White Tiger

Then Kendrick growled low in his throat. He wrapped his arms all the way around her, and Addie went breathless at his strength, his warmth. He cradled her in the darkness, shutting out everything terrible, all the fear and horror of the last hour.

He eased away from her first kiss, only to bring his mouth back down on hers. His body was a place of heat as he kissed Addie slowly, his lips parting, his tongue tangling hers with a bite of spice.

Kendrick’s arms were hard on her back, crushing her against the solid power of him. Addie felt every inch of his body through her thin polyester dress that ended at her knees, the heat of him against her bare legs.

She held on to him as the kiss strengthened, the two of them seared together in the cool of the Texas night. His breath was hot on her cheek as he pulled her closer still, his strength astonishing. He kissed with aching intensity, the hunger she’d seen his eyes in the diner manifesting in this savage, amazing kiss.

Another growl, and Kendrick abruptly released her. Addie staggered back, fighting for breath. She put out her hand, but found nothing to steady herself on. She had to back away until she bumped into her car.

Kendrick said nothing. He didn’t reach for her again, didn’t apologize, didn’t do anything. He simply looked at Addie for a long moment as she struggled to stay upright.

Another sound came from him, like a snarl in the darkness. “Go,” he said, his voice fierce. “Now. Stay away from me.”

Addie’s throat didn’t work, nothing emerging in answer. Kendrick watched her a moment longer, his chest rising in a sharp breath, then he turned away and mounted his motorcycle.

Moonlight flashed on his sword as he kicked the bike to life. He didn’t look around at her, didn’t say a word. Addie supported herself on the ledge of the driver’s open window while Kendrick eased the bike forward, then out of the abandoned parking lot.

Robbie was the only one who looked back, his small head covered in a helmet, as Kendrick turned onto the road. Robbie raised his hand in a wave, which Addie shakily returned.

The motorcycle picked up speed, the bike’s taillight flashing as Kendrick slowed for a turn, then they were gone.

Addie was left alone in dark, silent warmth, amidst the smell of exhaust and dried grasses, her mouth raw from Kendrick’s hard kiss.

*   *   *

Addie took the 377 and kept heading south. The money Kendrick had left with her burned in the pocket she’d shoved it in. She’d run her thumb over the wad and realized it was about five thousand dollars. She could consider it a tip, she supposed. She’d served some really good pie.

Addie started laughing, the laughter turning hysterical. She took a deep breath, trying to stifle it. Losing her mind right now wasn’t going to help her.

Kendrick had told her to leave Texas, to go anywhere. Addie’s heart pounded as she contemplated what to do. Ivy would be scared for her. Her big sister didn’t handle life as well as Addie did—Ivy had a comfort zone she’d rarely left since her divorce.

But then, if Kendrick was afraid the guys who’d attacked the diner would look for her . . . Addie couldn’t lead them back to her sister’s house, where her innocent nephew and niece lived.

Kendrick was right—she should leave the state and just keep driving. The only trouble with that was, Texas was such a damn big state, and Loneview was more or less in the center of it. It would take a long time to cross a border. But she had a change of clothes in her trunk—she often changed into and out of her uniform at the diner—and now the money Kendrick had pressed upon her.

She could go to New Orleans, lie low there in a motel somewhere—however low a person could lie in New Orleans. She could blend in with the tourists, at least.