Satellite of Love. Christa Maurice

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      Maureen peeked down the hall to the garage and tried to figure out what she was doing here. The obvious reason—getting her car tuned up. Important regular maintenance. Then there was the less obvious. Hanging out with Michael. What did she hope to gain, other than the tuned up car, from spending her Sunday at Tony’s garage working on lesson plans while Michael worked on her car? This wasn’t going to turn into a relationship. How could it, after next weekend?

      She sat down on the stool behind the counter where she had all her work spread out. Everything was finished and recorded in her grade book. Tomorrow she had recess duty, so she’d need to commune with the copier after school. Unless Michael was free. If he was, she might have to go in early so she could leave right after the last bell.

      Michael walked in, wiping his hands on an oily rag. “How’s the work going?”

      “I’m done.” She leaned on the counter. Something about being near him made her arch her back and lick her lips. My, he was fine to look at. Beautiful broad shoulders that made her think about hanging onto them. Dark eyes that always made him look ready and willing. Last night’s kisses suggested all kinds of wonders.

      “The X-Files,” he said.

      “What about it?”

      “I’ve been thinking about that. It doesn’t make sense.”

      “Why not?”

      He slouched on the counter and looked at her sideways, giving her a nice profile of his flat abs. Most of the guys she dated were not in as good shape. Desk jockeys a little on the soft side. Nothing soft on him, except his gaze, especially when he looked at her like he was now.

      “You don’t like mysteries, but from what I heard The X-Files was all mystery all the time. It doesn’t fit,” he said. His gaze traced the jutting curve of her hip.

      “Maybe I like my mysteries in small controlled portions I don’t have to live with.”

      His gaze traveled back up her body and her temperature rose too. When his eyes met hers, they were dark and warm. “I guess I can take that answer.”

      Licking her lips didn’t help. If anything, her tongue was drier than her lips. “So how goes the tune up?”

      “Finished.”

      She nodded, trying to maintain some cool. “That leaves us most of an afternoon free. What shall we do with it?” Bad question. The images blossoming in her mind were not PG.

      He smiled like he had the same thoughts. “The first thing I need to do is wash up. I wouldn’t want to get grease all over you.”

      The images in her mind went straight through R on their way to X. With grease. On the hood of his car. This counted as a third date, didn’t it? There had been a meal involved. Maureen followed him into the hall. “So I guess the first thing we should do, after you wash up and change, is take my car back home.”

      “Sure.” He stopped in the locker room doorway, letting his gaze skim over her again.

      Pink sweater, jeans, sneakers. She wouldn’t be winning any fashion awards any time soon. Still, the look in his eyes was appreciative.

      He shifted away from the door. “You know, we haven’t discussed payment.”

      “No, we haven’t.” Maureen bit her lip and shifted her weight to one foot. “I believe last time it was a kiss on the cheek for a brake job, but a tune up isn’t quite as involved, is it?”

      “No, but my rates may be going up.” Michael took a step closer.

      “Isn’t that how it always is?” She leaned on the wall. “They hook you with a deal and then jack up the prices.”

      “Sorry ma’am, it’s the way business is run.”

      His coveralls were filthy. So were his hands. Her clothes would be ruined and everybody would be able to see why. She should be concerned about that. Heat coursed through her as he moved closer. No way she should be doing this.

      “You aren’t going to try to haggle me down?” He brushed his lips over hers.

      “Quality work comes at a price.” As his mouth covered hers, she closed her eyes. Only his mouth touched her, but she could feel the heat of his body. The wine sweet taste of his kiss made her knees want to collapse so she could slide to the floor and pull him down on top of her.

      The dirty floor. She shouldn’t be getting involved in this.

      “Michael.” She planted her hands on his chest.

      He took a step back. “Yeah. I’m gonna go change.” He walked into the locker room without turning back.

      Maureen went back to the front desk and gathered up her stuff. Her head spun from their brief encounter. When did he say he was leaving town? Next week? How in heaven’s name would she resist him until then? If only he was going to be around.

      Or if she could go to where he’d be. He said he lived in California. They had schools there.

      Was she honestly planning to move to the other side of the country based on the fact that she couldn’t keep her hands off a man she’d just met? Crazy. She couldn’t sell her house and switch jobs for a guy she’d met two days ago. The long gap between Christmas and spring break was obviously getting to her. She slid her planning book into her book bag. Time off, that’s what she needed. Maybe she should take a personal day.

      Next week.

      Before Michael left town.

      Friday.

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