Madison
I can’t stop the scream of terror from ripping from my throat as this kid shoves a knife in my face.
I’m furious at myself for being such an idiot, not paying attention, but I’m too terrified to do anything but scramble as far away as I can.
What was I thinking not being aware of my surroundings?
I know exactly what it was—I was too busy checking out the sexy guy sitting across from me in the shadows. Even in the dim light, I could tell he was one of the hottest guys I’ve ever laid eyes on. Huge, broad shoulders, insane biceps, and piercing eyes that were looking at me in a way that ought to be illegal.
The tension in the air between us was nearly tangible, thanks to the couple on the bike that had me trying to remember just how long it had been since I’d done something wild and reckless like that. Short answer? Never.
And that little distraction was all it took. I’m about to be mugged on the subway.
It’s like everything happens at once.
The guy sitting across from me jumps into action, a blur as he pounces on the kid, one arm locking around his neck while the other grips his wrist, doing something I can barely keep track of that makes the knife clatter to the floor.
Then he’s collapsing to the floor. In fifteen seconds, the whole thing is over.
My hands fly to my mouth, unable to stop the shaking that suddenly takes over my body. Someone must have pulled the alarm because the doors to the train remain open and we don’t move.
“Are you okay?” Shortly clipped light brown hair and hazel eyes float in my line of vision, and I can’t seem to breathe.
“You’re going to be all right,” that low voice continues, rubbing my back in soothing circles as he instructs me to lean forward and take slow, deep breaths.
I don’t know how long I sit there, but all through the commotion of cops coming on board, I hear that same calming voice giving me comforting words as he relays what happened. His hand never stops caressing me.
I feel crazy because I’m totally terrified by what just happened, but his touch is also sending jolts of electricity flying up and down my spine, radiating in slow pulses lower and lower.
And suddenly I’m finding it hard to breathe for entirely different reasons. Yeah, that settles it. I’ve lost it. Gone off the deep end. Because instead of being worked up about almost getting shanked, I’m feeling a rush of attraction for the guy who saved me.
I look up at him, and our eyes lock.
“You okay?” he asks again.
I nod, biting my lip.
Lust flares in his eyes, and I know mine show the same thing. This guy. He’s got a killer body, a deep tan, and a clean shaven, sharply defined jawline. And that smile. He flashes it again now, and there’s a hint of danger in there. Danger I might want to experience a little.
Yep. Definitely nuts. Because danger is typically what I stay far away from. But something about him also screams safety, and I don’t object when he pulls me to my feet and wraps an arm around my waist to lead me from the train.
In my shock, I must have missed everything that went on with the cops because it seems like we’re through here.
We surface from underground, and the bright lights and loud noises of the late-night city take me off guard. I lean into this guy—who I don’t even know!—as if he’s my new protector.
“You want to get something to eat?” he murmurs in my ear, sending another shiver through me.
“Yeah, that sounds great,” I hear myself saying.
Next thing I know, we’re seated in a corner booth of some cafe, coffee and cheesecake on the table between us.
“Thank you,” I say, probably for the hundredth time.
He chuckles. “It’s not every day I get to save a lovely lady like yourself.”
My eyes trail over his corded arms again. This guy is freaking ripped. Like he’s some kind of human weapon. I realize I want to know more about my rescuer.
“I don’t even know your name.”
“Zander,” he says with a grin.
“Madison. So you don’t often make daring rescues on the 6 Train?” I tease.
Another rumbling laugh that makes my girly bits tingle just a bit more. If that’s even possible. Zander here seems to have no trouble igniting my body.
“No. I actually just got to town this week. Trying to figure out where to next.”
My eyebrows lift. “So you’re a drifter?”
He shakes his head. “Just got out of the military. Not sure where I want to settle.”
How about right in between my legs?
I press my lips together to keep the words in, but I can’t fight the laughter that bubbles up at the thought. I don’t even know who I am tonight.
He quirks a brow, but I just shake my head and dive back into the cheesecake.
There isn’t a minute of our time in the diner that passes where we are at a loss for words. I feel oddly comfortable with this strange man.
So when Zander asks to walk me home, I find myself agreeing, even though I have no idea who he really is. All I know is that he saved me earlier, so he can’t be that bad.
And maybe it’s the adrenaline still pumping through my veins, but as we approach my apartment, I know I’m not myself. Because when he turns to face me when I stop and say, “This is me,” I step right up to him.
Not even waiting for him to make a move. Taking control for once. Because my life flashed before my eyes tonight, and all I want at this moment is to feel more alive than I’ve felt in a long time.
So I wrap my hands around Zander’s neck and press my body to his—and oh God, he’s just as hard as he looks. Everywhere. And I pull his sexy mouth down to mine.