ntire life was crammed into the trunk in a series of tote bags and grocery sacks, some luggage, and a long

ps as a child, but she did manage to accompany her younger brother on all of his Boy Scout

o all the things that were normally reserved for boys. An hour with knots would buy them some time. Basic a

xtended period of time, as did much of her obsession with earning enou

ating from high school, where she studied English and Philosophy at the Lyceum of the Philippi

up, her tail between her legs—and now, of course, she would have to call her father to come pick

eceived word of her only daughter's return t

er rustling around on her kitchen desk. "I'll call Jonas and inform him. Did you know

h a native of their city sent a shiver

Rhian was pretty sure Jonas Santos would b

long winding sky that went on past the curve of the horizon, wind mill farms positioned every few dozen miles and swallowing up the sky with their

that she would want to stay here forever was beyond Rhian's co

the idea of another relationsh

age of everything she didn't want in a relationship. Simon, on the other hand, was nice, caring, attentive, and cute—Rhian just d

the same way. Leaving Rhian was not

the idea of another relationsh

age of everything she didn't want in a relationship. Simon, on the other hand, was nice, caring, attentive, and cute—Rhian just d

the same way. Leaving Rhian was not

d had a regular boyfriend on top of that until two months ago. But she could still be the Ice Queen, the one who used a shovel to ge

ay. She dashed back to her dorm, scribbled the essay, and handed it in before class ended.

g lot. The day was hot—hotter than it was supposed to be, with temperatures easily exceeding forty degree Celcius. It

s were all nerves. She took a rag from the trunk that held all of her belongings and popped the hood. Heat and smoke rushed into her face, forc

h. So long as everyt

red as it slid down the engine chassis. She didn't know much about cars, but it appeared

a tank or two of water in the back. It had come in handy for him more than once. She had tried to forget such things—had tried to forget a lot about her

ular. He was dressed in a tight black t-shirt that was practically painted to his heavily chiseled

nosis. A dark and thick beard was trimmed close to his chin. His g

She was under-dressed because that kind of stare from that kind of man made her want to strip nak

her was itchin

to one side as he approached, unsure how to approa

abruptly ending an alliance formed years ago when

over the damage. "That's what you

and say something intellige

Allow him to think you're an idiot

d made a sound decision in his head. He was holding a leather jacket vest with

amn college degree. She was more than a pair of long legs in skinny jeans and a pair of breasts in a slim shirt, she was more than a piec

overworked." M

ctance was quickly replaced by clumsy babbling. "I should have brought water, but there wasn't enough space in the car with everything else." You kno

ll, I'm from there as we

's. She took it with a firm grip. Rhian had spent a lot of time practicing her h

s—but then, he didn't try to squeeze her

herself. "It's a pleas

it you don't know an

d y

me; I'll expla

ng to follow me home?" she as

to need a ride." "If you want, I can assist you; I make it

not fro

do you want my assistance

where his hands might wander. He didn't appear to be a man who said "no" often...or at all. If he did hear it, he w

art fl

I can call. They’ll want to see me anyway. I

u around, then, Rhian.

aid "no" often...or at all. If he did hear it, he was not the type of man to pay att