Chapter 7
I waited for her to respond to my comment but heard nothing. When I glanced in her direction, all I saw was the back of her head as she focused on what was outside the window. I wouldn’t press her about it . . . yet.
When I noticed Noelani standing on the side of the road, it wasn’t just the gentleman in me that wouldn’t let me keep going. There was something about her that compelled me to stop, and it couldn’t be ignored. When I got out of the truck and approached her, her beauty couldn’t be put into words.
She sported a short haircut with short bangs swooped to the side, perfectly arched eyebrows, and a nose I wanted to kiss right before doing the same to her luscious lips. Her light brown skin glistened in the sunlight and appeared to be blemish-free.
“If it’s not too busy, it shouldn’t take too long to get some new tires on. There’s a place where you can buy tires not too far from my uncle’s shop. I can help you choose the correct tires.”
“I’d appreciate that. My father is out of town on business, and my brother and cousins are handling an emergency at their place of business.”
“I don’t want to overstep if this makes you uncomfortable. I’m sure Kenai is more than willing—”
“So, Rowdy. Does your personality live up to your name?”
I laughed at how she cut me off when I brought up Kenai, making it clear she didn’t want to talk about him.
“My mother would probably say so, but I think I’m fairly mellow.”
“Of course, you wouldn’t tell me if you were rowdy.”
“I got nothing to hide.”
“Are you saying you’re an open book?”
“I don’t go around telling random strangers my business. If I consider you someone special, you’ll eventually know everything about me.”
“What makes someone special to you?”
I turned into the parking lot of my uncle’s shop and drove to the back.
“A variety of things. I’ll come around and help you out.”
I cut the engine and hopped out of the car. She’d already taken her seat belt off when I opened the door. After she swung her legs around, I found myself with my hands on her waist, picking her up, and placing her on the ground.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Let’s go inside and see what’s on the schedule. If everyone is busy, I’ll do it myself.”
“Okay.”
As if it were natural, I took her hand and led her into the lobby of the shop.
“Sammi, this is Noelani. She was stranded on the road with two flat tires. Can you see when the next bay will be open?”
“Sure, but we don’t—”
“Just check for me, please.”
Sammi looked back and forth between Noelani and me before pressing a few buttons on the keyboard.
“Bay three will be open soon,” she said with an attitude.
“Thanks.” I turned to Noelani. “I’ll be right back.”
I went to my uncle’s office and found him sitting behind his desk, looking over some paperwork. His wife suddenly passed away ten years ago, but he still had pictures of her on display in his office. I tapped on the door to get his attention.
“Wassup, Unc?”
“Nothing much. How’s the towing going?”
“I’ve had about ten tows today.”
“That’s not bad. Once your ASE is renewed, you can get to work.”
“My test is scheduled for next week. Umm, I need a favor.”
He shook his head. “I should’ve known you weren’t in here just to shoot the shit. What’s up?”
“My last tow was two flat tires. Can I use one of the bays—”
“We don’t fix tires here.”
“I know, but she’s under the impression that we do.”
“Why is that?” he questioned with a smirk as he leaned back in his chair.
“I may have given her the impression that we did.”
“Are you just patching up the tires or—”
“No. The tires can’t be saved. She needs new ones.”
“Nephew, where are you gonna get the tires from?”
“The shop down the street.”
He sighed and rubbed his hand down his face. “I hope she lets you fuck after going through all this trouble. If a bay is open, you can use it, but don’t make a habit of doing shit like this.”
“I won’t, Unc. Good looking out.”
I went back to the lobby, and Noelani sat with her legs crossed, engrossed in her phone.
Since she hadn’t noticed I’d returned, I took a moment to admire her beauty.
I’d describe her as slim-thick because she definitely wasn’t skinny.
Her breasts were full, her waist narrow, her thighs were thick, and yes, her ass matched her thighs.
“You got something to say, or you gon’ stare at me for the rest of the evening?” she questioned.
“If I choose the second option, your car won’t be fixed today.”
“Didn’t you promise to give me a ride?”
“Ahem!” Sammi interjected. “Bay three is ready.”
“Thanks, Sammi. Be back in twenty.”
“Why did you tell me you could fix my tires?” Noelani asked.
It had been almost two hours since my uncle gave me permission to work on Noelani’s car in his shop.
She spoke with her father, who encouraged her to replace all four tires.
I purchased them from the tire shop located about a block away, and it took me about an hour to replace the old ones with the new ones, including balancing and alignment.
“Did I lie?”
“No, but that service isn’t offered here.”
“How do you know?”
“Sammi told me.”
“She should mind her own business. That service is for special customers.”
She leaned against the driver’s side door of her car, and I stood in front of her about a foot away.
“Does that mean I’m special?”
“That’s exactly what that means.”
“Is that why you paid for the tires and didn’t charge me for your labor?”
“Maybe you’re a little more than special.”
“If that’s the case, can I have your phone number?”
I appreciated her forwardness. “Gimme your phone.”
She didn’t hesitate to dig inside her purse to retrieve her phone, unlock it, and give it to me. Before I went to the keypad to dial my number, I noticed the picture she had as her background.
“Are these your kids?” I asked.
“No. Those are Titi’s babies. My nephew and niece.”
I went to the keypad and called my number before saving it in her contacts as My Favorite Ride and returned it to her outstretched hand. She laughed when she saw the name attached to my contact.
“Did you see something funny?” I asked.
“No, but I saw something that hasn’t been proven true.”
“Name the time and the place . . . We already know the position.”
She looked away as if she was bashful, but from what I’d seen, that couldn’t be further from the truth.
“I’m supposed to be on a dating hiatus,” she confessed.
“I haven’t dated anyone seriously since my early twenties, so I guess that makes two of us.”
“I doubt it’s the same kind of hiatus.”
“What makes you say that?”
“When was the last time you had sex?”
“I think it’s been a little less than two months,” I admitted.
“Exactly. We’re not on the same kind of hiatus.”
I stepped closer to her, leaving barely an inch between us, and put my hands on the roof of her car on either side of her head. She looked up at me with desire in her eyes, and I was sure mine matched hers.
“None of that matters because, based on the vibes I’ve been getting from you since I stepped out of the tow truck, your hiatus is over.”
Before she could respond, I kissed her nose, something I’d wanted to do since I saw her, then pressed my lips against hers.
As soon as our mouths connected, it felt as if the weight of the world had been lifted from my shoulders.
She opened her mouth, allowing me to slide my tongue inside, and without words, our desire for each other was communicated.
“Mmm,” she moaned, causing me to snap out of the trance she had me in.
I pulled away, sucking on her bottom lip before we disconnected. She looked flushed, and I had reason to believe that if we could get away with fucking in this parking lot, she’d be all for it.
“Can I take you out?” I asked.
“When?”
“Tonight.”
“Yes.”
“I’ll go home and shower.”
“Me too.”
“Send me your address.”
“Okay.”
I quickly pressed another kiss against her lips and walked away.
If I didn’t remove myself from her presence, we’d never part ways.
Behind me, I heard the door close, the engine start, and the gravel underneath the tires.
When I turned around, she was leaving the lot, but before she pulled onto the street, I received a text with her address.