Hidden Pleasures - Brenda Jackson [59]
And I told you a story you probably don’t remember, he thought. “You weren’t any trouble. I didn’t mind taking care of you.”
“But you shouldn’t have had to. That wasn’t part of our agreement, Galen.”
Damn the agreement, he wanted to say. Instead he said, “So what are your plans today? We left your car at the house. Do you want to go back and get it now or do you want to wait until later?”
“I’ll wait until later, if you don’t mind. Do you usually work on your video games on Sunday, as well?”
“It depends on what I have to do to it. Sniper is relatively finished except for a few components. Would you like to see it?”
He could tell by her expression she was surprised he’d asked. “Can I?”
“Sure. Come on.”
She followed him to the door that led to his garage. He opened it and then held it for her to precede him through it and down the steps. “Is this a garage or a dungeon?” she threw over her shoulder to ask.
He laughed as he closed the door and followed her downstairs. “In a way it’s both. My house is built on a high peak, but the driveway is on a slope, which means you have to drive down to the garage. It’s a six-car garage.”
“You have that many cars?”
He chuckled. “Not yet, but I’m working on it. I collect vintage cars, specifically muscle cars,” he said when they reached the bottom.
She glanced over at him. “What’s a muscle car?”
“It’s a high-performance automobile that was manufactured in the late sixties and early seventies. I own three now and I’m always looking to add more to my collection.”
She glanced around. “This is a huge area and I’ve never seen a garage floor that’s tiled, and with such nice stone pavers.”
He smiled. “Thanks. Come on. I’ll show you my cars and then I’ll let you watch me work with Sniper.”
Brittany followed Galen and admired the vintage cars he had in his collection. They were beautiful, all three of them—a 1967 Camaro, a 1969 GTO and a 1968 Road Runner. They went along with his everyday cars, the late-model SUV, Corvette and Mercedes sedan.
“Where did you get your interest in muscle cars?” she asked, admiring the sleek design and craftsmanship of each vehicle. She didn’t know a lot about cars, but she could tell these were in great shape. A collector’s dream.
“My father. He has his own collection,” he explained as he led her over to his work area.
She couldn’t believe how spacious his work space was, and how neat and organized. She could see why he preferred working in his garage instead of an off-site office or warehouse. Everything was at his fingertips here.
He offered her the seat next to his and then proceeded to explain how the video game would work and what he needed to do to get it ready for the Video Game Expo in the spring. She could hear the excitement in his voice when he told her about it. She was touched that he was sharing his work with her. He hadn’t invited her in here before and she wondered why he was doing so now. Still, it felt good knowing he had allowed her into his private space.
Brittany scooted her chair closer as he talked her through the assembly of one of the components of the game. Everything was being designed on a huge computer screen in front of him. She was amazed at how much graphic art expertise went into the creation of a game, as well as the game engine. The more she watched, the more she admired his skill, proficiency and imagination.
She glanced over at him. His face was set with determination and concentration. But he was her focal point as she studied him, scanned his features with the intensity of a woman who wanted a man.
She liked watching his hands move and remembered those same hands moving over her as his fingertips caressed the curve of her breasts, cupped her backside or slid between her thighs. A rush of heat hit her in the chest as her body responded to the memories. She let out a slow breath.
“Getting bored?” he asked, glancing over at her.
“No, not at all. I enjoy looking at you work.” And I enjoy looking at you.
She watched him save whatever