Page 60 of Rhett

Now motionless, the bike was a mess of metal and rubber. I swayed slightly at the sight of a seemingly unharmed Rhett straightening, then wiping his palms against his jeans.

I pushed through the crowd of townsfolk now gathered around me. Both Rhett and I rushed toward each other. His gaze raked over me, heating every inch of my skin in its path.

“Nova?” Concern glistened in his eyes. “Are you okay?” He grasped my chin, tipping my face up to the moonlight.

“Yes,” I answered, gazing up at his tanned face. “You?”

“Don’t worry about me.”

“But I am.” I curled my fingers, fisting the fabric of his shirt. “I don’t understand. How in the world did you stop that motorcycle?”

He brushed his fingers across my cheek. “I’m a shifter with enhanced speed, agility, and strength. I’m invincible.” He winked.

“Invincible?” Anger burst to the surface. “Are you crazy?” I pounded my fists against his chest. “You could have been killed.”

He growled, and every erogenous zone on my body tingled with awareness. “You’re mine to protect.”

“That was reckless. You should have saved yourself.”

“I could have, but there was no way in hell that I was leaving you to die. I know now—there is no me without you.”

His words, combined with the emotion that I heard in his tone, floored me. “Rhett. You saved me at the expense of your own life.”

“And I’d do it again, Nova,” he said, never taking his eyes off me for a second.

My throat tightened with emotions. I wasn’t used to anyone caring about me, but to put my life before his… that selfless act of bravery blew my mind.

“Rhett…”

My words were cut short by a barrage of screaming and yelling residents, barreling toward the now-standing motorcycle rider.

“I made a mistake,” Motorcycle Guy yelled, his body swaying side to side. “Too much Brew.”

“Drinking and driving is against the law,” a man said.

A female said, “Let’s beat his ass for almost killing the sheriff and that hybrid.”

The crowd yelled and clapped like they were at some damn football game.

“Stay here,” Rhett demanded. “I’ve got to break this up before they tear him apart.” Charging over to the crowd, he started issuing orders. “Go home. I’ll deal with Kirk.”

They grumbled with dissent but moved. Some walked away, but most just backed up a bit and watched like spectators.

A huge man strode up to me. “I’m Mack, Rhett’s deputy.” He looked me up and down. “You okay?”

“Surprisingly, yes. No injuries, thanks to Rhett. He saved my life.”

“Kirk! You idiot!” Rhett barked at the motorcycle rider. “You can’t even walk, much less ride a motorcycle.”

“I’m sorry,” Kirk blubbered. “I thought I could make it home, but my bike just got away from me.”

Rhett was shaking with rage while he stared pointedly at Kirk. “You could have killed my mate.”

Kirk swayed, tipping sideways.

“Timber!” someone yelled. The crowd laughed.

Rhett caught Kirk, righting him.