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Bindi doubled over, wheezing and coughing, dragging precious air into her screaming lungs. The two men were on the ground, rolling and scuffling. Mack had come to her aid, she’d recognized his voice. Even though Mack was quick and lithe, he’d be no match for Mutt’s brute strength. He had a typical Maori build, tall, broad, and muscular, bigger than most men. And twice as heavy.
“Help,” she wheezed, straightening up. Was anyone even around to hear her? “Help us,” she shouted, louder this time. Loud grunts came from the two men, but they were in the shadows between the cars and it was too dark to see who was winning. It looked like Mutt had Mack in a headlock and was using his brute strength to hold him down. But Mack had got in a few good punches, and blood was flowing freely from Mutt’s nose. Bindi tried to aim a kick at Mutt’s stomach, but Mack kept getting in the way.
Feet thudded on the dusty ground as two men ran up. “Help,” she said, pointing to the two prize-fighters. “He’s going to kill Mack if you don’t do something.”
“Hey, man, what are you doing?” It sounded like this guy knew Mutt. He reached into the fray and tried to pull him off Mack. But it took both of the newcomers to force the two men apart. Mutt lay on the ground, panting and swearing, while one of the men sat on his stomach to make sure he stayed put. Mack scrambled to his feet and stared down at the other two.
“You friends of this idiot?” Mack barked.
“Yeah. Sorry, mate.” The one who’d first tried to break up the fight was blond, with a gap-toothed smile. Both the other men looked like city blokes, probably Cairns locals just here for the fun. “He’s been hitting the grog pretty hard tonight. We were taking him back to the hotel when he said he saw someone he knew and disappeared all of a sudden.”
Bindi wondered how they knew Mutt. How long had he even been in Australia? And was there truly something more sinister to his presence? Like he’d hinted.
“Sorry,” the blond man turned to Bindi. “Whatever he did to you, he didn’t mean it.”
These guys clearly didn’t have a clue who she was, or her history with Mutt.
“How are you? Did he hurt you?” Mack came over and tilted her face up, checking for injuries. His fingers were soft on her skin.
Her neck hurt where he’d squeezed her windpipe, and she’d probably have bruises to show for it in the morning. But otherwise, she was unharmed. Physically, at least. Emotionally, she was traumatized as her past came back to haunt her.
“Do you want to press charges?” Mack asked, his eyes never leaving Bindi’s face.
She glanced down at Mutt. All the fight seemed to have left him now as he lay on the ground, still trying to get his breath. “No. I just want him gone,” she replied shakily.
“Take him somewhere he can sleep it off,” Mack growled menacingly at the two men. “If I see him again, I’ll call the cops.”
Bindi fell against the side of the truck, her knees starting to wobble as she watched Mutt’s two mates hoist him up between them and walk him off into the dark.
But just before they disappeared completely into the shadows, Mutt called back over his shoulder, “Don’t think this is the end of it.” His dire warning made her stomach clench and her heart race.
Mack took three strides after the trio before Bindi called him back. There was no point in Mack getting any more involved than he already was. She admired his bravado, but she just wanted Mutt out of her face.
As he turned back, she saw his shirt was hanging off his shoulders, where Mutt had almost ripped it to shreds. Mack tugged at the remains with a scornful grunt, and Bindi was suddenly exposed to his naked torso. Even in the shadowy light, Mack’s muscular chest and well-defined abs made Bindi stare. Oh, my Lord. He was even more sexy than her imagination had allowed her to believe. She licked her lips, and a different kind of shake overtook her legs until she felt like she might collapse into a puddle of mixed emotions on the ground. For a split second, she was worried Mutt might’ve hurt Mack, but from what she could see, he seemed to be injury-free.
Mack’s face was full of concern as he approached. “You’re not okay, are you?” His strong arms wrapped around her, pulling her in close, offering comfort. No, she wasn’t. Mutt’s sudden appearance had left her feeling vulnerable and shaken. She’d already been feeling worked up after Mack’s ride, and now she was doubly distraught.
But his closeness wasn’t helping her state of mind. She raised her hands to his bare shoulders to push him away, but instead found herself pulling him in closer. His bare chest brushed against her breasts, and she closed her eyes for a split second at the thrill she felt, even through the fabric of her shirt. For wild, uncounted moments, she let herself drown in the presence of Mack. He was such a paradox, arrogant and cocky one moment, considerate and kind the next. Protecting her like a knight in shining armor. She wished she knew who the real Mack was. Right now, he felt so vital, so alive, his vibrance infected her, making her want to inhale his presence, and never let him go.
She was supposed to be mad at him because he’d behaved recklessly tonight. And worried that he’d been hurt in the fight. But she was confused; she didn’t know if she wanted to slap him, or kiss him.
Kiss him?
Did she really want to kiss him?
Now that the thought had entered her head, she couldn’t rid herself of the image. She opened her eyes and found her gaze resting on his mouth, wondering what it would taste like. As if he seemed to sense her change in focus, Mack looked down and studied her face, the light of comprehension replacing concern in his eyes.
He didn’t make the first move, however, as she’d expected. No. He merely looked at her, one eyebrow raised, watching. A thrum started deep in her belly. Why did this cowboy have to be so damn sexy? Why was she so temped by him? Like she’d never been with any other man.
Throwing caution to the wind, she stood on tiptoe and reached up to brush her lips against his. His muscled biceps tensed around her shoulders and his firm lips responded to her kiss, meeting hers, opening and inviting her in. She ran her fingers lightly down his side to the waistband of his low-riding jeans, feeling the ridges of the bands of muscles around his hips and across his lower back. She groaned into his mouth and pulled him closer. He smelled faintly of dust and sweat and bull and leather, but it was like an aphrodisiac to Bindi. He was pure male, full of ego and swagger, supremely confident in his ability to please a woman, something she hadn’t even known she was craving until right this moment.
And it was her he wanted, of that he made her quite certain. The bulge in the front of his jeans proved he was more than interested. She ran both hands up his naked back, delighting in the warm skin beneath her fingers. Heat pooled between her legs as his tongue delved deeper. Oh, he was so good at kissing. It didn’t even matter that he might’ve kissed hundreds of women before her to become this good. She could stay here all night, just kissing him.
Or… They could do more than just kiss. She hadn’t felt this hot, urgent need to have a man between her legs in she didn’t know how long. Her fingers found their way to the front of his jeans, where his erection strained to be let free. A sizzle of anticipation ran through her. She gripped the zipper and began to draw it down.
“Whoa.” He pulled back far enough so he could look into her eyes. “Are you sure you want to do this? I mean, you seemed quite distraught before. That guy attacked you. I’m not sure…” What? Was he giving her an out? It was the last thing she expected from him, but she shook her head. No, she wanted to get lost in this man for tonight. Forget about Mutt and the dark memories of her brother his appearance had brought to the surface.
As if her giving him permission let loose his last shred of self-restraint, he lifted her up so her back was pressed against the truck and she wrapped her legs around his waist, and he devoured her mouth with his hungry kisses. She tipped his hat off with a flick of her thumb, so she could better access his lips, letting passion overtake her every thought.
