Chapter Four
DORIAN
“Get your hands off her.” My low growl barely sounds human, but he can’t mistake my meaning when I grab the back of his shirt and jerk him back a few steps.
Philip Weeks, the slimy realtor I’ve seen in town, sputters until he sees me.
“B-b-beast.” He gulps.
Beyond him, Lisette’s shoulders sag. A tiny smile forms on her lips when our eyes lock.
A surge of heat barrels through me, knowing she’s relieved to see me. Not frightened.
I step between her and Weeks, keeping her tucked securely behind me. She’s so tiny. My body completely blocks his view.
Philip straightens to his full height, tilting his chin back to glare at me. “I was helping her.”
“Looked different to me.”
“I was offering comfort. She was shaken from the flat. Tell him, Lisette.”
I feel the press of her palm on the center of my back. My breath hitches tight at the contact.
“He did stop to help,” Lisette says, inching out from behind me. She waves toward her vehicle. “I didn’t have a jack.”
The smug bastard smiles. “She has all the help she needs.”
Not from this asshole. I step into his personal space. “Damn right. Me.”
“But—”
“She’s under my protection. Understand?”
Philip shoots a panicked look between us. “Lisette?”
She hands his jacket to him. “It’s okay, Mr. Weeks. Thanks for stopping. Dorian will help.”
“Dorian? You know this Beast?” He sneers the word.
I stiffen.
Lisette offers me a shy smile. “We used to be best friends.”
We will be again. I’m not letting her go until that’s settled.
Maybe never. The feelings churning inside me are too strong to call them just friendship.
“Unbelievable. If he’s helping you, then I’ll take my jack.” He shrugs into his jacket, then points at the little folding contraption that doesn’t look adequate to hold her SUV.
If that’s what he needs to get the fuck lost… I stomp over to her car, crouch, and release the jack. “Here.” I grab his hand and push the tool into it. “Go.”
Anger flashes across his face. Then he smooths his features and smiles at Lisette. “Call me so we can talk about the house.” He starts toward his fancy sports car, then stops to add, “But don’t bring your guard dog.”
He slides behind the wheel and peels out in a spray of gravel.
The tiny rocks ping against her SUV and even off her boots. My vision turns red. Next time I see that motherfucker, I’ll start the conversation with my fist.
Lisette crosses her arms over her chest, a slight tremble wracking her body. Jesus, she’s not even dressed warm enough to be out here. Her slouchy sweater is pretty, sliding off to reveal the creamy skin of her shoulder, but it’s not right for these mountains and the lingering snow on the ground.
I take off my coat and wrap it around her. “Where’s your jacket?”
“Home. I mean, Grandmama’s. I thought it was supposed to be milder weather, and I wasn’t planning to be outside much.”
My coat swamps her, hanging down to her knees like a damn dress. I can’t suppress the feeling I get seeing her in my clothes. Never really understood why men liked that until now. I’m protecting her from the cold. She’s wearing my scent. It’s caveman as hell. Don’t care.
“Did he hurt you?” She’s not shaking now, and there’s no fear in her eyes. But he might have left bruises...
“No. I’m glad you came though. He was making me uncomfortable.”
Lisette wraps her arms around my waist and lays her head on my chest. It’s the second time today she’s been in my arms. Each time, I’m more reluctant to let her go.
I thought her remembering me was too much to hope for.
This? This shifts something inside me. Settling into place like the turn of a lock. A perfect fit.
Somehow my hands are already on her, holding her close. I rub her back, warming her up, and let her take whatever she needs from me.
“Sorry,” she murmurs, pulling back an inch. “I’m not trying to make it weird. I know we haven’t seen each other in decades. It’s just… you.”
Pink stains her cheeks as she looks at me from beneath her long, dark lashes.
Her skin is like satin when I cup her cheek and raise her chin. Those honey eyes meet mine, and I swear my heart skips a beat. “Not weird. New. For both of us.”
“You don’t mind your old best friend throwing herself in your arms?” She laughs lightly to hide her embarrassment.
I tug her closer. “You should do it more.”
She licks her lips.
I barely hold back a groan watching the way her tongue slides across them. The need to kiss her rides me hard. It has been since she flew into my arms the first time. But not here on the side of the road where anyone could pass by and see.
The first time I taste her pretty mouth, I want plenty of time to memorize the touch and feel of her.
“Maybe I will,” she says.
“Good girl.”
Her breath catches and she leans subtly into me. I’m not even sure she realizes it happened. She liked being called my good girl. I file that away in case I am ever granted the pleasure of spreading her out under me.
The thought makes my cock pulse, but I’m getting ahead of myself. I need to fix her tire and get her off the road and back to her warm house.
I brush her tempting lower lip with my thumb, then force myself to release her. There’s a jack in my truck that will work better than the flimsy thing Weeks had.
“I didn’t even hear you drive up,” Lisette says, trailing after me.
I’m not surprised. She was focused on the guy who was supposed to be helping her.
I grab the jack from behind the seat of my truck, guide her back to the SUV, and crouch to check the tire.
“I was glad someone stopped. I just… hoped it would be you.”
She’s put her arms through the sleeves of my jacket and has them crossed over her waist, looking at the mountains instead of me. Like she’s nervous of how I’ll respond.
“I’m here.”
Lisette smiles.
The tire is pretty worn. There’s a crack in the side wall where the rubber split, and an indentation, like something was pressed there. Helping the crack along? My neck prickles. Something in my gut tells me this might not be a simple flat. But who would want to harm Lisette?
It doesn’t make sense.
I jack the car up and remove the damaged tire, then make quick work of changing it.
The little donut tire will be good enough for the short drive.
The front tire on this side also looks worn, and I bet the others are the same.
I’ll call Vega later and ask her to put a full set of new tires on Lisette’s vehicle.
I’ve heard the feisty little mechanic is passionate about helping women with their cars.
Lisette would like her.
I put the jack away and grab a sanitary wipe out of my med kit to clean up. When I turn, Lisette is there.
“Thanks, Dorian. For everything.” She rises on her toes and places a soft kiss to my cheek.
Right over my scar.
My chest constricts, and I squeeze my eyes closed. That touch… No one’s ever…
Jesus. It’s always been Lisette for me.
My hands go to her hips, holding her in place as I fight for air.
“Dorian? Did I… did I hurt you?” Her voice trembles over the words.
My eyes snap open to see the worry on her beautiful face.
Sliding one hand into her hair, I gently grip the back of her neck and cover her lips with mine.