Chapter 1

I had been driving city buses for eight years.

On the late-night run at eleven-thirty, my bus was almost always empty.

Until last week, when everything changed.

A gorgeous young woman started getting on at the first stop, riding all the way to the end of the line.

She kept me company, chatted with me, and even brought me snacks.

With a beauty like her around, driving the graveyard shift didn't feel tiring at all.

On the eighth night, the moment she stepped onto the bus, she collapsed right into my arms.

"Driver... I don't have anywhere to go tonight. Can I stay at your place?"

My head spun. My mind went completely blank.

I was broke, had struck out on countless blind dates, and had stayed single all the way to thirty-five.

It had been ages since I was this close to a woman.

Instinctively, I held her tight, my hand unconsciously sliding down the curve of her hip and onto her bare leg.

The blare of a horn behind me snapped me back to reality.

Damn. I was still on the clock.

Reluctantly, I pulled my hands back and helped her steady herself.

"What's wrong? Did something happen?"

I pressed the gas, and the bus pulled away.

She took a seat in the very front row. Her eyes were red and watery as she told me her name was Elena.

She said she had moved to the city two weeks ago with a distant relative to find work. But they didn't make a dime, and the relative abandoned her.

Her rent was due today, she got kicked out, and she was completely stranded.

It all made sense now. That was why she spent two bucks every single night just to ride my bus to the end of the line.

I stole a glance at her pretty face in the rearview mirror, swallowing hard.

A vulnerable, gorgeous girl looking to me for shelter.

It felt like winning the jackpot.

Still, I knew pretty women could be trouble, so I kept my guard up just a little.

"Have you thought about calling the cops? If you can't survive out here, you could get help going back home."

Elena shook her head.

"I don't want to go back. Both my parents passed away. No one's waiting for me back there."

Before I could even process that, her soft, sweet voice drifted over.

"Jack, I've been watching you for days. I can tell you're a good man. I knew you'd help me."

Our eyes met in the rearview mirror.

A surge of heat rushed through my veins.

When a stunning woman throws herself at you, only an idiot says no.

Traffic was light at this hour. Over the past few days, I had driven deliberately slow just to stretch out my time with her.

Tonight, I slammed on the gas. In less than half an hour, I flew through the route and pulled into the terminal.

I told Elena to step off and wait for me outside.

Then I jogged into the dispatch office to drop off the bus keys.

My coworker, Ray, teased me with a grin. "Jack, what's got you grinning like an idiot? Hot date tonight?"

I didn't want him getting jealous, so I brushed it off. "Just ready to clock out, man. Hustle up."

I signed the logbook and hurried out. Elena was standing in a dim corner, shivering nervously.

I wanted to grab her hand, but seeing how tense she looked, I held back.

"Have you eaten?"

Elena offered an embarrassed little smile.

Got it. I took her to a late-night street diner to grab some food.

To my surprise, Ray showed up there too.

He had only started working here recently, another single guy living on his own, and his eyes practically popped out of his skull the second he saw Elena.

While Elena went to the restroom, he nudged my shoulder and leaned in. "Bro, where the hell did you find a smoke show like that?"

I smirked, playing it mysterious.

"Drive more night shifts, man. Play your cards right, and you might get lucky too."

I didn't bother chatting any further. I pulled Elena onto my scooter, twisted the throttle, and sped off.

The sudden burst of speed scared her into pressing against my back, wrapping her arms tightly around my waist.

Holding onto her made me feel ten years younger.

My apartment was small and outdated.

But Elena had clearly seen rough times; she didn't complain for a second.

The moment we walked in, she smoothed out the bed and shyly whispered that she wanted to take a shower.

The water hissed against the tiles. Through the frosted glass, I could catch the soft outline of her silhouette. Thinking about what was coming next made my blood rush hot and heavy.

I took a step toward the bathroom, but before I could do anything, a sharp scream pierced the air.

With a sharp snap, every light in the apartment went out.