Page 24 of Crashed
The excuse-me-while-I-call-in-the-special-doctor expression had disappeared and been replaced by amusement. “Pretend? That we’re dating?”
Jesus. Humiliation heated her from head to toe. “Um, yeah.”
One of his hands came up and slid around the back of her neck, and he tugged her closer. “I find method acting makes for a more realistic performance.”
The office door flew open, Rusty and Piper emerging, sights set. “They’re coming.”
He let go of her neck and slung his arm around her shoulders, pulling her into his side. She had no choice but to plaster a ridiculous grin on her face.
“Nice car,” Rusty said when she stopped in front of them and extended her hand. “Rusty West. This is my sister, Piper.” Piper took his hand as well and smiled in that sweet, open way of hers.
“Jarrod Prescott. Nice to finally meet you both. Alex’s told me so much about you.” He smiled down at her, then glanced back at her friends.
Alex tilted her head toward the garage. “You two have stuff to do, right? Don’t let us pull you from your work.”
Piper narrowed her eyes. “I’m sure we can spare a few minutes.”
Crap.
“Do you have plans with our girl?” Rusty asked.
“Actually, I came to talk to Alex about doing some restoration work for me. I have a couple cars that need rebuilding, and she told me you could fit me in.”
The wary looks vanished, along with their desire to interrogate Jarrod. Alex was pretty sure she could see the dollar signs flash above their heads.
Piper grinned, giving her best Vanna White impersonation, and motioned back to the workshop. “Please, step into my office.”
Good God.
They all traipsed into the workshop, Jarrod keeping her plastered to his side the entire time. And if he’d had his way, she would have spent the entire meeting in his lap.
By the time they finished discussing Jarrod’s cars and what he wanted done, it was close to lunchtime. As they stepped out of the small office, he took Alex’s hand and tugged her close, wrapping his arm around her shoulders.
He was enjoying this whole role-play thing a bit too damn much.
Rusty and Piper stayed in the office, but she could see them pretending not to look when he led her over to the
Super Bee.
“Thanks for doing this, Jarrod. You helped me out of a tricky spot. And for bringing the work our way. You won’t be disappointed.”
“I wouldn’t have brought them here if I thought otherwise.” He brushed his thumb across her jaw. “And I’ll play your lover anytime, though the real thing would be far more enjoyable, I can assure you. If your situation with Deacon changes, give me a call.” He slipped a card from his breast pocket and slid it into her hand.
Then, before she knew what was happening, he slid his other arm around her waist and pulled her into him. She turned her head as his lips descended, and they thankfully missed their target, hitting her jaw. She jerked back. “Right, well, thanks.”
“I hope you do call, Alex. I think we could have some fun together.” Then he climbed into her dream car and drove off.
She shoved the card in her pocket and blew out a shaky breath as his car disappeared into traffic. “Holy crap.”
As she turned to head back inside, she spotted the silver Mercedes sitting on the other side of the parking lot.
The door opened and Deacon stepped out, face hard, jaw clenched.
He was in Mr. Chill mode, and those cold eyes never left her as he strode in her direction.
Shit.
She’d just ruined everything.
