“I’ll get the coffee brewing,” Cara offers. “We won’t be going back to sleep now.”
“You don’t have to go with me,” I insist as Zack and I drive back into town. “You’ve done enough. Josh called the guy to come fix the furnace and will meet him at my place in about an hour. I can take my old car to the dealer and trade it in.”
“I don’t mind,” he replies without glancing at me.
“If you’re worried that I’ll be taken advantage of because I’m a single woman buying a car—”
“That’s only part of it,” he interrupts and parks his truck on the street in front of my house. The snowplow blocked my car in again this morning. “You’re not driving that again.” He points to my little Honda and I bristle.
“It’s perfectly safe.”
“Not during a Montana winter, it isn’t. I’ll drive you in it and we’ll trade it in.”
“You’re very bossy,” I accuse him.
“Your point?” He cocks a brow and stares at me, and I can’t help but laugh and shake my head.
“Fine. Thanks. I have to shovel the driveway first. The car will never get through that mess.”
“Just take your stuff inside, Jill. I’ll shovel.”
“You’ve been shoveling since very early this morning.”
“It won’t kill me.”
He pushes out of the truck and I watch him walk around the hood to open my door for me.
The man moves effortlessly. The feel of his muscles and smooth skin under my hands will be forever branded on my brain.
I know what he looks like under those clothes, and it’s enough to make my heart skip several beats.
“Coming?” he asks.
Yes, please.
I just nod and hop out of the tall truck. He follows me inside with my bags, then leaves with my shovel to get to work on the driveway, but I refuse to be left out. I find another shovel and dig in, helping him. He scowls at me, but I shake my head.
“My driveway, my responsibility, Zack.”
“You’re the most stubborn woman I’ve ever met.”
I smile widely and we continue to shovel in silence, working until it’s all clear and my car will have a fighting chance of making it out of the driveway.
“Okay, let’s go.”
I pass him the keys when he holds his hand out, unwilling to fight the issue, and settle into the passenger seat as he maneuvers us out of my drive and onto the street.
“Jesus, you drove this yesterday?”
“I drive this every day.”
He swears under his breath and carefully drives the fifteen miles or so to the next town over.
“What kind of car do you want?” he asks.
“I think a Ford.”
“Okay.” He nods and pulls into a Ford dealer, just off the highway.
Zack and I wander among the Ford SUVs until a salesman wanders out to ask us what we’re looking for.
“She needs something with all-wheel drive,” Zack begins before I can even open my mouth. “I’d rather she drive a V-8, but I know she’s going to want something that gets better gas mileage than that, so a V-6 is fine.”
The salesman nods and points to an Explorer.
“Wait,” I interrupt. “I do want those things, but I also want heated seats and a moonroof.”
Zack frowns down at me.
“And satellite radio,” I add.
“Seriously?”
“Absolutely, I have to have my tunes.”
“You don’t need those things, Jill. You need an independent front and rear suspension.”
“I need GPS.”
“You need antilock brakes.”
“They all have antilock brakes.” I roll my eyes at him and his lips twitch but he keeps that stern look on his face.
God, I want to kiss him.
“How long have you two been together?” the salesman asks with a chuckle and Zack and I both freeze.
“Oh, we’re not together,” I rush to assure him. “We’re just friends.”
Zack doesn’t say anything at all, his jaw just ticks when he clenches it shut, and the salesman just shrugs and chuckles.
“Okay then. Sounds like the Edge might be a good fit for you.”
“Do you have red? That’s one of my must-haves.”
Zack mutters about women and their priorities as we’re shown to a beautiful red Edge that has all of my wants and Zack’s requirements.
I sit in the driver’s seat and sigh in contentment.
“I’ll take it.”
Zack shoots me a scowl. “Can we have a moment, please?”
“Sure, take your time.” The salesman leaves us be, sitting in the warm vehicle. I push the button for the seat warmer and grin when I feel my ass begin to warm up.
“My ass is warm.”
“It’s going to be when I put you over my knee and spank your ass.”
I gape at him and then laugh, holding the steering wheel in a death grip.
Just the thought of it has me squirming.
“What did I do wrong now?”
“ ‘I’ll take it’?” He rubs his fingers over his mouth and I can’t help but watch the motion.
“I want this car.”
“He’s a salesman, Jill. Jesus, play a little hard to get.”
And just like that my heart freezes.
“Thanks for reminding me that that’s not my strong suit.” My voice is hard and I hate that I can feel heat on my cheeks from embarrassment. “I’ll take it doesn’t mean he’ll get the price he’s asking for. I’m also a salesperson.”