Boy Issues - Morticia Knight Page 0,14

winced. Actually, that wasn’t too far from the truth. Why he should care was beyond him, but he couldn’t help himself.

Donovan got their drinks—after spending a minute or two of annoying the bartender by agonizing over the perfect beer choice—then returned to their booth. As he approached, Silver glanced up through the soulful eyes that made Donovan want to drop trou and marveled how calm and at ease Silver appeared.

“I have returned.”

Donovan set down Silver’s beer and his own martini, then slid back into the booth with as much elegance as he could. When he regarded Silver again, he noted Silver’s amused expression. He pinched his lips together, irritation growing at how nonchalant Silver was about everything. Was Silver judging him? Over what? As if he wasn’t always being scrutinized and picked apart as it was. Adding a guy he wanted to fuck to the equation wasn’t what he’d signed up for.

He rubbed his eyes with thumb and forefinger. The reality was that he was no longer sure what he’d been expecting.

“Hey. Look at me.”

Donovan leaned back, then lifted his gaze. He clutched the stem of the martini glass. “Is the beer all right?”

Donovan wondered if he was so pissed because typically it was his date who was on edge and anxious to impress him. Being on the other side of that fence was infuriating.

Silver sighed. “It’s just fine, thanks.” He leaned forward, placing his elbows on the table. “Listen, we’re here, right? Let’s get to know each other a little. I’ve had a long day and I’d like to chill out a bit, you know?”

Donovan nodded, wiping his hand along his upper lip where beads of sweat had formed. He didn’t remember this bar being so stuffy.

“Of course.” He gave a nervous chuckle. “You’ve probably been on your feet all day.” He frowned. “Have you?”

God, he knew nothing about this man. Knew nothing about the world he must live in or what mattered to him the most.

Other than cars.

That surely had to be why Silver had finally agreed to meet up with him. Donovan exhaled. Okay, he could work with that. Silver just didn’t want to feel as though he was being bought or manipulated, that’s all. They’d get the small talk out of the way, he’d tease Silver with promises of driving one of his cars, then they could find somewhere to be alone.

Silver still stared at Donovan with the same intense gaze he’d been using on him all evening. “Not the whole day. My boss recently dropped off a new car for me to work on, and I was making a list of parts I’d need to restore her, calling around to see who might have something I need—that type of thing.”

“Oh, right. That man you told me about?”

The smallest twinge of jealousy coursed through Donovan, which was ridiculous.

Silver took a swig of his beer. “Mmm, yes. Mr. Jenkins has me under an exclusive contract with him. He buys the cars, I restore them.”

Donovan straightened in his seat. “Wait. Carl Jenkins?” He grinned. “I’ve known Carl for years. I bought one of my babies from him.” Donovan shook his head in wonder. “Maybe you worked on it.”

“Maybe. Which one?”

“It was a green, seventy-one AC Frua convertible. Got it a couple years back. She’s like a jaguar on crack.”

“Ay, dios mío.” (Oh, my God) Silver made a soft whistle. “I’d love to get a look at her sometime. But no, that wasn’t me. I’ve only been working for Carl a little over a year now.”

“Huh, too bad.” Donovan grinned. “I think I would’ve liked knowing you were the one who made her shine.”

“Yeah.” Silver gave Donovan the lopsided smile he enjoyed so much. “I bet you would.”

Donovan licked his lips, his tongue barely brushing over the sensitive skin.

“So, how does that work with Carl? You said it’s an exclusive contract?”

“Yeah.” Silver rested his fingers on the glass handle of his almost empty mug. “He bought a garage in Highland Park right off the 110. Used to be a local place, Chico’s, but it went under a few years back. Has an apartment above the work area that I fixed up, so it’s an all-inclusive deal.” Silver grunted. “Work and home all in one place.”

Donovan wished he’d known Silver before Carl had gotten to him. “And you can’t work on anyone else’s cars, just his?”

“Yup.”

“And he makes that worthwhile for you?” Donovan cleared his throat as he shifted on the bench seat. “I know it’s none of my business,