by Lori Foster
“Well, he’s gone now. I doubt you’ll find him.” She caught the bag under one arm, and with the other, corralled the kids like a small herd of cattle. “Inside. Let’s go. All of you.”
She didn’t look at Bryan again. He ground his teeth, so frustrated he wanted to shout.
Someone touched his arm. Even before he turned, Bryan knew it was Shay. His temper snapped and he rounded on her. “I told you to get in the car.”
Her eyes widened in stunned disbelief. “I don’t take orders from you.”
Her defiance was like gasoline on a blazing fire. Bryan snagged her arm and started walking her back the way he’d come, through the alley and toward the house where Leigh and the other woman waited.
Shay tried to pull away, and when he didn’t immediately release her, she gave up. “You’re making a spectacle of yourself.”
“Do I give a damn? Someone was stalking you.”
“Yeah. You.” She stumbled to keep up with him.
He snorted. Because he needed a minute to calm the adrenaline rush, he didn’t answer. He was afraid he’d say things he’d regret.
Shay didn’t own an ounce of caution. “I knew you were following me, Bryan.”
“Not a chance.” He was better than that. Hell, he followed people for a living. No one ever caught on to him.
Shay nodded. “From the time I left the house, though I didn’t see you at first. I just felt you watching me. When did you get the wagon?”
Bryan stopped and stared at her. They were under an enormous oak with chatty squirrels overhead. He knew Leigh was on the porch, peering around to watch them. Bees were buzzing, the grass was hot from the sun.
Clenching his teeth, he struggled to keep his voice low. “I was in the wagon the whole time.”
She frowned. “No, at first you were following me in a cab. Then on foot. Then in the car—”
“No, Shay.” He rubbed the back of his neck, so annoyed with himself he could have chewed nails. “You probably caught on to that other bastard following you. And if I’d been on my toes, I’d have caught on to him, too.”
“The guy you were just chasing?” She sounded very perplexed. “And why were you chasing him?”
Bryan thrust his face close to hers. “He was hanging around the side of the house, snooping, trying to listen in. It’s hot as Hades out here, but he wore a hooded jacket. Maybe to conceal himself. But maybe to conceal a gun.”
Her mouth fell open. “You mean…” Worry replaced her indignation. “Oh God, then he knows where Leigh is? Maybe that’s why…”
Idiot, Bryan called himself, because more than anything, he wanted to reassure her, to promise to keep her safe. To hell with it.
He took her elbow again. “I won’t let anyone hurt either of you. You have my word on that.” He got her walking again, headed for the house. He’d made enough mistakes for one day, no reason to keep her standing out in the open, too. “Damn it, I should have seen him.”
“Why would you?” She hustled along beside him, full of questions and curiosity. “It’s not exactly a preacher’s job to be aware of stalkers.”
They started up the steps of the porch. “You noticed him,” he pointed out.
“Yeah, but I…” Her words fell off into silence and she bit her bottom lip.
“Got enemies you don’t want to tell me about?”
She didn’t reply.
“That’s what I thought.” More secrets. He led her into the house while Leigh stared at him wide-eyed and the other woman just got out of his way. “I would have noticed him if I hadn’t been busy watching you flit from place to place. I’m damn curious about what you were doing, but we’ll talk about that in a minute.”
“No we won’t.”
Ignoring that, Bryan turned and faced the other two women, both of them mute. “Leigh.” His voice softened. She was young, too young for what she did. “You okay, hon?”
She blinked big blue eyes at him. Belatedly, Bryan remembered that Bruce never called the women by endearments. But damn it, she was only a kid, not even twenty yet. She should be grounded in her room. She should have two parents coddling and protecting her.
He couldn’t help but treat her the same way he would a child.
“I’m okay now, thanks to Shay.”
Bryan eyed Shay, saw her face was red, and narrowed his eyes. “Yeah, she’s a regular Wonder Woman, isn’t she?”
He’d meant it to be sarcastic, but Leigh nodded. “She is.”
The other woman stepped forward with a determined smile. “Hello. I’m Dawn. And I presume you’re the preacher?”
Bryan took her proffered hand. “Guilty.”
“It’s very nice to meet you. Leigh has told me a lot about you.”
He winked at Leigh, confounding her again. He’d never get the hang of being a preacher.
With the introductions out of the way, the women started shuffling their feet.
Shay cleared her throat. “Dawn, would you mind taking Leigh in the other room so Bryan and I can talk?”
Leigh said, “Bryan? That’s your name?”
He rolled his eyes. “Only pushy broads insist on calling me that. You can still call me Preacher.”
“Oh.” Leigh looked more uneasy by the moment. “Okay. Sure.” She twisted her hands together in worry.
“You sure you’re okay?” Bryan asked her.
She nodded, but then blurted, “I’d heard you were hurt. That’s why I didn’t come to you. I didn’t want to cause you more trouble.”
Everyone seemed to know about Bruce being attacked. Luckily, they didn’t realize his speedy recovery was due to Bryan impersonating him. “I’m fine now—and, Leigh? You can always come to me.”
“But the rumors on the street were that you got hurt real bad, that you were even in the hospital…”
Shay stiffened. “What’s this?”
“As you can see, I’m fine,” Bryan said in what he hoped was a soothing tone. “I had a concussion, that’s all.” Bruce had also suffered a cracked rib, and fractured ankle…
Leigh’s bottom lip began to tremble. “It was my fault, wasn’t it? I asked Freddie if he did it, if he was the one who hurt you, and he said no, but he got so mad at me for going to you that last time, and then when I asked him about it…”
If she so much as shed one tear, Bryan was going to kill someone. Preferably the miserable Freddie.
Then Shay was there, holding Leigh close, rocking her from side to side. “It was not your fault, Leigh.” She looked at Bryan over Leigh’s head. “The preacher is a big guy. Just look at him. He can take care of himself.”
“Damn right I can.” It amazed him that Shay treated Leigh like a daughter. And it made her all the more intriguing—and special.
“But—”
“No buts.” Shay smoothed Leigh’s hair. “You’re doing the right thing, Leigh. It might not feel like it now, but it will once you get your life settled. And Dawn’s going to help you with that.”
“No, she’s not.”
The second Bryan spoke, three sets of female eyes settled on him. He knew Shay was about to start arguing with him. He sighed, and circumvented her.
“Dawn, thanks for watching over Leigh, but she’ll have to leave here now. Today.”
All three women began squawking at once. Bryan turned away, looking for a phone.
Women. They were never easy. And thanks to his brother, he was stuck right in the middle of the brassiest bunch of women imaginable.
Shay rushed after Bryan. What a day it had been! Waking with her face painted had set the tone for doomed intentions, or so it seemed. Being followed hadn’t alarmed her because she’d thought it was Bryan and only Bryan. She was always aware of being followed because the damn reporters were so persistent. No reporters this time, and not Bryan either, but a real threat—and now this. “Bryan, what do you think you’re doing?”
“Looking for a phone.” He glanced around Dawn’s home. “I’m going to call Dr. Martin an
d see if she can put Leigh up for a little while, until I can make more permanent arrangements.”
Shay almost stumbled over her own feet.
“Why can’t she stay here?” Dawn demanded. “I like her company.”
“I’m sure you do.” Locating the phone on the kitchen wall, Bryan went in and picked up the receiver. “But someone knows she’s here now.”
Leigh twisted her hands together. “It was probably just Freddie.”
“Maybe. But if it was him, and he had only good intentions, why sneak around? And since he ran off, I can’t ask him.”
“I could maybe call him,” Leigh offered, but as one, Bryan, Dawn and Shay said, “No.”
Bryan huffed out an impatient breath. “Look, hon, I have no idea if the guy I chased was after Shay, or if he was following her in hopes of finding you. Hell, I have no idea what’s going on. And until I can figure it out, we’re going to be extra careful. With everyone.”
Shay smiled at Dawn, thrilled with Bryan’s concern. “You see? He’s very kindhearted and sweet and protective.”
Dawn smiled back. Leigh licked her lips nervously.
“Sweet, Shay?” His words dripped with disgust. Not taking the compliment all that well, Bryan viciously punched in a series of numbers and waited. “Dr. Martin, please.” He covered the receiver and glared at Shay. “Don’t you dare make me out to be a damn saint. I’m only—” He lifted his hand. “Hey, Doc.”
Shay watched him smile and wondered if Eve Martin was as smitten as every other woman. Probably. Just because the doctor was stern and professional didn’t make her a cold fish, and who could resist Bryan, especially when his smile went all the way to those dark and sexy bedroom eyes—as it did now?
He explained the situation to Dr. Martin, glossing over things. He listened in turn, and his shoulders relaxed. “Great. We appreciate your help. And remember, don’t say a word to anyone.”
He hung up and turned to face Leigh. “There. You’re all set.”
Blond hair hung down, hiding Leigh’s face. “I hate being such a bother.”
Shay rushed to reassure her. “But you aren’t! We’re all happy to help.”
Leigh blushed. “It’s so much trouble.”
Dawn smiled at her. “I felt the same way once.” She put her arm around Leigh. “But there’s no shame in accepting a helping hand, especially from people who care about you. Now let’s go upstairs. We’ll get your things together, and Shay can have a private talk with the preacher.”
Shay watched them go with overwhelming relief. She’d been on pins and needles, waiting for Leigh to say something that’d give her away. If Bryan found out who she was now, it’d ruin everything.
“Now I get it.”
Uh-oh. Had she counted her blessings too soon? Avoiding that probing gaze that always saw too much, Shay turned to the cabinet and got down two glasses. Cautiously, she asked, “Now you get what?”
“Why you’re here.” He pulled out a kitchen chair and sat down, and though she didn’t look to verify it, Shay knew he was watching her. “Dawn helped you out, didn’t she? She’s the one who got you off the streets?”
Sheer surprise brought her head up. He thought Dawn was the one…Wonderful. Bryan had just supplied her with the perfect story. He had things a bit backward, but she didn’t mind. Dawn had helped with a lot of women since they’d become friends.
Refusing to tell him an outright lie, she grinned and patted his shoulder. “How clever you are.”
“It was pretty damn obvious.” He tipped his head. “So what were you doing in town today?”
Oh no, you don’t, Shay thought, refusing to give away too much. “Lemonade?”
He made a face. “Got a cola instead?”
She bent into the refrigerator. “Root beer okay?”
“Yeah. And no glass. I like it from the can.”
Shay made a face, washed the top of the can, and handed it to him. “I’m glad Dr. Martin agreed to help out, but how long can she keep Leigh?”
“It shouldn’t be for long—just until I can get things figured out.” He tipped up the can and swallowed about half. Shay watched the way his strong throat worked, and felt herself warming. “Damn, that’s good.”
Amusement filled her. He was such a very strange preacher. Not by word or deed did he behave like a man given to strict religion. “Glad you liked it.”
“Now…”
“Where will Leigh go after she leaves Dr. Martin’s?” Shay hoped to keep him distracted so he couldn’t continue questioning her.
“She’s so young.” He traced the top of the can with a fingertip, lost in thought. His gaze lifted and locked on hers. “It’d be nice if I could convince her to try going home again. If not, maybe we can get her relocated to another area, with a job and a small apartment. I have some friends I’m going to call to see if we can get this thing figured out. But in the meantime, Shay, I don’t want you going off by yourself, okay?”
She seated herself beside him, making a point to let her knee bump his. “You can’t keep all the women under surveillance, Bryan.”
“I didn’t say all of them.” He shifted so they weren’t touching. “I said you.”
Shay left her chair to move closer again. She put a hand on his shoulder. “You telling me I’m special?”
“You were followed—yeah, that makes you special.”
“That’s not what I meant.”
He set the can aside and pushed to his feet. With his hands on her waist, he backed her up a step. “I know what you meant.”
His voice was deeper, thrilling her, adding to her own awareness. “What Leigh said…I didn’t realize anyone had hurt you.” She touched his chest, felt the solid thumping of his heart. “Are you still in danger?”
Long fingers wrapped around her wrist. “I sure as hell don’t need you worrying about me.”
“I will anyway.”
She put her other hand on him, spread her fingers wide and enjoyed the feel of solid, warm muscles under soft cotton. His nostrils flared with his deepened breaths—but he didn’t push her away.
“Bryan?” She went on tiptoe, slid her hands up to his shoulders then around to his neck. His skin was so warm, his hair silky soft. Power and determination mingled with his delicious scent, pulsing off him in tangible waves.
His eyes closed. His jaw tightened. “This is wrong,” he ground out.
“Then let’s be wrong.” Shay touched her mouth to his, tentative and soft, and just that slight contact had her knees weak and her stomach tumbling. She kissed him again, more firmly this time, parting her lips, tasting his bottom lip, touching with her tongue…
The next thing she knew, he had her pinned against the hard counter, his hands holding her face still while he devoured her—and it was heaven.
She groaned aloud, amazed and instantly aroused. He felt so solid and comforting and safe. His chest crushed her breasts until she could feel the firm thudding of his heartbeat. His hips tilted in, making her aware of the solid rise of his erection.
For one of the few times in her life, she felt small next to a man. But she also felt wanted, and she liked it.
He released her mouth with a rough sound.
Crowding close so she couldn’t move, he smoothed her cheeks with his thumbs and stared into her eyes, studying her expression—and he came right back, kissing her again, softer and deeper this time, sinking his tongue in, exploring, moving his mouth over hers.
Shay would have been happy kissing him just like this for the rest of her life.
He lifted his mouth, but stayed so close that she could feel the heat of his breath, smell the scent of his skin. “You’re making me crazy, Shay,” he whispered against her lips.
“I’m sorry.” She tried to draw him closer, but he didn’t allow it.
“Tell me what you were doing today.” He punctuated that demand with a soft kiss that lingered and enticed. “Why did you go into all those businesses?”
“No, I—”<
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His mouth smothered her protests, warm and damp and delicious. He eased back, though his mouth still brushed hers. “Tell me.”
She groaned. “Unfair, Bryan.”
“Tell me.” With his eyes holding hers prisoner, his hand moved to her shoulder, then boldly down over her breast.
Her back arched and she caught her breath.
Oh God, he wasn’t even moving, just holding his palm over her, and everything inside her tingled and tumbled and her lungs constricted….
Staring at her, seeing her reaction to that simple touch, Bryan began caressing her. His eyes were barely open, dazzling bright, full of purpose. “Tell me.”
Like a bucket of ice water, Shay realized what he was doing. “Bastard.” She started to shove him away but he locked her close with one hard muscled arm, as tight and inflexible as an iron band, and he kissed her again.
She tried turning her head, but the way he had her backed to the counter afforded her no room to maneuver. And his hand never left her breast. No, it stayed right there, firm, teasing, his thumb now rubbing up and over her nipple until she wanted to cry out with the excitement and frustration of it.
She made an incoherent sound of fury that didn’t affect him one bit. His leg wedged between hers, pressing hard against her, and Shay went weak all over.
She’d dated plenty in her lifetime, even been married once. But never had she felt like this, so alive and full of sensation and need.
There was no option but to give in.
“I was…I was looking for a job.”
He went still, then he tilted back, putting a small space between their upper bodies. But the new position pushed his lower body even closer, emphasizing the press of his erection. “A job?”
Shay nodded. Her lips were tingling, swollen. She could still taste him. She wanted to taste him again. All over. She had his full attention now, but still his hand worked her breast, so careful, keeping her dizzy with pleasure. Breathing was difficult, thinking more so.
She didn’t explain that the jobs would be for the women at his safe house.
When she said nothing else, his thigh pressed in, making her go on tiptoes. She gasped.