Under the Hood: An Under the Hood Novella (Entangled Bliss) Read online

  “I’ll move it.” Mark grasped Alice’s hand and gave it a squeeze. “I’ll be back before you’re done.” He strode down the corridor.

  Favored person status? Alice eyed the nurse. Maybe she was an ex-girlfriend? Her thoughts must have shown in her eyes.

  “Mark handled my divorce, so I’m cutting him some slack.” The nurse wheeled Alice next to the x-ray machine and helped her up onto the table. “I’ve never seen him so frantic. Have you been dating long?”

  Confused, Alice rubbed her forehead. “Not very.”

  “He’s a good man. Very capable. But you know that, right?” The nurse straightened Alice’s foot gently, and brought the machine above it. She covered Alice’s torso with a lead apron, then took the x-ray.

  “Okay, we’re done.” She helped Alice back into the wheelchair again. “I’ll get these films to the doc, and we’ll see what damage you’ve done to that ankle.”

  “Thanks.” Exhaustion flowed over her as she slumped in the chair. The race to the hospital had been an adrenaline rush of hoping the pipe repair would hold. She’d had to clench her teeth a couple of times when the pain intensified as the truck took a corner too fast, jarring her. She hadn’t said anything, recognizing the strain in the little lines that feathered from the edges of Mark’s eyes and the hands clenched white around the steering wheel.

  The nurse was right, he had been frantic. The feeling obviously hadn’t lessened on their arrival. He’d paced back and forth as they waited for the doctor. And he hadn’t seemed to be able to stop himself from touching her, with a hand on her shoulder, a rub of her back, the lacing of long fingers through hers. She liked the comfort he gave so easily.

  They reached the ward, and the nurse helped her into bed. “He’ll be back in a minute.”

  Alice smiled. “I wasn’t…”

  The nurse smiled back. “You so were thinking about Mark.” She patted Alice’s arm. “I don’t blame you—he’s a keeper.” Running footsteps sounded in the corridor outside. “I’ll be back in a minute.”

  Mark burst into the room, his hair awry, concern written all over his face. “I had no money for the meter. I had to go and—”

  The nurse smiled at him. “She’s fine.”

  Then she left, and silence filled the room.

  Mark pulled up a chair next to the bed and sank onto it. “I need to explain, to apologize for not telling you the truth.”

  Nerves fluttered in Alice’s stomach. She breathed in deep, and waited.

  “That’s what this trip today was for. To confess and explain.”

  “Was it?” Another man had been dishonest once, and the echoes of deception ate away at her insides. When Mark had confessed on Heartbreak Ridge, her first reaction was one of shocked disappointment. But as he’d worked on fashioning a repair from her boot, she’d seen the regret on his face.

  Mark pulled in a deep breath. “I wasn’t lying when I said I had a crush on you. The thought of you fixing my car was hotter than hell. The way you took charge and were so capable was such a turn-on.” The look on his face was sincere.

  It would be easy to tell him to go to hell. To guard her heart.

  “I wanted an excuse to see you again, to talk to you. And I did need the brake pads replaced, so when you offered, I jumped at it. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you I was totally capable of doing the repairs myself. After dinner, I wanted more than anything to kiss you senseless in the elevator and follow you through the door into your apartment. To make love to you all night. But I couldn’t do that when you didn’t know the truth. And then Louise happened… I’ve been a total idiot.”

  He’d tried to explain before, and had walked away when she desperately wanted him to stay, rather than make love to her under false pretenses. A warm feeling bloomed in her chest.

  “My ankle might be broken, and even if it’s not, I’m going to have to stay off my feet for a few days. I’m going to need some help around the apartment.” She gazed into his eyes.

  “I live just upstairs. I could be there whenever you need me.”

  “You’d have to be at my beck and call. I’m going to need a lot of TLC.”

  Mark brushed a hand against her hair. “When it comes to you, Alice, I have more than enough tender, loving care to go around.” His mouth hovered mere inches from hers. “Let me show you.”

  Alice’s pulse raced. She breathed in his scent, citrusy, overlaid with a faint aroma of motor oil. It wasn’t a declaration of love, but love shone in his eyes, was there in every touch. She wanted him, both in her bed and in her life. Couldn’t imagine being without him.

  “Yes.” She looped a hand around his neck, drawing him closer. “Yes, please.”

  * * *

  Did you love this Bliss? Check out more of our fun and flirty titles here!

  And for exclusive sneak peeks at our upcoming books, excerpts, contests, chats with our authors and editors, and more…

  Be sure to like us on Facebook

  Join the Bliss Book Club

  Follow us on Twitter

  And follow us on Pinterest

  Acknowledgments

  I’d like to thank my family for putting up with my distracted self while I’ve been writing and editing. I couldn’t do it without you! And thanks must go to my talented editor, Lewis Pollak, whose attention to detail has made this story shine.

  About the Author

  Sally Clements writes fun, sexy, and real contemporary romance, partnering hot heroes with heroines who know what they want and go for it! Since her first novel was published in 2010, she’s published seven more and is a full-time author. Sally lives in the Irish countryside, and when she isn’t writing can usually be found in traffic, driving “Mum’s taxi.” Always a voracious reader, she considers writing for a living the perfect job—the only downside is saying goodbye to her characters at book’s end!

  You can find her at:

  Blog: http://www.sallyclements.blogspot.com/

  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SallyClementsAuthor

  Twitter: https://twitter.com/Sallywriter

  Sign up for our Steals & Deals newsletter and be the first to hear about 99¢ releases from Sally Clements and other fantastic Entangled authors!

  Reviews help other readers find books. We appreciate all reviews, whether positive or negative. Thank you for reading!

  Other Books by Sally Clements

  Racing the Hunter’s Moon

  an Under the Hood novella by Sally Clements

  Feisty mechanic Betty Smith should have only one thing on her mind—catching the conman who swindled her mother. Undercover FBI agent Joe Carter needs to focus on the bad guy who got away, not the gorgeous headstrong brunette who watches too many cop shows and keeps interfering in his case. Unfortunately, catching their prey before he skips town means working together. But while entering the vintage car rally as a couple seemed like a good idea at the time, faking feelings for each other turns out to be the easiest part.

  Love for Beginners

  an Under the Hood novella

  Mechanic Melody Swan is looking for a man who can share her hopes and dreams, but she swore she would never lose herself to passion. When sexy Heath Starr agrees to temporarily sub in the Under the Hood garage for his sister, Mel sees the perfect opportunity to enjoy being with a man without becoming attached. Heath came to Meadowsweet to photograph nature, not find a hookup, especially since his last relationship ended in disaster. When the two find themselves isolated in a rustic cabin, they could both break their promises if they aren’t careful…

  Check out Bliss’s newest releases...

  Keeping Mr. Right Now

  a Kisses in the Sand Novel by Robin Bielman

  Brainy, organized Sophie Birch is no beach bunny, but when a surf lesson introduces her to Zane Hollander, suddenly she’s up close and personal with the world’s sexiest surf star. But what can a great-looking, experienced athlete possibly see in a klutzy out-of-towner who’s never set foot in the ocean? Zane see
s Sophie as the perfect girl to help him reform his image and he can’t resist her as she blooms under the beachy sun. But Zane knows he’ll just break her heart, because nothing’s more important to him than following the tide.

  Love Bites

  a Sugar City novella by Ophelia London

  An audit during his crew’s most important expedition yet is a complication marine biologist Jeff Cruz doesn’t need—especially when the auditor is the gorgeous, fascinating woman from the night before who spilled her drink on him, kissed him, then ran out without another word. Out at sea with nowhere to run, he’s forced to admit Sharona draws him in like a shark to blood. But Jeff’s one passion is his job, and nothing is going to make him let down his guard.

  Accidentally Married on Purpose

  a Love and Games novel by Rachel Harris

  Sherry Robicheaux loves an adventure. Country music superstar Tyler Blue just wants a weekend of anonymity. When they come together backstage at a concert in Vegas, and then wake up with fuzzy memories…and rings on their fingers, they know that what happens in Vegas has to stay there. And while their time as husband and wife is better than either imagined, Tyler’s first love will always be music—and the road is no place for a sweet downhome girl. Is it?

  Her Secret, His Surprise

  a novel by Paula Altenburg

  Since being disowned by her strict father, Cass Stone has spent her adulthood trying to prove him wrong. Not even an incredible and mysterious one night stand that leaves her a single mom can trip her up…until the father of her baby stumbles back into her life, as sexy and unreliable as ever. Logan Alexander hasn’t forgotten the night he spent with Cass two years ago, but he never expects to end up undercover as her assistant. His job saves lives and he can’t afford complications. It’s difficult enough to maintain his cover as a carefree wanderer when he realizes his attraction to Cass hasn’t faded…and then he meets Cass’s daughter.