Page 38 of Craving Danger

When my mystery man settles behind the steering wheel, I watch as he adjusts the seat.

My eyebrow pops up. “Isn’t this your car?”

“No, it’s a friend’s.”

He starts the engine, and realizing he’s going to drive through Manhattan with a balaklava on, I let out a snort. “You look like a bank robber. The cops are going to pull us over.”

“Let’s hope that doesn’t happen,” he mutters as he reverses the BMW out of the parking bay. “Where do you live?”

Knowing he can find my address on my membership form, I don’t bother lying and tell him where to go.

We drive in silence for a minute or so before my nerves get the better of me, and I blurt out, “This isn’t nerve-racking at all.”

Turning left at a set of traffic lights, he says, “It’s the same as being in a room with me. Try not to worry.”

“It’s not the same,” I argue. “There are no security cameras. Right now, it’s your word against mine.”

“I’m not going to hurt you,” he murmurs. “Besides, I enjoy your company and won’t do anything to jeopardize our time together.”

My eyes settle on him, and I watch as he steers the car.

Weirdly, I believe him when he says he won’t hurt me.

Why?

Am I being gullible, or is my gut instinct right that he might be one of the good ones?

I thought Todd was one of the good ones. Look where that got me.

Forcing my thoughts away from Todd, I think about the past few hours I spent with my mystery man. Even though I couldn’t lie on the bed for more than a few minutes, I feel I made some progress.

Holding his hand was nice.

It was more than nice. I felt safe with him and there was a fluttering in my stomach.

I even managed to tell him a little about my past, which was a first for me.

When the BMW comes to a stop, I’m yanked out of my thoughts and realize I stared at my mystery man all the way home.

Look who’s being the creepy one.

“Thanks for the ride,” I say while pushing the door open.

As I climb out, my mystery man also gets out of the car. He looks up and down the street before glancing at my apartment building.

I watch as he walks around the front of the BMW, then he says, “I enjoyed tonight.”

“Me too.” I take a step toward the entrance. “Drive safely.”

He nods and keeps watching me as I walk into the building.

When I lock my front door behind me, a smile tugs at my lips.

I might not know who my mystery man is, but he’s helping me a lot.

Walking to my bathroom, I wash my face and brush my teeth.

I feel safe in that room because security will rush to help if something happens.

---