Crash & Burn

Chapter One Rachel “Henry!” My dog, the aforementioned Henry, had just bolted away from me. I picked up my jog to a flat-out run, mud splashing on my face as one of my feet slammed into a puddle. “Dammit, Henry,” I muttered to myself. Ahead of me on the trail, he looked back, covered in mud, with his long tail wagging back and forth. I couldn’t help but laugh. I loved my dog, but he was nuts. Black and gold with silky fur, he was full of energy and adventure. We were taking one of our usual runs. Now that it was early spring, or rather mud season, as it was best known in Alaska, it was warm enough to get outside more often. For a moment, I thought Henry was done with his fun, but he looked away and kept on running, appearing to think this was a game. “Henry!” At this rate, he would probably make it all the way back to the car before I caught up to him. That’s fine. I need more exercise anyway. My a*s is big enough already. Coming around the corner on the trail, I let out a yelp when I almost collided with someone. My feet skidded in the mud, and I fell into an inglorious heap. “Ouch!” I exclaimed as my knee collided with a rock somewhere in the mud. Rising up slightly on my hands, I glanced down at my muddy legs and shirt. I’d fallen in the edge of a puddle and was now soaked and covered in muck. When I looked up, my gaze ran smack into Remy Martin. “Oh shit.” Of course I said that out loud. You see, Remy was sexy as hell. At the moment, he happened to be wearing a pair of running shorts that molded to his legs, which were nothing but muscle. He was nothing but muscle. My eyes traveled up his legs and across his muscled chest. His heather gray T-shirt was damp with sweat and conveniently—as far as my eyes were concerned, that is—delineated every muscle of said sexy chest. When my gaze traveled to his face, mossy green eyes met mine, his dark blond hair mussed. Although his skin had a light sheen of sweat, he appeared barely winded. “Oh s**t?” he asked after staring at me for a moment. “Are you mad at me for existing?” His slow southern drawl slid over me. Remy’s voice was like honey and whiskey—rich with a hint of sweet, and so damn sexy. Just hearing him speak sent heat spinning through me. Fuck. This time, I kept my profanity to myself. I was sitting here, covered in mud, with the hottest man in town staring down at me. I felt my cheeks heating and was relieved I had mud on my face because perhaps it would obscure my blush. Score one for mud. “I was mad at the puddle, not you,” I replied, only half-lying. I was mad at the puddle, but I was also horrified to be in this state in his presence. With a shake of my head, I moved to scramble to my feet. I managed to get halfway up and then my foot slid out from under me again. Because it was that kind of day. Remy held a hand out, and I bit my lip with a sigh. Reaching up, his strong grip curled around my hand as he pulled me up easily. Once I was upright, he stepped back, making sure I was fully out of the puddle and on firmer ground before he released me. His eyes coasted over me. “Are you okay?” Embarrassed, flustered, and annoyed as hell at my body’s swift reaction to Remy’s presence, I managed to nod. “I’m fine, just a little dirty. Thanks for helping me up,” I said with a wry smile, gesturing at the mud streaks on my legs. Remy’s mouth kicked up at one corner in a half-grin. Sweet hell, his grins should be illegal. My lower belly clenched and heat radiated outward. “Anytime, darlin’,” he replied, his grin stretching to the other side of his mouth. “I presume that was your dog who just ran past me?” One of his brows hitched up. I had completely forgotten about Henry. That just went to show how easily Remy rattled me. “Yes, oh God, I need to catch up to him.” As I started to turn, Remy put his hand on my elbow. Before I could say a word, he spoke. “Wait.” The word was low, and somehow authoritative. But then, everything about Remy was powerful and authoritative. Oh, and sexy as hell. Did I mention that yet? The man practically dripped s*x with his southern drawl, his fit, muscled body, and his dangerously heated gaze. To top it all off—nature really had been too generous with him—he had chiseled features, high cheekbones, and full lips. The man could’ve been a model. Yet, he seemed oblivious to his effect on women. He was always gracious and polite. I had two conflicting impulses whenever I was near Remy. I wanted to throw myself at him. And, I wanted to curl up in his arms and be held, to have his strength wrapped around me. Remy was that kind of man, the kind you knew would save you if you needed saving. Before I even had a chance to ask why Remy wanted me to wait, Henry appeared, dashing toward us and stopping right in front of Remy. Looking down at him, I couldn’t help but laugh. “Of course you come when I’m not even calling.” Henry wagged his entire body, practically vibrating when Remy dropped his hand from my elbow and knelt down to pet him. Remy didn’t seem to care one bit that Henry was covered head to toe in mud and was l*****g his face all over. Even my dog liked Remy. When Remy straightened, Henry circled around my legs, and I reached down to pet him. It didn’t matter if he got mud on me because I was already covered in it. I looked over at Remy. “Thanks again for helping me up.” Remy smiled, his gorgeous green eyes crinkling at the corners. “Anytime, darlin’.” He was quiet for a beat, his gaze considering. “You sure you’re okay?” “I’m fine. Just in serious need of a shower.” Leaning down, I clipped Henry’s leash on his collar. He didn’t usually dash off, but I preferred to keep him close until we were back in my car. “Thanks again,” I said with a wave as I started to walk. When I took a step, sharp pain shot from my knee. A gasp hissed through my teeth when I paused. Remy was back at my side in a flash. “I’ll walk you back.” “Oh my God, I can walk, Remy. I banged my knee when I fell. It’s no biggie,” I insisted. He ignored me and stepped to the side where Henry was, taking the leash from me and sliding his other hand into the crook of my elbow. “I can’t let you walk back alone. The last thing I want is for you to slip and fall again.” I wanted to argue, but I sensed Remy was going to walk with me, whether I argued the point or not. “Fine,” I muttered. We didn’t have far to go. Within a few minutes, we reached the parking lot at the base of the trail. I let Henry into the back of my car, and he immediately started lapping up water from his travel bowl. Remy grinned. “Smart,” he said, gesturing to the towels layered on the carpet in the back of my small SUV. “Oh, I’m always prepared for Henry to get dirty.” I closed the back of the SUV when Henry curled up and rested his chin on his paws, checking to make sure the windows in the back were cracked open. I turned to look at Remy, and caught him taking a nice, long look at my a*s. Heat rushed to my cheeks, yet somehow, I didn’t mind. Seeing as I considered him eye candy, I guessed it was fair play for him to check me out. I couldn’t resist commenting though. “Were you just staring at my a*s?”