Page 50 of Ten Hammers

“Was that good for you, too, Winnie?” Mason whispers against my neck.

I nod. I’m so damn happy, so damn spent I can’t even wipe the tear that forms at the corner of my eye, I can only smile.

Chapter 18

Winnie

I’m haloed by an after-orgasm glow that still has me grinning, blushing, and feeling sexier than I’ve ever felt in my entire life long after I’ve showered, braided my curls into pigtails, slid on a fresh tank top, overalls, and work boots, and gallop back downstairs to find a spotless kitchen.

Waiting for me at the table are Mason and Cruz, with damp hair and huge happy grins to match my own.

“Ready, cupcake?” Mason asks as they stand.

I nod, hoping my glow will be enough to keep me from running away in tears when I see the house in the daylight, and I’m hit by memories and voices all over again.

“Look at you!” Cruz says, appreciatively, tugging one of my braids. “These cute little things make me want to bend you over the counter and kiss you again.”

He throws me a flirty wink and I laugh, but suddenly my father’s voice is there in my head, choking me into silence. “Shame you’re not pretty enough to be a real girlfriend. You’re the kind of girl those guys only want to practice with, you just better not be the whore who takes it.”

Deep breath.

I force the voice away, and head for the door, refusing to let myself be haunted. I’m taking the bull by the horns – or the ghost by the ectoplasm – and facing it head on.

“Hey, look who’s come to join us!” I hear Diesel call from an upstairs window as we walk across the lawn.

My heart starts thundering as I approach the house, but seeing the house doesn’t put me in the same shut down panic as before. And knowing all of my guys are here for me together is the best medicine.

Hearing Diesel, everyone heads to the entryway, assembling around us as we enter the house. I catch Gav’s eye and he smiles, holding me steady as my senses acclimate to the house in the daylight.

“So, what’s the verdict?” Mason asks the group.

“Mr. Man with the Plan,” Gunnar says, using one of Jack’s many nicknames, “thinks we should gut it.”

Jack slides a glance at me. It’s almost sheepish. “I think a fresh start would be nice, is all.”

“Well.” I move over to stand next to him, surveying the room, trying to see it through his eyes. Then I lean my head against his shoulder, just because I can. I can touch them whenever I want to and however I want to. “There’s no such thing as a fresh start for me, when it comes to this place. But a blank slate would be nice.”

He wraps an arm around me and gives me a squeeze.

Diesel raps his knuckles on one wall. “Old girl’s got such good bones, though.”

“Yes, she does.” Axel’s eyes take a long, romantic stroll down the length of my body and back up to meet my eyes with a flirty wink. “And I can’t wait to jump them.”

I laugh-groan-whimper. “Uh, excuse me, he was talking about the house, not me, and if you think referring to me as ‘Old girl’ is the way to my heart that would be incorrect, buddy.” I walk over and poke him playfully in the stomach. “Just thought you should be aware of that little life hack now that we’re…”

“Dating,” Axel says helpfully.

“Dating,” I confirm. Honestly, what is my life right now?

Jack clears his throat and claps his hands together. He has the infamous clipboard. There are grown women who have seriously and publicly stated that if they had one wish, it would be to spend a day as Jack’s clipboard. Not world peace, not a cure for cancer. And I mean… he does hold that thing with such a firm yet careful grip.

“So what we were thinking is you can make a wishlist for us, like you did with the cottage and…” his voice trails off as I shake my head. “No?”

“That is very thoughtful and sweet and wonderful and Hammer-ish of you all, but this place is never going to be my dream house. I’m sure it will be amazing, because all of your renos are–”

“Our renos,” Leo corrects.

I flash him a grateful smile. I’ll never take for granted how he always, always takes that extra step to make me feel included, especially when I’m leaving myself out.

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