Chapter Eight.

"Honey, it's time to wake up."

A sweet voice was interrupting my dream. "Grammy?"

A sharp cackling chuckle rang close to my left ear. "Not exactly, honey. I hope I don't look old enough to be your grandma, just yet. I know I have a few wrinkles but I use face cream diligently every night. That's the key to youthful skin..." The invasive chatter continued as my awareness of reality came back to me. I opened my eyes to find Lucille, the passenger sitting next to me, beaming at me while she held a small foil package of peanuts in her hand. At least that's what I had learned her name was, hours ago, and regretted hearing it ever since. As she chewed on her salty snack and rattled on, I felt a chill run down my spine.

I shook it off and sat up straight in my seat. "What time is it?"

"Almost noon. We're stopping for a lunch break at the next town. It should come up in about ten minutes."

"I must have been beat. I can't believe I slept for over five hours. What town is it?"

"Summerville. It's a pretty little seaside vacation town. Have you heard of it? I stayed there once years ago with my first husband, Leonard. He was just out of the army and...well you don't want to hear that story."

I sighed and rubbed my temples. "No, can't say I do. It's my first time in South Carolina."

I had spent the last twenty hours on this Greyhound bus with Lucille's incessant chatter, and my ears were just about bleeding. She could be the CIA's newest torture method. Put the chatterbox in an interrogation room and the suspects would reveal everything just to get her to stop talking. Lucille's short gray hair and glasses reminded me of a distant sixty-year old aunt I had been avoiding for years.

We still had about four more hours to go. I anticipated the bus ride would take at least that long to get to Charleston. The whole experience of riding the bus was not foreign to me. I had ridden buses to school, college, and work most of my life. I didn't mind. It was a little low-class, and some of the people who rode buses were definitely, well, unique to say the least. However, I found it kind of soothing-no stress of driving-although I didn't even own a car at this point in my life. The bus seemed like a faster and more immediate way to get out of town, instead of nervously waiting in some airport terminal.

After the interview at the police station and after retrieving my backpack, I never returned to my apartment. I had visions of heavy Mob-type men in dark suits staked out at my apartment, waiting for my return. I didn't want to risk going back to pack a suitcase, so I headed over to Macy's and bought a new wardrobe and a large dark blue suitcase. An hour later, I hauled it down to the bus station, where I bought a ticket to Charleston, South Carolina. My plan was still formulating in my mind, but I figured I would either stay put there for a couple of weeks or just move on to wherever struck my fancy. Just until the heat on me from back home went away. I didn't imagine that these New York illegal gambling types cared much for places like South Carolina. They were creatures of habit and enjoyed the cultural nuances of the big city and their connection to family. If, indeed, someone had been looking for me and the money, I figured they would give up searching after a couple of weeks...or at least that's what I hoped would happen. I was no expert in these matters; far from it. I was pretty much flying by the seat of my pants, powered by adrenaline and instincts, and what I had seen on TV and in movies about underground gambling. I knew they had "bookies," and the dead man, Gianni, must have been a bookie. That would explain the briefcase full of money.

I knew I could never go back to my job, or my old apartment for that matter. Before boarding the bus, I had called Joey and told her that I was going out of town for a while. I gave her some vague half-baked story and explained that I needed some time away from everything to heal my wounds and get over my ex, Landon. I'd have to thank him later for making our breakup so timely and convenient for me to use as an excuse to get out of town. Joey said she understood, since she had recently broken up with her boyfriend.

And my job? Well, that was history. I was sure Jerry has fired me, anyway. It didn't matter. I had more than enough money to afford finishing my studies anywhere in the world without taking out more student loans. Well, that is, if I was going to keep the money. Once again the thought had occurred to me on my long bus ride to give the money to the police, but I was now more than sure it wouldn't get the bad guys off my back. I could barely sleep, with my nerves a wreck. Seething guilt has a way of doing a number on your conscience.

Once I arrived in Charleston, I would find a way to pay for my grandmother's medical treatments. My first thought had been to go visit her, but that would be too risky. If someone indeed was following me, they could track me to her house, and I couldn't risk that. I decided it would be better to pick a place at random, and since I had never been to Charleston, I figured that would be as good a place as any.

"Well, you will love it in Charleston." Lucile was still talking. "My nephew lives there. You two should meet. Carsten is quite handsome, if I don't say so myself, and single too." She laughed and took out a picture.

He wasn't exactly my type, wearing a boring business suit, and besides, dating would be the last thing on my mind for quite a while. "Yes, he's cute." I nodded and raised my eyebrows. "How old is he?"

"Thirty-one. He's kind of a loner, though. Lives for his job. He's an accountant." She beamed proudly, placing extra emphasis on the word "accountant" as if that was some kind of prize.

"Well, there's plenty of time for him to find someone. It's good to have a solid base first."

I handed her the picture, smiled, and looked out the window. My stomach rumbled. I placed my hand over it, wondering if it was hunger, or just my nervous guilt-ridden stomach trying to talk to me.

As soon as the bus pulled into the small station, I lurched for the door in order to be one of the first off the bus. I had been cooped up with Lucille's constant blathering for the last twenty hours, and my ears needed a well-deserved rest. Better escape her grasp before she suggested having lunch together.

In my haste to avoid an unwanted lunch invitation from loquacious Lucille, I rushed out the glass door of the bus station, rounded the corner of the building a bit too fast, and plowed headlong into a wall of pure muscle. The dude had a chest like a brick wall. I bounced off it and fell on the ground on my ass. I sat there for a split second, dazed, but mostly just embarrassed.

"Hey, are you okay?"

I looked up and saw a strong, outstretched hand extended toward me, looming in my face. My eyes trailed from the hand up the equally finely muscled arm to his face. He watched me with an intense gaze from deep-blue eyes, rivulets of emotion pouring out of them with a look of...what? I didn't know. My stunned brain couldn't comprehend as I sat on the ground. But that look was exquisite. It pierced me to my soul, as if he could see right into my thoughts and understand everything about me in an instant.

He smiled down at me sympathetically, and my stomach dropped to the floor where my ass was still glued, and yet it was more than sympathy. It was the kind of rare smile that promised eternal reassurance. It focused on me with an irresistible charm, as if I were the only person it was meant for in the entire world, as if he knew me and believed in me, as if he assured me that I already was the best person I could ever be. At that point, it vanished and I was looking at the most gorgeous man I had ever seen in my life.

I blinked hard and all thoughts rushed from my mind like a surging river. He moved with formless grace, momentarily balancing himself on one foot with the kind of movement that implies great muscular tone in every limb. He leaned his hand closer to grasp my outstretched arm by the wrist, still gazing down at me with those blue, laser-beam eyes. I wanted to decline his open and waiting hand by saying something like, "Thanks, but I can get up myself. I don't need your help."

Nothing came out, and my heart just pounded harder against my rib cage until I was sure that he could feel it vibrating all the way down my arm to where he now had a firm grip on my wrist. I wanted to jump up and run. That would be the best thing, because I didn't know what I wanted or what to do to stop this avalanche from crashing down around me and sweeping me away. I didn't need a guy in my life, and not one like him with such an instantaneous and mysterious power over me. The mere moment his eyes locked with mine, something shifted in the universe, something that excited me and scared me at the same time.

I shook my head, and tried to clear my thoughts as he effortlessly pulled my one-hundred-and-twenty-pound body to my feet with one swift jerk.

Snapped out of my daze now, I said harshly, "Geez. Why don't you look where you're going?" No way was I going to indicate to him what mysterious power he had just exercised over me.

"Me? I wasn't going anywhere. I was standing right here, checking the bus schedule when you came crashing into me." He smiled. Something inside me caved in and softened just a little from that pearly smirk of his. Damn him. No one should be allowed much charm to wield over others, let alone a hot guy like him. He was probably full of himself, pumped up with bullshit ideas about his good looks, exemplified by those massively pumped muscles bulging out from under his black T-shirt.

"Yeah, well...maybe they should have posted those schedules another place, not right where people are walking," I said. I propped my hand on my hip as I realized I was making a fool of myself in front of the hottest guy I had seen in a long time, or any time, for that matter.

"You're absolutely right. They shouldn't have posted it right here on the corner. I'll tell you what. Are you hungry? Why don't I treat you to lunch to compensate for the city's horrible mistake?"

I narrowed my eyes, sizing him up, raking my gaze over his body as he stood there like a statue with piercing steel-blue eyes. A statue of a god, Michelangelo's David or a model for Da Vinci's study of the human male form. Either way, his muscles were perfect: toned, sculpted, and chiseled. His face was tan, radiating virility and...confidence, most of all, supreme confidence. Like no one had better mess with him. He was badass, the epitome of the American male. He seemed like the kind of guy who carved his own path. I could see it in his eyes. It was all instantly recognizable. What he wore, drove, and drank. He was a man who knew exactly what to choose, when to choose, and where to choose. He was pure badass and worst of all...he was a shining incarnation of pure temptation.

Dare I answer the siren's call? My hunger was about to make the decision for me, but I was on the run from some very bad guys and supposed to lie low, not mix it up with the hottest guy in town.

"No, sorry, I don't accept lunch invitations from strangers...."

I took in one last drink of my eye candy before Lucille spotted me. She came running and waving at me, heading in my direction. Damn.

I grabbed the muscular hand attached to the hunky stranger and steered him around the corner, out of her view.

Our feet hit the pavement as we strode down the sidewalk in the bright sun of one of the first days of summer. "Alright, I'll have lunch, but we should hurry. My bus just stopped for a break and it will be leaving again soon."

"Let's take my bike." He pointed toward a black motorcycle heavily encumbered with shiny, chrome accents glistening in the sun. Harley Davidson. I should have guessed.

I had never been on a bike before but there was always a first time for everything, and I never said no to a challenge.

"Let's do it." I jumped on the back of the Harley and seconds later, we were riding toward the center of town. It was a quaint little town. Small shops and inviting cafes lined the main street. But they were too close to the bus station for comfort. "Let's go someplace off the beaten path. Is there a nice cafe somewhere?"

"I know just the place," he said.

With the roar of the bike's powerful engine, we easily escaped out of sight of relentless Lucille. A couple of minutes later, we were safely sitting with our elbows leaning on a red-checkered tablecloth in a cozy cafe.

"They have great salads here," he said with a leering wink to me as the waitress was waiting to take our order.

"Salad? I need something solid. I'm starving. How about a burger?"

He raised his eyebrows with surprise and smiled. "I like the way you think."

He turned to the waitress and said, "Make that two large burgers..."

"With everything," I added before she could ask. The waitress scribbled our order on her pad, then headed to the kitchen.

He gave me that look again, like he was surprised but pleased. I couldn't help but stare at him. His face was sculpted like a god's, with a strong chin and those eyes, so deep and blue and so full of...something unique. I couldn't put my finger on it, something warm, yet cold. Like two opposites in one location. Whatever, I was only here for lunch and then it was back on the bus...but he was fucking hot.

We made a little small talk about the weather, the cafe and the town. It was awkward, sitting across the table from a guy I didn't know from Adam. What was I thinking, jumping on the back of his bike in a heartbeat? Acting like I did this kind of thing all the time. It felt good though, acting differently than my usual self, being spontaneous and unpredictable.

"Do you mind telling me your name?" he asked as the waitress placed our hamburgers on the table.

"I'm Hanna," I lied. I wasn't going to tell anyone my real name. "And you are..."

"John. John Connors at your service, ma'am," he chuckled. There was that perfect smile again.

I held out my hand. "Pleasure to make your acquaintance, John," I said with lettuce stuck in my teeth. Damn. I could feel a piece of it with the tip of my tongue.

"Likewise," he said. His eyes sparkled with humor as I covered my mouth briefly with my napkin and removed the lettuce. "It's not every day a beautiful woman like you bumps into me. So, where are you headed?"

Flattered by his compliment, I felt my cheeks heating up. "Savannah in Georgia. Visiting family," I lied again.

"Oh. That's great. I've been there several times. Where in Savannah? I know that place like my back of my hand."

What were the odds that I had picked to lie about a city he was familiar with?

"Down by the beach somewhere is all I remember. I haven't been there in years. It's my aunt and uncle who live there."

He nodded and took another bite of his burger, then wiped his beautiful mouth with his napkin.

"Shame you are not staying here for a couple of days. It's a nice town. There's a band playing at the bar tonight."

"Maybe another time. My family is expecting me tomorrow."

"We better get back then." He finished the last bite of his burger. "You don't want to miss your bus."

"Oh no. What time is it?"

He checked his wristwatch. "Just past two. When does your bus leave?"

"Oh no-at two." Fuck. The money is in my suitcase...on the bus. I threw my napkin on the plate and shoved the chair out, trying to hide the panic I felt. "Let's just go. I hope the bus driver is waiting for me."

John dropped thirty dollars on the table and we hurried out of the cafe. It took us less than five minutes to get back to the station but the bus had already left.

Fuck. I'm so screwed.

"Is that your suitcase?" He pointed to my blue suitcase standing alone on the sidewalk under the Greyhound sign at the bus station. I breathed out a big sigh of relief. At least the bus driver had been smart enough to toss off my luggage.

"Oh, thank God, yes. That's the one." I held my hand to my breast. The thumping of my heart slowed to a more normal beat with the sight of my suitcase. I took a breath and gathered my wits. No need to panic. There was a reason this place was called a bus station. "I guess there'll be another bus to Savannah tomorrow," I said as I hurried over to grab my suitcase. Once my hand was firmly around the black plastic handle, I relaxed. There was at least one upside to missing the bus. I wouldn't have to listen to another word from the chatterbox.

"So, does this mean that you'll be able to come with me to hear the band tonight?" He grinned from ear to ear.

"Ha-you don't give up easily, do you? Sorry, I'm really wiped out. I just want to find a hotel room and crash tonight. It's been a couple of hectic days."

"Guess I'll have to live with that. Listen, I would offer to give you a ride to a hotel, but I don't think your suitcase will fit on my bike," he said with a chuckle. "I can walk with you if you like?"

"No, no, that's fine. It's sweet of you to offer, but I'll call a cab. They do have cabs in this town, right?"

He laughed again and nodded. "Of course. Let me call one for you."

He pulled out his cell phone and opened up a web browser to search the Internet. He caught me peering over to take a look at the screen. I glanced down at the ground, a little embarrassed. I really shouldn't trust him, or anyone for that matter; after all, I didn't know much about him and it would be better for me to keep up my guard.

"Just gotta look up the number. I usually don't take cabs around town." He tilted his head in the direction of his Harley. "Got my bike."

He found it and called a cab for me.

"Look, you don't have to stay and wait with me. I'll be fine on my own here. I'm sure you have a life and things you need to go do."

"What, and leave a beautiful young woman standing on a street corner alone? Are you kidding? This may be a small town, but I would be a jerk to leave you alone."

He had called me "beautiful" twice now. Charming...badass and charming. That's a poisonous combination for any girl. I had better hold onto my panties...or maybe not.

After a few minutes, a yellow-colored cab pulled up to the curb. It hadn't taken long for it to reach us. It made me realize this town was so much smaller than I was used to.

"I still hope to see you at the bar tonight," he said, leaning on my door.

I smiled up at him as he shut the door and started walking to his super chrome-trimmed Harley. I rolled down the window and watched him saunter away. His gait was fluid and his muscular shoulders stretched out the fabric of his dark shirt in just the right way. His confidence level was off the charts. It was evidenced in his body language, in the tilt of his chin and in the swagger in his walk. He was raw male energy, and my system responded with a zing of adrenaline in my stomach.

"What's the name of the bar?" I yelled.

"I already told you," he laughed. "The Bar."

"Really? How original," I said, rolling my eyes.

He winked, pulled the helmet over his head. I bit my lip and swallowed hard. There was that badass charm again. The bike roared to life with the kick of his black boot on the kick starter. I watched him drive off and realized right then that I had to go see the band tonight after all.

"Where to, miss?" the driver asked.

"Just any decent hotel that has a vacancy," I said.

"Good luck finding one. This is the summer season. Everything is booked three months in advance around here."

Crap. This day just went to hell.

"There's nothing? Really?"

He turned and looked me up and down as if he was sizing me up. Did I look that much like a city slicker? "I tell you what...I know this woman who is converting an old mansion into a bed and breakfast. Not sure if she has any rooms ready yet, but I can take you there if you like. Maybe you'll get lucky?"

I sighed. A renovation project? Not exactly what I had in mind, but if that was all I could get, I'd take it. After all, it would only be for one night.

"Sure. Why not? Thanks."