Page 13 of Off-Limits

She’s silent for a few moments so I turn to face her.

“What?”

“I was hoping while you were in town you could help me hire some people and maybe do the office jizz in the process?”

“Are you serious?”

“What?” Dad won’t be there, and it will give you somewhere to crash while you’re in town, so you don’t have to stay with your parents or me.”

The second floor of the workshop was Uncle Damon’s. After he left my aunt, he made the second floor into a two-bedroom apartment for him and Arrie. The thought of being in his space unnerves and excites me in the same damn breath, but I’m hesitant. So fucking hesitant.

I have a life in Sydney, but I don’t want to be in that town any longer than needed. It was never home, and we aren’t trees. We don’t have roots to keep us grounded in one damn place, however, it would be nice to be away from the hustle and bustle, and given I own the property outright because of my inheritance from my Nonna, I don’t need to worry about money either.

“I’ll pay you,” Arrie rushes, breaking me from my thoughts.

“Shut the fuck up.”

“What?”

“You are not paying me shit.”

“Dorothy May.”

“Don’t you fucking dare.”

“Well stop being a fucking hard ass. Dad won’t be there because he is travelling Australia, and I really fucking need your help. Plus, you can paint. It’s a no brainer.”

“What has my painting got to do with anything?” I side eye, seeing the grin take over her mouth.

“You are a smart, sexy and very talented young woman whocan spruce the place up with said talent, and the mechanic shop is… well, a mechanic shop that screams single, greasy covered men with questionable hygiene etiquette. Dirty.”

Dirty.

Damon with his overalls tied around his waist and his white, grease covered tank top hugging his tight as fuck body sends shivers down my spine, as the image takes the forefront of my damn brain, short-circuiting the stupid thing. Shaking the memory from my mind, I cross my arms over my ample chest and glare at Arrie from the passenger seat.

“That’s not fair, and you know it.”

“I know, but you love me.”

I glare at her even though she can’t see my face before turning toward the window to watch the world blur by.

“I hate you.”

“No, you don’t.

“Not even a little bit.”

“Well?” she says, sounding hopeful.

“I’ll think about it.”

Chapter Four

DOTTIE

How could I be so fucking stupid?

I stand in the doorway of his apartment well after closing time with my bags hanging from my hands, hesitating at the threshold of his place.