Page 23 of Unexpected Hero

“That’s too much,” she finally says. “I can’t accept all that.”

I’m growing frustrated with her pride. She clearly needs help. “Just take it.”

Her face and body stiffen incrementally at my harsh tone. The average person wouldn’t have noticed the difference, but I’m not average.

Dammit, man. Be gentle with her. She’s delicate.

Forcing a smile, I soften my voice and try again. “Honestly, it’s no problem. I’m happy to help you out. We’ve all fallen on tough times. It’s not much. I’d give you more if I had it on me.”

Her frame relaxes once more. I notice her take in my body from my knees up. There’s a tiny bob in her throat when she meets my eyes again. Reflexively, I swallow too.

“If you insist, I’ll take one of these.”

She takes the bills from me, removes one of the twenties, and tries to return the other three.

My wallet is already back in my pocket, and I raise my hands near my ears in a silent dismissal. “No takesie-backsie.”

Did I really say that? Who the fuck am I right now?

She’s scrambling my mind like an egg in a frying pan.

Her answering giggle makes my knees buckle. She tucks a few loose strands of blond hair behind her ears, stopping it from blowing in the breeze. A growing part of me longs to untuck it so I can watch it whip around her heart-shaped face.

After glancing over her shoulder, she cants her head to one side and narrows her eyes at me. “Well, how can I pay you back?”

Oh, off the top of my head, I can think of four hundred and seventeen ways. But none of them will ever happen. And certainly never in exchange for money.

“Have coffee with me,” I blurt out, the words bypassing my brain and all logical thought, bolting right out of my mouth.

The grin splaying across her face causes my instant regret over my filter failure to dissipate. “Now?”

My shoulders raise and fall in a quick shrug. “I’m free now.”

“I probably shouldn’t go off with someone I just met.” She pauses, eying me cautiously. “But I’m tempted.”

“You drive in your car, and I’ll drive in mine. We’ll be in a public place. Just a quick coffee, a chat, and perhaps a sandwich.”

She swallows, the visible bob of her throat catching my attention. Another nibble on that sumptuous lip, and she finally decides. “Okay. But it’s my treat.”

Chapter 6

Up against the wall

LETTIE

“Pick up! Pick up!” I babble frantically while praying Stella breaks our number one rule and actually picks up the call without the requisite five-minute text warning.

Voicemail.

Because of course.

A quick glance in my rearview shows the handsome stranger is still there, trailing at a respectable distance.

I can’t believe I didn’t get his name. While keeping one eye on the road, I quickly try Stella again.

This time, instead of letting it roll to voicemail, she must send me there because it only rings twice.

“Bitch.”

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