The Dangerous Curves Series

Chapter 76

“Oh, much better.” Sarah took a sip of her drink, and Naomi watched every movement as she set the glass down. “My balance is coming back slowly, as I regain mobility. I’m remembering things better, too. Mac was right and I’m often triggered by my senses. Touch and sight, mostly.”

“That’s amazing,” Naomi said, completely forgetting her tension at being in Curves for a few seconds. “And how is Noah handling what happened?”

“Incredibly well. I think that he’s more adaptable to new situations than we thought. He’s getting way better at breaking routine, though he still needs some every day. And he needs a heads-up, you know, if something different’s about to happen. Sometimes he loses it, but that’s happening less and less often.”

“So you think he’s ready for the program?”

“I do. I’ve talked to him about it a few times, and he loves the thought of being able to take his backpack to the center every day, and to paint with other people around. He’s also pretty excited about being able to buy his own baseball cards and puzzles with money that he’s earned himself.”

Naomi hesitated. “And – and what about the man who attacked you?”

“Dave?” Sarah’s voice was pure ice. “In jail, killing time. No bail for him, since he’s shown himself to be a flight risk.”

“You’ll have to go to trial?”

“We’ll see. There may be a plea bargain.”

“How do you feel about that?” Naomi’s eyes were gentle.

“I’m not sure, to be honest. I guess I have to see what his lawyers offer.”

Jax came back now, carrying Naomi’s coffee, and she found that she was slightly disappointed that the sexy blond hadn’t brought it to her. She was a sucker for Texan men and their accents.

“There you go,” he said.

“Thank you.” She stirred in some sugar, took a sip. “So we’ve talked about every detail on the phone, except for one thing…”

“I haven’t told you the actual amount I’ll be donating to your organization. That’s here.” Jax handed her a piece of paper, and her eyes widened.

“But – but – that’s… are you sure?” she said.

Jax nodded.

Naomi stared at the dollar amount again, calculating what could be done with that much money. It made her head spin, and she glanced up, trying to fight back her tears of shock and gratitude.

“Thank you,” she whispered.

“And actually, there will be more than that,” Sarah said.

“M – more?”

“Uh-huh.” Jax grinned. “A friend of ours will also be making a sizable donation to the Art With Heart program.”

She swallowed. “They will?”

“Yep. His name’s Matt Kingston.”

“OK.” Naomi regained control of herself, and managed to regain her professional calm. Well, as much as she could hold on to in this goddamn bar. “Will he be contacting me directly? Or should I meet him separately?”

“Oh, no. King’s on his way here now.”

“Oh.” Naomi smiled. “Great.”

Bang on cue, the door opened, and Naomi blinked as a man stood there in the doorjamb for a minute. He was backlit and illuminated, and all she could think was that he had to be – quite literally – the biggest man she’d ever seen. Tall and broad, she could feel his power radiating across the cement floor at her. Her reaction was visceral, instinctive, and she shivered.

He stepped into the bar, and shut the door. Naomi saw him clearly now, and she felt ripples of pure lust crawl over her skin. Dark hair, cropped close to his head; gray eyes that nailed her to the spot in the booth. Black leather jacket, jeans, boots. Stubble on his square chin, heavy silver rings on his thick fingers. Hard, strong, tough as hell, pure s*x on legs.

His raw masculinity was like an onslaught of testosterone and heat, and she was flattened by it. In her mind, she was on the floor, gasping, her trim little pencil skirt hauled up and over her quivering thighs, being ravished and overwhelmed by this man. All he had to do was touch her, just once, and she was sure she’d melt into a puddle of desire on the spot.

Jesus. That is what trouble looks like.

He grinned at her now, and seeing that hard face flash with light slayed Naomi all over again, in a totally different way. She nodded back, so prim and proper, then dropped her eyes. She assumed he was a bar patron, so when he came over to the table and hugged Sarah, Naomi felt a bizarre combination of horror and delight.

Lord have mercy… please don’t tell me that this is Matt Kingston. Also? Please let this be Matt Kingston.

He turned to her now, extended a huge hand. “Hi, Naomi. Matt Kingston.”

Fuck. Me.