There was utter silence between us for a solid minute before he took a deep breath, his chest expanding when he did. I hadn’t realized how tall he was until he inched closer. When he’d crowded my space, pushing me up against my own truck, I wasforced to tilt my head to be able to see in his eyes. Bekka had been right. At least six foot four.
However tall he was, he was completely intimidating, but I wasn’t going to fall prey to his tactics. The best option I had was to defuse the situation. “I’m sorry my truck rolled forward. I wasn’t paying attention. Fortunately, I don’t think there’s any damage, but if you’d like for me to call the sheriff, I’d be happy to. Plus, I can give you my insurance card.”
He instantly bristled and the way his eyes were boring into mine was as if deciding whether I was an enemy. Who was this guy?
“That won’t be necessary. Just leave me alone.” The grit in his voice had returned, the gravelly sound no longer an irritant but a sensual shift of soft velvet. As if he was brushing his fingers across my cheek.
I blinked to ensure that’s not what had just happened. “I have no intention of daring to enter your space. This is a small town so if I see you, I’ll point to the other side of the road. Then you can head across and sulk in your own space. I refuse to budge. I live here.Youobviously don’t.” I wasn’t in the mood to play mind games with some tall, dark, and extremely handsome stranger. “However, I’ll give you a piece of advice. Get some warmer clothes and if a city slicker like you doesn’t have any with you, then there’s a fabulous general store near our collision course adventure you will find accommodating. Although it’s certainly not in your league.”
“What league is that?”
“You know, the one where you fly to Italy to have your suits especially tailored for you? Tell Franco or Rosa or whoever spends time on his or knees getting everything just right thatthey need to let out the material in your trousers. Your thighs are likely to split the seams.”
My God. Had I just allowed my gaze to fall to his crotch? Yep. I had.
Even worse, I couldn’t help but notice how thick the bulge was between the very massive thighs I’d just spouted off about.
Every muscle in my body was twitching from the odd connection we shared. I pushed myself away enough to open my door, immediately jerking his sunglasses from the dashboard. “Here. You left these. Now, skedaddle on your way. I have important things to do.”
I sensed no one in his life had told him to get lost. Especially not by using the ridiculous word I’d chosen in my nervousness.
Very slowly, he lowered and leveled his heated gaze on what I had in my hand. With precise actions, he plucked them from my fingers without so much as making any skin contract.
Good.
I didn’t need to touch the bastard again.
He backed away, studying me without saying a word. I still needed gas and as much as I wanted to shove aside the unpleasant experience, I grabbed my wallet, ripping out my credit card.
Mr. Dark and Dangerous was still watching me.
I’d never felt so uncomfortable in my life. I’d had men undress with their eyes before, but the butterflies swarming my stomach were a clear indication this man was dissecting me inch by inch. Did he think I was some serial killer? Maybe worse.
I refused to give him the time of day, furious enough every movement was jerky. When I yanked the pump free, I cursed under my breath. I’d planned on having a nice day and between his arrival and the shipment being delayed, I’d need to shove aside enjoying time with a glass of wine.
Heat flushed my face when I realized he was still watching me. I finally threw my head to the side, locking eyes with his. “Are you trying to intimidate me? If you are, you’ll fail. Trust me on that. I’ve had men who could eat you for breakfast with a spoon try and break me down. They failed, so I assure you that you’ll go down with a hard thud.”
Still silent, he finally smiled and when he did, his entire face lit up. My God, he was truly the most handsome man I’d ever seen. Picture perfect in a way that had me wishing I could snap one with my phone in secret. Just to pine away to. Nope. Not a chance.
“I don’t doubt that in the least. Kitty cat.”
As he climbed back into his monstrosity of a vehicle, I realized he’d just used a term of endearment. Kitty cat?
He had no clue how wrong he was.
Forget a kitty cat.
I was abona fidewildcat.
Hopefully, he’d keep his distance, so he’d never need to learn a lesson about what happened after crossing a feral animal.
CHAPTER 5
Montgomery
“Welcome to Stowe, Mr. Prince.”
My God, the attitude in the woman grated my last nerve. Everyone in town knew I’d arrived. Fucking perfect. So much for complete anonymity.
