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Then he pulled back. Reluctantly, it seemed.
“See ya later, honey,” he said, and when she turned, he slapped her ass and smiled.
She looked over her shoulder to find him leaning back against his couch, both arms outstretched. He remained still, tense, but simply watched her walk away.
She couldn’t bear the thought of him hurting. He was trying to move past the pain and watch her do the one thing that scared him: leave him. So she did the only thing she could. For him. And for herself. She tried to convince him that she’d return.
“Yes, you’ll see me later.” She put a little strut in her step and swished her ass. She couldn’t help it. She’d been “Auto” her whole life, but this man made her feel all…girly.
She glanced over her shoulder again, and Huck looked less tense and more lusty now. Exactly what she was going for.
“Ah, honey, don’t think I don’t know what you’re doing. You’ll be punished for that later.”
“Whatever do you mean?” she said innocently as she reached the front door.
“Tempting me with that ass. Swinging it so I know exactly what I’m missing.” He leaned forward and rested his forearms on his bent knees, which made those strong biceps bulge. “Trust me, I know what I’m missing, and I’ll rectify that soon enough.”
She believed him. And she found herself looking forward to whatever it was he could deliver.
With her eyes fastened on his, she repeated her words, because they seemed very important. “I will see you later.”
He nodded once, as if struggling to believe her. She stepped out the front door. His eyes never left her, and the last thing she heard before shutting the door was his voice.
“Yes, you will.”
Chapter Eleven
“Why don’t you walk over to Penny’s BBQ to get some dinner?” Pete said to Autumn, wiping off his greasy hands.
“I’m okay,” she said and returned her attention to the open hood of the Dual Giah. Over the last couple of hours, she’d helped with tune-ups and one tow, and now Pete had given her permission to work on the classic car. She was so happy that she would stay all night if she could. But Pete was gearing up to leave, and she doubted he’d be okay with her staying here alone. She wasn’t just a new employee. She was a temp.
“I’m calling it a night, kiddo, and I won’t leave you to lock up with an empty stomach,” he said.
She glanced up at him. “You’re letting me lock up?”
“Well, yeah. You can stay as long as you like. I trust ya.”
Her entire face flushed with happiness. Already he trusted her and had been nothing but kind.
“Thank you,” she said.
He held up his hand. “But first you need to eat. Go on, get some food, then you can come back.”
She gave a slight smile, and her stomach grumbled. It was almost seven in the evening, and yeah, she could eat. Pete came to stand behind her and examined the work she’d done on the engine.
“That’s looking real good, kid.” He nodded in approval.
The smell of aftershave and oil wafted off him. She checked the urge to inhale deep. He smelled like her grandfather. Like home. Not just him—the whole auto shop. She hadn’t realized how much she’d missed the work, the smells, the community. She would miss this place when she moved on. Because no matter how wonderful certain moments felt, every one of them would end. Her time here, the people she knew, even her job, were temporary. Huck said it himself, he didn’t do long-term, but he enjoyed the woman while he had her. She wasn’t wanted longer than the random encounters they’d have over a couple of weeks.
Pete handed her the keys to the shop. “Whoever taught you how to take on engines is a damn fine person.”
“Thank you,” she said then turned to face him. “For everything.”
“You’re welcome. I’m glad to have someone around who likes to be here.” His eyes were honest, and nothing but hard work and truth lay behind them. Reminded her of a similar pair of green eyes she’d been looking at lately.
“Can I ask…why doesn’t Huck work here? You said this was handed down to you from your dad?”
Pete nodded. “It is a family business. Huckleberry can fix anything…unless it has a motor. I swear, that boy can build a house in his sleep, but he can’t even figure out a lawn mower.”
