One hour later and Zin had gotten him the parts. Special delivery. He’d have to give her a raise.

So here he was, in the employee parking lot of Camp Firefly Falls, getting a wrench on Penny’s Charger and implementing his plan to show her how special she was.

The smell of engine grease combined with the scent of blooming pink bushes flooded his senses. He was urgently tinkering, thinking about how happy she would be when she found out what he’d done. Maybe she’d forgive him by showing her gratitude in a physical way.

“What are you doing?” Penny cried.

Diego jumped, banged his head on the open hood.

“Ow.” Shit. He’d been so lost in his fantasy of Penny showing her appreciation, he hadn’t heard her approach.

He rubbed the bump on the back of his head, smiled at her. “I wanted to apologize.”

“By sabotaging my car?”

What? “No, no. I’m fixing your problem.” He had grease on his fingers, so he didn’t want to get her dirty. Yet he was hyperconscious of the need to grab hold of her so she couldn’t run away.

“I’m perfectly capable of getting my own car fixed.” Penny crossed her arms defensively. She was dressed in her jeans shorts and a tank top with “Get My Dirt On” in script across her lovely breasts. “My local garage just shut down and I haven’t had a chance to find someone who works on old cars.”

“Classic. It’s not old, it’s classic.” Diego gripped his wrench, and asked what he’d been considering since he realized she drove a Charger. “Why this car?”

Because, it had occurred to him that this specific car was common, but not that common.

She flushed. “I liked the way it looked.”

“I used to have this exact model.”

“Is that so?” Penny said casually. “I guess you traded it for that crazy expensive impractical sports car.”

“Nope. I had to sell my Charger.” Diego grabbed a rag from the toolbox at his feet and rubbed the grease off his fingers. For a moment, he paused. The scent of engine grease, and motor oil, and lubricant swirled around him like a welcome memory. He patted her engine and remembered all the hours he’d spent getting his first car just right.

God, he’d loved that car. It had seen him through the first years of trying to find his way in business and given him the kernel of the idea that became Ramos Classic Auto Restoration.

A wide smile spread over his face.

She’d edged closer, peered under the hood of the car. “You seem awfully happy about having to sell your car.”

“Nope. It killed me to sell her.”

“But?”

“But the profits provided the seed money for Ramos Classic Auto Restoration.”

“That’s what you do?” She tried to disguise her interest. “Supply parts for classic cars?”

“That’s what we started out doing. A sort of eBay for classic auto parts.”

“Well, that still doesn’t explain why you’re working on my car.”

“I told you.” Diego eased the hood down gently, then patted the blue paint. “To apologize.”

“Most people just say ‘I’m sorry.’”

“I’m not most people.”

“Well, congrats to you.”

Was it wrong that the snotty tone kind of turned him on? Diego took a step toward her.

She stepped back, those gorgeous green eyes narrowed in suspicion. “What are you doing now?”

“Trying to get closer to you.”

“I don’t want you to get closer.” But her mouth trembled, and Penny bounced on her tiptoes as if she was getting ready to bolt.

“Don’t go.”

“Why?”

“Because you haven’t accepted my apology.”

“Fine. I accept. Bye.” She started to leave.

Dammit. He knew it couldn’t be easy.

Diego grabbed her wrist, stopped her. The bones beneath his fingers were delicate, feminine. “Penny.”

“What?” She faced toward the lodge, not looking at him. And the happiness he’d felt shimmered away.

He rubbed his thumb on her wrist. Saw her shiver. “I’m sorry.”

“What are you sorry about?” She still hadn’t turned around.

Diego held on to her wrist. She wasn’t moving, neither away or turning toward him. At this point, he’d consider that a victory. “You didn’t stay to hear what London and I agreed upon,” he said softly.

“So formal,” she mocked. “And I heard you. ‘Our company won’t give her any money.’”

“That’s because there isn’t going to be an our company.”

She whirled around breaking his light hold. “What?”

“I called off the merger.”

“But…I thought you needed it to achieve your goals.” Her eyes were wide, uncertain.

“My goals changed.”

“But—”

“I had to go to Boston this morning. The breakfast club had an interview.”

She blinked. “And you’re already back?”

“Helicopters are wicked efficient for short range travel.”

“I thought you’d left.” That soft hurt in her voice killed him.

“Not a chance.”

She hadn’t bolted away from him. She also hadn’t thrown herself into his arms and shown her undying gratitude.

Diego had to ramp it up. “I wasn’t happy.”

“That’s too bad.”

“I realized after talking to my friends that getting to billionaire status wasn’t what I needed.”

Penny stiffened, stared over his shoulder at what he was sure was a fascinating tree.

Diego curled a finger under her chin, lifted her head so she could meet his gaze. “Don’t you want to know what I need?”

“None of my business.” Now she tried to back away. “Have a good life, Diego. And be proud of all you’ve accomplished.”

“That sounds like goodbye.” Her hair fell around her face in loose waves. Diego wrapped a one of his clean fingers around the deep red lock. “And I don’t want you to go.”

Penny smiled, the shadow in her eyes sad. “I can’t imagine that we’ll run into each other.”

“Well I imagine that we’ll see each other regularly when you’re installing our garden.”

“Really?” Her smile blossomed over her face, lighting her up from the inside. “That’s great.”

But she still wasn’t coming closer. And then she shoved out her hand, practically poking him in the stomach, so he could…shake?

He took her palm gently in his. And she squeezed hard.

He hummed a little at the pressure on his bruised knuckles.

“Oh.” Penny let go, then ran her finger over his knuckles. “What happened?”

“I expressed my displeasure.”

“Hmm, well then, I guess I should be happy you aren’t displeased with me.”

“Far from it.”

He tried to ease closer but she stepped back, all business. “I’ve got a contract with me if you want to look it over before you commit.”

“Great.” The last thing he wanted to talk about was contracts. Damn, he wanted to kiss her. Wrap her up in his arms and never let her go.

But her body language made that impractical. Even if he felt like touching her, holding her was necessary to his continued survival and happiness, she wasn’t ready.

“Thank you, again.” She was so stiff, so formal. He hated it. The casual carefree Penny he’d gotten reacquainted with over the past few days was gone. In her place was a stranger.

He leaned forward and kissed her cheek. “Thank you.”

She practically jumped back. “Well, got to run.”

She never even asked what he needed. If she had, he would have told her that he knew exactly what he needed.

Her.

* * *

She’d gotten her first real client!

Elation bubbled through her like champagne. Not that she drank champagne. She was more of a beer girl.

She was going to do this. Her senior thesis project was going to become a reality. She couldn’t be happier.

Penny ran toward the lodge. She couldn’t wait to tell Meg. She rounded the corner, thinking she’d go in the back door to the industrial kitchen, and ran right into Jeffrey London.

“Oh, excuse me.” She bent her head, not wanting to interact with him. She shut down like she always had right after the scandal with her parents.

But he grabbed her arm, stopping Penny in her tracks. His grip so tight she was going to have bruises. “You bitch.”

“What?” Penny lifted her head. Gasped. Jeffrey London had a nasty purpling bruise along his jaw.

“First your family stole my mother’s money.”

So that’s why he was so angry. One of her parents’ victims.

“Then you destroyed my merger.”

“I’m guessing you destroyed it yourself.” Penny broke away from his hold. And this time she wasn’t going to back down. “Maybe if you’d take a break and enjoy nature, you’d be happier.”

“You aren’t worth my time.”

Weird. The words should hurt but she couldn’t get over that bruise. “Did Diego punch you?” She thought about his swelling knuckles.

London’s face turned an unhealthy shade of red. He stomped off without answering.

Just because Diego had called off their merger didn’t necessarily mean anything. He hadn’t defended her, he hadn’t stuck up for her. Even so, a curious seed of hope unfurled inside her.

* * *

Operation Success was a go. Diego was ready to wow Penny at the final camp retreat event.

All the CAR employees were here. Zin was set up on an elevated platform like a queen on a throne so she could survey the kitchen.

“Okay, everyone!” Zin yelled into her megaphone. “Time for the cook-off!”

She was far too damn happy. “Tone it down.”

“Can’t.” She grinned from her perch on the edge of the folding table. “I’m excited.”

“About what?” Diego groused.

“I always wanted a sister.”

“Zin, I’ve got a long way to go before Penny will be anything near sister status.”

She beamed. “You’ll pull it off. I have faith in you.”

“You’re the only one,” Raul muttered.

She cuffed him on the head.

Penny had just edged inside the door of the conference center’s industrial kitchen. He was reminded of the first night at the cocktail party. She was flushed, her hair in braids, wearing a short, floaty floral dress and old Converse, yet she still managed to look ethereal. But the expression on her face was indecipherable.

An unwelcome flutter took up in his stomach. Not the near-constant grinding of the last year. But something far more worrisome. What if she turned him down? What if he never got the chance to ask?

And what if he nutted up and put his plan in motion?

“Everyone remember to mark off the final squares on your bingo card tonight! We’ll be drawing names for prizes at breakfast tomorrow morning before we head home.”

The last official event was the cook off. He’d made sure that Penny was going to be here by requesting her presence through Tegan.

“I’ve got our teams.” Zin rattled off pairs of Diego’s employees and they grouped together at one end of the giant island.

London, Sherry and the rest of his employees were conspicuously absent. They’d left the camp not long after Diego had proclaimed the merger was dead.

“Diego and Penny.”

Penny jerked. Her gaze met his, but the hurt that he expected to see was masked with a bland, blank gaze. He had no idea what she was thinking right now. Protecting herself. From him.

He couldn’t remember the last time he’d been this nervous.

“Okay, everyone has ingredients in front of them. You’ve got thirty minutes to come up with the best camp burger ever. And…go!”

Penny took her time coming over to Diego. “So what’s your idea?”

For a minute, he thought she meant his plan to apologize and get her back. Or get her. Depending on your point of view.

“I’m hoping we can come up with a plan together.”

Penny avoided his gaze.

“I’m surprised you’re still here,” he couldn’t help but comment.

“I promised Michael Tully I’d stay.” Or I would be out of here was pretty much implied.

Ouch, damn. He deserved that.

“Okay.” He blew out a breath, focused. “What are your favorite toppings?” Fortunately he already knew. He’d begged for mercy from Meg and she’d given him a little insight into Penny’s favorites.

“Tomato.”

“One Pretty Penny Farms beefsteak coming up.” He placed the perfect tomato on the stainless steel counter.

She jerked.

“Butter lettuce.”

He pulled out a head of her lettuce and set it next to the tomato.

“Caramelized sweet onions.”

This one hadn’t come from her farm. But he set a Vidalia onion next to her produce.

She blinked, studied their prep area but didn’t say anything.

Next, he pulled out some adobo peppers.

“That didn’t come from my farm.” She raised an eyebrow.

“This is my contribution.” He pulled out a jar of mayonnaise and set it next to the peppers. “I’m not so good with a knife.” He handed the sharp chef’s knife to her.

“You sure you want to hand an angry woman a knife, mi hermano?”

“Shut up, Zin.” Diego rubbed his hands on his shirt. “Cut the onions while I form the patties?”

“Sure.” While she chopped, he got the rest of the ingredients ready to go. She finished quickly.

Now or never. He dumped the meat in a stainless bowl, then pinched some sea salt. “Salt of the earth. That’s you.”

She still hadn’t said much.

“Hold out your hand.”

She cocked her head. He cupped her palm beneath his and shook a bit of black pepper into her palm. “Spicy. That’s me.”

She just stared at him.

“Go ahead. Add it.”

Penny dumped the pepper into the bowl but her hand wobbled for just a moment. Which gave him hope. Because her expression sure didn’t.

The conversation swirled around them as his employees laughed and joked and had a great time.

She looked to be one step away from bolting.

“Fuck it.” Diego tossed the bowl to the counter. This elaborate ploy to apologize with clever analogies and practiced lines wasn’t going to work. It was easy to have a business plan but she needed passion and sincerity not a rehearsed proposal. As the bowl clanged on the counter, he took her hands. Around them the conversations halted. “I spent the last fifteen years saying the right thing, doing the right thing, and being cautious with every move.”

Diego grabbed Penny by the waist and lifted her onto the counter. She yelped and clutched at his hands. “What are you doing?” she hissed.

“Being myself.” He laughed. “Without rehearsal. But one thing remains the same.”

“What?”

“You deserve a public apology.”

“I don’t need one.”

“I think maybe you do.”

Now everyone was staring at him, at them. “I’m sorry I was an ass.”

“You mean you are an ass,” she shot back.

And everyone laughed.

“Maybe. But I’m an honest ass.” Diego stepped between her thighs. “I had this whole thing planned out. But that’s not who I want to be anymore.”

“Who do you want to be?”

He began to sweat. His stomach flipped, knowing this was his chance. And he couldn’t afford to blow it.

“I don’t want to be the guy who hurt you.” He wanted to be her hero.

Her face softened, and she blinked her green eyes. “Too late for that.”

“How about I won’t hurt you again?”

She shrugged, looked down, not meeting his gaze.

Diego bent his forehead to hers, focused intently on Penny, filtering out the rest of the room.

“I want to be the man who makes you happy,” he confessed softly. Because right now that was his goal. And he was fiercely goal oriented. He might have abandoned the plan, but the goal was still firmly rooted in place.

A glow of pleasure flushed her face and she ducked her head. “I doubt that’s all you want.”

He had to be honest. “No. I know you work hard at what you do. And I’d be bored waiting around while you work. Especially after working fifteen, sixteen hours a day for years.”

“Okay.” She wasn’t turning him down. “What else?”

What else? What else? What had made him happy in the last few days? What if he were free to do anything he wanted? His heart began to beat erratically.

“I want to spend more time working on cars,” Diego blurted out.

The dead silence began to dissipate. “What is he doing?” was the most common murmur. Followed by, “Holy shit, he’s quitting?”

“What about your merger?” Penny asked the question swirling in the growing furor.

“Yeah, well, that’s a no-go.” Diego lifted his gaze to encompass the entire crowd of his employees. “There will be no merger. I told Jeffrey London we don’t have a deal.”

A cheer went up from his employees.

“Did everyone think it was a bad idea but me?”

“You were blinded by achieving your goals,” Penny said. “There’s nothing wrong with having goals.”

“Unless you pair up with assholes.”

She threaded her fingers through his. “No argument from me.”

Shit. She could be talking about him. But he soldiered forward. “And unless you lose sight of your dreams.”

Penny smiled softly. “What are your dreams?”

“You.” He squeezed her fingers, his palms unusually sweaty as he waited for her reaction.

He could hear the female sighs in the room. But the only one he wanted to sigh was Penny.

“That’s really…sweet.”

Sweet? That did not sound promising. He bent his head to hers, wanting a bit of privacy. “How about sexy?” he growled in her ear.

“Sexy too,” she whispered back.

Diego wrapped his arms around her waist and bent in for a kiss to seal the deal.

“Stop!” Zin shoved something in between their bodies.

“What the hell, Zinnia?”

Zin waved the card in his face. “You’ve got to fill out your bingo card.”

“I don’t give a shit about bingo right now, Zin.”

But Penny giggled. Her laugh still sounded like the trill of the birds, and he wanted to spend an eternity listening to her.

“You like to win.” Zinnia stabbed her finger at the Free square in the center. Except it didn’t say Free any more.

It said Free Kiss. All the other squares were filled in.

Diego looked at Penny. “You forgive me?”

“Yes.”

“You willing to give us a try?”

“Yes.”

He shoved the card back at Zin. “I already won.”