Free Blindsided - A Stepbrother Romance Novel by Kylie Walker Page B

whatever.” Luke pushed a button on the wall near where he kept the keys. Samantha felt like she’d stumbled into the bat cave as she watched the back wall seem to fall away. She actually gasped out loud when she saw the cars behind it.
    “Holy shit!” she exclaimed. “Can I look at them?”
    Luke chuckled, “Of course.” They walked over closer. The one in the first stall was a 1965 Porsche 911F. It was teal with a lot of chrome and it shone like it had just been painted yesterday. Sam looked in the window and saw that the interior was black and all leather. Luke opened the driver’s side door and popped the hood. Sam glanced under it and whistled. The V-8 engine was as clean as the rest of the car and it looked brand new.
    “Wow…I’m speechless. You did all of this from scratch?”
    “She was pretty busted up when I got her. I have before pictures I’ll show you some time.”
    Sam was more impressed with Luke by the minute. It wasn’t about the money she could see all around her here, but about the sheer dedication, patience and love that he had obviously put into each one of them. Besides the Porsche there was a 1998 Aston Martin DR7, a 1953 Chevy Corvette and a 1967 Pontiac GTO. She almost forgot what they were in the garage for as she went from car to car with her mouth practically hanging open. “They’re amazing.”
    Luke smiled. “I’m glad you like them. They’ll be yours someday when I die.”
    Sam shuddered at the word, ‘die.’ It was too soon after losing her mother to even consider losing Luke. She’d just found him and she was just beginning to like him. “I’ll go get the Mustang.”
    For the next several hours they worked side by side. Sam payed close attention to what Luke said and she actually learned a few things. She liked that, but what she liked even more was that Luke listened to her as well. He seemed to not only appreciate her suggestions, but respect them as well. It was a good feeling.
    Later that evening while they all sat down for dinner together Aaron told her all about what he’d learned at the parts store already and for the first time Sam could remember he actually seemed excited about something.
    “Did you know that Luke’s company manufactures engines used in professional racecars?” Aaron asked her. Sam glanced at her father and said,
    “Yeah, I googled him.”
    Luke laughed. “You Googled me? I would have told you anything you wanted to know. I just didn’t want to overwhelm you with too much information all at once.”
    “I get it,” she said. “I knew you were into cars and engines but I had no idea you designed them.”
    “And got rich doing it,” Aaron said.
    “Shut up!” Sam chastised him. Luke only laughed and said,
    “Engines have always fascinated me. My father, your grandfather could rebuild an engine with his eyes closed. I worked with him in the garage from sun-up until sundown most days. He was a mechanic and he worked from home. My mom worked so I was with him most of the time. I could name all of the parts of an engine before I could read. I loved how proud it made him when I’d show off my knowledge to his friends or customers,” he looked nostalgic as he said; “My dad was my best friend.”
    “Must have been nice,” Sam said in a sharp tone before she caught herself. Luke had just spent his entire day off doing the same thing with her and as soon as she saw the pain her comment caused in his eyes she immediately regretted it. “Hey Luke I didn’t…”
    He shook his head. “It’s okay, Sam, really.” She glanced at her little brother. He was actually giving her a disapproving look. That was different; it was usually the other way around. She felt like shit right up until she started to leave to meet Conrad. For years she’d come and gone as she pleased and no one had asked or even cared where she was going or when or if she’d been back. She was ready to snap again when Luke asked, “Where are you off to tonight?”
    She