With her reaction to the picture this morning and the way she looked at me when she came out to the pool in her bikini, I was hopeful that she would be willing to talk to me soon. However, as the day went on she didn’t look at or speak to me again, and the sense of dread settled back in the pit of my stomach.
She and her cousin spent the rest of the day lounging by the pool, drinking strawberry daiquiris that the housekeeper made for them. Her cousin stayed through dinner and late into the evening, effectively blocking my chances to talk to her alone. As soon as her cousin left she quickly said goodnight and went to her room.
My partner was making use of the pool out swimming laps, so I threw on some gym shorts and hit the treadmill in the home gym. Five miles later I threw in the towel and headed to the shower and then to bed. Sleep didn’t come easily, and I ran through my mind over and over what I would say to her when I had the chance.
The next morning I smelled coffee the second I left my room, and I knew the housekeeper was already here. I passed the gym and saw my partner on the treadmill, and I knew she wouldn’t be up for hours. So, I seized this opportunity to pump the housekeeper for information.
“Good morning, Mr. Hunter. What would you like for breakfast this morning?” I gave her a warm smile and replied, “Whatever you’re making is fine with me.” She patted my arm and motioned to the stools on the other side of the large island. “Sit, sit. Keep me company while I cook. She is never up this early. It’s nice to have someone to talk to.” This might be easier than I thought. I settled on one of the stools and took a sip of the coffee she set in front of me.
“So…you’ve know her since she was a little girl?” She nodded, her back to me as she mixed together ingredients for an omelet.
“She was so small and quiet when she came to live here. But so beautiful with her long hair and big green eyes. She was afraid of the dark, still, at nine years old.” I stared into my coffee cup and wrapped my hands around it, careful not to squeeze it as hard as I wanted to right now. She continued, “It was two years before she unpacked the small suitcase she brought with her and stopped keeping it under her bed. I think she was always afraid they would send her back.”
I kept my head down, not wanting her to see the tears pooling in my eyes. I knew she had a hard childhood, but my heart was breaking for the little girl with big green eyes that wouldn’t unpack her suitcase. The housekeeper came over to stand at my side and soothingly patted my back.
“She’s a strong young lady now, Mr. Hunter. But I think you already know that. Whatever you did to make her mad, she just needs time. She may not be quick to trust or forgive when that trust is broken, but she’s a smart girl. She won’t let something wonderful pass her by. Don’t give up, Mr. Hunter.” I looked up into her warm smiling eyes, wondering how she knew about us, but not bothering to question it. “Please, call me Wyatt.”
She came out later in the morning, still in her pajamas, and grabbed breakfast and coffee to take back to her room. She stayed in there the rest of the day until her cousin came over for dinner. The girls ate out by the pool and it was clear that my partner and I were not welcome to join them. I paced the length of the living room, never having been much of a patient man. Her cousin brought their plates in and grabbed a bottle of white wine out of the fridge and two wine glasses. This was my chance. I cornered her in the kitchen and asked her for a favor.
***
“This was when you joined forces with Lindsay to get me in that limo.” He smirked at me, “Yup. Remind me to thank her for those pigtails.” I swatted his chest, then smirked back with a wicked gleam in my eye.
“Do you want me to wear pigtails right now? Pigtails and nothing else?” His lips parted and his eyes darkened.
“Let’s skip ahead a bit in the story to the night before we went to visit my parents for the first time.” He started talking faster, and I knew we wouldn’t get through the whole story tonight.
***
Seeing her come out the door onto the terrace was like getting the wind knocked out of me. I don’t know how she could have become more beautiful in the 10 hours since I had last seen her, but she was. So beautiful with her hair loose around her shoulders, her dress falling to mid-thigh showing off her long legs and bare feet.
She smiled when she saw me, her eyes lighting up like a kid on Christmas morning. I hoped she would smile at me like that forever. It was a smile she reserved for me, and I loved it. I loved her. “Hey, you. When did you get back?” She asked as she walked over and sat on my lap throwing her arms around my shoulders in her way that told me she trusted me with her life and her heart.
“I got back a couple hours ago. Your housekeeper makes a mean pot roast.”
“Yes, she does…you looked so serious out here, are you thinking about tomorrow?” I nodded, “Yeah, but now I’m thinking about you. Did you have fun today?” I asked pulling her against me so I could kiss her neck and inhale her delicious scent. She moaned lightly when I kissed her neck and wriggled on my lap, making me instantly hard.
“Mmmm, what?” I chuckled and leaned back so she could answer me without being distracted. “Did you have fun at the salon doing whatever it is you do there?” She gave me a wicked smile, “Oh, yes. I have been polished from head to toe and everywhere in between.” Huh? “Uh, what exactly does that mean?” She moved so she was straddling my lap and I got even harder, if that was possible. Her warm breath tickled my ear right before she whispered, “Everywhere.” She nipped at my ear and I set my hands firmly on her waist to stop her squirming.
“Sorry,” she said, moving off my lap and curling up next to me instead. Her sexy smirk let me know she wasn’t the least bit sorry.
***
My hips had starting moving all on their own again, and Wyatt rolled me under him, whispering in my ear, “To be continued…”
The End (for now)
Keep reading for a sneak peek of Lindsay’s story…
About the Author
Kirsten DeMuzio is the author of Safe With You, her debut novel. She and her husband, Tony, live with their two young daughters in Columbus, Ohio with their beloved golden retriever, Whiskey. Visit her on Facebook for updates on her upcoming books.
Keep reading for a sneak peek of Lindsay’s story…
Sneak Peek of Lindsay’s Story…Coming in Fall 2013
Looking around the room Leah said, “Josh isn’t here yet, so we can hang out at the bar for now.” I quickly looked around too and sighed in relief when I didn’t see anyone I knew - translation Grady. With some effort Leah perched her pregnant self on a tall bar stool, and I took the one next to her. The bartender greeted us with something that sounded like a grunt and said, “Hey, Leah,” before moving away to fix a drink. Leah leaned closer and whispered, “That’s Ford. He comes across as a kind of an asshole, but he’s really a nice guy deep down. Cute too, don’t you think?” She nudged me with her shoulder and winked. I rolled my eyes at her obvious attempt to set me up. She had no idea the last thing I was looking for was to be set up with a stranger.
“Yeah, he’s pretty hot. But I’m not really looking to date anyone right now,” I replied hoping she wouldn’t push it any farther. Ford came back over to us and set a glass of ice water with lemon in front of Leah. He looked at me, scowling and raised an eyebrow. Leah ordered for me, “She’ll have a Lemon Drop Martini.” Ford rolled his eyes and walked away. My eyebrows furrowed in confusion, “Was that his way of asking me for my order? Because, if so, he really sucks at his job.” Leah laughed, “Yeah, he’s a tough nut to crack. Ford was a star quarterback in high school and got a full ride to college. He was set to be a first round NFL draft pick, but he hurt his leg his junior year and his football career was over. Now he’s back home working here.”
My attitude toward the surly bartender softened slightly. It would be devastating to have the world at your fingertips and then have it taken away in the blink of an eye. I would probably be in a constant bad mood too. When he set my
drink down in front of me I smiled kindly at him, but he didn’t return it. Oh, well. I guess I wouldn’t be adding Ford to my list of new friends. So far Leah was the only person on that list.
I took a sip of my drink and made a face at the sugary sweetness. Leah noticed my expression and apologized, “Sorry. That’s my favorite drink and if I can’t have it I want to at least be able to smell it.” I laughed and pushed it toward her, “Sniff away.”
While Leah was busy inhaling the sickening sweetness of my drink, my mind wandered back five years to Grady talking about some of his friends. I think he had mentioned somebody going off to play football, but I’m sure his name wasn’t Ford. It started with a W - Wells or Walker or something like that. “Hey, Leah? What is Ford’s last name,” I asked holding my breath and praying she said Smith or Jones or anything that didn’t start with a W.
She moved the drink back in front of me and said, “Walsh. Ford Walsh.” Son of a bitch. Well, there goes the only friend on my list. Once Leah and Josh and Ford found out I’m the crazy bitch who broke their friend’s heart five years ago, they wouldn’t want anything to do with me.
“Lindsay? Are you okay? You look a little pale,” Leah said looking at me with a worried expression on her face. “Um, yeah. I’m fine. I think I should probably get going though.” I started to lower myself off the bar stool, but Leah grabbed my arm. She was freakishly strong for being so tiny. “Oh no you don’t. You’re not going anywhere until after we have something to eat. I’m starving. If Josh doesn’t get here soon there’s going to be hell to pay.”
As if on cue the front door opened and a guy I assumed to be Josh walked in. His eyes lit up when he saw Leah and I could see from here that he loved her very much. “Hey baby,” he said smoothly, coming over to hug Leah and run his hands over her huge belly. “How are my two best girls today?” I was pretty positive he wasn’t talking about me, so I assumed they knew they were having a girl. Another twinge of sadness pulled at my heart, but I smiled as Leah introduced me to Josh.
“This is Lindsay. She’s Lana’s niece and she’s going to be filling in while I’m off work. And she’s my new best friend because she took me to get my nails done,” Leah giggled and wiggled her fingers and toes. Josh kissed her hand before reaching over to shake mine. “It’s nice to meet you, Lindsay.”
Josh helped Leah down so she could visit the ladies room, and he slid onto the stool she had vacated. I sipped my drink while Ford set a beer down in front of Josh. I smiled at Ford again and was pleasantly surprised when he nodded his head at me. No smile, but at least he was no longer scowling. I was making progress. Oh, wait. I momentarily forgot they were Grady’s friends, and I suddenly became aware that Josh was studying me intently.
I glanced nervously at him as he took a swig of his beer. He tipped the bottle toward me and asked, “You’re Lana’s niece?”
“Mmmm hmmm,” I replied, hoping he would stop there, but he didn’t. “Are you Lana’s only niece?” Shit. He knew who I was. Oh, well. I might as well get this over with and just go home. “Yes, I’m Lana’s only niece. And, yes, I am that Lindsay.” He frowned and opened his mouth to say something else, but Leah appeared between us and linked her arm through mine. “Come on, guys. Let’s go sit at a table and decide what we want to eat.”
“You ladies go ahead. I need to make a quick call and then I’ll join you,” Josh said to us. My legs were unsteady as I followed Lindsay to a table near the front of the pub. I kept looking back to Josh as he dialed his phone and held it to his ear. I knew who he was calling, and I could tell that he didn’t get through when he shoved his phone back in his pocket a moment later. I also knew I should leave now, right this very second. I should walk out the door, pack up my shit and go back to the city.
But something held me here, made me sit down at the table. Leah grabbed a menu for herself and dropped another one down in front of me. I didn’t even bother opening it. My appetite was nonexistent right now. Josh and Ford were talking at the bar, and when Ford glanced in our direction I knew they were talking about me. Leah rattled off some of her favorite things on the menu and started debating what she was craving tonight.
A moment later Leah was still talking, but I had no idea what she was saying. The air around me had changed and all the breath left my lungs. My focus was suddenly on the front door and who just walked through it. I had caught only a quick glimpse of Grady my first day here as he drove away on his motorcycle, and I was surprised at how different he looked. Now that he was standing only fifteen feet away from me I took in his black army boots, faded jeans hanging low on his hips, black t-shirt snug over his chest and arms. Arms that were covered in tattoos. He was tall and rangy and his dark blonde hair was down to his chin. He looked downright dangerous, and my heart rate kicked into overdrive.
Since the day I decided to come back here I had wondered how he would react to seeing me again. I had hoped for surprised excitement and had resigned myself to indifference. After all it had been five years. He could be married with kids by now. But looking into his eyes now, I never expected the blatant and unadulterated rage I saw in them. He looked all the more dangerous as he was over to us in three long strides, slamming his palms down on the table, making Leah jump.
“What are you doing here, Bambi?” He growled at me, leaning down so he was only inches from my face. He used to call me Bambi as a term of endearment, but the way he said it now made it sound like a nasty insult. Leah recovered and shot him a dirty look, “Jesus, Grady! What’s your problem? And her name’s not Bambi, it’s…” He cut her off midsentence, his voice raised, “I know what her name is, Leah. I want to know what the fuck she’s doing here!” Leah looked back and forth between us, catching on that we knew each other. I could only sit there in shock and stare into his angry eyes as my own started to fill with tears.
“Calm down, man,” Josh warned as he grabbed Grady’s arm and pulled him forcibly over to the bar. Grady’s eyes stayed on me until Josh shoved him onto a bar stool and stepped in front of him, holding him in place with his hands on Grady’s shoulders.
“Lindsay! Oh my God. Are you okay? You’re shaking. And crying,” Leah’s worried voice finally cut through the daze I was in, and I realized tears were streaming down my cheeks and I was trembling. I wrapped my arms tightly over my chest and turned away from Grady. “What the hell was that about? Do you know Grady?” Leah was still asking questions. Questions I didn’t know how to answer.
I stood up on shaky legs and grabbed my purse. Leaning down to give Leah a quick hug, I said, “I knew Grady once. I’m sure Josh can fill you in later, but I need to go. I’m sorry, Leah. I’ll see you at the office on Monday.” I hurried out, not looking back, and hoping Leah would still be speaking to me on Monday.
My breath was coming quickly and I was still shaking, so I stopped at the end of the block to lean against the building and try to calm down. After several deep calming breaths I pushed off the building and kept walking. Instead of going home I decided to walk the few blocks to the lake. The sun was just beginning to set over the hills when I took off my sandals and sat down on the soft sand of the public beach.
I hugged my knees to my chest and rested my chin on them. How did I get here? There was no denying that my feelings for Grady were every bit as strong today as they were five years ago. Maybe even stronger now that I knew what it felt like to try to live without him. I think part of me wanted to come back here to see if he still loved me, because God knows I still love him. So much. But he hates me. That was crystal clear from the way he had glared at me. He doesn’t want me here. He doesn’t want me at all.
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Safe With You Page 17