The Mechanic Read Free

much dried up the well though, and while he occasionally brought a girl home for the night, he'd never quite found one who could understand or put up with his needs.
    A creak from the hall told him Alyssa had found the stairs. She stepped tentatively through the doorway a few seconds later, a pretty blush on her cheeks and the tight loaner-clothing topped with one of his winter work shirts. Was she the one? He decided a preliminary test was in order.
    "I didn't give you permission to borrow that shirt," he said, taking a sip of water. "Take it off."
    She shifted her weight from one foot to the other, her fingers toying with the tails that extended over her belly. "My bra is still--"
    "Now." He waited, trying not to get his hopes up. If she refused, he'd fix her car and send her on her way as soon as possible. If not...
    She yanked the knot out and shrugged the shirt off her shoulders, balling it up and tossing it in his face. It was all he could do not to grin like an idiot, even as a button flicked hard against his ear. He draped the material over the arm of his chair, and held up a bottle of water.
    "Drink up," he said, tossing it to her. She caught it and tilted her head back for a few swallows. Mike admired the view as she stood sideways. Long, slender legs, tight little ass, curvy hip bones and a small waist made him want to pull her into his lap. Her breasts were medium sized and perky even without support, her small nipples pebbled against the restrictive cotton. A long, graceful neck and angular cheekbones were offset by that chestnut hair she'd worn long ever since he'd met her. The memory of that body splayed out naked on his bed had his cock pressing insistently against his zipper.
    The bell strap on the door jingled, and Evan, his business partner came in. One look at Alyssa and he stopped cold, smiling widely. Alyssa gasped and turned toward Mike, who couldn't quite stifle a grin after all.
    "Hey Mike," Evan said, coming forward to stand by Alyssa. "I picked up that car on the way back like you asked. Looks like the radiator is shot. Want me to start taking it apart?"
    Mike started to nod, then shook his head instead. "Nah, I'll work on it later. We'll keep this one off the books too - it belongs to Alyssa here - a friend of mine from high school. Alyssa Peterson, meet my partner, Evan Saunders."
    Alyssa reluctantly held out her hand, and to Evan's credit, he kept his eyes on her face as he shook it. "Pleasure to meet you," he said.
    "Is that my car you're talking about? I could really use my suitcase..."
    "We'll worry about that later," Mike said, earning a glare from his unwitting prey. "Evan, the belt replacement on the Dickerson car is almost done - would you mind finishing up for me?"
    "No problem." Evan turned to Alyssa, looking her up and down. "It was nice to meet you, ma'am. I hope you'll be staying awhile?"
    She shook her head. "Just until Mike--"
    "She'll be staying awhile. Have dinner with us tomorrow night?"
    Evan grinned. "Wouldn't miss it. See you tomorrow." He left through the door to the garage, and Alyssa clenched her fists. Mike braced himself for a tantrum.
    "How dare you? I need to get out of here. I need to find a job, and get settled, and I'm already late..."
    Mike stood, reaching her in two steps. He reached behind and grabbed her hair, tugging her head back so she was looking up at him. "You're not leaving without a car, and I don't see any reason to fix it just yet. I'd suggest you settle in and..." he took the half-empty bottle from her hand, and ran it across her nipples, making her flinch. "...drink some more water."
    Bending down, he kissed her hard before releasing her. Satisfied with the shocked and confused look on her face, he went to deal with her suitcase.
    * * *
    Alyssa collapsed on the sofa, her embarrassment at being exposed to a stranger forgotten for the moment. She took the top off the bottle and drank, trying to come to grips with what had just happened. Mike had