My fingers felt as if they were going to fall off at any moment. I kept blowing and blowing on them hoping to warm up, but my efforts were to no avail. Of course, it didn't help that I was constantly being pounded by an onslaught of wind and rain. Or maybe if my boyfriend, no scratch that ex-boyfriend hadn't left me on the side of the road in the middle of freaking nowhere I would not be freezing my ass off in the first place.
"Bastard," I muttered and savagely kicked a pebble off the road into the dirt.
Sadly, venting my frustration on a poor innocent pebble didn't seem fair, however if I had ex-doofus face here I would be beating the snot out of him instead of the rocks.
I had been walking this damn road for what seemed like hours now and my once cute flowing short skirt was now plastered to my thighs. The tiny little tank top I had was no match for a lite drizzle much less the pouring rain I was stuck in. I might as well have gone topless for all the protection it was giving me. Hours again I had given up trying to walk in my heels and now was trudging along barefoot. Having to pick and choose where to put my bruised and cut feet was slowing me down even more. The wind lashing at my bared skin had left it red and raw making even the lightest touch burn like a thousand hot pokers on them.
Tonight, there was hardly a single car on this backroad between the two towns. Even the few cars I had seen before the sun went down had refused to stop for me when I had lamely attempted to hitchhike. My only guess was that I looked like a disaster and no one would want to stop for a crazy lady. Not to mention my practically see-through outfit probably made me look like a lost hooker.
"A cheap lost hooker," I mumbled irritated.
A particularly sharp rock jumped up and attacked my foot viciously. With a cry that embodied every frustrated, irritated painful emotion that was coursing through me now, I bent down to grab my foot just in time for another car to race by. Not only did they not stop, they rolled down their window and yelled disgusting names and suggestions at me.
Anger had me opening my mouth before I even thought of what I was going to say. "Fine! Don't stop! But you've missed out on the best head in your life!"
It was a lie, I knew it the moment I had said it. But, I no longer cared, I just wanted to get out of this miserable weather and rest for a little while.
Knowing those idiots were not going to come back, I trudged along the road again continuing to mutter and vent every filthy curse I could think of towards the male population; making damn sure not to leave a single one out.
I hadn't gotten far in my walk and in my venting when another car zipped by, but this time I ignored the low rumble of the engine and concentrated on my footing as well as my anger hoping it would warm me from the inside out. It took a moment, but the realization that the engine noise hadn't disappeared slowly sunk into my numb brain. Looking up through my rain soaked hair I caught sight of car lights dimly in the distance relief swamped me, but I approached the vehicle cautiously fully expecting the person to drive off like this was some kind of cruel prank. The bright red taillights shone brightly in the dark night like a beacon guiding her towards it; or maybe a warning. My stomach churned hard as I got closer and closer to the one back up light that was blinking at me almost malevolently. Something was screaming at me to run in the opposite direction. I shook off the fear telling myself to not be so ridiculous as I rushed to the passenger side before I could change my mind.
The first clear glimpse I had gotten the car floored me. It was a slick, shiny Mercedes that just screamed at the top of its metallic lungs 'I have money'. The window slid silently down as I stopped in front of it revealing a shadow-filled interior. The only light that penetrated the darkness was from the dashboard and it only gave enough to see the outline of the figure in the driver's seat.
Despite being cloaked in shadows; this person would never be mistaken for a woman. Everything about him screamed 'I am man'. His strong jawline made him look no older than mid to late thirties. There was a black aura about him and I could feel the shiver trying to crawl its way down my spine. His head slowly turned and the dim blue lights touched his face, but did nothing to dispel the air of mystery around him. When his turned to me they reflected the light like an animal's eyes would, but it was gone too fast for me to tell if it was a fluke or real. Trapped under his gaze I was unable to move, breathe or even speak. I just stood there looking like an idiot staring at the man in front of me still hidden deep in the darkness.
An eternity seemed to pass as we stood in silence, not even the pouring rain or blasting wind penetrated the bubble they were suddenly in. I was no longer freezing and the wind didn't slam into me anymore. My body was flushed and tight, ready for something I couldn't explain.
A jerk with the loudest horn ever, peeled by bursting the bubble and left me feeling breathless. All at once every sound rushed back to me and reality reared its ugly head.
Get a hold of yourself, Chloe. I chided mentally. I whipped my rain drenched hair over my shoulder and straighten my back.
"Can I help you?" I asked haughtily then winced.
This man had been the first one all nigh to pulled over and you treat him as if he's an unwanted criminal. Thankfully, instead of getting mad, he just chuckled a deep rumbling chuckle that sent a tingle down my back that had nothing to do with the cold. It was hands down the sexiest laugh I'd ever heard and I would kill to hear him do that again.
"I think I should be asking you that question, sweetheart," the man replied.
His laugh had been sexy but his voice was downright sinful. A deep, dark, soothing tone that invoked the images of candle lit nights, red satin sheets and hours exploration with hands, mouths, and other body parts.
I gave a breathy laugh and nodded. "I need a ride. Are you going to Sheridon?"
It was a long shot, since Sheridon was on the other side of the next town. But, if he could just take me all the way home I wouldn't have to worry about doing this all night.
"Get in," was all he said.
Without hesitation, I opened the door, but was brought up short by the sight of the genuine leather seats.
"Do you have a towel or something that could be put down?" I asked suddenly remembering how soaked I was.
"Why?"
My jaw dropped to the ground in disbelief. He had two eyes, right? Couldn't he see how wet I was? I gestured down at my body.
"I-I'm all wet," I stuttered out.
Another deep joyful chuckle rumbled through the air at me and sent the shivers racing through me.
"I'm going to assume it's the rain. Either way, don't worry the seat will dry."
"Of course, it was the rain. What else would it be?" I muttered irritably as I slide in.
I barely had the door close much less had my seat belt on before he spun back out on the street and off into the night.
"So... what's your name? I'm Chloe," I said unable to stand the eerie uncomfortable silence anymore.
He didn't say anything back at first as if he was debating whether he wanted to say anything at all. I bit my lip wondering if he even cared what my name was. Was I mistaken in thinking he was kind? It was stupid of me to jump into a strange car with a strange man. I pressed against the door ready to jump and run if anything happened.
"Mattais," he finally answered.
His tone was clipped and a bit harsh, but I still felt victorious having gotten his name out of him. Though I wondered if it was fake, but decided not to ask.
"That's an interesting name," I said pleasantly.
He made a noise in agreement but stubbornly resisted my efforts to draw him into a conversation.
"Was it a family name?" I probed one more time.
"No."
