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Her
I careen off the road, panic clogging my throat. I jolt in my seat as I bump along the grass median strip, hitting puddles that douse my windshield. The car slides sideways, completely out of control, along with the frantic beat of my pulse. I release the brake and try again, shoving my foot down hard.
The brakes grip. Tight. I keep my foot planted as I’m flung forward. The seatbelt finally locks, burning my neck and holding my chest in place. My forehead hits the steering wheel. Pain consumes my skull, and the world blurs.
For a moment, there’s nothing. No movement. No sound. No panic. Just a blur.
“Jesus Christ.” I close my eyes and breathe. Slow, calming breaths.
The rhythmic thump of the windshield wipers returns to my awareness. The light patter of rain, too. Cars pass, slushing water.
I’m safe. I’m safe. I’m safe. I chant the words over and over in my mind.
It was a careless road accident. A stupid goddamn mistake. That’s all. There was no malicious intent. No hidden agenda. No asshole trying to kill me.
I open my eyes and swallow the need to crumple. For once, I wish I could be weak. I want someone else to fix my mess. To make everything okay again. I want the guilt over Dan to be gone. The pain over my family to ease. And I want Hunter.
I want him now.
Come on, bitch. Focus. Get your ass out of here.
I place the car in reverse, and a shadow creeps into my peripheral vision. A large, looming figure approaches my door. I lunge for the glove compartment and yank it open.
“Are you okay?” a man asks.
I pause in my reach for the gun hidden beneath road maps and glance over my shoulder. A guy stands at my window. His image is distorted through the droplets of rain against the glass, but I can still glimpse a relatively handsome face full of concern.
“I saw everything. Do you want me to call the cops?”
“No. I’m good.” I straighten and wind the window down a crack, letting the chilled wet air gush in.
He smiles at me as rain hits his smooth honeyed skin and chocolate hair. “You sure? That old guy shouldn’t be on the road.”
“Old guy?”
He nods. “hair, thick glasses, golfer hat. He almost cut me off a few miles back.”
The tightening in my lungs loosens. I can deal with the thought of an old-timer. It’s the other possibilities that poke at my paranoia. “I didn’t see who was driving.”
“I don’t think he saw much of anything either.” He chuckles, but the humor quickly fades under his narrowing brown eyes. “You’ve got a bump.” He points to his forehead. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I’ll be fine once I get back on the road.”
He retreats a step and glances along the side of the car, his gaze low. “That might be a problem. Those wheels look pretty deep.”
Shit. Shit. “Shit.” My frustration comes out in a rough shout. This is the karma I expected. The starting phase that will slowly morph into something big enough to drag me under its suffocating wing.
He flashes a sexy grin. It’s gorgeous, filled with oozing amounts of charm. “Don’t worry. I’ll get you out of here. Why don’t you put it in reverse and give it a try?”
A shiver runs down my neck. Not a welcome one. As physically appealing as this guy is, I don’t want to be reliant on him. But being stuck on the side of the highway, in the middle of nowhere, is even less of a preference.
“Yeah…” I nod and wince at the renewed pain pounding through my head. “Okay.”
I place the gearshift in reverse and slowly lower my foot on the accelerator. The wheels spin, whirring and sliding without traction. “Damn it.”
“I’ll give you a push.”
He stalks for the front of the car, and I can’t help my usual cautious analysis. He’s tall. Way taller than I am. Thick arms, broad shoulders. In an attack, overpowering him would be difficult. In all honesty, it would be almost impossible without a substantial eye gouge or knee to the groin.
He stands before the beaming headlights, places his hands on the hood, and meets my gaze through the windshield. “Give it another try.”
“Hold on a sec.” I reach across the car, grab my gun from the glove compartment and my coat from the passenger seat. I hide the weapon inside the thick material and place them both in my lap.
I don’t believe this guy’s selfless act. I don’t care that he’s attractive, or kind, or charming. I’m not even sure I buy his account of the old guy not seeing me. I have no choice but to question everything.
“I’m ready now,” I call out the window. “How about you?”
“Go for it.”
I inch my foot down on the pedal. The wheels spin, whir. I hold my breath, my pulse increasing with each passing second. I can’t stay out here. I can’t wait for a tow. The piece-of-shit car has to move. There is no other choice.
Please, please, please.
The man roars as he pushes, his expression pinched, the material of his long-sleeve gray shirt growing damp and sticking to his biceps.
The car slides in and out of traction, moving sideways, farther and farther, before finally gripping. I exhale in a gush of relief and steer through bumpy, soaked grass.
The man follows, ru
He walks around the hood, shaking his feet, and returns to my window, his lips quirked in smug satisfaction.
“Thanks.” I glance down at his soaked shoes and wince at the pants drenched from his ankles to his knees. “I’m sorry about your clothes.”
“You don’t happen to have a towel, do you?” He leans forward and looks in the car, scoping out the front and the back.
The chill returns, sliding down my neck, my spine. I slip my hand into my coat and palm my weapon. “No, unfortunately, I don’t.” I shouldn’t be this jumpy, not when he clearly needs a towel, but distrust comes with the territory.
“No problem.” He waves me away. “Where are you headed, anyway?”
None of your damn business. “Portland.”
“Me, too. Do you want me to follow you in case you have any problems?”
“I’ll be fine.” My response is unintentionally growled, which only increases his grin.
“I’m not looking for a gratitude blow job, if that’s what you’re thinking. It’s just that the roads are slippery, and it’s harder to drive at night. Your wheel alignment might be messed up, too.”
“I don’t have much farther to go. And if I run into any problems, I have someone I can call.”
“Okay. I’ll get out of your hair, then.” He reaches out a hand to shake.
I stare for longer than necessary, my heart pounding as I release my gun and clasp his offering. “Thanks again.”
His palm engulfs mine, and he’s warm despite the rain and cool temperature. He also grips my hand gently. Not weak, but not overpowering.
Those dark eyes turn somber, and I can see sympathy staring back at me. Or maybe it’s an apology. I don’t know either way, but he stares for longer than he should, his attention stealing parts of me that I want back.
I pull my hand away and paste on a smile. “It was nice meeting you.”
“Likewise.” He inclines his head and gives me a two-finger salute. “I’ll see you around.”
He walks away, and I watch my side mirror until he’s inside his car. I wait. Then wait some more. He doesn’t make a move to leave before me. In fact, he flashes his lights, instructing me to go first.