Chapter 5 #2
I've never been so thoroughly lost in a kiss. I'm vaguely aware that we're in the middle of my garage, that Marcus could walk in at any moment, that this is wildly unprofessional. But none of that matters compared to the feel of Sandra in my arms, her body soft and pliant against mine.
When we finally break apart, we're both breathing hard. Her eyes are dark, pupils dilated with desire. Her lips are swollen from my kiss, and a flush has spread across her cheeks.
"Wow," she breathes, still gripping my shirt. "That was..."
"Yeah," I agree, unable to form more coherent thoughts. My body is thrumming with want, every nerve ending alive and firing. I want more. I want everything. I want to take her upstairs to my apartment above the garage and spend hours exploring every inch of her body.
But it's too soon for that. And it feels wrong. The apartment has always been just a place I crash when work runs late or I'm too exhausted to make the drive home. This thing between us is new and fragile, and I don't want to rush or cheapen it, no matter how much my body protests.
"I've been wanting to do that since you walked into my garage," I admit, tucking a stray curl behind her ear.
Her smile is slow and satisfied. "Same. Even when you were being all grumpy and intimidating."
"I bet," I tease, surprised at how easy this feels. Flirting isn't usually my strong suit, but with Sandra, the words come naturally.
"Maybe," she concedes with a laugh. "I've always been drawn to the brooding type."
"I don't brood," I protest. "I contemplate."
"Sure you do." She pats my chest, her hand lingering over my heart. "Very deeply and darkly."
I capture her hand, bringing it to my lips to press a kiss to her palm. Her breath catches, eyes darkening again.
"Diesel," she says, voice husky. "If you keep looking at me like that, we're not going to get any work done today."
"Would that be so bad?" I murmur, dropping another kiss to the inside of her wrist, feeling her pulse jump beneath my lips.
The sound of the front door opening breaks the spell. I step back, creating a respectable distance between us just as Marcus walks in from his lunch break.
"Boss, I got those parts you ordered for the..." He trails off, glancing between us with raised eyebrows. "Am I interrupting something?"
"No," I say firmly, though the knowing smirk on his face tells me he's not buying it. "Just explaining some of the restoration process to Ms. Hemmings."
"Uh-huh." His grin widens. "Must be a real hands-on demonstration."
I glare at him. "Don't you have a transmission to rebuild in bay three?"
"Going, boss." He holds up his hands in surrender, still grinning as he backs away. "Don't mind me. Just passing through."
Once he's gone, Sandra bursts into giggles. "Well, that was smooth. I'm sure he has no idea what was happening."
"He'll live." I run a hand through my hair, frustrated by the interruption but also relieved. Things were escalating quickly, and while I want Sandra, I want her properly. Not rushed against a workbench with my apprentice in the next room.
"We should probably get back to work," she suggests, though her eyes still hold heat. "These parts won't clean themselves."
"Right." I pick up a wire brush, trying to refocus. "Where were we?"
"You were teaching me about rocker arms," she says innocently. "Very... thoroughly."
I can't help the laugh that escapes me. "You're trouble, Sandra Hemmings."
"So you've mentioned." She picks up another part, examining it with exaggerated seriousness. "But admit it. You like trouble."
Looking at her standing in my garage, cheeks still flushed from my kiss, eyes bright with humor and desire, I can't deny it. "Yeah," I admit. "I think I do."
The rest of the afternoon passes in a blur of stolen glances, lingering touches, and shared smiles.
We get work done, surprisingly—all the valve train components cleaned and inspected, ready for reassembly once the replacement parts arrive.
But there's a new undercurrent to our interactions, a simmering awareness that makes even the most mundane tasks feel electric.
By closing time, I'm equal parts frustrated and exhilarated. The kiss we shared has only stoked my appetite for more, but I'm determined to take things slow. Sandra deserves better than a rushed fling, and I'm still not entirely sure what I'm offering her.
"Walk you home?" I ask as she gathers her things.
She smiles, that bright, genuine smile that does funny things to my insides. "I'd like that."
Outside, the evening air is crisp and clear, stars beginning to appear in the darkening sky. I take her hand without hesitation this time, our fingers intertwining naturally.
"So," she says as we walk. "That happened."
"It did," I agree, squeezing her hand gently. "Any regrets?"
She looks up at me, her expression soft in the fading light. "Not a single one. You?"
I shake my head. "No. But I'm still not sure where this is going. You're only here temporarily..."
"Let's not worry about that right now," she interrupts, stopping to face me. "I haven’t even gone to see the cabin yet. Can we just enjoy whatever this is without putting labels on it or trying to predict the future?"
It goes against my nature—I like plans, structure, knowing exactly what's coming next. But looking into her hopeful eyes, I nod.
"Yeah," I say, reaching up to trace the curve of her cheek. "We can do that."
Her smile is worth the uncertainty. She rises on tiptoes to press a soft kiss to my lips, brief but full of promise. "Good. Because I really like kissing you, Diesel Torres. And I'd like to do a lot more of it before I have to worry about what comes next."
"That can definitely be arranged," I murmur, pulling her closer for another kiss, deeper this time, pouring all the confused, conflicting emotions swirling inside me into the press of my lips against hers.
When we break apart, she's breathless, eyes slightly unfocused. "Wow. You're good at that."
Pride surges through me. "Natural talent."
She laughs, shoving at my shoulder playfully. "And so humble too."
We continue walking, her hand warm in mine, the night wrapping around us like a blanket. For the first time in years, I feel something like peace settling over me. Whatever this thing with Sandra turns out to be—temporary fling or something more—right now, in this moment, it feels right.
And for tonight at least, that's enough.