Page 11 of It's Going to Be a Chrome Christmas
Once they both turned in their forms, Trixie stood. She told Greg she’d give him the shop’s employment forms for Cayden tomorrow when he stopped by with Geordi for his tour of the cars. That reminded her she needed to text Joey to put Geordi’s tour on her calendar for the next day, or she’d completely forget. Pulling out her phone, she also included needing a new employment packet set up.
How exactly had this come about? She’d been so adamant that she didn’t want to hire or need to hire Cayden. And now, he was hired. How the hell had that happened?
She bristled, her back stiffening, when Cayden announced he’d walk her to her car. As long as he remained on the house property, he was allowed outside after dark. Her car was parked on the street opposite the house. All she needed to do was make it to the edge of the grass, and she would be free of him.
Damn, why did that thought hurt? And why the fuck was she wondering if he had plans to kiss her goodnight?
It was times like this she wished she hadn’t sworn off alcohol. She needed a drink but, after what had happened with AJ, she’d promised herself that she’d never touch a drop.
Cayden stopped her with a hand on her elbow as soon as she stepped out of the house. He closed the door behind him. They stood on Peggy’s welcome mat. Her flats nearly touching his bare feet. He hadn’t put shoes on to step outside.
She cocked her head. He had nice feet. She’d inherited her father’s feet. Though smaller than herhermanos’, their second big toe was all the same length as their big toe, just likePapá’s. Not for the first time, she wished her mother had stuck around. What were her feet like?
A gentle hand under her chin pushed her face up towards his. This was it. He was going to kiss her. Trixie’s heart thumped loudly in anticipation. Why wasn’t she pulling away?
There was an amused glint in his mismatched eyes when hers finally met his. She also noticed that his right hand was still on her elbow and his left remained under her chin. If he cupped her face, there was no doubt in her mind she’d lean into the hold.
What the hell was wrong with her?
“I still did not give you permission to touch me, Mr. Russo.”
When she made to step back, he tightened his grip. The amusement faltered into annoyance for just a second and thenreturned. He leaned in but didn’t touch his lips to hers. Their faces were close, though. His afternoon stubble was shadowed by the porch light, giving him a gruff, smoldering look. She wondered what that would feel like against her cheeks if she leaned in.
She only had to lean in…
“I don’t know what thoughts are running through your head right now, but damn do I wish I had access to them.” His lips twitched. “You are such a contradiction, like an open and coded book in the same binding. Sometimes, I can see everything on your mind, and other times, I swear I need a cipher to figure you out.”
She swallowed, hating how nervous and excited she felt. She was not some teen waiting to be picked up for her first date! Of course, with her lack of dating experience, she might as well be.
“Trix.” His voice deepened as he said her nickname.
She forced her eyes closed. She couldn’t concentrate when he was this close, his intense eyes boring into hers. She needed to get her mind straight, but closing her eyes only heightened the delicious scent of him.
Without opening her eyes, she asked, “Was it your idea to work at the shop? How did you get Greg and Peggy in on it?”
“Open your eyes.” She didn’t. He waited. Finally, he let out a sigh. She could feel his hot breath on her cheek. “Mr. Wynn was the one who actually persuaded me.”
She made a face. She should have known. Peggy probably added her piece after she thought there might be something romantic between them. Trixie snorted. If Peggy saw them now, Trixie would have a hard time convincing her otherwise.
“Open your eyes, Trix.” She really should stop him from calling her ‘Trix’. That was reserved for family. No one but Peggy, Greg, and herhermanoscalled her that. She was Trixie.She felt his breath on her ear, and a shiver ran through her. “Open your eyes, Trix, or I won’t kiss you.”
Her eyes snapped open as he lifted his head. God-fucking-damn it! Betrayed by her own eyelids.
His smile widened as if he’d just won the lottery. A shiver ran through her. Damn, but he was hot when he looked at her like that. She wished she’d put a bra on to come here now. Maybe she could blame her perky nipples on the night air.
Cayden started to lean in slowly. His eyes never left hers, his lips aimed at hers. She wanted to leave them open, she wanted to see this, but her damn lids fluttered closed again. Actuallyfluttered. Was this man a magician?
But his lips never touched hers. Her brows scrunched in frustration. What was taking him so long? Annoyed, she opened her eyes.
He was right there. Not a mere inch from her face, just staring at her. But his lips weren’t on hers. Why? Did she have something in her teeth?
“I need you to do something for me.”
Gooseflesh rose all over her body, and she swore her knees threatened to give out under her. It took her a moment to realize he was waiting for her to respond. She had to clear her throat a couple of times to get out the words. “What’s that?”
He moved his lips to her ear again and whispered, “I need you to trust me.”
Oh, and there went her knees. Fucking traitors! She stumbled, her hands reaching out to grab something to catch her. Which, of course,hadto be his frickin’ rock-hard chest. Damn, what would those muscles feel like pressed against her? Her chest, her back… She wanted to wrap him around herself like a giant blanket.
