Her head jerked toward him, and she could feel the heat of a blush cover her face.
“Fuck,” he swore.“I’ve never seen someone blush as much as you do.”
“I’m sorry.”
He scowled.“Nothing to be sorry about.It’s just that you’re, what ...twenty-one?”
“Twenty-two,” she told him.
“Hell.I can’t remember ever seeing a child blush as much as you.”
Her mouth opened and closed.
“Yo, Dutch,” Mark called from his office.
“I’m coming,” Dutch said.“I’ll be seeing you,” he said to her.
She nodded.
The three men walked into Mark’s office and closed the door.She heard the murmur of voices but couldn’t make out the words.She wasn’t sure what business Mark and Dutch had, but she guessed it was illegal, given how secretive they always were.
She’d also seen evidence of it on the computer.She wasn’t an accountant, but some things didn’t make sense.She’d never have the guts to ask or even investigate, so she’d thought of getting another job.But the garage was only seven blocks from her apartment, and she didn’t have far to walk, and she made decent enough money—more than she would have anywhere else.
Naya was so absorbed in the computer that she missed the door to the automotive area opening and closing.It was when she felt the heat of a body pressed against her back that she realized she wasn’t alone.She knew right away who it was by the scent of stale sweat, gasoline, and nicotine.
“Wyatt,” she said as she jerked away from him.She jumped from the stool and backed away when he grinned.“I’ve asked you to stop touching me.”
His grin spread.“But, darling, you haven’t given me a chance yet.”
This man, the garage manager, was someone she had disliked from the very beginning, and her dislike for him had only deepened, and her fear of him had grown.
“And I’ve told you it will never happen.”
His head tilted to the side.“And I’ve told you I’m not giving up.”
The tilt of his head looked conniving on this man, whereas when Dutch did it, it somehow looked ...sexy.
“You have to because I’m not changing my mind,” she said, trying to sound stern, but she knew she failed because she couldn’t help the tremor that shook her words.
Wyatt took another slow step toward her but stopped suddenly when the office door opened, and Dutch walked out.He looked back and forth, must have seen the fear on her face, and scowled, turning to face Wyatt.
“Do you have a fucking problem?”he asked.
Naya was pleased to see Wyatt stiffen and fear darken his eyes.
Wyatt raised his hands.“No, man.I just came in for some paperwork.”
Dutch turned to her.“Is he bothering you, babe?”
The words got stuck in her throat when a furious light flashed in Wyatt’s eyes.She knew if she said anything, she could very well lose her job.She swallowed and shook her head.“No, everything’s good.”
Dutch looked skeptical but didn’t say another word.He pinched her chin.“I’ll be seeing you, babe.”
Naya just nodded, returned to her seat, and concentrated on the computer, aware that Wyatt hadn’t left the room yet.Her shoulders drooped when she caught him leaving the office, and she was thankful he hadn’t continued their conversation.Maybe it had to do with the fact that Mark’s office door was open, so he’d hear anything that was said.For the rest of the day, she was able to stay away from Wyatt even when he tried to corner her.
By the time she made it to the bar to start her second job, she was a nervous wreck.She would jump at the slightest touch from anyone.
When she finally locked the doors of her apartment, she felt physically ill from the stress of the harassment and the fact she had hardly eaten anything that day.She knew if she didn’t take care of herself, she could end up sick, and if she missed work, she’d end up on the streets.Naya made herself eat a peanut butter sandwich before showering and then falling into bed.
