Page 35 of Steel

Steel chuckled in a dark tone. “Yep. It’s also one that I’ve always wanted to have in my collection.”

“You have a collection?”

“I sure do. About a hundred and fifty cool vehicles. Even a couple planes.”

My son’s eyes opened wide. “Can I see them one day?”

Steel was suddenly in a very awkward position, lifting his gaze and searching for something, likely an out.

“Remember, honey, we’re not staying very long in town and I’m sure… Steel has a life. And hopefully a job.” If he was no longer a smokejumper, wouldn’t that be a kick in the ass? “We can’t bother him with a request like that.”

“Oh, it’s no problem. My mom and dad have them stored in their attic. I can bring ‘em by one day this week. I mean if that’s okay with your mom. And if she doesn’t beat me with a hammer.” The last few words were meant entirely for me. Thankfully, they seemed to go over Damon’s head.

Steel’s grin had shifted into a combination of conniving and dangerous, but only dangerous to me personally. But it was an in with him, an opening that I couldn’t ignore or pass up.

I kept my arms folded, cocking my head so he could tell how irritated I was. “That would be fine.”

Hearing the man state his name made me wish the calendars could be interactive. Hmmm… I had another idea, a brilliant one if I said so myself. I chewed on my lip as he said something to Damon that I wasn’t even paying attention to, far too busy ogling Steel’s physique.

I think we were both shocked when Damon threw his arms around Steel, squeezing him in an entirely different way than he’d ever done with me. I was typically doing the hugging and not the other way around. Seeing Steel stiffen was a decentreminder that I had to be careful in placing my trust in anyone, especially a man.

My child came first.

“Why don’t you go get your room set up, bud? We’re going to take a ride into town to get some food. Okay?”

Damon pulled away, frowning, which I was used to and could handle. His huff pushed me into laughter, which I tried to hide with a cough. “Fine, Mom. Oh, this is Zorro. He’s my dog now.”

“Okay then,” Steel said as he stood, all six foot four or so of him.

The handsome man lingered in the doorway while my son turned dramatically and sauntered off as if he had the weight of the world on his shoulders. Another awkward moment settled in, yet the air shifting between us crackled.

“So, were you serious? Is the little car he owns worth something?”

The snort Steel issued was exactly like the one my son did when he thought one of my jokes was ridiculous or refused for the fifteenth time to eat spinach. “Hell, yes.” He was both enthusiastic and loud enough his brows shot up. “I’m sorry. I forgot you have a kid.”

“He’s heard worse.” Which was sadly true.

Steel’s smile was the exact one I could see on the cover of the calendar, picture perfect. Wow. I was a little too flustered around him. “I have a caustic mouth. It comes from having brothers and where I work. But yeah, that car is rare and worth four. Maybe a little bit more.”

“Four dollars?” Oh, wow. I think I spent a buck. A good investment.

“Uh, no.”

“Four hundred?”

“Try four thousand.”

My turn to choke for real. I was obviously convincing enough Steel closed the distance between us, crowding my space in a way that turned the cough into wheezing. “Just breathe. Relax and breathe.” I don’t know what he thought he was doing, but he cupped both sides of my face, lowering his almost as if he was going to kiss me. From there, he studied my eyes, continuing to tell me to relax.

“I’m fine.”

“I have some medical training if you need it.”

Oh, the images that floated through my mind. Filthy images. “No, I’m honestly… fine.”

My wheezing stopped for a couple of reasons, including that I was close to being drunk on his incredible aftershave. Had he slapped some on after our rough and tumble meeting? If I wasn’t mistaken, sandalwood with a hint of vanilla, a twist of spices and lime with a solid dose of well-worn leather.

My, wasn’t I creative? It must be the time spent on the calendar. But it was true.