Chapter 19
NINETEEN
The breeze in the harbor is bitterly cold this early in the morning.
I stand outside the shipyard, fidgeting nervously and pulling my black zippered hoodie tighter around me as I wait for this dumpster fire of a day to begin.
I’m dressed in my trusty blue overalls, and underneath, I’ve got on a tight white cropped top with long sleeves.
It’s the outfit I’m most comfortable in while working.
Two braids fall casually over my shoulders, keeping my hair out of my face.
It’s not about looking good. It is about being safe and efficient.
The coveralls that mechanics usually wear are designed for tall men and tend to billow around me.
Wearing them could be dangerous for me if the fabric got caught anywhere.
I arrived extra early, hoping to make a good first impression, at least in this regard. But I was already awake, taking apart the radio to find the issue. Fortunately, it was an easy fix, and I will be able to sleep again tonight.
I stand here, listening to the seagulls’ cries. My heart pounds in my chest, anxiety creeping in as I anticipate North’s arrival. Taking a deep breath, I remind myself that I can handle this.
I’m a fucking amazing mechanic.
Finally, the black BMW pulls up and parks beside the shipyard.
North steps out of the driver’s seat, dressed in a suit, looking impeccably attractive and brooding.
His neutral expression morphs into a frown when he spots me.
He closes his car door, and I hear another door fall shut.
That’s when I notice that Nash just got out of the passenger seat, wearing a grin so wide it nearly touches his ears when he sees me.
“Good morning,” I mumble to North when he opens the yard’s front door next to me, attempting to be professional. However, his scowl only deepens before he moves past me into the shipyard without a word.
He sure as fuck isn’t thrilled about my presence.
Why did I let you drag me into this mess, Hunter?
Because I need the money. Right.
“A good morning indeed.” Nash, on the other hand, walks up to me in jeans, a black sweater, and a red beanie, oozing confidence.
“I heard we’re coworkers now.” He stands in front of me, reaching out to tug on one of my braids, the gesture sending tingles through my body.
“Coworkers should know each other’s names, don’t you think? ”
No way he still hasn’t caught up on my name. He’s just trying to keep this game going to flirt with me. I’m about to open my mouth to tell him just that, when a group of fishermen approach us, greeting Nash.
Some of them walk past us inside, but two of them come to stand beside him. Both look me up and down, then over to Nash. The taller of them asks him, “Who’s that?”
Of course, why would you talk to the person in question?
“That’s my little siren,” Nash answers, grinning, but his eyes don’t leave mine. My eyes narrow to slits, which makes him laugh. “If you won’t tell me your name, pretty girl, Siren is what I’m going to call you.”
“Her name is Sloan, dickhead,” comes a familiar voice from behind them, and Tim makes his way through, grabbing my upper arm and pulling me into a quick hug. He whispers in my ear, “Tally said I should keep an eye on you.”
It’s official, I love her.
I told Tally and Mac yesterday that I got the job after all, and they started to make bets on how long it would take North to no longer give a fuck about Hunter’s opinion and fire me.
“Come on,” Tim commands as he pulls me inside, where he lets go of me but motions for me to follow, which I do, my movements a bit hesitant.
We walk over to the area that appears dedicated to the employees. He gets to a locker and puts in his jacket, taking out big orange rain pants that he pulls over his jeans and holds them up with suspenders. I take off my zippered hoodie but keep it in my hand, gripping the fabric like a lifeline.
The locker room screams camaraderie and teamwork, something I’ve seen in movies or read about in books but never been part of.
Tim has a black beanie pulled over his blond hair and a friendly smile as he turns back to me. “Ready for today?” he asks as we make our way over to the coffee machine.
“At least I will pretend that I am,” I mutter, making him laugh.
My heart is still pounding like crazy, but his presence helps my nerves a lot. A pity he isn’t staying here long since his work is on the water while mine will be in the shipyard.
“Coffee?” he asks, pouring himself a mug.
I shake my head. “No thanks, I’m more the energy drink type.”
I feel warmth at my back before a can of my favorite is held out before my face from behind.
From the bright tattoos on the forearm offering it, I know it’s Nash, which is confirmed when he whispers in my ear, “Same.” I hesitate but finally take the can out of his hands because I don’t want to make a scene with all my new coworkers around us, especially as some are already watching.
“You know I’ve got good taste,” he adds.
His voice is barely audible, but it sends goose bumps crawling all over my neck.
Memories of when he whispered in my ear while he was deep inside me flood my mind, and I have to shake my head to get them out. Which he definitely notices, judging by the chuckle he lets out. Nash steps back from me and turns to his buddies to talk loudly about their catch yesterday.
Tim leans against the table with his hip, holding his mug up before his face, but I can see the grin he’s trying to hide.
“You’re gonna tell Tally all about that little encounter,” I guess, crossing my arms over my chest.
“She’s gonna love that.” He chuckles, taking another sip. “Are you thinking about a replay?”
“She told you?” I feel my heart sink a little.
“There wasn’t much to tell, but of course. She’s my person, and I’m hers. We tell each other everything.” I bite on my bottom lip, fiddling with the can in my hand.
Should I not have told her about that?
I thought she was kind of a friend, but what do I know?
“Hey.” Tim brings my attention back to him. “I’m your friend too, okay? I’m not going to say a word to anybody. Although I’m going to enjoy the shit out of this and laugh about it, that’s for sure.”
He grins teasingly, making me feel better. All the men around us start gathering their stuff and filing out of the shipyard again, some smiling and saying hello to me as they pass, while others outright scowl at me.
Well, you better get used to me being here.
“Tim!” one of the guys at the door yells, and he quickly puts his mug in the dishwasher before coming over to me, grabbing my upper arm again, and searching my eyes. “You gonna be okay?”
“Sure, I’m going to tell Tally you did amazing. Thank you.” I smile at him.
“Gosh, thanks. I’m in the doghouse again. Forgot to bring home the chocolate I promised yesterday.” He cringes.
“Well, that was just dumb.” I chuckle, “I’ll get some before my shift at the restaurant later.”
I will gladly spend my money on her after she sent him to look out for me.
“You’re amazing. Try to survive, and when he bugs you, just tell him…” Tim starts to run to the exit but turns to jog backward and yells as he mimics a loudspeaker with his hands, “… not today, Satan!”
I giggle and open the energy drink, taking a sip. It’s cold and bubbly and everything I need to start the day, so I begrudgingly thank Nash silently for it.
It seems like all the fishermen are out for the day, so I square my shoulders and am ready to tackle whatever will be thrown at me when I turn and nearly walk into a wide chest clad in a business suit.
Speaking of Satan…
“I don’t think I pay you for standing around.”
My tone drips with irritation as I eye her. Her name alone is enough to annoy me.
Sloan.
No wonder I thought she was a man.
She raises an eyebrow, unimpressed by my snide remark, and takes a slow sip of her energy drink.
Her casual defiance grates on my nerves.
Her clothes are too clean, too fitted for this kind of job.
I can’t help but notice how her white cropped top accentuates her curves, and the hideous blue overalls hug her figure just right.
Her big hazel eyes are even more accentuated now that her blonde hair is in two braids on her shoulders.
She looks more like she’s here for a photo shoot than to get her hands dirty, just like the Barbie doll I pegged her to be.
I don’t need cute. I need someone who can work without breaking a nail.
What the hell should I do with her here, Hunter?
“I was just waiting for you to show me where to start,” Sloan retorts with a hint of a smirk, her eyes locking onto mine.
The audacity.
I clench my jaw, biting back the urge to say something even nastier.
Instead, I turn on my heel and walk toward the row of boats.
I look over my shoulder to see her trailing behind me, her braided hair swaying with each step.
The image of those braids wrapped around my fist while I pound her from behind comes to mind, and I curse myself for it.
That sure as fuck doesn’t help anything.
As we approach the boats, I don’t bother to look back at her again. “There are three boats that need repairs. I need at least one back on the water by tomorrow.”
Sloan doesn’t respond immediately, and I can feel her annoyance simmering. Good. Maybe she’ll reconsider her choice to work here. She’s clearly out of her depth.
She finally speaks, and her voice is a mix of sarcasm and defiance. “Got it, boss. You don’t have to bore me with all the details.”
I scoff at her snarky comment as I turn around to look at her. “Don’t mistake me for a babysitter. You’re here to work, not to sass.”
She doesn’t say anything else, but I can practically feel her seething and see tears brimming in her eyes. Fine by me. Let her stew in her frustration.
She walks up to one of the boats beside a table with tools on it. Some mechanical parts of the boat are scattered on the table, left there by William when he was trying to fix them. She looks them over, touching some and holding others up to inspect.
I have to suppress a huff. If she thinks she can handle this job, she’s in for a rude awakening.
As I watch her move around the space, a small part of me can’t help but be drawn to her. There’s a fire in her eyes, a determination that’s hard to ignore. It’s infuriating and intriguing all at once. And that thought, as much as I hate to admit it, gnaws at the edges of my irritation.
“What do I—” She starts when she turns back to look at me, but I just turn and walk over to the stairs leading up to my office.
I don’t have time for this shit.
“Sure, thank you for the exceptional introduction to the job,” she mutters, and I come to an abrupt halt before I turn and march back up to her, standing directly in front of her, just millimeters of air between us.
“Listen to me, and listen closely. You’re here because Hunter took pity on you.
God knows why. Maybe he wants to get into those ridiculous blue overalls too, but don’t think for a second I’m as idiotic as he and Nash are.
You’re here to work and work only. If you can’t do the work, you’re useless to me.
Don’t forget I’m your fucking boss, so do your job and treat me with respect, or you can turn and walk out of here right now. ”
“Oh, you mean the same amount of respect you’re treating me with?” Her face is stern, but tears run down her cheeks, making her look like an angry child.
I laugh and turn to walk away. Over my shoulder, I tell her, “I want that boat on the water by tomorrow, or you don’t have to come back.”