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“Will report in to our parents. Stay safe, idiot.”
“You too, Sheriff. Though, I get your hot wife if something happens to you, right?”
I disconnect on him before he can respond.
But now everyone is as soothed as they’re gonna be that I’m not BBQ, I pull over and turn to my passenger.
She’s still out, and I check her pulse once more. It’s steady, and she just coughs every now and then. Reaching back, I grab a silver space blanket, shake it out and tuck it around her, just in case shock sets in, and then I take off once more.
Shit, for all I know, she’s taking some kind of beauty nap. Why, I don’t fucking know, but stress does strange things.
“We’re gonna have an adventure,” I tell her. “Like camping. Now, I don’t know you, so you better not have any thoughts of having your wicked way with me. Not that I don’t like the ladies, but I’m just trusting you with my virtue.”
I can see the cabin from here and the drive is rocky, the land sparse. Perfect for a lookout, and though we’re not in danger of the fire from here, the coming storm and rain will help keep the place safer.
“Of course, I’m also a man of weak resolve, so I’m counting on you to keep your hands to yourself.” I rub a hand over my close-clipped beard.
If she’s just pretending to sleep, she’s good at keeping a straight face.
Or maybe she thinks I’m a fucking maniac.
Wouldn’t blame her there. Of course, there’s the chance she might be the maniac.
“If you’re one of those serial killer types, I’m hoping my rescue’s got you feeling generous and non-murdery.”
I pull up and park.
“And we’re here.”
Just then, there’s a crack of thunder followed by a bolt of lightning and the heavens open.
I ease her out of the truck and stride up and into the cabin. It’s clean, stocked, and downright homey.
Carrying her to the bed, I lay her down and tuck the blanket around her. I got most of the rain. But even in the low light her burnished hair shines, and I smooth it from her face, wanting to check her for a bump on the head.
My hand falters and my heart thuds hard.
Fuck. She’s beautiful.
ChapterTwo
Sidney
Everything is blurred. I sit up, pulse slamming fast and wild, and something crinkles. I look down. Silver.
Oh, hell. Am I dead?
I cough. Throat tight, too dry and sore. It’s about five sizes too small for swallowing. And . . . where are my glasses? My bag?
Last thing I remember is panicking at a wall of red flames and sudden dark heat and smoke that got into everything. Then I had a huge coughing fit. I couldn’t breathe and . . . nothing.
I came to and there was an angel. Or a devil. Hot voice. Strong hands. Hard chest and steady heartbeat. He smelled of gasoline, engine grease, and fresh-cut grass. There was something else, like dried tea. It doesn’t sound like much, but the scent that cut through the smoke had been sensual, something to climb in.
I’m delirious.
Not to mention embarrassed, because I’m pretty sure I came to, fainted, and then drifted to sleep. Like, finally, I was safe.
Like a ninny. A delirious, weird ninny.
