Maddy Terrell is forty years old with an adult son and a time-consuming career. The last thing she is looking for is a relationship. In fact, all she wants is a ride -- from Los Angeles to San Francisco so she can attend her niece’s wedding. But the ride she was counting on has just stood her up, and her only choice is to accept a lift from Tonio Herrera.
He’s Latino. He’s hot. He’s also twenty-four, just too much of a stretch for Maddy to even contemplate, no matter how attracted she is to him.
Tonio’s not driving Maddy to San Francisco out of the kindness of his heart. In fact, he has a very specific ulterior motive. Maddy is the most attractive woman he has ever met. After months of flirting, he’s determined that this weekend in San Francisco will finally get her attention.
Then comes the hard part -- convincing Maddy he wants more than just a weekend fling.
“What are you in the mood for, non-food-wise?”
His sensual mouth curved. He still wore his sunglasses -- he hadn’t removed them once during the ride so far -- so it was impossible to know the full extent of his mood. She had to rely on all the other cues he was so liberal with.
“If I tell you, you might not come back.”
Maddy ran her tongue over her teeth. She felt safe responding to him. The car was still between them. “Try me.”
His smile widened. The dimple came out to play. “A woman after my own heart.” Locking the pump in place, he leaned forward, folding his arms to lean against the roof. How he could tolerate the sun-scorched metal, she had no idea, but he didn’t even flinch at the contact. “I’m in the mood for finding out if that little throb in your throat tastes as good as it looks. It’s the most delicious-looking hollow, you know. I’ve been watching it. I watched it jump every time you looked at me, when you thought I wasn’t paying attention. Then it would slow down again when I’d change the subject.” He moistened his lower lip. “Do you think it would speed up if I kissed you? Or maybe we should test it more slowly. Start with just a touch first. What do you think?”
“I think you’ll have plenty of time to think about it while you fill up the car,” Maddy said, pushing away. She thought her voice was surprisingly even, considering the fact that her pulse was hammering again. And he probably noticed. Probably? Of course he noticed. He never looked away from her.
She walked a straight line to the gas station door, grateful for the rush of cold air against her flushed skin as soon as she stepped inside. She wasn’t sure what she was even looking for. A cold Diet Coke didn’t seem nearly as appealing as the sinful promise in Tonio’s voice.
Nothing seemed appealing, actually. She stood in front of the cooler, staring at the varieties of soda and juice inside, and didn’t see a thing. Instead, her gaze kept focusing on the reflection in the glass, the blurry outlines of the pumps outside. She couldn’t even tell which one was Tonio or her car, but that didn’t stop her from looking. Did he watch her as well? Why was he so determined to get under her skin?
Answers eluded her. Maddy moved restlessly down the row until the images from outside faded away.
A bell tinkled behind her. Maddy grasped the cooler door handle, fingers tapping impatiently as she regarded the various sizes and flavors of bottled water. She hadn’t promised to get Tonio anything. It would be better if she made her purchase first, then sat in the car while she waited for him to make his. That was the safe choice.
Before she could open the glass door, a familiar dark hand folded over hers.
“You’re not having trouble making a decision, are you?” The query was practically whispered in her ear. She had no idea how he’d gotten so close without her realizing it. “Because I have no problems making it for you, if you want.”
“You’re interested in my beverage preferences?”
“Why shouldn’t I be? What someone drinks says a lot about them.”
His fingers tightened, and the muscle in his forearm flexed as he pulled open the door. It made a little sucking sound as the rubber sealant came away from the cold metal, and more chilly air rushed across her skin. Tonio didn’t let it go. He held it open and reached inside with the other hand, effectively pinning her in his embrace.
“I usually get water,” he said, pulling out a Dasani. “The colder, the better.” The door drifted shut again, but his hand remained over hers. “And as much as your skin glows, I’ll bet you drink more than your fair share too. Am I right?”
“Usually.” She tugged at the door, but he didn’t move his hand or let her open the cooler. “But I think I’m in the mood for something a little sweet today.”
He tipped the water sideways, bringing it closer and closer to her body. The icy edge of the plastic bottle glanced along her collarbone, then trailed up the opposite side of her neck.
“This seems refreshing enough to me,” Tonio said in her ear. “Though right now, I have to admit I’m imagining it running over your body instead of drinking it.”
