Chapter 10 Jackson #3
A pleasant tingle of happiness spread down my back. It was the same emotional reaction a person got when you heard someone say something that you truly believed in.
“Has anyone ever told you how amazing you are?”
Her smile slipped, but her eyes glittered. “Uh, no. Not really. Well, I mean, my dad does, but that’s, uh, different.”
Even with her darker complexion, I could see the flush in her cheeks. I grinned, pleased that I’d made her feel good.
“Do you mind if I step outside for a second? I need to make a call.”
“Sure,” she said. “I’m about to start measuring the inside roof. After that, we can cut the fabric and install it. I’ll need your help then. That’s a job for at least four hands.”
“Be back in a bit.”
I hurried out to the parking area and called Christian.
“Where the fuck have you been?” he said when he answered.
“Nice to talk to you too,” I said dryly.
“You know what I mean. What’s up?”
“Random question, do you know that Cuban place on Market Drive?”
“Uh…yeah. Why?”
“I need you to head over there. I’m about to put in a big order for lunch, and I need you to deliver it to the garage.”
“The place that’s fixing the car?”
I’d messaged him a couple times since our disastrous evening of theft, so he knew what was going on.
“Yes. You know where it is?”
“Yeah, yeah, Am I seriously playing delivery boy?” Christian asked, and I could actually hear the eye roll in his voice.
“This is a favor, okay? I’m buying lunch for the shop. I don’t think it’s too much to ask for, is it?”
Christian sighed, and I knew the answer before he spoke. “All right, fine. I guess that means I need to put on pants. I’ll see you with the food in like an hour.”
“Thanks. I appreciate you.”
“Next time we’re out, food’s on you,” Christian said with a chuckle and then hung up.
After ordering a dozen large Cuban sandwiches, five pints of red beans and rice, as well as a big order of tostones and mojo, I pulled up a grocery delivery service and ordered a big supply of paper towels, toilet paper, and hand soap for the shop bathrooms. I’d noticed how little they had when I used the restroom earlier.
Once that was done, I wondered if it would offend them. Oh well, too late now.
I headed back inside and helped Shyanne and Carlo install the new upholstery. The three of us together managed to do the job in under an hour. According to Carlo, that was record time because it could take three hours or more.
Reggie poked his head into the paint room. “Shyanne, there’s another pretty boy at the door. He says he’s got food. Are you buying today?”
“That’s my friend Christian.” I shrugged and gave Shyanne a sheepish smile. “I thought I’d treat you all.”
“Thank you,” she said, then waved to Reggie. “You heard the man. Help the guy bring the food in.”
Over the next thirty minutes, I was pleasantly surprised by how enjoyable it was to hang out with people.
I’d spent so much time alone, or with people who relied on me, that I’d forgotten how good it was to simply enjoy the company of others.
Even though I’d only known them a few hours, I already felt comfortable with them in a way I couldn’t describe.
Even Christian fit in. He and Reggie hit it off almost immediately—they both enjoyed dirty jokes.
When we were done eating, Christian stood to leave.
“See you later,” I said.
Christian nodded, then glanced at Reggie. “See you later too, douchebag.”
Reggie burst out laughing. “Yeah. See ya, limpdick.”
Shyanne snorted and pulled me close. “I never thought I’d have to worry about another Reggie, and you go and bring a fucking white version of him?”
“Sorry. He’s cool, though.”
“If Reggie likes him, then that’s for sure,” she said.
“Hey!” Carlo barked, having overheard her. “What about me?”
Shyanne put a hand on her hip and looked at the other man. “Well? Do you like them?”
Carlo tapped his finger on his chin while inspecting me, then nodded once. “His friend is cool, and this guy’s cool too.” He then shrugged. “For a rich asshole, anyway.”
Shyanne’s eyes went wide, and the muscles in her jaw rippled as she gritted her teeth. Carlo appeared wholly unconcerned.
Instead, he walked over and slapped me on the shoulder. “You can’t help being a rich asshole, right? I mean, it’s who you are. It doesn’t make you a bad person. In fact, you’re pretty awesome. Thanks for lunch.”
Shyanne pinched the bridge of her nose. “I’m so sorry. I run a garage, not a school for etiquette.”
“It’s fine.” Without thinking, I put my hand on her lower back to guide her back to the paint room.
Her shirt had ridden up a bit, and my fingers brushed the bare skin of her lower back.
The softness, the heat, the curve of muscle along her spine…
it all sent a flaming surge of desire through me.
My fantasy from that morning came storming back with a vengeance, and I pulled my hand away quickly, much to the displeasure of my dragon, who snarled in disappointment.
For her part, Shyanne hadn’t noticed—at least not that I could tell. In fact, when we went back to work, she fell upon the car with renewed vigor, working hard and fast, as though it was her life that depended on it, instead of my sister’s.
I’d done a bit of research the night before, and what I’d found said painting a whole car could take up to a week. Between Shyanne and her team, they had the car washed, taped, sanded, and the first layer of primer sprayed in less than three hours.
Having run out of ways to help, I stood outside and watched through the window as Shyanne and Reggie performed an amazing dance of coordination and timing as they each sprayed the paint onto the car.
I shook my head in wonder. They seemed to know what the other was going to do before they did it.
There wasn’t a moment when one of them over-sprayed or got in the way.
By the time they were done, the car looked absolutely perfect. My stomach clenched with anticipation.
Shyanne and Reggie pulled off their respirators as they walked out of the paint room. Shyanne flipped a switch and closed the door.
“Those are the heat lamps,” she explained. “Usually a car needs forty-eight hours for the paint to fully dry and cure, but Reggie mixed up a fast-drying version of what we needed, and the lamps will speed it along even more. It should be ready by late tomorrow morning.”
Her eyes left mine, and scanned the garage, she blinked in surprise. “Where the hell is everyone?”
“Uh, boss lady?” Reggie said. “I’m not sure if you noticed, but it is well past closing time.”
It was past seven in the evening, and the entire team had filed out one by one a couple hours ago.
“Damn, I lost track of time.” She glanced at her watch, then at me. “You didn’t need to stay all day. You’ve been here almost twelve hours, Jackson.”
“I enjoyed watching you work,” I said—not a lie at all.
“I’m out,” Reggie said, snatching a backpack from a hook and slinging it over his shoulder.
“I’m right behind you,” Shyanne called as he walked out the door.
“You should probably head to bed,” I said. “You’ve got to be exhausted. I’ve never seen someone work so hard.”
She smiled and picked her keys up off a table. “I’m not that great. There’s still stuff these other guys and my dad know that I don’t. Plus, I’m not trying to end up all beat-up and arthritic like my father. I’ve already started slowing things down on purpose. Today was a special case.”
Leading me outside, she closed the door behind us and locked it.
“Either way, I appreciate it,” I said. “Maybe, if we get through this, I can bring you to my place for dinner or something. You can meet my mom and—”
“The other dragons?” she said, eyes alight with excitement. “Seriously?”
“Unless you don’t want to,” I said, grinning at the curious gleam in her eyes.
“You’ve got to be kidding. Of course I would. The longer I get to live this fantasy, the better. I never would have believed all this would be happening.” She grew quiet, and broke eye contact. “I’m really glad I met you, Jackson. I like getting to know you. That’s all.”
Spurred on by my inner dragon, I had the impulse to grab her and kiss her. I managed to stop myself, but only through massive force of will. She was so damn beautiful.
“I like getting to know you too,” I said.
We stared at each other, and as the moment drew out, so did the tension. Her pheromones assaulted my senses. She was aroused, and that realization made my cock hard.
She stepped back abruptly. “I should go.”
Swallowing hard, I nodded and smiled. Had I done something wrong, or had she talked herself out of the same thing I’d talked myself out of a few seconds ago?
“I’m gonna head out, too. See you tomorrow.”
“Yeah. See ya,” she said.
Before any further awkwardness could ensue, I glanced around to make sure no one was looking, then shifted and flew away. My wings beat like mad, pulling me home and away from the woman I desired.
When I got home, most of the people in the house were asleep.
It had been hours since lunch, and my stomach was growling like mad, so I went to the kitchen.
Not wanting to make too much of a mess, I put on a pot of water to boil and grabbed an entire box of spaghetti.
While the water heated, I found a jar of sauce in the pantry, then started chopping lettuce for a salad.
Ten minutes later, I sat down with the huge bowl of pasta and a salad. Before I could start eating, my phone rang. When I saw the number, my heart sank and froze all at the same time.
Joseph Anitoli.
All I could do was stare at the name for a few seconds, letting the phone ring twice more. With a sigh, I answered it.
“Hello,” I muttered.
“Hey there, Jack,” the other man said in that slick, oily voice.
“To what do I owe this lovely call?” I asked, trying my best to keep my voice calm.
“Word has gotten around, my boy. Word, most definitely, has gotten around.”
“What word is that?”