Page 48 of Debts and Desires
“Let me check my inventory first and if I don’t have it, I’ll order it real quick.” Carter tapped the counter with his knuckles before he turned and came back into the office. As soon as the door was closed again, his eyes met mine and that look of hunger was back. “You finish yourself off, baby?”
“N-no,” I answered. He tilted his head.
“Why not?”
“Because there’s someone else here?”
“Fair enough. I’ll just owe you a few more, then.” He walked over to me, standing behind. I looked over my shoulder at him as he leaned forward some. “I’m gonna teach you how to look shit up in inventory.” He pointed to the screen. “On the desktop should be a folder marked as such.” I turned my attention back to the screen, following his instructions. “Damn it,” he said under his breath. “I didn’t think I had it, but wanted to be sure. Okay, so now to order something. Open the browser… Click here.” He walked me through the order and had me print two confirmations.
We were silent, minus the printer whirring behind us. Carter let out a long exhale.
“I knew bringin’ you here was a bad idea,” he said, massaging my shoulders. It felt wonderful. I let out a soft moan. “You’re a distraction.”
“You started it,” I pointed out. “I didn’t do anything.”
“You exist.”
“Hardly a reason.”
“All the fuckin’ reason, Emogen. You’re a walkin’ temptation.” He leaned in, his nose nuzzling into my hair. I let out a soft whimper when he nibbled my ear lobe again. “Mmm, fuck,” he whispered, leaving a trail down my neck before pulling away. “I have to finish helpin’ Mr. Peters, then I got work to do.” And with that, he left. Thank goodness, too, because I was about to throwhimon the desk and go for a ride. I glanced up at the judging kitten poster.
“Shut up,” I hissed, getting back to work. Well, I tried. I watchedhimwork instead, suddenly finding myself enamored, damn nearobsessedwith him.
Fuck.
When four thirty finally came around, I grabbed my stuff. I hadn’t seen anyone on the security feed, so I shut everything down and headed out. I went ahead and flipped the sign on thefront door and locked it, turning off the interior light as well. The garage was quiet, minus the rock music coming from a radio on the shop counter near where Carter was working.
When I entered, he was under a car on one of those body roller things, singing with the song to himself. He had a deep, warm voice that I wanted to harmonize with, but resisted.
Instead, I tapped his boot with my foot and said, “Hey.” He jumped, the sound of a thud following. “Sorry!” I yelped, taking a step back.
“Damn it, woman, you scared the shit outta me!” He rolled out from under the car, rubbing his head as he glared at me.
“Sorry, sorry,” I said, trying not to laugh. It was the first time I’d seen him dirty. His hands—and now forehead where he’d rubbed—were black. I cleared my throat. “It’s four thirty.”
“Shit, really?” I nodded. “Alright. Let me finish tightening this and get everything cleaned up.”
“Okay,” I replied, just as he slid back under the car. It looked fun. “Do you have a second one of those?” I asked.
“Second one of what?”
“Wheely things.”
“You mean a creeper? There’s?—”
“No,you’rea creeper, Carter. I mean the thing you’re on,” I said in a mocking tone, cutting him off. He rolled back out and looked up at me with an unamused expression. I bit my lip as he sighed.
“You’re gonna get your ass spanked before this day’s over, brat.”
“Promises, promises.” I stuck my tongue out at him. “So, where’s the other wheely thing?” He looked so exasperated that I couldn’t help but smile.
“Near the oil bin up front.” He slid back under the car. “Behave, Emogen. It’d be a shame if I have to stop what I’m doin’ here. You’d have oil in places you really shouldn’t.”
After putting my stuff down, I practically skipped in the direction he’d given, finding the other creeper waiting for me. I took it to the empty part of the garage. At first, I only sat on it,scooting along slowly. Carter probably thought I was juvenile. I was suddenly regretting the excitement I had.
When I asked him, it was out of impulse. I had let my intrusive thoughts take over. Then that little voice creeped in again, telling me fuck it and to go for it. And for once, I listened.
I pushed myself every which way. I used the creeper like a surfboard, and even laid on it stomach first to push off the garage door, laughing to myself like I was a kid again. Then I was on my back, pushing myself to a wall. I kicked off of it a few times, but didn’t get as far as I wanted to go, giving up with a sigh.
