AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Then the unthinkable happened. Several items slipped out of my hands, falling on and around his feet. My day had just turned to shit.
When he chuckled again, the bad girl inside of me reared her head. I was working on adrenaline and little else, the motel I’d stayed in devoid of a working air conditioner. I was also still reeling from the events a few days before, furious that I hadn’t stood my ground. Now this… gorgeous asshole was making fun of me.
“You heard me, sunshine. If you want to live past forty, you should consider better eating habits.”
Now he’d crossed a line. I left the items on the floor, inching closer, planting my hands on my hips. “Look, boy toy. I’ve had a shitty past couple of weeks. I’m driving halfway across the freaking country in search of a new life. I’m hot. I’m tired. I’m obviously very cranky so I don’t need your shit. K?”
I’d be damned if he didn’t have a grin on his face a mile wide. And why did he have to smell so damn good, like fresh-cut timber and a hint of exotic spices? I felt a wave of intoxication hitting my system.
He backed away, taking his sweet time picking up my items. Then he gave me a stern look, as if the dude was my master. Fat chance in hell. “Just friendly advice, sunshine. You’re far too beautiful to fall victim to the effects of junk food.”
I narrowed my eyes, allowing every minute of rage I’d felt to rise to the surface. “Mind your own business, sweet cheeks.” I grabbed the items out of his hands with enough force I almost lost the soda, but I recovered, moving with about as much grace as a broken gazelle toward the counter, tossing the items with a little too much force. And damn it if he wasn’t laughing as I checked out. When I was able to grab the bag, I took long strides toward the door, turning around once and giving him a sneer. “And don’t call me sunshine.”
I managed to keep my head held high as I moved toward my car, tossing the items inside. Then I realized a restroom stop was a good idea since I’d seen next to nothing for the last three hours. I stomped back inside, keeping the look of hatred on my face as I headed for the bathroom.
The entire time I’d crossed the parking lot, I’d felt his heated gaze staring at me through the window. Okay, so I’d also taken another good look at his insanely handsome body, but with an attitude like that, he’d never be involved with any woman.
I took a deep breath after walking inside the restroom, slouching against the wall for a few seconds. Who was I kidding? I couldn’t continue to hate every man who came my way because of what happened.
After finishing my business, I took several deep breaths of the cool air then headed for my car, stopping short when I noticed his bike parked in front of my car. He slowly turned his head as I approached, his dark sunglasses hiding eyes I hadn’t paid enough attention to. I started to say something to him, but all I could think of were either nasty retorts or a suggestion that we find the closest motel.
Nope.
Time to get back on the road. After climbing inside, I expected he’d turn his attention to what he was doing. Oh, hell, no. He kept the same smug look on his face, peering into my windshield as if he’d already undressed me with his eyes. Damn him for creating a wave of heat between my legs.
I started the engine, trying to turn the wheel and slide past. Then I chewed on my lower lip, shoving the gear into reverse, backing up by at least twenty feet. After that, I hauled ass, the tires squealing as I slammed my foot on the accelerator, whizzing by him with just enough speed that the tires kicked up dust. As soon as I glanced into the rearview mirror, I slapped my hand over my mouth.
Shit. Shit. Shit.
The hulk was covered in dust.
As I hurried onto the road, I continued to glance in the rearview, certain he would come after me. Five miles later and the excessive speed I was going, I finally took a deep breath.
What a shame. He was one hell of a man.
Five miles turned into twenty, then forty and I was suddenly hating the drive. The road was as desolate as they came, nothing but desert on both sides, a few cacti in the distance, and mountains as the background.
As I drove, the loneliness started to settle in. I’d never done anything this impulsive in my life. I’d reacted instead of planning, the anxiety of what I was doing changing my personality. Maybe that’s what I’d needed all along. Instead of being the nice girl, which had only brought me heartache, I’d turned into the bitch. It was nice in thought. Let’s see how far I could take it.
Laughing, I switched the radio station and cranked up the air conditioning.
“Love… I won’t… ever if…” The country singer chirped like some freaking bird. Sputter. His voice faded in and out.
What the hell was wrong with the damn radio? I should have indulged in satellite, but I was trying to save money.
“Goddamn piece of shit!” The grueling twenty-five-hour trip had finally ripped what little patience I had from my mind. I slammed my hand on the dashboard, as if that would help the radio start functioning again. I’d made it all the way from Richmond, Virginia without any issues. Now this. Beads of perspiration trickled down both sides of my face as if the car was trying to get even with me for saying bad things about her.
I cranked up the air, only to realize the blower was slowly dying.
“Fuck, no. This can’t happen. I hate you, car. I freaking hate you.”
My car’s revenge continued, the engine suddenly cutting off. I did my best coasting it to the side of the road, laughing maniacally because even the steering was on the fritz. This was ridiculous. When I finally managed to roll it onto the shoulder, I smashed my hands against the steering wheel several times. After taking gulping breaths, I tried to restart the engine only to hear several clicking sounds.
My insides felt like they were being stewed and the air had been off for only a few seconds. After checking the rearview mirror for any approaching traffic, I opened the door and popped the hood, trying to remember when I’d seen the last road sign of any kind. A long time. I moved onto the hot pavement, the sun scorching my skin even though it was past five in the afternoon.
I stood exactly where I was for a few seconds. Even though I was wearing my darkest shades, I was forced to shield my eyes given the cloudless day. Someone had to come along soon. Right?
No, that wasn’t true. That’s because I’d taken the advice of a snazzy hottie at my second to last stop, pestering him for a shortcut. He’d promised me this would cut off a full two hours. He neglected to tell me that nobody traveled the damn road.
