Free Stranded With a Hero by Karen Erickson, Cindi Madsen, Coleen Kwan, Roxanne Snopek Page B

feelings to the surface. Most of them good and some of them scary.”
    It was the truth. And he needed to hear it.
    “I get it.” Her admission must have relieved him. She saw it written all over his face. “Trust me, Min. I felt the same exact way.”
    “Really?” Relief flooded her as well. “So what you’re saying is that we’re on the same page?”
    It had seemed so good between them until he’d become a little pushy. He was only watching out for her best interests. She knew that. Right?
    But he was an upstanding, good guy, respected in the community. He worked hard, he was a good friend, and he had a kind heart.
    Oh yes, and really sexy lips…
    Sexy lips didn’t mean he was the man for her though. It just meant he knew how to kiss the very sense out of her head.
    “We are definitely on the same page. I hope.” Josh paused, drinking her in. A shiver moved through her. She felt his gaze rake over her as if he’d physically touched her. “I am sorry I tried to tell you what to do. I need you to realize that.”
    “You’re forgiven. And just FYI? No man controls me,” she said, keeping her voice even. She didn’t want to display her already frayed nerves. She needed Josh to know she wouldn’t tolerate any man trying to push her around ever again. “You said you were protecting me and I appreciate it, but I don’t need the protection. I can handle the hard stuff on my own, you know.”
    “Oh, I know.” He smiled. “That’s what I admire about you most, Mindy. You’re a strong, independent woman. I find that sexy.”
    She gaped at him. “Really?” she squeaked, then cleared her throat. That certainly hadn’t sounded sexy.
    “Definitely.” Josh nodded. “You’re stronger than any woman I know.”
    She studied him, feeling lighter as the anger slowly dissipated from her, evaporating into the air like it never existed in the first place. “Thank you. That means a lot to me,” she murmured.
    “Good.” Josh nodded and smiled. “So am I forgiven?”
    “That depends.” She crossed her arms in front of her chest. “Do you want to be?”
    “Absolutely. It’s not much fun, being on your bad side,” he said. “Though I must admit you’re kind of hot when you’re mad, Min.”
    She burst out laughing. She couldn’t help it. This was exactly what she needed. Laughter and fun and not having to worry about anything but having a good time with a man she could consider as someone becoming a serious part of her life.
    “I’m sorry, too,” she said after her laughter died. “I kind of flew off the handle. It’s only because I’ve never had someone defend me against Marty before. I mean, my family is there for me always but I don’t let them know everything. I usually handle it all on my own.”
    He smiled faintly. “I’ll always defend you, Mindy. I’m on your side. And if you need help, I’m here for you. You never have to worry about that.”
    Her heart squeezed, and it felt like it wanted to burst out of her chest. My God, this man was trying to kill with sweet words and heated looks and all that quiet potent charm he didn’t seem to know he had. “I’m counting on that, Powers.”
    He grinned. “Don’t you worry. I won’t ever let you down.” His gaze turned knowing, with a hint of wickedness that made her catch her breath. Without warning, he grabbed her, pulling her into his arms, his face in hers. “McKenzie.”
    And then he sealed that promise with a kiss.

Chapter Seven
    “My family is going to flip out.”
    Josh pulled her closer so she could snuggle against the warm flannel of his shirt. “You think they’ll disapprove?”
    Mindy pulled away slightly so she could look up at him. The apprehension in his expression made his jaw go tight, his eyes narrow as he met her gaze. “Are you kidding? They’ll probably throw you a party to welcome you back to the family.”
    The moment the words left her, she winced. She didn’t mean to sound so…serious. But they’d been