Page 14 of Irresistibly Wicked

“I did not pick him up, and don’t follow me.”

As she stalked toward the door, Mike said, “No way I’m missing this,” and they all barreled out after her. Thankfully, the guys headed for the fire truck.

Shauna tried to play it cool despite her racing heart as Zander came into view. He was looking over his shoulder out the open bay door, holding a bag in one hand, his other hand casually tucked into the front pocket of his jeans. She slowed her stride, enjoying the view of him in his leather vest over a black T-shirt, his muscular legs wrapped in worn denim. Scuffed black leather boots made him that much hotter. Maybe I am into bikers.

Ugh. No.

It wasn’t like she was even looking for a guy, and if she were, it wouldn’t be a player. But there was no denying the flutter low in her belly.

Zander turned, an easy smile stretching across his face as he closed the distance between them. She realized she’d stopped walking and was staring at him. What was he doing to her? She’d always been more comfortable around guys than women. Except around this guy, apparently.

“There’s my savior. How’s it going, Angel?”

A soft laugh escaped before she could stop it. “Did you forget my name already?”

“No. You might be Shauna Flores to everyone else, but to me you’ll always be the angel who saved me.”

“Okay,” she said, dragging out the word, unsure how else to respond. “What are you doing here?”

“I finished that work at your place today, and wanted to give you a thank-you gift, but you weren’t home. So, I tracked you down.”

“Damn. Dude’s got game,” Mike said loudly from across the bay by the fire truck.

She shot Mike an annoyed glance. He and the guys turned around like they weren’t eavesdropping. “Sorry about him,” she said, trying to wrap her head around the idea that Zander had brought her a gift and tracked her down.

“Don’t be. He’s right.” He cocked a playful grin. “But that’s not why I’m here. I felt bad for ruining your coffee the other day, so I got you this.” He held out the bag he was holding.

Her pulse was going crazy, and she couldn’t stop smiling. “You didn’t have to get me anything.”

“You didn’t have to save me.” He put the bag in her hand.

She peered into the bag and laughed when she saw a large box of her favorite French vanilla creamer cups. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Feel free to shower me with eternal gratitude in the form of baked goods.”

He was ridiculously smooth, and somehow, also sincere. “Trust me, you don’t want to eat anything I bake.”

“I wouldn’t bet on that, but I’m happy knowing you now have a reason to think of me every morning.”

She couldn’t tell if he was teasing or flirting, but it didn’t matter because he’d taken up residence in her mind three months ago without even trying.

“Do you have a few minutes to chat?” he asked.

“Um. Sure.” She glanced at the guys, who were still watching them. Nosy bastards.

Mike gave her a thumbs-up.

“Let’s go outside,” she suggested.

Once they were outside, Zander said, “Brian was in pretty bad shape when I was at your place earlier. Is he okay?”

The question took her by surprise. She hadn’t talked to anyone about Brian’s issues, and as much as it would be a relief to talk about it, she didn’t know Zander well enough to breach her best friend’s confidence. “Yeah. He’s just going through a rough patch.”

Zander nodded, but the muscles in his jaw flexed, like he wasn’t buying it. “And you? How are you doing?”

“Me? I’m good.” Hoping to change the subject, she said, “This guy brought me a whole box of my favorite creamer. It’s like Christmas in April.”

He chuckled. “I saw the way you were burning through them at Cumby’s.”