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"Thanks," Billy murmurs, a faint blush coloring his cheeks. "He was."
The air is thick with unspoken desires and promises as we stand there, mere inches apart, surrounded by the hum of machinery and the scent of gasoline. My heart hammers wildly against my ribcage, its frantic rhythm echoing the chaos swirling inside my mind.
I imagine what it would feel like to be in this man's arms. I'm a virgin. Hell, I've never even been kissed, so I don't have much—well,anything—to go on, but something tells me having this man's attention would be nothing short of amazing.
The sound of a wrench clattering to the floor startles me, pulling me out of my thoughts. I glance over at Billy, who's now kneeling beside my car with his head under the hood. My gaze lingers on the muscles of his back as they flex beneath his grease-streaked shirt. He's so close, yet somehow still feels so far away.
And just what is it about him that draws me in? I've never been so captivated by a man before. I've seen other girls go ga-ga over guys, and I was starting to wonder if something was wrong with me that I didn't.
But this mechanic...
I squeeze my legs together to try to ease the strange ache that's bloomed there. That's never happened before.
"Everything alright?" I ask, my voice barely a whisper and betraying the storm of emotions brewing inside me.
He lifts his head, eyes meeting mine for a brief moment before he replies. "Yeah, just dropped the wrench. No big deal." His words are casual, but the tension between us is palpable.
"Can I help?" I offer, taking a step in his direction. It's like I can't stop myself from moving closer to him. I'm like a moth to a flame. I just want to be near him. The smell of motor oil and gasoline fills my nostrils, heightening my senses, creating a heady mix that makes my heart race even faster.
"Sure," he says, his brow furrowed in concentration. "Hold this flashlight for me, would you?"
As I move closer, our bodies mere inches apart, I can't help but imagine what it would be like to feel his lips on mine, to taste the hint of sweat and salt on his skin. I focus on the beam of light from the flashlight, steadying it on the engine as Billy works, but my mind refuses to cooperate, instead conjuring up images of tangled limbs and stolen kisses.
"Your hands are so steady," he murmurs, his breath warm against my cheek, sending shivers down my spine. "It's almost like you were meant to be here, helping me."
Oh. My. God. Does he feel it too? Please, please, please let him feel this...whateverthisis.
"Maybe I was," I reply, my voice barely audible as our eyes lock. The anticipation is electric, as if we're standing on the edge of a precipice, waiting to see who will make the first move.
"Alright, all done. I might have to keep her for a day or two, though. I hope that's alright." Billy announces suddenly, breaking the spell. He reaches for the hood, but hesitates, his hand hovering over mine on the flashlight.
"Wait," I say, my heart pounding in my ears. "I—" But before I can finish, a loud crash echoes through the garage, followed by an urgent shout from another mechanic.
"Damn it!" Billy curses under his breath, releasing the hood and rushing off toward the source of the ruckus.
He stops for a brief moment, his eyes finding mine with piercing intensity. "Don't you go anywhere," he orders. "I'll be right back, beautiful."
Beautiful.My heart leaps. He thinks I'm beautiful.
Suddenly all the bullshit of the past few days doesn't seem so bad.
CHAPTER2
Billy
I sprintover to the bay where my employee, Pete, is struggling with a busted engine. My heart's pounding in my ears, but it's not just from the rush of adrenaline. It's because ofher.
Claire.
I can see her off to the side, waiting patiently, her auburn hair cascading down her back like a waterfall of fire.
"Here, let me handle this," I say, taking over for Pete. The engine's a mess, but I can fix it. I've always been good with my hands. As I work, my thoughts keep drifting back to Claire. She's breathtaking, like a vision out of some old-timey romance novel. I want to know everything about her—why she's here, all alone in Candy Cane Key of all places, looking so vulnerable and lost.
I reach for a greasy rag and wipe my hands, feeling the slick oil coat my fingers. It makes me wonder how such a delicate creature ended up in this grimy world of mine. That pink Cadillac she rolled up in says money, but if she's got cash, why's her engine in such bad shape? It doesn't add up.
"Alright," I say, turning my attention back to the task at hand. "Let's get this fixed." I lose myself in the work for a while, the familiar rhythm of my hands soothing my racing heart. But even as I focus on the engine, I can't help stealing glances at Claire.
She's stunning, and I ache to know what makes her tick, to learn all her secrets. Her eyes are like emeralds, sparkling with an inner light that draws me in, making me feel like I'm drowning in their depths. And her lips...God, they're full and soft, just begging to be kissed.
