Free The Mechanic by Trinity Marlow Page A

pride.
    Or a really stupid high-school prank.
    "Alyssa Peterson," he said, acknowledging the connection. "What brings you all the way up here? Colorado not exciting enough for you anymore? Or are you just on vacation?"
    She shrugged halfheartedly, looking down at the floor. "I lost my job, and needed something...different. I have - well, had, anyway - a job interview in Billings." She glanced up, her eyes focused on his face, but not meeting his gaze. "I thought you went back east after..." She left the sentence unfinished, clearly uncomfortable remembering their last meeting.
    He took pity on her. "I did for awhile. Didn't like all the people and came back to start my own shop four years ago. Been here ever since." Taking in her designer jeans, shoes that looked expensive underneath all the dirt and the linen jacket, he guessed she'd done all right for herself. Though her hair was still stringy and there was a big dark spot on her sleeve. Maybe things hadn't changed so much after all.
    "So what can I do for you, Alyssa?" He wiped his hands on a dirty rag and started walking toward her, frowning as he got closer. She looked ill, and when she tried to step back, she swayed on her heels.
    "My car," she said, shaking her head like she was trying to clear her thoughts. "It broke down a couple miles back. If I could use your phone, and maybe get a bottle of water, I'll get out of your way." She swayed again, and when he reached out to steady her, she stumbled against his chest. "Sorry," she said, trying to regain her balance. "I think I need to sit down."
    Mike laid his hand over her forehead as she clung to his shoulder with one hand. Cool and moist, her skin was flushed and her words suddenly sank in. "Did you walk from your car in this heat? In those shoes?"
    She nodded, the movement slow as she contemplated her feet. "I loved these shoes."
    Mike shook his head and scooped her up in his arms, trying to ignore how good she felt against his chest. It had obviously been too long since he'd had a date. "You should have stayed with your car." He carried her down the hall and to the right, carefully moving up the stairs to his apartment. "We have to cool you down. I need to take your clothes off."
    She murmured something against his neck as he set her down on his bed and brushed her jacket off her shoulders. Reaching for the hem of her tee shirt, he pulled it off over her head, sucking in a breath at the sight of the nearly-sheer peach bra she wore. She'd certainly filled out, he thought wryly as he gently pushed her back on the bed. Eyes closed and chestnut hair fanned out behind her, she made a delectable picture. His cock stirred in response, and he took another deep breath as he slipped her shoes off. Opening her jeans he tugged them off her hips and down her legs, nearly groaning when they fell open, exposing a peach thong to match her bra that did nothing to hide the view of her clean-shaven pussy.
    He turned and went into the bathroom, running cool water into the tub while he attempted to regain control. Splashing some of the water on his own face, he went back to the bedroom and gathered her up in his arms, leaving her underwear on. She shivered as he lowered her into the water. He took a wet cloth and smoothed it over her face, then tipped her head back to get her hair wet. A few minutes later, color started returning to her face and she slowly opened her eyes.
    "Mike?" She smiled shyly, reaching out to trail a wet finger down his neck. He just stared at her, muscles flexing under her touch, waiting for her to realize where she was. Something told him it wasn't going to be pretty when she did.

Chapter 2

    Best. Dream. Ever.
    Heat seared Alyssa's finger as she traced the hard lines of muscle down Mike's collarbone to his chest. She'd done it a hundred times in her dreams, but it had never seemed this real. Taking her time, she watched his face, expecting the slow, seductive smile she'd seen a hundred times. But his expression