Shelby was back in Tony's scrap yard, the wooden yacht was sitting on a boat trailer, just out from under the awning. Even though the sun had set, a makeshift cacophony of lights shone onto her workspace, powered by a generator humming quietly. Its rhythmic rumble almost unheard over the crackle of the radio.

"Sorry about the club." Nacho's voice sounded from somewhere in the darkness behind her.

She didn't look up or stop working on the boat as she heard him approach. She had spent the last hour sanding and the sawdust mixed with the sand around her. She wiped a bead of sweat from her forehead and kept working.

The Bouy Breaker was in perfect condition sans the motor missing. It looked as though instead of taking the time to remove it, thieves cut the engine right from the wooden hole with a chainsaw. The sleek wooden vessel was made for racing around while models tanned on the long flat sun deck at the front. It had cream and tan padded cushions in the same pattern that matched the captain's chair and bench at the back.

Tony had pulled it from the harbor and since it was worth nothing in scrap, he let Shelby keep it. She thought she'd try for a bit to see if it could be repaired in any way to make it sail again, and sell it, but just needed funds to make it happen.

"I heard you left right after." He walked up beside her, his hands clasped behind his back as he silently watched.

She continued to sand down the piece of jagged wood, and after a moment finally broke her silence. She pulled the respirator just off her face. "Sure did." Was all she could muster. Though her body was tired and her muscles still ached, she continued to work.

"Your sister apologized." He offered, but his tone was cool and distant. "I came back that night. Then I went to your workshop. I've been trying to find you for the last two days."

Shelby stopped sanding and raised her head. Pushing the respirator up over her face to rest on her ball cap, she sighed, "is that all?"

"I'm sorry too." He said softly. "About all of it."

Shelby rocked back to sit at the captain's chair in a huff. "I'm sorry too. It would have been nice to have my boyfriend there."

He looked down, a faint smile crossed his lips as he mulled her words over in his mind.

"Who the hell was that guy?" She studied him.

He looked away from her. His expression was distant but the muscle in his jaw gave away his concern. "I drove him home, I didn't let him come back."

Shelby shifted in her seat, leaning forward to rest her elbows on her knees. "No way. I knew it."

He looked at her, his brows furrowed slightly.

Shelby smirked and clapped the respirator in her palm. "He does have emotions."

Nacho shifted uncomfortably and sniffed hard as he rolled his shoulders back, hands clasped behind him.

"Well then I guess you'll just have to figure out a way to make it up to me." Shelby tossed her respirator to the side.

He didn't answer and tilted his head, examining her progress on the boat.

Shelby wiped the sweat from her brow, smearing saw dust across her face.

Nacho's lips turned up at the corners. He silently pointed to the spot across her forehead where it was obvious a sizable clump of sawdust had accumulated. "You have something."

"Oh, do I?" Shelby couldn't help but crack a smile. She looked over her sleeves for a clean spot to wipe her face.

Nacho pulled a red bandana from his pocket and held it up to her.

She swiped it from his hand and wiped her face.

It smelled like how she had remembered him, but mixed with a faint cologne and she didn't mind breathing in the smell. It mingled with the pleasant scent of fresh hewn wood and for a moment she forgot she was upset with him.

"Thanks." She handed it back, the edges of her words and attitude had softened.

"I'll try to come to your race." He offered. His voice was sincere although his words were noncommittal again.

"I don't know if you should bother. I don't win anything unless I'm in the top five, and I don't really have the funds to finish any of my other projects before then." She nudged the gaping hole with her boot.

"It doesn't mean you won't finish." He said plainly, a hint of positivity in his tone.

"Unfortunately, I don't think I'm going to get that far." She wiped her forehead and sighed. "So I better finish this boat, otherwise I'll need to hang up racing for good."

"Hmm." Nacho furrowed his brow in thought for a long moment, then finally broke the silence. "I'll leave. Last thing I want to be is a disappointment and a distraction."

Shelby tilted her head back with a sigh. "You wouldn't be either if you had a drink on you."

He pulled a bottle from behind his back, a sly smile briefly crossed his lips. "Permission to come aboard?"

The glass was a light shade of blue and the bottle had a stopper in the shape of an agave blossom. She only recognized the tequila from the top most shelf behind the counter of the nicest restaurants or bars. Then she remembered, "Is that the ultra expensive stuff from the club?"

He nodded, shrugging a shoulder.

"I don't have any glasses." She shrugged as she took the bottle.

Nacho handed it to her before climbing aboard. "Does it matter?"

"I guess not." She said and pulled the stopper from the bottle with a pop.

She leaned against the platform of the tanning deck and took a swig from the bottle.

It burned at first and she couldn't help but cough. But after a moment the taste was aromatic and smooth after it went down. She had been so angry at the club she had forgotten what it tasted like. "Damn. You brought the good stuff." She handed him the bottle.

He leaned up against the platform next to her. "I wasn't sure you'd like to see me before your race- or ever again." He took a sip, his expression just as stoic as if he'd drunk water. "I actually bought this to celebrate."

"Well." She took another sip. It didn't burn quite as much that time. She wanted to say thank you. To tell him over the days since they'd last spoken that she wasn't as upset with him as she was with her sister. That she had seen the way Lalo was acting and the whole messed up nature of it. But instead she sighed and simply offered with a sad smile."With tequila this nice, I'll just have to win."

He didn't take the bottle back, he leaned back on his palms, chin up, taking in the night sky. He closed his eyes and breathed out a sigh of contentment.

This far out of the city the scrap yard was essentially the only lit thing this far into the desert.

Shelby soon realized she was once again covered in dirt around him and picked up a rag beside her. She quickly brushed the sawdust from her hands and arms but stopped when she felt a little shift in the fabric by her thigh.

Nacho was playing with the fabric of her coveralls.

She quickly glanced down to see he was rubbing the fabric between his thumb and forefinger, then tracing a finger back along the seam.

"I'm sorry you ever met Lalo." He said, more defeated than apologetic.

"Why are you friends with him?" She felt her skin buzz, partially from the excitement of his touch.

"He's not my friend." Nacho said, his voice was ice. "And he's not going to be around much longer."

The comment Lalo made about Nacho killing people surfaced in her mind. "Why?"

"He'll be going back to Mexico soon and he'll be done with me." His tone lifted and he sounded relieved.

"He'll be done with you?" She asked, her eyebrows lifting and she took another half sip.

"Forget it." He looked down.

"Why did you listen to him? Why did you do that… with Ferra?" She couldn't even bring herself to say the word. Her skin flushed from the thought of his lips pressed against her sister.

Nacho's eyebrows pulled together and his lips pursed. "I hate that I did that. I hate myself every moment I'm with him. But with Lalo… I don't really have a choice." His voice almost cracked with grief.

Shelby looked at him, considering this a moment. "But why? Is he family or something?"

He shifted uncomfortably. "Or something."

This whole conversation was having a physical toll on Nacho. She had never seen him look so conflicted and hurt. Something about Lalo bothered him. And as he sat there next to her, he looked like he wanted to blurt out what he was feeling or sprint away.

She placed her hand over his and squeezed it lightly. "You don't have to tell me, but please know you can ."

"It's more of an… obligation. You wouldn't understand." Nacho said offhandedly, but his hand moved to hold hers back.

"I actually understand completely." Shelby took a deep breath in. The cool night air had a clarifying effect on her. "Sometimes with my family. I feel like we only pretend to like each other. It's more convenient because that's what makes the most people happy."

"It doesn't make you happy though." He mused.

Shelby paused, the way he said it made it seem like he wasn't just talking about her. "But, I don't know. Maybe it's a middle child thing. I feel like it's a second full time job to make sure everyone is happy."

Nacho slowly nodded. "Back in Mexico I felt the same way. Like I needed to make sure everyone was getting along–" he paused as if thinking for another word.

"Having a good time." She offered off-handedly.

"Not fighting." He added.

They sighed at the same time.

This was the most Nacho had ever opened up, and normally when she saw him let down his walls, they were put up just as quickly. But his posture was relaxed, like his body was physically lighter from taking off his shell.

Shelby looked up, and with the lights shining onto them, she said. "Well, if I'm not going to work anymore tonight, I might as well save fuel."

The shop lights were burning bright and hot onto the surface of the boat.

She hopped down and turned off the generator, then switched the radio over to battery power along with a small lantern. She set it down on top of her tool box so she could see enough to get back on.

The generator's rumble ground to a slow halt and though the bulbs to the work lights were off, the ambient orange glow of their heat remained.

Music from the radio somehow felt louder in the new darkness, and the current station was playing a soft sweet tune.

Nacho pressed up to stand and gave Shelby a hand as she pulled herself into the boat again. He held her hand longer than necessary and said, "I still owe you a dance."

Shelby grinned and pulled herself towards him. "Yes you do."

He gently moved her hand up, and placed it to his shoulder before he scooped up the other.

The skin of his palms was rough in hers, but he held them with a soft touch. She felt his shoulder relax under her hand and she took a step forward, closing the distance a little, but not enough for their bodies to fully touch.

As they began to sway he put his other hand on her middle back. Chaste and respectful.

Shelby felt his warm breath tickle the hairs on the top of her head. She looked up at him briefly, his head was tilted down, but his eyes were closed. His face was soft and serene as they swayed side to side.

She had a thought. "When's the last time you saw stars?"

He kept his eyes closed and simply shrugged.

"When I was little, my sisters would sneak out to the patio to try and see the stars. After it rained and the smog cleared, we could sometimes see about five. But I bet they're better out here."

"Hmm" Nacho gave a surprised hum of acknowledgement and tilted up his chin. "I don't actually remember the last time I've seen them."

She leaned her head back, and looked up to the sky with him. They were wonderful and numerous. Twinkling above, their pin prick glow sprinkled out to the horizon.

A cool evening breeze was rolling in across the desert towards them and it seemed to pick up speed as it dropped temperature. The sleeves of her coveralls were tied around her waist and she debated putting them back on.

She took a step forward, lightly pressing her body to his. It offered a nice warmth from the cool air and she leaned into him further.

A minute or so of silence passed between them as the radio played a low lovely tune.

His head was still tilted to the sky. "I think it was back in Mexico."

"Do you miss it?" Shelby danced her finger tips up his arm, walking it along one of his many tattoos up to his shoulder. Her hands moved across to his chest, fingertips tracing up the line of his shirt till she reached skin. She watched his strong jaw clench as he swallowed hard.

"Sometimes. I only have my father here." His voice was distant and longing.

Shelby looked back up at him, taking in the angles of his face. Admiring how his throat moved when he swallowed, and how the stubble along his neck and chin darkened his tanned skin in a pleasing way.

"If you want more family, you can have some of mine." She jested, moving her head to press a cheek on his chest. "I think I'm related to half the people in the Italian district in one way or another."

"Well, what I lack in numbers…" his voice trailed off. Unable to finish whatever had come to mind.

Another moment of silence passed. She waited for him to finish, but he never did.

She didn't pry and turned her attention to the sky again. Shelby knew first hand what it was like to have a dumpster full of family issues and respected him enough not to ask.

Invisible magnets were pulling them together and soon she was pressed right up against him as they danced slowly. He was warm and strong and gentle all at once.

His hand relaxed from the proper placement between her shoulder blades to rest comfortably on her waist. Shelby arched into the touch and dropped her arm. Relaxing her hand and forearm along his bicep, bringing them closer. She wanted as much of their body to touch. As she felt more of him, a static charged heat was building up inside her.

He must have felt it too as his arm around her tightened, pressing them closer together.

The wooden boards made slight creaks under their weight as they continued to dance around the deck of the boat.

His body tensed slightly against hers. "Until Lalo leaves, I don't know if it's a good idea for… well us ."

She looked back up at him to say something but stopped.

He was looking down at her. A stoic contemplation made his gaze impossible to escape.

Shelby's breath hitch a moment and she felt herself drawn to him. Eager to close the space between them like they had on the road weeks ago.

She bit her bottom lip. "What if I don't want to?"

His dark piercing eyes were intense with thought. As if weighing his options to tell her everything, or keep his walls high and thick. "I don't like that I can't keep you safe." Briefly his eyes went from analysis to an intensity she hadn't seen.

"What if I don't need you to keep me safe." She practically whispered.

His lips twitched up at the corners as he leaned forward. "In my business. There's no room for distraction."

"So that's all I am? A distraction?" She teased, tilting her chin up.

"You were pretty distracting in that red dress the other night." He offered, his eyebrow twitched up, as if remembering it caused a physical reaction.

Shelby couldn't help but give him a smug smile. "You mean that's better than the coveralls?"

He let go of her hand, reaching across, he gently moved the loose hairs out of the way of her face and brought his thumb forward, tracing it gently along her jaw and up to her ear. "I always like what you wear." He rubbed his palm along her back, and pressed her in closer when he did.

She looked back at him, her breath catching as she gave a surprised grin. Nacho had seen her in coveralls, covered in dirt and grease, and in a clubbing dress.

And yet he said the compliment with such sincerity.

Pulse roaring, she slid her fingers across his chest and collar bones, tracing the script of his tattoos and feeling his own heart beat.

Despite his stony expression, it betrayed him. Beating faster under her fingers.

He looked down at her face, his expression wary as her hands moved over him.

Her pulse picked up, and in feeling this, his face changed. Self satisfaction matching her own a moment prior.

His weathered hands softly traveled to the back of her neck.

Shelby stole a deep breath as Nacho leaned towards her. His scent of worn leather and something distinctly masculine filled her nose and she wanted to taste the divine again.

Nacho's studying eyes ran across her.

She followed his gaze as he took in collar bones, up her neck, and fell to her mouth. He leaned in, just a breath away and stopped.

His eyes flicked to hers.

Receiving the full fury of his gaze was intoxicating.

She waited for him to kiss her but he didn't move. Poised just there, waiting for her to close the distance.

She uncurled her fingers and moved her hand lower, flattening her palms against his chest. His pounding heart: steady, strong.

There was something building between them, just waiting at the ready for the green light to start. The other evening on the road hadn't been a fluke or an accidental lapse in judgment or impulse.

Like they were two cars idling on the starting blocks. Rumbling their engines to life in satisfied competing unison until they were given the drop of the green flag. They were ready to begin whatever this was.

He gently put the tips of his fingers under her chin. Pulling her lightly forward. "You're going to be bad for business."

She felt like she was floating closer to him. Allowing the pull of the magnets to finally snap them together.

Shelby moved her mouth to meet his and it was like the engine roared to life.

Nacho was still only a moment before he met her lips with equal vigor.

One hand cradled the back of her head, tangling his fingers in her curly hair.

His taste was different this time. As though the lapse of time from them meeting last made the kiss sweeter, and more sure.

There was less hesitation in her now, and with each moment, her confidence grew. She pressed up to the balls of her feet, trying to get even closer to him.

He inhaled deeply, as if trying to breath her in with the kiss, one hand moved through her hair as the other slid down her waist.

He was gentle at first, almost reserved, but then she swept her tongue into his mouth and he came undone.

His hand moved from her waist down to the small of her back, anchoring her in place, but easing her balance on her toes. The strength of his arm practically lifted her up to him.

Shelby arched into him, deepening their kiss, his body feeling strong and warm and pleasant pressed up against hers. She wanted more. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders, pulling him closer.

She had been on her tip toes and involuntarily rocked back as her muscles protested. "Sorry, you're just really tall."

He smiled, "here," and picked her up, placing her sitting on the sun deck.

They kissed again and were now equal height. He used the opportunity to move his mouth from hers, and down her jaw. Then his teeth were against her throat, biting softly and breathing her in deeply again.

She melted into desire. Squeezing his muscled shoulders she stole a gasp and leaned her head back to uninhibit his mouth.

She loved the way his hands felt on her. Steady and assured and they traveled across her body.

But he had been gone from her mouth too long, she cupped his face in her hand and brought it back to hers.

He stepped forward and she pulled her knees apart. Allowing his body to press right up against hers. His hand moved from her waist down to outside her thigh and squeezed.

There was an eagerness to his grip, and a hunger in his kiss, but it wasn't violating, it was intoxicating.

She lifted her legs and wrapped them around his hips.

This sent a surge through Nacho, one hand held the small of her back while the other– her body shivered with electricity as his fingers traced slowly up her calf and along her thigh, moving inward as it traveled up.

Suddenly his shirt seemed like too much distance between them and she began tugging it up.

He pulled away from her smiling and began to lift his shirt. Muscles flexed in detailed perfection as he lifted it above his arms and over his shoulders.

Shelby bit her lip as he pulled it the rest of the way off. Tossing in behind him.

He had more tattoos across his chest and stomach, the images warped sitting on top of his impressive muscles. Shelby wanted to run her fingers and mouth over every one of them.

He looked at her again, his eager eyes full of dark passion.

He had pulled too far from her. She used her legs to bring him back towards her again. Wrapping him between her thighs she squeezed him as he leaned in to kiss her again.

A honeyed heat settled low in her stomach and she moved her hands down his strong shoulders to his lower back, feeling his hips press against hers.

Kissing her deeply as his body responded to hers, Nacho ran his hands over the outside of her hips and she felt his hands grip her backside.

Wanting him so badly she thought her chest would combust, she leaned into his body more.

The frustration of her family a million miles away. Even the normal static of her mind was drowned out. Her body was pure electricity. And each time their lips met, sent new currents across her skin.

She dragged her fingers down the ridges of his stomach, as she got closer to the waist of his trousers he let out a deep noise in his throat that let her know she was on the right track.

His rough hands squeezed the outside of her thighs in a pleasant response as they traveled towards her hips. He squeezed them and rocked her towards him.

The frictioned feeling of his hips pressing in on hers sent a thrilling electricity up her legs and into her abdomen.

She wanted to rip off his clothes and see what else he could do.

She pulled away briefly, lifting her own shirt and yanking it up over her head and tossed it aside.

Their bodies met again and his warm strong chest felt exhilarating against hers. His hand traveled up her ribs and stopped. "Is this okay?" He paused breathing heavily,

Shelby smiled and reached behind herself, unhooking her bra and dropping it to the side. "I'm still having a really good time."

Nacho took in the sight of her briefly, then he moved his hands up her thighs, towards her waist and to her ribs.

Shelby leaned her head back as Nacho's lips met her throat again, traveling down towards her collar bone. She exhaled in bliss as his rough hands moved across her body and learned the curve beneath her breast.

She breathed heavily in and out, enjoying the touch of his rough hands on her skin.

His touch was gentle but secure. Tenderly moving his fingers across her chest.

She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and leaned back onto the tanning mat, pulling him on top of her.

They flopped back with a thud and Shelby couldn't help but chuckle as they tumbled.

He moved an arm under her waist and hoisted her up, holding her close to him as he crawled up onto the mat, positioning themselves in a more comfortable spot.

His hand moved from the small of her back as he gently placed her down. He steadied his body on top of hers, putting the weight on one of his arms and his knee rather than all his size directly on top of her.

Though it was thoughtful, it simply wouldn't do. Shelby moved her grip to his lower hips and pulled him closer to her.

She could feel his arousal as he pressed against her and the sensation sent electric currents through her chest and pooled somewhere just below her breath.

Following the sensation she wrapped her legs up around his waist and pulled him closer. Wanting to feel all the strength and sensation his body had to offer.

His kisses moved up, across her collar bones, up her neck and met her mouth once again.

A surging tide of warmth swept over her as their tongues met repeatedly. She swiveled her head to the side and deepened the connection.

Shelby wanted more.

Her fingers greedily grabbed his waist, feeling him press against her again. She hungrily moved her hands along his lower hips, guiding them as he lightly slid up and down.

He made a sound of pleasant compliance and rocked his hips forward again. Their tongues intertwined as she moved her hands to the front, along his waistband, towards his belt buckle.

He pulled away, his forehead gently resting on hers as he caught his breath. Looking into her eyes a moment before they turned down to watch her hands. A smile briefly flashed between panting breaths as he watched her, "you sure?"

Shelby answered with an eager smile and quickly undid his belt buckle. "I'm really sure." And with clumsy excited fingers undid the button and zipper of his trousers.

As she began to wiggle them down over his hips, she watched the muscles of his stomach tense. She bit her lip seeing that amazing V shape of his musculature that pointed directly where she wanted to go.

But the motion of pulling them off was interrupted when a little chime came from Nacho's pocket.

She smiled and said, almost out of breath, "they can call you back."

He pulled away, his face turned from a passion to anger so swift it actually startled her.

Reluctantly he tore himself away.

Nacho sighed with immense disdain as he reached low and pulled the phone from his pocket. He looked at the screen and his jaw set firm. "I gotta go." His voice was a hoarse whisper.

"Really? How can there be an emergency?" She leaned forward, resting on her elbows and watched him, catching her breath. "Like, right now?" The buildup of fire and intensity had left.

Nacho pulled himself off her and got back on the deck. He dispassionately shimmied up his pants and re-strung the belt.

He found his shirt in the pile of sawdust, shaking it out and putting it back on.

Shelby still sat there, frozen in disbelief. So he reached over and politely handed her shirt back, avoiding her gaze.

With a scowl he rubbed a hand over the top of his head, pacing the deck for a moment in thought.

"Wow. You're actually leaving." Shelby gawked at him as she held her shirt close. The cold night air pricked at her exposed skin.

"I'm sorry. I'll call you later." And he leaned in and kissed her on the cheek. It didn't feel like a romantic goodbye. It felt dutiful, like kissing your grandma after supper.

Shelby sighed out her nose and sat all the way up, but without another word he got in his car, and left.