by Lacey Wolfe
Even if she did want to try and start something with him, most likely he was married with two kids at home.
* * * *
What a mess. Francesca had done some damage to her car. Had no one taught her anything about vehicle maintenance? The woman had almost no oil and what she did have was extremely dirty. And what a shame, because she had a top-of-the-line Lexus. The parts alone he needed to order just might break her bank. Hopefully she would call soon so they could discuss her price range.
Then again, knowing Francesca, she had some rich man who would either hand over his credit card for her to fix it or buy her a new one.
Turning off the sink, Randy dried his hands and tossed the towel on the counter. Even after all these years, he was bitter. Why couldn’t she have gained fifty pounds or something? Instead, she was as perfect as ever and he wanted another taste. If he could be with her one more time, maybe he could convince her they were right together.
But they weren’t. She never thought he was what she needed. He couldn’t help but snicker. Little did she know, he had a lot of money. And he’d earned every damn penny. He was sure that if she knew he was rich, she would be all about him again. He had to stay far away from her, which was going to be hard seeing as he was fixing her car. Maybe he would get lucky and she would have some sugar daddy who would just buy her a new car and they could go their separate ways.
The shop phone rang. Caller ID showed a number he didn’t know from a cellphone. But he knew who it was. “Hello, Randy here.”
“Hi, Randall, it’s Francesca.” He could hear the hesitation in her voice.
“It’s Randy. No one calls me Randall except you.”
“I’ll remember that. So, is my car ready?”
He laughed. Was she serious? “No, your car isn’t ready yet.”
“Later this afternoon?”
He rolled his eyes. She probably thought all he had to do was snap his fingers and it would be fixed. “I’m still assessing the damage. How about you find a way to get here in an hour or two and we’ll sit down and talk about it so I can show you prices and so on.”
“Shit.”
He grinned. He couldn’t believe he heard her pretty little mouth say a cuss word. “I’ll see you in a bit.”
Putting the phone back on the cradle, he wanted to kick himself. There was no reason for her to come to the shop. He could have easily talked to her about it over the phone. He needed to get this car fixed and out of his shop fast.
* * * *
“Hi, Amy. Is there any way you can drop me off at Smith’s Auto in an hour?” Francesca asked her future sister-in-law. “My car broke down last night, but it should be ready soon, I would think.”
“Sure, but are you sure it’ll be ready? If the car just stopped working it could be serious,” Amy pointed out.
“It was probably low on oil. I appreciate it, really. I’ll see you in an hour.”
“Okay. Oh, one more question. Are you still a ‘plus one’ for the wedding?”
There was no way in hell she was showing up at her brother’s wedding without a date. Of course she was still a ‘plus one’. “Yeah.”
“Adam wants to know who you’re bringing.”
“Tell Adam he has bigger things to worry about than me. See you in a bit.” She hung up. Lately, Adam had been hounding her like crazy to settle down. She was tired of hearing about it. And it wasn’t like she was purposely not settling down. She was just having a harder time finding the right person than the other people in her life had.
Francesca tossed her iPhone onto the bed and went to finish getting ready. Today she was going to look her absolute best.
Just as she finished dressing, the buzzer in her apartment sounded, letting her know Amy had arrived. She hit the accept button that would let Amy into the complex and then went back to the bathroom. One last spritz of her pheromone-enhanced body spray and she would be complete.
Grabbing her purse, she gathered her things and headed out. Locking the door behind her, she met Amy in the breezeway.
“You smell really good,” Amy commented.
“Thanks.” Francesca climbed into Amy’s car.
Once Amy got in, she turned toward her friend. “You look spectacular too.”
“Uh, you’re not turning into a lesbian, are you?” Francesca wasn’t sure what had gotten into Amy.
“No, I am completely in love with your brother. I ask because, while you always look beautiful, you have really outdone yourself to pick-up your car. Does this have anything to do with Randy, the repair shop owner?” Amy asked, with a big grin.
“Why would it?”
“Rumor has it he’s one of the town’s most eligible bachelors.”
“He’s single?” She knew her voice sounded a bit too happy about that, especially when Amy raised an eyebrow at her. “I just mean, I assumed he was married. That’s all.”
“I take it you met him then and saw what a hunk he is.”
“Me being this dolled up has nothing to do with Randall,” Francesca said, hoping to convince herself more than Amy.
“Randall?” Amy paused a moment and then it was like a light bulb went off. “Wait a minute. Is Randy the guy your brother told me about? Your high school sweetheart?”
Francesca rolled her eyes. Of course her brother had to discuss her past with his fiancée. “Yes, it just so happens he is. So you can see why this has nothing to do with him. I’ve already been down that road. And the past should always stay where it belongs.”
Amy didn’t say anything else. She started the car and drove the short distance to Smith’s Auto. Francesca knew she hadn’t fooled Amy though. She was a smart girl. But perhaps Francesca could fool herself and really believe that she didn’t still want Randall.
When they reached the shop Amy asked if she should stick around, but Francesca assured her there was no need and told her that if she needed her she would call. She was positive it wouldn’t take long to get her car fixed. After Amy drove off, Francesca opened the door to the shop. She entered a small area with an old desk and even older computer setup. No one was there. A doorway was to her right, she went through it and found herself in the garage.
A radio played country music, and she heard a male voice singing. She followed the sound then stopped dead in her tracks. Randall was singing and bent over her car, looking at something under the hood. His jeans were tight against his ass. As if that wasn’t bad enough, as he bent forward, he shook his hips with the beat of the music. Her gaze was locked on his ass and her hands hurt as they ached to reach out and touch.
She was so lost in her erotic daydream that she hadn’t realized Randall had stopped dancing and had turned slightly, looking at her. As her gaze drifted up his body, she caught the look in his eyes she remembered. Lust. Licking her lips, she knew she was in trouble. She wanted one more romp with him, and as far as she was concerned, the sooner the better.
* * * *
Randy cleared his throat, hoping to break the tension between him and Francesca. The way she was looking at him, he was worried she was about to pounce. It was taking everything in him to not walk over there and kiss her.
Picking up a work towel, he wiped his hands on it and then directed her toward the front office. She walked in front of him and it was his turn to devour her ass. And hot damn, the jeans she wore were tight and molded to her butt perfectly. Her pants hugged her legs all the way down. She wore black boots that came to her knees. He wasn’t sure what shirt she wore, because his eyes had yet to make it past her luscious ass.
Once in the office, he stepped around her, getting a whiff of a very tempting smell. He quickly sat and scooted under the desk as far as he could. His cock was hardening and he didn’t want her to see.
Francesca took a seat in front of him and he now noticed her pink tank top that was cut low enough he got a hint of cleavage. Inhaling again, he wondered what perfume she used. It really was igniting his senses.
“I spent some time looking
at your car today. When was the last time you had an oil change?” he asked.
“It’s been awhile.”
“I can tell. And how long has the car been leaking oil?”
She shrugged. “Not sure. I wasn’t concerned since it was just little drops here and there.”
“Those little drops here and there add up. You almost had no oil in your car. And I hate to tell you, but you have torn up your engine.”
“Well, can’t you just pop a new one in and it’ll be good as new?” she asked.
“I wish it was that simple. Here, look this over.” He slid a sheet of paper across the desk. “The top portion has to be done, the middle is recommended, and the bottom is optional. The price is on there too.”
Her eyes widened as she read over the paper. She then glanced up at him. “This can’t be right.”
“I’m afraid it is. You haven’t taken very good care of the car.”
“I get it washed and detailed all the time. I take very good care of it.”
Randy shook his head. “There’s a lot more to a vehicle than just its appearance. You’ve got to take care of the things people don’t see too.”
She was quiet for a moment and then finally spoke. “I don’t know if I can afford this.”
He raised an eyebrow at her. “Don’t you have some rich man who can pay for it?” He regretted saying it the moment it left his lips.
Francesca’s mouth fell open and he could see the shock on her face.
“I’m so—” he started to apologize.
“I can’t believe you would say that, Randall. You of all people,” she snapped.
“Me of all people,” he repeated. “What the hell is that supposed to mean? If I recall correctly, you dumped me because you wanted a rich man to take care of you. Tell me, how is that working out for you?”
Francesca stood up, placed her hands on her hips, and leaned forward slightly. As much as he hated it, his focus darted in for a peek inside her shirt.
“I’ll have you know that I’m not the gold digger you think I am,” she argued.
“I bet you refuse to date any man whose income level doesn’t meet your standards. Tell me, why haven’t you married one of them yet?”
“Why aren’t you married? Can’t find a girl who will have you as a husband?”
Randy stood and stepped around the desk. “I haven’t found anyone else who can start my engines the way you could.” He rubbed the back of his fingers on her upper arm. “Haven’t you found a rich guy yet who can kiss you breathless?”
* * * *
Francesca jerked her arm away. “And here I thought you were going to be sweet.”
He laughed. “Honey, I’m not here to make your life easy.”
“Just fix my damn car so I can get out of here.”
He stepped closer to her again, and she knew her cheeks were flushed. As much as he angered her, having him so close made her want to reach out, grab a hold, and kiss him.
He leaned into her and glanced out the window. “Do you have a ride waiting on you?”
“No.”
“Well, you better call someone. Your car’s going to be here for a few days or longer. Depending on how fast I can get the parts in.” He stepped back and sat on the desk, crossing his arms.
“It won’t be ready today?”
“No, didn’t you hear me on the phone? You’ve got some extensive damage.”
Francesca let out a sigh. “I guess I need to call about a rental.”
“I’ve got a vehicle you can use.”
“Really? Great.”
“Follow me.” Randall led her through the garage and out the back door where she saw some junk cars and a few that looked like they might be drivable. In the back of the lot, a vehicle sat with a blue tarp over it. He was headed toward it, and she hoped that since it was covered, it was going to be some fancy sports car.
She stood back as he pulled the tarp off. Once it was revealed, her mouth dropped open. It was his truck from high school. The truck where they had their first kiss, and where he made it to second base for the first time. It was the same truck where they had decided they were ready to move to the next level and give each other their virginity. Of course that didn’t happen in the truck, but there were other times they had made love in there.
“Do you remember this baby?” He smacked the fender.
“Yeah. It still runs?”
“If you take care of your vehicles from the inside and out, they’ll last a long time.” He opened the driver’s side door. “Climb in.”
She hesitated, but did it anyway. He followed, causing her to scoot over to the passenger side. The key was already in the ignition. The truck started immediately and Randall smiled, rubbing his hands along the steering wheel. “I loved this truck.”
He picked up the remote to the radio and touched the on button. The lights lit up and she heard a CD start to spin. The next thing she heard was her and Randall’s song come from the speakers. She looked at him and saw he was already inching closer. Before she knew what she was doing, her hands were wrapped around his neck, pulling him toward her.
She saw passion flood his eyes, and it took him no time to touch his lips to hers. She froze a moment from the intensity, but as the soft kiss began to heat up, she yanked his body into hers. His tongue thrust inside her mouth, and her world stopped. He could still take her breath away and make her feel complete with just a kiss. It had been so long since she had felt as whole as she did when Randall kissed her. As he pressed his body into her, one hand gripped her waist possessively.
“Oh God,” she whispered against his lips, breaking the kiss momentarily.
“You taste better than I remember.”
He gazed down into her eyes and as she stared back, she saw the only man she had ever loved. The one man who could make her want nothing more than to feel his arms wrapped around her each night before bed. Randall leaned in to kiss her again, but she stopped him.
“We can’t do this.”
He sat back in the seat and nodded. “You’re right. It didn’t work out the first time. There’s no way it will work this time.”
She wasn’t so sure about that. She had a feeling things would work out rather nicely between them.
“Anyway, if you want to use the truck, you’re welcome to. I know repairs are expensive on your car, and this isn’t a luxury car, but it will get you from point A to point B.”
Could she really ride around in this truck? Every time she drove it, she would be haunted by memories and her nose would be attacked by his scent. But it was either this or a rental car—an expense she couldn’t afford with her vehicle now in the shop.
“Thanks, it means a lot that you trust me to drive your truck.”
He snickered. “I wouldn’t call it trust. You break it, you buy it.”
Francesca rolled her eyes. What the hell had she ever seen in him? “Whatever, just get my car fixed soon so we can be out of each other’s lives for good.”
Randall hopped out of the car. “That’s exactly what I plan on doing. Call me mid-week for an update.” He walked back toward his shop.
Francesca scooted over to the driver’s seat. After buckling up, she put the truck in drive. A light flashed on the dash. It was the gaslight. Seriously? She should have expected no less.
* * * *
From inside the shop, Randy watched as Francesca drove off in his old truck. He hoped she stopped at the gas station right away, otherwise she wouldn’t be making it far. Chuckling, he turned to order the parts he would need for her car and then he was getting the hell out of this place for the day. Without parts, there wasn’t any reason to be there.
As he entered the office, the perfume she’d been wearing attacked his senses. The room was filled with her aroma and brought his mind barreling back to the kiss. Not only did she smell good, but she tasted absolutely decadent. Her tongue had been soft, but eager. Her hands had curled into the back of his neck, one finger lightly rubbing acr
oss the bottom of his hairline.
He wasn’t sure if it was her or the memories in the truck that had made him kiss her. He would love to blame it on the truck, but he had to face it—Francesca was a hot woman. She had taken care of herself over the years. The way she dressed accented all the right areas on her body, and whatever that damn scent was, he had just wanted her. There wasn’t a part of him that didn’t want to be near her.
And now she had his truck. Which meant it was going to hold her fragrance when he got it back. Then it dawned on him that her car reeked of her too. For the next week, he was going to be living with a constant hard-on.
But if he was feeling this way, there was a good chance she was too. Which meant, maybe they could have one final time between the sheets and just get it out of their system. Everyone was curious if their ex’s had gotten better over the years. Then again, Francesca had rocked his socks back in high school. If she had gotten any better, he wasn’t sure he would survive it. But there was only one way to find out. Now he just had to figure out how to do it.
Chapter 4
Francesca pulled the ancient truck into a parking spot at Hot Bods. As good as she looked today, she wasn’t going to workout. She was looking for her wonderful friend Jane. She could really use someone to talk to. And over the past few months, she and Jane had become very close. Which was great, Francesca had never had many friends of the same sex.
Climbing out of the old red truck, she looked for a remote to lock the doors. Damn, this truck was so old she had to manually lock the doors. Laying her purse and keys on the seat, she leaned across the seat to push the lock button down on the passenger side. She grabbed her purse, pressed the driver’s side down as well, and slammed the door shut. As she made her way into the gym, she scanned the parking lot for Jane’s car. Once she spotted the blue Mercedes, she added a little pep to her step and was on the hunt for her friend.
It was a Saturday afternoon and the gym was busy. Which was usual. Everyone wanted to make up for their week of either forgoing exercise or overindulging on calories. The receptionist greeted her and Francesca smiled while she walked by and made her way down the hallway to Jane’s office. She was so happy for her friend, who was now the manager of Hot Bods. Only a few months ago, Jane was the receptionist. Ever since Jane took over the gym, the place had really bloomed.
