Chapter 11

Eleven

Jake

I toweled the sweat off my face. I was exhausted from trying to keep up with regular clients and staying on schedule with Berta. It was effective in taking my mind off Lily, but something had to give.

Anytime I wasn’t under the hood or undercarriage of a vehicle, my mind was on Lily’s scent in my garage. How I enjoyed having her in my space. She’d made the cold and unforgiving concrete more alive somehow.

But then I was hyperaware, anytime I was in Lily’s presence, of my attraction to her and the light she brought to my day.

I kept chanting to myself that she wasn’t for me. It was the truth, but my body didn’t seem to be getting the message. I knew being with her would feel good for however long it lasted, and I was almost willing to take that chance to see her again.

I continued to send her emails, outlining Berta’s progress. It was professional and businesslike, the demeanor I should have had during all our interactions.

I hoped she wouldn’t show up here to throw me off my axis. Yet at the same time, I craved her in my space. Groaning, I grabbed a water bottle from the fridge, noting we were getting low on refreshments.

I headed toward Maisy’s desk to write a note on a Post-it for her. She was in charge of making sure the shop ran smoothly, answering phones, scheduling appointments, ordering parts, and keeping us stocked with drinks and snacks.

I’d never admit it to Ryan, but she was a necessary addition to the garage. She softened our hard edges and was the perfect go-between for the mechanics and the clients.

I scribbled a quick note and placed the yellow Post-it on Maisy’s computer screen so she’d see it in the morning.

“Are you done for the day?”

I startled, not realizing Ryan was there. “I thought you had to pick up Corey from practice?”

“I did. Dropped him off at home and came back here to talk to you.”

“Oh, what about?” I ran a hand through my hair. I had a feeling I wasn’t going to like what he had to say.

Ryan sat on the leather couch, spreading his arms along the back cushions. “You can’t keep this up.”

“What are you talking about?” My normal go-to was pretending to be stupid. It usually worked for me.

His gaze leveled on mine. “You know what I’m talking about. You’re working long hours, yet we’re behind schedule.”

He gestured toward the garage, and I knew what he was getting at. Every bay was full, the parking lot, too. We gave longer time estimates to customers, which wasn’t going over well. They wanted the same quick turnaround they’d become accustomed to, and I couldn’t blame them.

“I’ll work harder to get caught up.” I didn’t want to put Berta on the back burner. I didn’t want to be close to Lily, but at the same time, I wanted to help her. I didn’t want to take on her project and then set it aside. That didn’t sit right with me.

“You can’t.”

My stomach dropped as I came around the desk and sat on the edge. “What are you getting at?”

I had a feeling I wasn’t going to like what he had to say. Ryan tended to save the difficult conversations for after-hours when there wasn’t a chance that a client would walk through the doors and interrupt us.

“We need to hire another mechanic.”

I slowly let out a breath, and my stomach constricted. “No.”

Ryan dropped his head. “Please hear me out.”

“Fine,” I said through clenched teeth. It was hard enough to adjust to having Maisy in our space. We’d had to train her and make things easier for her to find. We even purchased new software to make scheduling easier. I didn’t want anything else to change.

“You can’t keep this up. You’re doing too much. When was the last time you slept in your bed?”

I squeezed the back of my neck, wishing I was anywhere else but here, having this conversation. “I’m doing the best I can.”

“I know you are, which is why I think it’s in everyone’s best interest to get some help around here.”

“We talked about Corey taking on more.” Corey was only fifteen. He was too young to have a meaningful impact here for years to come, but it was a stall tactic. I knew it would distract Ryan from the real issue.

Ryan leaned forward, placing his elbows on his hands. “I don’t want to make Corey feel like he has to work here. I want him to have opportunities to go to college if he wants.”

I stayed silent because I agreed with his assessment. Corey would have everything we didn’t. A loving family, a supportive uncle, and whatever he needed to carry out his dreams.

“If we want to expand, we need to be smart about this. We’re taking on too much, so either we turn down clients—”

My stomach twisted. After struggling to get started with our new business, I didn’t want to turn anyone down. “Absolutely not.”

Ryan held up a hand. “I hear ya, but then we need to come up with a solution.”

“It’s not hiring someone.” I knew I was being stubborn, but I hated adding a new person to the mix. A new mechanic would bring a different dynamic to the shop. He’d have his own personality, and he’d want things done a certain way. I was used to Ryan. I didn’t want to deal with anyone else.

Ryan sent me an imploring look. “Will you please just think about it?”

My phone dinged with a text. When I saw Lily’s name, I shoved it back into my pocket. I couldn’t talk to her, not when everything inside of me was itching to get out of this space. I needed time to think things through.

“Sure.”

He raised a brow. “Really?”

I nodded.

“You’re not just stalling?”

“You know I need time to think things through.”

Ryan slapped his thighs and stood. “I would expect nothing less.” His shoulders lowered, and the tension in his face eased. “I appreciate that. I want to spend more time with my family. Not less.”

The tightness between my shoulder blades intensified. “I want you to have that time with them.”

He shouldn’t be at the shop all the time when I could pick up the slack.

“I’m heading home. When are you getting out of here?”

I held up my phone. “I have a call to return. Then I’ll head out.”

“Good.”

Not waiting for him to leave, I pulled up Lily’s text.

Lily: I’m cleaning out my grandmother’s barn, but there’s an old car here. I don’t know if it’s worth anything or what it would take to move. Would you be willing to take a look at it?

My first inclination was to say no. I couldn’t go to her house. I knew without a doubt I wouldn’t be able to control myself around her.

The phone buzzed in my hand. It was Lily. I took a deep breath before I answered. “Jake here.”

“Hey.” Her voice was soft and soothed the irritation from my conversation with Ryan.

“You have a car for me?” I closed my eyes at my words. I literally couldn’t control my mouth when it came to her. I was supposed to tell her I was too busy. I couldn’t get away from the garage. Instead, I agreed to whatever she needed.

“I don’t know what I’m looking at, but it appears to be in fairly good condition, and I need this space for a wedding reception in June.”

“Wow. You scheduled a wedding?” She’d mentioned it as an option for the future, but I hadn’t expected her to book something so quickly.

“They’re friends of mine. You know Max from Max’s Bar & Grill?”

“And Zoe.”

“That’s right. They’re probably just being nice, but—”

“Don’t do that. If they like the property enough to schedule their wedding, you did a good job selling it to them. You should be proud.”

“Thanks, Jake.”

Silence fell between us, but there was an unexpected goodwill I felt toward her, hearing that she’d had success in her business. Clearing my throat, I returned to the reason for her call. “You want me to tow it to the garage or a used car lot?”

She sighed in my ear, and I could almost imagine we were in bed together, her nails skimming down my torso, to my abs, and lower, her hair tickling the sensitive skin of my thighs as she took my cock into her mouth. Fuck, that image was too enticing.

“I’d really appreciate it if you could just tell me what condition it’s in and what I should do with it. It doesn’t have any sentimental value to me, but it did to my grandparents.”

I tried to loosen my tight grip on the phone I held to my ear. She wasn’t asking for much. I could stop by, give her the information she needed, and get out of there. “You want me to bring the tow truck?”

“Not yet. I’m not ready to decide. I just need the information.”

I let my head fall back, knowing I was doing something I shouldn’t. “You want me to stop by tonight?”

The earlier, the better. Otherwise, I’d be thinking about needing to go to her place and building it up in my head, making it more than it was. I needed to get her out of my head, not embedded further.

“Could you? That would be amazing.”

Her appreciation flowed through me. No one needed me except for Hailey and Nana. Lately, I’d been neglecting both. “No problem.”

“Thank you, Jake. I really appreciate it.”

“See you soon.” I clicked off before she could say anything else. I couldn’t tell this woman no. She was under my skin.

I cleaned up, turned off the lights, and locked up. I’d brought my motorcycle today, so I grabbed my helmet and swung a leg over it. Revving the engine, I took off in the direction of Lily’s farm. I remembered exactly where it was from the night I’d taken her home.

It was just outside of town, in an area that was a mix of developments and farms. Some property owners had succumbed to the appeal of developers, and others held out.

The evening was heavy with the smell of rain in the air as I carefully maneuvered the curves of the tree-lined road.

I pulled down her gravel lane, my heart rate picking up as I eased closer to the house at the end of the lane.

When I shut off the engine, the light illuminated the curves of Lily’s body through the thin white dress she was wearing as she stood on the porch, waiting for me.

I climbed off the bike and rested my helmet on the seat. Lily made her way down the steps and toward me. Every ounce of blood went south, making my pants tight.

She wasn’t wearing anything particularly alluring, just a sundress with flip-flops, but she was the most attractive woman I’d seen. There was something settling about arriving home to find a woman waiting for me.

She stopped a foot away from me. “Thank you for coming.”

I nodded tightly, unable to form any words. I wanted to pull her in to my body and show her how she made me feel. I curled my fingers into fists to resist the urge to touch her.

She smiled, and like always, it felt good. “It’s in the barn.”

I was so focused on her I couldn’t remember why I was here. It was to see a car, not her. This wasn’t a date. I wasn’t looking for a hookup or taking her for a ride. No matter how much I wanted to.

I followed her to the barn, my gaze locked on the sway of her hips. I wanted to grip her hips and pull her back against me, to feel the soft curve of her ass against me. I tipped my head up, feeling the first raindrop.

The barn doors opened with a creak, and Lily moved inside to flip on the lights.

I was drawn more to her each time I was in her presence. It was a disturbing pattern.

“My grandfather took good care of it, but I don’t think my grandmother touched it after he died. I haven’t seen it without the cover on in years.” Lily stood a few feet away from me, her gaze on the vehicle.

When I didn’t respond, she turned to me, her brow raised. “What do you think?”

I ripped my gaze from hers and tried to focus on the gold vehicle parked in the middle of the space. I whistled through my teeth at the sight. “Your grandparents like gold, huh?”

Then I stepped closer, not really believing what I was seeing. A limited-edition Tiger Gold Pontiac GTO. I’d always wanted a GTO for myself. The first muscle car ever made, it was rare in its own right, but the Tiger Golds were more limited.

The closest I’d ever gotten was at my old shop. The suit ruined it with red leather racing seats and a black paint job, but this one was the original color.

“It’s just been sitting here?” I asked her, wondering if she knew what she had here.

“Grandpa would take it for a drive a few times a week, but as he got older, it sat more. When he died, I don’t think Grandma could bear to look at it. It held too many memories for her.”

“Kind of like how Berta does for you?” I asked her absentmindedly as I circled it, my excitement growing as I realized what good condition it was in. Sure, the tires needed to be replaced, and probably a few other things, but otherwise, it was perfect.

“My grandmother always talked about the first time they met. How he’d pulled up to the local hangout—a soda fountain shop—with this crazy gold sports car. Everyone thought it was over the top, but she thought it was perfect. She was immediately drawn to him but worried he’d be cocky. He told her he won it in a contest at a shoe store.”

I swung my head in her direction. “You’re kidding me.”

She laughed. “That was the story. It’s so crazy, isn’t it? Who wins a car in a contest?”

“At a shoe store no less.”

“Anyway, she said he wasn’t cocky at all. He’d grown up on a farm, and he was as humble as they got. She loved him immediately.”

“That’s a good story.” I didn’t even know how my grandparents met.

Lily shook her head. “What do you think I should do with it?”

I stopped and looked at her. “Do with it?”

“Yeah, it can’t stay here. Zoe and Max want to hold their wedding reception in this space.”

For the first time, I looked around at the large space. It was a newer barn that had clearly never been used for any farm-related activities. The floor was wood, everything in good condition, if not dusty. There were boxes and things with tarps thrown over them, but otherwise, it would be a good space.

“You want me to tow it for you? Get it running again?” I asked carefully.

“That would be amazing, Jake. Do you think someone would buy it? Maybe you could get the word out, or I could post flyers. What do you think it would go for?”

I moved closer to her, knowing the going rate on the top of my head. I’d seen them for sale for a hundred thousand dollars. Should I tell her that when I wanted it for myself?

She was fiddling with the skirt of her dress like she was nervous or unsure.

Her face fell. “You don’t think it’s worth anything, do you? God. I was so hopeful when I saw your face.”

I stepped closer to her. “She’s gorgeous.”

I wasn’t exactly talking about the car. Lily was too. Her hair was braided and curled over one shoulder. Her dress was sweet, yet a little see-through. I could see the lace cups of her bra, and I wondered if she wore panties underneath.

Her brow raised.

I decided to show her my cards. She was worth more than my dream car. “Anyone who knows anything about cars would love an opportunity to own this one.”

Outside, the rain had begun to fall. But inside, we were warm and dry.

She let out a breath. “Oh good. I wasn’t sure.”

“Are you sure you want to sell it?” She’d been so adamant about keeping Berta.

“I just don’t know what I’d do with it. I wouldn’t drive it. I don’t need it for the business, and I have nowhere to store it.”

My fingers itched to touch the tip of her braid. Was her hair soft like her skin would be? “Yeah, you wouldn’t want to keep it outside in the elements.”

“What other choice do I have?” Her gaze flicked from the car behind me to my face.

I wanted to say I’d take it, but I wasn’t sure I could get together the cash I’d need for it. Everything was wrapped up in the garage or in investment accounts. I hated touching my savings. Growing up poor, I was very cautious about what I spent my money on. The GTO would be an impulse purchase.

But it wasn’t the car that was drawing my attention as Lily tucked an errant strand of hair behind her ear.

I wanted to unravel her hair from the braid to see what it would feel like in my fingers. I wanted to touch her, kiss her. I wanted everything, but I didn’t deserve it. I’d screwed things up so royally already, and what did I have to offer her? One night in the barn?

“Jake?” Lily asked, but I was too far gone. The thread of conscience that kept me in check snapped. I knew it would come back at me like a rubber band, but I’d take my chances.

I gripped her chin, tilting her face until it was the way I wanted it, and then dropped my lips to hers.

She gasped into my mouth, her body swaying toward mine.

I gripped her hip with my free hand, anchoring her in place. Her body pressed against mine from thigh to chest, and I was lost. I had to have her.

The only sound was the steady beat of the rain on the roof. The inside of the barn was cozy and intimate. It felt like we were in our own world.

Nothing could penetrate this tiny bubble we’d created. I needed to hurry because the magic of the moment might disappear with the rain.

“Jake?” Lily asked, pulling back slightly.

Her lips were swollen, her eyes dilated.

“I want you.”

Her cheeks flushed.

Something inside told me to slow it down. I tugged on the band holding her hair in the tight plait. When it was free, I worked my fingers through her hair, unraveling it.

Time seemed suspended. We had this moment. And I was going to make every second worth it. When her hair was free, it hung in kinked waves around her face, soft and inviting.

“You’re beautiful.” So beautiful it almost hurt to look at her. She was sweet and soft and everything I shouldn’t get to have but wanted more than anything.

She closed her eyes for a second, as if relishing in the truth of my words.

When she opened them, her hand went to my chin. “I want you, Jake.”

It was the only invitation I needed. I crushed her lips to mine, walking her backward until she brushed up against the hood of the GTO.

I should be more concerned about scratching it, but she was wearing a filmy dress. My hands drifted up her thighs, relishing in the softness of her skin.

Her legs parted, and my fingers landed on a tiny scrap of damp lace that didn’t even cover her pussy. I rested my forehead against hers. “You’re killing me.”

She tipped her head back at my feather-light touch.

She was so gorgeous, a package I wanted to unwrap. One that was too good for me. Too pure. Too sweet.

But I wanted to dirty her up like the rain on the ground just outside the barn doors. I wanted to make her mine, even if it was only for the night.

I braced a hand on the cold metal next to her hip, kissing her as a finger slipped under her panties, parting her folds. She was hot and wet.

The smell of rain warred with the scent of flowers.

When I slid a finger inside her tight heat, Lily moaned. I wanted more. I straightened so I could watch her as I lifted the dress over her head.

There was nothing but pure heat in her gaze. She wanted this. She wanted me.

It was a heady feeling, a confirmation that maybe I was the man for her. I leaned into that thought when I flung the white dress off to the side, not caring where it landed.

The globes of her breasts were visible over the blush-colored lace. I palmed her ass, noting that it was bare. She was wearing a thong.

A tiny sliver of lace separated her ass cheeks. I groaned. Then my hands were everywhere at once, fingers pumping slowly into her channel as I pushed down one lace cup.

Her nipple popped free, and I wasted no time sucking it into my mouth. I was pretty sure this was heaven. Lily covered in only scraps of lace.

I removed my fingers from her pussy, pushing the straps of her thong over her hips. She kicked off her flip-flops as I unhooked the bra.

She stood naked, the soft, warm glow of the overhead light accenting every curve and dip of her body.

“So beautiful,” I murmured as my mouth dragged over the skin of her shoulder down to her breasts. I tweaked her nipple as I laved the other with my tongue.

I paused only long enough to lift her onto the hood.

She leaned back, spreading her legs and bracing herself on her palms.

I’d seen car magazines with women gracing the hoods, but they had nothing on her.

She was the sexiest woman I’d ever seen. It must have been the combination of sweet and sexy that did me in. There were miles of soft, pale skin, and her hair fell around her in waves. I’d come back to this image when I was alone in my bed at night.

She was perfection, the fantasy I didn’t even know I wanted.

I dropped to my knees in the dirt, still fully clothed, not caring about anything but her pleasure. I parted her folds with my lips as her knees fell apart even farther.

I wanted to make her feel good. I wanted her to scream my name. Every muscle in my body tightened with anticipation.

I teased her with my tongue and fingers, bringing her to the edge before pushing her back flat onto the hood.

I looked into her eyes to make sure she was still with me. That she wanted me before quickly shucking my clothes and grabbing a condom from my wallet.

“Hurry, Jake.”

Leaning over her body, my cock nudging her entrance. “You want me, Lily?”

When our gazes collided, she nodded and swallowed. She caressed the side of my face with her palm. “I want you.”

I let the truth of her words in my soul. I slid inside, my head tipping back in pleasure. She felt like heaven.

I kissed her as I slid farther inside, taking my time to allow her to adjust to me. I paused to make sure I wasn’t going to go off like a teenager before calming slightly.

Her hips arched to meet mine. She had me more excited than I’d ever been, but I needed to slow things down. Make this good for her.

On edge, I circled her clit with my finger as I snapped my hips.

Lily gripped my forearms. “So good, Jake.”

I shifted the angle slightly to find that spot inside her that would change everything. Her moans increased, and I knew I had it. I kept my movements steady, watching her carefully. Her cheeks were flushed, her muscles tense, and with one last press on her clit, she arched off the hood.

I braced my hands on either side of her as she convulsed around me. Capturing her lips with mine, I increased the pace until there was nothing but light bursting around me.

I lodged myself deep, completely letting go. I pressed a kiss to her shoulder, never having felt anything so good. It was like finally getting that present you wanted for Christmas, or that goal for your future. In this moment, I had everything I’d ever wanted. How could anything else ever compare?

As I pulled out, a little voice inside my head said, “You can do this again. You can have her.”

It was absurd, but I wanted it more than anything.