“Stop trying to change the subject,” she said. “Did you at least check to see if we have enough gas?”
“We have plenty of gas.” Lash pointed to the gauge. “See, it’s at half a tank.”
Naomi leaned over and eyed the needle suspiciously. She then tapped the dashboard and the needle fell down to empty.
“No way!” Lash cried. He tapped the gauge, looking at it with disbelief. “I filled the tank in Abilene.” He banged on the dashboard. “Stupid car!”
“Maybe if you’d paid more attention to pumping gas than to pawing Megan, we wouldn’t be stuck in the middle of nowhere.”
“Damn it! I wasn’t pawing Megan. How many times do I have to tell you that we’re just friends?”
“Did you have sex with her?”
“Well, technically, this was before I knew you … And there was lots of alcohol involved …”
Naomi scowled. “That’s it. I’m out of here.” She jumped out of the car and called out to Bear. “Come on girl, let’s go.”
“You can’t leave!” He scrambled out of the car.
“Oh, yes I can. I’ll walk all the way back to Houston if I have to.” She pulled the phone out of her pocket and poked at the screen. “Stupid phone. Stupid cell phone reception.” She jammed it back into her pocket.
“It’s too dangerous to go back.”
“I’ll have Chuy help me find a place to hide out until this blows over.” She threw open the rear door and took out her backpack and dog carrier from the backseat. “Bear, get over here!”
Bear trotted over to Naomi, tail wagging. She took one look at Naomi’s face and scurried away, hiding behind a small bush.
“Come on, Naomi. When it gets dark, I’ll fly to the nearest town and get some more gas,” Lash pleaded.
“No.” She marched over to where Bear was hiding, scooped her up, and placed her in the carrier.
“Be reasonable. This was before I even knew you.” He took a hold of her arm and turned her to him. “And like you said, it’s not like we’re a couple or anything.”
Naomi inhaled sharply and flinched as if his words shattered something inside of her. For a brief moment, her face crumpled and her eyes were filled with an immense pain that he’d seen only once before—on the day when Raphael had had to escort him out of Heaven.
“I didn’t mean it like that,” Lash said softly.
Naomi swallowed. “Please let go of me.” Her voice trembled. He dropped his hand, fearing that if he didn’t, she would break. She looked so fragile.
Once he let go, she schooled her face into a mask of indifference. “I don’t need your protection. I take full responsibility for myself. I’m sure whatever deity or boss or whoever gives you instructions will take into account the free will of humans. I’m letting you off the hook.”
He watched in shock as she walked back in the direction they’d come from. Her shoulders were strong and upright for a moment, and then they slumped over.
It was then that he realized that he couldn’t do this anymore. He couldn’t be without her. He loved her, and she didn’t know it. He couldn’t let her go. Not this way.
Not thinking or caring about the consequences of his actions, he ran to her. He took the carrier from her hand and placed it on the ground. She turned her head away from him as he slipped the backpack off her shoulders. He placed a finger under her chin and tilted her head to his. Tear-filled eyes met his briefly, then closed, as if looking at him was too painful. Without a word, he wiped away the tears as they slid down her cheeks.
“Lash,” she croaked.
“Don’t,” he said softly. And before she could say another word, he kissed her.
A bolt of lightning rushed through his body and down into the core of his being. Her lips were so soft, so sweet. He tangled his fingers into her hair, drawing her closer to him, desperate to have more of her. He slid a hand down her back and nestled it to the small of her back. Drawing her close to him, she arched her body to meld into his.
She moaned softly as his tongue swirled in her mouth tasting her. Her hands slid up his back.
Her scent engulfed him, and he was lost in a sea of emotions. In all the years he had been on Earth, he’d never felt like this with any other woman. He wanted her and only her.
Then he heard a loud rumbling sound coming from her stomach. She quickly pulled back and covered her hand over her mouth. She looked green.
“What’s wrong?” Lash asked frantically.
She pushed at his chest, and he immediately let go of her. She ran toward the empty field and retched.
She dropped to the ground and moaned, and he rushed to her side. “What is it? Tell me.”
She shook her head and tried to push him away.
“I’m not going anywhere.”
“I think,” she swallowed. “I think it was the tuna.”