“You’ll have to sign it off to him. But he wanted to get to work on it. He’s really excited.”
“Dammit. You knew I’d never take back a vehicle that was promised to Todd.” She folded her arms in front of her and glared at Jared. She loved him with every fiber of her being, but his actions were way too high-handed, even for Jared.
“Why in the hell would you want to take it back? If you don’t like this one, I’ll get you something else.” He looked at her like he was really confused.
Mara tapped her foot against the concrete, trying to keep her temper. “Because it was my truck, and I can’t take a gift this expensive. Jared, you’ve already helped me out enormously, and I don’t know what I would have done without you. But this is too much.” Honestly, she really didn’t know what she would have done had Jared not come into her life. He’d been her rock, the person who had saved her from homelessness. And for him, the things he was doing for her weren’t big things. “Why didn’t you ask me first?”
He shrugged. “Why? I handle the business part of Mara’s Kitchen, and a new vehicle for you was in the contract. I guess I should have checked with you about giving your truck to Todd, but I didn’t think you’d mind since you have a new SUV.”
Oh, God. She hadn’t really read every line of the contract. She trusted Jared, and she’d only checked to make sure he wasn’t screwing himself. And all things considered, she wouldn’t have minded giving her truck to Todd at all. His family had so little, and if the vehicle would help him, she would have gladly turned it over to him if she got other transportation. “I should have been consulted. We’re partners, and it was my personal property.”
“You’re right. I should have. But you’ve been working yourself into the ground. I thought it was something I could take care of for you.”
Mara’s heart dropped to the ground at Jared’s contrite expression. He’d been trying to help, and it made her feel like a bitch. “We really are from two different worlds,” she mumbled irritably, unable to make Jared feel worse than he did by being upset with him. “If it concerns my personal property, I’d appreciate it if you’d ask next time.” Dammit. She was so easy. But Jared had been through so much today that she didn’t want to argue. She wanted to talk to him about how things had gone with Mrs. Olsen, and find out if he felt better, if it had helped resolve anything for him. All she really wanted right now was to touch him and for him to hold her while they talked about it.
“Okay,” he agreed gruffly. “But if I had to, I would have had someone do you a favor and steal that damn truck. It was dangerous. And you needed a new vehicle, dammit.”
Okay . . . maybe he wasn’t all that remorseful. Mara had a hard time biting back a smile. Jared was incorrigible and so honest that he could get himself in trouble very easily. The problem was, she could see his concern for her. He wasn’t doing this for any other reason. “You’re lucky you gave me that fabulous orgasm. I’m too sated to argue with you.”
“So that’s how I can get whatever I want? Make you come?” A slow grin formed on his lips and spread to his eyes as he looked at her hungrily.
She couldn’t help herself. She teased him back. “It certainly wouldn’t hurt, I’m sure.”
“If you want something from me, all you have to do is smile at me like you are right now. I’ll give you anything you want,” he told her bluntly, genuinely.
“You know it’s almost impossible to get angry with you for very long.” Mara moved forward and stroked his sexy, stubbled jaw. “What if I want you to stop buying things for me?” She beamed at him to make her point.
“Everything except that,” he grumbled, leaning down to kiss her tenderly. “If you’re in need of something, I want to be the one to provide it.”
“Thank you for the vehicle. It’s beautiful. But since when is a car part of a business contract?”
His grin grew broader. “Since I asked the attorney to put it in there and hoped you wouldn’t notice.”
She lifted her eyebrow at him. “So you were actually hoping I wouldn’t read the fine print?”
“Yep,” he admitted shamelessly.
Sweet Jesus. Jared was breathtakingly gorgeous even when he was being an arrogant ass. “You win. This time.”
“Is it really so hard? Letting me get you what you need? I want to know you’re safe.” His tone was hesitant and confused.
“Yes.” She sighed, knowing Jared had gone through the trauma of losing people he loved, and she did understand that he wanted anyone he cared about to be safe. “Every woman in your life has used you because of your money. I want you to trust that I’m not after your money.”