Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 73208 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 366(@200wpm)___ 293(@250wpm)___ 244(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73208 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 366(@200wpm)___ 293(@250wpm)___ 244(@300wpm)
Briar
A flat tire. Shit! I had to be at work in an hour, and I was going to go get some groceries first. Staring at the offending tire, I tried to think through my options. I didn’t have many. Changing a tire wasn’t something I’d ever had to do. Maybe I could pull up a YouTube video on how to do it.
“Need some help, neighbor?” a male voice asked behind me.
Turning. I saw Ajani Michel, Mr. Fourth Floor, walking up to me. I guessed taking help where it was offered was my only option.
“I thought I told you to run. Save yourself,” I replied in a teasing tone.
He gave me a small shrug. “I like to take chances. I’m a rebel like that.”
Great. He was still giving me a flirty smile. I hadn’t scared him off even a little bit. Fine. He was a man, and I had a flat tire.
I pointed at my tire. “Seems I do have a slight problem.”
Ajani studied the tire for a moment, then gave me a cocky grin. “You got a spare?”
I nodded. “That I do have. The knowledge on what to do with it though I don’t have.”
“Then, it’s your lucky day. I’ve changed many,” he said, then waved a hand toward my trunk. “Want to pop that open so I can see what we have to work with?”
I wasn’t going to have time to get groceries, but I would make it to work on time. I could just order a pizza for Dovie’s dinner. I’d hoped to get her something from the deli that was a little bit healthier, but this would have to do.
“You’re a lifesaver,” I said, taking my key from my pocket and pressing the button that sent the trunk slowly lifting.
“Eh, well, I didn’t say I was gonna do it for free.”
Of course not. I tried to hold my smile. “What’s your price?” I asked, already knowing he wasn’t about to give me a dollar amount. My warning speech of crazy hadn’t fazed him in the least.
“Dinner,” he replied.
I nodded. “Okay then, you want me to order you a pizza, or do you prefer Thai? Because I know a really good place not far from here. I can pick it up and bring it to you.”
His grin spread as he looked at me through his lashes. I was sure this worked with most women. He knew what he was doing clearly. But he was dealing with a pro, and I wasn’t biting.
“With you. I’ll take you to dinner.”
I placed a hand on my hip. “Do I need to remind you of all my faults?”
“Not necessary. They’re all up here,” he said, tapping his temple with his pointer finger.
I needed my tire changed, and if it meant dinner with the man, then so be it. “Well, if you’re willing to chance it.”
He did a quick scan of my body. “Definitely willing to take that chance.”
One meal wouldn’t kill me.
I waved a hand at the car. “Then, please work your magic.”
“That won’t be necessary,” a familiar deep voice came from my left.
I jerked my gaze from the car to see Storm walking toward us. I tensed immediately. The fact that the sight of him in a pair of faded jeans and another snug-fitting T-shirt—this one was blue—made my body tingle annoyed me to no end. I should accept that he made all female bodies tingle. It was something that was a given. But I could ignore it. I was stronger than that.
“Excuse me,” Ajani replied.
Storm cut his eyes to the other man. “I’m certain I spoke clearly.”
Ajani turned to me. “Briar? Is this a friend of yours?”
I was about to say no, but I stopped myself. Ajani did not need to die today, and he had no idea who he was dealing with.
I forced a smile. “You could call him that.”
Ajani frowned and looked back at Storm. “We’ve got things covered.”
Oh sweet Jesus. Ajani was gonna get himself killed over a stupid dinner date.
I stepped between the two of them before Storm decided to do something illegal. “Really, Ajani. Storm is here to help. I wasn’t expecting him so soon. But thank you for offering to help me. I really do appreciate it.”
Ajani looked over my shoulder, his jaw clenched, then back to me. “If you’re sure.”
I nodded. “Yes. Very.” So sure.
For real, dude, you need to run for your life. No joke.
He stood there, not leaving, like he needed to be doing. Why couldn’t he read my mind?
Look into my eyes, Ajani, and see that you are walking a line you do not want to walk for a woman who has no interest in you.
“You’re not wealthy enough for her,” Storm told him. “Wasting your time. She requires deeper pockets.”
I pressed my lips together and inhaled, trying to keep from turning around and slapping his stupid, handsome face. If it wasn’t for my fear of what he’d do if Ajani said or did the wrong thing, I’d shove him and tell him to go to hell or wherever he had come from.