Rough Spark
Big Flirt Series Book Two
Kristen Echo
Rough Spark: Big Flirt Series Book Two
Copyright © 2020 by Kristen Echo and Kristen Publishing
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without the prior written permission of the above copyright owner of this book or publisher.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.
Website: http://www.echoromance.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/authorkristenecho/
Cover Design: Rebecacovers
Editing: Michael Pilgrim: Helping Authors Succeed
ISBN: 978-1-9992777-4-1
eBook ISBN: 978-1-9992777-3-4
Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Epilogue
Author Note
Sneak Peek: BIG FLIRT BOOK 3
Other Books By Kristen Echo
About the Author
Acknowledgments
Chapter One
Blake
“Drop it!” I snarled and slammed my elbow into my cousin’s ribs.
The bastard deserved a fist to the jaw, but I settled on something less likely to start a brawl inside my old man’s auto repair shop. I’d taken my first steps on these concrete floors, but I wasn’t above spilling blood on them to keep my sanity.
“Getting soft Blake.”
Owen was used to taking far bigger hits and laughed in my face. Our years of playing football had toughened our responses. Maybe if I’d taken those scholarships to College or gone pro, my life would have tuned out differently. Not that I didn’t love my life exactly as it was because I did. Loved every damn second.
“Nothing about me is soft.” I flexed my arm muscles to prove my point.
“You don’t impress me. It’s another kind of soft I’m talking about. You need to find a woman and get horizontal.” He mocked grinding against a woman and pumped his hips several times into the hot July air.
I pitied any woman stuck with that animal thrusting against her. He looked like an ape, gyrating wildly with his dark hair flopping against his forehead. No offense meant to the primates. They probably had better moves than Owen. I ignored his goading and ran my hand over the scruff on my chin. It had been a long while since I last used a razor.
“Blake, don’t even lie and tell me you don’t miss sex,” he continued. “I could never go without as long as you have. Hell… stay vertical and plow into her against the wall. Toss a leg over your hip and slide on in. I don’t care how you do it, but you need to live.”
“Don’t you mean to love.”
“Same difference. Loving the ladies is living. Without them, what’s the point of waking up every morning?”
“You’re starting to sound like them,” I hissed.
The insult hit the mark, and he winced. As a young single guy, he was supposed to be on my side of the laying roots debate. My folks had been on my case since I graduated high school to start a family. They were old-fashioned and believed people weren’t grounded or happy until they found their life partner and procreated. They expected all their kids and nephews to follow in their footsteps and marry young.
Their meddling had the opposite effect. I never wanted to settle down. Our small town had a limited supply of eligible women, which suited me fine. My younger brother Dean’s recent wedding and baby making should have bought me some leeway, but it only added to the pressure on my shoulders.
Owen cracked his knuckles and rolled his shoulders like he was preparing for battle. “No one mentioned marriage or babies or anything long-term. I’m suggesting you have fun. Blow a load or two. Let loose. You used to have fun.”
My cousin didn’t share the same responsibilities in the shop, and he lived his life like there was no tomorrow. We were close to the same age, but I didn’t have the same luxury of carefree living. Since my pops had a heart attack, managing the shop, and the farm became my life. Fun rarely fit into my daily grind.
Sure, I missed the feel of a woman’s soft, warm skin and tight heat milking my cock, but I was better off alone. I wasn’t interested in casual sex. That had never been my thing. Once I reached my mid-twenties, I was even less inclined to waste my time on meaningless entertainment. I had no time for a relationship. Each time I’d tried ended with headaches and expectations I couldn’t meet. I didn’t need a relationship to be happy. My life was full. At least that’s what I tried to explain to my family who weren’t accepting my choice. They didn’t understand me.
“I live a productive and fulfilling life. Just because I’m not chasing tail two nights a week in a drunken stupor doesn’t mean I’m not living,” I challenged.
“Not buying it. It’s your I haven’t had sex in too damn long tone that tells me you’re in a funk. Your hand must be exhausted.”
I smacked him upside the head with my grease-stained palm. “Ain’t too tired to take you down.” I pulled him into a headlock.
He tried to weasel away with a jab to my gut, but I barely registered his fist.
“In your dreams, Blake.”
Raking my knuckles over his scalp, I got right in his face. “I don’t dream about you. Ever. For the record, you’ve never once taken me down. Stop pestering me or so help me—”
“There’s a first time for everything,” he whined, punching me in the back.
“Quit sniffing the carb cleaner. I’m not letting go until you agree to shut your yap about my social life.”
Sweat dripped down the side of my face as I maintained my hold. If I showed him mercy, he’d never stop. With my luck, even a good beating wouldn’t deter him. The other mechanics kept working and ignored us.
“You have no social life,” he shot back while shuffling his feet. He maneuvered his leg, trying and failing to trip me. “I’m looking out for you. You’re too young to be put out to pasture. Let me introduce you to—”
My grip tightened around his neck, closing his airways. I would never agree to be fixed up by someone who thought high heels were more important than a high IQ. We tossed more jabs back and forth until we were both panting for air and soaked with sweat. His fist connected with my chin, making my ears ring.
This fight wasn’t worth losing teeth over, but I held on. “Back down.”
“Both of you need to stop acting like high school kids. Break it up,” Dean said, yanking my arm off Owen’s throat. “This isn’t the quad and there aren’t any cute girls to impress. No wonder you’re both single. Get to work. These cars don’t fix themselves.”
“We’re on a break,” Owen wheezed. “Who crawled up your ass? We’re blowing off steam and your assistance wasn’t required. I almost had him.”
“Didn’t look that way. Plus, it’s hot enough in here without your added steam,” my brother said, releasing my arm. He ran his hand through his short dark hair. “Grow up. We’ve got customers out front and the doors are open. Blake, I expect more from you. If you’ve got time to kill, go work on the books. The office is a mess.”
He was right. My
office was a disaster, and this wasn’t the time or place to be having this debate. I’d prefer never, but that was unlikely.
“Why are you still here? Ma’s watching Cleo and isn’t Arielle waiting for you?”
At the mention of his wife, Dean’s eyes turned dopey, and a smile tugged at the corner of his lips. He’d married his best friend. From the moment he’d brought her home, I knew she was the one for him. As much as he’d tried to play the field, that woman stole all his attention. Sometimes, a twinge of jealousy gnawed at my heart when I watched them kiss. The only time I’d ever shared anything so strong and consuming had ended in heartache. I hoped their love had more endurance. Knowing the power of true love and settling for anything less was pointless.
“On my way out. I’ll be meeting her at home shortly,” he answered with a sly smile. “We’re making the most of our free time before baby girl number two steals our sleep. Or maybe she’ll sleep through the night better than Cleo.”
I bent over, rubbing my sore jaw. “Sounds awful.”
Owen chuckled which morphed into a coughing fit. He rubbed his throat and glared at me.
“It’s not. Being a dad is amazing.” Dean’s smile was genuine. “Best job on the planet.”
His blue eyes sparkled like fireworks at the town fair. I half expected him to pull out his phone and force me to look through more pictures of his domestic bliss. It’s not that I didn’t believe he was happy, but I didn’t share his desire to single-handedly populate our town.
“Agree to disagree,” I said.
“Tell me you feel nothing when you hold your niece and I’ll call you a liar,” Dean replied as he checked his watch.
“Your kid’s sweet. If you look any happier, I’m going to punch you in the—”
My brother stomped towards the office, extending his middle finger to us. “One day you’ll get it. I hope it’s sooner than later.”
“Go get her, tiger,” Owen yelled. “Another Kruz getting laid like you should be. At least your bros get regular puss—”
“Dammit O! Shut up! Dean’s married and Charlie… don’t even get me started on that little prick. If he’s not careful, he’ll be a dad before his senior year of high school.”
He leaned his hands on his legs as he inhaled. “Nothing wrong with kids, but I’ll leave the baby making to Arielle and Dean for now.”
“Only way to ensure you don’t become a dad is to stay single and keep off the ladies.” I shook my head. “Forget it. You are just as crazy as my folks.”
“So, what I’m hearing is… you want me to set you up on a blind date.”
I shoved him backwards. “Never.”
Owen laughed and clutched his stomach. “Fine. I won’t fix you up this weekend. Don’t think she’s into the unkept barbarian thing you’ve got going on anyway.”
Smearing the sweat from my brow across my forearm, I looked down at my attire. Open blue coveralls, grease-stained white shirt and steel-toe boots that had seen better days. My beard could use a trim, but I wasn’t unkept.
“If I’m a barbarian, then you’re a Neanderthal.”
With the bay doors open, the summer heat had invaded the shop. I unzipped my coveralls, let them hang on my hips and pulled off my t-shirt. Using the white cotton as a rag, I soaked the moisture from my face and torso. Owen did the same as we both laughed.
“Truce, cousin.”
We bumped fists.
“If I believed for one second you’d ever relent, I’d be a fool. But I’ll take however long I can get. Let’s get a drink before they pull the next broken beast onto the lift.”
He was still bent over, catching his breath. “Grab me a cold one. Pops keeps the good refreshments in his cooler,” he said with a crooked smile.
“I’ll bring you water. It’s too early in the afternoon and we have way too much work to do before you can have anything stronger,” I said, marching towards the fridge.
Only a few cans of soda and a couple of beers lined the shelves, but not a single water. Pops needed to replenish his supplies. I slipped into the office. As soon as I walked in, a blast of cold air from the overhead vents hit me. I would have stayed longer to cool off, but I had a backlog of cars to fix.
Rummaging through the fridge, I found the bottles of water hidden at the bottom behind a sea of energy drinks. Ever since Pops hired the new parts clerk, I couldn’t find a damn thing. Janet moved everything around, claiming it was more efficient.
I cursed under my breath. The fridge was next to her counter. I avoided the office as much as possible when she was around. I grabbed two waters. As I turned, I noticed Janet’s big green eyes glued to my body. She never looked me in the eyes. If I wanted to get laid, all I had to do was tell her to get naked and she would. Too bad I had no interest in a sure thing. None.
“Hi, Blake,” she said, twisting her long hair around her finger.
“Hey,” I grunted.
Instead of lingering to chat with Janet and her hungry stare, I stormed out of the office. She was an attractive single mom in her early twenties with tattoos covering most of her visible skin. There was nothing wrong with her, except dipping my stick where I worked was never a good idea. The shop had fallen on rough times since the Newbury’s boycott. I didn’t need to add any issues to our growing list of troubles.
I tossed a bottle at Owen. “Drink.”
He caught it, tore off the cap and downed half in two swallows. “You look like you had another encounter with our hot new parts piece.”
“She’s not my type.”
“The chick is stacked. What is your type?”
To be honest, I wasn’t sure what I liked anymore. I hadn’t felt a spark in a long time. My heart was numb. I shrugged my shoulders.
“Nothing against Janet, but there’s no chemistry. I like big—”
“Breasts. Yeah, I like more than a handful too. She’s probably just enough to fill my big hands but not spill over.”
“No. Big—”
“Asses. Damn! Now, you’re talking.” He swatted my arm. “I love ladies with something to hold on to as I—”
“Shut up. Damn. You never stop. I wasn’t talking physical. You’re too focused on the outside appearance. I’d like someone who has brains. Maybe an education. A lady who can hold a conversation outside of cars and bikes.”
“A nerdy lady,” he joked. “I guess your type hasn’t changed since high school. Might be time to lower your standards a little. Unless you’ve got a death wish?”
I glared at him and pursed my lips. Gemma had been perfect in every way. Smart, sexy and way too good for me. I didn’t want to think about her. The wounds she left still ached.
We turned to face the traffic outside the shop. There weren’t many ladies or scholarly types who came through. Since the quarry had closed, our town was shrinking. Lakeside hadn’t grown in years, but it was my home.
“You might be in luck.” Owen tilted his chin towards the end of the street. “Nice car. Maybe it’s a girl behind the wheel. If you’re lucky, she’ll be single, and there will be sparks.”
When he motioned towards the car, a sudden possessiveness bubbled from deep inside. I could barely make it out. Except, I knew women who drove expensive cars like that wouldn’t be caught dead talking with someone like me. I’d learned my lesson and still had the scars.
“No, thanks.”
Curiosity prickled the back of my skull, but I turned my back before the car came any closer. There was only one woman I would have wanted to see driving it. Even if it was her, nothing good would come from seeing something that would never be mine.
Chapter Two
Gemma
As I approached the familiar neighborhood automotive repair shop, I eased my foot off the accelerator and slowed the car. I’d walked by the old brick building plenty of times on my way to and from school as a teenager. Countless hours had been spent inside watching my ex tinker with cars. My parents lived only a few blocks away, and I used to sneak out late to
meet up with Blake. I’d been so smitten. So reckless and naïve.
I had many firsts in Lakeside, but it wasn’t my home anymore. My parents had forced me away the summer before my senior year. I’d begged them to reconsider to no avail. As time went on, I stopped crying and the pain subsided. Then it was easier to keep my distance. I had no reason to come back. Until now.
The unexpected death of my grandfather had turned my world off its axis. I wasn’t ready to lose him. He was the strongest and most stubborn man on the planet. I’d thought he’d live forever. His funeral was the only reason I returned. Spending time with my parents and helping with arrangements had been rough. Only a few hours into my visit, I remembered why I kept my distance. We were like oil and water. Given the circumstances, they were being more difficult than usual. This errand to the city couldn’t have come at a better time.
I glanced out the side window and breathed in the fresh air. The town was slightly run down, but full of vitality. Old poplar trees lined the streets, and yellow and white flowers filled waist-high pots at every corner. With the windows down, I inhaled the aromatic floral scent. I missed the slow and steady pace of this town. Leaning my elbow on the window’s edge, I stared at the garage’s open bay doors.
Goosebumps spread across my arms as my grip tightened on the steering wheel. My pulse raced faster at the possibility of seeing him. I should have avoided this stretch of Main Street, but curiosity forced me to at least drive by his family’s business.
First loves are impossible to forget. Despite countless therapy sessions, I couldn’t erase Blake Kruz. Everyone had a thing for the star quarterback, but he was mine. We were different in every way, but we clicked. It was impossible not to swoon when his hypnotic blue eyes happened to look my way. He was a year older and the popular jock with a chip on his shoulder. Seriously talented and equally sexy.
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