he was still shaken by his trembling hands as he placed his keys in his pocket.
“I’ll live. But yeah, my heart’s still racing,” I said.
It felt so strange lingering in that dark parking garage with my boss, who, until that night, had been a virtual stranger.
As crazy as it was, I couldn’t stop thinking of how hot he looked. It seemed the drama had added to his already considerable masculine appeal.
How could someone like that be interested in me, I thought, especially when I looked like a walking sack of potatoes? Even dressed in something slinky, I could never be a match for someone as handsome as Lachlan Peace.
With his bow tie undone and his shirt half hanging out of those slacks that molded around his strong thighs, Lachlan looked deliciously sexy, as though he’d just fucked someone in an alleyway.
I wondered whether I preferred the slick, tuxedoed hunk or the rugged version that looked like he’d just wrestled a bear.
Both.
“Just to warn you, my place is a little run down,” I said.
He spread his large hands wide. “I’m just glad to be here. And that we lost whoever that was.”
As we moved to the elevator, I asked, “Have you got a few enemies?”
“Maybe a disgruntled ex or two,” he replied. “It doesn’t make sense, though. Normally, they just stalk me, turning up randomly and embarrassing the crap out of themselves and me.” He shook his head.
“You seem to have a complicated life, if you don’t mind me saying.”
“Oh yeah. I’ve got one of those all right,” he said with a deep, husky voice that caressed more than just my ears.
The Out of Order sign tacked on the door made me groan inwardly.
We walked up the first flight, dodging fast-food wrappers and the odd scrounging cat along the way. In that shit-ugly dress, I felt like I belonged with them.
“Ouch.” I hopped on the spot. I’d stepped on a sharp object as we arrived on the landing.
“Are you okay?” Lachlan asked, looking concerned.
I leaned against the wall and inspected the ball of my bare foot. “I’m fine. I didn’t cut it.”
He stepped in front of me and patted his back, bending his knees. “Jump on.”
“What?” My mouth fell open.
“I’ll piggyback you.”
I searched his face for a hint of a joke or something, but he looked serious. “But there’s two more flights and I’m really heavy.”
“Bullshit,” he said, smiling so sweetly I couldn’t believe this was the same guy who’d just been in a car chase. “I’m not going to take no for an answer.”
Resigned to accept his chivalrous offer, I took a deep breath and placed my arms around his shoulders and wrapped my legs around his waist.
He took hold of my thighs covered by the thick fabric and handled my weight effortlessly as I gripped onto his shoulders.
“I hope I’m not weighing you down,” I said, my voice wobbling, as we moved up the stairs.
“You’re as light as a feather. I train with heavier weights.”
I rested my chin on his warm neck, which radiated a seductively intoxicating scent. His body was so powerful, he didn’t even struggle.
I even grew to like being carried by him so much, I was disappointed when we arrived at my door.
He lowered me back to the floor. “There you go.”
My pulse raced as though it was me who’d done all the work.
I paused at my door. “Sorry. That elevator rarely works.”
“No need to apologize. It’s a good workout.” He smiled.
Despite the return of his boyish charm, my keys still trembled in my hand. I couldn’t decide which was worse: that chase where we’d narrowly missed colliding with other cars, my boss holding onto my chubby thighs, or him seeing the tiny apartment I shared with Harry.
When we walked in, Harriet was locking lips with her casual hookup.
I cleared my throat, and he looked up, wiping his lips with the back of his hand.
My sister looked at Lachlan and said, “Oh, you’ve brought someone home.” She combed her fingers through her shoulder-length hair.
“This is Lachlan Peace, my boss. He needs to hang here for a while.”
Lachlan said, “Sorry to barge in like this.”
“You’re welcome. Always,” responded Harriet, putting on a soft, welcoming voice. “I’m Harriet, and this is Josh.”
Josh jumped up and offered Lachlan his hand.
After giving Lachlan a glass of water, I headed into the bathroom.
Harriet followed me in and said, “What the fuck?”
“It’s a long story. We were in a car chase. Screechy tires and all.”
Her face lit up. “You’re kidding. I bet