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  Built To Last

  Rhona Davis

  BUILT TO LAST - An Alpha Older Man and Curvy Younger Woman Romance

  Emma

  I live alone with my big sister, and although I love sharing an apartment with her, times are tough. With money being tight, and a nasty loan shark circling us, I’ve quit college and found a job to help her pay the bills.

  I would have hated the idea of putting a break on my studies if it wasn’t for my new boss: A tall, muscular, and hunky mechanic, who is as sweet as he is hot.

  If only an older man like him—covered in tattoos and motor-oil—could fall for a small town girl like me…

  Brandon

  Emma came crashing into my funky little world like a whirling firecracker. Curvy, smart, and beautiful, she isn’t just a pretty face—she’s handy with motorcycles too!

  Although I should know better than to fall for my new assistant, I just can’t help it. We seemed too click from the very first second we met.

  I’ll do anything to make her mine. Even if that means breaking my own self-imposed company rules...

  She doesn’t know it yet, but we are built to last!

  ‘Built To Last’ is a steamy, sweet, short story romance. With a hunky alpha male, and a younger plus-sized curvy girl, this instalove story is packed with the heat you crave and a sugary happily ever after. No cheating and no cliffhangers.

  Copyright © 2019 by Rhona Davis

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

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  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Epilogue

  About the Author

  Chapter 1

  Emma

  “Wow, check you out!”

  I glance at my big sister through the bathroom mirror as I put the finishing touches to my make-up. “Hey, what’s up?”

  “Nothing.” She checks the time on her wristwatch and then smiles at me. “I just never thought I’d see the day when you’d be up so early.”

  I roll my eyes and work my final lash with mascara. She walks to the back of me and pulls my mess of long blonde hair into a neat ponytail. I squint at her through the mirror. “What are you doing?”

  “Helping you look a little smarter, babes.”

  “I’m working in a motorcycle repair shop, Beth, not an office.”

  “So? It’s your first day on the job. Your first job in months.”

  “And…?”

  “And it’s nice to make a good first impression.”

  I grin and let her carry on fashioning my hair.

  Although there’s only four years between us—with me being twenty-two, and Beth being twenty-six—she acts a lot older. I guess she’s had to. We’ve both had to grow up fast since our parents died three years ago. It’s a tragic bond we share, one that makes us closer than most sisters.

  Since that awful day I’ve lived with her in a modest two-bedroom apartment. We stuck around in the small town we grew up in but couldn't stay in the family home. Unfortunately Dad never got around to sorting out his will. I guess he never imagined that him and mom would die so young, leaving us all alone. None of us did. By default, Beth has been more of a mother than a big sister to me.

  I take a deep breath. “Alright, I think I’m done.” I pull back and scrutinize my appearance.

  Beth smirks. “Well, the surprises keep on coming don’t they?”

  I turn to face her. “What are you talking about now?”

  “Up early and make-up.”

  “What was it you said about making a good first impression?”

  “But make-up…you?”

  I huff. “I know you think I’m a tom-boy, Beth, but I do wear lipstick every now and then.” I check my reflection once more, brushing a loose strand of hair behind my ear.

  “Wouldn't have anything to do with the fact your new boss is a total stud, would it?”

  I spin on my heel. “Beth!”

  She holds up her hands in surrender. “Just a thought.”

  I laugh. “You geek.”

  She pauses and then clears her throat. “Right. Breakfast.”

  “I’ll give it a miss.”

  “You’ll need your energy.”

  “I’ll grab a bun from the waffle house on the way in.”

  Her eyes narrow. “You sure?”

  “Yeah.”

  Her lips curl up at one corner. “Nervous, huh?”

  I pause for a beat and then nod.

  “You’ll be great…” She pauses and there’s a kind of forlorn look in her eyes. “It won’t be long before you can go back to college.”

  “I know.”

  “I’m really proud of you for doing this.”

  I place a hand on her arm and smile. “Don’t be. We need the cash. Just promise me one thing…no more debts, okay?”

  “I promise.”

  I study her briefly before smiling and walking out.

  On the short journey across town to the shop, I try to shake off the last few months. I had to drop out of college to find a job so I could help her out. At first she could afford the rent on our apartment, but she quickly found herself spiraling into debt.

  Her addiction was shopping. It was silly, but I guess she was trying to fill the void of the last three years. I was studying for a business degree, but seeing her struggle, with loan sharks circling us, and the rent being barely paid each month, I decided it was time to find work and help her pay the bills.

  She owes about ten grand. The deal is that if I take care of the bills then she can work off her debt. Then, when she’s all clear, I can go back to college and finish up my studies.

  It’s a small sacrifice really. I hate seeing her stress so much. She may be a mother figure to me, but lately the roles seem to have reversed.

  I owe her, though. She’s been my rock. In the early days of our loss I was in a dark place. I was reckless and directionless, getting drunk most nights to shield my wounded heart. She pulled me out of that.

  As I get closer to the shop, butterflies swirl in my belly. Beth was right, partially anyway—the make-up is for my new boss’s benefit.

  Brandon Marshall is the hottest guy in town by far. Tall, muscular, and older than me, the image of him often plays in my head when I pleasure myself. In fact, he’s the only guy since my ex-boyfriend who’s made me want to get involved with a man. I don’t just want hard, fast sex, I want romance—someone to hold onto, and have hold onto me.

  Being a tom-boy I’ve never had much luck with the opposite sex. And although I’d love to lick chocolate off every single inch of Brandon’s jacked body, I’m pretty sure my luck won’t change when I work for him. He’s at least fifteen years older than me, and a guy as fit as he is must be taken already.

  I’ve only met him once, at my interview, but I was immediately attracted. I love the fact he’s so manly and gets so dirty with bikes. He’s just the type of guy I could gel with if the age gap was smaller. Most guys my age seem to be scared of me. Perhaps it’s because I’m a loud, curvy girl with tattoos, who takes no shit?

  Still, underneath the tough veneer I’m a woman like any other—a woman with desires. There’s only so many times a girl can use Mr. Dildo before boredom creeps in!

  Brandon

  When my new shop assistant walks in I almost spit out my
stone-cold coffee. When I first met Emma at her interview I never fully appreciated how cute she was. Sure, she was pretty—with generous curves, and a bust that effortlessly stretched her t-shirt—but her face was make-up free, and her hair was hidden under a baseball cap. Today she looks different. Her blonde hair is styled into a sleek ponytail, her lips are ruby-red, and her curvy hips are perfectly shown-off in a black pencil skirt.

  Jesus, what I wouldn't do for the chance to bend her over one of the workbenches and fuck her brains out!

  I push up from the bike I’m working on and walk across the drafty garage space to greet her. “Morning.” I glance up at the clock on the wall. “You're twenty-minutes early.” I meet her eyes and smile. “Keen. I like it.”

  She holds up a muffin. “Thought I’d come in early so I could have breakfast before you work me to death.”

  “Good thinking. Where’s mine?”

  She grins and walks straight past me for the tiny office cubicle at the back of the shop. My eyes trail on her peachy ass as her hips sway from side to side.

  Damn! I gotta get a grip. She’s my employee.

  That fact only serves to make my blue balls swell with lust. Cock-achingly beautiful and off-limits! Just my luck!

  I’ve been off women for a while now, being long through with one night stands that lead nowhere, so it’s just typical that some hot curvy fox is now working for me. It’s going to prove a hard job staying professional around her, and abstinent.

  I follow her into the office. “What’s with the clothes?”

  Already seated, like she’s been here forever, her stunning sky-blue eyes narrow on me. “Sorry?”

  I nod to her crisp white shirt, which just about keeps her ample chest covered up. “This isn't the most sanitary of places. You're dressed like you've walked into some kind of swanky air-conditioned office.”

  “You needed an assistant and receptionist, yes?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Then I can’t wear dirty tees and jeans, can I?”

  Cheeky as fuck too…I like her!

  I smirk and lean against the office door. “Guess I’m just not used to it.”

  “Then get used to it, Mr. Marshall. It’s good for business.”

  “Coffee?”

  “That’ll be great.”

  I pick up my coffee stained mug from the side of the desk she’s sat at and shake it. “No cream for me.”

  She squints. “Excuse me?”

  I jerk my chin to the phone on her desk. “Business is a little slow these days. You may as well make yourself useful.”

  “So you hired me to be your maid?”

  “No. But it gives you something to do, right?”

  “Why don’t I help you fix up the bike you're working on?”

  I snort.

  She frowns. “Problem?”

  “No, it’s just—look, never mind the coffee.”

  She leans back on her chair and smiles.

  As I walk off—leaving her alone so she can settle down and take in her new surroundings—I shake my head and grin. I think we’re going to riff off each other really well. Not only is she beautiful, but she’s full of sass and confidence…

  It must be love!

  Chapter 2

  Emma

  It’s been a pretty dull morning work-wise, but at least I’ve kept myself entertained. I’ve had a lot of fun winding Brandon up. It was hard trying to play things so cool at first, and I started to think that I’d overstepped the mark with my sassy tough girl attitude, but he’s been a great sport—giving as good as he gets.

  However, it terms of career goals, working as a glorified gopher, instead of what the job description originally stated, isn't exactly the kind of challenge I had in mind when I was studying hard at college.

  But it’s fun to share banter with my new boss, it’s fun to watch him work on a motorcycle. The way his oil-stained vest clings to his chiseled body is making me feel hornier by the second. In fact, as I’ve watched him from behind my desk all morning, it has crossed my mind that I could easily slip a hand under my skirt and play with myself. With my lower body hidden from his line of sight he’d be none the wiser!

  Jesus, Em, you’ve got it bad, girl!

  Somehow I feel like I’ve known him my entire life. He’s pretty new in town, and it’s only my first day on the job, but he’s like a best friend I never knew I had. I don’t know what it is but we just click. But as nice as all that is, I need something to push me. I want to prove to him that I’m made for more than just sitting behind a desk.

  As lunch approaches I get a text from my sister. She’s asking me how my first day is going. With a smile stretching my lips, thinking about how she’ll tease me later for having a shameful crush on my new boss, I start to fire a text back. Just before I get the chance to let her know how awesome it is to be doing nothing but perving on Brandon Marshall, he comes into the office, snapping me out of smutty thoughts.

  “I’m heading out for lunch,” he says. “Think you can hold the fort?”

  Thinking about food, my tummy rumbles. “Sure.”

  As he turns to walk off he suddenly breaks to a stop. Turning on his heel, he brings a hand up to his forehead. “Shit. That was rude of me. What would you like?”

  “Where are you going?”

  “The deli.”

  My lips twist to the side. “Mm…a salad box.”

  He snorts.

  I shrug. “What?”

  “Salad? Don’t you want something more hearty than lettuce and tomato?”

  I run my hands along my thighs and suck in my belly. “Gotta watch my figure.”

  His dark, sexy eyes narrow. “I don’t know why.”

  I blush. “Okay,” I say after a beat. “Pastrami on rye.”

  “Thatta girl. I won’t be long. That damn bike needs finishing by two o-clock.”

  “Having trouble?”

  He sighs. “A little.”

  “Why don’t you let me tinker with it while you're gone? I’m good with my hands.”

  “Yeah. Right.”

  I fold my arms. “Don’t think a girl can do a man’s job, hey?”

  He smirks and then walks off.

  I can’t believe it! He’s cool, and undeniably sexy with it, but he’s such an ass!

  As soon as his motorcycle tears off the forecourt, I roll up my sleeves and creep out of the office toward the bike the client’s due to pick up.

  So, he wants to play Mr. Sexist, does he? I’ll show him!

  Brandon

  Waiting in line to be served, I’m finding it hard to fight off the huge boner growing inside my pants. From the sweet scent of Emma’s subtle perfume, to her smile, her generous curves, and her spunky attitude, she’s just the kind of girl I could easily settle down with.

  It’s fucking insane. One meeting, and not even a full day on the clock-card, and I’m fawning over her like some lovesick puppy.

  I’ve never felt so weak around a woman before. I’ve always had a carefree, easy come easy go outlook when it came to the fairer sex. But Emma is the first girl to challenge that.

  I shake it off when the guy behind the deli counter asks me what I want. Ordering pastrami on rye for Emma, and a meatball sandwich for me, I pay up and race out of there as fast as I can. Not only do I have a looming deadline to meet, I’m missing Emma’s company.

  Just as I start my motorcycle, though, disaster strikes. The engine keeps cutting out. I rev it as hard as I can, so hard that after a few more attempts it completely dies on me.

  Great!

  With no choice but to push the fucker back to the shop, which is a twenty minute hike across town, I place the sandwiches in the back pocket of my jeans, and start up the first hill of many. Thank god I’m in decent shape for a guy close to forty otherwise this would be torture!

  Chapter 3

  Emma

  When I rev the engine for the first time a smile of satisfaction pulls across my mouth. Brandon has spent all morning trying
to get it to work, and in just over ten minutes I’ve got the thing purring like a big cat.

  Finishing up, as the roar of the demon on wheels fills the lofty garage space, I wipe my hands clean with an old shammy and marvel at my appearance in the chrome bars of the bike. There’s hardly a single trace of motor-oil or grease on my pristine white shirt.

  Why are guys always so messy?

  Just as I get ready to turn the ignition off, and hide away in my tiny little cubby hole, I hear the click of heels glide across the concrete floor.

  “Brandon, I—” My words stop dead and my blood runs cold.

  “Imagine my surprise when your big sister told me that you were working here…” Backlit by the bright afternoon sun is the last man on earth I want to see: A man very much of my past, and very much of my present—in both mine and my sister’s life. He isn't some shitty ex I’ve wanted to hide from, he’s someone far worse—someone who has made life almost intolerable after the death of our parents.

  He walks through the garage with the same sneering smirk he’s always had. “I thought you were studying at college,” he says.

  “That’s none of your business.”

  “No need to be so uptight, Emma, I’m only making polite conversation.”

  I stop the engine on the bike and fold my arms. “What do you want, Mr. Smith?”

  “Please, call me Scott.” He loosens his cheap tie and looks around the garage. “Gee, how has a smart young lady like you found themselves working in a dump like this?”

  “My boss will be back any minute,” I warn him.

  He glares at me—stone-faced at first—before smiling when his eyes fix on the bike. “Was that the engine I heard?”

  “Yes. Why?”