Anyway, he left in an ambulance and so did I. I called Jake from the hospital to let him know that I was ok and he was going to have to wait for the all clear from the police before he can go back to my house. About thirty minutes later tow new cops showed up to my hospital room to tell me Jake had been in an accident and was pronounced DOA at the scene. It was then that I understood Josh's threat that an interference would soon be out of the way. The police never could prove Josh's involvement in the accident, but I know he is behind it. The only thing that could be done was a judge ordering a protective order which is still in effect today, not that it does any good. However, today is the first time he has broken the protective order in over a year.
Chapter 6
Ash
The more Lana tells me of her story with Josh the more I wish she would have killed him when she had the chance. If I could get to him now, I would do it for her. As she nears the end of her story, I can tell she starts apologizing, and she is starting to lose her composure.
"Lana, you have nothing to apologize for. I am just glad that I was here today to help you. I understand now why Morgan did not want you left alone." I am at a loss for words. I want to comfort her and tell her it will all be alright, but at this point, we still do not know what will happen next. I want to rip Josh apart piece by piece. We may have just met, but I already know that I will do whatever it takes to protect Lana.
Lana pulls her hands from mine and stares at the back of the couch. When our eyes meet again, her eyes are swimming with unshed tears. As the first tear starts to fall, she begins apologizing again, but before she can finish, I move off the table and onto the couch to sit next to her. Lana stops talking as I reach over to pick her up and place her in my lap so I can wrap my arms around her. I pull her tight to my chest and place a kiss on her head.
"Honey, there is nothing to apologize for. You didn't do anything wrong. Don't ever apologize for something that bastard has done. We will figure out what we need to do to make sure he doesn't bother you anymore." With that being said Lana pulls away from my chest to sit up so she can look me in the eyes. "No, Ash, you can't get involved in this mess. It is too dangerous. Josh has already taken my brother away, won’t let him hurt anyone else."
"Lana, I hate to say this, but I am already involved. Him seeing me pack my bags into your house is what triggered him to break the protective order. I'll be damned if I let him hurt you. I know we just met, but that doesn't change how I feel about this. I realize that it has been less than 24 hours, but you are already important to me. No matter where this takes us whether it is just friends or something more, there is one thing that will not change, and that is the fact that I want to be here for you. Like I said before there is just something about you, you seem almost familiar to me like we have known each other forever."
Chapter 7
Lana
I am at a loss for words as I sit here on Ash's lap and he tells me things I am not sure I am ready to hear. However, at least now I know I am not the only one that feels that there is something between us. If only the timing were different; if it was then I would definitely pursue these feelings that are rapidly developing for Ash. Even after one night with him, I already know that it is going to be hard to tell him goodbye when he goes back home.
Even knowing the original couple of weeks that I had to spend with Ash would be too short I know that I have to cut that time short. Now that Josh is back in town I need to leave. As far as I know, Josh does not know about my upcoming move to Atlanta, and it will be harder for him to find me in a big city. I also know that I don't want to take a chance of him hurting Ash or anyone else I am close to like Morgan and Chase. The son of a bitch already took away my brother. I should have killed the bastard when I had the chance, and believe me, if that chance comes along again, he will die.
Now that I know I need to leave town sooner rather than later I need to finish packing and change the date the movers come. First I need to think of a believable reason for leaving early. Finding a reason to leave early will be the hard part because I will have to find a reason that Morgan will not fight me on. I love Morgan and was very much looking forward to spending New Years with her before I leave, but I won't stay and put her at risk; she is the only family I have left.
I ease off Ash's lap and turn to look at him, easily distracted I find that I could look at him all day. I also realize that I already love the way it feels when he wraps his arms around me. He already makes me feel cherished. As my thoughts register and I realize I am standing here staring at him, I give him a smirk and say "I believe that before the devil himself showed up, we were getting ready to go grab something to eat. So I am going to go change so we can go. While we are out, we can go to the grocery store and pick up a few things, and I will cook you dinner tonight. But when we first get back I need to work on getting things packed."
Ash stands up from the couch and walks over to where I am now standing, stopping just before our bodies are touching. He reaches out and wraps one arm around my waist, and the other hand finds its way to the back of my neck. He says "I am more than happy to take you to lunch, and I will even help you cook dinner, hell I'll even help you pack. However, it comes with a stipulation." He laughs lightly then adds "Ok, well maybe a couple of stipulations. First, I need free access to touch and kiss you whenever I want, as long as you are comfortable with it. Second, I can see that there are thousands of ideas running through your mind, so my stipulation for that is that you talk to me before doing anything rash and you don't get any ideas about running. Even though I know you are already trying to figure out how to leave, I don't want you too. Also, don't get any crazy ideas that you need to leave to protect me from him." Before I can say anything, he smiles at me and leans in and kisses me.
This kiss starts off slow and soft; then he moves his hand up from the base of my neck to the back of my head with his fingers in my hair. He tugs lightly on my hair to move me how he wants me as he deepens the kiss. I hear a soft whimper leave me and he growls in response as the kiss grows to hungry and passionate. It isn't very long until we are both searching for breath. He breaks the kiss, turns me around and swats me on the butt and chuckles as he tells me to get dressed so we can go; otherwise, we may not make it out of the house.
This man surprises me at every turn. Just when I think I have things figured out even just a little he does something like this and I fell like I am starting at square one again. However, if the result is a kiss like that, then I am almost willing to keep going back to square one. Damn, that man can kiss. If he can make me feel that good with just a kiss, I can only imagine what else, he can make me feel when the rest of his glorious body is involved.
I change into a pair of jeans and head back out to the living room. When I walk in Ash is sitting on the couch putting on his boots. I could look at him all day and still not get enough. I get chills just thinking about him laying claim to me. Just having him say he wants to be able to touch and kiss me whenever he wants makes me tingle all the way from head to toe. Although I think it only fair that I have the same access and liberties with him if he has full access, then I will too. This thought makes me smile. It is time for me to lay claim to him, even if it is just for a little while.
I walk around the couch to stand in front of him. When he sits back and looks up at me I grin at him. I put my hands on his shoulders and push him gently back into the couch giving me access to his lap. I straddle him and move my hands into his hair. I pull gently so he has to tilt back to look at me. I smile at him and say "I want to make an amendment to your first stipulation. I agree to the kissing and touching...and anything else it leads too, but it will go both ways. I will be able to touch, kiss, lick or anything else I want to do to you whenever I want; as long as you are comfortable with it." He runs his hands up my thighs, over my hips and pulls my core to his. But before he can say anything I lean down and start to kiss him. The kiss starts out slow, but he quickly takes over and turns it into and all-con
suming kiss. As we get lost in the kiss, he pulls my body tighter into him causing another whimper from me and a growl from him. I love the sound of his growl, lets me know he is just as affected as I am by this.
As we pull slightly apart to catch our breath; then I hear his stomach growl. This breaks the tension and causes us both to laugh. I move to get up off his lap, but he says "just one more" as he pulls me tight to him again. This time the kiss soft and sweet, almost loving. I lay my forehead to his and close my eyes, sighing at the effect he has one me. With my eyes still closed I ask "what are you doing to me?" Before he says anything, I give him a quick kiss and stand up before we get carried away again.
Ash picks up his keys off the table in the foyer where the glass bowl used to sit. I look at the table smiling and say "well I guess while we are out today I will find a new bowl to hold my keys." Then I remember I am moving anyway, so there is no need, it is just one less thing to pack. When Ash opens the door to walk out, I tell him he can put his car in the garage if he wants. He tells me he would rather leave it out so if Josh comes back around he will know that I am not alone. "I appreciate the thought because I do hate to think what ideas he might get if he thinks I am alone, but I don't like that he has access to your car either. He got to my brother through his car, and I lost him. Josh already said he caused one accident he will cause another and I don't want to risk you." Ash turns to me and gently grabs my chin tilting my face up so that I look at him. He kisses me softly and says "Baby if it makes you feel better I will move the car. I would already do just about anything for you." The only thing I can do is nod my head and tell him that I will go open the garage door and back the truck out. He turns and walks out the front door, and I make sure to lock it after him.
As I walk into the garage, I walk around the truck to make sure there is nothing in the way that would prevent Ash from being able to park. I walk back to the driver’s side and climb in. Once he pulls into the garage, I back out to make sure he has plenty of room to get out of the car. It will be a tight fit with both vehicles, but it will work. The look on his face as he is walking out to the truck makes me laugh. He climbs into the truck with no problem, his height giving him a distinct advantage over me. Once he is in his seat, he looks at me and says " I have two questions...How do you get in and out of this thing and when can I drive it?" I laugh and tell him that I will drive to lunch then he can drive.
Just as I start to back out of the driveway, a police car pulls up so I put the truck in park and Ash and I both hop out of the truck, ok well he hops out, and I climb down. As I round the back of the truck, I see that Frank and Lisa are the officers getting out of the patrol car. Lisa walks up to me and gives me a hug, and tells me she heard that I am leaving town. I confirm what she heard; then I introduce Ash to them. Lisa says "yea a little birdie told me you had company after they had a guy named Allen come through the emergency room this morning. He said that he was jumped by a man he didn't know, but the description is very close to the likes of Ash. Allen ended up with about fifteen stitches on his head from this altercation." As she finishes talking Ash wraps his arm protectively around my waist. Both Lisa and Frank notice the movement and smile at us both. I tell her that Allen actually walked into a glass bowl. That earns a laugh from both of them, and I feel Ash relax a little with the laughter. Frank asks me if I still have my pistol and I assure him I do and that I will be careful. Lisa tells Frank "don't worry our girl here shoots better than you do." Frank laughs but quickly grabs his chest and arm.
When I look closer at Frank, he is flushed and sweaty. I tell Ash to drop the tailgate and Lisa, and I help Frank sit down. I get my jump bag out of the back seat and start checking Frank's vitals. His blood pressure is nearly to stroke level it is so high. I take out an Aspirin, crush it and give it to him. I have Ash write Franks vitals down and give them to Lisa. I tell her to get Frank to the ER. I tell her that I will call Dr. Gauthier and let him know they are on their way. Ash helps Frank into the patrol car, and they are off. I quickly call Dr. G and give him report on Frank, so he is not surprised when they get there. I ask Dr. G to keep me updated, and he agrees to call me if I agree to come and let home take care of any wounds that I may have gotten from broken glass. I laugh and tell him that I am ok just a cut on my hand and that it is cleaned and has Dermabond on it but in the end, I agree to swing by later.
When I hang up with Dr. G. Ash is looking at me. He steps up to me and pulls me into a hug. "Lana, is there anything that you are not good at? You just keep getting better and better." I laugh, kiss him quickly and turn to get back into the truck.
We finally sit down to have lunch; as we eat we talk about things we can do over the next couple of days. It is not lost on me that Ash catches the length of time we are talking about; the time frame has changed from a couple of weeks to a couple of days. Before he can say anything about it, I excuse myself to go to the restroom. I have every intention of stopping by the bar, so I can pay for lunch before he has the chance. When I stop at the bar to pay, but before I have the chance an arm slides around my waist and Ash quietly says "nice try, my little sister tried the same thing last time we had lunch." I just grin up at him, but before I can say anything, our waitress walks up to us and tries to tell Ash that she can't accept his tip that it was too much. He smiles down at her and tells her to keep it and buy her new baby something. She tears up and tells him thank you and that he just saved Christmas. When she walks away Nancy, the bartender tells us that the waitress wasn't sure she was even going to be able to pay her light bill, but now they will at least have that. I tell Nancy that it has been taken care of, I paid her electricity bill and next months’ rent. She doesn't know it yet but she will on Christmas morning when the presents are delivered. All the docs and nurses at the clinic bought stuff to help out several families, and she was one of them. Nancy reaches across the bar and grabs my hand saying that everyone is going to miss me when I am gone. I smile and say thanks that I will miss everyone too.
When we are settled back in the truck, this time with Ash behind the wheel, he asks if I ever do anything for myself or just for others. Before I can answer my phone rings with Morgan's ringtone. I manage to get hello out before she starts talking. "Lana, are you ok? Were you planning on calling me or were you just going to try to deal with this bullshit on your own like you usually do? And where the hell was Ash?" I chuckle a little then start “Morgan, calm down how is your dad?"
"Oh no sister, don't try to change the subject."
His To Protect (Four Seasons Security Book 1) Page 3