Part 1 (2/2)

Erin stared at it in horror, then let out a long breath. Had she said enough? Had he heard her location?

If so, surely he'd play white knight. Surely, he'd understand the seriousness of what she asked.

Surely he'd come alone, and not force her to ride back with whoever his current bed-warmer might be.

Rain lashed her window and lightning again lit the area, stretching ominous shadows and amplifying just how alone she was. If Gary didn't show up, she supposed she would have to start walking. It would take at least an hour just to get to the main thor oughfare, and the park roads were dark and narrow and . . . wel , scary. But she'd do it if she had to.

Hugging the dog, Erin wondered how she always got herself into these fixes.

She needed to get a handle on her work schedule.

She needed a new car.

Hel , she needed a new life.

Cracking the window to hear any sounds that might be unfamiliar in the surrounding woods, Erin waited. The pup whined in confusion and discomfort. She felt like joining in.

After ten minutes that felt like an hour, headlights shot into the parking lot and a sleek, sporty car crept in. Hope mingled with nervousness, but she'd just have to trust that it was Gary. If not, she might have a bigger problem than she wanted to contemplate.

Silhouetted by his own headlights, the driver got out.

Moving toward her in the darkness, he looked big and powerful. His car idled in the silent lot.

Erin swal owed.

He wore a long Windbreaker with the loose hood pul ed up, hiding his features so it wasn't until he'd strode right up to her car and his gorgeous face was there against the window, frowning in concern, that she knew it was Gary.

Her knees turned to Jel -O.

He looked relieved to see her, but also a little p.i.s.sed.

Brown eyes narrowed, rain dripping off his nose, he said, ”Open up, Erin, and start explaining.”

Seeing Erin, sodden but safe and sound, helped a little, but Gary's heart stil thumped in residual fear. Getting a ”save me” late night phone cal from her was not his idea of fun.

He'd cal ed her right back, but she hadn't answered, and he'd thought the worst.

Now, knowing she was okay, he felt like yanking her pet.i.te a.s.s out of the car and shaking her. She'd taken him from a sound sleep to panic in a nanosecond. For too long now she'd been dodging him, making him nuts, and then to hear her on the phone, so late at night, with not much more than an ”I need you” demand . . . Wel , she'd better have a good explanation.

He waited, getting more soaked by the second while she appeared to gather some things in the seat beside her.

Without a word she put up her window, opened her door, and stepped out to shove a squirming, frightened pup into his arms.

Brows lifted, Gary asked, ”What's this?”

”A dog.”

He was in no mood for her unique brand of sarcasm. ”I can see that, smart a.s.s.” Gary automatical y opened his Windbreaker and held the dog to his warm chest. Muddy paws and a muddier bel y scuttled in close, no doubt ruining his s.h.i.+rt. Poor little thing. ”Where'd it come from?”

Erin kept her head down and closed her car door. ”I found it when I got off work.”

”Which was when?”

”Should've been hours ago, but . . .” She shrugged.

”Since I lock up the place, I stayed longer to get some stuff done.”

She stil wasn't looking at him, and Gary didn't like that.

”Why didn't you answer me when I cal ed back?”

”Dead phone. I guess I forgot to charge it.” Then, defensively, she said, ”I'm lucky I got through to you before it went entirely kaput, or I'd have been walking home.”

When lightning splintered the black sky, fol owed by several cracks of thunder, Gary took her arm and steered her toward his car. ”Not real smart, Erin. You shouldn't be out here alone.”

”Yeah, no kidding.” Her short dark hair was plastered to her head, and rain water dripped over her face. As they walked back to his idling car, she hoisted a bag over her shoulder. ”I'm sorry for the inconvenience, but-”

”Forget about it.”

She started to say more when she saw the Audi and froze. ”No, you didn't.”

”Didn't what?” Gary hauled her the rest of the way to the car and opened the pa.s.senger door for her.

She didn't want to get in. ”You drove your new Audi.”

Now she hated his car, too? ”So?”

She put her hands to her head and stood there in the pouring rain. ”So it's a fifty-thousand-dol ar car and I'm wetter and muddier than the dog.”

He smiled. ”I can see that.”

Finally she looked at him-but it was with wide-eyed horror. ”I can't ride in there!” She pointed at the front seat of his Audi TT interior. ”I'l ruin your leather seats.”

Icy rain made its way down the back of his neck. ”The leather's treated. It'l be fine. Now get in.”

”But . . . I'm muddy.”

Impatience had him nudging her along. ”The car can be cleaned.” As she gingerly seated herself, Gary stared down at the top of her head and, feeling provoked, said, ”You can help me with that on your next day off. Okay?”

Her gaze clashed with his, but only for an instant. ”Uh, sure.”

So much enthusiasm. He shook his head and put the pup in her lap. ”The towels are there in the seat if you want to wrap him up.”

<script>