Page 7 of Arctic Mountain Man
Something shifted in his expression. Like people never took an interest in him. Or that he wanted them to. “You want to see it?”
“Yeah. I’ve never seen a car restoration shop. Sounds fascinating.”
It wasn’t a lie. I was curious about his work. But mostly I wanted to see him in his element, doing something that obviously mattered to him.
“All right.”
After breakfast, he led me outside to a large metal building behind the cabin. Inside, the smell of motor oil mixed with the tang of metal. Tools hung neatly on pegboards, and there were two cars in various stages of restoration—a sleek blue Mustang that looked like it belonged in a muscle car magazine, and what appeared to be a vintage Camaro with its hood up, engine parts laying neatly on a nearby workbench.
“Blake.” I ran my fingers over the smooth surface of the Mustang’s hood. “These are incredible.”
“Thanks.”
“I’m serious. How long does something like this take?” He wasn’t watching the car. He was watching me. The weight of his stare sank into my skin like a brand, leaving me hot all over.
“The Mustang? About eight months.”
“No wonder you like it up here. I wouldn’t want to leave either if I got to work on beauties like this.” I circled the garage, marveling at how precise and ordered everything was. “I should let you get back to it. I know you didn’t plan on company so fair warning, I talk too much. Aaron was always telling me to dial it back. Silence makes me babble, and I probably sound like a wind-up toy, so I’ll just—”
“Sadie.”
I stopped mid-ramble and looked at him.
“You’re not a bother.”
“I’m not?”
“No.” He stepped closer, and my pulse jumped. “And I’m not working today.”
Another step closer and my body was taking note of everything about him. His size, his scent. The way his hair fell down over his forehead. Who knew that was a sexy look on a man?
“What are you doing today then?” I looked up at him, meeting his gaze. Those beautiful eyes were mesmerizing. I could lose myself in them. In him.
“Spending time with you.”
Oh.
Oh.
Every nerve in my body lit like a fuse. His nearness didn’t just make me breathless—it made me restless, needy, like my skin was too tight to contain the want crawling through me.
Aaron had always been looking at his phone when I talked, scrolling through social media or checking work emails. Blake was looking at me like I was the only thing in his world.
“You don’t know me well enough to want to spend time with me.”
“I know enough.”
He was close enough now that I had to tilt my head back to meet his eyes. Close enough that I could see the gold flecks in all that blue. Close enough that if I rose up on my toes, I could kiss him.
The thought sent another wave of heat crashing over me. This was dangerous territory. I was already way too attracted to this man for my own good.
“What do you know?” I whispered.
“I know you’re smart and funny and stronger than you think you are.” His hand brushed my hip.
“Blake...”
“I know that asshole never deserved you.”
