“I hope you don’t mind.”

Damian’s eyes swung up at the sweet, southern voice. Savvy gingerly made her way inside the repair garage and his breath hitched. The woman who walked toward him was the same one he remembered that stormy summer day.

With her smooth skin clear of makeup and peach colored day dress, she looked fresh and radiant inside the messy garage. Her natural hair was pulled back at her nape, but the curls were thicker and longer than he remembered. He imagined how the soft coils would look, wild around her head, and wished they were free from their restraints.

He was so surprised by her change, he didn’t immediately return her smile of greeting.

“Okay, you’re staring, which makes me think I either have something on my face or you don’t want me in here.”
“I’m staring because you have beautiful skin.”

She blinked at him then laughed. “Do you have a skin fetish?”

Heat crawled up his neck before it reached his face. He knew she was teasing him, and managed to smile pass his embarrassment.

“I might. You’re obviously one of the lucky ones who can get away without wearing make-up.”

“Well, thank you. I’ve never had anyone compliment me on my skin, so it’s nice of you to notice. I think.”

Damian nodded, though he couldn’t stop looking at her. He wondered if she realized how much her makeup hid the warm undertones of her sienna brown skin. If she had been pretty before, she was downright beautiful now.

He cleared his throat and forced himself to get a grip. “So what brings you by?”

“I got your message this morning and thought I’d stop by to check things out.”

“You didn’t have to come here,” Damian said. “I could have filled you in over the phone.”

She shrugged. “I don’t mind. I just spent the day at the flower shop, searching for the perfect gardenias. This is a nice break.”

He arched a brow. “You prefer motor oil over flowers?”

She laughed and came further into the garage until she was standing beside him. “I prefer to be away from Lori, really. I like her and all, but she can be a little…overbearing.”

As Savvy stood near, Damian barely hung on her words. Her light, sweet fragrance teased his nose and all he could think about was gathering her in his arms and breathing in her alluring scent.

A quick glance at his soiled hands put an end to that fantasy.

“So,” she said briskly, staring down at the car parts of her hybrid. “How bad is it?”

Damian returned his attention to the car. “I’m still trying to narrow it down. It can be as simple as replacing a few sensors or as complicated as replacing the entire system. I’m still looking into it.”

“How long will you know?”

“Give me a few more days. Once I know exactly, you’re looking at a week, maybe two, before you get it back.”

She whipped her head up at him. “What? I can’t be without a car for that long.”

“I don’t know what to tell you. Once I figure out the problem, I’ll have to special order the part before I can even get started on the repairs. It’s not going to be a quick fix, and it’s not going to be cheap.”

Her groan was loud and long. “So what you’re saying is that this job is going to both suck and blow?”

“Hey!” he barked with mock outrage. “I don’t give blow jobs.”

She stared at him wide-eyed for a quick second before bursting into laughter.