Police suspected a gang of motorcycle thieves on fast bikes. In, out and away before law enforcement could arrive.
Surely, Dylan couldn’t be involved in this gang?
She regarded Dylan with a severe look. “Dylan, if you need transportation for work, I can drive you.”
“No, it’s okay, you’re busy and I won’t bother you. You’ve already done enough. I’m going out with the guys for something. Bikers only.” Still, he refused to look directly at her.
Kara’s stomach roiled. Now she was certain Dylan was involved in something shady. Tempted to haul him away and lock him up until after tomorrow night, she started to speak when the mechanic finally sat up and turned toward them. She gasped.
Jace Beckett. Again.
She gave him a cool look that belied the tiny muscles in her stomach jumping. His hair was much longer, tied back in a ponytail that made him look even sexier than usual, and he sported a well-trimmed beard. Grease stained the front of his white sleeveless T-shirt. As far as appearances went, he’d done a total one-eighty from when he was her ex-boyfriend, with close-cropped hair and business suits, and preferred pushing papers.
Yet his blue gaze remained the same—warm, friendly and filled with sexual interest, which faded as he recognized her.
“Jace,” she said tightly.
“Well, if it isn’t the little lady from the Tiki Bar. Hello, Kara. Change your mind about that ride I promised?” he drawled, sounding and looking more like a cliché.
Fury filled her. Kara started to think of ways to berate him, tell him she was glad they broke up, when he narrowed his eyes at her, shook his head ever so slightly.
As if in warning.
Clamping down on her bottom lip, she glared instead. Impossible to know what was going on, but for now, in front of Dylan, she’d play along.
Dylan gave her a puzzled look. “Kara, you know Gator?”
“No. I don’t know a Gator.” She folded her arms across her chest. “But I do know Jace—”
“Brown,” he said, interrupting her. “Jace Brown.”
“Brown,” she said slowly, totally confused.
Jace’s gaze flicked to her. “I changed my name after my father got into some trouble.”
Kara frowned, then turned to Dylan. “We used to...date.”
Saying they dated hurt less than admitting their relationship had been a major failure.
Her cousin looked at Jace. “Wow.”
Jace clapped Dylan on the back. “Don’t worry, I won’t hold your relationship with my ex against you.”
Dylan cleared his throat. “Gator, I need this bike by tomorrow. Can you stop what you’re doing and check it out, make sure it’s in top-notch condition?” Dylan’s face had a stubborn look she recognized.
Jace wiped his dirty hands on an equally dirty rag. “Dylan, maybe you should sit this one out. Bike may have some wear on it, and even if I keep it overnight it may need parts I don’t have here...”
“No. Just check it over, ’kay? Text me when it’s done.”
Jace kept rubbing his hands with the rag. His deep blue gaze met Kara’s. “So, how about it? I’m still available for a good time. I’ll even go slow for you.”
She scowled, then looked around the garage cluttered with equipment, cars and motorcycles. Dylan wandered off to examine a sleek yellow motorcycle with gleaming chrome.
Kara lowered her voice. “Can you afford it?”
His cheeky grin didn’t annoy her as much as it had in the past. “I can afford the gas and the time, sweetheart. Just not tomorrow night.”
“Jace, what happened to you? What do you mean, your father got into trouble?”
“Nothing for you to worry about.”
“Is that why you changed so much? You had a great job with a good company in investments...”
Now, it was his turn to scowl. “Stop talking about my past. That’s my business, okay?”
“But this place...” Her nose wrinkled. “Nothing wrong with being a mechanic, but you had a career with that firm, and seeing you like this... Do you need money?”
His eyes widened. “Kara, I’m fine for money.”
She thought about the way they’d broken up, in a hurry, and he’d left for DC, while she had an important meeting with a client. Kara made a prompt decision.
“Are you busy tonight? Can we meet someplace and talk?”
He blinked, and a guarded look came over him.
“Why?”
“I need to talk to you. But not here, in front of him.” She indicated her head.
