I hold my breath and try again.
Not even a centimeter.
“Damn it to hell.”
A car wheels out of the pet store parking lot, but it immediately pulls into a metered spot on the other side of the street, directly across from where I’m trying to get Sue parked.
I heave another time.
Nada.
“You looking for your knight?”
The rasp in that voice is familiar. Embarrassment turns to heat that flushes through me. If I jump in the car and close the door, maybe he’ll go away. I hang my head for a moment, contemplating valid evasive actions.
Just get it over with.
I turn. “Hello, Jackson.”
“Looks like the damsel is in distress.”
I ignore him and try once again to get the car to budge. His body comes in close to mine, heating my back and ass as he places his hands alongside of mine.
He whispers in my ear. “Try again.”
My heart jackhammers against my ribs. My mind clamors for something pithy to answer him with.
“I got nothing,” I say.
He leans into me, his chest coming against my back, and his hard-on pressing at the top of my ass. “What do you mean you got nothing?”
I shake my head. “I’ve got no witty reply. Thank you for your help.”
Jackson heaves against the car, so I throw my weight into it as well. Sweet Sue moves, slowly at first but then it picks up a little momentum.
He says, “Hop in and steer her into the spot.”
I do as he suggests, and he lets go of the wheel and pushes, using the car’s frame. His arms flex, and the cords of his muscles come into stark definition.
Not just gorgeous. He’s strong. And those muscles.
Once the car is in place, he lets go. “All right. Now what?”
Wonder if I were to just run my fingers over those cords, would he notice?
“Now what, what?”
He quirks one eyebrow. “What are you going to do about the car?”
“Oh, the car—well, I don’t know. I guess I need to have it towed or something.”
Jackson steps to the curb, digging change out of his pocket.
“Might be best to get it done sooner rather than later.” He deposits quarters into the slot at the top of the meter. “That sign says one-hour parking.”
Great. All the tow-trucks for hire in the greater Los Angeles area are probably busy, and I’ll get towed by the one that only carries cars to the impound lot.
I pull my phone out and search for tow trucks, car repair shops—anyone, anywhere—who will come pick my car up before it earns me a big, fat fine.
Jackson slides his finger across the screen on his phone and taps it a couple of times.
“Hey, Rod. Look, I have a friend who needs a tow.”
I wave to get his attention, whispering, “What are you doing?”
He ignores me.
“Can you meet us at the corner of La Cienega and Blackburn Avenue? There’s a pet store on here. Thanks.” He tosses me a smile. “Oh, and this needs to be now, because it’s in metered parking. Good deal. See you in a few.”
He hangs up. “Done. Rod’s guy will be here within the hour.”
I take a deep breath and let it seep out slowly. “You didn’t have to do that. I don’t know how to thank you.”
He tips my chin up. “Have lunch with me.”
Lunch?
With Jackson Tremaine?
Those green eyes search mine.
The cleft of his chin. His strong jaw. Those damn dimples. And that’s just his face.
I sigh. “Shay’s gonna shoot me, but okay.”
He grabs my hand and kisses my knuckles. “Good. I know this great little Vietnamese place.”
An hour later, my car is at the auto tech place, and Jackson and I are eating Vietnamese spring rolls.
I dip some peanut sauce onto the end of my roll and take a bite. I chew and swallow, acutely aware that his gaze seems to take in every small move I make.
“Why do you keep staring at me? It’s unnerving.”
Jackson’s thumb comes toward my face. I lean away from him.
He licks the corner of his mouth. “C’mere. I’m not going to hurt you.”
My curiosity gets the better of me. I come closer to him.
He slides his thumb along my lower lip and up to the corner. When he pulls it back, he puts it in his mouth and sucks the condiment from it. “The peanut sauce is my favorite part.”
My heartbeat throbs all the way to my pussy as my tongue darts out to calm the tingles he left behind.
His hand slides around my neck while his gaze holds mine. “I can’t help but stare at you. You’re positively gorgeous, and I’m dying to kiss you again.”
Warmth floods my body, pooling in my core.
“More tea?”
Jackson’s gaze pulls away from mine to the small lady with a pitcher poised over his glass.