When Bruce Met Cyn Read Free Page A

weren’t free.”
    â€œPerv.”
    Fuming, the trucker reached for her again; she physically prepared herself, and Bruce, feeling like the biggest idiot alive, got between them.
    Quickly, before the trucker tried to take him apart, Bruce asked, “How much does she owe you?” Then he held up a hand. “And don’t mention sex, because that’s obviously out of the question. And besides, prostitution is illegal here and there’s a cop sitting right inside the diner.”
    The trucker, with one worried glance at the restaurant, subsided. He pushed his ball cap back on his head and scratched at his ear. He seemed undecided, but finally said, “Forty bucks oughta cover it.”
    Bristling indignation brought the woman to her toes. “Forty bucks! Are you out of your friggin’—”
    â€œFine.” Bruce located two twenties. “Here. Now go. We’re drawing a lot of attention.”
    Hearing that, the woman looked over her shoulder, and grinned. The front window of the diner had at least ten noses pressed to it. “So we are. Probably the most excitement any of them have had in a decade. Oh and look. There is a cop.” She waggled her fingers at the mostly disinterested officer before turning back to the trucker. “Get lost, Tarzan.”
    The trucker folded the bills Bruce had given him into his wallet, then tucked it into his back pocket. “Cock tease,” he muttered with pure venom and headed for his idling semi.
    In saccharine-sweet tones, she shot back, “Buffoon.” But the trucker wasted no more time in throwing the big rig into gear and grinding his way out of the lot.
    Bruce exhaled his relief, gave himself a few seconds to prepare for her impact, then returned his attention to the young lady. Her features were as devastating now as they had been moments before, but at least this time he wasn’t taken unawares. “You’re okay?”
    â€œFine and dandy.” One arched brow lifted.
    â€œYou?”
    â€œI’ll live.” But his chest still hurt from the blow she’d delivered. She might be small, but she wasn’t helpless.
    She looked around her with interest. “I don’t suppose you’d want to buy me something to eat? That hamburger was hours ago and I’m starving.”
    Her brazenness might have put another man off, but Bruce had spent most of his adult life in the company of brazen women. His mouth twitched and he said gently, “Not here, no.”
    She took that on the chin. “Sure, Gallahad, whatever.” Readjusting the satchel-type purse she carried, and grabbing up the handle to her suitcase, she started for the diner. “Maybe some other Good Samaritan will feel differently.”
    Bruce stopped her. “They have cockroaches.”
    She twisted to look at him over her shoulder. Her grin made his stomach knot with unheard-of sensations. “No problem. Most of the people I know are probably related.”
    Sympathy saved him, brought out his more professional persona. If she didn’t mind eating with bugs, she must truly be hungry. And he knew from experience that her joking attitude was no more than bravado, anyway. “I’m heading to Visitation.”
    She paused.
    â€œIt’s an hour south, but at the next gas station, I can buy you something prepackaged.”
    Slowly, she turned to face him. Her lush lips pursed, and then formed the word, “Yummy.”
    Bruce’s stomach took a free fall. He rubbed the back of his neck and tried to ignore her blatant sex appeal. “Once we hit town, if you can wait that long, I can get you some real food.”
    She cocked out her hip and crossed her arms under her plump breasts. “You offering me a ride?”
    â€œAs far as Visitation, yes.”
    â€œWell, what about that?” Her wide smile left twin dimples in her soft cheeks and had her eyes warming with surprise. She shifted the handle of her