Page 63 of Unexpected Ever After

For long minutes, I debated whether I should try to go after her. She was reserved and even a little standoffish when I first approached her, but she warmed up as we spoke. Maybe she didn’t want to be bothered by some stranger in a hardware store. But the way her eyes lingered on my arm when I reached past her and the way she flushed as our fingers touched told me a different story. By the time I made it out of the aisle, she was nowhere to be found, and I kicked myself for letting her slip through my fingers.

Chapter 3

Melody

By the time I loaded up my supplies and slipped into the driver’s seat of my small SUV, I had nearly convinced myself to go back into the store to find the man who’d helped me.

Gavin.

He was real and rugged and unlike any man I’d been with before. He was the complete opposite of my ex. Jason was studious and clean shaven with a pair of black rimmed glasses frequently perched on his slender nose. This man had broad shoulders with a thick, dark beard and tan arms. I’d heard the term lumbersexual before but hadn’t seen it up close. This man embodied the description and practically oozed sex appeal. I didn’t know if it was simply because it had been so long or if it was his raw, masculine sexuality, but all I could think about was how those rough, calloused hands would feel against my skin, cupping my breasts, stroking every intimate part of me. It had been a long time since I’d been touched like that by a man. Being a single mom could be a lonely venture. I didn’t have time for the complication of a relationship, but I craved the physical connection that came with having someone by my side.

Shaking those thoughts away, I stuck my key into the ignition. I didn’t want to look desperate. Only a crazy person would go back inside and track him down. I turned the key and it let out a faint grinding sound, but it wouldn’t start. That was strange. It was running fine this morning. I turned it over again, pumping the gas pedal and hoping it would spark to life. Again, nothing.

“What the hell?” I popped the hood and got out, going to the front of the SUV. Lifting the hood, I peered inside. I didn’t know why, though. It wasn’t like I knew the first thing about cars.

“Shit,” I muttered, clutching my hands over my head. I’d have to call someone to come pick me up and have my vehicle towed. At least I didn’t have to worry about Elijah being with me and having to wait on a tow truck.

“What seems to be the problem?” A familiar voice called from the next row. I looked up and found Gavin tossing his bags into the passenger seat of a truck.

“It won’t start,” I offered. He closed his door and strode toward me. I couldn’t help but notice the way his jeans clung to his muscular thighs. His shirt billowed in the breeze, the soft cotton clinging to his flat stomach. I swallowed hard, imagining what lay beneath his clothes. I had a feeling it was a set of washboard abs and a very impressive … package.

I quickly averted my gaze as though he could somehow read my mind and took a step back. He leaned in, bracing his hand on the hood to look inside.

“Try to turn the engine over,” he instructed, nodding to the driver’s side. I did as he said, but it still wouldn’t start. “Looks like the battery is dead. I’ll grab my jumper cables and pull into that spot.” He motioned to the empty spot directly in front of my SUV and headed to his truck. Once he returned, he popped his hood and set to work.

He stood next to me as we waited for my battery to charge. I discreetly inhaled his scent and nearly sighed. I’d smelled it inside the store and had instantly craved more when I walked away from him. It was divine, and I wanted it all over me. Damn, I needed to get control over my libido before I did something crazy.

It didn’t take long to jump my SUV. I was surprised when the engine turned over on the first try. Gavin disconnected the cables and put them in the truck. I met him at the front of my SUV as he closed the hood.

“Thank you. I’m really glad you came out of the store when you did.”

“Me too.” He offered me a lopsided grin before his expression turned serious. “Look, I got it started this time, but you’re going to need a new battery. It looked like that one was about six years old. It’s not going to last much longer.” I instantly deflated. That wasn’t the news I wanted to hear.

“There’s an auto parts store just down the road. If you want to follow me there, I can have your battery changed in no time.” His warm, hazel eyes filled with sincerity and concern. Would my vehicle start again if I didn’t get a new battery?

“You don’t have to do that,” I said, not wanting to put him out any more than I already had. But if he could do this, it would save my grandparents a trip into town and me a towing fee. I’d have to buy a new battery— and who knew how much that would cost—but that was something I’d have to do soon regardless.

“It’s no big deal. It won’t take me more than half an hour.” He shrugged.

I dramatically narrowed my eyes at him and tilted my head inquisitively. “You’re not a serial killer, are you?” He looked completely harmless, but a girl couldn’t be too careful these days. I didn’t know where the auto parts store was, so he could lead me anywhere and I wouldn’t know the difference.

His booming laughter echoed through the open air as he threw his head back. “The only cereal I kill is a bowl of Lucky Charms.”

I chuckled at his good-natured response. “I guess since I didn’t see any heavy-duty plastic wrap or extra-large trash bags in your cart, then I shouldn’t be too worried.”

“I take it you’re a Dexter fan?”

“Who isn’t?” I countered.

“Fair point.” A heart-stopping smile split his lips, and I felt flutters from the pit of my stomach to the center of my chest.

“But seriously, are you sure you don’t mind? I don’t want to monopolize your entire morning,” I asked, chewing on the inside of my cheek.

“I’m positive,” he said with certainty.

“Okay,” I agreed.

Within fifteen minutes, we were in the parking lot of the parts store with my hood popped. I greedily took in the sight of Gavin bent over in those tight blue jeans as he worked on the battery.

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