Page 48 of Heart of Stone
I turn away, watching one of the junior mechanics showing Andi something on an engine. She laughs, rubbing a hand across her forehead before bending over to point something out.
The sight of her hits me like a physical blow—both the curve of her ass in those coveralls and her easy joy. Her laugh hasn’t been directed at me since that night on my bike.
Christ, that ride.
She'd felt perfect pressed against my back, her thighs gripping mine, her arms wound tight around my waist. I remember how she'd let down her guard just for a moment. How she’d allowed me to glimpse who she was underneath the walls she’d erected so high.
Those fucking walls. I'd give anything to tear them down, to find the woman underneath all that ice and independence. To be the one she lets in, the one she learns to trust.
Watching her now, laughing with someone else, strikes something possessive in my chest. It's more than just wanting her body, though God knows I do. I want her smiles, her trust, her heart. Want to be the one she turns to, the one who gets to see her soft and unguarded.
But she's got three kids depending on her, a life she's carved out on her own terms. She doesn't need some biker with too much baggage complicating things.
Except... maybe that's exactly what she needs. Someone to share the load, to have her back, to love those kids like they deserve. Someone to show her she doesn't have to do it all alone.
I could be that someone. If she'd let me.
The thought should terrify me. Instead, it feels right. Like pieces clicking into place.
"...more than just a business," Duck is saying, his words pulling me back to the conversation. "It's family. Community. People come here when they need help, not just with their cars."
He shook his head. “Summit doesn’t understand this community. They see property values, development opportunities. They don’t see the lives they’re trying to destroy.”
“We won’t let them,” Axel says firmly.
“Damn straight.” Duck pulls out three glasses from his bottom drawer, pouring a measure of whiskey in each—guess we’re done with drinking straight from the bottle.
“You didn’t bring us here just for this,” I say, turning to look at him. “What do you need from us?”
He chuckles. “Sharp as a tack. You’re right. Stone wants you and Axel to lead the project.” He slides the glasses across the desk. “You boys in?”
I pick up the whiskey, thinking about everything this place means. About the people who depend on it. About a certain mechanic who’s carved out her own place here.
“Fuck it,” I say.
Axel raises his glass. “To family.”
“To fighting dirty,” Duck adds with a grin.
“To riding free.”
We clink glasses, then drink deep.
“Now,” Duck says, settling back in his chair. “Make yourself useful and give Andi this.” He shoves a clipboard with papers across the desk. “And for god’s sake, pull your head out of your ass and claim her. I’ve worked too hard on that girl for you to fuck it up.”
I raise an eyebrow. “You’ve worked too hard?”
Duck snorts. “Three years, I’ve watched that girl rebuild herself. Started at the bottom, fought her way up. Never asked for help, never complained.” He leans forward. “You know how many guys in this town tried to get her attention? How many assholes I had to run off?”
“That why you put her in the back bay?” Axel asks, grinning. “Protecting your investment?”
“Damn straight. Girl’s got talent. Natural feel for engines you can’t teach.” Duck’s expression turns serious. “But she’s got trust issues.”
I watch as Andi works, her movements precise and confident. “Can’t blame her.”
“No,” Duck agrees. “But you can do something about it.” He taps the clipboard. “These are the designs for the expansion. I want her opinion on the layout.”
“Since when do you need opinions on garage layouts?”
