Hundred Reasons Read online

  “What can I say?” he asked. “I have an eye for these things.”

  “I think they prefer to be called women,” I said.

  “I call the blonde,” he said. “You can have the brunette.”

  “I’m good,” I said. I didn’t know why but, when Samson suggested I talk to those women, Alex was the first thing that popped into my head. I saw her face, and I knew those women couldn’t hold a candle to her.

  “Come on!” Samson said. “We’re on vacation!”

  “And we aren’t alone.” I nodded toward Mila who was still fast asleep in my lap.

  “There’s childcare at the hotel, remember?” Samson asked.

  “You want me to leave Mila alone with strangers?” I asked skeptically.

  “It’s Disney World,” Samson said. “It’s like the most kid-friendly place on earth.”

  “Not happening.”

  “Fine,” Samson said. “But we can still talk to them.”

  “I’m good,” I said again.

  Samson shook his head. Like always, he was frustrated by my lack of interest in the opposite sex. He couldn’t believe I would pass up an opportunity to bang a hot brunette while on vacation.

  “I don’t get you,” Samson said. “You wanted to take this trip.”

  “For Mila,” I said. “Not for sex.”

  “Whoever said you can’t have both?” Samson challenged. “You don’t have to be celibate to be a good father.”

  “I know,” I said. “I’m happy being single, Sammy. Let it go, all right?”

  Samson shrugged and finished the rest of his beer in one gulp. He glanced back at the two girls and then grinned at me. He wiggled his eyebrows and got to his feet.

  “I’ll meet you back at the hotel,” he said. “Tell Mila good night for me.”

  “See you in the morning,” I said, knowing full well he wasn’t likely to show up before dawn.

  He grinned again and made his way over to the women. They offered him a seat, and he sat down immediately, putting on his best, most alluring charm. I rolled my eyes and looked away. I’d seen my little brother pick up enough women to know how it worked. I didn’t need to watch him in action.

  Instead, I paid the bill and scooped Mila into my arms. She slept on my shoulder the whole way back to the hotel. It wasn’t a long walk, and Mila was light, so I took my time. I took in the scenery of the park, feeling myself relax for the first time in months. No, years.

  Taking a vacation was initially just an excuse to get out of town, but now, I realized how much I needed it. My entire body felt different. Years younger. I knew I could run a marathon if I wanted to. Just being away from the office, away from Virginia Beach, was enough to improve my mood.

  Samson was right about one thing. I did worry too much. I let myself freak out when I didn’t need to. For five years, my life had been about Mila and work. Work and Mila. I never thought about anything else. I never did anything else. And now, I finally wanted to.

  I knew exactly what prompted such a drastic change, and it wasn’t Disney World.

  It was Alex.

  The first time I saw her, I felt something shift. Those damn eyes almost broke me. I couldn’t even speak. I became flustered and awkward, and I stayed that way every time I was around her. The only time I didn’t feel totally out of control was when she’d barged into my office to scream at me.

  I smiled at the memory. Alex described Mila as a spitfire, but I knew she was also describing herself. Alex’s spirit was undeniable. It poured out of her in a flood of emotion. She didn’t hide. She didn’t back down.

  Without knowing, I had the distinct impression that Mila was going to grow up to be just like her. My daughter already had an independent streak ten miles long. She would rather throw a ball than wear a dress, and I knew if she was ever given the chance, she would love to work on a car.

  Maybe that was why I felt so drawn to Alex. Or, maybe not. All I knew was that my attraction to her wasn’t fading. No matter how much distance I put between us, she still held a place in my mind.

  Back in the suite, I laid Mila down on the pull-out couch and tiptoed away. She slept peacefully as I pulled the bedroom door closed with a click.

  My back ached from carrying her all the way back, so I slowly climbed in the shower and turned the knob to full blast.

  Hot streams of steaming water hit my aching back. I moaned an arched forward, letting the water cascade over my skin and sooth my aching muscles. Shaking my head, I sent droplets of water flying off my hair and onto the shower curtain.

  Alone for the first time, my thoughts returned to Alex.

  There were states between us, miles and miles separating… And yet, I could see her face as clearly as if she were standing before me. Her brilliant green eyes shone in my mind, tightening my stomach sending shocks of desire shooting through my body.

  I thought about the first time I saw her.

  Her long hair fell over her face, hiding it from view, but her body had been perfectly visible. I hated to admit it, even to myself, but couldn’t stop my eyes from raking a hungry trail down her body.

  I had lingered on her hips, wondering what it would feel like to grip them between my fingertips. When she finally looked up, her eyes had captivated me completely. And when she turned around…

  As the water poured down my back and Alex’s ass flickered through my memory, I felt my dick harden.

  Groaning, I closed my eyes and tried to force myself to relax. The memory of seeing Alex for the first time was too strong. My mind couldn’t shake the image of her perfectly sculpted ass as she walked across the garage at Tanner Bikes.

  I leaned back in the shower, letting the water fall over my chest and down my stomach. It slid over my erect dick.

  Even with my eyes open, I could still see Alex’s face.

  Her green eyes blinked at me, full of fire and determination. Strength radiated off her skin, making her even more undeniably sexy.

  Without thinking, I wrapped my fingers around the base of my cock. My eyes fell shut again, my head tilting back.

  Alex was walking away from me again, her hips swaying seductively from side to side. I imagined stepping up behind her, my hands flying to her waist and pulling her roughly against me.

  She would giggle, one arm rising to wrap around my neck.

  My lips would find her neck and her giggle would turn immediately into a moan. Just her imaginary moan was enough to make my dick twitch in my hand. I tightened my fingers and pumped my fist forward.

  Alex would push herself back against me, reveling in the feel of my rock-hard cock pressed against her ass.

  Just when her desire was about to overwhelm us both, I stepped forward, pushing her gently against the cabinets at the back of the garage. She would gasp, her hands darting forward to grip the cabinets.

  Spinning her around to face me, I would finally kiss those enticing lips.

  Alex would sigh against my mouth and sink in to me. I would wrap my arms around her waist and pulled her closer to me. She would moan again, melting into me.

  My eyes flew open and focused on the shower wall.

  Water poured down around me, but all I saw was Alex. My fantasies had taken on a mind of their own as my hand pumped hard over my cock.

  I couldn’t stop thinking about Alex’s lips on mine. Her tits pressing against my chest. I imagined tearing her clothes off and devouring every inch of her body, licking and nibbling my way down her stomach until I disappeared between her legs.

  The sounds she would make…

  “Fuck.” I groaned and slapped my free hand against the shower wall.

  My body trembled with need, flushed from the steaming hot water and my insane thoughts about Alex.

  In my mind, Alex was moaning and writhing beneath my vicious tongue. She was coming so hard that the earth shook around us.

  I pictured her gasping and panting, twisting violently against my bed and begging me to take her. Again and again…

&n
bsp; My hand flew over my dick until I saw stars.

  I was between Alex’s legs. Pounding my hips forward so fast that Alex could barely breathe. She cried out, my name heaven on her tongue. I leaned down to kiss her, to taste her, my dick buried deep inside her… Pleasure was etched on inch of her face. Her mouth hung open, her tits bouncing in rhythm with my thrusts…

  She clawed at the sheet and moaned, the sound ripping through my body and sending me flying over the edge…

  Fantasy met reality and my hips shot forward. I finished in my hand and slid down to the shower floor, my head still spinning with the image of Alex’s naked body.

  Breathing heavily, I tried to regain control of myself. The water had lost some of its heat as it rained down over my head, soaking my hair and sending shivers down my spine. When I could finally trust my legs, I slowly got to my feet and pressed my palms against the shower wall.

  “Fuck…” I said again, shaking my head side to side.

  If that’s what happened after one fantasy, I couldn’t imagine how incredible it would be to make it reality.

  Alex didn’t leave my mind for a second that night. As I quickly washed myself off, she swam through my head more clearly than ever. And when I shut off the water, reaching out to grab a towel, I thought of ways I could see her again.

  Suddenly, the trip to Disney World didn’t seem like such a great idea. Not when Alex was still back in Virginia, miles away from me…

  20

  Alex

  “What are you wearing?” Garret asked. He eyed my dress and high heels, doing his best to suppress his laughter.

  “Banks like dresses,” I said. “I borrowed it from Mom and your opinion is not needed.”

  “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you in a dress,” Garret said. “You wore pants to your high school graduation.”

  “They were covered by the gown anyway,” I said.

  Garret chuckled and shook his head. I ignored him and walked back to my office. There were a few files I needed to pick up before my meeting at the bank. Getting them to agree to an extension was already a long shot. If I didn’t have my statements ready, they’d dismiss me before I made it through the door.

  “Good luck,” Garret said when I reappeared.

  “Luck may not be enough,” I said. “We’re gonna need a fucking miracle.”

  “Do yourself a favor,” Garret said. “Watch the language at the meeting. Banks may like dresses, but they don’t usually like f-bombs.”

  “Yeah, yeah, yeah.” I rolled my eyes, but I knew he was right.

  “And seriously,” Garret said. “You look nice.”

  “Thanks.” I smiled.

  My hands were already shaking when I left the shop, and they didn’t stop until I made it to the bank. I parked my car and checked my hair in the vanity mirror. It was brushed out and pulled back into a neat bun. I didn’t bother with makeup, mostly because I didn’t own any, and I hoped they wouldn’t hold that against me.

  With a deep breath, I pushed myself out of the car and hurried up to the door. The bank’s interior was more than intimidating. The black carpet and eggshell walls made me feel like I was in a bizarre horror movie. There were tiny cubicles set in a line leading up to the front counter where two tellers were waiting for customers.

  They waved and waited for me to walk over, but they couldn’t help me. I needed to talk to someone in charge. Someone with the power to make decisions.

  “Hello there,” a voice said to my left. I spun around to see an older man walking toward me. He was wearing a well-fitted suit with a professional nametag pinned to his pocket.

  “Hi,” I said nervously.

  “What can I help you with today?” he asked.

  “Um.” I peered down at his nametag. “Dan, I need to speak to someone about a current loan I have.”

  “Is the loan with us?” he asked

  “Yes.”

  “Okay, great.” He smiled brightly and gestured toward an office behind him. “I can help you with that.”

  “Thank you.”

  I let Dan lead me into his office and felt my nerves heighten as he shut the door behind us. My hands were no longer shaking. Instead, my entire body seemed to possess a permanent tremble.

  “If I could just get your name,” Dan said. “I can pull up your account and help you with any questions you might have.”

  “Alexandria Tanner,” I said. “But the loan may be under my father’s name. I don’t know if it was transferred to me when he passed.”

  “Let’s see.” Dan typed away on his keyboard and then nodded triumphantly. “Alexandria Tanner. Got you right here. Repair shop?”

  “That’s it.” I nodded.

  Dan’s eyes scanned his computer screen. His chipper attitude vanished within seconds. He’d been eager, ready to help. Then, with one glance at my loan information, his jaw tightened, and his eyes narrowed. When he looked back up at me, there was a guarded expression in his eyes, almost as if he were readying himself for a fight.

  “Tell me what’s going on,” he said simply.

  He folded his hands together and rested them on top of his desk. His eyes held my gaze, but I found it hard not to drop mine to the floor. I suddenly felt like I was in the principal’s office after I’d hit another kid. Somehow, all my confidence had disappeared, and in its place was mind-numbing fear.

  “Well,” I began. I cleared my throat and placed the files I’d brought with me on his desk. “Obviously, you can tell that business has been slow.”

  “That would be an understatement,” Dan said bluntly.

  I frowned at his dismissive tone. I hadn’t even begun talking, and already, he seemed to have written me off. If there was anything that could bring my confidence soaring back, it was that. I squared my shoulders and cleared my throat.

  “I know I’m behind on my payments,” I said. “Ever since my father passed away, things have been slow at the shop. We’re picking up now, but—”

  “Are you?” Dan raised his eyebrows skeptically. “Because our files indicate you’re also behind on a number of other bills.”

  “How could you possibly have that information?” I demanded.

  “We do our homework,” Dan said simply.

  “Yes,” I said. “We are behind because, like I said, business has been slow, but I’m on top of things. I’ve come up with a five-point plan to get us back in the green. I brought a printout with me.”

  I pulled out the proper paper and slid it over to Dan. He glanced at it but didn’t make a move to grab it.

  “If you look at the outlined sections,” I said, pointing to the paper. “You’ll see that the plan is actually quite extensive. Barring any sort of—”

  “Miss Tanner,” Dan said. “Why are you here?”

  His question stopped me short. I wanted to show that I’d thought everything through before I asked for the extension. I wanted him to look over my work and be impressed. Nothing about this meeting was going to plan.

  “I’d like an extension on this month’s payment,” I said. “And, if possible, loan forgiveness on the past three months of missed payments.”

  Dan shook his head and sighed. He looked down at the paper I’d put in front of him and then glanced at the computer screen again.

  “You seem like a good kid,” he said. I bristled at the word. “But I’m afraid that’s impossible. You’re already three months behind, and now, you’re telling me you can’t make this month’s payment either. I’m sorry, but there’s no way we can extend the payment, and we certainly can’t forgive the unpaid amount.”

  “I understand,” I said quickly. I’d been prepared for this answer. “Then, what about a personal loan? I’d like to take one out for myself.”

  Dan frowned, clearly confused. He leaned back in his chair and put his folded hands over his large belly. He eyed me closely, giving me that same feeling of being back in grade school.

  “What do you plan to do with the personal loan?” he asked.

/>   “Is that something you normally ask people who ask for a personal loan?” I shot back.

  “It is when they already have a negative history with us.”

  My heart dropped to my stomach. Dan’s tone told me everything I needed to know. This meeting was a waste of time. He wasn’t going to help me. I was already thinking about going to a different bank when he spoke again.

  “I’m sorry,” he said gently. “I really am.”

  He seemed like he meant it, but I didn’t care. His sympathy was unnecessary, and his pity was downright insulting.

  “Don’t be sorry,” I said. “Just tell me what I can do.”

  Dan sighed and looked at the computer. He sat forward and typed in a few things. He frowned and scrolled for a few seconds. For a split second, I let myself believe he’d found something that would help. I was wrong.

  When he looked back at me, there was an apology in his eyes. He seemed to have dropped his harsh conviction, and in its place was more pity. I wanted to burrow a hole in the ground and disappear forever.

  “There’s a note on your account,” he said. “I didn’t see it before.”

  “Okay,” I said slowly. “What kind of note.”

  “Because of your missed payments,” he said. “The bank wants to seize your property.”

  “What?” I blinked. He couldn’t be serious.

  “After four missed payments, it’s protocol.”

  “Only four?” I asked. “That’s ridiculous! It’s not even half a year.”

  “I’m sorry,” Dan said. “If I could help you, I would.”

  “You can,” I said. “Just give me a couple extra months. Just two more. I’ll have the money by then.”

  “That’s not how this works,” he said. “We can’t make decisions based on faith. We have these rules for a reason.”

  “It’s not faith.” I snapped. “I showed you a breakdown of my financial plan. If you would just look at it.’

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Stop saying that!”

  “Miss Tanner,” he said slowly. “If you can’t get us the money by the end of the month, we’ll have no choice but to seize the property.”