as I approach.
Ignoring the grumpy older mechanic, I paste on my customer service smile and address the newcomer. “Hi, you must be Ryker.”
The man before practically oozes bad-boy pheromones and judging from the cocky smirk on his lips, he knows it.
“And you are?”
My cheeks heat. My back office make-out sesh with Mateo has me more than a little flustered. “Sorry. I’m Seraphine.”
“What’s your role here?” he asks, looking from me to Danton and Rodger.
“I’m the manager.”
Ryker’s lips twitch like he wants to laugh.
“Something funny?” I cross my arms over my chest and glower.
“Just wondering what your qualifications are, is all.”
Why did Mateo hire this jackass? And why did he not tell me he was such a jackass?
Danton and Rodger exchange worried looks.
“I don’t see how my qualifications affect your ability to do your job.”
He tips his head back a fraction of an inch and breathes out a laugh. “Got it.”
“I don’t think you do. This shop was my father’s. Mateo owns it now, but it’s my dad’s name on the sign. I grew up here. I may have a vagina, but I assure you it doesn’t hamper my ability to do my job and it damn sure shouldn’t affect your ability to do yours.”
“Breathe, mariposita,” Mateo says, startling me. I’m not sure how much of that he heard, but I stand by everything I said.
Ryker eyes Mateo’s nearness to me and grins like suddenly my presence here makes sense.
“Everything okay here?” Mateo asks no one in particular.
We all remain silent until Danton says, “Yup, your girl was just setting the new hire straight.”
“Straight about what?” Mateo’s voice is low with menace.
“About whether or not I’m suited to my position here.”
Mateo rubs a hand over his chin before turning to Ryker. “Why don’t we go have a talk?”
Ryker’s eyes dart between me and the guys before he nods and follows Mateo back to the office.
As soon as they’re out of sight, Danton cracks up. “Let’s hope he doesn’t give new guy the same kind of talk he gave you.”
“Men in this industry can be real assholes,” I grumble.
“We are.” Rodger nods solemnly, but there’s a twinkle in his eye. “Now, get to work. We’ve all fucked around enough this morning.” He gives me a pointed look. “Some of us more than others.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Mateo
This entire week has been a lesson in patience—but it’s finally Friday.
“You ready to head out?” I ask Seraphine, diverting her concentration from whatever she’s showing Ryker on the computer to me.
After my talk with him Monday, he’s been a model of respect toward Seraphine.
Gracias a Dio—thank God—because I would’ve hated to fire him with the credentials he’s packing. But for her? I’d do it in a heartbeat.
“Almost done.” She smiles sweetly before turning back to her task. “You can head out; I’ll meet you there.”
My lip curls at the idea. “Or we could go now?”
She laughs. “Go home, caveman. I need to freshen up before the game anyway.”
Wisely, Ryker keeps his eyes on the computer screen. “Fine,” I concede, “but I’m picking you up.”
Seraphine bites down on her bottom lip, trapping the smile I see trying to break free. “Sounds good.”
“I’ll be there at six.”
I stalk back around the counter and press a lingering kiss to her lips.
Ryker clears his throat. “Sooner we finish, sooner you can get out of here.”
With reluctance, I pull away and give her a meaningful look. “Then get back to work.” I pause at the door. “Oh, and, Seraphine, pack a bag.”
I pull into Seraphine’s driveway with five minutes to spare. Much to my surprise, she’s out on the porch with a small overnight bag resting at her feet waiting on me.
As soon as I shift the truck into park, she’s bounding down the stairs and climbing up into the cab beside me.
“Miss me?” I look at her over the top of my sunglasses.
“Depends.” She taps her lip, pretending to think. “How lame would it be for me to say yes when I saw you less than an hour ago?”
I laugh as I throw the truck back into gear. “Then we can be lame together.”
She reaches over and places her hand over mine on the shifter, rubbing her fingers over my knuckles. “Together…I like the sound of that.”
“I can’t help but notice you packed a bag.”
A soft, melodious laughs bubbles out of her. “Well, this very bossy man told me to.”
“Mmm, really?”
“Yeah and as it turns out, I kind of like it when he orders me around.”
I damn near swerve off the road