Spark Read Free

something between them on a molecular level. Then
again, there was something else there, as well.
    “Why are you running away and from where? I know
they’re not from Baltimore and am inclined to believe Vicki when
she said California.”
    “I told you,” she said as he shifted into gear.
    He grunted. “You gave the skeleton version. There’s
more to it. You have almost nothing if there’s a bag at all in your
car. And, it’s one that has seen better days. It’s a rental; I know
that much.” She lifted her chin defiantly. He gave her a smile. “No
harm intended, Kendria. I was merely observing.”
    “Is there a hotel in town?”
    “Yes. Want me to drop you off?” He made the offer,
despite not wanting to let her go.
    “Please. I think I could use a nap.”
    The image of her naked in the sheets had him choking
the wheel until his knuckles turned white beneath their tan.
    “Sure thing.” His voice was so graveled even he had a
hard time recognizing it. “I’ll know exactly where to find
you.”

Chapter Two
    Kendria stood beneath the pulsing spray of the shower
and allowed herself to cry. Her frustration had crested and flowed
over like lava from a spewing volcano.
    Why can’t he leave me alone? Even as she
asked, she knew the answer. Joe wasn’t a man who would be letting
things go. He hated to lose.
    “Not that I was ever his to begin with.” Didn’t
matter. Joe had his own crazy world of thoughts. She turned her
back and stepped into the water streams once more. A sound reached
her, and it had her shaking her head. “I’m getting jumpy.”
    Wrapped in the large towel, she left the bathroom,
and walked out to sit on the bed. Once there, she reached for her
purse. A twinge in her arm reminded her of her injury and the fact
she’d yet to attend to it. “Damn it.”
    She flipped through her wallet and checked out her
money situation.
    “Thank God for being frugal.
    She left it sitting there and padded to her small
suitcase. Two outfits. “This ain’t going to cut it.”
    Dressing in jeans, t-shirt, and her tennis shoes
without socks this time, she went to the door and opened it. Her
heart kicked up at the sight of the jacked up truck she’d first
seen moments before she’d gotten her first look at Vance. Casting
her gaze around, she searched for him among those in the parking
lot.
    “Looking for me?”
    She gasped and barely bit back squeal. He leaned
against the wall, a piece of grass in his mouth.
    “Come to deliver bad news?” He lifted a dark eyebrow.
“About the car,” she amended.
    He grinned. “Yep. You’re stuck here.”
    She sent him a playful scowl, loving how he could
make her forget anything but him. “Really?”
    “At least until I’m done with you.”
    Words that held a much deeper but not-so-subtle
meaning. She propped herself against the doorframe, grateful it was
her uninjured arm. “Sounds menacing.” He made her smile and relax.
Feel safe. And desirable. All experiences she wanted more of.
    “Are you scared?”
    “Not even remotely.” And, those words had never been
truer. With him, she hadn’t the slightest bit of fear. She leaned
in closer, allowing his rich scent to fill her nostrils. “Are
you?”
    He raked his gaze over her, sending more moisture to
her needy pussy. The grin that kicked up his lips didn’t help.
    “Hell, no. Anticipatory.”
    She concurred. “So, what’s wrong with my car?”
    “Nothing much. I’ll have it up and running in a few
days.”
    “So, you’re just telling me—”
    “You’re stuck. Come on.”
    She exited her room, purse in hand. “I could use some
clothing. I don’t have enough to be here for a few days.”
    He stepped up close to her, lips brushing her ear. “I
have a shirt you’d look perfect in. Maybe even two.”
    His warm breath gave her shivers. Her nipples drew
tight, and she nearly tripped over her feet. He snaked an arm
around her middle, bringing her back against him. More specifically
his hard