Page 13 of Dark Seduction

“I’m pretty sure I was clear as crystal in that regard.”

“Were you though?” I take a step closer to her, my heart picking up speed. “I believe you said we couldn’t fuck, Mack. There was nothing in there about looking.” The heavy scent of jasmine enshrouds me. Even the chemical smell of the paint splattered on her jumpsuit can’t mask it. Much like here, it lingers here to torment me, I’m sure of it.

“Well, don’t,” she frowns. “Burnt has been bad enough about hovering. I don’t need you doing it, too.” Her chest heaves slightly, and it takes everything I have to not look.

“I’m working on keeping him busy,” I admit.

“I’d appreciate it if you’d follow your own advice,” she argues. “I won’t risk my position. Judge took a chance on me. I’m not going to betray that trust.”

“Leave Judge to me.”

“No need.” Mack rolls her eyes before turning her attention back to the car above us. “Which one of these guys is giving you trouble?”

I step closer to her, rejoicing on the inside as her breath hitches. “This one.” Mack’s body reacts to mine, giving me hope that she’s fighting just as hard to keep things professional as I am.

She doesn’t peer up. Her eyes stay fully locked on mine. “I see.”

“You going to look at that bolt, Mack?”

“Yes,” she answers softly.

I reach for her hand. It feels tiny compared to mine. “It’s up there.” Wrapping my fingers around her trembling hand, I guide her hand to the bolt. “Here.” I hesitate to let her go, but after a few extra seconds, I force myself away.

Mack swallows and moves the wrench up to the bolt, giving it a crank. She tries it again.

“It really is stuck. One more time.” Mack grits her teeth and puts her entire body into it.

“Shit!” She cries as the wrench pops free and she loses her balance. Her body crashes into mine, knocking me back in the process. I reach up to grab part of the frame, but it’s too late. Together, we fall to the concrete floor with a thud, Mack landing firmly against my chest. Her knee narrowly misses my groin by inches.

Slowly, her eyes lift to meet mine.

“You okay?” I ask, my voice near a whisper.

“Fine,” she breathes. “At least you didn’t land on top of me.”

“If you wanted to be on top of me again, Mack, all you had to do was ask. I’m not the one who set rules to whatever kink life you lead.”

“My kink is none of your concern,” she snaps.

“It could be.”

Heavy footsteps approach, stopping just at the end of the Corvette. We both peer up from the ground to find Burnt’s angry face staring down at us.

“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me right now.”

Mack scrambles off of me before Burnt can get another word out. She avoids my gaze as she stands up. “Sorry, Burnt. Just slipped.”

“Wasn’t asking you,” Burnt snarls. “I know who’s responsible.”

I stand up, brushing off my jeans. “It’s not what it looks like, man.”

Burnt just rolls his eyes at me. “Don’t even bother with the explanations. I know what I saw.”

BURNT

My heart is poundingin my chest like a thundering motorcycle engine as my eyes move from Mack to V and back to Mack again. Fury courses through me, and my mind.

is a turbulent storm of jealousy and anger. The image of I just witnessed burns in my mind like a brand.

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