Total pages in book: 152
Estimated words: 155037 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 775(@200wpm)___ 620(@250wpm)___ 517(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 155037 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 775(@200wpm)___ 620(@250wpm)___ 517(@300wpm)
Then get in the car and drive home.
Why the hell would that car do that? Surely they’d seen her run off the road?
A sense of foreboding filled her. They had to have seen her car crash.
Had they been trying to deliberately cause her to crash?
Great. She was supposed to be calming down, not getting herself more worked up.
A set of headlights blinded her, making her whimper. Would the person stop? Would they help her?
Her heart skipped a beat as she realized they were coming from the same direction the car had gone in.
What if it was the person who ran her off the road? What if they were coming back?
Don’t be silly, Isa. There’s no reason for them to come back for you.
But this weird feeling crept through her and she wished she had her mace. Or her Taser.
Loki was gonna be so angry if she got herself murdered on the side of the road and didn’t even try to fight back.
As the car started to slow down, another set of headlights came from the other direction and it took off with a roar.
Another whimper escaped her.
What the heck was happening?
The second vehicle slowed down, pulling in behind hers.
Was this someone that she could trust?
Footsteps sounded and she smothered her whimpers, clutching her flashlight out like a weapon. It shook pathetically.
Yeah, if this person was going to hurt her, then she was completely screwed.
“Hello? Anyone here?”
She let out a small sob. She knew that voice. Even if he’d been mean to her last night when he’d told her to leave, he was still safe.
“Fucking hell. Isabelle? Where are you?”
Was that worry in his voice? Maybe she’d knocked her head.
He strode toward her and she glanced up. He winced and she realized she’d just shone the light straight into his eyes.
Shit!
She tilted it down so it was illuminating the ground.
“Fuck, baby. What happened? Are you hurt?” he asked. His voice wasn’t soft. She wasn’t sure he could do soft. But he sounded almost tender.
He rushed over to her, crouching down.
“I’ve hit my head,” she told him.
Urgh, no, you haven’t!
“You have? Where?”
“It doesn’t hurt. Well, it does . . . but it hurt before the accident so I don’t think I bumped it.” Was she making any sense? She wasn’t sure.
“Then why’d you say you hit it?” he asked.
“Because I thought I heard you call me baby. And that can’t be right because you don’t like me. I don’t know why you watch me . . . but I don’t think it’s because you like me. You told me to leave you. But you sounded worried just then, so now I’m confused. Hence, I must have hit my head. See?”
“Interesting logic.”
“I know. I’m a very logical person. Thanks for noticing.”
“You been drinking?” he asked gruffly.
She gasped. “I have not. That’s offensive. I do not drink and drive. Loki would beat my butt if I did.”
“Would he?” He actually sounded intrigued.
“Um, no. Of course not. It was just a turn of phrase. I guess you don’t use those.”
“What?”
“Turns of phrases. Since you barely speak.”
“I think you’re right.”
“Course I am,” she replied huffily. How could he possibly have thought any differently? “Um, about what, exactly?”
“You’re babbling. You must have hit your head.”
She was babbling. She couldn’t seem to help it.
“I’m gonna touch you, baby.”
“Why?” she whispered. And what was with him calling her baby again? She was so confused.
“To see if you’re hurt.”
“I’m not. Um, I didn’t . . . I didn’t hit anything. There was another car.”
“Another car? Where?” He stood up, looking around as though searching for the car.
“They aren’t here. They cut me off. I had to slam on my brakes and ran off the road.”
“What the fuck? And they drove off?” he snapped.
“Yes. I think they came back, but when they saw you . . . I don’t know. I’m n-not really s-sure what’s h-happening.”
Why was she starting to shake? And stutter?
And her heart was racing again.
“I think I’m having a heart a-attack.” It was her worst fear brought to life. Her teeth chattered.
“You’re not having a heart attack.” The words were said so firmly that she almost believed him.
To her surprise, he turned and left. Where was he going? Was he just going to leave her here? That seemed rude.
She attempted to stand, the world still spinning and her heart racing.
“What are you doing?” he asked.
Isa let out a small scream.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
“Thought . . . thought you were l-leaving.”
“Jesus, baby. ‘Course I wasn’t. Was getting this.” He held up his jacket. Why would he be getting his jacket?
Oh, he must be cold.
Then he wrapped it around her and she stared at him in shock. She was surrounded by warmth and his scent. A sense of safety ran through her.
She wanted this feeling forever.
4
“Baby, I’m gonna pick you up. Tell me if it hurts.”