So Sensitive

by Anne Rainey

  Gracie nearly laughed. It was either that or cry. And she was so done with the tears. “Yes, I was with Wade.” She moved to let Jean enter, then closed the door behind her. “I’m glad you’re here. I was going to cal you. Wade and I need to go to the police station. I didn’t want you seeing the squad car out front and getting worried.”

  “When did this happen? I didn’t even hear anything.”

  “I’m not sure. Earlier in the evening sometime.” Another thought occurred. “Jean, I’m not sure it’s safe for you to be alone right now, especial y considering you live right next door. Can you stay with Brian for a little while? Just until this is al sorted out.”

  She nodded. “Yeah, that’s not a bad idea.” She adjusted her robe, as if to cover herself better. “You’l be staying with Wade then?”

  She couldn’t help it; she blushed. “Uh, yeah.”

  “Good.” Jean pointed to Wade, a stern look on her thin, wrinkled face. “You’l take care of her, or you’l answer to me.”

  Wade shoved his hands in his pockets. “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Do you need anything, Gracie?”

  Grateful for the offer, Gracie hugged her friend close and said, “Thanks for asking, Jean, but I’l be fine.”

  Jean patted her on the back and told her everything would work out. Emotion clogged Gracie’s throat. Is this what it felt like to have a mother’s love? She didn’t know, but she did know she was grateful for Jean. Knowing the woman cared made al the difference in the world. In that moment Gracie realized how lucky she was to have friends concerned about her, offering their support. Her gaze caught on Wade’s. He watched her, tenderness softening his harsh features.

  Her stalker might have destroyed a few pieces of cheap furniture, but he definitely hadn’t hurt the things that truly mattered. If only she could keep it that way.

  17

  Wade didn’t know what he had expected, but it hadn’t been Jean in rol ers and a bright rainbow-colored robe. The woman had the oddest fashion sense of anyone he’d ever known. And the way she bossed him around, she didn’t seem to realize he wasn’t one of her children. And why the hel was he putting up with it? Before he could get a word of greeting out of his mouth, she’d started issuing orders. His temples started throbbing. Damn, would this night never end?

  Nothing had gone according to plan. He’d hoped to get Gracie away from the scene of the destruction as soon as possible. It pissed him off to see her so upset. If he were honest with himself, he’d admit that he wouldn’t feel comfortable until he had Gracie back in his home. He wanted to hold her, to know she was safe. Once they were both rested, he’d wake her, slowly, and make love to her for several hours. He was ready to explore every inch of her sweet tight body al over again. To know she was alive and safe. And his. His dick swel ed with the tantalizing image.

  Wade put a stop to his train of thought and closed the front door. When he turned around and saw Jean enveloping Gracie in a tight embrace, he knew it was exactly what Gracie had needed in that moment. A caring friend.

  “Hate to interrupt here,” Detective Henderson said, “but I have a few questions.”

  Jean and Gracie both turned. The detective stood with the officers on the other side of the room. Gracie wrapped her arm around Jean.

  “Detective, this is my neighbor, Jean Swinson. Jean, this is the detective who’s been helping me. Officers Andrews and Delaney responded to the 911 cal .”

  “Ms. Swinson, did you hear or see anything out of the ordinary tonight?”

  Jean rol ed her eyes and planted her hands on her hips. “Of course not. Don’t you think I’d have done something about it if I had?”

  Wade hid his smile. Damned if it wasn’t nice having a break from Jean’s sharp tongue. He should feel bad for the detective, but he was stil pissed over the way the man had handled Gracie’s concerns when she’d first filed the complaint.

  “I see. Which unit is yours?”

  “I’m to the right. Directly next to Gracie.”

  The detective quirked a brow. “And there weren’t any unusual noises?”

  “Wel , truth be told, I had my earphones in for most of the night. Music is the only way I can get any sleep. So, no, I didn’t hear anything.” She looked at Gracie, her eyes ful of regret. “I’m so sorry, dear. I should have been more alert.”

  Gracie hugged the smal er woman close. “This isn’t your fault, Jean,” she soothed. “If you had heard something, you might’ve come to check it out. And I don’t even want to think what this guy would’ve done if you’d interrupted his temper tantrum.”

  For a change Jean stayed silent. Wade reached out and cupped Gracie’s nape. “We need to get to the station.”

  Gracie nodded, but kept her worried gaze on Jean. “Cal Brian. I won’t feel comfortable until I know you’re safe.”

  Jean waved a hand in the air. “Don’t fret over me, dear. I’ve been taking care of myself for a long time now.” She hugged Gracie and made her promise to cal , then left. Wade waited, watching in silence along with the detective and the two officers as Gracie took another look around the room. The sadness in her eyes when her gaze lingered on her torn up books was unmistakable. “I never looked through the bedroom,” she said, her voice quivering a little. Anyone else might not have detected it, but Wade knew Gracie too wel to miss it.

  He kissed the top of her head. “I saw it, sweetheart. It’s pretty bad. Maybe tomorrow”—he stopped himself and checked his watch—“later today actual y, wil be soon enough to start going through everything.”

  “Yeah. I guess it’s a good thing I have renter’s insurance, huh?”

  He smiled down at her. “You don’t worry about any of that for now. Everything’s going to be okay, baby.”

  “Thanks, Wade. I’m ready to look at the bedroom now. Might as wel get it over with.”

  He nodded and fol owed close behind as they went down the hal . When they entered he heard Gracie gasp. “Oh, God.”

  “Yeah,” Wade snarled, pissed al over again.

  Gracie moved around the room, picking up various articles of clothing, al destroyed. The dresser mirror was shattered. Makeup and hair accessories were scattered everywhere. And there were more destroyed books. She picked up a cover that had been torn off and cursed. “I thought I was prepared. No one could prepare for this.”

  Wade stayed silent, waiting for her to absorb it al . When she dropped the cover and turned toward him with haunted eyes, Wade knew a whole different sort of hel . In that moment, Wade made a promise to himself to help her replace every single book she’d lost. It didn’t matter how long it took. Then he’d find the bastard and make him pay for causing Gracie so much grief.

  “I don’t want to be here anymore,” Gracie said. “Tomorrow is going to be a real y long day.”

  Wade stepped away from the doorway and waited for her to step through it before fol owing her down the hal to the living room. Her back was straight, head held high, and Wade’s respect for her grew. Or was it something deeper? He had a feeling he was fal ing for the red-haired beauty. The thought should have sent him into a panic. Wade wasn’t the sort of man for happily ever afters and white picket fences. That he could so easily picture exactly that with Gracie was damn tel ing.

  Imagining waking to her snuggled up against him in bed every morning sent his blood racing through his veins. Knowing she seemed to be slipping inside his heart made him even more desperate to get her stalker behind bars. The quicker it was settled, the quicker he could start concentrating on more pleasant things. Like convincing Gracie that he was good for more than protection.

  Gracie woke to light streaming through the large window across from Wade’s bed. She blinked and looked to her left. She was alone. A note sat on Wade’s pil ow. She frowned. Wondering what he was up to, Gracie picked up the slip of paper.

  You looked so pretty I didn’t have it in me to wake you. Take a long bath, and when you’re ready, come downstairs. I have a treat for you.

/>   Sweet kisses, Wade

  Her heart began to race. She sat up and pushed the covers aside. Immediately she spotted a lovely emerald green blouse and a pair of jeans draped across the overstuffed, black chair across from the bed. “He bought me clothes?”

  Rubbing the sleep out of her eyes, Gracie glanced down at her fractured wrist. It only throbbed a little. “Thank God for that at least.” She stood and crossed the room. As Gracie picked up the blouse, she eyed the label. It was her size. Careful not to wrinkle the delicate satiny material, Gracie placed it back on the chair before checking out the jeans. She didn’t know how he did it, but both items were her size. How he’d managed to purchase new clothes for her while she slept was a mystery she hoped to solve soon. Then a rotten thought invaded her mind. Did managed to purchase new clothes for her while she slept was a mystery she hoped to solve soon. Then a rotten thought invaded her mind. Did he already have them on hand? From a previous girlfriend maybe? The idea made her stomach rol .

  Dressed in one of Wade’s soft cotton Ts, Gracie left the clothes behind and headed for the bathroom. First a hot shower, then she’d get some answers. As she entered the smal er room, she flipped on the light. The first thing she noticed was a black bra and a pair of matching panties draped over the towel rack. More satin. The slip of paper perched precariously on top of the sensual set caught her eye. Gracie bit her lip and moved forward. Picking up the note, she realized her heart was beating faster. At this rate she’d go into cardiac arrest, for crying out loud!

  The note was folded in half. She counted to ten and opened it.

  You’re too suspicious, Gracie. The clothes are not from another woman. I told Deanna about the break-in; she bought you the clothes. See you downstairs, my Fiery Angel. P.S. The plastic bag and rubber band on the counter is for the cast.

  Gracie smiled as she noticed the bag. Wade had a way of doing that to her. She had a madman on her tail, her apartment was in shambles, and yet she couldn’t stop grinning. And al because of a few words written on a slip of paper.

  As she turned on the water and adjusted the temperature, her mind glommed onto the nickname he’d given her. Fiery Angel. She liked it. It was sexy and tough. Like a kick-ass heroine in one of the romance books she loved to read. It was much better than the way her last boyfriend had described her. He said she was boring and predictable. She snorted. “What a jerk.”

  Careful to cover her cast with the bag, Gracie stepped into the shower and shoved thoughts of her ex out of her mind. Letting the hot water soothe her aching body, she glanced down and noted that the bruises from the accident were lighter this morning. The yel ow and green marks made her look sickly, but they were final y starting to go away. As ugly as they were, it was a wonder they hadn’t deterred Wade from making love to her. Instead of cringing at the sight, he’d looked at her as if she were the most beautiful woman in the world. She’d never truly felt beautiful. Adequate, nice looking, but never a raving beauty. He’d seen her at her worst, and yet he hadn’t been able to keep his hands off her. It wasn’t just the sex, though, she admitted; it was as if Wade saw in her more than a good time. She’d thought their time together would be about mutual desire, chemistry, and sating each other’s needs, wants. But with the morning came renewal. She felt refreshed and ready to see where things between them would lead. Did Wade want more than a few nights? What would he do once her stalker was caught? Would he move on?

  Odd how quickly Wade had managed to get under her skin. Her other relationships had always been about comfort and companionship.

  Deep feelings weren’t part of the equation. With Wade she had a need to know everything about him. His deepest, darkest secrets. His life in the army. His childhood. The man simply fascinated her. Was this love? Sadly, Gracie wasn’t sure, as she had absolutely nothing with which to compare this. Al her past lovers, as few as they were, seemed so two-dimensional al of a sudden. Wade was her strong, dark-haired protector. And he made her feel alive. Sexy and wild. Heck, even treasured. She’d known him such a short amount of time. What kind of woman fel in love so quickly? If that’s what this even was, as she stil wasn’t ready to put a label on it.

  Gracie finished showering and shut off the water. She pushed the curtain aside and came face-to-face with the man she’d been thinking so hard about. She bit her lip and grabbed the towel he held out for her, then attempted to ignore the way his black T-shirt stretched to accommodate his yummy chest.

  “I thought you might need some help buttoning the blouse.”

  “Oh, of course. Thank you.” Gracie stepped out of the tub and started drying off. A wave of shyness swept over her when she caught Wade watching the towel’s progress over her body. Why, after everything they’d shared, would she feel so self-conscious? There wasn’t a single inch of skin on her body that Wade hadn’t explored. And yet her hands were shaking.

  He grinned and stepped closer. “Plus, I was beginning to miss you. Figured if I was ever going to get my good morning kiss, I’d better come after it myself.”

  Gracie’s head shot up. The dark promise in Wade’s gaze took her breath away. She dropped the towel and before she knew it, Wade had her in his arms, her damp body pressed tightly against denim and cotton. His lips teased at first, then grew more demanding. She wrapped her arms around his neck and sank into his kiss. He groaned. She became aware of his warm palms against the bare flesh of her bottom, squeezing and kneading. His thumb caressed the flesh between, and her body vibrated with need. Gracie whimpered, and Wade lifted his head, his gaze zeroing in on her breasts. Or more specifical y, the rings in her nipples.

  “I ordered a chain for you.”

  She couldn’t think, could barely breath. “A what?”

  He flicked one nipple and licked his lips. “A chain. A pretty gold chain for you to wear with your nipple rings.”

  “Oh.”

  “Priority mail.”

  She grinned and shook her head. “You’re obsessed with piercings.”

  He placed a light kiss to her temple and growled, “With you. I’m obsessed with you, baby.”

  Her heart did a little cartwheel at the heated confession. “I’m pretty fond of you, too.” Boy was that an understatement!

  “Good. Now, let’s go eat lunch.”

  “Lunch?”

  He picked up the black bra and handed it over. “It’s one in the afternoon.”

  “I had no idea.”

  “You needed the rest.” He pointed to the cast. “Feel any better?”

  She nodded as she took off the bag and rubber band, and wrestled with the bra. “Much better. Just wish it wasn’t so awkward al the time.”

  Wade sighed. “I’l never understand why women wear bras to start with. They look uncomfortable as hel .”

  “They’re not that bad.”

  “Turn around so I can fasten the damn thing for you.”

  She refused to let go. Suddenly it seemed important to do this one smal task alone. “I can do it, Wade. I need to get used to doing things with this cast.”

  He crossed his arms over his chest as he watched her struggle. “Is it so hard to ask for help from me, Gracie?”

  She tried the two smal hooks once more, but failed to get them both attached. “No, it’s just that I’m not used to people offering, I guess.”

  He moved around her and helped fasten the contrary hook. When she turned to tel him thanks, he placed his finger over her lips and murmured, “If you thank me, I’l spank you. Knowing I haven’t been able to catch your stalker, that he broke into your home and trashed your things and I wasn’t able to stop him makes me feel as fucking useless as tits on a bul . The least I can do is fasten your bra.”

  His severe expression shredded her. She wouldn’t al ow him to blame himself, not for any of it. She cupped his cheeks in her palms and closed the distance between them. “It’s not your fault I refused to let you buy the security alarm. And it’s not your fault I didn’t confide in you before the accident. You tried to get
me talk to you; I refused. I’m so used to taking care of myself. Relying on someone isn’t second nature to me.” She paused before adding, “There’s only one man to blame for al this, and he’s not in this room.”

  A muscle in his jaw jumped, and his gaze turned icy. “When I get my hands on him, I’m going to make him pay. I’m about done with his being one step ahead al the time. It’s time to step things up.”

  She wasn’t sure she liked the sound of that. “How?”

  He patted her bottom and moved back a few steps. “We’l talk about that after you eat.” Wade picked up the blouse and said, “Now, put this on before I forget my good intentions and lay you out on the tile and have my wicked way with you.”

  She held out her arms and let him help her with the sleeves. She pul ed it over her shoulders, and immediately he went to work on the pearl buttons. As she watched him careful y work his way up from the bottom something occurred to her. “You cussed.”

  He smiled, but didn’t take his eyes off the buttons. “I know.”

  “The deal was that if you cussed I got to spank you.”

  “Yep.”

  After the last button was in place he stood up straighter. She could see the wicked gleam in his dark eyes, and she knew. “You did it on purpose.”

  He chuckled. “Never been spanked by a woman before. Cal me curious.”

  Liquid heat pooled between her thighs. Wade Harrison at her mercy. Mmm, now that was a delicious thought.

  18

  He’d made cannel oni, only her favorite Italian dish ever. Could he be more perfect? “This is the best I’ve ever had. I had no idea you could cook.”

  “My mom always had a thing about equality. She made sure Dean and I could cook, do laundry, and mend our own clothes. She also saw to it that Deanna could work on her own car as wel as any mechanic. Drove my sister crazy; she hates getting dirty. The woman is a neat freak.”

  Gracie liked his mother already. “What did your dad think of this philosophy?”

  Wade swal owed another bite of his cannel oni before replying, “Dad thought Mom hung the moon. He would’ve done anything for her.”