The Hunted (The Chronicles of the Hunter Book 1) Read Free Page B

didn’t answer. He’d thought she was sleepy. Another mistake. He was making way too many of those, in a very short time. Kane shrugged again. Toyed with turning the stereo back on. Shifted. His seat creaked in accompaniment. He reached for the climate control switch.
    “You okay back there? Not too hot? Cold?”
    “I’m fine.”
    “You thirsty?” he asked.
    “Not unless you have coffee.”
    “Never touch the stuff.”
    “That figures.”
    “I’ve got cold water. Bottled.”
    “Thanks, but I can’t get my hands free to drink it. You know what, Kane? I think I’ll just try and take a little snooze back here. Maybe when I wake up, I’ll be back in my hotel room, and this will have been a very strange dream. That okay with you?”
    “Dream on, baby.”
    Oh.
    Hell.
    He did not just say that. Not in a thousand years. He wasn’t just exhibiting slow wits. They appeared to be missing entirely. Kane’s fingers tightened on the steering wheel, making the leather wrap rotate under his palm. Luckily, she didn’t respond. A milepost passed. Another one. He sent a peek in the rearview mirror toward her.
    She had her head tilted to the side. She looked asleep.
    And she was smiling.  
     

 
    CHAPTER THREE
     
    LeeAnn wasn’t sleeping. Only stupid, insipid individuals would actually sleep at a time like this. She was vulnerable. With a complete stranger. And, even if it did appear as if he’d saved her, she was still at his mercy. Wearing little more than a nightgown. Sans her phone. Identification. Cash. Credit cards. She couldn’t even prove who she was. The last thing she needed was to be unaware of her surroundings and how she got there. She’d read this plot too many times. She needed to keep her wits about her. Gain an accurate account of time. Distance. Check when the vehicle changed speeds. Make certain of turns. How many. Which direction.
    The rising sun was mostly on the driver side now, so they were definitely heading south. She could just make out the dash clock. His arm blocked it for a moment, as he turned on his stereo again. Classical music surrounded her. She didn’t know composers or tunes, but it was strangely soothing. Oddly comforting.
    All bad.
    And counterintuitive.
    She didn’t need or want comfort. She was in way over her head here, and didn’t like the feeling. Her mind kept sending possible scenarios. Potential plans of action. A lot of truly frightening endings. She really could use some caffeine. She’d even take it cold. With carbonation. And a day’s supply of sugar. She peeked occasionally out the window, checking for anything that could be a potential landmark. Looked like a lot of clear blue sky. A lot more ocean. And tons of sunlight. It was going to be a gorgeous hot, sunny day.
    The sun sent a lot of warmth with its rays. The heat was like another layer of comfort. Soothing. Reassuring even as it cocooned. LeeAnn mentally shook herself. Slanted a glance toward Kane. She could just make out the back of his neck. She instantly had to stanch a whisper of reaction through her belly.
    This wasn’t good.
    Then again, it couldn’t just be her. The guy was beyond good looking...even if a tad overly alpha, a bit too masculine, and entirely too close-lipped and predatory. He was still gorgeous. He had the tall, dark, and handsome monikers covered.
    In spades.
    Really, LeeAnn. Stop. Just stop.
    His jaw was really chiseled. The line was apparent beneath the slight shadow of black whiskers. She knew now that it matched his hair color. She’d been right with that assessment. His hair was definitely dark. More...coal black. Looked straight, but he wore it pulled back, which might exaggerate that quality. She couldn’t tell the length. It wasn’t short. The start of his queue was just visible before it disappeared beneath his clothing. A few strands slid down his neck.
    He had a really thick neck, too.
    Another shiver of something unbidden sliced through her, sending a layer of