The man mumbles something before pushing my arm away. “I get it. Shit.” His eyes wander over to the beautiful redhead beside me. She’s standing there in her pretty black dress, her long slender legs trembling as she runs her fingers through her wild hair in an attempt to get out the knots.

“I might not be around when you realize how bad you f**ked up,” he growls. “Don’t ruin your last chance, Maxine.”

The frightened woman stands up straighter as if suddenly gaining a little bit of confidence and the look in her eyes is pure hatred. “I’ve already realized a long time ago how I f**ked up. That’s why I’m gone now, Nathan.”

I stand there with my arms crossed over my chest as he turns, makes a grunting sound and stumbles back into the bar without even giving Maxine a second glance.

I look back over at her before I start heading back to my bike. “Well, are you coming?”

She stares at me for a moment as if she’s trying to figure out if I’m dangerous or not. She must decide I’m not because she finally falls into step behind me, her heels pounding heavily against the blacktop.

She stands in front of me as I run my hand over by bike. “What is your name?” she questions, her emerald eyes searching mine. “

Throwing one leg over my bike, I grab for my helmet and look off to the right. “Kellan.” I toss her the helmet and watch as she catches it and looks down at her hands. Then she looks back up with a look of gratefulness in her eyes.

“I’ll take you anywhere you want to go,” I promise her.

She takes a moment before placing the helmet over her head, flattening out her red curls, before grabbing my arm and swinging one leg over the bike and cozying up behind me. “Anywhere?” she questions.

I rev up the engine, causing her to wrap her slender arms around my waist for support. “Anywhere.”

I feel her heavy breathing in my ear before I feel her tiny fingers playing with the back of my hair. “Would your place be out of the question?” Her voice comes out shaky as if she’s afraid of my response. “I’d rather not go home right away.”

I take a moment to push my hair out of my face before giving her the answer she is seeking, even though I know that it’s a bad idea. “I said anywhere.” I pause to rev the engine one more time. “I wouldn’t say it if I didn’t mean it.”

I take off, causing her body to jerk backwards as her fingers dig into my waist to hold on.

I can feel her grip tighten on my waist as I pull out of the parking lot and into the dark night and it feels nice knowing she feels safe with me. No woman should ever have to go through what she went through tonight and probably numerous other nights with that jerk. She deserves so much more but unfortunately, I won’t be the one to show her that.

We pull up to my place and I park in front of the garage. Looking up at the big white house in front of me reminds me of how lonely it can feel in such a big house. Really, I don’t need all of the space, but it is the only house that reminds me of home. This is the closest that I have been to Alba in eight years and the rush that it gives me is unmistakable.

I help Maxine off my bike and steady her to her feet. I look down at her towering heels and can’t understand how someone with such long, skinny legs can manage to spend hours in those damn things without screaming. I have to admit they do look sexy though. Especially with that tight dress that is threatening to expose her curvy bottom at any moment.

The wind whips around us, causing Maxine’s hair to fly around and hit her in the face. She peeks at me through her hair and reaches for my hand. Her fingers are tiny compared to mine, making me feel more masculine. “Thank you.” She takes a step so she’s standing right in front of me. “You didn’t have to save me. It was my fault for agreeing to meet up with that douche in the first place.”

I reach up, brush a strand of hair out of her face and I can tell by the look in her eye that she wants me. I pull my hand away trying to avoid letting her down. I never take advantage of a broken woman, giving them hope I can heal them. “It isn’t your fault. No man should ever treat a woman that way.”

I push away from my bike and slide the helmet off her head. I have to admit she looks hot in it and it’s taking everything in me not to f**k out my frustration on her.

She smiles and pushes my jacket out of the way before running her hand along my chest. “I’ll admit, you coming to my rescue has me completely turned on.” She stretches on her toes to the tip of her heels to kiss my cheek and says in a seductive voice, “I need something to keep my mind off things,” she trails kisses down to my neck, “I think you’ll make the perfect distraction.

I grip the back of her neck and pull her face close to mine. Her breathing is heavy as she looks up at me. “This isn’t a good idea. I’m not what you think I am. Trust me.”

She looks me in the eye and I can tell that in this moment, she doesn’t care. “He cheated on me more than once.” Her nostrils flare as she turns away. “Do you know what it’s like for woman to know that her boyfriend has cheated on her not once or twice, but three times within two years? Am I so ugly that no man wants me?”

“Hell no. You’re beautiful.” I look away, jaw clenched, before I turn back around and grip her tiny waist, pulling her body against mine. Maybe I’ll make an exception for her tonight. “Are you sure you can handle it? I like to f**k, not make love and I can’t promise that it won’t hurt. I can’t give you anything more than this. Just physical pleasure to numb the pain.”

She reaches her hand in my jacket and pushes the button for the garage door. We both look over as the door rises, waiting for our entrance. “I’ve been hurting for a long time. Hurting is all that I know now,” she breathes. “I just want to feel sexy again. I need this.”

I reach my arms around her, running my hands down her ass, before picking her up so she can wrap her legs around me. Her slender legs tighten around my waist, squeezing me as if her life depends on it.

Damn those legs are strong.

I can already feel my arousal as she presses her firm br**sts in my face and tugs on my hair to make me look up at her. “I have a lot of steam to blow off. This is your only warning,” I breathe, as I walk into the garage and press her into the wall. I rub my hands up her face. “I need to grab a condom first.”