Been there, done that. Lived the shattering, devastating result.
No thanks. The sex would undoubtedly be fantastic, but I had two kids to think of, and I didn’t need more heartbreak.
Diablo opened the driver’s side door and slid in, spinning the dial to increase the heat as promised. Still shivering, I chanced a glance in his direction as he watched me from those dark brown eyes, almost obsidian in the darkness and far too perceptive.
“You ever see that truck before?” he asked, judging my reaction.
“No. At least, I don’t think so. The damn high beams were in my eyes. It was hard to tell.”
He nodded, mulling that over. “What about the driver? Was he alone? Did you recognize anyone?”
“All I saw was a black mask over the driver’s face as he sped off. I couldn’t even make out the color of the truck. My eyes are still adjusting after that asshole blinded me.” Blinking to prove the point, I suddenly remembered my kids were home alone and yanked out my phone, clicking on my son Rev’s number.
“Mom! Where are you?” he asked as he answered, sounding a bit high-strung. “It’s almost midnight!”
“I’m sorry, honey. My car broke down again. I’ll be home soon. I promise. Where’s Liv?”
“She’s been asleep since 9:30.”
“Aren’t you tired?”
“Nah,” he lied as he yawned.
“I should be there in less than thirty minutes,” I promised as Diablo pulled onto the highway and began heading toward Tonopah. “Love you.”
“Love you too, mom.”
I leaned back, suddenly exhausted, as the call ended, and Rev hung up. “Gina. There wasn’t a license plate on that truck. I can’t track it. You sure you’ve never seen it anywhere before?”
“No,” I admitted with a sigh.
“No one follow you around? Show up at your place of employment? Anything like that?”
“No,” I replied with a little attitude. “I’m sorry. I’m a little on edge.”
He nodded, gripping the steering wheel tighter. “I understand.”
Silence followed, the tension slowly easing.
My eyes fluttered as I gazed out into the darkness beyond the pane of glass.So many stars tonight.
“Gina.”
Diablo’s deep rumbling mention of my name jolted my mind back to awareness.
“We’re here.”
The SUV parked in my driveway as I blinked the sleep from my eyes. “Oh, wow. I slept the entire trip here.”
“You sure did,” he confirmed with a light laugh. “Snored the whole way too.”
“I don’t snore,” I contradicted haughtily. “You must be delusional.”
His dark eyes held a mixture of humor, concern, and undeniable attraction as they slid over my body and then returned to my face. “I’m lots of things, darlin’, but delusional ain’t one of them.” His words slid over me with all the warmth and rich, thick sweetness of honey.
“Diablo,” I whispered, caught up in the moment as we leaned closer. “You’re a Bastard.” I meant to lighten the mood and prove a point at the same time. I wasn’t one of his club girls, and he wasn’t an average guy. We might mingle in the same circle, but we couldn’t be more different.
A smile twitched the corners of those full, sensual lips as he contemplated my words. “You bet I am. Royal Bastard. Sneaky bastard. Ruthless bastard. Take your pick.”