Page 20 of Blue Collar Babes

“Arizona.”

I want badly to ask if she’s been in Montana this entire time, but I don’t want to hear her say yes.

When I want sex, I go into Billings. It’s better to go into the city than to stay within the town limits of Forever. Everyone knows your business in Forever.

And if I want to fuck someone, I don’t need my neighbor knowing about it.

I rarely go into Billings.

Three weeks ago, though, I convinced myself to drive the thirty minutes into the city, and when the brazen, buxom beauty asked to take me back to her hotel room, I accepted.

It had been a long time since I fucked someone.

And hell if a few hours with her ruined me for anyone else.

I haven’t been interested in sex since my time with her.

I’m not sure how I’ll feel if I know she’s been in town, practically under my nose, this entire time.

I may have grown up in a town called Forever, but watching my dad become a shell of the man he was before Mom passed, I know love isn’t for me.

I’m not sitting here, pining over this woman. I don’t think sex equals love.

But it was a fun night and it would have been nice to do it again.

“Well, you’re not getting to Arizona tonight. Let’s just head to the clinic, make sure your head is actually okay, and then we can get a plan to get your car fixed. If it is just the battery, I should have you up and running in no time. You have commitments at home you need to be back for?”

“My dog, but I have a pet sitter coming to the house. I was hoping to be home tomorrow but–”

My eyes pinch as I look at the car. “I can’t say anything without actually looking at it, but it doesn’t sound like you were in a major accident. Hit a snow bank?”

“It was small.”

“I’m not sure that you’ll be home tomorrow, but probably the day after. I’ll do my best to get you on the road tomorrow.”

“I guess that’s all I can ask,” she sighs. “I’ll just let my sitter know. And I don’t need a clinic. I’m fine.”

FOUR

NELLIE

Someone above is laughing at me.

I just know it.

After leaving a message for my dog sitter, I end up letting Ben talk me into going to the clinic after all.

“Just for peace of mind,” he says again, maneuvering his truck onto the road. “As the shock wears off, you may start to feel sore or other things. Whiplash can take you by surprise.”

“I already agreed with you,” I respond, maybe a touch more defensive than I intended.

I don’t do well with changes in plans. And I certainly don’t do well when that change in plans puts one of the most gorgeous men I’ve ever met right in front of me again.

I peek over at him with just my eyes. He washed his hands before we left the shop, and he removed the blue coveralls he’d been wearing, but there’s still a touch of grease on his face.

And that backward ball cap…

This blue collar man is a far cry from the well-dressed cowboy at the bar all those weeks ago.

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