Touched by Lightning [Dreams of You] (Romantic Suspense) by Tina Wainscott

of her coat touched his sleeve, though he was sure she didn’t know. Even bundled in her drab coat with her hair pulled back, the orange glow of sunlight streaming down over her made her look like an angel. For an unguarded moment, as she gazed at the sleeping puppy, her green eyes were filled with emotion. Her lower lip trembled so slightly that if he hadn’t been crouched only inches from her face, he would have missed it.
    “He’ll be all right,” he assured her, feeling a strange urge to take her in his arms and comfort her. Instead, he placed his hand over hers as it rested on the dog’s paw.
    She didn’t move away, as he expected, but he heard her slight intake of breath. The warmth between their hands intensified, and she looked up at him. There was such question in her eyes, and he wished he could answer whatever it was that she wondered. She removed her hand from beneath his, but he couldn’t pull his eyes from hers.
    “Thanks for your help.” She stood quickly and turned around. “I have to go now, but I’ll be back later.” She glanced at the puppy, then back to him. “Goodbye.”
    Adrian knew she meant that word in more than a casual sense. It would be easier for him to bid her the same and return to his life. This woman of mystery, his BlueFire, did not seem to want his help, or his friendship. She avoided his gaze every time he looked at her, crossed her arms in front of herself—everything to tell him to keep his distance. He closed the door behind them, stepping out into the afternoon sun. She headed down the sidewalk and turned right, probably heading back to the Laundromat to get her clothes.
    In the sun, her hair had a strawberry hue beneath the webbed strands of shawl still covering it. She didn’t look back at him, but cautiously glanced behind her before disappearing around the building.
    He couldn’t leave her, not until he found out why she was in danger. Maybe he could help, once he gained her trust. He followed the direction she had taken, taking his time so she would pass where his rental car was hidden.
     
     
    Nikki closed her eyes briefly as she walked, enjoying the sun on her face. She held her hand to her cheek, her fingers still tingling from Adrian’s touch. Then she shook it, chastising herself for the silly notion. He was a handsome man who cared about animals as she did. Soon he would be gone, and, judging from the way her heart’s rhythm had shot up when he touched her, the sooner the better. In any case, she couldn’t afford to befriend him.
    When she glanced behind her, she saw him following a block behind. That cold fear crawled through her veins. She had long ago learned not to show dread to the young men who hung on the street corners looking for customers, like the man on her left. They had stopped bothering her shortly after her arrival. But the handsome man who had come out of nowhere, who was following her, struck real fear into her. She glanced back again—he was still there.
    “Want some crack, pretty lady?” The man called to her as she approached.
    Nikki wasn’t worried about Adrian seeing her going to the Laundromat to retrieve her laundry, if it hadn’t been stolen. Her next stop, though, was her van, parked in an alley nearby. She had to get Crackers, and she couldn’t let anybody see her get into that van.
    As she passed the drug dealer, she whispered, “Ask that man back there. He was looking for some.” That should hold Adrian up for a minute or two.
     
     
     

CHAPTER 4
     
     
    When Adrian saw the sleazy man speak to Nikki, his protective instinct urged him to rush up and guard her. His common sense stopped him as his muscles tensed for action. After all, she had lived there for however long and seemed capable of taking care of herself. She actually looked more concerned about him, evidenced by her worried glances backward. Sure, he wanted to know where she slept at night, to make sure it was someplace safe, but right now his concern was