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His voice is gruff, but his smile is pleasant. “Nice to meet you. It’s about time Alden brought you around here. He talks about you all the time.”
“That’s good to know.” I peek up at Alden who purses his lips and shakes his head like he’s lying. “It’s nice to meet you too.”
“The little asshole lounging on my couch is Hudson, and the one at Oliver’s desk over there is Smith.” It totally slipped my mind that Oliver works here too.
Smith looks up from the computer he’s on and gives me a smile. He’s good looking with a bit of a hipster thing going on, manbun and all. “Good to meet you.”
“You too.”
He glances at Alden. “Oliver called and asked me to put in an order. Supplier screwed something up. He said he’ll meet us at the reservoir.”
“Okay.” Alden leans against the doorjamb. “Is Harry coming?”
Smith tilts his head down and looks over the top of his black rimmed glasses at him. “Yes, but you don’t want to know what I had to promise.”
“No, we don’t,” Milo says.
Smith closes the laptop and drags his gaze over Milo in a long, exaggerated sweep. “You’re the one looking slutty right now. Come over here and I’ll give you a little reach-around before we go.”
All the guys crack up, and Alden slaps Milo’s back. “We’ll see you there, Merman.” He takes my hand, and we start toward the back of the garage where a set of stairs lead up to a door.
“They seem nice,” I tell Alden while he unlocks the door and lets us into his apartment. It’s not huge but it’s nicer than what I anticipated an apartment above a garage to be. His living room is small and cozy, with comfortable furniture and a large TV. It opens into a combination dining area and kitchen.
“They’re a good crew. We all get along. Milo is the manager and he’s good at keeping Hudson on task. That guy has the attention span of a flea, especially if a pretty woman is around, but his work is solid. Smith is smart as hell and efficient.”
“Did you hire them, or did they work for Freddy and Lewis before?” I ask, wandering around and checking out his home.
“I hired Hudson and Smith. Milo worked with Freddy for almost twenty years as his bike mechanic. He knows his shit.”
Along the wall of the living room and kitchen are floor to ceiling windows that look down over the repair bays. Alden steps up behind me when I walk over to peer out. I can see Smith and Hudson standing outside the office, talking.
“Can they see us?” It’s not very private if every customer and employee can look in.
He slides an arm around me from behind and rests his chin on my shoulder. “No. When we go back down, have a look. The windows are one way mirrored. You can’t see anything but your own reflection.”
Hot breath hits my ear. “Are you thinking about me fucking you against those windows?”
“Now I am.”
He runs his lips over my neck. “Later. I’ve spent so much time thinking about the different ways I want to make you come, Ella.”
My stomach tightens, and I run my hand down his thigh. “I have a few ideas myself.” Sighing, I step away. “But you’d rather go dive into frigid water.”
He chuckles and swats me on my ass. “I’ll make it up to you in orgasms tonight.”
I’m not going to argue with that. He changes his clothes and grabs some extra ones. When we return downstairs the guys are gone.
“I like your place. Do you like living where you work?” I ask him as we’re driving to the reservoir. It must be convenient but I’m not sure I’d like it if it were me. It might feel like I’m always at work.
“It’s fine for now. Makes things easier. In the beginning when money was an issue, it saved me from paying rent.”
“It’s hard to start a business. You’ve done amazing. I hope you know that.” I hope I can be as successful.
Embarrassment mixed with pride shows in his grin. “I’m happy with how things have turned out.” He squeezes my knee. “Especially now.”
I’m surprised at the size of the crowd that’s gathered on the small beach at the west side of the reservoir. Alden parks his truck beside Oliver’s car, and we make our way down the slight hill, taking one of the paths worn through the snow.
People mill around in various states of dress. A few brave souls wear swimsuits or trunks. Others are wrapped in thick coats and hats, probably only here to watch or cheer someone on. The sound of happy voices and laughter are contagious, along with the current of excitement that runs through the crowd.
