by Leger, Lori
He gave a low grunt, as though accepting her excuse.
It wasn’t a lie. She had been shocked by the call. But the feeling of terror afterwards, when she was alone in her room had knocked her on her butt.
She continued to clean the kitchen in silence, keeping her thoughts to herself. Thoughts of how good it felt last night to have Drake around to comfort her. She’d awakened during the night, feeling safe and secure, wrapped in his embrace. Part of her treasured the feeling.
Another part of her saw it as a threat to her ability to stand on her own two feet. At the time, she considered pulling away. She told herself to inch herself over to the opposite side of the bed. Instead, she’d laid there, fully able to enjoy his closeness without him knowing.
She’d listened to his measured breathing, placed her palm on his chest to feel the rise and fall of his chest. Lured by the steady thud of his heart beneath her hand, she’d laid her head gently on his chest to see what it would feel like.
And it had been so good.
Before she found the willpower to move, he’d wrapped his arm around her shoulders to pull her closer. Even sound asleep he was trying to protect her. She hadn’t wanted to move—so she stayed.
Her heart pounded, heat rose to her face and neck, just thinking about it. To date, it was the most indulgent act she’d ever allowed herself. Her own guilty little pleasure. A secret she could take to her grave.
She’d just poured herself another cup of coffee when the work crew arrived to install the alarm. After introductions, the foreman and his team scoped out the house, laying out a diagram of the system they would install.
After inspecting the doors and windows, the foreman approached Annie. “Ma’am, we’ve been instructed to place security bars on your windows as well, that is, if you want them.”
Annie narrowed her eyes at him. “Instructed by whom?”
“Mr. LeBlanc, ma’am.”
She aimed a curious look in Drake’s direction.
The foreman added quickly. “A Mr. Daniel LeBlanc, ma’am.”
She tensed, thinking that having a stalker was proving to be far too expensive. “Well, are the bars extra? I mean, how much will all this cost me?”
“That’s been taken care of, ma’am. Mr. LeBlanc said you are not to worry about any of this. His only concern is that you are safe.”
“Oh …” Her voice trailed off as she stared at Drake.
He gave her a one-shouldered shrug. “Let him do it, Annie. The cost is nothing for him and he can make sure it’s done in record time.”
“That’s a fact ma’am,” the foreman added. “Tonight, you’ll be completely safe in your own home with the best security system money can buy.”
Annie stared at him, then back at Drake. “I’ll want to see the final bill. I make a decent living and I’d like to pay your father back.”
Drake nodded. “I’ll let him know. You two hard-heads can fight that one out. Don’t even involve me.”
“Ma’am, about the security bars; can we go ahead and install them on every window?”
Annie’s chest tightened-imagining being imprisoned by all those bars. “Every window? But they’ll work to keep me trapped inside as well as keep others out. What if there’s a fire and the doors are blocked?”
“Every set of bars is hinged and has its own quick release latch that is easily accessible from the inside only.” She studied the diagram he held out to her, looking up at Drake’s approach.
“Annie, they’re not permanent. This is just until this guy is caught. I’d feel a whole lot better knowing you’re safe.”
“But I’ll feel like I’m the one in jail, Drake.”
“Ma’am, we’re here to serve you. Every window and door will have electronic sensors to detect any kind of attempted break in. Regardless of how many windows we bar, so you should be fine.”
Drake reached for the diagram. “What about in case of a power loss?”
“Each of our systems comes with its own rechargeable battery back-up. It’ll provide power for up to a week without recharging.”
Annie made her decision. “All windows except for the kitchen windows over the sink. I have to have at least one view free of bars.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
By noon, the security system was in place, working properly, and bars had been installed on the designated doors and windows.
Annie thanked the crew as they left then sat down at the table to examine the paperwork. Wide-eyed, she whistled under her breath at the total installation cost. “I’ll have to take out a loan Monday.”
Drake sat across from her and reached for the receipt. “Dad’s got more money than Midas. He doesn’t want you to pay him back, so please let him do this. He’s grateful that you’ve all accepted him and Leah through Red and Tiffany, made them feel like a part of your family. Think of him as a rich relative who’s worried about your well-being.”
“This is all so bizarre.” Annie stood suddenly and paced the floor. “I’m angry. I’m pissed that I can’t walk around in my own house by myself and feel safe. I’m upset that I can’t sleep in my own bed without thinking about who’s lurking outside my window. I can’t even go to the movies, dammit!” She clasped her hands in front of her. “And I love going to the movies.”
Drake approached her slowly. “What do you want to see, Annie? I’ll take you to the movies. I’ll take you anywhere you want to go.”
She thought about it and gave her head a vigorous shake. “I couldn’t do it. Sitting in a dark theater, knowing he’s out there somewhere—or worse, inside the theater with me. I couldn’t.” She pushed away from Drake when he tried to hug her. “No! I’ve worked too hard and given up too much to become dependent on a man at this point in my life. This—” She pointed back and forth between the two of them. “This—set up between us—is what upsets me the most. The fact that I can’t set foot outside of my house without you by my side.”
Drake took a single step nearer. “Annie—”
“Stop, Drake! Just-just stop. Let me be angry about this for a while. Hell, it’s no hardship for you, is it? You’re getting all the perks. You’ve got me exactly where you want me, don’t you?”
Drake lunged forward to grab her shoulders. “You think I want this?” His voice was tight, controlled. “You really believe I’d rather have you terrified than to feel safe enough to walk out of this house and away from me?”
“Don’t you?”
“Hell no!” He released her, his face lined with what seemed to be a mixture of disappointment and anger, with a little insult throw in. He paced the floor, hands on hips. “I want you, Annie, but not like this. I want you to come to me of your own free will, not grudgingly, and sure as hell not because you’re terrified.”
He continued his pacing, as well as his rant. “As infuriating as you can be, I despise seeing you too damn scared to set foot out of your own home. And another thing—” His finger appeared, inches from her nose. “As much as I loved getting to hold you in my arms, I hated hearing you cry yourself to sleep. That’s the second time I hear you cry and both times it nearly broke my heart.”
Drake stepped away from her. “So, to answer your question,” he continued, still sounding as though he was seconds away from blowing a gasket. “I am not enjoying this.” He turned his back on her then.
She stared at him. Stiff-backed and tense, the man was still furious at her accusation. Wracked with guilt, she took a deep breath, and attempted to smooth things over. “I’m not sure if I—” He rounded on her in a flash, and the words froze in her throat.
“I swear to God, if that’s another insult you’re about to throw my way, I will put you over my knee, right here, right damn now!”
An indignant scowl accompanied her comeback. “I was going to say I wasn’t sure if I’d thanked you. So, thank you, Drake. From the bottom of my heart, thank you!” She marched off to her bedroom, grumbling the entire distance. She stopped at her bedroom door to add one last sen
timent. “Jerk!” She slammed the bedroom door behind her.
Annie had just finished re-cleaning her already tidy bathroom when she heard a tentative knock at her door. She opened it and stared hard at Drake. “What?”
“I was wondering if you’d like to accompany me to the theater.”
She frowned. “I already told you I can’t handle it.”
He held out his hand to her and gave her a crooked grin. “We’re not leaving the house.” He jerked his head to one side. “Trust me, Annie Girl.” His eyes sparkled with mischief and a touch of mystery.
Forgetting her anger, she reached out and took the arm he offered. She let him escort her to the guest room. Or it was the guest room before its amazing transformation. He’d put a brown blanket over the windows to block out all light and had moved two comfy chairs directly in front of his huge television set. Dozens of high definition, blue-ray movies were spread out on the bed for her perusal.
“If you tell me what you want from the concession stand, I’ll get it for you, while you decide what you’d like to watch. I know we have popcorn and ice cream. Is there anything else you’d like?”
She gazed up into his eyes and said the first thing that popped into her mind. “Dark chocolate M&M’s. An entire bowl full of them.” Preferably just the brown ones … .
“Hmmm, I don’t know if we have any, but we can go get some. Come on, let’s go now.”
She waved him off. “You go, and I’ll stay here.”
“Ah, I wouldn’t feel comfortable with that, Annie. Just come with me.”
“Look, this place is as safe as Fort Knox. I’ll stay here and narrow down the movie choices while you go.”
“If you’re sure.” He still looked doubtful, but she waved him off. “All right, but I’ll be right back. I’ll re-set the alarm when I walk out, so don’t worry.” He lifted up his cell. “I’ve got it with me. Call if you think of anything else you want.”
Seconds after he pulled out of the drive, her landline rang. Annie answered, sure it was Drake with more questions. “Don’t tell me you forgot already?” The answering chuckle had pinpricks of fear making the hair at the back of her neck stand at attention.
“No chance of that. You felt entirely too good in my arms on New Year’s Eve to forget you anytime soon. Where’d lover boy run off to? You two have a spat? Cause you know I’m only a few seconds from your door.”
Annie heard a pounding, realized it was her own heart beating frantically in her chest. Her gaze flew to the bars on the window—to the opened bedroom door. She slammed it shut—no lock on this one. She shoved the desk chair up under the door knob to keep him out. She turned again to the window, at the bars. How strong were they? Could he break through? Was she really safe? Why hadn’t she had that crew install them on every damn window in her house? She already felt like a prisoner. Wouldn’t she feel better as a safe one? I’m so stupid.
“I know you’re still there, Lil’ Bit. I hear you breathing hard, like you’d be if I was in there with you. I’d have you breathing real hard. A lot of things would be hard. Hell, I’m hard now, just thinkin’ about it.”
“Why don’t you leave me alone?” She tried to get her breathing under control.
“That wouldn’t be any fun at all, now would it? And I intend to have a lot of fun with you. I’ll be there in a few seconds, Baby. You know, no security system will keep me out for long. I’m coming for you.”
Annie slammed the phone down and sank to a corner of the room facing the window and the door. It rang again but the phone in this room didn’t have caller I.D. She picked it up, hesitantly, hoping it was— “Drake?”
“I’m at the door, Annie McAllister. I’m coming for you.”
She slammed it down then left the receiver off the hook. Her panicked gaze darted back and forth between the door and the window. It shifted to the phone as the automated operator gave the standard message: “If you would like to make a call, please hang up and try your call again. If you need help please hang up and call your operator for assistance.” She nearly jumped out of her skin when the phone began its steady beep-beep- beeping. Too terrified to move from her spot on the floor, Annie pulled her knees up to her chin and wrapped her arms around them as tightly as she could—too tight to make a sound—too tight to do much more than breathe—just enough to keep from passing out.
He knocked on the locked bedroom door. “Annie? You want to let me in now?” He jiggled the handle, realized it wasn’t locked, but barricaded from the inside by something. “Annie, it’s me, hon, open the door.” When she didn’t answer after several more calls to her, he panicked. He pushed, shoved, tried to force the door open. He cursed loud and long, desperate to get to her, but terrified at what he might find.
“Annie! Dammit, open the door!” He kicked at the door a few times, heard something crack. Gave one final shove and finally, the barricade gave way. He pushed through, saw the splintered chair. Searched the room, found her huddled in the corner, her forehead down on her knees like a scared child.
Relief surged through him as he sank to his knees in front of her. “What happened?”
She lifted her tear-filled gaze to his. Her voice was tight, hoarse with terror. “He called, as soon as you left, he called. He s-saw you l-leave. He’s watching the house and saw you l-leave. He said he was coming for me. He was at the front door and was coming for me.”
Drake sat back on his heels, wiped his mouth. “I’m an idiot, Annie. I’m sorry I left you alone. It was a stupid thing to do.” Of course the slimy bastard would watch the house.
He broke the grip she had on her knees and pulled her up from the floor. “Did you call the police?” The look of terror in her eyes sickened him.
She shook her head. “I never even thought about it, Drake. I’m so stupid. I thought I was strong, and I could take care of myself. But I can’t!” she shrieked. “I’m s-supposed to be trained in self-defense. I can’t remember a thing. I don’t know what to do.”
He rubbed his hands briskly over her arms. Hated seeing her like this, so close to full-blown hysteria.
“I couldn’t even remember to dial 911. Even Lewis knows to dial 911. I c-couldn’t do anything but sit there and wait for him to show up.”
Drake pulled her close, held her trembling body tight to his chest.
“I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I’m not usually like this. I’m not normally afraid of anything or anyone. I-I don’t know what’s happening.”
The rising level of panic in her voice scared the shit out of him. “Shhh … Calm down, Annie. I’m here. He’s not. I’ll make sure he doesn’t get to you. I’ll never leave you alone again, I promise you that. Please, forgive me.”
Drake held her tight until the tension eased from her body, until her terrified trembling abated. He kissed her hair, then her forehead. She looped her arms around his neck and he reveled in the feel of it, the feel of her fingers sifting through his hair. God, it felt so good having her in his arms, regardless of the reason. Before he knew it her sweet mouth was on his, her lips molded to his, forceful, needy.
And it was good.
He tore his mouth from hers, immediately hard, wanting her. “Annie—oh God.”
“Hold me, Drake.” Her tortured whisper reached him.
He pulled her closer, wrapped his hands around her tiny waist. Her sweater rode up, baring her satiny skin to his touch. He touched is forehead to hers. “Annie …”
She kissed him again … hungrily, impatiently … ran her hands under his tee-shirt. In seconds, she had it up and over his head, baring his chest to her palms, her fingers, and her mouth. His ragged breath turned into a sharp hiss as she placed a moist, hot kiss on the center of his chest. When she scraped her nails along his abs, he thought he’d lose his mind.
“Oh, God. Annie … what the hell are you doing to me?”
“Don’t talk, Drake, just make love to me,” she whispered. “I need you to make love to me. I need to feel safe. I feel safe
with you, but I need you closer.”
Drake lowered his mouth to her neck, and placed soft kisses, scraping her skin lightly with his teeth. He nearly lost it when she took his earlobe between her teeth with a low moan, and nipped at it. He knew what she wanted, and by God, he was up for it. He was ready to dive head first into the deep end of the pool, ready to make her feel safe, wanted, loved.
Right up until phrases of his father’s speech bubbled up, shoved themselves into the light of day.
Realization began deep in the pit of his belly. If only it drenched his need like an icy shower. But it didn’t. He had to struggle back from the want, the need to give Annie what she seemed to crave at this moment.
But his dad’s words hit home … unwelcome and irrevocable. He couldn’t take it back—couldn’t un-hear the words of caution once he’d heard them. She’ll be emotionally unstable. Don’t take advantage of the situation.
Shit.
This couldn’t happen. Not tonight. Not like this.
Drake allowed himself one more kiss, one more touch of his forehead to hers. Then he held her away from him. “We can’t Annie, not like this. Jesus, I want you so bad, you have to know that by now.” He cupped her face, kissed her mouth gently. “But we can’t do this. Not with you feeling as vulnerable as you do right now.”
She ran her hands over his abs, brushing his chest hair lightly with her fingers, her voice husky with need. “I want this, Drake.”
He shook his head slowly, held her at arm’s length. “Right now, maybe. But not in the morning, Babe. I know you. You’ll hate yourself for feeling weak, and then you’ll blame me for not turning you down. And I’d hate myself for not being strong enough to take control of this situation. As much as I want this, I don’t want to take advantage of you.”
She took a step back, the anger in her voice hinting at an emotional about face. “Oh, I cannot believe this. You’ve been sniffing at me like a dog since Christmas, and now you’re turning me away? I only thought my day couldn’t get any worse.” She turned away, her eyes filled with angry tears.