And there’s only a split second.
Just enough time to throw out my arms to break the intruder’s fall.
I’m expecting to be bowled over when we collide.
That happens a second later, after I’ve grabbed the small wrecking ball plowing into my chest.
We both go down screaming.
Oh, crap.
A short, soft grunt of pain rattles my bones as my grip tightens on the bulk that’s crushing the air from my lungs.
No big, scary intruder at all. Not an adult one, at least.
A tinyperson.
One look at the girl makes me gasp and release my hold.
She rolls off me, coughing, flopping across the floor.
She’s young, still in that gangly phase before kids grow into their arms and legs, but she’s almost a teenager.
I blink slowly, taking her in.
Big green eyes behind glasses that dangle from one ear, miraculously intact after crashing against my boobs.
Blonde hair falling loosely around her shoulders.
Her mouth quivers like she’s on the verge of tears.
What the actual hell?
The girl looks as bewildered as I feel, just staring back at me like a startled fawn.
If I had to guess, I’d peg her age around ten, with the kind of delicate bone structure that says she’ll be stunning when she’s older.
But holyshit, what just happened?
Why is she here?
We both start scrambling to our feet like wary animals.
I extend a hand to help her up. But before she can take it, there’s a single clipped word behind me. A growl so low and vicious I’m not sure it’s a word at all.
I spin around, stepping back out of instinct as I see a man who could shame my darkest intruder fantasies.
He’s tall. Absurdly tall. Like fee-fi-fo-fum territory.
His jaw looks clenched so tight it’s a wonder his teeth don’t snap.
And he shares the girl’s jade-green eyes, bright and flashing with anger.
He glares at me like he wants to murder me on the spot and it’s only sheer willpower that’s stopping him. His hands open and close by his sides.
His face is set tomurder.
Ah, just my luck.
