He gave her a look that would've stopped a lesser woman in her tracks. Maddie continued to approach, her eyes taking in the features she'd always longed to touch.
With a deep breath, she gave it one last try.
"Look, I know you don't like me. But I honestly can't afford to pay for the repairs on my car. We could work out a schedule, so you'll never have to see me. I can come in late at night or early in the morning, or whenever you're not here. Anything. I'm just asking for some sort of compromise. And I know this isn't normal, but I don't know what else to do. I can help you. No one likes bookkeeping, but I actually quite enjoy it. And I won't screw up your business, I promise."
Surprisingly, Caleb didn't turn away from her gaze. He held her eyes until she felt like he'd never let go. Maddie never wanted him to let go. She felt that same connection, the one that had always drawn her to him from afar.
"I said no. And I meant it," came his clipped, cold voice.
Maddie's shoulders dropped. She looked away, nodding, defeated. With that, Caleb turned on his heel and headed towards the garage, leaving her standing like an idiot next to her diesel-filled car.
* * *
"Bring her car inside," Caleb ordered Brian, tossing him the woman's keychain monstrosity and the truck's keys. "We need to flush out the engine tomorrow. She filled it with diesel."
Brian whistled lowly, shaking his head. "Sure thing, boss."
Caleb trudged up to his uncle's office. With a sharp pang, he realized it was his office now. Every time he entered, he still caught the same whiff of his uncle's spicy aftershave mixed with stale cigarettes. It was probably an unpleasant smell to most, but it felt like home to Caleb. His uncle had been gone a month now, but Caleb hoped the smell lingered. Given how much time his uncle had spent in this very room, he thought it just might stay forever.
He didn't know why but he went over to the blinds and pulled them open. The garage down below came into view and he stood at the window for a brief moment, looking for the woman. A tightness loosened in Caleb's chest when he saw her talking to Brian.
He studied her, taking in her unusual hair, her heels, her pert ass in those dark jeans. His fists clenched, imagining things he had no business wanting. In his mind's eye, he could see her. Her soft wrists were bound in his nylon rope. The climbing rope would be too rough on her delicate skin. Her legs were spread open for him in a frog tie, her ankles bound to the backs of her upper thighs. That wonderful hair would be tickling her rosy nipples as she sucked the head of his cock, looking up at him with those innocent brown eyes.
Caleb let out a feral growl as he hardened violently. The picture was too clear in his mind. He could make it a reality. He'd seen her desire when they were standing on that darkened road.
No.
Something about her warned him away. Caleb had the strange feeling that if he pursued just one night with her, he'd want more and more.
It was best to stay away. He hadn't lusted after a woman as much as her since Victoria. With that thought, any desire he felt fled, only to have fury take its place.
Caleb watched from above as she spoke with Brian. His uncle's oldest friend patted her shoulder, smiling, probably reassuring her about her car. But from the dismal look on the woman's face, he could see it wasn't working. Brian handed her his cell phone and Caleb watched as she dialed a number before she lifted it to her ear.
A boyfriend, maybe? There was no way that she didn't have one. She might be plain looking, but there was a sensuality to her that men would gravitate towards.
He turned away, surprised by the jealousy he felt, but kept the blinds open. He still had work to do before he could call it a night.
Or you could just let her do all this work.
No. She'd be a distraction he didn't need. Picking up another folder, he shut down his thoughts as his eyes ran over a seemingly endless stream of numbers.
Time ticked by as he glanced over the cost of parts, old business transactions, receipts. Numbers, numbers, numbers. Tax season was going to be a nightmare. After only twenty minutes, Caleb found he couldn't concentrate and he pushed the papers away with a frustrated grunt. Raking a hand over his tired face, his gaze strayed to the window and he pushed to his feet.
She was still there.
Brian was washing his hands in the sink on the far side of the garage, scrubbing with dish soap to help with the grease under his fingernails. Caleb watched as Brian finished and wandered back over to the woman, who still held his cell phone in her palms. She shook her head. Even Caleb could see the embarrassed flush that pinkened her cheeks.