Page 74 of Outside The Wire

I knew by the challenge in his eyes that he wasn’t backing down. The only question was, just how bad was my inventory going to be screwed up by the time we were done?

17

ASHER

Shifting into park,I watched Holly carefully. She’d been acting weird ever since we left her shop this morning. After Wyatt came by and plowed her parking lot, we’d finally been able to leave. Two days in her shop was enough for me. Not that I didn’t enjoy spending time with her, but a shower and a night in my own bed would do wonders for my back. Not to mention some good food.

“Are you okay?”

“What?” she asked, jumping as she twisted to face me. “Of course. Why would you ask that?”

I cocked an eyebrow at the way she laughed nervously. The woman was acting strange, even by her standards. I couldn’t figure her out, and I wasn’t sure I had the energy to try today. I had to be at the garage bright and early tomorrow, and we had a shit ton of orders to catch up on. And that was after I drove Holly back to work since I didn’t want her driving home today.

“You just seem a little nervous.”

“Psh. No, I’m not nervous. What would I have to be nervous about?”

“I don’t know. You tell me.”

“No,” she shook her head. “There’s nothing. We should go.”

She flung the door open and jumped out, not waiting for me like she usually did. Sighing, I got out and walked around to meet her. Whatever was going on with her, I wished she would just come out and say it. Everything was fine at the shop, so why was she acting like she was on the verge of breaking things off with me now?

“Keys?” I asked, holding my hand out.

We’d been through this routine enough that she knew I liked to walk through her house before I let her inside. It was the one thing I just couldn’t let go of, and she allowed it for whatever reason. I let us inside and quickly checked every room. When I was satisfied it was clear, I handed the keys back to her, but she wouldn’t meet my eye.

“Holly.”

“Yeah?”

I took her chin between my thumb and forefinger, turning her to face me. “What the hell is going on?”

“Not a thing,” she smiled brightly. “I really need a shower. I smell like sex.”

“You smell like me,” I grinned, pulling her into me. “I can’t say I mind too much.”

I nuzzled my nose into her neck, pressing kisses to her throat, hoping I could leave her with something to remember me by for the night. “I have to get home.”

“Yeah, shower and…stuff.”

She stepped back, putting enough distance between us to make me wonder what the fuck was going on in her head. I crossed my arms over my chest and sighed.

“Holly Bear.”

“Yeah?”

“Are you gonna kiss me goodbye?”

“Oh!” She laughed and finally came toward me, but when I tried to wrap her in my arms and give her the kiss I wanted to,she pursed her lips and gave me a peck on the lips. “There! Have a great night!”

What the fuck was that?

“Well, you should go. You have to shower and I have to shower. Not together, of course.”

“Um—”

The door was open and I was on my way out before I could figure out what the hell was happening. I turned around just as the door was slammed in my face. My mouth opened, but no words came out.

---