by Dena Blake
Sam watched her as she crossed the room. Broad shoulders, nice ass, and a bad-girl swagger. It was probably a good thing the woman had ignored her, or Sam might be the one making the big mistake tonight.
* * *
Sam threw the door open and crossed the room quickly. After sliding onto the bar stool, she ordered a Crown and water and pressed her fingers to her forehead. She’d already popped enough ibuprofen to burn a hole in her stomach, but the incessant pounding in her head was still going strong. Today had been ridiculously long in the garage, and her argument with Brad this evening had thrown her day into the “sucked” category. Every time she saw him lately, their conversations morphed into raging battles. All the signs were there. He was having another affair.
The man had done everything in his power to get out of the bar early tonight and didn’t ask her to come along. Brad was a master of seduction, but tonight it wouldn’t be Sam in his bed. Maybe that was for the best, seeing as how she’d started the affair with him just to spite her father. Each passing day, they were drifting further apart. It would be more difficult to bridge the gap this time.
Working nonstop on the new car wasn’t helping the situation. Not having Tommy around the last few months had turned out to be harder than she’d thought, and now that he was back, he was more of a distraction than a help.
Sam wanted to hit the circuit hard this year. She still had a lot of work to do before she would be satisfied with the car’s performance. They had only two weeks left before the Dodge/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway, a road course touted as one of the most difficult on the circuit. The corners made even the most experienced drivers look like amateurs. Luckily, Sam had the advantage. Sonoma was her home track, so she knew it inside and out. This was one race she wanted to win, and to make that happen, her car had to be in tip-top condition.
Hearing a familiar voice, Sam glanced to the end of the bar, where she caught a peripheral glimpse of Drew Thompson, the arrogant driver who’d interrupted her conversation with Ray earlier. Sam should’ve given her a piece of her mind right then and there, but as her sister always pointed out, Sam had a major personality flaw. She wasn’t good at being the bitch.
Veering her gaze back to the mirrors mounted behind the bar, she watched the woman’s reflection as she spoke. Suddenly her voice deepened and she broke into laughter. Her lips spread into a crooked grin, revealing one front tooth overlapping the other just enough to make her undeniably sexy. Damn! She caught me looking. Sam let her gaze drop to the liquor bottles lining the shelf at the bottom of the mirrors and held it there. Considering the smile along with her square jaw, Sam was sure Drew wasn’t turned away often. Nevertheless, Sam continued to stare straight ahead, reciting each brand of liquor in her head as she studied the labels. Just how long would it take Drew to get the message? Not interested!
* * *
As soon as Drew Thompson saw the woman parade into the room, her mind went to work branding her as high-maintenance. With fiery-red curls and a seductive stride, this woman oozed sensuality and confidence. She really didn’t have the time or energy for any of that right now. But then again, she never could resist a challenge.
It took only a few minutes to catch the redhead watching her, so maybe it was worth a try. Sliding onto the bar stool next to her, Drew donned her sexiest smile and waited for the woman to turn her way. Judging by her reaction, or more specifically lack thereof, it seemed as though she was going to ignore her. If the woman thought she could get away with that, she had another think coming.
Reaching for the bowl of nuts, Drew purposely clipped the top of her glass and splattered her drink across the bar in front of them.
“Hey!” The redhead’s arms flew up.
Drew grabbed a bar towel and sopped up the liquid. “Sorry about that. How ’bout I buy you a drink to make up for the mess?”
“Already have one, thanks.” The woman raised her glass and then set it back down onto the bar in front of her.
Drew noticed the ring when she saw the woman’s gaze fix on her finger. Even in the dim lighting, the diamond sparkled with her every move. In one swift motion, she flipped the jewel around to the inside of her finger, then picked up her drink and took a large gulp.
Noting the attitude and the ring, Drew stayed put, thinking she might get something out of this after all. She’d enjoyed benefiting from an angry, unhappy lady once or twice before.
“Waiting for someone?” she asked.
“No,” the woman said, still not giving Drew her complete attention.
“It isn’t often I see a pretty lady sitting alone at the bar,” she said, observing how beautiful she was even with the sour disposition.
The redhead turned and narrowed her eyes. “Probably because there’s always some Casanova around who can’t stand to leave a woman alone.”
“Ouch.” She gave her a wounded pout and slid back off the stool.
“Wait.” She touched her arm lightly. “I shouldn’t have said that. I’m sorry.”
Drew stopped, letting the warmth of her hand linger on her skin. She actually sounded sincere. Maybe she wasn’t your average high-maintenance woman.
The woman blew out a breath. “I’ve had a really rough day, and I’m taking it out on you.”
Drew dipped her chin in acknowledgment. “Apology accepted.”
“Please, don’t leave on my account.” She gave her a soft smile. “I’ll try to be more pleasant.”
“Want to talk about it?”
“No. Not really.” She turned, and Drew followed her gaze across the room to the dance floor, where the crowd had thinned measurably in the last few hours.
“Would you like to dance?”
Her eyes flashed back to Drew’s, and the pensive emerald-green pools penetrated her instantly. She could see this was a woman who would surely leave a girl knowing she’d been kissed. Drew took her hand and led her across the room. Sensing no boundaries, Drew held her firmly against her and floated her around the dance floor. Feeling her hands cling to her shoulders, Drew wasn’t surprised when they traveled to the back of her neck and her mouth slowly made its way to hers, softly touching, baiting, searching for some sort of comfort, she imagined. The kiss deepened, and Drew let her hand slide down the woman’s sides, skimming her breasts with her thumbs, making it clear the interest was mutual.
Drew pulled back slightly, expecting a well-earned slap across the face. Instead she caught the come-and-get-me glimmer in the woman’s eyes.
“Do you have a room?” she whispered.
“I’ll meet you at the door.” Drew turned to the bar and tossed a twenty across it. “Mine and the lady’s.”
Drew was in paradise as she indulged in the sweet taste and the simmering scent of the woman beneath her. Her flat belly yielded under her hot, pressing mouth, and the subtle resonance of moans spurred her on full force until the moans increasingly resembled cries of pain rather than pleasure. Drew pushed up onto her elbows and hovered, watching tears roll from the eyes of the half-naked woman on the bed. She couldn’t even look at Drew. Just my luck. She let out a heavy breath and rolled to her side. Drew might be a little lacking in the morals department, but she certainly couldn’t continue now. Helping an irresistibly hot body get back at her partner was one thing, but taking advantage of a distraught, weeping woman wasn’t her style.
“Why can’t this be as easy for me as it is for him?” Her sultry voice dropped to a faint whisper.
Drew took her hand and fingered the diamond ring. “Apparently you’re a woman with a conscience.”
“I shouldn’t be here.” She popped up, found her shirt, and jammed her arms into the sleeves.
“Maybe not, but you can’t leave like this.”
“I’m so sorry.” Dropping back onto the bed, she clenched her arms across her chest and sobbed quietly.
“It’s okay.” Drew took the blanket from the bottom of the bed and covered them both. The little lady didn’t know what she was missing. Drew con
sidered herself, among other things, the best lover on the California Highway Patrol. Of course most of the others were assholes, and that was kind of a given when it came to satisfying a woman.
Encircling her waist with her arm, Drew pulled her close, then closed her eyes and focused on the case she was working instead of the soft, beautiful redhead lying in her arms.
Chapter Three
Awakened by the small stream of sunlight bleeding through the curtains, Sam rolled over and found herself staring at the handsome stranger’s face. Rugged and tanned, it had a definite masculine aura. She had an average nose, but it pulled to the left as though it had been broken once or twice. Expressionless now, the woman seemed perfectly content as she slept. From Sam’s first impression at the bar, she would’ve never guessed her to be so forgiving.
Drew’s hands had been working the buttons quickly, and Sam had let her blouse fall to the floor. In the heated frenzy, she’d quickly forgotten about the man whom she’d given up so much of herself to support. After tumbling together onto the bed, the handsome stranger had only hesitated long enough to pull the shirt over her head before letting her mouth trail back up Sam’s neck to her lips. Her fingers had pushed the black silken straps from her shoulders, and her breath had caught at the thought of this strong, sexy woman wanting her.
Drew had slowly, methodically removed Sam’s bra, and when she brushed her thumb across Sam’s nipple, the sudden sensation had made her shiver. With no time to recover, the intensity had reversed, and heat had seared through her. Drew’s mouth had trickled like a sweltering summer rain across her breast. She’d shuddered and leveraged herself to meet Drew’s lips. Then she’d closed her eyes, and Brad’s face flew through her mind. At that point, she’d cursed herself and gone limp onto the bed.
She hadn’t known what else to say last night. The poor woman had to have whiplash. Sam had put the pedal to the metal, topping out her speedometer, and then without any warning, she’d slammed on the brakes. Closing her eyes and taking in a deep breath, she felt an odd, comforting scent fill her head. She ran her fingertips across Drew’s chin as she remembered the feel of its smooth texture trailing across her skin. Then her lips, umm…soft, sensual lips streaming down her body.
Drew shifted slightly, and Sam snapped her eyes open. In the slight glow of sunlight, Sam watched her, waiting for some sign of consciousness. When she saw none, she swept the room with her gaze—clothes hanging out the side of a suitcase, an empty pizza box in the trash, and half a six-pack of beer on the table. Nothing personal here. She was no different from Brad. When the event was over, this woman would be gone with the race.
Sam felt empty and alone. She hadn’t meant to drift off to sleep last night. Since her brother’s accident, she hadn’t been able to sleep for more than a few hours at a time. But she’d been here all night, feeling safe and somehow comforted by a woman she barely knew, a perfect stranger who had more compassion for her than her own family did. She had to get out of there. Now. Sliding out of the bed, she grabbed her shoes and slipped out the door.
Sam peeked around the corner and sprinted up the stairway. Luckily her benevolent stranger’s room was on the opposite side of the hotel from her own. She’d already made a fool of herself once this morning and didn’t want any messy confrontations with Brad. She thought she’d had it made, but halfway up the steps, she was startled from behind.
“Late night, huh?” Jade stood at the foot of the stairs, towel in hand, wearing a bikini and flip-flops.
“Actually, I was just going out for coffee.” Dropping one shoe, Sam turned around abruptly. “Lost my shoe on the step.” She picked it up and gave Jade an innocent smile. Slipping them both on, Sam hoped Jade hadn’t picked up on her feeble attempt at deception. From the smile Jade gave her, she probably had.
Jade remained at the bottom of the stairs assessing Sam’s appearance. Sam followed her gaze and hoped she hadn’t taken note of what she’d worn last night.
Tight black pants, red silk blouse, uh-oh, she’s staring. Sam’s eyes darted to her blouse. Something was funny about the buttons.
Jade laughed loudly and Sam stiffened. “What?”
“Your shirt’s on inside out.”
Sam glanced down quickly, mortified to see she was right. Closing her eyes, she brushed the unruly curls from her face and sank onto the steps. She was in such a hurry to get out of there this morning, she hadn’t bothered to check. Damn! She’d tried so hard to be careful, and now she’d been caught.
Jade took a few steps up, dropped her towel next to Sam, and sat down. “Don’t worry. I won’t tell anyone.”
Sam let her head sink into her hands. “That would be a surprise.”
“Why do you say that?”
“After the way I’ve treated you?” Sam said, raising her voice slightly.
“True. You haven’t been very nice.”
Sam tightened her lips and shook her head. Haven’t been very nice. That’s a fucking understatement. Since the day Jade had signed on as Tommy’s physical therapist, Sam had made her life more difficult than finding a chameleon in a bag of Skittles.
“How are your burns?”
“They’re fine.”
“No problems with cracking skin?”
“I’ve been using the ointment you gave me.” Sam felt really bad now. Jade had cleaned and debrided her burns daily for three weeks after the accident, and Sam still couldn’t bring herself to like her. She supposed it was an unconscious effort to spare her brother another heartbreak.
After the accident, Tommy had been at his lowest. He not only had to deal with being paralyzed, but his fiancée had dumped him. Then, here came this black-haired, tattoo-ridden therapist swooping in to take advantage of him. Sam just knew the woman had piercings in places that would make her squirm. When Sam saw Jade getting close to her brother, she threw up all the roadblocks, but he fell for her anyway.
Jade caught Sam’s evading eyes. “Tell you what. You promise to be a little nicer, and my lips are sealed.”
Sam drew her brows together. “That’s it?”
Jade shrugged. “That’s it.”
Sam heard a door shut upstairs and spotted Brad. Dressed in his usual jogging shorts and T-shirt, he was heading out for his morning run. She pressed herself flat against the steps and cursed.
Jade motioned down the steps. “Go. I’ll take care of him.”
Sam rushed down and ducked just out of sight under the stairs.
“You’re up early,” Brad said, starting down the steps.
“I’m going for a swim.” Jade walked toward the pool, swinging her hips lazily. “You want to join me?” Flipping the towel over her shoulder, she glanced back. Sam knew the miserable cad’s eyes were sufficiently glued to Jade’s ass. In about five seconds, he would be in the pool with her, and Sam would have the green light to head up the stairs to her room.
* * *
Drew yanked open the side door to the garage, and a burst of cool air coated her face. Letting her eyes adjust to the lowered lighting, she appreciated the brief chilly sensation as the air mingled with the moisture on the back of her neck. She’d definitely needed a break from the scorching Northern California heat. She’d hoped to lower her body temperature a degree or two but saw no relief in sight from the unusual heat wave cursing the rolling hills of Sonoma County this summer.
After slipping inside, she swiped her sleeve across her forehead and scanned the huge, round-topped, hollow building. The earsplitting noise of a screaming guitar reverberated through the air, but no one appeared to be in the number-seven garage.
The metal door clanged against the frame as it swung closed, and the dank, musty odor made her mind scatter. She stopped, trying to make sense of it, but as usual the memory of her injury vanished as quickly as it came. Shrugging it off, she rounded the cherry-red, number-fifteen car, almost tripping over the steel-toed work boots sticking out from beneath it.
“Hey, Slick. I thought you were gonna come by and
check out my car this morning?” She watched as a gloved hand reached out for the socket wrench lying on the concrete and pulled it back under the car.
Drew scanned the garage for the radio but couldn’t locate it. She’d have to wait until the music broke to get his attention. She knelt down and picked up the open-end tool left close to where the socket wrench had been. Soon after, the hand reached out again and skimmed the floor, searching for it.
The music stopped, and the DJ’s voice rang out. “You’re listening to ninety-six point nine, San Francisco’s number-one classic rock station.”
Drew took the opportunity to break in. “You and I need to talk.” She tapped the steel shaft of the wrench on the concrete.
The hand turned palm up, as if waiting patiently for it. She dropped it into the glove. Without flinching, the fingers twined around it before disappearing back under the engine compartment. After a few minutes of ratchet clinks, the person under the car slid out.
Drew shook her head and smiled as she stared at the grease-laden woman sprawled out on the roller board in front of her. With her red curls now neatly confined by a yellow bandanna, she was quite a vision. As she rolled off the board, Drew caught the gotcha smile she threw her and followed her to the refrigerator. She was definitely going to have her hands full with this one.
After lowering the volume on the radio, the fiery redhead took out a bottle of water, unscrewed the top, and flipped it into the recycle bin.
“And so we meet again,” Sam said, locking her gaze.
“I didn’t know you were a mechanic.”
“Technician.” She took a swig from the bottle before hiking herself up onto the workbench. Drew didn’t like Sam in this position. It gave her the advantage of appearing just a little bit taller.
“What can I do for you, Ms…Thompson, is it?” Sam grabbed the edge of the bench and leaned forward, giving Drew a straight shot down her flannel shirt. “I don’t think we’ve been properly introduced.”
