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My eyes search his for any sign he’s a predator and I’m about to become prey.
I don’t see it.
As if he knows what I’m thinking, a faint smile curves his full lower lip. “There’s a coffee shop across the road. Do you know it?”
The big chain coffee shop is where anyone with more than two coins to rub together goes for frothy coffees. That person is never me. I nod.
“We can sit right beside the big window while we wait out the rain. I didn’t think to bring an umbrella with me.”
My eyes go to his expensive coat and watch.
What were you even doing here?
He reads my mind once again. “My car broke down. Come." The next time he offers me his hand, I take it and he pulls me to my feet as if I’m made of air.
I’m not thin, since I’ve got too much of a tummy for that. So he shouldn’t find it that easy to pull me up with such ease. Yet he does.
He tucks me close beside him, smelling of expensive leather and safety as he leads me away from the diner.
“Saige!” Dad snarls, sounding like he’s moving toward me. “Come back here or—”
The man swings back around. “You put your hands on her. Keep talking andI’llput my hands onyou.” His voice is soft with his threat. “You don’t want that.”
I turn in time to see Dad shrink back, terror sobering him up fast.
He’s defending me. Against Dad. When was the last time that ever happened?
Never, Saige. It’s never happened.
After a moment, the man turns back around. His strong hand grips the door handle and swings it open, revealing the rain hasn’t slowed even a little. He lowers his gaze to mine. “What’s your name?”
I glance up at him. “Saige. Saige Leo”
Pleasure fills his eyes. “Saige Leo, beautiful name. I’m Rylan. How do you feel about me buying you a coffee on such a miserable day?”
It suddenly isn’t feeling miserable anymore. But he’s still a stranger, so I try to sound more cautious than eager. “Just a coffee?”
He nods. “Just a coffee. And we’ll talk.”
“About what?”
It’s as if he doesn’t even notice the ketchup drying on my chin when he smiles at me. “Whatever you want.”
“You called me your mate before. Maybe we could talk about that.”
He slips out of his expensive-looking suit jacket and drapes it around my shoulders before he leads me out into the rain. “Yes, maybe we could.”
I never look back.
Not once.
2
SAIGE
PRESENT DAY
Ifeel his gaze skate down my back, linger on my ass, and then move away again. “Have her back tomorrow night.”
