Page 97 of Truck You

He leans closer to give me a kiss, but I lift my hand. He kisses my fingers instead. “You need to stop. You’re overbearing.”

He sighs and drops his forehead to mine. “I’m sorry. I can’t stop worrying about you.”

“Mac.” I cup his cheeks and force him to look me in the eye. “You’re allowed to worry about me all you want. I just need you to let me work. I can’t get my job done if you’re constantly touching me or interfering.”

“But I like touching you.” He presses his lips to mine before I can respond. I can’t deny that I love it when he touches me and kisses me like this. He’s a hard man to resist.

“I like it too.” I wrap my arms around his waist and hug him close. I love the feel of being engulfed in his hard body and strong arms. “But there’s a time and a place for that. Work is not it.”

He nods but doesn’t say anything. Instead, he kisses me again. This time swiping his tongue along my bottom lip. I instinctively open up for him and let him kiss me more deeply. My body comes alive with desire and need.

I grumble against his lips, and he chuckles. “This is why you’re an ass. You know that?”

“You know you wouldn’t change a thing about me,” he says with nothing but confidence. It irritates me that he’s right.

“Will you two knock it off?” Ash calls out as he walks through the side entrance. With how cold it’s been this past week, we’ve left the bay doors closed.

“Gladly.” I give Mac a teasing shove. “Just tell your brother to keep his hands to himself.”

“I doubt he’d listen.” Ash smiles, and it isn’t until he steps aside that I realize he’s not alone.

“Clara! What are you doing here?”

“Just got off work. I wanted to catch you before this guy monopolizes your time tonight.” She points at Mac, but her eyes stay on me. “A group of us from work are going out to Posey’s Lounge tonight. They do karaoke on Fridays. It’s a good time. You should come.”

I wrinkle my nose. Karaoke is not something I enjoy. “As long as I don’t have to sing.”

“What? No!” Clara’s smile fades and her shoulders sag. “Karaoke is only fun if everyone takes part. You have to.”

I shake my head and chuckle at how much she looks like a toddler who’s just lost her favorite toy. “I do not sing. But I’ll gladly watch others make a fool of themselves.”

“Who said anything about fools?” Mac crosses his arms over his chest with a furrowed brow. “I can sing just fine.”

“Good for you, but I can’t. I am not about to deliberately embarrass myself.”

“Fine.” Clara huffs. “You don’t have to sing, but will you still come?”

I glance between her and Mac. She looks hopeful. Where he looks like he’s up to no good. His brow is still furrowed, but there’s a hint of mischief behind his gaze.

“Okay, fine. I’ll go. But the first sign of any funny business and I’m leaving.” I wave my finger between them. “Understood?”

Clara’s smile returns. “Of course. I promise I won’t make you sing.”

I hold Mac’s stare and he looks like he wants to argue with me. But then he nods. “Fine. I’ll pick you up at seven. We’ll grab some dinner beforehand.”

I shake my head. “No. I’m going to have dinner with Clara tonight. It’s been too long since she and I hung out. Give us a couple of hours with just us girls.”

The wrinkle in his brow deepens. “You don’t want to hang out with me? I know I’ve been an asshole again, but I promise, I’ll—”

I cut him off with my hand over his mouth. “This isn’t about you being an asshole. I just want to hang out with Clara for a bit.” I step into his space and lean in close to his ear so only he can hear me. “Meet me at the bar later. I promise to make it worth your while.”

The growl that leaves his lips makes me chuckle. “You’re so going to pay for this later.”

“I’m looking forward to it.” I kiss his cheek and undo the top button on my coveralls. “I think I’m going to go ahead and call it a day. Clara, can I get a ride home with you since Mac drove me in this morning?”

“Of course.” She’s bouncing on her feet and clapping her hands. “This is going to be fun. You coming too, Ash?”

Her eyes light up as she looks up at him. His smile grows. “I wouldn’t miss it. I’ll make sure Mac doesn’t come too early. Just promise to stay out of trouble.”

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