Free Speed of My Heart by Erika Trevathan Page B

personality was much more direct. Slashing tires and watching from afar wasn't really his style. He was more of an in-your-face type of guy.
    After a few seconds hesitation, I dialed Cole's number. He answered on the second ring.
    "Uh, Cole?" I said shyly.
    "Yes?"
    "Do you know how to change a tire?" I was pretty sure he did considering his profession, but I thought it was worth asking anyway.
    Cole laughed. "Um, yes." He paused a beat. "Where are you? Is your tire flat?"
    "I'm at the dance studio and unfortunately it isn't just one tire, it's two. And they've been slashed, so I don't think there'll be any patching them up."
    Cole's voice was no longer playful. "Mara, are you alone?"
    "Well, yes, but I'm right here in the studio parking lot."
    "Go inside and wait for me," he ordered. "I'll be there in a few."
    My eyes widened. Uh, okay. I wouldn't dare argue with him when he used that tone of voice. I didn’t know many people who would.
    Slipping my phone back into my pocketbook, I went inside and had barely gotten comfortable in the parent waiting area when Cole strode through the door, causing my stomach to do a complete flip.
    Good God, the guy was sexy as hell. Wearing low slung rugged khakis and a well worn t-shirt, he was enough to drive any girl wild with lust.
    I hopped up from my chair. "Jeez, that was fast," I said in surprise.
    He gave me a sexy half grin. "I'm kinda known for that.
    I shook my head at him in mock disappointment. "There is such a thing as a speed limit for us regular people. You should try it sometime."
    Cole just gave me a wry smile and led the way out the door. He had parked his jeep a couple of spots from my car, and we stopped on the way to check out the damage. Cole let out a low whistle.
    "Whoever did this meant business. We'll have to get you two completely new tires. There's no fixing these." He looked over at where I was chewing my fingernail, a sure sign I was stressed. "But don't worry. I'll go pick up a couple of tires and have them changed for you in no time flat."
    I looked at him apologetically. "Are you sure you don't mind? I‘m sure you have better things to do."
    Cole winked at me. "I don't mind at all. But if you really feel bad, I can think of a way you can repay me."
    Oh, I just bet he could. I was coming up with all kinds of creative ways myself. But for propriety's sake, I narrowed my eyes at him. "What?"
    "You can help me cook dinner at my house tonight," he offered graciously. "Then you can help me watch the movie I picked up. I'll consider your debt paid."
    "Deal." I smiled at him and found myself leaning in to lay a kiss at the corner of his mouth. "Thank you."
    He pulled me toward him, wrapping his arms around me, his voice husky. "I think we can do better than that."
    He pulled me in for a real kiss, one that made me forget completely about our surroundings and the fact we were in a parking lot. At that moment, if someone had asked me my name, I’d probably be hard pressed to remember even that. 
    My chest was rising and falling heavily by the time we drew ourselves apart, both of us seemingly not wanting to.
    "Do you have any idea of just how damn hot you look right this minute?" He was really making me consider pulling him back to me.
    I opened my mouth to reply, but stopped short when my gaze fell on a shadowed form making its way quickly around the side of the building. Cole turned to follow my gaze, and then looked at me questioningly.
    “I thought I saw someone standing over by the studio watching us, but they’re gone now,” I said, still staring at the now empty side of the building. I glanced at the hair salon that was located next to the studio. “Probably just someone from one of the other businesses. Surely the person that slashed my tires wouldn’t be stupid enough to stick around.”
    Cole’s eyes roamed the area before he turned back to me and put his hand on the small of my back, guiding me to his jeep. "Yeah, I don’t see anyone, but at least