by Leger, Lori
“Hush, Lewis, it’s okay. Or it will be once I remember where I put the flashlights.” She made her way to the kitchen and found a lighter. She carried it with her to the utility room where she found the flashlights she’d purchased. She gave triumphant yell, until she remembered she hadn’t bought batteries. She saw the brand new oil lantern she’d purchased, still in its box, knowing good and damn-well she’d neglected to buy a container of lamp oil. The only type of candles she had were a box of birthday candles, and a couple of scented ones, if she was lucky.
“Way to go, Annie. I think you take the title for being most unprepared home-owner.” She moved to the bathroom with the lighter to fire up her one scented jar candle before carrying it back into the kitchen. As soon as she placed it on her table, her cell phone rang, jarring her nerves. She reached for it, thrilled to see Red’s number flash across the screen. “Your timing is impeccable, big brother.”
“Hey, Sis. You in the dark over there? You want to come over and meet us at Giselle and Jackson’s place?”
“It’s out here, too.” She squashed her first instinct to jump at the offer. “And it depends. Who else is there?”
“Tiffany and I came by to see Melinda and Greg before they leave tomorrow morning to catch their flight …”
His pause told her there was more to the guest list. “And?”
“And Drake.”
Just as she thought. “No thanks. I think I’ll take my chances here.”
“You got supplies?”
She touched the jar candle on the counter top. “This place is a prepper’s worse nightmare. I’ve got a couple of candles. Plenty of flashlights with no batteries, and lamps with no oil.
Red’s chuckle reached her, doing little to calm her. “Jackson says he has plenty of extra lamp oil and some emergency candles. I’ll be there in a few minutes.”
“Thanks, Red. I appreciate it.”
Annie disconnected and thought about stepping outside to wait for him. A vivid image of the sketch she’d seen earlier had her dead bolting the door instead. She waited by the door, her chest tight with uneasiness. She forced herself to keep Lewis company, to quit staring out the window. She didn’t breathe easily until a truck’s headlights shined into her carport. She opened the door and sucked in her breath as Drake stood there, illuminating his face with a flashlight.
“I come bearing gifts.”
“I was expecting Red.”
“I volunteered.”
“Of course you did.”
“Braving the storm to, once again, rescue my damsel in distress. I thought you’d be happier to see me.”
She stepped aside to let him in. “Sure you did. You’re so full of yourself, you can’t imagine why everyone else wouldn’t feel the same way.”
“Hardly, sweetheart—Jackson and Giselle invited me to supper with Red, Tiffany, Melinda, and Greg. Melin wanted to see me again.” He leaned in close. “You know, since they didn’t get to see me at Red and Tiffany’s place today.”
Annie shrugged, deciding her best defense was silence.
Drake grinned out of one side of his mouth. “You should be ashamed. I may have to tell your mom, you know. Ms. Vivienne would never approve of that kind of behavior.”
She clucked her tongue. “Yet another way to score zero points with me. And thank you again for reminding me why I don’t feel the slightest bit guilty. I actually had one holiday meal in peace.”
“You better be careful or that karma will come back to bite you on the ass, Annie Girl.”
“Karma! Karma! Bite you on the ass!” Lewis repeated.
Drake put his head back and laughed then shined his flashlight on the bird. “That’s right, Lewis. Karma! You are a smart bird, aren’t you?”
“Lew-is! Sharp as a tack!”
Annie sent Lewis a sour glare. “Traitor.”
Lewis hid his head under his wing, as if in shame.
Drake shook his head. “You hurt his feelings Annie.”
“Shut up, Drake. Did you bring batteries?”
Drake dug into the bag. “Let’s see what we have here—emergency candles, matches, lamp oil, and an extra hurricane lamp. Oh, and enough C batteries to keep you in business for a good while. Good enough?”
She nodded. “That’s perfect. Thanks, and now you can leave.”
“Hold on, now. Not until I’ve made sure everything works and you’ve battened down the hatches. Where are your flashlights, Annie Girl?”
“Don’t call me that.”
“Why not?”
“Do you need another reason, other than I don’t like it?”
“I might.”
She handed him the flashlights and he began to put batteries in them while she filled her lamp with the oil and lit the wick. She found a couple of candle holders and placed the emergency candles in them. By the time she was done, the kitchen and living room glowed with the cozy warmth of candles and lamp light.
“That’s better,” he murmured.
“Yes it is, and thanks. Now, please leave so I can lock up for the night.”
“I can hang around for a few minutes.”
She turned to stare out the window over her kitchen sink. “I think-I-I’d rather you didn’t.” She braced herself, keeping her eye on his reflection as he approached from behind.
“It’s because you don’t trust yourself when I’m around.”
“It’s you I don’t trust.”
Drake positioned his arms on either side of her, caging her in against her kitchen cabinet. He leaned in, bringing his mouth near her ear. “Are you afraid of me, Annie Girl?”
“Don’t call me that.” T.J. called her that, and she didn’t need to revisit any part of the T.J. incident. A particularly awful time, with even more awful memories.
“I’ll stop if you tell me why.”
His response, whispered softly next to her ear, had her fighting off the urge to turn to him.
“Because it’s a silly nickname and I don’t like it.” She turned, pushed him away with both hands. She faced him, chin lowered, staring into his chest. “Satisfied now?”
“Not in the least.” He reached out to lift her chin. “I wish you’d quit pushing me away. You’ve got to feel the same attraction I do. Every time we’re near each other, the air practically crackles.”
“Maybe it’s that Karma you talked about getting ready to bite us both on the ass. We’d be at each other’s throats the entire time, and we’d never agree on anything.”
“We only do that because you can’t see what’s in front of your face.”
She saw it, but kept it to herself. How could she admit her darkest fear to him? How could she tell him that once she let him in her life, into her heart, she’d never be able to say no to him. She’d lose herself. Just as she had with T.J. She shivered at the thought of what else she’d nearly lost.
He placed a gentle kiss on her brow. “I’m, crazy about you, Annie.” He lowered his mouth, lightly brushed his lips against hers.
Before he could deepen the kiss Annie slipped out from under his arms. “Thanks for bringing everything. Thank Jackson and Giselle for me.” She held the door open for him, struggling to keep her composure.
He brushed his hand softly along her waist. “Think about the possibilities.”
She avoided his gaze, focused instead on the third button of his tailored shirt instead. “I have, and that’s why it can’t happen. Good night.”
Drake cupped her face. “Good night, Annie. Sweet dreams.” When she turned away from his second attempt to kiss her, he sighed and pressed another kiss onto her forehead. He stepped through the door opening and headed to his truck.
Annie showered by the light of two candles and went to bed early, snuggling with Martin. She tried to read a book in order to settle her nerves. An hour later, she was still distracted. She lay there, on the edge of tears. It’s the darkness. It unsettled her. It always made her feel vulnerable, and she hated feeling vulnerable.
She
groaned when her cell phone rang, knowing damn well she’d left it in the kitchen. She ran, taking a flashlight with her, and answered with a flustered “Hello.”
“Just passing by your place on my way home to see if you’re okay.”
Her pulse quickened at the sound of Drake’s voice. “I’m fine.” She cringed at the edginess in her voice, shivered at the darkness of the room. “Why wouldn’t I be?” She used a lighter to re-light one of the emergency candles.
“Because.” He spoke softly, as though calming an agitated animal or child. “You looked like a scared little girl in the dark, Annie Girl. Are you afraid of the dark?”
Annie walked to the window, lifted the edge of a drape in order to see the truck parked on the street in front of her home. “No, of course not.”
“I see no evidence to support that claim. Are you sure you don’t want some company? I’d be glad to keep the boogeyman away for you.”
“Sometimes I think you are the boogeyman.” Her reply had been barely more than a whisper, more for her benefit than his.
He was quiet for several seconds. “You would never have to be afraid of me, Annie. Let me in, and I’ll prove it to you.”
She squeezed her eyes shut, wished for once, she could. Just for tonight, so she wouldn’t be afraid in the dark. She reached for the deadbolt, turned it slowly, and moved her hand over the knob. She paused, her fingers trembling as she fought not to throw the door open. Struggled not to invite him in. He couldn’t possibly know the discipline it took to stop herself.
He was wrong about one thing. She did feel their connection. Enough to know that if she let him in, her life would change. She didn’t want that. Her life was finally the way she wanted it.
“Goodnight Drake.”
She heard his sigh of disappointment, could practically see his head falling back on the seat of his truck.
“You’re killing me, Annie. A slow, gradual death, but painful as hell.”
“I doubt that.”
“You don’t know what I’m willing to do for you, hon.”
“Don’t say that. I don’t want to know.”
Drake stared at the shadow behind the curtain, longing for the feel of her in his arms, the touch of her sweet mouth against his. “You need to know, Annie. You need to know that I’d give up everything for you.” He heard a click, recognized dead air space. Drake stared at the phone in his hand and smiled sadly.
“I already have.”
Drake slid the new gym membership card into his wallet, locked it up with the rest of his things before pocketing the key. He entered the machine room, found her on one of several treadmills. He stopped to watch her run, admiring her athletic gait. Damn if she didn’t look sexy as hell in a pair of work out pants and a plain white tee shirt.
“Hey, Annie.”
She barely faltered as she sent him a glare. “You are stalking me, aren’t you?”
“I’m here to work off all that good Cajun cooking I’ve eaten way too much of. Frankly, I’m surprised to see you here. I thought you went to Guy’s gym.”
Annie seemed to ignore the comment as she stepped up the pace on the treadmill. Drake started off at a slow trot then quickly picked it up so that they were jogging at the same pace.
“You here as somebody’s guest?”
He glanced down at the top of her head, repressing a laugh at her last bit of hope he was about to shred. “Just signed a contract, binding and legal. I should know.”
Annie sent him an angry frown before popping in her ear buds. She worked out furiously, all the while seeming outwardly to ignore the hell out of him. Unfortunately for her, he had excellent peripheral vision and it only took one surreptitious glance for him to see her checking him out. He’d have to work hard to make up for that pitiful performance of his outside the police station the other day. Granted, he wasn’t trying all that seriously to attack her, but she’d surprised the hell out of him, none the less.
He couldn’t help but be proud that she’d learned to defend herself, but he could still see her in the truck bed with that animal standing over her. He shook his head, angry at himself all over again, wishing for a do-over with that son of a bitch. He’d make damn sure he never touched another woman. Thank God that creep had no idea who she was.
Annie tried not to look at him, tried not to notice the powerful strength in his legs as they pumped up and down on the machine, the muscular calves and thighs as they bunched and knotted. She passed a quick glance over his chiseled biceps and triceps, and wondered if that upper torso looked as good as it felt the first night she’d met him. She forced herself to look away, feeling the heat beginning to build low in her abdomen. Looking away couldn’t quell the memory of those sexy as hell pads of oblique muscles under her hands. Dear God, how she remembered latching on to them for those dances. Regardless of her emotional turmoil, she couldn’t deny the truth. That night had been the biggest, baddest turn-on of her entire adult life.
She watched as he lowered the speed of his treadmill before stepping off, his brow furrowed. “What’s wrong? Had enough, already?” She was barely winded.
Drake shook his head. “No, but I just thought of something. The attack at the club. There’s no way that guy could possibly know who you are, is there?”
Annie shook her head, jogging for several more seconds before the sliver of a thought finally developed into a full-fledged memory. She slowed the treadmill to a gradual stop and stepped down beside him. “Oh God. Oh my God.” She stared straight ahead, her breath hitching as dread, rather than oxygen, filled her lungs.
Drake released a low hiss as he pushed his hair back from his forehead with both hands. “What?”
“I-I told him Red was my brother. I thought somehow if he knew, it would stop him, but he didn’t believe me.” She could hear herself speaking faster as she became more flustered. “He didn’t. He didn’t believe me, I mean. That’s good, right?”
Drake’s face seemed to register several emotions at one time, as though he was torn between lying just to reassure her, or telling her the truth in order to keep her safe.
“Yeah, it would be good, if you knew for sure that he didn’t believe you. But, if he ever lays eyes on Red, he’d put it together.” His eyes softened suddenly as he reached out to touch her hair, then brushed a knuckle gently across her brow. “In case you forgot, the McAllister family has some very dominant traits.”
She snorted and pulled away from him. “Tell me about it. I couldn’t get away with a damn thing the whole time I was in Gardiner. From Kindergarten until I was thirty years old, all I ever heard was, ‘You must be Pete and Vivi’s daughter,’ or ‘You’re so and so’s baby sister, aren’t you?’ This is the first time I’ve ever had a life of my own.” She rested her hands on her hips and concentrated, chewing on her bottom lip. “And now I have to worry about some asshole trying to ruin it for me.” She shook her head as she headed to the stair climber. “This is just great.”
“Maybe we could see about getting you some protection.”
She had to check to make sure he wasn’t wearing that infuriating smug look he seemed to be so fond of. For a change, he wasn’t. “For a second I thought you were serious.”
“I’m serious as shit, Annie. I could have someone tail you for a while—for your own protection, of course.”
“Oh absolutely. My fantasy has always been to have you know my every move.”
“It works for me.” He shrugged nonchalantly.
She sent him a dry, humorless smile. “No doubt, but it’s out of the question.”
“Look, Annie girl, I only want to make sure you’re okay.”
She glared at him while adjusting the stair climber. “Didn’t I ask you to quit calling me that?”
“You did, but it rolls off my tongue too easily.”
“Look, I’m trying to work out here and this building is humongous,” she huffed. “Can’t you do your own thing in another corner?”
He chuckled. “I will, bu
t one day you’re going to tell me everything there is to know about you.”
“Don’t hold your breath.” She thought better of it and smiled up at him. “Or better yet—do.”
He grinned then walked away from her—but not too far away. Now that he’d thought about that animal being able to find her somehow, he’d never be able to relax. He wasn’t about to take any chances with her safety. He needed to speak to Red about this, and he needed to know he wasn’t being paranoid.
Drake spent the next hour watching Annie work out, majorly impressed that someone so tiny could have so much strength and stamina. She worked at the stair climber until she was drenched with sweat, then moved on to the upper body machine. When she came out of the locker room dressed in her regular clothes, he was waiting for her at the exit.
She released an exasperated sigh. “I don’t need you following me around like a puppy.”
“I’m going to walk you to your truck.” Her glare prompted an unapologetic, one-shouldered shrug from him. “Hey, I can’t help it if I’m the only one here with enough sense to be worried about you.”
“You’re not going to tell Red and the rest of my family about this, are you?”
“Not if you do it first.”
“Oh, come on, Drake. I’m sure he’s long gone. He’s from Arkansas, for God’s sake. He probably ran home with his tail between his legs.”
“Annie, I’m from Texas, but I live here now. Just because he’s from Arkansas doesn’t mean he’s not here, too. He could be working here, living here. He could be running from the law in Arkansas. You need to be smart about this.”
Annie walked to her black Escape and hit the unlock button. She opened the door and threw her gym bag into the passenger seat. “You need to mind your own business for a change. I do not want Red knowing about this. He’ll overreact like he always has where I’m concerned.”
“That would be a damned sight better than you underreacting.” He rested a forearm on her door. “Can’t you see how potentially dangerous this situation could be?”
“It could be, but it’s unlikely. I’m not going to let you use scare tactics to control me or my life.”