by Jill Sanders
“If the dogs had been there…” She sighed and sat up. “How did he know they weren’t? You don’t think he’s been watching the place?” She shivered again for a new reason.
“Whoa, I think you’re jumping too far on that one. It’s more likely that he got lucky the dogs were gone.”
“Do you think it was the same man? I mean, I know Ronny told you he didn’t put the animals up, but someone did.”
“No, I’m sure whoever was in the house tonight was just a drifter or a teenager looking for treasure. Everyone in town knows your aunt hid money.”
She leaned back as he drove up and parked in front of his cabin. “I’ll be right back with the dogs.” She watched him rush into the house and less than five minutes later, the four of them came out.
She was so happy to see the dogs, she almost cried. It was funny; just one night away from them had changed her so much. Now, she didn’t think she’d ever be able to sleep again without them at the foot of her bed.
When they drove up, she was surprised to see the deputy car still parked out front. “I’ll go check in,” Corey said, jumping out of the truck and holding the door open for the three dogs to jump out.
Corey went into the house while the dogs rushed around the yard. The sun was just coming up, so the dogs were happily sniffing around.
When Corey came back out, she was sitting on the front porch swing. Her feet were bandaged and feeling so much better in the soft slippers the clinic had provided for her. They had given her pain pills, but she hadn’t taken any yet because they said it would make her drowsy.
“Wes hung around waiting for us. He says they’ll up their drive-bys to nightly for the next month.”
“That’s good.” She waved to Wes as he drove off.
Corey walked over and picked her up, holding her close against his chest. “Let’s get you back in bed.” He started walking her in, but she stopped him.
“I’d rather hang out down here on the sofa for now. The sun’s up and I’m not really that tired.”
He looked down at her and after a moment, nodded. “Fine, but you’ll take those pills they gave you.”
She opened her mouth to argue, but he just raised his eyebrows at her, so she nodded. “I’ll need something to eat first.”
He smiled. “That I can do.” He set her down gently on her new sofa and handed her the remote to the TV. “I’ll be just a while.” He leaned down and kissed her. She held his head close to hers for a moment, enjoying his lips.
“I was really scared.” She held in a sob.
“I know, baby.” He moved and sat next to her, holding her while she cried into his shoulder. She hadn’t meant to let it all loose and had been surprised that she’d held it in for so long. “I’m here now.” He rocked her as she cried. “Let it go.”
Finally, after she’d soaked his shirt and she was sure her eyes were puffy and red, she leaned back. “Sorry.” She used her shirt to wipe the tears away.
“Don’t be.” He brushed her cheek with his thumb. “If that had happened to me, I’d be the one crying instead of you.”
She laughed and shook her head. “Thanks.”
He nodded. “I’ll be right back with breakfast. Rest. Watch some cartoons. They always cheer me up.” He leaned in and kissed her once more.
She smiled. “I guess some Bugs Bunny couldn’t hurt.”
“That’s the spirit. Oh, here’s someone who looks like he needs some love too.” He leaned down and picked up Beggar and set the cat on her lap. “He’s probably worried about his brother.”
She hugged Beggar close as Corey disappeared into the kitchen.
When Corey came back, her head was resting on the sofa pillows, the remote had fallen to the ground, and Beggar was snuggled up next to her while she watched Tom and Jerry.
“Here you go. Scrambled eggs, Corey style.” He waited until she sat up and cleared a spot for the plate.
When he set the large plate of eggs, onions, green peppers, and tomatoes in front of her, she felt her stomach growl.
“You’re going to share this with me, right?” She looked at the large amount of food and then glanced up at him.
He held up two forks. “As long as there’s room on the sofa for me.”
She moved over and patted the spot next to her.
“I love Tom and Jerry. I always felt sorry for Tom,” he said, scooping up some eggs.
“Tom? Why? He’s bigger than Jerry.”
“Yeah, but if you watch closely, Tom is always just either trying to take a nap or fall in love. Jerry is the troublemaker. Watch.” He motioned with the fork towards the TV.
Sure enough, the next two episodes, Jerry was the instigator. By the time their plate was cleared, and her pills were swallowed with a large glass of orange juice, her head was feeling heavy.
“I don’t want to go upstairs,” she said, lying back down on the sofa.
“Then you can stay right here.”
“Don’t leave.” She yawned and laid her head down on his lap. “Okay?”
He smiled and ran his fingers through her hair. “I’m not going anywhere.”
“Thanks.” She closed her eyes and drifted off.
Chapter Fourteen
When Bella woke again, it was dark and she was lying in the bed upstairs. She blinked a few times, feeling something wasn’t right. She could feel the cats lying at her feet, and when she went to move, their heavy bodies held her feet in place.
Glancing down, she frowned at the darkness and frantically blinked, trying to focus her eyes. Instead of cats tucked by her feet, there were two large hands holding her ankles down. Kicking out, she tried to sit up, only to have more hands pushing her shoulders to the mattress.
When she opened her mouth to scream, no sound came out. She tried moving her head from side to side, hoping to break free. But even her head was pinned down. Closing her eyes, she cried out for Corey to help her.
“Shhh.” She heard his soft voice. “It’s just a dream.” Then she felt his hands gently rubbing her face. “I’m here.”
She closed her mind to the evil that had taken her and opened to the softness Corey was giving.
Slowly, her body woke, and she felt his warmth next to her. She could feel the blanket he’d tossed over her and knew that she was still lying on the sofa with him snuggled behind her. His arms were wrapped around her sides as he trailed his mouth against her neck.
“Come back to me,” he whispered next to her ear.
She blinked her eyes open, and the soft light streamed in through the blinds, and she relaxed the rest of the way.
“Are you okay?” he asked when she was fully relaxed in his arms. She nodded. “Bad dream?” She nodded again. “I’m here.” He kissed her again.
She felt a tear slide down her face and closed her eyes at the memory of being completely helpless. When his hands moved her, she willingly rolled over until she faced him.
When he saw the tears, he used his fingers to wipe them away. “Was it that bad?” he asked, brushing a kiss across her cheek.
“I couldn’t move. He was holding me down.”
She felt him sigh and then he pulled her closer.
“What would you say to Dutch and I moving in? Just for a while, until you feel better?” He pulled back and looked down at her.
She thought about it. Thought about how she would ever be able to sleep in the bedroom upstairs again without seeing the shadow a few feet away. But, if Corey was with her…
“I’d like that.” She wrapped her arms around him and held on.
At noon, Corey left to make a quick run back to his place to get his things. She sat on the front porch with the dogs and waited for him to return. Her feet were throbbing from the cuts, but she didn’t want to take any more of the pills that made her sleepy, so she had swallowed a couple aspirins instead.
She glanced up when she heard the car coming down the drive and smiled when she saw the police cruiser.
“Afternoon.” Wes
waved at her as he got out. “How are you feeling?” he asked, walking towards her. The three dogs raced around him, begging for attention. He dropped down and gave each a pat.
“Better,” she said from her spot on the swing. “I have some tea.” She nodded to the pitcher on the table.
“Thanks.” He walked over, set his hat down, and started pouring himself a glass. “Is Corey around?” He looked towards the door.
“No, he’s getting a few things from the cabin. He’s going to stay over here for a while.”
“Good,” Wes said, leaning against the railing and taking a drink of his tea.
“Have you found out anything?” she questioned.
Wes sighed and shook his head. “Seems like Ronny was working the late shift last night. I talked to his son Chris this morning since Ronny was still at the factory.”
“Factory?” she asked.
“He works just outside of town at the plant. He’s an engineer out there. Been working there since he was in his teens.” They heard another car driving down the driveway.
This time it was Corey’s truck that came towards them.
“Well, anyway, it couldn’t have been Ronny.” Wes stopped and shook Corey’s hand as he walked up to the porch. He repeated the information for Corey, who sat next to her, his arm wrapped around her shoulders.
“Do you think it’s someone looking for your aunt’s money? I mean, the rumor has been going around for years.”
“I think I’ve found all of the money she hid away.” She leaned her head against Corey’s shoulder, enjoying the safe feeling he provided for her. She didn’t want to think about last night, or worry who was breaking into her house. “How did they get in? I mean, you didn’t find anything busted.”
Wes shook his head. “Best we can tell, they picked the lock on the back door.”
“Who could do that? I mean, that doesn’t sound like teenagers looking for treasure.” She sat up and glanced back at Corey, who was frowning.
“I ran into town and got a security system from the hardware store. It’s not the top of the line, but it will do until you can have one professionally installed.” Corey brushed his hand down her arm.
“We’ll keep up our nightly drive-bys and keep looking. Until then, sounds like you’ve got four guys to watch over you.” Wes smiled down at the three dogs lying at their feet.
Bella smiled up at Corey and nodded. “I feel safer already.”
An hour later as she stood in the bathroom, steam from her shower fogging the mirror, she couldn’t lie to herself. She was scared to walk into the next room by herself. No matter what she did, every time she closed her eyes, the silhouette of the man popped into her mind.
But Bella wasn’t the kind to let her imagination and fear keep her from anything. So she pulled back her shoulders, wrapped a towel around herself tightly, and walked into the next room.
She stopped short and smiled when she saw Corey sitting at the edge of the bed. All three dogs and Beggar were lying on the bed behind him.
“Thought you might like some company up here.” He smiled at her as he got up and walked towards her.
“Thanks.” She wrapped her arms around his shoulders.
“How are the feet?” He glanced down at the bandages she’d just replaced.
“Sore.” She shrugged. “But I’ll survive.”
“Then, we’ll just have to keep you off of them for a while.” He leaned down and picked her up, then gently set her on the edge of the bed. “Where do you keep your PJs?”
“Top drawer.” She smiled when he opened the drawer and whistled.
“Wow.” He turned around, holding up a sexy pair of silk underwear. “I’m a lucky man.”
“Those are my underwear silly. The other top drawer.” She pointed to the left one.
“Hang on just a moment. I think there might be something worthy in here.” He chuckled as he pulled out another sexy pair.
“What can I say. I like shopping at Victoria’s Secret.”
“Hallelujah.” He sighed as he put the underwear back and opened the other drawer and handed her a pink pair of shorts and its matching tank top. “These are just as sexy.” She pulled the clothes on. “I can’t wait to peel those off you.” He moved closer to her, but when she tried to tug him down, he shook his head. “First you need some food, and then we’ll play.” He picked her up and carried her downstairs. The animals all followed along, almost tripping him on the stairs.
“It smells wonderful,” she said, at the bottom of the stairs.
“A couple cans of soup and some toast. I didn’t want to leave you alone upstairs too long.” He smiled down at her, then walked over and set her at the bar. Then he walked over and scooped soup into a bowl.
They ate their soup with toast and finished the meal off with a piece of apple pie that Haley had dropped off shortly after her husband had visited.
When Corey carried her upstairs again, fear was the farthest thing from her mind. His eyes moved over her slowly as he walked and she could see the promises he was making deep in those blue pools. His desire was as plain as hers was. She knew he wouldn’t hold back this time.
Corey couldn’t stop the shaking he felt. His fingers shook when he brushed her hair away from her face as he laid her down. Her eyes were locked on his, showing him that she wanted him as much as he wanted her.
So many emotions rushed through him. Fear. Joy. Passion. Desire. All day long he’d thought about how close he’d come to losing her. Even thought they had only known each other for a short time, he knew that he didn’t want to be without her. Moving into her place was the step he knew he had eventually wanted to take, but the second break-in had given him a push to make it happen sooner. Now, he was right where he wanted to be and she was right where he wanted her.
She was looking up at him, her arm wrapped around his shoulders and at that very moment, he knew he felt differently about her than he’d ever felt about a woman. The realization shocked him, causing him to stop his movement.
“Corey?” Her voice was low and laced with sex. “I want you.” He allowed her to pull him down, towards her. The softness of her pink tank top brushed against his arms and he knew there was even more softness underneath the material.
His mind clicked off as his body responded to hers. Then her lips were on his, sending his body into overdrive. His hands moved on their own, brushing her skin, pulling her loose clothing aside until finally she lay under him, totally bare for his viewing.
He hovered over her, perched on his knees as his eyes took their fill. Roaming over every glorious inch of beautiful skin. She was more than he could have ever imagined. Her long hair flowed around her shoulders, her blue eyes sought his.
“You’re so beautiful,” he whispered, not wanting to break the spell. When she reached up and tugged his shirt, he leaned back and quickly pulled it over his head and tossed it aside. “I could look at you all night.” His finger ran a trail from her chin to her belly button, slowly. Her chest moved and she held a breath as he circled the dip and then moved lower.
Her eyes slid closed as his fingers brushed down the light strip of curls and then parted her lips for his view. “So beautiful,” he cooed.
He settled between her legs, spreading her wider as he used his fingers to please her. The slickness of her skin caused his jeans to become so tight they were almost cutting off his circulation.
Stepping back, he tugged them off and grabbed a condom from his pocket. When he came back to her, she was biting her bottom lip as her eyes slowly roamed over him. He felt powerful when she looked at him like that.
When he moved back down to her, their skin touched, sending waves of desire pulsing through him. He wanted to go slow, to show her how he felt, but finally his massive desire won. Next thing he knew, he was moving over her, in her, as her legs pulled him closer and wrapped around his hips.
“More,” he growled, not quite understanding what he was searching for. Her body responded to his deman
ds as her mouth moved under his. When he felt her convulse under him, he growled and demanded more from her. Pulling her legs up, he pushed deeper, harder, until he heard her panting under him.
Sweat dripped down his back as he moved over her, enjoying the way her soft body took his harder one in. Her lips were soft yet demanding as he took the kisses deeper. He grabbed her hips, sinking his fingers into the softness there. His lips and mouth moved lower, kissing, sucking, licking everywhere he could.
Her nails dug into his shoulders, mixing just the right amount of pain to go along with his pleasure. When he felt her building, he moved faster, harder until finally she cried out his name, and he followed her and sank into the darkness.
Chapter Fifteen
The next day Bella kept herself busy around the house. Corey had a job to do in town, repairing and painting a porch for an older couple. She’d wished more than anything that he could have stuck around for one more day but knew that he had his own bills to pay, especially after he’d told her about what was happening with his father, who had been moved to Tyler and was currently undergoing tests to figure out what was wrong with him.
She’d asked him if he’d visited him, but he’d just shook his head and changed the subject. She understood not being close to your parents. After all, the conversation with her folks the other night was still playing over in her mind.
She’d had too many arguments with them, and she’d never won any of them. This time, things were different. She’d tried to live the way they had wanted her to and had only ended up friendless and brokenhearted.
Now, she was going to try it her way. The way she’d always dreamed of as a child. She’d pulled out the old box of her letters she’d sent her aunt again and spread them all out on the kitchen table.
She’d reread each card and letter she’d written her aunt. Most of them were thank you’s that her mother had forced her to write as a child. But she remembered that she’d always taken extra time writing to her aunt.
Betty had been everything Bella had ever dreamed about: single, beautiful, and doing what she wanted without anyone telling her otherwise. Bella had always loved animals. Maybe that’s why she’d been so thankful her mother had signed her up for riding lessons. At first, she’d been upset that it hadn’t been volleyball or softball. After all, she’d wanted to join a team sport to help make friends. But, after the first few lessons, she’d found out that animals were far better friends than teenage girls who wanted to fight and gossip.