“Talk to me, babe. What’s going on?” He stepped closer to my car, and I pressed my lips together.
Life had a weird sense of humor. It’d delivered gut punch after gut punch since I’d been born. Every time, I’d stood up, almost positive it had done it for some kind of reason. Now I was staring death in the eye with the most beautiful man I’d ever seen. Even through the shattered glass, I could tell he was breathtaking.
“Babe, talk to me,” he urged.Babe.I was sure he didn’t mean anything by it. It was probably just the high-stress situation, but for a moment, I let myself think about what it would be like to date a guy like him.
Officer Tall, Dark, and Handsome probably had a reputation as a Grumpy Gus within his department. All stoic and quiet, more than likely serious. But if I were his, he’d show me a softer side. A sweeter side.
“Hey—“ he called out, stepping forward and then jumping back when the cable swung out, snapping me out of my delusional thoughts.
As if a guy like Officer Angel Eyes would ever take a second glance at me, much less ask me out.
“Nothing.” I shook my head, licking my dry lips. “Nothing’s wrong.” I tried to smile, but a heavy wave of dizziness washed over me. My fingers dropped in front of me, and I realized the warm liquid there was red.
Blood red.So much for ignorance being bliss.
“I’m bleeding,” I gasped and looked out at the man.More police cars arrived in a frenzy, along with two fire trucks. Sirens and lights whirled with my own nauseousness.
“You’re going to be okay,“ he promised.
“I don’t remember hitting anything.” Panic started to bubble up.
“Hey! Princess?” My eyes moved back to his blue ones. He was closer now somehow. “There you are.” He smiled the moment our eyes connected. I had no idea how I could feel so connected yet so far from someone who was mere inches from me.
“You have pretty eyes,” I noted out loud, resting the back of my head against the headrest.
“The better to see you with.” He winked, lightening the mood. Damn, he was likable. My lips twitched.
“Did you just quote the Big Bad Wolf fromLittle Red Riding Hood?” I asked in disbelief.
“Maybe.” He smiled. His eyes left mine as someone called for him.
“Help’s almost here, okay?” He looked like he was ready to jump right towards me and rip me out of my car.
“Right,” I whispered. My mind was fuzzy while it buzzed a million miles a minute.
Is this it?
Is this all life has in store for me?
“Do me a favor, princess?” he called out, and I blinked away tears.
“What?” I asked, swallowing down the bile that threatened to rise. I had no idea what I’d throw up if I did since I hadn’t eaten since dinner the night before.
“Can you unclip your seatbelt for me?” he requested. I heard his words, but he wasn’t making sense.
“What?” I asked. The big, beautiful sight of him started to turn fuzzy, and a knot lodged in the middle of my throat. What if this was it? What if I died a never-been-kissed virgin?
“Baby, stay with me,” he ordered in a tone that forced me to pay closer attention.
He stepped forward again, as close as he could without touching the wires still sparking. Probably too close, but he didn’t seem too worried about the live electrical wire hanging out on top of my car.
“Unclip your seatbelt,” he repeated, and without thinking, I did as he asked.
“It’s unclipped.” I forced a smile we both knew was fake.
“What’s your name?” he asked, his attention laser-focused on me.Man, a girl could get addicted to the way he’s looking at me.
“Princess,” I teased, and he chuckled.
