Chapter Two

 

 

 

 

Apparently this was the spot to catch some last-minute z’s or get work done. As Carolina turned away, she heard an unmistakeable harsh curse hurled from the other car. On instinct, she swivelled toward the driver. His muscular arm was braced on the door as he tipped up a flask. After taking a long drink, he pinched the bridge of his nose.

She wondered what had riled him up to the point of swearing and drinking in a church parking lot. He wore a white button-down shirt and black trousers. A matching suit jacket was hung in the back. Obviously, he was a wedding guest. Alone like she was, but in a foul mood.

Being at a wedding was probably the last place on the planet he wanted to be. Carolina glanced away from the man, heat searing her neck, and played with the ring on her thumb. Should she offer to say something? But what? She didn’t know him from Adam’s cat. She was a large animal vet, not a psychiatrist.

Offering unsolicited advice to a total stranger was too brash, too odd for words. But the irony of this voyeurism pretty much represented her experience when it came to men. They were like another species. Or maybe, she was the outsider.

And now seated here, secretly watching her neighbour, further inflated Carolina’s bubble of loneliness. He was handsome from what she could tell and now seemed to be talking on his cell. Not pitching a fit. There was no need to keep peering over. The wedding was scheduled to begin in thirty minutes, and she needed to change into her bridesmaid’s dress. It was time to leave.

Weddings did strange things to people. If Carolina remained inside her van much longer, her mom would throttle her. Late, twice in one day! She nibbled on the inside of her cheek and nervously glanced back at the guy, wondering what was his story. Instead of focused on the computer screen, as she had half-expected to find him, he boldly gazed over at her—and frowning to boot.

Carolina gulped and glanced forward. Her insides tightened. Okay, enough with being a creeper. Clearly, she was snooping where her attention was not needed or wanted. As if a fire had been lit under her butt, Carolina started the van. There was nothing to do but back out and she’d be on her way. Mr. Grumpy could sit here and stew for as long as he desired. Alone!

Except he was parked godawfully close, boxing her into this corner spot. Well, so what if she rolled up and over the curb. She was in an extended cargo van outfitted for her business that included all-wheel drive. Rough and tumble terrain was nothing new. It was the reason she’d gotten it. All she had to do was back out, then she’d be free.

Carolina threw the Sprinter van into reverse and pulled out of the space. Without another glance at Mr. Grumpy, she shifted gears and punched the gas. As she drove forward, a scraping crunch jarred her focus. It came from the right front side of her van. The kind of metal-on-metal sound that went right to the bone.

Carolina’s stomach knotted. Some get away. How had she hit Mr. Grumpy’s car?

She slammed her eyes shut and counted to five. When she peeled apart her eyes, there wasn’t an irate man waiting to give her a piece of his mind. She climbed out from behind the wheel and marched around the hood to inspect the damage.

Darn it. It had not been her imagination. “Honest to goodness bumper-to-bumper contact,” she said to herself, resigned to having to speak to the man in the foul mood. Hopefully, they could rectify this like civil folks.

“Look like much damage?” a deep baritone voice drawled.

“That depends—” Carolina’s impromptu response lodged in her throat. Holy cow, she’d been mistaken. The man from inside the car wasn’t just rugged and angry. He towered like a redwood and continued to come closer. All too soon, they were standing inches apart. Still speechless, Carolina gazed up into smoldering dark blue eyes. But instead of frowning, the man’s lips were quirked. Quirked as if he were holding back from laughing… at her!

Heat blistered her cheeks hot enough to fry an egg and she blurted out, “It isn’t funny.”

“Guess it depends. Isn’t that what you were about to say?”

“There’s damage. To your car,” Carolina pointed out, in case he’d missed it.

“I’ve seen worse.” He flicked a gaze to the bumpers. The man wasn’t just handsome. He was tall, bronzed as if he worked in the sun and had a body to show for it. He squinted. His focus was directed at her van. “What have you got in there?”

His blunt tone made her bristle. “It’s my business. Not your concern. In any event, we should exchange information,” she suggested, crossing her arms over her chest.

“What for?” His dark blue eyes flickered over her face as if mildly interested. His gaze settled on her mouth in such a way that made her nervously moisten her lips.

“Because it was an accident. There are procedures. Things we’ve got to do. What about insurance? Police reports.”

He tunnelled fingers through thick blue-black hair and frowned as if in thought. “Your van wasn’t damaged. Was it?”

Maybe he didn’t have insurance. But the car he drove was brand-new.

“That’s right,” she huffed. “But what about yours? I don’t want to leave loose ends.” There was still time before the wedding to deal with this. Barely, Carolina thought. Really, she didn’t have a choice, now did she. Leaving Miami for a job in a postage-sized town with sketchy Wi-Fi meant no waffling. If his insurance company needed to get in touch with her in Texas, from what she recalled, it had been hard enough to deal with the particulars of the job contract by email. The ranch owner had apologized for the haphazard internet. She’d never gotten to complete anything beyond a quasi-interview online with the man. Really a Dropbox exchange of her experience, which was substantial. Not many large animal vets could travel at the drop of a hat.

Carolina plowed on in her need to deal with this accident ASAP. “Not if we can take care of business, right now!”

“Whoa there. You sure are a stickler for details. This is nothing to ruffle your feathers. I can think of a dozen other things to get excited about without even trying.” His deep voice dropped an octave. Rich and coated in a drawl that begged to be seized.

Oh! She captured it all right. He was giving her a backhanded compliment. “Look, I’m not the one who’s excited. I merely pointed out the damage is minor and should be dealt with sooner than later. Maybe it’s a lesson that you could transfer to other parts of your life.” She arched a brow.

“Meaning?” he asked curtly.

“I heard you curse. Rather loudly, I might add,” she mocked drawled.

The second their eyes snapped together, Carolina’s stomach clenched. Maybe it was the wrong thing to do, the man did have a temper, but for some idiot reason, she couldn’t resist.

“Since you’ve got exceptional hearing, I imagine you’ve also heard of the constitution? Freedom of speech?” His eyes narrowed. “And what are you doing anyway, listening to my conversation?”

His penetrating stare galvanized her conviction of what she’d observed minutes ago. He might give good face, but underneath lurked an intensity and Carolina felt the weight of his gaze.

“Me? It wasn’t like I had a choice.”

“Seems like you’ve got all sorts of choices, from where I stand. You’re just a might too stubborn to change course.”

Was he angling for a fight? Jeez, all she wanted to do was take care of getting this guy help. What was it about him that made her want…want to… Carolina couldn’t even put to words what this pigheaded cowboy did to her! “Let me tell you something, sir. I am not stubborn. I’m kind. Considerate. And to think I wanted to help.” Without realizing it, Carolina had marched right up to him and was breathing hard.

“Are you done? I’ve had one hell of a day and need a drink.”

“Haven’t you had enough?” The words slipped out before she had time to consider and stop them. But halt, Carolina did when she met those piercing sapphire blue eyes of his.

“I wasn’t the one drivin’. Now was I? What is it you really want from me?” He seemed at a loss. His gaze drifted from her eyes to her mouth, then slowly lowered, seeming to devour Carolina inch by inch. It was as if a wildfire touched her skin where his gaze lingered.

“Nothing,” she whispered.

“You sure about that? You’re like one of them ferrets that once it takes a bite, won’t let go.”

“You don’t have a clue about me, cowboy.” There was something so potent, so molten, and yet how he contained the heat of his true thoughts intrigued Carolina.

“That’s probably a good thing.”

“Whatever,” she blew out.

“Look, we’re both hot under the collar for something that isn’t even a problem. Honestly, you have nothing to worry about. This is a business rental. I’ve got full coverage, so no worries. I just turn in the keys at the airport,” he explained, not even bothering to inspect the condition of his car. “Are you here for the wedding?”

“Yes, and it’s about to start.” She couldn’t help notice his piercing stare. Again.

“Then we’d better get a move on. Bride or groom?” he asked while his eyes languidly traced a path down her body, a second time.

“Bride,” she said, feeling out of sorts in how he could go from subject to another so smooth she followed right along.

“Makes sense. I didn’t recognize you. I’m Matt.” He shot a thumb back to his chest. “Groom’s side.”

Something about this man irked Carolina. Not in a bad way, which ironically made her uncomfortable. Was he related to Rob or a friend? Sam’s future husband had acquaintances all over the world. It’s how Carolina had gotten the intel on a possible job out-of-state when she’d needed a fresh start from Dr. Haverty and his line of BS, a mile long.

Carolina curled several strands of her long brown hair behind her ear. “Rob’s family and friends are coming from all over. Unlike the bride’s. Most are from South Florida,” she rambled. A sign that she was nervous and she couldn’t seem to shut-up. “Unless they’re business relations of Sam’s dad. He owns about a gazillion resorts all around the globe. But I guess, you already know all of that. Unless you’re just a business acquaintance of Rob’s.”

She stopped when Matt grinned.

“I had heard,” he admitted. “And no. I’m a friend of Rob’s. College roommates. We shared an apartment in New York.”

No wonder he was doing business on a computer before a wedding. “Oh,” she murmured, unsure what to say.

Matt’s bow tie was undone. The ends lifted in the breeze. His white tux shirt was partly open at the throat, revealing an expanse of corded bronze skin. She’d place him in his early thirties. There were fine lines at the corners of his incredible blue eyes. Dressed in a partial tux that accentuated Matt’s muscular build, the man looked like a model for high class living. Carolina let her gaze detour down his long legs and then she frowned. Cowboy boots stuck out from the bottom of his trousers. Black polished ostrich boots that were spread apart in a wide stance. For some reason, a stitch of nervous energy tap-danced under the surface of her thoughts.

“No reason we can’t get acquainted. Is there, sugar?” he said with a wink.

Heat blasted up Carolina’s face. Not liking it one bit, she questioned how this man could have this impact on her. “I should already be inside getting ready. Well, I hope your business deal works out.”

Even though they were virtual strangers, Matt still had not said why he’d gotten so upset. Now would be the spot to mention it. His silence on the matter and unrepentant expression told her otherwise. She studied him, mystified yet also mesmerized.

“Darlin’, you could have joined me instead of watching. Like you’re doing right now. Might’ve given me something much more attractive to focus on other than the dismal news from back home. Someone with a mouth as pretty as yours, I would’ve been mighty tempted to put an end to my own business meeting.” A spark glinted in Matt’s blue eyes as they gazed at one another.

Her heart beat thudded and she was speechless. Carolina was quite sure this was the moment to turn and go. Yet nothing on Earth could’ve forced her to step back. In fact, she wanted to close the distance. Reach up and caress this man’s chiseled face. It was like a dose of liquid fire had been mainlined into her veins. Heat flooded her senses. For once, she felt alive.

“Well?” he asked in a low murmur.

“S-s-top playing with me,” Carolina stuttered out, desperate to regain control and achingly aware in his presence. In one fell swoop, she wanted to let go. Let him… Do what?

“Darlin’, playing is the last thing I do? In business or otherwise.” From the heat in his eyes, and how she’d come undone, there was no point in denying they shared skin chemistry. It was powerful, so raw, so magnetizing, it stoked Carolina’s banked sensuality back into existence!

Definitely, it was time to skedaddle.

“Noted,” she replied breezily. “Matt doesn’t play. Well, have a good life.” She tried to bolt around him but he stepped into her path.

“Whoa, now. Don’t turn tail and run.”

Did he say run? Carolina looked him up and down. “Excuse me, but I’m not running away. Not that it’s any business of yours, but I’ve got things to do before the wedding.”

Undaunted, Matt smiled as though amused by her antics. “Look, we haven’t even been properly introduced. You’re the most contrary woman, but there’s something about you, that’s well, hard to resist. Before you leave, you can at least tell me your name. We’re attending the same wedding. What if I want to ask you to dance?”

“I don’t dance,” she quipped, trying to downplay her attraction. “If you aren’t filing an insurance claim, why do you need to know anything about me? It’s pointless.”

“I’m not asking for your Social Security number. Just your name?”

He’d find out at the reception. All Matt had to do was ask. With a shrug, she snipped, “My friends call me Caro.”

“Caro,” he said slowly. “Very pretty.” How he said her name made a bullet of awareness shoot through her body.

A surge of excitement radiated over her skin. Carolina frowned, convinced she was losing her mind in this man’s presence.

For years, she’d suppressed this passion-filled side of her personality. Nothing good came when a person lost control. First-hand, she had witnessed what came to those who lived on the spur. Her father had been a man who loved life. Loved all it had to offer until he had trusted unequivocally and had been ruthlessly killed.

It was reason number one why Carolina’s mom absolutely did not do anything on the fly. If there was a rule, Sonya Rodriguez was a woman who did not detour from it. To be raised by such a parent meant Carolina was forever mindful of always being in control.

Yet in a blink, Matt undid the ties jailing her desire to be free. Never before had she felt this type of instantaneous combustion with a total stranger. She wasn’t sure if she should turn on her heel and sprint around her van, or take a flying leap. Undone, she envisioned Matt minus a shirt and aroused. A flame licked up Carolina’s skin and she flushed in embarrassment.

“Are you okay?” Matt said. “You’re turning beet red. I’ve got water, if you need something to drink.”

“No thanks,” Carolina huffed out. Lovely, she was completely transparent. All she needed was a neon sign to announce her out-of-control attraction to another wedding guest.

“Something stronger?” he offered conspiratorially. “My flask isn’t empty. C’mon, you look like you could use a drink. It’s been a long day.”

“It’s still early,” she contradicted him.

Dear Lord. This walking piece of sex in a suit tore all the veils and walls away she’d built to keep her wayward urges from surfacing. Matt was the exact type of man handfuls of women found irresistible. This cowboy was the perfect distraction. It sounded callous but that’s how she had to view him. A hands-off delectable danger—because, deep inside, Carolina wanted nothing more than to taste, crash, and combust from passion.

Something Jeff had never discovered; her cravings were never gone, only held at bay. One day, she’d find a man who was worthy of her trust, worthy of her passion, and then she’d let go and let him. Until then, Carolina kept that side of her locked down. Maybe Jeff was partly right: maybe she was a little bit of an Ice Queen since it suited her needs.

“That isn’t going to help. Nice meeting you, Matt. But it’s bye-bye.” For the briefest second, Matt’s lips quirked all but promising a comeback. She pushed on, afraid to give him the chance. “Anyway, I’ll leave you to your business deal and catch you inside.”

“Suit yourself. But for the record, there’s a lot two people can do in five minutes. ’Course, I mean the right two people.” Matt’s searing gaze made her want to ask his meaning. Have him lay it all out there, not that she couldn’t imagine his intent.

Made her want to do something off-the-cuff, something wild, daring, and unexpected. But what would that get her? Carolina faltered, as prey did before deciding to hunker down or break cover.

As if an alarm blared, her resolve surged upward and she spouted, “Frankly, I don’t think you could keep up, cowboy. For the record, I’m good.” Inwardly, Carolina groaned. She hadn’t meant to fling a dare into the face of a man who had her number on several levels. Mortified, she walked past him with a wave. Yet she couldn’t help herself and she glanced over at him as she rounded the hood of her van.

“No argument there. Until we meet again, Caro. Maybe someday I’ll be so lucky to get to know you better.” He winked and walked around the rental to the driver’s side.

A sizzle of excitement tore up her spine. Matt’s charm did more than catch her unprepared. She wanted to argue with him on one hand and realized, she also longed to feel his lips crush against her mouth in a passionate, raw kiss. For a blazing moment, she imagined their mutual desire played out in hot, hair-pulling sex.

“Well, we’ll just have to see.” Carolina rolled her eyes, fuming at her inability to let him have the last word after his one-liner about five minutes.

She slipped behind the wheel and cranked the engine. This secret longing and private fantasy made Carolina feel weak. Definitely, way too much alcohol was in those Jell-O shots last night! Without looking over to Matt, she floored the gas before she chucked another dare in his direction.

At least there was one consolation, Matt wasn’t in the wedding party. He hadn’t been at the church rehearsal or dinner. Chances were they wouldn’t see each other more than in passing at the reception amongst the two-hundred people expected.

This was goodbye to a fantasy come to life. She was safe. Just a weekend before she started her new job in god-knows-where Texas.