Page 23 of Break Me Like a Promise (Oak Valley)

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Even though Ruby couldn’t feel Colton’s skin against her gloves, just the sheer size of his hand around hers was enough to make her breath catch. It didn’t hurt he held on longer than necessary, or that it came on the heels of his admission.

I don’t want you to get hurt.

There was something about hearing him say the words, hearing him announce even a sliver of his feelings, that made her feel less crazy about the tension between them.

She was livid when she heard his car pull in, even more so when he had the audacity to stand there smirking with his dimples and broad shoulders. She’d had to look up at him when they went toe-to-toe, something she hadn’t done since high school. Something that was even more dangerous — more tempting — now. That magnetic force between them still pulsed, still called her body to stay as near to his as possible. It had thrown her off so completely she’d forgotten about the earplugs, her defenses solidifying against anything else his presence might throw her way.

Colton released her hand slowly, her gaze even slower, before showing her the basics of the air chisel without turning it on. For being the size of a drill, it was oddly heavy, but it felt good in her hands. Like she really could convert this bus.

“Do you have safety goggles?” His deep voice cut through her daydream of the finished bus, her future home.

“Yeah, here.” She dug around in the red toolbox she’d found in the basement, pulling two cheap pairs she’d bought in a multipack online. Ruby handed him a pair and put hers on, trying not to ogle as Colton stripped his jacket, biceps flexing against the tight fabric of his navy blue t-shirt. His jeans hung low on his hips, and as he reached up to start the chiseling, Ruby got a peak of the smooth, tan skin of his stomach. Between that and the way he looked right at home in safety glasses and a power tool, she was pretty sure her ovaries were ready to burst.

He tipped his head at her to join him, and when she stood beside him she was careful to keep enough distance so she wouldn’t be enveloped in his man-musk. But that didn’t stop him from lightly pulling her sleeve until she was closer, close enough they touched shoulders. Ruby sucked in a breath, careful not to let it out too fast in case he noticed.

“You see how the chisel head fits under? You want to really ground yourself in your legs because the kickback can be brutal if you’re not used to it.” He reset his position before turning the hand-held jackhammer on. In just a few seconds, the air chisel knocked out the rivet head.

Colton turned to her, beaming. “See? Nice and easy. No risk of hammering your hand. You ready to try?”

Ruby grabbed the hammer from him and edged over to the next rivet head, getting the chisel head in place. His chest pressed against her back, his hands moving to her thighs.

“Bend them like this —” it came out a whisper as he gently pressed his hands down. Her ass bumped against his hips, molding her body to his. It, he, was overwhelming, even more so when his face rested besides hers and his hands moved along her arms, lifting them into position. “— and put your arms here. I know it’s heavy but your arms shouldn’t be shaking just yet.” His laugh was breathy in her ear, goosebumps erupting across her skin.

“It’s not heavy,” Ruby managed to say as she elbowed him away, needing to clear her head.

“Whatever you say, Bob the Builder. Just watch out for the kickback.”

She heard his snicker as she reset, taking extra care to tense her arms. With a deep breath, she pressed the trigger and was shocked at the vibrations rippling through her arm, the heavy popping still infiltrating her protected ears. Thank god Colton had reminded her about the kickback or he might’ve lost a tooth.

In no time, the rivet head shot across the bus. Ruby turned off the tool and shook out her arms, turning to Colton. He had a wide grin plastered to his face, hands on his hips.

“Not bad, Ruby. See? It’s not so bad.”

She looked down at the tool and then back at the ceiling. She didn’t want to admit it to him, but he was right. She’d had a few near misses with the hammer when she started hand-chiseling before he showed up, and each time had scared the shit out of her. The damage would’ve knocked her hand completely useless for weeks. Plus, this was much faster.

She gave him a smile.“Yeah, it’ll do. When should I get it back to you by?”

“What do you mean?” His brow furrowed.

“When do you need your tool back, Colt?”

The beautiful bastard frowned and shook his head. “Ruby, we’re going to finish this now and then I’ll take it home with me.”

“Oh my god.” He was impossible.

Those stupid dimples. “Ruby, you can either fight this or not.” He stalked his way toward her, moving with that bulky grace only an athlete could have. Leaning down so she could smell his aftershave — pine? — he whispered, “If you do fight it, we both know who will win.”

Heat coursed through Ruby’s body. “You know that’s a challenge, right?”

“I wouldn’t have said it if I didn’t.”

His brown eyes were warm, inviting, and Ruby was tempted to let him help without fighting, moving forward. But she caught the glimmer in them, the play, and her resolve stuck. Spending any more time with him was dangerous, and not just because she wanted to throttle him every time he opened his mouth or flashed a panty-dropping smile.

But if he was insistent on helping her — even if it was only to make sure she limited her injuries — then she’d not only push back, but she’d be difficult.

If he wanted to play, she’d play.

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