Page 8 of Royally Arranged

“Help! Stop him! Someone, stop him!”

The beat of my heart went erratic. Twisting, I watched as an older lady pointed after a man who was rushing away in broad daylight. He had a very purple purse clutched in his grip. “Help!” she screamed again. “Thief!”

Say what you will about my lax attitude; I’d never stand idly by while someone literally screamed for help in my face. My shoes pounded on the cobblestones as I closed in on the purse snatcher. I didn’t see the young woman who caught up with him first, not until she slammed into his shoulder, sending him sprawling to the ground. She straddled his back, one hand in his hair, the other squeezing at the wrist that clutched the stolen purse.

Her shoulder-length hair covered her face as she leaned in to brace herself and hold the man down. It created a cinnamon curtain, allowing only a hint of her soft features. Through her creamy-looking tight blouse, I could see lean muscles in her arms flexing. Her breasts swelled up and down with her rapid breathing. Her poise screamedDon’t mess with me.

I can’t lie. It was crazy sexy.

“Police!” she shouted, whiskey-colored eyes darting around at the crowd. “Get the police!”

Everyone acted at once. It shook me out of my daze; jumping forward, I helped grapple with the struggling man just as two officers in dark gray uniforms stormed onto the scene. “What happened here?” The one who asked was portly, too much stubble frosting his flabby neck.

The young woman stepped away, letting the police take over. “He stole her purse,” she said, pointing at the older lady, who had finally caught up to us. Breathing heavily, the other woman nodded to the cops.

Together the police scooped the man up. I folded my arms, amazed at how quickly it was all resolved. But then, my attention was really on the woman who’d tackled the thief in the first place. Now that we were standing, I could see that she was shorter than I—and shorter than the other men who’d stood around and done nothing while someone yelled for help.

She faced me. It made me stand more upright, like my heart had pumped a wave of air that inflated my limbs. I already liked her for her bravery, but I was startled by her simple, clean prettiness. Not a sexpot, and not girly pink, but with a comfortable-in-her-own-skin kind of style.

I was liking Torino better by the second.

“Ah,” she hissed, bending down to inspect the scrape on her left leg.

“Here,” I said, helping her sit in a chair at one of the Gull’s outdoor tables. “I’ll be right back. Get a coffee or an espresso or whatever you like.”

She started to argue; I was already hurrying across the street. I’d noticed the small chemist’s shop earlier. It was, as I’d hoped, much like a pharmacy in the States. I worked quickly to buy what I needed, grateful that the store took my credit card. I’d traveled abroad before, but I was usually more prepared—I’d have grabbed some local currency from the hotel if I hadn’t been so eager to get away from my dad.

The woman watched me as I jogged back to where she was sitting. “Hi again,” I chuckled. I’d only bought one thing; I pulled it from my back pocket. Peeling off the plastic backing, I pressed the adhesive bandage onto her knee. My fingertips connected with her skin; it was smooth as buttercream. Touching her sent a spark down to my lower belly.

Blinking, she wiggled her leg and bent to look closer. “Is that the Hulk?”

I grinned wide. “One superhero deserves another.”

She was fixated on the blue-and-green bandage. But it was like she wasn’t really seeing it. It went on like that for a bit: her staring quietly, me kneeling by her shoes. I didn’t mind being so close to her. Finally her pink lips curled into a soft smile. “Thank you.”

“It’s nothing.”

“You’re wrong,” she whispered, meeting my eyes. I froze under her seriousness. “You helped me when you didn’t have to. That’s no small thing.”

Tiny piano keys tapped one by one through my chest. I knew this tune—I was no stranger to desire. Standing, I dusted my jeans off. “I’m Thorne, by the way.”

“Nova,” she said, watching me like she was paranoid about something.

I flashed my most winning smile. “Nova. Nice name.” I scanned the bare table. “You didn’t get that coffee, huh?”

She was still studying me, as if I were the most interesting creature on the planet. Then she crossed her legs, a hint of her smile coming back to roost. “You were so quick I had no time.”

“Guess we’ll have to fix that.”

“Guess we will.” She laughed without a flicker of self-consciousness. “After all that action, I could use a stiffer drink.”

“I think they only serve coffee and tea here,” I said, pointing at the chalkboard sign by the door. “Know a good place with some hard alcohol, where a cute guy and a cuter girl can get to know each other better?”

I expected her to blush, but instead she looked down the road. “I ... do.”

“Lead on.” I gestured at her knee. “Or I can carry you, if you like.”I’d certainly like it.

That time shedidflush pink. Her teeth bit down on her bottom lip softly, and the sight made my jeans painfully tight. “I’m fine. I can walk.”

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