“Adrenaline, sweetheart. Pure adrenaline.”
Priscilla shook her head and followed him out the doors and into the parking lot. She watched him weave his way through the parked cars and after tearing her eyes away from his ass in those tight jeans, she ran to her rental then climbed in. She backed out and drove to the exit. When she glanced in the rearview mirror, she saw a big black pickup truck pull up behind her. Of course, he’d drive a big black beast, she thought grinning. She jerked and let out a small squeal when he blew the horn and put his hands up as if to say,are you going to go or just sit there?With her heart pounding in her ears,she glanced both ways and pulled out onto the street to head for the car rental agency.
****
What the hell are you thinking, Callahan?
Roark shook his head at the stupidity of this situation. Taking a woman to the ranch and letting her follow him around all day was asking for nothing but trouble. He ran his hand down his face and huffed. Just what the hell was he supposed to do with her anyway? And for how long?Hell!He hadn’t even asked. He knew he’d have to talk with his ranch hands about her too. No one was to bother her in any way, shape, or form. There wouldbe hell to pay if it happened. Not that his men were necessarily crude but they could get a little rowdy at times so whether they liked it or not, they’d have to be on their best behavior while she was there.
Driving his truck into the rental agency lot behind her, he parked in the first open spot, threw the gear into Park, and sat in his truck as she walked inside. He just wanted to get home but she’d insisted on turning in her rental. Couldn’t blame her, he supposed, since that cheapskate Earl Sanders was making her pay out of pocket with a promise of reimbursement. He’d rather be strapped to a bull’s ass for a week than wait for that asshole to come through with a promise.
Roark put his window down and hooked his arm on the door. The heat from the day filtered through the cab. She came back out with the rental agent following her. Roark tightened his hands around the steering wheel and clenched his jaw when he saw the guy tilting his head to the side while he stared at her ass.
Roark could hear them talking and the guy was being an ass. The kind who thought sexist remarks got him points with women. A cocky kid, one who only thought with his dick.
“I just need to get my suitcases out of the car then I’ll be on my way,” Priscilla said pointing toward the rental.
“Oh, that’s fine, babe. Are you staying in town close by?”
Priscilla spun around. “No. I’m on my way to Spring City.”
Roark watched the young man step closer to her, reaching his hand out to touch her but she jerked away from him.
“I get off work in an hour. I could show you a good time if you stay in town.”
“Does your boss know you talk to customers like this?”
The kid laughed. “I am the boss. My dad owns the place.”
Roark took a deep breath, blew it out, then threw the door open, and stepped down. He walked toward her and almost laughed when the rental agent spotted him. Roark stopped beside the car and leaned against it with his arms folded. The agent swallowed hard when Roark kept staring at him. Priscilla lifted her suitcases from the backseat, stood beside Roark and he took them from her.
“Are you ready to go?” he asked without taking his eyes from the agent.
“Yes.” She turned to the agent. “Thank you for helping me.”
Then, while she walked to the truck, Roark stood staring down at the young man and raised an eyebrow when the man looked past him to where Priscilla was walking.
“Sorry, man. She’s really beautiful.” He shrugged and gave him a weak grin.
“You’re lucky I don’t kick your ass. Does that jerk routine really work on other women?”
“Hey, I didn’t know she was with anyone.”
“It doesn’t matter if she’s with anyone or not. You don’t talk to a woman that way.” Roark straightened up, and looked him up and down.
“Sorry,” the agent mumbled.
“You got that shit right. You are definitely sorry,” Roark walked away from him, put the suitcases in the bed of his truck, and then climbed in the driver’s seat. He glanced over to Priscilla. “Are youall right?”
“Yes. He was just a kid who thought I was interested for some reason.”
Roark laughed. “He didn’t care if you were interested or not. He’s a cocky kid who thinks because his dad owns the place he can do what he wants.”
“Thank you for talking to him for me. I was hoping he wouldn’t be here when I dropped the car off. I had to deal with him when I picked it up.”
“You’re welcome. I’m sure you have men hitting on you all the time.”
Priscilla shrugged. “Some.”