She wasn’t sure how long she’d been staring at him for when a grin slid over his features and his eyes darkened. Oh, no. It just kept getting worse. Her attraction was clearly reciprocated. Yeah, it would definitely be a bad idea to go home with him.
Hailey sucked in a couple of deep breaths as she tried to rein in her raging libido. Apparently, this was what months of celibacy did to a woman. She couldn’t believe how ready she was to throw herself at this guy she’d basically just met. It wasn’t like her at all.
“Sorry, I don’t think it would be a very good idea…”
She chose not to elaborate on the reasons. Something told her that providing specific examples would only give him the opportunity to try and combat them, and she didn’t need any help in that department.
“Yeah, I figured you might say that.” Chase blew out a sigh. “But if you don’t mind me asking, what are you planning on doing instead?”
“Pardon?”
“You weren’t serious about sleeping in your car, were you?”
She blew out a slow breath and shook her head. “I guess not.”
If she were alone, it might be okay, but she couldn’t make Riley sleep in the car. It would be too cold this time of year without the heat. And she couldn’t afford to keep the heat running all night long. Making the repairs would be expensive enough, a new battery would eat into funds she couldn’t spare.
Chase raised an eyebrow at her. “Then what’s your plan?”
“Well…I’m not sure. But I think I should at least call around the local motels on the off chance.”
“Fair enough.” He shrugged, apparently at least partially placated by her answer, and offered her his cell. “I’ll grab my tools while you make some calls.”
“Great, thanks. Wait, why do you need your tools?”
“I’m going to take the flat tire off your car and then jack it up. Er, if you want me to, that is. It’s not a good idea to leave it this way over night, it’ll end up bending the rims. And I figure the last thing anyone needs at this time of year is an extra expense.”
“Yeah,” she agreed. “I’d definitely prefer to avoid that. Thank you.”
Hailey opted to stay near her car while Chase went to go fetch his tools. She laid Riley on the backseat, knowing she’d need her arms free if she was going to be making phone calls. Sleepy gray eyes peered up at her as she made the transfer, but quickly fell closed again as he was tucked inside a warm woolen blanket. Hailey joined him on the leather seat shortly after, hanging her legs out of the passenger side door and pulling up the cell’s internet browser to search for local motels.
Though her nerves had settled quite a bit, Hailey still felt uneasy now that she was alone again. She was beginning to regret turning down the man’s generous offer, despite the complications it would bring. That accident from earlier had been a little too coincidental, and she was sure she had felt eyes on her a few times as she was packing up her stuff. That presence was gone now, but it could always come back.
If Michael was nearby, then staying somewhere completely random would be a good way to throw him off her scent. Even if he went around checking the nearby motels, he wouldn’t find her anywhere. It might be best to ask Chase if his offer was still open when he returned. Riley’s physical safety was more important than whatever emotional fallout might come from being around Chase. Besides, she was more than capable of keeping her hands of the hot stranger for one night. She smiled ruefully to herself. That would have been a lot more convincing if she could keep from thinking of him as ‘the hot stranger’.
Anyway, she doubted he would try anything with her if she was upfront about what she wanted. Or in this case, what she didn’t want. She’d just be…polite. But clear. And keep her eyes firmly above his waist level. She could do that. Probably.
But then again, she thought with a sinking feeling, perhaps he’d only offered out of politeness. Perhaps he was even relieved when she’d turned down his offer. Come to think of it, hadn’t he been in the middle of working when she’d interrupted him? Was it really okay for him to be taking the time to do all of this?
Muffled footsteps signified his return.
“Any luck?” he asked, nodding at her phone. She blushed.
“Oh, just looking now.”
He set his tools down on top of a nearby snow mound, surveilling the damage with critical eyes. “I think it would be best to push the car down off the ledge before I get started. The jack will be more likely to stay in place that way.”
Hailey climbed out of the car. “Good idea. I’ll help you push.”
“No need,” he replied, shrugging. And before she could argue, Chase bent down and took hold of the front rim. He then—quite easily, she noticed—dug in his feet and pushed the wheel down off the curb.
Desire pulsed through her at the blatant display of masculinity and strength. She couldn’t help but imagine how easily he could scoop her up, press her against the wall and—
A heavy flush spread over her face and she violently shook her head to clear it. Luckily, this time the guy had been too preoccupied to notice her reaction; she had the time to compose herself before he turned around. He didn’t even look tired—what stamina. That could prove useful a little while l—
Oh hell, she couldn’t seem to stop herself. She really needed to get a grip. Andnoton Chase.
“Did your brakes fail during the crash?” he asked, squinting down at something in the snow. She followed the direction of his gaze—a wet, melted patch where the car had been—as she tried to recall.
