Torque: A Novella
Torque: Chapter 3

Ronnie took off like a bat out of hell, leaving me smelling the Ninja’s exhaust. Clenching my jaw, I kicked my stand up, twisted the throttle, and left the parking lot. But I didn’t chase after her. It was a turn on for me to pursue a woman, knowing they liked it, too, but Ronnie would be a fucking challenge that I was game to take on.

Three days later, I stood with Skully in the Hardcore garage as we looked over Ronnie’s Sporty on the bike lift. “Are we on schedule with Ronnie’s bike?”

Skully lit a smoke. “Yeah, boss. We’ll have it all prettied up for her in the next two days. I want to do some routine maintenance on it for her, too.”

I socked him in the shoulder, “Didn’t even need to ask, ‘cause I can always count on you.”

Just then, Ronnie pulled up out front on the Ninja. She kicked the stand down and climbed off as I walked out. “Still need a few more days, Ronnie.”

She unstrapped her helmet, pulling it off along with her shades. “I’m returning your bike.” She handed me the keys.

“You can still ride it until your bike is ready—”

“I lost my fucking job!” she barked. She turned away, shaking her head. “The Frisco Cantina is demolished. I know it was Wayde who did it.”

She broke down and sobbed. It was an automatic response to wrap my arms around her. “It’s going to be okay, Ronnie.”

Her arms came around my waist for only a few moments, then she pulled away. “No, it’s not going to be okay! I don’t have a job which means I can’t pay my rent, and I can’t pay you for my bike repairs!”

I stepped toward her. “Are you going to let that ex-douchebag boyfriend of yours win?” She shook her head, wiping at her tears. “No, I didn’t think so. Come on inside. Let’s talk.”

“Okay.” She sniffled and followed me. Kacy was at the front counter and shook her head at me. I returned the headshake, and Ronnie followed me back to my office.

I offered her a seat as I sat at my desk. “Kacy is my niece, and she’s only working here part time before she goes back to high school as a senior. I’m going to need to hire someone full time to run my shop. And I think you would be perfect for the job.”

Her brows lifted. “Me? Come on, Torque. You just met me. How do you know if I’m even qualified?”

“I saw you work the bar that night at the Cantina. And I like your attitude. You’re motivated and sassy. And you know how to ride a motorcycle. You’re perfect for the job!”

“I still won’t be able to pay you for the repairs though. Would you buy my Sporty?”

“We can work out some kind of payment plan. I don’t want to take your bike from you. You love that bike.”

Ronnie smiled and stood from her chair and offered me her hand. “Thanks, Torque. I’ll take the job!”

I stood and shook her hand. “Good. You can start tomorrow.”

I didn’t let go—looking down at her hand—so small compared to my mine. We stood still for a brief moment, then her lips parted as she looked up at me with those beautiful brown eyes. I leaned in and brushed my lips over hers. Her breath hitched as I stepped closer, my tongue sliding into her mouth.

She braced her hands on my chest and pulled away. “No. I can’t. I’m sorry.”

Ronnie hurried out of my office and took off on the Ninja. Again. I raked a hand through my hair, trying to calm the hard pounding in my chest after that kiss. Her lips tasted so sweet, my dick sprang to full hard-on instantly.

I rubbed my palm down the front of my jeans before I walked out of my office. I told my brat niece, Kacy about Ronnie’s first day at work as my new employee.

“No doubt it was Ronnie’s nice legs that helped her land the job, huh Uncle Torque?”

Smart-ass teenagers…