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ChapterOne
“Oh my God, I just killed Bambi.”
My body trembled, and tears stung my eyes.While the thunderous beat of my heart and the cacophony of shrieking metal still echoed in my ears, the punch of adrenaline slowly bled from my system.I couldn’t erase the image of the regal buck or the sickening thud of flesh exploding against my SUV from my mind.
Peering through the web of the shattered windshield, I pressed a hand to my stomach.Blood and chunks of fur-mixed flesh, covering the hood of my vehicle, looked like something out of a bad horror movie.Saliva pooled in my mouth.Dragging in several deep breaths, I swallowed rapidly to keep from throwing up all over myself.
I shouldn’t have looked.
Guild and sadness wended through me.The pain of my shoulder, where I’d bounced against the doorframe, paled in comparison to the anguish I felt for taking the innocent animal’s life.I was a murderer.
“I’m so sorry, Bambi.You probably have a mate and babies that will wonder where you are.”
Unsure how long I’d been sitting in the middle of the deserted, gravel road, I finally realized I needed to call a tow truck or the police…someone who could help me.As I went to reach for my purse, I discovered it had been tossed to the floorboard.But after unbuckling my seatbelt, and gingerly reaching across the console, my head began pounding like a million busy jackhammers were trying to bust out of my scalp.My stomach pitched once more, like a kayak in a hurricane, as I snagged the strap, and slowly sat upright before pulling out my cell phone.
But before I could tap in 911, the growl of an engine and crunching gravel snagged my attention.Lifting my gaze to the rearview, I caught a glimpse of a huge red truck as it slowed, pulled up beside me, and stopped.
When the window of the truck lowered and the passenger stuck his head out, my heart skipped a beat.Even though worry lined his face, the man staring at me was devastatingly handsome.The concern in his dark, charcoal-colored eyes sent butterflies dipping and swooping in my stomach.Clearly, he was Native American with his long, blue-black hair, sun-kissed skin, and high exotic cheekbones.I could have gazed at him for hours.
When he sent me a curious look, I peeled my gaze off him.Then, with athank youpoised on my tongue; I pressed the button to lower my window, but it didn’t budge.I raised my finger, motioning for him to give me a second, then slung the strap of my purse over my shoulder.
As I opened the door, the driver leaned forward and poked his head around the stunning Native man’s shoulder.The sight of his hypnotic blue eyes and rugged jaw dusted in a light scruff matching his ash blond hair, combined with the icy wind swirling around me, stole my breath.
The driver was as dangerously delicious as his passenger.They were two of the most decadent and sinfully handsome men I’d ever laid eyes on.The kind that, without even trying, intimidated me to the point of being nervous and tongue-tied.
But, Lord…were they ever gorgeous.
“Wait,” the passenger barked.
So focused on his deep voice flowing over me like warm honey, I ignored his command and eased from the driver’s seat.As I stepped onto the road, a nauseating squish echoed in my ears while my foot plunged, ankle deep, into the warm, thick center of the deer’s bloody carcass.
Revulsion crawled up my spine and tore from my throat in a guttural groan before landing like a brick in my stomach.While the slippery sensation and grotesque sound pounded my brain, I jumped over the remnants of the deer.Kicking the bloody goo from my foot, I ran to the back of my SUV and tossed my purse aside before doubling over and promptly puking up every ounce of my four dollar and eighty-seven cent cup of coffee into the ditch.
“Hold her hair,” the passenger ordered.
While strong fingers gathered my mane, the Native man gripped my hip and leaned over my body.
“Let it out, little one,” he murmured.
His hot breath fluttering over my ear sent a different kind of shiver quaking through me.But it wasn’t enough to stop the next wave purging from my belly.After coughing it out, I released an un-ladylike spit and groaned.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered, embarrassed beyond comprehension.
“You don’t have a thing to be sorry for,” assured the blue-eyed man, still cinching my hair.“I think we need to get you to a hospital.”
“No, please.I don’t like hospitals,” I begged before swallowing the bitter taste staining my tongue.“I’m fine, just…grossed out.”
“You’re notfine.You’re shaking like a leaf,” the Native man corrected, strong hand singeing my hip.
“I’m just cold.”
It wasn’t a lie.But that wasn’t the real reason I was trembling.It was because ofhim.His dark, mysterious eyes.His wide shoulders.His tall, powerful body.And his soul-stealing beauty.
“Are you done?”
I nodded and slowly stood upright.
“Good girl.”
