?” Lisa asked as she drew near. Up close she looked more fragile than she had since Franklin’s untimely visit the week before.

“
The last one.”

She nodded, folded her arms under her breasts.
“It’s going to be strange around here. Too quiet.”

Jason climbed down off the trailer and ambled over. He looked at Lisa,
and then swung his gaze to Tyce’s. “You’re following, right?”

“
I’ll be along soon. Stay with the truck and trailer.”

Beside him, Lisa shifted then wandered over to the flowerbed that rimmed the courtyard. She knelt and touched some of the blooms.

“Your mother phoned,” Tyce said. “The cousin she went to see get married got jilted at the altar.”

“
Too bad. What’d Teri do?”

“
Took off this morning on her honeymoon. Alone.”

Jason snorted.
“Makes sense.”

“
I guess so. Take it easy on the interstate. Your mother doesn’t know I’m letting you ride your bike. She thinks it’s going in the back of the pickup.” He gave Jason a couple of other instructions and clapped him on the back. “Safe ride.”

Lisa stood and waved goodbye as Jason donned his helmet and started his bike. The transport driver cautiously turned the truck and trailer
, carrying the Ford around in the courtyard. With a heavy sigh of brakes, rubber, and metal on metal, the truck and trailer pulled out. 

Tyce walked over to her but she turned her face away,
and pretended interest in the hedge. Her shoulders looked stiff and straight. He put a hand out to touch her, but let it fall to his side.

He
’d loved her last night with all that he had, all that he was, and still she’d said nothing about today’s leave-taking.

“
Will you be at the auction?” he asked.

She shook her head once, quickly, but didn
’t look at him. He wanted to ask her to come with him, but it didn’t feel right. He kept getting waylaid by the memory of her scrubbing his mark off her arm on that damn bus. Stupid, but there it was. She’d walked out once and he couldn’t go through it again.

Hell, he
’d been a kid then, with his whole life fresh and stretched out ahead of him. She’d been broke and he’d been golden and she still hadn’t wanted him.

Now, she was rich. Independent. She didn
’t need him. Not for security, stability, nothing. He’d seen that clearly when she’d stood up to Franklin Delaney’s poison last week.

There was no reason Lisa Delaney needed Tyce Branton. She had what she wanted. Her car collection was ready to sell. She
’d get top dollar, take the money and run to Europe like she planned.

“
Franklin called off his dogs,” she said. “I made a preemptive strike and had my lawyer mention some jewelry the boys took while Harris was ill. I never would have kept it, but they didn’t know that. They assumed that I’d want their mother’s rubies.” She made a bitter sound in her throat.

“
Was that what you whispered to him in the garage last week?”

“
No.” She turned and looked up at him, her eyes wide and still. Calm. “I told him I was auctioning off the cars and giving the money to a charitable foundation Harris set up.”

“
What?” He was floored by the confession. “None of this work was for you?”

She shrugged.
“No. Harris left me comfortable without the money from the cars and he knew if Franklin got them he’d sell them all and keep the money. Harris and I agreed the proceeds should go toward something meaningful.”

“
Which is?”

“
A high school in the inner city will get a course on mechanics and body work added to the curriculum. The auction dollars should build a whole garage and paint shop.”

“
Sounds like a school I’d have loved when I was a kid.”

“
I know.” She looked at him and smiled so sweetly that his heart jumped into his throat. What he saw in her gaze caught at his vitals.

“
Lisa, you blow me away. These weeks have been a lesson for me.”

He marveled at the valiant effort she put into her smile.
“For me, too.”

“
You’re so strong now. Sure of yourself.”

The shake of her head was so slight he doubted he saw it.

“I don’t feel very strong. I’m weak and afraid.”

“
You? The woman who stood up and took it when Franklin caught us? The woman who looked so fierce I thought he was going to crap his pants?”

“
You did?”

“
You were awesome. Most women would have run like hell if they were caught that way.”

She raised her hand to his cheek. Her fingers felt cool and delicate, small. He turned his head and kissed her palm. Her eyes flared heat and he responded as if he
’d never had her before.

She moved into his arms, pressed her hips to his.

“I’ve been thinking about Europe,” he said, trying to stay focused on the words, but Lisa was moving against him, sliding her hips across his, rubbing. Her eyelids drooped in the way that signaled her eagerness.

“
You have?” She sniffed and nuzzled his neck.

“
Yeah, it’s so damn old over there. The whole place is crumbling.”

She nodded.
“Some parts, I guess.”

He placed his hands on her ass and held her still. Which did nothing to clear his mind. Pressure built behind his fly.

“And I know the French don’t bathe,” he quipped.

She giggled, swiped at her eyes which had filled.
“I’m not sure I’ll even go to France.”

“
Yeah? Well, Italians grab ass.”

“
And you’re worried about this. Why?” She tilted her face up and her lips quivered as he slowed his breathing, held her chin, and brushed his nose to hers. A tiny squeak escaped and he lapped at her lips once before tracing them with his tongue.

“
Let me in, Lisa.”

She opened and took him inside. He ran his tongue across her teeth, felt the one that was turned slightly, caressed her lower lip, sipped at her mouth. She whimpered.

“Ask me, Lisa.”

She whimpered again.

“Ask me.” He pushed into her mouth and pressed against her crotch at the same time. She groaned and clasped at him, pulling him into her, taking, receiving, needing more, and then demanding all he gave. She was powerful in her need and he responded full blast.

“
Jesus, ask me!”

“
Love me, Tyce. One more time.”

He stepped away, and shook with the need to move back into her. But he couldn
’t. He wouldn’t. She had to ask.

“
I need to show you something.” He walked over to his pickup and pulled out a large manila envelope from the glove box, certain this was the stupidest thing he’d ever done in his life. He was leaving himself wide open again.

He undid the flap, pulled out legal documents and passed them to her. She was pasty except for the high spots of color in her cheeks. Her hands shook when she took the sheaf of papers.

She read the top page. “A deed?”

He nodded.
“Free and clear title to a garage and body shop.”

“
This is wonderful,” she said, sounding shaky. “I wish you luck with it.”

“
I figured you’d be interested. In case you ever want to drop by.” Now his own voice was sounding wobbly.

“
I’d like that.” She sniffed and lifted an arm, showed off the muscle definition wielding the buffer had created. “If I ever need work I know where I can get a job.”

Her smile crumbled and she walked straight into his arms.
“Oh, Tyce, I don’t know if I can let you leave. I’m sorry, I know you don’t get attached to the women you . . .  sleep with, but . . .”

He tilted his head back so he could see her face.
“What gave you that idea?”

She smeared her nose against his denim jacket.
“I, um, asked a couple questions and found out more than I wanted to know about the women you–”

“
Fucked?”

She nodded.

“Some of them became friends. Some of them weren’t looking for anything more. None of them were enough.”

“
Enough?”

“
Enough for me. Shallow, bored, lonely, you name it, not one of them would have shown the confidence, or the guts you showed Franklin. What you’ve always shown me.” He tucked a wave in her hair behind her ear. “Ask me, Lisa.”

She stared up at him, confusion etched into her features. He kissed her nose, her chin, her mouth for a long moment, setting them both on fire.

“I assumed you felt the same way about me as you did those other women.”

“
What have you taught me about assumptions?” he demanded. “I saw you and jumped to conclusions without even thinking about them. I assumed you were like all the other women who’d wandered out to the garage. Franklin assumed you were a gold digger, assumed you’d want everything, assumed you’d sleep with him, even when you were married to his own father.”

When she still didn
’t get it, didn’t speak, he felt kicked in the gut. “Lisa, ask me, damn it!”

He tugged her to him, drowned in her mouth over and over, demanding she understand.

She pulled back, stepped away from him, and then dragged her sleeve across her mouth. “Back in La La, you asked me to stay, but I couldn’t, Tyce. We were kids, and everything I felt was too much, too big, too strong. We’d have been swept along and life would have overtaken us. I had to run. I had no choice.”

He nodded.
“I know that now. I think. I knew about your mother. I knew how afraid you were of turning out like her. But, Christ, that night in the pickup, you blew my mind. All I wanted was to be inside you, loving you. You made me shake.”

She crossed her arms. Looked cold. Lonely.
“You asked me to stay. I couldn’t.”

“
And now?” It was as close as he could come to saying it. He wouldn’t beg.

He watched her. Saw the light dawn slowly, in tiny rays that crossed her features. A small cry came from her throat as she launched herself into his arms.

“Oh, Tyce! Love me, please, the way I love you.”

“
I do.”

“
Marry me and I’ll never ever leave you again. I’m ready now. We’re both ready now.”

“
I’ll hold you to that,” he said, pulling her into a deep kiss that ended upstairs beside her bed, dead center in the room.

She pulled him down, took him inside her slick heat and they found heaven.

An hour later, Tyce raged into her, biting her shoulder, pumping his seed, gasping and grasping as he felt her tilt and go over the edge with him. A few minutes later he said, “Come with me, Lisa.”

“
I just did.”

He laughed against her neck.
“No, I mean, come with me to Arizona. I can’t go without you.”

“
I wasn’t planning on letting you.” She picked at the sheet, kept her eyes down. “What you said last week in the garage meant a lot to me.”

“
You mean when I told Franklin about your integrity and strength?”

At her nod, he rolled onto his side of the bed and tugged her close.
“I meant every word. You’re an incredible woman, Lisa. I’m just sorry I didn’t see it twelve years ago. If I hadn’t pressed you, if I’d given you more time to grow up, things would have been different.”

“
So you forgive me for leaving that way?”

“
Of course. You did what was right for you.”

“
I never forgot you. I never stopped loving you, but I thought you’d find someone else.”

Thinking of all the women he
’d wasted time with, he said, “Believe me, I tried. Thought I might have a time or two, but in truth, no one ever came close to you. Actually, no one ever stood up to me the way you did. You really turned my crank.”