CHAPTER ONE #2
If I could just run my fingers over those biceps and through his hair.
Willow scrunched her eyes closed at her desperation. She’d never reacted to a man like this so quickly. God, she needed to get laid.
Maybe if she hadn’t been distracted, she would have seen them and been able to avoid the group of kids on skateboards that came flying around the corner.
When she attempted to dodge them, she cursed in embarrassment as her ankle gave out.
Arms flailing in the air, Willow began to fall, her head hitting the trash can and. ..
Am I flying?
Large hands caught her and placed her gently on her feet, holding her steady.
“You okay?”
They both looked around at the kids who were rapidly calling out apologies and wisely hightailing it out of there.
Shaking, Willow took a deep breath and ran her hands over her body to make sure her pants weren’t ripped.
“Shit, thank you,” she said, rubbing the back of her head. There would be a nice lump there soon. “How did you catch me so fast?”
He shrugged. “I work out.”
“No kidding,” she replied without thinking.
He let out a little laugh as Willow wobbled on her ankle and stepped out of his hold.
“Seriously though, thank you. God, I’ll probably need another stupid ultrasound.” Willow glanced over at the clinic and cringed. The sonographer was still leaning over the counter, chatting. When she turned back, she found those silver eyes narrowed at her.
“Did that man harass you? I’ll—”
“No. Nothing like that,” she replied quickly, surprised by his response. “It was just a long wait, and I’m impatient.”
He nodded, looking unconvinced.
She wobbled some more. “Hey, listen, I better put this on ice. Thanks for catching me.” Willow gave him a grateful smile, straightened her handbag, and began limping away.
“Wait,” he told her, barking out the order and surprising her again. “You can’t drive like that.”
He had a point. She could feel her ankle swelling and her head beginning to pound. Her house was only a few minutes’ drive away, but it was still unsafe for her to be behind the wheel.
Willow looked around, considering how safe it would be to leave her car if she ordered an Uber.
“Sure, I’ll...” She turned, swayed, and once again, the man steadied her.
“Let me give you a ride home.”
What? Oh, hell no.
“No, that’s not necessary.”
Nor was it wise. Her body, despite the accident, felt like a volcano about to erupt in his presence. Every time he spoke, a vibration ran through her.
“I’ll book an Uber.” Willow pulled out her phone and wrapped an arm around her middle. Despite the inferno raging within her, she could feel the chill of shock setting in.
The other guy ended his phone call.
“You saving damsels in distress now?” He smirked, then raised an eyebrow as Silver Eyes removed his jacket and laid it over her shoulders.
“I’m giving this damsel in distress a ride home. Give me the keys.” He held out his hand and tipped his chin up toward the building in front of them. “I’ll be back by the time he’s done.”
He? Who was “he”?
The jacket was warm and had a deliciously masculine scent she wanted to melt into. She let out a little groan, and may have wiggled into it a little. Still, Willow considered herself street smart. She hadn’t survived living in Los Angeles all her life by getting in vehicles with strangers.
“I’m not in distress.” She shrugged off the jacket and began to hand it back, quietly mourning the loss of the delicious scent.
She would not be accepting his offer of a ride home nor getting in a vehicle with him. He looked like the strong, protective type, but that didn’t mean she could trust him. Or his pecs.
He pushed the jacket back in place. “You hit your head and can barely stand up. Let me help you, woman.”
Woman?
Oh, so it was like that, was it?
She knew exactly the type of man he was. Protective, yes. But also dominant and bossy. Probably incredible in bed, but a complete control freak outside of it. Unfortunately, she had a love-hate relationship with those kinds of men. They turned her on, but she hated being controlled.
Or have I just never met a man mentally stronger than me?
“Like I said, I’ll just book an Uber.”
“No, you won’t,” he growled. Like, an actual growl.
Startled, she looked up from her phone, a chill running through her. “What?”
Something felt wrong.
“It’s not safe,” he said.
She narrowed her eyes, glanced at his friend, then laughed to lighten the situation. “I don’t even know your name. You’re a stranger. I appreciate you catching my fall, but I am not getting into a car with a stranger late at night.”
Okay, so it wasn’t that late, but still. Did this man think she was stupid? This was Los Angeles, for goodness’ sake. Getting into a car with someone who looked like he had a gun stashed in those tight, hot pants was stupid and irresponsible.
I don’t think that’s a gun.
Willow began removing the jacket, but again, he stopped her.
“Frank. My name is Frank.”
His friend coughed. She glanced at them both with narrowed eyes. “Your name is not Frank.” She really hoped she hadn’t just offended him. But seriously, Frank?
“Okay, fine, it’s Brayden. Now you know my name, so let me drive you home.”
“So now you’re just making up names and expect me to jump in your car? No, nope, nada. Not happening.” She stepped away, removed his jacket, and looked around for a place to put it.
“Bray, what are you doing? Let the human go and let’s wait for Vincent.”
Human? And who was Vincent?
He took the jacket from her, gripping her hand while holding her gaze deeply for a moment. Willow felt mesmerized and frozen. Then he turned to his friend.
“No. Tell him I will see him tomorrow before the sun comes up. I won’t need the vehicle.”
“Oh, fuck.”
The presumptuous, sexy son of a—
“Come,” Brayden said, his silver eyes determined as they sparkled in the artificial light.
Her mouth fell open as he reached down and lifted her into his arms with such speed, she never saw it coming.
“What are you doing?” she gasped.
“Close your eyes.” His voice was husky as he stared down at her.
“Wh—”
“Close your eyes. It’ll be easier.”
She couldn’t explain why she did, but she closed them and felt her whole universe shake.