Page 45 of Wild Promise

He angled his body toward me, crossing his strong arms over his solid chest, and hit me with a panty-melting smile. “Yeah, firecracker?”

“What the hell are you doing here?”

He chuckled, the deep sound making my entire body shiver, and took a step closer. And then another and another. Until we were standing toe to toe.

He leaned down, his mouth brushing across my cheek. “You are adorable when you’re feisty, and I like it a whole hell of a lot.” His lips grazed my ear, and a shiver rolled through me. “Nate called. Said he overheard your conversation with Becky and thought you could use a hand. So here I am.”

“You drove across town before eight in the morning just to help me?” But even as I asked, I already knew the answer.

This was the man I knew him to be. The man who, under the playboy reputation, had a heart of gold. Zane swoon-worthy Alexander. And he’d come to my rescue, not even knowing what he was saving me from.

His smile softened, a look of wonder crossing his features. “Melina, I would drive across the country all day and all night if I thought you needed me.”

The words hit me square in the chest. For a second, I couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t swallow. Couldn’t do anything but stand there and feel the weight of what he’d just said settle over me.

No one had ever said anything like that to me before. Not once.

“That was not the answer I was expecting.” I blinked hard, willing myself to hold my shit together. “But it’s a good one.”

He slipped a hand around my waist, pulling me tight to his sturdy frame, and dropped a kiss to the tip of my nose. “I’m glad you like it.”

Did I ever. With my body, heart, and soul. Hell, if I studied it hard enough, I might even say I loved it. But I didn’t have time to get lost in emotion or to allow my physical desire for him to get carried away.

My promotion was on the line, and if I wanted it, I’d need to focus hard and grab it.

“Can you drive me to work, please?” I asked, moving back out of his hold and away from temptation.

“Sure, I can. But you might want to change your coat first.”

I looked down the front of me where a giant grease stain was prominently displayed in two long streaks down the center of my coat. Right where I’d wiped my hands.

“Shit,” I cursed, mentally chastising myself for being so careless. “Stay right here. I’ll be two minutes.”

I dashed toward the house, leaving Zane’s light laughter behind me. As I was partway up the step, the front door opened and my dad shuffled onto the porch, his cane tapping out his awkward stride.

“Car…t-troubles?” he stammered as I rushed toward him, but his eyes weren’t on me or the Honda. His unsteady gaze was zeroed in on Zane.

“Yeah, it won’t start.” I hesitated beside him for a moment. “I need to get a new coat from my room. Please be nice.”

He cocked his head toward me, raising the one eyebrow he seemed to have the best control over. “When am I e-ever…not nice?”

Chapter Sixteen

Zane

A man, who I assumed was Melina’s father, stepped gingerly onto the porch. The cane at his side was gripped tightly in his hand, and he leaned on it heavily for support.

They spoke in hushed tones for a minute, and even though I couldn’t see her face, her stress was obvious from the way she straightened her spine and tensed her shoulders.

Something inside me bristled at seeing her that way. Was her anxiety because of the looming car repair? The event at work? Or the way her father’s assessing gaze was trained directly on me?

As soon as she dashed inside the house, I decided to make my move. She’d object if she knew what I was up to, but it was a risk I was willing to take.

I shut the hood of her car and then strode purposefully toward the front porch and her expectant-looking father.

“Good morning,” I called, trying to act nonchalant despite the churning of my gut. I stopped at the bottom of the stairs leading up to the porch, giving him the height advantage and myself a better view of the man who I hoped didn’t already hate me on sight.

“Morning,” he returned, the word clipped and his voice low.