Jericho stepped onto his wraparound porch with a hot cup of coffee in his hand. It was his favorite time of year; fall was about over, and old man winter would be blowing in soon. Looking ahead, he could see the Rocky Mountains stretched before him. There was already snow on the highest peaks.
As he lifted the mug to his lips, a car with the hood up and a woman standing beside it caught his attention. He mumbled under his breath that a lesser man might leave her be, but he hadn’t been raised like that. It was supposed to snow today, and turn bone chilling cold later that night.
Walking off the porch, he made his way toward the stranded motorist.
Kelly noticed that Jericho was half way to her. Smiling to herself, the plan was now set into motion and there was no going back. She reached in taking the fuel pump relay from the fuse box, she stuffed it in the pocket of her jeans. She’d heard about the vow Jericho had made to her brother, that he’d help her if she ever needed it. The time had come for her to cash in on that pledge.
The help she needed was him, and he needed her. He just didn’t know it yet.
“Ma’am what...” Jericho jerked to a stop when he saw that it was Kelly, the beauty that he couldn’t get out of his head since the first time he met her three years ago.
“Hey, surprised to see me way out here?”
Her gaze fell on his oh so kissable lips. The man was as sexy as they came. Her eyes wandered over his body, saving his eyes for last. Confusion mixed with desire shown in his amber colored eyes.
“Yes. What are you doing out this far with a snow storm coming in a few hours?”
“I was visiting some friends and on my way back the car died, and now it won’t start.”
“Give me your keys. I’ll see what I can do.”
“They’re in the ignition.”
Jericho sat in the driver’s seat and turned the key. Nothing happened. He got out and went to the engine compartment, brushing by Kelly. He inhaled deeply, his pulse revved into overdrive, as his gaze swept over her body. Jericho turned and braced his hands on the hood of her car as he checked inside, glad for the distraction.
“Hmmm,now that’s weird,” he said.
“What seems to be wrong?” she asked, placing a hand on his shoulder. Simmering heat coiled deep in her stomach. My plan is coming along just fine; time to move on to part B of the plan.
Looking back, he turned and bumped into her, not realizing she’d moved so close to him. She was invading all of his senses, and if this lasted much longer, there would be no stopping it. He’d have to kiss her. That wasn’t something he should do, knowing that he’d promised her brother Eddie if she was ever in trouble, he’d help her. However, the thoughts he was having right now had nothing to do with getting her car fixed.
It was smarter to get the car working again and send her on her way before the storm hit. He was sure helping her into his bed wasn’t what his buddy had meant by take care of her. Plus, it wasn’t something he’d do to her anyway. He was used to one night with a woman, and then he would send them packing before they got too attached. The more he thought of Kelly, the more he pondered she could make him change his mind. No, stop thinking like that! He ordered himself.
“Well, you’re fuel pump relay is missing. I’ve never seen one just come out, but the cover of your fuse box is gone, too. Has anyone been doing any work on your car lately?”
“No, I haven’t had anything done in a couple of months, since I got my last oil change.”
Snow started falling and he knew they’d never make it to town and back in time to get the car fixed.
“For now you can stay here, and once we can get out I’ll take you to town and get the part.”
“If you’re sure,” she peered up at him through her thick lashes, and all rational thinking fled. Wrapping his arm around her waist, he pulled her tight against his body, capturing her lips.
Placing her arms around his neck and kissing him was everything she’d ever dreamed it would have been. When the kiss ended, she leaned her head on his chest to catch her breath. Secretly, she smiled at how things were working out. When she had set out to implement this plan, there had been no guarantee it would work, but now she was certain he was at least attracted to her. Kelly shivered against the cold as; the temperature dropped a few more degrees
“Let’s get inside. It’s turning colder.” He grabbed her hand, leading her towards the house.
As they approached the porch, she tugged on his hand that was covering hers. He stopped to look at her, as she dug into her jeans and pulled out the missing relay, holding it up and grinning. He watched her silently for a moment before a crooked smile lit up his face.
“This was all a plan you cooked up.” he said more than he asked.
“Yes,” she smiled seductively at him.
He took her in his arms and stole her breath with a passionate kiss as he backed her into the house, and pushed the door shut with his foot.
Copyright @2010 Allyson Carter
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