Gabe (Blue-Collar Billionaires 3)

No, scratch that. She won't be meeting Sasha. Because you won't be seeing her again. Off-limits. I groan at the thought.

"What is with you today? You haven't heard a word I've said."

Josie turns in her seat and glares at me. It's probably a good thing that she's hampered by the seat belt since I know how much she hates being ignored. I always tease her about being a spoiled princess who is used to being the center of attention. She doesn't even bother to deny it anymore.

Most people see the two of us and assume that we're together but it's never been like that between us. I'm the first to admit that it's weird that we've never been anything but friends. Josephine Harlow is a certified bombshell. With her pale skin, long wavy dark hair and plump lips, she looks like a pinup girl. But there's no chemistry between us. When I see her I just see Josie. Not soft skin and kissable lips. Big doe eyes and …

"Gabe!" Josie is watching me closely and now she's smiling. "Seriously, what is going on? I haven't seen you like this in … well, ever."

"Sorry. I've been distracted."

"I was telling you about my new exhibit. You keep spacing out. You're being even more of a dick than usual." Suddenly she stops smiling. "Does this have anything to do with those pictures you asked me to work on?"

Josie has been incredibly curious about the pictures and I feel paranoid but I refused to talk about it over the phone. After hearing what Luke discovered, my suspicions don't seem so far-fetched. My father has documents relating to what could possibly be top-secret government spies. Which means that he's either totally innocent or totally evil. Because I can't think of too many reasons for him to have those names in his possession.

"Strangely enough, no. Not that I'm not worried about that though. I am. I'm not sure if I should say anything to Max about it. But I'm starting to understand why Luke is so determined to stay away from him."

"Do you really think your father is into something illegal?" She shoots a worried glance at me.

"I don't know. But I have to find out. Someone was watching me that day at the hotel and if that's the case, how do I know they aren't still following me? Or Zack? Or our moms? Where does it end? I have to figure out what's going on or I'll never feel safe."

"So what are you going to do?"

I pull up in front of the shop and cut the engine. "I don't know but I promised Zack to help him with a rebuild this afternoon so we'll have to figure it out later."

I get out, surprised when she follows me to the door. "You're coming in?"

"Yeah, sure. I'm not ready to go home yet. My mother's been on my case lately since she found out about the new exhibit. I can't take it anymore."

Josie's photography career has long been a point of contention with her upper crust parents. They'd much prefer that she'd gone to law school like her older brother. Instead she's been doing portraits and when they found out she's participating in an exhibit showcasing eroticism in art, they've been coming down on her harder than usual.

"You're welcome to crash at the house tonight if you want. You know we've got plenty of space."

She grins. “That would annoy Zack and that's always a bonus but I’ve got a date tonight. I do need to pick up one of my sweaters that I left at your house, though.”

Chuckling I push open the door to the shop. The waiting room is empty but I can hear the sound of voices from the back. Then laughter.

"It sounds like Zack is in a good mood. That's a shock." Josie follows me behind the counter and into the office.

As soon as I turn the corner, I stop in the doorway. Sasha and Zack both look over at me.

"Sasha? What are you doing here?"

My initial shock morphs into pleasure at seeing her again. Sasha smiles back at me shyly. Her eyes reflect back the same feelings I've been struggling with all morning. Desire, longing and then the strangest of all, joy. Last night I'd resolved that I wouldn't pursue her so in my mind that was the end of it. But seeing her like this, out of the blue, I can't deny that it makes me feel happy.

Josie appears at my elbow. Sasha glances over at her and her expression closes up.

"My car broke down. Zack said I need a new battery and a bunch of other stuff that I didn't understand."

"Your car is in good hands. He's so much nicer to cars than he is to people." Josie smirks at Zack.

His fingers tighten around the pen he's holding. I'm not sure why Josie loves to annoy him so much but it's been going on since high school. I've given up on ever figuring out their weirdly antagonistic relationship.

"Actually, I haven't found that to be true at all. Zack was just giving me some advice about my new business venture, actually. I had no idea he was a musician, too." Sasha grins at Zack affectionately.

The sight sends a sharp stab of envy straight through me. When I look over at Zack, he's watching me closely. So I work to keep the scowl off my face. By his smirk, I'm not successful. My brother loves screwing with me.

"Zack, Josie needs to pick up something at the house. Would you mind giving her a ride? I have some paperwork I need to finish up before I can leave." If nothing else, it'll get him away from Sasha so I don't feel this insane urge to reach over and drag her away from him.