Chapter 5: Truck Trouble

"Yeah. My truck won't start. My brother can't come and give me a jump for an hour."

Sally pondered the possibilities. There was enough food for both of them. She couldn't just let him sit in his truck while she ate. Pushing the door open farther, she motioned him inside. "Come in. I'll feed you dinner while you wait."

He put up his hands, not moving from the doorstep. "You don't have to do that."

She eyed him. He looked tired and a big guy like that was probably hungry. "Yeah, I do. I'd feel guilty if I did any less. I have plenty. I don't know how to cook for one."

She didn't. She'd cooked for her family for years. Soon she'd be cooking for guests. More than just herself. She ate leftovers more nights than not because she always made so much.

He cocked his head, a lock of hair falling across his forehead. He had those forearms that spoke of hard work. As if they'd been sculpted from marble. "You sure I'm not putting you out?"

He stood on the doorstep. He was adorable in his shyness. Not that he didn't have a presence. This boy did. Ahem, man. He was all man.

She stepped aside to let him in. "Please come in. You can tell me if my recipe is good or not."

He nodded. "Is there any way I can take a shower? I really don't smell good and wouldn't want to stink up your kitchen."

"There's a bathroom at the top of the steps. It has towels, shampoo, and soap."

He smiled. The grin lit up his face and she wanted to kiss him. Damn. He was hot and sexy and a whole lot of man.

"Thank you."

He disappeared up the steps and Sally was left to think about him naked and soapy in her shower. She stirred her soup. It was a hardy winter soup. A little early for it, but the nights were turning cooler each week.

She wondered if Sebastian would have just stayed out in his truck if she hadn't invited him to dinner. She shrugged. She'd done the right thing.

Going back to the kitchen, she hummed. The shower ran then turned off. That was a short shower for such a big guy. She didn't care. She had a well, so she didn't pay for water. Just the electricity to pump it, and if she did well, she'd put solar panels on the roof to cut down on that cost.

Her five year plan for sure. Not right now. Today her goal was to get this place into shape and get it open. Sebastian was going to have a lot of work in the next three months. She'd be seeing a lot of him.

Was that a good thing or not? She was already picturing him naked in the shower.

"That smells great," he said from the door. She jumped.

His hair was wet and the curls hung almost to his shoulders. Shit. He was hot. Too bad she'd sworn off men. She'd bet those hands were pretty good at many things.

"Have a seat. It's ready. Can I get you a beer?"

He nodded then sat at her kitchen table. The room felt small with him in it. Her mouth dried because she was hyperaware of him. He smelled of the soap in the shower, but also of man. A great scent for sure.

He could be a roll in the hay. Just a night of fun. Could she do that? She'd spent her whole life doing for others. She should do something just for herself.

She poured his soup into a bowl, then put the beer and the food in front of him.

"Thank you."

His dark eyes seemed to look into her soul. She was sunk. This man was too sexy and she knew she was going to sleep with him. She wouldn't regret the sex. She'd regret it if he refused to work for her anymore.

What a dilemma.

***

The food smelled amazing and so did she. Sebastian wanted to shove everything off the table and take her now. That would not be the right thing to do. He'd lose the job. He'd lose her and that would mean he'd spend the rest of his days alone.

Oh, he'd have plenty of physical partners, but no one to love. Did he need love? No, but his body wanted Sally that was for sure. He waited until she sat with her bowl before he dug in. Damn. This was good soup. He cooked but not like this.

"Is it okay?"

He realized she'd been staring at him. He wiped his mouth with his napkin. "Yes, ma'am."

"Please don't call me that. I'm Sally."

"Yes, Sally. My brothers and I can cook, but not as well as you."

It was a hearty soup. A lot of stuff in it and he thought the broth was both chicken and tomato-based.

"There is more than one of you?"

Her head was cocked to one side. She blinked. It does say Three Behrs on his truck. He chose not to point that out. "Yes. I have two younger brothers."

"What do they do?"

"One is an electrician and the other is a plumber."

"Hence the name of your company. Three Behrs Construction."

He doubted that she really got it. She would eventually if he had his way. All of his secrets would be revealed, but that was getting ahead of himself. "Yes. Three brothers."

"So one of you is just right."

She took a spoonful of her soup, but she was staring at him with a come-hither look on her face. Was she coming onto him? He never understood women, but he'd never had to. Growing up in the woods, he didn't encounter them too often. She was looking at him as if she could take a bite of him.

Hm. "I guess so."

He didn't know what to say to that. She smiled, but it looked almost predatory. She was a beautiful woman. Hot body. Nice rack. Did she really want him? Could it be that easy?

His phone dinged. He pulled it out of his pocket. "My brother says he can't get here until tomorrow."

She laughed. "I might have a bed for you."

He hoped she did. He hoped it was her bed. That would be just right.

"I'm sorry to impose," Sebastian said. He hadn't planned this. Fate stepped in and made it so.

"Trust me, you won't be imposing," she said.

"No?"

"No. I'm exacting a price."

"Oh?" This might be good. "What is it?"

"One night in my bed. No strings, no promises." She stared at him, unblinking.

He swallowed. Every man's dream. He hoped in that night that he could get her to fall in love with him. Because he was pretty sure that she was his mate. He only had one and if she didn't fall in love with him then he'd be alone for the rest of his life.

That would not be just right.