She sighed as his warmth penetrated her shirt. She hadn’t realized she was cold until he surrounded her. “I think you’re doing it already.” Another sigh passed her lips. “I cussed the asshole out and left in the middle of a job. Cicely told me she would fire me if I made her have another bad review. I expect that’s what’s about to happen when I go get my rig.”
“We’ll give her some very positive ones. Wolf needs his back done, and there’s others in the club who need your services. Watch out for Melter, though. He’s unpredictable.”
Somewhere above, she heard him chuckle. “Of course, the operative syllable in that word isdick. Best just to stay away from him.”
His heart beat in a steady rhythm below her ear. The heavy sensation of his arms around her body felt like a shield she could hide behind forever. A couple of cars passed by on the busy street, and someone shouted in the distance, but nothing penetrated the wall of protection he offered. It was comfortable, and Sabrina found she wanted all that and more. “I will.”
“I have to work at the club tonight. In the morning, I’ll help you move your rig.”
She didn’t even think about protesting. “Sounds good to me.”
He pulled back and gazed deep into her eyes. His were also a shade of blue, though more on the charcoal side. She noticed the dark ring surrounding his irises as his fingertips moved to lift her chin. His mouth descended and covered hers in a slow, burning kiss that reminded her of last night. No ton of bricks fell on her, no electric flash traveling through her body. Just asmoldering that filled her belly with the promise of more heat to come.
He finally raised his head, and his breath brushed over her lips.
“Where is this going?” she asked in a quivery whisper.
“I don’t know, babe, but I’m not ready to stop.”
“Me neither.”
He released her and cleared his throat. “You can sit in the break room and look through the want ads for another spa opening.”
“No need for that.”
Both of them jumped at the amused voice. Wolf stepped up to join them on the sidewalk. “I just called to book an appointment with Sabrina and expressed my disappointment that she wasn’t there because the Knights plan to make her our official masseuse.” The big man’s face split into a grin. “I also mentioned our rally and how we would support all our sponsors. She’s got a check waiting for me. I think your job is safe. If Cam’s okay with it, I’ll take you back to the spa now if you want to work on me.”
Sabrina smiled and stepped back, putting some distance between her and Cam. Relief coursed through her body, mixed with a little humility. The Knights didn’t have to go to bat for her, but they did, and it made her a little nervous. Not many people stood up for her, and she wasn’t sure how to handle it.Fuck it, I’ll take the win.“I’ll do you anytime. Massage, that is.”
Wolf tossed his head back and let out a huge belly laugh.
Cam frowned at his friend’s amusement and turned his attention back to Sabrina. “That’s cool, but I still want you to move tomorrow morning. I’m sure getting that van and trailer back there wasn’t easy. It’s going to be even harder to get it out.”
She blinked. “Okay, sugar.”
“I’ll get whoever is available to come spot. Those suckers are tricky as hell to maneuver. Might need to move the trailer separate. Where’s it going?” Wolf asked.
Cam answered before Sabrina could open her mouth. “My place.”
CHAPTER
FOURTEEN
Brianna Fletcher heaveda big box of paperbacks from the floor to one of the reading tables, then flopped down into the fluffy wingback chair to catch her breath. The used bookstore and tea shop fulfilled her dream of owning a business that filled both passions in her life, reading and sipping tea. Having it a couple of doors down from the spa was a bonus. It was the perfect location, as people going to and coming from Cicely’s place often stopped in for a cup and a browse.
The downside of the bookstore was running the place by herself. No vacations or time off. She was open six days a week from nine to seven and never closed on holidays. Her mom stayed in a perpetual state of irritation at her since she missed services regularly.
“How you gonna find a good man, missing church all the time?”
“You gotta put more effort in than other girls. Do yourself up, right?”
“You should look into some cosmetic surgery, n’at. It’d be a good thing to fix your nose, yeah?”
Bri was acutely aware that she was not even remotely pretty, and the daily reminders from her mother were all the more reason to stay away from her parents.
It was well past closing time. Most of the other businesses had already shuttered their doors for the day, but she often stayed after hours simply to catch up on paperwork and restock. People came to trade their books, but this was the only time she could go through any boxes and check on titles. The shelves were mostly full of romantic fiction, but there were sections for crafting, self-help, religion, travel, and other genres. Just yesterday, a cute guy in a leather vest came in to look for a book on chain mail. She had three, and he bought them all.
Bri suppressed a grin. He talked with her for a long time about armor and metals and medieval knight stuff. His smile was contagious, and she found herself opening up to him about her love of fantasy. After he left, she had to shake herself silly to dispel any notion that he might be interested in her.
