Free Spark by Aliyah Burke Page A

awkwardly climbed on.
    “Hold on.”
    She required a short bit to find a position that
didn’t bother her arm too much. At Sarah’s prompting, Kendria
wrapped her arms around Sarah’s waist. She secured her feet and
closed her eyes as they moved back onto the road. The warm wind
streaked over her, and she cracked open her eyes. The thrum beneath
her was addictive, and she relaxed a bit, determined to enjoy the
ride.
    A sign, hand-carved and showing its age, welcomed her
to Cottonwood Falls. There were waterfalls on the sign as well as
numerous trees. Then, it was gone, and she found herself in a small
town. Tree-lined streets, brick storefronts, and people walking
around, waving to one another.
    They continued until she recognized an auto shop.
Vance’s Auto Repair was the sign before the turn for the drive. She
released her grip as the stand was lowered then climbed off. Her
legs still trembled with the lingering vibrations from the
ride.
    The bike fell silent. “He should be here any
moment.”
    Kendria removed the helmet and shook out her hair.
“Thank you. You know, for helping me.”
    “We’re friendly around here.” Sarah smiled, softening
her expression. “Here, take my card. If you have to stay over while
he’s fixing your car or just don’t want to eat alone, give me a
call.”
    Taking the offered card, she said, “Thank you.” Captain Sarah Mallery, USMC were the words on the
rectangular paper.
    The large dark gray truck rolling in the drive
grabbed her attention. Big tires, grill, and it looked like a winch
on the front.
    “Here he is,” Sarah said, heading toward the
vehicle.
    Kendria followed slower. The door swung open, and a
man jumped down. Her breath caught. Shit. If I knew this was
what country boys looked like, I wouldn’t have been so
skeptical. This man, while Caucasian, had a rich tan skin. Arms
with defined biceps and triceps pushed against the sleeves of his
light gray shirt. This Vance is hot.
    Sarah stepped with ease into his embrace and shared a
hug. Kendria neared and waited. The man peered beyond Sarah and
pinned his dark hazel eyes on Kendria.
    Another sensation hit her, different from before,
beginning in the pit of her stomach and spreading with warmth
throughout her entire body.
    Her world eked to a slow crawl. Even passing vehicles
barely registered. Even when she first met Joe, her response hadn’t
been this way. The pounding of her heart thundered in her ears, her
mouth grew dry, and her pussy set up a clamor demanding
attention.
    “Vance, this is Kendria. Kendria, Vance, the best
mechanic in Cottonwood Falls.”
    His blatant perusal of her only fanned the raging
inferno surging unchecked. She licked her lips, pleased at the way
his gazed darkened as his pupils dilated.
    “Vance,” he said, offering his hand.
    “Not like I didn’t just get done saying that,” Sarah
drolled. “I’m going to make myself scarce, not that anyone here
cares.”
    Kendria put her hand in Vance’s, and her knees nearly
buckled at the force of her visceral reaction. Holy shit. “Kendria.”
    Strong and callused, his grip engulfed hers.
    “Where’s your car?”
    His question rattled around for a moment before she
had enough sense to respond. “Outside of town about ten miles.”
    “Let’s go take a look at it.” He released her hand
and gestured to the tow truck parked by the building.
    “Okay.”
    He held the door for her, and she shuddered as his
masculine scent combined with the freshness of a roaring waterfall
floated around her.
    “Just passing through?” he asked, hopping up behind
the wheel.
    “I was.”
    “A shame. Cottonwood Falls is a great small town.
Where are you heading?”
    Her nerves kicked up, and she wrung her hands. He
cleared her throat, and she forced herself to hold still.
    “Just making small talk, is all. Sorry to make you
uncomfortable. I don’t bite.” He looked in her direction with a
grin dripping with sexuality and decadent promise. “Unless you