Page 5 of Made For Ruin

The attraction was instant and primal. But I knew it was wrong. She was barely legal, and I was old enough to be her dad. Not to mention that she was friends with my son, Axel.

But even when she and Axel started dating, I still couldn’t stop thinking about her. I couldn’t stop imagining her beneathme, moaning my name as I showed her what it meant to be with a real man.

And when they broke up a few months ago, I was secretly glad.

I love my son, but Axel has a lot of fucking growing up to do. Lainey deserves better than someone who cheats on her and takes her for granted. She deserves someone who will cherish her, protect her, and give her everything she wants.

Someone like me.

Over the years I’ve tried my best to stay away, to focus on work, to remember all the reasons this can never happen. But every visit to this diner, every glimpse of her smile, every sound of her laugh brings the wanting roaring back.

I push away from the window and head for the door, needing to put some distance between me and the temptation in the kitchen. I’m about to step outside when my phone buzzes in my pocket. I pull it out and glance at the screen. It’s my best friend Reign.

“We need to talk.”

I sigh. “Now’s not a good time.”

“Make time. It’s important.”

Reign and I served together in the Marines, and he’s the closest thing I have to a brother. If he says it’s important, it’s important.

“Fine. What time do you want to meet up?”

“Now. Where are you?”

I hesitate, glancing back toward the kitchen where Lainey disappeared.

I sigh. “I’m at the Piney Creek Diner.”

“Where is that?”

“On the corner Lost Forest Drive and Bellvue.”

“Be there in five,” Reign responds. Then the line goes dead.

Five minutes later, the bell over the door chimes and I glance over to see Reign slip inside, his suit out of place among the faded flannel and muddy work boots of the morning crowd.

Reign spots me and strides over, sliding into the booth across from me with a frown. He glances around at the shabby interior of the diner, taking in the peeling vinyl seats and chipped tabletops.

“Interesting choice,” Reign comments, raising an eyebrow. “A bit out of the way for you, isn’t it?”

I shrug and take a sip of my coffee. “I like their omelets. And the coffee’s good.”

Reign frowns. “Since when do you give a shit about the coffee?”

Before I can answer, Lainey appears at our table, a menu in hand and her usual warm smile in place.

“Welcome to the Piney Creek Diner,” she says to Reign. “Can I get you started with something to drink? Maybe some coffee or tea?”

Reign turns the full wattage of his charm on her, flashing a grin that makes most women go weak in the knees.

“Coffee sounds perfect, sweetheart,” he says. “And I’ll take a look at that menu, see what looks good.”

I want to punch the shit out of him for calling my girl sweetheart, even though I know it’s just Reign being Reign.

But if Lainey’s affected by his charm, she doesn’t show it. Instead, she just nods and sets the menu in front of him.

“I’ll give you a minute to decide. Holler if you have any questions.” Then she turns to me and her smile softens, turning to something more familiar. “More coffee?”

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