in each of the bays. As soon as I stepped in here, a sense of peace washed over me. The smells and the fresh air coming through the open bay doors grounded me, and the music instantly lifted my mood.
“Hey, we’ve got an unhappy customer,” I said. “Can someone come give me a hand? There’s no open space on the schedule—what do you want me to do?”
Blake rolled out from underneath one of the cars and shot to his feet. He was tall and broad-shouldered, his coveralls clinging to his body in a way that was mouthwatering, and I glanced away from his concerned gaze. I didn’t want him to catch me staring.
But I was keenly aware of him approaching me, wiping his greasy hands off on a shop towel.
He gave me a look I couldn’t read. “Sure, let’s see what’s going on.”
I pulled the door to the lobby open for him, and he walked through it ahead of me.
The coveralls did amazing things for his ass, too.
I jerked my gaze up to his spreading shoulders. Lord help me. There was nowhere safe to look. Blake always commanded my attention—and he was ridiculously sexy.
The guy still stood at the counter, drumming his fingers impatiently. When he saw Blake, he said, “Oh good. I hope you’re actually useful.”
“Occasionally.” Blake flashed him a smile the man did not return. “What’s the problem?”
“My car isn’t starting,” he said impatiently. “I’m parked just down the street. I stopped to get a coffee, on my way to a very important meeting…”
“He said that already,” I murmured. I couldn’t help myself. Who mentions a very important meeting twice in one conversation? I bet he called jerking off in his bathroom a very important meeting with Mr. Righty.
His gaze narrowed on me. “And she was completely useless. You need to get my car fixed, ASAP. You were the last guys to touch it.”
Blake spread his hands. “Yeah, I remember being the last one to touch it. I told you that you needed a new alternator, and you didn’t want to spend the money.”
The man huffed. “I think you broke my car.”
Blake crossed his arms, studying him.
“And I think you’re an asshole,” Blake said finally. He sounded completely matter-of-fact, but I almost laughed out loud in surprise. “You know, normally I would look at it for you, confirm it was the alternator, help you out. But I don’t like the way you talked to her.”
The man scoffs. “Are you kidding me right now?”
“Nope.” Blake told him. “There’s a great auto shop in Scarborough. They’ve got a towing service, too, so you’re in luck. Because Hot Wheels ain’t for you, friend.”
Blake flashed him a smile that didn’t match his words. For the first time, I really noticed just how big he was in comparison to someone else. Blake stood well over six feet tall, with powerful shoulders and wide biceps filling out his coveralls.
“This is bullshit!” the guy exploded.
But when Blake took a step forward, the rude guy took a step back. It looked as if they were doing a foxtrot across the floor as Blake advanced on him and he backed toward the door.
Blake reached out and pushed the door open for him. “Tell it to the tow truck driver when he finally gets here from Scarborough.”
When the guy left, Blake let the door slam. Or tried to. But the door had a soft close, so it was disappointingly soundless.
“The door needs bells,” I said.
“Get whatever you think the place needs,” Blake said. “I’ll give you the company credit card. I trust you.”
“Thanks,” I said, feeling flustered as he came toward me. It was a nice thing for him to say, but he was standing so close to me that I could feel the heat of his body, and there was a sudden aching throb between my thighs.
I sure as hell never felt that wild ache with Brad in my bed, and he’d been my college sweetheart.
But I didn’t even like Blake…at least, I didn’t like him in the sense of “Oh, it turns out I do have loins, and they are burning.”
It took me a second to realize I was standing in front of the door, and that’s why he had stopped to stand right in front of me.
“I didn’t know you let anyone talk to you like that, Tiger,” he said, tilting his head to one side. “When did you become such a pussy cat?”
He did not just say that to me. Forget it; I might