Page 125 of Billionaire Bad Boy Auction

I took it and secured it over my head, fumbling with the strap until he reached out and adjusted it for me. His fingers brushed against his cheek, and for a moment, I thought he might kiss me.

But instead, he just climbed onto his bike. I slipped on behind him, the dress, pulled up and exposing my legs just above the knee.

“Where are we going?” he asked.

I gave him the address. He nodded and we were off. The engine roared to life beneath us, vibrating through my body as we sped down the quiet streets of Larkspur Lake. I leaned against him, feeling the heat radiating from Dean’s back as I held on to him. My arms wrapped tightly around his waist. I relished the way his muscles tensed and relaxed as he maneuvered the bike through the turns.

When we finally pulled up to the address I’d given him, Dean cut the engine and turned his head slightly. I smiled, climbed off the bike, and pulled off the helmet.

The lake house was beautiful with a wraparound porch begging for Adirondack chairs and a view that made my breath catch every time. At least, it would be beautiful with a little TLC.

“What’s going on?” he asked.

“Come with me,” I said.

I led him up the walkway and onto the porch. I punched in my code and removed the key from the lockbox. I opened the door and gestured for him to go inside. I turned on the lights and followed him in.

Dean whistled, taking in the vaulted ceilings. “Nice place.”

“I just landed this listing,” I said. “The owner retired years ago and lives in Florida. She thought she’d come back more often, but she hasn’t. So, she called and asked if I would sell it for her. After a walkthrough, we decided I could list it for a lot more and open up financing options if there were some improvements made.”

He nodded and stepped inside. “Needs work,” he said, trailing his fingers along the dusty banister.

“I know,” I said. “Which is why I told the client I’d handle the improvements pro bono.”

“I wasn’t aware you were a painter,” he said.

“I’m not, but I’ve been learning a lot the last few months,” I said. “And I used to help my dad doing some fixes when he took on a property.”

“I heard you bought a house,” he said.

“I did. A fixer-upper. I’ve spent a lot of time fixing it myself. Me, Home Depot, and a lot of YouTube tutorials.”

He chuckled. “And that’s what you plan on doing here?”

“Not me,” I said. “Last time I bid and won you at an auction, you put me to work in your shop.”

He nodded. “Yeah, I remember. You barely knew a wrench from a ratchet.”

“Now, I’m putting you to work. This place needs some elbow grease. That would be you.”

Dean turned to me, an amused expression on his face. “In other words, you’d do it with free labor?”

“Technically, not free,” I said. “It just cost me twenty grand.”

“You know I’m a mechanic, right?”

“I think you’re handy enough,” I said with a shrug. “A little paint here and there. Fixing some loose floorboards and greasing some squeaky hinges.”

“And you want me to do that?”

I snapped my fingers. “Exactly.” Stepping closer, I brushed imaginary lint off his jacket. “Better lose the suit, though. Wouldn’t want to ruin it.”

His eyes darkened. “That so?”

I held his gaze as I backed toward the staircase. “Mmhmm. There’s something in the master bedroom that needs testing.”

Dean followed. “You’ve got this all planned out, don’t you?”