Page 3 of Sweet Surrender
I didn’t reply. Instead, I crouched down to look at the damage to theBentley, my stomach plummeting to the soles of shoes as panic consumed every inch of my body. Even if it was just a small dent, how much would it cost to fix the bodywork on a car like this?
The panic wrapped around my lungs, gripping it so tight that I couldn’tbreathe.
“Are you sure you’re okay, Miss? You’ve gone very white,”the mansaid, coming to hover beside me.
I quickly stood, doing my best to stop the tremble that had started inmy legs from spreading any further. He was going to be so pissed when I told him I didn’t have insurance, and I couldn’t not tell him.
“I’m fine, I...erm…I,”I said, trying to find the words.
“Have you got a recovery service you could use to collect your car?”the man said, interrupting me before I could confess my sins.
For a second, my heart stopped beating.
This was getting worse.
Of course I didn’t have a recovery service.
“Oh, no. It’s fine,”I said, my voice turning high-pitched as despairstarted seeping into my bones.“I only live a few blocks down the road, I’ll just drive it home.”
The man looked at me as if I’d lost my marbles which was a fairobservation, my brain was slowly going into meltdown. It was as clear as day that my car was inzerostate to drive anywhere, especially with the pool of fluid now starting to spread onto the road from underneath it.
“Erm, Miss, I don’t think you’ll be able to drive it anywhere,”he said, giving me a look full of pity.“Your front wheel isn’t pointing in the right direction.”
At his words, my eyes landed on the front wheel. How it hadn’t fallenoff when I slammed my door, I didn’t know. I scrubbed a hand down my face in frustration.
What the hell was I going to do? I couldn’t pay for a truck, nor could Ileave the blasted thing abandoned on the side of the road. Brownsville, Oregon was only a small place, it wouldn’t take the cops long to find out who the car belonged to, and I didn’t need them turning up on my doorstep to fine me for dumping it.
Or even worse, sending me to prison because I didn’t haveinsurance.
Before I could come up with any kind of response, a deep, gravellyvoice sounded from behind me.“My driver is right, your car isn’t going anywhere. It’s not safe.”
I turned to find who the newcomer was, and instantly regretted myself-imposed ban on all men. But it was probably a good job I had put myself on a ban, otherwise, there was a good chance I would have stripped down naked, right there and then, and begged him to fuck me.
Without knowing a single thing about him, I knew he was the type toturn a woman’s world upside down, before walking away without anyfucks given, leaving her broken and in ruins.I’d had my fill of that to last me the rest of my life, thank you very much.
The newcomer towered over my five foot, six inches, and I had to tiltmy head back to look up at him. He oozed power and confidence, and looked like someone you didn’t argue with. I didn’t usually shy away from anyone, yet this man made me feel like finding the nearest corner and huddling in it to protect myself from the heartache he would undoubtedly cause.
His shoulders were wide, and a lean, toned body was evident underhis tight designer suit. A suit that looked as if it cost more money than I made in a year, tips included.
Smatters of two-day-old dark brown stubble graced his strong jawline,the same color as his short hair which had been swept back and held with product, not a single strand out of place.
When my eyes fell to his mouth, I couldn’t help but wonder what itwould be like to feel his stubble rubbing against the apex of my thighs, and my cheeks heated as I tried to push the thought away, especially when his full lips pulled into a knowing smile.
But it was his eyes that caught my attention. Stunning silvery-grayeyes met mine, and a feeling of familiarity crept over me.
Did I know him from somewhere?
No. I was certain I would have remembered a man like him.
“Are you hurt?”he said, rubbing a finger over his mouth.
The movement drew my eyes to his hand, finding the back of itcovered in black ink which disappeared under the sleeve of his suit. From the brief glimpse before I looked away, it appeared like he had tattoos of playing cards and casino chips.
“No, I’m okay,”I replied, my voice filled with the sudden onset ofnerves from the intense stare this beautiful stranger was giving me.
“Good, that was quite a hit,”he replied, his eyes flicking over to thecar, his tone full of concern.
“Yeah. I’m so sorry about your car, I think I must have slid on someice because I hit the brakes but,”I trailed off and waved a hand towards the wreck, indicating what happened next.
