AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He paused and I watched his eyes scan every detail of my face. "Dunno if it's true, but some people said she was a lesbian."
"Yeah?" And they were right. So what?
Luke just took a deep breath. "Well, after her friends all showed up and made some gay pride display at her funeral, there's not gonna be a whole lot of sympathy."
Slowly, I pulled my hand away. "Well, I guess Cats Peak is going to have to get used to it."
"Violet, they'll run you out of town on rails. Honey, these people don't exactly break easily."
"I don't either."
"You sure about that?" A smug eyebrow flicked up, taunting me. "Looks to me like you couldn't even change a tire."
I just leaned into his face. "Let me make this real clear, cowboy. I may look like a million bucks, but I'm not exactly some fragile little flower here to entertain you."
He nodded once. "Good. Bev's Grill is just up the way at the crossroad. You owe me lunch, Miss Dawson."
"Asshole," I grumbled, walking around to the driver's door.
Luke stepped back, looking a little too pleased with himself. "Yes, ma'am. I sure am. That's how I stay sane out here. I'll be right behind ya."
Shades of Trouble
Collide: Book 1
Chapter Two
____
Climbing back into my truck, I cranked up the air. I had no idea how that girl could stand it, but she didn't even sweat! Then again, I wasn't completely convinced she was real. From the crystal-studded heels she wore while driving to the painted-on jeans, not to mention her perfect rose-colored lips - if I'd seen her in a picture, I'd swear it had been photoshopped.
She was not at all what I'd expected of Vera's granddaughter. Violet Dawson washot.Her waist was so small my hands could probably fit all the way around without trying, but she still had a nice pair of tits. Oh yeah, I'd looked. Not even her billowy shirt could hide the tight curve of them - or her ass. At least I had an advantage there. Seeing it peeking out of her trunk did make the view easy - and made sure I didn't get caught looking. She was built like a pin-up girl, and twice as pretty.
Everything about her screamed big city, though. Everyone in Cats Peak was allergic to change. Conservative was the new modern out here and nothing about Violet was subtle. Oh sure, we had our fair share of rebellious teens, but between the church groups and the social pressures, those kids either grew out of it or moved away. Wouldn't take long before all three hundred people in town decided she was a pariah.
Not that I really understood it. No single thing about her was any different from the rest of the women I knew; she just happened to do it all better. She was gorgeous in a way men liked and women hated. Maybe that was the problem. Violet Dawson was nothing but walking temptation and damned if I wasn't tempted. I had a real weakness for taking care of those delicate little girls, and this one was going to need my help.
When we reached the stop sign at the crossroad through town, she turned right and headed into the parking lot. There was no way to miss it. Cats Peak didn't have a whole city square. Everything in town was located in one little strip beside where the two main roads met up. This was it.
Without hesitation, her little white Audi stopped halfway between the repair shop and the grill. I found a spot a bit closer to Mike's, well aware that the tire for her car wasn't light. Granted, seeing her eyes drop to my arm was worth it, but before I turned off the truck, I glanced over in time to see her get out.
Damn, she looked good. She looked like sin incarnate. This town was really going to hate her.
It took one deep breath before I could safely get out of my truck without embarrassment. While she headed inside, I grabbed the tire and carried it into the open garage door. I knew where it went. There'd been many long nights spent leaning under a hood out here, sharing a beer. Then I hurried back inside to make sure Mike didn't rip her off.
"What kinda tire you need?" Mike asked, leaning across the chest-high counter to leer at her.
Violet just smiled sweetly, but I saw her eyes narrow slightly. "Isn't that your job? Do I get a discount if I do the work for you?" She flipped open her massive purple wallet to reveal a tablet tucked inside. "I'm not gonna be picky because I'm sure you don't have much in stock and I'd like to have it back by this afternoon."
"Mike," I said.
The mechanic just lifted a hand, refusing to look away from the too-pretty girl before him. "Honey, might have to put on a pair. Not sure I have anything that'll match."
"Seventeen-inch, low profile," I said, moving to her side. "You've got plenty. It's eighty bucks, Violet. Don't let Mike jerk ya around."
The girl had the audacity to smirk at the man behind the counter. "You prefer credit or an out of town check?"
Mike just groaned and pushed the card reader toward her. "Fuck you, Luke."
