Page 64 of Truck Off
I take one of the water bottles and fill each rinse cup half full. Just as I finish placing the paint brushes out, the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.
I know that feeling, and it’s one that’s created way too much internal conflict inside me over the past few weeks. I don’t have to look to know the reason for the sudden shift in my body’s reaction, but I do it anyway.
Glancing over my shoulder, I find Chase Mutter standing right behind me and he’s not alone. He has Rayne, Garret’s ten-year-old daughter, with him.
Our eyes lock. His deep brown gaze instantly lights up with little flickering flames that send a rush of heat through my veins. I hate the effect he has on me.
I swallow hard and quickly turn my gaze to Rayne. “You painting with me today?”
She nods with a huge smile. “I’ve never done this before.”
Her enthusiasm and honesty drag a smile out of me. “Well, let’s see if I can turn you into an artist in two hours.”
Rayne rushes to take a seat at the front of the table right next to where I’ll be working. Which means Chase will be standing close behind the entire time.
Lucy takes the seat next to her, and they fall into an easy conversation. Lucy’s a couple of years younger than Rayne, but they seem to get along just fine. Something about that pleases me far more than it should.
“You look good,” Chase says from next to me. His voice is low and gravelly.
I chance a glance up at him and immediately regret it. He looks so handsome with that goofy smile that I didn’t know I liked until him. He hasn’t shaved in a few days and has the start of a short beard growing. It’s a different look for him.
“I like the scuff,” I say without meaning to. I immediately cover my mouth with my hand.
Of course, he gives me a cocky grin. “Glad to hear it. Should I keep it?”
I shrug, trying to play it off like it’s an innocent topic of conversation. “Your call. Makes no difference to me.”
He leans close to my ear, so close that his lips brush against the lobe. “But your opinion makes a difference, Grumps. It makes all the difference in the world.”
The next thing I know, his hand is on my lower back in the lightest of touches. Then his lips press a gentle kiss to my neck, just below my ear. My heart stops and I can’t breathe. Flames lick my skin and I feel like I’m about to combust from this one simple touch.
I am in so much trouble, and from the way he chuckles, he knows he’s got me.
“This isn’t over, Grumps.” He reminds me again. Then he steps back and leans against the pole behind us as if he’s completely unaffected by what he just did. But I don’t miss the way he discreetly adjusts himself to hide what’s growing between his legs.
I turn back to the table and scrub my hands down my face. Taking a few deep, cleansing breaths, I push all thoughts of Chase out of my mind. I’ve got a class to teach and a table full of kids.
In the short time he distracted me, most of the students who signed up arrived.
One hour. I can survive one hour with him behind me, watching me with those heated, sexy eyes.
Lies, all lies.
With him near, my heart can’t seem to slow the fuck down. With every grin and small act of affection, this man is wearing me down.
* * *
I squeeze my eyes closed and press the palm of my hands into my eye sockets. I’m tired, hungry, and running late. The last thing I need is a headache on top of all my other problems.
It’s been a few weeks since one of my debilitating migraines hit me, and this feels like the early onset of exactly that.
Poor eating habits aside, this always happens to me when I overextend myself. My days have been nonstop ever since the street fair last week. Preparing for those always wears me out. If I can’t take a couple days off work after one, it feels like I can’t ever catch up.
Digging the bottle of Tylenol out of the cabinet, I take two, hoping it will be enough to stave it off. I’m getting low on my prescription meds and can’t afford to buy more.
“You feeling alright?” Dad drawls as he walks into the kitchen. The look on his face is one of concern, yet I see a hint of relief hidden behind his knowing blue gaze.
“Just the start of a headache. Not bad. Hopefully, I can keep it at bay.” I kiss his cheek before I grab him a mug and pour him some coffee. “You’re looking good this morning. The new meds working out?”