Page 3 of Forbidden Ride
“Well, that’s good news, isn’t it?” I say in a calming voice, because I’m not convinced she’s as unrattled as she sounds. I know what shock looks like, and I’ll bet she’s right on the edge. Her face is void of color, her voice trembling. “What do you say I help you out of this thing and get you warmed up?”
“Who are you?”
Good question.I point in the direction of my cabin and consider how I’ll introduce myself. Off limits or not, I’m not about to send an injured woman running for the hills to die of hypothermia. “I live right up the way. Heard the crash and came down.”
“Oh.” Wide-eyed, she angles around me for a look at my cabin. She can’t see a damn thing because it’s pitch black.
“I’m William. William J.” I stare confidently into her blazing emerald eyes. Hell, I’m not lying. Not technically, anyway. I’ve been using J. instead of Johnson for years. “Ready to get out of the car?”
“Uh-huh.” She pivots, nervously peering into the back. “My phone and purse went flying back there somewhere.”
“How ’bout we find your coat first?”
She lets out a shuddering breath. “Oh. Good idea. I didn’t even think of that.”
“You’ve been in a pretty good accident, sweetheart.” She swings to me on that last word and narrows her eyes. “I think you might be a bit shaken up,” I say cautiously. “It’s only natural you would be.”
“I probably am,” she says quickly. “I’m Jenny West. Thanks for coming to my rescue.” She throws me a sassy smile. “It’s not often I need help, but I sure did tonight.”
“Happy to be of assistance.” I’m surprised I didn’t ask her name first, and lucky she didn’t catch on that I know her. But hell, I guess finding your fantasy woman out in the middle of nowhere can get a man flustered. “You’re trembling like a leaf. Let’s get you warmed up.”
“Um. I guess...” She peeks cautiously around me like she’s expecting someone else to show up. “But maybe I should call the sheriff, or an ambulance, or—”
“Cell towers are down.” I shake my head and peer up the dark gray embankment behind the car. Her tire tracks are almost completely covered in fresh powder. “Roads are closed. They’re not even plowing anymore. You must’ve been the last car up the mountain.”
“I thought it was kind of weird that I stopped seeing any cars.”
“No one is getting anywhere tonight.” I grab the branch and dig out around the back door and get it open. “Phone’s right here,” I say, snatching it, and end up climbing all the way in. I reach over the back seat to get her purse and gather up another big bag while I’m there. “All set.” I come back to Jenny.
Jenny reaches around her and pulls up the parka she’s sitting on. I catch myself staring as she lifts her ass off the seat. Her chest juts out as she wriggles into the arms of her jacket.
She zips the front and shyly looks up at me, like she still isn’t sure what happened or if it’s safer out here or in my cabin. If she knew how hard I was, she’d think twice for sure.
Oh, I could soothe her. I’d have her healed in no time. And after she felt better, I’d spread her out on the big rug in front of my fireplace and lick every inch of her. Just the thought of her pussy is making my balls swell. I’ve had my share of gorgeous women, but none of them come close to Jenny.
But I can’t touch her.
Our families have been feuding for years. Getting involved with her and bringing on the shitstorm that would follow is the last thing I need. Christ, with her brothers, I’d end up in either a casket or jail. I’d take a few of the pricks with me though, that’s for damn sure.
Jenny pulls the keys out of the ignition. I offer my hand to help her out of the car. “Oh wait.” She gnaws on her lip. “Um, I almost forgot something, mountain man.”
I break into a grin. “No one’s ever called me that before, but I think I like it coming from you.”
She sends me a smile that could stop traffic and then pulls a shiny Smith & Wesson from her glove compartment. “It’s nothing personal,” she mutters under her breath.
“No offense taken.” I chuckle. There’s nothing sexier than a woman who knows how to protect herself, and I’m impressed Jenny does. In fact, my cock just twitched its approval. “Ready?” I offer my hand again.
“Yeah.” She nods, clasping my rough callouses with a silky-smooth touch. Electric heat surges where our skin makes contact, and I do my best to ignore the way my pulse skyrockets as I carefully help her out of the driver’s seat. I give her a once-over—she seems shaky on her feet, but overall okay.
Jenny keeps a bead on me as I bend to pick up my flashlight. Then her eyes dart around the surroundings. She looks like she’s about to bolt. To where? Hell if I know. “You sure this is okay?”
“Positive. But only if you hold this.” I hand her the flashlight. “And you’ll allow me to carry you.”
“Nice try.” She steps back, and for a second I think she’s going for her gun.
“We don’t know if you’re hurt, or in shock.”
She drops her head and inspects her legs. “You think?”
