âPatient, professional, knowledgeableâ¦and very thorough.â
She held him against her for a moment, savoring the experience and wondering what she ought to do next. Then she released him so he could take care of the condom. She watched his back as he walked toward the sink. Tamara decided that when he returned, she could ask him to dinner.
âHey,â Randal said lightly as he turned on the water. âYou never showed me the valve cover gasket. Did that turn out to be in good shape after all?â
âIt certainly wasnât dried out like the cam seals,â Tamara answered, then trailed off, lifting herself onto one elbow. Thefacility with which heâd referred to cars as they made love took on a different cast in her mind. âMost people who canât tell a timing belt from a steering wheel wouldnât know a valve cover gasket if it put a gun to their heads.â Adrenaline poured through her body, erasing the relaxation her orgasms had brought. âWho are you?â
The easy smile heâd been wearing fell off his face. He turned toward her and held up his hands. Now, his gym-sculpted body seemed to mock her.
Tamara pressed her attack. âAre you checking out the competition or something?â
âThis isnât what you think,â Randal said.
âI just had sex with a man whoâs in my place of business under false pretenses,â Tamara shot back. âIâm pretty sure itâs what I think.â She felt too naked, too vulnerable and too embarrassed. She gathered her clothes as quickly as she could.
âLook, Iâm a reporter. Iâm checking out how different shops treat their customers.â
She sent him a glare cold enough to freeze water. âDo I get special mention for fucking a customer?â
âLook, I know it wasnât the best thing for me to do. I tried to tell you, but⦠In the end, I just didnât want to stop what was happening between us. Iâm sorry.â
Tamara stared at him. Her body still ached with the pleasure heâd given her. She still wanted him, and she did remember the moment heâd hesitated. Tamara very nearly stretched out her arms to him, but the humiliation of being deceived burned too strongly in the back of her throat.
She turned her back on him. âYou can call me later if you want, once Iâve had a chance to think about this. Right now, please get out.â
* * *
âCan you believe he was an undercover reporter?â Lucy almost squealed the question, clearly thrilled by the glamour of the word âundercover.â ââTop marks go to T.O.âs Auto Service Plus in Providence, R.I., the only shop we tried that caught every problem our test vehicle had, fixed them all and didnât charge a pennyâs worth of unfair parts or labor,ââ she read aloud from the magazine open in her hands. She followed Tamara into the garage, ignoring her bossâs every effort to retreat. ââStaff was patient, professional, knowledgeable and very thorough,ââ Lucy continued.
Embarrassment flooded Tamara at the familiar phrasing. Her hands worked at her sides. Engines made so much more sense than people. âYou should really keep an eye on the floor if youâre going to be in here, Lucy,â she said. âEspecially in those heels. Why donât you put that magazine away?â
Lucy surprised her by dropping it and placing one fist on each hip instead. âWhatâs the matter with you, Tamara? That is the best write-up we could possibly have hoped for, and in a national magazine! Youâd think you would be happy! Iâll even forgive Randal Dean for being such a pain in the ass while he was here.â
Tamara swallowed. Lucy was rightâshe had no reason to be anything but delighted with the profile. Sheâd earned every nice thing Randal had written about her shop by being good at her job. He hadnât
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