Page 45 of Enchanted Hero

“It’s on the other side.”

“Do you think I’m going to fall for that?” Yet his expression remained serious, as he gestured again toward her car. Frowning, she strode over to the vehicle, circled the front and halted. On the front driver side, one of the tires was completely deflated.

He came up behind her. “Definitely flat.”

Impossible, unless… She spun on him. “Did you do this?”

“You think I deflated your tire just to force you to ride with me?”

When he put it like that, it did sound unlikely. Still… “Then how did you know? You can’t see it from this side.”

“The car looked lopsided. Don’t worry, I’ll get it fixed.” With a hand on the small of her back, he guided her away from her car and back to the limo. “It’ll be done by the time we get back.”

“I appreciate that, but I’ll take care of it.” She retrieved her phone from her purse. “I have roadside assistance.”

“That’ll take hours, and you have a full schedule today.” He plucked the cell from her.

“Hey!” She snatched for the phone, but he held it out of reach. “You can’t just take what you want!”

His gaze sparkled with mischief, even as he handed the device back. “Actually, I believe I can.”

“Not with me.” She pressed the keypad, dialed a single number when the screen went black, amid a flashing battery symbol. She stared. “I just charged it!”

“Must be a sign. We should go.” Before she could protest, he shuffled her into the waiting limo. She tried to resist, but a sudden burst of wind flew in and seconds later, she was in the car. She reached for the handle.

“Are you certain you want to do that?” Alexander sat next to her, but made no move to stop her. “If you leave, I’ll know you’re afraid of me.”

She clenched her fists. “You can’t keep manipulating me with that line.”

“Are you sure?” His voice deepened. “It seems to be working.”

She sank back into the buttery seat. The scent of expensive wood and leather surrounded her, in a luxurious cabin with golden accents and soft ambivalent lighting. “I wanted to wait for roadside assistance.”

“There was no need because I’m getting the tire fixed for you. Besides we’ll save on gas. You do care about the environment, don’t you, Miss Lacey?”

Everleigh shut her eyes.

“What are you doing?”

“Counting to ten,” she replied. “It’s the only way I can stop myself from doing something illegal to you.” Yet as he laughed, the anger dissipated, and she relaxed. Until she looked out the window. “We’re moving!”

He didn’t seem surprised. “It is a car.”

“I was going to get out!”

“I wouldn’t recommend it now.”

“You do realize this is kidnapping?”

He leaned forward, “Are you going to have me arrested?”

“You would deserve it.” Yet more than likely, the cops would ask for his autograph instead. “Since you know practically everyone in elected office, it would be pointless.” She scooted toward the window. Although the car was spacious, it seemed miniscule with Alexander’s powerful body next to her. “Please tell me kidnapping isn’t a habit of yours.”

“Only, apparently, with you.” He removed a chilled bottle of wine from a hidden cooler and poured a glass of expensive Chablis. “Care for some?”

“No, thank you.” She sighed. “Do you promise to take me back when I want to return?”

He hesitated, gave a curt nod that didn’t seem quite genuine. Yet as his muscles flexed against the expensive suit, desire flared once more. “It’s extraordinary,” she murmured. “I didn’t even know we were moving. I couldn’t feel a thing.”