Maggie’s pulse jumped. Tucker looked damned fine and it would be so easy to fall down memory lane… She needed to diffuse this conversation fast. “I’m just glad you’re not some crazed stranger looking to chloroform me and tie me up. Amazingly, I am not in the mood for a kidnapping.”
Tucker stopped in front of her and locked his gaze with hers. “What makes you so sure I don’t have nefarious intentions?”
The steely thread of his comment made Maggie’s stomach tumble. Sudden images of Tucker looming over her with her arms bound to a chair filled her head. Her heart beat faster and she surprised them both with a sudden gasp.
“Easy Miss Maggie, I was only kidding. The last time I tied someone up I ended up with a knee to my balls. I’m not looking to repeat that tonight.”
The use of her silly high school nickname brought her back down from the clouds and her fantasy land. Although his odd comment threw her for a loop and she had to squelch the impulse to ask what he meant. Not the time. Not her business.
She took a deep breath and trudged over to her car. “You wouldn’t happen to have any equipment in that monster vehicle of yours that would tow me home do you?”
She watched Tucker walk to her car, taking in everything she could despite the snow still pouring down on them. Unlike her, he wore a thick winter coat buttoned to his chin that made her curious to know how warm he’d be if she touched him. She shook her head at the ridiculous thought and focused on the situation at hand. Snow. Car. No way home. Focus. She needed to get her shit together before she froze to death.
“You staying at your parent’s cabin on the lake?”
She nodded. The less she said the better.
“Unfortunately, this baby isn’t set up for towing and last I heard on the scanner it could be hours before the tow truck can make it out here. Looks like you’re stuck for the night.”
She couldn’t read his expression or decide if the innuendo she read in his statement was simply a figment of her imagination. “Figures.”
“I can however, help you get her over to the side of the road so no one hits her again. Then you can hop in my vehicle and I can give you a ride home. Once the storm clears I’ll make sure someone gets your car out to your place.”
More crazy images… Her mind drifted the minute he’d said ride.
She wanted a ride. Oh yes she did.
Why did her mind insist on going there? She hadn’t seen or heard from Tucker in ages and even back in high school it hadn’t been like that between them. They were friends. Okay mostly acquaintances over the years but there had been moments of friendship. And that one night at the annual St. Mary’s Carnival…
They’d been alone for five minutes and they’d shared a kiss. One stupid teenage moment had turned into a lifetime memory she still recalled as vividly as yesterday. His hands tight in her hair, his mouth sliding across hers, taking the kiss she ached to give…
It had only lasted a moment but when her friends had arrived, she’d stood there without saying a word, still stunned by the firm impression of his lips against hers. He’d attempted to see her the next night and she’d blown him off. Now she couldn’t recall why. She stared at his ass as he walked around her car. Brain fart maybe?
Running into Tucker like this made her want to flee in the opposite direction. If only to keep from making another mistake. She found him sexy as hell and very tempting. Maggie bit her lip and moved closer to her car. This is what she got for hiding away from people for so long. “What do you want me to do?” she asked.
“Just hop in and put your ignition in drive. I’ll take care of the rest.” He moved to the back of her car and she did as he asked before waiting for further instructions. Moments later her car began to move as he pushed it from behind. With the steering wheel locked up there wasn’t much she could do so she hopped out and added her efforts in keeping the car going in the right direction.
It didn’t take long and they had the car well off the road and secured.
“Do you need anything from inside before we go?”
She pointed to the backpack already on her back. “Nope. Got everything I need right here.”
He eyed her curiously but obviously decided not to say anything as he turned and headed towards his vehicle. Maggie followed as he led the way to the passenger side and opened the door for her. Kind of shocked that he’d bother, she hopped into the SUV and buckled in. She couldn’t help watching him stalk toward the driver’s door. His determined stride gave her the sense of a predator going after its prey.
She had hoped to avoid seeing anyone she knew for a while but now that she had there were a million questions running through her brain.