Down to You

by M. Leighton

  I try to smile when I feel like crying instead.

  “Car won’t start?” he asks.

  “Nope.”

  “What seems to be the problem?”

  “I have no clue. I have ovaries; therefore I repel all things mechanical.”

  He chuckles. “The put-gas-in-it-and-get-the-oil-changed-and-that’s-it type, huh?”

  “Pretty much.”

  “Let’s take a look. Can you pop the hood?” he asks, rolling his sleeves up to his elbows.

  Good Lord, he even has sexy forearms!

  I look down and to my left. I see the little symbol for the hood. I’m thankful I at least know where that is.

  I pull the lever.

  I don’t know whether I should get out or stay put. For self-preservation purposes, I go with staying put. Remaining in the car, far from Nash, exponentially decreases the likelihood of me doing or saying something stupid. That’s always a good thing.

  Through the crack where the hood hinges, I can see Nash fiddle with several things, tugging hoses and wires and tightening something down. Then I see him brush his hands off and close the hood.

  He walks back to the window. “I don’t see anything obviously wrong, but I’m no mechanic. Looks like this car’s not going anywhere for a while. Do you want me to call a tow truck?”

  I can’t help the deep sigh of frustration. “No, that’s okay. I can call one after I call in to work.”

  “Are you sure?”

  I muster the brightest smile I can, which isn’t very bright at all, I’m sure. “Yeah, I’m sure. Thanks, though.”

  “Do you want me to wait with you?”

  My laugh is bitter. “That’s okay. I’d rather get chewed out in private if you don’t mind.”

  His brow wrinkles. “Are you going to be in trouble?”

  I wave my hand dismissively. “Ah, no more than usual.”

  He nods and starts to walk away but pauses. I see him glance at his watch then look up, like he’s thinking. It’s obvious the wheels of his mind are turning.

  “Why don’t you let me drive you to work?”

  “Absolutely not! You’ve got plans with Marissa and it’s way out of your way. Salt Springs is way out of everyone’s way.”

  “We were just going to hang out with some coworkers. I can be a little late. It’s not a big deal.”

  “Well, it is to me. I’ll be fine. I appreciate the offer, but I’m gonna have to decline.”

  “Decline?” he says, his eyes twinkling mischievously. “What if I insist?”

  “Insist all you like. My answer won’t change.”

  Nash narrows his eyes on me and his lips curve up at the corners. He walks slowly to my window and bends down, resting his forearms along the open space. His face is inches from mine.

  “I could always make you.”

  The way he says it sounds dark and dirty and infinitely pleasurable. All I can think of is what I’d like for him to make me do.

  There’s an unsavory term for that—a guy forcing a girl to do sexual things. But what is it they say? You can’t rape the willing. And I’d be willing. Oh, how I’d be willing.

  My mouth is so dry, my tongue sticks to the roof. All I can do is shake my head.

  Like the strike of lightning, Nash reaches in and snatches the keys from the ignition. His smile is smug when he stands and walks around to the passenger side. He opens the door and collects my overnight bag and my purse from the seat. Before he shuts the door, he says, “It’s either come with me or sleep in your car that won’t start. Your choice.”

  With that, he slams the door shut and walks casually away, toting my stuff to his car and dropping it into the back seat. He leans against the driver’s door and crosses his arms over his chest to watch me. The challenge is clear.

  I’m just stubborn enough that if I really didn’t want to go with him, I would find a way around him. But therein lies the rub. I do want to go with him. Just to spend a little more time with him, without Marissa around, sounds like heaven. I mean, it’s not like I have any plans to try and steal him. Or that I even could. Marissa is the total package. She’s a whiny bitch, but still, she’s gorgeous, wealthy, successful and she has hella good connections in the Atlanta world of law.

  Then there’s me. I’m an accounting student slash bartender slash farmer’s daughter. Yeah, stealing Nash isn’t an option, even if I was the type to attempt it.

  Fortunately, that makes a car ride with him even more harmless.

  After rolling up the window, I climb out of the car and lock the door before heading for the plush, cool interior of Nash’s BMW. I say nothing about the satisfied smile he’s wearing when he slides in beside me. It’s better if he thinks he won.

  “Now, was that so hard?”

  I try to keep my smile slightly on the tolerant side, squashing my exuberance. “I guess not. You drive a hard bargain.”

  “So I’ve been told.”

  “I’m sure you have,” I mutter. When Nash’s head whips in my direction, I smile innocently. “What?”

  He looks suspicious. “I thought you said something.”

  “Nope. Not me.”

  I smother my grin as he backs out of the lot.

  CHAPTER SIX- Nash

  I watch Olivia from the corner of my eye as I steer the car toward interstate. I know I’m asking for trouble, going to such lengths to spend a little more time with this girl.

  It’s not that I wouldn’t help any female stranded in a similar situation. But would I go this far? Probably not. And would I insist upon it? Definitely not.

  Why couldn’t you just wait with her until a tow truck showed up and then leave?

  I don’t know the answer to that, but it seems like there’s just something about her…

  She’s great looking, no doubt, even though she’s not necessarily my type. She’s the complete opposite of Marissa in practically every way, physical and otherwise. And, even though Marissa fits everything in my life to perfection, I don’t feel drawn to her like I do this girl.

  And that’s not good.

  And I know it.

  Yet here I am. Driving her half way across the state to drop her off at work. While my girlfriend is waiting for me.

  Oh, shit! Marissa!

  As I accelerate up the entrance ramp, I turn to Olivia. “Do you mind if I let Marissa know?”

  She smiles and shakes her head.

  I click a couple buttons on the console to turn off the Bluetooth. I don’t want Olivia to hear my conversation with Marissa.

  “Where are you?” Marissa asks as she answers the phone.

  “Olivia’s car wouldn’t start. I’m taking her to work and then I’ll be there.”

  “Olivia? My cousin, Olivia?”

  “Of course. Who else?”

  “And you’re taking her all the way to work? In Salt Springs?”

  “Yes.”

  Silence greets me. I know what Marissa is like to others. I’m fully aware of the comments and the tantrum she’s suppressing for my benefit. She’s very good at maintaining her carefully forged façade. She knows our relationship would cease to be if she didn’t. For that reason, she doesn’t speak until she has her temper under control.

  “That’s awfully nice of you to do that for her. Just know that I don’t expect it. She’s related to me, but I would never ask you to go out of your way like this.”

  “I know you wouldn’t. I don’t mind. Really.”

  Another pause.

  “All right. I guess I’ll see you in a couple hours then.”

  “See you soon.”

  When I lay my phone in the cup holder, I see Olivia watching me.

  “Something wrong?”

  “I was wondering the same thing. Is she mad?”

  “No. Why would she be mad?”

  “Do you even know who you’re dating?”

  I can’t help but laugh. “She’s not all bad. She was fine with it.”

  “Hmmm.”

 
“Obviously there’s no love lost between you two. So why are you living with her?”

  I glance at Olivia and I see her face crumble.

  “I sound like an ungrateful witch, don’t I? And she is your girlfriend. I’m so sorry!”

  Damn, I’ve made her feel bad.

  “Please don’t apologize. It wasn’t my intention to make you feel bad. I was just curious how it all came about.”

  “Marissa didn’t tell you?”

  “No. She doesn’t talk much about it.”

  “Figures,” she murmurs. I act like I don’t hear her. But it makes me want to smile. “Well, the roommate I’ve had for the last two years up and followed her boyfriend to Colorado without telling me. It was time to renew the lease and I didn’t have the money to continue it on my own, so I had to make other arrangements. My best friend offered me her couch, but she’s getting married next month, so that’s just not gonna happen. That left me with the dorms. Until Marissa’s father offered to let me stay with her. He isn’t charging me as much as I’d have to pay for room and board at school, which is great because that would’ve been a huge problem for me. I’m on a pretty tight budget, even though Tad pays me really well to bartend.” She looks to me and I nod my head in understanding. “It doesn’t sound like it, but I really am grateful. I’ve just had a rough week.”

  “So you bartend?”

  “Yep.”

  “Can I ask why you drive so far when there are probably dozens of bars in the city that would hire you?”

  “Tad pays better than any of the places I’ve checked. He has a lot of girls that call in for their weekend shifts, so he pays me extra to work every weekend. I’ve worked there for two years and I’ve known him half my life. He knows I’ll always show up.”

  “I guess it’s a good thing I forced you into letting me bring you then.”

  She grins at me. It’s a cute, sexy little grin that makes me want to kiss her.

  And that’s not good.

  “I guess I owe you one.”

  “I’m sure I can think of something you can do to pay me back.”

  Dude, now you’re flirting?

  Even to my own ears, my comment sounds suggestive. The sad thing is, it was meant that way. There are literally a dozen things I’d love for her to do for me. Or to me. Or let me do to her.

  Her grin widens into a smile. “Just let me know when you think of something then.”

  Great! Now she’s flirting back!

  I should mind. I should be opposed to it. But I’m not. Far from it!

  I need to change the subject. “So, I don’t know how much my brother pays, but I’m sure he’s very competitive. Why don’t I talk to Cash about you? He might have an opening.”

  I see panic on her face. “No!”

  “O-kay,” I say, a little shocked by her reaction. “May I ask why not?”

  She sighs and leans her head back against the head rest, closing her eyes. “It’s kind of a long and very embarrassing story.”

  “Does it have something to do with you taking his clothes off?”

  Her head jerks up and she turns wide eyes on me. “Did he say something about it?”

  “No, you mentioned it that first morning, remember?”

  Her expression calms. “Oh yeah. That’s right.”

  “So just because of one little incident like that, you’d refuse a job offer that would keep you closer to home and probably put more money in your pocket?”

  “Well, the more money in my pocket thing remains to be seen. You don’t know how much he pays.”

  “I can almost guarantee it would be enough to make it worth your while. His club is pretty big.”

  “Hmmm,” she answers again.

  “You should at least think about it. Unless you want me to force you again. I could carry you in there, you know.”

  She looks over at me and smiles. And I want nothing more than to pull over and drag her into my lap.

  “On second thought, maybe I’d rather you make me force you.”

  What the hell are you doing, man?

  She picks up her head off the head rest then cocks it to one side. “Are you flirting with me?”

  I shrug. She’s very direct. I like that.

  “Would you mind if I was?”

  “Marissa is my cousin, you know.”

  “But you can barely stand her.”

  “That’s not the point. I’m not that girl.”

  I look at her. And I don’t doubt her for one second. She might think Marissa’s a cold bitch, but she would never purposely do anything to hurt her.

  “Believe it or not, I know you’re not. I’m a pretty good judge of character and I have no doubts you’re not that girl.”

  Her brow wrinkles. “Then why are you flirting with me?”

  She’s serious. She’s not smiling or teasing, but she’s not judging me either. She’s just curious.

  I’m fascinated and, for one second, completely honest with her.

  “I can’t seem to help myself.”

  CHAPTER SEVEN- Olivia

  How in the world did I let him talk me into this?

  I’m standing in front of the main door of Dual. I look long and hard at the sign. I have to smile. Dual. Double. Two. Twins. It appears Cash is cheeky in every aspect of his life. And clever.

  Dammit.

  It’s broad daylight and the parking lot is empty. I’m having serious reservations about what I’m getting ready to do. Nash has pestered me about letting him get me a job at the club since Sunday night when my dad dropped me back at the apartment.

  Even though it seems that Cash and Nash don’t get along very well at all, Nash offered to bring me by and officially introduce me to his brother. Stubborn idiot that I am, I refused to even consider the job. But now that the weekend approaches and I’m dreading going all the way back to Salt Springs to work at Tad’s, I’m feeling more optimistic about working for Cash. Unfortunately, Nash had to leave to go out of town again, so now I’m stuck going in alone. And I’m having second thoughts. Especially since the reason I’m most anxious to stick around town on the weekends is to see more of Nash, who is strictly off limits.

  You’re such a dumb ass! Talk about flirting with disaster!

  I sigh and shift my weight from foot to foot, debating what to do. I look longingly back at my car, the car that Nash had a mechanic come look at and fix before I even got back home on Sunday. Turns out it was something simple with a spark plug, I think he said. But still… He had it fixed.

  I sigh.

  It’s the possibility of seeing more of Nash, of him casually dropping by to check on me, that pushes me in the direction of the door.

  I open it and walk into the dark interior. Even in the middle of the day, very little light shines in through the small, high windows.

  The bar looks totally different without the wild lights and the wall-to-wall crush of bodies. The high tables are clean and empty, the black floors are polished to a shine, there is some kind of instrumental music pouring softly from the speakers and the only illumination in the whole room is the backlit liquor display cases behind the bar.

  Nash said Cash would be here all day, but I’m beginning to think I should’ve had him set a specific time. I have no idea where to look for him.

  My flip flops make a hushed flapping sound against my heels as I make my way across the room. I walk to the bar and pull out a stool to sit on, hoping Cash is keeping an eye on the place since the door was open.

  I nearly swallow my tongue when Cash pops up from behind the bar. “You must be Olivia.”

  “Holy mother of hell!” I say, grabbing my chest to still my racing heart.

  He laughs. “With a mouth like that, you’ll fit right in here.”

  If I weren’t so surprised, I’d probably take exception to that comment. Instead, I laugh.

  “You bring out the worst in me. What can I say?”

  Cash is wearing a black tank top that perfectly showcases his muscular ar
ms and the interesting tattoo that adorns the left side of his chest. I try not to think of him as mouthwatering, but that’s the word that keeps going through my head.

  Dammit!

  He puts his elbows on the bar and leans in closer to me. “That’s because you haven’t given me the chance to bring out the best in you.”

  His voice is deep and quiet. His brow is arched, much like it was that first night—in a suggestively challenging way. I feel my pulse pick up.

  Good God, he’s even hotter than I remember!

  Somehow, I’d managed to convince myself that he wasn’t as appealing as Nash, that because he’s the bad boy of the two, he’s less attractive. Sweet Lord, was I wrong!

  I try desperately to hang onto my brain and make a better impression this time. I know I’ll only get this one chance to redeem myself.

  I smile politely and respond. “Well, that won’t be a problem if I start working for you, right?”

  He leans back and smiles crookedly. “Already threatening a sexual harassment suit?”

  “No, I… of course not! I... I didn’t mean…what I actually meant was…” In my head, I hear the sound of an airplane falling from the sky at terminal velocity then crashing into the side of a mountain with a loud explosion.

  Shut up, Olivia! Please, just shut up!

  “Don’t back down now! This was just getting interesting.”

  I exhale. I’m both relieved and a little irritated.

  He’s teasing me!

  “Are you always this evil?”

  “Evil?” he asks, his expression innocent. “Me? Nooooo.”

  With a grin, he plants his hands flat on the bar and lifts himself onto it, throwing his legs over and hopping down right beside me. I actually squeeze my eyes shut for a second in hopes that the vision of his biceps and triceps straining against his smooth skin won’t be permanently etched onto my mind. I think I’m too late, though, because it’s all I can see on the backdrop of my lids.

  Dammit!

  “Nash says you bartend, right?”

  My eyes open to his. He’s staring down at me, so close I can see the vague line where black pupil stops and nearly-black iris begins. Those eyes are amazing!