Risky Pleasures Read online

  “Next week. And she said she was bringing along someone else as well. It’s a surprise or something like that.”

  Great. Her and a surprise. “Uh-huh. Why doesn’t that make me feel any better?”

  “I don’t know. But, that’s not the only reason I stopped by. Joe is down with the flu today, so I’ll drive for him. That way you don’t have to stop working in the garage to cover for him.”

  Sitting down on the edge of the desk, Archer studied him. “You sure? You don’t have something else you’d rather do?”

  Todd Bennett pushed to his feet and strode to stand before him. One large hand settled upon his shoulder. “I know it’s now your business, son, but I’m here to help. I’ve got the towing end covered unless we really get backed up. You go ahead on and work in the shop, I know you’ve got a few things waiting for your attention.”

  “Thanks, Pa. Dani will be in soon to handle dispatch.”

  “Dani? Is she still single?”

  Archer groaned and got to his feet, coffee in hand. “I believe she is and no, before you ask, I don’t want to date her. There’s nothing wrong with her, she’s just not the one for me.”

  “You’ll be my age at the rate you’re going before you have kids. What the hell are you looking for in a woman anyway that you’ve not found yet?”

  Who says I haven’t found it? “Now’s not the time for this, Pa.”

  “It never is with you,” his dad groused.

  Another barely muffled groan left him as he departed the office area and entered the garage. Turning on some music, he pulled on the blue service shirt he worked in and had the first car up on the lift within moments. It wasn’t too long before everyone had come in and they were all working. The trucks were out on calls and the workers left at the garage were busy on the vehicles they had there.

  Time passed and, close to closing, Archer was by his truck when a tingle ran up his spine. Lifting his head, he watched as a green Jeep pulled in. The stiffening in his pants told him all he needed to know—it never failed, his body always knew when Delicia was around. He watched her climb out and look around.

  Damn, she made that look good. She wore her uniform, a short sleeved light blue shirt and reflective EMS trousers. Her hair was back in a French braid and he longed to release it. Licking his lips, he shut his truck door and ambled over to where she stood talking to Mark, another one of his mechanics—a trainee actually, but he was a quick learner.

  “Delicia,” he said upon his approach.

  Her amazing brown eyes, reminding him of chocolate mousse, flicked up and widened slightly. “Mr Bennett,” she responded.

  He disliked her calling him Mr Bennett but let it go for the moment. It was her thing, what she did when others were near. “Something I can help you with?”

  Mark took the hint and walked away, leaving them alone. She looked just about everywhere else, except at him. And Archer realised she was nervous around him.

  “Delicia?” he asked, stepping closer and inhaling the scent of tangerines that surrounded her.

  “Hi…umm…I’m sorry to stop by without a…um…appointment, but I needed my oil changed, if possible.”

  “Of course. I’ll do it for you right now.”

  Her gaze flew up to meet his and he sent her what he hoped was a disarming smile. His cock stirred when her tongue sneaked out and wet her lips.

  “If you’re sure. I don’t want to make anyone stay late.”

  He held her stare. “It’s fine. Keys in the ignition?”

  “Yes.”

  “Go on in to the waiting room and have a seat. I’ll be done in no time.”

  Reaching out, he turned her and gave her a gentle nudge towards the main door. The urge to draw her closer and kiss her swarmed him. He clenched his hands into fists and repressed the desire. Instead he just watched her walk towards the door and with one look back at him, she slipped inside.

  Archer walked to her Jeep and paused right before getting behind the wheel. A throat clearing behind him pulled his attention from the vehicle. He turned to find Mark there.

  “Want me to get this one, Risk?”

  “No, it’s okay, Mark. I got it.”

  A knowing smile curved up Mark’s lips and he narrowed his gaze in response. “Sure thing, boss. I’ll go clear a bay for you.” Hand outstretched, he offered the plastic seat cover then walked off.

  “Do that,” he muttered, protecting the seat then getting behind the wheel.

  Delicia had a six-speed Wrangler and he could tell she did a lot of outdoors stuff—her vehicle was decked out for it. There was nothing girly about this Jeep. And he liked it. Before long, he was draining the oil and checking air pressure on her tyres. Out of the corner of his eyes, he could see his employees watching him closely.

  “What?” he asked Mark who continued to hover around.

  “Nothing.”

  With a grunt, Archer looked at Mark. A seventeen year old boy who had been working here since he was fourteen. The kid was a whiz with cars and loved nothing more than working on them, despite only having been actually working on cars for a year—before that he’d cleaned up around the shop.

  “You sure seem to be interested in what I’m doing for a man who’s claiming nothing. You got nothing else to do?”

  “Well, it’s just that…how well do you know Lis?”

  Biting back his growl at the familiar way Mark spoke about Delicia, he swallowed. “What are you looking to know?”

  “I…I…” A flush moved up the boy’s dark cheeks and he figured it out.

  “She’s older than you, you know.” Archer poured in the oil.

  “I know, but…”

  “She’s got a man, too, Mark. I’m sorry.” He capped it and wiped his hands off on a rag from his pocket.

  “She does?” He sighed. “Who?”

  Waiting until the young man looked at him, Archer then said, “Me.”

  He stepped from the hood and slammed it shut. Going to the driver’s side, he got in and drove through and around to the front. Once in the waiting room, he walked up to where Delicia sat thumbing through a magazine and said, “You’re all set.”

  Chapter Two

  Delicia looked up at the sound of Archer’s deep timbre. The moisture in her mouth vanished as she stared at him. This man is just too damn fine. With what she hoped was a normal smile, she pushed to her feet and stood before him.

  “Wow. That was fast. Thank you. For taking me.” Okay, that was not supposed to be said. She squeezed her eyes shut and wished she were anywhere but where she was. “I mean, for taking care of my car.”

  His gaze burnt hot when she met it again and there was this hint of knowing within the depths of his eyes. “No problem. Anytime, Delicia.”

  Pulses of electricity moved along her skin at his tone and words. “I…I should get going so I don’t hold you up any more.”

  She slid past him and moved towards to the counter where she paid. Archer was there when she finished and paced her to the door. “I’ll walk you out,” he murmured.

  Delicia didn’t comment, she figured everyone was already watching them, so why open her mouth and say something else stupid to increase gossip. Silence was between them until she stood beside her Jeep.

  “Have dinner with me,” he said, placing a hand on her arm.

  Turning to face him, she blinked a few times, unsure if she’d been hearing things or not. The sincerity in his eyes told her that she hadn’t made any mistake on that front.

  “What?” Jesus, there I go again. Why can’t I just sound intelligent around him?

  He stepped closer and lowered his head. “You heard me, Delicia. Have dinner with me.”

  She found it incredibly difficult to concentrate when he stood so close, surrounding her with his heat and the mixed scents of cocoa beans and slightly smoky wood, with warm, flinty accents. The urge to touch and explore his muscled physique ran roughshod over her.

  “I’m sorry, I’m working tonight. I�
�m on my way back in.” But I would much rather be with you.

  His eyes darkened. “When are you done?”

  “Five-thirty in the morning.”

  “Breakfast, then? The old family diner out near where I picked you up today? The Enchanted.”

  Take a leap. Delicia answered, “Okay, breakfast. Six sound okay?”

  His gaze honed in on her lips before going back to her eyes. “Yes.” He reached into his pocket and withdrew a card, then pressed it into her hand. “My cell is on the back, call me if you have to work late.”

  Leaning over into the back of her vehicle, she dug into her bag and pulled out her own card. His fingertips brushed hers when he took it from her, sending tremors throughout her entire being. “Same here. Or if…you get a better offer for the night and can’t make it.”

  Archer never blinked. “I’ll be there.”

  She shifted beneath his burning stare. “I’ll see you then.”

  “I’m looking forward to it. Be safe tonight.” He dragged his knuckles down the side of her face, setting up a flutter deep within her.

  With a nod she climbed into her Jeep and started the engine. “Good night, Archer.”

  “Night, Delicia,” he purred before stepping back.

  Driving away, she stole glances at his strong body standing there in the parking lot of his business. She wanted him—that was no secret, well not to her. She had for a long, long time now.

  “What the hell did I just do?” she whimpered. “I can hardly speak coherently around him, why did I just agree to breakfast?”

  She pulled into the fire station and climbed out. With her bag tossed over her shoulder, she hurried to the ambulance where her partner Thomas Christian worked on the pre-check. Kind of a moot point, given they were doing another shift and knew what was in their vehicle.

  “Hey, Thom.”

  “Lis.” He looked up and smiled at her, his white teeth gleaming against his bronzed skin. “Wondered where you were. Was getting ready to give you a ring.”

  “Sorry. Got the oil changed on my Jeep.” She tossed her bag in and stowed it out of the way. And I got a date for tomorrow morning.

  “No prob. I know you’d call if something came up. I’m just not used to you not being here before me, even if we only have a few hours to chill.”

  “I’m going to grab some drinks. Want me to get you some?”

  “Please,” he said from where he sat on the stretcher taking inventory.

  Rubbing her eyes, she walked off. “Be right back.” When she returned she helped Thom take inventory until they had to start their shift.

  In less than half an hour, she and Thom were beginning their shift. She sat behind the wheel and Thom told her about his younger sister, Erica, and her state volleyball competition. It was a pretty mundane night. There wasn’t many calls as the night progressed. They stopped for a bite to eat around midnight.

  “Hey, you two,” the waitress said when they walked in.

  “Candy,” Delicia spoke with a smile.

  “Your usuals?”

  “Please,” they said at the same time.

  In a booth, Delicia stretched out her legs and rested her head against the window.

  “How you doing?” Thom asked.

  Turning her head to stare at her partner, she took in his good looks. Bronze skin, black wavy hair, firm body, chiselled features. He was a man who garnered lots of reactions from the ladies.

  “You know. I’m hanging in there.”

  “When’s your triathlon?”

  “About three months away. I did training before coming on shift. Part of the reason I was dragging.”

  “I admire your dedication to it. I couldn’t do what you do.”

  She grinned and reached for the coffee. “Well, we just expend our energy in different ways. I do triathlons, you…you do…other extracurricular activities.”

  Thom laughed. “When you say it like that, you make it sound so dirty.”

  “I don’t know how else to say it.”

  “Ahh, come on, Lis. I’m just waiting for the right woman to come along.”

  “Hey, I’m not your mom. No need to explain yourself to me.”

  He winked at her when Candy set down their food and she just shook her head. Female companionship was something he never lacked. It had been an issue when she’d met a few of his women, for they tended to see her as a threat. Now for the most part, it was very well known that she and Thom were partners and friends. Nothing more than a platonic relationship between them.

  She dug into her pancakes, eggs and bacon with gusto, and was almost done when the radio at her side crackled. “Multiple car crash near Devil’s Corner. All units available respond.”

  Delicia and Thom jumped to their feet. Tossing some money down on the table, they headed for the ambulance at a run. Seconds later they were speeding down the road, lights and sirens going.

  “Devil’s Corner. Shit, this isn’t gonna be pretty,” she said as she wove in and out of traffic before hitting the outskirts of town and really opening up the engine.

  Slowing as they approached, she turned off the sirens and pulled up to the crash. The cop cars and fire trucks that had been following her did the same. Hopping out, Delicia and Thom got to work. The firemen were cutting through the door of one car while they checked out some of the other kids.

  “Lis!” a shout reached her.

  She hurried to where they were removing the top of the vehicle. Thom had the stretcher waiting. Climbing in, Delicia put a neck brace around the woman in the passenger side. Once it was secure, they worked together to get her out and lifted her onto the stretcher.

  Shit! The woman was pregnant and non-responsive. Thom bagged her and they started to move her towards the ambulance. Delicia glanced back at the crushed car and her heart sank when a fireman covered a body with a sheet. The woman stared up at her as they hurried, panic overflowing in her gaze.

  “Stay with me,” Delicia said. “We’re getting you to the hospital.”

  “One, two, three,” Thom counted it off and they lifted her into the back.

  She closed the door behind them and hustled to the driver’s seat. Hitting the siren, she waited for the two pounds on the back door then pulled out carefully, turned around and the moment she was clear, pushed the pedal down. As the ambulance raced down the road, Delicia called it in to the emergency room she was headed for.

  There were people waiting for them when she drove up. Throwing the vehicle into park, she then hopped out and helped lower the gurney. They rushed through the sliding glass doors and she heard Thom rattling off the stats he knew.

  “We got it from here,” a woman said with authority.

  Delicia looked up and her mouth fell open. “Arissa?”

  Light brown eyes met hers and softened briefly. A curvaceous woman with a reddish-gold pixie cut stared back at her. “Lis?”

  “What are—?”

  “We’re ready, doc,” a nurse interrupted.

  “I gotta go, Lis. Tomorrow, we’ll catch up. Great to see you,” she said as they hurried away. “You look great!”

  Thom nudged her with his shoulder. “Who’s that?”

  A dry chuckle left her. “That’s my sister, Arissa. Who last I knew was in Chicago.” She ran a hand over her eyes. “What is she doing back here?”

  “Think on the way. Let’s go see if they need more help back there.” Thom tugged on her arm.

  She drove while he cleaned up the back. Delicia was saddened. Teens had been racing and had misjudged the corner, spinning out of control and hitting the oncoming car. A man driving his wife to the hospital. He’d died immediately and the wife was on her way to surgery.

  Her heart sped up however, when her gaze landed upon a large flatbed and the man beside it. Archer. He stood talking to one of the cops. Two of the vehicles sat upon the truck. Parking behind one of the fire trucks, they got out to offer assistance. There were mostly superficial wounds to take care of now and she got to
it, doing her best to ignore the handsome man who was extremely good at sucking her attention.

  Archer only half listened to Dave as he talked to him. His gaze and focus had basically been upon Delicia from the moment he’d seen her step out of the ambulance. She looked tired, beautiful and sad. He wanted to hold her to him and offer his strength. When she headed around to the back of the ambulance, he pushed away from his truck and said to Dave, “Excuse me for a minute.”

  He walked to where he could see her. Her head was down as she looked through a bag for something. Moving up behind her, he inhaled and was again hit by the scent of tangerines that flowed about her.

  “Hello, Delicia,” he muttered softly.

  She stiffened before turning towards him. Her eyes roved up and down his body before she responded. “Hello, Archer.”

  Damn, I want to kiss her. “You hanging in there okay?”

  There was some tightness around the corners of her mouth, yet she nodded. “Yes. I’ll be glad when the night’s over, though.”

  Archer heard her name being called and he asked, “We still on for breakfast? Or did you want to cancel?”

  “Did you have a better offer?”

  I can think of one for you. Breakfast in bed. My bed. “Nope. You just look really exhausted.”

  “I was looking forward to eating…having breakfast with you.”

  He smiled. “I’ll see you in a few hours then.”

  “Yes.” She stared at him a moment longer then slipped by him, bag in hand, and vanished.

  Archer sighed and followed her back around. He could feel the gazes of some of the people there upon him. Those were ignored—he got back to work and soon had the totalled cars back at his place. Then he went back out for the other two.

  * * * *

  He was exhausted when he pulled into the parking lot of The Enchanted and parked his truck. Glancing around, he noticed Delicia’s vehicle wasn’t there. What if she’d changed her mind? He grabbed his cell and checked for any missed calls. There weren’t any. With a deep breath, he climbed out and headed for the door.