Page 31 of Truck Stop Tempest

LIGHTNING CRACKED OUTSIDE,sending a flash of blinding light through the room. My heart danced in my chest, and I waited, counting. One, two, three, four, five, six…Boom. Thunder tore through the dark sky, rattling the glass and shaking the foundation. My whole body vibrated with nervous energy.

“So much for a tour of the grounds,” Tito said, peeking out the window.

He came back to meet me where I stood, on the gigantic mat placed in the center of the large gym. In one corner, weights were stacked on iron racks. In the opposite corner, three treadmills and four elliptical machines lined the walls. To my right, punching bags, three hanging from the ceiling, two on the ground yet to find a home.

I was completely out of my element, but enthralled, nonetheless.

“You work out?” Tito asked, throwing a fake punch at my shoulder.

I held my arms away from my body and looked down at my slight build. “Do I look like someone who works out?”

Tito pretended to inspect me, lifting my arms higher, squeezing my biceps. His eyes met mine before he smiled and said, “I think if I sneeze, you might blow away.”

On impulse, I hugged myself, putting distance between us.

“Hey. Hey,” Tito snagged my elbow and settled back on his heels, holding me steady, urging me closer. “Don’t do that shit.”

I sagged against him and laughed, a pathetic attempt to hide my insecurities. “I’m jealous of you.”

“Me? Why?”

“You have so much self-confidence. People take one look and know not to mess with you. You’re untouchable.” Except, I was touching him. He touched me, too, his tenderness erasing the memory of every ugly touch that came before.

“You could do that, too.” He raised both hands to cup my face and tapped a finger on my temple. “It’s all about what’s going on in here.” He pulled away and laid an open hand over my heart. “And here.”

Tito dipped his chin and moved his hand to my jaw, tilting my head. He leaned closer, forcing me to meet his gaze. “There’s a beast hiding inside you just waiting to be released.”

I swallowed a giggle. “How do you know?”

“I know because my beast can sense her.” He slid one hand to my hip and lowered his face to my neck with an inhale. “My beast can smell her.”

Oh, God. My heart.

His lips grazed the sensitive skin. “And taste her.”

A shiver tore through me. The sky outside lit up again, and I counted in my head. One, two, three, four…Boom! Thunder rocked the building.

The storm was getting closer.

I shivered, and before I could cower in fear, Tito’s lips met mine. Strong arms coiled around my body, his beard scratching my skin and his fingers curling into my back, pressing hard.

Rain pelted the windows, the ceiling, the ground outside. Tito pulled me closer against his tense muscles.

I softened for him, opened for him, relaxed my jaw, and let him in. Joyful and willing, I surrendered to the strong, scary man, allowing his exploration.

Tito slid one hand to the curve of my rear, bent down, scooped my leg up his thigh, then lifted me, urging my legs around his waist. When I complied, he lowered to his knees, then laid me down, never breaking our delicious contact.

Tito kissed me. Touched me. Kissed me harder. And I let him. I loved his mouth, and his lips, and the rough drag of his hand up and down my ribcage.

I closed my eyes and absorbed every detail. Committing the moment to memory. Committing him to memory.

With a groan, Tito pulled away. He braced his left arm at my side. His right hand tangled in my hair, pulling tight. “Kiss me,” he ordered, voice strained, breaths heavy.

“I am.”

He huffed, dropping his head. “No, Bunny. I’m kissing you. Kiss me back.”

“Tito…I—”

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