Chapter 3 Cassidy (POV)

I had turned a small part of the garage into my work-out room. I did not have time to go downtown to the local gym. So, I made it easier to work-out. I had started kickboxing and taekwondo when I was eight. My parents both agreed being a young woman and having to sometimes go places alone. I needed some type of self-defense. I had taken gymnastics in junior high. I had started boxing in high school. I felt the need to take it to a higher level for myself. I installed a free-standing punching bag, a kick boxing bag, stairmaster boxmaster tower. I have graduated from kick boxing to Muay Thai.

I have an instructor that comes by on Monday and Wednesday evenings. I had met him when he brought in his car for servicing. I had not closed the door to my small gym, and he saw my equipment. He had asked me if I was training by myself and offered to help me. That was three years ago. Jin Shin, a Muay Thai Mixed Martial Arts fighter has been my friend and trainer. Sometimes his wife and little girl come to visit. His wife, May, is just beautiful. Her kindness, the way she cares for her family. She is soft spoken. I know how she fights. The saying, 'The quiet ones are the ones you have to worry about' is just a small statement about May. She is just awesome. She has showed me how to make noodles and veggie plates. I grill a lot of meats. Not much of a fried foods person. My weakness...ice cream.

I am usually working out at four in the morning. I love rocking out to the GAP band or any R&B funk music. I was in the warehouse district so no one could hear the music unless they were standing right outside my shop. I just finished my morning crunches and my morning run. I use my yard as my running field. It is still dark outside, so no one should be up. That is a big should be. After my workout I go in and take a shower and have a light breakfast. I usually meal prep since I am short on time and really don't drive into the city for lunch. Traffic is too thick, and I don't have the patient for that anyways.

I checked all my cameras and turned off the security system. I unlocked the back door and raised to garage roll-up. I walked to the front of the garage and unlocked the door. I noticed someone standing at my gate waiting. "I'll be right there." I yelled over.

"No worries, Cara Mia. I would wait for you forever if needed." The man said. He was just gorgeous. Tall, Built like a god. A beautiful smile that could melt a woman's panties right off. He wore black dress pants that fit oh so well and a long sleeved light grey dress shirt. Oh my, I just took a shower. I may have to go back and take a cold shower now. My tummy was doing a flip flop. His beautiful chocolate brown eyes just captured my heart. He had wavy hair I wanted to run my fingers through it. Maintain girl, maintain.

"G-good m-morning. H-how may I-I help y-you sir?" Damn I am stuttering like an idiot. Did I put deodorant on? Man, I hope I remembered to put my good bra on this morning. My coveralls are on thank God! I think my nipples pebbled.

"Cara Mia, I was just checking if my men had brought my trucks in for servicing. I trust that you are having a good morning. I brought you something as well." He said as he held something behind his back. He brought a little pink box from around his back. He smiled at me as I unlocked the gate and slid it open.

Geez, that smile. His eyes twinkled. Yep, a player. He probably did that with all the women he knows. I smiled at him as he handed me the box. "Oh, thank you but you did not have to do this."

"Yes, I did. You do excellent and quick work. I would also like to ask you out for lunch. I know close early on Saturdays. You are closed Sundays. And I also know you are extremely busy during the week. Your work is all talk about town as the best and trustworthy. My name Lorenzo Marchetti."

"Yes, yes of Marchetti & Son Inc. Please come in and have a seat." I said as I held my hand guiding him into the office. I have no idea why i was so nervous. I opened the office and held my hand out guiding him to a chair. "Coffee, tea or..." I paused and I looked at him questioning. That's when I smelt his cologne. Sauvage. Was he? I did a full body shiver as he walked past me.

"Or you? Coffee is fine Cara Mia. Are you up early all of the time? Do you not have anyone else that helps you here?" Lorenzo asked. He handed me the small box. I opened it. Oh my, one of my favorites, cannoli with mascarpone cream. Oh, my ass just got wider!

"Just me. I am an early bird. I have not hired anyone else yet. I guess it's a trust thing. I know my work. I am honest with all of my customers no matter their status. I work with my customers that have little to pay. I know a lot of people work hard and still struggle to make ends meet. They have families. I do not take advantage of anyone. And I expect the same."

"Yes, you remind me of my mother. Strong willed, defiant and yet beautiful."

I blushed hard. I looked down. "I do not think of myself as...beautiful.' As I made him a cup of coffee. I turned with the cup and had a questionable look. Cream or sugar? He took the cup shaking his head. I guess black coffee it is.

"But you are." He paused staring at me. Ok, now I am really nervous. What is his angle? What is with all of the questions. I really need to get started on his trucks. I wanted to watch a movie after I shop for groceries.

"My apologies, Cara Mia. I brought you some cannoli my zia Mariana makes these Friday nights for her Saturday ladies tea parties. It is my zia ...oh sorry my aunt, my father's sister. They meet every Saturday noon. I told her I was stealing some cannoli for a special person...Cara Mia." Lorenzo kept talking at looking into my eyes.

The more he talked the more I was enthralled with him. I felt like licking his face. My god, this man could easily pass for a model or Hollywood actor. I was suddenly getting wet down there. His accent was making me shiver. In a good way.

"Cara Mia, would you please have lunch with me today or tomorrow?" he asked me. I was dumb founded.

"Why me? Why am I so interesting? I have just met you Mister Marchetti."

"Lorenzo, please call me Lorenzo. Look at yourself. A beautiful woman. You own your own business and run it by yourself. I have admired you since I saw you on one of our service days, a couple of years ago. I have been trying to work up the courage to ask you to lunch. I was feeling brave today. I also have a business proposition for you. It will benefit both of us." He smiled again. There it was. That shit-eating grin of a player. These men only use women and toss them out.

"I am not what you call a player. I see the question in your eyes. I have not dated or seen any women in a few years. I have a heavy workload with my father and our family business. I would love for you to say yes, Cara Mia. I would be very happy."

Here we go. I am weak already. He makes blood yearn for him. What am I a friggin vampire now? Geez. Ok. Ok. Calm down girl. With that smile of his, dammit!

"Well, I like to make my customers happy. How about this, it won't take me that long to service these trucks. My scheduled tranny rebuild is postponed. The parts are delayed. Since I already have all of the work history, that I already did. You can pick up me up at 1:30 today? Since I do not really drive into the city. I have my truck. I just do not like taking it out for daily travel through the city."

"Yes, yes. I will let you get to work, and I will be back today. Don't work too hard Cara Mia." With that he walked to the door and turned to me. I stood from my desk as he turned his head, he smiled and wink.

Yep, I just creamed my jeans. Geez what is happening to me. I'm too young for hot flashes.