by Harloe Rae
I almost choke when she cups me. The truck swerves, but I correct the steering immediately. “Shit,” I spit. “Gonna cause an accident.”
She laughs, like my discomfort is humorous. There’s nothing funny about this shit. Number one reason—I’m not hard. At. All. I repeat—what the fuck?
I’m not the type to panic, but alarm is clogging my windpipe. Good Lord, why is this happening?
When Olive realizes my problem, a pout forms on her lips. “What’s wrong? You don’t like this?” She continues fondling, giving a lap massage any guy would kill for, but there’s no response down there. I glare down at my traitorous dick because this is straight up offensive. Not just to me, but also this gorgeous chick rubbing my junk. She edges closer and whispers, “Maybe my mouth will have better luck.”
I almost shudder, and not in a good way. Fuck. By this point, there’s no arousal pumping through me—period. Even my mind has ditched this idea. Fierce agitation fills me and there’s nothing Olive can do to turn my mood around.
Stilling her movements, I grumble, “It isn’t you, babe. Trust me, you’re doing everything right. I’m focusing on keeping you safe and not getting into a wreck. I’d hate to see a scratch on this beautiful face,” I tell her with a quick graze to her cheek. I’m laying it on thick, but damn, this shit is embarrassing.
“Isn’t that sweet?” Olive hums and shifts to her side of the cab. “Thanks for worrying about me. I can be patient.”
“That’s me,” I cough to cover my disbelieving grunt. “A real gentleman.” I roll my eyes at the window.
How the hell do I get out of this mess?
With my dick on sabbatical, sex isn’t happening. I’ll get Olive off and be done with this disaster. Later, I’ll take out my epic failure on the punching bag.
My cell rings from its spot on the dash, and Jack’s name flashes on the screen. A sliver of relief filters in at his welcome interruption.
I grab the phone. “What’s up?”
Olive looks at me quizzically. I mouth my uncle, and she nods.
“Where the hell are you? It’s going on two hours,” he gripes.
I glance at the clock. “Fuck, sorry. The car was thirty minutes out, and it took a bit to hook up. We’re on the way.”
“We?” Jack questions.
“I’ve got the owner with me. Her ride is meeting us at the garage.”
“Ah, all right. I need you to hustle up. We’ve got three walk-ins waiting, and Shane has to leave by four.”
“Got it. Should be there in ten.”
“All right, step on it,” he says before hanging up.
I toss my phone away and flick my gaze at Olive. “Change of plans, babe. The shop is packed, and I’ve got work to do. We’ve gotta head straight there. Raincheck?”
She pouts and mumbles, “That sucks. I was looking forward to seeing you naked. But I understand. We can definitely meet up next time I’m in town.”
“Can’t wait. You’ve made this quite an interesting afternoon,” I tell her honestly. I’ve learned a few things about myself that need to be expelled, and damn quick.
Silence surrounds us until we arrive at Jacked Up. I pull the tow into the rear lot since the front is full. A punch of guilt hits me for leaving them in a lurch. Guess it’s a good thing my dick wasn’t cooperating.
“Wow,” Olive breathes. “Your uncle wasn’t lying. This place is a zoo.”
“No kidding. I haven’t seen it this slammed for months. Must be a busy shopping weekend.”
She nods. “That’s why I’m here. A few of the boutiques have clearance sales for the summer season.”
“That explains it.” I sigh. “Well, I’ll get your vehicle unloaded and into the garage so we can figure out the issue. Hopefully nothing too serious. Once we find the cause, someone will let you know before starting repairs.”
“Sounds fair. I’ll be busy in town so no rush. My friend can haul me around until you’re done. Shouldn’t take more than a day, right?”
I peer back at her Toyota. We should have any part required on hand. “More than likely. I’m guessing it’s real simple, like worn out plugs. Your car isn’t old enough to have serious engine failure.”
“Great!” Olive reaches for the door.
“If you go in the lobby, someone will get you the paperwork. Then you’re free to go until we call.”
She looks back, her eyes sparkling in the sunlight. “It was a pleasure meeting you, Trey. I hope next time will be even better.”
“Looking forward to it.” But that’s a lie. I’ll never see this woman again. I offer a short wave and she strolls away.
I jump out of the truck and head toward Jack, who’s waiting by the first stall.
“I can see what held you up,” he chuckles and gestures to the entrance Olive passed through.
Shrugging off the earlier irritation, I meet his stare. “Sorry for the delay. Nothing happened with her though.”
Jack tilts his head and quirks a brow. “Good. It’d be bad for business if you left her in a snit.”
“Yeah, yeah. I’ve heard it before.”
He knocks on my temple. “And I’ll keep telling ya until it sticks.” Jack points to a blue sedan. “Get to work on that Focus. The valves are shot. Might wanna check the oil pump too. She’ll be in tonight for pick up.” I’m already walking before he’s done so any underlying meaning escapes me.
“Got it,” I call over my shoulder. My shoes pound over the concrete as I jog toward the Focus. Hopefully this won’t take long so I can knock out another job before Shane leaves.
When I wrench open the door, a familiar floral scent accosts me. Raven strikes again. I glare at the clear sky, wondering what I’ve done to deserve this torture. I laugh at my own stupidity because that list is endless. But still. This is straight up cruel.
I settle behind the wheel while attempting not to inhale. I give up after a few moments and take a deep breath. The fight within me melts away as I drink her in.
Dammit, she smells so fucking good.
My palm slams on the center console as I curse the wicked witch for casting a spell on me. But I won’t let her defeat me. She might have won this round, but the war is mine.
Game on, Raven.
FAULT
Trey
I HEAR RAVEN before I see her, a sacrificial lamb willingly wandering into the lion’s den. She taps the service bell on the lobby counter. I ignore it. We’re doing this my way, which means she comes to me. I bask in the comfort from my surroundings before shit hits the fan. Oil and grease permeate the air as I roll from underneath her car. The main repairs were done hours ago but after everyone left, I checked the brake lines. Gave me something to do while waiting.
“Hello?” Raven calls from the doorway.
She can’t see me so I let her wait a bit longer. I spend a few extra moments wiping my hands before pushing the creeper away.
“Jack? Is that you?”
I step around the car, coming into view. “Sorry to disappoint, Princess. You get to deal with me.” The hitch in her breath makes my dick twitch and aggravation plows into me. My body’s reaction is stupid strong to this chick. She makes a tiny noise and I get semi-hard, go fucking figure. No time for that now.
Raven attempts a smile, but it’s forced. She steps into the garage, unaware of the danger waiting for her. “Hey, Trey. I’m glad to see you. Last weekend was, um,” she stutters while her gaze bounces around the space. “That wasn’t my finest moment. Delilah filled me in on the missing pieces and seems like I owe you, well, uh . . .”
“Spit it out,” I growl. “Already been waiting long enough for you.”
Her blue eyes snap to mine. “Ugh, stop rushing me. You’re making me nervous.”
I almost laugh at her flared nostrils and flushed cheeks. Glad I’m not the only one affected. “Oh, yeah? What am I doing that bothers you?”
“You’re so intimidating. You know it too, which makes it worse. But you still don’t scare m
e. More like, fascinate,” she says with a tilt of her chin.
“That makes me sound like a fucking freak on display,” I grit.
She combs her fingers through that long blonde hair. “You’re twisting my words, dammit.”
My patience fades to nonexistent. “Get to the point.”
“Thank you, all right? I appreciate you driving us home. D said she interrupted you, and someone . . .” Her voice trails off.
Raven reminds me of the reason for all my recent frustration. I prowl forward, getting into her space. “And what? You’re gonna make up for it?” I expect her to shy away, but she stands her ground. “Because that doesn’t sound so bad, Princess. You’ve cockblocked, turned my dick against me, and flipped my life upside down in a few short weeks.”
She squints. “Huh? All I’m offering is an apology and my thanks. What happens with your body isn’t my fault.”
A storm brews in my gut, spinning faster as I stalk closer. When I press against her, Raven bumps into the car and gasps. I have her pinned, and this position gives me all the power.
“Admit it,” I whisper against her jaw.
“Wh-what?”
“You want my filthy hands all over you.”
She blinks rapidly and appears to recover from the shock of my proximity. “No. That’s not why I came.”
“Yeah, well, I was gonna stay the hell away from you. Plans change. My dick wants to fuck you. Maybe if I give in, you’ll finally get out of here.” I tap my temple. “I want you outta my head.”
Raven struggles against me, but doesn’t get far. “I never asked to be there. That’s crazy. I’ll take my car and go.”
“That’s not much of a cure, Princess. I’ll probably see you tomorrow, and the cycle will start again.”
“What do you expect me to do?”
“Are you listening? Thought I was being clear. This has nothing to do with emotions.”
“I’m not sleeping with you.”
“Oh, really? Because it’s obvious you want me. It’s clear in the way your thighs tremble when I’m close,” I mutter while stroking up her leg. “Or the rapid rise of your chest,” I blow out across her tits. “Can’t forget the blush covering your sweet cheeks,” I say with a gentle touch to her silky skin. “Even without all those not so subtle cues, your eyes are the window to your hungry soul. You’re starving for me, Princess.”
Raven’s lids are hooded, hiding her glazed sapphires. “This is a wicked game you’re playing, Trey. I want no part of it.” Her husky voice gives her away.
“No? Are you sure? Think about it,” I taunt. She shakes her head and remains silent. She bites her plump lip, and fierce desire slams into me. She makes me hard with a simple move. “Delilah isn’t here to save you, Princess. Who’s gonna rescue you this time?”
She releases a long exhale. “I can take care of myself.”
Raven is strong, that’s for sure. Too bad I have to break her. “I’ll make you feel so good, baby. Fighting is useless.” I grind into her, and she moans softly. “See? You’re pent up too. We can help each other.”
“And what happens tomorrow?”
I shrug. “You’ll be outta my system. We move on. Problem solved.”
Why is that so hard to understand?
“I don’t like the sound of that.”
“What do you suggest?”
“How about a truce? We can be friends.”
Is she serious? One glimpse at her hopeful face gives me the answer. My lust cools as doubt threads through me. Maybe I’m taking this too far. For a moment, I consider accepting her offer, and a foreign feeling settles in my chest. Is that compassion?
Shit, I can’t think straight. She’s destroying my sanity.
“Are you all right?” She asks it softly. “You’re looking a bit green.”
Makes sense since my stomach is churning. I cover the discomfort with a smirk. “Sweet of you to care. Wanna be my naughty nurse?”
Raven laughs. “Wow, good one. Not gonna happen, buddy. You see my desire? Well, I notice you, the real you hidden beneath all the crap. I’d like to know him. Maybe we’d actually get along.”
This conversation is going nowhere fast.
“You’re fucking stubborn.” I rub my forehead. Her denial has frustration bubbling back to the surface.
“Because I won’t have sex with you?”
“Along with everything else.” Wow. We’re bickering, and my lust is dissolving with each pass. It pisses me off.
“Such as?” she asks with a lifted brow.
I grunt with exasperation. “Since you’ve been around, I can’t get a moment’s peace. Not to mention my dick has been aching for weeks.”
“Because of me?”
“Don’t get a big head, Princess.” No way I’m admitting the truth to her. For the first time, I’m drawn to a woman for more than her body. It terrifies me. I’ve got to shake her loose before it gets worse. “My cock just happens to show a particular interest in you. Once we fuck, this stupid infatuation will be gone.”
She rolls her eyes. “How romantic.”
“Romance has nothing to do with it.”
“You think I’m falling for this shit? Trey, no. Absolutely not.” She slices a hand across her throat. “I wanna go home and pretend this never happened. I don’t wanna fight with you.”
I make a sound of disbelief. “Really? Fooled me. Seems that’s what you’re always setting out to do. Everywhere I turn, there you are. I can’t escape.”
“That’s what happens in a small town. Especially one the size of Garden Grove.”
“You an expert after living here all of five minutes?”
“Stop being an ass. I haven’t done anything to you.”
The dam breaks, and I snarl. “You’re ruining my simple life.”
“Oh? Because it was so great before?” Raven’s mouth slams shut like she spilled a secret. “I shouldn’t have said that,” she mumbles.
“Why not? Everyone around town knows I’m a worthless manwhore. Pretty sure you found out the night we met. Not like I hide it.”
“That’s not what I meant.”
“Enlighten me.” I can only imagine what stories she’s heard. This should be entertaining.
Raven glances away before swallowing hard. “I know about your family.”
Any control I felt vanishes instantly as lightning crashes in my chest. I set out to destroy her, but with one statement, she decimates me.
“What’d you say?” I hiss through clenched teeth, menace dripping from my tone.
“Your parents and sister. I heard about the accident,” she chokes out.
The coldest bucket of water pours over my head, washing away all traces of desire. She made a big mistake bringing them up. My wrath forms like a hurricane, and she’s the target.
My expression hardens while an inferno builds inside. “Poor me, right? Save your pity, Princess. And don’t bring up shit you weren’t here for.”
Her lashes flutter and she gulps again. “I understand how it is. Maybe I can—”
My palm slams against the car window, inches from her head. Raven flinches, but recovers quickly. “You don’t know shit. My life is none of your business. Got it?”
“O-okay, I get it. But I wanna tell you something.”
“Hell no,” I boom. “You’ve said plenty.”
“Just fucking listen to me, all right? Dammit!”
I push away from her, needing the distance to clear my head. But I keep her trapped with my gaze. “Can’t help running that smart mouth, huh? Am I the only one lucky enough to receive this treatment?”
Her features flash with hurt. I keep pushing forward. “I don’t care about whatever you wanna say. Keep that precious advice to yourself.”
Raven is getting too close, digging into the hidden crevices I prefer to forget.
“You’re not the only one who knows loss, Trey. Trust me, I’m the last one to offer suggestions or pity. I’d love to be supportive, if you�
��re ever interested.” Her eyes are shining with care, her forehead creasing with concern, but I call bullshit.
“I haven’t—"
“Not interested,” I sneer. My hand slices the air. “Save your white picket fence bullshit, Princess. I don’t need others to be happy. I’ve survived this long fine enough.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“Makes no difference to me,” I grunt.
“Don’t you get lonely? Everyone needs someone.”
“Not me. I lost my someones, and they’re irreplaceable. Other than Jack, people are just placeholders, temporary and ever changing.”
Raven tucks her chin and slowly blows out a breath. “That’s really sad, Trey.”
“And that’s your opinion.”
“I hope you’ll change your mind.”
My shields slam down as I turn to stone. “You’re far too smart to be acting this stupid. Just leave it be. I’ll never wanna talk about this.”
She doesn’t let my attitude dissuade her. Raven is determined to squeeze answers out of me. “Call me names all you want. I’m not going anywhere, remember? I’ll be popping up all over town, never giving you a moment’s peace.”
“You’re fucking relentless.” Exhaustion sinks in and my bones feel heavy. “We done here? I’ll drive your car out and have Jack send you a bill.”
“Why do you hate me?” She blinks rapidly.
“You represent everything I despise,” I tell her honestly.
“Such as?”
“Always with the questions.” I rub my neck, the muscles strained. “For starters? Happiness. Commitment. Belonging. Forever. The list goes on just like your inconvenient presence.”
“Yet you wanna sleep with me.”
My head tips side to side. “I’m horny, and you’re hot. Even with those lips flapping nonstop you’re a decent catch. I’d love to get into your pants, all night long, without stopping to rest. Bet I could teach you a thing or two, Princess.” Raven’s jaw drops so I keep goading her. “Like the sound of that? I’d have you moaning in no time.”
A blush stains her cheeks. “You have quite the imagination.”
“You’ll be asking for it eventually. I’ll be waiting with a smug smile.”