by Daniels, Joy
“Thanks, man,” Austin said. “That’d be a really big help. I’ll get Mike to hitch it up again.” He turned to Sarah. “Honey, you have no idea of how lucky you are to be in this man’s hands. He’s a legend.”
Sarah ignored the “honey” as her gaze dropped to Cole’s large, oil-stained hands. Legendary for what? The fingers waved and she glanced up to see Cole grinning.
“Ur, thanks,” she said, the heat returning to her cheeks.
“My pleasure,” Cole said with a smile.
Oh, really?
Chapter Three
Sarah supervised the hitching of her car onto the tow truck. When she was confident it was secure, she turned to Cole. “Your garage is nearby, I presume.”
“Little ways down the road. We can take my truck.” He made an after-you gesture toward the blue pickup she’d seen earlier. Daylight was fading and a cool breeze kicked around Sarah’s ankles. She slipped her coat back on, glad that she’d thought to grab it from the car. They approached the truck and Cole stepped forward to open the passenger door. He held the door and Sarah realized he was waiting for her to get in so he could close it after her. She found herself pleased and irritated by the gesture. Irritated because she was pleased.
Typical Southern guy thing.
She stepped forward, eager to get going. Then she saw the seat. Unlike the tow truck’s lower bench, this one was a good two and a half feet off the ground. How the hell did women get into these trucks? Her skirt was too narrow for her to raise her leg that far, and she risked flashing her thigh-highs and thong to the world if she hiked it up.
She took a breath. If she could navigate the New York City subway in four-inch heels and a suit, she damned well could figure out how to get into this truck. It took some planning, that’s all. She put her purse on the seat, placed one hand next to it and contemplated her course of action. Maybe with a little hop, she could—
“May I?”
Sarah whirled around. Cole had closed the distance between them, standing well within the personal space a New Yorker wouldn’t breach even in a rush-hour subway car. She inhaled the scent of something slightly spicy and altogether male. Close up the faint dusting of stubble on his chin reminded her of fine sandpaper.
Without waiting for an answer his large hands grabbed her hips. His fingers met at the small of her back. A frisson of arousal went through her and she gasped, tipping forward and grasping Cole’s arms for balance.
His biceps hardened to rock under her fingers as he lifted. He placed her on the edge of the seat, holding on until she was settled. As he let go, his fingers brushed her thigh. Even through the material of her skirt his touch left a trail of tiny sparks.
What the hell was going on with her? Yeah, he was hot, but what she needed right now was a man to fix her car so she could get back on the road. Nothing more. She slid around to face front, keeping her gaze fixed on the smudged windshield until the door closed and he was gone.
Cole adjusted himself as he walked around to the driver’s side. What was it about this woman that had him going from zero to sixty faster than the drop of the green flag?
He’d always been a sucker for a damsel-in-distress, even one with as much armor and attitude as Sarah Lange. But he hadn’t been prepared for the effect this woman had on him. The uptight New Yorker had been revving his engine since the moment he’d spotted her by the side of the road. Then he’d caught her staring at his package, and the hungry look on her face had sent his libido into overdrive.
Did she even realize she’d been undressing him with her eyes as she’d dressed him down? Probably not, but his body had reacted all the same. When he’d felt the sweet curve of her hips a vision had flashed through his mind—holding her as he settled his body between her naked thighs. He’d gone hard in an instant. Letting go of her had been nearly impossible. He hadn’t meant to cop a feel but couldn’t regret his accidental touch of those sexy-as-hell legs.
Cole slipped into the driver’s seat and glanced over at his passenger. He was surprised to see her sitting back against the seat, staring straight ahead. Her accent and attitude reminded him of his ex, and he’d expected Sarah to perch on the edge of the bench as Natalie had the first time he’d taken her for a ride in his truck. He grimaced. Throughout that disastrous visit, Natalie had refrained from getting too close to anything or anyone in Rapture, as if being from a small town was contagious. Or something to be ashamed of.
He pushed the memory away and focused on Sarah. Color stained her cheeks, and her blond hair was done up in a fussy little ponytail. Her full lips were pursed—most likely in aggravation—but they made him want to run his tongue along their seam to coax a kiss out of her. Or a moan.
A loud horn stopped that thought in its tracks. Mike was behind the wheel of the tow truck and ready to leave. Like Austin, Mike seemed eager to get rid of the fancy car and its equally spirited owner. Cole shook his head. City folks always seemed ornery and uncomfortable outside of their native habitat. In it too, come to think of it…
Cole turned out of the garage lot and onto the road that led toward his place. They drove down Main Street, passing Morrissey’s Restaurant and the hair salon, the post office, the hardware store and the white church steeple that rose high above the town. What did Sarah see when she looked at the town he called home? A dull backwater she couldn’t wait to escape? Probably, which was too bad. Rapture, Virginia had a lot of charm if you took the time to look beneath the surface. Of course a city girl would never think it was worth the time to do so.
Within minutes the dusty precincts of the town were behind them and the dense growth of the National Forest crowded both sides of the road. Tall trees arched overhead, their shade creating a semi-twilight intimacy in the cab. Sarah shifted in her seat, crossing and uncrossing her legs. Each time her tight skirt rode a bit higher, revealing more stocking-clad flesh. He thought he caught a glimpse of a lace-covered band. Were those thigh-highs? He exhaled slowly. If any more blood rushed to his cock he’d pass out.
He stole another glance at Sarah’s face—and caught her staring back. She looked away, but not before he caught the curiosity in her eyes and something else.
Desire.
She opened her mouth but didn’t speak, just swallowed. Was her mouth as dry as his? Her palms slightly damp? If he ran a finger down her neck would her pulse be racing too? He took a deep breath and caught a hint of floral perfume. Even her smell made him hot.
Sarah started at the sound of a phone ringing in her bag. She pulled it out and frowned at the screen. “Figures the reception is better now.” She cleared her throat. “Sarah Lange speaking.” With those words, her voice and body language changed. Both became sharp, tight, her posture so rigid she looked as if she would shatter with a touch.
What would it take to make this woman really shatter? To let go and throw caution to the wind? She looked as if she could use some shaking up—of the good kind. But it wasn’t his place to say so. Instead he focused on the road in front of him, trying not to eavesdrop. In the confines of the cab, he couldn’t help but notice that she seemed to get interrupted a lot. When she did get a word in, she spoke as if through clenched teeth. After a few minutes she ended the call with an exasperated “Fine, I’ll do it,” and tossed the phone back into her purse. Tension rolled off of her in waves.
“Something wrong?”
She gave a bitter snort. “Me being out of the office is wrong, as far as our newest associate is concerned. A vacation is something of a foreign concept in my field.”
“What do you do?”
“I’m an attorney.”
Like he hadn’t seen that coming. “Do you like it?”
She seemed surprised by his question. Had no one ever asked? “Some of it,” she said after a pause. “Sometimes.”
And the other parts and other times were what wound her so tight she needed to escape to the mountains of Virginia. He’d learned the hard way not to get involved with a woman like that. So why did h
e feel the urge to kiss the frown off her lips?
What would she do if he leaned over and kissed her? The thought sent a shot of lust through his veins. He wrapped his fingers more firmly around the stick to steady himself. A soft sigh emerged from Sarah’s lips and a pink flush stole across her chest and neck. Her gaze seemed to be focused on his hand on the gearshift.
What was she thinking?
They approached the summit of the last hill before his home. “Almost there,” he said.
And not a moment too soon.
Sunlight flooded the truck’s cab as the vehicle crested the hill. Sarah dragged her gaze away from Cole’s hand on the gearshift and closed her eyes to rein in her erotic thoughts.
Holy shit, this man was potent. She’d met him an hour ago and already her thong was damp. She’d never reacted this way to a man before.
Could a pit stop with a small-town mechanic be the cure she was seeking? How bizarre would that be?
The doctor had prescribed relaxation. Unfortunately, that damned phone call had reminded her of what she was trying to escape on this trip. She sighed. Cole had asked her if she liked her work. Up until six months ago her answer would have been an emphatic yes. Then she’d been assigned a new associate to mentor. Was it any coincidence that her problems had started then? Rolling her shoulders, she pushed the thoughts away. Relax.
She opened her eyes. The road curved and Cole accelerated through the turn effortlessly. He drove the big truck with such finesse that it might as well have been her Porsche. If he could handle a woman the way he handled his truck… She flicked a glance at his hands now firm on the wheel. A shiver ran through her looking at them, imagining them going around her curves.
Good God, she was obsessed with the man’s hands.
She turned toward the passenger window and caught her breath. The road descended into a wooded valley filled with a shimmering blue lake. A huge lodge with a high, peaked roof stood on the shore closest to them, its wood and stone façade blending with the forest. Multiple chimneys stretched toward the canopy, and tall windows reflected the trees and the clear blue sky. As they approached, Sarah could see a redwood deck wrapping from the front of the house to the back and a lush green lawn that led to the water’s edge.
If the spa is half as peaceful or luxurious as this, my troubles will be over. “Wouldn’t you love to stay there?” she asked with a sigh.
“I do. Regularly.”
“Really?” It seemed a bit upscale for a mechanic.
He laughed. “Of course. I live there. That’s my house.”
“That’s your place?” Her jaw dropped and she looked from the house to the man next to her and back again. To the house. Back to the man. She tried to connect the dots before her into some coherent image, but the edges kept blurring.
This was the house of a mechanic?
Chapter Four
Cole drove past the mansion—might as well call a spade a spade—and pulled onto a brick pad much too big to be called a driveway. It was as wide as the four-car garage behind it and long enough to fit a tractor-trailer. He got out of the truck. By the time Sarah had pulled herself together and unclipped her seatbelt, he was opening her door.
Sarah felt a flutter near her heart before she caught herself. It was that Southern thing again. He would do it for any woman. “Thanks, but I got it,” she said before he could reach for her. Cole nodded and stepped out of her way. She scooted to the edge of the seat, took a breath and hopped down. Her ankle wobbled but she managed to remain on her feet.
Pride somewhat intact, she preceded Cole down the brick path that led to the front door. Was he watching her? Curious, she put an extra wiggle in her walk just in case and thought she heard a sharp intake of breath.
Could this detour be useful after all? He wasn’t her usual type, but she couldn’t deny that he turned her on in a big way. Maybe this guy was the jump-start she needed to get herself back on track. She could solve her little problem before she even got to the spa. That would be convenient.
She reached the door and stepped aside to give Cole access to the lock. Instead of pulling out keys, he turned the knob and the door swung open.
“You don’t lock it?” she asked, incredulous.
“No need.”
She snorted. “If I did that in Manhattan, my place would be stripped clean in minutes.”
“So I’ve heard.”
She raised a questioning eyebrow, wondering what else he’d heard about New Yorkers, but he didn’t elaborate. Sarah slipped past and her shoulder brushed against Cole’s. A spark of desire leapt between them, zipping along Sarah’s skin. She thought she saw a muscle tick in his jaw.
Did he feel it too?
Wiping her damp palms on her coat, Sarah stepped into a large foyer with a cathedral ceiling. A combined living and dining area with a massive stone fireplace lay straight ahead. The kitchen was off to the right, and the foot of a staircase was visible to the left. The air smelled pleasantly of pine and wood smoke, reminding her of a ski lodge. Hell, this house was as luxurious as any of the places she visited in Aspen, only more comfortable. The perfect place to get cozy with her companion.
The sound of keys hitting the table was followed by the click of the front door.
“Nice place,” she said over her shoulder. “You—” Sarah felt the whisper of a touch brush the side of her neck. Oh yeah, they were on the same page. The one that read “they fell into each other’s arms…”
Anticipation flared, making her giddy. Her purse slid down her arm, landing on the floor with a soft thump. She started to lean back, eager to feel his strong, solid body against hers. But instead of sliding down to embrace her, his hands slipped under the neckline of her coat.
He wasn’t coming on to her. He was taking her coat like the good Southern gentleman he was.
Face heating, she shrugged the garment off, hoping to cover her gaffe. It slipped down to her elbows, but before it could slide off completely Cole stepped in close. He pulled the garment behind her, trapping her arms at her sides. A strange thrill raced down her spine.
“I’m glad you like it.”
His mouth was so close that his breath tickled her ear. Sarah felt her hair stir. “You seem a little…warm, darlin’. Can I get you anything? Perhaps a drink to cool you off?”
She was past warm. This man made her hot. Her whole body tingled with awareness. Her breasts were heavy with need. Sarah knew exactly what she wanted and it wasn’t a drink. She shook her head.
“Well, if there’s anything I can do to make your visit more…comfortable let me know.”
“Oh, I will.”
His low chuckle resonated deep in her womb. “I see. You’re the kind of woman who asks for what she wants—and expects to get it. Ain’t that right, darlin’?”
Darlin’. She nodded, melting inside. She knew what she wanted. Him. Now.
Her coat slipped off and cool air fanned her cheek as Cole stepped back. “You know what they say. Good things come to those who wait.”
What the hell? Sarah spun around, but Cole was already headed toward the kitchen with her coat over his arm.
“The tow truck has to take it slow on these roads, so Mike might be a while. Are you sure I can’t get you something? A beer?” His voice was smooth. As if he hadn’t just caressed her ear with his breath. Her neck with his fingers.
Sarah cleared her throat, trying to rein in her rampant desire. She didn’t know what he was playing at, but if he could be calm so could she. “Do you have any light beer?” she asked, proud that her voice sounded close to normal in spite of the fact that her body trembled.
Cole stuck his head through the kitchen’s pass-through window, his raised eyebrows saying are you kidding? more effectively than words. “How about some white wine? It’s already chilled.”
“Sure. That would be great.”
What kind of snobbery was that? So she liked light beer. She resisted the urge to stick out her tongue when he turned away.
The clink of glass was followed by the sound of liquid being poured. She wandered into the living room, her heels sinking into the soft moss green carpet. Framed photographs covered much of the walls, but she was too distracted to see the images.
Cole approached with a dark brown beer bottle in one hand, a glass of wine in the other. When he handed her the glass their fingers touched. She steadied hers with effort. She was about to take a sip when Cole raised his bottle in a toast. “To revving your engine and fixing what ails you.”
His words echoed her plan precisely. But was he going to get with the program or not?
Sarah took a sip of the wine. It was good. Very good. Crisp and dry, the way she liked it.
Luxurious house. Good wine. The man was full of surprises. As if to prove her point, he stepped forward, so close that she had to tilt her head all the way back to look in his face. Her body reacted instantly, every nerve going on high alert.
Was he going to kiss her?
He bent his head. Pleasure shimmered through her and her knees almost buckled. She closed her eyes—
—and nearly jumped out of her skin when a horn blasted outside. Cole put a hand on her arms to steady her.
“That’d be Mike.” He released her and stepped back. Her body swayed forward, drawn to his like a lodestone to the north. The horn sounded again. She opened her eyes and muttered a curse under her breath.
“I’ll go tend to your car.”
His voice was even, but Sarah caught him shifting from foot to foot. Adjusting the sudden tightness in the front of his jeans? She wasn’t the only one affected by their almost-kiss regardless of how cool he acted.
He headed down a hallway waving an arm toward the living room. “Make yourself at home. Shouldn’t take long.”
She watched his beautiful behind until he disappeared through a heavy door at the end, then finished her wine in a single gulp.
What the hell had just happened?
Cole closed the door to the garage behind him and took a deep breath. What had he been doing back there? After Natalie, he’d put that world behind him and resolved to stay away from women like that, but here he was hitting on the first city slicker to drive into town.