Marianne Stephens
Romance Stories For Your Enjoyment

“Besides me, how many other people have you pissed off here already?” Mike asked his obnoxious question after speaking to the tow guy.

“Excuse me? What are you talking about?” I answered in an irritated tone. After waiting for an hour as they went over my tire and tried to find a problem with it my patience had worn thin.

“Well Miss Pleasing Personality, your tire was deliberately cut. I’d say someone is madder than hell at you.”

I opened my mouth but no words materialized. Gears churned in my head and I could only come to one conclusion. That realization made me shiver.

Mike took off his jacket and threw it around my shoulders. “You’re wet and freezing. Why the hell did you stand out in the rain? Do you wanna get sick?”

A flush rampaged up my cheeks and I hoped it wasn’t the beginning of a fever thanks to my stupidity and pride-induced rain dance. Stubborn I was. Cold and wet too.

“No, I…” How could I explain myself out of this? “Look. You’re right. I was wrong. Can we talk about something more important? Why do you think someone’s out to get me?”

Mike ran a hand through his hair then grabbed my elbow and walked me back to the chairs in the towing company’s office. “Sit. You look wobbly. Are you cold or did you nip one too many at that party?”

His attempt at offering caring concern flew out the window as soon as he threw in that suspicion about me drinking. What? Did he think I watched TV soaps and ate bonbons all day except when boozing the hours away?

I gritted my teeth. It would have had more impact if I weren’t chattering from the cold. “I’m gonna forget that last comment only because you’ve been so nice to Aunt Phoebe. No, Mr. Inquisition. I didn’t have anything to drink but punch.”

Mike moved his face within inches of mine. “Was it spiked?”

I breathed out a huff of air into his face. “Does it seem like I’ve been drinking anything but fruit punch?” My voice escalated the more he annoyed me.

“I guess not. Aunt Phoebe wouldn’t have let you drive if she thought you’d been drinking.”

“Humph. Thanks for the vote of confidence.”

He took the seat next to me. “Look. Someone cut that tire on purpose. I’m guessing right before you left. The air escaped pretty quickly from the hole.”

“Why should I believe you? I just got those tires and maybe there was a defect in that one.”

Mike sighed. “You don’t have to believe me. Just ask Tom,” he nodded to tow guy, “and he’ll explain why it has to be a deliberate act.”

I already suspected Lanny, Danny Sr. or Manny. How could I tell Mike? I didn’t want to involve him in my work. I vowed to handle this myself. Uneasiness shoved the cold and shaking from my body. Trickles of fear took their places.

“Thanks for your opinion. If Tom would just put another tire on for me and throw that one in the trunk of my car I’ll pay him and be on my way.” I got to my feet as a show of confidence. My jellied knees threatened to wobble but a major dose of resolve kept me standing straight and tall.

Mike leaned back in his seat apparently speechless for the first time since I’d met him. Amazing. All I had to do was stop arguing with him while giving him ammunition to fight with me and he shut up. Full of assurance and buoyed by my getting the upper hand I rewarded myself with a mental slap on the back. I’d won this round.

“How come you didn’t call that boyfriend of yours? What’s his name? Lawrence?”

I aimed a deadly stare at Mike. “Lanny. And he’s not my boyfriend.”

Mike smirked. “Oh. Sorry. How come you called me instead of him? Wasn’t he at the party?”

“What are we doing? Playing twenty questions?”

“And here I thought I’d help you figure out who’s out to get you by sorting through all the suspects.”

I flung myself back into the chair with the grace and sophistication of a squatting rhino. “So far Marino you’re the only one who fights with me all the time. Maybe you followed me to the party and cut the tire figuring I’d have to call you and you’d become Mr. Rescue Guy again. You know. Get on my good side because I’d be undyingly grateful for your help.” This little speech started out as a lecture and gained momentum the angrier I got and higher pitched my voice sounded.

In a low seductive tone he whispered, “There’s that one time we didn’t fight. Or have you forgotten already? I haven’t.”

My cheeks flamed. No, I hadn’t forgotten our major smooch and it kept parading through my head anytime I thought about him. It popped up in my brain constantly.

“Oh.” I turned on the charm and sugar-coated my speech. “You mean when I barfed on you. You’re right. We didn’t fight then.”

He started laughing and that minimized the dig I was trying to jab him with. Men were definitely from Mars.

“You know that’s not what I meant. I mean when you grabbed and kissed me. Surprised the hell out of me but I’m not complaining.” He wiggled his eyebrows and gave me a charming smile.

“Marino let’s get one thing straight. I did not kiss you. You grabbed me and kissed me. Why would I want to kiss you? I don’t even like you.”

I just have the hots for you. I hoped he noticed my glare and wished my pulse would stop racing. Where was that damned off button to switch my body from “horny” mode?

“Oh yeah? Tell me you didn’t enjoy this before.”

I had no time to react. Mike swooped me into his arms and gave me one of the most passionate kisses I’ve ever experienced. My eyes closed instinctively and my body molded itself to his. I not only kissed back but I let my tongue do a little dancing inside his mouth.

No control. All systems go. I was ready and more than willing to launch.

Mike let go and dropped me back into my chair. “Christ, Katie. What is it about us that makes us fight all the time? I’d much rather spend time making love with you.”