Page 49 of Stealth Mission

The man is gross.

It’s even worse in person. Last night I could barely keep from retching.

He needs one of those style interventions. A makeover. But even if miracle workers could make him handsome, the yucky inside him leaking out would keep the gross-factor firmly in place.

Barf.

I cut the ringer off and fling the phone onto the passenger seat. It bounces and flies to the floor.

Great.I probably cracked the screen.

That would really mess my day up.

Not like I can just go around the corner to get another one. That will require a day-long trip to Carollia. I can’t take the Land Cruiser, which means I’ll have to borrow a car.

Heaviness hits my bones. There are many reasons I love living in Vandemora. Convenience is not one of them.

I growl again and shake the steering wheel as if I can scare off whatever demon is making Gingersnap smoke and sputter.

Maybe I should just catch the bus. Go to the airport and take a plane. I let a little fantasy play out in my head.

“Marianna.”

I jump so hard I slam my knee into the dash. “Ouch!”

I narrow my eyes and peer through the open window.

Him.Walt.

How tall is he anyway?

Regardless, the man is another problem I don’t need.

The good looking kind of problem that probably needs lots of attention to keep his ego inflated.

He steps back, holding up his sizable hands. “So sorry. I didn’t mean to frighten you, again. Are you alright?”

His careful study of my face and concerned expression makes some of my anger leak out. But that doesn’t make this situation any better.

“No.” I sag back into the seat. “No. I’m not good. I’m having a terrible day. No, week. You’ve been witness to most of it.”

I shove open the door and he jumps back to avoid being hit in the gut. My shoe catches on the curb and I almost fall on my face.

A strong hand catches my upper arm. “Hey, easy.”

“Thanks, that would have been the icing on the cake,” I mutter. But my mind is spiraling. Why does he affect me so much? Heat flares from the place his hand is touching.

I lick my suddenly dry lips, and shiver.

Whenever he touches me I feel it all the way to my bones.

I tug my arm free and stomp to the front of the cruiser, where it takes me a minute of fumbling to pop the hood open.

Behind me I hear a low growl. “Let me help.”

My senses flaring, I go still as Walt, the handsome stranger, takes up the spot next to my elbow, invading my space with his body heat.

Holy Moly, I’m not sure if Gingersnap is smoking or if that’s me.

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