by Stasia Black
I chuckle and run a hand through my hair. Christ, again I feel like I’m a skinny pre-teen boy who doesn’t know how to talk to girls. “I don’t mean anything sketchy,” I try to assure her. “Just a safe place to clean up your injuries and make sure you’re okay.” I take half a step back and try to make myself look as unassuming as possible. “Please? It would satisfy my Knight in Shining Armor Boy Scout merit badge and I’d be forever grateful. You’d be doing me the favor.”
Scarlett eyes me up and down, indecision clearly written on her face. Then she winces yet again and opens her jaw like she’s testing it out. Which makes her cringe. She shakes her head and glances up at the sky again with a sigh.
“What the hell?” She throws up her hands, then looks back at me with eyes narrowed. “Only because I don’t actually have a place to crash tonight.” Then her features go hard and I can see that she’s got a bit of wrathful smiting angel in her in addition to the cherubic kind. “But if you try anything, I’ll cut your balls off, got it?” By the look on her face, I can tell she means it.
I swallow down my stuttered reply to her words. I’m quite fond of the bits she just threatened. I only nod and hurry around to open the passenger side door. She limps toward me and gets inside.
I close the door behind her and jog around to hop in the driver seat. A second later, the Bentley is purring to life. I don’t hesitate putting my foot to the gas and getting the hell out of there.
It’s silent in the car as we drive. I should be saying something. Trying to make her feel comfortable. Reassuring her that I’m a good guy.
Then I roll my eyes. Because I’m not a fucking good guy. I’m an asshole most days and a downright bastard on others. Ask anyone who’s done business with me. I get shit done and I make a success of everything I touch, true. But I don’t go around caring about people’s tender feelings while I do it. I’ve never been in a relationship with a woman longer than six months. And I’ve broken the hearts of the three women who ever told me they loved me.
Including my mother’s. I have no business trying to be anyone’s fucking knight in shining armor, even for an afternoon.
My mind sifts through possibilities as I slow to a stop at a red light right before getting on the freeway. Should I head north or south on the 101? Where can I drop this woman? Maybe I could get Stella to contact a women’s shelter that would have the resources to—
“Thank you.” Scarlett’s china-delicate hand reaches out and touches mine that’s gripped on the steering wheel. “I talk a good game, but things have just been… I could just really use a break.” I glance over at her and she’s smiling, but it’s wavery and belied by the tear coursing down her cheek. “You’re kind of my miracle today.”
Fuck.
Me.
My guts are doing something funny. Churning and twisting in on themselves. And I—
Honking from behind me jerks my attention forward. Green light. Right.
I drive straight onto the highway instead of turning left to go south. I’m heading to my penthouse condo.
Fuck logic and fuck what normal heartless asshole Kennedy Benson would usually do. This woman just called me a miracle.
Sure, she’s in for a rude fucking awakening when she finds out the truth. But at least for tonight, I can give her a safe, warm place to sleep.