Page 50 of Saving the Last Heir
Shyanne pinched the bridge of her nose. “I’m so sorry. I run a garage, not a school for etiquette.”
“It’s fine.” Without thinking, I put my hand on her lower back to guide her back to the paint room.
Her shirt had ridden up a bit, and my fingers brushed the bare skin of her lower back. The softness, the heat, the curve of muscle along her spine… it all sent a flaming surge of desire through me. My fantasy from that morning came storming back with a vengeance, and I pulled my hand away quickly, much to the displeasure of my dragon, who snarled in disappointment.
For her part, Shyanne hadn’t noticed—at least not that I could tell. In fact, when we went back to work, she fell upon the car with renewed vigor, working hard and fast, as though it washerlife that depended on it, instead of my sister’s.
I’d done a bit of research the night before, and what I’d found said painting a whole car could take up to a week. Between Shyanne and her team, they had the car washed, taped, sanded, and the first layer of primer sprayed in less than three hours.
Having run out of ways to help, I stood outside and watched through the window as Shyanne and Reggie performed an amazing dance of coordination and timing as they each sprayed the paint onto the car. I shook my head in wonder. They seemed to know what the other was going to do before they did it. There wasn’t a moment when one of them over-sprayed or got in the way. By the time they were done, the car looked absolutely perfect. My stomach clenched with anticipation.
Shyanne and Reggie pulled off their respirators as they walked out of the paint room. Shyanne flipped a switch and closed the door.
“Those are the heat lamps,” she explained. “Usually a car needs forty-eight hours for the paint to fully dry and cure, but Reggiemixed up a fast-drying version of what we needed, and the lamps will speed it along even more. It should be ready by late tomorrow morning.”
Her eyes left mine, and scanned the garage, she blinked in surprise. “Where the hell is everyone?”
“Uh, boss lady?” Reggie said. “I’m not sure if you noticed, but it iswellpast closing time.”
It was past seven in the evening, and the entire team had filed out one by one a couple hours ago.
“Damn, I lost track of time.” She glanced at her watch, then at me. “You didn’t need to stay all day. You’ve been here almost twelve hours, Jackson.”
“I enjoyed watching you work,” I said—not a lie at all.
“I’m out,” Reggie said, snatching a backpack from a hook and slinging it over his shoulder.
“I’m right behind you,” Shyanne called as he walked out the door.
“You should probably head to bed,” I said. “You’ve got to be exhausted. I’ve never seen someone work so hard.”
She smiled and picked her keys up off a table. “I’m not that great. There’s still stuff these other guys and my dad know that I don’t. Plus, I’m not trying to end up all beat-up and arthritic like my father. I’ve already started slowing things down on purpose. Today was a special case.”
Leading me outside, she closed the door behind us and locked it.
“Either way, I appreciate it,” I said. “Maybe, if we get through this, I can bring you to my place for dinner or something. You can meet my mom and?—”
“The other dragons?” she said, eyes alight with excitement. “Seriously?”
“Unless you don’t want to,” I said, grinning at the curious gleam in her eyes.
“You’ve got to be kidding. Of course I would. The longer I get to live this fantasy, the better. I never would have believed all this would be happening.” She grew quiet, and broke eye contact. “I’m really glad I met you, Jackson. I like getting to know you. That’s all.”
Spurred on by my inner dragon, I had the impulse to grab her and kiss her. I managed to stop myself, but only through massive force of will. She was sodamnbeautiful.
“I like getting to know you too,” I said.
We stared at each other, and as the moment drew out, so did the tension. Her pheromones assaulted my senses. She was aroused, and that realization made my cock hard.
She stepped back abruptly. “I should go.”
Swallowing hard, I nodded and smiled. Had I done something wrong, or had she talked herself out of the same thing I’d talkedmyselfout of a few seconds ago?
“I’m gonna head out, too. See you tomorrow.”
“Yeah. See ya,” she said.
Before any further awkwardness could ensue, I glanced around to make sure no one was looking, then shifted and flew away. Mywings beat like mad, pulling me home and away from the woman I desired.
