Easy Nights (Boudreaux #6)

“It’s okay,” the stranger says. “I’ll stay with you until you calm down and someone comes to get you.”

“You’re nice,” I whisper and struggle to calm my breathing. “Why didn’t the brakes work?”

“Excellent question,” he says grimly and I reach for my phone to call Ben.

“Hi, sweetheart.”

“Ben?” Just the sound of his voice triggers the tears. I’m suddenly sobbing, and I can’t control it. I can barely speak, and I can’t pull any air into my lungs.

“What’s wrong?” His voice is on edge now, worried.

“I… I…”

“Slow down. What happened?”

“I’m so sorry, Ben.”

“Where are you?”

“About a mile from my house.”

“I’m coming to find you. Don’t hang up, Angel. Do you hear me?”

Thank God. Yes, come find me!

“Yes.”

“Did you get into an accident?”

“I guess so.” I glance around, but the airbag is in my way. I can barely see cars drive past and people gawking through their windows. Someone takes a picture. There are voices, but the stranger stands quietly next to me.

“Van? Talk to me, baby.”

“The brakes wouldn’t work,” I say as I try to catch my breath and calm down. “I had to stop, but they wouldn’t work.”

“I’m here.” I spin around, looking for him, but I don’t see him. I step out of the car now, and the stranger must be convinced that I’m okay because he steps away, allowing me past him. “I’m right here,” Ben says.

A car I don’t recognize parks behind Ben’s Jeep and Ben jumps out of the driver’s side, running at me.

“Ben.”

“I’m here,” he says again and grips my shoulders in his hands, studying my face. “Are you hurt?”

“I don’t think so. Just scared.”

He looks me over, satisfied with what he sees. I can hear sirens coming.

“Did someone call the police?” Ben calls out.

“I did,” the stranger who’s been with me says, making me frown. I didn’t hear him do that. “They’re on the way.”

“Thank you,” Ben says. He’s rubbing circles on my back, and I’m finally calming down. I wipe the tears from my face. “What happened?” he asks me.

“I pressed the brakes and they just didn’t respond.” I frown and study the steaming front end of his car. “I couldn’t chance running the light and hitting another car, so—”

“You did the right thing,” he says immediately and pulls me to him in the best hug ever. His hands are strong on my back, and his chest is solid against my cheek. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

“I’m fine,” I reply and kiss his sternum before looking up at him. “Just shook up. Airbags aren’t fun. I’m sorry about your car.”

“Fuck the car,” he says with a shake of the head. “You’re all I’m worried about, Angel.”

And cue the damn butterflies. Not to mention, tears are threatening again, but I take a deep breath and truly take mental stock of my body. My shoulder is a bit sore from the seatbelt, but otherwise I really do physically feel fine.

The police arrive and for the next thirty minutes I’m caught up in the hustle and bustle of giving a statement, Ben calling for a tow truck, and then handing me the phone with Beau on the other end.

“Vanny?” Beau asks. “Are you okay?”

“Ben told you I am,” I reply. The adrenaline has slowed down with the distraction of the police.

“I wanted to hear it from your mouth, sugar. Do you need anything?”

“No, we have it all under control. Thanks for asking, though.”

Ben has it all under control. But I’m proud of the way I didn’t fall apart. I mean, I had a moment because I’m a normal woman, but after the initial shock, I actually felt fine. Not scared shitless that Ben will hurt me because I broke his car, or yell at me, or shame me.

He’s caring for me, and it’s the sexiest thing he could ever do.

I end the call with Beau and once the tow truck takes the car away and the police leave, Ben leads me to the strange car and takes me to my house.

“Who’s car is this?”

“Ethan’s,” he says, a muscle in his jaw ticking as he pulls into my driveway.

“Are you mad at me?”

“Not even a little bit,” he replies before he cuts the engine and helps me out of the car and leads me up to my door. He waits while I unlock it and then follows me in. “You grab your things for this weekend and then we’ll take your car back to my place.”

“What about Ethan’s car?”

“I’ll arrange to have it returned to him.” He cups my face in his hands, and for the first time in my life, I see true fear in Ben’s eyes. “My God, you scared me.”

“Scared me too,” I whisper. “Have you had any issues with your brakes?”

“No.” His voice is flat. “I’ll have it fixed and sell it. I won’t have you drive it again. I can’t take the chance that this could happen again.”

“I’m sure it’s just a fluke.”

“I don’t give a fuck. You could have been hurt, or killed, and I won’t take that chance again.” He tips his forehead to rest on mine. “I’m so sorry, my love.”

“I’m fine,” I assure him and rub my hands up and down his back. “You took care of me.”

“That’s my job,” he says. His eyes are closed, but his body is still tight with adrenaline. I didn’t think it was possible to find him even more attractive than I did this morning, but fuck me, I want him.

“This might be the adrenaline talking,” I say as I walk him backward until his back hits my front door. “But I need to do something.”

He opens his eyes and frowns. “Okay.”

I nod and kiss him deeply, my fingernails digging into his arms as the kiss goes from hot to inferno in about three seconds. Finally, I pull away and kiss my way down his black T-shirt, to his belly. I unbutton his pants and am pleased to find that he’s not wearing any underwear. That sexy as hell piece of metal is winking at me.

“Van.” His voice is husky, full of lust. “You don’t have to.”

“Oh yeah. I do.” He’s already hard and heavy in my hand. The skin is smooth, and what he can do with this is ridiculous.

I’m about to thank him in the best way possible.

I lick the length of him, from balls to tip. I want to take it slow. To soak in the sounds he makes, and the way his cock twitches at my touch, but this moment isn’t for slow and easy. I’m too excited. I’m too revved up.

So I sink over him as far as I can and then I wrap my lips around him and pull up, my hand following the motion. His hands are fisted in my hair, he’s groaning words that I can’t make out, and I fucking love it.

I feel sexy and powerful as this strong, alpha man becomes putty in my hands.

And mouth.

“I’m going to come, Angel.”

I nod without skipping a beat, but he curses.

“Seriously, Van, I’m going to lose it and I don’t want to do it in your mouth.”

“Do it,” I reply and go back to licking and sucking, urging him on. He sucks air in through his teeth.

“Jesus Christ Almighty, you’re good at this.”

I smile brilliantly on the inside, not skipping a beat, and he suddenly comes, quivering with his release.

“My God, Van.”