Hello Temptation (Hello, #3)

by Kelsie Hoss

But he reached out, touching my hand to stop me. Just that simple touch sent a jolt of electricity up my arm. His eyes were warm on mine as he said, “If you ever get in trouble like that again, you can call me.” I was about to tell him I had it handled, but he added, “Can I have your phone?” “Why?” I asked, completely confused. “So you can call me next time you’re stopped on the side of the road.” My heart quickened. This was a fantasy—someone like Tyler demanding he cared for me.

Chuckling, I said, “I like the emoji.” He winked. “Just in case there are any other Tylers in your life.” “You're the only one,” I said without thinking, and at the dimming in his eyes, I was worried I said too much.

As I pulled onto the highway, I could not get the image of Henrietta bent in front of her car out of my mind. How the fuck had no one stopped to help her? Where I was from, if you saw a lady on the side of the road, you stopped. You helped. You made sure she didn’t get so much as a finger dirty.

Someone honked at me, and I realized I’d almost drifted into the next lane. Fuck, I needed to focus. My hardening cock was already aching against my jeans, for a colleague I’d barely met. I shifted to give myself some relief and did my best to focus on the road and the job at hand.

“Are you liking it out there?” My mind drifted to my new colleague, the one who had occupied far too many of my thoughts as of late. “That's a smile I see on your face. Did you meet someone?” I swore my mom could read minds. I didn't want to answer, but my hesitation was all she needed to let out a joyous squeal. “Do you hear that, Liv? Tyler met someone out there!”

“So when do we get to meet her?” Mom asked. “I don’t date girls when I’m on location,” I reminded her, “especially not ones I work with.” “You work with her!” Rhett said in the background. “You dirty dog.” I rolled my eyes. “I do. And even if I didn’t, I don't think she's the kind who would move back to Texas with me, and there’s no way I’d fit in out here. There was a girl on the side of the road this morning changing her tire, and no one even stopped to offer her help.”

“Remember to book your flights for Thanksgiving before prices go up on them.” “Already have one booked,” I said. I didn’t tell her that Gage had used his extra miles to get it for me. She smiled. “Good. And hey, maybe buy an extra ticket for that girl.” Mom could dream. Because that’s where thoughts like that belonged.

Confession: I’ve gone so long without a relationship that sometimes I have a hard time believing anyone would want to date me.

Ever since he'd rescued me at La Belle, then helped me change my tire the day before, I couldn’t stop thinking about him. The way his muscles had worked under his shirt as he made quick work of the job. The way he'd so easily stepped in to help without worrying about how it inconvenienced him. And most of all, the way he put his number in my phone. I pulled it up every few hours the last couple of days, just looking at the numbers, memorizing them, wondering if I would ever get the courage to do something with them.

“It wasn’t anything special, Dad. I’d be more impressed by a...” “A what?” Dad asked. I realized I’d been about to say “a truck.” More specifically, a truck like the one Tyler drove. I’d only ridden in it once, but I liked the way it sat high off the ground and I could feel the power of the engine as we drove. But Tyler was off limits, and I had a perfectly decent guy coming to pick me up tomorrow night.

“I have a date tonight,” she said. I looked up, finding her standing against the printer table. She nibbled on the side of her full bottom lip, and my eyes drifted from there to her wide brown eyes. “Yeah?” My voice sounded rough, even to me. She nodded. “Another one of my grandma’s setups.” That fact made breathing only slightly easier. “Ah.” “Yep. But he seemed nice enough.” Even I knew she deserved more than “nice enough.” But if I wasn’t willing or able to give it to her, what more was there to say? “I hope you have a good time.” Lies. Right through my clenched teeth.

Houston didn’t seem to notice as we got to the car. He didn't open the door for me, which I realized I've been coming to expect after only a week with Tyler. And we weren't even dating.

Houston wasn’t nervous at all. He was playing footsie with me. And that made me even more nervous. I thought footsie was something that only happened in movies. Yet, here I was, on a first date, with Houston’s ankle rubbing against my leg. Was this supposed to be hot? Because I didn’t feel turned on. In fact, I felt... his ankle on my leg. Just like the way he kissed my hand yesterday, there was no spark. No excitement like there had been when Tyler gripped my hand on the table. Oh god. Did I have a complex? Was I only attracted to unavailable men?

Did he really think I was going to be some cheap date? That he could buy me some flowers and hook up with me in a seedy bar? I wanted to go home, but I didn't have my car, and the odds of him giving me a ride to anywhere but his bedroom were nonexistent. “I have to pee,” I blurted. He chuckled low. “Eager for me to join you in the bathroom?” The greedy way he studied me made me want to puke.

“Let’s dance,” I rushed out. “You—I mean, we were having so much fun doing that.” I just had to suffer through, what, five songs? I could do anything for five songs. “Anything for my sexy girl.” Barf. He led me to the dance floor, his hands resting even lower on my butt, and began grinding his hips into me. My eyes widened in shock, because I could feel him growing hard. “Do you feel that, baby?” he said. “You turn me on so much.”

I closed my eyes, wishing I could be anywhere but here when I felt his body pull away from me. I snapped my gaze up, wondering why he would give me space for the first time all night. And then I saw him. Tyler. He had Houston pushed up against a wall, his hands clenched into Houston’s silvery shirt. Even though Houston outweighed Tyler by at least fifty pounds, he cowered away from him. Tyler jerked his hands and growled, “If you touch her again, you'll die.” Terror was clear in Houston’s eyes as he held up his hands and said, “I don't want her anyway.” Tyler shook his head, a vein in his neck throbbing. “Get the hell out of here.”

The sight of that bastard with his hands all over her—I could have fucking killed him. It took all I had to let him leave the bar, sprinting away like the worthless son of a bitch he was.

I palmed her shoulders, taking an inventory of her face, her eyes. “Are you okay?” I asked, terrified she’d been hurt in some way before I got here. She nodded slowly, as if she wasn't quite sure. “How did you know to come?” Had he drugged her? I searched her eyes, but they seemed clear, as usual. “You texted me.” She shook her head. “I—I meant to text my friends for a ride.” She left me, going to her purse at the table and looking through her phone. A stricken look crossed her face. “God, Tyler I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to ruin your evening.” Ruin my evening? She’d been assaulted and she was worried about my Friday night? “Do you remember what I said earlier? If you ever need anything, that means a tire change, a rescue driver, a fucking pack of gum, you call me, okay?”

Without thinking, I took her in my arms, holding her as she shook with tears or adrenaline or maybe a mixture of both. I didn't know. I just knew that I wanted to keep her close. Keep her safe. She deserved so much better than this.

The fact that she was thinking about everyone else at a time like this just showed how selfless she really was. I got pissed all over again at this guy who hadn’t seen what he had right in front of him.

I walked her to my truck, keeping my arm around her shoulders to make me feel better about her safety. At least that’s what I told myself. Not that it felt good to have her tucked under my arm, her warmth against my side. I opened the door for her and held her hand as she got inside. Once she was securely in, I grabbed the belt and reached around her to buckle her in. She started to protest, but I paused. “Let me have this,” I breathed. “I need to know you’re safe.” She nodded. The belt latched in place, and I let my hands linger for a second. Fuck, seeing her like that, shoving that guy away and the laugh on that sick fuck’s face... it had broken something in me.

“You must think I'm pathetic.” “Why would I think that?” I asked, genuinely confused. I thought a lot of things about this girl—more than I should—and none of them included the word pathetic. “You're always rescuing me.” “What’s pathetic is how much I want to,” I admitted.

grinned. “How old do you think I am?” She pretended to think on it. “Fifty?” I rolled my eyes. “Minus twenty.”

He was talking to another employee in a green shirt but paused when he saw us, giving Hen a warm smile and me a calculating look. Henrietta was definitely well-loved and protected, when her friends were around.

Henrietta explained, “Blind date gone wrong. Tyler kind of saved the day.” Cohen seemed to loosen up a little at that. “Let’s turn your night around.” Hen smiled. “Thanks, Cohen.”

“Hen’s been a lifesaver, showing me the ropes around the office and helping me get settled in.” “How long are you here for?” “Nine months,” I answered. “Must suck being on the road all the time,” he said. “The guys and I play poker on Thursday nights if you need some people to hang out with.” The thought of a regular poker night made me happier than I wanted to let on. Because guys just didn’t do giddy. But I did smile. “That sounds great.”

A country song came on before she answered, and I said, “Looks like it's time to learn.” She looked at me in surprise. “Oh, you don't have to do that. I’d hate to crush your toes.” I’d grown up on a farm dealing with thousand-pound animals and this dime piece thought I couldn't handle her size? “Nonsense,” I said.

So I settled my hand just where her hip met the curve of her waist and began talking her through the moves. “Slow, slow, quick, quick. Slow, slow, quick, quick.” Despite her talk of two left feet, she was already catching on. “You’re doing great,” I said honestly. Still focusing on her feet, as if she could will them into submission, she said, “I just needed someone good to lead.” Good thing she couldn’t see my dopey fucking grin.

“You’re a natural,” I replied, loving the way her body felt pressed to mine. Her hand in mine, her flesh under my other hand, moving to the music... it was almost like the song had been made just for us. For this moment. A new song started, and she smiled up at me. “Thank you for teaching me, but I think I could use some more practice.” I grinned at her, more than willing to help.

“Thank you for coming to the rescue,” I managed, reaching for my seat belt. “I only wish you wouldn’t have to do that so often.” I peeked up to see his response, and he wore a smile on his lips, his eyes taking me in. “What if I said I enjoyed it?” “Then that would make one of us. I mean, the damsel-in-distress part. I actually had fun tonight at Collie’s.” “Actually?” he said, feigning offense. I playfully narrowed my eyes, unable to hide my smile. “I had fun. And maybe I enjoyed all the jealous looks I was getting too. Everyone wished they would have been on your arm.” He covered his chest with his hand. “Henrietta. Cohen is a married man.”

I adored this playful side of him. Which was dangerous. Adoration was nothing I should be feeling for a coworker. Especially when it could cost me my job. But with Tyler? I couldn’t help it. He had this aura of joy around him, and I wanted to bask in the glow.

I reached for the door handle to get out, but he said, “Wait.” I gave him a curious look, and he added, “Let me get that for you.” “That’s not necessary. It’s not like you were my date.” Although Houston certainly wouldn’t have opened the door for me. The quiet before his response unsettled me, but then he said, “I want...

I allowed myself a moment to watch him, the way his arms pulled around his muscles. The strong profile of his face. The contrast of his dark brown hair to his tanned white skin. But then my door was opening, and he was waiting with one arm up, showing a tattoo on the inside of his bicep. He followed my gaze to the black ink swirling around his muscular arm.

I slipped my hand into his, my heart speeding just as it had when we’d danced before. But now there was no loud music, no other couples to distract me from the heady rush of this man in front of me. Only the pale glow of the streetlights and the soft summer breeze caressing my skin.

“What would a gentleman do on a date now?” His eyes looked golden in our porch light as he reached for my hands. He held both of them in his, gently pressing my fingertips with his thumbs. “On a proper date, he’d tell you what a great time he had.” The breeze picked up, circling our porch and freeing a strand of hair from behind my ear. He reached up and gently pressed it back. Between the wind and his touch and the look in his eyes, my breath was gone. His voice was honey, just as sweet as his words. “This is when a regular guy would lean in and kiss you goodnight.” Involuntarily, I swallowed, flicking my gaze to his lips. “But you don’t want a regular guy,” he finished.

Because right now, nothing sounded better than a kiss goodnight from Tyler Griffen.

“You deserve a hero. Someone who would take care of you, even though you’re capable of caring for yourself.” My lips parted. Was he saying... “A hero would lean in, kiss your forehead, and walk away, because, ...

Tyler stepped closer, pressing his lips to my forehead, and with one final sweep of his eyes over m...

Feeling eyes on me, I looked over my shoulder, seeing Tyler smiling at me—me—before he opened his pickup door and got inside. Unsure my heart could take any more, I let myself in and leaned back against the door, smiling wider than I ever had and feeling tears burn my eyes. Every feeling. Hope. Worry. Longing. Despair. I felt them all as his engine fired up and then faded away.

I wondered what Tyler saw when he looked at me. The small mole on my cheek? The fullness of my lips? The perfect shape of my waxed eyebrows (the one splurge I regularly allowed myself.) Or did he notice my broad shoulders? My full hips or the extra flesh on my stomach? The line of questioning was driving me nuts, because I had to know what he had seen that no other guy had noticed.

“A partner, a true partner, can change everything. They’ll bring out the best in you, force you to acknowledge your weak spots, help you grow faster than you ever could on your own. I’d hate for you to miss out on that because you don’t think you deserve it.”

“Did your friend say something that upset you? You were on the porch for a long time with her...” “Him,” I corrected, and the light of hope in her eyes made me instantly regret it. “Him?” “He’s a colleague, Grandma. From Texas. Nothing can happen.” “So he’s from out of town and has no one to keep him company other than a pretty thing like you?” Her sly smile was back. “He must be lonely then. Invite him over for Kenner’s birthday next Saturday. “I don’t think—” “It’s the least we can do to thank him for taking such good care of you,”

“I can’t wait to meet...” “Tyler,” I supplied. “Tyler next Saturday,” she finished. “Goodnight, darling.” “Goodnight.”

No matter how many times I bench-pressed, squatted, or pulled myself up on the bar, I could still see that asshole pressed up against Henrietta. Still feel the soft skin of her forehead underneath my lips.

As if I could forget my own personal rule or the situation we were in. I knew better than to start something I couldn’t finish. Yet here I was, ready to break my rule just a couple of weeks into this assignment. I needed a kick in the ass. I needed to talk to my older brother.

“I met a girl.” His lips curled into a smile. “Considering they make up fifty-one percent of the population, it was bound to happen at some point.” I hadn’t expected to laugh, but I did. “They’re not like this one.” The lift of his eyebrows told me he was listening. “She’s smart and funny, driven, selfless, loves her family and friends, has a smile that makes you forget how to breathe, and her curves...” I closed my eyes. “She’s the total package, Gage. But she works for the company we’re building for... I can’t date her. I can’t.”

“You’ve never dated women on the job, which I’ve respected. Makes sense not to rile things up, especially when you’re looking for a promotion... Are there any rules against it?” I shook my head. Waited for him to throw me a raft. “Honestly, Ty?” I nodded. “I don’t see the problem.” My jaw clenched. “Don’t see the problem? She’s from California; I’m from Texas.” “People move all the time.” “Not her. She’s saving for her own house.” “And I have so many miles you know you could fly her back and forth every day if you wanted to.” Gritting my teeth, I said, “How’s that supposed to work with a family? With children?” “You’re already planning for children with her? How serious is it?”

But you can’t read the future. No one can. Say you go on a couple dates with this girl and it fizzles. That’s better than sitting around, beating yourself up over a fictional breakup that may or may not ever happen.” Okay, so maybe he had given me a kick in the pants, but not the kind I had expected. “What if we don't break up?” I asked. “I can't ask her to move to Texas, and I can't move here.” Gage shook his head. “It sounds like you're asking the wrong question.” “What do you mean?” I asked. He laughed softly, his eyes turning down. “I think the question is, ‘How could I miss out on a girl like that?’”

Confession: I can’t stop thinking about him.

On my drive to the construction site, I may or may not have fantasized about Tyler standing at the end of the aisle, looking incredible in a black and white suit. He was a classic kind of guy—he wouldn't wear any other color. He'd smile at me as I walked down the aisle, wipe a tear away from his face as I got close. But as I neared the construction zone, I realized I’d just indulged myself in the adult equivalent of writing Mrs. Tyler Griffen on my notebook. So I shook all thoughts of marriage and babies from my mind and pulled up next to Tyler’s truck.