Vulcan Alvaro knew it when something was getting under his skin. Heck that rarely happened so when it does, it scared him. The only person who had managed to do that was his ex-girlfriend Alexia Brooke. However, now someone else wanted to get under his skin and it was none other than Davina King. What? Yes, his mind was blown too. He had only just met her like, a week ago at his party, which she ruined thank you very much. That night, when he had laid in bed and could not sleep, he had thought that stunt she pulled had kept him awake. However, today after seeing her again, he was more than sure her fearless and strong attitude had been what had impressed him. As a ruthless businessman, though he was not like that with family and close friends, everyone feared him in one way or the other and hence watched their words when speaking to him. But no, Davina King was not like that. From the first time he laid eyes on her, he could tell she was different. Instead of being flirty like most women behaved around him, or even act shy and innocent, she had stared at him, challenging him. And then when she opened her mouth and spoke to him, he had been blown away. She spoke as if sailors raised her. She was fearless, spoke her mind and did not give a damn what others thought about her.

Alexia had been just like that too, but it seemed after this outburst, Miss King had a bit more attitude than his ex.

“Put me down, now!” Davina screeched.

Vulcan almost growled at her to shut up because she was hurt, but decided to ignore her. She would only go crazier if he tried to reason with her now. After all the toxins she spewed at him a minute ago, there was no doubt she would still be mad. No furious was the word for it. Davina struggled in his arms, trying to jump out of them.

“Hey stay still!” He said, trying not to drop her. “You hurt your leg.”

“It’s my ankle!” She snapped. “Just put me down and I will be out of here.” She added, pushing at his chest.

Vulcan knew he had to let her down, because the chance of her jumping out of his arms was very high. Yes, he believed she was that crazy. Slowly but swiftly, he lowered her onto the table and dropped to his knees. She quickly brought her hands to push her sundress between the juncture of her legs. He almost laughed at her incredulity. Did she think that little of him? Did she really think he would try to peak at her underwear, or what the heck was she insinuating. He was not a pervert. Unlike Valdes. Antonio Valdes, now that was a man she should beware of. Yet, she was working with him. This shit is crazy!

“Which leg?” He asked, ignoring what she did.

“I don’t need your help.” She replied stubbornly, glaring down at him.

Vulcan placed a hand to his hip and threw her an incredulous look. “Really?” He asked, rising from his position. Now she had to tilt her head up a fraction to be able to look at his face. Vulcan stood at an impressive height of 6’2 while Davina was probably 5’9. If she were not afraid of him for anything but for his height, she should be scared how he towered over her easily. “Okay, let’s say I decided to listen to you. And not help. How would you walk out of here?”

“I… I will… limp… or crawl. Whichever one is easiest.”

He burst into a fit of laughter. His shoulder shook as the sound of his laughter echoed around the corner. Vulcan had to give this one to her. He could not believe it! She was ready to crawl than receive help from him. Davina King sure did despise him. When his laughter subsided, he asked her. “Tell me you are not serious?”

The utter seriousness on Davina’s face did it for him. He continued to laugh harder, clutching his abdomen in the process. Vulcan could not remember the time someone made him laugh. Heck, he could not even remember the last time he laughed this hard. His foul mood, which was brought upon by Davina King has been made to disappear by her as well. She was both a formidable enemy and a good company. What a deadly combination! Wiping the small tear that dotted his eye with his thumb, he looked down at Davina who was already staring at him. She no longer looked pissed. Instead, an amused look crossed her features. Her sky blue eyes stared straight at him, unblinking. All the laughter suddenly disappeared from him, and then he stared back.

Davina was a beautiful young woman. He had to admit. With her heart-shaped face, complete with a set of beautiful sky-blue eyes, which made him feel like he was floating in the sky, a small but firm nose and plump lips, which frankly he was curious to learn how they taste like. She had a slim figure, but not too skinny like those models in the magazines. That kind of skinny was not sexy at all. Those model need to get food into the body to fill up those space. But who was he to talk. Now to put the cherry on top of the cake, she had beautiful long legs that seem to go on for miles, the longer one looked at them. Overall, she was a very attractive woman who could get any man wrapped around her little finger.

As Vulcan continued to stare into that endless abyss of whirling blue. He felt hypnotised. Her sky blue eyes were just too alluring. Just like the sky after a storm. It was beautiful and left you in awe. The depths of her eyes however, was what made all of this dangerous. He saw pain, anger, frustration, doubt, fear. The vibes just blew him away. As he stared intently, getting even more lost in them, he felt as if he was looking straight into her soul.

The clearing of a throat snapped both of them from the trance they fell in together. Raising his head, Vulcan noticed the waiter had returned with his meal. He placed the assorted dishes on Vulcan’s side of the table.

“Excuse me,” Davina sounded breathless as she tried to get off the table.

“Wait!” Vulcan slammed his hands down on either side of her, trapping her where she sat. He was not going to allow this stubborn young woman get worse under his watch. He was going to help her whether she liked it or not.

“I don’t…”

She started to protest, but he quickly ordered her. “Shut up!” She fell silent at once. Her lips tightened together as if someone sew it shut, but her eyes…those things stared at him, as wide as saucers. Fire flashed inside them but he ignored her and dropped to his knees once more. She wound her legs together tucking what he suspected was the injured leg to the back. He reached out and grabbed her legs, separating them. As soon as he took hold of that leg, she let out a gasp. Bingo. He thought while bringing the leg to his knee. He decided to undo the straps of the sandal to free it from its bondage. Her knees shook as he gently touched the sprained ankle. Another gasp left her lips as she tried to pull her leg. Vulcan would not have it. He raised his hand and wrapped his fingers around her calf, which came around to her sheen, in a tight grip. Another gasp was heard, and he could not stop the knowing smirk that formed on his face. So she liked the feel of his hand against her bare skin, he thought. Using his free hand, he went ahead to knead the injured ankle with his thumb.

“OUCH!” She gasped, writhing her leg to get free of Vulcan’s torturous hands.

“Stay still, would you?” He asked.

“Stop! It hurts!” She cried out, still trying to get free of his hold.

“This is the only way.” He told her, still massaging the ankle with his thumb.

“Stop! Stop! Stop!” He heard the pain in her voice and decided to stop because he knew how bad it must hurt. A loud breath escaped her lips, but she still panted as he unfolded his length before her. Her face was morphed in a pained expression and sweat coated her forehead, temples and nose. Pain and anger flashed in her eyes as she glared at him. He waited for an outburst, yet none came. Clearly, she was still recovering from the experience. However, he would not call that an experience to remember because who wanted to recall pain?

Silence fell between them as they exchanged looks. Vulcan wanted to find out if she felt any better, but kept it to himself after seeing her expression. He knew perhaps the massage eased some of the pain away and she could at least limp just the way she wanted, but they just had to wait until this pain passed in order to find out.

“You…” Davina chose that moment to break the silence. She sounded breathless. And the unmistakable scowl on her face told him she wasn’t about to say thank you. “You only made it worse!” She gasped, reached down to touch her ankle with a trembling hand.

“No, I made it…”

“I asked you not to touch me!” She raised her voice, cutting him short. “It hurts.” It was a whimper but he heard her clearly, saw the pained expression still itched on her face and knew she was telling the truth. It did hurt.

“It was not my intention to make it worse. Believe me. Plus, this is a remedy that helps soothe the pain. That is why I did it.” Did he just explain himself to someone? Vulcan felt stunned for a millisecond.

“You are no doctor, okay?” She snapped while squeezing her eyes shut and hissing in pain. At that moment, he knew he should not have taken matters into his own hands. He should have listened to her when she asked him not to touch her or rather ignored her when she refused him help and just taken her to a professional. Now he felt bad. She looked worse than she did before his kneading incident. What if it was not a sprain as he thought and she had actually broken a bone. The words left his lips without a second thought. “I am sorry.”

The instant swell of her eyes made him wonder if he said something wrong. It was only an apology nothing big. But then again he knew she thought the worse of him and probably thought he was incapable of offering an apology when wrong. Yeah, she had literary just called him heartless with her ‘his heart was as small as a peanut’ comment, but he was not going to let that affect his good morals. He was a good man, all those who have had the chance to get to know him could testify on that. He was someone who accepts it when he made a mistake and bore its consequences like the responsible person he was.

The seconds ticked by, dragging the silence until Davina tore her startled gaze from him, clearing her throat. He had thought she was about to speak, but instead, she opened her purse and brought out her phone. Getting a hint of what she was about to do, he quickly snatched it from her. “Hey!” She protested.

“Come, I will take you to a hospital.” He declared while scooping her into his arms once again.

“Vulcan Alvaro, put me down right now!” It was an order and he chose to ignore it. Her hands pushed against his arm that was around her waist, prying with her fingers to get herself loose. “And give me back my phone!” She continued to struggle.

“Shut up, Davina. Damn!” Vulcan had had enough! She stilled instantly, all her movements ceasing at once. He looked at the annoying young woman in his arms and had to draw a breath to calm his rising anger before he exploded with pure white rage. She stared up at him all doe-eyed. A look that was certified to melt even the hardest of hearts. Letting out a defeated sigh, he started out of the private area of the restaurant. Little miss sassy pants, did not even squirm once as he exited the restaurant with him. It seemed instead, that she did not want anyone seeing and recognising her. Hence, she turned her face to his chest, burring it in the juncture where his shoulder and arm met. He felt her inhale and he wondered if she liked his cologne.

Vulcan placed her gently into the passenger seat of his brown-leather interior Land Cruiser, strapped her to it and then got behind the wheel. None spoke a word to the other as he pulled out of the restaurant and took the untarred road. Vulcan had no idea where to locate a hospital in this town, since he only just arrived here four hours ago. He knew he could just ask, Davina since she was a native of this place but right now he did not want to talk to her. Hence, he dialled Derek’s number and connected the phone to the car’s speakers. On the second ring, his assistant answered. “Where can I find a hospital in this town?” He did not have time to beat about the bush.

“Uh…” Derek drawled. “Hold on a second,” he said and sounds of fingers tapping away filtered through the speakers. The seconds ticked by and Vulcan slowed down, waiting to hear from Derek. “Ah, here we go.” He started and then mentioned a name of a hospital. He added that he was private so the services would be swift.

“Thanks.” And then Vulcan hanged up. He punched in the name of the hospital on the car’s GPS and discovered it was not too far from his current location.

“You know you could have asked me, right?”

Vulcan turned to look at Davina for a second. “Yes,” and then he returned his focus on the road before him. “But I preferred I’d rather not.”

“Anyway,” a sigh came from Davina. “I don’t want to go to a hospital. You can drop me off at the next junction and I will find my way home.” She told him.

“No!” His answer was curt.

“Mr Alvaro, I understand that you want to help me, but I don’t need your help. I can take care of myself just fine.”

Vulcan ignored her and pushed some buttons on the dashboard, soon music started booming from the speakers.

“Mr Alvaro!” Davina called, getting exasperated. When he still did not spare her a glance, she reached her hand out to stop the music, but he quickly released one hand from the steering wheel and caught hers before it reached its destination. Her palm slid smoothly through his until her fingers tangled with his and he clasp it together. It was something out of a movie. And they loved like a couple in love enjoying a leisurely cruise.

Vulcan held on to her, without thinking of letting go. He could not risk her doing something crazy. Moreover, her hand fitted like a glove into his, it seemed they were made for each other. His gaze remained at their hands for a few seconds until it dawned on him how intimate it looked. She tugged at her hand and he quickly let her go, asking himself why he had held on anyway.

Davina cleared her throat and demanded. “Give me back my phone.”

Vulcan quickly dug into his pocket, where he had deposited it and drew it out. She was quick to snatch it from him. He averted his gaze to the road, turning into the straight road leading to the hospital. That instant, he made up his mind not to let her affect him again in any way.

He came to this town on business and that was what he was going to do.

 
Davina had no idea what was wrong with her. Most importantly, she had no idea what was wrong with Mr Alvaro. He was acting… strange. Totally was not how she had envisioned him. Yes, he had showed his arrogant side by demanding she stopped what she was doing. However, his behaviour after she so stupidly twisted her ankle totally contrasted the earlier man she saw. He became kind, sweet. He actually helped her even though she was had not wanted it. Scratch that, not help. He made her situation worse by rubbing her ankle numb. It was true that it had hurt as he touched. However, she could not also deny the fact that she had lost her breath. His touch had been a completely new feeling. Tingles, sparks, flutters, she felt it all slam into her as his calloused thumb rubbed against her skin. She hated to admit it but his touch had been heaven. It was very different from the way she remembers a man’s touch. Especially, a particular man’s touch.

A bone-chilling shiver rushed down her spine as goosebumps covered her skin. Bile rose in the back of her throat and she quickly swallowed. A memory that had been tacked away years ago, threatened to break out and she shook her head. No, she did not want to remember. Not now. Not here. In front of Vulcan Alvaro.

Almost instantly, the phone in her hand vibrated. Davina glanced at the screen and smiled. After pressing the answer button, she almost screeched. “Marisa! How nice of you to call me.”

“Veena where are you?” Marisa asked, but did not wait for a reply and then continued talking. “I came home only to find dad alone. He said something about meeting a friend, so I dashed to Gaby’s but did not find you there. Now I for one know that that is the only place you always meet up with friends but since you were not there, I knew you definitely lied to your dad. So now tell me, you little lair. Where are you? And who are you with? Hey, is that music playing in the background? Are you in a club? You know it is too early in the day to drink, right. Will you…”

“Marisa!” Davina had to put a stop to her blabbering. Knowing Marisa and her chit chatty ways, she could talk for a whole hour if one does not stop her. “I am not in a club.” She replied.

“So you are with someone! ” The girl said, matter-of-factly.

“Yes. I did meet up with…” Davina paused to look over her shoulder at Vulcan who stayed focused on driving. “…someone.” She added.

“Someone who?” She knew Marisa would want more details.

“I can’t tell. But can you please come to that private hospital down the road from Gaby’s? I…”

“Oh my God, what happened to you?” Marisa cut Davina short before she could talk further. “Were you in an accident? Was the person you were meeting in an accident? Whom did you meet anyway? You are not answering my questions Davina!” It was a warning at the end of her sentence.

“If you stayed quiet long enough, maybe I would answer your questions.” Davina heaved a sigh, trimming the hand that Vulcan had held through her hair. “But not now. I will tell you everything when we meet. Please hurry up and get there as quickly as you can. I need you.” She whispered the last part and then ended the call.

The next time Davina felt her phone ring, it was an hour later. Mr Alvaro had found the hospital and got her to the ER. Now she felt better after seeing the doctor and having her leg bandaged. She was getting her medication from the pharmacists when Marisa’s call came in.

“Took you long enough!” Were the first words out of Davina’s mouth after pressing the answer button.

“Hey, I am finally here okay?” Marisa stated. “Where are you? I am at the reception and…” A gasp tore out of her mid-sentence.

“What?” Davina asked, wondering what made her friend react that way. “Marisa?”

“Oh my god!” She gasped louder and then silence prevailed.

“Marisa, what’s up?” Now Davina was getting exasperated. “Say something will…”

“He is even more handsome in person.” She gasped.

“Who?” Davina wondered.

“Uh…he…I…” Marisa was stuttering.

“Use your words!” Davina almost yelled, tightening her hold on the phone.

“Vulcan Alvaro!” Marisa blurted out, making Davina sigh and roll her eyes. “He is so handsome in person. I swear the magazines do not do justice to the man in real life. He is so hot. And so sexy. Oh my goodness Davina you should see him. He is seriously eye candy.”

“Ugh,” Davina groaned, rolling her eyes again. She could literally fell Marisa’s drool through the phone. “He is not that hot.” She countered earning another gasp from Marisa.

“Here you go Miss.” The pharmacist called her at that moment, handing her the medications she would need to heel her twisted ankle. Putting Marisa on hold for a second, she collected them and whispered a thank you. Davina turned and started to hop down the hallway. The doctor had advised that she use crutches for the meantime, but Davina vehemently refused. She was already bummed that she could not go anywhere for the next week. Not only will that affect her plans, but it will also draw back her work. Therefore, adding those supports to the picture would really tick her off and make her feel utterly useless.

Vulcan Alvaro suddenly turned the corner in the distance and started towards her. Davina stopped abruptly when she saw him. Gazing at him, she asked herself if he had looked like this in the restaurant because she did not remember him being this hot and sexy. His denims cupped his thighs, moulding the muscles as he walked. His shirt clang to him like a second skin. She could see the lines of what she suspected were drool worthy abs beneath the shirt. He walked confidently and oozed power and male masculinity. His expression was unreadable. His eyes locked on hers and even from that distance, those brown eyes arrested her attention. Marisa was right. Vulcan Alvaro was eye candy. And he was not even wearing one of those expensive suits.

A gasp tore from Davina as she suddenly remembered she had kept her friend on hold. Before she could pull her phone out of her bag, she noticed Marisa turning that same corner Vulcan had come from.

“I asked you to wait for me.” Vulcan sighed as he got to her.

“You know I don’t take orders from…” A gasp escaped her lips right in the middle of her sentence as he swept her into his arms abruptly.

“I am sorry. You were saying?” He asked, looking down at her while turning around.

Davina frowned, wishing she could slap that smirk that tugged at the corner of his lips. He did that on purpose. The scoundrel! She almost made a comeback, but became tongue-tied when she noticed Marisa. The look on her friend’s face, said it all. The wide eyes, the sagging jaw, the petrified look. Marisa was stunned to see them together. Unbeknownst to Vulcan, he walked straight passed the shocked looking woman.

“Wait!” Davina’s voice was a croak. “I called someone to come pick me up.” He looked down at her. “She…” Davina pointed and he slowed down. Turning his shoulders, he looked behind him. “She will take me home.” She added, as Marisa came up to them, still looking shocked and speechless.

Silence preceded as they exchanged glances. Vulcan only had one question in his mind at that moment. Why was the woman that had been staring at him as if she had wanted to eat him in the reception area, now staring all wide eyed. Marisa on the other hand could not fathom what she was looking at. Although, she had many questions for her friend. Davina knew she would not getting off the hook for this one. She could see it in Marisa’s eyes. She wanted an explanation for this. She silently prayed her friend would keep quiet about this until they were alone.

“Do you want me to drop you both off?” Vulcan was the one to break the ice.

“No!”

“Yes!”

Came Davina and Marisa’s replies simultaneously. The two friends exchanged glances and then Marisa quickly added. “Yes, please take us home. We would like that.” She added, throwing a questioning look at Davina who glared.

Thirty minutes later, Vulcan was pulling in front of Davina’s home. It was a small two-bedroom house complete with a kitchenette and a sitting room. Davina was glad she was home. Finally, she could get rid of Vulcan and get back into her senses. She could not wait however, to hit the sack because she was tired. But first, she was going to have lunch, because she was famished.

“You don’t have to.” Davina told Vulcan who was unbuckling himself and no doubt intended on carrying her to the front door. No, she did not want that. She did not want to feel more indebted to him more than she was already. Moreover, she did not want the neighbours or even worse, her father seeing them and thinking his daughter has already found her prince charming. No! She knew she already had lots to explain to dad because Mr Alvaro was dropping her off at home. Believe her, the last thing she needed right now was misleading her father into thinking she finally put that incident behind her when she had not.

“Thank you.” Marisa spoke her thanks to him as she came around to help Davina out of the car.

“No problem.” He replied.

Almost instantly, the screeching sounds of tires rubbing against the gravelled driveway caught everyone’s attention. They watched as a jeep came to a stop beside Vulcan’s Land Cruiser. Antonio Valdes quickly rushed out of the car, storming to Vulcan Alvaro’s car.

“You stay away from her!” He warned, coming to the other side of the car where Davina and Marisa stood. One supporting the other. His eyes flared when he saw Davina’s bandaged leg. “What did you do to her you scoundrel?” He asked, nostrils flaring and hands clenching to fists by his sides.

Davina glanced back at Vulcan inside his car and saw anger flashing in his eyes. She saw how he gripped that poor steering wheel tightly.

“It’s okay, Antonio.” She said to the raging man. “I am fine. There’s no cause for alarm.”

No sooner did the words leave her lips, did Vulcan’s car started to move. He sped out of there as if someone was the hounds of hell were after him. Davina was finally glad he was gone.

However, what was that disapproving stare he threw at her.