Page 18 of Strictly Forbidden

“And you are?”

“Oh, yes.” Jesus. I acted as if I’d never seen a man before. Well, perhaps I hadn’t been in front of a real man for a long time, the kind who didn’t mind getting dirt under their fingernails. Sure, the man might have money but there was no doubt he was rugged. “Noel. My name is Noel.”

“What a beautiful name for an equally gorgeous woman.” He shifted his gaze toward Max, an almost sad and very haunted look shifting into his eyes. “Good to meet you as well, Max.” The way he shifted his hand allowed Max to lift his paw, placing it into the mystery man’s fingers. I was proud of my boy, the training remaining solid. His gesture clearly defined the unknown sexy man meant me no harm. “Take care.”

Kage walked away first and it was odd that I was chewing on my lower lip, following his departure just like every woman still breathing inside the store was doing. Of course it didn’t hurt that Kage’s butt filled out a pair of jeans like nobody’s business.

“Whew,” I whispered as I purposely turned away. Maybe two bottles of wine were in order tonight.

As I headed to another part of the store, I almost found myself with an appetite, which was also something new. The new book I’d started to outline would take on an entirely different vibe tonight. Maybe for once I could finally let go.

A few minutes later, I realized I’d purchased way more than normal, but what the heck. I could afford it. Plus, with my agent browbeating my publisher with increasing the advance offer given the success of the recent release, I’d soon be rolling in money. Ha. Now I rolled my eyes, pushing the cart close to the checkout stand as I struggled to grab a can of my favorite Italian tomatoes that had been shifted to the top row, even taller than me. I lurched forward, the cart shifting forward just enough that I lost my balance.

When the can I’d only had my fingers on suddenly flew from my hand, flying high in the air, Max barked once to indicate danger. No shit. If I didn’t move, the falling can would smack me square in the face. Suddenly, I was not only jerked forward and out of harm’s way, but the can was also ceremoniously snapped up by a massive hand that easily grabbed it midflight.

I’ll be damned if I didn’t hear a few people clapping at the heroic action.

“Shit.” The breath was knocked out of me and I slowly lowered my head, locking eyes with the same extremely handsome man from before. Being in his arms felt too… normal.

I sucked back in my hot breath before trying to smile.

“Forgive me, beautiful lady, but we need to stop meeting like this.” He grinned as he righted me, slowly placing the can into my basket.

“I am so sorry. I need to pay attention to where I’m going.”

“Not a problem. Here to help when I can.”

Max’s tail was whooshing back and forth across the floor, shifting his eyes from one to the other of us.

“You’re okay? You’re not hurt?” Kage asked.

“Not in the least thanks to you. I’m curious. Do you keep a cape in your car?”

He narrowed his eyes, obviously confused by my poor attempt at humor. It was something else I hadn’t done in ages. When he finally laughed, the deep booming sound sent a wave of oddly welcome desire all the way to my toes.

“Just a lasso and a whip inside my big red truck, ma’am. Hero in training at your service.”

It was good to laugh for a change. “Thanks again.”

His grin was positively infectious. He went the other way as I had before and I did my best to make it to the checkout stand without making a bigger fool of myself. I couldn’t help but notice the man’s taste in food. Meat. Lots of meat. And potatoes. And bread. Plus beer. Yep. He was an all-American boy.

After checking out, I fought the hood on my jacket, trying not to get soaked. I hurried into the parking lot, groaning from realizing the rain was starting to become slushy. Thankfully, I didn’t have far to go but if there was anything I hated more than being in a thunderstorm it was an ice storm.

“Come on, baby. Let’s get this loaded up so we can get home. It might be your first time seeing snow, huh?” At least I hoped it would turn into snow, not a full-blown ice storm, which was rare in Colorado. My little car wasn’t equipped to handle ice.

I loaded the groceries in the backseat, hustling Max into the passenger seat beside me before jumping in. Shit. I was freezing, the pellets stinging my skin. My hands were shaking enough it took me a few seconds to press the start button for the engine.

Sputter. Sputter.

Wait a minute. Hold on. Did the engine really not start?

There was no way I’d left my lights on. None. Oh, God. This was so bad. I didn’t have any jumper cables. What was wrong with me? That was because I’d gone out so little during the past three years it hadn’t seemed important.

I was such a fool.

“This can’t be happening.” I took two deep breaths then tried again. Nothing. Not a whir. Not a click. Nothing.

I glanced over at Max, determined not to panic. “Stay here, boy. Let me see if I can figure out what’s going on.” What I did have was a flashlight. Hell, I had an entire house full of them, refusing to be in the dark for any longer than necessary.

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