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Cole’s mouth quirked up into a half-smile. “Aye,” he murmured, returning to his work. “And well I ken that can beenough, sometimes.”

Nothing you could do would have been enough, Erin. Forget it.

I took a deep breath and huddled closer under the shelter of the bonnet. “So… engines. Have you always been interested in cars?” He might have been a relative stranger, but he didn’thaveto be. I didn’t exactly have time for a relationship, but… something about him made me want to push for more.

He considered this, adjusting something I couldn’t see. “I like to ken how things work, so aye, I suppose you could say that. No just cars, mind. Technology’s come a long way, and I like to keep up. But I’ll admit, there’s more satisfaction in a-fixin’ a car.” He straightened, wiping his hands on his now completely transparent t-shirt. “You cannae fix a computer with just your hands and wit.”

Water streamed down his face, droplets catching in his eyelashes and the stubble along his jaw as he stepped back from the engine. “Can you pop round and try it again?” he asked.

I got back into the driver’s seat and turned the key. This time the car started smoothly – probably better than it had in months.

Relief washed over me. Climbing back out to thank him, I found him rubbing his hands together, as if to warm them. Despite his earlier nonchalance, he seemed to be shivering now.

“Thank you,” I said, trying to put my extreme gratitude into the two small words. “There was no way I could have fixed that, and Tom would have taken the piss if I’d called him…” I trailed off. “I’d basically have been stranded.”

“Twas my pleasure, lass.” His voice was rougher than before,either from the cold or… something else. “Though I warn ye, she needs to see a proper garage soon. That belt winnae last long.”

I started to remove his jacket. “Here – you should take this back – or do you need a lift?” I still needed to get to Solace’s, but a slight detour wouldn’t kill me. Probably.

He shook his head, dark rain-soaked waves of hair falling into his face before he pushed them back, smearing dirt across his temple as he did. “I’ll be fine, lass. You keep it for now.” His eyes held mine. “That way I have an excuse to see ye again, eh?”

There was something in the way he said it – a certainty that made my pulse quicken. Standing there in the rain, rivulets of water tracing the strong, sharp lines of his face, he was absolutely breathtaking. I should have been suspicious of how he’d just happened to be nearby – it hadn’t escaped my notice that he’d never answered my question – but instead of keeping my guard up, I was letting it down, instead.Get your shit together, Erin.

“But you’re soaked,” I said, stepping closer without quite meaning to. “Honestly, I’ll be in the car…”

“I’ve weathered worse.” The corner of his mouth lifted in a half-smile that made my chest ache. “Though I dinnae quite remember ever enjoying being caught in a storm quite so well.”

A bolt of lightning illuminated the darkening sky, followed by a rumble of thunder that seemed to shake the ground beneath us. Neither of us moved.

“You didnae say where you were headed,” he said softly.

“Just… meeting a friend.” The lie came easily, but his eyes narrowed slightly. I could already read him well enough to see hesaw straight through it.

“Aye, well. I suppose we all have our secrets.” He reached out, almost absently, and tucked a strand of damp hair behind my ear. The gesture caught me off-guard, and I swallowed.

I stared at the smudge of engine oil by his hairline, dark against his pale skin. “You’ve got—” I gestured to my own face.

“Ah.” He tried to wipe it away but only managed to spread it further.

“Here.” I stepped closer, standing on my tiptoes to reach him and using my thumb to gently wipe away the streak. His skin was cool beneath the rainwater, and my fingertips lingered a moment too long without my consent, my entire body hyperaware of his every move. His eyes darkened almost imperceptibly, and for a second, I thought he might lean down toward me.

Thunder rumbled again, closer this time. I stepped back.

“I should get going,” I said. My voice wasn’t anywhere close to steady. What was it about this guy?

“Aye, the storm’s near upon us.” He closed the bonnet with a decisive thud. “Best no linger.”

As I moved to get back in the car, he caught my arm gently. “Be careful tonight,” he said, his voice low and serious. “There are things in the darkness on nights like this ye’d do well to avoid.”

I raised an eyebrow at him, but he didn’t elaborate. Was that a warning? Did he know something? Before I could decide, he released me with a slight bow of his head.

“Until next time, lass,” he said, already backing away.

I watched in the rearview mirror as he strolled away, tall and graceful despite his sodden clothes, until the darkness and rain swallowed him.

It wasn’t until I was nearly at Solace’s that I realised I was still wearing his jacket, the scent of him surrounding me like a cocoon. The worn leather had already absorbed some of my body heat, creating a strange intimacy, as if I were wrapped in his arms rather than just his clothing. I should have felt uncomfortable with the intrusion into my life, but instead, I found myself hoping he was right – that our paths would cross again, and soon.

Shaking my head, I forced myself to focus. There were more important things going on. I tightened my grip on the steering wheel, ignoring the lingering heat where his fingers had touched my skin.