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“Don’t worry,” he says, finally putting me down on my feet. His arms stay around me, though, keeping me upright—like he doesn’t trust me not to fall again. “The driver will be fired.”
His voice is low and even, and I can tell he’s not just joking or trying to placate Jacquelyn. He means it. I have no doubt that he’ll follow through on that promise, and that he’s got the power to do it. His expression is cool, almost cold, and I don’t think he’ll feel even a second of remorse for ending his driver’s employment.
This is a man in complete control. A man used to having the world rearrange itself around him according to his whims.
It’s impressive. Attractive. And also a little scary.
“That’s okay. You don’t have to do that,” I say quickly, shaking my head as I glance toward the car. It’s still stopped in the middle of the road, blocking a lane of traffic, and other drivers have started to go around it, honking and cursing out their windows. “It was my fault. I shouldn’t have run out onto the street like that.”
“What? No, it’s not okay,” Jacquelyn insists, even though the two of us were definitely jaywalking. She gestures to the dark-haired Adonis. “This guy needs to be held responsible. With tailored pants as nice as he’s wearing, I’m sure he’s good for it.”
Before I can stop myself, I’m looking down at his pants—directly at his crotch—and my face heats up so fast that I’m almost worried my skin will catch fire. I wrench my gaze back up, and the slight smirk on his face tells me that he definitely noticed where my attention went.
Great.
“It’s fine, Jacquelyn,” I say, clearing my throat. I definitely don’t want some sort of payoff from this guy, and considering how difficult of a time I’m having not making a fool of myself, I honestly just want this interaction to be over. “Just let it go. I’m really not hurt at all.”
The man’s lips turn downward at the corners just slightly. He hasn’t let go of my arms yet, and he looks like he can’t decide whether he actually wants to.
“Are you sure?” he presses.
“Yes.”
My voice comes out low, almost a whisper, as he slides his hands down my arms. Goosebumps break out on my skin in their wake, and I have to work hard to suppress a shiver, worried he’ll notice my strong reaction to his touch.
It’s the strangest thing. I know he’s gorgeous, but it’s not like I’ve never seen a handsome man before. I’ve only just met him—and only because his car almost killed me—but I’m drawn to him in a way I can’t quite explain. Attracted to him with an intensity beyond anything that I ever felt with Brad.
And I don’t even know this guy’s name.
“I’m fine,” I finally manage, taking a step backward and breaking the connection between us. “Sorry for all the trouble.”
“There’s no reason for you to be sorry,” he says, his gray eyes burning. “I’m glad you’re not hurt.”
He gives me another long look and then shoots Jacquelyn a curt nod. His long legs eat up the distance as he turns and strides back to his car, and then he slips into the back seat again, hidden from view behind the tinted glass. Jacquelyn huffs under her breath, then tugs me the rest of the way across the street and onto the safety of the sidewalk on the other side.
“I still think you should’ve let that guy compensate you for almost killing you,” she says, pursing her lips. “Either in Cartier jewelry or in physical favors.”
My jaw drops open, a choked noise escaping me as I register her words. She howls with laughter, looping her arm through mine again.
“I’m just saying, it seems like a wasted opportunity to me. Don’t tell me you didn’t notice how fucking hot he was.”
I blink, the heat in my face rising again. “I did, but…”
She chuckles as I trail off, pulling me toward the restaurant. “Come on, hon. Aside from sex, the best cure for a near-death experience is a good meal or a stiff drink. We’ll get you both.”
I let her lead me through the restaurant’s large front door, but as we step inside, I can’t help looking over my shoulder in the direction of the stranger’s car, despite the fact that he’s well out of sight by now.
But even though I don’t get another glimpse of him, his gorgeous face and the hint of blue in his gray eyes are seared into my mind.
* * *
Declan
“I’m so sorry, Mr. Wright,” the driver says as I settle into the back seat of the car, but I’m already rolling up the partition. “I didn’t see her. She just ran out from between those parked cars, and I—”
It’s not worth wasting my time when I’ve already decided how to deal with this.
A career change for this idiot is just a text away, and I send it without hesitation.
