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“I can explain.” I finally look up at him and he has one brow arched, waiting.
“If you weren’t interested, you could have told me.” He crosses his arms over his chest making his biceps bulge.
“It’s not that…” I start to defend my actions, but his expression tells me he knows I’m full of shit. “My life is a little complicated right now and I just don’t have time for distractions.” I meet his blue eyes and hold his gaze. Last night it was dark and smoky, so I didn’t get to study his eyes. I knew they were blue, but this is a whole new shade; like the deepest part of the ocean.
“So, Joslyn Moore. You need a job?” Dax leans forward, putting his arms on the desk. I nod. “Is that why you didthat?” He nods at the napkin.
“Kind of.” I admit with a shrug.
“And the rest of the story? I know you find me just as sexy as I find you, and I know our connection wasn’tjustthe beer.” He waits patiently for my answer.
“I have a lot going on. It’s really nothing personal, you’re…” I gesture at him. The man is a god in the flesh. “I’m really sorry for wasting your time. It was good to see you again, Dax.” I stand and start to leave. Of course, my best shot at a job was ruined because I didn’t give the hot guy my number. Not only did I miss out on a job, but also the hot guy. Way to go, Joss.
“Pay is fifteen an hour starting out. If you can swing forty hours, I can give you benefits. The hours are eight to five and you’ll get an hour lunch. Leave the resume and fill this out.” I turn in time to see him produce papers and set a pen on top. “Your real number this time.”
I don’t move. “Dax, thanks, but I don’t think-” My mouth snaps closed when he comes around the desk and puts himself squarely in my space. His big, rough hand takes my chin gently and tips my head up to meet his eyes. The heat I see there warms me all the way to my lady bits.
“If you think I’m letting you get away from me again, you have another thing coming. Fill out the papers, leave the resume, and I’ll see you soon.” Dax smirks like he won and steps around me to the door. I watch stupidly as he walks away.
Chapter Four
Dax
The effort it takes for me not to look back at her almost brings me to my knees. I need to make sure she listens to me and fills out the damn paperwork. If I find out she didn’t or that she doesn’t put down a phone number, I swear I will hunt her down. I let her walk away from me once, but it won’t happen again. Joslyn may not know it yet, but she’s all mine now. I’ll take her out for a date that’s not O’Malley’s, have her in my office every day, and if all goes as planned, in my bed every night. Don’t ask me how, but I know she’s the one for me. I knew it the second I saw her sitting in the bar alone.
“Hey, Dax, come check this out!” One of the guys yells for me from the back of the shop and I switch gears from love sick puppy to boss. Today is my first full-time day at the garage and we ended up with more business than I ever imagined. Being the only garage in town who can do more than basic oil changes means it should stay this busy. I only hire the top guys, only use the best equipment, and have the best prices. It’s a no fail plan.
My mind wanders back to Joslyn in the office. She ran right into my chest, and I could tell the exact second she realized who she ran into. Her face turned pink, and her eyes closed. I knew she was coming, of course. As soon as she was out the door of O’Malley’s I pulled out the napkin and threw my chair back to chase her. I was too late. It took a few more beers and a talk from Everett to calm me down. I was still pissed when I got home. I got online to track her down, but Joslyn is a popular name when you don’t have a last name to pair with it. Lucky me got another chance when I checked my email and the application submitted last night was from a Joslyn Moore. I knew I had to get her in here with me. This time she won’t run from me.
As hard as I fight the urge to stay out of the office until I need to call a client, I lose and go to the desk. On the laptop is the new hire paperwork. None of it is filled out, but her number is on the bar napkin under the heart. I would find the most stubborn woman on the planet wouldn’t I? That’s fine, two can play that game, and I play to win. Being a business owner and in charge of hiring means I have access to background checks and all the things that go with it. One quick search and I have her current address. The second we close for the night, I’m going to go get my woman and explain to her exactly how this will work from now on.
By five-thirty, my crew is gone, cars are picked up, and I lock up the shop. I walk along the row of cars until I find the one I’m looking for and unlock it. It only takes me a few minutes to get to the little deli on the road out of town, and I park between two pickups right by the front door. Through the glass, I can see an older woman boxing cans. I pull the door open and the bell jingles above me. The woman looks up and gives me a grandmotherly smile. I recognize her immediately.
“Well Dax Thompson. Look at you. How is your Mama?” Gotta love old people in the south.
“My mom is doing just fine, enjoying retirement in Florida.” Movement in the corner of my eye catches my attention, but I focus on Mrs. Wilson.
“What brings you way out here?” She takes my hand and squeezes it gently.
“I heard a good friend of mine was working here and that she’s having some car trouble. I just came to check on that for her.” Both trucks out front have to be on their last legs, so I’m hitting a home run either way.
“That car of Jossie’s is always having trouble. I bet she’s upstairs, want me to get her?” She points to the curtain in the back.
“No, ma’am. I got it. No need for you to go up those steps if I can do it. You have a good night, Mrs. Wilson.” I wink at her and she giggles. I hear something about what a sweet boy I am as I make my way to the curtain. I take the stairs two at a time and open the door without knocking.
Joslyn jumps, dropping the box in her arms. “Dax?” It lands with a thud and I immediately kneel in front of her to pick it up and put it on the bed. It’s a small apartment with a twin bed and a pitched ceiling. It’s bare except for a few boxes and things on the nightstand. Mrs. Wilson was packing boxes too. “What are you doing here? Are you stalking me now?” My gaze snaps to Joslyn and she crosses her arms over her chest. Instead of the professional outfit from her interview, she’s in tiny shorts that look like someone painted them on her ass and a tight tank top.
“I warned you not to leave without filling out the paperwork.” I widen my stance and cross my arms too.
“I left my number, but I don’t think working together is a good idea.” Joslyn looks away. “Why didn’t you call like a normal person?”
I ignore her question. “You need a job and a place to live. Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because I don’t know you!” she shrieks at me. “I flirted with you at a bar and you’re everywhere now. That’s it!”
“I’m trying to get to know you, but you keep fucking running from me!” Two of us can get loud. Instead of backing down from me, she narrows her eyes and clenches her jaw. It’s the cutest thing I’ve seen in my entire life. After a solid minute of glaring, I try again. “Let’s start over. Hey, I’m Dax and I haven’t stopped staring at you since I saw you sitting at the bar. Now put some real clothes on so we can go get to know each other.” I put my hand out for her to shake. The scowl on her face fades, and a smile creeps into its place.
“Okay.” Joslyn extends her hand, sliding it into mine, but instead of shaking it, I use it to pull her into me. She stumbles into my arms and I catch her with an arm around her waist, pulling her to me and kissing her. It’s not a kiss like last night. I crush her body to mine, molding her soft curves to me and kiss her like I mean it. Her scent, like summer and vanilla, invades me. She melts into me, gripping my arm, hand splayed on my chest, and I sweep my tongue into her mouth. Joslyn lets out the sexiest little sigh that has my cock hardening instantly and I groan in response. I palm her ass and press her into me, letting her know exactly how much I want her. Her nails dig into my arm and she tilts her head, giving me more access to her mouth. I kiss her harder before backing off and letting my hand slide from her ass to her back. She could step back, but she doesn’t, keeping her body tight against mine. Her eyes are bright, her lips are swollen, and she looks dazed. I give myself a mental pat on the back.
