They both had a chuckle and she rolled her eyes. “You’re both bad for me. You know that, right?”
“And we want to be very, very good for you,” Beau said. This time he kissed her inner wrist.
Connie glanced around the park. “It is nice being out in the open, isn’t it?”
Scott smirked.
Her cell phone went off. He watched her face scrunch up. “I’ve got to go. It would seem my delivery is wanting my guy to sign off on stuff that hasn’t even arrived.” She got to her feet and before either of them could stop her, she was gone.
Scott cursed. “Fuck.”
“That didn’t go how we wanted it to,” Beau said.
“It’s a start. It’s all we could ask for.”
“What’s the plan then? Keep forcing her outside with our undivided attention until she lowers her guard?”
“That’s pretty much what I’m going with so far,” Scott said. He opened a bottle of water and took a large sip. “It’s not going to be as easy as I hoped.”
“Well, she’s a tough woman and we both want her. We should have known from the start this wouldn’t be easy.” Beau ate another strawberry. “These are really good.”
“I’m so glad you approve.”
“I do. Is there any reason we’re still out in the park? I’ve got shit to do.”
“No.” Scott stood up and started to pack the food. He and Beau weren’t known for having picnics. He really hoped he knew what he was doing.
Chapter Seven
Beau growled as he cut himself on an old rusty part. Dropping the part on the worktable, he moved toward his office and then grabbed the first aid kit. He hated it when he made stupid mistakes. He’d had a tetanus shot not long ago, so he wouldn’t have to worry about any infections.
“Hello,” Connie said.
“Out back, baby,” he said. With one of his hands bleeding, he struggled to get into the medical kit for the wipes and bandages he needed.
“Oh, shit, what happened?” Connie asked. She rushed to his side, putting an aluminum can on the counter and coming to his aid.
“A cut. Nothing too bad or too deep. Believe me. I’ve had worse.”
“You have?”
“Yep. Climbing a tree back when I was ten. Scott dared me. Told me I was a pussy if I didn’t get to the top branch. Proved I wasn’t a pussy and got a broken leg out of it. I fell right out of that tree.”
“Wow.”
“Yep. Don’t worry. I told Scott he couldn’t dive thirty feet into the river. He did, and got a broken arm for it.”
“That doesn’t give me comfort. You two seem to enjoy being daredevils.”
“We do. It’s friendship for you. Break as many bones as possible and have your buddy help you back home.”
She chuckled. He loved the sound.
She wiped clean the dirt and oil from him working on the car. “You do need to be more careful.”
“This won’t be the last cut, believe me. Rusty old parts, even new parts, they can hurt.”
“That doesn’t exactly give me comfort.”
“I bet you cut and burn yourself all the time.”
“I’m in the kitchen. It’s a given.”
“I’m a mechanic, it’s a given.”
She chuckled. “I wonder what kind of damage Scott does.”
“He pulls muscles. He’s a bit of a girl. He wouldn’t know a real injury.”
“Like a hamstring?”
“Or his face from straining. No, you know the worst, one of his clients farting in his face and him having to eat it up.”
“You’re disgusting and we’re so mean.”
“Yeah, but it’s also getting you to smile. I consider that a plus.” As she cleaned his hand, he reached out and tucked some hair behind her ear. He wondered if she even realized she pressed her head closer to his touch.
“There, all better,” she said.
His hand was bandaged up.
“So what about the car? Is that in bad shape?”
“For now it will be. I’ll fix it. I like to fix everything. What brings you to my place?” he asked. “Bad car?”
“No. More like a thank-you-for-putting-up-with-me gift.” She picked up the tin. I baked you some double chocolate chip cookies.”
“And why would I need a thank you for putting up with you?” he asked.
“Simple, I know I can be mean and cranky. I try not to be but I suck at it. This is my sorry and I hope you can forgive me.” She opened up the tin. “Want to try one?”
He wouldn’t deny her anything. After taking out a cookie, he had a bite. The cookie melted in his mouth.
“Apology accepted.” He finished the cookie in two bites.
“I’m pleased you like.”
He grabbed her hand and pulled her close. Sinking his fingers into her hair, he tilted her head back and claimed the kiss he’d been hungry for all morning. She’d been fast asleep once again when he’d gotten the call for a breakdown.
Having a tow truck was starting to be the bane of his existence. He was going to have to put a little clause in his breakdown cover. No one could call him until nine o’clock. So far, Scott was the only one who’d been able to see her in the morning. Scott had the better deal. He didn’t have people calling him demanding to be re-weighed. It sucked.
He loved cars though and wouldn’t change his career choice, even if it did interfere with his time.
Someone cleared their throat and Beau had no choice but to let her go. He looked over her shoulder and saw Mrs. Dale.
“I’ll be out in a moment,” he said.
“Good.” She spun on her heel and left.
Shit. She was the town gossip.
“I better go,” Connie said. “I’ve got another tin of goodies to distribute.”
“Do I get another kiss?” he asked.
