Safe in His Embrace

by Candice Poarch

  “You can go. I’ll be fine.” She was embarrassed for her cowardice.

  “I can’t leave you like this,” he said gently, kneeling in front of the fireplace and lighting the wood already set there. In minutes flames were licking the logs—and she was still standing in the middle of the floor, her coat clutched tightly around her.

  Alex stood, wondering how he should proceed. He saw a thick throw across the sofa. Shrugging out of his coat, he placed it across a chair and slowly walked toward her, talking gently. “I’m going to take your coat and hang it up for you. Maybe you can snuggle up in the throw. Can I get you some hot chocolate or something?” he asked.

  Senetra shook her head, but let him take her coat.

  “I’m used to being alone. I can take care of myself,” she insisted.

  “I know you can. I’m not taking care of you. I just want to spend some time with you. It’s the reason I’m here.”

  “If you think—”

  “No pressure,” Alex insisted, or else she’d send him packing and he really didn’t want to leave her like this. “Just friendship.”

  While she debated her next move, he led her to the sofa and they both snuggled under the blanket. He eased his arm around her shoulder, waiting for her to reject him, but she didn’t. The fire began to heat the room and Alex was soon too hot, forcing him to shed his sweater, but Senetra was still shivering slightly, although not as much as before.

  For it to affect her this long, she must have lived a nightmare. And he’d thought she had everything in Milwaukee.

  Her reaction also explained the fine lines of scars on her body. If he gave himself a chance, his anger would blossom out of control, so he gathered a breath and held it inside. Who didn’t know abuse occurred and the laws still weren’t enough to protect women? How many times did he read about a woman being killed the night before she was to go to court, even when she’d taken out a restraining order against her partner? And Senetra was hiding out, away from her family, the ones she loved, to protect herself from Timothy. It was enough to make a person believe in vigilante justice. But then you’d have chaos.

  Alex pulled Senetra closer and rubbed her arms. How could Timothy have done that to such a lovely woman? How could anyone do this and live with himself?

  Chapter 6

  Senetra thought she was getting better, that she’d put the past behind her. It only took one incident to throw her back into her nightmarish past.

  She was still on the sofa reclining beside Alex. She’d pulled off her shoes hours ago. She blew out a long breath.

  She was angry and disappointed with herself for coming unglued. Sure, there was danger in the world, but everyone wasn’t going to beat her to a pulp as Timothy had. And his cronies weren’t hiding behind every bush, waiting to take her to him.

  She wouldn’t let Timothy ruin her life. How many times had she told herself that? Okay, enough of that. She’d learned not to beat herself up the way Timothy had every time she made a mistake as if she was supposed to be perfect. She’d keep practicing her karate until she got it right. And when she really needed it, perhaps it would come forth.

  Senetra stuck her chin in the air. She wasn’t helpless. One error didn’t negate everything she’d learned or become. She’d started a new life. She was well liked by the people in the community. She was okay.

  She gazed at Alex. He was sleeping soundly, his arm thrown over her waist. Sometime during the night they’d eaten some of the food.

  Surprisingly, he hadn’t asked any questions, but he must be wondering what caused her reaction. Truthfully, she was glad he’d come home with her. She’d let him stay because she was afraid Danya was coming after her.

  She looked around the room. It smelled of wood smoke and orange blossoms. Good thing she’d cleaned the living room yesterday, she thought. She eased from under the covers and made her way to the bathroom. After brushing her teeth and washing her face, she gave the bathroom a thorough cleaning and put out a toothbrush, washcloth and towel for Alex.

  When she returned, Alex was still sleeping. Senetra made her way to the kitchen and started breakfast. While the sausage and bacon were sizzling, Alex came into the kitchen, looking tall and handsome. His hair was mussed and his clothing wrinkled, none of which detracted from his attractiveness.

  She felt foolish. Would he ask questions now? He had to have questions about her actions, but she hoped he was discreet enough to let it ride.

  Senetra smiled. “I put some things out for you in the bathroom,” she said. “But my soap is kind of feminine.”

  He grinned. “I can live with that.”

  They laughed, and Senetra relaxed a little more. He wasn’t going to ask questions she wasn’t ready to answer, although she knew he must be curious.

  “Thanks for staying. By the time you’re through, breakfast should be ready. Unfortunately, I don’t have the fixings for a caribou omelet, but if you would prefer the leftovers I’ll heat them up.”

  “Whatever you’re cooking will be fine.”

  Her eyes were still on him as he turned and walked down the short hallway.

  Surprisingly, the bathroom was pretty roomy for an apartment, with his-and-her sinks. After brushing his teeth, Alex took a quick shower. He wondered how long Senetra had been up and if she’d let him kiss her again.

  In the kitchen the food smelled delicious and Alex realized he was quite hungry.

  As Senetra placed a platter on the table, he gathered her in his arms and nuzzled her neck.

  “Are you going to let me kiss you?” he asked.

  “I…”

  He kissed her behind the ear. “Hmm?”

  She moaned.

  “Like that?” he asked, smoothing kisses along her cheek until he turned her in his arms and kissed her fully on the mouth.

  “I like,” she breathed, and he deepened the kiss, tasting the sweetness of her.

  He inched his hand beneath her sweater, feeling the softness of her back. “Am I going too fast for you?”

  “Noooo. But you’re confusing me.”

  He kissed her collarbone, her neck and back to her lips, his hands and fingers exploring her softness.

  “You’ve confused me from the moment I met you,” he said.

  Senetra felt as if she were going to explode with the delightfulness of his touch. She slipped her hands beneath his shirt and stroked the tense muscles, the texture of his skin—and inhaled sharply.

  “You smell like me.”

  “As long as you’re pleased,” he said before he pushed her blouse aside to caress the peak of her breast. “I’m up for being kidded by the guys.”

  Senetra moaned out loud.

  “Woman, if we don’t stop now, it’s going to be damn hard later.”

  “Oh.” She looked confused, the arousal from their foreplay evident on her face and the memories of two weeks ago still singing through her veins.

  Alex wanted to go with the mood. But he wasn’t sure she was ready for that again. There were a lot of unresolved issues around Senetra. And he wanted to make sure she was in bed with him and not a memory.

  He couldn’t deny himself one last kiss.

  “Your breakfast is getting cold,” he said, closing her blouse and stepping back from her. He tucked his hands in his pockets to keep from reaching for her again.

  Her skin was pleasantly flushed and Alex wanted to drag her back into his arms and take things to another level, but he reminded himself once again she wasn’t anywhere near ready for that.

  “Breakfast looks good, by the way.”

  “Okay.” She stepped back and tugged on her blouse to straighten it.

  “Why don’t I nuke the food? You have a seat.” Alex needed to do something to calm the desire still raging through his body.

  “I’ll help.”

  “No.” Alex kissed her on the forehead. “I need to do this, baby. Just…sit.”

  Senetra eased into the chair and watched Alex as he deftly warmed the food a
nd set platters on the table. She poured the coffee, wondering what the heck she was getting into. She should send him away, but knew she couldn’t. They’d gone too far for that. Besides, she really did like him.

  He sat in the chair across from her and filled his plate to brimming. Senetra was too unsettled to eat, but dished up a little for hers.

  Alex ate a quarter of the food on his plate before he set his fork aside while Senetra had merely managed to sip her coffee.

  “It’s time we got a few things straight,” he said.

  “Like what?”

  “I don’t expect you to tell me the history of your life until you feel comfortable enough to trust me, but the tournament isn’t the only reason I’m here. It’s not even the main reason,” he said.

  Senetra sighed. She’d gathered that much.

  “I came because there’s something powerful between us that I want to explore.”

  “I—”

  “I know you said you aren’t ready for a serious relationship and I’m not pushing you, but it’s not always a matter of when we’re ready, but when the right person comes into your life. And for now, that’s what I feel for you.”

  “I won’t lie to you and deny my feelings. I wouldn’t have let you touch me the way you did two weeks ago if I wasn’t attracted to you, but…I don’t know.”

  He took her hand in his and stroked the back.

  “You know, I thought after I broke up with my girlfriend a couple years ago that I’d never find anyone that was as good as what I had. And now I’ve found something I think could be better. I think I was more in love with the idea of family with her,” he said. “Life is funny, you know. When you least suspect it, it turns on you.”

  “I can’t promise you anything.”

  “I’m not asking for promises. Let’s just take this time and explore. Maybe tour the area together. Fish. Ski. Whatever you like,” he said. “Or go pick out the puppy you were set on buying.”

  They both laughed.

  “I’ve changed my mind about the husky—for now anyway. It’s not fair to keep a dog like that cooped up in here.”

  “I’ve worked really hard the last couple of years,” Alex said. “Now I want to take a little time on the weekends for me.”

  “I don’t want to disappoint you in the end. I don’t want to give you false hope.”

  “We can be friends if nothing else.”

  Senetra nodded and picked up her fork. “Okay.”

  They ate and were relaxing over a second cup of coffee.

  “So, it’s over with your friend in Wisconsin? Completely over?” Senetra asked. “You aren’t on the rebound, are you?”

  Alex paused before he said, “No.”

  Senetra gave him an uneasy glance. “You don’t sound sure.”

  “I was on the verge of asking her to marry me.”

  Senetra didn’t usually ask questions because she didn’t want to answer questions about her past. But she was curious, especially if they were going to move forward.

  She decided to make sure he didn’t expect more than she could offer. “I can’t promise you anything, Alex.”

  “Meaning?”

  “Any kind of future. I just deal with day to day.”

  “So I can at least visit you when I get leave?”

  “For now. And since I can’t answer questions, I have no right to ask you any.”

  He leaned back in his chair, looking much too appealing. “As long as you’re single, I have no problems at all.”

  She smiled. “I’m single.”

  “We don’t have a problem, then,” he said, leaning forward for his coffee cup. “Feel free to ask me anything you want. I have nothing to hide.”

  Senetra bit her lip. “There’s no one else in my life. I don’t want to start a relationship with you when someone back home might be waiting.”

  “No worries there. She’s married. And she and her husband are expecting their first child.”

  Unrequited love could be a tricky thing. “Are you still in love with her?”

  “No. It took a while, but it’s over.”

  He was hurt. He’d been in love with this woman. Maybe he still was.

  “What was her name?”

  “Jessica. We went to high school together.”

  Even worse. It was a relationship of long duration.

  They were both startled when the knocker at the door pinged.

  Thinking it was Kathryn, Senetra got up to answer it. But as soon as the door opened, Danya’s huge form filled up the doorway and she gasped.

  “Hi.” Iris’s perky voice was a welcome gift. Mark was standing on the other side, nearly out of view, but Senetra couldn’t seem to relax until she felt Alex beside her.

  “Come in, please,” Alex said, and put his arm around Senetra to move her aside.

  “We won’t stay,” Iris said, “but Danya has something to say.”

  The huge man lumbered inside, clearly disgruntled. “She knew I wouldn’t hurt her, Iris,” he said to his wife. “I don’t know why you’re making such a big deal out of it. Not the first time I’ve been drunk.” He leveled a narrow gaze at her. “Wish I could instill a little fear in you.”

  “Will never happen, big guy, but you could give it your best shot. And you owe Ms. Novak an apology,” she said, pointing to Senetra. “You scared her to death last night,” Iris insisted.

  Danya grunted again.

  Alex could feel Senetra stiffen up. He tightened his arm around her, hoping to help her relax.

  “I apologize, Ms. Novak. Didn’t mean to frighten you.” Then he looked at his wife. “Will that do?”

  “Barely,” the spitfire mumbled.

  Senetra nodded, but Alex knew all she wanted was for Danya Kirill to leave her apartment.

  “What happened between us had nothing to do with you, and Danya had no business blaming you. Right, Danya?” Iris said, elbowing him in the side.

  Danya executed a curt nod, then glared at his wife.

  “We won’t hold you. Danya’s taking me to breakfast. Then he’s going to participate in the King Salmon Tournament. He and his brother are taking Mark and a couple of Mark’s friends with them.”

  “Thanks for stopping by,” Senetra said.

  “You okay?” Alex asked after he closed the door behind them.

  The only thing on Senetra’s mind was she wasn’t safe anywhere. They shouldn’t have been able to get into a secure apartment so easily. She’d checked that out before she signed the lease. She now had proof she wouldn’t even have any warning if Timothy came after her. He’d be at the apartment, breaking down her door before she could get to safety. But she couldn’t go anywhere else.

  “Regina?” Alex asked, rubbing her arm. “Are you okay, honey?”

  Senetra hoped the smile she offered wasn’t lopsided. “I’m fine.”

  “I wish I could spend the day with you, but remember I’m in the tournament, too.”

  “I remember. How many are on your boat?”

  “There are six of us.”

  “It’s Kat’s favorite event. She’s been talking about it for weeks. So we’ll be at the Spit at four to cheer for you.”

  “We’re going to have a lot to celebrate since we plan to catch the biggest king salmon.”

  “Right. I’ll cheer you even when you bring in the tiniest one.”

  He got his coat from the closet. “You’re gonna eat those words, woman. Save a dance for me. We’re going to celebrate tonight.” He smacked a kiss on her lips and was gone.

  Senetra touched her lips where he’d planted the innocent kiss, wondering how long those chaste kisses were going to be sufficient when her body couldn’t forget that one unforgettable night.

  It was time, Senetra thought. She had to be willing to trust new relationships. Not all men were like Timothy. Now that she thought back on it, Danya had never done anything to make her think he would harm her. How many times had she heard Iris say how gentle he was and that he’d never hu
rt anyone? How many times had she heard Iris say she had to be the strong disciplinarian? That Danya was always too soft with the boys. When panic set in, it was impossible to think logically.

  Poor guy. Danya was still grieving the loss of his son. After what she’d been through, she could certainly understand his pain and desire to keep his only other son left close by.

  Senetra started the chore of cleaning up the kitchen and then her bedroom before she wiped down the bathroom again. She’d call Kathryn later and make plans.

  George Avery was getting a cup of coffee at six when Colin Mayes came tearing in.

  “Breakfast ready?” the younger man asked. “Sure smells like it.”

  Colin was George’s granddaughter’s husband and his late partner’s grandson. They’d worked together even before George was aware he had grandchildren.

  “Mrs. Jackson up yet?” Colin asked.

  “Yes. She’ll be in soon.”

  “Well, I’m going to eat and—”

  “We’ll wait for Dorothelia,” George said in a firm voice.

  “But—”

  “We’ll wait,” George said with a finality that had the younger man stopping. “Both of us.”

  George knew Colin wanted to ask questions, but George opened his paper, closing off any opportunity for discussion or argument. Dorothelia was his guest. He did not have to make excuses in his own home.

  Colin sipped his coffee, leaned over the table and grabbed the sports section. Then with great exaggeration, he sniffed the air. “Is that cologne I smell?”

  George felt like squirming, but curtailed the impulse. “Must be the new soap Leila bought,” George said as he turned a page of his paper. A glimpse over the top revealed a grinning Colin. The impudent scamp.

  “So, we have a courtship going on here. No wonder you’re all decked out. I hope it doesn’t confuse the horses.”

  “Mind your business, young man.”

  “Good morning,” Dorothelia said in her sweet, melodious voice, looking quite pretty in her blue slacks and colorful blouse. She smelled delightful, too. “I hope I didn’t keep you waiting.”

  “Not at all.” George set his paper aside and stood.

  “I just walked in,” Colin said. “You look very lovely, Mrs. Jackson.”