Hunting Human - Amanda E. Alvarez [12]
His dimples flashed, a predatory smile crossing his face.
Perfect timing.
Beth looked like she could use an extra set of hands and Angie wasn’t here to meddle. Can’t be everywhere, can you, Ange? Braden strode confidently into the public lot and right into the largest pothole on the planet. Angie’s laughter rang in his ears.
“Perfect.” He pulled his leg from the hole and examined the damage. Muddy water stained his khaki pants halfway to his knee and his left shoe was completely soaked through; his sock already clinging to his skin. He could only imagine the picture he presented. Undaunted, he shook out his pant leg and shrugged off the blow to his ego. A little water wouldn’t kill him.
She had her back to him as he approached, struggling to clamp down the top of her Jeep. He was still ten yards away when his senses fired. The hair on the back of his neck started to rise, his vision became sharper. Beyond his control, his nostrils flared, straining for the moment her scent would rush through him. It was one of the strangest experiences of his life—and one of the most potent. Every muscle, every sense, every single cell pulled him forward.
A few steps brought him close enough to see the raindrops in her hair dance and sparkle with every furious yank. Four more strides and she engulfed him. The scent of her mixed with the powerful, almost violent scent of lightning in the air had him salivating. The woman was a sensory feast and he hadn’t even touched her. The thought of touching her, of having her naked beneath him sent a rush of heat through him, finally coiling low in his gut. Braden clenched and relaxed his fingers. He’d never felt like this, so out of control, so animalistic.
What is it about this woman?
Determined to find out, he closed the remaining distance between them and maneuvered his umbrella until she had some protection from the steadily increasing rain.
“Can I help?” His body tight with anticipation, his words came out rough as ground gravel.
He was close enough to hear her breathy gasp of surprise. And close enough he couldn’t avoid the elbow she plowed directly into his solar plexus.
Braden staggered, gasping for breath as she spun to face him. Her face flooded pink the moment recognition dawned in her eyes.
“I’m so sorry!”
“It’s fine,” he wheezed. At least the blow to the gut helped get his raging libido under control. “You’ve got one pointy elbow.”
“Really, I’m very sorry.” Beth reached out to lay a hand on his forearm, but pulled back at the last second. “You spooked me.”
“It’s alright.” Braden sent her a quick grin that was still half grimace and shoved his umbrella into her hands. “Let’s get the rest of this covered before it starts to pour.”
Beth stepped aside, switching places with Braden. “Be careful, the top’s really stiff.” She watched fascinated as he planted one leg inside the Jeep and got a firm hold on the top. He had to bend a bit at the hips to get the right amount of leverage. As he pulled the top forward, well-defined muscles bunched and stretched across his back. Her mouth went dry as she let her gaze wander down to a firm backside and long, lean legs. He had the lines of an athlete—broad shoulders over narrow hips, lean muscle broadcasting a powerful grace.
“Gotcha!”
Beth snapped her head up, her face coloring in embarrassment. Thankfully, Braden was focused on zipping up the windows. Lightning splintered the sky and a long roll of thunder raced in behind it. Seconds later, as though the lightning had torn a seam in the clouds, the rain began in earnest, falling in heavy sheets of gray. Dashing around the side, Beth tossed the umbrella into the backseat and began furiously zipping up the passenger side window. In the half minute it took to get the window up and throw the door open she was soaked.
“Get in, quick!” The words were barely out of her mouth before Braden was settling into the driver’s seat and pulling the door closed. The silence that settled thick and heavy