Free Getting Lucky by Viola Grace Page B

fulfill his offer. He was a rarity in today's day and age, a warrior. “Henry, I appreciate the offer, but I don't want to impose."
    "The imposition would be for me to have to follow you without your consent. It would be awkward for both of us I think."
    His smile lit his features and her heart melted. Whoa. Her heart melted? Maybe her brain melted. Even the searing looks from the golden god hadn't had this effect on her and he had been trying to actively seduce her since the moment he sat down at the table. She had better get her barriers up or she would be in serious trouble. “Fine, I accept your offer, with thanks.” It was most natural to incline her head gracefully and his smile resurfaced as he watched.
    "Then please, my lady, let us be on our way."
    With another old-world gesture, he offered his arm to lead her out of the garbage-strewn alley. How romantic.
    [Back to Table of Contents]

Chapter Two
    "So where do you need to go, Lucky?"
    His solicitous tone had her smiling. “I need to get to my car, then go home. If they haven't trashed my car already."
    "How would they know which car was yours?"
    "It has a Get Lucky sticker on the back window and I parked it on the street near where the card game was held.” She shook her head at her own stupidity. “It's probably the only one left."
    "Then they will be expecting you to return to it?"
    Their leisurely stroll took them past several gang members that she recognized. She held her breath but they didn't even look their way. It was as if they were shadows on the sidewalk, insubstantial and uninteresting. The gentle nudge at her elbow prompted her attention back to the conversation she was having. She blinked and listened to his question as he rephrased what he wanted to know.
    "Are you sure you need your vehicle this evening?"
    "Well, I also left some items that could be used to identify or track me in it. Like my proof of insurance.” Again, she was embarrassed to look up. “I know. It was stupid, but this has never happened before."
    He steered her effortlessly around a few couples. “When I have made sure you are safe will you explain what did happen this evening?"
    "If you buy me a cup of coffee I'll consider it."
    "You have a deal."
    The words were incongruous to his earlier manner and she cracked a smile. It was almost funny, here they were strolling through one of the worst areas of town and no one was even giving them more than one glance. A surreptitious peek at her escort and she could understand why. In the harsh light of the streetlamps and passing vehicles his features were fearsome, all harsh angles and that brutal scar. His eyes, however, were a soft blue, a lovely compliment to the lips that were full and sensual.
    In a second, her mind imagined those lips on her body and her body reacted. A slight bit of moisture slicked the skin between her thighs and her nipples peaked under her low-cut top. This was turning into a weird night, and for her, that was saying something. She had learned early in life that her experiences were slightly outside the norm.
    As they rounded yet another corner, she noticed at once that her car had indeed, borne the brunt, of the fury held by her pursuers. “Well, it's about what I expected. Let me just check something and call a tow truck. I don't want to leave it here any longer than I have to.” Brushing aside the shattered glass on the driver's seat, she triggered the trunk lock of her sensible sedan. “Well, at least they didn't get into the trunk.” She walked calmly to the back of her battered car and smiled in relief as the trunk opened easily despite the gouges around the lock. “I guess my luck is holding."
    "Of course it would. May I suggest that I call your tow? I have a friend who specializes in vehicle security. It would relieve me to know that your car was safe."
    His voice was nothing if not reasonable so she agreed. “Only if the storage cost isn't too high. I don't get paid until Friday.” She