As soon as he did, I was able to hear my baby’s rapid yet even breathing. I bit my bottom lip and stared out the passenger window. It had been a long time since I’d been this uncomfortable around anyone, including a powerful man. And there was no doubt he at least considered himself to be powerful.
The clothes.
The fancy roughneck sports car.
The onyx and diamond ring on his pinky.
The watch that easily cost eighty thousand dollars.
And his entitled attitude.
“Take a right up here,” I directed.
“Yes, ma’am.” His retort was just as I would have expected. Challenging.
“Do you always tear through park-lined streets on your way to whatever very important appointment you have?”
He shook his head. “I wasn’t tearing through the streets.”
A strange thumping sound caught my attention and I immediately glanced out the window. “What was that? And you were driving way too fast.” The hard pound sounded as if it came from underneath the car. “Please tell me you didn’t just blow a tire.”
The way he was rubbing his finger across his bottom lip shouldn’t be so attractive, but it was. It had obviously been way too long since I’d had sex.
Not that I’d done so often.
I had very little interest. Between the long hours and my… past, passion wasn’t a priority.
“I assure you that I didn’t blow a tire.” Now there was an edge to his voice. No, more than an edge. He was unhappy I’d heard the sound.
His jaw was clenched and that was the moment I reminded myself I was in a stranger’s car. A series of prickling sensations smashed the earlier desire. Suddenly, I found myself debating whether to force him to pull over. What then? I hadn’t lied about being able to carry Indiana. Even if I could deadlift one hundred pounds, his condition was too fragile to even consider it.
I shrank back in my seat. “Turn right.” My voice was surprisingly calm while I yanked my fanny pack closer, slowly unzipping. Hoping he didn’t notice. At least I carried mace and my phone. If he made a false move, I’d spray his face and dial 9-1-1.
What then?
He was going at least forty miles per hour through crowded streets. The chance of him being able to pull the car to a safe stop was negligible.
Damn it.
This wasn’t a position I’d ever wanted or had placed myself in. I was cautious with whatever I was doing, even careful who I called my friends. I hadn’t realized I’d secured the can of mace in my hand and pulled it out in the open until he chuckled.
With a snap of my head, I noticed he’d lifted an eyebrow. “If I wanted to hurt you, why would I have agreed to you hijacking my vehicle?”
“Hijacking? You created this problem. Not me. Keep that in mind, buster.”
“Ah. Of course. I guess accidents don’t happen in the city.”
“Rarely. What I’ve learned is that there are far too many dangerous and corrupt people in this world. Which one are you?” At least he’d made the turn.
He seemed amused, chuckling under his breath. The sound was surprisingly both calming and addictive. His voice reminded me of a fuzzy blanket sliding tenderly across my naked skin. Goodness. The analogy was as ridiculous as getting into the car with him without at least learning who he was.
“If I’m forced to choose, I’ll say dangerous. But not to women and broken dogs. I draw the line somewhere.”
“How comforting. Take a left at the light and the vet’s office is four blocks down on the right.”
Once stopped at the red light, he allowed his gaze to drift down from my face to my hands, the mace can still clutched in my fingers. Then ever so slowly he lowered his eyes to my legs before shaking his head. “For the record, I’m very sorry about hitting Indiana. I’ll pay for the veterinary bill.”
So much of me wanted to scream at him that he would or else, but I finally forced myself to accept he hadn’t intentionally run down my fur baby. The moment was awkward, more so than before because I had no idea what to say to him or even if I should. We were two strangers and soon he’d be on his merry way while I suffered with Indiana.
