Drive Me Wild

by Jeannette Winters

  “I know my address, but he didn’t ask for that, so I assume it’s not in your computer.”

  What the heck, Larry? You aren’t going to get paid if you don’t bill them. He knew Larry had been distracted, but someone needed to be watching the books. He had been waiting for the right time to talk to Larry about buying in as a partner. Was this a sign that the time was now? What’s the worst he could say? No? If that was the case, Cole could always start his own company.

  “We can try the location address. What it is?” She provided him the address and he knew exactly where it was. The Hill. “Jody?”

  “Yes, who is this?”

  “It’s Cole. I’m the...electrician from Saturday.”

  “I remember you. How did your Chevy do?”

  “Not as well as you did.”

  “Excuse me? I don’t understand.”

  He laughed. “I take it you haven’t seen the morning paper.”

  “No, I haven’t. Why?”

  “Because your beautiful face is plastered on the front page.” Never mind the rest of that amazing body of yours.

  “You’re joking right?”

  “Nope. If you’d like, I’ll bring you a copy with your invoice.” He wanted to see her again, and this was a good reason to.

  “I…I guess I need the invoice to pay the bill,” she replied.

  “And the paper?”

  There was a pause and then she asked, “I’m really on the front page?”

  “Trust me Jody, no one is even looking at my car with you sitting on it.” He hated to admit that having her there might have backfired for him. She was captivating and the camera seemed to love her. He had to admit, she brought attention to his car, and he couldn’t blame her for him not winning. It would’ve been a miracle, taking home a trophy the first time around. She’s probably been a pinup gal for years.

  “I’m not sure I want to see it. What are the Creeps going to say?”

  “About what?”

  “I was supposed to be making sure everything was running smoothly and not…sitting on your car.”

  That provided the opportunity to ask what had been on his mind “Why did you?”

  “I felt horrible about calling you a jerk. Things weren’t going well and I was panicking. And I was blowing off steam. You weren’t meant to hear it. Of course, that doesn’t really make it better. So this was my way of saying…I’m sorry.”

  “That was…really nice of you. Once you sat on my car it opened the door for others.” And I didn’t care one bit about any of them. “So what time can I come by?”

  “How about we meet for lunch? I have to drop off a few things for the car club and will be free at one. Does that work for you?”

  He’d make it work. “Sounds good. There’s a pizza joint on Main Street.”

  “I know it. I’ll see you there. And yeah, I’ll take that copy of the newspaper if you don’t mind. If anything, it’ll be a good laugh.”

  Picking it up off the desk, Cole wasn’t laughing when he looked at it. If anything, it made him want to see her again even more. He put the paper to the side and knew he wasn’t going to get any shit done if he kept looking at it. Cole also knew he was picking her up her own copy. This one was his.

  * * *

  Jody met up with Vinny, who had a copy of the paper waiting for her. “Bet you never thought you’d make the front page.”

  “Never thought I’d be sitting on a car either. There was nothing about this weekend that went as planned,” Jody said.

  Vinny laughed. “We’ve been doing this for a few years, and never once have things gone as planned. Don’t worry about it. We had a meeting earlier and for all the shit that went wrong, you pulled it together and everyone seemed to have a great time.”

  “That’s good to hear.” She wasn’t sure they’d hire her again next year, but a good recommendation went a long way. Jody was more suited to event planning, not being the person putting out all the fires. More like delegating someone to do it. “Is there any further feedback?” She crossed her fingers and hoped nothing bad was about to come.

  “Only that you might want to join as one of the pinup gals next year. You really rocked that outfit, but besides that, I hear you were a natural.”

  Jody laughed. “The guy got lucky. He probably had to delete a hundred before he found a good one.”

  “So you haven’t seen social media either, I take it,” Vinny asked.

  She shook her head. “That bad?”

  “Freaking amazing. If you’d have been entered in the runway show, I think you’d have been surprised with the results.”

  “That’s never going to happen. This was my first and my last time.”

  “I really can’t believe you went to such lengths for a guy you don’t even know. Or is it that you want to get to know him?”

  She blushed. That may have crossed her mind, but it would’ve been very unprofessional to ask him for his number. So, donning a sexy outfit and sitting on his car was so much more subtle. “He was very helpful.”

  “So was Bobby,” Vinny teased.

  “I have to get going,” Jody said, trying to end this torture.

  “Want to have lunch with me and Janet?” Vinny asked.

  “Thanks but I’m meeting someone.”

  “Someone like Cole King?” Vinny said, cocking a brow.

  “It’s a business meeting. Things were too busy Saturday and I forget to grab the invoice for the repairs,” Jody stated firmly.

  “Yeah. There really wasn’t any place to hold the invoice in that sexy outfit you wore for him either.”

  She got up and headed for the door. “How does Janet tolerate you?”

  “I wonder the same thing. But she said I only get like this when it’s show time. Other than that, I’m a saint.”

  “In all the years I’ve known you, Vinny, I’ve never heard anyone ever call you that. Being married really must have changed you a lot.” As she was leaving she said, “Tell Janet I’ll call her next week. I know you guys are heading back out to the island right?”

  “Yup. She loves her job in Tabiq. And there is nothing like island living.”

  The only island she seemed to ever visit was Rhode Island and that was no island at all. For now, Jody was calling Rhode Island, home. There were a lot of wonderful things here. And what wasn’t, she could get to quickly. Three hours drive to the White Mountains, or the lights of New York City. If she wanted something closer, it was only an hour to Boston. They say it’s all about location and she was making due with hers. “Some people have all the luck.”

  “Here’s hoping you have some at lunch. I mean with your invoice,” Vinny laughed.

  She slammed the door on her way out. Why was it that no one took her role seriously? If she weren’t an honest person, she may never have received a bill for the work. She couldn’t live with herself, taking advantage of someone like that. Besides, they came and did the work. She was grateful. Cole saved her ass, even if he didn’t know it. And Vinny should appreciate what a great job she’d done, not tease her about…some guy who meant nothing to her.

  As she entered the pizza place and saw Cole sitting there, she knew she wasn’t here to settle a bill. Hell, she could’ve just provided her address and had him mail it. Or even paid over the phone and a receipt mailed to her. No. She was here because there was something about him that intrigued her. Maybe it was because he’d seen her at her worst and still let it roll off his shoulders. Many others wouldn’t have been so…kind.

  She made her way to the table and said, “I hope I didn’t keep you waiting long.”

  “No. I just got here myself. Things are busy in the office today.”

  Jody didn’t want him to get in trouble for taking too long. “If you’d rather I can just take my invoice and you can return.”

  “I wouldn’t be here if I couldn’t. Besides, the least I can do is buy you lunch.” He patted the seat next to him. “Might as well look at the menu. The waitress seems anxi
ous to take our order.”

  “The place isn’t even busy,” Jody said as she looked around.

  “And that’s why she’s watching us. She has nothing better to do.”

  Oh great. More eyes on us. She would’ve talked to Cole Saturday, but he had a crowd around him. She really wasn’t a public-display type, though you couldn’t tell that from the pictures.

  “Then I guess we’d better order. So let me make this easy for you. I eat anything but anchovies.”

  “And the rest is up to me?” Cole asked.

  “I’m easy to please.” Jody regretted the choice of words as she saw Cole cock a brow and grin. “With pizza toppings, at least.”

  “Damn,” he teased. He called the waitress over and gave their order. Then he turned his attention back to her. “I brought the paper.”

  “I already saw it. What are they thinking? That isn’t front-page news. Well, your car maybe, but not me.”

  “You must not have looked at the same paper that I did.” Cole pulled out the paper and opened it in front of her.

  The waitress came by and said, “Hey, I saw that picture this morning. Can you believe what some people will do to get in the newspaper? If I took off my clothes, I’d make the paper, but I probably would be wearing jailhouse orange.” She laughed and walked away.

  “I think your judgment has been clouded, but I still thank you for the compliment. Now did you have an invoice for me?”

  She didn’t want to talk about the photo any longer; that wasn’t the real her. She was a serious woman trying to grow a business. How was she going to do that if the venue she was supposed to be managing related her as a…she wasn’t even sure how to view herself. Everyone was talking like she was gorgeous. Red hair, and some freckles that she hated. She had no idea what they saw in her. Jody was no pinup gal, and even if she wanted to be, she couldn’t compete with them.

  “I forgot it at the office. Why don’t we enjoy our lunch and I can get it to you later,” Cole said.

  “I thought the reason for lunch was so I could pay my bill,” Jody stated.

  “We could sit here and dispute the fact that I didn’t bring it, or we can talk about something else.”

  Talking business wasn’t all that appealing either. “Okay, no business and not talking about the picture.”

  “I can live with that. Are you from around here?” Cole asked.

  She relaxed and said, “No. I’m not a local. But I have friends who are.”

  “Is Larry one of those?” Cole asked.

  “Larry? She didn’t know anyone by that name, but then again, she’d met so many people over the weekend that her head was spinning.

  “Larry is my boss.”

  “Oh that’s right. No. A friend gave me his number.”

  “It was a local event. I’m surprised the Creeps didn’t know anyone.”

  I didn’t want them to know. “I didn’t want them to panic and think I wasn’t on top of it all. Besides, they had other things to worry about. I heard they were up most of the night before making the trophies. Did you know they create them all each year from car parts? Pretty unique.”

  “I know they are hard to get your hands on.”

  “Maybe next year,” Jody said. “I thought for sure you’d place. But then again, I’m not one of the judges. I’d be horrible at it. Really the only thing I know about your car was it was pretty and the seats were comfortable.”

  “Pretty? I’ll take that. Would you be interested in maybe taking a ride in it?” Cole asked.

  “I’d love it. But I don’t want to put you out. I know you’re busy.” She really wanted to go, and it had nothing to do with the car. It was all about the handsome guy who’d be driving it.

  “Actually I’m thinking about taking a ride down to the Cape this weekend. Are you interested?”

  “I’d like that very much,” she said with a smile. He hadn’t actually said it was a date, but it sounded like one. She jotted down her number on a piece of paper and handed it to him. “In case you didn’t have my number.”

  Cole laughed. “I do, but I prefer you giving me permission to call it.”

  She’d forgotten that she’d called the office earlier. “Is that your only car?”

  “No. I drive a Jeep on a regular basis. Actually I’ve never taken her out on the streets before. This will be her first trip.”

  “Her? Does she have a name too?” Jody teased.

  Cole didn’t laugh. “Roxy.”

  “Are you sure Roxy won’t mind me tagging along?” Jody asked.

  Cole eyed her then said, “She had no complaints about you sitting on her, so I’m guessing she’ll be fine with it. What do you say we take off early Sunday morning and take the scenic route?”

  “Will there be ice cream on the way?” she asked.

  “Every good road trip has a stop or two.”

  “Then it’s a date,” Jody blurted as the waitress brought over their pizza.

  It gave her something to look forward to and yet not so much pressure that she needed to rush to get work done this week. She had a few interviews with potential clients for upcoming events. The last thing she needed was to be distracted by some handsome fella and his pretty car.

  When they were finished eating, Cole walked her to her car and kissed her on the cheek. “I’ll call you Saturday to firm up the time. Have a good week.”

  As he walked back to his work truck, all she could do was sit there and stare. It’s going to be a long one now.

  Chapter 4

  Jody was proud of herself. She’d locked down two new clients this week, and neither of them had mentioned her posing on Cole’s car. That was good, because she didn’t want to get jobs which may entail her dressing up. Of course, both had known about the Creeps Car Club’s event and were pleased at the venue. She wished she could take all the credit, but the Creeps had spent years making the event what it was. Amazing.

  Jody may have mentioned it was a collaboration, which was true, kind of. Okay, it was definitely a stretch, but she had met with the club enough that she knew their expectations as though they were her own.

  But what she had learned from the club was important. It helped her with the presentation for more clients. And of course, they were kind enough to provide her with a letter of recommendation. People might not think a car club was organized, but they were. Jody was impressed, and now she’d impressed them too. Last weekend was a win all the way around.

  And now all that was left was to get ready for Cole to pick her up. She had spent her entire day waiting for him to call, and for a short time, thought he’d cancelled. It wouldn’t have been the first time she’d been stood up, but this one might have disappointed her a bit more than the others.

  Cole…intrigued her. He was cool and funny and that kiss on the cheek, well, it was more memorable than some French kissing she’d done with others. She definitely wanted to explore that further with him. From the way he looked at her, she was pretty sure he wasn’t opposed to the idea either.

  It just sucked that she had to wait days to see him again. At least it wouldn’t be long now. He said they were getting an early start. Of course, seven in the morning on the weekend was a tad bit undesirable to her. Last weekend it was a job requirement, now it’s for a date. This wasn’t a habit she wanted to get into. Jody liked working for herself so she could sleep late. Couldn’t the rest of the world appreciate that as well?

  Jody had said she’d be watching for him. Why have him climb up three flights of stairs for no reason? So as she sat in her favorite reading chair, she listened for the rumble of his car. As her clock chimed seven, he was pulling up in Roxy. She had no idea what he had planned besides a Sunday drive, so she brought her large purse that carried a bit of everything, even a pair of slip-on sneakers in case they went walking somewhere rocky.

  She knew she had over-planned, but that was what happened when she had time to think about it. If he had called a half hour before and asked if she wanted to go
for a drive, she probably wouldn’t have even thought about what she was wearing, never mind packing. Thinking of everything was what made her successful as an event planner. On a date, it made her…annoying. Jody gave herself a lecture as she made her way down the stairs. She wasn’t trying to seal a deal. Getting a real kiss or two, now that sounded good.

  When she came outside, Cole was standing by the passenger’s door with it open. “Ready for an adventure?”

  “I believe I am. What do you have planned?” she asked as she slid onto the seat.

  Before he shut the door he said, “You’ll just have to wait and see.”

  In a way, it was nice having the control taken away. It brought a bit of mystery to the day, and that was refreshing. She wondered if he knew that ahead of time. Though Cole didn’t strike her as one who planned, it wouldn’t be the first time he surprised her.

  At the event, she never thought he’d pull it off. Actually she’d have bet money that he’d return to her trailer with excuse after excuse. When Bobby told her it was all repaired, she’d been blown away. So was Bobby.

  At first she noticed everyone eyeing them as they drove down the street. Who wouldn’t, in this beautiful red classic? But it wasn’t long before she’d forgotten all about them and started just enjoying her time with Cole. He talked all about growing up with a mass amount of sisters. That explained a lot about his manners. She liked that, but there was a wild boy beneath it all. She could feel it each time their eyes met. It was like he was eating her up without even touching her.

  Cole said, “We’re here.” She looked around and noticed he’d parked with a lighthouse in view. “I’m not sure if you’ve ever been here. This is the Highland Light. It used to be known as Cape Cod Light.”

  “No, I haven’t. Is it still functional?” she asked.

  “Yes it is. It’s the tallest and oldest lighthouse on the Cape.”

  She turned to him and said, “You know all this before we even get out of the car?”

  “I love traveling the East Coast and visiting all of them. This is one of my favorites.”