“It’s been a long day, Bryce. I’m going to call Rose’s and check on the dogs and then go to bed, if that’s all right with you.”
“Sure, Paige, second bedroom on the right. And I’ll call Rose’s. Get some rest.”
“Okay.”
He watched her turn and walk down the hall, his gaze fixed on her bottom. The hem of his tee shirt rode high on her thighs and had him mentally groaning. She was a beautiful woman with a natural sensuality that made him lose his train of thought.
He rubbed the fatigue out of his eyes. The day had been an emotional pressure cooker. He now knew for sure that he felt more than a deep desire to protect Paige. It was like an obsession. He locked all the doors and turned out the lights, before heading to bed. He knew he’d not get any sleep. He was troubled by the amount of violence aimed at Paige and her property.
He lay down on the mattress with the ceiling fan moving the air over his tense body. He couldn’t seem to relax. Part of it was the rush of adrenaline from the earlier fear that he’d be too late to save her. It was like reliving his ex-wife’s murder all over again. The other thoughts were a sexual awareness of Paige. Her lush curves and waif-like face were a blend of sensuality and innocence. With a groan, he rolled over to get comfortable. Even without clothes, his body was hot and ached with sexual tension.
Then he heard her in the hallway coming toward his room. He quickly pulled the sheet over his nakedness, in case she looked in. The moonlight coming in through the window would have shown just how aroused he was. Not something a woman who’d been through a kidnapping needed to deal with. She stood in the doorway and looked in at him. He felt the heat of her stare flush his body. She moved closer.
“Bryce, can you hold me?” she asked, her voice almost a whisper as if she was afraid to disturb the quiet of the night.
“Sure, come here.” He scooted over and made room for her on the bed. Then he wrapped his arms around her. He felt her trembling and realized he should have offered to hold her earlier. But damn, it was going to be a frustrating night. She moved in closer and nestled her head on his shoulder. As strong as Paige was, tonight’s events had stolen her feeling of being safe. The kidnappers knew how to get her alone so they could take her. It would be a while until she really felt safe again, and that wouldn’t happen until he caught the guys and put them behind bars. Still, that wouldn’t stop the ring leader from hiring others.
She shifted again slightly and then he felt her deep breathing. She was asleep. Thank God. Maybe he could get some peace, if not sleep. His groin ached and his skin felt too tight. She was so lovely laying there; her silken skin pressed to his body; her hand lying so trustingly on his chest. He shifted to get more comfortable, so he could see her face. The light from the full moon showed the crescents of her eyelashes resting on her cheeks. Across the bridge of her nose, danced a few freckles. But what was really hard to resist were her lips, which were making a perfect pout as she blew out a breath that danced along his skin, ruffling his chest hair, and making his skin pucker in gooseflesh.
There was something about Paige that just did it for him. The auburn hair, slim hips, and smart mouth, made him want to howl at the moon. She’d totally fulfilled the promise of her youth, and exceeded it. The sun-kissed highlights seemed to sparkle, as he ran his hand through her hair. She was all woman, and if she was any other woman, he would have been jumping at a chance at a relationship, but she was Sharon’s cousin and any female related to her was questionable in his mind.
Still, Paige didn’t seem anything like Sharon. In fact, she wasn’t anything like Sharon or so Libby had said. So who was Paige? He didn’t know, but the more he was around her, the more he wanted to know. She was, however, temporarily off limits while this case was ongoing. He didn’t want to risk her life any more than it already had been, just by being with him.
Hours later, he dozed, only to awaken to have an amber-eyed woman staring at him. She looked tousled and he wanted nothing so much as to make her look more so.
“Good morning, Bryce.”
“Good morning,” he replied.
She’d watched Bryce as he slept and marveled again at how handsome he was. Even in his gruff, unshaven state, he was yummy. She may never be the woman of his dreams, but he was the man of hers. She wouldn’t allow him to treat her as less than the person she knew herself to be. He’d already proven he could use her, if she let him. It didn’t make her less of a person, that he didn’t want a real relationship with her. That was a problem he would have to deal with, she would move on with her life. Never again would she allow someone to treat her as second best. She was worthy of being loved by a man who put her first.
“Paige, am I forgiven for taking Sheba?” he asked.
“And Samson? Don’t forget you took him too.”
He was nuzzling her neck the way lovers do after a night of lovemaking. It was just such love play that had been missing the one time they’d slept together. “I might forgive you. Depends on how good of an adoptive family you found for Samson.”
“It’s a great family with two kids who’ve been begging for a dog, lots of energy, and a huge backyard. Agent Jefferson has worked with me for a couple of years and is reliable, and his wife is a school teacher. Samson is going to a good home and will be part of a great team of DEA officers. They worked with Samson on the day you left him with me and they were truly impressed with him.”
“I understand that they need the dog, Bryce. I just like to have a say in who has one of my dogs.”
“Are we going to argue or are you going to forgive me?” he asked in between wet kisses around her ear. She shivered in response.
Bryce was in the process of pulling kissing her again when his cell rang. That quick, he was back to being an agent on a case.
“Prescott,” he said after checking the caller ID.
“Bryce, it’s Bo Jefferson. We’ve had a lead on some gang bangers heading your way.”
“What have you got?”
“One guy’s name is Ramon, the other guy is ex-military named Bobby McIntyre. He’s an explosives expert, last seen heading your way after taking out a whole bunch of buildings.”
“How’s the team?”
“Thanks to our newest member, Samson, we’re all alive. That dog saved our lives and caught one of the members of the Dragons, who rolled over on everyone. Seems they’ve had a change of leadership.
“Okay, thanks for the heads up.”
“You’re welcome. Stay safe man.”
“That’s the plan.”
“Later.”
“What was that all about?” Paige asked.
“Your dog just saved the team from an explosives expert’s handiwork.”
“I’m glad.”
“I need to give Markham this info, and I don’t trust the channels at the police department.”
“I wouldn’t trust them either,” she said.
“This will have to wait,” he said.
She watched him get out of the bed totally nude and completely comfortable with it. Well, why wouldn’t he be? He was gorgeous. He grabbed his clothes and put them on while she watched.
“I’ll be back later. Don’t go anywhere. Until we catch these guys, we have to assume they will make another try for you. I’ll call every hour or so. Lay low, and stay in the house with the doors locked. The Millers may be working out in the fields, but Mrs. Miller isn’t scheduled to clean the house today, so you just stay inside, and don’t answer the door.”
“Okay,” she replied. Presented with the idea of being in the house all day by herself, she realized she would be alone. She needed to get used to it, but she remembered the feeling of helplessness.
“Leave me a gun,” she demanded.
“There’s one in the nightstand. It’s loaded but the safety is on and it has a lock. Here’s the key to the lock.” He handed her a small key off a ring of keys.
“Thanks,” she said.
He bent down and gave her a hard, brief
kiss. She felt her lips tingle from the contact.
“I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
“Okay,” she said, bemused by how aroused she became with just one kiss.
She watched him leave with a piece of toast in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other. He switched both to his left hand, and opened the truck door with his right. She watched him until his taillights disappeared. Like her, he lived back off the road a ways. There was very little traffic, so she could see anyone approaching. She tried to think of things to keep her busy for the day. She started with phone calls, the first, one to Jamie.
“Jamie, this is Paige.”
“Oh God, Paige, I heard about the attempted kidnapping. Are you okay?”
“It wasn’t an attempt, Jamie. They were successful, but Bryce and Deeogee rescued me.”
“I’m glad, Paige.”
“I think Shelby has all the dogs right now and I was wondering if you could go over there and give her a hand so she won’t be overwhelmed.”
“I’m on it.”
“Thanks, Jamie.”
“Sure. I’m just thankful you’re all right.”
“Me too.”
“When are you and the dogs coming back to the house?”
“I’m not sure. The police want to catch the kidnappers first, so I don’t know. It may be that we can bring the dogs back over to Bryce’s place and continue training from here. I’ll have to let you know.”
“Okay, I’ll head over to the vet’s for now. Just let me know when you’d like me to help move the dogs.”
“Will do. And thanks again for all your help.”
“Sure.”
Next, Paige called Shelby.
“Darke County Veterinary Clinic.”
“Hi, this is Paige.”
“Paige, it’s Shelby. Thank God you’re all right.”
“Thanks for all your help yesterday.”
“You’re welcome. I’m just so glad you’re okay.”
“I am now. I wanted to let you know that I’ve got Jamie coming over to feed, water, and play with the dogs today, so you can get on with your work.”
“Oh, that would be great. I’ve got a pretty full schedule, so having someone here to work with the dogs would be terrific.”
“Good. Thanks for boarding them while my place is unsafe.”
“No problem. They can stay as long as you need them to.”
“Thanks, I’m hoping to bring them back over to Bryce’s soon.”
“Okay, but don’t let him give Patches any more ice-cream.”
“I think Bryce learned his lesson, even if Patches hasn’t.” They both laughed.
Having made her calls, she now had the whole day to wallow around Bryce’s house. She remembered the house from when they were kids. His mom had always been nice to her. His dad was stern and the local sheriff at the time, while Bryce was enjoying running wild with her brothers.
Those were the good times, before their dad went into the moonshining business with the Slaters, who eventually broke up the partnership when her dad drank more of the profits than was healthy. He got worse after that—became a mean drunk.
But today was a new day, and she was shaking off all the old memories. There was a kind of freedom in having her life threatened. She had a new perspective of what was really important to her. Safety was an illusion. Life was too short not to enjoy everything, like spending her nights with Bryce.
Bryce called several times throughout the day to check up on her. It broke up the boredom. As it got later, she went to fix something for them to have for dinner. The entire time she gave herself little talks to not make too much of the experience. He made it pretty clear that he was not the marrying kind, so she wouldn’t build any images of what could be. Not the new improved Paige.
She heard his truck pull into the drive.
“Paige?” he called from the front door.
“Yeah, I’m in the kitchen trying to see what you will feed me.”
“Hmm, not much,” he said as he entered the kitchen.
“I’d say it looks like frozen pizza is the best you’ve got.”
“There’s beer.”
“Okay, well the pizza is almost done because I was getting hungry.”
“I should have thought of that and picked up some groceries.”
The timer dinged and she reached for the hot pads and pulled out the pan.
Bryce reached into the fridge for two beers and then snagged some paper plates. They enjoyed the meal in silence.
“Did you find out anything new?” she asked.
“Some, but we didn’t find the guys who kidnapped you yet. So you’ll need to stay here another night.”
“Bryce, I need to go home sometime.”
“No, you don’t. You could stay here. Move in.”
“Nope, I’ve got a life planned that doesn’t include living with a man.”
“I’m not going to marry you, Paige.”
“I didn’t ask you to.”
“But that’s what you want.”
“Bryce, can we once again agree that you don’t know me? Yes, I want to get married someday, but not to you.”
“What do you mean not to me?”
“What I said. You’re a great guy and the sex was everything I hoped it would be, but you’re not the right kind of guy for me.”
“What kind of crap are you talking about?”
“Bryce, I’ve got a type of man in mind and he’s not you. Why are you upset with that? You and I had sex, which was all you wanted, so why are you upset that I’m telling you I don’t want the type of relationship that you want? You should be thrilled to be off the hook.”
“Is this some kind of Cosmo reverse psychology crap?”
“No, this is Paige telling you what I do and don’t want. If you don’t like it, tough.”
He looked at her suspiciously, but she was not going to explain herself. Let him think what he wanted. He would anyway. It kind of hurt to realize that he really didn’t know her at all. “Look, I don’t think we should repeat last night.”
“I’m going to watch some baseball, and then take a shower. If you want to enjoy more of what we shared last night, I’ll be in my room.” He stormed off.
She wasn’t in the mood for his attitude. Why is it he never reacted the way she expected? She went to the guest room and pulled a book from the shelf, deciding to read a mystery. At least when she finished the book, she’d know the outcome. Her life was a mystery she didn’t think she’d ever solve, and ditto for Bryce. That man was more changeable than the weather in the North Country.
That man was more changeable than the weather in the North Country.
The game was good and went into extra innings, but he found himself listening for what Paige was doing in the other room. Frustrated with the way the day had ended, he turned off the TV.
Bryce took a shower using cold water, thinking it would cool him off. Why was he upset that she didn’t want to marry him? She confused him. He decided to take another shower, letting the cold seep into his skin until gooseflesh puckered his body. Turning off the tap, he reached out to grab a towel to dry himself and smelled burnt popcorn. What was Paige doing making popcorn? Maybe she couldn’t sleep either.
He quickly toweled dry and grabbed a pair of jeans to slip on. The smell was worse in the hallway. It didn’t smell like popcorn now. It smelled like burning plastic. Why weren’t the fire alarms going off? Damn it!
“Paige, where are you?”
“I’m in the kitchen. I smelled something burning and thought you must have fallen asleep cooking.”
He followed the sound of her voice to the kitchen, which she was just leaving. He could now see flames outside the window. The fire was outside the house and it was real.
“Paige, head for the door. We need to get out of here.”
He saw her move to follow him out when an explosion from the garage brought the kitchen walls as well as the hallway down on top of them.
> “Paige, are you okay?” The smoke and dust burned when he tried to breathe.
“Yeah, but it’s getting awful hot in here.”
“We need to see if we can crawl our way over to the door or living room window.”
They were in a tunnel made by the beams crossing over their heads like a teepee with sheet rock on top of them. It was a small tunnel, but at least they were alive.
Paige moved in a crouched position, sliding her body along the floor like a snake. There wasn’t enough room to crawl on hands and knees. The smoke engulfed what was left of the hallway. Any minute now, they’d be caught in a flash-over when everything combusted.
“Bryce, which direction is the nearest exit?” she asked.
The darkness was thick, starting to fill with smoke, and Paige wasn’t familiar with the layout of the house.
“Move to your right and you’re in the living room. Forty-five degrees from where we are is the front door and the front window. If the glass is still in it, I’ll break it out. Either way, we are getting out of here.”
Paige followed his directions. She felt slivers of glass prick her forearm and knew she was in front of the living room window. She felt around for the heavy curtains to use on the window ledge. Bunching them up, she padded the sill so she could use it to protect her hands. She didn’t bother trying to pull the glass out. There wasn’t time. She lifted her head to peer out and saw flames at the corner of the house through the smoke, which started her eyes watering.
“Bryce, we’re at the window. I can see the flames at the corner of the house.
“Okay, can you get out?” His question sounded breathless.
“Yeah, but are you okay?”
“I’ll make it. Get out before the roof comes down.”
“I’ve used the drapes as a pad, so we won’t get too cut up, so make sure you use it. I better see your butt coming through the window right behind me, Bryce!”
Lifting herself up, she climbed out the window, then quickly turned to assist Bryce. The fire illuminated his face. She saw he’d taken the worst of the cave-in from the explosion. There was blood running down his face and arms. Some trickled from his nose. His eyes looked a little dazed, and she thought he might be going into shock.
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