He stared down at her, a mix of emotions flashing across his face, but in the end, he dropped his arm and stepped back, motioning for her to leave. She hustled past as fast as she could in her stupid flip-flops, almost expecting him to stop her again, but he did nothing, said nothing.
This is what she wanted, what she asked for. But as she walked away—and as screwed up as she knew it was—she wanted him to ask her to stay, was almost willing him to speak up, to tell her he was interested in more than just her looks. More than just a hookup. That he wanted to get to know her. Of course that didn’t happen. Because he didn’t want that, they never did.
No, he stood there and let her walk out the door.
Chapter Five
Reid finally extracted himself from yet another guy with big dreams but no cash to back it up. It was one of the pitfalls of these types of car shows. He’d been coming to this particular show for years, not only because it was expected but because it showcased classic cars. Every year the event got bigger, busier, which was a very good thing for the industry but made it harder to forge any real connections with potential customers.
The crowd buzzed around him, swarming the display cars parked around the showroom. He had several of his own here and a booth set up where potential customers could come and talk to his boys or him about what R.I.P. could do for them.
But he wasn’t interested in any of it, couldn’t focus, and was probably missing opportunities left and right. He should be pissed about that, but he couldn’t manage it, not with West Restoration’s booth across from his.
They had two cars with them, both were sweet, the work faultless. They were also one of the only shops here that hadn’t bothered with the mandatory bikini babe draped across the hood. They didn’t need one, not the way they looked. They drew a crowd all on their own.
The three women were wearing jeans that were damn near painted on and bright colored tanks with their business name plastered across their chests. Rusty’s was blue and the letters stretched around her tits in a way that drew the eye right fucking there. She was smiling, talking to the crowd of guys swarming their table, and though she tried to hide it, he saw her unease, saw how much she hated all that attention.
The guy he’d seen at West’s in the silver Mercedes was there as well. He was with Alex again and looked as though he wanted to commit murder, eyes narrowed, arms crossed, scowling at any man dumb enough to talk to his woman. Reid didn’t blame the guy, though Alex didn’t look like she appreciated his protection.
Poor bastard.
Reid looked at Rusty. The woman was so damn gorgeous, sexy, and he also knew there was a whole lot of sweet under the hard exterior she chose to keep front and center. He’d seen it, had a taste of it, her soft moans on his tongue, felt it pressed up against him when she couldn’t hide how hot she was for him. Jesus, what was wrong with him? He didn’t do sweet, never had. Sweet came with a whole lot of complications he didn’t need or want.
But one taste of Rusty and he was screwed. Now he couldn’t get her out of his head.
He tightened his fingers around the soda bottle in his hand.
What scared you away, Foxy?
She’d fled from him the week before, like a switch had been flicked. One minute she couldn’t get enough of his mouth, the next she freaked and bolted. She’d left him confused, concerned, and with a serious case of blue balls.
She’d been worked up about something, and he planned to find out what caused the sudden change, because he wanted her. And he got the feeling that wouldn’t change anytime soon.
He was flying blind, had no idea what the hell he was doing, but what he did know was she was stubborn. His calls and messages over the last few days had gone unanswered. Something else he’d never experienced before. He also knew she’d seen him standing here and because of that had refused to look his way again since.
He watched her lick her lips and tuck her hair behind her ear, then she looked up suddenly, as though someone had called her name. A smile lifted the corners of her mouth. The softest and sweetest mouth he’d ever tasted, and the sight had his gut clenching with near uncontrollable need.
She left her booth and strode across the floor. But she only walked a short distance, because she was heading straight for his apprentice Dominic, who was standing over by their display cars. The kid beamed at her. Reid had never seen him so damn happy, especially not these last few months.
Putting down his soda, he went over to join them. Dom was talking animatedly about one of their display cars, showing her the parts he’d helped with.
Reid rested his hand on the kid’s shoulder. “Go help Law.”
Rusty completely ignored him, turning away, and asked Dom another question about the car. Dom looked between them, obviously conflicted. Listen to his boss, or the extremely hot babe giving him attention.
“Um…” Dom’s eyes pleaded with Reid to let him stay.
“Now,” Reid said gently.
The kid’s puffed-up chest deflated, but he said his good-byes and reluctantly left.
“You got a minute?” he said to Rusty before she could take off.
“I have to get back.” She didn’t turn around, didn’t say anything else, just walked away.
What in the fuck?
But she didn’t go to her booth, she fled into the crowd, heading to the other side of the event center.
