Total pages in book: 36
Estimated words: 34292 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 171(@200wpm)___ 137(@250wpm)___ 114(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 34292 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 171(@200wpm)___ 137(@250wpm)___ 114(@300wpm)
“Into the office?” I question, dropping my wrench.
“What the hell is that supposed to mean, Son?” he sneers, giving me a scowl.
“Nothing. Just nothing.” Jealousy—a foolish sense of jealousy tears at my gut. There’s no reason for it because my dad is obsessed with my mother, but that doesn’t mean I’m not still suffering from those emotions.
“Yeah, that’s right. Go get to work,” he says with a chuckle.
My alarm goes off, reminding me it’s time to turn on the cameras and check in with my instructor for class. My presentation with my teacher goes well for the first fifteen minutes, until I catch his gaze shift behind me. I pause in my explanation and turn my head to see Vivian walking up to Petrol with some paperwork. He’s nodding, and they’re talking. A low rumble comes from my chest.
“Mr. West? Mr. West,” I hear my professor call out.
Finally my attention is returned to the screen. “I see you are easily distracted.”
“I wasn’t the one initially distracted.”
“She was lingering in the camera’s view. I assumed she needed something,” he snipes back as if I offended him, and perhaps he’d been correct. Vivian was probably looking around to find Petrol and caught the instructor’s attention. I’m just overreacting.
“Have you found out who caused your accident?”
“No. We don’t have any access to the cameras, so we can’t determine if there was a busted-up vehicle, and I’m sure they’re protecting their own up there.”
“Probably someone with a lot to lose. Can you determine what type of vehicle?”
“I don’t remember the incident, but from the injuries, it was definitely a freaking SUV.”
“So it should have a smashed hood and front end, at the very least.”
“Yeah. No doubt.” I didn’t tell anyone that I had a Ford logo imprinted on my shoulder for a few weeks.
“Well, I hope you find them soon.”
“Thank you. Me too. So, with regard to my assignment?”
“It looks great. You’re proving why you’re first in your class, even after everything you’ve been through. Keep it up. I’ll check in next week. That one will be in person, so it’s going to be at four instead of the usual office hours session.” I would claim it’s due to Vivian, but it was already on our schedules.
“Thank you.”
“Have a good day, Simon.” He ends the session first, and then I turn off all my monitors and clean up my space because I have three oil changes that are calling my name before lunch.
I can’t help but twist my head around to see if Vivian is still near Petrol, but she’s nowhere in sight, so I’m assuming she’s back in the office. I get my ass back to work and keep my mind focused because that’s the only thing that gets me through the day. The idea of Vivian talking to the other mechanics with her sexy body and gorgeous face… I’m going to want to smash something or someone’s face.
“Careful, Son. You’re going to actually crack that wrench,” my dad says with a chuckle.
“Sorry, just thinking…”
“Well, I don’t pay you to think. How many oil changes do you have left?”
“One.”
“Your lunch is going to get cold if your ass doesn’t get moving.” He pats my shoulder and laughs before walking away. There’s no sympathy anymore. It’s back to work for me, and I smile because it’s just what I need. I decide to skip lunch and knock out the oil change and two rotations as well as fixing two belt replacements. It takes me a little longer to do one because the fucker is in a tricky spot, but I get it done before two, and then I go around hunting for a drink. I’m thirsty as fuck.
I walk into the breakroom and see Petrol talking to Vivian again. “Don’t you have work to do?”
“I’m on a break,” Vivian says. Petrol takes off without daring to challenge me. He knows damn well that I’m not asking him a damn thing. This is my family business, which means it’s mine, and although Vivian doesn’t know it yet, she’s mine too.
“Scaring off the guys?”
“They should be working, not trying to get you alone.” She blushes, looking so damn beautiful that I’m doing my best to keep myself back and not give in to the longing that I have for her.
“Please, you’re overreacting, Simon. They are just helping me with questions I have.”
“If you have questions, you come to me. Okay?”
“You’re busy. You have a lot going on.”
I close the distance between us, sliding my fingers under her chin, cradling her jaw when I say, “I don’t care. You come to me.”
“Yes, Simon.”
“Good girl. Now, excuse me. I’m thirsty, and as luscious as your lips are, now isn’t the time.” I gently push away from her and go to the fridge, snagging a bottle of water, twisting off the cap and guzzling it down quickly. The sound of her shoes padding away is the only thing saving her because now that I’ve quenched one thirst, my body needs to slake the other.