Her dad was here. He’d come for her.
“Kristen!”
Meg’s voice, softer, filled with worry.
“Kristen, are you out here?”
Kristen cried harder, hugging the hard, scratchy tree trunk. They’d come for her. She was safe. Safe.
“Up…up here,” she whispered. Clearing her throat, she tried again, “Up here! I’m up here!”
“Where?” her dad shouted. The flashlight beam swept the trees beneath her. “Where are you?”
“Up here!” she screamed, swallowing back the tears. “I’m up here. Up in the tree! The skinny tree!”
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
After rescuing Kristen from the tree, Zach thanked all the volunteers for coming out and sent them on their way. They’d found no sign of the man who’d chased Kristen into the forest. Kristen clung to Zach all the way back to the house. He’d set her behind him on the horse, and she hadn’t let go of him for a second. Meghan rode silently beside them. No one spoke until they got home.
Meghan helped Kristen dismount. As soon as the girl’s feet hit the ground, she flung herself into Meghan’s arms and sobbed. Zach’s heart pinched. Finally Meghan pried herself free and turned Kristen toward Zach. They each eyed each other hesitantly, then Kristen flew at him with a sob, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist. “I’m sorry, Dad. I’m so sorry.”
“Shh.” He gently patted her back, watching silently as Meghan took the horses and disappeared into the dark forest toward her home. “It’s okay.”
“Please don’t send me away. Please.”
Zach’s heart stopped. “What? I would never send you away. Never. I love you.”
She choked on another sob. “You do?”
“Yes.”
She cried harder. “I love you too, Dad. I’m so sorry I was such a bitch.”
“Shh!” he soothed. “It’s all right now.”
“Promise you won’t send me away?”
“I promise. You’re stuck with me now.”
She sniffled against his chest, then drew back, wiping at her tears. “I never told you this before, but I’m glad you’re my dad.”
Zach’s heart tugged. “Me too.”
He took Kristen to the hospital to make sure she was okay. Then he left her at his parents in town where he knew she would be safe. They’d promised to look after her. An FBI agent had been stationed outside his parents’ house, courtesy of Nick Miller. Agent Miller had explained to Zach that since they were investigating Larry Cummings and Cummings was believed to be responsible for the attack on Kristen earlier that night, the FBI was now involved. He’d wanted Zach to know he wasn’t stepping on anyone’s toes. Though the FBI generally didn’t get involved in cases without a request from local law enforcement, Zach hadn’t argued. He was glad for the extra help. The county just didn’t have the resources to have men stationed everywhere anyway.
Zach finally arrived home at 12:30 in the morning. He’d seen lights on at Meghan’s house as he’d passed by a moment ago and wondered if she was still awake. Anxious to see Meghan, Zach walked across the dark, silent forest to her house.
The porch light was on out back, illuminating Curtis, who sat in the swing, smoking a doobie. Zach leaned his forearms on the railing, eyeing Curtis. He chose to ignore the joint. Letting Curtis out of jail hadn’t been the smartest thing Zach had ever done, but he’d done it for Meghan. He only wished Curtis realized how much his sister cared about him and hoped the guy would get help for his addiction.
“Meghan still up?” he asked.
Curtis nodded. “She’s cleaning up the dinner dishes. We just finished eating.”
Zach nodded. He hesitated. “I owe you an apology. For the way I behaved the other night, yanking you out of the swing. I know now that you’d never hurt Kristen.”
Curtis shrugged. “It’s no big deal, dude. I forgive you. You were just protecting your daughter.” He paused, took another drag on the joint. “Do you love my sister?”
The question took Zach aback. He wasn’t sure exactly how he felt about Meghan. He admired her, respected her, he was fiercely attracted to her. He cared about her. He was fascinated with her. She drove him crazy with her stubbornness. She constantly occupied his thoughts. She filled him with tenderness, protectiveness… and damn, he wanted her in his bed. And in his life. For a long time. Did he love her? He didn’t have a single word that described all the things he felt for her. Could it be love? Was this what love was like? This all-consuming, overwhelming desire to be near her, to hold her, to keep her safe?
His parents loved each other. He’d seen it over the years, their devotion to each other. Did he want that with Meghan? A lifetime together? Devoted to each other?
Yeah, he realized. He did.
Zach cleared his throat. “Yeah, I do. She makes me want to be a better person. Meghan’s special,” he murmured. “I probably don’t deserve her, but that doesn’t stop me from wanting her. She’s gorgeous. She’s—”
“I get it, dude.” Curtis lifted a hand to silence him. “No need to get all sappy on me. I can tell you love her.”
Zach’s face burned. He lowered his gaze. He hadn’t meant to say all that. It had just come out.
Curtis was silent a moment. “I understand,” he said. “I was in love once. Her name was Karla, with a K.”
“What happened?” Zach asked.
Curtis shrugged. “She wanted me to quit doing drugs. I couldn’t. She kicked me out. End of story.”
“Did she know about your Tourette’s Syndrome?”
Curtis’s cheeks turned bright red. He lowered his gaze. “Yeah, she did.”
“Was she okay with it?”
To Zach’s surprise, a tear slipped down Curtis’s cheek. “It freaked her out at first, but after I explained to her that I couldn’t control it and that I wouldn’t hurt her, then she was okay with it. She wanted me to stop smoking pot. She said it wasn’t helping me, that I was using my Tourette’s as an excuse to get high.” He let out a bitter laugh, then whispered, “Dammit, she was right. Meg was right. I’m just a fucking loser. The pot doesn’t help my condition. It just dulls my senses so I don’t hurt so much when people gawk at me like I’m some freak.”
Zach didn’t say anything for a long moment, the silence stretching between them. How did he respond to something like that?
Finally he murmured, “You never got over her. It’s not too late to change, you know. Why don’t you clean yourself up? Go find Karla? See if she’ll give you another chance? You deserve to be happy, man.”
Curtis inhaled deeply on the joint, then blew out a plume of marijuana smoke. “Wouldn’t that be perfect? Me and her, together forever?” A melancholy look settled over his face.
He jerked his gaze back to Zach’s. “It’ll never happen, dude. But thanks for the fantasy.”
Curtis stared off into the dark forest, a faraway look in his eyes. He was obviously done talking.
Zach turned away. He would leave Curtis alone with his thoughts. If Curtis wanted to change, it was up to him to do something about it.
Zach climbed the back steps and knocked on the screen door, eager to see Meghan.
She came toward the door, a dishrag in her hand, her gaze locking on his through the screen.
“How’s Kristen?” she asked.
Seeing her, hearing her soft voice, feeling her concern, caused the tension to leave his body. He’d missed her.
“She’s going to be fine,” he said. “A little shook up, but…she’ll be okay. I left her at my parents. They’ll fuss over her and take good care of her until all of this goes away.”
“That’s good.” She held his gaze. “Want to come in?”
Zach nodded and she pushed open the door. She moved aside, lowering her gaze as he stepped past her into the house.
He sniffed the air. “It smells good in here.”
She smiled. “You hungry? There’s plenty of leftovers if you want some.”
“I’m st
arving,” he admitted. He hadn’t had anything to eat since lunch.
“Sit.” She motioned to the table. “I’ll heat up a plate for you.”
He sat. Zach watched her as she moved about the tiny kitchen, filling a plate with fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, and steamed vegetables. She set the plate in the microwave. She turned back to him while the food warmed.
God, it had been a long day. Now that Kristen was safe, his exhaustion hit home.
Meghan smiled shyly at him, then brought the plate of food when it was ready. She buttered a roll and added it to the plate before setting it in front of him.
“Thank you.” While he delved into the food, Meghan brought him a glass of ice water. Then she put the rest of the food away and wiped her hands on the dishtowel.
A few minutes later, he leaned back, his stomach full. “That was delicious. I didn’t realize how hungry I was.” He rose from the table with his empty plate and set it in the sink. Fully aware that Curtis was out back on the porch swing, within hearing distance, Zach plucked the dishtowel from her hand and tossed it onto the counter. He grabbed her hand.
Zach pulled her out of the kitchen and into the living room. He drew her close against him, careful not to smash her arm in the cast. He needed to hold her, feel her heartbeat next to his.
“I missed you,” he whispered in her ear. He pressed a kiss to her neck, then nibbled on her earlobe. She shivered against him.
“Zach,” she whispered, stepping back. “Curtis is right outside.”
She took his hand and led him down the hallway. Was she taking him to her bed? She couldn’t be. She wasn’t ready for that yet. Was she?
Zach’s heart kicked against his ribs. Anticipation simmered.
She pulled him into her room and shut the door behind them.
* * *
Meg led Zach over to her bed and urged him to sit. She flicked on the bedside lamp. She turned back to him. He looked exhausted. So was she. It had been a long, emotion-filled evening. Thank God Kristen was safe.
Meg kicked off her shoes. She sat next to him, curling her legs beneath her. She could only imagine what he’d been going through the past several hours, worrying about Kristen and not knowing if she was okay. Her heart went out to him. Zach was a good man. The best she’d ever known. Now that Kristen was safe, they could both relax for the night.
Her bedroom faced the front of the house, away from where Curtis sat out in the swing, so they had plenty of privacy. If Zach decided to stay with her. If she asked, would he say yes?
“You can stay here tonight.” She glanced askance at him, a little worried how he would respond. He hadn’t been too happy the last time he’d been in here, because she’d stupidly mentioned Larry. She would never do that again.
Zach’s gaze met hers. He stared into her eyes for a long moment, searching. “Are you sure that’s what you want?”
Her cheeks flamed. “It doesn’t have to be s-sex,” she blubbered, flustered. “I just meant, you can stay here so you won’t have to be alone tonight. I was worried about you today. That had to be difficult for you. I want to be here for you—”
He kissed her, knocking the breath from her lungs. She whimpered against his mouth, her hands moving to clutch at the front of his shirt. His arms came around her, pulling her close. He deepened the kiss, slowly, tenderly devouring her, tasting, teasing, retreating, and coming back for more. Again and again. She moaned softly. She loved the way Zach kissed her. He made her want to melt against him, become a part of him. Forever. Heat pierced her at that thought. Was she ready for that? To give herself to Zach? To lose complete control? Could she do that? God knew she wanted to.
He lifted his head, breathing hard. “I can’t just hold you all night. Not anymore. I’m not that strong. I want you too fucking much.” Zach rolled back onto the bed, taking her with him, pulling her on top of him. His mouth claimed hers again, greedily. His hands slid up and down her sides, gently stroking.
Meg slowly lifted her mouth from his, pressing against his chest. “Zach. You’re tired. You need sleep.”
“I need you,” he whispered, his gaze hot on hers. “So damn much.”
She couldn’t look away from the desire in his eyes. “But…I thought, I…”
“Do you want me, Meghan?”
She closed her eyes, whispered, “Yes.”
“Do you want me to make love to you? Are you ready for this?”
Was she? She opened her eyes. His gaze seared hers. “Y-yes. I want you, Zach. Only you.” There was no one else for her but him.
“Only me?” His gaze held hers. “You’re not doing this for any other reason than you want me? Zach?”
She nodded shakily. “I want you, Zach. I want you to make love to me, only you. No one else but you.”
Still he held her gaze, the look in his eyes hot, intense and needy. “Just me. Only me?”
Meg realized what he was asking her. He wouldn’t make love to her unless she was absolutely certain it was what she wanted and that she was ready for him, no one else but him. He wanted to be sure she was doing this for the right reason.
“Just you,” she whispered. “Just you, Zach. Only you.” She leaned down and kissed him, hoping she pleased him. He made a sound in his throat, wrapped his arms around her, and kissed her back, deeply. His tongue delved in, tangling with hers, making her weak with desire. She was on fire everywhere. She knew what was between them was special, that only Zach would ever make her feel like this. She wanted him to make love to her. She trusted him more than she’d ever trusted anyone before. Even Evan, her best friend.
Feeling bold, she leaned back and removed her shirt, tossing it aside. His eyes blazed as he stared at her. His nostrils flared.
“Can I?” he asked huskily, and she knew what he was asking. She couldn’t believe he was asking. Zach was such a gentleman.
“Yes,” she said breathlessly.
His hands gently closed around her breasts, feeling, stroking, shaping. Meg sighed and closed her eyes. She loved his hands on her. He clipped her bra free and gently eased it away. Then those big warm hands were on her naked flesh. Meg shivered and leaned into him, letting him explore her however he wanted.
“You’re perfect.” He lifted his head off the bed and drew one nipple into his mouth. Meg let out a soft gasp and clutched the back of his head. She was on fire. Zach made her burn. She pressed her hips against his, undulating back and forth, seeking relief from the need that burned through her.
He groaned, capturing her mouth in another searing kiss, his hands grasping her butt and pressing her tighter against his arousal.
Meg wanted to see him, all of him. She reached for his shirt, tugging at it. Zach sat up, pulling her into his lap. He yanked the shirt over his head. His gaze burned hers as she lifted her hands to stroke his hard, muscular chest.
“You’re beautiful,” she whispered. “So hard and strong.” So different from her. “I like touching you.”
His heated gaze locked on hers. She stroked down his pecs, pulling her gaze away from his, and took in his splendid form. She’d never thought she would find a man sexually attractive, not after the repulsion she felt whenever she thought of Larry and those disgusting men at his “pleasure house.” Meg never thought she’d want to touch a man like this. But Lord help her, Zach was the sexiest man she’d ever known. She wanted to touch him, wanted to explore every inch of his hard, masculine body.
She lifted her gaze back to his. He’d asked before he touched, so she should probably extend the same courtesy. “Can I?”
A tender smile pulled at his mouth. But his eyes darkened, intensified. “By all means, sweetheart. Yes.”
Her cheeks heated at the endearment. At the longing in his voice. At the fire in his eyes.
Zach lay back down on the bed, his eyes blazing as he watched her. She hesitated, then fumbled with the closure of his jeans. Her hands shook. Finally she unsnapped his jeans. Unable to pull her gaze away from the huge erection
that strained against the denim, Meg swallowed hard. She felt his eyes on her but she couldn’t look at him. Heat suffused her cheeks. She drew in a deep breath and unzipped his jeans. He lifted his hips off the bed, obliging her. She grasped the sides of his jeans and pulled them down his hard, muscular legs. The jeans became snagged against his boots. She leaned back and untied one boot, then the next, and pulled them off his feet. Then she removed the jeans the rest of the way.
She’d never undressed a man like this before. It gave her a heady feeling. A sense of power. Of control. Zach was letting her take control. He knew her biggest fear was losing control, so he was letting her be in charge. His words from yesterday afternoon came back to her.
You’re the one who’s been in control since the moment I met you. You control my thoughts, my body…
Had he been serious? Did she have that much control over him? She recalled what he’d said next…
I guarantee if you touch me, I’ll lose control of my brain and my body. You’ll be in charge. One hundred percent. And I won’t mind it one fucking bit.
She glanced at his face when she turned back to him, her cheeks on fire. He had been serious. He had meant it. Every word. A little jolt raced through her at the hot, needy look in his eyes. He was letting her be in control. And he didn’t look afraid. He looked…
Hungry. Desperate. Like he wanted her. Badly. Like he ached for her.
Losing control once in a while isn’t so bad. You might actually like it.
He’d said that to her, right before he’d kissed her yesterday. She glanced back at his erection that now strained against his blue boxers. She’d never seen that part of a man before, except at Larry’s pleasure house, and she’d been revolted at the sight, at how those men had used their bodies to hurt those girls. But Zach would never hurt her. She knew this for a fact. Those men had been cruel, evil, and lecherous. Zach was nothing like them. She felt no revulsion now, only…excitement, anticipation, and a tiny bit of nervousness.
Meg was curious about what lay beneath those boxers. Yet she hesitated.
Deceived (Unlikely Heroes Book 3) Page 29