Page 56 of Rescued Faith

Someone off to the side of the building yelled. She knew that voice. Bryce.

What was he doing? He was supposed to stay in the?—

Gunshots rang out. Penny’s heart lurched. The sound of an engine revving barely registered as she sprinted to the side of the building. All she could picture was Bryce Crawford sprawled on the dirty ground with a bullet in his chest.

Why hadn’t he stayed like she’d asked?

Maybe he was still in the truck. Maybe it was her own imagination that heard him.

Please be in the truck.

Her own chest squeezed even tighter. She swiped at her wet cheek. Could barely see. She rounded the corner and skidded to a stop.

Bryce was on the ground, not moving.

EIGHTEEN

Nothing about this night was going the way he wanted it to. Bryce lifted his head. He’d been so close! But of course the Sosa-like guy’d had a fully loaded gun and a motorcycle stashed behind the trash bins. Bryce’d had to dive to the ground for cover as the stranger sped away in the dark.

He should’ve been faster. Now he was out there again.

Bryce stood up and brushed the gravel and dirt off his jeans. Who knew what?—

“Bryce Crawford, if you’re not dead right now I’m gonna kill you myself.”

He turned to see Penny stomping toward him. She marched from the corner of the building, the wind blowing her long blonde hair off her face, her eyes snapping and full of fire as she headed right for him, heightened color in her cheeks.

Man, she was gorgeous when she was angry.

Well, she was gorgeous any time, but to see her rushing toward him all fury and storm was enough to take his breath away. This was why he couldn’t find a second date. Because no other woman could compare to this. Her energy. Her drive. She was incredible. And once he’d had a taste, no one else was evenclose. He was stupid to even try. As she drew closer, she pulled back a fist, probably ready to drive it into him.

And that was about the best thing he could ever see.

She wouldn’t be this mad if she didn’t care.

But before she could let it fly, Bryce stepped forward and wrapped an arm around her waist, because now that he knew exactly what he wanted, he wasn’t going to waste any more time.

Shecared.

A moment of confusion flashed across her face before he crushed her to himself and kissed her.

For a quick second, she fought it, her mouth rigid, arms stiff.

Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea. But then…she melted into him. The hands that had pushed against his chest a moment ago slid up around his shoulders and tangled themselves in his hair. The lips that at first had been hard and unyielding softened against his own and then took over.

And he let her.

How could he not? He was completely at her mercy. He’d go anywhere for this woman. She led him deeper, pulled him in tighter, and the kiss took on a life of its own. It grew hungry, desperate, like she couldn’t get enough. Or maybe that was him. It was hard to tell where he left off and she began.

Then just as suddenly as it started, it stopped. She stepped back gasping, cold night air rushing in between them.

“Why did you do that?” Her whispered words carried a mixture of question, wonder, and maybe a little bit of disbelief. Her eyes narrowed, her hand flying to her mouth almost as if to cover up what had just happened.

He chuckled. “Seemed like a good idea.”

“A good idea?”

He lifted a shoulder. “Seemed like you agreed.”

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