Shit. I think I’m in trouble.
“You okay, sweetheart?” he asks, and I force my feet to move so I finally step away from him. I immediately miss his hold on me, but I push that down. It’s completely insane.
I finally turn to face him, although I don’t quite meet his eyes. “Yeah, I just need to get going, though. I’m going to be late for work.”
“You’re going to freeze to death. Can I drive you to your vehicle?”
“I’m walking home. I don’t live far,” I explain, feeling stupid when his gaze hits me, making it clear he thinks I’m insane.
“I’ll drive you home.”
“Um … I don’t know you.”
“I’m Horse. What’s your name?”
“What kind of name is Horse?”
“My road name.” He gives me a devilish smirk. “I’ll tell you how I got the name later.”
My eyes go round as saucers. “Um … That’s okay.”
“What’s your name?”
“Gwen.”
“Nice to meet you, Gwen. Now you know me. Let’s go.”
“I can’t leave with you. You could be a serial killer, an axe murderer, a lawyer—anything!”
His full lips jerk slightly as if he’s fighting a laugh escaping his beautiful mouth. “You categorize lawyers with serial killers and axe murderers?”
“Mm … it’s probably an insult to axe murderers and serial killers, but yeah.”
“Wouldn’t an axe murderer be the same as a serial killer?”
“Only if they’ve offed more than one person. Really, it should probably be over three. I’m not sure of the official rules.”
“You’re cute, Holly. Now, let’s get your ass in my truck before you turn into ice.”
“I told you my name is Gwen, not Holly,” I mutter. It’s a blow to the ego that the guy can’t even remember my name.
“I remember, but you’re dressed like Santa’s wet dream, and I’ve always had a crush on Holly in Frosty the Snowman. Your blonde hair reminds me of hers. So, you’re Holly.”
“Holly? She’s a kid!”
“So was I when I watched it. Don’t get it twisted. When I look at you, I don’t see a kid. I see a fucking gorgeous woman. One I’d like in my bed, so I’d rather she not freeze her tits off out here. Can we get a move on?”
I stare at him, unable to reply right away. I couldn’t even if my life depended on it. “My name is Gwen. You don’t need to know that, because I don’t plan on talking to you again?—”
“Sweetheart—”
“You’re an asshole, and I don’t let assholes into my life,” I snap. I turn to walk away at the exact same moment I hear firecrackers go off extremely close to me. I turn to look, and I see the man I had just berated grab his stomach. Immediately, bright red begins blooming through his shirt. I instantly go into work mode. I close the distance between us, but before I can check him over, another round of popping noises begins. I let out a scream, but the man who arrogantly calls himself Horse, pulls me down and then he does something that robs me of breath completely. He lays his entire body over me—and my dog—using his own as a shield.
He's protecting us with his own body. Seriously, he made a special effort to pull Baby underneath him and cradle his shaking little body.Who does that?
“It’s going to be okay, Gwen,” he says, his voice thick as sirens ring in the distance. I look into his beautiful chocolaty eyes, and I lick my lips when I see the intensity in them staring back at me.
I should be worried about one of us dying—or the fact that there’s a drive-by shooting in the town I’ve lived in all my life. Instead, all I can think is I really want to kiss this man.
