Page 12 of Greed

“I’m fine, thanks to this man, but thank you. Are you okay?” she asked, her eyes roaming over the woman, assessing if she had any injuries.

“Just my pride. I really am sorry.” The sound of a siren blared briefly as the police car pulled through the intersection and then blocked off the lane the lady’s car was in to prevent a larger issue. “Oh, I better go, but I’m so happy you’re alright.”

Minetta turned back to the man that had just saved her. “Thank you. You saved my life. I don’t even know how to repay you,” she managed to stutter out.

His shoulder-length, honey-colored hair blew across his face, making him look even sexier, and her heart fluttered. She swallowed hard as she realized that he still had a hand on her waist. His body was much closer than appropriate for someone she’d just met, yet she found herself not caring.

His eyes flicked down, and she suddenly realized that the continuous downpour had made her white work blouse see-through, showing her lace bra underneath. Minetta wrapped her arms around her body and took a small step back from the stranger, his hand falling away. As it did, she took a deep breath like it was his hand that was creating the unusual connection between them, which of course, was crazy.

“It was my pleasure. The names Michael,” he said and held out his hand for her to shake.

She unfolded one of her arms to reciprocate the gesture. “I…I guess I better get going. I’m getting wet.” Oh god, could she have sounded any lamer? She thought, resisting the urge to smack her forehead.

“I can see that,” he said, the corner of his mouth pulling up. “Here, take this.” Michael pulled the long coat he was wearing off and offered it to her. Normally she wouldn’t have accepted, but she was shivering from head to toe. “Where were you heading?”

“The bus around the corner.”

He smiled wide like he was amused. “And where was the bus taking you?”

A flush crept up her neck, making her hot all over. “Home, I was heading home from work.” For whatever reason, she felt compelled to continue to act ridiculous as she pointed across the road to the building she’d just left.

“Would you prefer a ride home?”

She gave him a small smile. “Thanks, but I better not.”

She licked her lips as Michael’s shirt began to cling to his body because of the heavy rain still falling, showing off that indeed her hands had felt the hard plains of chiseled muscle.

“Would it help if I told you I simply wanted to be nice, but now I kind of want my coat back?” He bit his bottom lip, and she stared in awe. That face was made for high-end fashion.

“Okay, sure, thank you. I guess I can accept. I mean, you did save my life, so you can’t be a serial killer.” She was losing her mind. It was the only explanation for what she’d just said.

Michael laughed, and she internally groaned. It was like she had verbal diarrhea. “I’m parked over here.” He pointed to the black Lexus, and she fell into step beside him. He opened the door for her, and she slipped into the passenger seat. The fresh scent of new-car invaded her senses.

Michael slid into the seat in a single fluid motion. He was so graceful. He reached forward and turned the heat on high, and she sighed as the warmth blasted out. “So, where am I heading?” he asked as they pulled out on the main street.

“Not far. Do you know where Avarice street is?”

Michael let out a short burst of laughter, and she stared at the side of his amused face wondering what she’d said that was so funny. “I actually know exactly where he is.”

“He?”

“Sorry, I meant ‘it.’ I know where it is, not he.” The teasing look in his eyes made her wonder if he really did. “So, do I get the honor of knowing your name? I mean, it seems only fair since you know mine.”

She flushed again and didn’t need the blasting hot air anymore. “I’m sorry, I’ll blame the near-death experience on my bad manners. My name is Minetta, but my friends call me Minny.”

“Minetta,” he said, and she almost turned into a puddle on n his car. “I like your name. It’s beautiful.”

“Thanks.” She stared out the window, so she didn’t creep him out by staring at the side of his face the entire drive.

“Do you live around here?” she asked, breaking the silence.

“I tend to move around a lot. My job doesn’t allow me to settle in one location for very long.”

“That must be difficult. Do you mind if I ask you what you do?” She was curious about this man. There was something unusual about him that drew her in and coated her like a warm bath, yet gooseflesh covered her skin making her feel itchy at the same time. It was very conflicting.

“I’m in the negotiations field.”

“Really? Wow, I would’ve sworn you were a model or maybe a movie star, and I just can’t stop saying stupid things, so I’m going to be quiet now.” She stared down at her hands, holding her small purse in her lap.