Free Die For You: Catastrophe Series, Book 1 by Michelle Mills

the end of the parking lot. He went in first, making sure it was safe. After a few minutes, he came back out. “All clear. I’ll wait for you out front,” he told her.
    “I’ll be quick,” she promised. Adam walked back to the Hummer and she watched him go. Jeez. The man was gorgeous. He didn’t want her sexually—that had already been established—but it didn’t stop her from objectifying the hell outta him on a daily basis.
    Inside, the restroom smelled like a million porta-potties that had never been cleaned, so she used the facilities as fast as possible, only taking an extra moment to take off her boots and jeans and pull on a pair of sexy, new panties. They were unlike anything she’d worn before, with bows and a racy edge of lace. Happy to feel fresh and clean, she pulled her jeans back on, laced the boots and picked up her backpack.
    She couldn’t help but wonder for a moment what Adam would think of her new underwear. Imagined his hand on her ass.
    Over these last two days, she’d wished with all her heart he hadn’t really meant what he’d said before about not touching her, that maybe he’d change his mind and he’d kiss her, or make some kind of move so she’d know he felt the same attraction she felt. But he hadn’t. She was alone in this. Living and traveling with a man whose very presence made her blood sing and her breath quicken. Meanwhile he’d treated her like a female co-worker or a kid sister. Most definitely not like a woman he wanted to have sex with. He’d said he wasn’t going to touch her, that they were “partners in this hellhole situation” . Partners, not lovers. And she knew he damn well meant it.
    She squeezed her eyes shut, survivor’s guilt ripping her apart.
    Focus, girl. Focus!
    Her family and friends were dead, the world had ended and here she was, mooning like a teenager over a guy. Really, what was wrong with her?
    Oh, hell. It wasn’t like there was a playbook or etiquette for this type of situation. Adam had been so gruff after they’d first met. It had been difficult to find the personality behind Mr. I’m In Charge And You’d Better Do As I Say Or We’ll Die. Behind the dark sunglasses, testosterone. He’d acted like a total ass, bullying her into jogging—
    “ Grrrrrrr .”
    Oh no. Her heart banged in her chest. Rachel stood still as a mannequin, her fingers gripping the straps of her backpack. She listened and heard it again. A low rumble and a bark. Dogs. She knew that unmistakable sound. They’d seen so many animals gone wild and scavenging, it was becoming a normal occurrence. That deep growl had to be a large breed, something vicious with large teeth and claws. And it was outside the bathroom, most likely blocking the exit. Her shoulders slumped and her eyes burned. She pressed her lips together, taking shallow breaths through her nose.
    Adam wouldn’t be able to see her. He’d already scouted the area, thought it secure and was waiting for her in front. But the exit to the bathroom was covered, leaving just enough room for these dogs to attack and for Adam to have no idea she was in trouble.
    She was on her own.
    Shit.
    How was she going to get out of this?
    She walked to the open doorway and carefully peeked around the corner, trying to see what she was up against. Her legs turned to rubber, her hands shook, but she caught a glimpse of her nemesis—a Rottweiler with a wide chest and a bobbed tail. It was nosing through a spilled trash can.
    Of course.
    It was never a Chihuahua, was it?
    Her eyes widened. The dog wasn’t alone. There was a whole pack of them out there now, spilling over the side of a grassy hill onto the asphalt at the back of the restroom. All blocked from Adam’s point of view. All of them skinny, with bones showing. Ravenous and desperate. Pets that had gone feral and would tear her down without a moment’s thought.
    Dammit.
    Time to test out her new boots.
    A noise grated against Adam’s nerves and sent him into high