Read Too Hot to Handle: A Loveswept Classic Romance for Free Online Page B

grimaced in self-rebuke at his mean streak. Her lack of interest in money was one of the most intriguing things about her.
    “Don’t worry about it,” he said. She couldn’t begin to afford the repairs. Parts for a 1963 Corvette were expensive, and the skilled labor required to install them was even more costly.
    “I’ll pay you back,” she said again.
    “Sell me the Fiesta and we’ll call it even.”
    “I’ll give you William,” she said fiendishly.
    “Let’s discuss this later, Callie. Maybe in the next century.”
    Chuckling, Callie poured the tea and handed a glass to him, allowing herself really to look at him for the first time. He sat very straight and dignified in the creaking old swing. The jeans hugged his slim hips and muscular legs, and the buttercup-yellow shirt emphasized the gold of his hair. Spotless white running shoes completed his outfit. He looked expensive and casual, she noted.
    “Something wrong?” Matt caught her slight frown instantly.
    “Uh, no. I just haven’t recovered from the shock of seeing you here today. I thought you’d given up on me.”
    “I brought something to show you. Look here.”
    He was holding something she hadn’t noticed before. She hadn’t noticed anything since he’d kissed her. Now, balancing the glass and some sort of brochure, he jerked his head slightly and smiled.
    “Come here and sit beside me in the swing, unless you’re afraid of me.”
    Callie held back for a moment. She didn’t want to get close to him. Every time she got close to Matt Holland something happened. But she couldn’t stand there stupidly. She shrugged and gave him a taunting smile.
    “I have William to protect me. I’m not afraid.”
    He groaned in mock horror at the thought of William as she sat down. Callie tried unsuccessfully not to come in contact with his body. “What is this?” she asked, pointing to the pamphlet in his large hand.
    “This is an original sales piece on the Fiesta, sent out by one of the Oldsmobile dealers. See, here’s one exactly like Ruby, except the color is blue.” He motioned excitedly to a picture.
    Callie was intrigued, and bent forward for a closer look. She saw a car very much like Ruby, only shiny and new and very elegant. She had heard the tremor of excitement in Matt’s voice, and had to admit that the thought of Ruby being restored to resemble the marvelous car in the photograph was thrilling. Sitting beside Matt was even more thrilling.
    “Isn’t she a beauty?” he whispered. Callie glanced up and found him staring at her instead of the brochure. She looked away quickly. He cleared his throat and shuffled the brochure. “This Fiesta’s surfblue in front with teal blue on the back,” he continued doggedly. “Ruby’s color is called raven red and super white.”
    “I expected to see scantily clad, beautiful women in this brochure,” Callie said teasingly. “Draped over the Fiesta like cats on a warm ledge. Didn’t sex sell products back then?”
    “After the act you pulled on me the other day, you’re asking me if sex sells?” Matt shook his head and grinned.
    Callie frowned at him. “Do you think I’m wanton?” she asked primly. Before he could answer she added, “I’m not. Believe me, you were the recipient of a one-time-only act.”
    “I’m disappointed,” he said jokingly. “I wanted you to be wanton.”
    Callie couldn’t resist his impish teasing, and she smiled. He smiled back. “Everyone isn’t as poor a salesman, pardon me, saleswoman as me,” she told him. “On the other hand, I’m sure there aren’t many men with the sales resistance you have.”
    His brown eyes grew somber. “My resistance was motivated by conservative morals,” he assured her. “But even a conservative man like me can only stand so much.” His voice dropped. “I want to get to know you, Callie. I want to get to know you very, very well, and then I won’t put up any resistance at all.”
    She could barely breathe. “Maybe