Page 5 of Sentinel

I respond to him more breathily than I intend. “Yes?” Hell, I sound like I’m practically panting. I don’t even know this man, and he’s affecting me. This can’t happen. I need to lay low—at least for a while—not tumble into the bed of some living, breathing sex god.Get it together, Emma.I clear my throat and respond again, stronger this time. “Can I help you?”

“I heard you talking to Millie back there at Pete’s.” He hitches his thumb over his broad shoulder, in the direction of the restaurant. “You’re new here, right?”

Instantly, my attraction cools, and I’m on alert. I don’t remember seeing him in the diner. “Were you there today?”

“Yeah, in my usual seat at the counter. I’m Sentinel. Everybody in town knows me, baby, so don’t worry about it.” He crosses his massive arms against his chest, and the intimidating stance is a sharp contrast to the sweet, honeyed tone he pours over me.

“Okay, what can I do for you… Sentinel?”

“I wanna offer you a job, Sarah.”

I inhale a small gasp. “How did you know my name?”

“I heard you tell Millie.”Oh, right.I dip my head sheepishly as he chuckles. “Look, I own a motorcycle shop, and I need someone to work the office. You could start right away.”

Not a chance in hell I can work for this man. He’s over six feet of panty-melting, ovary-exploding, turn-my-brain-into-mush sexiness. I want to rip his clothes off with my teeth and lick every inch of his muscular, tattooed body.

But the leather vest he’s wearing tells me he’s in a motorcycle club. Of all things. The Satan’s Disciples patch and VP rocker should scare the living shit out of me. I’ve seen enough television dramas and movies to know MCs are nothing to mess around with. Plus, even I’ve heard their deadly reputation mentioned a few times in my part of California. These men are no fucking joke.

But tell that to my body, because all it does is make my pussy wet. And that’s a damn problem, seeing as I really don’t need this right now. I’m hiding out from my abusive ex-fiancé. I’m not here to throw my panties at the hottest man I’ve ever seen.

Nope! Nuh-uh! Walk away, Emma!

“Well, I appreciate the offer, but I already have a job.” I give him a polite smile and try to maneuver around him. But he steps in front of me, placing his hand on my bicep and halting my attempt at a quick escape. His calloused palm on my bare skin feels like it’s burning me up from the inside out. I’m dying to have it somewhere else, like at the apex of my thighs while he makes me come with his fingers.

“You have a job already?” he asks me skeptically.

I blink in succession, trying to focus on what he’s saying. “Yes… I… I took the job last week.” Needing some room to think, I step out of his reach and cross my hands in front of my body.

“I see. And where is that?”

“Not that it’s any of your business, but… um…”Think, Emma, think!“I’m taking Gladys’s job,” I tell him with my chin lifted in feigned confidence.

“Gladys. You’re taking Gladys’s job,” he deadpans, folding his arms back over his meaty chest.

“Yes. Gladys Johnson. She… uh… she works at the office… over on Main Street. She’s retiring.” I smile sweetly at him.

“Riiiiiiight.” He nods his head, patronizing me. “And which office is that?”

“Oh, um… I…”

He steps dangerously close to me, lifting my chin while forcing me to look into his eyes. He holds my gaze for several seconds, and I unconsciously bear down on the tips of my toes, leaning into his diminishing personal space.What is he doing to me?

His voice is low and husky when he says, “Give it up, baby. Like I said: I know everyone, and there is no Gladys Johnson. I get why you’re trying to turn me down, but I’m not takingnofor an answer.

“You need a job, and I’m offering one. The pay is good, and you can start tomorrow. We’ll figure everything else out. If you need anything before then, just call me. I’ll see you at eight tomorrow morning.”

He leans in a little farther, like he’s going to kiss me, and my eyelids flutter closed. But then I feel a shift in the air as he steps back, and I part my lashes to see a satisfied smirk on his face while I drop back onto my heels.Jerk.

“How will I know where to go?”

“My card’s in your back pocket.” He gives me a two-finger salute and a wink, then walks off with the sexiest swagger I’ve ever seen. I check my pocket, and sure enough, his card is there.When…? How…?

A few moments later, I hear the rumble of a motorcycle coming around the corner before I see it drive past me down the street. This is definitely not how I thought my first morning in a new city would go. On the other hand, I can’t lie and pretend I’m not excited. I’m not sure what to make of it all, and I’m still processing everything that’s happened in the last few months of my life. But I’m hopeful this will be the fresh start I need to find theold meagain—the girl who was audacious and wasn’t afraid of a challenge. Who was vivacious and didn’t take shit from anyone.

Instead, I’m left standing here alone. Yet, I’m comforted by the spark of warmth in my belly from this inexplicable magnetism I’ve never felt towards someone else. Towards any man. And I think I really like it.

6

---