I pressed my books closer to my chest, smirking. His alpha was sexy. “So, you get my name and my personal information, but what’s in it for me?” I asked him. I was setting myself up for something I had no idea I’d be able to handle, but I was willing to risk it.
Evan grunted, as if a million answers ran through his mind and he was tasked with choosing one. “Whatever you want is in it for you,” he answered. “But we’ll talk after class. I’ll be right here waiting.”
I wanted to protest because I didn’t want him to think I’d be won over so easily; but those eyes, the way he smelled, the way he looked…
I pursed my lips, trying to stay sassy. “We’ll see.” I smiled at him.
“Yes, we will.”
Chapter Three
Jaxson
“Shit, shit, shit…” I was muttering the words over and over under my breath, all the while holding the most beautiful woman, I had ever laid eyes on, in my arms. I’d watched her strut down the sidewalk, looking like a fashion model on a Paris runway: leggy and bold; confident – sexy as hell. She was a golden fleece. Even if she’d been trying to remain inconspicuous, she never would have been able to.
At least not to me.
My eyes had locked onto her. I couldn’t tear my gaze away. That was when I’d seen the hooded, reckless driver run the red light and almost take her out. A sudden surge of adrenaline pumped through my veins, facilitating a mad dash to her rescue, and I reached with only seconds to spare. It was just enough time to knock her out of harm’s way and shield her with my body.
By now, a shocked crowd had gathered to watch as I protected the woman with my life.
Not the woman.
Simone Storm...
Huffing from the rush, I ripped my phone out of my back pocket and dialed 9-11. It only took a minute for me to give them a few details and our location, and then my focus was back on the prize in my arms.
“Somebody call 9-11!” a bystander yelled, eyes wide with alarm.
“Did it. We’re good,” I called back.
Another bystander approached, a man. “You need help, dude?”
“I’ve got her,” I grunted in response, more aggressive than was necessary, but who gave a shit? He needed to know that I had it under control.
I was still on the ground with Simone pressed against my chest, wrapped in my shielding embrace. Her eyes were sealed, lips slightly parted and dehydrating with red lipstick. There was a rip in the vixen leather pants she was wearing, and a scrape had lacerated her knee. Despite that, her perfection was barely marred and other than that, there didn’t seem to be any obvious contusions. Still, until she opened her eyes and looked into my face, I wouldn’t be satisfied.
“Simone.” I tapped her smooth cheek gently and stroked her jaw. My fingers trembled against her skin, both with adrenaline and desire.
You need to focus.
“Simone, look at me,” I begged softly.
Nothing.
I adjusted her slightly, being careful not to move her too much, just in case there was some internal damage. Then I pressed my cheek against hers and inhaled. My eyes rolled away as her fragrance inebriated me. She smelled exactly the way I’d been imagining for years. It was a warm aroma – like shea butter and warm sugar. Now certainly wasn’t the time to be thinking of this kind of stuff, but how the hell was I supposed to stop myself? The distance had been excruciating. It had gone on for too long. The time we’d spent a part had been more than I could handle. Finally, I had Simone Storm in my arms, even if this wasn’t the way I’d imagined it would be. She was going to be okay, so I would take it.
I would take anything.
I put my mouth against her ear and whispered her name again, hoping that something would trigger deep inside of her. “Simone…” I paused. “It’s me.”
Suddenly, her eyes burst open and she jolted upright so quickly, I had to pull back to prevent another crash – this one of my lips against hers. An accident of that sort would have been wholly welcome, but when I kissed her, I didn’t want it to be a mishap.
“Oh my God.” She was panting, breathless. “Where am I?” Her head swung around, hair tossing about her shoulders. “What happened?”
“You were almost in an accident,” I informed her, cupping her cheek.
Her eyes stretched. “I was in an accident? Oh my God, am I… dead?”
I bit back a chuckle. “Almost,” I answered her first question, “and no, you’re not dead.”
I would never let that happen.
“A car jumped the curb when you were crossing the street, but you’re fine. Everything is going to be fine.” I pushed sweaty strands of her long hair out of her face. I was stealing opportunities to touch her, the way I had dreamed about for as long as I could remember.
I scanned her features. Fear and confusion were registered in those almond-brown eyes. The blood had drained from her face, giving her smooth brown skin a pallid hue.
I frowned, not liking the fact that she might have been in distress. “At least I think you’re fine,” I reconsidered. “I’m not a medical professional, so we’ll have to wait for the final word. I called and the ambulance is on its way.”
Simone’s eyes fluttered and rolled a bit, but I could tell she was trying her best to keep her eyes on me.
Yes, Simmy. Look at me, sweetheart.
I tightened my arm around her, wishing there was more I could do.
“What… happened?” she asked again. She was delirious, and I was starting to wonder how much, if anything, was registering.
“A car – ”
“Almost ran me over?” she whimpered.
“Yes.”
“And you…” she swallowed. Her body swayed, but I stabilized her. “You saved me.”
“I guess I did,” was my humble response.
Simone’s brows creased, like my answer made no sense to her.
Or maybe it was something else.
I watched her mouth quiver and her eyes fell to the ground.
The sound of wailing sirens lifted in the distance, signaling that the assistance I’d demanded was on the way.
“The ambulance is here,” I said balancing her. “Hold onto me. I want to make sure you’re as secure as possible.”
Simone wrapped loose arms around my neck and toppled against my body, forcing a monstrous tremor to vibrate my heart. Coming to the city to see her was the best decision I could have ever made. I had second-guessed it, considering that seeing Simone face to face might have done more harm than good. There’d be confusion. There’d be doubt. She might not even believe it was really me. So much time had passed, and I’d waited restlessly in the wings, watching, deliberating; but when I heard about the book signing, I’d acted on impulse.
And now I was so glad I had.
Simone’s eyes pinned back onto mine and all the oxygen rocketed out of my lungs, leaving me winded. She was so beautiful; more beautiful than I could ever have seen or imagined from afar. I touched her jaw, trailed my fingertips under her chin and up behind her ear, which sported a classic diamond earring.
Simone clasped her hand over mine and our foreheads touched, just as the ambulance and a hysterical woman in a power suit screeched onto the scene.