Well-Oiled Mechanic

Chapter 1

Olivia

Two thousand miles, twenty fast-food stops, and about three gallons of coffee later, and there I was, standing on the side of the road without any place to go. My car, my reliable car, decided to crap out on me just outside Santa Fe, New Mexico. I’d traveled all the way from New York City, only stopping to eat, sleep, and use the bathroom. When I left the city, I didn’t know where I would end up. There wasn’t a destination in my mind, but still, I never imagined I would be stuck somewhere without cell service or a working vehicle.

Feeling helpless, I flopped down on the curb to wait—waiting felt like the only option. My car was too heavy to push, and the nearest town was five miles away. While I sat there, I tried to work up the nerve to start walking, but my legs felt weak from all my hours in the car. Just sitting on the curb caused tingles to vibrate through my shins. I sighed and looked up at the sky, silently wishing for help.

Not one minute later, help arrived. The sun was beginning to set; the air around me grew cool. I knew night was almost upon me, and just when I felt fear creep up my spine, a pair of headlights blinded me. I squinted and stood up quickly, watching the passing car slow to a stop. My nerves immediately took control, and I hesitated. What if this person was a rapist? A serial killer? My New Yorker instincts told me to hang back until I was sure it was safe.

“Hey there!” a female voice called. “Need some help?”

She rolled down the passenger side window and smiled at me from behind the wheel of her beat-up Subaru. Her eyes were kind, and her smile soothed my nerves.

“Actually, yes,” I said, taking a small step forward. “My car broke down, and I’m… well, I’m not from around here.”

“I figured.” She laughed. “Saw your New York plates.”

“Yeah.” I nodded. “I was thinking about walking the five miles back to… um… whatever that town was…”

“Nah,” she said. “No need. You’re almost to Santa Fe. There’s an auto shop about two miles up. Man who owns it can fix anything.”

“Really?” I felt hope blossom in my chest.

“Yup.” She nodded. “I can give you a lift up there. It’s on my way.”

I hesitated for just a second. My heart beat a little faster as I weighed the safety of this situation. This woman seemed kind, and she had already proved herself to be helpful. Still, I didn’t like the idea of getting in the car with a stranger. As I stood there, watching the sunset, I knew I didn’t have a choice.

“That would be great.” I smiled. “Thank you so much.”

“No worries,” she said, waving me over. “Hop in.”

I pulled open the passenger side door and climbed inside. She smiled and shot forward, driving me the two miles to the auto shop she promised. We made small talk as we drove, and I knew immediately she was just as sweet as she seemed. When we pulled up outside the shop, I worried it might be closed. The garage doors were already pulled down, and only one light was on inside.

“Are you sure they’re open?” I asked.

“Bradley’s always here,” she said with confidence. “If the door’s locked, just knock.”

I nodded and stepped out of the car. “Thank you for the lift.”

“Anytime!”

She waited until I was safely inside the shop before driving away. Nervously, I turned toward the front counter, walking forward. The entire office was neat as a pin, everything clean and orderly. As I looked around, I was surprised to see flowers set out on each table with brand new chairs lining every wall. There was a coffee machine in the far corner and a fridge full of bottled waters.

From the outside, the auto shop looked to be run down and home to a few lowlifes. Once inside, my opinion shifted drastically. Part of me wondered if the owner’s wife had something to do with the comfortable décor.

“What’s up?” a voice said, startling me. I jumped and whipped back around to face the counter. A man who hadn’t been there before was staring at me with wide-eyed expectation. “Whatcha need?”

I blinked. I wasn’t expecting someone to sneak up on me, let alone someone as handsome as this man. He was wearing an old, tattered T-shirt that was covered in grease. I could barely see his jeans from my side of the counter, but I could tell they were old and worn too. His cobalt eyes were locked on my face, and his sandy blond hair fell just above his eyes.

“Um,” I said, clearing my throat and trying not to stare at the tattoos peeking out from beneath his shirt sleeves. “My car broke down about two miles down the road. A woman dropped me off here. She said you might be able to help me.”

He nodded. “Two miles?”

“Yes,” I said. “It’s not far.”

“What kind of car?” he asked, already scribbling something on a piece of paper. He was all business.

“Jeep Cherokee,” I said.

“All right.” He nodded and looked up at me again. My heart stopped when those cobalt eyes hit mine. “I’ll have to pick it up and tow it back; then I’ll take a look.”

“Okay,” I said. “Well, I can ride with you to show you where it is.”

“No need,” he said, his voice clipped. “I can find it.”

“But I have the keys.”

My words made him smirk. He looked at me for a second before nodding slowly and gesturing toward the door. I followed him outside. He didn’t speak until we were inside the tow truck. I climbed up and held my purse in my lap, squeezing it to my body. My emotions were running wild, and I was desperate to keep them under control.

“I’m Brad Jones,” he said when he fired up the truck.

“Olivia Storm,” I said with a polite smile. He just nodded and focused his attention on the road.

I sighed and looked out the window, watching the road zip by us as we flew toward my car. I couldn’t believe I’d gotten myself into such a horrible situation. Not only was I stranded in New Mexico with very little money to my name but I no longer had a vehicle. A feeling of hopelessness settled over me as he sped down the road.

Brad was quiet, his eyes never leaving the road, not even for a second. When I first saw him back at the shop, I thought he was much older, maybe in his early forties. Now, as I studied his face, I saw he was young, much younger than I would have guessed. Probably only in his late twenties.

I was struck again by how attractive he was. His eyes were such a deep blue that I knew I could lose myself in them without even trying. His hair was blond with specks of gray already beginning to show. Despite his obvious youth, he looked hardened. Mature.

My eyes were drawn to his biceps, which were slightly flexed as he gripped the steering wheel. I saw his tattoos back at the shop, but I didn’t want to stare. Now I could see the outline of a bird poking out from beneath his T-shirt. It was a hawk, or maybe an eagle. I couldn’t tell without lifting his shirt sleeve, which was I tempted to do until he cleared his throat.

I jerked my head around, focusing my eyes on my shoes. The rest of the way to my car I kept my attention away from Brad. It was bad enough that I barely had any money and that my car was currently useless, the last thing I needed was to humiliate myself by staring wistfully at my mechanic.

We were almost to my car when my thoughts turned to my parents. I sighed deeply, making Brad frown and look my way. I ignored him, and soon he looked back at the road. My heart felt heavy as I wondered what my parents were doing right now. Were they worried about me? Or were they still angry with my decision to leave town?

I didn’t know the answers to my questions, but even after all my setbacks, I felt confident in my decision. It was bitter sweet to be away from New York. The city was my home, my safe place. Out here, alone in the world, I didn’t know where I would go or what I would do next. All I knew was that I was finally living my life. Really and truly living.

Chapter 2

Brad

It wasn’t as if I had plans, but it was a Friday night. The shop was almost closed when Olivia strolled through the doors, pulling my attention to her. She looked lost when she walked up to the counter, her eyes roaming freely around the lobby. I considered telling her to get lost. It was after five. The shop was closed, and I didn’t have the energy or patience to deal with some spoiled rich girl.

From the look of her shiny brown hair and perfectly tailored outfit, she had money and plenty of it. Her purse was designer. I didn’t know much about that sort of thing, but I damn well knew it was worth more than my monthly rent. Everything about her screamed wealth and privilege. She was exactly the sort of girl I avoided and yet, I couldn’t turn her away.

I found myself engaging her, agreeing to help her, and even allowing her to ride along in the tow truck. It didn’t take long for me to realize she was upset. Her green eyes were swimming with emotion as we drove toward her car. It wasn’t in me to ask her about it, so I just drove along in silence. When we finally reached her car, I saw that it wasn’t just Jeep Cherokee like she’d said. It was a brand-new Jeep Cherokee. I fought the urge to roll my eyes as I jumped out of the truck and walked over.

Olivia hopped out after me, following me over to the Jeep. I motioned for the keys, which she tossed my way. I popped the hood and took a quick look. It wasn’t protocol to evaluate a vehicle on the side of the road, but I was hoping it would be an easy fix, something I could do right there and send her on her way. Much to my dismay, it wasn’t an easy fix.

“I’ll have to tow it back,” I said.

“All right,” Olivia said with a nod. “I’ll grab my things.”

She grabbed two bags out of the backseat. They were designer as well and matched her purse. The only good thing about this girl, other than her curves and tight ass, was that I knew I’d get a good payday off her.

“Listen,” I said as I cranked the Jeep up and latched it onto to the tow truck. “It’ll cost extra to look at the Jeep tonight. It’s after hours. I can wait until Monday or…”

“That’s fine,” she said. “Monday works.”

Her words surprised me. I frowned and studied her face. She just blinked back at me, those brilliant green eyes locked on mine. I cleared my throat and nodded, still surprised by her answer.

I expected her to hand over her daddy’s credit card without a second thought. She didn’t strike me as the type of girl to hang around on the outskirts of Santa Fe unless she had to.

She surprised me even more as we climbed back into the tow truck and drove toward the shop. With the Jeep attached, I had to drive slower, and my patience was already wearing thin. I was desperate just to get home and out of my crappy work clothes. It had been a long day and Friday nights were always my favorite. I could kick back with a beer and some food, not having to stress about work for two full days.

Olivia Storm changed that with her presence. As we drove, I tried to hold on to my annoyance, but my eyes kept glancing over at her, admiring her petite form and strong features. She looked young, maybe twenty-one or twenty-two, but her eyes were darkened from experience. When I looked at them, she suddenly seemed older, more mature. It was as if she’d felt things only people twice her age had ever felt. I instantly felt connected to her, and it was hard to tear my eyes away from her.

“Do you know any cheap hotels in the area?” she asked, a slight hitch in her voice.

“Cheap hotels?” I asked, confused.

“If you can’t look at the car until Monday, I’ll need somewhere to stay,” she explained. “And maybe a cheap restaurant as well. Just somewhere to grab a quick bite before it gets too late.”

I frowned. Why would she need somewhere cheap? She obviously had money. Why else would she drive a brand-new Jeep Cherokee and tote around designer luggage? It didn’t make sense, but I wasn’t the type to pry.

“I know a place,” I said. “It’s not far from the shop. I can give you a lift after I unhitch your car.”

“I don’t think I could pay you for…” she began, but I just shook my head to silence her.

“No charge,” I said. “It’s on my way home.”

She nodded. “Thank you. I appreciate it.”

We pulled up to the shop, and I backed the Jeep up to the garage doors. Jumping out, I slid open the garage and then hopped back behind the wheel of my truck. I backed the Jeep into the garage and climbed out to unhitch it. The whole time, Olivia stayed sitting in the cab of my truck, just staring out the windshield as if she could see into the future.

I found myself wanting to ask her questions, to find out more about her. It was strange. Most women I spent time with didn’t inspire me to ask them anything more than their name. Olivia was different. She wasn’t like the other girls who waltzed into my shop. Those girls pulled their windshield wipers off just for an excuse to see me. They hung around until closing time, wearing revealing tops and shorts that showed off their ass cheeks. They wanted me, and I wanted a quick fuck. It worked out for all parties.

With Olivia, I felt something new stir inside me. Her clothes were tight and fitted but also modest. They didn’t show an inch of skin she didn’t want seen. I could tell her body was insane beneath those clothes, tight and sexy as hell, but there was enough mystery to keep me interested. And interested I most certainly was.

“I just have to grab something,” Olivia said, jumping out of the truck and hurrying toward her Jeep. She pulled open the door and grabbed a bag full of art supplies. She zipped it up and swung it over her shoulder as she jumped back in the truck.

She was an artist. I smiled to myself at the thought. We both worked with our hands, what would that mean for us in the bedroom? Shaking myself, I walked over to my truck and jumped inside.

Olivia was a customer, that was it. She was hot and intriguing, but it wasn’t like I couldn’t get action elsewhere. I didn’t need to waste my time on someone who wouldn’t hang around longer than it took to get her car fixed.

“Where is this hotel?” Olivia asked.

“About a mile up the road,” I said. “It’s not far. You could easily walk to the shop from there.”

“Perfect,” she said. “And it’s not too expensive?”

I shook my head. “Nope. There are a few places to eat right around there too. A diner and waffle place.”

She nodded and smiled her thanks while we drove. As we got closer to the hotel, I stirred with discomfort. I still couldn’t tear my eyes away from her for longer than five seconds at a time. I didn’t want to drop her off and not see her again until Monday. Plus, I was still curious as to why someone with her level of wealth was slumming it in a rundown hotel on the outskirts of Santa Fe.

“There are some nicer restaurants further into town,” I said, surprising even myself. “If you wanted, I could swing by and pick you up. We can grab some dinner, my treat.”

“Um…” She frowned deeply, searching for an answer.

“You need to eat,” I said, shrugging. “I can’t look at the Jeep until Monday. The least I can do is feed you something edible.”

I pulled up to the hotel and parked. She was still frowning thoughtfully. When she turned to face me, I was sure she would say no.

“Sure,” she said. “That would be great.”

“All right.” I nodded. “Be back in an hour?”

She smiled and jumped out of the truck. Pulling her bags along with her, she made her way slowly toward the front desk. I watched her go, my eyes trailing over her hips and ass. She was sexy as fuck, and there was no denying it. Money or not, rich or not, this girl was captivating.

Chapter 3

Olivia

With the hotel key in my hand, I drug my bags up three flights of stairs to my room. It was the kind of hotel with only outside entrances to the rooms. My mother always turned her nose up at places like this, and I didn’t blame her. I felt exposed as I stuck the key in the door and pushed it open. I stepped inside and tossed my bags on the bed, quickly locking the door behind me.

As I looked around the room, I forced myself to see the bright side. The room was big and spacious. It looked clean and not too run down. I smiled to myself when I made it to the bathroom and found it stain free. The scent of cleaning surprised hit my nose. My first impression of this hotel was bad, but now I was simply grateful to have a place to sleep for the next few nights.

I sighed and fell back on the bed, staring up at the ceiling and thinking about Brad. He seemed nice enough, but there was something about him that made my stomach churn with discomfort. His body language was tense and distant as if he was constantly thinking something he didn’t say. I knew my parents would flip out if they knew I was going to dinner with a man I only just met. It wasn’t my typical behavior, but I was intrigued by Brad Jones, more intrigued than I’d be by anyone in a long time.

Plus, it couldn’t hurt to be in his good graces. On Monday morning, he would look at my car and give me an estimate. His estimate might be more lenient if we spent some time together and he got to know me a little bit. Sighing again, I pushed myself up to change for dinner. I’d been wearing this same outfit for almost two days, and I felt disgusting.

I popped in the shower, washing everything but my hair, and then hurried back to the bedroom where I got dressed and slid on my shoes. Brad said he’d be back in an hour and I didn’t want to keep him waiting. With my purse in hand, I slipped out of the room and hurried down stairs to wait in the parking lot.

Out there, I felt even more exposed. I wrapped my arms around my body and shivered. The night air was cooling off fast, and I realized I should have brought a sweater. Glancing around, I didn’t see Brad’s truck anywhere in the parking lot. I thought about running upstairs to grab a jacket when I heard a loud engine rumbling from my right. I turned to see the familiar tow truck pulling up, Brad’s arm dangling out of the driver’s side window.

When I saw him, I smiled. I didn’t know why, but the sight of him filled me with warmth. Part of me had been wondering if he was going to show up at all. It wouldn’t have surprised me if he blew me off. We only just met and it was a Friday night, after all. Still, seeing his familiar face in the midst of all this craziness made me relax. As I climbed up in his truck, he smiled at me kindly, and I was immediately taken aback by his appearance.

Gone were the tatters and grease stains. The shirt he wore was a button up that fit him just right. His jeans were spotless and dark in color. I smiled wider when my eyes fell once again on his face. He’s obviously taken a shower. I could smell the scent of his soap the second I opened the truck door. It was intoxicating but not more so than the sight of his clean face smiling at me, those blue eyes boring a hole in me.

“Hello again,” he said.

“Hi,” I said, my voice weak. “Thanks again for doing this.”

“Of course,” he said with a shrug. “What was I going to do, let you starve?”

“I wouldn’t starve.” I laugh. “I’ve been fending for myself for a while now.”

“Yes, but you’re without a car.” He reminded me.

I sighed. “I know. That pretty much sucks.”

He laughed, and the sound was like tingling metal. It filled my ears and brought yet another smile to my face. I never expected a man as rough and strong as Brad to have such a gentle, alluring laugh.

We left the hotel parking lot, and Brad drove us toward town. I expected to stop at one of the diners we passed, but he kept driving until we were almost to Santa Fe. Frowning, my New Yorker instincts kicked into overdrive. Suddenly, I regretted my decision. Just because Brad was my mechanic and incredibly attractive, I decided to go to dinner with him? What if he was a psycho killer? What was I thinking?

I could already hear my mom’s voice in my head: “Olivia Linette Storm, what are you doing? Did I not teach you better than that? You’re going to killed, and there’s nothing I can do to stop it. You made this mess, now lie in it.”

Just when my imagination was getting the best of me, Brad flicked on his blinker and pulled into a parking lot. The restaurant he chose was much nicer than anything I expected. He said it was his treat, but I’d secretly assumed I would pay for myself. This place was clearly out of my price range.

“Um…” I said nervously, glancing up at the dark building with a worried look in my eyes. “I don’t think I can afford this place.”

“I told you, it’s on me,” Brad said simply.

“I know, but…” He was already shaking his head.

“Look,” he said. “I feel bad that you’re stuck here all alone without a working car until Monday at the earliest.”

“So this is a pity dinner?” I asked, raising my eyebrows.

“Exactly.” He grinned to let me know he was joking. I laughed and shook my head.

“Fine,” I said. “If you insist.”

“I do,” he said.

“Just so you know,” I said, climbing out of the truck and following him toward the front doors. “I would have been happy with McDonald’s.”

“You are not how you seem,” Brad said thoughtfully.

“How so?” I asked.

“I just figured you would be…” he trailed off, waving his hand and searching for the right words.

“High maintenance?” I asked.

“Well, yeah.” He nodded.

I laughed. “Then I guess, no, I’m not at all how I seem.”

Brad looked at me with a mixture of surprise and admiration as he held open the door for me. I stepped inside, and we walked together to the hostess stand. She smiled and welcomed up kindly, quickly leading us to a table for two at the back of the restaurant.

We sat down, and while the place wasn’t five-star, it definitely wasn’t casual. My discomfort quickly faded as Brad and I fell into an easy conversation. We steered clear of anything serious, sticking only to the superficial things about ourselves. It wasn’t how I normally did things. When I dated I liked to dive right into the good stuff. To me, that was the best way to get know a person.

With Brad, I felt differently. He wasn’t someone I planned to date. Our connection was obvious and instant. His body called out to me in a way no one else ever had and those eyes… God, I could have stared at his eyes for hours without once growing bored. When our feet accidentally brushed each other beneath the table, I felt a shot of electricity run up my body. From the look in his eyes, he felt it too.

We obviously found each other attractive. The entire night I caught myself gazing at his muscular physique, and occasionally his eyes traveled to my breasts. He would clear his throat, his face flushed slightly and then look away quickly. I could feel the heat between us beginning to rise, and by the time we were served dessert, I was ready to have him for my next meal.

My heart was pounding in my chest as I slipped my foot closer to his. This time, when we touched, I didn’t pull away, and neither did he. Our feet touched gently, and our eyes met. Sparks flew between us and in that moment, I wanted nothing more than to get this man back to my hotel room.

The logical part of my brain told me to control myself. I didn’t know this man. After my Jeep was fixed, I would probably never see him again. Still, as our eyes stayed lock on each other, desire formed in my stomach. It burned red hot, working its way down to pool between my thighs.

I swallowed hard and kept staring at him. We tried to keep talking, but neither of us had the energy. Our focus was on each other, our bodies, our needs.

It wasn’t like me to sleep with a man I didn’t know but what was the harm? Wasn’t everyone entitled to a one-night stand? To a night of abandon, a night full of nothing more than animalistic desire?

Chapter 4

Brad

Olivia’s foot rubbed against mine, and I sucked in a breath of air. My heart stopped in my chest, and for a split second, the entire world seemed to slow. I stared at her green eyes from across the table, searching for some sign of her intention. Our attraction for one another was undeniable. I couldn’t look at her without imagining what it would feel like to kiss those plump lips or run my hands up her tight-fitting shirt.

Against my will, my eyes darted to her chest. She was wearing a low-cut blouse that revealed just enough cleavage to keep me interested. The shirt was a pale brown color that made her eyes look like emeralds. When I first saw her wearing that outfit, she was standing in the hotel parking lot. I pulled in and felt my jeans grow tight around my dick. I told myself to get it together. This woman was a client and nothing more.

Still, as dinner progressed, I found myself lost in her eyes and her words. I watched her lips while she spoke, soaking in every word. She wasn’t just sexy. She was intelligent. She admitted to having a degree from the University of New York, and everything she said contained a cool confidence I wasn’t used to. Most women I spent time with wanted one thing and one thing only. Olivia was different. She required more thought, more effort.

When her foot touched mine, I felt a shot of electricity shoot up my leg and land in my groin. My dick twitched, and I cleared my throat. I thought about moving my foot, just to keep the line firmly drawn between us, but I couldn’t. It was like the damn thing was fused to hers, unable to move even if I wanted it to. What the hell was wrong with me? Why couldn’t I control myself around this woman?

“So,” she said after taking a small bite of her dessert. It was a scoop of chocolate ice cream served over a brownie. She sucked the spoon dry, her tongue darting out of her mouth just enough to make my flush with desire. “Other than working at the shop, what do you do?”

“I own the shop,” I said, my tone casual. “And honestly, I don’t have much time for anything else. Work keeps me pretty busy.”

“I can imagine,” she said. Her words were light, but the air between us was anything but.

“What about you?” I asked. “I saw your art supplies in the Jeep.”

“Yeah.” She nodded. “I paint. It’s just a hobby, really.”

She looked down at her hands. When I followed her gaze, I noticed they were stained with different colors. She obviously painted often for her skin to maintain that hue of various colors. It was clear from the look on her face that painting was much more than a hobby. I wanted to ask her more, to delve further into her psyche, but I stopped myself.

This wasn’t about that. We weren’t here to get to know each other. This was just dinner with a stranger. I was being nice. She didn’t have much money or a working vehicle. It was only right for me to take her dinner. It didn’t mean we had to open ourselves to each other.

“I tried to make it a career,” she said softly. “But that’s not really something you do in my family.”

“Oh?” I was surprised she’d offered even this small bit of information.

“No.” She shook her head. “My parents are more practical.”

“I see,” I said.

My head was spinning. I thought about sharing something about my own past, about my parents. It would have felt nice to tell Olivia about my mom bailing or my dad being a deadbeat, but her foot was still rubbing against my leg, and I couldn’t think straight. My entire body felt hot with desire, and the longer I stared at her, the harder my cock became.

She ate her dessert so slowly that it was almost unfair. The way her tongue circled around her spoon, sucking off every last ounce of chocolate, made me imagine how she would look using that tongue for other things. I could already see her lips wrapped around my hard, throbbing cock. Her tongue circling me like it was that spoon…

Fuck. I couldn’t stop thinking about getting her naked. Despite the number of women who flocked to my auto shop, I hadn’t slept with a woman I was genuinely attracted to in a long time. There was a time when I would go out to bars almost every night, prowling for a girl to take home with me. Back then I believed a good fuck was all I needed to forget about my problems. Now I knew better.

Sex was great, and it was even better when the woman looked like Olivia but I’d long since given up searching for it. If a woman came to me, then great. If not, I had other things to do. My business was my focus. I spent a long time getting it off the ground and making it a success. I couldn’t risk losing focus. If my shop failed, I would be left with nothing.

I knew sleeping with a customer wasn’t smart. If word got out that I fucked Olivia while her Jeep was locked away in my garage, my business would suffer. Casual sex wasn’t something new to this town, but people around here still had morals. Separating work from pleasure was important. If somehow I did sleep with Olivia, I knew I couldn’t ever let that get out.

As I watched her suck on that spoon, still playing footsies with me beneath the table, I became eager to leave the restaurant. I waved the waitress over and asked for the check. She handed it to me, and I slid my credit card in the fold. She took it back and smiled, bouncing away. When I turned back to face Olivia, she was staring right at me with a fire behind her eyes.

When she first came into my shop, I thought Olivia was a sheltered city girl—someone with money and popularity that shielded her from the struggles of hard work and adversity. Now, after having dinner with her, I knew I was wrong. This woman had obviously faced a few hardships in her life. She wasn’t naïve or innocent like I once believed. As that fire burned hotter behind her eyes, I couldn’t help but wonder what it would feel like to bury myself between her long legs.

The waitress brought my credit card back, and we left. I opened the truck door for Olivia, checking out her ass as she climbed inside. The drive back to her hotel was slow and torturous. Neither of us talked much, having exhausted all small talk options at the restaurant. I could feel Olivia’s eyes flicker to my face every few seconds and I knew she was thinking the same thing as me.

I pulled the truck into the parking lot and turned to face Olivia.

“Which one is yours?”

“402,” she said, pointing straight ahead.

I nodded and found a parking spot just below her room. She turned to face me, opening her mouth like she was ready to say goodbye. I knew I could let her. I could just smile, and she would get out of the truck. She would disappear into her hotel room, and I wouldn’t see her again until Monday morning. Part of me knew that was the best way to handle this situation but a bigger part told me I was being an idiot. This woman was clearly hot for me. Was I really going to let her walk away?

“I’ll walk you up,” I said.

She smiled and nodded, climbing out of the truck and waiting for me to join her. We walked up the stairs, and I let her go ahead of me. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from her tight ass. My cock pressed against my jeans and I groaned softly, imaging how her ass would look while I took her from behind.

“Well,” she said when we reached her room. “Thank you again for dinner. That was very kind of you.”

“It was nothing,” I said.

My eyes flicked down to her lips and then back up to her eyes. She was staring at me in a way that told me I’d be a fucking moron not to kiss her. I took a step forward and leaned down slowly. I saw her eyes fill with that same fire from before, and when my lips met hers, she moaned softly into my mouth.

I wrapped my arms around her waist and yanked her body roughly against mine. She moaned again, tangling her fingers in my hair and kissing me back with abandon.

Chapter 5

Olivia

Brad’s lips collided with mine and I forgot how to breathe. We spent the entire night flirting and dancing around our desires, but I never expected him to be so forward. Rubbing feet beneath the table was one thing; actually kissing was something else entirely. When I moaned against his lips, he took that as an invitation. His arms wrapped around my waist and pulled me forward, pressing me roughly against his body.

I could feel the outline of his muscles beneath his shirt, and I moaned again, tangling my fingers in his hair and letting myself come undone. Brad was the type of kisser who could unarm anyone’s defenses. He took control and made me forget where I was. His lips were soft, yet firm as they moved against mine. When his tongue begged for entry, I lost all hope of resisting. My body took over, and I felt desire pool between my legs.

His lips worked furiously over mine while his hands groped at my ass. He squeezed me and kissed hard, leaving me breathless. When those same lips traveled down to my neck, I gasped and held on to him for dear life. It didn’t matter that we were standing outside my hotel room or that someone could see us at any moment. The only thing that mattered was the feel of his body against mine.

I knew I would slow things down, but I didn’t want to. I wanted him to take me right there. As his lips claimed mine again, I searched frantically for my key. It was tucked away in my back pocket, and when I found it, my hands were trembling.

“Let me,” Brad said, his voice low and husky. The sound sent shivers down my spine.

He took the key from me and slid it in the door with expert precision. The door swung open, and in an instant, Brad was on me again, his hands on my ass and his tongue in my mouth. My entire body melted into him. For the first time in my life, I stopped thinking. I turned off my brain and let my desire take control.

The door slammed shut behind us, and I threw my purse to the ground, running my hands down Brad’s back. His muscles were so prominent that I longed to get him naked. Moving my hands to his chest, I unbuttoned his shirt with furious speed. I shoved it off his shoulders. It fell in a pile on the floor. My hands roamed over his chest, feeling his pecks and moaning against his mouth. I’d never felt that with a man as fit as Brad. It made my body shiver with excitement.

When I moved my hands lower, running my fingertips over his abs, he growled against my lips and squeezed my ass. He lifted me easily. I wrapped my legs around his waist, feeling his dick press against me. Our kiss was insane, our lips barreling against each other with wild, desperate abandon.

He backed me up, pressing my body against the wall. His lips moved down to my neck, nibbling my skin and making me gasp. I was soon breathless as he kissed his way to my breasts. My shirt was low-cut, so he shoved it to the side and attached me with ruthless force. I ran my fingers through his hair, panting and writhing with desire.

When he moved us toward the bed, I was ready for anything. He threw me backward, making me bounce slightly. I grinned at him while his eyes traveled over my body. He looked hungry, and I loved that look in his eyes. He unbuttoned his pants and slid them off, pulling his boxers down with them. The sight of his huge cock bursting free was enough to make me moan.

He growled again and crawled over me. His hands moved first to my jeans. He looked at me questioningly as his fingers stopped over the button. I nodded, and he ripped them from my body, throwing them and my panties to the floor. Lifting me easily, he removed my shirt, sliding his hands around my back to unhook my bra. When he let me fall back against the bed, I was fully naked and ready for him.

His eyes raked over me and then his lips were on mine, kissing me like he’d never stop. I wrapped one leg around him and pulled his cock right against me, grinding my hips against his. He groaned and threw my leg off, his hand searching for my pussy.

When he slid his fingers over my clit, I cried out and arched my back. Our lips fell away from each other while he slid down to attach to my nipples. He bit and licked me, rubbing my clit with fury. I felt like my body was on fire as he took control of my pleasure. I’d never been with a man who was as strong and intense as Brad. He didn’t wait for my blessing. He didn’t move slowly, he just took me, overwhelming me with a blind pleasure I’d never felt before.

“Oh my God,” I moaned softly. Brad shoved one finger inside me, and I cried out again, gasping and breathing heavily.

He fucked me with his finger, moving hard and fast. I’d only slept with a few men, but none like Brad. I knew he would take me for the ride of my life.

I felt myself growing closer and closer, my body writhing and shaking. He pulled back to watch me, our eyes locking together. His darkened as he watched me shake.

“Come for me,” he demanded. “Come for me, Olivia.”

The order was enough to send my body flying over the edge, but the command in his voice was more than I could take. He fucked me so hard and so fast that my eyes rolled back in my head, and I grabbed on to the bed spread for stability.

“Yes…” I moaned. “Oh God, yes. Oh! Fuck!”

I came hard and fast, shooting upward, my hips slamming against his hand. Pleasure rocked through me, making my head spin and my body shake. Brad didn’t wait for me to finish. He pulled his hand away from my pussy and dove for his jeans. Grabbing a condom out of his pocket, his tore the wrapper off and threw it to the ground. While waves of pleasure were still cascading through me, Brad threw my legs apart and yanked me toward him.

He was rough with me, but I never once felt threatened. This was everything I’d always wanted—a man to take control and fuck me into oblivion.

When he was poised at my entrance, our eyes met again, and he waited a fraction of a second. When he knew I was ready, he slammed into me with force. I arched my back and gasped with renewed desire, my hips lifting to meet his.

He rammed himself into me, his cock filling me completely. I could still feel the after effects of my orgasm, and with each thrust, he threw me closer to the edge all over again. While he took me, his reached down to pinch my nipples in between his fingers. His eyes ravished my body, taking in the sight of my tits bouncing and my hips thrusting against his.

In one motion, he lifted me up and pulled my body against his. I was sitting on his dick. He was perched on his heels. I couldn’t believe his strength. He continued to thrust upward while I rode him. Our rhythm was instant and perfect, our bodies perfectly in sync.

I threw my head back and let the sensation take me over. His teeth attacked my skin, biting my neck and my tits, sucking my nipples between his lips while I held on to his shoulders for dear life. My eyes rolled, and I dug my nails into his skin hard enough to draw blood. Just when I thought it couldn’t get any better, he threw my back down on the bed. This time, his body pressed against mine.

He grabbed my leg, hiking it up and pounding into me. I felt sweat pouring over my body and I shaking beneath him. I couldn’t think. I could barely breathe. Pleasure and desire ran through me, and when I came again, it was so intense I felt tears form behind my eyes.

“Fuck,” he growled, feeling my pussy collapse around his cock.

“Holy shit,” I moaned. “God yes…”

He came right after me, thrusting forward and grunting loudly. His dick throbbed and jerked inside me, dragging out my own pleasure. His body trembled above mine, his hands digging into my sides. We held on to each other for what felt like hours, just feeling every single wave of ecstasy that rocked through us.

Chapter 6

Olivia

I woke the next morning with a soreness between my legs and a smile on my face. As I rolled over, my eyes slowly opened. Sunlight was streaming in through the curtains, and I squinted against its brightness. When I could finally look around, I saw that Brad was nowhere in sight. After we had sex the night before, I passed out almost immediately. He took me in a way that left me trembling and exhausted. It was amazing, incredible, and earth-shattering.

Part of me was disappointed to find him gone that next morning but I wasn’t surprised. He didn’t so much as leave a note but really, what did I expect? Hadn’t I already thought of this as a one-night stand even before we slept together? It wasn’t a bad thing that he was gone. Besides, I knew I would see him again on Monday morning when I went back to the shop to find out the prognosis on my Jeep.

Instead of dwelling on his absence, I decided to spend the day exploring. Even without a car, I could find something to do. Pushing myself out of bed, I grabbed a quick shower and then dressed in a pair of yoga pants and a comfortable T-shirt. I tied my wet hair back in a braid and slid on my tennis shoes. Once I was ready, I left my hotel room in search of something to see.

I found a little diner just down the road. There, I ate a quick and cheap breakfast before I continued my walk. Along the road, there wasn’t anything special, so I decided to venture out further. I wandered through a line of trees until I found a large clearing filled with dry dirt and cacti. I looked around with a smile on my face. Here in New Mexico, I knew I was surrounded by desert, but the trees had thrown me. I didn’t expect to see anything so barren so soon.

I smiled and took in the sights, taking a sip of the water bottle I’d bought at the diner. This was exactly the sort of thing I wanted to discover. Living in New York City prevented me from exploring the world. Sure, Central Park was great, but it wasn’t exactly nature. Surrounded by skyscrapers and city life, I never truly felt like I was part of the real world. In New Mexico, it was different.

I walked slowly, taking care not to wander too far from the road. My eyes roamed freely, taking in the cacti and different creatures. I saw a few snakes and steered clear of them. I made mental notes, promising myself I would paint this scene the second I returned to my hotel. My chest swelled as I sat down to take a rest, still smiling and feeling happier than I’d felt in years.

Despite my Jeep’s demise, this road trip had been everything I wanted. I’d stopped at various places, making sure to take a few hikes and see some nature. The interstates weren’t exotic or exciting, but sometimes, if I searched, I could find a stretch of land that took my breath away. It was sights like this desert plain that inspired me to keep going. I left New York hoping to see the world, and now that I had, I had no regrets.

It was hard to tell my parents I was leaving. They weren’t supportive or encouraging. To them, I’d already thrown my life away by pursuing a liberal arts degree. It was their hope that I would go back to school and study something practical: business or law. Neither of those sparked my interest, but because it was important to my parents, I considered it. I thought about what they wanted for me, and I weighed my options.

I told them I’d think about it, but first, I wanted to explore the world. My wanderlust was out of control, and I was desperate to see the world. When I pitched my idea for this road trip, they said no. They were determined to keep me in the city, to forbid me from leaving. I didn’t listen. I left anyway, and their anger was swift and intense. We hadn’t spoken much since I left but they called every few days to check on me.

It wasn’t much, but at least they cared enough to do that. Still, each time we spoke, my mother found a way to express her disgust for my life choices. She stressed that painting was a hobby and nothing more. She insisted my wanderlust was simply immaturity, and she berated me about coming home to start my “real life.”

It was frustrating, but this trip was worth it. Seeing the things I’d seen, painting the things I’d painted, it was enough to make my parents anger worthwhile.

As I sat in that clearing, sweating bullets and running through my water, I wondered what my mom would say if she saw me now. Would she yell at me for being so impractical or would she enjoy this view as much as I did? Deep down, I knew the answer, but I still hoped that one day, she would come around.

I made my way back to my hotel room, eager to paint the scene that was still fresh in my mind’s eyes. As I walked, I heard a sharp buzzing coming from my back. I dug out my phone and saw my mother’s face flashing across the screen. With a deep breath, I pressed accept and held the phone to my ear.

“Hi, Mom,” I said.

“Olivia, where are you now?” she said.

“Just outside of Santa Fe, New Mexico,” I told her.

“You haven’t much progress since we last spoke,” she said, disapproval in her voice.

“Well, I stopped to paint a few things,” I said.

“Of course,” she sighed. “When are you going to abandon that ridiculous hobby, Olivia?”

“Mom, it’s my passion.”

“Passions come and go,” she said. “You can’t build your life around them.”

“Some people do,” I argued.

“Some people,” she said. “Not us.”

“Listen,” I said, wanting to change the subject. “I’ll be stuck here for a few days. My Jeep broke down, and the auto shop can’t look at it until Monday morning.”

“What?” she asked. “What happened?!”

“I don’t know yet,” I said, keeping my voice level. “The mechanic said he’d look at it first thing Monday morning. Then we’ll go from there.”

“We aren’t paying for that, Olivia.” Her voice was cold and harsh. “You chose to disobey us by embarking on this little adventure of yours. Don’t think for one second that we’re going to bail you out of this mess.”

“I didn't think you would,” I said, though I had intended on putting the repairs on my emergency credit card.

“Then how exactly were you planning to pay for it?” she demanded. “Last I checked, you barely had enough money for gas and food.”

“I’ll figure something out,” I said softly.

“What, Olivia?” she said. “What are you going to figure out? How to grow money?”

“Mom, I can handle it,” I said. My voice was louder than I intended but I didn’t care. She was starting to piss me off.

“This is exactly why we didn’t want you to go,” she said. “You aren’t mature enough to handle this. You aren’t responsible. You’re just a spoiled little girl who doesn’t know the first thing about making it on her own. If you had listened to us, you wouldn’t be in this situation.”

“I’ll be fine.” I snapped. “I don’t need your money or anything else.”

“Your naïveté is going to be the death of you,” she said.

“Look,” I said. “I have to go. I’ll talk to you another time, Mom.”

“Olivia—” she began.

“Bye.”

I hung up the phone, feeling anger welling inside my chest. Talking to my mom was never a pleasant experience, but her insults were unforgivable. Not only was she leaving me stranded in a strange place, she was berating me for being a spoiled little idiot, which I was not.

I sighed and threw my phone in my bag, stomping toward my hotel. When I made it back to my room, I tossed my bag to the ground and fell back on the bed. I was hot and sweaty from my walk, and my anger didn’t help things.

My mother’s voice was still echoing in my head, “You aren’t mature enough. You aren’t responsible. You’re a spoiled little girl…”

These words and more ran through my mind, making my head spin and my stomach churned. I hated her for saying them, but I mostly hated myself for believing them. Until our conversation, I had planned on using my parent's credit card to pay for my Jeep’s repairs. Now I knew that wasn’t an option. That only problem, I didn’t have enough money to pay for it myself.

As I stared up at the ceiling, I knew I was fucked.

Chapter 7

Brad

Monday morning arrived, and I flew out of bed before my alarm even sounded. I hadn’t been able to get Olivia out of my head since Friday night. She was by far the best fuck I’d had in a long time. I spent the entire weekend replaying that night in my mind, remembering every detail of her sexy body. She was intoxicating, and I was desperate to see her again, to be with her one more time before she left town.

When I made it to the shop that morning, Rex was already there. He’d come in early and was tucked beneath Olivia’s Jeep. I kicked his foot to get his attention. He slid out to look up at me, wiping his greasy hands on his rag and sitting up with a groan.

“You’re here early,” he said. “Bad weekend?”

“Just eager to get to work,” I said. “You?”

Rex shrugged and rolled his eyes. “The wife was a terror. She handed me a list of chores on Saturday morning and didn’t let me sit down until they were done. I swear, sometimes I think she’s trying to kill me.”

“Or she’s just trying to get some help,” I said with a grin. “Maybe if you got off your lazy ass from time to time, she wouldn’t have to.”

“Fuck off,” Rex said. “Talk to me when you’re married.”

“Never happening,” I said simply. “We both know I’m not the type.”

“Maybe one day,” Rex said with another shrug.

We both knew that wouldn’t happen. Ever since I got out of prison, my life had been all about me. I found a way to open this shop and threw myself into work. I barely had time to find the occasion release, let alone a lasting relationship. Still, as Rex spoke, my mind turned to thoughts of Olivia again. I knew she wouldn’t turn into a lasting relationship, but maybe I’d get a few more nights of fun from her.

Rex hopped to his feet and slapped my shoulder knowingly. He walked over to the hood of the Jeep and waved me over. I followed and looked down where he was pointing.

“See that?” he asked.

“Yup,” I said with a soft groan. Olivia’s Jeep was new, but she’d already worn it down. It wouldn’t be easy to get it up and running again.

“It’s a pretty difficult fix,” he said. “We can do it, obviously, but it’ll take a few days. Whose is this anyway?”

“Girl from out of town,” I said. “She broke down two miles down the road on Friday night. Someone gave her a lift here, and I towed the Jeep.”

“Yeah, I saw the New York plates,” Rex said, rolling his eyes.

I smiled and shook my head. Rex’s first impression of Olivia was the same as mine, and he hadn’t yet met her. He and I were a lot alike. We both escaped a life of crime, and we both had shitty childhoods. I hired him because I knew how hard it was to start a new life once you’d been in prison. We’d been friends ever since.

“She’s not as bad as you think,” I said, shrugging. “She’s not a rich New Yorker.”

“No?” Rex raised his eyebrows. “That her?”

He pointed behind me, and I spun around. Olivia was walking toward me with a frown on her face. She was wearing a tight little sundress that highlighted her tits and showed off her legs. I swallowed hard and cleared my throat, quickly looking away.

“Serious?” Rex asked. “You hit that?”

“Shut the fuck up,” I said, shooting him a warning look.

“Man,” Rex said, laughing lightly. “Never would have guessed that one.”

“Are you trying to get yourself fired?” I asked.

“Like you’d ever fire me,” Rex said, clearly unconcerned. He was right, of course, I would never fire him, but still…

“Hey there,” Olivia said as she stepped into the garage. Her voice was light, and the sound of it sent waves of desire cascading through my body. When I turned to face her, my eyes traveled down her body. She blushed slightly, and I quickly got myself in check.

“Hey Olivia,” I said. “This is Rex.”

“Hello,” Rex said, waving politely.

“Hi.” Olivia smiled. “Am I too early?”

“No, not at all,” I said. “Rex has already been taking a look at your Jeep. He can walk you through everything that needs to be done.”

“Actually,” Olivia said. “I’m sorry, but I don’t think that will be necessary.”

I frowned. “Why not?”

Olivia shot Rex a nervous glance, then dropped her eyes to her feet. She was obviously embarrassed and didn’t want to talk about it in front of Rex. I cleared my throat and shot Rex a look.

“Um,” he said. “I’m going to grab some coffee. Anyone want any?”

“No,” I said.

“No, thank you.” Olivia smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes.

Rex hurried inside the lobby, letting the door swing shut behind him. I waited until he was gone before I turned back to Olivia, a silent question in my eyes.

She cleared her throat and locked eyes with me. Her expression was full of embarrassment, but there was a steely glint in her eyes that I recognized. Whatever was wrong, she was determined to get through it.

“I’m sorry,” Olivia said. “I thought I would have the money to fix whatever is wrong with my Jeep, but I don’t. At least, not yet. Of course, I’ll pay you for the tow and the inspection but… I won’t be able to pay for the repairs.”

My frown deepened as she spoke. I wondered why she was suddenly unable to afford the repairs. I knew she didn’t have a lot of money, she made that clear on Friday night, but this felt totally out of the blue.

“What happened?” I asked.

She blinked. “My parents cut me off. I’ve had their credit card for emergency use, but this weekend, they canceled the account. The only money I have it my own money, which isn’t much. I’ll have to find a job somewhere around here. Then hopefully I can get the car fixed later.”

I nodded while she spoke. Searching her face, I could see how upset she was. My head was spinning as I watched her shift nervously from one foot to the other. It was obviously a hard conversation to have, and I felt for her.

It didn’t help that my body reacted to hers without my permission. Just standing before her was enough to make my dick twitch. That little sundress of hers was unfair. I longed to hike it up and take her right there in my shop. Instead, an idea popped in my head. It wasn’t one I was proud of, but I couldn’t help but voice it.

“Listen,” I said softly. “I can tell you aren’t the type of person to run out on a bill. So, what if we start on the repairs and in the meantime, we just, spent some more time together.”

My words were innocent, but my intentions were not. I watched her eyes closely, gauging her reaction. From the way she flicked her eyes to my lips, I knew she understood my meaning. I’d fix her Jeep for free if it meant I could bury my cock deep inside her a few more times.

She obviously needed help, and I needed to feel that tight pussy of hers. It was a win-win situation. Not to mention, I could tell how badly she still wanted me to. From the second she stepped into the garage, her eyes had been locked on my body. There was an undeniable heat between us that I didn’t want to deny.

Besides, she would pay me for the repairs eventually. What did it matter if it took a little longer than normal?

My eyes stayed on her face while she considered my offer. She searched my face for a few seconds, trying to see if I was serious or not. I was. I was more serious about this than I’d ever been about anything before.

I enjoyed spending time with Olivia. She was sexy as hell, and her wit was unmatched. Our conversation at dinner on Friday night was easy and smooth. I could have spent hours just talking to her, listening to the rise and fall of her voice and watching those plump lips of hers curl around each word.

“I can tell you need help,” I said softly. “So, let me help you.”

She kept staring at me. I was afraid she would slap me and storm out, leaving her Jeep and me behind for good. Instead, she shuffled her feet and looked down at her hands. When her eyes met mine, I saw something that same fire burning behind them.

She was considering my offer.

Chapter 8

Olivia

When Brad gave me that offer, I didn’t know what to think. He was essentially offering to trade sex for repairs. It was illegal. It wasn’t right. Morally, it was reprehensible and yet I couldn’t help but consider it.

As our eyes met, I lost myself in the blue depths. It didn’t take long for desire to pool between my legs. I remembered what it felt like to be with him, to let him take control of my body and slam into me with wild, passionate force. Just the memory was enough to send shock waves shooting down my spine. The orgasms Brad gave me were more intense than any I’d felt before. He knew things about my body that men I’d been with for months couldn’t figure out. It was crazy to even consider his offer but there I was, doing it.

My arousal was undeniable. Besides, I would find a way to pay him back eventually. I’d get a job to at least cover the cost of parts. What harm would it do to have some fun in the meantime? If Brad was willing to work for nothing more than a few nights of fun, was I really going to turn him down?

A voice in my head screamed at me to walk away, to leave the garage and never look back. But a louder voice took over. My eyes found Brad’s face again, and I felt myself tremble. I wanted him. God, I wanted him. If he grabbed me right then and threw me against my Jeep, I would have gladly participated in yet another round of mind-blowing sex.

I could already feel his fingers hiking up my skirt and tearing my panties from my body. His cock would feel so fucking amazing inside of me, of that I was sure. My face grew hot as my fantasy continued, and soon I knew I wouldn’t be able to resist my urges. If I didn’t get out of there soon, I would never leave.

“So,” Brad said. “What do you think? I won’t be offended either way.”

“Yes,” I said. “Yes.”

“Really?” Brad asked, his eyebrows raising and surprise crossing his face. I could tell he never imagined I would say yes.

“Why not?” I asked. “We’re obviously attracted to each other…”

“That we are,” Brad said, his eyes trailing down my body.

“So, why fight it?” I asked.

“Exactly.” Brad grinned, and I found myself grinning back. “Well, I have to get to work but…”

“Tonight?” I asked. “Come by the hotel?”

“Sure.” Brad nodded.

With one last hungry look, I spun around to leave. I could feel Brad’s eyes on me as I disappeared around the corner. I didn’t know where I would go, but I knew I couldn’t hang around the shop all day. Brad had to work, and if I stayed, I’d be a distraction. I could tell he was already itching to take me.

As I walked toward my hotel, I took deep breaths. My desire for Brad was out of control. I’d never felt so physically drawn to someone before. It wasn’t just about his body. It was everything. The way he looked at me, the way he touched me, the sound of his voice. Just being near him was an erotic experience that left me craving more.

It took me a few minutes to calm down. I didn’t agree to Brad’s offer because of my Jeep. I agreed because I wanted him. God, I wanted him. I would have given almost anything to feel that kind of pleasure again. The closer I got to the hotel, the wider my smile became. Tonight, in just a few hours, I would have Brad all to myself again. That thought was enough to make my skin flush.

I was almost to the hotel when I decided to keep walking. Moving was good for me. It kept my mind focused on something other than my fantasies. As I walked, I slowly came back to myself. I thought about what I would do with my time now that I was stuck in town for a while. There wasn’t much to do, from what I’d seen, but I hoped I could find a job. I thought about the diner where I ate breakfast on Saturday morning. Were they hiring? Would they let me pick up a few waitressing shifts?

The idea seemed like a good one, so I decided to stop by the diner and check it out. On my way, I saw a shop that made me freeze. I hadn’t seen it before, and when I did, I thought for sure I was hallucinating. There was a small art gallery tucked away just off the road. I blinked and slowly made my way toward the front door.

I was shocked to see an art gallery in this town. We weren’t far from Santa Fe, but still, I never imagined finding something like this anywhere around here. When I pushed open the front door, a bell chimed loudly above my head. I jumped but quickly recovered as I took in the art all around me.

The walls were covered with painting and platforms stood in the middle of the room, each supporting a different sculpture. The art itself was magnificent. In the far corner were photographs that were so beautiful, I felt tears rise behind my eyes. Not only was I surprised to find this place, I was shocked by how talented the artists were.

“Can I help you find something?” a voice said from behind me. I spun around to see an older woman smiling at me. She had dark hair that was streaked with gray. Her eyes were kind as she took in my appearance. “Not from around here, I see.”

“No,” I said, shaking my head. “Just passing through.”

“From?” the woman asked.

“New York,” I said. “My car broke down.”

“Where you headed?” she asked.

“Not sure,” I said. “Kind of anywhere. For now, I’ll be hanging around here.”

She nodded and looked me up and down. Her eyes fell on my bag, which I was thrown over my shoulder. It was full of my art supplies and sketchbook. I brought it along today in case I found something worth sketching.

“I’m surprised to see an art gallery around here,” I said. “Do you get many people?”

“People come in from the city,” she said. “My stuff is pretty good. It draws them in.”

“Pretty good?” I asked with a soft laugh. “Are you kidding? These are amazing.”

“You an artist?” she asked.

“Kind of,” I said. “I’ve been painting for years, but it’s not a career or anything.”

“And why not?” she asked.

I shrugged. “I don’t know,” I said. “I guess I’m just…”

“Waiting to take the plunge,” she finished for me.

“Yeah, something like that.”

She eyed me closely for another second, then waved me over. She motioned toward my bag.

“Let me see,” she said.

I hesitated but pulled my sketchbook from my bag. Slowly, the woman took it from my shaking hands and flipped it open. Her eyes were narrowed as she took in each sketch. I watched her closely, trying to decipher her opinion. When she finally looked up at me, it was with a stern consideration I’d only seen from art teachers.

“You looking for work?” she asked.

“Actually, yes,” I said. “I’ll be stuck here for a while, and I was hoping to find a part-time job to cover my expenses while I’m here.”

“What’s your name?” she asked.

“Olivia Storm,” I said.

“Well, Olivia, I’m Carla Smith. Come back tomorrow morning. You’re hired,” she said.

“Really?” I asked, my eyes flying wide.

Carla nodded. “Bring the rest of your portfolio. I want to take a look. Maybe we can show some of your stuff. If you’re interested, that is.”

“Of course!” I said, excitement flooding my veins. “That would be incredible!”

“Great,” Carla said. “I’ll see you tomorrow, then.”

“I’ll be here.” I smiled and bounced toward the door.

My body felt light as I hurried back to my hotel. When I thought about getting a part-time job, I never imagined I would find an art gallery. My luck was beginning to turn around. I was grinning from ear to ear as I hurried up the stairs and threw open the door to my room.

Hurling myself inside, I gathered my portfolio together so it would be ready for tomorrow. Then I jumped in the shower to get ready for my night with Brad. Not only did I have a sexy guy to spend time with but I now had a job at an art gallery where, if I was lucky, my work would be shown.

When my Jeep broke down, I thought my road trip was over. I felt hopeless and lost, but after meeting Carla, I felt like I’d finally done something right. Maybe this small town on the outskirts of Santa Fe was exactly where I was meant to be.

Chapter 9

Brad

I watched Olivia saunter out of the garage, her hips swaying naturally from side to side. The motion drew my attention, keeping my eyes locked on her body until she disappeared from view. It was hard to get back to work after she left. Everything inside me called out to her. I longed to run to her hotel room and strip her naked, to feel that sweet pussy wrap about my aching cock. It was impossible to keep my desire under control, and while the day dragged on, I thought of nothing else.

Olivia was more than just a sexual escapade to me. Already, I was interested in getting to know her. When the offer to trade sex for repairs slipped from my lips, it was with nothing more than desperation in my mind. I saw her slipping away. She was leaving the shop with no promise of returning, and I knew I had to stop her. Not seeing her again wasn’t an option. I was already too involved with her, too invested. The idea of never seeing her again was unbearable, and so, I offered something that made my stomach churn.

I hated myself for sinking so low but what was I supposed to do? Watch her walk out of my life? I just couldn’t do that, so I offered and much to my surprise, she accepted. Because of her eagerness, I knew I’d made the right decision. On the surface, it seemed dirty. Wrong. But it wasn’t about that. Olivia and I were both attracted to each other. We had fun together that night, and we both just wanted to continue that fun for a little while. It was harmless. Innocent. Just two adults indulging in a passionate arrangement.

While I worked, I thought only of her. My mind switched between sexual fantasies and genuine curiosity. I was drawn to her body, that much was obvious, but I was also drawn to her mind. She was an artist, someone who worked with her hands just like me. Not only did we share that but we’d also turned our backs on our parents. Olivia was cut off from her family’s money, which could only mean she walked away from their lifestyle. I felt a connection to her that had nothing to do with sex. Like Olivia, I turned my back on my family and rejected their lifestyle.

It was a small thing, but it piqued my interest more than anything. Throughout the rest of the day, I found myself thinking of questions to ask her. I wanted to know more about her family and why she walked away from them. I was curious about her art, hoping I might one day see her paintings. It was strange. I wasn’t used to being this interested in a woman. For years, I’d been alone, only focusing on myself and my work. Now my body and mind called out to Olivia, desperate to know more about her.

Rex and I had two other cars on the docket for the day, so I didn’t get to work on Olivia’s car until almost closing time. Rex was already tucked away beneath it, working hard and sweating profusely. I kicked his foot when I walked by to let him know I was there to help. He slid out from beneath the Jeep and jumped to his feet, wiping his hands on his rag and walking over to me.

“Do we have any payment to put down yet?” he asked, tapping the side of the Jeep.

“No,” I said simply. “We worked out a payment plan for a later date.”

“Since when do we do that?” Rex asked.

“She’s stuck in town,” I said, shrugging. “It was the right thing to do.”

Rex eyed me closely but fell silent. I could tell from the way he searched my face that he knew something more was going on between me and Olivia. Still, he didn’t ask, and I didn’t offer anything. Instead, we got back to work on the car.

I was pulled away a few times to deal with other customers, and by the time I got back to the Jeep, it was almost time to close. Rex was already locking up the garage, pulling the doors down and fastening the locks. He slammed the hood down on the Jeep and double checked that its doors were locked. I helped him clean up the tools, and then we headed into the office, both tired and covered in grime from the day.

“Listen,” he said as we collapsed into our chairs. “I know you own this place and all, but I think you should be careful.”

“Careful?” I asked, frowning slightly. “What are you talking about?”

“I saw the way that girl was looking at you earlier,” Rex said. “I’m not an idiot, Brad.”

“It’s nothing,” I said. “She’s just a customer. I’m helping her out. That’s all.”

“She was staring at you like she was ready to mount you in the fucking garage,” Rex said seriously. “And you were looking at her the same way.”

“She’s hot.” I shrugged. “So, what?”

“She is,” Rex agreed. “But getting involved with a customer isn’t the best idea, especially a complete stranger.”

“I’m not getting involved with her,” I said. “You don’t have anything to worry about.”

“I’m not worried,” Rex said. “Just thought I would throw my two cents in.”

“Well, I appreciate it,” I said, though I didn’t appreciate it at all. Rex worked for me. He didn’t have a right to assert his opinions.

“This place is doing great, but we’re still new,” he said. “If something were to happen, if we didn’t get paid for a job or a word of unsavory activity got out…”

“Unsavory activity?” I scoffed. “Who the hell are you right now?”

“Your friend,” Rex said. “I’m just looking out for you, man.”

“Well, don’t,” I said firmly. “You’re right about one thing, I own this place, and it’s up to me how it’s run. Don’t forget that.”

Rex held his hands up in surrender and took a step back. He shook his head in frustration but dropped the subject. My annoyance quickly faded. I knew Rex was only trying to be a good friend, but still, it wasn’t his place. If I wanted to fix a thousand cars for free, then I would. That was the beauty of owning my own shop. I made the rules. No one else.

Rex and I finished out our paperwork for the day, and soon Rex was ready to leave. He grabbed his keys and stuffed his wallet in his pocket. He slapped my shoulder on the way out and stopped just before he reached the door.

“Listen,” he said. “You know I didn’t mean anything by that shit, right? I just don’t want you to get hurt, man. She’s not from around here, you know? She’ll leave soon, and then what?”

“I get it,” I said with a sigh. “But I’m a grown man, Rex. I can take care of myself.”

Rex nodded and turned to leave. I watched him go, listening to the door slam shut behind him. I heard his receding footsteps as he crossed the parking lot and fired up his truck. The engine rumbled loudly and revved as he pulled away. I stayed in my chair, just listening to the sounds of the night.

My work was almost done, and I was eager to see Olivia. Still, Rex’s words echoed in my mind as I closed out the register and locked the safe. He wasn’t entirely wrong. Olivia never said anything about staying in town. Once her Jeep was fixed, she’d probably hightail it out of here without throwing so much as a glance my way. The thought made my stomach clench painfully, but I pushed it away.

This wasn’t something serious. Olivia and I were having fun, indulging in a little erotic enjoyment while her Jeep was being repaired. It didn’t matter that she might leave soon. All that mattered was right now, and right now she was waiting for me in her hotel room.

I cleared off my desk and locked up the office, leaving through the lobby to make sure the front door was locked. I jiggled the handle and then checked the garage doors. They were all secure, so I hurried to my truck and climbed inside. I thought about going home to change first. Grease covered every inch of my clothes, but I didn’t care. I’d been waiting to see Olivia all day, and I couldn’t wait another second.

Rex was right about a lot of things, and I knew I should give his warning some consideration, but I couldn’t change the fact that Olivia had completely captivated me. Body and mind, I was enthralled by her. As I drove toward her hotel, my heart pounded in my chance. Just the thought of seeing her again, of watching her green eyes light up with desire, filled me with an anxious anticipation I’d never felt before.

I pressed my foot on the gas pedal, speeding faster toward what I knew would be an amazing night.

Chapter 10

Olivia

When five o’clock rolled around, I sat on the edge of my bed and waited for Brad’s arrival. I wore a simple outfit: a tight-fitting T-shirt and a pair of shorts that showed off my ass. I knew the outfit would seduce Brad, and the thought filled me with a desire of my own. I still couldn’t believe I was actually doing it, but somehow it felt right.

There was something about Brad that drew me to him. It wasn’t just his body or animalistic nature. It was more. It was easy to talk to him, to tell him things. In the garage, I found myself spouting out the truth about my parents without hesitation. I was embarrassed, but I didn’t feel uncomfortable or nervous to tell Brad the truth. It was odd how at ease I felt around him. Other than my undeniable sexual attraction to him, I didn’t shy away from anything when he was around. That, more than anything, was what fueled my desire to say yes to his enticing offer.

I wondered if Brad would go home to change before coming over. Checking the clock, I saw that it was half past five. If he did go home first, he might not arrive for another half hour or so. I sighed and leaned back on my hands, staring up at the ceiling and trying to quiet my aching need for him. Now that I had a job, I could pay him for the repairs on my Jeep, but that fact didn’t change how desperate I was to be with him again.

Just before 5:45 p.m., I heard a firm knock on the door. I jumped and giggled to myself. I felt like a teenager with her first crush as I flew across the room to let Brad inside. I pulled open the door, and he stepped over the threshold, his eyes traveling over my body with a desperate hunger. I pushed the door closed and took a step back, staring up at his face. He hadn’t gone home to change. He was still covered in grease from the day, which made him even sexier than before.

I tried to tell him about my job at Carla’s art gallery but before I could get a single word, his lips were on mine, and he was kissing me with passion. I gasped and moaned, sinking into him. My mind went blank as my body once again took control. There was something about Brad that completely lowered my inhibitions. He was more intoxicating than alcohol, and while he kissed me, I could barely breathe. My shorts were instantly soaked, and when he ran his strong hands up my thighs, I shivered and pressed my tits against his chest.

“You look amazing,” Brad said, pulling away just enough to rake his eyes over my body again.

“Do I?” I asked playfully.

“God yes,” he growled and kissed me again, harder.

His hands flew to my shirt, lifting it up over my head. Our lips separated just long enough to him to throw my shirt to the floor. He held me to him, kissing my lips and running his fingers down my sides. I groaned with desire and searched frantically for his shirt. Once it was off, I ran my nails down his chest. He growled and threw me backward on the bed, once again taking control.

I grinned devilishly at him while he slid out of his pants. He climbed on top of me and shoved my bra to the side, not bothering to remove it before he attacked my nipples. Just like last time, I arched my back and moaned with pleasure. He unbuttoned my pants with one hand and shoved that same hand inside my panties.

“Shit,” I moaned when he found my clit.

It was amazing how quickly Brad could send waves of pleasure rocking through my body. I let him take control for another few seconds before I couldn’t stand it any longer. Flinging myself up, I pinned him to the bed and kissed him hard and fast. He growled and bit my bottom lip, his hands running down my back to unhook my bra. I slid it over my shoulder and threw it to the ground while he slapped my ass with force.

I slowly lowered myself to his neck. I pressed my lips to his skin, moving lower and lower with each kiss. Finally, I hovered above his rock-hard cock, my lips inches from his tip. He watched me with those deep blue eyes while my tongue flicked out to lick him. His eyes flew wide, and he growled as I slid his entire length into my mouth. I barely had a chance to tease him when he lifted me up and threw me on the bed.

His hands were lightning as they tore my shorts from my body. I wasn’t wearing any panties beneath them, and his eyes lit up with desire at the sight of my bare pussy.

“Goddamn, Olivia,” he said, his voice low and husky.

“You like?” I asked breathlessly. “I thought underwear would just slow us down.”

“You’re fucking perfect,” he said, diving down to bury his lips against my pussy.

“Fuck!” I cried out as his tongue lashed against my clit.

I writhed and wrapped my legs around his face, lifting my hips and thrusting into him. He raked his tongue up and down so fast that I was soon bordering on the edge of ecstasy. Brad could feel my release coming, so he pulled away and flipped me roughly on to my stomach.

My legs were trembling as he lifted my ass in the air, slapping it twice before positioning himself at my entrance. I was more than ready for him. My soaked pussy dripped for his cock.

When he slid inside me, I grasped and hung on to the bed sheets. He moved slower this time, thrusting forward with slow power. Each time he moved inside me, waves of pleasure rocked through my body. I was soon panting and moaning, crying out for him to take me harder.

“Fuck me,” I said, my voice low and rough. “Fuck me. Harder!”

He slapped my ass again and railed me harder than ever. I cried out and hung on to the headboard, my tits bouncing with each thrust he threw into me.

“You feel fucking amazing,” he growled. “Fucking shit…”

I cried out his name as my orgasm took me prisoner. Pleasure shook my body, making my legs tremble and my ass shake. I could feel his hands squeezing my cheeks while he continued to take me. His grunts were getting louder and more intense, and I knew he was close.

When he came, he fell forward, grabbing my hips and forcing me back against him. I felt his cock throb inside of me, making renewed pleasure cascade through my body. I felt like I’d never be able to walk away when he finally pulled out, and we both collapsed on to the bed.

My breathing was ragged, and so was his. I looked over at him, surprised to see him already staring at me. He kissed my lips gently, more gently than he’d ever kissed before. When we pulled apart, I stared into those blues I’d already grown to love until I knew it was time to tell him about my job.

“So,” I said softly. “I got a job at the local art gallery, so it looks like I’ll be staying in Santa Fe for a while.”

“Carla’s place?” Brad asked.

I nodded. “Which means I can pay you for the repairs on my Jeep.”

“Oh,” he said. I could have sworn I heard a trace of disappointment in his voice. “Well, that’s great. I’ll work up an estimate and get it to you tomorrow.”

“Thanks,” I said softly.

We kept looking at each other, but I didn’t know what else to say. Now that he knew about my job, there wasn’t any reason for us to continue with our arrangement. The offer he made was to trade sex for repairs. If I was paying him, would he still want to screw around with me?

My question was soon answered.

“I like spending time with you,” he said. “If you still want to… you know…. Well, I’m up for it.”

I stared into his eyes for a few second, unsure of how to answer. Part of me wanted to scream yes and let him take me again right there. I’d never been with anyone who could shake me to my core like Brad did. He was rough but gentle at the same time, pushing me over the edge while making me feel perfectly safe.

Still, was this something I wanted to continue? I had a job to focus on, and soon my Jeep would be fixed. What was the point of holding on to Brad when I didn’t know how much longer this thing between us would last?

Chapter 11

Brad

Despite already having started work on Olivia’s Jeep, I now needed to work up an official estimate for her. I didn’t bother before because our payment agreement wasn’t exactly something that could be put down on paper. When I went into the shop the next morning though, I knew I needed something official to put on the books. Rex had been right about one thing, if word got out that I was screwing a customer, it would be bad for business.

Still, that didn’t deter me from seeing Olivia. I would continue seeing her as long as she wanted. I just didn’t know how long that would be.

After we had sex the night before, she told me about her new job at Carla’s art gallery. I’d known Carla for years, and I knew she would help Olivia out. Still, that didn’t mean Olivia would stick around Santa Fe any longer than she had to. Once she earned enough money to pay for the repairs, she would be gone, and there wasn’t anything I could do about that.

The thought of her leaving bothered me more than it should have. I wasn’t the kind of guy to get emotionally attached to a woman, and yet, it made my stomach ache to imagine Olivia leaving town for good.

I told her I wanted to keep seeing her, even though she was now paying me cash for my work on her car. Our arrangement ended, but that didn’t mean our fun had to. She never answered whether that was something she wanted to. Instead, she changed the subject, and I left her hotel room without knowing where we stood. I tried not to dwell on it, but as the day dragged on, I found myself thinking about her more and more.

She said she’d stop by the shop today to pick up the estimate but it was already lunchtime, and she hadn’t yet stopped by. I wondered if she was working at the gallery or if she just wasn’t ready to see me yet. Maybe she was afraid of turning me down, of admitting she didn’t want to see me anymore. I told myself I wouldn’t care if she did, that I would remain professional cordial despite the reject but I secretly hoped I wouldn’t have to do that.

The connection between me and Olivia was primal, and I didn’t want it to end. No matter how long she stayed in Santa Fe, I wanted her while she was here.

After Rex got back from lunch, he came over to join me by Olivia’s Jeep. I had my head buried under the hood, jotting down notes on my clipboard as I inspected it.

“What’s up?” Rex asked. “We already know what’s wrong with it.”

“Gotta work up an official estimate,” I said.

“Oh,” Rex said. “Why?”

“Olivia’s coming in later so we can work out that payment plan I told you about,” I said. “She’ll need a full estimate when she gets here.”

“Got it,” Rex said, suspicion in his voice. “When did she tell you this?”

“What?” I asked, distracted by my work.

“That she was coming by today,” Rex said. “When did she tell you? Did she call while I was out?”

“Oh,” I said. I shook my head. “No, she told me last night.”

“She called the shop?” Rex asked, his eyebrows raised.

I sighed and looked up at him. He was clearly probing me for information, and I didn’t appreciate it. Whatever was going on between me and Olivia was none of his business. I didn’t want to share the intimate details of my life with Rex, especially when they involved Olivia.

“What are you getting at, Rex?” I asked.

“Nothing,” he said, shrugging. “Just making conversation.”

“Well, don’t,” I said. “Just get back to work,”

“Yes, boss,” Rex said, his tone mocking.

I rolled my eyes and finished up my inspection on Olivia’s Jeep. With my clipboard in hand, I hurried into the office to type up the official estimate. It wasn’t going to be cheap. Even working for Carla, Olivia would have a hard time paying the entire bill. I sighed and tried to think of ways I could cut costs. If I reduced my fee for labor, then it would cut off at least—

I shook myself. Sighing deeply, I threw down the estimate and closed my eyes. I ran my hands over my face and tried to relax. What was it about this girl? Here I was, thinking about her constantly and going out of my way to make her bill cheaper. What the hell happened to me?

All day, I’d been stressing about our conversation from the night before. I was worried she would say no to seeing me again and that I would be forced to keep my desire in check. It wasn’t like me to care this much. Just the thought of her leaving town was enough to make my chest ache and my palms sweat. I had to pull myself together, or everything would turn to shit.

I finished Olivia’s estimate and tucked it away on my computer. It was almost time to close the garage, so I knew she’d stop in soon. I thought about going back out to the garage to distract myself with work while I waited for her but I never got the chance. Just as I rose from my chair, I heard the distinctive sound of the front door. Peering around the wall, I saw Olivia stroll through the lobby and stop by the front desk. I grabbed her estimate and hurried out to meet her.

“Hey,” she said, her face lighting up with a radiant smile. I swallowed hard and smiled back at her.

“Hi,” I said. “I was beginning to wonder if you were going to show.”

“Sorry about that,” she said softly. “I’m here now, though. What’s the damage?”

I slid the estimate over to her and watched as her face fell. Her eyes darkened and her forehead furrowed. I knew the price was intimidating, but when she looked back up at me, there was a determined look in her eyes.

“Okay,” she said with a nod. “I can do that.”

“You don’t have to pay it all right away,” I said. “We can work out a payment plan.”

“I was hoping for that,” she said, relieved. “I won’t make a lot at the art gallery, but I’ll make a little each week.”

“Sounds great,” I said. “Just factor in your hotel costs and then pay me the rest. We’ll do that until the bill is paid off.”

“Perfect,” Olivia said, smiling. “Thank you so much for doing this.”

“It’s nothing,” I said. “What am I going to do? Slam the door in your face?”

She laughed and shook her head. Her eyes fell to the counter, and she blushed slightly. When she looked up at me, the determined look was gone from her face. In its place was that fire I recognized immediately.

“I’ve been thinking about our conversation from last night,” she said softly. “And, I don’t want to stop seeing you either.”

“You don’t?” I asked, heat flooding my stomach.

“No,” she said, shaking her head. “I don’t know how long I’ll be in Santa Fe. Once I get the Jeep paid off and a bit of money saved up… Well, I don’t know what my next move will be. I just thought you should know that before we continued anything.”

“I know,” I said. “I like you, Olivia. If all we do is have some fun while you’re in town, that’s fine with me.”

I wasn’t sure my words were entirely true but when she leaned across the counter to press her lips against mine, it no longer mattered. I melted into her, letting the kiss drag on until a slamming door made us jump apart.

Olivia blushed, and I felt my face grow hot. That kiss, unlike the others, was full of more than just sexual desire. I felt myself sinking into her, losing myself in the feel of her soft lips. In a daze, I glanced around to see who had come through the door. Thankfully, it was just Rex moving through the office. He was still in the back and hadn’t seen a thing.

I grinned at Olivia, licking my lips and staring at her. She laughed and rolled her eyes, leaning forward and letting her cleavage spill out of her shirt.

“The shop should be closing soon, right?” she asked softly.

The answer to her question came in the form of Rex. He walked around the corner and stopped when he saw us standing there.

“I’m heading out,” he said. “Everything’s all locked up out there.”

“Thanks,” I said without looking at him. “See you tomorrow.”

Olivia and I stared at each other until we heard Rex’s truck fire up. Her grin was mischievous as she jumped on top of the counter and swung her legs over it, dropping to her feet in front of me.

Chapter 12

Olivia

I felt bold as I slid off the counter and landed on my feet in front of Brad. His eyes never left my face, and when I took a step forward, he wrapped his arms around me. His movements were slower than they’d been before, more deliberate. He held me close, pressing me against his chest and lightly brushing his lips over mine. I shivered at the contact and sighed, opening my lips to him. His tongue trailed over my bottom lip, and I moaned. It felt amazing to be in his arms again, and as our kiss deepened, I knew I couldn’t wait another second to feel him inside me.

Our kiss deepened as I pushed him backward toward a waiting chair. He fell into it, looking at me in shock as I straddled him. Our bodies fused together, tangling around each other as we kissed passionately. I was soon breathless, desire hot between my legs. I could feel Brad’s dick getting harder in his pants. I tore my lips from his and threw my shirt over my head, tearing my bra off and kissing him again.

His hands caressed my back while we kissed, our tongues dancing in perfect rhythm. He groaned when I pulled away again, my hands searching for the button on his pants. I tore it open and yanked the zipper down. Brad lifted his hips up just enough for me to pulled his pants down. His boxers slid with them, letting his rock-hard cock burst free. I stroked it slowly while he kicked his clothes away.

“Olivia…” he moaned deeply.

I moved my hand slowly around his dick. It wasn’t like him to be this submissive, but I liked it. For once, I was in control, and I loved the way I affected him.

He trembled beneath my touch, and when I grazed my tits across his face, he bit at me with ferocity. I giggled while I continued to tease him, making his blue eyes darken with repressed desire. He threw his head back and watched while I stroked his long cock. Soon he was shaking. I knew he couldn’t hold out much longer.

Slowly, I raised myself up. Standing in front of him, I slid my pants off and let them fall into a pile on the floor. I was wearing nothing but a black thong that made Brad growl and reach for me.

“Come here,” he demanded, pulling me to him with force,

He yanked the thong off my body, groping my ass and sucking my nipple between his teeth. I moaned and ran my fingers through his hair, lifting myself to straddle him. His cock was poised just below my pussy, and as I rolled my hips forward, he moaned and pushed me down.

I was soaking wet. His dick slid inside me with no effort. I moved slowly, reveling in this position. His eyes were wide with wonder as I held on to his shoulder and gently rocked my hips back and forth. The motion was slow and sensual, not at all our usual pace. I could tell from the look in his eyes that he didn’t mind. He was clenching my ass so hard that I knew his fingerprints would be left on my skin for days to come.

The thought spurred me forward, making me rock my hips faster and bounce my ass harder against him. He groaned and thrust his hips upward, barreling inside me with force. I gripped his shoulders and took control, riding him with a reckless abandon I’d never felt before.

I threw my head back and let my pleasure take over. My tits bounced against his face, making him grunt with pleasure.

“Fuck, Olivia,” he said roughly.

“Does that feel good?” I asked, pulling myself to whisper in his ear.

His answering growl was all I needed to hear. I threw myself back and rode him harder than ever, lifting my ass up and then throwing it back down. He moaned and growled, groping at my ass and hips with frantic need. His lips searched for my tits, and he kissed me with a hunger I’d never felt before.

I could feel his cock throbbing inside of me, and I knew he was close. My own pleasure was just second away. I slid one hand between us to stroke my clit. His eyes widened as he rammed his hips upward, grunting and panting with desperation.

“I’m so close,” I said breathlessly. “Fuck, I’m going to come.”

“Come for me,” he said roughly. “Let me feel you come, baby.”

I obeyed his order, coming so hard that I screamed out his name and slammed myself against his cock with renewed vigor. He gripped me hard, his orgasm rocking through our bodies. My pussy clenched around his cock while he pulsed inside of me. I moaned and kissed his lips slowly, licking my tongue along his. He kissed me back, panting and groaning against my lips. The way he held me was so full of need that I never wanted him to let me go.

When he did, I groaned and slowly stood up, letting his dripping cock slide out of me. I sighed and stared at it with a satiated smile. He smiled back at me, a dazed look in his eyes.

“You know, I’ve never traded sex for car repairs before, but now that I have, I think I’m going to make it a requirement,” he said.

I laughed. “That good, huh?”

“God yes,” he said.

We both laughed softly while we searched for our clothes. I pulled my pants on slowly, my legs still trembling from the mind-blowing orgasm. When I tucked my breasts away, Brad groaned in protest. I laughed again and rolled my eyes. Once I pulled my shirt over my head, I turned to face Brad. He was almost fully dressed, and I didn’t like it any more than he did.

If I could, I would have stayed there with him all night. Naked and writhing on top of me. Instead, I knew we both had to get going. I’d spent all day working, and so had he. We were exhausted.

“Did you start work with Carla today?” he asked.

“I did,” I said with a smile. “It was amazing. I’ve always wanted to work in a gallery.”

“You never have?” Brad asked, surprised.

“Nope,” I said. “My parents never really approved of me pursuing art. They call it a hobby. It’s not a practical profession, so they dismiss it.”

“That’s bullshit,” Brad said. I smiled at his indignation but shrugged.

“It’s nothing I’m not used to,” I said. “Besides, it doesn’t matter what they think. Working for Carla is going to be amazing, I can already tell.”

“I’m sure,” Brad said.

“Well, I should get going,” I said. “I’m exhausted from today.”

“Sex will do that to you.” Brad grinned.

I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him to me. Kissing him softly, I felt myself sink into him all over again. I pulled away quickly, knowing I wouldn’t have the strength to leave if we kept it up.

“Bye,” I said softly.

Brad waved as I walked around the counter and through the front door. My entire body was filled with energy as I made my way to my hotel. Things were starting to improve. When I first arrived in town, I thought my luck had run out, but now I wondered if it wasn’t the opposite.

After just one day, I already loved working for Carla. She was talented and kind, constantly pushing me to create more work. When there was a lull in customers, she insisted I pull out my sketchbook. We spent the entire day talking about art and nothing else. I’d never felt more inspired in my entire life. When I left, I couldn’t wait to get back.

Then seeing Brad only served to improve my mood. When I walked into his shop, I wasn’t sure what I would say. I knew I still wanted him. God, I wanted him. But I was worried about getting involved with someone when I didn’t know how long I would be in town. Still, being with Brad was worth it. He could rock my world without even trying, and that wasn’t something I was going to give up anytime soon.

As I walked through the door to my hotel room, I smiled. My life wasn’t at all what I thought it would be but I felt at home here. I might have been living in a hotel, working a part-time job for very little pay while trying to pay for the repairs to my damaged car but that was okay. I was beginning to think that staying in Santa Fe wouldn’t be half bad.

Chapter 13

Brad

By the time Friday rolled around, I was done. The entire week had been long and stressful. After dealing with horrible customers all day, I wanted nothing more than to leave the shop behind for the weekend. I was mentally exhausted and physically drained. As I sat down in the office, I sighed and ran my hands over my face. Finally, the week was over, and I could forget about work for a while. My mind turned to Olivia, and I wondered what she was doing tonight.

Without stopping to think, I looked up her cell number in my system and called her. I couldn’t believe it had only been a week since she walked into my shop. This time last Friday, Olivia Storm was nothing more than a stranger. Now she was the woman I couldn’t stop thinking about. No matter how hard I tried, her face swam through my mind a hundred times a day. I couldn’t stop myself from wanting to be with her.

So, I pressed my phone to my ear and listened to the soft ringing. When she finally answered, her voice brought a smile to my face.

“Hello?” she said.

“Olivia?” I asked. “Hey, it’s Brad.”

“Oh!” she said. “Hey!”

I could hear the excitement in her voice.

“How’s your day been?” I asked, leaning back in my chair.

“It’s been great,” she said. “I’m just now getting off work.”

“Me too,” I said with a sigh. “It’s been insane over here.”

“Yeah?” she asked.

“Fucking horrible, actually,” I said.

She laughed. “Sounds like someone needs to have some fun tonight.”

“There’s a bar not too far from your hotel,” I said. “You interested?”

“That depends,” she said. “Does this bar serve food? I’m starving,”

“Yes,” I said. “It does.”

“Then I’m in,” she said.

I grinned. “What time?”

“Well,” I said. “I’m finishing up a few things at the shop, and then I need to head home. So, eight?”

“Perfect,” she said. “I’ll see you then.”

“Bye, Olivia,” I said, feeling lighter than I had in days.

We hung up, and I sighed deeply, sitting up and running my fingers through my hair. I still felt exhausted, but my energy was renewed at the prospect of seeing Olivia later. In just a couple hours, I would be with my new favorite distraction. All thoughts of work would be driven from my mind, and I couldn’t wait. Grinning, I stood up and spun around to go lock up the garage. When I looked up, I saw Rex standing in front of me. His eyes were locked on my face, a look of understanding on his face.

I knew he’d heard my entire conversation with Olivia. I felt a heavy weight fall inside my stomach. I could see the judgment in Rex’s eyes, and I hated it. I didn’t want to get into this with him, but I didn’t see a way out of it. Rex was the most opinionated person I’d ever met. Now that he knew about me and Olivia, he would have more than a few things to say.

“Seriously?” he asked, walking toward me. “I thought you said nothing was going on between you two?”

“Nothing is,” I said, sighing deeply. “It’s just a casual thing, Rex. Relax.”

“A casual thing with a customer is a big deal,” he said. “What are you thinking?”

“That it’s none of your damn business.” I snapped.

“It is,” Rex said. “I care about you, man. We both know this is a bad idea.”

“Why?” I asked. “Why is it such a bad idea?”

Rex sighed and leaned against my desk. I crossed my arms over my chest and stared at him, waiting for the answer I knew was coming. Rex and I had been friends for years. We bonded over our mutual time in lockup. He was the only person in my life who could understand the places I’d been and the things I’d done. Like me, he spent time behind bars because of his father and like me, he’d sworn to turn his life around once he was released.

I respected Rex more than anyone, and I didn’t want to fight with him. Still, I could feel my anger boiling inside of me as he stared me down.

“Olivia Storm isn’t like us,” he said simply. “She may be slumming it right now, traveling across the country, pursuing her art, but she isn’t like us. She’s from an extremely rich family. Do you even know who the Storms are?”

“No,” I said. “And I don’t care.”

“Well, you should,” Rex said. “They’re one of the most prominent families in New York City. I can’t even tell you how much money this girl has.”

“She doesn’t have any money,” I said defensively. “Her parents cut her off when she left New York.”

“Is that what she told you?” Rex asked.

“That’s the truth,” I said. “She wouldn’t lie about that. I mean, come on, who would?”

“Maybe so,” Rex said. “But that doesn’t mean she’s going to stick around. She’ll stay in town until her car is fixed and then she’ll be gone.”

“So?” I asked, my frustration growing.

“So, then what?” Rex asked. “You’re going to get yourself all involved with this girl and then she’s going to bail. You’ll be hurt and alone. What good is that, Brad?”

“I’ll be just fine,” I said. “I can take care of myself, Rex.”

“So, you keep saying,” Rex said. “But here you are, putting your business in jeopardy for some chick.”

“What the fuck are you talking about?” I demanded.

“You’re screwing a client,” Rex said. “That’s not exactly a shining business ad.”

“It’s no one’s business.” I snapped.

“Think about this for a second,” Rex said. “Really think about it.”

“I have,” I said.

“Have you?” Rex’s eyebrows shot up.

I paused. He wasn’t wrong, but I didn’t want to admit that. I didn’t know what I would do when Olivia left town. Already, I felt myself growing attached to her but what could I do about it? It was too late.

“I’m not some sappy little bitch,” I said. “I’m not falling in love with Olivia. When she lives, life will go on.”

“Good, because there’s no hope for this relationship,” Rex said seriously. “You have no future with this girl.”

His words were harsh, but I knew he was coming from a good place. Rex had seen me stumble and fall more times than I could count. He knew how hard I worked to get this shop off the ground. After prison, it wasn’t easy to get work. People turned their noses up at you and looked the other way, ignoring you until you disappeared.

It was an uphill battle for us both. Rex and I struggled together. He was my best friend, and I relied on him more than anyone. He was right about Olivia and me. We came from entirely different worlds, and there wasn’t anything I could do to change that.

Still, that didn’t change my mind. I knew she would leave town and I knew our relationship would inevitably end but so what? Her car was almost finished. Work would be done soon and then she would continue making payments until the bill was paid off. It didn’t hurt to spend a little time with her, especially not if it was only one more night.

“I get it,” I said. “Okay? I get it.”

“I just want you to be careful,” Rex said. “You’ve been through enough shit in your life, man. You don’t need any more trouble.”

“Trust me, I know.” I scoffed.

Rex nodded and slapped my back. He left the shop without another word about Olivia. I thought about calling her up to cancel, but I knew I never would. My day had been total shit, and the only thing that would make it better was seeing her. I locked up the shop, closed out the register, and checked the garages one final time. When I was sure the place was secure, I climbed into my truck and drove toward home.

My conversation with Rex ran through my mind on an endless loop. By the time I got home, I was pissed and in need of a long shower. I got ready for my date with Olivia, trying to calm myself down as I did. Rex brought doubts to the surface that I wished would have stayed buried.

I always knew Olivia would leave Santa Fe the first chance she got. She’d get her car fixed, pay up, and then be gone. I knew that. I’d always known that and yet, hearing it from Rex’s mouth was somehow worse. Knowing that another person was involved, however remotely, made the situation feel more real.

As I got dressed that night, I pushed through my doubts and decided to just have fun. Olivia was hot as hell and insanely fun to be around that. That was what mattered, nothing else.

Chapter 14

Olivia

Brad arrived at my hotel room just before eight. This was the first time we were going out together since we’d had sex and I felt nervous but excited. My week at the gallery had been a long one, and I was eager for a night out. I had fun working for Carla, but she kept me busy, constantly assigned me different tasks or pushing me to complete more sketches and paintings. Already, I’d learned more from her than I ever did from art teachers back home.

I couldn’t wait to tell Brad all about it. The more time we spent together, the more I wanted to be with him. Our relationship had shifted from strictly sexual to something more. I wasn’t sure when or how it changed, but I knew it had. Part of me was scared by the new development, but I decided just to ride it out. We both knew what this was. I wasn’t staying in Santa Fe forever. Eventually, I would leave. Brad and I both knew that getting attached wasn’t an option.

I told myself we were just having fun, finding companionship in each other while we could. He knocked on my hotel room door, and I bounced over, eager to see his face. My tight black dress hugged my curves perfectly, and I was excited to see the effect it would have over him. When I opened the door, I wasn’t disappointed. His blue eyes filled with desire as they trailed over my body. I smiled at him brightly, leaning forward to place a kiss on his lips.

He kissed me back, but it was swift, barely long enough to feel. I frowned slightly and pulled. His eyes were still on me, but his expression was darker than I’d seen it.

“You okay?” I asked.

“Yeah,” he said quickly. “Just tired from the day. You ready to go?”

“Yup.” I smiled and swung my purse over my shoulder.

Stepping out of the room, I pulled the door closed behind us and followed Brad down the stairs. We were walking to the bar since it was close by. Brad wrapped his arm around my waist while we walked, but his silence was deafening. He insisted he was just tired, but I felt a distance between us that hadn’t been there before.

He held me close to his side while we walked, not speaking but also not letting me go. I nestled into him, enjoying the feel of his strong arms wrapped around me. The cool night air whipped across my face and my bare arms, making me shiver. Without a word, Brad slid his arm off me and took off his jacket. He wrapped it around my shoulders and then pulled me back against him. I smiled my thanks but didn’t speak. I didn’t know what to say.

Everything felt so strange. We were almost to the bar, and yet, he had barely spoken to him since he arrived at my door.

“Are you sure you’re all right?” I asked as we walked up to the bar.

“I’m great,” he said, smiling. “Let’s get a table.”

“Sure.” I nodded and followed him forward.

We sat down and quickly ordered some food. I was starving after a long day at the gallery and Brad had a rough day at the shop. We each ordered a beer to go with our dinner and quickly sunk into an easy rhythm. The conversation was light, and soon Brad became himself again. He seemed to lose the tension in his shoulders, and his eyes lightened.

“Need another?” he asked, pointing to my empty beer.

“Sure,” I said with a smile. “But I’ll get it.”

“No,” he said firmly. “It’s on me.”

“Brad,” I began, but he waved me off and hurried toward the bar.

When he came back, he wasn’t alone. A man I recognized from the auto shop was walking by his side. I frowned at the look on Brad’s face, somewhere between annoyed and pissed. The man, Rex, was smiling brightly as he slid into an empty chair at the table.

“Olivia, you remember Rex, don’t you?” Brad asked in a clipped voice.

“Of course.” I smiled. “It’s nice to see you again.”

“You too,” Rex said politely.

I glanced at Brad to see him glaring off into the distance. Whatever had been bothering him all night was now worse. The sudden appearance of his friend was enough to send his mood spiraling, and I didn’t know why. I wanted to pull him aside to ask, but I knew that would be rude. Instead, I tried to pull both men into a light conversation.

“So,” I said. “You both know Carla, right? From the gallery?”

“Oh yeah,” Rex said, laughing lightly. “She’s a trip.”

“I love her!” I said enthusiastically. “She’s so damn talented, but I’m exhausted. I swear I’ve never had a boss work me as hard as she does.”

“She’ll do that,” Rex said with a nod. “Carla is no nonsense.”

“No kidding.” I laughed. “I think I’ve cleaned more in the past week than I ever have in my entire life.”

Rex laughed but shot Brad a meaningful look that I didn’t understand. When my eyes turned back to Brad’s face, I saw that same angry and annoyed look in his eyes. I frowned and waited for him to say something but when he did, it wasn’t at all what I expected.

“Gotta pee,” he said. “I’ll be back.”

With that, he jumped out of his chair and hurried away. I watched him, feeling more and more concerned by the second. Something was obviously really wrong with him, and I had no idea what it was. With Rex around, I didn’t have any hope of asking him either.

“So,” Rex said, pulling my attention to him. “What’s going on with you two?”

I hesitated. Rex was obviously looking out for his friend, but there was a stern look on his face that brought me up short. I wasn’t sure how to answer his question.

“Listen,” he said, softening slightly. “Brad doesn’t usually act like this, that’s all.”

“Act like what?” I asked.

“He doesn’t open up to women,” Rex said. “He’s been through some shit and because of that, he’s closed off. He never sees the same woman for any length of time. That’s why I’m surprised by how much time he’s been spending with you.”

“Oh,” I said. “Well, I mean, I guess we were just…”

“Having fun?” Rex asked.

“Yeah,” I said, shrugging. “Is that such a bad thing?”

“No,” Rex said kindly. “But I know Brad. The way he looks at you… it’s obvious he isn’t just having fun. He feels something for you, something deep. I’m not even sure he realizes it yet, but it’s there.”

“I don’t really know what to say,” I said.

Rex was making me uncomfortable, and I knew he didn’t mean to. It wasn’t his words that bothered me. It was my feelings about the matter. Brad had been distant all night, and now I knew why. My own feelings for Brad were much stronger than I wanted them to be. I’d realized that a while ago but I pushed it away, not wanting to ruin a good thing.

“You’re leaving,” Rex said bluntly.

“Excuse me?” I asked.

“Eventually,” he said. “You’ll be leaving town, right?”

I nodded.

“Just be careful, okay?” he said. “Brad is already attached to you, even if he can’t see it. When you leave, it’ll hurt him.”

I nodded again and looked away. My head was spinning, and I didn’t know what to say. Rex was prying into something that wasn’t his business, but I didn’t blame him. He was looking out for his friend. It was nice in its own way but my mind was still reeling over it.

I shrugged off Brad’s jacket and jumped to my feet.

“I should go,” I said softly.

I didn’t look back as I hurried through the bar. When I stepped outside, I felt the night air hit me sharply. It stung my eyes but I pushed forward, Rex’s words still playing in my head.

He wasn’t wrong, not about anything. My feelings for Brad were growing stronger by the day, and I didn’t know how to stop it. What started as something casual and fun had quickly turned into something much different.

I thought it was just me, but now that I knew how Brad felt, I couldn’t ignore things any longer. Rex was right. It wasn’t fair of me to let Brad get attached to me when I was just going to leave soon. Besides, I wasn’t sure I’d be able to handle the goodbye myself. Just the thought of leaving Brad was enough to bring tears to my eyes.

I blinked them away and jogged toward my hotel, eager to tuck myself away from the world.

Chapter 15

Brad

My frustration was worse than ever as I hurried into the bathroom. Rex showing up at the bar was enough to piss me off but having already been on edge, I felt even worse. The bathroom was empty, so I splashed some water on my face and tried to calm down. A part of me wanted to put Rex in his place, but I knew that wouldn’t solve anything. My anger toward him was really just anger toward myself. Rex was being a good friend. Me? I was being an idiot.

Falling for Olivia was never part of the plan, but after spending so much time with her, that’s exactly what I did. I fell for her, and now I didn’t know what to do. Rex was right, getting attached was a mistake, but I felt like I was already in over my head with no way to surface.

Once I was calm enough, I hurried out of the bathroom and made my way back to our table. When I got there, Olivia was gone. My jacket was hanging on the back of her chair, and Rex wouldn’t meet my eyes. He stared down at his hands with a guilty expression.

“What happened?” I asked.

Rex’s head snapped up, and his eyes found mine. He grimaced and shook his head apologetically.

“I’m sorry,” he said. “I was just trying to look out for you.”

“What did you say?” I asked.

“Just to be careful,” Rex said. “I reminded her that she was leaving. I said she might want to consider what it meant to get close to someone when she was still planning to leave town.”

“Damn it, Rex,” I sighed and ran my hands over my face.

“I’m really sorry, man. I didn’t mean to freak her out. I just wanted to—”

“Look out for me, I know.” I snapped.

Rex looked back down at his hands, that same guilty expression on his face. I wasn’t mad at him but really, what the fuck was he thinking? Of course, Olivia got upset. No one wanted a total stranger butting into their business. She probably fled due to sheer embarrassment.

I stared at the door to the bar, wondering what to do. My first instinct was to chase after her. The night was still young, and I wasn’t done with her just yet. Still, it wasn’t like me to run after a woman, no matter how hot they were. The idea of opening myself to a woman was terrifying, and yet, I’d already done it. I’d already let Olivia in without realizing it. Now I was faced with a decision I didn’t want to make: either chase after Olivia and hope she would understand Rex’s intrusion, or let her go and risk never seeing her again.

Neither choice felt right, but I knew I couldn’t just sit there. I had to at least try.

“I’ll see you later, Rex,” I said, taking a step toward the door.

“I’m sorry again,” Rex said.

I waved away his apology and ran out of the bar. When I reached the parking lot, my eyes roamed around, searching for a sign of Olivia. She was nowhere in sight.

I was about to give up when I saw a familiar black dress running away from the parking lot. I squinted, trying to make out her form in the dark. Her hair was bouncing against her back, and I knew it was her. There was no mistaking it.

Without thinking, I sprinted after her, not slowing down until I was right beside her.

“Brad!” She shrieked and jumped away from me, breathing heavily and holding her hand to her chest. “Shit, you scared me!”

“I’m sorry,” I said. “I just didn’t want you to leave without an explanation.”

“I just… I just need to get out of here,” Olivia said, not meeting my eyes.

“I know what Rex said to you,” I said softly. “He shouldn’t have butted in.”

“He’s right,” Olivia said bluntly. “I’m leaving. This thing between us, we both know it won’t last.”

“Who cares?” I asked, grabbing her hand. “I like what we’re doing, and I don’t have to stop.”

“I’ll be leaving soon,” Olivia said softly.

“One more night won’t hurt,” I said, my voice low and pleading. “Will it?”

She looked at me with emotion behind her eyes. I could tell she wanted to argue, but her attraction to me was overpowering. Her green eyes swam as she searched my face, desperately trying to decide on an answer.

Before she could speak, I pulled her against me and claimed her lips as my own. She froze against me, then melted. Her lips softened and the sigh she released sounded like heaven. I held her closer, kissing her until we could barely breathe.

When we finally pulled apart, that familiar fire was dancing in her eyes. I grinned, and she grabbed my hand, leading me to her hotel room.

***

I knew this moment was one I would want to remember. As we stepped inside her hotel room, my eyes moved slowly over her body. I took in the sight of her in that black dress, feeling myself harden. She was gorgeous, and no matter what happened between us, I wanted her. At that moment, I didn’t care if this would be our last night together. I had to have her.

Our kiss was like dynamite, setting off explosions in my stomach and groin. I groaned when she stepped out of her dress and laid back on the bed, open and waiting for me. The growl that escaped my lips was out of my control. I removed my own clothes, my eyes on hers the entire time.

She trailed her hands down my naked body, lighting running her fingers across my cock. I shivered and kissed her with a gentleness I didn’t know I possessed.

Our bodies were alive with desire as we clung to one another. Her naked breasts pressed into my chest and her smooth legs wrapped around my waist. I could feel her wetness rubbing against me, and the sensation was too much. It wasn’t how we usually did things, but I took her slowly, sliding inside of her while my arms were still wrapped tightly around her back.

My lips never left hers. We kissed and thrust against each other, moving slowly and deliberately. Every thrust of my hips was powerful and desperate. She moaned and panted against my lips, her tongue dancing over mine. She surrounded me, overwhelming with her scent, her taste.

I’d never felt anything so intense in my life. My orgasm was building, but I didn’t care. It was like my body had fused with Olivia’s. I wasn’t moving inside of her. She wasn’t lifting her hips against mine. We moved together, one being. The rhythm between us was more than just in sync. We were unstoppable. I knew I would never feel this connected to another woman.

As my pleasure increased, I tore my lips from hers to gasp for breath. She cried out as she came around my cock, her pussy collapsing and her back arching. I could feel her entire body tremble, and when her eyes found mine, they were full of desperation. I held myself up on my hands, watching her while I continued to thrust inside of her.

My movements sped up. As I got closer to my own release, I couldn’t control myself. I slammed forward with speed and ferocity, making her body jerk and her breasts tremble. The sight of her perky nipples was enough to send waves of desire running down my spine. My body was covered in sweat, and I knew I wouldn’t last much longer.

Sitting up on my heels, I pulled Olivia’s still shaking body with me. She sat on top of me while I continued to thrust upward, making her cry out with renewed pleasure. The effects of her orgasm were working their way through her body when her second orgasm took us both by surprise.

“Brad,” she moaned my name weakly. “Oh God, Brad.”

Her pussy clamped on my cock, and I came so hard I thought I might burst out of her. The feelings that filled my body were unlike anything I’d ever felt before. Waves of ecstasy shot from my groin to every inch of my body. I grunted and sighed, panting and clinging to Olivia’s body with desperation.

She was still shaking from her own pleasure, her arms wrapped tightly around my shoulders. I could feel her hot breath on my neck, and when I pushed her back, our lips collided in yet another earth-shattering kiss.

We rolled apart, both too exhausted to speak. As we rested against the pillows, I pulled Olivia’s body to mine and held her close. I closed my eyes and breathed in her scent, trying to memorize everything about her while I still could.

Chapter 16

Olivia

I awoke the next morning with a smile on my face and a sleeping man by my side. When I rolled over to face Brad, I smiled at how peaceful he looked. He was sleeping soundly, and for the first time since we met, I didn’t see a single worry line on his face. He looked years younger while he slept as if all his trials and tribulations magically disappeared while he was dreaming. I liked seeing him this way. Peaceful. Happy. Content.

My smile widened as I sunk into my pillow, my eyes never leaving Brad’s face. It wasn’t like me to watch someone sleep, but I couldn’t help myself. I brushed his sandy blond hair off his forehead and gently stroked his naked shoulder. I slid my hand down his arm, lingering over his tattoo. Without a shirt on, I could see the entire piece of art. It was a hawk, circling above the sun. The tattoo wasn’t one I’d ever seen before, and I loved to admire it. Whenever we spent the night together, I found myself staring in awe at the talent that went into creating this tattoo.

At my touch, Brad began to stir. He shifted slightly, breathing in a deep breath and blinking his eyes open. He smiled when he saw me staring at him. I grinned back and waited until he sat up to press a kiss to his lips. He kissed me back, long and slow. When we pulled apart, he was still smiling. The sight was enough to keep my own smile firmly in place. I grinned as he pushed himself to kiss me good morning. After everything happened the night before, I didn’t expect to end up here.

Rex shook me to my core with his warnings. I ran out of the bar ready to never see Brad again and yet, here I was, curled up beside him in bed.

“I’m sorry about what Rex said last night,” Brad said as if he could read my mind.

“Don’t be,” I said, shaking my head and sitting up slightly. “He wasn’t exactly wrong. It’s not fair of me to spend this much time with you when I don’t know how long I’ll be in Santa Fe.”

“That’s for me to decide though, isn’t it?” Brad asked, smiling slyly.

“I guess,” I sighed. “He was just worried about you.”

“What did he say?” Brad asked, frowning slightly.

“Just that you never act this way with women,” I said, shrugging. “He said it was obvious you have real feelings for me.”

Brad sighed and ran his hands over his face. He sat up and shook his hair out of his eyes. When he looked at me, his expression was open, his eyes deep with meaning.

“He’s not wrong,” Brad said. “My life hasn’t been the easiest.”

“Tell me about it,” I said softly.

Brad nodded and continued. “My mom left when I was young. She just couldn’t deal with my father’s temper.”

“Was he…” I began, trailing off uncertainly.

“Violent?” Brad asked. “No, just verbally abusive. He was a mean son of a bitch, but he was my dad. For as long as I can remember, he was my only family. I did whatever he wanted, including participating in the family business.”

“The family business?” I asked.

“Theft,” he said without emotion. “Stolen cars. We stole them, fixed them up, and sold them. That’s how I learned everything I know about cars.”

“Wow,” I said, raising my eyebrows. “That’s…”

“Crazy?” Brad asked. “Insane? I know, but I didn’t have much choice. My dad did it, so I did it. Until I got caught.”

Brad sighed deeply and looked down at his arms. For the first time, I noticed faint scars spread out over his skin. They were so light that they were barely visible, but when I looked closer, I saw the same scars scattered over his chest.

“I was arrested when I was still a kid,” he said. “I thought my dad would bail me out or at least try to get me a lawyer. He didn’t.”

“Why not?” I asked.

“He said he couldn’t put himself at risk,” Brad said. “That, if he got involved, the police would find something to implicate him for. He didn’t want to take that chance, so he left me in juvie. When I turned eighteen, I moved to a higher security prison. I stayed there for a few years, then got out.”

“Wow,” I said. “I never would have guessed that.”

Brad laughed. “Most people don’t,” he said. “It’s not exactly something I advertise.”

I nodded and took his hand, stroking my thumb along his palm. It was shocking to me that this man, this gorgeous and intelligent man, had spent time in prison. Still, it didn’t change how I felt about him. If anything, I felt closer to him now.

“I guess we share the whole ‘shitty parents’ thing,” Brad said with a soft laugh.

“Well, mine never left me in prison,” I said.

“No,” Brad said, laughing again. “But you never told me what happened to them. Why did you leave New York?”

I sighed. “I went to NYU for liberal arts, which they didn’t agree with,” I said. “Even after graduation they kept pushing me toward a more practical degree, something I could make a living with. No matter how many times I insisted that art was my passion, they wouldn’t hear it. Eventually I decided to give their offer a chance. I thought if I took this road trip I would be ready to buckle down and do something practical. They didn’t agree with this little adventure, so they cut me off. Now I don’t really know where we stand.”

“That’s crazy,” Brad said. “If art is what you love, then that’s what you should do. Everyone else be damned.”

“I’ve been thinking about that a lot lately,” I said softly. “Being here, working for Carla, spending time with you… I just feel like I’m in the right place, you know? The idea of leaving right not just doesn’t feel right.”

“What are you saying?” Brad asked, hope blooming in his eyes.

“I’m saying that I want to stay,” I said with a smile. “I want to stay here and work for Carla. I’m learning so much from her. I’m going to look for a cheap apartment, so I can move out of this hotel and then after my Jeep is fixed, I guess we’ll see what happens.”

Brad grinned and kissed me long and deep. His smile never faded from his lips during the kiss. When we pulled apart, there was hunger in his eyes that I’d grown to recognize. Pulling myself out of bed, I held out my hand to him. He took it and let me lead him to the bathroom.

The shower was scalding hot as it fell over our bodies, fueling our desire. Brad’s lips were on mine in an instant, tasting me and leaving me breathless. By the time we pulled apart, his cock was hard against my leg, and my pussy was dripping with need.

He growled and spun me around, pushing me forward against the shower wall. I supported myself against the tile while he gripped my hips, wasting no time at all. He took me hard and fast, slamming himself against me and rocking my entire body with pleasure.

Like every time before, Brad left me trembling and satiated. My body was more relaxed than it had been in years. After the orgasm washed through us both, we held on to each other and kissed gently until the shower ran cold.

When we climbed out, Brad had to get to the shop, and I planned to spend the day painting. We kissed goodbye, lingering longer than we should have.

“Okay,” Brad said after about twenty minutes. “I really have to go now. I’ll see you later?”

“Yes,” I said with a nod. “You can help me find an apartment.”

“Deal.” He grinned and turned to leave.

My smile never faded as I gathered my art supplies and headed out for the day. There were a few scenes nearby that I’d planned to paint and today seemed like the perfect chance. I settled myself down on a bench, facing out over a barren stretch of land. The only thing on the land was a single cactus plant. I loved its solitude, so I spent the day painting it slowly, making sure to get every detail just right.

Not two minutes after I finished, my phone rang loudly in my bag. Frowning, I pulled it out to see my father’s face dancing across the screen. A heavy weight dropped into my stomach. I knew I couldn’t avoid him, so I took a deep breath and answered.

“Hi, Dad,” I said, keeping my voice light.

“Olivia, I’m in Santa Fe. Where the hell is your car?” he said.

Chapter 17

Brad

It was a busy day at the shop, which was great for business but bad for my mood. My hands were buried deep inside a Volvo’s engine when I heard the distinctive ring of the front door bell. I was in the middle of a tricky repair, so I ignored it. Whoever it was could wait until I finished this. Rex was out for the day, so I was on my own. I normally didn’t like to keep a customer waiting, but my hands were drenched in grease and buried deep inside an engine. If I stopped now, I would have started over from the beginning when I returned.

As I continued working, I heard the front-desk bell chime. I sighed and looked around. From the garage, I could see the outline of a man standing by the front desk. I craned my neck around to look outside. There was a Denali in the parking lot that looked to be a rental. I frowned and looked back at the man, trying to decide if he was worth my time. While I watched him, he rang the bell three more times.

I groaned and yanked my hands out of the Volvo. I hated that damn bell. Ever since Rex bought it, it had become the bane of my existence. Toweling off my hands, I hurried through the door into the office and stepped up to the front desk. My eyes fell on the man’s face, and I inhaled sharply.

He was middle-aged, with dark hair that was peppered with gray. His green eyes were unmistakable. They were the exact shape, size, and color as Olivia’s. I looked at him closer and saw that they not only shared the same eyes but the same mouth and cheeks. This man was obviously Olivia’s father. I was shocked to see him in my shop, so shocked that I didn’t open my mouth to speak for several seconds.

“Um,” I finally said, clearing my throat loudly. “I’m sorry. Busy day. What can I do for you?”

“I’m looking for a Jeep Cherokee,” the man said with authority. “My name is Daniel Storm. I’m Olivia’s father.”

“Oh!” I said as if I hadn’t already figured this out. “It’s nice to meet you, sir.”

“You as well, I’m sure,” Daniel said politely. “I’m here to pay for the Jeep. Is it finished?”

“Yes, sir,” I said. “Finished it this morning.”

“Excellent,” Daniel said. “Well, I assume you take credit cards?”

I frowned and craned my neck around. The Denali rental was still sitting in the parking lot, and I suddenly wondered if Olivia was hidden behind the tinted windows. I’d seen her just this morning, and she didn’t say a word about her father coming to town. Why would he suddenly arrive to pay for her Jeep? Why now?

“I’ve already set up a payment plan with Olivia,” I said slowly. “Are you sure you want to—”

“Yes,” he said firmly. “I’ll pay for it in full now.”

“Okay,” I said, nodding. I wasn’t in the position to refuse a payment, so I took his credit card from him and ran it through the machine. He stared off into the distance while I printed out his receipt. I handed it over to him, along with his card. “If you could just sign this top one for me.”

“Sure,” he said, scribbling his name along the dotted line. “Here you go,”

He handed it back to me and folded his copy into fourths. Tucking it into his back pocket, he looked up at me with that same authoritative expression. It made my stomach churn, but I remained impassive, professional.

From everything Olivia told me about her parents, I already knew I didn’t like this man. It didn’t take a genius to realize this man wasn’t kind or compassionate. His clipped tone and tight lips told me everything I needed to know. No matter how polite he seemed, he was a snake in the grass, and I didn’t appreciate his presence in my shop.

Still, if he was willing to pay for Olivia’s Jeep, then maybe he wasn’t all bad. Maybe he’d finally come to his senses and decide to support his daughter. There was something in his eyes that told me I was wrong. When he opened his mouth to speak again, I knew support wasn’t in his nature.

“There’s a tow truck on the way now,” Daniel said simply. “They’ll pick up the Jeep and transport it back to New York.”

“What?” I asked, unable to stop myself. “But what about Olivia?”

Daniel glared at me with suspicion. He looked me up and down as if he was suddenly seeing me in a different light. I knew this man wasn’t any stupid. My obvious concern for Olivia wasn’t something he could overlook.

“Olivia has disobeyed me and her mother,” he said simply. “We do not support her lifestyle. We offered her a chance to come home and do things the right way: go back to school, study something real, and get a financially stable job. She refused. She insisted on pursuing her art.”

“Because she loves it,” I said without thinking.

“Regardless,” Daniel said shortly. “We will not support her in her frivolous art career. This Jeep was bought for her by me. Now I’m taking it back.”

“But she won’t have a car.” I snapped. “You’re essentially leaving her stranded.”

“That’s not your concern,” Daniel said, his voice devoid of any emotion.

I stared at him in shock. He looked back at me with a blank expression. I wanted to lunge across the counter and throttle him, but I knew that wasn’t an emotion. This man was obviously an uncaring, unsympathetic, sociopath. If he was willing to leave his own daughter stranded in a strange city, then he didn’t have a compassionate bone in his body. Nothing I said to him would change his mind.

So, I fell silent and nodded. He nodded back and walked outside, climbing into his Denali and pulling out of the parking lot. It wasn’t more than five minutes later before a tow truck pulled in and the driver jumped out.

I was still standing in the office, unable to move after my encounter with Daniel Storm. My anger was boiling just below the surface, and when the tow truck driver asked for the Jeep, I almost punched him.

It took everything in me not to beat the shit out of this innocent man. Instead, I clenched my fists and gestured toward the open garage. The Jeep was sitting at the far end, totally accessible. The driver nodded his thanks and went out to load it up. I watched while he attached the Jeep to his truck and drove it away without another word.

It killed me that I couldn’t do anything to stop him but what choice did I have? If I fought Daniel or the driver, my business would be ruined. I couldn’t risk that, no matter how badly I wanted to. Instead, I just stood there. My fists were still clenched at my sides, and I could feel my heart pounding in my ears. I’d never felt such a strong surge of anger in my life.

I saw red as I slowly made my way back to the garage. I knew I should call Olivia or maybe drive over to the hotel to see her but I couldn’t. I was still too angry, and I didn’t want her to see me this way. The last thing she needed right now was for me to fly off the handle, not after everything she’d already been through.

I threw myself back into my work, driving into the Volvo’s engine and repairing it with lightning speed. While I worked, I didn’t let myself think. I let everything disappear. Olivia. Her father. Her Jeep. Everything. I pounded away in that Volvo until every single repair was done. The sun was beginning to set outside by the time I stood up straight. My back ached, and sweat was pouring down my face, but I didn’t care. I felt better now, more relaxed.

As I cleaned up, washing my hands and putting away all my tools, I thought about Olivia. I wondered if her father even bothered to see her while he was in town. Did he go by her hotel? Is that how he found out where her car was? Or did he take the coward’s way out and simply call her? Was he afraid to face her while simultaneously destroying her life?

What kind of father could just walk away from their child? My anger came rushing back as this question played around and around in my head. Daniel Storm, though rich and powerful, reminded me of my own father. That, more than anything, fueled my anger and drove me forward.

I crashed into the office and quickly locked everything up. I didn’t know what I would do, but I knew I had to do something.

Chapter 18

Olivia

My father’s phone call shook me to my core. He yelled and screamed, which wasn’t anything new, but the finality that he spoke with was enough to shake me. They were done—my parents were done. With me and with my art. They weren’t going to support me in any way if I didn’t agree to go home and start my “real life.” My father raged about how irresponsible I was, how much of a failure I was sure to become.

“You aren’t talented,” he said on the phone. “If you were, this would be a different conversation. Maybe then we would consider helping you, but what’s the point, Olivia? You’re only going to fail.”

“You can’t know that,” I argued weakly.

“I do,” he said. “You’re going to fail. Just come home now. Come back to New York, and we’ll get you back in school. You can still make it as a lawyer or even an accountant.”

His words hurt me more than anything ever had. I knew my parents didn’t support my art career. They never had. But to hear him tell me I would fail was heartbreaking. No matter how many times they yelled and screamed at me, this was the worst.

Part of me wanted to give in, to just let him have his way. Maybe then he would finally be proud of me. Still, I knew I couldn’t do that. I would hate myself forever if I walked away from my dream of becoming an artist. I loved to paint and to sketch. My life was my art. I couldn’t turn my back on it any more than I could magically become someone else. It wasn’t possible and more than that. I didn’t want it to be.

My art was what kept me sane throughout my entire life. When my parents neglected me, I turned to art. I’d been drawing for as long as I could remember, and when I first held a paintbrush, I finally felt at home. This was more than my passion, more than a hobby. It was my entire life, and no matter what my father said, I couldn’t turn my back on it. I just couldn’t.

“I’m sorry,” I said softly. “I’m sorry, Dad. I can’t. I can’t do what you’re asking.”

“Then we won’t help you anymore,” he said simply. “Not with money. Not with anything.”

He hung up the phone, and I broke down on that bench. There were a thousand things I wanted to do, but I didn’t know where to begin. I thought about calling him back and begging him to understand. I even considered calling my mother, but I knew she would have the same response as my father. My mind turned quickly to Brad. I knew he would comfort me, but I wasn’t ready to face him yet. Not while I was still this upset.

Instead, I went to the one person I knew might understand. Carla’s. I wasn’t scheduled to work that day, but it didn’t matter. I needed her wisdom. I needed a fellow artist to reassure me, to promise me everything would be okay.

I walked through the doors, letting the door slam shut behind me. Carla looked up with a smile on her face, ready to greet a customer. When she saw me, the smile faded slightly, and she waved me over.

“What is it?” she asked immediately. “What happened?”

Carla wrapped her arms around my shoulder and led me behind the counter. She held on to me while I told her about my father. I cried and sobbed, letting out every emotion I’d ever felt. She stroked my hair and handed me tissue after tissue while I desperately tried to explain everything that happened.

“I don’t know how it got this bad,” I said through my sobs. “My parents never supported my dreams but this? They didn’t just cut me off financially. They cut me off from everything. From the family. My dad said they won’t do anything for me now—nothing. He said they don’t even want to know me anymore. How could he say that? What kind of father could say that to his only child?”

“A shitty one,” Carla said firmly. “He’s a piece of shit, Olivia. They both are.”

“What am I going to do now?” I asked weakly. “How am I going to make it without a family?”

“You’re going to pick yourself up,” Carla said, wiping my cheek. “And you’re going to channel all these emotions into your work. No matter what happens, you are an artist, Olivia. I see it every single day. Your work is incredible.”

“I don’t know…” I began, but she shook her head firmly.

“Listen to me,” she said. “I’ve been doing this for a long time, sweetheart. A long time. I know talent when I see it, and you are talented. Your father? He’s an idiot. He wouldn’t recognize true potential if it came up and kicked him in the balls.”

I laughed and sniffed, wiping my eyes and letting Carla’s words soothe me. She was right, about my father at least. He wasn’t exactly the artistic type. If he didn’t think I had talent, who cares? He didn’t know anything about it, so why was I letting him get in my head?

I shook myself and groaned deeply. Even before my father called this morning, I knew I would be on my own for a while. They already canceled my credit cards. Financially, I’d been on my own since I arrived in Santa Fe. The only difference was, now I felt alone. I felt like an orphan, wandering around the streets without a family to go home to. That fact, more than anything, was what weakened me. It hit me in the stomach with a painful punch and left me heaving, unable to move forward.

Carla kept stroking my hair and whispering words of encouragement, but I barely heard her. I wanted to believe he was right but it was hard.

A few minutes later, we both jumped when the first door banged open. Looking up, I saw Brad hurrying toward me with a look of concern on his face. The sun was already beginning to set outside the window. I didn’t realize how late it had gotten.

“What are you doing here?” I asked, jumping to my feet.

“Your father came to the garage earlier today,” Brad said quickly. “He paid for the Jeep and then took it with him. He said he was having it towed back to New York.”

I nodded and sighed, my father had already said as much on the phone. He didn’t say he was going to leave me stranded, but I wasn’t surprised. When the Storms gave up on someone, they really gave up on them.

“I’m sorry,” Brad said desperately. “I didn’t know what to do. I was just so angry that he would do that. I didn’t have a choice. I had to let him take it.”

“It’s not your fault,” I said, reaching for his hand. “This is my father. This is how he does things.”

“Still,” Brad said, “I should have done something, anything, to stop him. He didn’t have the right to take your car!”

“He did,” I said with a nod. “He paid for it.”

“It’s such bullshit,” Brad said angrily.

I smiled and sighed. He was right. It was bullshit, but I had bigger concerns now. Like what I was going to do with the rest of my life.

“I just don’t know where to go from here,” I said softly. “I knew I would be on my own for a while but deep down, I always thought I would have them there to help if things got bad. Like, if I really needed the money, they would provide it. Now that comfort is gone, and all that’s left is me. Just me.”

“You can do this,” Brad said quickly, squeezing my hand. “I know you can.”

“How?” I asked, looking from him to Carla and back again.

“You rely on your talent,” Carla said simply. “You paint with everything you have, and then we’ll display those paintings here. Plus, there’s a local farmer’s market that will let you set up a booth. I’ve sold there a few times myself. You can make pretty good money in just one afternoon.”

“Do you really think I can do that?” I asked. “That I can make a living off my art?”

Carla nodded, and Brad did the same. They both looked at me with a confidence I’d never seen before. No one had ever supported or encouraged me the way they were now. I felt my chest grow warm as I took in their faces, wanting to remember this moment forever.

Whatever else happened, at least I had two people in my corner. That was more than most people had and I felt lucky.

Chapter 19

Brad

That weekend, Olivia and I went to the farmer’s market first thing in the morning. The place wasn’t open yet, and very few people were around. Olivia’s hands were shaking as she set up her booth, laying out her paintings with precision. I could tell she was nervous, but as I looked at her work, I knew she didn’t need to be. Her paintings were amazing. They were incredible, and I knew everyone would see that. She wouldn’t have any trouble making enough money for an apartment.

As the morning progressed, people began to filter into the market. Other booths had opened up all around us, but Olivia’s was by far the favorite. People came by, stopping to stare and often ask questions about different pieces. Olivia looked nervous the entire time but when she talked about her art, a calm spread over her face that made her look even more beautiful. She was in her element, doing exactly what she loved to do. Watching her was an incredible experience for me. Her eyes lit up, and her smile was radiant. When she got her first sale, she squealed with delight and wrapped her arms around my neck.

The happiness that radiated off her was contagious, and soon I found myself laughing and talking with all the patrons as well. I bragged around different paintings, pointing out my favorites and pushing people to buy more. I didn’t know anything about art but I knew what I liked, and Olivia’s paintings were it. Each new one I saw, impressed me. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from them, and when the day finally ended, very few were left on the table.

Turning to face Olivia, I saw that she was still smiling. She packed up her remaining paintings and tucked all her money in her purse. She hadn’t yet counted it, and I knew she would want to get back to the hotel before she did. Her nerves were still fried after everything with her dad. I didn’t blame her. Just thinking about that man sent a white-hot rage flooding through my veins that I couldn’t control. I hated him more than I’d ever hated anyone in my life, including my own father. I knew if I ever saw him again, I wouldn’t be able to control myself.

Once everything was packed away, Olivia and I jumped in my truck and headed back to the hotel. She was silent on the ride, pulling out her money and counting it quickly. Her eyes lit up the more she counted, and soon she was laughing softly to herself. When she finished, she rolled up the cash and tucked it safely in her purse. She glanced out the window with a strange look on her face.

“What’s up?” I asked.

“I just can’t believe this is real,” she said softly. “That I did it. I actually sold my paintings.”

“You kicked serious ass today,” I said.

“I did, didn’t I?” She laughed. “I made more than enough to get settled. I can definitely afford first and last on that apartment we saw yesterday.”

“Yeah.” I nodded, but my mind was spinning. I knew Olivia wanted to get her own place. She needed somewhere to stay, and it only made sense for her to move in somewhere near Carla’s gallery. Still, the idea of her leaving the hotel for a random apartment made my stomach tighten.

An idea popped into my head that surprised me, but once it took root, I couldn’t shake it. I thought about it all the way back to Olivia’s hotel room. As I helped her unload her paintings, I realized I didn’t want to unload them. Instead, I wanted to grab the rest of her things and throw them in my truck. I wanted to drive her back to my apartment and get her settled there, with me.

“Listen,” I said as we climbed the stairs. “I know you liked that apartment we saw yesterday, but I’ve been thinking… I have an extra room at my place.”

Olivia stopped walking and turned to face me. Her eyes were wide, and I laughed at her shock because, just minutes before, I’d shocked myself just as much.

“I know it sounds crazy, but I just… I like the idea of having you around more often. I’d love it if you moved in with me. My bed is big enough for two, but if you aren’t comfortable with that, I do have a spare bedroom,” I said.

“Are you sure about this?” Olivia asked.

“I am,” I said without hesitation. “I really am.”

“Then my answer is yes,” Olivia said with excitement. “Of course, yes.”

I grinned and picked her up, hugging her tightly and spinning her in a quick circle. We were both laughing as we hurried up the stairs to her room. Together, we packed up her things and loaded them into my truck. After Olivia checked out of the hotel, we drove through town toward my apartment. It wasn’t far, just five minutes from the shop and even closer to Carla’s gallery. I knew it was the perfect place for Olivia to be.

Once we got there, we unloaded Olivia’s things, and she took a look around. I forgot she hadn’t been to my place yet. I worried she might not like it, but the smile on her face eased my concerns.

“So where should I put these? My room or the spare room?” I asked.

I held up her bags. She looked at me and then at them, a coy smile playing at the corners of her mouth. She didn’t answer. Instead, she walked slowly over to me and pulled the bags from my hands, letting them fall to the floor with a soft thud. Before I knew it, her lips were on mine, and I couldn’t think. My hands grasped at her body, holding her to with desperation.

Everything about that night was a blur of naked passion. I led Olivia to my bedroom, tearing her clothes off as we moved. Her hands tore at my body, ripping away my own clothes and throwing them to the floor. We fell on to my bed and ravished each other’s bodies without pause. I kissed every inch of her I could reach while she bit and clawed at my skin. We were animals at that moment, not caring about anything but our frantic need for one another.

Olivia writhed and moaned while I kissed my way down her body, licking her nipples and sliding my fingers between her soft, wet folds. I brought her to orgasm with my fingers, watching her gorgeous face contort with pleasure. When a rush of pleasure pooled between her legs, I slid my cock inside of her, eager to fill her up.

She moaned and cried out, clinging to me and kissed my lips with abandon. She rolled us over, pinning me to the bed and riding me hard and fast. I watched her perfect tits bounce, and the sight was more than I could take. I came so hard that I flipped Olivia over, crawling on top of her and thrusting a few more times before my pleasure overtook me.

We weren’t done. The rest of the night was spent worshipping each other’s bodies. We took short breaks, kissing and holding each other before our bodies reignited and we slammed into each other with passion and lust. I’d never felt more connected to another person, and I thought I never would be.

That night seemed to go on forever, and yet I never wanted it to end. We made love and held each other, made love again and then held each other again. I kissed and licked every inch of her sweet skin, lapping my tongue between her legs. She caressed my body and nibbled my skin, sucking my cock in her mouth and lightly trailing her tongue over my balls.

By the time the night ended, we were like one body, permanently fused together by our shared desire and emotions. I held her close that night, playing with her hair and placing gentle kisses on her head. Exhaustion overwhelmed us both, but we didn’t sleep. It was as if our energy was endless that night. While I held her, I felt a surge of emotions I’d never felt before.

“I’m glad you decided to move in here,” I said softly. “I can’t imagine not seeing you every day.”

“Me neither,” she said. “It’s strange. We just met but already I—”

“I know,” I said. “I feel the same way.”

She smiled and nestled into my chest, kissing me softly and sighing. We held on to each other into the early hours of the morning, not moving or speaking. We didn’t need to. That night, our feelings were written in on our skin, and we poured them into each other again and again. I’d fallen in love with Olivia without realizing it, and that night I knew I could never lose her.

Chapter 20

Five Months Later

Olivia

It took five months, but I finally felt like I was doing something right here in Santa Fe. After moving in with Brad, everything sort of fell into place. I painted and sketched more than ever, constantly drawing inspiration from my love for him. This place, Santa Fe, inspired me in a way nothing else ever had. I felt at home here and with Brad. It didn’t take long for me to decide I’d never leave. This was home. This was where I belonged.

For the first few months, I painted like crazy and sold everything I could. I worked tirelessly at Carla’s shop, trying to save up extra money and make a name for myself. Eventually, my paintings became a local hit. Everyone came out to Carla and to the farmer’s market to request one. Business was insane. I never imagined I would become so successful so soon. It wasn’t long before Carla realized I needed a place of my own. She found a few shops nearby that I could rent out for very little money. I worried about getting into business on my own, but with Carla’s help, I managed to do so successfully.

Brad helped me design and organize my gallery, and now, a month later, it was fully up and running. I’d sold a few high-dollar items and countless smaller ones. People came from inside the city of Santa Fe to check out my work and reserve future pieces. The local businesses all bought a few paintings to hang in their stores. It was crazy how quickly my life turned around. Just a few months ago, I felt helpless and lost. I never thought I would make it as an artist, and now I owned my own gallery.

As I locked up the gallery one evening, my mother called me. I stared down at my phone, nervous and breathless. We hadn’t spoken in months. I didn’t know why she was calling and for a split second, I worried something might have happened to my dad.

“Mom,” I said as I answered the phone. “Is everything okay?”

“Everything is fine,” she said, her voice guarded but kind. “I’m just calling to see how you are.”

“Um…” I said, confusion setting in. “I’m fine. I actually opened my own art gallery about a month ago. Business has been good.”

“From what I’ve heard, it’s been more than good,” my mom said.

I blinked. What was she talking about? How did she know anything about my work or my gallery?

“What do you mean?” I asked nervously.

“Well, I got an interesting phone call a couple of days ago,” Mom said. “From Brad Jones?”

“Yeah,” I said. “And what did he say?”

“He just told me all about your gallery and how successful you’ve been,” she said. “He spent almost an hour gushing about how amazing you are and how you’re an inspiration to him. He’s very proud of everything you’ve accomplished, and he thought I would be too.”

“Oh,” I said, unsure of what else to say.

I never imagined Brad to be reserved or standoffish. Brad would call my mother to talk about me. It was crazy and yet, I believed it. Brad would do anything for me. He’d proven that time and time again since I moved in with him.

“Well,” my mom said. “I won’t keep you. I just thought I would call and say congratulations on your success.”

“Thank you, Mom,” I said.

“And…” she hesitated. “I’m sorry about everything, Olivia. I was wrong. We, your father and I, were wrong. You obviously have a talent for this that we didn’t see before.”

“It’s okay,” I said, though it wasn’t.

“Maybe you can come home for a visit soon,” she said softly, “with your friend Brad.”

“Sure,” I said. “That sounds nice.”

We said our goodbyes and hung up. I stared at my phone in shock, unable to believe what just happened. It wasn’t like my mother to admit she was wrong. In fact, I’d never once heard her utter an apology in my entire life. Not to me or anyone. I felt like I was living in a dream as I locked up the gallery and climbed into my car.

My little car wasn’t new. It was a rundown little thing that Brad fixed up for me, but I loved it. It was perfect, and it was all mine. As I drove it toward Brad’s shop, I tried to make sense of my conversation with my mom. She was kind, nice, and supportive. Three things she’d never been before. She even wanted me to visit and she wanted me to bring Brad. I wasn’t sure what to make of that, but I knew it was a good thing.

As I pulled into the parking lot of the auto shop, I saw Brad working in the garage. I grinned and let myself into the lobby, pouring a cup of coffee and admiring my paintings on the wall. Brad insisted on buying them for the shop and the apartment. I tried to give them to him for free, but he refused. I loved seeing them hanging on the walls of this shop, the place we first met.

I walked around the counter and let myself into the garage. Brad saw me and stood up straight, grinning widely and opening his arms for a greasy hug. I hugged him tightly and leaned up to press my lips to his. I sighed against his lips, melting into his chest. No matter how many times I kissed him, I never got used to it.

When we pulled away, I saw a woman standing just outside the garage. She was glaring at me with earnest. I just grinned at her and waved, making her storm off in a huff. Rolling my eyes, I turned back to Brad.

“Still hanging around, huh?” I asked, gesturing toward where the woman disappeared.

“I didn’t even notice,” Brad said, shrugging.

“Which is why I love you,” I said.

It wasn’t anything new, these women hanging around Brad. They’d always done so, and now that we were together, they were even more persistent. They hated me for taking him off the market, but I didn’t care. Brad was mine, and I loved him for it.

“I love you too.” He grinned and kissed me again.

“So,” I said. “I got an interesting phone call from my mother today.”

Brad’s face fell for a split second. He flashed me a guilty smile, and I just laughed, taking his hand and pulling him into the office. We each fell into a chair so we could talk freely.

“I can’t believe you called her,” I said.

“Are you mad?” he asked, worry crossing his face.

“No,” I said. “I’m just surprised. Why did you do it?”

“I thought she should know how you’re doing,” he said, shrugging. “She’s your mother. I know your parents have been terrible to you, but I don’t know. I just wanted them to know they made a mistake. I wanted them to know that your talent is undeniable.”

I smiled and sighed. “Well, she was nice about it.”

“She was?” He raised his eyebrows in surprise.

“Yup,” I said. “She even said she was sorry for everything. She congratulated me on opening the gallery. I honestly don’t think I’ve ever been so surprised. I didn’t know what to say. It was crazy.”

“That’s amazing!” Brad said. “She finally sees the mistake she made.”

I nodded. “She wants me to come home for a visit,” I said. “She said I should bring you along with me. I guess she wants to meet you.”

“She does?” Brad asked. “Wow, I thought for sure she would hate me after I called her out of the blue like that.”

“Nope, I think she actually kind of likes you already,” I said.

Brad laughed, making my stomach fill with butterflies. I could never get used to being with him. From his cobalt eyes to his big belly laughs to his soft kisses. He was everything I always dreamed of and more. I never imagine the sexy, bad boy mechanic I met on my first day in town would become the love of my life. Now I couldn’t imagine my life without him.

“I think we should do it,” Brad said firmly. “We should go to New York.”

“You do?” I asked, surprised. Brad always talked about New York like it was hell on earth.

“I do,” he said. “I mean, I don’t want to live there. God no. Never. But a visit wouldn’t hurt.”

“No.” I smiled. “It wouldn’t.”

“Especially now that your parents are being nice,” Brad said, shrugging. “Maybe you guys can finally have a good relationship, you know?”

“I hope so,” I said.

Brad smiled and pulled me into his lap. He kissed me softly, wrapping his arms around my waist. Whatever happened with my parents, I knew it didn’t matter. As long as I had Brad, I’d have everything I need.

The End