Liquid Heat

Copyright © Ashley Ladd, 2008
All Rights Reserved, Total-E-Ntwined Limited, T/A Total-e-bound.

Excerpt from: Liquid Heat

Dawn broke over the mountains in a breathtaking array of pastels as Paul Norris rounded a hairpin turn in the mountain road. Straight ahead, a mangled car wrapped around the carcass of a bloody deer. His adrenalin pumping, he swore and stomped on the breaks. His tires squealed and the acrid odour of rubber burnt his nostrils as his car skidded to a stop a few short feet from the vehicle. Jolted, he almost choked on the Tootsie Roll Pop on which he’d been sucking.

Spluttering, his throat raw, he spit the candy out the window and struggled to catch his breath. Scared a car would speed around the bend, he pulled over to the shoulder before cutting the engine. He dialled the sheriff, while praying the people inside were okay.

He peered through the window, and to his relief, he spied a lone man who appeared to be in one piece and stirring. Paul rapped his knuckles across the glass and raised his voice. “Hey, buddy, are you okay in there? Do you need help?”

The door groaned, but finally, the guy squeezed out. When a blue eyed, blond giant faced him, Paul sucked in a ragged breath, and his heart did several flips. His knees went weak. His stomach clenched. His throat constricted. Never before had he seen such a drop-dead gorgeous man.

The man squinted and frowned at a bruise growing dark on his arm. “I’ll live.” As if to test his theory, he gingerly rolled his shoulders and stretched his appendages one by one.

Birds cawed and forest animals grunted as Paul strained his ears, but he didn’t hear any signs of approaching traffic. Nervously, he glanced over his shoulder, then back to the Adonis. “We should wait in my car until the sheriff arrives.”

The guy peered beyond him as his gaze narrowed on his car. He swallowed hard and nodded. “Yeah. Okay.”

Paul’s heart fluttered, and his stomach did a crazy little spin. Doing his best not to tremble after they’d gotten in the vehicle, he thrust out his hand. “I’m Paul Norris. Did anyone warn you that deer have a crazy habit of jumping in front of cars ‘round these parts?”

The guy leaned back against the seat and stared at the ceiling. “Yep. Just a second ago.” He twisted in his seat and took Paul’s outstretched hand. “The name’s Joshua Daly. I’m on my way to Ohio, but it doesn’t look like I’ll make it on schedule,” he said with a grimace.

A lightning bolt shot straight to Paul’s heart, and he let his hand linger in Joshua’s several seconds longer than necessary. He clasped it strongly and was pleased when he received a firm shake. He noted the man had long, tapered fingers with clean, clipped nails and that blond hair curled profusely on his hand.

Sirens whirring in the distance bounced around the hills. The whirring quickly grew louder, also reverberating inside the cab. Relieved, Paul rubbed the back of his neck, and opened the door. “Stay here. I’ll wait around the bend for them.”

Joshua nodded as he massaged the back of his neck.