Chasing Red Series, Book 1

by Isabelle Ronin

  Hawthorne Auto Repair Shop was on the opposite side of town from Caleb’s place, but that didn’t stop me. I boarded the bus and hoped for the best.

  The garage was located on a big lot, a long, rectangular building freshly painted in metal gray with dark-blue trim. A smaller building with a slanted roof was attached to the left side. Cars were neatly parked side by side in rows of three.

  The whirring of machinery, metal grinding against metal, and the heavy scent of diesel greeted me as I entered the garage. A young guy in a blue mechanic’s uniform was talking on his cell phone, his face youthful and stained with grease. He signaled for me to wait and jogged toward me.

  “Can I help you?” he asked. The name tag on his uniform said DYLAN.

  “I’m here to submit my résumé for the cashier/clerk position.”

  “Hallelujah!” His face broke into a wide grin. “I’m Dylan, and the office is just over there.” He pointed to the door on his left. “I’d walk you over, but I just need to finish this.” He nodded at his phone.

  Encouraged by his reaction, I smiled, then headed in the direction he had indicated.

  I entered the office and saw a tall, slim-as-a-rose brunette standing behind the counter and cash register, her eyes narrowed into slits as she listened to a man I assumed was a customer. Her eyes shifted to me for a moment when the bell on the door jingled as it closed.

  “Do you think I’m the one who puts these taxes on our customers’ bills? If I did, I’d add an asshole tax just before the idiot tax. Especially for some people,” she said in a no-nonsense tone, one perfect eyebrow arched.

  She flipped her stylishly cut hair behind her shoulder.

  “Not saying it’s you, but if you don’t pay for our service, you don’t get your car. Just try it,” she warned, her eyes gleaming with challenge when the customer reached for the keys on the counter. “Try driving that car out of this lot without paying your bill, plus taxes. I assure you, sir, you might get away from me but not from the cops.”

  I bit my lip, wondering if I should turn around and leave, come back at a better time.

  Her eyes flicked back to mine, and she gave me a quick wink.

  I decided to wait and looked around the office. Facing the counter, there were two desks crowded with paperwork and paraphernalia. Shelves displaying car parts lined the walls, some behind glass. On the far end of the room was a glass door leading to the outside. The argument continued, but I noticed that the customer ended up paying his bill, plus taxes. Eventually he grabbed his keys and brushed past me on his way out.

  And, in my opinion, barely kept his life.

  “Bastard,” the brunette muttered under her breath. “Be gone, negative energy. Whew. Hello there, gorgeous. Here to pick up your car?”

  She was absolutely unapologetic, her hazel eyes clear and direct as they focused on me. And I just had to grin. I liked her already.

  I couldn’t help but admire the long, green Bohemian dress she was wearing. She had a small beauty mark on the side of her upper lip. She was of mixed race, possibly Asian and Caucasian. Behind her chic glasses, her hazel eyes slanted beautifully upward.

  I shook my head. “Sorry, no. I’m here to hand in my résumé, if the cashier position is still open. I saw the ad online.”

  Her brows knit in confusion. “What ad?”

  She reached for my résumé, her eyes skimming it.

  “I’m Veronica Strafford,” I said.

  “Kara Hawthorne. Sweetie, I think you got the wrong shop—”

  “Hey, Kar!”

  We both turned at the voice. Dylan opened the office’s back door, poking his head inside. Sounds from the garage filtered through, loud but not deafening.

  “Dad told me to post an ad on the internet for a part-time cashier to help you around here. You’re welcome.” His eyes shifted, and he grinned when he saw me. Then he winked.

  “Will you stop winking? You look like you’re having an epileptic attack. And why did Dad ask you and not me?” She sounded insulted.

  He rolled his eyes. “Chill, chill. This is exactly why Dad asked me. You’ve been a raging psycho lately, and you need help.” He winked at me again.

  I pressed my lips together to keep from laughing. It seemed such normal banter between brother and sister.

  “Go to hell.” Kara turned her attention to me. “Sorry about that moron. We don’t let him out of his cage much.”

  I smiled.

  “I heard that!” Dylan piped up as he disappeared behind the closed door.

  Kara waved her hand dismissively. “Okay, let’s take a look again,” she said, scanning my résumé. “Can you give me three references?”

  “Absolutely.” I handed her a piece of paper with my references.

  “Give me a second while I check these out,” she informed me, already heading to the back office for the phone.

  When she came back a few minutes later, there was a radiant smile on her face. “I got ahold of two out of three of your references. Before anything else, I have a few questions I need to ask you now.”

  “Okay.”

  “Do you wear fur?”

  “No.”

  “Real leather?”

  My mouth twitched. “No.”

  “Good. I’m an animal lover. Are you vegan or vegetarian?”

  “Um…no.”

  “That’s too bad.” She let out a sigh before grinning. “You’re hired. Care to start today?”

  My heart did a quick dance in my chest, and I felt a grin stretch across my lips, mirroring hers.

  “I’d love to.”

  “Call me Kar, then. And since I’m probably going to boss the hell out of you at work, want to have lunch with me now and we can discuss the rest?”

  I nodded.

  “There’s a vegetarian restaurant down the street. Okay with you?”

  “Sounds perfect.”

  She grabbed her purse and keys from a drawer in her desk, flipped the sign on the door saying that she’d be back in an hour, and locked the office behind us.

  Now that I’d found a job, I allowed myself to buy a meal to celebrate, but just this one time. I needed every cent to pay off my loans.

  Over fries, mushroom burgers, and milk shakes, we discussed my hourly rate, my responsibilities, and her expectations.

  I didn’t warm up to anyone easily, but I couldn’t help it with Kara. She was in college and attending the same university. We just hadn’t met until today. Some people might find her bluntness intimidating, but I really appreciated her no-bullshit attitude.

  We were laughing over her methods of dealing with difficult customers when she stopped mid-sentence, staring at something over my shoulder. Her eyes widened in shock, then flashed with hurt, before her shields went up.

  “My ex. My ex from hell. He’s here, and he’s with someone. Don’t look!”

  But I already had. Kara snarled in dismay, glaring at me. I chuckled at her expression.

  A dark-haired guy was seated three tables away, his eyes a startling blue as they drank in Kara’s face. They quickly shifted to me for a second before they went back to Kara.

  “He’s staring at you,” I said when I finally turned back to her.

  “Fuck him. I hate him. I hope he’s burned alive, flayed alive. Boiled alive.”

  “You’re scary.”

  She glared at me. “And you suck. He totally saw you checking him out, and now he knows I’m talking about him. His ego is big enough without our help—trust me.” Her eyes narrowed, then gleamed. “Let me deflate it a little. Let’s go,” she commanded, already rising from her seat.

  I looked at my burger longingly—wondering if I’d have time to ask the hostess to box it—but one glance at Kara told me that wasn’t going to happen. She was a woman on a mission.

  She stopped beside
her ex’s table.

  “Hello, Cameron,” Kara greeted him. She fluttered her eyelashes at him, her voice full of sass. “How are the drugs working, honey?”

  Cameron, who was taking a sip of his drink, choked at Kara’s question.

  His date looked up at Kara, confused. “Drugs?”

  “Oh, I’m sorry. Didn’t you know?” Kara’s voice dripped with fake sympathy. “He needs drugs to get it up. It’s going to be a very short, very soft ride for you, sweetie. Ta-ta for now!” She flicked her fingers in a wave of goodbye and hurried to the exit.

  “Goddamn it, Kara!”

  I startled as I heard Cameron speak. He rose, sliding out from his seat and racing past me after Kara. “Kar! Get back here!”

  By the time I caught up to them outside, I was surprised at the sight before me. Cameron was gripping her arms, his lips on hers. I watched as she kneed him in the balls and he crumpled to the ground, his face twisting in agony.

  “Kara, you—” Cameron wheezed.

  She kicked him in the stomach before he could finish.

  “What the hell, Kar?” I yelled, pulling her back from the poor guy.

  She sneered down at him. “Don’t you ever, ever touch me again with those filthy phalanges, you motherfucking dickless baboon!”

  Chapter Eight

  Veronica

  By the time I got home, it was late. I stepped off the elevator and walked to Caleb’s apartment door, entering the code on the keypad. The door made a muted beeping noise before the locks clicked open. The lights were on, and I could detect a faint smell of burned toast. Caleb must be home.

  I felt guilty for not cooking dinner. I had planned on getting home earlier to make something for Caleb to eat, but I’d spent more time with Kara than I’d planned. I made a mental note to give my resignation to my other part-time job since Kara offered more hours and pay.

  “Caleb?” I called out, covering my eyes with my hand and opening just a slit between my fingers so I could see where I was going. Better safe than sorry. He had a habit of walking around naked in his home. I could still remember—

  I shook my head to clear my thoughts and tried to assassinate the feeling of excited anticipation at seeing him again.

  I found him in the kitchen, standing in front of the open fridge, drinking a glass of orange juice. He wore a crisp black suit and tie, his bronze hair slicked back to frame his gorgeous face.

  The suit caught me off guard. He looked so good that he seemed unreal. Had he gone to another charity event with his mother?

  I just stood there, immobilized, unable to pry my gaze away. His green eyes widened slightly when he saw me. He closed the fridge and placed the glass on the counter. Slowly, he lifted his head. Our eyes met.

  Silence.

  Embarrassed, I broke our gaze, but my eyes couldn’t help dragging to his lips. They were rosy, irresistible, and probably cold from drinking his favorite juice.

  His tongue quickly darted out to lick the juice on his lips. That was too much. The butterflies were in my stomach now, wreaking havoc with my emotions.

  “Hi, Red. Like what you see?” His voice was huskier than normal.

  Oh God.

  The tub of peanut butter last night almost made me succumb to his charms again. Almost. I barely looked at him and answered his questions with one-word answers, planning to make his pancakes as fast as I could, then run back to my room. Other than our encounter last night, I’d been away from him for a long time, and I felt overwhelmed now that his full attention was on me. I blushed, forcing myself to look away from him. Where was my tongue? My brain? I couldn’t let him take the upper hand.

  “I see,” he said quietly, his voice deepening. “Are you just going to pretend I’m not turning you on right now?”

  Oh God. Oh God. Oh God.

  I watched him walk slowly toward me, his hooded eyes intense on my face. He stopped a few inches away. I could smell the faint scent of his cologne, feel the warmth emanating from his body.

  “I told you I wouldn’t be able to pull away next time,” he whispered.

  In one swift move, he had me pinned against the wall. His green eyes bored into mine, then flicked down to my mouth, lingering there.

  “I should leave you alone, but I can’t.” My eyes closed as his fingers traced a line on my cheek, down to the hollow of my throat where my pulse was beating wildly.

  “I’m greedy.” His head dipped to my neck, and I gasped as his soft lips lightly brushed the sensitive area below my ear. “And I want more.”

  “Caleb.” His name came out in a breathy whisper. I felt intoxicated. Mesmerized.

  “Just a taste.” He inhaled deeply. My head fell back to grant him more access. “You smell so good.”

  I fisted my hands by my sides to prevent myself from touching him.

  His hands stroked down my body, gentle and teasing, until they gripped my hips. “Kiss me,” he coaxed, sucking my bottom lip, then licking and biting lightly.

  My knees felt weak. His arm snaked around my waist, pulling me against his body as his other hand slipped up and secured the back of my neck. His lips became hard and demanding, challenging me to kiss him back.

  My lips parted as he clutched a fistful of my hair, hungrily taking my mouth. His kiss turned insatiable, almost desperate.

  I knew he was capable of this. I was prepared for it. What I wasn’t prepared for was my reaction. I believed that I could resist him, that I was strong enough not to give in. I was wrong—so wrong. Because this, I realized as his mouth seduced me, was surrender.

  I felt his hunger, and I realized that same hunger was mirrored inside me and had been building for a while now. Almost as desperate as he was, I kissed him back.

  The world became hazy. I only felt. And then I heard a moan. The sound had come from me.

  “No!” I protested against his lips. My palms flattened against his chest to push him away, but he held on, stroking my arms gently, persuasively.

  He exhaled slowly, and I heard him swallow as he rested his forehead against mine. I could feel his breath, smell the masculine scent of him.

  “Red—”

  “Don’t.”

  I ran to my room and closed the door behind me. I had to get out of here soon. There was no way I could stay in his apartment. Caleb disarmed me, made me weak.

  My hands shook as I touched my lips. I had never been kissed like that in my whole life.

  Was it supposed to feel like I’d been branded?

  I had never believed what they said about Caleb Lockhart on campus. They said he could kiss a dead fish to life.

  Now, I believed.

  * * *

  Determined not to see Caleb the next morning, I woke up early to cook his breakfast, posted a note on the fridge, and rushed to leave for school.

  I didn’t want to face him after what had happened last night. It shouldn’t happen again. Wouldn’t happen again. If I gave in, I’d just be some girl in his book, another notch in his bedpost. I didn’t want him to think of me that way.

  Wait—why did I suddenly care what he thought about me?

  I didn’t. Really.

  The weather matched my mood with its ominous dark clouds as I walked the hallways to my second class. It looked like it was going to rain, and it had been unusually chilly this morning when I left the apartment. I couldn’t wait for this day to end. I glanced at my watch and noted that I still had a few minutes before my next class started.

  “Red!”

  Oh God, no.

  Only one person called me that. I walked faster, ignoring him, hoping he’d give up and leave me alone. I felt safer when I reached the lecture hall, squeezing myself into the only available seat in the second row.

  “Lockhart, my man!” the guy behind me yelled.

  My head whipped around so fast I
felt dizzy.

  Caleb was standing at the door, looking fresh and gorgeous in dark jeans and a gray sweater, sleeves rolled up exposing his forearms. His gaze was searching.

  “What the hell are you doing here?” the guy asked. “You’re not in this class.”

  That’s right! He shouldn’t be here. Isn’t there a rule that prohibits students from sitting in a class they’re not enrolled in?

  “I definitely am today,” Caleb replied. His smile reached his ears when he spotted me. I whipped my eyes to the front, sending a silent prayer of gratitude that all the seats in my row were taken.

  “See something I like,” he added.

  I could hear the grin in his voice. I gritted my teeth. What was taking the professor so long? He should’ve been here by now.

  “Veronica Strafford,” a quiet male voice whispered behind me.

  I turned my head to check who it was. A classmate I’d never talked to flashed an amused smile as he handed me a folded piece of paper. I looked at it dumbly.

  The guy’s black bangs covered one dark eye, while the other one gazed at me intently. “For you,” he said, shoving the paper in my hand when I didn’t reach for it.

  My eyes shifted to Caleb. He was sitting two rows behind me, watching with laughter in his eyes. I turned to face the front again, crumpling the paper in my hand. When I felt a nudge on my back, I turned around and glared. It was the same guy again.

  “He said read it, or he will exchange seats with the guy beside you.”

  I clenched my teeth. I wanted to throw his note in his face, but I didn’t want to make a spectacle. I opened the note.

  I’m NOT sorry I kissed you last night.

  Caleb

  I crushed the paper in my hand again, anger flaring in my chest.

  “What did you give her?” I heard another male voice behind me. A different one this time. Good Lord, were all of Caleb’s teammates in this class? “A note? What’s on it?”

  I was about to tear it up when someone plucked it out of my hands.

  “Amos, you asshole! Come back here!” Caleb yelled, but he was laughing.

  I watched in horror as Amos jumped on the stage, clearing his throat to get everyone’s attention.