Manfax (Winter Brothers #2) - Jacob Chance Page 0,46

me guess, you already have it.”

He nods slowly. “Yep. I do.”

Damn, he’s good.

19

Adam

Pausing, I look over Roxanne’s cape style house. Tan siding with dark green shutters and an attached one car garage, it looks like a newer build. I wonder how long she’s been living here.

Colorful flower beds stretch out on either side of the slate pathway leading me to her door. A row of hydrangea bushes, loaded with large purple flowers, line the front of her house.

Everything is neat and manicured, much like Roxanne herself. However, I didn’t expect her to live in such a suburban neighborhood. I imagined her in a loft or some ultra-modern condo.

Heart pounding with anticipation, I ring her doorbell and wait. I barely have time to run my hand through my hair before she’s in front of me, looking delectable in skintight jeans, a red fitted V-neck shirt, and sky-high heels.

“Hi,” I husk, my tongue suddenly thick in my mouth.

She looks me over and smiles fully, the outer corners of her eyes crinkling attractively.

“Hi. Do you want to come in for a minute? I’m just about ready.”

“Sure.” I follow her inside, peering around. Though not large, the open floor plan makes it seem more spacious. A warm beige paint covers the walls, and the sleek furnishings are more in line with what I’d expected. Black and white landscape photographs line the longest wall. “Did you take these pictures?”

She drops her chin in a quick nod. “I did. I’m not a photographer by any means, but that’s the beauty of technology. With cell phones, I guess we don’t have to be.”

“You had the eye to appreciate the beauty of the scenery, so the credit still goes to you,” I reply.

“So, I couldn’t help but hear you roar up on your motorcycle. I’m assuming we’re taking a drive.”

“You assumed right. But I’m going to feed you also.”

“Good. Dinner is non-negotiable. I’m starving.”

“As sexy as your shoes are, you might want to change into something with more coverage.”

She presses her lips together. “Now you tell me.”

“Better late than never.” I smile.

Roxanne opens a closet in the foyer, plucking a pair of black ankle boots from the rack before placing her heels on there. From the times I’ve spent with her, it’s obvious that she likes order in her life.

“Let me grab some socks and we can head out.” She disappears up the stairs, and I take the opportunity to check out her framed pictures on the console table. There’s one of her with Danika and Violet. They’re all tanned and happy. Maybe they were on vacation together? Another image is of her in her cap and gown with a pretty woman whom she resembles—must be her mom. I study Roxanne’s youthful face and unmistakable happiness. She was a beauty then too. I bet she had all the guys wrapped around her finger.

“That’s my college graduation,” she says, startling me. So engrossed in the picture, I didn’t hear her coming.

“Is this your mom?”

Her eyes sparkle with affection as she takes the frame from me. “Yeah, isn’t she gorgeous?”

“She is. You favor her.”

“My dad is blond with blue eyes, so I’m definitely more like my mom in looks.”

“What about your personality?”

“Well, my dad left us when I was ten, so I like to think I’m nothing like him.”

“I’m sure that must’ve sucked for you and your mom.”

“It did. And thank you for not saying I’m sorry. It’s so weird when people do that. It’s not their fault that he was a piece of shit.” She laughs.

“Is your mom remarried?”

“No. She didn’t date when I was growing up. She never wanted me to be uncomfortable while I was in my own home. And she worried someone might bother me.”

“Do you mean sexually?”

“Yes. She said that she’d never be able to live with herself if she brought someone into our lives and they were inappropriate with me in any way. It wouldn’t have to get to the point of actually putting their hands on me. It could’ve been a look or something they said. She didn’t want anything to happen that would change who I was as a person.”

“She sounds like she loves you very much.”

“She does. And I feel the same about her. She more than made up for not having a father.”

“You never see him?”

“Nope. He left and that was that. No contact at all.” She smiles, but her lips are tight. Some wounds never go away, no matter how much time passes. I don’t want her dwelling on