Page 20 of Smooth Moves
“Yeah. That’s what I’m sayin’.” He blew out a breath and let her go, taking a step back. “We never do this again.”
She nodded, knowing the rightness of what he said if quietly regretting the necessity. “Never happened.”
“Right.”
“We work together. Friends.”
“Work. Yes. Friends.” He seemed to have trouble taking his gaze from her eyes, staring holes through her.
“I’m still going to help you pack your mom’s place.”
“And I’ll still help you with your brother.” He paused. “Might be a good thing to take a break from working together tomorrow, just for a breather.”
“Um, yeah.” She breathed deeply, searching for calm and not finding it. “So, get out. I have stuff to do.”
He shoved his hands in his pockets, drawing her attention there, and she made the mistake of looking at the massive bulge straining his fly. She swallowed audibly.
“Cut it out.” He groaned. “I can’t help it. I have to go.”
Before he got through the door, she grabbed his arm. He froze, and she said, “Is Saturday okay? To help you pack stuff?” And to get this debt repaid, the quicker the better.
“Um. Yeah.” He coughed, didn’t turn around. “I’m off this weekend. And we can figure out what you want me to say to your brother and when.”
Reluctantly, she let him go, knowing it was for the best but regretting the fact she’d assuaged her curiosity and kissed the man. “Right. See you later.”
He took a step and paused then looked over his shoulder at her with a huge grin that did something funny to her insides. Not just her girl parts. Her heart started hammering even harder. “Why don’t we meet Sunday morning instead? Because, you know, you have an appointment Saturday morning with Miriam.”
She frowned. “What do you know about this that I don’t?”
He shrugged, but she didn’t buy it. “How could I know anything? I’m a guy. I’m too ‘empowered’ as it is.”
“Shut up.” She couldn’t hide a grin.
His smile left him. Cash scowled, took one step closer, and paused. “Nope. Can’t do it. Can I—? No.” Then he turned and left.
Jordan shut and locked the door behind him then plastered her back to it and slid to the floor.
Her entire body still throbbed, needy, aching for a man. But not any man. Aching for Cash Fucking Griffith.
She groaned and covered her eyes with a hand, astounded at having made the mother of all bad choices.He’s my boss. I’m attracted to my boss, and the man is part Neanderthal. What the hell is wrong with me?
* * *
The next day, Friday, was the end of Jordan’s workweek and passed smoothly enough. She worked alongside Smith again, and as usual, he didn’t say much. They spent all day moving a client’s belongings from a storage locker in Green Lake to a storage locker in Renton, an easy day since they hadn’t been hired to do more than move things from point A to point B.
It turned out a bunch of the guys planned to hang out after work at Ringo’s Bar, a short drive away. It also happened to be closer to home for her, so she joined them. Cash and Reid were noticeably absent, but she didn’t mind. Cash had been right; she needed the break.
Her dreams had been filled with naughty images of Cash doing even naughtier things to her body. For some reason, his head had figured prominently between her thighs in most of her fantasies, and it had taken her a bit of time in the shower to cool off.
“You’ve been quiet today,” Smith was saying as she sat with him, Hector, Lafayette, Finley, and Funny Rob, one of the new guys. For some reason, the gang considered her an old-timer, and she’d only been with the group for a month and a half, though it felt like a lot longer.
Funny Rob, oddly enough, wasn’t that funny. A tall Asian man with a dry sense of humor who’d been a mechanic in the Air Force, his full name was Robert Tung. She liked him, though she didn’t know much more about him than that he preferred country music and ate a hot dog for lunch every day. Odd facts to know about a coworker, but he had an easygoing temperament.
Since she’d been with Vets on the Go!, she’d only had an issue with one employee—now an ex-employee since he’d been fired then arrested for trying to steal from one of Reid and Cash’s friends while pretending to work for the moving company. Talk about a headache.
She tuned back in to Smith’s comment. “What exactly are you complaining about? You like it when I’m quiet.”
“Ah, there she is.” Smith took a large swig of beer then left to get another pitcher.
