Monroe, Marla - Long, Lonely Nights [The Protectors 1] (Siren Publishing Classic)

by Marla Monroe

  “What’s wrong, Tina?” He tried to calm her down with a soothing voice. “Calm down and tell me what is wrong.”

  She couldn’t stop shaking. Her teeth chattered together like ice clinking in a glass. All she could do at first was shake her head. Logan pulled her into his arms and held her against his chest. His hand ran up and down her back until the chattering of her teeth subsided.

  “S-someone was in my h-house.”

  “How do you know? Did you hear anything?” he asked.

  “I-I heard something and came d-downstairs and there it was on the counter.”

  “What was on your counter?”

  “A package. I don’t know what it is.” Tina swallowed around the knot that had formed in her throat.

  “Okay, I want you to lock the door behind me while I go look, okay?” He said.

  “No! Don’t leave me here alone.” Tina grabbed hold of his arm.

  “I’m just going to run over there and look to see what it is. I’ll be right back.”

  “Please, don’t leave me.” Tina wrapped her arms around him and it hit her. He didn’t have on a shirt. He was wearing a pair of jeans that weren’t fastened at the top, and that was all.

  The warmth she felt turned out to be his skin against hers. Her black negligee left quite a bit of her uncovered. She buried her face in her hands suddenly embarrassed that she had all but attacked the man.

  “I’m sorry. I woke you up, and I should have called the police instead of coming over here,” Tina said.

  “You did the right thing,” Logan said. He pulled her into his arms and caressed her shoulders. “I’ll call them for you. Sit here on the couch and relax.”

  Tina nodded her head a little too rapidly and hugged herself. She watched Logan pick up a phone and dial the police. Someone had been in her house while she had been asleep. The thought of it sent her heart pounding all over again. She buried her face in her hands trying to keep from crying. She wasn’t going to lose it again.

  “They are on their way, Tina. Let me get my robe for you.” Logan turned to go, but she grabbed his arm.

  “I’ll go with you.” She stood up, holding on to his arm with both hands.

  “Okay.”

  He led her down to the end of the hall into a large bedroom decorated in warm browns and blacks. A giant four-poster bed with a dark rich brown comforter folded at the end of the bed. The hardwood floor gave the room a homey comfortable feel. He grabbed a robe off the back of a chair and wrapped it around her. Then he buttoned his jeans and pulled a T-shirt over his head. He slipped his feet into a pair of sandals before leading her back to the living room.

  “Sit down before you fall down.”

  Tina sat down on the couch and hugged the robe around her. It smelled of him, woodsy and male. She closed her eyes imagining it was his body enveloping her instead of merely his robe. Thinking about him holding her close almost erased the events of the evening from her mind, but not quite.

  “How did he get in my house without setting off the alarms?” she finally asked.

  “I don’t know, but we’ll find out.” He ran his hand down her back.

  There was a knock on the door and she jerked.

  “Easy. It’s probably the police. I’m going to let them in.”

  A few seconds later, Tina heard voices from the front of the house. Then Logan reappeared with two officers behind him.

  “Tina, they want you to take them over there so they can see what you found. They’ve already made sure there isn’t anyone in the house.” Logan held his hand out to her.

  “You’ll go with me?” she asked.

  “I’ll come with you.”

  She took his hand and let him help her to her feet. They walked over to her house. When they were about to walk through the door, one of the officers warned them not to touch anything. She gripped Logan’s hand and entered the kitchen. The package sat on the counter just as it had been when she ran out the door. Nothing had changed.

  “The crime scene techs will be here in a few minutes to dust for prints before you open it up,” one of the officers said.

  “I have to open it? Can’t one of you do it?”

  “Ma’am, it would be better if you do so we can see what your reaction is. That may mean just as much as whatever is in it.”

  “Why don’t you walk us through what happened while we wait on them?”

  Tina swallowed and nodded. She explained about being asleep and how something woke her. By the time she finished with how she had run over to Logan’s house, the techs were there and had begun dusting for fingerprints all over her kitchen. There would be print dust all over the place for her to clean up, she thought absently.

  Thirty minutes later, they announced that the box and counter around it were clean. They needed her to open the package. She drew in a deep breath and nodded.

  The colorful paper appeared to be birthday paper. The package wasn’t in a box, but loosely wrapped. She carefully slid her finger under the wrapping paper to slip the tape loose. She finally had it all unfastened, but stopped before she opened the paper. Whatever lay beneath the paper would be something to frighten her she was sure. Otherwise, what was the reason behind it? She mentally prepared herself for the worse, whatever that would be.

  She moistened her lips and glanced up at Logan who nodded at her to go on. Tina pulled back the paper and groaned. Inside was a navy blue negligee nestled within white tissue paper. On top lay a card. She hoped they wouldn’t make her read the card. She didn’t think she could take much more.

  One of the techs used a pair of tweezers to open the card. He held it for her to read. She closed her eyes then opened them again and read.

  Wear this for me. I will come for you soon.

  “Son of a bitch.” Logan snatched her back from the package. “How did the bastard get past her security system?”

  “Looks like he must have had the codes. There isn’t any sign of a forced entry or even tampering with the system at all. He knew the code.” One of the techs continued to fiddle with the security panel.

  “How can he know my codes? No one has them. Only me.” Tina turned to face Logan.

  “What about your friend, Jenna?” He asked.

  “She doesn’t even have them. I have never told a soul my codes.”

  “What about the security company? Do they have them?” One of the officers asked.

  “Yes, they set them up for me.”

  Logan and the officer exchanged looks.

  “Okay, here’s what you’re going to do. You’re going to change your codes every few days until they’ve caught this guy,” Logan said. “We’ll have the locks re-keyed as well.”

  It was nearly five o’clock in the morning by the time the police and crime scene techs left her house. She sat on the couch with her legs curled beneath her. Logan walked back inside from talking with the officers and stood in front of her.

  “You need some rest. Why don’t you grab some stuff and come over to my place and catch a nap.”

  “Thanks, that’s really nice of you, but I need to stay here and get the locksmith over here as soon as I can catch him. I’m not going to sleep right now anyway. I’m too keyed up.”

  “You need some sleep. You haven’t been sleeping much anyway from the looks of your eyes.”

  “Look, thanks for helping me. I really do appreciate it, but I need to handle this now. I have to deal with it.”

  “Fine.” He turned to walk out but stopped and turned back around. “First, we need to change the codes on your alarm system.

  “I’ll get the security company to come help me with it.”

  “No, I don’t want anyone to know the codes except you.” Logan walked over to the security panel by the back door and waited for her to join him.

  She stood up and followed him over to the panel and waited for him to get to work. Instead, he shoved her forward and began issuing orders on how to change the codes. It took her several tries, but she finally ma
naged to clear the system and set up a new set of codes. Logan made her repeat the process twice before he said it would do.

  “Don’t give the codes to anyone. Not even the police. Okay?”

  “I won’t.”

  “Good. Call in sick and get some rest. You’re going to need it. I have a feeling you won’t sleep much at night anymore. Not that I think you’ve been sleeping anyway,” he said.

  “How would you know if I’ve been sleeping or not?”

  “I’ve seen your light on in your bedroom window at all hours of the night.”

  “You’re still watching me?”

  “I never stopped,” he said.

  Chapter Seven

  He pulled off his jeans and T-shirt and stepped into the shower. He didn’t even wait for it to warm up before he did. A little cold water might help him cool off, he hoped. Just being around Tina kept him hot and horny. Arguing with her only made it worse. He had to quit lusting after his neighbor. She was off limits. Convincing his cock of that was the problem.

  He dried off and dressed, thinking about how she looked in his robe. The dark maroon color of the robe had complimented her deep blue eyes and long auburn hair. He was sure he would be able to smell her on the robe when he held it up to his nose. That subtle scent of honey and fresh air would stick with him for a long time.

  He avoided picking up the robe to test his theory right away. He had enough will power to hold off, he told himself. His resolve held up for all of thirty minutes.

  One hour and one cup of coffee later, the sound of Riley’s bike jerked him back to the present. It wouldn’t do for his friend to find out he’d been mooning over Tina. It wouldn’t do at all. Besides, he needed to think about how to protect her, and not how to fuck her.

  Riley knocked on the door facing of the living room door before walking in.

  “You’re door was unlocked. What’s up with that?”

  “Long story. I’m fixing coffee. Want some?”

  “If you’re telling a long story, then yeah, I’ll probably need it.” Riley laughed when Logan scowled at him.

  Once the coffee was done and both men had their respective mugs, Logan filled Riley in on the events of the night before.

  “You’ve gotten a taste of her haven’t you?” Riley finally said.

  “None of your damn business,” Logan growled.

  “Man, she’s trouble. You don’t have any business mixing it up with her. The first time you get a little bit rough, she’s going to scream rape, and there you’ll be.”

  “I don’t have any intentions of doing anything with her. I told you before, she’s off limits.”

  Riley shook his head. “Man, I hope you’re living it.”

  “What did you come over here for anyway?”

  “I was thinking about a road trip, but it looks like you have business here to take care of.”

  “Yeah, I plan to stick around while she has her locks rekeyed. I don’t trust that whoever is stalking her isn’t a locksmith, too. I don’t know how in the hell he got into her house,” Logan said.

  He got up, poured another cup of coffee, and indicated Riley’s with the pot. Riley held his up for more.

  “If he knew her security code and didn’t crack it, then he could work for the security company.” Riley took a sip of the coffee.

  “Police are checking that angle already.”

  “They’re all sure it’s the same guy who attacked her last year. Thing is, why did he wait so long to try again?” Logan asked

  “Only reason I can think of is he was inside somewhere. Picked up on another charge or maybe even in a psych hospital. Never know with these types. Crazy or sane, he’s dangerous though.” Riley leaned back in the chair and crossed his arms. “You know if you want help, you got it.”

  “Yeah, thanks. I’ll let you know. Right now, I’m just watching the house. Although a lot of good that did last night,” he said.

  “You can’t watch the place twenty-four-seven,” Riley pointed out.

  “Yeah. I was going to try to get her to let me sleep on her couch, but I kinda doubt that is gonna happen.”

  “I’m sure, I don’t want to know why. Fuck, Logan. You’re going to end up getting in trouble with her.” Riley stood up and carried his cup to the sink. He rinsed it out and left it.

  “You have my number. Call me if you want some help. I’m going to make a quick trip over to Fort Worth area. Got a friend there.” He knocked knuckles with Logan and left.

  Logan watched Riley ride away. Then he looked over towards his neighbor’s house and wondered what she was doing. She had been terrified earlier when she had banged on his door. She calmed down before the police arrived, but not by much.

  Those brief moments when she had clung to him had felt like heaven. It was too late for him. He was already in over his head with Tina. The only question now was what was he planning to do about it?

  * * * *

  Tina called in to the office and told them she wouldn’t be in, but would work with what she had at home. Then she called Jenna to let her know she was going to stay home.

  “Are you okay? Do you need anything?” Jenna asked when she phoned her.

  “No, I’m fine. I just need a day off to rest is all. This will give me a three day weekend.”

  “You sure you don’t want me to bring you anything at lunch? I don’t mind,” Jenna said

  “No, I’m fine. Thanks though. I’ll talk to you again later.” Tina hung up.

  She hated not telling Jenna the truth, but she needed to handle this herself. If Jenna knew the intruder had been in her house, she would be over there now, packing her up to stay with her. Jenna’s mother was staying with her for a few days. There wouldn’t be enough room for both of them, but Jenna would insist. No, it was best if her friend didn’t know about the latest trouble.

  Tina set to work cleaning up the powder the crime scene techs had used all over her kitchen. It seemed to have gotten in everything in the kitchen. It took her well over an hour to clean it all up. By the time she was finished, it was nearly time for lunch. She fixed a peanut butter sandwich. She didn’t have much of an appetite, but tried to eat anyway. She managed to get down a little over half of the sandwich.

  A knock at the door startled her. She had to take a deep breath to calm her racing heart. She checked the window and asked who it was. The guy held up a card that said he was the locksmith she had called. She disarmed the security system and opened the door. He nodded and asked her what she wanted done.

  “You’re not the one who came and put these in,” she said.

  “No, that was probably the owner. He hired me ‘bout seven months ago. Name’s Arthur Biggs.” He smiled and opened his bag.

  “Nice to meet you Mr. Biggs,” Tina said.

  “Call me Art. Everyone does.” He began fiddling with her kitchen door. “I’ll get all these done in a jiffy.”

  “Thanks, Art. I’ll be in my office if you need anything,” she said. Then she remembered. “Oh, and I have a pair of French doors in my bedroom off my balcony.”

  “I’ll come get you when I finish the front and back doors,” he said.

  Tina nodded and went to her office to settle in and get some work done. At first, she had trouble concentrating, but finally settled into the work and forgot she even had anyone in the house with her. A knock at the office door brought her back to awareness quickly.

  “Okay, I’m ready to go upstairs to your bedroom now.” The locksmith stood just outside of the office doorway.

  She led him up the stairs and into her bedroom. He crossed the room and set to work on the doors. Something about him seemed familiar then. She realized he smelled like Old Spice. It floored her. The stalker smelled like that. She remembered also that he had green eyes. What color were Art’s eyes? It seemed like they were hazel, but she couldn’t be sure without seeing them again. But, he could wear contacts, right? She fought the panic that threatened to well up inside her.

  “Um, A
rt? How long have you been a locksmith?” she asked.

  He looked up and smiled. “Oh, since I was old enough to play with my Dad’s stuff. He was one before me. I planned to take over his business when he retired, but he got sick when I was still in high school and lost the business.” He shrugged. “So, here I am. Maybe one day I will open my own business, but this is fine for now.”

  His eyes were hazel, like she thought. Still, he might be wearing contact lenses. She studied him as he worked on her door. He seemed tall enough but maybe he was a bit too heavy. He had a small belly on him.

  She checked his hands and realized he was married. That wouldn’t make much difference though. Her stalker could be married with six kids for all she knew. True psychopaths from what she had heard usually had a family and kept everyone around them in the dark about who and what they were.

  Tina swallowed and took a step back from the locksmith. Surely, he wouldn’t try anything in broad daylight, she reasoned, but what about the locks? Now she couldn’t trust that the stalker didn’t have keys to her locks. She eased around the bed to the opposite side and kept her hand near the telephone. She had left her cell phone downstairs in the office. Stupid, stupid, stupid, she chastised herself.

  The sound of him closing the door and locking it jerked her back from her thoughts.

  “Looks like that’s it. You’re all done.” He began putting up his tools. “Would it be okay if I washed my hands in your bathroom? I don’t want to get key oil on the door knobs or wood door facing.”

  “No, of course not,” Tina said.

  She waited while he washed and dried his hands in her bathroom, then led the way down the stairs. He went out to his truck to write up her ticket, and she noticed the slight scent of the aftershave remained behind him. Then it dawned on her that it was the same scent she’d smelled that day, but hadn’t know what it was. The bastard had been in her house before, and she hadn’t even realized it.