This story begins the summer before I turned 19. I had just started working at a motorcycle shop in the next town over. My boss, Greg, wasn't the easiest person to work with but soon I became accustomed to the way he handled things and learned to keep a low profile and just do my job. I ran the parts counter, but really I had my thumbs in every aspect of the shop. Even the garage.
The mechanics there all treated me like one of the guys. I was privy to their dirty jokes and shop talk, but they often came to me for guidance and input. They said I was easier to talk to than Greg. They were all nice enough, kind of like a group of big brothers... except for one. Dean.
I had been attracted to him the moment we were introduced. And he, of course, was the cocky type who knew when a woman was into him. But I mean, if you met the guy, you'd see why-- he was tall, over a foot taller than my 5' frame. Dark hair, always parted on the side and slicked back with a comb he kept in his back pocket. Broad shoulders, thick neck and strong arms from wrenching and lifting. He was tattooed, flames starting at both his wrists and licking up his forearms. And his hands. God, his hands. Rough, often bruised and scraped up. But they were huge. The first time we met he shook my hand and I swear it swallowed mine whole. We flirted in a friendly sort of way, but that's just the kind of person he was. I never thought he'd be into someone like me.
Like I said, I'm short, just barely over 5' on a good day. Curvy to a fault, so I tended to wear clothes that were a little looser than they should be. My hair is black, long and thick, which I always kept tied up, and I have dark brown eyes rimmed with thick black frames. My skin is pale and creamy, so the guys all joked and called me Snow White, or princess. I didn't mind it. Especially when Dean said it.
On one particular Thursday morning, I was getting ready for work in my usual tshirt and jeans when Greg called to tell me the a/c went out in the shop. Just lovely, since it was the middle of July and was going to be a scorcher. He asked me to come in a little early so he could run out and pick up a few fans for the office and the garage. "Sure, no problem. I'll be there as soon as I can," I told him. Before I left, I changed out of my jeans and into shorts since it would be so hot. I didn't wear shorts very often, because I hated the way my thighs rubbed together. But I liked my legs, they were strong and shapely from years of dancing. I put on my Converse sneakers and tied my hair into a messy ponytail, grabbed my keys and hightailed it to the shop.
When I got there, most everyone was already working. I usually came in at 9 right before we opened, but Greg and the guys usually get there between 7 and 8 to get ready for business and finish up any work that's going out that day. Where I parked, I had to walk through the garage to get to the office. I walked in and started to make my way through, but didn't get too far before they started in on me.
"Woah, who knew the princess had legs like those?" from Kenny.
Then Bryan tells from the other side, "Look at the stems on that flower!"
"Well damn, darlin'. If I had known you were hiding all that, I would have busted that unit sooner," smirked Dean as he swatted me on the ass with his shop rag.
"Yeah yeah yeah, back to work assholes," I joked as I opened the office door. I was still laughing as I opened it and came face to face with Greg.
He looked at me and asked, "We're not gonna have any issues today, are we? I don't have a problem sending you home if you're just going to be a distraction." He had heard everything.
"Of course not. Just a little friendly banter. Nothing but business from here on out," I promised.
"Let's hope so. I'll be out most of the day with deliveries and getting these fans. You're in charge. Keep them in line and monitor the front, will ya? Call if you need anything."
I nodded as I logged into the computer to check customer emails and the status of parts I had ordered earlier in the week. The day went by smoothly and without a hitch, mainly because Greg wasn't there to micromanage everything. When he got back, he busied himself with setting up the fans and even left early for the day, claiming the heat gave him a headache.
Soon enough, 5 o'clock rolled around and it was time to close up. Thursdays Greg and I usually stay a couple hours later for inventory, just to see what we're low on and need to order the next day for delivery the following week. I thought I was alone, so I had my music on while I took notes and made my list. I didn't hear the person come behind me until I felt the ladder shake. I lost my balance and thought I was done for, when I felt a hard body against my back and strong hands around my waist.
