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.