Forgotten Sins (Sin Brothers, #1)(106)

“Matt Dean.” He rubbed a hand through his shaggy hair.

He still had dried blood on his impressive abs, and she shoved down panic. The mere sight of blood could make her pass out within seconds. She shook her head. “Why are you in town?”

“After the marines, I decided to tour the country for a while until I run out of money, then I work for a bit, and move on afterwards.”

Sad. The guy was obviously running from old horrors. “Is it working? I mean, the traveling?”

“Yes.”

The blood disappeared as his physique took center stage. Wow. The new warmth sliding through her veins had nothing to do with caution. Tension emanated around him with the promise of fire and passion.

The kind of guy who’d burn a girl, but it’d be worth it.

He tilted his head toward the sign in the window. “You need help?”

Always, and right now from her own libido. “Have you heard of the Rally in the Mountains?”

He nodded. “The motorcycle rally in southern Oregon? Yeah, I’ve heard of it.”

“Well, the rally is in two weeks, and many of the bikers from the east head through town. We’re incredibly busy for those two weeks.” She eyed him. At several inches above six feet and broad, he’d be a deterrent to any problems. He’d seen war—the guy was definitely wounded.

And tough. He’d be able to handle any disputes that arose. In fact, with that hard gray gaze taking in the room, maybe the bikers wouldn’t mess around. Of course, with that thick black hair and strong-boned face, he’d draw in the women.

The man needed help, and she needed a tough guy in her corner. Plus, he’d served his country and was one of the good guys in a scary world. “I need a bartender/bouncer for two weeks.”

He smiled, flashing strong teeth.

She swallowed again. Wounded and scowling, the guy was handsome. Smiling and charming, he was downright devastating. Her heart rate picked up.

His smile widened. Why? It wasn’t like he could hear her heart.

Frowning, she scooted to the edge of the pool table. Strong hands instantly banded around her waist to lift.

She gasped, not having seen him move. “You move fast.”

He settled her on her feet and waited until she regained her balance.

She tilted her head way back to glance at his face. This close, a strong shadow covered his jaw.

His hands remained at her waist, warm and strong.

“No,” she murmured.

His eyelids creased. “Why not?”

“B-Because.” She couldn’t help but focus on his full lips.

“A woman who ventures into a darkened alley and helps a stranger is brave and likes to take chances.” Challenge and something darker lurked in his eyes.

He smelled like the forest; wild and free.

Heat washed down her torso, and she tried to breathe slowly. What in the world was going on? She liked safe, and she liked security. “I hate taking chances.”

His mouth pursed as he studied her. “Somehow I don’t think so.”

A yowling set up outside the entrance door. He pivoted, shielding her.

Her skin chilled from his removed hands, while her heart warmed at how quickly he’d moved into protector mode. “It’s all right,” she said, stepping around him as relief filled her.

One hand banded around her arm and tugged her back as the yowling increased in volume. “What is that?”

She chuckled. “Let me go.”

“No.” He released her and moved toward the door, gingerly unlocking it to open a crack. Then he stepped back, surprise lifting his dark eyebrows.

Matted brown fur came into view first before a battered face. Eugene meowed at seeing her. She dropped to her haunches. “There you are.” Thank God.

She rubbed his thick fur, careful not to touch his scars. He’d been wounded when she’d found him, and she was the only person he’d allow close. For a brief moment, she’d feared he’d been danger.

“Thank goodness you’re all right,” she crooned.

Matt locked the door and leaned against it, broad arms crossed. “I take it that’s Eugene?”

“Yes.” She smiled as Eugene purred like a diesel. “I thought maybe—” Oh. Too much information to the stranger.“Nothing.”

Matt frowned. “Maybe what?”

“Nothing.” She relaxed. “He’s fine.”

“Why wouldn’t he be?” That gray gaze narrowed on her.

She cleared her throat, feeling suddenly like a specimen on a slide. “Life isn’t always smooth, even in a small town.” Life was also too short to spend time dumping her problems on a guy who had enough of his own.

“Are you in trouble, sweetheart?” he asked softly, pushing off from the door.

Yes. Definitely. Trouble with all capital letters stood before her like every dangerous fantasy a girl had about tattooed bad boys on motorcycles. “No. By the way, there’s a room upstairs you can rent by the week while you’re here.”

Matt stepped into her space, bringing warmth and the scent of male. One knuckle tipped up her chin. “Sounds perfect. You saved me in the alley, and I owe you. So while I’m here, you’re going to let me take care of whatever put that frightened look in your eyes.”

The absolute strength and determination across his face should scare her. Yet, lava burned through her veins instead of fear. While she had issues, no doubt the biggest threat stood before her with hard muscles and bloody jeans—because against all caution, she wanted to avoid reality and jump into the heat.