Grant (Thoroughly Educated #2) Read online

  “No.” She stopped right in front of him. Her skirt swirled around her knees and he could just see through her white blouse.

  “No, what?” Grant swallowed and folded his arms over his chest as he realized how attracted he was to her.

  “No, it’s not my car I need fixed.”

  Grant laughed. “Well, I’m a mechanic, so what the hell else could I fix for you?”

  Alexandra leaned forward until he could smell her spicy perfume. His muscles coiled and bunched at the visceral reaction he was having to her proximity. “Me. I need to be fixed, and I need you to fix me.”

  Grant backed up into the wall. “Uh . . .”

  She reached out and grabbed his head with both hands. She was almost his height in her ridiculous heels, and when she mashed her mouth to his, he could only gasp.

  And then he dug in.

  Chapter 2

  The first coherent thought that hit him was that she was a fucking amazing kisser. Without much thought at all, he fumbled backward until they were standing in the office together. With the swinging shut of the door, the rain was muted. The windows along the front of the shop were fogged over. As Grant plunged his hands into the hair he’d been thinking of nonstop, she moaned. It went to his gut, to his balls, and set a fire in his blood that had it racing south. He’d never felt such a visceral reaction to another person before. She was pushing at his shirt, trying to lift it and run her hands across his bare skin. Grant was hyper aware of the fact that they were in his place of business, making him reluctant to allow her to undress him.

  “Alexandra—”

  “No talking.”

  She dropped into a squat, single-mindedly unbuttoning his pants before he could protest.

  “What the fuck—”

  “I said no talking.”

  She was quick, he’d give her that. He was unzipped and in her hands before he’d taken another breath, and in her mouth before he could be dumb enough to protest. Sensations sparked from his cock to his spine; heat and suction and bliss. The best she could grab were his hips for leverage, and she pulled him in deep while he lost his mind. Everything shut down, shut off, as she sucked him for all she was worth.

  He moved his hands from the desk where he was bracing himself for impact and thrust them back in her hair. He didn’t have to move her fast; she was already racing against the clock, it seemed. He was going to come in about three seconds; he hoped she liked swallowing.

  “Fuck, fuck, fuck!”

  He blew his load, cumming deep in her throat and feeling her lick him off before swallowing. His head was spinning in circles as she put everything back where it belonged and fixed his pants.

  She rose, her whiskey eyes shining at him. He could only stare back at her, sated, but confused. “What the fuck was that?”

  Alexandra wiped her lip with her thumb and moved closer until she was pressed against him hip to hip. “It’s called a blowjob, babe.”

  Grant rolled his eyes and grabbed for her ass, bunching her skirt until he could cup her ass. He was stunned to find it bare, without so much as a tiny thong in the way. “What if I hadn’t been alone?”

  Her eyelids slipped closed as he dipped and circled, finding her cheeks and moving around to the front. Her pussy fluttered and clenched as he found it with two fingers and went exploring.

  When he pulled them out, she looked up at him to see him holding those fingers up between them. They were glistening in the fluorescent light. “So fucking wet, Alexan—”

  “It’s just Alex.”

  He didn’t care that he was at work. He didn’t care that he was far more satisfied from this stranger and her crazy act than anything he’d encountered with anyone before. Grant was turned on beyond recognition. She moaned into his neck when he pulled her close, and he dove back under her skirt to find her clit. He flicked it, watching her eyes drift closed again. Her breathing picked up as he moved his fingers faster, circling and sliding and pumping. When she began to cry out, she buried her face in his shoulder to muffle the sound. When she came a minute later, it was with trembling knees and her open mouth pressed to his shirt.

  “God.” She took several deep breaths. “Yeah, that’ll do it.”

  Alex took several steps away from him, smoothed her skirt back down, and walked out. Grant’s jaw dropped five seconds before he followed her out into the bay.

  “Are you serious?”

  She paused by the side of her car. “I guarantee I’ll see you again.”

  He pushed his palm against his forehead as she got in and started the car. She backed out the way she came, and he watched her car disappear in the muted gray light. Feeling stunned, he headed back into the office and sat back down in his chair. What the fuck just happened?

  Not surprisingly, he couldn’t get her out of his mind. He had customers eventually, and he worked the cars as well as the desk until Josh was able to come in at eleven. Grant could picture Alex each time he had to be in the office and it caused his face to flush. He hadn’t given her his name, but it was stitched into his shirt. She hadn’t asked for anything, but she’d clearly been expecting it since she was commando. He was shocked at himself for allowing her to do what she’d done. There was a brief moment where he simply wanted to do something outrageous, something he didn’t ever do. He wanted to take her on the shop floor or bent over the desk. Even now, he could picture a dozen ways to fuck her on his Harley. He was a walking hard-on now, thanks to her. He had to have her again, but he didn’t know how to get in touch with her.

  He was shocked to see her again two days later. She pulled into a spot and climbed out, those long fucking legs leading the show. She was wearing a tiny pair of shorts and a tank top, and he tried his best not to drool. She sauntered in, chunky heels giving her calves definition and a sway to her hips. Grant considered hiding like a baby but he couldn’t do it. Instead, he watched her saunter up to Floyd and gesture back to her car. When Floyd looked down at the clipboard he held, she shot a glance at Grant. All he wanted to do was snatch her up and run off with her. To beg her to do more of what she’d done the other day. He wanted all manner of dirty things with her.

  When Floyd headed out to her car, Alex headed to where Grant was standing. “Hey, babe.”

  He stared at her, certain she was completely insane. “It’s Grant, not babe.”

  Alex reached out and traced his name where it was stitched on the white patch of his work shirt. “I can see that.”

  He clenched his jaw. Her perfume enveloped him and his cock was already at attention. “Car trouble?”

  “What?” She looked into his eyes and then out to her car. “Oh, yeah.”

  He smirked. “Liar.”

  She looked up at him again, grinning. “There’s a noise, I swear it.”

  “Oh, really? And what are you going to do to pass the time while I’m forced to look it over?”

  “Stare at your ass, probably.”

  He shook his head. “You’re barking up the wrong tree, Alex.”

  “I don’t think I am.”

  “I’m not interested in what you’re offering.”

  “Now who’s the liar?” she retorted.

  He could see it in her eyes. If they hadn’t been surrounded by his coworkers, she’d have her hand down his pants proving to him how much he did, in fact, want her.

  He had to walk away if for no other reason than the fact that now he had to look over her car. The fact that he knew there was nothing wrong with it didn’t stop him from giving it a thorough inspection one more time. Just like the last time, he found nothing. He got paid no matter what, but he was growing irritated at having to waste his time on something that wasn’t bringing the shop any money.

  “Miss Banks.”

  Grant strolled into the office where she waited. Her thighs were on display in her minuscule shorts and he was a little shocked at the images that went through his head.

  “Yes?”

  He waited until she was in front of him before
he spoke. “I found nothing that would cause any noise. Your belts are tight, nothing looks in need of replacement.”

  “Rest assured that the next time I hear it, I’ll be back.”

  Grant watched her stalk out and climb in the car. “I have no doubt.”

  “Hasn’t she been in before?”

  Grant looked over at Floyd, who had come to stand next to him. “Yeah, she had an oil change about ten days ago and now she keeps saying there’s a noise under the hood.”

  “And you’ve found nothing?”

  “Not a thing.”

  “Is she just neurotic, then?” Floyd said on a laugh.

  “I have no idea.”

  Grant was busy the rest of the day and didn’t worry about Alex and whatever it was she wanted from him. He couldn’t decide how he felt about her. On one hand, he wanted her. On the other hand, he wasn’t looking for something long term. At least, not with her. For once in his life, could he put aside his need to only be committed and simply have fun? He had long felt that he was older than his true age; being made his sister’s guardian at the age of seventeen had done that to him. He was extremely responsible, trustworthy, and reliable. He was also boring as fuck.

  So what was wrong with going against the grain for a change?

  “Hey, Josh, you wanna grab a beer after work?”

  Josh put down the pen in his hand and stared at Grant. “I didn’t forget your birthday, did I?”

  Grant frowned. “No, why?”

  “I usually have to drag you out kicking and screaming.”

  Grant tossed the clipboard holding Alex’s paperwork on the desk. “Nope, I just want to go out for a change. Call Brent, invite him, too.”

  “Are you sure there isn’t a special occasion?”

  “Fuck off, Josh.”

  He sighed as he went back out to the bay. He was such an old man.

  When he was done for the day, he went home and showered. He put on a pair of jeans and a white t-shirt, his preferred clothing day in and day out, and headed down the stairs to his Harley. He was happy with the choice he’d made to trade his truck. He’d liked the damn thing, and he needed room when Reagan was at home, but when it was just him it made more sense to have something more cost efficient. His payments were lower, and he spent much less on gas. Not to mention, it was fun to ride.

  His favorite thing about it was the neighbor that drove a lowrider with too many racing stripes and an aftermarket spoiler. His alarm was entirely too sensitive, and he parked next to the Harley more days than not. Grant drew inexplicable pleasure from setting off the car alarm each time he started up his bike. He rumbled slowly out of the parking lot, grinning at the cacophony he’d created.

  The three friends found O’Riordan’s once upon a time because it sat in the middle of their different apartment complexes. None of them had to go too far to meet up, which Grant admitted was at the top of his list of excuses when he turned them down. Brent and Josh knew that the key to getting Grant to join them was to go close to his home. Grant saw that neither of them was there, judging by the lack of their vehicles in the lot. He parked and went in, scoring a booth near the pool tables.

  He ordered a beer and nursed it when it came. He rarely had more than two, and never more than that when he drove himself. He sat back, propping his arm on the back of the booth, and scanned the room. There were some regulars that he recognized by face if not by name, a few women he’d not seen in there before, and a handful of men at the bar drowning their sorrows. He watched the door, waiting for his friends to appear. What he saw instead was Alex come in and look around. She went to the bar, which meant she hadn’t seen him, and sat at the end. She ordered something and a guy immediately went up to her, but she shook her head. Her hair was pulled up but still met the middle of her back. She was wearing painted on jeans and a bright red top, and he wanted nothing more than to go over and let her know he was there.

  Draining the rest of his beer, he got up and sauntered over. Her back was to him, and he took great pleasure in being the one to surprise her for a change.

  “Can I buy you a drink?”

  “No, thanks.”

  “Are you sure about that? You didn’t even turn around.”

  Alex spun, saw Grant, and her red lips curved up in a satisfied smile. “Oh, I’ve definitely changed my mind.”

  Chapter 3

  The only problem with going up to Alex was that he didn’t know what to do after he’d gotten her attention. She seemed happy to see him, at least.

  “What are you having?” he asked. If he expected a fruity cocktail, he was definitely wrong.

  “It’s scotch.” Alex was practically humming in anticipation. She’d always had excellent luck, and it appeared that nothing had changed.

  “Interesting.” He sat on the empty stool beside her and tried not to look entirely self-satisfied that she’d let him in her space. “I never would have pegged you for anything other than a fruity girl drink.”

  “That’s because you don’t really know me.” She threw back her drink and set the glass close to the farthest edge.

  “You’ve got a point.”

  They watched the bartender come over, and Alex agreed on another. Grant pulled money from his wallet and passed it over to cover her second drink.

  “So, Grant, is this a favorite place of yours?” Alex ran her forefinger over his arm and watched as his eyes dilated.

  “Why, you planning on stalking me?”

  She laughed. “If I was, I could just do that at your shop.”

  “You already do.”

  “Touché.” She smiled up at him as she sipped her second drink. He was handsome, but it was more than that. His eyes sparkled when he was amused. His hair was a dark, honey blond that waved a bit too long over his ears. He had a full beard and a mustache that she found incredibly appealing. His arms were covered in tattoos, and she wanted to see where else he was inked. His arms were well-defined, telling her he worked out often. She’d been so intrigued by him the first time she saw him that she couldn’t help but continue to return to the auto body shop where he worked. Alex was surprised at her own actions on that rainy day, but he was alone and she found that she couldn’t resist him.

  “What the hell are we doing?” He couldn’t figure it out. He wanted mindless, dirty sex with Alex Banks, and that was just not his style.

  “Having fun, I hope.”

  “It’s not in my M.O.”

  She looked surprised. “No? A hot hunk of a man like you should have women crawling all over him.”

  He cleared his throat at her description of him. “Well, I don’t.”

  Alex hadn’t been able to stop touching him. Her finger roamed from his wrist up to his bicep and traced along the colorful skin below his shirt sleeve. He kept his eyes on her face, but his arm was on fire. He was so screwed.

  “Have you ever . . .” She paused. Did she dare ask?

  “Have I ever what?”

  Alex leaned close to his side and whispered in his ear. When she drew back, his eyes were wide with shock. Grant shook his head very slowly, the spark of her suggestion lighting him up from the inside.

  Alex darted a look around the room. She spotted the bathrooms and smiled at Grant. He followed her gaze and felt his heart rate skyrocket. Hesitantly, he nodded at Alex. She casually drank the rest of her scotch and left the glass on the bar. She kissed Grant on the cheek and walked in the direction of the bathrooms. He couldn’t watch her go. He knew he would give his right hand to do what she’d suggested, but he also knew he was insane for even considering it. After a few minutes passed, he checked around to ensure his buddies hadn’t shown up yet and headed down the dark hall after Alex.

  When he reached the two doors located in that hallway, he pushed open the one marked for women. Alex was waiting on him, a big smile on her face. He closed the door and locked it, leaning against it as he stared at her. “Now what, Alex?”

  She lunged for him, jumping and wrapping her leg
s around his waist as he caught her. Warning bells went off in his head and he ignored them completely. He’d already decided to start taking chances and stop being a stick in the mud. He had nobody to answer to but himself so he might as well live for a change.

  He spun them, bracing her body up against the wall. Alex was regretting being in jeans as Grant pressed his impressive hard-on into her body. She wanted to feel it fully, and she whimpered at the lessened contact she was given instead. She kissed him, possessed him, ground against him. Grant groaned into the skin of her neck as he opened his mouth and sucked on her flesh. She made him lose all control, and he wasn’t sure he liked it. But he found that he sure did thrive on it.