Free Identity by Nat Burns

squinted at Shay. “Okay, now I know. You’re rich, right? How much work have you had done to this?” She turned away but whirled to face Shay again. “No, don’t tell me. It looks new. Is it the original air-cooled engine?”
    Shay had endeavored to speak several times, each time cut off when Liza blasted her with a new question. Finally she spoke, her voice calm and slow in an effort to counteract Liza’s excitement. “I have a collector friend. He’s helped me get parts. I actually bought it from him after he’d done most of the work. I had a hard time getting him to part with it.”
    “I bet it cost you a mint,” Liza said. She rested her head and right arm on the hood while her left hand caressed the nose.
    Shay shrugged. “I had a good job at the time. It’s paid for so all I have is the upkeep. And my friend Thomas, who lives in South Carolina now, said that if I didn’t keep it in top condition, he’d come find me and take it back home with him. Which, I know, he still believes is where it belongs.”
    “I hear they’re hard to maintain?”
    Shay laughed. “Well, you should have seen the mechanic’s face when I drove in.”
    “Where did you take it?”
    “I had to go into Mobile. It’s the only VW dealership around.” She paused and tilted her head to one side. “He actually reacted kind of like you just reacted. That and very, very happy.”
    “Why?” Liza pressed the nose handle, amazed that the release button still worked.
    “Maintenance, I guess. He knows how often I’ll be in for oil changes and valve adjustments. He even drove it back from Mobile this morning, just so he could have a road trip in it.”
    Liza realized suddenly that Shay had a cute little dimple in her left cheek. It wasn’t deep or even that noticeable. Just, there was a certain way she smiled and it would appear. Held spellbound by this realization, Liza stood her ground as Shay approached the nose.
    “I hope you don’t mind, but I packed a lunch for us. I hope things are still cool. It’s gotten late.” Shay’s hands gently brushed Liza’s aside as she released the hood and lifted out a large wicker basket.
    Brought back to her senses by the mention of food, Liza was thrilled and her face mirrored that joy. “Mind? Not hardly. I’m starving. Whatcha got in there?” She eyed the basket, and her sturdy, square hands fluttered toward it in anticipation.
    Shay watched Liza, her gaze dancing merrily. “It’s easy to see the way to your heart…food!”
    Embarrassed anew, Liza looked away. “I do like to eat,” she admitted. “But it’s not the only way to my heart.” She turned back, fixing Shay in a smoldering gaze.
    Shay, as she had the night before, stood transfixed by the power of Liza’s raw sensual energy. Liza’s eyes were so warm and inviting that, when stoked with passionate feeling, they were downright mesmerizing.
    Tearing her gaze away, Shay coughed nervously. “Well, where shall we eat?”
    “Lemme see,” Liza continued, reaching toward the basket.
    “My, you’re persistent.” She opened the lid and peered inside. “Let’s see…there’s wine, a Riesling, my personal favorite. I hope you like it. Also sandwiches. You didn’t seem overly enamored with the chicken wings last night, so I went with a nice Gouda and some tomatoes, sweet onions and lettuce. Hope you like mustard. Then there’s fruit for dessert, grapes and some local citrus.”
    Shay looked up and was taken aback by the tender look on Liza’s face. Before she knew what was happening, Liza had enveloped her in a warm, close hug. The subtle waft of Liza’s sandalwood scent made Shay’s knees weaken.
    “Where have you been all my life?” Liza whispered close to her ear. The sound of Liza’s whisper and the sensation of Liza’s warm breath on her neck made Shay’s knees give way completely, and she collapsed into Liza’s arms.
    “Whoa now,” Liza said gently, holding Shay closer. “Are you okay?”
    Crimson