Out Of Her League Read Free Page A

She was no more his type than he was hers. So macho and good-looking, a known ladies’ man— not exactly what she was looking for. Men like that were trouble, and getting involved with one would guarantee heartbreak. She would be worse than stupid to pursue anything, even if by some miracle he did show an interest in her.
    “Well, I would never dare you,” she assured him, and gathered up the bag holding her dirty uniform. “You ready to leave?”
    “Sure.”
    At the door Teryl leaned up and kissed Rayne's cheek, then rubbed away the lipstick mark. “Okay, go off and save the world for us tomorrow. But don't shoot anyone unless you have to.”
    “I'll try and restrain myself,” he said, and let Christa precede him outside. The cool night air was damp and smelled of freshly cut grass, stars twinkling overhead. He followed her to her truck and opened her door for her.
    “Oh, thanks,” she said and scrambled up into the cab.
    “You're welcome.” He even closed her door before rounding the hood and climbing in himself, the truck suddenly seeming small with him in it. Well over six feet tall, broad through the chest and shoulders with no fat on him, he made her feel petite and fragile, and with a five-eight medium build, that was saying something.
    He dominated whatever space he occupied, his air of confidence so absolute she'd once mistaken it for arrogance. Now she understood it was merely part of his personality. He was a natural leader, an alpha male loaded with charisma and sex appeal. As the notches on his bedpost no doubt proved.
    She started the ignition and pulled out of the driveway. “You live down by the beach, right?” No sense tipping him off that she'd committed every detail she knew about him to memory. Kind of obsessed, like her stalker, but way less scary. And more pathetic.
    As she thought of her fan her eyes scanned the street, but nothing suspicious caught her attention.
    “Just down from the pier, on Marine Drive.”
    “You must have an incredible view.”
    “It's pretty tough to take, all right.” He swiveled his head to study her, and as she bore his scrutiny her fingers tightened on the steering wheel. “Where's your place? We've known each other a while, so how come you've never invited me over?”
    “Huh?” She shot him a glance. That had come so far out of left field she wasn't sure she'd heard him correctly. “I didn't know you wanted to be invited over.”
    “Well, all I ever hear is Drew and Teryl raving about your cooking, your yard and your house, and you've never once asked me over with them.”
    She didn't know quite how to respond to that. “Well, it wasn't on purpose, I swear. I promise, next time I'll invite you too. Deal?”
    “Deal.”
    As he settled back into the seat with a creak of his leather jacket, she caught the tangy scent of his citrusy cologne. It was cruel for a man to be so beautiful and smell that good. She had to fight the urge to lean over and breathe him in. Instead, she checked the rearview mirror to make sure no one was following her. As awesome a distraction as Rayne was, she couldn't forget about that weird encounter at the park.
    Through the open window, the salt of the ocean teased her nostrils, the lone cry of a seagull blending with the background music of the radio. In the distance the shadowy forms of the San Juan and Gulf Islands rose out of the Strait of Georgia, the lights of Semiahmoo Resort winking across the water. Moonlight shimmered silver across the bay, silhouetting the gentle contours of the shore and isolating tidal pools on the exposed sand, their crescents glimmering like a scalloped lace hem stretching the length of the beach. On Marine Drive they headed east, past the people strolling along the promenade and the illuminated pier jutting into the dark tide, past the gift shops, restaurants and ice cream parlors, the trees lit year-round by delicate strands of lights.
    Maybe she was too wound up about this whole stalker thing,