Body Work Read Online Free PDF Page A

wasn’t the kind of girl who blended into the background.
    If he was alone, he ’d wave as she walked by. Mostly they’d just look at each other, but sometimes she’d stop to talk. It was then she mentioned finding a way out, saving all the money she could. He laughed, held up his hands and said they were all he’d ever need.
    His hands had been magic even then. That was about the time he ’d begun to enter his cars in competitions. The wins were slow to come at first, but he was focused and picked his shows carefully. His reputation as a body man grew. He hadn’t yet learned enough to do the mechanics.
    When she was eighteen and he was twenty-two, he found her walking home one night, shoes in hand, skirt disheveled, and beer on her breath. It was late and the guy she’d been with had gotten carried away, she said. Then she grinned and explained how she very likely damaged his chances for offspring.
    Still made him smile in admiration.
    He brushed her hair, gave her a tissue to blow her nose, coffee to chase the beer out of her system and a shoulder to cry on. They parked by the river and watched the streaks of light as day dawned.
    Lisa leaned into him and they kissed for the first time. She was warm and tasty and fresh and sweet, sweeter than all the other girls he ’d ever kissed and there’d been plenty.
    She sighed into his mouth in a way that said she was glad he was with her and he ’d very nearly come right then and there. They ignited each other.
    Hungry, horny kids in a pickup, he had her blouse off in record time. At first sight of her pearly breasts and shell pink nipples he ’d nearly devoured her. After all, he’d waited four long years.
    If he thought he ’d been frustrated before, it was nothing compared to how he felt when Lisa pulled away. He spouted foolish, wild promises, but she didn’t give in.
    She covered her breasts and buttoned her blouse in spite of trembling fingers. “I can’t,” was all she said.
    She looked vulnerable and confused and he considered pressing her but decided to back off. They had lots of time. He thought once he proved he could take care of her she ’d relent.
    He started the truck, put it into gear and dropped her off in front of her place. Then he went home and made plans.
    God, he wanted her, for longer than one night, for a lifetime. That was too important to ruin with a quick fuck. Why else had he waited all this time to touch her? When she was ready, he’d make love to her slow and sweet and she’d see what it was all about. He’d teach her everything. As soon as she was ready.
    Within hours he saw her again, lugging a battered suitcase out of the park entrance, waving down a passing bus.
    Tyce crumpled his empty beer can and stood, told himself Lisa had got out the only way she could. Still, he’d never forget the cold contempt he’d seen in her gaze when he’d caught up to her at the bus stop. He asked her to stay, to trust that he could get them both out.
    “ Sorry,” she said. “You can’t give me what I want.” Her lip curled when she saw the grease mark he’d left on her upper arm. She was still scrubbing at it when the bus pulled away.

 
     
     
    Four
    Priming the Pump
     
    Lisa climbed into Lawrence ’s limo, legs shaking, her heart thrumming to the tune Tyce started. She didn’t think she could make it through the evening. Didn’t think she could wait to get back to Tyce. She’d pushed him to the brink and herself over it.
    “ Where’s Felice?” she asked as soon as she saw Lawrence Griffin alone.
    Lawrence pursed his lips. “ A headache, she says.”
    “ Oh. I’m sorry.”
    He patted her knee and the contrast between the heat of Tyce ’s hand and the dry cool of Lawrence’s made her jump. It wasn’t like Felice to allow Lawrence out on his own. Predatory and possessive, Felice was permanently on guard against what she called poaching. “And what do you say? About the headache?” she asked.
    “ I say she’ll show up