The Sinful 7 of Delite, Texas 3: Her Double Delite Warriors (5 page)

“Oh, it’s okay, I was just looking for my phone to call my sister.”

“Why don’t you pop the hood and let me take a look.”

“Why?”

He raised one eyebrow at her and she shyly looked down. Her submissive reaction stirred his cock big-time. He licked his bottom lip and cleared his throat. “Darlin’, pop the hood and let me see if I can help you.”

She reached down and pulled the lever. He strode around the front of the car as lightning struck in the far distance. A storm was heading in, and he was thankful that he was the one driving down Farmer’s Pass.

He heard her car door creak open. This car was a piece of shit. Why the hell didn’t she drive a better vehicle? He was filled with concern for her safety.

“Do you know a lot about cars?” she asked, her arms folded in front of her chest as a means of protection, not that she was cold. He knew it immediately.

“I know a bit.” He looked around and saw that the engine was very old. There was rust everywhere, and he wondered how the hell this thing even ran. The alternator belt looked about to rip apart.

“I was hoping that Mel would pull through for me. At least until the spring. He’s taken good care of me for over a year’s time. I’ve grown to love him. I know it’s silly after such a short time, but giving him up doesn’t seem right.”

Who the hell is Mel? He was surprised at the spike of jealousy he felt. So this guy Mel had something to do with the car?

“He supposed to do some work on the car?” he asked.

“Who?”

“This guy Mel?” he asked as he closed the hood and stared down at her. God she was gorgeous. Her outfit matched, and the tall sexy boots made her legs look long and sexy. He could smell her perfume again, and he found himself inching closer to inhale more of it.

“Oh God, no, Mel is the car. It’s what I call him.”

Just then thunder rumbled, scaring them both but ultimately sending Alexa against his chest.

He wrapped his arms around her and had to hide his chuckle at her reaction to thunder. She was scared of storms?

It took her a few seconds to realize what she had done and just as quickly she tried to pull away and nearly fell backward onto her ass. He reached for her in the nick of time and pulled her back toward him. He held her against him, and she held his forearms as she looked up into his eyes.

* * * *

Alexa’s heart was racing. She was so scared she was shaking. She hated thunder. It only brought horrible memories of her past. She acted like such a scaredy-cat in front of Michael. My God, he was so sexy and handsome. She gripped onto his forearms, grateful that he caught her before she landed on her pride.

“I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to do that. I don’t like thunderstorms.” She rambled on, and he just stared down at her.

“That’s a shame really. They can be nice to watch roll in sitting on the porch swing, wrapped in a blanket.”

She watched his lips as he formed his words, and she couldn’t help but wonder what they would feel like against her skin. She nibbled her bottom lip.

“You dating anyone, Alexa?” he asked her, shoving reality right smack into her face. She shook her head as she began to step out from his strong, warm embrace. God, the man’s arms felt so good wrapped around her. She felt safe. That was a first.

“So do you think you can fix it?” she asked, changing the subject and walking back toward her car door.

She wanted to get back inside and hide. Why did he ask her if she was dating anyone? Her? No way. Too scared and shy.

The thunder struck again, and she turned around, leaned against the door and covered her heart with her hand.

Michael was immediately in front of her. He took her hand and she froze. She looked way up into his dark blue eyes and held his gaze as she shivered.

“You really are scared of thunderstorms, huh?”

She swallowed hard as he caressed her wrist with his thumb. The sensations traveled through her arm straight to her belly. She slightly pulled, trying to get him to release her hand, but it was a lame attempt. He was touching her, and the move ran havoc through her body.

He reached up and she flinched. It was just an automatic reaction to a man. In her past, any man who got this close to her and held her wrist or hand was about to strike and was a threat.

She looked up when the hit never came and saw his shocked expression. Then his eyes narrowed and he looked pissed off.

“Baby, you’re shaking. I don’t hit women. Never have and never will. Now, you look at me.”

His tone was firm, but his hold was loose on her wrist now. His thumb still brushed gently back and forth.

“I need to call my sister.” She was embarrassed now. Her reaction to him was stupid, and now he would have questions.

“There’s no cell service out here, baby. That’s why I stopped and why I was concerned with you being out here all alone and stranded. You need to take precautions. This heap of junk isn’t good enough for you.”

She felt her throat tighten from the fear of knowing that there was no cell service and she would have to walk in a thunderstorm and rain to get back into town for help.

“Grab what you need out of the car and I’ll give you a ride home.”

She shook her head and pulled her wrist from his large hands.

“No, no that’s okay. I can walk. I don’t want to be a bother.” A heavier rain began to fall and the wind picked up just as a burst of lightning struck, followed by thunder. She opened her car door and reached inside for her belongings.

He stopped and placed his hands on his hips.

“Come on.” He placed his arm over her shoulder and guided her back to his big truck. It was really fancy and all done up inside. He took her stuff from her arms and stowed it away in a built-in compartment in his backseat. When he stretched across the seat, she noticed the gun and gasped, covering her mouth. He must have realized she just noticed his firearm, and he looked down into her eyes and smiled.

“I’m somewhat active in the military. I have a license and I always carry a firearm or two on me. It’s habit. Don’t be scared.”

She wondered why his explanation made her whole body aroused and especially her pussy. She knew he was a soldier, a Marine, and went out on special missions. There was a lot of gossip around Delite about many of the men in town.

He slowly pulled it from his back and opened the glove compartment.

“Here, I’ll put it in here so you’re not scared.”

“Thank you,” she whispered then forced a smile. Guns reminded her of bad things. Things she didn’t want to remember.

The rain was getting heavier, and he assisted her getting up into the truck. He reached across and buckled her in, and she held her breath. He smelled so good, like cologne and soap. His muscular forearms brushed against her belly, and again her pussy reacted.

“Let’s get you home safely, darlin’,” he stated in his thick Texas accent, and she gave a small smile before he closed the door.

* * * *

Her cell phone began to ring, and immediately when she looked down, Alexa noticed the numerous calls and texts from Sally.

“Where the hell have you been? Are you okay? You’re inside right? My God, Alexa, I’ve been worried sick!” Sally yelled as Alexa pulled the phone away from her ear. One glance toward Michael and she knew that he could hear Sally.

“I’m okay. Mel is sick. He broke down on Farmer’s Pass.”

“Oh no. Do you need a ride? Did you call Sheriff Parker?”

“No. There was no cell service on the road. I just realized I had service now when you called.”

“You’re not walking in this weather are you, Alexa? Oh God. You must be so scared. I know how you get during storms.”

“It’s okay. I’m out of the rain,” she stated in more of a whisper.

“Are you stuck in the car?” Alexa was afraid to tell her sister about Michael helping her. She already thought she liked him and Chad. This situation would encourage Sally to make assumptions.

“No. Michael Phillips was driving by, and now he’s giving me a ride to Dixie Chix,” she stated, making the decision last second and hoping he wouldn’t bring her home. No one was there. It was after five. Everyone was at the dance hall.

He glanced at her as he made the right turn instead of heading straight. He was bringing her to Dixie Chix now.

“Yah! Holy crap, if that ain’t fate, then I don’t know what is. Is Chad with him? Are you flirting and making plans?”

Alexa tried to cover the phone so that Michael couldn’t hear, but by the look of his small smile, he seemed to be hearing the entire conversation.

“Tell me what’s going on? What is he wearing? Is he being a gentleman?”

“Please stop talking, Sally. I am fine. He is giving me a ride to work. I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.”

“Okay. Do you want me to call a tow for Mel?”

“Yes please. Oh, but wait until the storm passes. He’ll charge me more if he has to go out in the rain. I know Leonard.”

“Okay. Don’t forget to give Michael your number.”

Alexa ended the call and looked out toward the window so that Michael couldn’t see her blushing.

After some minutes had passed and they were getting close to the dance hall, Michael asked, “So are you going to do as your sister said?”

She turned toward him, uncertain what he meant by that comment. The way he glanced from her and then back to the road with a smile made her belly quiver. She noticed how big his hands were as he gripped the wheel with one hand while his other rested on his thigh.

“I don’t know what you mean,” she stated as he pulled into the parking lot of Dixie Chix.

He placed the truck in park, pulled off his seat belt, and stared at her.

His expression was firm, but he seemed kind of nervous. She reached for the handle to open the door.

“Wait. You didn’t answer my question, darling. Your sister told you to give me your number.”

Her eyes widened, and suddenly a panicked feeling filled her belly.

“Oh, no, she didn’t. She wasn’t saying that. Hey, thanks for the ride. I appreciate it. Take care.” She hopped out, closed the door and hurried across the parking lot.

Oh God, I can’t believe that just happened.

“What are you doing with all her stuff if she left it in the truck?” Chad asked as he leaned against the kitchen counter with his arms crossed in front of his chest. He appeared to be smirking at Michael.

“I’m going to get it back to her. Damn, Chad, she is so skittish and shy. She’s just a petite young thing and she’s scared of thunder and lightning storms.”

Chad looked at Michael strangely. “What do you mean scared? Like really scared like a kid?”

“Oh, she’s no kid. She got so scared she jumped into my arms when the thunder struck.”

“You mean you got to touch her?”

Michael smiled as he nodded his head.

“She’s all woman, Chad. There’s just something about her that calls to me. It’s incredible. I get all nervous around her, and I feel like I’m walking on eggshells, and at any moment I could say something or do something that would make her bolt.” Michael shook his head as he looked over her new camera. It was expensive, and he had apparently frazzled her when he confronted her about getting her number. He chuckled.

“Tell me about it. At least you got to have a conversation with her up close. I was about to walk over to her the other night at Dixie Chix, and she must of known my intentions because she hauled ass out of there faster than lightning.”

Michael thought about that a moment, and a feeling of concern and uneasiness filled his gut. He recalled when he reached for her to touch her cheek and she flinched, closing her eyes tight as if expecting him to strike her. It was just a gut feeling, but he trusted his instincts.

“Hey, what’s that angry look about?”

Michael explained his observations and how he felt.

Now his brother appeared just as upset.

Chad uncrossed his arms and walked closer to the island where Alexa’s belongings were.

“You think someone hurt her and that’s why she’s so skittish?”

Michael took a deep breath then exhaled. “I don’t like the thoughts that are going through my head. To think of it, I may have scared her with my abrupt tone. You know I don’t have tolerance for wasting time? I may have scared her by being bossy or something. I don’t know. Plus she was talking about someone named Mel, and suddenly I was filled with jealousy. It was fucking crazy, Chad. I never had an instant emotion like that to a woman before.” Michael ran his hand through his hair then shook his head. He’d scared her, and if she had been in some kind of bad situation with a boyfriend before, he probably scared her off good.

“Well who the hell is Mel? Maybe he’s the one who hit her?” Chad asked as he began to pace in front of the island.

“No, Mel is the car.”

“The car?” Chad asked as he paused and gave Michael an odd expression.

Michael chuckled. “Her piece-of-shit car is called Mel. She talked about it like it was a person. That threw me for a loop of emotions in a matter of seconds. One minute I’m hoping to talk with her and get to know her. Then she’s talking about Mel and loving him and finally I ask about Mel, and she tells me that’s the name she calls her piece-of-shit car.” Michael chuckled.