Page 2 of The Overdue Kiss

As soon as there’s silence, I speak. “Oh my goodness, thank you for stopping. I didn’t want to be stranded in the pitch-dark.”

He lifts his visor, his wide eyes barely visible in the shadows of his helmet. “Is everything okay?”

“No. My engine is smoking, and I’ve been stuck on this mountain for almost an hour.” Tears threaten to escape, and I forcibly swallow the lump in the back of my throat. Now is not the time to break down. “Are you a mechanic, by chance?”

He undoes his chin strap and removes his black helmet from his head, the dusky rays of the evening making his golden highlights appear more bronze in the light. He rakes a hand through his hair and shakes his head. “Sorry, but no. I do know someone who is. Did you call for a tow?”

“No signal,” I say, tucking my hands into my dress pockets to hide their trembling.

“How about I give you a lift and you can call someone at the next town over?”

“Yes, please! I’d appreciate it.” My thoughts start to scramble as the shock of the situation sinks in. What if this man had never stopped? What if I had been stuck here all night? Would I have been forced to walk to town in the dark? Temperatures drop quickly on the mountain, and I am ill-prepared in my summer dress and flats. I let out a long, shaky breath, hoping to gather my composure.

“Just breathe,” he says, climbing off the bike in one swift movement. He is at my side before my next breath. “It’s okay—you’re okay.”

His deep voice is calming, and I cling to the sound.

“I guess I’m just realizing how much danger I was truly in. I was so focused on getting someone to finally stop that I hadn’t really thought of what would happen if nobody did.”

He places a warm hand on my shoulder and squeezes. “Well, I did, and I’m not going anywhere until I know you’re safe.”

“Thank you,” I whisper, my voice wobbling. Tears prick the backs of my eyes, and I turn away at the sudden urge to hug this stranger. Slumping against the bus, I draw in a ragged breath. “I just need... a minute.”

“Take as much time as you need.”

The man casually leans back against the bumper beside me, waiting like he has all the time in the world. The silence isn’t awkward, almost like he prefers quiet moments. It only takes a few minutes to gather myself before I realize I haven’t even introduced myself yet.

“What’s your name?” I ask, tilting my head toward him and admiring his striking profile in the golden light.

“Desmond Brooks, but you can call me Des.” He waits a beat before asking, “You?”

“Maya Santos, um, no nickname.”

His smile widens at that. “It’s nice to meet you. Sorry it’s not under better circumstances.”

My romantic heart flip-flops at his charming smile, and I spring off the bumper to give us more distance. It has taken eight months for my broken heart to heal and for me to feel comfortable being single. That jolt of attraction better be a fluke because I’m not ready to put myself out there yet.

Desmond doesn’t notice me inching away from him. His attention is on an SUV swerving around us, barely missing his motorcycle. There’s no time to scream at the packed car of teenagers before they’re a mere dot in the distance.

“You couldn’t have broken down at a more dangerous curve.” Frowning, he shakes his head. “I barely saw you myself. The sunset is right behind you, blinding oncoming traffic.”

“I’ll try to plan my breakdown better for next time,” I say with a laugh. The corner of my mouth lifts, and the tightness in my chest unravels little by little.

“Good. Safety first.”

He smiles again, a soft smile, one that makes my heart beat a little faster, and I suck in a breath.Oh, no.I take a giant step backward at the telltale butterflies of attraction.Absolutely not.Hot biker guy is not going to break my New Year’s resolution.

A resolution that was made after a weekend of eating chocolate, watching nonstop regency dramas, and crying into three boxes of tissues. A detox of men. Until I am ready, dating is at the bottom of my list. And for good reason too. After five years of dating my college sweetheart, Felipe Cano shattered my heart into a thousand pieces and then stabbed each jagged shard into my back. While out Christmas shopping—for Felipe’s present no less—I spied him mid-lip-lock with the new KOSI 101.1 intern. Not only did I lose the love of my life, I had to find a new radio station where I didn’t hear my ex’s voice every day.

This year is supposed to be about new beginnings and fresh starts. The only man I’m interested in is the one I can find in the pages of my book. Give me all the Mr. Darcys, Peeta Mellarks, and Gilbert Blythes. They will never let me down.

Though I will admit... Desmond is easy on the eyes. But I willnotbe tempted.

“We need to leave before someone plows into us. We’re lucky it hasn’t happened yet,” he says, pulling me from my thoughts. “Where are you heading?”

“Rocosa. It’s a small mountain town not far from here. You might not have heard of it.”

“I have, actually. What brings you to our little hideaway?”

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