Welcome To Redemption: Series Collection (Books 1-6)

by Donna Marie Rogers

  Blondie backed off, holding his hands up in front of him. Smart punk. Wes kept hold of Tara and urged her forward. After a few yards, she tried to shake his arm off. “What was that?”

  Wes held on. “It’s called saving your butt, Sugar,” he said in her ear. “You’re welcome.”

  “My butt didn’t need saving, Sugar.”

  “They’re half drunk,” he said with exasperation. “And you were supposed to call your brother.”

  “He didn’t answer.”

  Because he’d been outside, protecting her from the danger of Wes. There was irony for you.

  “Besides,” she added, “they’re all talk. I ignore them, and they eventually leave me alone.”

  Wes’s step faltered. He swung her around as renewed anger pulsed through him. “This happens often?”

  She barely met his gaze before looking past his shoulder. “They’ve never done more than shoot their mouths off. It’s no big deal.”

  He forced his grip to remain light on her arms. “You ever tell your brother?”

  She shook her head, and Wes wanted to shake her.

  “Some day they’re gonna step over the line,” he predicted.

  He’d seen it often when he was younger. Left unchecked, guys like that got a little braver each time, went a little farther until the next step came naturally to them. But the thought of one of them putting a hand on her brought the darkness deep inside Wes boiling to the surface. He released her to spin around in the direction they’d come from.

  When he crossed onto the lawn, Tara caught his arm from behind. “What are you doing?”

  He jerked free. “Making sure that day never comes.”

  “Wes—”

  The rap music covered their approach. About the time the blond guy saw Wes, he kicked the chair out from underneath the dark-haired one. One quick step and Wes had him pinned to the ground with his foot.

  He intended to simply scare them enough to make his warning stick in their heads after the booze wore off, but then Blondie started forward, his hands balanced in front of him. Behind him, Tara gasped at the same time Wes caught a flash of steel and recognized the danger. When the guy swung at Wes with the knife, Wes ducked with an inch to spare, grabbed the hand with the weapon, and twisted his wrist until he dropped the weapon.

  Blondie fell to his knees with a gasp of pain, but Wes didn’t let go yet. “You two are going to leave the lady alone from now on—got it? Don’t talk to her, don’t even look at her. Understand?”

  The one pinned to the ground nodded fast, his eyes bulging in his face. Wes let up a little with his foot and looked at the one on his knees. He hadn’t answered yet, so Wes applied more pressure to his wrist. The guy cried out.

  “I’m sorry, I didn’t hear you,” Wes growled.

  “We’ll leave her alone,” he gasped.

  “Make sure all your friends get the message. I won’t be so nice the next time.”

  They both nodded quick enough to satisfy him, so he released them, stooped to get the knife, and stepped away. His body hummed with adrenaline, and he took a deep breath to calm down, amazed at how quick it all came back.

  He saw Tara standing a few feet away, looking shocked. Her gaze shifted from the guys picking themselves off the ground to Wes as he folded the switch blade and tucked it in his pocket. She backed up, then turned and hurried down the sidewalk, the blanket swinging from one hand, the sides of her red sweater flapping outward with each step.

  Wes jogged after her, not knowing what to say, feeling bad that he’d frightened her. He kinda scared himself now that he thought about it, but on the plus side, they should leave her alone.

  “He had a knife,” he heard her say as he drew alongside. She shot him a sideways look from wide brown eyes, and he forgot what he was going to say. Two steps later, she asked, “Who are you?”

  He knew who he wanted to be, and was afraid of who he used to be, but it wasn’t as if he could get into all that with her, so he ignored the question. “I’m sorry if I scared you.”

  She stopped walking. “You scared them, is what you did.”

  “That was the point. You shouldn’t have to deal with jerks like that...” He trailed off at the expression of awe on her face. It dawned on him she wasn’t scared, she was impressed. Oh, man, what had he done?

  “You’re a nice guy, Westin Carter.”

  When she stepped toward him with a smile, Wes held up his hands and backed up. “Listen, I only meant to warn them. Don't make me out to be a hero just because I did what was necessary after he pulled the knife.”

  “Oh, I don’t know.” She strolled past with her smile firmly in place. “You’ve got a good track record so far.”

  “Don’t bet on it,” he muttered as they approached the fair grounds. Okay, she was back safe in the company of other people. Time for him to go. His step slowed, but she kept walking and talking, raising her voice above the carnival music and hundreds of people having fun.

  “You took the Sugar incident better than anyone I can imagine, you handled Charlie’s porch inquisition just fine, and then you rescued me from my habitual harassers. Three outta three qualifies for hero status in my book.”

  “Tara—”

  She laughed. “A bona-fide knight in shining armor.”

  Wes planted his feet. “Tara.”

  She turned around, a good five strides in front of him. “Relax, I’m just teasing you.” When he didn’t move, she asked, “What? Aren’t you coming?”

  She motioned toward the baseball field with her head, her black hair shimmering in the flashing lights of the Ferris wheel behind her. Someone bumped into him from behind, then apologized when Wes glanced around with a frown. Realizing he’d have to yell to be heard above the noise, Wes moved closer to Tara, just not too close.

  “I think I’m gonna go.”

  Her brows arched high above those beautiful brown eyes. “You won’t stay for the fireworks?”

  He shifted his gaze again, looking anywhere but at her. If he looked at her, he’d end up staying, and he’d already determined that wasn’t a good idea. Heck, even her brother Charlie knew that.

  “Seriously?” she asked. “After what just happened you’re going to make me sit all by myself in the dark?”

  Guilt. How effective even though he didn’t owe her a damn thing. He opened his mouth to argue that it wouldn’t be all that dark what with the fireflies and fireworks, and she’d hardly be by herself, but then he noticed her lips twitch.

  He narrowed his eyes and countered, “I thought you wanted the blanket all to yourself.”

  She shrugged a shoulder. “It’s a big blanket, I don’t mind sharing.”

  “Just not with your brother.”

  She grinned when he reminded her of her earlier comment. “Right—he takes enough as it is. Besides, he would’ve had to bring Sugar.”

  “That’s right, the lactose intolerant, Harley riding, fireworks chasing, psychotic dog who can’t be left alone.”

  Tara’s eyes danced with unrestrained humor and she laughed, that natural sound that warmed him inside and made him feel like the only man on earth. God help him, but how could he not stay now?

  Chapter 5

  Tara sobered when she noticed a strange look on Wes’s face. Her stomach did a funny little flip, and she asked, “What?”

  His expression cleared and a half-cocked grin appeared. “Nothing. I just realized you look different without Sugar.”

  “I do?”

  “Yeah, less scary.”

  She laughed again. “So, if I promise not to throw-up on you, will you stay?”

  “Promise?” he asked, shoving his hands in his pockets as his grin widened.

  She lifted her hand to draw an X over her hammering heart. It was crazy how much she wanted him to say yes. She barely knew this guy, and as she’d told Sugar, there was no such thing as love at first sight. Or second. Or third. He was just a nice guy with the added bonus of being hot enough to knock her socks
off.

  He tilted his head a little, his expression turning thoughtful. “How can I be sure you’re telling the truth?”

  He stepped closer, and Tara raised an eyebrow. “You don’t trust me?”

  Wes took hold of her arm, his grasp gentle as he turned her in the direction of the field. Another kid bumped into him, and Wes shifted behind her to give a group of rowdy teenagers room to pass by. The length of his hard body pressed against her back. Heat spread through her where ever he made contact with her body. Tara recalled that quick kiss he’d given her on the sidewalk, swallowed hard, and forced herself not to lean into his warmth.

  Then his breath stirred her hair as he murmured, “I never told you my name is Westin.”

  Oh, crap. She’d hoped her habit of using people’s full names when trying to make a point had gone unnoticed. But now that she was busted…

  She spun around and they almost collided, chest to chest. After a silent little gasp, she said, “I’m sorry, you’re right. I looked at your driver’s license to see how old you are and noticed your name. I shouldn’t have invaded your privacy.”

  He rocked back on his heels. “How old I am?”

  Tara cringed as she turned back toward the field. A family blocked her escape, keeping her right where she stood. Why did the truth have to sound so lame and idiotic? She should’ve lied.

  “You know,” Wes said behind her, “I would’ve bought that you wanted to make sure the stranger in your shower wasn’t really some crazy, lying sociopath.”

  A quick glance over her shoulder showed his expression remained serious, but his blue eyes shone with humor and crinkled the tiniest bit at the edges. That explanation sounded so much better than hers. Tara gave him an embarrassed smile.

  “Yeah, that, too. Though in my defense, your license would’ve only clued me in to the lying part of that, not the crazy sociopath.”

  “Very true.”

  She looked back to discover the path had cleared.

  “I’m not, by the way.”

  “A crazy sociopath?” she clarified with a grin.

  “Any of the above.”

  She nodded solemnly. “Good to know. I’ll sleep so much better tonight.”

  He chuckled, lifted her wrist for a glance at her watch, then nudged her forward with his shoulder. “It’s almost nine, what time do these fireworks start?”

  She managed to keep her smile from widening from one ear to the other as they crossed the last of the crowed thoroughfare side by side. “Nine thirty.”

  “Good. I only had two bites of my burger before Sugar introduced herself.”

  Guilt flooded though Tara again. “I’m sorry—”

  Wes held up a hand as he shook his head. “No more apologies. I can’t remember the last time I’ve had such an…interesting…evening.”

  “Interesting is one word for it,” she said as they reached the baseball diamond. “Let’s stake out our spot in the outfield and then I’ll buy you dinner.”

  She led him through the maze of blankets already spread out, some with coolers or chairs, and settled on a more secluded spot toward the edge.

  As she spread out the blanket, Wes glanced around. “You’re just going to leave it here? There’s a half dozen others just like it.”

  Tara shrugged off her red sweater and dropped it onto the blanket. With just her white tank top, the mild evening temperature felt nice against her heated skin, but when she looked at Wes, she got goose bumps on her arms.

  “You’re going to get cold,” he said.

  She waved a hand, warmer already from his concern. “I’m fine, and we’ll be back in a little while anyway.”

  At the concession stands, he ordered another burger and a beer, while she asked for a blue raspberry slushie.

  “A slushie?” he asked.

  “I don’t drink,” she stated as she reached into her front pocket for her cash.

  “If I’d known that—” He broke off with a frown. “Un-uh. Put your money away.”

  When he took out his wallet, Tara shook her head in protest and stepped closer to the booth. “I’m buying, it’s the least I can do.”

  He covered her hand before she could set her money on the checkered-plastic covered counter. The warmth of his touch almost seared her skin. A little zing of electricity zipped up her bare arm and kick-started her heartbeat for what felt like the hundredth time since she’d met him. When she looked up into his eyes, her breath caught in her throat.

  “It’s just a slush,” he argued.

  “Okay, but I’m getting an elephant ear at the next stand,” she stated.

  “I don’t care.”

  “And some cotton candy.”

  “That’s fine.” After a little squeeze, he removed his hand from hers and pulled a couple bills from his wallet while the attendant set Wes’s burger and their drinks down. Wes leaned forward as he handed over his cash. “I’m sorry, but can I get a cola instead?”

  The lady left as Tara added, “Maybe even a deep fried Snickers bar.”

  In the middle of stuffing a tip into the jar on the counter, Wes’s gaze flicked up to hers. “Now you’re pushing it,” he warned with a grin. “If you eat all that you’ll be as hyper as the dog—and you’d probably break your promise about the puking thing, too.”

  Tara laughed. “I am getting the elephant ear.”

  Thinking about the warm, deep-fried dough, brushed with butter, then doused with cinnamon sugar, made her mouth water. Or was it the smile he’d flashed at her?

  Tara tried to convince herself it was the pastry while Wes collected his change, handed her the slush, and they moved to the twenty-deep line for her treat. But as she sipped her raspberry drink and snuck glances at him eating his burger, then looked at each person walk away with their elephant ear, she had to admit she’d rather taste Wes.

  Man, she barely kept from fanning herself. It wasn’t fair that she’d had no time to prepare for that kiss on the sidewalk. No time to enjoy it.

  “What?”

  Tara jerked her attention up from Wes’s mouth. Her heart pounded. Smooth move.

  “Uh, you have ketchup…” She pointed to the corner of her own mouth, and he reached to wipe his lips with a napkin. “You got it,” she said quickly, turning back to focus on the people working the booth. Whew. Nice save, idiot.

  He finished the burger and tossed his garbage into a can as they reached the front of the line. After she ordered, he leaned forward to look at the menu. “I thought you were joking about the Snickers bar.”

  “Do you like Snickers?” she asked.

  “Yeah, sure, but…not deep-fried,” he protested as she called to the lady to add one to her order. “That doesn’t even sound good,” he added in a low undertone while frowning at the menu again. “Twinkies, too?”

  Tara glanced over her shoulder. “You want that instead?”

  “God, no. What’s wrong with these people?”

  Tara laughed, felt the tiniest twinge of guilt, but didn’t cancel the Snickers. Wes argued about paying again, but this time she won by pointing out that they weren’t on a date. To her disappointment, that shut him up real quick…which made it a no-brainer to skip going past the tattoo booth. If he didn’t want her to think this was a date, he’d run faster than she could blink if she introduced him to her parents—especially her dad.

  She didn’t want Westin Carter running anywhere.

  “What’s the hurry?” he asked as she started back toward the field.

  She glanced at him, then straight ahead. “We’ve only got about five minutes before things kick off.”

  He seemed to accept that as he led the way back to the blanket. The bright lights from the fair reached far enough that they relocated their spot without problem, and after they’d settled down, he lifted her sweater. “You want this back on?”

  Having just taken a bite of warm pastry, Tara shook her head. “Nm-mm.”

  Wes set it aside and held the Snickers on a stick in front of hi
m, as if contemplating whether or not to try it. Finally, he pointed it at her, solemnly said, “Now this shows trust,” and lifted it to his lips. Tara felt yet another twinge of guilt as he bit into the treat, then relief when he “mmm’d” his appreciation.

  “Is it really good?” she asked.

  Wes took another bite before turning to her, suspicion evident in his expression. “You sound surprised.” She shrugged a shoulder, trying to appear indifferent. He shifted to face her directly, his gaze narrowed. “Don’t tell me you’ve never had one.”

  She half-grimaced, half-smiled and shook her head no.

  He inhaled with exaggerated outrage. “I feel so used…and I’m supposed to trust you?”

  She laughed. “What’s it taste like?”

  He held it out toward her but when she leaned in for a bite, he pulled his hand back. Her smile matched his as he slowly offered it again. Anticipating his next move, when he started to tease this time, she wrapped her fingers around his wrist and pulled the candy to her mouth. Their eyes locked as she took a small bite of the warm, sweet concoction.

  Mmm. It was good. All of it—the treat and him right there in front of her. She licked her lips to dislodge a chocolaty string of melted caramel. His gaze dropped. Time slowed. He started to lean forward, and Tara caught her breath. Her lashes lowered in anticipation of his kiss.

  Color exploded in the sky above them, three deafening bangs at once. Tara’s eyes opened wide. Red, blue, and green illuminated Wes’s startled expression. She blinked and sat back at the same time he did, transferring her attention to the fireworks.

  “Wow.” Wes tilted his head up.

  “Yeah,” Tara agreed, only she wasn’t talking about the show. For the first time in her life she was not happy with the fireworks.

  Silence fell between them amidst the “oohs” and “ahs” of couples and families scattered on the field. She tore off a piece of her elephant ear and offered it to Wes, who accepted. When he held out the Snickers again without actually looking at her, Tara declined. The fireworks were amazing, but she couldn’t keep her mind off the man next to her, sitting with a forearm resting on his drawn-up knee, his other leg bent underneath.