First Touch

The first time I laid eyes on Rachel I knew she was trouble.

At first touch, she manages to sneak her way past my defenses and steals my heart. There’s no way I’m letting a woman have control of me so I decide to fight these emotions. Avoid her and I’ll get back to normal. Right?

It’s all easier said than done. Rachel’s brother is one of my best friends and he gives her a job at our auto shop. Now, I’m tortured by my greatest temptation every time I turn around.

After giving into temptation, my defenses begin to crumble. Every day, I get closer to giving into my desires for her. When the instinct to protect my heart takes over, I use my anger to push her away. Walking away from Rachel is the biggest mistake I’ve ever made.

By the time I see the error of my ways, Rachel refuses to give me a chance to make things right. Giving up isn’t an option. Now, that I’ve made up my mind to win my girl, I won’t let anything stand in my way.

The fucking dog looks up at me, and I swear there’s an evil glimmer in her dark eyes. She might have Slater fooled, but this animal is pure evil. I took her out for a walk in the field behind the shop less than fifteen minutes ago, and she turned her dainty little canine nose up at the grass as she sat on the edge and looked bored. The minute I bring her furry ass back into the shop, she squats and pisses on the spotless black and white checkered tile. “Duchess, I swear I’m going to leave you at the shelter. Slater is going to come home and find himself fucking dog-less.”
Brock snickers behind me, and I turn to glare at the fucker. My fucking cousin raises his hands in the air in surrender as he backs away. “You’re the one who volunteered to watch her while lover boy ran off with his new love for the weekend.” Brock knows that’s not how it really happened. Our third partner, Slater, recently inherited the pain in the ass spoiled Pekingese dog from an aunt he didn’t even know existed. He tried to drop Duchess off at the shelter but ended up meeting a girl, the stupid fucker. I’m not sure what I find more ridiculous, him letting Elyse talk him into keeping the dog or him falling for Elyse at first sight. Both are plain dumb, in my opinion. And I’m the stupid idiot who gets stuck dog-sitting the pain in the ass, prissy, furball while Slater gets his dick wet. Damn, can this day get any worse?
The bells over the door jingle, and my heart drops when I turn and see her. I’m sure she’s not an inch over five feet, but there’s a lot of beauty packed in the little package. Her light blonde hair hangs limply past her shoulders, and the dark shadows around her tired green eyes nearly swallow her heart-shaped face, yet she’s the most gorgeous woman I’ve ever seen in my life. As I warn myself to ignore the tightness in my chest, something happens to me that I have no control over. I don’t recognize my voice when I croak, “What do you need?”
Brock’s eyebrows shoot up at my tone as he scoots around the counter with his hand stretched out. “I’m Brock. How can we help you?” He looks over his shoulder and glares at my rudeness.
The stunning blonde smiles weakly and places her tiny hand in his. As the urge to rip Brock’s hand away races through me, I shake my head, trying to get control. Without conscious thought, I push Brock aside and slip my hand into hers. Electricity flows through my body the first time our hands touch, and then her sweet magnolia scent reaches my nose. What the fuck? “Hi, my name is Rachel Marsh. I’m Slater’s stepsister. Is he here?”
Who the hell is this girl? I know Slater doesn’t have a sister, and I snap, “Look, I told you when you called earlier, I don’t know what you’re trying to pull, but we aren’t falling for it.”
Brock shoves me out of the way and places his hand on her back, causing my rage to intensify. I’m not sure why these feelings are making me insane, but I’m about to lose my mind over him touching this girl.
He smiles down at her. “Why don’t we go into my office and discuss this?”
I open my mouth to argue as they walk by, but Brock narrows his eyes and mouths, “Shut the fuck up.”
After calling Dennis in from the shop so he can man the front desk and watch the asshole dog, I rush into Brock’s office to keep him from falling for some bullshit story. I catch the tail end of her explanation. “Here’s a picture of me with Slater from several years ago. His mom was married to my dad.” Now that I think back, I remember Slater telling me about his mom. She died when Slater was in high school, and I think he did mention she was married to Roger Marsh. Fuck, this girl might be telling the truth.
“Why are you here?” They both turn to look at me, and I glare at Brock, daring him to argue with me.