Twenty Times Tempted: A Sexy Contemporary Romance Collection

by Petrova, Em

  I smile at the old man who holds open the door for me when I get to the store and wonder what the hell is wrong with me. Shouldn’t I be all shaken? Or at least a little freaked out? Maybe I’m still in that kind of numb zone, but then why am I excited about having Nick around for the evening? There’s a little flutter in my stomach. I remember it and it’s not like the flutter I used to have when Rob got home, the one that made me feel sick. It’s the one that I used to get before going on a date. The one I had with Rob when we were first seeing each other. The one I know I felt the first time I laid eyes on Nick. What would have happened if I’d not been blinded by Rob’s charm that night?

  I shake my head and snatch a basket. I fill it with pasta sheets and grab a jar of sauce. I take my time at the wine aisle and end up selecting a red. If I remember correctly, Nick enjoys red as much as I do though he’s partial to beer. Should I get some cans too? No, I ignore the beer. He’s got work tomorrow and the last thing we need is more alcohol to numb the senses. God knows, I don’t have enough sense when it comes to Nick anyway. I’ve just got to remind myself he’s a soldier. He may be nothing like Rob but that doesn’t mean things would be any different. The job will always come first and I don’t want to be in second place ever again. If I ever consider re-marrying, it will be to someone who does nine to five and is home every weekend.

  The girl at the checkout cracks the gum in her mouth and gives me a wan smile as I say hi. I study her hair as she scans and bags my purchases and ponder dying my hair. Hers is bright purple. Or maybe I should get a tattoo? I note the one she has on the inside of her wrist and I’m willing to bet she has more. Nick looks good with tattoos, perhaps I would too?

  I laugh inwardly. Perhaps I’m going through that crisis that everyone warns you about when your marriage ends. The one where you give yourself a makeover and start dating a younger man.

  I don’t think I’ll bother with tattoos or dying my hair. I hand over the cash and grab my bag. Besides Nick thinks I’m sexy as I am. Rob might not have thought much of me anymore but Nick doesn’t have any complaints.

  Not that I care what he thinks.

  Because I don’t, right?

  Ignoring the little skip in my heart as I contemplate him, I clutch my shopping bag and walk briskly up the street. I need to get home ASAP if I want to get the lasagna done in time. A slight prickle dances up my spine and I glance around. A mom with a stroller goes past on the opposite side of the road and there’s a woman jogging up ahead, so I have no idea why I’m feeling antsy. I guess the thought of going back to the apartment is making me nervous.

  I round the corner and freeze. The skinhead from the hospital. I suck in a sharp breath as my mind seems to stop functioning. He appears surprised too but recovers quicker than I do and snatches my arm. I’m yanked against the brick of the apartment building and my head jars, sending a piercing stab of pain through my skull. It disorients me enough so that he manages to press his whole body into me. He towers over me, breath acrid as he closes his fingers around my neck.

  “Try anything and I’ll snap your neck,” he hisses.

  My natural reflex to kick out disappears and I sag. Memories of alcohol tinged breath and my husband’s eyes turning dark assail me and my head swims. I claw at the hand when he presses harder. As I glance around, I realize he’s forced me into the alleyway and no one will see me. The pressure on my neck grows and my heart races. He could easily kill me if he wanted to. I don’t know if he does, but he’s big and intimidating enough for me to believe his threat.

  I keep trying to tug at his fingers, just to loosen the force, but it makes no difference. “What do you want?” I rasp out.

  “Where is it?”

  “Where’s what?”

  “The stash.”

  “What stash?”

  “Don’t mess with me, bitch. You must know where it is. We checked your old place and there was nothin’.” Skinhead gives my neck a little extra squeeze, makes me squeak, just to add emphasis to his words.

  “I swear I don’t know what you’re talking about.” My voice is barely a whisper now and I feel light-headed. I just want to breathe but that relentless grip on my throat hardly lets me suck in anything. It must be drugs, right? A stash? That’s what he means. Except I would have known if there was drugs in my house, surely? Though I didn’t know as much as I thought. But I would have found it when I moved for sure. And if they—whoever the fuck these guys are—hadn’t found the drugs, then why did they assume I would have?

  “Big Johnson ain’t a patient man and he’s out of pocket big time. I don’t know what you plan to do with it, but he ain’t going to be happy if you don’t hand it over.” He grins. “I’ll take great pleasure in killing you, sweet thing.”

  My eyes must be as wide as they can get. His sinister expression and the agonizing grip convinces me he’s telling the truth. A shudder wracks me as I consider what he might do. I stop clawing at his hand and drop my arm to my side.

  “Please don’t hurt me. I don’t know anything. Really, I don’t. I only just found out Rob was dealing in drugs. If I find something, I’ll… I’ll hand it over. I promise.”

  Skinhead seems to deliberate this for a moment and the hold on my neck loosens very briefly. I draw in a strong breath and slip my hand into the carrier bag I’m still clutching. My fingers close in on the wine bottle and in one move, I yank it out and swing it at his head.

  It smashes and alcohol splashes over me, the smell powerful. Who knows if I knock him out but he staggers back and I shove both palms against his chest. Flinging the bag aside, I sprint for my apartment building. I’m there in moments, out of breath after my run and my lungs still ache from the sudden intake of air, but I don’t pause. I jab the code into the door and don’t even glance over my shoulder to see if I was followed.

  I dash up the stairs and fumble retrieving my keys. It takes me several tries to get the door open with my new locks but I finally make it and slam the door shut behind me. A man steps through from the kitchen and I scream, flattening my back against the door before I realize who it is.

  “Nick!”

  His eyes widen and he hastens over, snatching my arms. “Shit, Sienna, what the hell happened?”

  “How did you get in here?” I exclaim.

  “I got the locksmith to give me a spare key.” He fingers my cotton tank top. “What’s this? Are you hurt?”

  I glance down at my top and realize it’s covered in red wine. “No… it’s just wine. Why have you got a spare key? I didn’t say you could have one.”

  He’s still holding me and I’m almost glad. My legs are so shaky, I’m not sure they’ll hold me up.

  “Never mind about the key,” he snaps. “What’s going on, babe? Why are you covered in wine and looking like you’ve just been scared to death?” He curses softly under his breath as his gaze alights on my neck. “Sienna, what the fuck?” He skims the pads of his fingers over my neck and I stiffen.

  Terror pounds through me as Nick’s face seems to merge into the skinhead’s and then Rob’s. “Please don’t,” I say weakly before I pass out.

  Chapter Six

  Nick

  My blood runs cold and I grab her. Sienna’s face is insanely white and the marks on her neck stand out in stark contrast. I hold her limp body for a moment, not quite sure what to do, or what the hell just happened. I was kinda excited to be back here. I’ve called in a few favors and put in some leave, and I was looking forward to more time with Sienna. Even if the circumstances aren’t exactly the best. But a guy’s got to take what he can, right? She can’t resist me forever and I know I affect her. Her reaction to me being shirtless was enough for any man’s ego.

  I put a hand to her neck and feel her pulse. It’s slow but steady. What the fuck did I just do to make her pass out? My heart is hammering pretty hard. I’m beginning to doubt if I even should have left her alone today. I could have had one of the guys bring down my stuff.

  Scooping her up, I car
ry her into the bedroom and lie her down. Hands on my hips, I study her for a moment, still at a loss as to what to do. Some soldier I am. Trained to deal with anything but put a fainting woman in my arms and I’m lost. I think I’d rather be shot at again than have Sienna pass out on me.

  Determined to do something, I snatch a cloth from the bathroom and dampen it. I settle on the bed and dab her forehead, willing her to come round. Dread twists my insides. Seriously, hasn’t the woman been through enough lately? Those marks on her neck… they’re coming up clearer now and they look like fingerprints. Who the fuck would want to strangle Sienna? The dread turns to burning anger and I suck in a few breaths to calm it. The last thing she needs is to wake up to see me so furious. I tell myself I’ll hunt down whoever did it and make them regret ever laying a hand on her. This calms my temper a little as I imagine the grim satisfaction I’ll get from pounding my fist into whoever did this. Water trickles down her smooth cheeks and I catch the drops with my fingertips.

  “Babe,” I call softly.

  She drags open her eyes and slowly focuses on me. “Stop,” she repeats and pushes my hand away. She struggles to sitting.

  I’m still on the edge of the bed, my jeans rubbing against her legs. “Are you okay?”

  “Yeah, my head still feels foggy but I’m okay.”

  She puts a hand to it and glances in my eyes again. There’s fear there. Is she scared of me?

  My jaw is tense, but I make an effort to keep my eyes soft, and I fist the cloth tightly in my hand. “What’s happened, Sienna? How did you get that mark on your neck?”

  “Someone… the man from the other night… tried to attack me. Did attack me.” She curls her legs up and clutches her arms around them. “I had a bottle of wine and I smashed it on his head.”

  I release a tilted smile at her bravery but it doesn’t work to prevent the anger building inside me. “Damn, I never should have left you alone.”

  “You can’t watch me forever. Anyway, I know why these guys are after me now.” Her voice comes out croaky. “They’re after a stash of drugs. This guy—Big Johnson, he said—thinks I have them.”

  “Christ.” I drag a hand through my hair. I inch cautiously up toward her, sliding along the bed until I’m sitting next to her. “Can I look at your neck?” She nods but her body goes rigid as I brush aside her hair. She’s terrified. “I’m not going to hurt you,” I murmur.

  She drops her gaze. “I know.” Tears well in her eyes, tugging my heart.

  “Hey,” I soothe and skim my fingertips over her neck. I’m not quite sure what to do now. I want answers. I need answers. But I need to reassure Sienna first. “Hey,” I repeat, inching closer and closing the gap between us.

  My hand ends up pressed under her hair and I press her forehead flat against my chest. She loops a hand around my neck and I have to concentrate on not getting turned on when her slender body lines up with mine.

  “No one will hurt you again, I promise.”

  She nods against me. I need to get her out of her wine-stained clothes but I can feel her heart hammering heavily still so I settle on just holding her. I listen as her breaths slow and consider my next move.

  We need to find these damned drugs and put an end to this. I can’t see her that scared ever again. The need to take action, to tear this guy’s throat out burns deep in my gut but I force myself to relax. I kiss her hair and wait. Sienna doesn’t need me running around the city, baying for blood, especially when we still know virtually nothing about who’s after her.

  Eventually she falls asleep. Whatever happened clearly shocked the hell out of her to make her so tired. But hopefully she’ll feel better when she wakes up. I draw my tingling arm carefully out from underneath her, wincing when she mutters. Thankfully, she stays asleep and I climb off the bed and tuck the sheets around her. I take a moment to observe her and swipe a hand through my hair.

  So peaceful and beautiful. Her lips are parted and I hear each slow breath. It soothes away a little of my rage to see her safe and exquisite. A tiny curl of auburn hair trails down her neck and her hands are tucked by her side. She’s still covered in wine but I can’t bring myself to risk waking her by taking her top off. Not that I don’t itch to touch that insanely gorgeous body. I shake my head at myself. Not what I need to be thinking about right now.

  Maybe if I stare at her long enough it will erase the image of her terror from my mind. I have this God-awful feeling I scared her. I don’t know if it was just that this attacker terrified her out of her mind or what, but something feels off. I definitely startled her but surely she’d be relieved to see me. I sure as hell would never have expected Sienna to faint in my arms. I mean, the woman’s a nurse. She’s not exactly the type who’s prone to fainting.

  I have to do something. Turning on my heel, I take a quick peek at her over my shoulder and stride into the kitchen. I debate the coffee pot but really I need a beer. Or a few. It’s been a tense few days. Actually a tense few years. Wanting your best friend’s wife does take its toll. I’ve kept myself busy with other girlfriends—even hoped they’d take her place in my heart—but none have been able to match up to Sienna. Whatever happens, I need to keep her safe in the hopes that soon she’ll recognize we are meant to be together. I have no doubts whatsoever she’s meant for me. You can’t know a person as well as I do Sienna and still love them after all these years if she’s not The One. Yeah, it’s sappy, but I’ve never been one to kid myself. If I had to I’d write poetry and… I don’t know… sing songs and shower her with roses and trips to Paris or whatever. Sienna makes a man want to do anything just to be with her.

  After helping myself to a coffee, I grab her laptop from the bookcase and settle on the couch. Thank fuck for Google. I flip it open and power it up, tapping impatiently at the mouse pad. Big Johnson she said. Well, Mr. Big Johnson may be some big criminal but even he can’t keep himself off the internet. It might not help but at least I’ll know what I’m up against.

  After a few searches for Johnson and drugs and Glenwood, I finally come up with several news articles. Mr. Harvey Johnson of Johnson Shipping. It seems the cops have been after him for a while but have had no luck. The last case to go to court was thrown out. On paper, the guy is just a legitimate businessman, working in the shipping industry. Problem is, it looks like he’s pretty rich and able to bribe his way out of most situations. A chill races up my spine. It doesn’t bode well for us.

  I find a picture of him on one of the local paper’s websites of him coming out a courtroom, and stare at it for a while. Grey-haired, pretty respectable looking. Doesn’t stop me from hating him. Not only has he threatened my girl but he’s ruined her life. I don’t know… Rob was probably already screwed before he started dealing, but I can’t help feeling this guy just pushed Rob over the edge. All the secrets, the illegal activities, must have driven Rob over. Maybe that’s why he drank so much? I could kick myself for not seeing it sooner or taking action. I wish I knew what I could have done. Rob wouldn’t listen to reason. He seemed to think it was all a great laugh. Life’s short, he’d say. Lighten up, Nick.

  I get that. I live with the proof of that on my leg and the memory of those three guys who died. I’ll never forget any of them but they did teach me to keep going, to keep persevering and to be the best I can be. Which is why I won’t ever give up on Sienna. I want to be the best man I can be for her.

  Blowing out a breath, I shut the laptop and dig out my cell from my pocket. I scroll through and find Ginge’s number. If anyone has any idea just how deep Rob was, it will be him. It’s pretty bad when the guy you used to think of as your best friend is a total stranger in so many ways. I honestly didn’t think Rob had gotten this deep.

  “Yep.” Ginge’s voice comes through.

  “Hey, Ginge.”

  “Hey, man, heard you put in some compassionate. Is everything okay?”

  “Yeah, everything’s fine.”

  “Sure? I’ve got your back if you need anything.”


  “I’m fine, but I do need to pick your brain.”

  “Shoot, man.”

  “You know that kid who got kicked out? The one who named Rob as his dealer? Do you know anything more about that?”

  I hear a slow exhale. “What’s going on, Nick? Why are you digging into this? Isn’t it better to leave it? Rest in peace and all that.”

  I understand Ginge’s reservations. Protect our own. It’s kind of an instinctual thing. You train and work in such close quarters that your brothers-in-arms are practically closer than family. You protect each other, in life and in the field. But sometimes, they don’t deserve protecting. I’m not sure Rob deserved any of it.

  “Sienna’s in trouble. And it’s linked to Rob’s dealing.”

  “Shit… Sienna, of course. I should have known.”

  I hear the smile in his voice. Ginge is a smart guy and probably one of the only ones to figure out how I felt about Sienna. Yeah there was gossip about us, but mostly from the wives. And as long as Sienna was okay with it, it didn’t matter to me. As far as I was concerned, I’d put up with anything to be by her side, supporting her, and Rob trusted me. In fact, Rob undoubtedly thought I’d keep away any other potential predators. But still, I’d never have done anything anyway. Not like that. It sounds corny but Sienna’s too special for the type of sordid behavior that comes with an affair.

  With a groan, I shake my head. “Look, you got any info for me or not? I’m going in blind here and I don’t like it.”

  “I don’t know much to be honest, Nick. The guy said Rob dealt in coke. I don’t know where he got it from, only that he used to meet with someone in the city. Rob was pretty good at keeping it all under wraps, as you well know.”