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

by Donna Marie Rogers

“What the hell am I doing here?” Drew muttered as he stared at Lindy’s front door.

  He’d had a few beers, brooded over his father’s firing, grieved for the mother he’d never really known. Hannah had taken the news in the same stoic manner he’d expected, then quietly cried her heart out in the sanctuary of her bedroom. It about killed him to hear her muffled sobs, wanting to go in and comfort her, yet in too volatile a frame of mind to trust himself. Christ, he couldn't even comfort his baby sister during the worst time of their lives.

  Love, hate, anger, sadness—Drew’s emotions had been running the gamut for hours. Though he’d yet to shed a tear, he’d never felt more physically drained, as if he'd just finished the Ironman Triathlon. But also oddly restless; unable to sit for more than two minutes at a time, incapable of doing anything constructive, like work on Hannah's car. Finally, he’d given up on finding any kind of peace, and hopped in his truck. He’d known exactly where he was heading before he’d even crammed the key in the ignition.

  Come on, woman, answer the friggin’ door. Hunching his shoulders against the bitter cold, Drew’s irritation bubbled into a full, roiling boil. Her car was in the driveway, so she had to be home. If she’d already gone to bed, too damn bad. They needed to talk—now. Fairly busting at the seams with repressed fury, Drew needed to vent.

  And the only other person who deserved his wrath was lying in a morgue.

  Driven by a truckload of warring emotions, Drew pounded again, the last of his patience dissipating into the frigid night air. Still no answer. He tried the knob—locked. Then he remembered he still had a key to the place. For some reason he kept forgetting to return it.

  Or maybe it was fate.

  Before he could talk himself out of it, Drew stuck the key in the lock and opened the door.

  “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

  Drew looked up, and there stood Miss High and Mighty, glaring down at him in disapproval—and looking so beautiful it should be a crime. His jaw clenched; he shut the door behind him and relocked it. She wore a silky blue bathrobe with her hair pinned loosely on top of her head, looking as if she were about to step into a hot bath. The thought caused an uncomfortable ache in his groin, which only kicked his frustration up a notch. Damn it, he didn’t want to desire the merciless bitch, whose heart was as wintry as the ice-blue of her robe.

  But desire her he did. Blood surged hot through his veins; every inch of him throbbed with longing. He’d wanted this woman from the moment she’d fish-tailed into his life, and he was damn tired of denying himself. Tunnel vision thrust every other thought from his head as he shed his leather jacket and tossed it, with his keys, onto the chair. Mine, some primeval voice thundered in his head, propelling him forward as if by physical force.

  “Look, I-I know why you’re here, but we have nothing to talk about. I was perfectly justified in firing your father. He...hey, you stop right there!”

  Spurred by a combination of pounding lust and an unidentifiable emotion he was loathe to examine, Drew started up the stairs, his steps quickening as raw hunger took control of his senses. He needed the headstrong woman more than he needed air at that moment, and he knew, despite protest, she wanted him just as much. When Lindy turned and raced up the stairs, Drew gave chase without a second thought.

  He caught her by the arm just as she reached her bedroom. She spun around and swung with her free hand, slapping his face with a resounding whack. Drew caught her arm before she could swing again and yanked her flush against his chest. Her hair clip fell to the floor; Drew slid one hand into the silky blonde mane, his eyes centered on her delectable mouth. Chests heaved as they glared at each other—she in angry defiance, he in agonizing need.

  “You want me.” The harsh rasp of his voice surprised him.

  “I don’t!” Her protest was in direct contrast with her roaming hands, which had twined around his neck.

  A triumphant smile chased away his irritation, his own hands kneading the gentle swell of her hips. “Liar.”

  Her defenses crumbled as anger turned to uncertainty. “You...you walked out on me last night.”

  “You were tipsy. I didn’t want to take advantage.” Okay, only a half truth. If Hannah hadn’t sent him that voice mail, he couldn’t swear his inner moral compass would have led him in the right direction.

  He gently traced the shell of her ear with his fingertips, then the line of her jaw, the curve of her delicate throat. She closed her eyes, concealing her emotions as effectually as if she’d donned a mask. Her head lolled back, allowing him the access he craved.

  Drew didn’t waste a second, following the path of his fingers with his lips, drawing an answering shudder from her. His lips sought hers, exploring leisurely at first, savoring her taste, her softness, then deepening the kiss, plumbing the moist recesses of her delectable mouth. Her arms tightened around his neck as she eagerly met the thrust of his tongue, blowing his mind with her fervent response.

  Slipping an arm beneath her legs, he picked her up and carried her to the bed. They fell in a tangle of limbs, hungry lips never breaking contact. Lindy surprised him with her assertiveness, quickly stripping him of his T-shirt before grasping the button of his jeans. Jesus, at this rate he'd embarrass himself before she even got his zipper down.

  He broke off the kiss, desperate to get himself under control. Seemed like he’d waited for this woman forever, and the last thing he wanted to do was disappoint. Call it plain old male pride, but tonight he planned to ruin little Miss Hot Stuff for other men.

  A flash of uncertainty lit her gaze. He reassured her by kicking off his boots, toeing off his socks, and shucking his jeans. When that sexy siren’s smile returned, Drew slipped his thumbs beneath the elastic of his boxer briefs and slipped them off.

  Satisfaction shone in the slight widening of those liquid brown pools. She rose to her knees, untied the sash of her robe, and spread it open, revealing utter perfection beneath. Rock-hard and aching, Drew knelt before her on the bed and drank in his fill. Flawless was the only word that came to mind. The woman was simply flawless.

  They came together without pretense, lips melding in wild abandonment, restless hands stroking, squeezing, wanting. Drew had never needed anyone more than he did the beautiful woman in his arms. He cupped her breasts, kneading the soft globes with near reverence before teasing the luscious pink tips into pebbled peaks. Her sexy little moans drove him wild, and it was all he could do to keep from tossing her back and sinking into her welcoming heat.

  She caressed a fiery trail up the hard planes of his back, over his shoulders, tracing her fingers down his chest and stomach with slow appreciation until they curled eagerly around the proof of his desire. She met his gaze, her own heavy with desire.

  “God yes,” he muttered, his voice thick, as he turned to stone in her hand.

  She leaned in and nipped at his lower lip while slowly stroking his shaft in her tight fist. Drew reclaimed her lips, grasping her ass with one hand while palming the back of her head with the other, holding her steady as he plundered her hot mouth. She met his tongue eagerly, impatiently, as hungry for their coming together as he was. Hell, his heart was pounding as if he were getting laid for the first time!

  Stunned—and a little damn scared—to discover just how strongly her touch affected him, he hooked a hand under her knee and gently coaxed her down on the bed, desperate to regain some semblance of control.

  And do a little exploring of his own.

  She released him and sank back into the downy comforter, watching through the thick fringe of her lashes. He lowered his mouth to one succulent nipple, laving it with his tongue, teasing it with his teeth before bestowing the same loving attention to its twin. Her taste, her intoxicating scent…Drew couldn’t get enough of her. Lindy arched into him, her body silently begging him for more.

  He smoothed one hand down the silken skin of her belly, through the golden curls guarding her plump folds, until his fingers sank into her slick pass
age. She exhaled sharply, as if surprised by the invasion, then relaxed, wrapping one leg around his thigh, urging him on in silent plea. He’d wanted to take his time, fly her to the moon and back before taking his own pleasure, but Lindy’s passionate response was stripping away what little self-control he had.

  She reached between them and wrapped her fingers around his cock, nuzzling his neck as she guided him between her thighs. “Please,” she murmured against his throat. “I need you inside me.”

  He hardened like steel at her whispered pronouncement. The tenuous hold he had on his self-restraint dissipated. With a guttural curse, Drew grasped her under one knee, and slid home with one smooth stroke.

  They became one hard and fast, lips seeking and meshing, his forearms cradling her from beneath. Lindy’s arms wrapped around his back, her calves wrapped around his thighs as they surged together in a mutual rush of sexual need, bodies straining, mingled groans of pleasure growing louder and deeper with each desperate thrust. With a hoarse shout and a soft cry of release, they rode a wave of pure ecstasy right over the edge into oblivion.

  Holy shit, Drew thought as he labored for breath, his heart pounding a furious staccato against his ribcage. Once their breathing slowed, he rolled them over, and crushed Lindy in his embrace. He’d been with his fair share of women, but none had ever made him feel as alive as he felt at that moment. Drew held her tight, hoping the satisfied smile on his face wasn’t too pathetic. But damn, did he feel good.

  * * *

  “Wow.”

  Drew chuckled and pressed his lips to her temple. “My thoughts exactly.”

  Not quite ready to look him in the eye, Lindy savored the bliss of merely lying in his arms. And the man did have some nice arms. Heck, he has nice everything, she thought, happier at that moment than she’d ever thought possible.

  She reveled in the knowledge that he'd left the night before not because he didn’t want her, but because he was honorable. Honorable and an amazing lover. The thought sent a warm flush from the top of her head to the tips of her toes. And muscular. The man was strong as an ox—something that had always been a huge turn-on for her. She’d felt the strength pulsing through him as he’d driven her to heaven and beyond. And he smelled incredible; spicy and masculine and…a small sigh escaped her and she bit her lip to hold back a grin.

  Yep, Melinda Sue Spalding was dangerously close to falling in love. And the biggest surprise? The thought didn’t scare her nearly as much as it should.

  Her smile faded as reality struck. She’d be heading back to L.A. once the plant was up and running. Though Redemption and its inhabitants were slowly worming their way into her heart, could she imagine a life here permanently? And what about her parents? They’d be heartbroken if she moved so far away from them.

  Though Matt was here. Maybe if both their kids were living in Redemption, Mom and Dad would make the move as well. The L.A. Spaldings living in Middle America. Now there was an idea for a reality show if she'd ever heard one.

  “I’ve just watched a million expressions cross your face. Should I be concerned?”

  Lindy laughed and plucked at his chest hair, which was just as sexy as the rest of him. A T of golden perfection that narrowed down his stomach and disappeared beneath the covers. “No, I was just thinking.”

  “That’s what worries me,” he teased, tightening his hold. “You think too much.”

  “Can’t argue with you there. Though I’m pretty content right now.” Her thoughts worked around to the reason she suspected he’d landed on her step in the first place. “Maybe we should talk about your father.”

  Drew blew out a deep breath, then extricated himself from her arms and lay back on the pillow, linking his fingers behind his head. Probably would’ve been a better idea to save this particular conversation, but she saw no point in putting off the inevitable.

  “I’d like to try and explain his actions, if you’ll let me.”

  Missing the comfort of his embrace, Lindy rolled onto her side and propped her head on her palm. “I really am sorry about what happened, but—”

  “But you were only doing your job,” he finished, turning slightly to meet her gaze. “I know. He explained the entire scene to me, and anyone in your position would’ve done the same thing. I get it. I just want you to know the truth, what it was that set him off like that. My old man isn't a drunk or a violent man. He’s one of the most even-tempered, clear-headed people you’ll ever meet.”

  She placed her hand on his chest, over his heart. “Tell me.”

  Drew cleared his throat, and then explained about his mother’s mental illness, how she’d spent more time drinking and running around than with her impressionable young children. Despite everything, Drew’s father had adored his wife, and though they’d finally had to institutionalize her, he’d never stopped loving her, never stopped believing she’d be well enough someday to come home. And they’d never divorced; his father having stayed faithful to her all these years.

  How heartbreaking, Lindy thought. She and Matt had been blessed with wonderful parents, so she couldn’t imagine what Drew and Hannah’s childhood must have been like. Lindy laid her head on Drew’s chest and snuggled into his embrace. His arms closed around her with a reassuring squeeze, as if he were trying to comfort her.

  “Yesterday morning,” Drew continued, “dad got a call from the hospital. My mother had taken a whole bottle of muscle relaxers sometime the night before. By the time they found her, it was too late.”

  Stunned, she whispered, “My God...Drew, I’m so sorry.”

  He stroked her hair with a gentle hand. “Dad took it hard. He had a bottle of brandy in his desk at work. Unopened; it was a Christmas gift from a friend. And since he rarely drinks the hard stuff, it hit him like a ton of bricks. He’d completely forgotten he was supposed to meet with you. He feels awful. Wanted me to make sure you weren’t hurt.”

  “I’m fine,” she said in a soft voice, touched the man even thought to ask about her with all that had happened.

  Drew grew quiet suddenly, gazing down at her with an intensity that nearly stole her breath. She recognized the look, and her body responded as he rolled them over, pinning her beneath him. He captured her mouth with passionate need, craving the same comfort she sought from him.

  They made love again, slowly this time, savoring each touch, each caress. Lindy ached for him in ways she'd never before experienced. Until Drew, no man had ever made it past her defenses, had ever evoked such a passionate response from her, and she reveled in her newfound sexual freedom. She’d given him a rough time of it from day one, but he’d given it back ten-fold. Drew was her match in every way, and Lindy thrilled at the possibility of a future with him.

  As their bodies cooled, Drew pulled her tight against his chest, spoon-style. She closed her eyes with a sigh of pure contentment, exhausted and blissfully happy. She’d have a lot of thinking to do after tonight, that was for sure.

  He nipped at her ear, then whispered, “You’re amazing, you know that?”

  “You’re pretty awesome yourself, Lou,” she teased, her cheeks sore from smiling. Had she ever smiled so much in her life?

  He gave her ass a slap. “Sassy witch. I think you need a spanking.”

  “Somehow, that doesn’t sound like punishment.”

  Drew laughed and gave her another playful swat. After a moment, he asked, “So how long until the plant’s up and running?”

  “We plan to open the doors on May 1st, and thankfully, we’re right on schedule.” Then it’s back to L.A. and civilization. At least until she could sell her condo and race back to Mayberry. The thought didn’t cause her even a single quiver of concern. In fact, her writing had come alive since arriving, the words flowing like they never had before.

  She wasn’t sure if it was her imagination, or if she was looking too much into it, but Drew stiffened and withdrew from her a bit. Regrets? Already? God, she hoped not. Not when she’d all but made the decision to relocate here.
No...no, she was being paranoid. She’d just had the most incredible sex of her life—twice. No way could he not be feeling what she was feeling.

  Could it be about his father? Had Drew expected her to offer the man his job back just because they’d slept together? The thought that Drew could have very well assumed just that brought an uncomfortable ache to her chest.

  He sat up and swiped both hands through his hair. He looked haggard, suddenly, and she wondered if he was thinking about his mother. Of course, that had to be it. She could only imagine what hell the man was going through, not to mention the burden of worrying about his father and sister on top of dealing with his own grief.

  He threw the covers back and sat on the edge of the bed for a moment, as if collecting his thoughts, then picked his boxer briefs off the floor and slipped them on. Lindy snuggled back against the pillows and watched him shrug into his shirt though sated eyes. The man had the body of a Greek God; anticipation thrummed through her as she imagined the next time she’d have him naked in her bed.

  Fully dressed, he turned, but barely looked her in the eye as he said, “It’s been fun, Hot Stuff, but I have to get going. Lots to do tomorrow.”

  It’s been fun? “I don’t understand. Is something wrong?” When he didn’t immediately respond, her pulse sped up. “Drew?”

  His eyes narrowed, grew cold; distant. “Don’t you mean Lou?”

  “I was kidding.” She frowned. “You know that.”

  He blew out another hard breath and scrubbed a hand over his face. “Yeah, you were kidding. Listen, seriously, I have to go. We’ll talk later.” With that, Drew took off as if his feet were on fire, slamming the front door on his way out.

  Lindy wrapped her arms around herself, tears burning her eyes, and gazed unseeingly out her bedroom window. This had to be about his grief over his mother. Maybe something she’d said reminded him of her. Or maybe in his vulnerable state the solace of her arms wasn’t the only comfort he needed. Maybe tonight he needed to grieve with his family.