In the arms of the enemy- Curvygirl/Hot guy romance- Sample

Chapter 3- Run for your life

Chapter 3

"Sir, are you okay?" I asked, my voice laced with concern. He turned toward me, and my breath caught in my throat. It was the same man from the plane—those intense blue eyes locking onto mine, sending a shiver down my spine. Something primal stirred within me, as though I'd been struck by lightning.

"Yes," he replied, rubbing his leg. "I'm sorry. I tried to catch him, but I missed."

"It's okay. You could have been hurt," I said, ignoring the strange sensation coursing through me. "Come on, let me help you up." He took my hand, his touch sending a jolt of electricity through me. What was happening to me? I'd just been robbed; I should be in shock, not feeling this strange pull toward a stranger.

"Are you sure you're, okay? You have blood on your trousers." I asked, noticing a spot on his jeans.

"It's just a scratch. If it weren't for that damned taxi, I would have caught him."

He looked sexy on the plane from a distance, but his looks were devastating in proximity. I trembled as I took in his tanned olive skin, his sky-blue eyes, and his full lips. I was staring, and I had to stop it. He'll think I'm odd. That was exactly how I was feeling, odd and alive at the same time. I was shivering inside and my pulse had gone up without control. Was I going to have a heart attack or something?

"Hey, are you ok?"

No. I wasn't. I came a long way to meet Joseph, and right now he was the last of my thoughts. Instead of replying, my eyes lingered over his body, which was equally sexy. His broad shoulders were covered in a white t-shirt, stretching over the chest area and exposing his sculpted stomach. Were the Italians all like this?

"You're in shock." He said as he grabbed my hand and walked with me toward the airport. "You have to file a police report. I've seen the thief, so I'll try to help with the description. What did he take?"

"Everything," I murmured. My skin tingled as he kept his hand in mine. "My purse, my money, my passport..."

"Oh, that's pretty bad. Are you here on holiday?" He asked.

"Not really. I've come to visit my boyfriend. He was supposed to come for me, but something must have happened as he didn't show up."

"Is this your first visit? I gather you're American from the accent."

"Yes, I am. Yeah, it's my first visit. I'm Catherina Mitchell and you are..."

But he ignored me as he suddenly halted at the entrance. He let go of my hand. The man stilled and gazed around. He looked towards the desks.

"What's wrong?" I asked, trying to see what he was seeing. I glanced at the people inside. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary.

"This is not right." He whispered. Suddenly, I saw two men dressed in dark suits coming our way. "Run, run for your life!" He shouted as he snatched my hand and dragged me out of the airport with force. Armed men sprinted behind us. What the hell was going on?

He dashed ahead, leaving me struggling to keep pace. But try as I might, I couldn't match his speed. My breath came in ragged gasps, my heart pounding furiously against my ribcage. Pain lanced through my abdomen, and I staggered, my knees buckling beneath me.

"What are you doing?" He shouted. "You can't slow down now."

I pulled in a lungful of breath. "Listen, I don't know what it's happening, but whatever your problem is, I have nothing to do with it. They are after you, not me, so I don't know why I'm even running away from them."

"You're a freak!" He hissed. "I just saved your life! Now come on, hurry or they'll reach us." I saw him gazing behind me.

"You go. I'm going back to the airport." I said, stopping near a car in the airport parking.

"They'll kill you if you go back. You're mistaken, they are not after me. They want you."

I glanced up into his face and I shivered. I felt the blood drain from my face. Was he kidding? As I looked at his worried gaze, his taut face, I realised he wasn't.

"Me? Why would they want me? Listen Mr, there must be a mistake ok. I don't know who they are. I came to Italy to see my boyfriend. I did nothing wrong."

He didn't let me finish; he took hold of my arm and pushed me with such force that I almost stumbled.

"Shut up and run!" He ordered. "There is no time for futile talking."

"We can't run forever. I'm tired." I cried.

He ignored me and kept sprinting. I tried to keep up with him, but I couldn't. He ran too fast, and I was too heavy and out of training. I was panting. I sucked in short, sharp breaths. My heart was beating so fast I thought it would leave my body any time, and my abdomen hurt like hell. I slowed down and then I fell to my knees.

"Damn it," he cursed, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "Get up. Do you want to live or not?"

"What kind of question is that? Of course, I want to live. It's just.... Nobody would want to kill me. You've mistaken me for someone else."

"There's no mistake, Cathy. This isn't the time for debate. You're in serious trouble. I'm not sure who's after you, but this wasn't part of the plan."

"What plan? My God, what have I gotten myself into? And who are you, anyway? You haven't even told me your name."

"And I have no intention of doing so. You got yourself into this mess all on your own."

"But—" I began, only to be abruptly cut off as he lunged at me, pushing me under a nearby truck. Before I could react, his body pinned mine to the ground, his arms wrapped protectively around me, shielding me from view. Shock rendered me momentarily speechless as I felt the weight of his body pressing down on mine.

"Stay put. Don't say a word." He whispered in my ear. His warm breath on my collar made me get goosebumps all over my body and I couldn't help but tremble beneath him. Then, the sound of approaching footsteps filled me with dread. My heart raced as I watched two men stop just a few feet away from us. One of them loomed dangerously close, his boots nearly brushing against my arm. I held my breath, paralyzed with fear.

"They've escaped?" one of the men muttered in Italian, believing we were no longer nearby.

"They can't be far," the other replied, scanning the area. In reality, we were right under their noses.

As they continued their search, my companion whispered again, his voice low and urgent. "They're leaving. I'm going to remove my hand from your mouth, but you mustn't utter a word." With trembling hands, he released his grip, allowing me to draw in a shaky breath. His scent enveloped me, strong and masculine, momentarily distracting me from the danger we were in. If circumstances were different, I might have revelled in the closeness of his embrace. But now was not the time for such thoughts. We remained still until he was certain the coast was clear, then he carefully lifted himself off me.

"Are you alright?" he asked, his concern evident in his voice.

"Who are you?" I demanded, my voice trembling with fear.

"Your saviour," he replied cryptically.

"Why were they coming after me? What did I do?"

He cast a sidelong glance at me. "You should never have boarded that plane. You've landed yourself in hot water now. Be prepared to face the consequences."

I was utterly bewildered, but I remained silent, trying to make sense of the events that had unfolded in the past few hours. Suddenly, I regretted ever attempting to change my life. I longed to be back home, living my mundane existence.