Chapter 3 Alexandria
ALEXANDRIA
Aknock on the hood has a split second of panic surging through me before I see the man standing on the road in front of my car. I have no idea who he is or why he’s standing there or how long he’s been there.
I don’t recall seeing him when I walked to my car, but I was so wrapped up in my thoughts, he might have been there the whole time.
He’s big, well over six feet, with shoulders to match his height. But he doesn’t frighten me. He wouldn’t be in front of my car if he planned to do me harm, he’d be at my door trying to get inside.
I can only see him from mid-thigh up, but what I see is a lot. His thighs are big, his chest wide, and his arms bulge with ropey muscles. The meaty hands on the ends of those bulky arms are so large he could easily break the window next to my head with a fist if he wanted to.
And yet, I still don’t feel threatened. At all. Which seems strange, considering his bulky form looms over my car.
It’s his stance, I think. It isn’t aggressive, and he hasn’t made a move toward me since I looked up. It’s not until I take in his face, the familiar shape of it, that I study him more closely. He reminds me of Olivia’s boyfriend.
I know Carter has two younger brothers, but this isn’t Devon. I’ve met him a number of times, and he has more of a wiry build, like a runner. This guy is built solid. Like a weightlifter.
Garrett. This has to be Garrett. The family resemblance is unmistakable, and a smile pulls at my lips. The first genuine one of the night. Relief washes over me, and I open my door and step out.
“Garrett?”
The grunt I get in reply could be a yes or no.
“Alexandria. Olivia’s best friend,” I explain just in case he doesn’t know why I know his name.
I get a nod with the grunt this time, and I can’t help the smile that stretches my lip.
“What are you doing—”
“Pop the hood.”
The words come as a shock. Especially when the timbre of his voice vibrates over my skin like static electricity. “Ah…”
Garrett waves at the car. “I’ll take a look.”
Again, his words are rough, as though his voice is rusty, raw.
The one and only time I met him, we didn’t speak.
In fact, we didn’t actually meet. I’d gone with Olivia to Boyd’s, the bar he owns with his brothers, for a quick stop to drop off something to Carter, and Garrett had been behind the bar, serving customers.
The place had been far busier than I expected, and Olivia had called out hello and waved. He’d barely managed a wave in return.
“Do you know what to look for?” I ask, because he runs a bar not a garage.
The arched eyebrow I get in answer is full of disbelief.
“It’s old and—”
“That’s how I prefer them.”
His words hold a double meaning when paired with the look in his eyes as he drags his gaze from my head to my toes and back again.
Is he checking me out?
He’s what, twenty-five?
“The hood?”
“Right. Sorry.” I scoot back into the driver’s seat and pull the latch to release the hood.
I sit for a minute contemplating that look. He was definitely checking me out. And I can’t deny the fizz of excitement that delivers. I might be a decade his senior—and God, there are days when I feel ancient—but I’m not above making the most of his attention.
Especially after tonight’s date.
I can’t see him from where I sit now that the hood is up, and I’m not going to lie to myself and pretend I don’t want to check him out in return. There’s no harm in admiring a good-looking man.
Hopping back out of the car, I close the door behind me and move to Garrett’s side.
“What did it do when you turned the key?”
His words are unexpected and make me jolt. “Oh. Um. A bunch of clicks.”
“No grinding?”
“No?” Garrett tips his head in my direction, that eyebrow arched again. “I don’t think there was. No. No. Definitely just a click every time I turned the key.”
“Can you try to start it for me?”
“Sure.”
Getting in the car again, I turn the key once then wait for further instructions.
When I don’t get any, I lean forward to peer into the gap the open hood leaves, but all I see are Garrett’s hands doing God knows what to the engine.
I’m the first to admit I’m not mechanical.
I couldn’t even master the expensive coffee machine Julian insisted on purchasing.
“Okay. Do it again.”
I was so caught up in watching those massive hands work, I forgot about what I’m supposed to be doing. Grabbing the key again, I turn it and keep it turned. The click, click, click sounds no different than before.
“Stop!” The harshness of his voice sends a shiver down my spine and heat swirling in my belly.
What the hell? Just his voice is turning me on?
I can’t remember the last time I felt desire, never mind desire for a man I barely know. And I’ve never felt it for one who yelled at me.
The slamming of the hood snaps me from my thoughts and I focus on the view through the windshield.
Garrett.
“You need a tow.” It’s the only explanation I get before he pulls his phone from his back pocket and makes a call.
Is he calling a tow truck? Am I supposed to call one?
Confused, I ease out of my seat and go over to where he’s standing.
“Thanks.” He hangs up as I stop next to him. “Get your stuff.”
“What stuff?”
“I don’t know, handbag, phone, whatever.”
“O…kay.” I eye him, hoping for more information, but Garrett seems to be a man of few words and I get nothing more than that damn arched eyebrow.
Whether this is his usual state or because he’s found himself helping a woman he barely knows, I can’t guess. And honestly, I need to do what he says whether I call a tow truck or leave the car here until tomorrow.
He watches me as I walk back to the driver’s door, open it, and lean inside. I only have my keys and phone with me. I skipped the bag tonight because I couldn’t be bothered finding the right one to go with my outfit. That should have told me tonight’s date was going to be a disaster.
Grabbing my phone from the passenger seat, I glance up and find Garrett still watching me. His stare intense.
His gaze doesn’t make me feel uncomfortable. It does the opposite. I like him looking at me. Like the way he studies me as I move and the flare of attraction in his gaze that sparks a corresponding one inside me.
After the last few months, Garrett’s attention is an ego boost I had no idea I needed.
Or want.