Miss Josefina: Nobody's Princess

Josefina felt her lips press against something protruding, and as she came to her senses, realizing what she had inadvertently kissed, she panicked, scrambling backward to keep her distance from Oliver. Shirtless, Oliver watched Josefina's frantic retreat, his body leaning in to close the gap between them.

"Don't come any closer!" Josefina blurted out, on edge.

Oliver's voice was a low murmur, "What are you afraid of? That I'll gobble you up?"

Josefina's cheeks burned hot as she sat pressed against the car door, her piercing eyes brimming with turmoil. Just as she was about to yank open the door and make a run for it, Oliver turned around. "Help me with the ointment, will you?"

At his request, Josefina's heart stopped racing. "Lie down, would you? If you sit up like that, you'll spill the powder."

Josefina's melodious voice floated to Oliver's ears, and he did as he was told. He lay across the car seat while Josefina knelt beside him, tending to his wound.

With Oliver prone, a turn of his head allowed him to see the cascade of her hair, her exposed earlobe pale and endearing.

After she finished with the wound, Oliver sat up and, with one swift motion, drew Josefina into his embrace. Trapped in his strong arms, Josefina furrowed her brow. Was Oliver's firm hold an indication that he knew of her combat skills? Oliver had her encircled, his grip strategically placed where she might try to break free.

to him. His breath tickled her ear. Her clothing was pressed against Oliver's feverish chest,

you afraid

trying to escape his hold. Oliver tightened his grip. "Calm down. I'm taking

made, he

felt something growing beneath her, and with a flushed face, she pushed away from Oliver. She reached for the door, intending to leave, but Oliver's

with little choice, Josefina stayed, accompanying Oliver to

at her food, she glared at Oliver. "What's

bowl for her. "Try

Josefina, a culinary strategy to aid Oliver in his

rice and two bowls of soup, her appetite robust,

was his

got stuff to do this afternoon.

a box of neatly sliced