I was out in the parts room, swearing at a particularly unwieldy engine that refused to fit in the shelf when I realized something. Why was I so pissed off?
I put the engine down and took a deep breath. It should have been a day when the burden of worry and annoyance I usually carried was lighter than normal. After all, I’d hired a receptionist, we had new orders and work, and things were looking up around here. There was, though, constant anger seething under the surface of my skin. Or, not so much anger—more like discomfort.
It’s her. The new hire.
I recognized the feeling now for what it was, and that didn’t please me: it was longing.
“Come on, Carter. She’s younger than Matthew and Mark. Be sensible.”
I wasn’t exactly sure what age she was, but I guessed she was in her twenties somewhere. She wouldn’t look twice at me. Hence, I thought with some surprise, my annoyance. I didn’t like the feeling that she wouldn’t look twice at me.
“Boss?” a voice called from the door. “Should we go now?”
I turned around slowly, wincing as my back clicked. “I’ll come and check on the cleaning now, Adam,” I called over my shoulder. I headed back to the warehouse.
It was a ritual with us, one that was not entirely necessary, but which we performed every workday nevertheless. I would check the work, make sure everything was back in its place, and inspect the tidiness of the workstations and floors. If everything was good—and, inevitably, it was—I’d give the word, and they’d go home.
I was tired today, and I really didn’t feel like making the rounds. I just wanted to go home. When I was there, I thought I’d do my best to forget about this business with Amelia. Simply thinking about her made my body respond, my cock growing stiff.
Oh, come on, I told myself impatiently. You can’t go around doing this.
I followed Adam outside, taking the long way around to the shop. I didn’t feel like walking past the new receptionist just yet.
“Okay,” I said, glancing around at the swept floor, the neat benches, the covered bikes. “All set. Let’s call it a day around here.”
“Yeah!” Mark sounded happy. “Let’s go.”
“You just want to go out,” Matthew teased.
“Sure I do. I have some interest in a certain someone.”
Matthew rolled his eyes, and Adam cuffed Mark on the shoulder, who laughed loudly. “You always have someone you’re interested in, Mark,” Matthew teased.
Mark was still laughing as the three of them pushed through the workshop doors. I could hear the sound of an engine starting up, raw and powerful, and I knew Adam was heading off on his custom-built bike. I recalled the conversation that I overheard.
But I love the sound they make. That’s what she’d said when she was talking about motorcycles.
Just thinking about the way Amelia had said that—warm, enthused, her eyes all sparkling—made me get hard.
I ran my hand over my hair and strode out into the gathering dark.
My car was parked around the side. Unlike most of the guys, who came on bikes, I tended to take my car—just in case someone needed to pick up something big, like an engine for example. I drove an older Toyota. I’d had it since I was twenty-five. It wasn’t beautiful, but I maintained it well, and the engine ran as smooth as silk.
I got into the driver’s seat, started the engine, switched on the lights since it was now getting dark about seven or so, and drove away.
“I think I need to get something to eat.”
I felt my stomach rumble with the promise of food. I avoided the guys at lunch today because it didn’t feel right to join them with the new receptionist tagging along. I hadn’t eaten much since breakfast. I planned a quick trip to the grocery store, and just as I was about to turn off the main road into town, I saw some movement up ahead on the right.
Somebody was walking along the sidewalk.
In itself, that shouldn’t have been strange. People walk on sidewalks, even in the industrial zone of a big city. But it was seven-twenty, pitch dark, and getting cold. And this person was alone and obviously a woman—her curvy hips and a slim waist drew my attention. I stopped.
Rolling down the window, I stuck my head out. “Want a lift, Miss?” I asked politely. “It isn’t safe.”
I stared.
Looking back at me, brown eyes big like saucers, was Amelia Rose.
“No, thank you,” she said. She turned away. I saw her quicken her pace. I shouted.
“Amelia… it’s not safe. Please.”
She stopped. Turned around. I felt my heart go through the floor. I was worried because we were in a rough neighborhood, and I hated the thought of her being in danger. She walked back to the car.
“You surprised me,” she said.
“I did?” I asked. The thought gave me a warm feeling, spilling over into my loins.
“Yes. I didn’t know you could say please.”
I grinned. “I can,” I said. She hopped in the car.
She was not looking at me but staring through the windshield. Her face was set and tense. I felt my big smile droop a little at the edges, and I put my focus back on driving. She clearly wasn’t interested.
“You know,” I said as I started us off. “You should get a car. You can drive, can’t you?” I asked. I hadn’t thought about how she might be coming to work. If she didn’t have a vehicle, it would be quite difficult for her, especially with fall setting in
She shot me a look. “Yes. I can drive. I just didn’t take the car today. I wasn’t thinking I was going to be working today.”
“Fine,” I said. I felt like she had just slapped me. There wasn’t any need to speak to me like that, I thought. As far as I knew, I hadn’t done anything to hurt anybody. I leaned back in the seat, feeling resentful.
We drove along in silence.
As we drove, I couldn’t help looking sideways every now and again. Amelia was wearing jeans and a loose blouse, and I could see her shapely hips and the outline of her breasts. It drove me crazy, and the more I tried to ignore my growing lust for her, the more difficult it was to think of anything to say. The awkward silence grew.
“Thank you for stopping,” she said as we drove along the main road.
I felt her soft voice soothe my soul. I also felt a stirring in my groin. She was really close in here, so close that when I shifted gears, I almost felt her thigh with my hand. I didn’t know how much longer I could bear her proximity without going completely crazy.
“It’s no trouble,” I said. My voice sounded weird. I coughed loudly.
“You want a tissue?” she asked. “It’s this cold weather. Makes your nose run.”
“I’m fine,” I said firmly. She was holding a tissue out to me, and the thought of taking it, feeling those fine fingers on my skin, even for a second, was more than my poor heavily aroused body could take.
“Okay,” she said lightly.
We drove into town. As I went through the stoplight, she turned to me.
“The next intersection goes to my place. When you turn left.”
“Oh?” I was surprised. “You live close to work, then. That’s good.”
“I don’t live close to work,” she replied decisively. “My friend does. I’m staying with her.”