My eyes open to the sound of loud, incessant beeping outside. I've just had the best sleep I've had in ages, and I don't want to wake up yet. I wish they'd be quiet. It's still so early in the morning the sun is barely up. I pull the blanket up over my head. I wonder why the texture feels different from my worn-out daisy blanket when yesterday rushes back to me.

I bolt upright. I'm inside the back of the rig from the diner. I'd only meant to lay low for a couple of minutes, but the woodsy smell inside the cab had my eyes closing, and the next thing I knew, a warm hand was brushing hair from my face.

I couldn't make out much of him at first until he leaned forwards, and the moonlight danced across his handsome face. His brown and silver hair reminded me of an untamed wolf, but his eyes were a warm chocolate brown. Soft and kind, even though his body is huge and burly. Most truck drivers let themselves go but not Hudson. His arms were thick, like boulders and his shirt stretched tautly over his chest. And when he stood up, I about fainted because he was so tall.

Aside from all that, something about him makes me feel safe. I don't know how. He's so much bigger than all my stepbrothers. I should be running for the hills, but his eyes held no malice—nothing for me to be scared of.

The beeping finally stops outside. There are a couple of loud clicks and a few people yelling instructions. Curious and no longer tired, I peek the top of my bedhead over the seats. We're at some large freight yard with lots of large storage bins. The window is propped open a smidgen, and I can smell the salt from the ocean. A thrill runs through my body. I've never been to the ocean. Right then, I make it my plan to see the ocean first. Then after that, I'll figure out what to do.

"Thanks, guys. Have a good one." Hudson yells as he hops in the front of the cab. If it had been a regular truck like Nick's, I don't think he'd fit, not with his height. "You're awake."

He's looking at me from the rearview mirror. Those handsome eyes stare back at me, and more sparks go off inside my body like last night when he said my name aloud.

I squeal, dropping down behind the seats as his eyes crinkle into a dazzling smile. It's too much. Parts of me I didn't even know existed all of a sudden are going off like crazy. Especially the heat swirling between my legs. What's happening to me?

"Maya?" His voice is sultry. "Angel, it would be safer if you rode up front with me."

I know he's right, but my damn legs have turned to jello.

"Maya, are you okay?"

I count to three, calming my frantic pulse, "yes," I say, counting again before standing up and awkwardly throwing myself over the seat.

Hudson groans, and my cheeks turn red when I open my eyes and see where I've landed. My face is squarely planted in his lap. Warning bells go off in my head, but I'm too embarrassed to move.

I feel his hot palm against the back of my neck, his fingers wrapping around and squeezing gently before he helps me upright. For a moment, I thought he was going to do something else, but I don't know what?

"Sorry," I say, utterly mortified I'd just ended up with my face in his crotch. Not the best first impression. Technically, that was last night when he caught me stowed away in the back of his cab.

"It's fine," he reaches past me. His woodsy smell engulfs me, making my heart go wild. He's so close I have to close my eyes. I can feel his breath on my cheek. There's a loud click, and the seatbelt tightens over my breasts. My eyes snap open as he sits back and turns on the engine. I feel silly, thinking he was going to kiss me when all he wanted to do was put my seatbelt on.

Everything's happening so fast that I don't have time to ask him to let me out as we pull out of the giant warehouse. My tongue gets all twisted as I try and speak. Instead, I ask, "where are we going?"

"Breakfast," he groans hungrily, and I feel my stomach flutter.