Her Temporary Hero (a Once a Marine Series book) (Entangled Indulgence)

by Jennifer Apodaca

  “You’ll be safe here. I’ll sleep in the other room.”

  Chapter Two

  Becky stared at the text on her phone, and reminded herself that she couldn’t kill her boss.

  Trust me. You and Sophie are safer with Logan than anywhere else. This is for the best, even if Logan doesn’t realize it yet.

  She didn’t have much of a choice tonight. Plus, Lucinda had found a lawyer who would see her for a free consultation tomorrow. She really was helping. But Becky still wanted to yell at her. That scene with Logan had scared, embarrassed, and humiliated her. The man didn’t want her in his house. Even worse, she was in the master bedroom. Shame added to the stew of discomfort.

  After burping her sleeping daughter, Becky laid her in the second-hand, portable crib next to the massive wood framed bed. The room was a combination of rustic charm with beamed ceilings, warm-toned walls, and a stone fireplace that contrasted with the contemporary feel of huge windows lining one wall. Guilt banded around her lungs. She’d chosen the room because it had a nice area for Sophie’s bed.

  She’d not only invaded Logan’s house, but she’d taken his room.

  They couldn’t stay in this room. It wasn’t right. She dragged on some shorts; she’d embarrassed herself enough for one night. At the door, she glanced back at Jiggy plopped down on the floor by Sophie’s bed. “Stay.” Then she went into the hallway and closed the door.

  At the same second the bathroom door opened, spilling out a billow of steam and a man wearing nothing except a towel loosely wrapped around lean hips. Above that was a rippled abdomen spreading into a muscular chest and shoulders that filled the doorway. On his left bicep he had a tattoo of a horse kneeling before a white cross draped with dog tags.

  That tat tugged at her heart. He’d lost someone, and she understood how deep that pain went.

  “Oh.” The word squeaked out of her involuntarily. She was tall, nearly five ten, but she had to look up to see his unusual light green eyes that stood out against his darker skin and black hair.

  “Need something?”

  Even his voice was sexy, pitched low and oh-so-masculine. Really? After a year of her sex drive lying dormant, now her hormones noticed a man?

  Stop staring like a moron and say something!

  “I took your bedroom.” A flush heated her skin. Where was all her beauty contestant poise and confidence?

  He leaned against the doorjamb. “I noticed.”

  Was that towel around his waist sliding? A drop of water traveled down, tucking along his oblique muscles, over the jut of his hipbone, and vanishing into the knot of that terrycloth. “I want to give it back. Your room. I had no right to take it. I didn’t know you were coming home, but still, I should have taken one of the other rooms. I’ll just get our things and…” She turned, desperate to escape back into the room.

  “Hey, easy there, sugar. You don’t need to move rooms.”

  His calm confidence filled the hallway, easing her tension. “You’re sure? Are you leaving again tomorrow or something? Lucinda said you travel for work.” If he was leaving tomorrow, maybe he wouldn’t mind letting her stay a more couple days since he wouldn’t be here.

  “I work for Once a Marine Security Agency, but I’ve taken a leave for a few months.”

  A leave squashed that idea, but she was intrigued by his job. “Security agency?” She couldn’t help taking another eye-trip over his amazingly powerful body that looked custom-made to shield others. “Like bodyguarding?”

  His grin tilted. “At times. We handle all kinds of private security and investigations.”

  “That’s why you had the gun?”

  Grim lines settled over his face. “Yes, but I don’t make a habit of pulling it on an unarmed woman and her kid. I didn’t know who was in my house or if they had a weapon.”

  “That’s a relief. You scared the hell out of me.”

  His harsh look faded away. “The room is yours for a night or two.”

  Something was different about him from a half hour ago. Aside from his interesting state of undress, he was more relaxed and easygoing. More in command, both of himself and his home. Yeah, that was it.

  He lowered his chin. “Lucinda would kill me if I let something happen to you. I’m in the business of security and protection, remember? You’re perfectly safe in my house and on my land.”

  She’d bet if any man hurt Lucinda, Logan would protect his cousin. Glancing around, at anything but the powerful man taking up too much space in the hallway, the old and familiar envy reared up. It’d been a long day; she’d feel better if she got a few hours sleep. Forcing a light tone, she said, “Then I guess Sophie and I are safe.” She wished to God that was true. “I’ll make arrangements to leave as quickly as possible. Thank you for letting us stay here.” She spun and reached for the doorknob.

  “Becky.”

  “Yes?”

  “I’m not good with kids. At all.”

  There it was again, that tension. It shadowed his eyes and added weight to his shoulders.

  What did that mean exactly? But now wasn’t the time to interrogate him. “I’ll try to keep her quiet and out of your way.”

  …

  Becky rubbed her clammy hands on her black slacks. She felt out of place sitting in this plush law office.

  That was an all too familiar feeling after that scene with Logan last night. Once she finished here, she had to find a place for her and Sophie to stay. She couldn’t impose on Logan; he didn’t want them there. Yet once he’d realized she was telling the truth, he’d been kind, going out of his way to reassure her that she and her baby were safe with him. While wearing nothing except that towel and some really sexy water droplets.

  The sound of rustling papers dragged her attention from her thoughts.

  Felicia Redding’s blue eyes were battle-hardened, but not unkind, as she finished reading over the forms Becky had filled out.

  “For Mr. Ridgemont to file for custody of Sophie he will first have to establish that he’s the father. In Texas, when a baby is born to an unmarried couple, the law does not automatically recognize the biological father as a legal parent. Have you signed an Acknowledgement of Paternity naming Dylan Ridgemont as the baby’s father since her birth?”

  “No. Dylan was in prison when she was born. That’s good, right?”

  Felicia tapped her index finger on the polished surface of her desk. “It’ll slow the process down while they get a court order for a paternity test. But until they have that, Mr. Ridgemont will have zero rights in regards to the child.”

  That gave her a little time. “Then he can file for custody?”

  “Yes. Or he could file for visitation, but he’d be required to pay child support.”

  In that moment, she hated herself for saddling Sophie with Dylan as a father. She hadn’t intended to get pregnant, but the end result was the same—Dylan was Sophie’s father. Her daughter would pay a terrible price if she didn’t find a way to keep her out of Dylan’s hands. “I don’t want support. I just want Sophie to grow up safe and happy.”

  Felicia folded her hands on her desk. “You don’t think she’d be safe with Mr. Ridgemont?”

  “No, unless he handed her over to nannies or his parents or something. But that’s not right. I’m Sophie’s mom. Dylan attacked me when I was pregnant and put me in the hospital. Won’t that be enough to keep him from getting custody?”

  “It’ll help, but the short answer is no.” She leaned on her forearms. “Ms. Holmes, you need to grasp the reality here. Custody cases that go to court can be very expensive. I charge three hundred an hour for these cases. If Mr. Ridgemont brings the force of his family’s legal counsel onto this case, it will be costly. We’ll be buried in paperwork, and that will require countless hours of my paralegals’ time as well as mine. I’d need a five thousand dollar retainer.”

  Desperation clogged her throat. She didn’t have the money. Could she borrow against her trailer until she sold it? Glancing at
her daughter sleeping in her car seat, determination rocketed through her. “I have a little time since he has to prove paternity. What about a restraining order for now?”

  The lawyer picked up a pen and wrote something on a Post-it note. “Go to this website and download the protective order kit. You can do this yourself and save money. If you have any questions, call me and I’ll walk you through it.”

  Grateful for the woman’s help, she took the paper. “Thank you.”

  “Ms. Holmes, if Mr. Ridgemont wasn’t one of Texas’s richest families, I would direct you to some low income resources and you’d probably retain full physical custody of your daughter.”

  She went rigid from her jaw to her shoulders. “But?”

  “If he makes a move to establish paternity, then he’s in the process of going for custody. There’s no benefit to him otherwise as he’ll open himself up to pay child support.”

  That made sense.

  “So if that happens, do whatever you have to in order to retain good counsel. It’ll be an ugly fight. They have the money to do anything they need to, including having private investigators watching you.”

  Oh God. She had to find a way to get that money.

  By the time she pulled up to Logan’s house, exhaustion throbbed in her head and Sophie fussed incessantly. Taking the baby out of the car, she headed inside, grateful for the cool interior of the house.

  Jiggy streaked out the door and down the steps, heading straight for the nearest tree. Becky set Sophie down in her carrier, trekked back out to the car to gather up the sewing she hoped to finish before work tonight, and called Jiggy. Once back inside, she changed Sophie and settled on the couch to feed her while researching the website the lawyer had given her. As the protective order forms downloaded, she wondered if she could get it filed and approved. Would a restraining order stop Dylan? Or would she just be provoking him into action? She was torn. What would keep them safe from Dylan?

  Her boss thought Logan could.

  Trust me. You and Sophie are safer with Logan than anywhere else.

  He certainly looked capable enough even without the gun. The man exuded power, confidence, and an innate kindness that touched her. Becky had to admit, she had totally blindsided him by being in his house, yet he’d never once threatened her physical harm, let alone hurt her. And he’d looked pretty hot wearing that towel… She shook her head, getting off that train of thought.

  The important thing was to stay safe while she figured out how to deal with Dylan. Her options were dwindling. Could she and Logan work out some trade for her and Sophie to stay there while she waited for the loan on the trailer to come through?

  …

  Logan had spent the day working on his land and thinking about Luce’s suggestion—a temporary wife. He returned home, showered, and dressed, still turning it over in his mind.

  His father had turned down every alternative, including Logan’s offer to outright buy the land. Logan was screwed—he needed his land and home, but he couldn’t have a wife who would depend on him and want children.

  Children. Those dead girls, that baby…not going there. Kids were a trigger he avoided.

  But a temporary wife? Becky was already here, and she appeared to be in trouble. These were special circumstances: either he married or he lost the land that meant everything to him. So if he had to deal with a baby for a few months…

  His father had left him little choice. This strip of land was supposed to be his free and clear on his eighteenth birthday. But his old man was a manipulative bastard, determined to retain control over his son, and used the land to do it by adding a stipulation that Logan had to marry and live on the land by his thirtieth birthday or the land would revert to Brian Knight.

  A temporary marriage meant he’d not only get what he wanted, but ultimately beat his father at his own game. And he could help out Becky while doing it. It was clear she was in some kind of trouble.

  Luce’s idea was gaining appeal. Logan headed out to the kitchen, determined to talk to Becky. Get to know her a little bit and see if his cousin was on to something.

  Half way to the kitchen, a soft noise drew his attention to the floor. Baby Sophie lay on her tummy face-to-face with Jiggy. She arched her chest up and reached her tiny hand toward the dog’s face.

  Unease crept in at the sight of the baby. That was the complication. If it was just the woman, sure he could probably do it. But a baby? Such a fragile little person, anything could happen to her. He didn’t want to be responsible for her safety.

  The dog licked Sophie’s waving fist. The baby gurgled and grinned, revealing toothless gums.

  “Jiggy, not her hands or face.” Becky stood at the island facing his open dining room and living room.

  Pulling his attention from the baby relaxed some of his uneasiness. Becky had a black T-shirt on that set off her light hair and hugged her breasts. Temptation fisted in his belly, the same temptation that kept him awake thinking about the gorgeous woman in his bed. By morning, he’d convinced himself he’d exaggerated her beauty.

  Wrong.

  Even fully clothed, she was sizzling hot.

  Stop staring, you moron. Dude, she stared back when you came out of the shower.

  He ignored that voice of lust screaming in his brain. Going into the kitchen, he surveyed the half loaf of bread, jar of peanut butter, and small bunch withering grapes.

  She lifted her gaze. “Hi.”

  It came out breathy, and her eyes warmed as her skin took on a dusky glow. Definitely not just him feeling this attraction. It took all his control not to look down and see if her nipples had pebbled, because if he looked…yeah, eyes on her face. “Hi, making a snack?”

  “Dinner.” She returned to her task. “We’ll be out of your way in a few minutes. Well Sophie and I will. Is it okay if Jiggy stays here? I’ll be back around midnight. I’ve fed him, he won’t be any trouble.”

  Was it him making her nervous, or the charged air between them? “Sure, the dog can stay with me. Where are you going?”

  “Work, but Sophie goes with me.”

  Right, she worked for Lucinda’s cleaning company. Giving her some space, he went to the fridge, pulled out a cold bottle of beer then leaned against the counter. She took the baby with her to clean? Was that wise? Not his problem. What he needed to think about was firing up the grill and getting some dinner going. “Is that what you’re eating for dinner?”

  “Yes.” Her shoulders stiffened as she dropped a couple slices of bread on a plate and picked up a knife. “I brought it with me.”

  Her defensiveness surprised him. Logan crossed the room and lifted the jar. “What is this stuff?” He didn’t even recognize the label. Must be an off-brand.

  Becky tilted her chin up. “It’s chunky. May I have it back please?”

  “Don’t you have to eat more than this?” She was feeding a kid.

  She dropped her gaze. “Peanut butter works.” Her stomach growled.

  He’d made her uncomfortable when she was just trying to eat. Handing her the jar back, he lightened his tone. “Sure it does. I like peanut butter, but tonight I’m in the mood for steak. I’m going to fire up the grill and throw some on. Would you like to join me?”

  She shook her head, her attention on her task. “Thanks for asking, but I need to get to work. This is faster and it’s fine.”

  Logan caught himself inhaling her scent, reigniting his lust. His hands itched to touch her hair, see if it was as silky as it looked, and her skin as soft.

  Whoa cowboy.

  He reigned in the flash of desire. He was trying to get to know her and see if Lucinda’s idea had merit, not take her to his bed. Would this attraction be a problem? Or something they could both enjoy? Logan took a long swallow of beer, determined not to let desire cloud his judgment.

  Becky’s scent faded as she went around the island, perched on a barstool, and took a bite of her sandwich.

  He lowered his beer bottle. His lust took a backse
at to the thought of her going hungry, or at least not eating enough. “Do you want jelly? I’m sure I have some.” Cleaning was hard work. She needed more than peanut butter on crappy bread.

  She shook her head.

  Unable to stand it, Logan went to the fridge, got out the milk, and poured her a glass. “At least drink this.”

  Becky lifted her gaze, her eyes warring between suspicion and gratefulness. That expression twisted something in his stomach. It was that flicker of naked vulnerability backed up with steel determination. He pushed the glass toward her. “It’s just milk. Drink it.”

  “I meant to buy some.”

  He put the carton away. “I can’t drink all this. It’d be a waste for you to buy more.”

  “Still, I’ll replace it when I leave.” She set down her sandwich. “You left early this morning.”

  “Working on my land.”

  “Yeah? You mean the whole ranch? Or a part that’s just yours?” She glanced out the slider. “This place looked huge when I drove in last night.”

  “I have roughly ten acres.” That he was going to find a way to keep. “But the entire ranch is well over a hundred thousand acres.”

  Becky’s hand holding her sandwich fell to the counter. “Wow, that’s…wow. What do you do with all that land?”

  “We breed and train horses, mostly Quarter for rodeo and to work. We’re known for our horses and top-notch training. We have beef cattle, too. It’s a huge operation with a massive staff, there’s a lot of buildings and equipment to maintain.”

  “I can barely maintain my car.” Remembering her sandwich, she took a bite.

  Logan laughed. “Yeah, it’s overwhelming.” There was an entire management team that, if his dad had his way, would one day be reporting to Logan. He didn’t want that, never had.

  Her eyes sparkled. “What’s your favorite part?”

  Easy answer. “Rehabilitating horses, especially abused or neglected ones, or horses that have been subjected to poor training techniques.” There was nothing like getting a horse to trust him.

  “Is that what you’re doing while on leave from your job? Working with horses?”