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An Excerpt From: DESERT FEVER
Copyright © ADELE DUBOIS, 2008
All Rights Reserved, Ellora's Cave Publishing,
Inc.
Yes. That’s what I need. A young stud of my own.”
Guy’s voice filled the car as the GPS screen lit up in
muted yellow, jolting her from her reverie. “Turn off Route 210 onto US 15.
Stop at the gas station. One mile.”
US 15 from California
to Nevada
was a long, straight arrow on the edge of red and brown desert for hundreds
of godforsaken miles. She checked her gauge. “I don’t need gas.” The tank
was good till she reached Baker, home of the Tallest Thermometer on
Earth.
“Stop at the gas station,” Guy repeated.
“I said, I don’t need gas.”
“Stop at the gas station!”
Could it be her imagination or had Guy copped a tone?
Marybeth frowned at the GPS. The screen seemed to glow brighter and the
words GAS STATION flashed across it in bright green.
What the hell? Marybeth shook her head. Did Guy
know something she didn’t? She wondered if her GPS had been programmed by
some geek to monitor fluid levels. Maybe she’d better check her engine.
She pulled into the weathered filling station, coasted
up to the pumps and put the car into park. Her legs needed a stretch
and she had to use the ladies’ room anyway. “Didn’t know you were such a
nag.” She unbuckled her seat belt and popped the hood.
The words GAS STATION flashed across the screen in red
letters.
“Just like a man to try and have the last word.”
Marybeth hit Guy’s off switch and took the key out of the ignition. The
screen blinked into darkness. “I win.”
She topped off the gas tank. When it was full, she
walked around to the front of the car, lifted the hood and checked the oil,
careful to avoid staining her white clothes. Oil, washer fluid, water
levels were fine. She closed the hood and went to the glove compartment for
packaged wipes. After cleaning her hands, she tossed the trash in the waste
container at the pumps.
Looking down, she noticed one of her espadrille laces
had come loose. She leaned over from the waist to rewrap the thin rope
around her ankle and retie the bow. Her long legs stretched with the
movements and she groaned with relief. Her limbs had begun to cramp in the
car.
Blonde tendrils fell forward against her face and she
flipped her hair behind her as she straightened. She arched her spine with
her palms, working out the kinks in her neck, shoulders and lower back. She
turned her head from side to side, groaning as her tired muscles relaxed.
Guy had been right to insist she take a break. Damn him.
“Long drive?”
Marybeth pivoted, startled. Her jaw dropped. She closed
it fast, not wanting the stranger to enjoy his voyeuristic prank too much.
No way would she have bent over like that to tie her shoe, ass in the air,
if she’d seen him behind her at the next bay. Inside her blind spot.
Jeezus, she must
have been blind to miss him when she pulled into the station. From his head
of long, wavy, light brown hair to the snug fit of his jeans and the toes
of his black leather riding boots, the man was a too gorgeous to be real.
Gotta love
California.
CLOSE WINDOW
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