My world has until now been filled with skyscrapers and busy streets where a five-minute commute can easily turn into twenty or thirty, and people would rather bike or walk than drive. But here... Here it’s much different. The open road begs for rolled-down windows, cranked music, and soaking up the hot summer sun.
And I plan to soak it up right over there in front of that sprawling blue ocean.
Okay, it’s less blue and more murky, but it’s an ocean, and I’ll take it.
My car hugs the curves as I cruise along the coast, glancing back and forth from the endless sandy beach to the road in front me, desperate to take it all in, which is probably why I don’t notice the subtle curve to the right and the motorcycle that comes barreling around the—
Oh shit!
Jerking my wheel, I swerve off the road and skid to a stop. My heart in my throat and my stomach on the floor, I throw my car in park and shove open the door in time to see the motorcycle slide across the road before landing in a large plume of dust.
Oh my God.
Oh my God.
I almost hit someone.
I can’t believe I just ran someone off the road. What if he’s hurt or worse yet… No!
I dart across the road and fall to my knees beside the the motorist.
“Oh my God. I’m so sorry. So, so, so sorry. Are you okay?”
The man fumbles with his helmet, his hands shaking, and after a few failed attempts to get it off, I reach out and help.
With one swift tug, the helmet pops off, and I’m greeted by the most gorgeous set of dark brown eyes. On any other day they’d probably be warm and inviting, but as it is today, they look a bit menacing.
“Do I look okay?” he growls, glancing at his leg pinned under the giant hog.
“You’re right,” I say frantically, holding out a placating hand. “Stay right here. I’m going to call nine one one.”
“Where the fuck am I gonna go?”
His words are harsh, which is completely expected considering I just ran the poor man off the road, and they’re probably also fueled by an immense amount of pain, which is why I choose to ignore him.
“Right. Okay.”
Scrambling to my feet, I dart across the road and call for an ambulance, all the while praying I don’t get hauled off to jail, because if anything would make Daddy Dearest piss his pants, it would be that.
The dispatcher takes our location and encourages me to stay calm. She tells me a few other things, but I can’t concentrate because my damn eyes keep lingering on the sexy man across the street. The way his hair tumbles in front of his face. The firm set of his jaw and—
“Ma’am?”
“Huh?”
“Are you hurt?”
I shake my head. “No.”
“An ambulance is on its way.”
“Thank you.” I shove my phone in my pocket and run back across the asphalt.
“An ambulance is on its way.”
The stranger grunts, thanking me for for my assistance as he pushes up on his elbows, somehow maneuvering himself into an awkward sitting position.
He struggles to get his leather jacket off, so I reach out to give him a hand, but a low growl deters me. A couple of minutes pass. Sweat is pouring off of his forehead, and eventually the stubborn man sighs and looks over at me.