Free She Who Dares by Jane O'Reilly

scratched his head, opened his mouth and then closed it again, before turning on his heel and strolling out, muttering something she opted out of hearing.
    How did a man get to top your most hated man on the planet and most amazing man on the planet lists simultaneously? Plus score extra brownie points for knowing not only that the car was a Dino, but also the year and model?
    ‘Now where were we,’ Sebastian said. ‘Oh yes. Nice car.’
    And again those words went through her like fire through ice. ‘It’s a work in progress,’ she pointed out.
    ‘Anyone with half a brain can see the potential.’
    ‘But potential isn’t reality.’
    ‘It could be. You’re serious about entering Misses and Motors?’
    Nic turned over her hand. The slash that ran from her middle finger to the centre of her palm was hidden under a square of white gauze, held in place by matching tape. She couldn’t see the wound, but she could visualise it. See the thick stitches that held the ugly, mangled flesh together. You could dress it up all you wanted, she thought, but you couldn’t escape reality.
    She couldn’t escape the fact that Sebastian had taken one look at her breasts and left. ‘No,’ she shrugged. ‘How do you know about it, anyway?’
    ‘Ella.’
    ‘Right.’ Of course. One last caress of the steering wheel, and she elbowed open the door and got out.
    Sebastian put himself in her way. ‘Why did you say you were going to enter if you aren’t?’
    ‘I open my mouth and crap comes out.’
    He set one big hand on the roof, the other on the edge of the door, effectively caging her in. ‘I don’t buy that. Exactly how much work does the Dino need?’
    Nic dropped her gaze, picked at the edge of the gauze. He was close. So close. She could barely stand to have him look at her, knowing how unattractive he found her. ‘I don’t see why it matters.’
    ‘Humour me.’
    ‘It needs a re-spray, obviously, and the interior could do with tarting up. But under the bonnet, she’s basically sound.’
    ‘Stop,’ he said, holding up his hands. ‘You’re turning me on.’
    Yeah, right. ‘Anyway,’ she said, ‘I’ve got stuff to do.’
    ‘Me too,’ he said, a self-satisfied grin curving that beautifully cut mouth. ‘I’ve got a Dino to fix.’
    ‘You are not touching my baby!’ Nic dropped back on to the driver’s seat, her heart thudding in her chest. ‘It’s not happening, Sebastian.’
    ‘Of course it is,’ he replied smoothly. ‘You need it for the Misses and Motors.’
    And the decision was made. ‘I’m not entering Misses and Motors.’
    He turned then, propping himself up against the side of the car. ‘Why not?’
    Nic simply stared at him. He’d given her the space to escape. So why didn’t she?
    ‘Truth or dare,’ he said softly.
    ‘Dare.’ No way was she telling him the truth. It was bad enough having to talk to him, especially from her position in the driver’s seat. If she looked up at him, she became all too aware of how tall he was, how beautifully built. If she kept her gaze level, his crotch was right there, begging to be stared at.
    Lesser of two evils, she decided, looking up.
    Dark brows lifted. ‘Are you sure about that?’
    Nic firmed her chin. ‘Yes.’
    ‘Okay,’ he said. ‘Kiss me again.’
    ‘What?’
    ‘You heard. Come on.’ He held out one big hand.
    ‘I am not kissing you again!’ Nic snapped, folding her arms tightly across her chest. Her underarms were clammy, her skin prickling, feeling too hot and too small. ‘What the hell would you want to kiss me for anyway?’
    Sebastian gave her a strange look. ‘I’m a man. You work it out.’
    Why was he teasing her like this? What did he possibly have to gain? Ignoring his hand, Nic got out of the car on unsteady legs. ‘Don’t make fun of me,’ she told him.
    ‘I’m not.’
    ‘Bit hard to believe,’ she pointed out, ‘when last night you got one look at me half-dressed and did a runner. You weren’t exactly