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.