Page 44 of Total Shutdown

I catchmyself grinning wildly at my phone, now alone since Cameron retreated to his office a few minutes ago.

Me

I’m not really at work. I just made up a lame excuse so I could avoid you.

Old Man

No one likes a liar, Collins. Now get on with your work so I can spend some time with you, just like you want me to.

* * *

“Essentially,the linkage was misaligned, which would explain why you couldn’t shift smoothly. I’ve adjusted it and run her through the gears, and I’d say she’s ready to go.”

Mr. Smith, the customer who follows me online and specially requested me when he came in, heaves a sigh of relief. “So, you don’t think there’s any permanent damage to the transmission or something more serious?”

I shake my head and lead him out of the garage, heading back to the service desk. “No. It was a simple fix in the end. I mean, any longer, and things could’ve gotten worse, but we caught it in time.”

“That’s great news,” he replies. “How much do I owe you?”

I shake my head again and push through the door. “It was a ten mi—” I stop mid-sentence when my attention immediately lands on a broody hockey player sitting on a black plastic chair toward the back of the room.

With his left leg balanced on his right knee, Sawyer folds his arms across his chest, a smug grin playing on his lips.

He knows he looks hot. Black funnel-neck coat, black jeans, and dark gray sneakers. He’s let the scruff across his jaw grow out a little, and as I approach the desk to finish up on Mr. Smith’s paperwork, I push back thoughts of how it would feel between my thighs.

He might not be adventurous in bed, but he sure as shit can make me come on his tongue.

“You were saying how much?” Mr. Smith snaps me back into the room.

“Huh? Oh, yes. One second.” I’m flustered, reaching across the desk and grabbing the nearest pen.

Signing off on the work, I take a quick glance at the dark-haired man standing in front of me. I can tell he’s anxious over money, and the bike sitting in the garage is obviously his pride and joy. I wonder if being out on the open road brings him a sense of calm, like it does me. I wonder how far he traveled today to seek out my help.

I swipe a line through the total box. Cameron can go fuck himself. “No charge, sir. I’m only too happy to get her running for you.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I catch Sawyer dropping his leg to the floor, bracing both elbows on his knees, watching intently.

I flush for no good reason.

“Are you sure, Collins?” Mr. Smith asks, looking unsure and hopeful at the same time.

“Ten out of ten,” I confirm, folding the service invoice in half and placing it in an envelope.

“If you have any further issues with shifting, I suggest another adjustment to the linkage. It can take a couple of tries before getting it right.”

I hand him the envelope, and he reaches out, taking it with gratitude before heading to the exit.

“Well, you have yourself a great day, miss.”

“Were you supposed to charge him?” Sawyer asks the second the door closes behind Mr. Smith.

“Yes. But my boss doesn’t need to know about it.”

Sawyer rises from his chair and walks across to me, his smug grin more visible, along with the length of his scruff.

He isn’t wearing a hat today, his glossy, dark hair begging for my hands.

“Do you ever play by the rules?” he asks, leaning against the counter.