Hard to Break
I peek around the car to see Tazen flinch. “Fuck Sheyenne.”
The man, who I can see now is tall and lean, with dark hair and possibly dark eyes, laughs. “We both know you don’t mean that. You don’t want her racing in a shit heap and you and I both know it. So you build us one more car, let us make our money, and we won’t see you again.”
“Until you want another fuckin’ car,” Tazen grunts.
“You have my word. One more, then you won’t hear from us again.”
Tazen studies him. “She shouldn’t be doing this shit, Murray, and you know it.”
Who is Murray, and who the hell is Sheyenne?
“She’s a big girl, and she’s the best female racer we have—she’s making us seriously big money.”
Female racer? For what? If it was just normal racing, Tazen wouldn’t be holding back on building a car. What the hell are they doing, if not professional racing?
“She’s also hotheaded and nuts,” Tazen grunts.
“You didn’t say that when you were fucking her for three years.”
Three years? Wait, what? Tazen was with someone for three years? I mean sure, that’s possible and all, but he never seemed like the kind of man to ever settle down, so this news surprises me.
“Yeah and she drove me up the fucking wall,” Tazen points out. “I left her, left all that shit and now you’re here wanting more.”
“One more car, Tazen.”
Tazen studies him. “Fine, one more car but then you’re going to stay the fuck away from me, we clear?”
“As crystal.” Murray smiles.
The other two men with him are standing, crossing their arms and smiling, but neither of them has spoken. They start chatting about normal things again, so I figure it’s my time to act casual and walk out. I take a deep breath and walk out as if I don’t know they’re there.
“Hey,” Tazen yells.
I jerk and turn around, acting surprised he’s still here. “Oh, you’re still here. Sorry, I didn’t realize.”
He studies me, but I keep my face blank. I let my eyes scan over the guys who are now watching me, and make sure I look surprised they’re here.
“Ah, I didn’t realize you had company. I’m just heading out.”
“Who’s your girl, Taz?” Murray asks, letting his eyes travel over my tight blouse and short black skirt.
Ugh.
“Eyes up here,” I snap. “Unless you don’t cherish your balls, that is.”
Murray jerks in surprise and the other men burst out laughing. When his eyes meet mine, I smile coldly. Tazen closes his eyes and runs his hands through his hair.
“You have a sassy one here,” Murray says to Tazen, even though his eyes are on me.
“Yeah,” Tazen grunts. “You could say that.”
“And,” Murray narrows his eyes. “I’ve seen her before.”
“That’s because this is my garage,” I point out.
“Fuck me,” Tazen groans. “Not this shit again.”
“He stole it from me, but it was mine for a long time.”
Murray nods. “Yeah, been here before. You a mechanic?”
“Yes,” I say.
“Not anymore,” Tazen says. “She’s a receptionist now.”
I shoot him a glare. “Tazen here has a hard time dealing with the fact that a woman can pull spanners better than him.”
Murray grins. “Well, it seems you two have a good lot of tension to go through. I’ll let you get back to it.” He turns to Tazen. “I’ll tell Shey you said hello.”
“Don’t,” Tazen mutters. “I’d rather lick the pavement than have that girl think I am thinking about her.”
Murray’s eyes flick to me. “I wonder what she’ll think of your new girl here.”
“She isn’t my girl, and if you tell Shey she is, our deal is off.”
Why would it be such an issue if he told this Sheyenne chick that I’m his girl? I mean, I’m not of course, but even if I was it shouldn’t matter. She’s obviously an ex, and therefore should have no say in what he does.
Murray laughs. “Yeah, I’m hearing you. Later.”
With that, he takes his guys and leaves. When he’s gone, I turn to Tazen who looks kind of edgy about the whole thing. His body is tight and his jaw is twitching. Interesting.
“Who is Shey?” I ask, not using her full name.
Tazen narrows his eyes. “None of your business.”
“Why? Is she your secret wife?”
He grunts, and grabs the hem of his shirt, lifting it up and over his head. I stop thinking, speaking and breathing as I take in his incredible body. God. I could see that piece of perfection every day for the rest of my life and never, ever get bored of it. He’s beautiful, masculine and so fucking muscled I want to drop to my knees and lick every single one.
“Eyes up here,” he mutters. “Unless you don’t cherish your vagina, that is?”
I can’t help it, I burst out laughing. It was so unexpected that I can’t contain my reaction. Tazen’s eyes soften as he studies me laughing freely. I gather myself but I can’t wipe the smile off my face. “I do cherish my vagina, so I’ll be sure to keep my eyes above your shoulders from now on.”
“Good.” He grins, devastating and to die for. Then he strides towards me and I suck in a breath as he leans down so our lips are close. “Your pussy deserves to be cherished, angel.”
With that, he steps past me and disappears into the showers at the back of the garage. My legs wobble as I stand, swallowing over and over. He is getting to me and … I can’t deny it. I like it. I like it a hell of a lot. I shouldn’t, but I do and a huge part of me is tired of pretending I don’t. It’s taking all my strength not to go in there and rip my clothes off and get into the shower with him.
Instead, I turn and walk out of the garage.
Dammit.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
“How’s it going?” Jace asks, throwing himself onto my bed.
It’s only been a day since my realization that my feelings for Tazen aren’t going away. “It’s … challenging.” I sigh, dropping down next to him. “Tazen certainly isn’t going to make my life easy, but then I’m not making his easy so I guess we’re even.”
Jace grunts and rolls to his side, propping himself up on an elbow. “Are you sure you really want to do this?”
I frown at him. “We’ve been over this, of course I do.”
“You’re good at what you do, you’re not meant to be a receptionist. There’re jobs around, mechanic jobs.”
“But not in my garage.”
He smiles sympathetically. “It was your garage, honey. You’re hanging onto something you can’t have control over anymore.”
I sigh. “I know, Jace, but I’m … I just can’t leave.”
His face grows serious. “This has nothing to do with him and the little fling you two had?”
“One kiss is hardly a fling,” I mutter.
“Quinn, you’re not fooling anyone. You’re attracted to him, but you’re playing with fire. You need to be careful.”