Page 7 of Mechanic Daddy's Girl
“You’re offering me a place to stay?”
“Need one while you’re waiting for the radiator, right?” He raises a brow. “Might as well extend it if your boss brings the hammer down.”
“But I wouldn’t be able to afford it without a job.”
“Who said anything about paying for it?” Boone scoffs, shoving a hand into his pocket and drawing his wallet. “Hell, I’d offer you my spare room if it wouldn’t scare you off.” He heads to the counter to pay for our lunch.
Is he even trying anymore? Or has he just burrowed himself so deeply into my head so quickly that everything he says and does takes my breath away? And what’s worse is that everything he’s doing makes me wish that Travis wouldbring the hammer down. Removes the element of this being a long weekend fling and turns my dreams into a reality.
“How about we go back and I show it to you?” he asks once back at my side. “Might as well get comfortable while you’re stuck here. The rest we’ll work out when we get there.”
Without thinking, I swing one of my arms under his and pull myself tightly into his side. “You’re too good to me, y’know that?”
His head cranes downward, a big smile on his face. “You haven’t seen the half of it, doll.”
The studio apartmentabove Boone’s workshop has a bed, a small couch, a coffee table, and a TV on one side, with a kitchenette and a door to the bathroom on the other. Thoughsmall, one look is all it takes for me to fall in love with the place. It’s safe, cozy, and mine … for now.
“You’re sure about this?” I ask once Boone concludes the tour. He’s standing with his back against the door.
I drop my handbag and phone on the coffee table, warmth swelling from my core at Boone’s hospitality.
“Place has been empty for months, with few prospects of anyone wanting to rent it. I couldn’t be more certain,” he says.
“I can’t thank you enough,” I say.
“And you’ll never have to.”
My phone buzzes again, the sound amplified by the vibrations over the wood. Boone instantly grits his teeth.
“Look, I appreciate everything you’re doing for me, but I should get that,” I sigh, knowing it probably means the end to our fantastical day together.
“Or you could ignore it. You’re on vacation, and you need to put your foot down.” He pushes off the wall and takes a step toward me. “Otherwise, he’ll just keep walking over you.”
“It’s not that simple.” I wish it were, but I don’t have the luxury of throwing my life into a tailspin and hoping for the best. Things are hard enough as is without the chaos.
I grab my phone but don’t answer yet, feeling the twisted knot in my belly tighten as Boone steps closer.
“Yes, it is.” He pauses when we’re an arm’s length apart. Too nervous to meet his eyes, I keep mine pinned on his chest, watching it rise and fall with every angered breath. “Don’t answer that phone, Callie.”
“But—”
“No buts. Look how it ended last time.” His hand leaves his side and rises to mine, holding the phone. I expect him to grab it, but instead his fingers gently brush against my skin instead. “He’s not going to fire you anyway,” he reassures me.
“How could you know that? Who says this isn’t the call to end it?” I sink my gaze to the screen, then to Boone’s hand. “I’d rather rip the band-aid off and be done with it.”
“He can’t go two days without you in the office. He’s not gonna cut you out this easily.” Boone’s logic is exactly what I need, but it also leaves me feeling hollow.
I should be happy he’s probably right, and apart from an earful from Travis, I can go back to work on Monday. But that means I’ll be pulled away from here, and Boone’s offer of this apartment and the spare room in his place, which I want so much more, will go unaccepted.
“I’ll answer him quick and we can go back to?—”
“No,” Boone all but barks the word. “Put the phone down and enjoy your weekend.”
Holy shit, this controlling side of him … it’s so fucking sexy. Deep down, it pulls me back to his off-hand comment:If I wanted to keep you here, I’d just do it.
Because he’s right. There’s nothing I could do to stop him, and even now, while my job hangs in the balance, I find his demands irresistible.
“And what if I can’t do that without getting this conversation over with?” I ask as Boone’s hand travels up my arm, and hetakes another step closer. This time, standing so close that our bodies are practically touching.
