Page 73 of The Woman in the Garage

“One thing I am going to suggest, though, is putting some cameras up. At least in your office and the reception area. I know some employees can get squirrely at the idea of cameras in their spaces, so I don’t know if I would do that right away. But you need something around there.”

“I’m not going to object to that.” Though I was going to need to figure out how to pay for them.

“I will have someone swing by tomorrow morning and get them installed before the shop opens.”

“I will give you my card—“ I started, deciding I could eat ramen for the next week.

“No. It’s… all part of the protection deal.” There was something, I don’t know, off in his tone. But he went on before I could figure it out. “I’m also going to heavily suggest you start carrying some sort of self-defense.”

“Like pepper spray?”

“Always a good start, yeah. Maybe an eye gouger, extendable baton, and a pocketknife. Though, I’m a firm believer in handguns if you feel comfortable with the idea. You can give that thought, though.”

“Okay,” I agreed. “I’m definitely okay with all the other ones, but I don’t know about the gun yet. I’ve never even held one.”

“Well, we can work on that, if you’re interested. But that’s not something to worry about tonight. Do you want me to run you a bath?” he asked, waving down at my arms and legs, still covered in dirt and grease. “I’m gonna say no showers until we’re sure your head is okay.”

“A bath sounds nice.”

“No one has ever used that tub.” He stood, cleaning up the rest of his supplies before tucking the plastic container back in the closet.

“That’s a crime.” My gaze moved over the oversized soaking tub—deep enough to keep your whole body submerged under the water at the same time. That was a luxury I’d never experienced before.

“I think the real estate agent left me some… yep,” he said, coming back with a bottle of soap and a bath bomb. “She left me a basket in here. It had a bunch of bath stuff in it. I shoved it all in the closet, figuring someone would use it someday. How do you feel about lavender?”

“I like it much better than the pine smell all over me.”

“I like it a lot less than that honeysuckle that is usually clinging to your skin.”

Again, another spark of desire ignited.

But then he was running the water, stopping the tub, then dropping in the soap and bomb, making little purple ribbons spread across the top of the water.

“Come here,” Santo demanded, voice soft.

My heart fluttered as I made my way across the room. His eyes were soft as he reached to turn me, finding my zipper, and lowering it down slowly. The cool air kissed my skin, making a shiver move through me as he pushed the straps off my shoulders.

He needed to reach to pull the clinging material off of my breasts, but then the light material was fluttering to the ground.

Santo leaned down, pressing a sweet kiss to my shoulder that made my sex clench hard.

He reached between us, unclasping my strapless bra, and letting that fall to the floor as well.

His arms slid around my belly, pulling me back against him, his face buried in my neck.

“Really fucking glad you’re okay,” he murmured, his breath warm on my skin. “Felt my heart stop when I heard the panic in your voice on the phone.” His arms pulled me tighter as I lifted my own arm to wrap around the back of his neck. “I’m glad you called me.”

“Me too.” My voice was low and breathless as the sweetness in that moment only managed to make my desire rise. There was nothing sexual about the way he was holding me so gently, about his chaste hand placement. “The police wouldn’t hold me like this,” I added, loving the way his laugh vibrated against me.

“Gonna put this out there. I’m kinda hoping I get to be the only one to hold you this way.”

Clear and open communication? How refreshing.

“I don’t want anyone else.”

“Sure?” he asked, his fingers teasing up ever so slightly, the tips teasing under the swells of my breast.

A little shiver moved through me.

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