Page 25 of Burn It Down

Cassie chooses that moment to come outside wearing a shit-eating grin, telling me she’s been watching our entire interaction.

“Seriously though, if you don’t hit that, I will. Did you get a load of the biceps on that guy? Who would’ve fucking thought?”

“Cass,” I groan, even though she’s mirroring my exact thoughts. “He’s got a girlfriend, or a wife, or something. She came with him to drop the Maserati off.”

“I don’t see a ring on his finger.”

“I love you, but you need to go on somewhere,” I tell her, shooing her back inside. “Make sure Dad quits by noon. I’ll make dinner when I get home.”

“Dyl, we don’t want to see you until tomorrow,” Cassie says, gripping my shoulders.

“And we can make our own dinner. Got it?” my dad says, his voice making me jump because I don’t know where the hell he came from.

I scrub a hand down my face, not bothering to hide my smile.

“You two need a life,” I tell them lovingly.

“So do you,” my sister replies. “So, go get one.” She swats me on the ass with the back of her hand. Somehow it isn’t weird because she’smein a different body, but I can’t imagine letting another sibling slap my ass. I’m laughing at Cassie when Jake comes around the corner of the building.

“Alright, she’s all tucked in,” he says, handing the keys to my dad. “I’ll leave these with you if that’s okay?”

My father nods. “I’ll be sure to pull her in tonight when we leave.”

“I don’t expect any special treatment, sir.”

“Call me Charlie. And as far as I’m concerned, the way you got my son out of harm’s way and improved the safety of our shop, I owe you a lot more than just garage space.”

Jake just nods, sensing there’s no point in arguing.I also suspect he’s relieved to know his Corvette won’t have a can of paint thrown on it tonight.

“Well, thank you, Charlie.” Jake turns his attention to me. “You ready?”

“Yeah.” My voice has more gravel in it than our parking lot and I clear my throat while my sister hides her laugh with a cough. The two of us sound like we have pneumonia.

Jake and I walk toward the back parking lot together this time. The Screaming Eagle is parked back here too and I now see Jake’s Corvette next to her.

“So, you didn’t give me many details. Where exactly are we going?” I ask, trying to keep my voice even as he opens the door and plants his ass in my passenger seat.

“Oh, God. These seats,” he says immediately. “Give me a minute.” He traces his hands over my console and on the seat between his legs. Fuck. He’s got to stop that or I’m going to blow my load in my pants before we’re even out of the parking lot. “How do you keep the leather so buttery? My seats feel like sandpaper.”

My eyes are glued to the way his hands are running back and forth between his spread knees, wishing they were roaming over my body instead of my car. I’m starting to feel the lack of sex and the desperation for another man’s touch like it’s a living thing.

When I don’t answer, Jake laughs, pulling my eyes to his.

“Okay, fine. Some kind of trade secret or something? I’ll pay double if you can get my seats to feel like this.”

I swallow hard. “Not a secret. It’s just the product I use. You just have to do it every couple of days until it’s revitalized. Then monthly is fine.”

He shifts his ass forward and back in the seat, gripping the door panel, and I damn near fucking lose it.

“Wh…what are you doing?” I ask, trying to concentrate on not hitting anything as I back out of the space.

“Making sure I get the full experience. I might drive expensive cars, but they don’t come with seats like this.”

Finally, I laugh and shake my head, willing myself to play it cool. I don’t know if Jake’s picked up on the fact that I’m gay, but unless it’s relevant, I don’t just throw it out there.

Hey, I’m Dylan. I fix cars for a living and I’m attracted to men.Helluva conversation starter, but I have to admit, in thiscase, it would be nice for him to know. At least then, maybe he’d stop torturing me without realizing he’s doing it.

I promise myself I’ll take the opening if there is one. If my sexual orientation is going to change things between Jake and I — for better or worse — I’d like to know soon so I don’t spend any more time wonderingwhat if.

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