Before Anyone Else - Love In All Seasons

It’s from the largest card distributor in the business, Best Regards. I press my lips together to keep from squealing in delight.

“You okay, there?”

I look up from the screen and see that the driver is looking at me in the rearview mirror. Oops, guess I let a squeal escape after all.

“I’m great. Just a little excited.” And nervous about seeing Moxon again, but I don’t tell the driver that. I put my phone in my purse and triple check that my card for him is still tucked in there safely. It is.

“Alright. Well, we’re here if you wanna get out.”

I look out the car window, heat rising to my cheeks. “Oh, sorry. I’m a little distracted today.”

I pay him and slip out of the cab, and then walk straight to the doors of the auto shop. I have nothing to be nervous about. Nothing at all.

The signage above Malone Auto is pretty ratty. Whoever made the logo, did it without any eye for design and I die a little inside when I notice the paint is peeling.

When I try to open the front door, I see that it’s locked. Shit. I look at the shop’s hours, then at my watch. They closed fifteen minutes ago. I hadn’t even thought of the time when I got the voicemail. I just got ready and jumped in the cab.

A smooth voice calls from a side entrance. “You looking for someone?”

I look over and see Moxon standing there, the same cocky grin as before on his face.

“Hey,” I say, lifting my hands in defeat. “I didn’t realize you closed at five.”

“Yeah, it’s a nine-to-five job,” he says, eyebrows raised.

My words from our first conversation replay in my mind. I want a man with a big house and a 9-5 job.

“Should I come back tomorrow?”

Instead of answering, his eyes travel up and down my body. My thighs clench together as he takes his time replying.

“No need, sweet pea,” he finally says. “I can help service you just fine.”

My eyes practically bug out of their sockets. “Excuse me?”

He laughs. “I’m just teasing you, Millie. But I can get you your keys, so you can take your baby home.”

I breathe a sigh of relief. Not that the idea of Moxon servicing me doesn’t sound wonderful, but I can’t go there again. It threw me for a loop the last few days. I just need to pay my bill, give him his card, and drive away.

I follow him inside and see my Beetle sitting in the middle of a large shop.

“She looks so shiny,” I say, walking over, and running my hands over her hood.

“Yeah, I polished her up. Figured I didn’t leave you with a great lasting impression, thought maybe this could help.”

“That was sweet. And I’m sorry for things getting weird the other night. I think the emotions got to me.”

“You were feeling emotional about me?” Moxon asks with a side smile, stepping closer.

I step back. “Yeah, like, emotional over the fact I slept with a stranger.”

“I’m not a stranger.”

I shake my head. “I don’t even know your last name.”

“It’s Malone. Moxon Malone.”

I push my lips forward. “Like Malone Auto?”

He nods. “That’s the one.”

“Oh.”

He lifts his eyebrows. “Oh, what?”

“Is this shop yours?”

“Yeah. Well, my brother Mike and I own it together.”

“That’s impressive.”

He twists his lips and then huffs. “Yeah, well not as impressive as a suit and tie, right?”

I swallow, my chest feels flush and I know my cheeks are burning red. “Look, I was joking when I said that. I don’t care about--”

“You don’t owe me anything.”

“Well, regardless, I want to apologize.”

He shakes his head and walks out of the shop and into the front lobby, I follow him watching his tight ass as he moves. Everything about him screams manly and being here, alone with him, in his shop, makes me dizzy with desire.

He plucks my keys from a rack and hands them to me. “Nothing to apologize for. I’m a fucking ass and should have thrown my phone out the window the first time I started getting booty calls.”

My lips turn up.

“What are you smiling about?”

“Hearing you say booty call is kinda adorable is all.”

He lifts his eyebrows, smiling, making his dimples pop. “Well, you walking into my mechanic shop is pretty damn adorable too.”

I feel my guard dropping all over again, just like last time we were together. It’s like we fall into step after exchanging only a few words. What is it about this man?

Tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear, I smile softly. “I brought you a card. As my way of saying I’m sorry.” I reach into my purse and hand it over.

The creamy white envelope appears small in his large hand, and I see his face instantly fall the moment he holds it.

“Oh fuck, I got it all greasy,” he says pulling a hand away and rubbing two fingers together.