A Kiss in the Dark Read Free

“When that happens,” he said slowly, his voice languid and dark, “the wiring can overheat, melting everything right back to the driveshaft.”
    Lacey blinked. Her cheeks grew warm. “Really.” She slid her gaze away from the sudden heat in those translucent eyes. “A hot spot, huh?”
    “Mm-hmm. You’re definitely going to need my services.”
    Turning away, Lacey pressed a palm against her chest and forced herself to breathe normally. “Okay, then. It’s a rental car, so whatever’s wrong with it, they can fix it. I’ll call the rental agency and let them know where they can collect it.” She drew in a steadying breath before turning back to face him. “Should I pay you now, or let the rental agency pay you when they come to get the car?”
    He shrugged. “Let them pay for it. Here, I’ll give you a business card.”
    She watched as he strode over to the tow truck and began rummaging around inside the cab. He swore softly. “I know they’re in here somewhere. Aha!” He came back and handed her a small card. “Give this number to the rental agency.”
    Lacey glanced at the card. There was the business name, Sully’s Towing Service, but not his first name. Pushing down her disappointment, she looked back up at him. “Thanks. If you’ll wait just a moment, I’ll get my things out of the car.”
    She popped the trunk release and was hauling her presentation materials and the case that contained STAR out, when he leaned in through the driver’s door and across the seat. She paused for a moment, peeking around the trunk to admire his ass. When he finally straightened, she realized he was holding her lingerie and carry-on bag in one hand, and her little pocketbook in the other.
    “You don’t want to forget these.”
    The delicate satin panties looked ridiculously fragile in his large hand, and she had a sudden image of him sliding them slowly down over her hips. Her eyes flew to his. Those mesmerizing dimples were back again as he handed her belongings to her.
    Taking the items wordlessly from him, she struggled to lift the heavy case out of the trunk when he reached in and took it easily from her hands. Then, lifting her presentation case in his other hand, he strode over to the tow truck and tossed them both into the cargo area behind the seats.
    “What are you doing?”
    He gave her a smile that sent her heart lurching. “I’m taking you home.”
    Her voice, when she finally found it, came out as no more than a squeak. “You’re what?”
    “Well, I wouldn’t feel right leaving you in a deserted parking lot,” he said, running a hand over his crop of short hair and managing to look endearingly concerned. “So unless somebody’s already on their way to pick you up, I’ll run you wherever you need to go.” He gave her a questioning look.
    Logically, Lacey knew that what he said made sense. He couldn’t leave her here, without a way to get back to the motel. But his words still caused her imagination to surge.
    “No,” she finally managed. “There’s nobody coming to get me. I’m only here for a few days.”
    “Ah,” he said meaningfully. “Well then, why don’t you hop into the cab and I’ll hook the car up.”
    Hesitating only briefly, Lacey did as he suggested, sliding past him as he held the door open and taking his proffered hand to hitch herself up onto the bench seat. His skin was warm, his fingers strong and sure as they closed over her own.
    She watched him as he came around to the driver’s side and pulled himself up behind the wheel. Mere inches away from her, in the confined space of the cab his presence was overwhelming, the sheer maleness of him assailing her senses.
    Suddenly, he turned toward her on the bench seat, one arm sliding along the seat back behind her shoulders as he craned to peer through the rear window and align the truck up with her car. Lacey’s nostrils flared. She could smell him. A clean scent of male sweat and soap. She realized she had only to