Page 1 of Tarnished Hands

Chapter One

PIPER

I assumed I would never want more from a man than his body.

That was until him— the man who is standing feet away from me wearing black jeans that hug his ass so perfectly, and a black tank top that molds to his massive, muscular chest, and shows off his tanned skin. And now, I hate him.

My jaw tightens as I watch him smirk—God, I hate that smirk, too. I want to slap it off his gorgeous face. Mostly because it makes my thighs clench, and that is what I hate more than anything.

My eyes flit to his, and staring back at me are the most gorgeous green eyes with tints of blue. But the green is unlike anything I have ever seen. It’s a sparkling green, almost iridescent. His lashes are so long. It should be illegal for men to have such beautiful lashes.

My boss, Keir, nods to him, then walks away as they conclude their business conversation. Usually, I would be there next to Keir, but I chose to stay back this time—away from Ezra, whose gaze kept flicking to me throughout their conversation.

Stalking me like prey.

“You should talk to him,” Keir says as he reaches me.

I suck in a shocking breath at his remark, but I don’t reply. Not that it would do me any good because he doesn’t wait for me to give one before he strides out the door, his brother Joey following him, leaving me alone—and way too close to Ezra.

Ezra runs his own business that specializes in old cars and motorcycles. Most of his cars and bikes come from Keir, who takes possession of them for late payment.

That’s usually if he doesn’t kill the people first.

But Ezra has been with Keir for a few years, always silently working away in the background.

He understands Keir doesn’t meet for friendly chats—it’s always business with him. And Ezra is now an expert at dealing with Keir. Not many can bargain a nice chunk of profit for themselves, which was risky when he first carried out business with him.

It could have gone one of two ways.

Keir could have killed him and taken over the shop. But that would have left a gaping hole regarding who would do all the repairs and sales. Sure, Ezra has a small team, but he’s an expert at what he does, and more importantly, he is committed to silence. Loyal to the marrow of his bones.

Keir respects that more than anything else.

So Keir’s only other option was to agree.

Keir initially approved the business transaction, requesting a high turnover.

But Ezra wasn’t one to take things lying down and lose money on the transactions.

He knew exactly what he was worth, and Keir also respected that about him.

“Do you plan to just stand there?” The words drawl from Ezra’s lips, and I can’t help but stare at said lips. Lips that are soft and rough. Lips that can do very wicked and delicious things, and a body that’s nothing but solid, packed muscle.

I shake my head and turn to walk away, but as I do, my body tingles like it does every time he comes close to me. His hand pauses just short of my skin, like he’s waiting to see if I’ll take a swing at him again.

The first time he laid a hand on me, I turned around and punched him in the stomach.

He wasn’t expecting it.

I didn’t care.

Now he knows better.

But then I had to go and have sex with him just once.

One freaking time. And somehow, he’s altered me in ways no one else has before.

When I close my eyes, I dream of his lips all over my body. And even when I open them, I can still smell him.

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