Inferno - Chelle Bliss by Chelle Bliss

As soon as I make it to my car, I pull out my phone and check my account balance. I take a deep breath, realizing I have a buffer that’ll last me a few months at most.

I’m halfway to my apartment when steering my car becomes harder than normal. There’s a bounce to the car, and I instantly break out in a cold sweat. I don’t need this right now. Money’s too tight to have my car take another shit on me after just getting it out of the shop a month ago.

I slow down so I don’t do any more damage to whatever the hell is wrong with this worthless car and lean forward, searching all the street signs for the nearest mechanic.

My eyes land on Nuts & Bolts, and without hesitation, I pull into the parking lot. I place two hands on the steering wheel and sit inside my car, letting the air conditioning blast me in the face before I have to step out into the unforgiving Florida sun.

As soon as I’m outside my car, I see the issue. My front tire is flat. At least the problem isn’t something more serious or expensive. My savings can’t take a major hit right now.

The auto shop doesn’t look like any of the other ones in the area. Its brightly painted exterior is eye-catching, which is necessary in an overcrowded market or on a busy street.

I grab the handle, flinging open the front door, and I am not prepared for what I find inside. The exterior is nothing compared to the glam waiting room, filled with oversize, comfortable chairs, bookshelves stocked with row upon row of books, and a radio playing soothing music. I’m frozen inside the doorway, taking in the awesomeness of the place.

A woman is sitting at the counter with a phone resting between her shoulder and ear as she types away on the computer. She makes eye contact with me and smiles, lifting a finger to tell me to hold on a second.

I take the time to walk by the bookshelves, scanning the titles in every genre imaginable. I could easily pull a half dozen books off the first shelf alone that I’d be able to escape into without a moment’s hesitation.

“Hey,” the woman says as soon as she hangs up the phone. “Sorry about that. It’s been a busy day.”

I move away from the mini library and head toward the desk. “No problem.” I gaze toward my parked car, cursing it in my head. “I have a flat and was hoping to get it fixed.”

“Sure. Sure. No problem.” Her gaze moves back to the screen in front of her, and she punches away at a few buttons. “You got an hour or two? We’re a little behind, but I think I can squeeze you in.”

I don’t have anywhere I have to be. I’d planned to work all day, but that went to shit in a heartbeat. “Sure. I’ll wait.” It’s not like I have a choice. I can’t drive around town to find someone who could fit me in this very second without risking doing more damage to my rim.

“You can make yourself comfortable while you wait. There’s a coffeemaker around the corner and a mini fridge filled with drinks of all sorts.”

“Wow. Okay,” I say, wondering how I got so very lucky to land in a shop like this instead of the dirty places I’ve been to before.

“I need some information and your keys.”

“How much will it be?” I ask her as I walk up to the counter with my car keys in my hand, praying it won’t be more than a hundred dollars.

“It depends on if he can plug it or you need a new tire.”

My shoulders sag forward, and like my tire, everything inside me deflates. “I can’t afford a new tire right now,” I say softly, hating to admit my inability to pay for something so basic.

The woman gives me a pained smile. “Let’s wait until my husband takes a look. We’ll figure it out from there, okay?”

“Yeah.” I don’t have a choice. I’m stuck here, and the ability to go anywhere else isn’t an option. That would require a tow truck and even more money out of my pocket.

“Now, let me get you into the computer, and my husband will take a look.”

The door to the garage area opens, and a man walks in, sucking all the air out of the room. His face is rugged and handsome at the same time, covered in streaks of grease. He has long hair that’s tied back, and the parts of his body that are visible are covered in tattoos. His eyes meet mine for a moment, and I swear to God, my heart does a double beat.

“What do we got, princess?” he asks her, sliding an arm around her waist as she’s propped up on a counter-height chair. He nuzzles her neck, burying his face in her hair.

She turns her head slightly to look at his face. “She has a flat. Repair would be optimal instead of replacement. Can you make that happen, baby?”

His lips touch her neck, and somehow, she doesn’t melt into a puddle. When he turns his gaze my way, I have to tell myself to stay upright. “I’ll do my best. Give me ten to take a look.”

All I do is nod.

I don’t know who’s luckier—him or her. They’re both stunning and madly in love with each other. Someday I’ll find someone who looks at me the way he looks at her, but today isn’t that day.

“Get to it, baby,” she says to him, which is met with a low grunt before he peels away from her body. “I need to get your information.”

The man walks up to me, and I tip my head back to get a better look at his face. Yep. Hotter up close, which I would’ve thought damn near impossible.