His Old Lady - Debra Kayn Page 0,40

out."

She blew out her breath. "I could fail."

"You might succeed."

"I'd need help," she said.

"I'll make sure you get it."

She pursed her lips and stared at him. He stuck out his arm, needing to seal the deal.

Her gaze dropped to his hand. "It's probably better that I don't touch you."

His cock pulsed, knowing what she was thinking and feeling. He tilted his head, challenging her because he was going to prove they could work out.

"You better take me home, uncle. Tomorrow morning is going to come fast if we're going to turn this place into a real bar." She walked toward the door with her parting shot.

He watched her ass sway side to side with each step, then followed her outside. He wasn't her uncle.

He hadn't been her uncle since he had sex with her.

Chapter 17

Faye

Music blared from inside the warehouse. Faye opened the front door and stopped. Taking her purse off her shoulder and setting the bag on the floor, she skirted the activities going on inside.

Paradise City blared off the boombox, putting her in a good mood, full of energy to work.

Paco walked past her, stopped, and came back. "Uh, Curley's here. You might want to hang around outside."

"Trust me. He wants me here." She gazed around the room.

At least a dozen Tarkio members moved around, carrying chairs, building tables, and working near a pile of lumber in the back. She rubbed her hands together, ready to jump in wherever she was needed. The wages Curley agreed to pay her were more than she was used to receiving.

But she was also going to work her butt off, getting the place up and running.

"Paco, grab the sack of bolts and start securing the tables." Banks stopped in front of Faye and grinned. "How are you doing, honey?"

"Good." She stretched to her toes and hugged Banks. "I've missed you. How's aunty and the kids?"

"They're nothing but trouble." He chuckled. "If my old lady ain't keeping me up at night, it's my kids."

She laughed, smiling up at him. "You love every minute."

"Yeah." He winked, and then his brows lowered. "It'd make Charlotte's day if you come by and visit with her."

Touched that Banks still thought of her fondly, she rubbed his arm. "Maybe I will since I'll be in Missoula most nights now."

He nodded. "Good deal."

"I better find out where I'm needed." She walked over to the group of Tarkio members surrounding the lumber.

Unable to tell what they were building, she stood on the outskirts of their circle. It was an intoxicating experience being around them all. It brought back good memories and bad memories. Some she remembered fondly, some she wanted to forget.

"Frank, where's the electrical cord for the dishwasher?" shouted Curley.

She turned around and found Curley in the open doorway at the back of the room. Wanting to find out what she should be doing, she jogged over to him.

He turned and grew two inches. She slowed to a walk, hating that he always stiffened when she was around.

"I thought you weren't coming in until this afternoon," he said, running his hand over his shaved head.

He'd taken the time to break out his razor between two days ago and now. She slid her fingers into the back pockets of her jeans, knowing exactly what that smooth scalp felt like.

"I watched Stephanie's son while she went to the dentist and thought I'd come over early instead of going all the way home." She tried not to look at him. "What can I do?"

"Most of the things we're doing this week is the heavy work." He paused why hammering went on nearby. When the noise broke, he said, "Can you go pick up some food?"

She nodded. "Sure."

He took money out of his wallet and fished out several bills. "Keep the change."

She glanced down and rolled her eyes before slipping the cash into her pocket. Choosing not to argue with him over the amount he'd given her that would be enough to feed all three-hundred-and-whatever Tarkio members, she said, "What do you want me to buy?"

"Burgers." He grabbed Frank. "Get a headcount, Faye's going to pick up lunch."

"On it." Frank stretched his neck, scanning the room while walking away.

She watched the others while she waited for an answer. For the number of people working at the warehouse, she'd have better luck calling in a take-out order rather than waiting at the restaurant.

"Is there a phone here?" she asked.

"Not yet." He leaned closer. "What do you need?"

"I was going to call in the order,