The Plight Before Christmas(69)

“Trust me. I’m the last man you need to feel foolish in front of when getting sentimental about a car. I have cars with plenty of stories. Some of them my favorites.”

“Thanks, I think I needed to hear that.”

When he glances down at his boots, I see a sliver of his past cloaking his gaze. “Trust me, I can relate.”

“I’m surprised you were able to get to me today, with the holidays here and all.”

“I was at the shop screwing around and saw the order. I guess you could say I’m a workaholic who has a really understanding family. I get too restless just sitting around.”

“I get that, totally.”

“Allow me,” he says, opening the car door for me. It’s then I see the front door open in my peripheral, Eli on the other side of the glass.

The driver’s grin is unmistakable as he’s scrutinized by an icy glare, and he doesn’t so much as spare him a glance. “Seems you have an admirer. Your husband?”

“Ha, no. Ironically he’s my ex. My college ex, who just so happened to start working with my brother a few months ago. My brother who decided to bring him to our family Christmas. Would you believe me if I told you I’ve had a recent run of bad luck mixed with a spectacular side of shitty coincidence?”

“Sure I would, and that is one hell of a coincidence.”

“Yeah, well,” I widen my eyes. “Merry Christmas to me.”

“Bad history?”

“Painful,” I say and then nod my head. “Sorry, that was too much information.”

“Again, I can relate, and I’m a fan of people who speak their mind instead of making bullshit small talk.”

“Yeah?”

One side of his mouth lifts, and it’s sexy as hell. “Yeah.”

“Well then, maybe you need to overshare, so I don’t feel so self-conscious.”

“Trust me, the car attachment, the ex, it’s highly similar to something I went through not too long ago. But there’s an upside.”

“What’s that?”

“The growing pains may sting like a motherfucker, but they’re necessary to help you figure out what’s most valuable. Once you know what’s most important to you, it all becomes crystal clear.”

“Then I’m looking forward to it. You know, I literally made a deal with myself that I was going to dump my baggage and buck up the rest of this holiday.”

“Not going so well, huh?”

“Much easier as thought than execution. How much do I owe you?”

“Nothing. You gave me an excuse to leave the garage. We’ll call it even.”

“Really? Thanks.”

“You sure you don’t want to keep it?” He darts his gaze over my shoulder toward the porch, his double entendre clear.

“Pretty sure.”

“Well, I can tell you this much, he doesn’t share the same sentiment.” He chuckles again. “Look, I know we just met, but do you mind if I do you a real favor?”

I draw my brows. “You’ve done enough.”

“Bear with me, and trust me?”

“O-kay.” In the next second, he’s crowding me against the car, his woodsy scent enveloping me as he splays gloved hands on either side of me on the roof. I gawk at him in surprise.

“Close your mouth, beautiful, and listen up. In about five seconds, I’m going to whisper to you, and you’re going to nod. That’s all you have to do.”

“O-k-kay.”

He peers down at me, oozing sex appeal, a smug smirk on his lips as he slowly leans in. “Name’s Sean,” he says in a whisper.

“Whitney,” I reply, unable to keep from comparing his scent to Eli’s, which is slightly similar.

“You may be ready to let it go,” he says in a seductive whisper, his posture dripping sex, “but I promise you he’s not. Nod if you understand me.”

I slowly nod.

“He’s about a second away from busting through the glass door.”

“You’re terrible,” I giggle like a seventeen-year-old.

He leans in closer and grins. “In three, two, one.”

The storm door bursts open, and I look over to see Eli pushing up his sleeves as he charges toward us, his frame taught, his expression the picture of annoyance as he makes his way down the stairs.

“Need some help out here, Whitney?” It takes everything I have not to laugh at the expression on his face as he rounds my car. Sean doesn’t flinch, doesn’t so much as move, completely unphased as Eli scours him with murder in his eyes.

He’s jealous, and it’s tangible. Sean’s eyes prompt me not to react as I fight to keep my smile at bay and my voice even. “I told you I’ve got this.”

“Yeah,” Sean assures him, his hazel eyes raking me in a lusty sweep. “I was just taking care of her.”

Eli looks ready to pounce as he stops just a foot away. “You’re here to tow her car, are you not?”

“I am, but the surprise was on me when I pulled up and saw who for. Whitney and I have history, and we were just reminiscing a little, weren’t we?”

“Yeah,” I say, a little breathless at the testosterone overload surrounding me.