is it, Deb? You only get that look when you want something.”
Debbie shrugged, trying and failing for nonchalant. “How ’bout you leave work early on Friday? I have someone you should meet.”
Her mouth dropped open in shock and she turned to stare at her roommate. “You mean a guy?” Debbie always told Alyssa she wasn’t attractive enough to have a relationship. And when guys did look at her, they were just staring because she looked like she needed a mercy fuck. So, why was Debbie suddenly trying to fix her up?
“Not a guy, a man,” Debbie clarified. “Your twenty-fourth birthday is coming up, and I know this guy who is perfect for you.” She stopped and looked Alyssa up and down. “He doesn’t mind body types like yours. And since he has dark hair too, he probably won’t mind your muddy brown.”
Disappointment and hurt arrowed through her, tears burned at the back of her eyes and she blinked rapidly to clear them. She’d known her entire life she wasn’t very attractive. If her family and best friend didn’t even think so, then there was no use thinking anyone else would. The only time I feel attractive is with Stone. I just don’t fit in anywhere else. She suddenly longed to call in sick and return to bed and to the comfort of Stone’s arms—even if they were only in her dreams.
“About eight o’clock, okay?” Debbie continued, either not noticing Alyssa’s reaction or not caring. She bet it was the latter. “And try to wear something that hides your weight. I want him to like you.”
Alyssa swallowed her embarrassment and slid into the passenger’s seat. Maybe I can get sick before Friday.
“If I’m raped and murdered tonight, so help me, I’m going to haunt Debbie until her dying day!” Alyssa quickened her steps as the shadowed stranger behind her loomed closer. She searched the darkened street and closed shops in front of her for some sign of life, to no avail. The stifling Phoenix night closed around her like a shroud, heat still radiated off the cement and her footsteps clicked in time to her beating heart. The smell of stale grease from the Chinese restaurant permeated the air. Why the hell can’t something still be open?
“Damn you, Debbie!” she growled under her breath, and glanced over her shoulder to see the menacing shape of the man who still followed her. Debbie was probably off fucking some pretty-boy and forgot all about her promise to pick her up after work. If I live through tonight, I’m taking that fucking driver’s test. Even if I have to study for the rest of my life to pass it, it will be worth not having to wait on Debbie.
Quickening her steps, she rummaged in her purse for her switchblade. Luckily, an extremely drunk Hell’s Angel had run short on money and made a tip of the switchblade a few months ago. Now if she could just figure out how to use it.
A strong hand gripped her shoulder, startling her and causing her to drop the knife, which skittered away over the hot cement. Time slowed and her self-defense training took over. Thank God I didn’t listen to my family and took the class anyway! She stomped down hard on his instep, the heel of her cowboy boot hopefully leaving a permanent imprint. Then she drove her elbow back into the attacker’s midsection. A surprised “oof” of pain sounded behind her and she bolted forward out of his reach.
Before she’d taken two steps, he grabbed her around the waist, and all her air whooshed out in a painful rush. When she recovered, she realized he hadn’t even broken stride and she hung over his arm like a sack of dog food. If she weren’t so scared, she’d have to admire the man’s muscle and strength. She screamed, but no sound came out. She took a breath and tried again, but it was as if she screamed inside a soundproof room.
“Calm down, witch,” he said and slapped her on the bottom. “I haven’t searched for you for ten years to have you feed me my own bollocks.” The voice, which held a note of amusement, was so deep she felt the rumbling through his arms wrapped beneath her ass. There was something familiar about it she couldn’t quite place.
“Put me down, you bastard!” Alyssa was surprised to hear her voice this time, although muted. She kicked and flailed to no avail. She started to bite him, but some deep internal instinct warned her not to push her luck. She could sense the aura of power that surrounded him without ever seeing his face. And she’d learned long ago not to ignore her gut.
“In good time, witch. You’re almost home.” He punctuated his remarks with another slap on her ass.
He knows where I live? Oh, God, I’m going to raped and murdered in my own shabby apartment!
She raised her head and was shocked to see her apartment steps come into view. Metallic panic rose in the back of her throat, and she renewed her struggles. As a single woman, she knew better than to let her attacker get her inside the apartment. Better to take a stand outside where someone could happen along or she had a hope of escape. But just as she took a breath to scream, he set her down in front of her apartment door, sliding her down his firm body until her feet touched the concrete. She startled when something about the sensation tickled her memory.
The scream died in her throat as she looked into the face of a familiar stranger.
Stone.
She’d know him anywhere since she’d dreamt of him so often over the past ten years, she hadn’t ever bothered to find a flesh-and-blood man. To find him here now, standing in front of her, sent an erotic thrill racing through her body.
She shook her head, convinced she was dreaming again, but none of her dreams of him had ever taken place anywhere but in an ethereal bedroom. She took a moment to study him and compare him to her dream memory. He towered over her five-nine frame so much he would have to duck to walk through her apartment door. Broad shoulders stretched his black T-shirt taut across a well-defined chest, and his face resembled chiseled granite. When he smiled, the small dimple next to his mouth softened him, making him seem approachable. Unruly mahogany hair gave him a rakish air and liquid lavender eyes, the same color as her own, stared back at her.
His deep rumbling chuckle shook her from her reverie and she realized she’d been staring. “Do you see anything you like, witch?” His tone held a teasing warmth as he gestured to himself from head to toe. Following his hand all the way down, she noticed an extremely large bulge that tightened the front of his jeans.
She swallowed hard as she recalled her dream with him last night and liquid heat pooled between her legs and dampened her panties. Then fear and the remaining adrenaline brought her back to reality. How could a flesh and blood man invade her dreams? Could this man really be Stone?
“Who are you?” she demanded, ignoring his question.
“You already know who I am. The more appropriate question is who are you and why have I come to find you.” He crossed muscular arms over his chest and grinned while he waited for her to ask.
An overwhelming curiosity had her inviting him in before she could think better of it. Her intuition was blissfully silent and she took that as a good sign. But her pussy screamed to be introduced more intimately.
Thankfully, her roommate wasn’t fucking an entire football team in the living room, like she was last time Alyssa came home. She tossed her purse on the counter and grabbed two bottled waters from the fridge. She handed one to Stone who had already made himself comfortable on her couch. “So who am I?” she asked, as her fingers itched to trace the strong lines of his body. “Why did you come to find me? And who the hell are you?” Alyssa settled herself on the opposite end of the couch where she could watch him, and waited for him to dissolve at any instant.
He took his time studying her as
