When Bruce Met Cyn Read Online Free PDF Page A

him in the darkness, buried in confusion and exasperation and yeah, still some healthy fear. “What the hell do you want, anyway?”
    â€œI just want to help you.”
    Yeah, right. And then he’d sell her a bridge. He didn’t know her, had no vested interest in her—unless he hoped to get laid. Ha! Fat chance. He looked like he was poor, driving that old rattrap car and dressed in faded jeans.
    She clenched her hands into fists. “I’m not screwing you.”
    â€œI didn’t ask you to.” And then, with some sort of warped amusement, he added, “I’m not that easy.”
    â€œOh, give me a break,” she said, more to herself than to him.
    â€œThat’s what I’m trying to do. I offered to drive you into Visitation. But if that won’t do, then at least let me get you to a gas station.” She started to shake her head, and he continued. “But if you don’t want to do that, either, then I’ll leave your suitcase on the road for you.”
    She wasn’t buying it. “You’d really do that?”
    â€œYes. But I’ll also call the deputy of Visitation. His name is Scott Royal and he can come by and give you a ride.”
    Worse and worse. No way in hell did she want the law involved. “Thanks, but no thanks.”
    â€œWhy?”
    Was he an idiot? “I don’t want any trouble with the law.”
    Bruce was silent for a moment, then asked quietly, “Why would there be trouble?”
    Because she’d killed a man.
    Only, Bruce didn’t know that, and she wasn’t about to tell him. In five years, no one had come after her. She’d hidden her trail as best she could, but she knew, if the law had been after her, they’d have found her.
    With her fear all but gone, Cyn looked around the murky interior of the woods. Bugs scurried by, owls hooted, leaves rustled. She’d been in some strange situations in her lifetime, but sitting here now, with a hunk claiming to be a preacher, no less, and carrying on a whispered conversation, had to take the cake.
    Again, her lack of a reply prompted him to more discussion. “Scott’s a friend, and more than that, he’s a good man, a man who cares about people. He’ll make sure you get someplace safe.”
    â€œYou expect me to believe that all these saints are just running loose, waiting to help little ol’ me?”
    Bruce’s dark shadow stretched out and then he was standing over her, tall, strong, and she sensed, oddly protective. “I understand you have reason for cynicism.”
    â€œDo you?” She was deliberately sarcastic, but damn it…he did sound understanding. Something about his voice, the emotion behind it, was beginning to reel her in.
    She could feel his consideration, his acute attention on her, before he asked, “Do you need some money?”
    Anger saved her. Using the tree for support, Cyn pulled herself upright. Her right ankle protested the movement, but she ignored it. “Why in hell would you want to give me money?”
    â€œBecause I’m concerned about you.”
    â€œWhy?”
    He hesitated, then finally said, “You’re young.”
    â€œTwenty-two, buddy boy. Plenty old enough to have earned a living for five years now.”
    That surprised him, she could tell. “You look younger.”
    â€œNot to most men.” Shut up, Cyn. She bit her bottom lip and held herself still.
    â€œTwenty-two is definitely young to a thirty-five-year-old.” His white teeth shone in a smile that didn’t reassure her one bit, and he gave up. “You’re also small, and female. I’m sorry, I don’t mean to sound sexist, but you’re vulnerable here alone. You’re vulnerable just about anywhere alone right now.”
    Never in her entire life had she known anyone like him. She felt so damned confused her head hurt as much as her ankle.
    His exasperation was expressed