“Nicki, wait –“
“Sorry, sweetie. Can’t be late or the natives get restless.” She tossed one more smoky glance Sean’s way. “Nice package, by the way.” She began to walk away, but didn’t get more than a step or two before Sean’s hand reached out and clamped around her wrist like a vice, stopping her in her tracks.
One corner of her mouth tilted up slightly, though her eyes flashed silvery fire. “Oooh, I bet you like it rough, don’t you?” she smirked, her voice a husky growl.
“Sean – Mr. Callaghan - please, let her go.” Nick’s voice, laced with an edge of panic, cut through the tense silence. “Please.”
Nick’s boss narrowed his eyes, but released the grip on her wrist. She reclaimed her hand and smiled, showing perfect white teeth. “Later, Hardass.”
Nicki Milligan walked – no strutted – out of Callaghan Auto like she owned it. She paused just outside, letting the cool air drift over her bare shoulders. Then she took a few steps to the left, out of the reach of the spotlights and into the shadows. There she promptly collapsed against the side of the building, hands gripping her trembling knees while she gasped desperately for breath and fought the urge to cry.
She was used to dealing with dangerous, brutal men. Her whole life had been an in-depth study. But that was no ordinary man. It had taken every ounce of courage she had not to run from the sheer intensity of those blue eyes. But she’d learned a long time ago never to show fear; attitude was survival, and she planned on being around for a while yet. With shaking legs, she mounted her cycle and kicked it into high gear, racing down the street as fast as her machine would take her.
Chapter Two
Sean stared at the door. He wouldn’t have believed it if he hadn’t just seen it for himself.
It took him a few minutes to realize that Nick was gathering his stuff. “Want to tell me what just happened?” Sean said.
Nick turned tormented eyes his way. The kid opened up his mouth, then promptly shut it again and shook his head.
At least Sean now had a good idea where Nick’s mind had been lately. Hell, Sean was having trouble thinking clearly, and he’d only been in the woman’s presence for two minutes. He couldn’t imagine being around her for any length of time. Christ, his cock was still tingling from her hot little hand, and that was through denim and Hanes. God help him if she actually wrapped her fingers around him; he’d probably turn to ash in her palm.
Sean blew out a breath and tried to focus. “Okay, let’s start simple. Who was that?”
Nick exhaled heavily. “My sister.”
Holy shit. And then some. Sean had no idea this kid even had a sister. No wonder he had problems. Sean reached over and flipped off the lights. “Come on. I think we both need a drink.” For a moment, Nick looked like he might bolt instead, but then nodded. “Yeah. Fuck yeah.”
“Was that a Ducati?” Sean said as he locked up, his eyes glued to the quickly disappearing taillight down the street.
Nick blew out a breath, releasing his hair from its binding and shaking his head like a dog. “Sort of.”
––––––––
Sean pulled a couple of longnecks from the glass-doored fridge behind the bar. Jake’s Irish Pub was owned by his family; his brothers Jake and Ian took care of most of the day-to-day operations, but they all helped out occasionally.
The place had a decent Friday night crowd, but Sean led him toward a quiet back corner usually reserved for close family and friends. Here they could talk in relative privacy. A nod to Jake was all it took to ensure that they would not be disturbed.
Nick slid into the booth, looking a little worse for wear. That was good, Sean thought. He was less likely to lie that way.
“So tell me what’s going on, Nick,” he said, handing him a bottle.
Nick shrugged, accepting the cold beer and taking a long pull. “My sister’s in town. No big.” He flicked those freaky eyes at Sean. It was disconcerting to see such light, almost clear eyes against such dark lashes and hair, but Sean was fairly used to it by now.
“I know I shouldn’t have had her in the bays, but she’s cool. Damn better than anyone else you got working there.” He paused. “And you do have that no-one-works-alone policy,” he added, almost as an afterthought.
Sean refrained from pointing out that his rule was intended for employees and skilled mechanics, not for little sisters, even if they did bear a striking resemblance to Kate Beckinsale’s Underworld persona. Or maybe he was thinking of her role in Van Helsing. Sometimes they overlapped in his private fantasies.
“She’s been the one helping you at night?”
Nick turned surprised eyes on him, and Sean allowed just a small smile. “No one can get through that many jobs on their own, Nick. Not even you. I figured it was Dave, or Tommy maybe.”