“Thanks.”

She smiled at me. A real, honest smile that almost knocked my socks off. She was breathtaking when she did that.

“You’re welcome.”

“And dinner last night was delicious. Again.”

She leaned back, lifting her arms over her head and locking her hands in place. “Did you like your pie?”

I tried not to notice how high her breasts lifted in the light, frilly blouse she was wearing. How they rippled and pulled at the material as she moved. How the swell of her breasts peeked out from the low vee in her shirt.

I tried to ignore how my dick got hard at the sensual pose and the huskiness of her voice.

My efforts failed.

I swallowed, gripping the edge of the doorframe, almost snarling at her. “Yep. It was good. Really good.”

Then I turned and hurried to the garage, slamming down my mug, frustrated at how easily she could affect me. I needed to think of car engines, parts, oil changes. Not making her purr, stroking her parts, and how slick she would be if I did.

I groaned as I ran a hand over my face.

Today was going to be a long-ass day.

And I had a feeling it was just the start.

I thought things would be normal in the garage. I would work on the vehicles, and she would stay out of my way.

I thought wrong.

She wandered in all morning, bringing with her the scent of her skin, the brightness of her smile, and the fucking sexy office girl look. She asked me endless questions. Part numbers, more descriptions on the notes I had for invoices, dollar amounts, phone numbers.

Every customer, every single goddamn one of them, stared at her. They watched her sashay around the place,

“Who the hell is that?” My customer Brian, asked, staring at her retreating figure.

“New assistant.”

“Jesus,” he muttered. “You lucky son of a bitch.” He stroked his chin. “She single?”

“No,” I snapped, having no idea why I said that.

“Damn.”

“Trust me, be grateful. She looks like an angel, but she has a forked tongue.”

“Who said I wanted to listen to her talk?” He quirked his eyebrows, which for some reason enraged me more. “Maybe I’d like that tongue somewhere.”

“Show some respect.”

He held up his hands. “Wow. Sorry.”

I bent over the engine again, unable to explain my anger. Brian was a decent guy and I had known him a long time, but I didn’t like the way he was looking at Charly.

I finished his job, shutting the hood. Before I could say anything, Charly came out of the office, her attitude brisk and businesslike. “Cash or credit?”

He blinked. “Oh. Usually, I pay whenever.”

She shook her head. “New policy. You have work done, you pay today.”

“Oh.” He pulled out his credit card. “Okay.”

“Oil change and tune-up?” Charly asked me. “List price?”

It was my turn to blink. I had a list price?

“Ah, five percent off for being a loyal customer,” I muttered.

“Easy peasy. Follow me,” she directed Brian.

He left a few moments later, clearly shell-shocked. I waved as he backed out the car, stopping to drink my now-cold coffee.

I brought in the next car. She strolled out, her laptop and file in one hand, a steaming cup of coffee in the other. “I’m heading to the house. How many more cars do you have today?”

“Only three. Tomorrow is booked solid.”

She pursed her lips, setting down the items she was carrying. She waved toward the wall. “We need a system. Like a wipe-off board you write the schedule down on, so I know when to be around for payment. No more walking out without paying.”

“They’re good for it.”

“Not anymore. You do the work, I take the payment.”

“I appreciate what you’re trying to do, but you don’t make the rules here.”

“Rules?” she snorted. “Yowsers—there are no rules! You need to pay better attention. I don’t know where you’ve been the last while, but your mind is not focused on this place.”

Her words made me see red. I stepped right in front of her. “Where I’ve been is none of your business.”

“Obviously it is if you hired me to help.”

“You’re a pain in the ass, anyone ever tell you that?”

“You’re a controlling jerk who refuses to admit he needs help.”

We were so close, I could feel her warm breath on my face. See the flecks of gray in the green of her eyes. I glared at her.

“You’re trying my patience, Red.”

“You’re pissing me off,” she retorted, jabbing at my chest with her pointy finger.

I grabbed her hand, and we both stared at it. Felt the heat bubbling in the air around us. Our gazes locked, and suddenly, my mouth was on hers. Demanding. Hard. Determined.

She yanked back, her breathing hard. “You’re an asshole.”

“I know.”

Then she flung her arms around my neck and kissed me back. She pulled me hard, yanking on my hair. I wrapped my arm around her, settling my hand on that spectacular ass, and dragging her close. Our tongues battled for dominance, neither of us giving an inch.

Tags: Melanie Moreland Reynold's Restorations Suspense
Source: readsnovelonline.net