by Hart, Edie
Gray turned from the window and grabbed the bag off the bed. “Let’s go.”
She’d barely stuffed her toiletries in the bag before Gray herded her through the bedroom door.
“Are we in a hurry?” She stumbled.
Gray reached out an arm to steady her and tugged her toward the exit.
“Something is not adding up.”
She stopped to look at him. “What do you mean?”
With a gentle push, he guided her through the front door. “There have been too many coincidences. I have a bad feeling.” He yanked hard on the door to get it to close it behind them. “Someone is looking for something and you seem to be right in the middle of it.”
What could she possibly have gotten herself in the middle of? “Okaaaay. So why the hurry?”
“The first time they came looking you weren’t here. They are going to keep coming back until they either find you or whatever they’re looking for. I’d rather you not be here when they return.” They stood on the front step looking at each other for a moment. “Lock up,” Gray said, breaking the silence.
When she pulled out her keys, something fell out her pocket and dropped on the ground. Gray took the keys from her and locked the door while she bent to retrieve what had fallen out. It was small and black.
“What is it?” he asked.
“I don’t know.”
He grabbed it from her hands and glanced at it. Scrutinizing the parking lot, he took hold of her arm. “Come on.” They hustled to the car and got in.
“Get down.” He hissed, putting one hand on her head and pushing her toward the floor of the car.
He was scrunched low in his seat, watching out the window.
“What is it?” she whispered.
“Looks like you’ve got company.” He laughed.
“And why is this funny?”
“You clobbered him good, honey. He’s got a nice goose egg.” He turned his head a little toward her. “Remind me to never piss you off when you’re wearing heels.”
“I’m glad you’re finding this so funny,” she snapped, her hands trembling. She concentrated on taking slow, even breaths as she struggled to fight off the panic that overwhelmed her. How did this happen? Who the hell was this guy and why was he after her?
Chapter Nine
He heard her mumble, “My life sucks” from her squished position on the floor of the car as he pulled out of the lot. For the second time that night, he drove around aimlessly and after taking hard turns and random side streets he was sure that no one was following them. Then he headed to his lake house.
He looked at her scrunched up on the floor. She was still wearing those damn hot pants and he couldn’t help but wonder what kind of underwear she was wearing. He thought about how good she’d felt when he was holding her earlier. He’d been more than a little attracted to her, but he couldn’t take advantage of her.
Gray held out a hand to her. “It’s safe now.” He pulled her up and she settled in the seat with a sigh.
“Do you have any idea what’s on that SD card?”
“SD Card?” She turned to look at him. She looked beat.
“The thing that fell out of your pocket was an SD card.”
“Oh. I have no idea what’s on the card.” Her brows scrunched. “I don’t even think it’s mine. I’ve never seen it before.”
“We’ll take a look at it when we get to my place. We’re almost there.” She looked so tiny and lost. He wanted to hold her again. He reached over and squeezed her hand instead.
She looked down at his hand and then over at him and smiled.
They rode in silence the rest of the way and within minutes he was driving up his street and pulling into his garage.
Gray got out of the car and grabbed her bag before coming around to the other side of the car to help her out. He tried to not be a jerk and look at her fabulous ass, but he couldn’t help himself.
***
Tessa followed Gray into his house. His spicy scent greeted her the moment she walked through the door. He had an oversized coffee-colored sofa and chair set in his living room that looked both masculine and comfortable. Two modern glass end tables sat on either side of the sofa, opposite from a huge fireplace with a wooden mantle. Above it hung an abstract painting in various shades of burgundy and brown that pulled the room together. Nothing looked out of place.
With vaulted ceilings throughout, and an open layout, she could see all the way to the kitchen, which had an enormous stainless steel refrigerator with matching dishwasher and stove. The granite counters were black and, except for a can opener, spice rack, and Keurig machine, clear of clutter. Big French doors flanked an eat-in kitchen framing a sandy beach that was steps from the house.
Gray led her to a door off the living room furthest from the fireplace. “Here’s the guest room.”
She took in the cozy space, which was decorated in a welcoming periwinkle blue.
“There’s an attached bath,” he said, waving in the direction of the bathroom. “And fresh towels in the closet in the bathroom if you want to take a shower.” He ran a hand through his hair.
Tessa nodded.
“Make yourself comfortable.” He put her bag on the bed. “I’ll make something to eat, so come on into the kitchen when you’re ready.”
“Thanks, Gray,” she said. “This is really nice of you.”
He shrugged. “You needed a safe place to stay. After the day you’ve had, it’s the least I can do. Let me know if you need anything.” He left the room, closing the door behind him.
***
Gray was whistling ZZ Top’s “Legs” while he whisked eggs when heard Tessa walk into the kitchen.
“Really?” Sarcasm oozed from her voice.
Gray turned to look at her. “What?”
She stood in the doorway still dressed in her hot pants and tank top, holding up a couple pairs of g-string underwear. “Was this all you could find?”
Gray leaned against the counter and waggled his eyebrows at her. “No, but it was what I liked the best.”
She made a funny noise, like she was choking on a gasp. Her face turned red and her mouth formed an “O”.
Gray put down the whisk and, unable to help himself, strode toward her. He was drawn to her. And, he wanted to see if her freckles were visible when she blushed. As he moved closer, he completely forgot about her freckles when he noticed the outline of her bra through the shirt. It was pink and lacy. Man, he loved lace. It was one of those push-’em-up bras that made women’s breasts look like they would spill out at any moment. Man, he loved push-’em-up bras. She was so damn sexy, with her hair tumbled in wild curls around her shoulders and her big blue eyes looking up at him. He felt something shift in his chest.
He reached over to tuck a stray curl behind her ear then bent down so that they were eye-to-eye. He could smell her light floral perfume. She nibbled on her lower lip and he wondered if her lips were as soft as they looked. Then he thought about the day she’d had.
Aw, hell.
“Go on and take a shower,” he said, breaking the spell. He turned her toward the bedroom and gave her a gentle push. “The omelets should be done by the time you get out.”
Knowing she was sleeping in the next room, Gray doubted he would get much sleep. It was going to be a long night.
Chapter Ten
Wrapped in one of Gray’s fluffy guest towels, Tessa rummaged through the remaining items Gray had packed for her. She pulled out a comfortable T-shirt, socks, what happened to be her favorite sweat pants, and what looked like every sleazy pair of underwear she owned. She smiled and shook her head.
She dressed quickly and ran a brush through her damp hair before heading back to the kitchen.
She walked in to see Gray setting the table. He looked over at her, smiled, and pulled out a chair for her. She sat while he placed a steaming omelet in front of her.
Tessa couldn’t remember the last time anyone had taken care of her the way Gray wa
s taking care of her. She had to admit, it was nice to not worry about anything for a change. She could get used to it.
She looked across the table at him. He had to be one of the best looking men she’d ever seen. Normally because of her size, she went for shorter men, but when she thought about how gently he’d held her while she cried, her insides turned to goo. He was still in his dress shirt, having removed his coat and gun. Several chest hairs peeked out from his shirt, which was unbuttoned halfway down his chest. Rolled up sleeves revealed his tan muscular arms. When he moved, his shirt shifted over his broad chest, hinting at the powerfully built physique underneath. Remembering the smell of him, the warmth emanating from him, and the feel of him beneath her hands, she wanted to climb over the table and plaster herself to him, begging him to hold her, touch her, kiss her.
Gray looked up from his omelet and paused. “You okay, honey? You’ve got a funny look on your face.”
She felt her cheeks heat. Normally she wouldn’t like being called honey—or any kind of silly pet name—but when he said it in his growly voice, her insides turned to goo. She really had to stop thinking about throwing herself at him.
She looked down at her food and began stuffing it in her mouth. Heaven. She stopped shoveling and closed her eyes to enjoy the taste. “Mmmm, Gray. This is so good.”
She opened her eyes and saw him staring at her. She licked her lips and his gaze traveled to her mouth.
He swallowed hard and his Adam’s apple bobbed.
“Do you like cooking?”
He blinked.
“Gray?”
“Yeah?”
“Do you enjoy cooking?”
He blinked again and raised his eyes to hers. “Uh, sure, when I can.” He stood, picked up his plate, rinsed it, and set it in the sink.
He leaned back against the counter with his arms crossed over his broad chest as she finished off the rest of her omelet. “Did you get enough?”
Tessa thought of a million ways to “get enough,” most of them involving him being naked and on top of her. “Um. Yes.” She licked her lips, no longer hungry for food, but still starving.
Chapter Eleven
Gray tried to keep his gaze on her face but damn if it wasn’t hard. She was wearing a T-shirt and she didn’t have a bra on. Man, that was even better than lace.
She yawned and stretched, causing her breasts to push against the flimsy T-shirt material. Her erect nipples were clearly outlined beneath the shirt.
Gray swallowed.
All he could think about was throwing her on the table and putting his hands all over her. His hands, his mouth... He was such an ass.
It was late. She’d had a traumatic day. Plus, she would have a lot of work ahead of her the next day getting her apartment straightened out.
He sighed.
“Well, goodnight.” She ran her fingers through her damp, unruly curls. “Um... thanks for the food. And for letting me stay.”
“’Night,” he said.
She started to walk to the spare bedroom when he noticed a bright red spot on her sock.
“Tessa, what did you do to your foot?”
“Huh?” She stopped and turned around.
“Your sock is full of blood.” He pointed at her foot.
“Oh.” She shrugged. “It’s a blister from the heels. They’re not really meant for running in. It’s not a big deal.”
“Come over and sit down.” Gray pointed at his sofa. “Let me get some Band-Aids.” He went into the bathroom and grabbed some, plus a wet washcloth and antiseptic. When he returned, she was perched on the couch, looking a little flustered.
“It’s really nothing.” She made a move to stand up.
Gray lightly pushed her back down. “Humor me, okay?” He squatted down in front of her, pulled her foot in his lap, and began to peel back her sock. She hissed in a breath when the sock came away from the blister.
He looked at her and she gave him a tight smile.
“After I clean it up, I’ll put some of this on it.” He held up the bottle of antiseptic. “And it won’t hurt so much.”
“Okay.”
He dabbed the blood away with the washcloth and she gasped. With a tender touch, he put antiseptic on her wound and then efficiently covered it with a Band-Aid.
He looked up at her. Her lids drooped and she had dark circles under her eyes.
“Is the other one okay?” Before she could answer, he pulled her other foot in his lap and removed her sock. He began examining her foot with light pressure. “Does it hurt anywhere?”
“Gray, it’s fine—oh God, that feels good.” She relaxed into the couch and leaned her head back.
He watched pleasure wash across her face as he began to lightly massage her foot.
“Were you wearing those shoes all day?” he asked, moving on to the other foot.
“Yes, and I was on my feet most of the day.” She gasped. “Oh, yeah. Right there.”
Gray’s sight was in line with her chest and he could see the outline of her nipples through her shirt. Aw, hell.
***
“Oooh.” Tessa’s skin blazed everywhere his magic fingers kneaded. His touch was firm and gentle on her aching feet and calves. Pleasure rippled through her. It was the most thorough massage she’d ever had and she loved it. She thought about his firm hands on other areas of her body and her nipples pebbled.
Gray’s hands stilled and she opened her eyes to look at him. He was staring at her chest. She watched his gaze move up to her mouth and hot desire pooled low in her belly. She licked her lips and Gray’s grip on her foot tightened. Oh Lordy, she was going to spontaneously combust. Just one kiss. She had to know if he tasted as good as he looked. Damn the consequences.
She reached down, grabbed the front of his shirt, and pulled until their mouths fused in a hot kiss.
She moaned at the contact and wrapped her hand around his head to pull him closer. He leaned into her until she lay flat on the sofa, then buried one hand in her hair and tilted her head, slanting his mouth over hers, while his other hand trailed over her hip and under her shirt until it rested on her bare stomach. Her skin burned with the contact.
She let her hands roam the hard contours of his back. He lay nestled between her legs, his hardness pressed against her core. She arched into him and he groaned.
Breathing hard, he lifted his head and looked down at her, his gaze roaming over her face.
“Fuck!” He pulled away and ran a hand through his hair. “Tessa, we can’t do this.” He straightened her clothes and pulled her up.
“But—”
“You need to get some rest.” He pulled her up off the sofa and walked her to the guest room.
“Gray, I—”
He brushed a kiss across her forehead, gave her a gentle shove into the room, and with a “Night, sweetheart,” he closed the door.
Chapter Twelve
Tessa lay in bed in Gray’s guest bedroom, exhausted, but unable to sleep. She’d acted like a sex-starved maniac when he was rubbing her feet. What the hell was that about? What’s wrong with me? She really needed to control herself. She couldn’t help it; he made her nipples do a happy dance when he was around and his kisses were scorching. She yawned, rolled over, and thought about how good it felt to be in his arms.
She was in the dark parking lot again. She was running for the stairwell, gasping for breath. There was nowhere to hide. She knew she wouldn’t be able to outrun him in her heels. She pushed the door open and stumbled into the stairwell. She could hear his footfalls echoing in the parking lot. There wasn’t enough time.
She positioned herself on the side of the door and yanked off her shoes. She stood poised with one shoe in each hand and waited.
The door opened and the beefy man in the suit stepped through. He looked around, easily spotting her behind the door. He advanced on her and seized her arm in a bruising grip. She raised her other arm, closed her eyes, and hit him as hard as she could. Her heel hit his skull wit
h a jarring thump.
“Motherfucker! You bitch!” he yelled. He released her arm to grab for his head.
She hit him again for good measure and squeezed past him before darting out into the dark parking lot.
She woke in the middle of a scream.
“Shhh.” Gentle hands rubbed her back, and Gray’s strong arms surrounded her. “You’re safe now, honey,” he murmured in her hair.
She clutched at him, shivering. The memory of the nightmare began to recede as his heat seeped into her skin. Her fear ebbed and she wiggled, nestling herself more comfortably against him. He was hard and warm and... bare. Lord, help her, he was naked from the waist up. And slightly damp. He tightened his hold on her and she flattened herself against him, pressing her nose in his neck. She inhaled deeply, smelling his yummy Gray scent—and she felt safe. Her shivers faded and were replaced by waves of heat. She nuzzled against him. She wanted to be close. To forget for a moment everything that had happened. She wanted to be held and touched.
His chest was sprinkled with hair and she rubbed her cheek against it, reveling in the soft brush of it against her face. Heat engulfed her and pooled low in her belly. She wondered if he tasted as good as he smelled.
She opened her mouth and lightly nibbled his neck.
He drew in a quick breath and she smiled. She let her hands roam the hard planes of his chest and slid her fingers over the span of his broad shoulders. Tessa heard him make a low, deep groaning noise that reverberated through his chest as she followed the nibbles along his neck with light kisses.
Gray glided his hands across her back, down to her ass, and then he squeezed.
She was burning up. Tessa moaned and pressed her breasts against his chest, her nipples tightening into hard buds.
Gray stiffened. “Tessa—”
“Please, Gray.” She looked into his eyes.
He twined one hand in her hair and pulled her in for a kiss, which started gentle before becoming more intense. She opened her mouth on a moan and his opened over hers, absorbing the sound.
She moved her hands over his body, desperate to touch everywhere she could reach, while his fingers danced across her hip, gently skimming up to rest just below her breast. The top of his hand brushed across her nipple and she arched into him for more contact.