Chapter 9
Diesel whistled when he saw the interior decor. "Nice," he said appreciatively. The floors are a dark-stained oak.
Lester painted the walls a neutral light tan colour. He decided on leather furniture between the floor and wall colour tones. I laughed when I saw the brightly coloured pillows he added to the sofa and chairs.
"I think you misunderstood what I suggested," I told Lester. "I recall saying cream or white pillows with a splash of colour, but what you chose works too."
"You need to register your thumbprints," Lester said as he led us towards the security system. "Steph, you can use your index finger since you're a bit shorter. You wouldn't have to lean as far outside your car."
It took a few tries for my fingerprint to take. Lester assigned us an alarm code unique to us. "Are you tracking when we enter the house?" I asked.
"I'm testing a new program Hector and Silvio created. You can have a maximum of five unique codes per system. When paired with your biometrics, it can tell us who disarms the alarm and when they did. A code isn't required to arm the system. Your fingerprint works or pressing the button to engage the alarm," Lester explained.
"How many codes have you used?" I wondered. Diesel's thumbprint kept messing up the biometric scans. I stifled a laugh. Hector and Silvio need to enter a protocol for Diesel.
"As of a few seconds ago, five. Diesel, your biometric thumbprint isn't going to work. I have a retinal scan for you to use," Lester said as he pointed to the specialized camera.
"If you have retinal scans available, why are you using fingerprints?" I asked. I've always been a curious person. I wanted to understand why Lester prefers one biometric scan over another.
"I find retinal scans a little uncomfortable," he replied. "It should be avoided unless there's no other choice." I know Rangeman wanted to transition to retinal scans, but the cameras are expensive, and the technology could use more work.
"You do know I can bypass any alarm system," Diesel reminded him. He raised his eyebrow as he waited for Lester's predictable response.
"I know, but this is my house. You need to follow my rules," Lester joked. Diesel could disarm the alarm by touching the panel. He would need to suppress his ability to abide by Lester's request.
"Do I still have my room?" I asked. Lester has several guest rooms, but he designated space for me last year. Whenever I had a stalker or if someone bombed my apartment, I stayed at Lester's house. When I was intimate with Ranger, I would stay with him until I felt the urge to leave. Ranger was too controlling to the point I felt trapped. If I feel chained to a place, I did everything possible to escape. Lester gave me a safe place to stay. He would express his concerns, but I was free to make my choices.
Diesel and I discussed various scenarios during our training sessions. We knew what to expect from each other. If I was in danger, he wanted me to seek safety. I could leave my secure location, but I needed to remain aware of my surrounding. He will only intervene if necessary.
I couldn't wait to share a bed with my man. We haven't made love yet, and I was anxious to see if my body would turn to jelly when we connect. "Earth to Stephanie," Lester called. "Can you hear me, Beautiful?"
"Um, what?" I replied.
"I was asking if you're hungry," Lester answered. My stomach grumbled. "I take that as a yes," Lester said as he laughed. "Pizza or Chinese?"
"Chinese, please," I replied. Lester left to pick up the food. Diesel and I were alone in the house.
"We have 40 minutes," Diesel said as he wrapped his arms around me. "Let's take a shower."
I leaned into Diesel for a kiss. He lifted me so I could wrap my legs around his waist. One hand was secure under my ass as the other hand grabbed our luggage. I broke our kiss as Diesel climbed the stairs. "Third door on the right," I said before nipping his bottom lip.
Diesel growled as he slammed my bedroom door closed with his foot. I heard the suitcases fall to the floor. He carried me into the ensuite washroom. "Where did our clothes go?" I asked.
"Don't care," he growled as he pressed me against the shower wall. "I love you, Sunshine," he whispered against my neck. His lips were doing amazing things to my body. I screamed his name as his touch pushed me over the edge.
"Please, Diesel. I need you. We've waited long enough," I moaned. "I love you," I screamed as he pushed into me. Diesel left every bone in my body in a gelatinous mess.
Sex with Diesel was everything I expected and more. He held me against his naked chest as we came down from our high.
Diesel gently washed my body as I soaped his. My skin was still sensitive from his touch. He quickly became the most important person in my life. I've never felt this way about a man before. I watched Diesel tilt his head back to rinse his hair. A smile played across his lips.
He knew I was watching the water run down his body. Diesel swapped our positions until I was under the showerhead. His fingers separated the strands as he rinsed my hair. Who knew having a man wash your hair could be so erotic?
"Les will be home soon," Diesel whispered. He placed small kisses from my forehead, down my nose to my lips. "We need to get dressed."
"Okay," I said before trailing kisses from his chin to his abs.
"Sunshine," he growled. "We'll pick this up later."
"Promises, promises," I mumbled.
We reluctantly broke from our embrace and got ready to meet Lester downstairs for dinner. Lester was placing the food containers on the table. He grabbed plates and utensils. "You look radiant, Beautiful," Lester said when he saw me. Lester wiggled his eyebrows. He must know Diesel, and I finally had sex.
"Get used to it, Diesel," I groaned. Diesel and I need to find a home soon. We can stay with Lester for a few weeks, but I can see it getting old really fast. I love my friend and don't want to overstay my welcome. Lester and Diesel are related, but even families have their conflicts.
"The house up the road is for sale," Lester stated as he showed me the listing.
It needs a little TLC, but it wasn't anything we couldn't handle. If we purchase the house, we'll need to live here until it closes. I read the details of the listing. The owners were anxious to sell. Sara and Barney Quinn were moving to Savannah, Georgia. They were taking over the family business and needed a quick closing date.
I tapped my finger against my chin. "I don't know, Diesel. Do you want to live so close to family?" I wondered. The asking price was below fair market value. If we wanted to purchase the house, we'd have to place an offer soon.
"Doesn't bother me, Sunshine," he replied. "We'll pop over later to take a look. It's going for a reasonable price. My buddy can handle the renovations."
"I'll have to check my bank balance," I muttered. "If we pool our money, maybe we can offer a cash purchase."
Diesel smiled as though he knew a secret. As I continued to stare at him, he sighed as he grabbed his phone. He opened an email and gave me the device to read the message. After I read the email, I ran to our room to use my secure satellite phone.
"Thank you, Nonno," I gushed. "We're buying a house with the money."
"I thought you'd be angry. It's the reason I sent the email to Diesel," grandpa confessed.
"You gave me the money out of love. Would I need to pay taxes on it?" I wondered.
"No. I opened the account for you the day you were born. Every year, I added money to the account. Send me photos. Congrats, piccolo zucca. I love you," he said.
"I love you too, Nonno," I said before ending the call.
"Is everything okay?" Lester asked.
"Yup. He saved the money was since I was born. I wanted to make sure it was tax-free," I replied. "Let's go check out our new home. Do you think the Quinns will let us in?"
"I'm sure they will. Everybody trusts you the minute you meet. I guarantee the Quinns will let us in," Diesel replied. Lester dismissed us when we offered to help him clean from dinner.
We held hands as we approached the Quinns home. Sara Quinn was sitting on the porch enjoying a cup of iced tea. "May I help you?" Sara asked as I approached the steps.
"Yes. My name is Stephanie, and this is my fiancé, Diesel. A friend noticed the for sale sign on your lawn," I said as I pointed to the sign. "Diesel and I were wondering if we may have a tour of your home."
Sara's husband Barney came to the door when he heard talking. I quickly introduce us to him as well. He exchanged a look with Sara before agreeing, "Sure, you two look like a friendly couple. Follow me," Barney said as he led us into the home.
The house was larger inside than the exterior indicated. Diesel and I could live in the house during renovations. We needed to paint the walls, and the floors need refinishing. When the kitchen gets renovated, we could cook at Lester's or order take-out. The upstairs washroom needs an overhaul too. However, the ensuite is newly repaired and modern.
Barney and Sara gave us a few minutes to talk. We decided to give them their asking price. "Thank you for showing us the house," I said as we walked towards the front door. "Would you be amenable to discuss an offer tomorrow?"
"We could have the discussion now if you're willing. Our agent left the paperwork," Barney replied. "If we can settle this sale soon, we can move to Savannah to be with our children."
Diesel rubbed his thumb down the back of my hand before squeezing my fingers. "Sure, now would work," I agreed. Sara led us to the kitchen table. She grabbed the papers their agent left in case an offer fell into their laps.
"We'll give you the asking price. Steph and I will cover your moving expenses. Our offer is a cash exchange. We can close as soon as the lawyers register the sale," Diesel stated.
"We accept," Barney answered for the both of them. Everyone signed the documents in triplicate. Diesel made sure the complete offer, including moving expenses, was included in the paperwork.
"Thank you," Sara gushed. "You have no idea how much this means to us." She threw her arms around me and cried.
"It's no problem, Sara. Take care of yourself and your children. You'll be with them soon," I said as I gently rubbed her back.
"The house got listed weeks ago. Nobody could handle the quick sale," Barney confessed.
"We'll file the agreement with our lawyer in the morning. Thank you for selling us your home," I said when Sara released me from her grasp.
Diesel and I are proud owners of a house. "I can't wait to make it our home," Diesel added. Neither can I, Diesel. Neither can I.
Instead of walking back to Lester's house right away, we decided to walk around the neighbourhood. A private school was only a few blocks away. Our new home doesn't have security fences surrounding the property, but we planned to add them when the sale closes. "Do you mind using Rangeman for security?" I asked.
"Nope. After all, Rangeman pays your wage," Diesel joked.
"The area is a mix of family and mature," I observed. "It's the perfect balance for raising children."
"Do you want children?" Diesel asked.
"I honestly don't know. The thought of having children used to give me hives, but I would be willing to reconsider," I answered.
"We'll table the children talk for now. When you're ready to resume the discussion, let me know. I'll support whatever you decide."
Diesel is the perfect man. I'm glad I gave our relationship a chance. I silently thanked Ronnie for helping me heal. If it weren't for her help, I would still be in unhealthy relationships with Joe and Carlos.
I entwined our fingers as we walked back to our temporary house. We could carry on a conversation without speaking a word. Diesel and I are content to share the same space in complete silence.
Carlos, Lester, Bobby and Tank watched from the porch as we approached the stairs. "Is she broken?" Bobby stage-whispered.
"Not likely. Beautiful hasn't been filling the silence with mindless chatter lately," Lester stated.
"Little Girl learned the art of saying a lot using no words," Tank proudly stated.
"Babe?" Ranger asked as he reached for the envelope I held.
"Diesel and I bought the house up the road," I said as I gave Ranger the paperwork. "We need to contact a lawyer to file the paperwork and do a title search."
Lester used his phone to send a message. I wondered who he was contacting. My curiosity was satisfied within half an hour. Hector arrived in a new Ford Escape. He jumped from the driver's seat, passed me the keys and a letter. I tore open the letter and cried. "Pumpkin, please accept this gift from me. I'm proud of you. Love, Dad."
Diesel pulled the letter from my hand to read. He kissed away my tears and nodded his thanks to Hector. My Hermano returned my phone. I was happy he kept it fully charged. He hugged me to whisper, "I copied messages and voicemails before deleting them."
"Thank you," I whispered back.
Another car parked in front of Lester's house. An attractive man I recognized as the Rangeman lawyer exited the SUV. "Evening, Ms. Plum. Do you have property acquisition papers for me?" he asked. Carlos gave him the envelope he grabbed earlier.
"Diesel and I purchased a home up the street. We need it to close as soon as legally possible," I stated as he read the paperwork.
"Everything is in order. I'll run the title search and check for leans on the property. If everything clears, we can close the sale within eight business days," he said. "The process goes faster with a cash purchase. I can organize the electronic transfer with the bank." Diesel and I thanked the lawyer before he left.