Ready to Fall Read Online Free PDF Page B

ponytail. He’d noticed her hair? And he thought it was pretty?
    His gaze lowered to the counter between them, and he cleared his throat. “Make sure you have a helmet that fits right. It needs to be tight without causing you pain.”
    â€œWill do.”
    â€œAnd if I were you, I’d wear a long-sleeved shirt and full-length pants.”
    She wrinkled her nose. “Won’t that make me all sweaty?”
    â€œCovering your skin will help protect it from road rash.” He shrugged and looked up again. “You’ll sweat no matter what you wear, anyway. So will I. It’s brutal out there.”
    She wrinkled her nose even harder. “Sweating? Do I have to? My body loses vital nutrients that way, you know. Like . . . I don’t know. Electrolytes?”
    His face totally transformed when he threw back his head and laughed. The lines of cynicism and stress melted away, and his blue eyes sparkled. He had dimples in his cheeks, deep ones. Dimples , for God’s sake. What straight woman could resist a good-looking man sporting those?
    â€œThat reminds me,” he said with a smile. “Bring a good amount of water. A snack too, in case you get hungry.”
    â€œAnything else?” She looked up at him, relishing the amusement still lingering on his handsome face.
    Even as she watched, he got himself under control. By the time he spoke again, he’d returned to the distant, taciturn man she’d met at the beginning of their conversation.
    â€œMaybe elbow or knee pads. Depends how much money you want to spend on a one-day event.” He walked to the door and opened it for her. “You can call this afternoon if you have any other questions. I need to take a shower and reopen my store.”
    Even Sarah knew when not to push her luck. Sometimes, at least. So she bit her tongue and headed out the door without protest, even as she burned to ask Chris two last questions. Ones her brain should never have formulated, given her determination to pursue Ulysses.
    Do you take your showers back in your workroom, Chris? And if so, can I watch?
    * * *
    Sarah breezed back into his shop at two minutes until seven, holding two paper bags in her hand. She flipped the sign on the door to Closed and threw the deadbolt.
    â€œBurrito for you,” she said, plopping one of the bags on the counter in front of Chris. “Burrito for me.” She stood on the customer side of the counter and opened up her own bag.
    Chris stared at the brown paper sack, not knowing what to say. Was this a pity burrito, bought because his business was obviously in trouble? Or simply the gesture of a woman who hid her innate kindness under lots of bluster?
    He hadn’t sensed any pity from Sarah earlier that day. Instead, she’d busted his chops, which he kind of liked. Too many people had spent the past year treating him like porcelain. They handled him carefully and studied him for cracks. They worried about his durability.
    Sarah didn’t do that. Any of it. Which was probably why he already liked her so much.
    Not a pity burrito, then. He nodded in her direction. “Thanks.”
    â€œI was concerned you wouldn’t have a chance to eat. Didn’t want you to keel over and crush me beneath your hulking form.” She shot him a cheerful grin. “Wasn’t sure what you wanted, so I just got chicken. You don’t look like a vegetarian.”
    â€œChicken’s great.” He unwrapped the foil from around the burrito. “I’ll pay you back.”
    â€œNo worries. After shelling out five hundred dollars for bike lessons, dinner is nothing.”
    Letting out a long breath, Chris ran a hand through his hair. It pained him to say it, but... “I’ve been thinking. Five hundred is too much. I don’t need—”
    â€œIt’s fine.” She took a sip of her soda. “I’m the one who offered that amount, and it’s worth it to me. I don’t