Driven to Obsession

Chapter 3: Crossing the Line

The sun had dipped below the horizon by the time Olivia finished her initial inspection of Sam's car. The darkness brought with it a sense of isolation that amplified the intensity of their interactions. The shop, usually a hub of noise and activity, now felt like a secluded corner of the world where only she and Sam existed.

Sam had been uncharacteristically patient, watching her work with an almost predatory stillness. Olivia could feel his gaze on her every time she moved, like a weight pressing down on her. It wasn't uncomfortable, exactly, but it was disconcerting-like being under a microscope, every action and reaction scrutinized.

Finally, she wiped her hands on a rag and stood up, facing him. "You've got some issues with the fuel injectors. They're not firing properly, which could cause misfires when you're pushing the car to its limits. I can fix it, but it's going to take a few days."

Sam nodded, his expression unreadable. "And what will it take to get it done sooner?"

Olivia frowned, not liking the implication. "Rushing this kind of work isn't a good idea. If you want it done right, you have to give it the time it needs."

He stepped closer, closing the distance between them. "Time is a luxury I don't have, Olivia. I need this car ready the weekend."

The proximity of his body sent a shiver down her spine. Olivia fought to maintain her composure, refusing to let him see how much affected her. "Then you'll have to take it somewhere else. I won't compromise the quality of my work."

For a moment, she thought he might argue, but instead, a slow smile spread across his face-one that sent a dangerous thrill through her. "I respect your principles. It's rare to find someone who values their work as much as you do."

Olivia relaxed slightly, though she could still feel the tension in the air between them. "I'll start on it tomorrow. If I can clear some of my other jobs, I might be able to get it done faster"

Sam reached out, his fingers brushing a stray strand of hair from her face. The touch was gentle, but it sent a bolt of electricity through her, making her heart race. "Thank you," he murmured, his voice low and intimate.

Olivia swallowed hard, forcing herself to step back, putting some distance between them. "I'll need a down payment. Half up front, the rest when the job's done."

"Of course," Sam agreed easily, but there was something in his eyes that suggested this was more than just a business transaction to him. "But I think we both know there's more at stake here than just money."

Olivia felt a knot of tension form in her stomach. She wasn't naive-she knew the undercurrents in their conversation hinted at something more than just a professional relationship. But acknowledging it felt like crossing a line she wasn't sure she was. ready to cross.

"Sam..." she began, trying to find the right words to set boundaries, but he interrupted her.

"I'm not going to pretend that I'm not attracted to you, Olivia. You're smart, talented, and you don't back down. That's rare, and it's something I find... compelling."

His words hung in the air between them, charged with a tension that made it hard to breathe. Olivia knew she should say something, set the record straight, but the intensity in his eyes, the raw, unguarded way he looked at her, made it difficult to think clearly.

Before she could respond, he closed the distance between them, his hand cupping her cheek, tilting her face up toward his. "You feel it too, don't you? This pull between us?"

Olivia's breath caught in her throat. She did feel it-a magnetic attraction that defied logic, one that she had been trying to ignore since the moment they met. But acknowledging it felt like giving in to something she couldn't control, something that could consume her if she wasn't careful.