“No,” she whispered. “Not my work.” If that bastard touched one thing inside her barn she’d lose it.
Even as she held her breath waiting for Hayes to reappear, her heart thundered painfully hard. An icy chill settled over her flesh and her brain shut down. When Hayes stepped out he glanced around the area again before taking two steps, vanishing and reappearing next to her door. Teetering on the edge of hysteria, Chance jumped, screeched and then closed her eyes for a few seconds until she gathered her wits.
Hayes opened the door, squatted down beside her and then peeled her fingers off the steering wheel so he could hold her hand. It felt good, his large, calloused hands engulfing hers so gently.
“Everythin’s fine in the barn, darlin’.”
Relief came in the form of her cold blood rushing warm through her body. It left her dizzy but she welcomed it and the news. “Thank God.”
“I can’t say for sure if he did this or if an animal had somethin’ to do with it. I want to check out your house first before you go inside.”
“I’m not staying here alone.” Her protest blurted out in a rush as she shook her head. “I’m going in with you.” She couldn’t sit here. What if Bill was lurking out there right now, watching and waiting?
Hayes cupped her cheek in his hand, studied her for a moment and then gave a nod. “Okay. Stay close though.”
As they walked to the house she pressed tight against his side, digging her nails into his arm. With each step her legs wobbled. What would they find inside? Was the creep in there waiting for them? Had he trashed her home? What would she do? Too many questions and unknowns.
A good five steps before they reached the door Hayes lifted his hand. The door swung open. Chance jumped, pierced her nails further into his flesh and swallowed a scream. When the hell did she become such a pansy ass?
“It’s okay, that was me,” he whispered, leading her through the door.
“Hayes, wait.” She planted her feet and jerked him to a stop. “You can’t confront him.” The knowledge hit her hard. If Hayes intervened he’d suffer as he did this morning. She didn’t want that. Oh she could heal him again but she wanted to save her last two wishes until she figured out how to free him.
“I’ll do whatever the hell it takes to keep you safe,” he shot back.
“No, please don’t do that. I can’t watch you suffer again.” It would kill her knowing his insides were being pureed because of her.
Hayes ignored her, took one large step inside, freeing his arm from her grip, and stopped. The world stood eerily still for a few ticks of time. She swore she could feel every molecule of air brushing against her skin, hear the breath of the earth. When he didn’t move she forced herself to step in behind him. Prepared for the worst, she kept her gaze on the floor and then slowly lifted it.
Normal. Everything appeared to be perfectly fine. Not one item out of place. Had she gotten freaked out over nothing?
“I wanna check your bedroom,” Hayes muttered and then rushed through the living room.
Chance waited, wrapped her arms around herself and continued scanning the house. Exactly the way they left it. Maybe he was right. It could have been a hungry animal that knocked the pumpkin off the steps and then kicked at it with its hooves.
“It all seems fine,” Hayes said, coming back through the living room.
“I feel stupid,” she replied.
“Never feel stupid for bein’ cautious.” He gripped her upper arms gently, gave a tender squeeze and then pulled her against his chest. “Let’s go have a closer look at that pumpkin.”
“In a minute,” she mumbled. Why hurry when she could stay like this with her cheek against his chest, right over his heavily beating heart, wrapped in his warmth and security? In fact, time could stop altogether and she wouldn’t care.
Hayes smoothed his hand down over the back of her head, holding her there for a few moments. If only she could get a little closer. What the hell. She tugged her arms free and circled them around his waist, pulling in closer until even a fine hair couldn’t get between them.
His body reacted. No mistake about it with that hard length pressing against her lower abdomen. Chance pressed herself harder against him, receiving a low, rumbling moan. It vibrated against her cheek, brought her body alive, making her breasts ache and swell. This is where she belonged, in this man’s arms, in his life. She wasn’t sure how she knew it but every living cell in her recognized it.
Hayes pushed her away rather abruptly, held her at arm’s length and stared down into her face. She wanted to protest the absence of his warmth and comfort of his body. She wanted to push her way back against him but something in his eyes kept her from moving. Confusion, regret, sadness, she couldn’t pick an emotion. They all seemed to mix into one dark look.
“I need to check this out.”
He released her, sidestepped and then rushed out the door. Damn him. Why did he keep pushing her away? Suddenly cold from the inside out, Chance hugged herself tight and followed. She sat on the top step as he inspected the pumpkin.
“I’m pretty sure this is a hoof print on the back side,” he said without sparing her a glance. “A hungry deer probably came wandering through and found it.”
“That’s a relief,” she whispered. “Too bad he chose your carving to destroy and not mine.” She could feel her body crashing from the adrenaline overload of the day. Weariness dragged at her, rooting her backside to the step. All she wanted to do was crawl into her bed, tug the covers over her head and disappear for a while.
“It’s been a hard day,” Hayes commented.
Still, he didn’t look at her. That added to the sinking sensation. What could be so wrong with her that this man, obviously physically attracted to her, couldn’t force himself to look at her? “Yeah, it has, for both of us.”
This time he did spare her a glance along with a frown. She caught it from the corner of her eye. Somewhat saddened and hurt by it, she shoved to her feet and forced her legs to carry her down the steps.
“I’m going to the barn. I need some time.” To think, wallow in self-pity, cry, whatever it took to get through the rest of the day.
“What about your purchases?” he shouted.
“I’ll get them later or you can snap your fingers and put them in the house, I don’t care.” And she didn’t. Right now she simply wanted to be alone.
“Chance.”
“Don’t worry, Hayes. I won’t be thrusting myself on you any more today.” She heard him mutter something but paid little attention. Instead she hurried toward the safety of the barn, the comfort of her work and the solitude she needed.
Exhaustion hammered at her as she pulled the heavy door open, stepped inside and then latched it shut. The rickety, ancient clasp would do little to keep anyone out but it would send a message. Leave me alone. Chance went to her workbench, dragged her stool up and sat down. Rarely did she sit to work but right now she could barely force her head to remain upright.
Inside her chest a gaping hole opened, one swirling with emptiness and need, emotions foreign to her. She’d learned at an early age to never need anyone. Now, there it was. Okay, maybe she didn’t need Hayes but she sure as hell wanted him. A one-sided affair apparently. And perhaps none of this actually had anything to do with Hayes. Maybe the disturbing attack this morning had twisted her inside out, confusing her feelings for the genie and the need to be protected from a man who obviously could harm her.
Tears trickled from her eyes as she gathered odd pieces of metal and plastic, formed them randomly on the bench and mindlessly created an abstract work. Damn Bill. Damn Hayes and damn herself. She’d broken all her rules one by one and look where it left her.
She should never have begun depending on Bill for the use of his truck and other small details. She should never have allowed herself to care for a man who appeared out of a bottle and smoke. And the biggest mistake of all was thinking she could have what everyone else thought they could have. Happin
ess with a partner.
The tears streamed down her cheeks hot and heavy now, no stopping them even if she wanted to. Anger with herself, anger and fear over Bill and fury with Hayes for making her care for him rioted inside. Yet no matter how much she wanted to hate Hayes she couldn’t and that made her insane with anger.
Chance looked down at the disjointed mess in front of her, scowled and swiped her arm across the bench. Parts and pieces scattered, flying through the air before landing on the ground. Overwhelmed, she laid her head down and let the miserable fit take her, sobbing alone.
Chapter Eleven
Hayes sat in the rafters of the barn watching and, damn it, feeling. He knew Chance wanted to be alone, he got that message loud and clear, but he couldn’t stay away. The tone of her voice, the lost look in her eyes, he knew things were catching up with her. He only intended to be here a few minutes, make sure she would be okay. That’s all. Now he couldn’t leave.
As she sat below him, agonized sobs echoing through the barn, he rubbed his chest where she had her cheek resting a little bit ago. He could still feel her arms wrapped tightly around his waist and, damn it to hell and back, it felt good and right. Hayes rubbed his jaw. At least now he understood the familiarity he had with her. It all came together out there in the woods this afternoon.
In that moment when Chance came, squeezing his fingers with her delicate, tight muscles, part of his past blasted into his brain. He’d made arrangements with a woman, a whore, to live with him out in the woods for the winter. He liked her and thought they could build a life together. When she went to gather her belongings, that’s when he got tricked inside the bottle.
Hayes glanced down at Chance. The resemblance between her and Annie was uncanny. Oh they weren’t identical, but close enough to jog his mushy, ancient brain cells. That’s why he felt a connection to her. That’s why Annie’s name kept slipping from his lips when they had sex. More than looks too. They were both abandoned at a young age. Both forced to make their own way in the world. It wasn’t just similarities between the two though.
It all became crystal clear when Chance said he’d left her, that she’d returned and he was gone. At that moment, that brief, clear-as-day moment, he knew Annie was standing in front of him. He had his fingers seated inside her warm body. Hell, he could even smell her. Only it wasn’t just her. It was both of them.
Hayes hung his head. He’d heard about reincarnation but never to his knowledge met anyone who claimed to be reincarnated. At least he knew why he responded to her so fast. Chance might not understand it yet but that’s why she didn’t have any difficulty accepting him into her life. They recognized each other, even if they didn’t know it.
Of course, that only added fuel to his volatile situation. Annie carried abandonment issues. Chance did as well but when it came to him, she simply refused to believe he’d have to leave. When he did it would cause her unbearable pain. He’d suffer as well, knowing he left behind the same woman in two life spans.
Could this get any more fucked up? Hayes wanted to shout his anger. He wanted to destroy something for all the pain headed their way. He’d have to explain it to her. Chance had a right to know all this. Maybe once she did she’d let go of this fantasy about him never leaving.
Needing something constructive to do, Hayes transported himself out to her car. Her goods still sat inside so he carried everything in, set the canning jars on the counter in a neat, tidy row and then returned. He saw the clothes she’d bought him, lifted them, stared at the material and let a fresh wave of regret and loss fill his chest.
She’d spent her hard-earned money on him. Granted, they weren’t top dollar but she worked hard for what she had and to do this, it only made the situation worse. Hayes carried the clothes in the house, went to Chance’s bedroom and laid them on the floor inside her closet. Out of sight, out of mind, at least he hoped. Maybe she could resell them one day.
Next he retrieved the pumpkins, lined them up on the porch and chose one to carve. After conjuring a knife he sat down and let his hands smooth over the surface. Before long he started carving, letting it happen without thought. He peeled away layers, etched and created a three-dimensional image of a lone tree shedding its leaves.
Time passed quickly and only by use of his magic did he work in a dim light. When he finished he created a flickering candle inside and stood back. Like the carving he created of Chance, the leaves appeared to move from the backlighting. A few tweaks here and there and he finally had a finished product.
The first thing he wanted to do was show Chance. Without thought he rushed to the barn but when he tugged on the door he realized she’d latched it. Concern hit him like a fist. The hours had passed and by the position of the moon he knew it was late. What had she been doing in there all this time?
Never one to let a locked door keep him out, Hayes sent himself inside only to find her hunched over the workbench. She slept with her head rested on her folded arms, making a picture of beautiful innocence. Once again he stared at her, praying this image would burn into his brain, never to be forgotten. The puffy, pink flesh around her eyes was proof she’d cried long and hard. He knew for a fact if she opened them, he would find bloodshot, raw evidence of her misery. Another piece of his heart cracked knowing he was the cause of her pain.
Hayes gently gathered her in his arms and when she moaned, he quietly whispered, “It’s just me, darlin’. I’m takin’ you to bed.”
Chance relaxed back against him, snuggled against his chest and settled. Her trust humbled him, not that he’d ever do anything to hurt anyone, but did she know that? Refusing to allow it to make a difference, he used his magic to transport them into her bedroom.
After getting her settled, he made his way to the living room and flopped down on the couch. Last night he slept next to her like a real man, held her in his arms and thought for a brief time how great life could be. Tonight he would sit watch, be her guard and keep her safe while she rested.
A horrifying scream jerked Hayes awake. He scrubbed his face, trying to chase the foggy confusion away when another terrifying scream shattered the silence. The shriek of terror drew him into her bedroom as if she’d rubbed his bottle. By the sound of her terror, he expected to find a fire-breathing dragon or a real monster like Bill hurting her. What he did see had him rushing to the bed and reaching for her.
She thrashed about, muttering, trying to cover herself and it left no doubt what her nightmares were about. Hayes gripped her arms, lifted her to a sitting position and pulled her against his chest.
“It’s okay, Chance. It’s just a dream, darlin’. You’re okay, I have you.” He should kill that miserable, poor excuse for a man, Bill. Leave him strung up in the woods for nature to exact justice. Hayes rocked her back and forth, holding her tight as he murmured in her ear. “I’m here, darlin’.”
Eventually her fighting stopped when she sagged against him. Reason said to let her go, step away, but he couldn’t. She needed to be held. He needed to hold her, just for a little while.
“I’m fine now,” she croaked, pushing away. “I’m sorry if I disturbed you.”
He watched as she turned her back and lay down, clutching her pillow and refusing to talk. “I’ll stay if it’ll help you rest better.”
“No, that’s not necessary.”
That was it. He should be glad, relieved she didn’t want him there, but it hurt. Maybe he deserved it.
Once her breathing evened, Hayes slipped out of her bedroom and into the tiny hall. Instead of going back to the couch he sat down, propped his back against the wall and folded his hands. She didn’t want him in there but he could sit out here.
* * * * *
Chance slid from bed, stretched and then rubbed her eyes. If she didn’t know any better she’d swear someone poured a pound of sand in them last night. That’s what she got for crying like a baby. At least for the moment all the anxiety and turmoil had vanished and with a new day came a new attitude. Bill might ha
ve rattled her but with rest came a clearer mind and she knew how she wanted to handle him.
First stop in town would be to the local police station where she could file a complaint, or at the very least make them aware of what happened. That way, if he continued with his slimy games someone had something to fall back on. It could backfire, cause Bill to go stark raving mad and show up again, but she’d be prepared.
As for Hayes, time would be on her side. She could hold off on her wishes for weeks, maybe months. Maybe in that time she’d figure out how to free him and he could clue her in on what happened yesterday. Yep, a good night’s sleep, minus that nightmare, did wonders for clear thinking.
Chance stepped out into the hall and nearly fell over a sleeping Hayes. There he sat, his back propped against the wall, his legs stretched out and his bare feet and arms crossed. She couldn’t help but grin. He may push her away but not so far that he wasn’t within helping distance.
She stepped over his legs and padded into the kitchen to start her morning coffee. Very quietly she prepared a small breakfast of toast and homemade jelly along with some canned fruit she picked up. After filling a mug with liquid energy, she went back to the hall, sat down opposite Hayes and stretched her legs out, simply watching him sleep.
He wasn’t exactly the type of man she imagined for herself. Then again, she never actually imagined a life with a man either. Still, the buff, brawny, sexy as sin, gruff type didn’t usually turn her head. More muscle than brains had always been her opinion. And although she admired his body, very much, and how he brought her mind-numbing pleasure with it, it was the man inside who captivated her. Principle oozed from his flesh and how he managed to maintain that after two centuries of slavery amazed her.
“It’s good to see you grinnin’,” he whispered, never moving a muscle. “Should I be worried?”
“You should always be worried about what goes on inside my head. The couch would have been a more comfortable choice to sleep on.”
WhiskeyBottleLover Page 16