Hot and Bothered - Erika Wilde Page 0,7
He saw a few pedestrians strolling along the sidewalk, but not the guy in the baseball cap who had seemingly set her off.
He returned his attention to Natalie, needing to know what she’d seen and what had threatened her so badly. But first he had to calm her, and he tried to do so by rubbing his hands along her arms. “Nobody’s there, Natalie. You’re safe with me.”
“I’ll never be safe.” Her voice caught on a hysterical sob as she shook her head wildly. “He won’t go away!”
She pushed at his chest, shoving him away, and the unexpected assault took him off guard and he stumbled back a step. This time she eluded his grasp, and before he could intercept her she was dashing back across the street toward Murphy’s. The signal at the corner was red, and he yelled at her to stop. She didn’t listen, just kept running to escape.
From what, he still didn’t know.
He started after her, cursing at his inability to control the bizarre situation and her rash actions. Before he could reach the street, an oncoming car slammed on its brakes to avoid hitting her. But the driver was going too fast, and Natalie wasn’t paying attention.
He watched in horror, shouting a hoarse warning as the vehicle skidded long and hard, striking Natalie just before the car came to a jarring stop. The impact sent her flying, and she landed on her side a few feet away, her dark hair tousled around her head, her arms at an awkward angle, and her body completely lifeless.
Stunned, Noah raced furiously toward her, yelling at the people pouring out of nearby shops and eateries to dial 911 and get an ambulance there immediately. He dropped to the ground beside her, mindless of the sharp pain that shot through his knees. Mindless of anything except the churning in his gut and the metallic taste of fear in his mouth. He pressed two fingers to the pulse point at her neck and exhaled a sigh of relief when he felt a thready but noticeable beat. She was alive, and that’s all he cared about.
A crowd gathered around him, and the driver made his way to Noah’s side, babbling about not seeing her in the street until it was too late. Ignoring him, Noah gently eased Natalie to her back and began a check for injuries, running his hands from her shoulders, down her arms, and along her thighs and legs. Opening her jacket, he skimmed his fingers over her collarbone, ribs, and hips, and found nothing obviously broken.
Her jacket had protected her from getting any scrapes along her arms, but she had a nasty cut on her cheek oozing blood that hopefully wouldn’t leave a scar. Her face was drained of color, her lips were white and cool to the touch, and she looked so fucking vulnerable.
“The paramedics are on their way,” someone called from behind him.
Grateful for that bit of news, he held Natalie’s slender, cold hand in his bigger, warmer one and silently urged the ambulance to hurry.
“Police coming through,” a deep, distinct voice ordered. “Please step back from the injured party.”
Bobby’s authoritative tone reached Noah, and he glanced up to see his friend flashing his badge and doing his best to make the throng of curious onlookers back away to give them breathing room. When Bobby saw that it was him, he immediately hunkered down beside Noah.
“Oh, shit, it’s Natalie,” he said, sounding as shocked as Noah felt. “I had no idea. We heard the accident from inside Murphy’s and I came out to see what happened. Is she okay?”
“I’m not sure,” Noah said, hating that he didn’t know more. “She’s out cold and hasn’t regained consciousness yet.”
Automatically, Bobby tested the arteries in her wrist. “She has a pulse, so that’s a good sign.”
Noah nodded in agreement but knew there could be more damage that they couldn’t see. “Do me a favor? Take care of the driver for me. He’s really shaken up. It wasn’t his fault. She ran out in front of his car when he had the right of way.”
Bobby’s dark brows lifted in surprise at that bit of news. “She was with you, wasn’t she?” he asked, confused. “How did this happen, anyway?”
A weary sigh escaped Noah. “Long story, and I’ll fill you in on the details as soon as Natalie is taken care of.”
“Fair enough,” his friend said, respecting Noah’s wishes and knowing he’d get the full blow-by-blow later.
Bobby went to do his