by Lily Marie
She closed and locked the door, clicking over the two extra locks she’d had installed on top of the standard deadbolt. Just like it did every night, locking the door to her own house felt good. Mark had taken almost everything from her by the time he had finally been arrested. Step by step, she was starting to take each part of her life back. For the first time since Mark had been arrested, Reagan felt safe.
Out of habit, she glanced at the message machine on her landline phone—and halted when she saw that it was blinking.
The phone was in her sister’s name, and Lana never gave the number out. Only three people knew the number—Reagan, Lana, and Jeff Turner, the Assistant DA.
“Oh, God.”
She ran for the phone, her finger shaking when she pressed the play button.
“Reagan, this is Jeff Turner. I’m afraid I have some bad news. Mark escaped custody while he was being transported to the courthouse for an appeal hearing. I wanted to give you a heads up, because I know he plans to come for you. Wherever you are, I hope it’s far away, and that you have friends who can help you. I am so sorry this happened. I won’t expect a return call, and I suggest you have your sister cancel this number as soon as possible. Take care.”
The machine clicked off, leaving behind absolute silence.
Reagan stumbled to the nearest chair, her knees giving out before she made it. She sank to the floor, gripping the arm of the chair, shaking so badly she couldn’t breathe.
Get out!
Her mind screamed at her, panic overriding every other emotion. She crawled across the living room, and grabbed the wall, pulling herself up.
She’d finally thought she had stopped running. With one phone call, that bubble of false safety had been shattered.
Four
Grey woke feeling better than he had in years.
Today was the third Saturday, which meant video games and as much junk food as Corey could eat. Elijah had proposed the idea not long after Corey had come home from the hospital—and refused to come out of his room. The freedom of playing his favorite games as long as he wanted, without a hovering parent, finally lured Corey out.
His son had changed dramatically after that first Saturday. He had been laughing, and happy. Grey had been afraid that he would never see Corey smile again.
Smiling himself, he rolled out of bed, anticipating his own Saturday. Tonight, he planned to woo the curvy librarian into his arms, then into his bed. Not to mate with her, but to make love, and feel her beautiful body under his, to watch those clear blue eyes darken with passion, like they had last night.
God help him, he wanted her more than he had wanted any woman in years.
He leaned out his door and shouted down the hall. “Corey!”
“I’m up, Dad!”
Grey smiled and walked into the bathroom. Their life was slowly, surely, getting back to good.
He was halfway through his morning routine when the doorbell interrupted him. Elijah must be early, which was not like him at all. But Halloween was a week away, and it happened to be his little brother’s favorite holiday. Not much fired Elijah as much as a chance to scare the crap out of the local kids.
Grey finished shaving and wiped the excess off his face before he padded downstairs. Most likely, Elijah had found a new game and couldn’t wait to share it with Corey.
He started talking as he opened the door. “Whatever new game you have can wait until—” He cut himself off when he saw that it wasn’t Elijah on his front porch.
Reagan Kennedy stood there, so pale he expected her to pass out at any second. “Reagan—”
“He found me,” she whispered. “He found me and I don’t know where to go.”
She tilted sideways, and Grey caught her in his arms, carrying her inside.
“Corey! I need you down here!” He gently lowered her to the sofa, and sat with her when she refused to let go of him. “I’m not going anywhere, sweetheart. I just want to get a blanket for you.”
She nodded, and eased her death grip enough for him to yank the light wool blanket off the back of the sofa. Corey ran into the living room, skidding to a halt when he spotted Reagan.
“Miss Kennedy? What’s wrong?”
“Something scared her. I need you to get her a glass of water.”
“Okay.” He glanced over at her, frowning, before he sprinted to the kitchen.
“Reagan.” Grey cupped her chin, waited until she met his eyes before he continued. The fear that poured off her made him want to punch whoever had done this to her. “Tell me what happened.”
She started babbling. Grey rubbed her back, tried not to be imposing. Instead of scaring her, his presence seemed to calm her. She took a deep breath, and started again, this time making sense.
“My ex-boyfriend was arrested and charged with assault. I moved here after he confessed, and was sentenced. Lindy’s invitation was like serendipity, and I practically ran out of L.A.” Her voice lowered to a whisper, and Grey had to lean in to hear her. “I got a call last night from the Assistant District Attorney—Mark escaped custody yesterday. He’ll come for me.” Tears filled her eyes. “I put him in prison, and now he’s going to come and finish what he started.”
“Hush.” Grey gathered her into his arms, cradling her head while she cried. Corey showed up with the water, almost as upset as Reagan. “She’ll be fine, Cor. Why don’t you finish getting ready? We’ll talk before you leave.”
He bit his lip. “Dad?”
“No one will hurt her, son. I promise.”
Corey nodded, set the glass on the end table, and ran upstairs. Relief spread through Grey, and he closed his eyes, rubbing Reagan’s back. She didn’t sob, or keen like Shannon used to. Instead, she cried silently, her body shaking in Grey’s embrace. It tore at him more than if she had made a sound.
She sniffed a few times, accepting the tissues Grey handed her with a grateful look. He settled her against the back of the sofa, and left her long enough to run into the kitchen and grab a plate of Kaylee’s muffins. Elijah’s wife always made sure that Grey and Corey were well supplied, and surprised them every week with a new treat, or an old favorite.
This week it was pumpkin muffins, with a rich, decadent whipped frosting. Reagan needed the sugar after her crying jag, whether she wanted it or not. He carried the plate back to the living room and set it on the coffee table, fighting a smile when she eyed the muffins.
“Are those from Kaylee’s Kitchen? I love her food.”
“She’s married to my brother, Elijah, and loves to feed us.” He took a muffin and laid it in her hand, then leaned past her to grab the glass of water, pressing it into her other hand. “Eat. Drink. You look too pale.”
She stared at the muffin, the glass of water. “I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have come here, dumped all over you like this. You have nothing to do with it—I should go—”
“Please stay. Corey is worried about you.” He slid one hand into her disheveled blonde hair. “So am I.”
“You hardly know me.”
“My son does, and I trust his judgement.”
She let out a shaky breath. “Thank you.”
“Eat.”
A smile tugged at her lips. “Yes, sir.”
She took a small bite of the muffin, some of the frosting clinging to those full lips. Grey wanted to lick it off, then taste every inch of her, before he—
“Dad—” Corey burst into the living room. “Miss Kennedy? You look better.”
“Thank you, Corey, for letting me stay until I could compose myself.” She waved the muffin in her hand. “And for sacrificing one of these amazing muffins. Pumpkin is my favorite.”
“Mine, too.” He plopped on the sofa next to her and grabbed a muffin. “Do you like Halloween?”
“It just happens to be my favorite holiday, next to Christmas.”
“Cool,” he said, then stuffed half the muffin in his mouth.
Reagan laughed, and Grey was relieved to see some color return to her
face. She had been whiter than a sheet when he found her on his front porch.
The doorbell rang again, and this time Grey knew it would be Elijah. Reagan froze, losing the little color she had gained.
“It’s okay,” he said, spreading his hand across her back. “That will be Elijah, coming to pick up Corey for their video game date.”
“It’s not a date.” Corey shoved at Grey’s shoulder. “It’s an event. I’ll go get it.”
He bounced to his feet and sprinted out of the living room.
Reagan relaxed under his hand. “Sorry. I’m a little jumpy.”
“Understandable, considering. Do you really think your ex can track you here?”
She hunched her shoulders, like she didn’t want to talk about it. Grey waited for her to answer or ignore him. He was good either way. For now. She would have to talk about it eventually, and he was not going to leave her to face this alone.
“I’d like to think I’m safe,” she said, staring at the glass clenched in her hand. “But Mark has the type of personality that doesn’t let go. Not until he’s satisfied.” She finally looked at Grey. “And he is definitely not satisfied with me.”
Elijah’s voice announced his entrance. “Is what I hear the truth?” He appeared in the doorway, grinning at Grey. “It is true—my big brother has a girl over.” Before Grey could cut him down to size, Elijah walked over and held his hand out to Reagan. “Elijah Black. You’re the librarian Corey has told me about.”
She set the glass on the coffee table and shook his hand, smiling up at him. Grey shoved down the desire to strangle his little brother. He wanted to be the one to bring out her smile.
Good God, he was more hooked on her than he thought.
Her voice snapped him back to the conversation.
“I hear you and Corey are about to do battle.”
“Yeah.” Elijah’s grin widened, and he waved a colorful DVD case. “The latest in futuristic warfare. I’m going to whip your shifter behind, Corey.”
“We’ll see.” Corey looked subdued, but when he glanced at Reagan, worry in his dark eyes, Grey knew that he would bounce back once he and Elijah left. “Will you be okay, Miss Kennedy?”
“I’m better already, Corey. Between the company and the delicious muffins, I think I’ll be just fine. Go and enjoy your game, and your junk food. I’ll see you at the library Monday?”
“You bet. Let’s go, Uncle Elijah.”
Elijah winked at her. “I’ve always been the popular one.”
He strolled out before Grey could think about punching him.
“See you tonight, Dad.”
Corey shocked him by coming over and hugging him. After Grey recovered, he returned the hug, squeezing his son before letting him go.
“Have a good time.”
Corey stopped in front of Reagan. “I hope you feel better, Miss Kennedy.”
“Thank you, Corey, for your hospitality. You can call me Reagan, if you feel comfortable using my first name.”
“I—okay, Reagan.” He blushed, and Grey fought the need to smile. “Bye.”
He ran out of the living room, and Grey waited until he heard the front door slam before he spoke.
“I want you to stay—until you feel comfortable going home. I’ll call my mother, have her find someone to cover the library.”
Reagan was already shaking her head. “I can’t—”
“You can, and you will. You’re in no shape to be pleasant to people all day. We do have backups for times like this. Now drink some water, while I make a phone call.”
He walked out of the living room, leaning against the kitchen wall as he pulled his phone out of his pocket. How could a woman like Reagan attract an obvious fanatic?
“Because of the very traits you’re attracted to,” he muttered.
And he was attracted, more than he wanted to be. His reaction when Elijah had flirted with her was the dead giveaway of just how much.
After a quick call to his mother, the library coverage was taken care of for the next few days. Lindy suggested that, once she heard an abbreviated version of Reagan’s situation. Now Grey had to break the news to a woman on the edge.
He’d had too much experience with Shannon, who had been born high strung. Even knowing that about her, he had wanted her anyway, since he had first seen her, at the impressionable age of twelve. As much as she hurt him, he would never regret his time with her. She gave him Corey.
With a deep breath, he pushed off the wall and headed back to the living room.
Reagan sat cross legged on the sofa, slowly devouring another muffin. The sight of her licking frosting off her fingers stopped Grey in his tracks, his cock instantly hard.
Not now.
His bear growled in disagreement.
She looked up while he was trying to mentally talk his bear down.
“Greyson?”
He loved the way his name sounded in that quiet voice. She studied him, her blue eyes clear, a smile tugging at the lips he wanted, needed, to taste again.
“Lindy has you covered, for the next few days if you need the time.” He braced himself for the tantrum.
Reagan surprised him. “Thank her for me, but I won’t need that much free time.” She gave him a half smile. “It gives me too much time to think.”
He had a list of ways to keep her occupied. But she was vulnerable, too vulnerable to even kiss at this point without taking advantage. Grey let out a quiet sigh and sat on the end of the sofa, out of reach.
“You’re welcome to stay, and I’ll take you home when you’re ready to leave.”
“Why are you being so kind? You hardly know me.”
Her question shocked him—until he remembered where she had lived before Pine Heart.
“We look out for each other here. You’re part of the we now.”
“I—” She blinked at him. “Thank you. Again. I feel like that’s all I’ve said since I stopped crying all over you.”
“I don’t mind. It’s not something I hear often, living with a teenaged boy.”
She laughed, and his already hard cock throbbed. “I can imagine.”
“Reagan.” He swallowed, clutching the edge of the sofa so he didn’t grab her. “I have some work to do, if you’ll be okay here.”
“Sure. Sorry—I didn’t mean to keep you from your work.”
“Just paperwork. I normally do it at home, rather than the station. Fewer interruptions.” Paperwork he normally saved for Sunday night. But he badly needed the distraction right now—and an excuse to escape. “My office is at the end of the hall if you need anything. Feel free to raid the kitchen, if you want more sustenance than the muffins.”
“So many big words. I thought park rangers were—” She cut herself off, and bit her lip. It drove him to the edge. Damn, he had to get out of here. “Another personal stereotype. Sorry.”
“No problem. Relax.”
He escaped down the hall, not stopping until he reached his office. By the time he sat in the creaky leather desk chair, he was so hard he knew he needed relief. Normally, he would have shifted and run it off. But with a human woman in the house, that wasn’t an option. So he closed the door, turned his chair away from the door, and freed his cock.
It stood at attention, and his bear grumbled, wanting more than his own hand on the hard, throbbing length.
“This is all you’re getting, so shut up.”
He closed his eyes, an image of Reagan’s beautiful hourglass figure in his mind, and started stroking.
***
After checking in the huge fridge, Reagan grabbed a piece of chicken, eating it over the sink. That was enough to take the edge off her hunger. She knew if she ate any more, she’d regret it. Her belly was still unhappy—an aftereffect of her absolute, consuming panic.
How she’d ended up here, in Greyson Black’s roomy, comfortable house on the edge of town, was still part blur. It had taken most of the night to figure out where she could go, her panic constantly thre
atening to shut down her brain.
Near dawn, the idea that she could ask someone for help took hold, and refused to let go. The first name that had popped into her head was Greyson. And not because he had kissed her senseless.
“At least, that wasn’t the only reason,” she muttered.
She stared out the window. The stunning view of the small but lush backyard, and the forest beyond, eased the last of her panic. It was time to go home, and deal with the situation head on. First thing, she needed to call the ADA, let him know she got the message, and then go step-by-step from there.
With the beginning of a plan in place, she felt better, and headed out of the kitchen, then down the hall that led to Greyson’s office. She knocked on the door, opening it when she heard a grunt she assumed meant come in.
“Greyson? I just wanted to let you know…” Her voice faded when she saw the back of the chair, and his lowered head above it. “Sorry—I thought you heard me.”
“Okay.” His voice sounded raw.
“Are you all right?” Reagan knew about his ex-wife, and that he hadn’t even looked at another woman since she ran out on him and Corey. She moved toward the desk. “I’m sorry if I—”
“Don’t.” Anger edged his voice, and he moved the chair, keeping his back to her. “Get out, Reagan.”
“I’m sorry.” She hugged her waist, surprised by how much his rejection hurt. Good heavens, she hardly knew the man. “I’ll go.”
She had her hand on the doorknob when his voice stopped her.
“Reagan. I don’t want you to think I am angry with you. Quite the opposite.” He sighed, and slowly turned to face her.
Her heart skipped when she saw the reason for his harsh words. The fly of his jeans was open, his big hand wrapped around his long, thick, obviously hard cock.
“I—” She forced herself to look up at his face, and saw the sweat that slicked his skin, dripped off the ends of his dark hair. “Oh, God.”
“You drive me crazy, Reagan Kennedy. I needed some relief, before my bear got any ideas and jumped you.”
“I’m sorry—God, I’m so sorry.”
Panic shot through her and she yanked the door open. She had to get out of here, before she gave in and let another man close enough to hurt her. Not again—