That was going too far.
Maybe I was simply reacting from the ordeal and he was right, but the water hadn’t been that deep, or so I’d thought and the last thing I needed was to be chastised. I was aching all over, freezing to death and I was fucking hungry. So I lashed out. “Look, buddy. I don’t know who you are, but you can’t talk to me that way. But don’t worry. I’ll get out of your hair.”
As soon as I slipped off the counter onto my feet, my body betrayed me, slowly melting, soon to be a puddle on the floor.
“What does it take for you to listen, Kenzie?” He didn’t give me time to react, immediately untying the sash on the robe.
Only when he peeled away the sides did my mind finally began to slide back into my body, allowing me to realize what he was doing.
Yet I couldn’t function properly or quickly enough before I was in his arms. No. No. Hold on. I was naked in his arms. With a stranger.
But not a stranger. Not entirely.
Yet I didn’t recognize him. As he crouched down, easing me into a bathtub, I lowered my eyes from his, trying to put the pieces together.
Whoever he was, the man was absolutely gorgeous in a rugged, almost savage kind of way. He had at least a week’s worth of a scruffy beard that was completely out of control, much like his long hair, the color of deep rich chocolate. I had to be in a state of shock since all I could think about doing was running my fingers through the wet strands.
Wet. His hair was wet.
That’s right. He’d jumped into the water. Wasn’t there a rope of some kind? He had strong features and even through the scruff covering his cheeks and neck, I could tell his jaw was chiseled. His forearms were so muscular. The cords on both sides of his neck were thick and…
And I was completely naked in front of him.
I jerked away, doing everything I could to cover my breast and pussy.
“What in the hell are you doing?” The shock of everything was finally wearing off, enough to remember I’d heard him use my name.
Wait a minute. He couldn’t be…
“Who are you? Why am I here? What are you doing? Why do you know my name? And why in God’s name am I not wearing my clothes?”
He reared back from my volley of harsh words, but a slow and steady smile crossed his face. “You’re here because I saved you. I had to remove your wet clothes so you wouldn’t catch pneumonia, and a hot bath will help you regain some lost body heat.” He stood, immediately averting his eyes and turning around to face the door.
“What about the rest?” I slipped further into the water, fighting embarrassment while my mind processed the nearly six-and-a-half-foot handsome giant. A nagging sense of knowing continued.
His exhale brought me back to the moment. “I know your name, Kenzie. I also know your family very well, even though I’m not a fan of all of them.” When he tipped his head over his shoulder, his profile provided me with the answer even before he blurted out the words.
The breath I’d been holding was sucked out of my lungs, my stomach dropping to my feet with the most unsettling sensation.
“You should remember me, doll face. I’m Stephen Beckett, your brother’s best friend or maybe ex best friend, but don’t worry, I won’t bite. I’ll be in the living room when you’re finished. If you’re too weak to get out of the tub, just let me know. Since you don’t have any clothes with you, I put out a couple of my things.Just take your time. There’s a bottle of water and a drink on the back of the tub. I thought you might be thirsty. Your choice.”
He had to be kidding me. No, karma had to be fucking with me.
He scratched his head, studying me for a few seconds before averting his eyes. “Just so you know. I don’t go by Stephen any longer. It’s Axe.”
Axe. Why? I had no idea and at this moment, I wasn’t in the right frame of mind to ask questions. Doll face.Palomino Girl. The vision I’d had. It had been a dream, but the event had really happened.
I was still in shock. The accident. The water. Almost losing my life. Being saved by the last man I’d wanted to run into when returning to Missoula. A part of me had hoped he’d moved out of town, although I knew how close he was to his family.
When I didn’t say anything, he shook his head and walked out, closing the door behind him.
I was still stunned by the news a full two minutes later.
Stephen Beckett, the first man I’d crushed on. The first man I’d ever kissed.
And the one who shattered my heart into a million little pieces.
CHAPTER 5
