“No, no. I’ve got it,” she abruptly interjects. The last word sounds broken as it tumbles from her succulent lips. My eyes hold hers when a tear tumbles down her porcelain cheek.
Fuck.
I’m at her side in an instant, pulling her small frame into me before I realize what I’m doing. “Don’t cry. If you cry, I’ll cry. And that’d be downright embarrassing to reveal that strong, masculine side of myself in the first five minutes of meeting you.”
She buries her tear-soaked face into my shirt, and my heart splinters for this poor girl. It may just be a tire, but I’m no stranger to hard days.
“You’re killing me, love.” I squeeze her tighter, the delectable scent of her putting me further under her spell, despite the fact we’ve both been sweating like whores in church. Her body jerks within my hold, wracked with sobs. “Awe, baby, don’t cry.” I run my hand up and down her back. Nearly a foot taller than she is, her head rests comfortably beneath my chin. “I’ve got you.”
It should be alarming how natural this feels. Especially given she’s probably more than ten years younger than I am. Hell, I don’t even know this girl’s name.
7
GRACE
Pulling backfrom this kind man proves more difficult than I expect. First, I can only imagine what my face must look like after bawling like a baby in this sweltering heat. But more so because he smells so damn good. I could stay here wrapped up in him for days. Sure, I might die of heatstroke. But it’d be worth it.
He must have the most alluring cologne or aftershave I’ve ever inhaled. But then again, he looks as if he’s a bit older and more sophisticated than the boys I normally gravitate to. So there’s that.
When I’d turned to find him standing behind me, it nearly stole my breath. He was tall, with a white T-shirt clinging to his muscled frame that screamed, touch me. Add in that baseball cap turned backwards, his dark locks trying to escape their confines, and he was this girl’s fantasy come to life. But then he flashed that panty-melting smile, and I nearly promised all of my worldly possessions if he’d keep looking at me like that.
Ha. I’m sure he would’ve found that real tempting. Since I don’t own anything but debt and a lifetime of bad luck.
The morning had begun with my usual flair of good fortune. I’d made it to my pet sitting gig later than I’d planned to let out their Tibetan Mastiff. I’d let out a sigh of relief that he hadn’t done his business in the house and set to work preparing his gourmet, special-ordered breakfast.Heck, this dog eats better than I do.Things seemed to be going well until I noticed he’d somehow managed to find the one spot in the yard where the sprinklers had overwatered.
The owners were so meticulous about not only their home, but this beast of a dog. I knew I needed to get him cleaned up before I left. I’d only allowed myself an hour to take care of Kodiak before returning to gather Mom for her first of two medical appointments for the day. The very last thing I needed was for him to get dirty.Me, on the other hand…
That huge oaf thought it was playtime when I tried to rinse his paws and belly. Which is crazy, because I’m certain his uptight owners have never played with him a day in his life. She’d let it spill that he was worth nearly half a million dollars, and I’d almost laughed until I caught the flat effect on her snooty face. I’m sure the sweet boy is starving for affection. Yet the big lug weighs more than I do. It only took one jump for both of us to end up in the middle of the wet grass. Cleaning him up required little more than rinsing his fur. But those muddy footprints on my top were another story.
My attention returns to my current obstacle, this rust bucket of a truck. It’s been a constant thorn in my side. Each breakdown feels like a middle finger from Brad. Yet, what option do I have? I live too far away from work to bike there. And I can’t afford to Uber everywhere. Honestly, it’s the last thing I need right now. And this kind man’s offer to contact a tow truck put the fear of God in me.
I have no idea if I have enough funds available on the one credit card Brad didn’t find to cover the charge. Reaching for my phone to distract me from potentially starting to cry again, I search for a local roadside assistance company and pray I can pay them once they arrive.
Thirty minutes later,a tow truck arrives, and my knight in shining armor greets him as he exits the vehicle. Before I can interrupt, my good Samaritan has managed to grab the driver’s business card and slide him a wad of cash. I’d like to say I rushed right over to stop him. Yet, truth be told, I’ve been living in fear of the guy driving off without my car once he discovered my credit card wouldn’t approve.
“Here you go.” He extends the business card in my direction. “He said to contact him, and he’ll advise where you can find the car. Hopefully, they’ll have it ready for you first thing tomorrow since it’s just a tire.”
“Thank you. I don’t know what I would’ve done if you hadn’t come along when you did.”
He flashes that megawatt smile in my direction, and I instantly feel my thighs clench.Good grief, you perv. He’s simply being nice, and you’re acting like lusty Lucy over here.The man is clearly older than I am, but there’s a boyish charm whenever he flashes that dreamy grin at me that makes me a little star struck. “I have no doubt you would’ve managed just fine.”
A mocking brow jumps to my hairline in question. “Did you forget the part where I basically broke down sobbing into a perfect stranger’s arms by the side of the road?” Yet, he’s right. I would’ve found a way. After everything Brad has put me through, I refuse to wither. I’m never depending on a man ever again. I might have to work odd jobs for the foreseeable future to pay off the tow truck and car repairs, but manage I will. “I should?—”
“Let me?—”
We both laugh out loud at the awkward interaction. My mind harkens back to the wad of cash changing hands, and a cloud of guilt descends upon me. There’s no sense pretending I’ve got the ability to return it to him. At least, no time soon.
“How can I ever repay you?” I wave my credit card in his direction, so he gets my meaning, praying he doesn’t have some type of card reader on his phone to actually take me up on it.
Suddenly, he’s looking at me with serious introspection. Heck, I was fully expecting him to wave me off. Tell me to pay it forward or something. My heart rate begins to escalate as his stare intensifies.
“Have dinner with me.”
8
BEN
“Look,I know it’s crazy, but I’d really like to take you to dinner.”
