Page 34 of Jagger

The sound of my phone jarred me out of envisioning her tempting body.

Her.

Shit. I was having difficulty even thinking Bella’s name. I shoved the snow shovel into the mound of snow and ice, yanking off my gloves as I continued grousing at myself.

Danny Marcos, the tow trucking company owner was on the other line, an Italian dude who’d moved from New York in his attempt to find a better life for his growing family. He was tough as nails, a former Marine like my brother. But he understood hard times, including being overseas in a war. That’s why I got along with him so well.

We’d had our share of drinks at the local watering hole, commiserating over stories that were highly embellished.

I’d left a message the night before on his phone, providing a location for Bella’s Mercedes.

“Yo, buddy. How’s business?” I asked as I took a deep breath. The air was crisp, the views of the trees covered in snow another reminder of a freaking greeting card.

“Busy as shit. Tourists are idiots,” Danny barked. “And what the hell are you doing with a Mercedes?”

“Not mine, buddy. Just a chick who thought she could leave the area.”

“Well, her damn vehicle is snowed in, a plow almost burying it in ice and snow. It’ll take me hours to get the piece of shit out of there.”

I grinned. The man was as rough as they came. “I’ll pay you whatever you need. However, do me a favor and don’t bring it to the Wyoming cabin for a few hours.”

He snorted. “Got yourself into some kind of trouble, buddy?”

“Nah. Just trying to keep a headstrong woman from sliding down the mountain.”

“Ouch. How did you get that duty?”

Because I was a dumbass and craved every inch of her luscious body. “Just being friendly.”

“You?” he asked, laughing as he usually did when he thought I said something stupid.

“Yeah, yeah. Just do as I ask. Okay?”

“Okay, buddy, but her vehicle is in a precarious position. One careless snowplow and poof, that expensive vehicle is toast.”

I raked my hand through my hair, taking another deep breath of the frigid air. “I’ll take my chances.”

“You’re trying to keep her here.” His laugh was irritating as usual, but it was good to have a buddy who understood me, never berating me with questions.

“Funny dude. Go do your job.”

“That’s right. Santa is heading to the Foxhead Winery and Resort. Good times. I’m bringing my kids by later.”

Great. I gritted my teeth all over again. “Just do your job, bud.”

“I’ll do my best. Talk at ya later.”

I had just ended the call when my phone rang again. This time the annoyance was from my brother Hunter. “What?”

“Does someone piss in your food every day?” he asked.

“What do you want? I’m currently shoveling snow.”

“I’m reminding you that you need to be here today. Full house.”

“In this shit?”

Hunter could be the most irritating man in the world. “It’s the holidays, dude. Or didn’t you get the memo? Tourists love this shit. Snowstorm or not.”

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