Page 2 of Reluctant Chemistry

“Look, I know you don’t know me, but I’m not going to try anything, okay?”

“But you’re not a local?”

“No, I’m here on an exchange program with the flight school.”

CeCe was familiar with the flight school. Everyone in Tulloch Point was. She took a deep breath. “CeCe.”

“Right then, CeCe. Let’s get you over that fence.”

Bracing herself with her good leg, CeCe reluctantly grasped hold of Luka’s outstretched hand. Once upright, she hopped on her left foot and gingerly lowered her right. “Ouch.” She went to grab hold of the fence but lost her balance.

Strong arms broke her fall. “Just take it slowly.”

Tears threatening, she gritted her teeth against the pain. “It hurts.”

“Okay, don’t weight-bear in case it’s broken. What happened anyway?”

CeCe hesitated. “I had an Alice moment.”

Luka chuckled again. “Those rabbit holes have a lot to answer for.”

She almost smiled. Most guys she knew wouldn’t have understood theAlice in Wonderlandreference.

“Right, lean on me.”

She took his offered arm again as they stood at the fence line.

“You okay for me to lift you over?”

“Do I have a choice?”

“Sure.” Luka glanced upward. “But by the sound of that thunder, it’s about to bucket down. So, you either stay here and freeze your wet ass off or get in a car with a complete stranger who just might be a perverted serial killer posing as a Search and Rescue volunteer.” Luka shone his phone light in her general direction.

“You’re not helping here.”

“Sorry, that wasn’t funny.” He waited. “So what do you want to do?”

CeCe checked out the fence, frowning at the logistics.

“Promise I won’t try anything,” he repeated. “Okay?”

She nodded. Without giving her time to protest, Luka picked her up, carefully lifted her over the top wire, and set her down.

“Hold on to the post for support, and remember, don’t weight-bear.” He followed CeCe over the fence and opened the rear passenger door of his SUV before returning for her. “You’ll be more comfortable in the back. You can rest your leg along the seat.”

As she took his arm once again, she noticed the SAR logo on the front passenger door and relaxed a little. A small spark fired in her core. Luka the Search and Rescue Guy smelled like infatuation and warm summer nights spent cuddling beside a beach bonfire.

Get a grip.

When they reached his SUV, he lifted her inside, making sure to keep her foot elevated. His arm brushed her torso as he clicked the seat belt into place, and she stared straight ahead, holding her breath steady as she worried the blue butterfly necklace at the hollow of her neck.

“All set?”

“Thanks,” she mumbled, her unease returning. What was she thinking, accepting a ride from a stranger?

Luka started the engine, and as the lights from the dash illuminated his face, CeCe studied his angular features. With short hair that hung down over one side of his forehead, he had the lean but broad physique of a swimmer.

Throwing a glance in his rearview mirror, he pulled onto the gravel road and headed back toward town. Eminem’s ‘Love the Way You Lie’streamed through the stereo as he hit the speed limit, and as Rihanna sang the chorus, CeCe closed her eyes and prayed Luka was who he claimed to be.

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