“I’m more than happy to share my video controllers,” he said with a wink, hoping to lighten the mood.
The pathetic fact was, since canceling his date the night he’d come to her rescue, he hadn’t been out with another woman.
She grinned and he breathed out a groan of relief.
“So you have thirty days to pack and get your belongings into storage before you have to be out?” he asked.
“A week. I thought I had somewhere to go, remember? I already have some things boxed.”
“We’ll finish up this weekend,” he said.
“What do you mean, we? I can handle it,” she assured him.
Did she really think he was going to leave her to handle everything alone? “Have you planned for storage or donation?”
She shook her head. “I was just focused on my things.” She glanced down. “Your parents want Keith’s things, so I figured I’d call them about storage.”
He braced his hand around the tight muscles in the back of his neck. “I’ll take care of it. By the time the weekend arrives, I’ll have arranged for a unit for everything. I’ll also contact Goodwill for a large pickup—”
“Lucas, I can do it.” He heard the steel in her tone.
“I know you can. I want to help.”
“Just this once.” She let out what sounded like a relieved sigh, giving in. On such short notice, she had to really need the help.
“I meant what I said about standing on my own.” A warm smile lifted her lips. “I don’t know how to thank you.”
He didn’t want her thanks, but he could never have what he truly desired. “That’s what family is for.” He forced the words out of his mouth. The ones that created distance and reminded him of his place in her life.
She immediately jerked back and he knew he’d hurt her. “Right. Well, then, I should get going.” She turned and headed for the door.
His gaze fell to the seductive sway of her hips as she walked out. Her body had filled out, become curvier, and his mouth watered at the sight. He shifted positions and readjusted his cock in his pants. Somehow he’d managed to ignore the fucker during Maxie’s visit and subsequent conversation, but she’d gone and hugged him. And his body had reacted.
Which only served to reinforce how difficult his life was about to become.
* * *
Maxie soon discovered that, unlike his brother, Lucas was as good as his word. By the time Saturday rolled around, she had more boxes, tape, and everything she needed to help with the arduous work of packing up her house, sorting through what she could keep with her in his apartment, what she would put in storage, and what she chose to throw or give away.
She tagged the furniture she wanted to keep, and she marked other things for Goodwill. She was brutal with her decisions. For one thing, she didn’t want any more reminders of her life with Keith than she had to have. And for another, she didn’t care how much money Lucas had, she wasn’t going to overfill storage units or ask him to pay for more than one for her things. Everything that was Keith’s, she kept for his parents. Lucas said he’d be covering the storage costs, for which she was grateful.
She was keeping track of what she owed him, and she planned to pay back every penny. She wouldn’t be beholden to another man ever again.
She was deep into box number … she’d lost count when the doorbell rang. She answered, only to come face-to-face with Lucas and two other extremely handsome men who looked vaguely familiar. But no matter how good-looking they were, she only had eyes for Lucas.
He’d gotten a shorter haircut, and his face had a healthy dose of scruff, adding to his appeal. He wore a black tee shirt that accentuated muscles he hadn’t possessed as a kid and a sleeve of tattoos that looked sexy as sin on his well-built body.
She was instantly aware of her messy updo, torn jeans, and makeup-free face, realizing she hadn’t presented him with her best side lately. She shouldn’t care. But she did.
“Lucas,” she said, tucking a messy strand of hair behind her ear.
“Morning, sunshine. Ready to get yourself packed up?”
She stared, open-mouthed.
With a sexy grin, he reached out and eased her jaw shut. “I told you we’d start this weekend.”
“I know and I’ve been at it for a couple of hours. I just didn’t expect help.”