A motel sign illuminated the night with a flashing neon sign. Vacancy. Truckers welcome. Free cable. Karaoke bar. He eased the car off the highway and into a parking lot lined with a handful of big rigs.

He put the car in park in front of the motel. “You’re coming with me. I’m not leaving you alone again.”

She crunched her feet against a fast food bag. “I don’t have shoes to wear.”

“Them’s the breaks, doll. Barefoot and safe. Come on now. We’ll be fast.” The plan he was piecing together didn’t allow much time. Convincing her to move wasn’t in the plan at all.

“I’m going to stand out. My clothes are tattered.” She stared down and rubbed her hands over the shirt.

His lips pressed into a tight line, and he resisted the urge to grab and carry her around again. They were past that type of interaction. But it would’ve been far more expedient. Coaxing wasn’t his forte, and he had to make fast work of it. He took a deep breath.

“Honey, this truck stop has seen far worse. Trust me. And if someone pays too much attention to you, I’ll distract them. Hell, I might just pummel their face.”

She tilted her head, her hair obscuring part of her smile. “I thought you were always calm in the face of danger.”

He tried not to blow out a frustrated breath but failed in grand fashion. Time was speeding by, and she still hadn’t moved. “Undue attention at your expense is their mistake. As far as anyone is concerned, you’re mine. You’re with me. And I’d consider it a personal affront if they looked at you any way you don’t like. Or any way I don’t like.”

His blood felt thick in his veins. Given their day, he would’ve considered killing someone who even offended her, and he wouldn’t have been sorry about it. That was who he was, a warrior, and she was… Mia was a priority.

“Oh.” She opened her door a crack, signaling her willingness to make a public appearance, and turned back to him. “All right. Let’s do this.”

She smoothed her hands over her sweater. Even barefoot in mussed up clothes, she personified grace. Check that. The woman defined understated sexy. He didn’t know why it wasn’t so apparent at first.

The torn shirt worked for his attention. It’d be so easy to finish the rip, tearing it off of her. Fuck, man, he couldn’t tear his eyes from her body. She might have been a priority, but she was the best looking one he’d ever seen.

“Colby?”

He blinked, more than aware he was busted staring at her tits.

“You’re distracting, Mia. You know that? Every time I look at you—never mind. Forget it. Let’s do this.”

He jumped out and walked to her side, pulled the door wide open, and she slid out. With her hand in his, they made their way to the front desk. The freckled-face clerk eyed her up and down. Mia buried her cheek against his chest. She fit perfect. Their bodies were the right mix of spark and C4. Together, there was the potential for explosions.