Redhead Blitz Page 5
“Uh, oh.” Heidi gave her an all-too-knowing stare. “I know that look. How’s abstinence going?”
“It’s hell and would be a waste of breath to even talk about.” She and Heidi had been through some tough times, so she knew her friend wouldn’t be offended. “So,” her gaze scanned the garage, “where’s this cream puff of a deal?” Heidi and Rafe had been looking for an inexpensive used car to replace her junker.
“In here.” Heidi turned toward the office.
“Huh?” Gigi followed.
“Rafe found it on line.”
Heidi opened the door and her husband rose from the desk chair.
“Hey, baby.” He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her on the tip of her pixyish nose. Then Heidi rested her cheek against his chest, her head tucked under his chin.
“Oh, hi, Gigi.”
She understood that Rafe’s greeting wasn’t an afterthought, but it was clearly lower on his list of priorities than physical contact with his new bride. Gigi grinned, remembering how difficult it had been for the man to admit he was in love with Heidi.
“Hi, Rafe. Heidi tells me you found something for me?” The pitiful amount in her savings didn’t give her too much hope but, then again, she didn’t know anything about shopping for a car on-line. “It had better be cheap.”
“We can always loan you the money,” he said.
Heidi knew better than to offer, but she must not have mentioned Gigi’s feelings on the subject to Rafe.
Her friend smiled up at her new husband. “You’re a sweetie, but Gigi would rather dip all her shoes in used motor oil than take our money.” Heidi kissed Rafe’s chin and then pushed him back into the chair.
“Just as stubborn as you, huh? Maybe that’s why you’re such good friends.”
Heidi winked at Gigi and kissed Rafe’s temple.
“Why don’t you pull up the car and show her.”
Rafe tapped the keyboard and motioned Gigi closer.
“Here it is. It was part of a rental fleet.”
Gigi looked at the nondescript sedan and stifled a yawn. At least it wasn’t bright yellow. “Aren’t rentals driven pretty hard?”
“Possibly. You’ll never know for sure about the driving, but that’s true with most used cars, too. The service record is here, though. If you bought a used car from a private owner, it probably wouldn’t have been serviced as frequently as this car has.” Rafe pointed out specific details of the listing.
“And it’s only got thirty-eight thousand miles on it,” Heidi added from behind them both.
The sticker was a bit higher than Gigi had hoped, but both Rafe and Heidi assured her it was priced to sell.
“And you can finance through the dealership,” Heidi said.
“But I can’t buy a car I’ve never seen.”
“Of course not. Rafe and I will go with you. We’ll drive it and check it out. If you’re satisfied and we think it’s in good mechanical condition, then you can decide.”
“Where is it?” Gigi didn’t recognize the name of the dealership.
“An eastern suburb of Cincinnati. We could lock up and go now if you’d like.” Rafe swiveled the office chair and waited for her reply.
Gigi hated to give up her evening, but she needed a reliable car. And her friends had been generous to do all this research. The least she could do was check it out.
“Okay, and the drive-thru burgers are on me.” If she bought this car, dinner had better be off a dollar menu.
Chapter Eight
Al flipped his battered cell phone closed and paused in the school hallway, facing Sean. “What’s happening with Butch? Is he going to make grades this week?”
Sean checked his watch. “He’s taking an algebra quiz right now. The school’s online grade reporting is really helping me to stay up to the minute.”
Al’s brow furrowed. “You didn’t answer my question.”
Christ man, I was getting there. “I worked with him last night and he did pretty well. I’ll know for sure by four o’clock, but I’m hoping he might be good to play this week.”
Al flipped his phone open and hit a button. “I hope you’re right,” he grumbled, then put the phone to his ear and headed toward the door to the parking lot.
Sean shook his head in disgust, not knowing what he’d done to deserve Al’s bitterness. No, “Thanks for helping him with his school work; you’re going above and beyond and doing one helluva job, Sean.” What did he have to do to gain the guy’s respect? Win the frickin’ Super Bowl?
Fuck it. He hunched the strap of his bag up his shoulder and headed to the athletic office to retrieve his mail.
“No, I’m not coming back to work for you.”
Gigi faced the far wall and Sean couldn’t help but overhear her side of the phone conversation. Should he clear his throat to let her know she wasn’t alone? He pulled the few items out of his box, still deciding, as she responded to the caller.
“How many times do I have to tell you I’m not interested?”
She listened for a moment before adding, “Don’t you dare do anything to mess this up for me.”
Sean turned her direction, frowning. Was she talking to an old boyfriend? Why would anyone want to cause problems for her? Well, whoever she was speaking with, it sounded as if they had an antagonistic relationship.
“You’re wrong.” She’d lowered the volume of her voice but kept its intensity. “And speaking of work, I have some to do. Goodbye.” She pressed the receiver gently into the cradle.
Sean wanted to alert her to his presence before he startled her.
“Is this a bad time?”
She swiveled in her chair, her expression one of surprise. Her cheeks were flushed and he could see her eyes glistening. Instinctively, he went from curious to furious. He wanted to pound the SOB. Sean rounded her desk and was about to kneel in front of her when she popped up from her chair. She yanked a tissue from the box on her desk, turned away and dabbed at her eyes.
“What’s wrong? How I can help you?” He would have asked who she wanted him to pulverize, be he didn’t want to let on about how much he’d overheard.
“No, it’s just my stupid allergies. Everything’s fine.” She tossed the tissue in the trash, met his gaze and attempted a smile. It was weak by normal Gigi standards.
“I don’t believe that. Someone has upset you.” He grasped her upper arms and searched the depths of her glistening green eyes. Although his protective nature had engaged, he had the good sense to drop his hands and step back.
“I won’t push, but I’m always available if you need someone to listen.”
“I’m fine, really. Thanks.” Her shoulders visibly relaxed. “Is there something I can help you with?” Obviously she didn’t want to discuss the call. At least her voice sounded steadier.
“I wanted to say thanks for the body shop referrals. I found them on my desk this morning. It’s not—” Sean was interrupted by the fifth period tardy bell.
“My friend Heidi gave them to me,” Gigi said after the blaring ended. “I think you know her.”
The only Heidi he knew was Heidi Rafferty. Gigi was friends with her? He’d assumed Gigi lived here in Newtown, but Heidi and Rafe lived in Greenville.
“Heidi Rafferty? Yeah, I’ve met her a of couple of times at the garage. Do you live in Greenville?” Gigi’s coloring was returning to normal. The small-talk seemed to be taking her mind off her upsetting phone conversation.
“My apartment is above Reggie’s Flowers and Gifts. Heidi mentioned that you live in Greenville, too.”
The flower shop was probably two minutes from his house. He couldn’t believe he’d never seen her around town.
“Yeah. I just moved there in June. Too bad we can’t car pool to work, but I have to stay late for practice.”
She laughed. “But I’ll be glad to give you a ride when you have to take your car in to be repaired.”
“Well, actually I wanted to talk to you about that.”
“Don’t worry,” he assured her. “I just wanted to say you don’t need to worry about paying for repairs.”
“Oh, Sean, I can’t let you pay for the damage. I can submit an insurance claim if it’s an expensive repair.”
Her fingers felt chilled and he squeezed them gently.
“There’s no need for any repairs. You obviously tried to be careful because there was no indentation. The yellow paint buffed off with a little elbow grease and wax.”
He’d barely gotten the words out before Gigi threw her arms around him.
“Oh, thank you, thank you.”
As she hugged him, Sean could feel the tension leaving her body, although tension of a different sort swelled within him. Did she know how much he enjoyed the feel of her breasts pressed against his chest?
“I’m so relieved. You see, my clunker finally bit the dust, and I had to buy another car last night.”
As she continued to hug him, Sean let his hands rest lightly on the small of her back. He had to remind himself that letting them slide down to squeeze her ass was a definite no-no.
“This is the absolute best news. Thank you so much.”
With her body melting against his, that familiar, unappeasable ache settled heavy in his groin. Blood pounded in his ears, and his self-control flashed and burned like flames set to drought-ravaged woodlands. Why he’d been fighting this overpowering attraction to Gigi, he couldn’t recall. Holding her felt so right. So...essential.
All other thought fizzled as he bent and buried his face in her fiery hair.
Chapter Nine
Gooseflesh spread in a wave down Gigi’s body as Sean’s breath warmed her neck. Shivers rippled along her arms, and her heartbeat danced a riotous rhythm inside her chest. Instinct had her tilting her head just enough to offer him fuller access to the side of her neck. As his lips met her skin, dizzying ecstasy forced the breath from her lungs. She wanted more. More.
Moist kisses singed a hot trail down to her squared neckline, from ear to collar bone to throat. Gigi had enjoyed a man’s heat before, but no man had ever had her poised so close to total surrender with a few simple kisses.
Fear at that realization shot through her veins, and she pushed him away in self-preservation. Her chest heaved as if she’d run ten miles, and her thudding heart threatened to burst.
“What?” Sean sputtered and blinked in confusion, which tore at her conscience.
Very good question. One moment she’s plastered against him issuing silent invitations then suddenly she’s shoving him away. “We can’t do this.” A building-wide announcement over the P.A. system saved her from further explanation.
Sean spun to look at the clock, running both hands through his hair. He bent slightly, head bowed with his hands resting on his knees. His arousal had been as obvious as hers, and Gigi felt lower than her current bank balance for sending him mixed signals.
After a few moments he straightened. The regret in his expression was unmistakable. “You’re right and I apologize,” he said. “I was totally out of line. If you file a grievance, I’ll understand.”
Shock slammed into her with unexpected force.
“No, Sean. I would never do that.” She wanted to touch him, to set him at ease, but now she knew the danger of any physical connection between them.
He grabbed his things from where he’d set them on the corner of her desk and met her gaze as he backed away.
“You have my word, that won’t happen again.”
His words were meant to reassure, but instead they left Gigi feeling as if she’d thrown away a generous slice of happiness.
“Sean, I’m glad I caught you.” In the dim light of the parking lot, L.R. power-walked toward him with enough determination to scare a hired thug.
His gut clenched and his grip tightened on the edge of the car’s open door. Had Gigi changed her mind and complained to the school principal about his sexual advances?
“Are you headed home?”
He relaxed at her non-confrontational tone and tried to gather his wits. Gigi had said she wasn’t going to file a grievance, and he’d believed her. He was just so exhausted he wasn’t thinking straight. This evening’s practice had been productive, and Butch was doing better thanks to their hard work, but he was physically wiped.
“Yes. Is there something I can do for you?” He hoped it wouldn’t involve staying even later.
“As a matter of fact, there is. I was supposed to meet with Tony Walters and Al’s new assistant, Gigi, at Lucielle’s Pies to finalize the fundraiser details. I’m not going to make it and wondered if you could drop this folder off for me?”
He passed the pie and coffee shop on his way home, so it wouldn’t take him out of his way. But Sean felt irritation for Gigi’s sake. She’d either had to hang around half the evening or had driven back to town from Greenville. The evening meeting time must have been made to accommodate Mr. Walter’s schedule.
“No problem.” He took the expandable folder and set it on top of his bag on the passenger seat.
“Give them my sincere regrets. I’m still dealing with the aftermath of last night’s vandals.”
Someone had spray-painted expletives on the school’s brick exterior. Not exactly original. L.R. rolled her eyes and waved as she headed back to the building. Sean was thankful he wasn’t an administrator. Too many unpleasant duties fell into their hands.
Driving to Lucielle’s took him only a few minutes in the light after-dinner traffic. Sean parked near the door and cut his headlights, immediately spotting Gigi at a round table next to the large front window. The shop’s track lighting reflected the burning copper highlights in her long hair. She was using her hands as she spoke with Tony Walters, and Sean resented her dazzling smile being directed at someone else.
When L.R. had asked him to drop off her folder, Sean had only thought of it as another opportunity for him to see Gigi. Now, noting Tony’s dark suit and tie, he realized she would see him as well. He should’ve at least taken time to change from his sweats and hoodie back into his street clothes.
Too late now. He snagged the folder and headed inside.
“Sean?” Gigi looked surprised as he approached their table.
He studied her expression for signs of anger or disgust at what had happened between them earlier, but saw none. “Hi. L.R. couldn’t make it and asked me to drop this off on my way home.” He handed her the folder and then directed his attention to Tony. “Sean Fitzgerald.” The two men shook hands.
Firm grip and direct eye contact. Sean respected that.
“I’ve heard a lot about you. My son, Kyle, is on the freshman team.”
“I’ve seen him run. He’s fast.” Sean had attended last Saturday’s game and been impressed with Kyle’s speed. He suspected the boy would develop into one of the school’s best running backs in the next couple of years.
Tony flashed a proud smile in Gigi’s direction, and Sean instinctively locked his jaw. “My ex-wife always used to say Kyle went right from crawling to running.”
Subtle, dude, real subtle. Sean ground his teeth behind his lips. He’d never considered himself a possessive guy when it came to women, but the thought of Mr. Suit-and-tie letting Gigi know he was unattached had Sean suppressing some pretty primitive urges.
“Thank you so much for dropping this off.” Gigi had opened the folder and spread out L.R.’s notes on the table.
“I’m sorry to take you out of your way.” She met his gaze, gifting him with a dazzling smile meant only for him.
“No problem. It’s on the way.” He gave her a little wink to make up for his scruffy appearance.
“Yeah, thanks.” Tony voice was polite, but his glare clearly communicated “hit the road.” He added, “We won’t keep you. You’re obviously just finished practice and must be in a hurry to get home.”
Gigi shifted forward on her
chair, her eyes softening. “That’s right, you probably haven’t had dinner yet.”
Her genuine concern gave him an honest-to-God warm and fuzzy feeling. It had been a long time since anyone had worried about him missing meals.
Unaware of Tony’s frown behind her, Gigi said, “Would you like to sit with us and have something to eat?”
Energized by her invitation and the chance to run interference between the two, Sean pulled out the chair to her right. He glanced at the specials written on a large chalk board mounted on the wall.
“You know, I think a big piece of banana cream pie would really hit the spot.”
Tony was going to have to swallow his disappointment, because Sean decided that his pie was going to disappear very slowly. For the next half hour, the three of them looked over L.R.’s notes and made the final decisions for the logo, colors and lettering. Gigi had already done a lot of work and with Tony’s assurance that he would make the sample items over the weekend, the athletic department fundraiser was well underway.
After Tony received a call from Kyle, he agreed to touch base with Gigi the following Monday. It was obvious the guy didn’t want to leave her with Sean, but his son was at a friend’s house waiting for a ride home. The two men shook hands as Tony left, Sean adding a little extra power to his grip. So what if he gave the guy the false impression that he and Gigi were involved?
Gigi gathered all the paperwork. “Well, I should probably head home, too.” As she opened her bag. “Oh, before I forget, would you like to sign this anniversary card for Lawrence and Maggie?” She pulled out a large greeting card with a silver twenty-five on the front.
“Since Reggie from Reggie’s Flowers is my landlord, she’ll give me a super discount on a flower arrangement. It’s informal, whoever wants to pitch in. No pressure.”