I allow myself to relax against him and focus on slow even breaths. Once I get my emotions under control, I pull away. Blaise again gently lifts my chin; his silver eyes capture me. “You good?” he asks.
I shake my head yes, which causes him to lose his hold on my chin. He grabs my trembling hand and leads me to the rear of the car, out of the danger of oncoming traffic. Gah! He probably thinks I’m crazy.
I’ve been in enough intense situations to recognize fear when I see it. Tatum was scared. Pulling her into my arms and pushing her against the car out of harm’s way was instinct. Once she was there, molded against me, let’s just say other instincts were forefront in my mind.
I grab her hand and lead her to the back of her car. This is my attempt to make her feel safe. I can still feel the tremble in her hands. At first, I thought she was just startled, but now, I know it’s more than that. I kinda feel like an a*shole. When her tight little body was pressed against mine, I…let’s just say there were inappropriate thoughts.
Lots of them.
Now that she is safely behind the car, I gently lift her chin so I can really look at her. Her green eyes stare back at me. “You good, sweetheart?” I ask her.
She nods her head yes.
“All right, well, Mom called and said you were having car trouble, so here I am,” I say, holding my arms out.
“Thank you,” she says it so softly that I almost missed it. “I’m sorry to bother you. I told her I could call a tow truck,” she says, her voice stronger.
I wave my hand in the air. “It’s no problem at all. I’m happy to help,” I say as I study her. Her big green eyes seem…sad. That look makes me want to wrap her in my arms and make it better. What the hell is wrong with me?
I’m not sure what’s got me thinking like a chick, but I feel like distance is the answer. I walk along the right side of the car, the one opposite the road. I open the passenger door, reach over the console and pop the hood. I make my way to the front of the car and lift the hood. I don’t see anything amiss from a quick glance. I’m leaning over the engine when I hear her soft voice.
“I started losing power: lights, radio, things like that. I think it might be my alternator,” she says.
I slowly stand, trying to hide the affect her soft voice has on me. Shit! What is it about this girl? “You know cars?” I ask her.
She shrugs. “This happened a few years ago and my dad had to replace the alternator. I just assumed it was the same thing. Your mom also said it sounded like the alternator,” she shrugs.
I nod my head in agreement. “You’re probably right.” I step back and close the hood of her car. “I’ll call Larry’s and have him tow it to my house. I can have a new alternator on in an hour tops. While I do that, why don’t you call your dad and see where he bought the last one. There may be a warranty, and if it’s a store we have here in Tennessee, we can have it transferred,” I tell her as I remove my cell from my pocket and call Larry.
Larry answers on the first ring and says he is on his way. I turn to relay the information, and what I see has my feet moving double time to get to her. Tatum is standing at the back of her car. Both of her hands are placed on the trunk, holding her up. Her face is white as a ghost and tears are streaming down her cheeks. What the f*ck?
I’m at her side in an instant. I hesitate at what my next step should be. I don’t know what has her so freaked out, and I don’t want to make it worse. Before I realize it, my hand is on the small of her back. I’m not so sure touching her is a good idea for me, or for her, but my hand apparently has a mind of its own.
“Tatum?” I say softly.
She jumps and her legs wobble. I use the hand on the small of her back to pull her against me. “What happened, sweetheart?” I softly whisper in her ear.
She’s shaking again.
I gently rub her back as I hold her tight. I want her to know she’s safe. I don’t think it’s me she’s afraid of from the way she’s holding onto my shirt. I briefly take a few seconds to relish the feel of her in my arms. She’s beautiful and she fits perfectly. I instantly feel like a prick…again. She is obviously upset and here I am thinking inappropriate thoughts about her…us.
I stand there and hold her, giving her time to get her emotions under control. I realize I’m going to be the talk of the town. I’m not exactly known for being affectionate, at least not in public, and yet here I stand, holding a beautiful woman in my arms on the side of the road. I see Larry in the tow truck heading our way.
“Tatum, the tow truck’s here,” I say gently. She slowly lifts her head and looks at me.
“I’m so sorry,” she says, her face flushing with embarrassment.
I place my hands on her waist and gently squeeze. “Nothing to be sorry for. Are you all right?” I ask.
She exhales. “Yeah.”
I don’t want to upset her, so I nod my head and step away as I see Larry climbing out of his truck. I introduce him to Tatum and tell him to tow her car to my house. Once the car is loaded, I usher Tatum to the passenger side of my truck and open the door for her. She is so tiny she has to climb in using the running boards. My hand’s itching to touch her. I place both hands on her hips and give her a boost. She sucks in a breath at my touch. I smile at her and wink. Glad to know she’s just as affected by me as I am by her.
I make my way to the driver’s side of my truck and settle in behind the wheel. “I don’t want to push you.” Yes, I do. I really really do, but more than that, I want her to feel safe with me, so I won’t do it. “But are you okay? I won’t push for you to tell me what happened back there, but you’re safe with me,” I tell her. My eyes bore into hers, willing her to understand I’m being serious.
Her eyes go wide at my admission and then they focus on my hands, which are currently gripping the wheel so tight they’re white. I will myself to release my grip. This girl has me tied up in knots. I hate that she was frightened. What happened to her?
“I know that,” she says softly. “Thank you for coming to get me, and calling Larry to tow my car. I’ll find a garage and get it out of your hair.”
“No need, sweetheart. I’ll have it fixed in no time. I don’t have to be at the shop until five, so I have all day.”
She fidgets in her seat. I don’t say anything more. I start the truck and wait for Larry to pull out so I can follow him to my place.
I turn on the street that leads to my house. “Where are we going?” Tatum questions. “The office is the other direction.”
I nod. “Yes, but Mom said you are to take the day off. She said the office is slow, and she checked your calendar, you don’t have any appointments,” I tell her.
“I can’t miss work. I’ve only been there a couple of weeks. I can’t lose this job,” she says, her voice getting louder.
I reach over and grab her hand, which is resting on her leg, and give it a gentle squeeze. She doesn’t pull way.
“Relax. Harry is great to work for. He understands. It’s not a big deal. Let’s get your car fixed,” I say in a soothing tone.
“But—” My ringing cell phone cuts her off. I retrieve it from the cup holder. “Hey, Mom,” I say in greeting.
“Yes, I called Larry and he’s taking it to my place. I think she’s right, it’s the alternator. She said her dad replaced it a few years ago, so that could be the issue again. Sometimes you get refurbished parts and they don’t last as long. Yes, I told her and we were just discussing it. I know. All right hold on.” I hand the phone to Tatum. “She wants to talk to you,” I tell her.