Hot Velocity

Her curiosity aroused and left unsatisfied, she yanked one of the suitcases up onto the bed and began the task of unpacking. Within minutes, she had both cases emptied and her meager belongings stored in the dresser and closet. Six months ago, she’d left most of what she owned with Clay, taking only what she could carry in the cases. The apartment she’d been living in had come fully furnished. Unfortunately, the roof had sprung a leak in the last rain. Not only had they had to repair the roof, they’d had to rip out the drywall and flooring due to water damage and mold. She wouldn’t be allowed back into the apartment until they’d completed all of the repairs and mold remediation. Thus, the move to the bed-and-breakfast.

The night was still young, the sun having barely dipped below the hilltops. She could lie there and reminisce or go find something to eat.

Grabbing her coat and purse, she headed for the door, slung it open and nearly crashed into T-Rex. “Oh, sorry.”

He steadied her with his big hands and then dropped them to his sides. “Are you all right?”

“I’m fine.” She stepped back and willed her heart to slow.

“I was coming to see you.”

“You were?” Her pulse leaped again.

T-Rex dug in his pocket and pulled out a device that fit in the palm of his hand. “I want you to have this.” He reached for her hand and placed it on her palm.

“What is it?” she stared down at the gadget, her heart banging against her ribs at the touch of his hand beneath hers.

“A stun gun.”

Okay, so it wasn’t a diamond bracelet, but seriously, what man gave a woman a stun gun as a gift? “How does it work?”

He turned it over and pointed to the button on the side. “You switch it on here. When someone gets close enough to you, you push this button and stick it to him.”

“And then what?”

“He will lose muscle control and balance and become disoriented. It will disable him for up to thirty minutes.”

“Wow.” She held it out. “Sounds dangerous.”

“The effects aren’t permanent. It gives you a chance to get away. Carry it in your hand when you’re alone, like when you’re locking up at the day care and walking out to your car. If your ex ever pulls a stunt like he did today you can be ready to take him down long enough to get away. One jolt from this baby and he’ll think twice about harassing you.”

She stared at the device and then glanced up at him. “That’s about the nicest gift anyone has ever given me.”

He laughed out loud. “Better than roses?”

“Much.” She slid it into her purse, careful not to switch it on in the process. “I’m not sure I have the nerve to use it, but it will make me feel better knowing I have it in case I need it.”

“Were you heading out?” he asked.

“I was just going to find something to eat. Normally, I fix a salad and eat at home.” She grimaced. “But that won’t be an option while I live in the bed-and-breakfast. I miss my apartment already.”

“I was about to go to the Blue Moose Tavern. Care to join me?”

She smiled and shook her head. “So much for avoiding each other. I think it will be nearly impossible in such a small house.”

“No need to. I promise—” he held up his hand as if swearing in court “—not to overstep your boundaries without your permission.”

“In that case, I would love the company. I hate eating alone.” She led the way down the stairs and out of the building.

Once outside, he glanced around as if looking for something or someone. “I don’t see your ex anywhere, but we should probably keep up appearances.” T-Rex held out his hand. “Girlfriend?”

She hesitated, staring at his big, open hand. Knowing it would only be for appearances, it shouldn’t be a big deal. But as soon as she placed her hand in his, the electricity of his touch zipped through her body, pooling low in her groin. Yeah, being this close to T-Rex could only lead to trouble.

At that moment, she didn’t care.

Together, they walked the three blocks to the Blue Moose Tavern and asked the waitress for a table.

Once seated across from T-Rex, her hand in her own lap and no longer touching the man, Sierra’s thoughts settled from the scramble they’d been since she’d kissed him. He was just a man. The first man she’d kissed since her divorce. Surely there would be more, and she wouldn’t make such a complete fool of herself over the next.

The waitress brought them their drinks—a glass of red wine for Sierra and a draft beer for T-Rex.

Sierra lifted her glass. “To new friends.”

He touched his mug to her glass. “To new friends.”

They sipped and stared over the tops of their respective drinks.

Sierra had to focus on staring into his eyes and not letting her gaze fall to his sensuous mouth. For a long moment, she struggled to come up with something to say that wasn’t kiss me. Finally, she knocked back the rest of her wine and set her glass on the table. “Tell me about yourself.”

Chapter Five (#u6e32857e-6827-5a94-a61e-7a4335488036)

T-Rex felt his muscles tighten. He’d never been this uncomfortable sitting across a table from a beautiful woman. When she stared at him and demanded he tell her about himself, his pulse kicked up a notch. He swallowed the last of his beer and set down his mug. What did she really want to know?

Did she want to hear that he’d watched his best gunnery sergeant nearly get blown apart? That he wished he could have taken Gunny’s place in that explosion? That he loved women but avoided relationships because of the profession he’d chosen to dedicate his life to? He didn’t want to talk about himself, so he stalled. “Like what?”

“Not going to make this easy, are you?” Sierra nodded, squared her shoulders and launched. “You can start by telling me which branch of the service you’re in.”

“Marine Corps.” That wasn’t so hard. He relaxed a little.

“How long?” she demanded.

“Ten years.”

“That’s quite a commitment.” She drew in a breath and let it out. “Have you been deployed to a war zone?”

Tension shot up again. He nodded, his glance dropping to his empty mug. “Four times.”

Sierra’s brows drew together, and she reached across the table, laying her hand on his arm. “Thank you for your service.”

The heat of her touch sent his blood burning through his veins. He didn’t feel like he had done anything to be thanked for. While he was walking around on two perfectly good legs, Gunny couldn’t even hold his newborn son in his arms, or hug his girls.

T-Rex shook off her touch and moved his hands to his lap. “My turn.”

She nodded. “Shoot.”

“How long were you married to your charming husband?”

“Seven years.”