Keep Me Safe: A Small Town Suspenseful Love Story (Port James Book 1)

by Alyssa Coolen

  I hadn’t said it out loud yet, but I knew I wasn’t planning on returning to the city that never sleeps.

  It wasn’t because of Knox nor was it because of the incredible, mind blowing sex- though that was definitely fun- but because I felt like myself in Port James. I felt like I was finally home after spending so much time away. I didn’t want endless strings of car horns and city lights.

  No, I wanted my cozy coastal town and everything that came with it.

  Knox stirred and I kissed his bare chest, snuggling closer to him. “Beautiful,” he croaked and cleared his throat before pulling the sheet down and sliding a hand over my stomach.

  I laughed and tried to pull the sheet back up only for him to tug it back down again. When we were younger, his comfort with brazen nakedness mortified me. He never had any issue with laying down on his bed without clothes on, not caring that I ogled him. Knox and naked were synonymous.

  “It’s late,” I said, curling a leg over his hip. “I should go soon.”

  He nodded his agreement and kissed me. “You should,” he said, nodding again even as he rolled on top of me and laced our fingers together, sliding them up above my head. We were chest to chest, my breasts plastered against him as he settled between my legs, his hard cock pressing against me. “Do you want to leave?”

  “No.”

  “Why not?”

  Knox kissed me before I could answer him, nudging himself against my entrance, his hard hips pressing down against me. I lifted one leg a little higher and he pushed himself inside me, my breath whooshing out on a gasp and my back arching as he slid deeper. He pressed his lips softly against mine again, tongue fucking my mouth while his cock fucked me slow. Deep.

  It all felt so intimate. Shrouded in darkness while every inch of him was pressed against every inch of me. Hands clasped together, my breathing turned to whimpers and my whimpers turned to moans.

  “Why don’t you want to leave?” he asked again and trailed his tongue up my neck.

  “Because,” I answered honestly. “I’m not ready to leave you yet.”

  Knox groaned and picked up the pace, his hips pistoning against mine. I held on and cried out when he hit my g spot. Reaching down, he grabbed one of my legs and and splayed a big hand on my thigh, opening me wider. “Fuck,” he gave a hard thrust and held himself there, fighting for control. “Tell me you’re on the pill,” he said through gritted teeth.

  “I am, I am,” I responded quickly, bucking up against him, needing release.

  His thrusts were hard and fast and I dragged my nails down his back as I came. Soon after, his body stiffened as he found his own release, growling animalistically. Dominantly.

  Mine.

  Chapter 12

  The soreness between my legs lasted nearly two days and I felt it every time I shifted on the couch as I sat across from Dr. Van Sant.

  Knox and I weren’t together. We weren’t in a relationship and he knew that as well as I did. But we were something and that mattered. What we felt for each other mattered regardless of a label and whatever could happen later on.

  “Let’s talk about dinner with your parents.”

  I narrowed my eyes but gave a polite smile. “How do you know about that?”

  He gave his ever-polite smile and lay his pen and notebook down next to him. “Your mother called me the other day. She was very upset, saying that you stormed out without a goodbye after defending your brother’s drug problem.”

  I spoke through gritted teeth as I said “Logan doesn’t have a drug problem.” I was getting very tired of having to defend Logan to everyone, including my therapist who was supposed to remain impartial. My brother wasn’t doing anything wrong, neither of them were. Both hard workers and living on their own, neither of them depended on our parents. I thought mom and dad would have been proud, but I was clearly wrong.

  Dr. Van Sant put his hands up and laughed but it almost sounded fake. “Relax, Abbigail. I’m not accusing anyone of anything. I just want to get to the root of the problem.

  “The problem is that I have a mother who drinks too much and a bully for a father.”

  He sighed and his mouth pulled into a frown. I could feel my good mood slipping away. My parents weren’t acting like parents, and I wasn’t going to sit by and defend them when they weren’t the ones who needed defending. I was more than willing to continue my sessions with Dr. Van Sant, but only if he was going to act like a doctor and not a sidekick to my folks.

  “What about the nightmares? Let’s talk about those.”

  Let’s not, I thought and answered anyway. “They’re not as frequent. I had one last week but I… wasn’t alone.”

  His eyebrows rose. “Is that right? Who were you with?”

  “My… friend.”

  He nodded and looked down at his notebook, writing something down. Unsure if I said something wrong I ran my fingers through my hair and continued to talk. “I’ve been keeping busy. Working out, going to yoga. I’ve worked a few shifts at Simone’s shop and even though I’m not making much it feels good to actually do something. It feels like if I keep my days full there’s not much room for bad dreams.”

  The smile Dr. Van Sant gave me was warm as he reached out and grabbed my hand, squeezing lightly. “I’m proud of you.”

  I nodded and offered a small smile but I was struggling to fake it. Something didn’t feel right, like he didn’t believe me. I was about to mention it when Robbie walked in with a smiling Simone trailing behind him. She was looking beautiful as ever in a yellow maxi dress with no shoes.

  The woman seriously never wore shoes.

  “Hi!” she said and bounded towards me, plopping down on the couch and hooking her arm through mine. “I hope you don’t mind me just stopping by like this but Robbie came into the store and invited me over for dinner and then… I invited Knox.”

  My eyes widened as I looked at my brother. Knox and Robbie under the same roof? At the same table? With knives and alcohol? I was horrified at the thought and immediately thought of that red wedding episode of Game of Thrones. I must have had some sort of facial expression that was synonymous with fear because Robbie doubled over laughing, shaking his head.

  “I’ll behave myself,” he said and nodded a hello to Dr. Van Sant who, at that moment, was packing up his belongings.

  Simone worried her bottom lip. “I can come back…”

  He waved his hand before standing. “We were just finishing up.”

  I looked at the clock and saw that our session only started twenty minutes ago. Which begged the question:

  What was wrong with Dr. Van Sant?

  I was wondering if it was the fact that our sessions had been interrupted, but I had no idea Simone was coming over. Did I do something wrong? I wondered as he was getting ready to leave. His brow was furrowed as though he was contemplating something, and the nosy part of me wanted to ask him what it was. I liked to think that I had a good relationship with my doctor, but as he left with a swift goodbye, I began to doubt myself.

  Too bad I didn’t have time to think too much about it because Simone was calling my name and asking if I’d help peel the potatoes.

  I wasn’t stupid, it was obvious that something was brewing between Robbie and Simone. Sly looks and small gestures couldn’t hide the fact that something was going on and neither of them wanted me to know.

  I wasn’t angry. I actually thought it was sweet that they were being so considerate in not wanting to hurt me. But I was hoping one of them would bring it up so that I didn’t have to. I’d move out eventually and I hated the thought of Robbie being alone again. He was one of the best people I knew and he deserved to share a life with someone, and I didn’t mind if that someone was Simone. Hell, I’d be happy if that someone was Simone. They were two of my favorite people and if they got together my heart would actually probably definitely explode.

  “So,” I started as I sidled up next to Simone at the kitchen counter. She handed over the bag of potatoes and pe
eler before turning her attention to the stove.

  “You going to finish that sentence, babe?” she laughed.

  I nodded my head even though she couldn’t see me, chewing my bottom lip before clearing my throat. “You and Robbie seem to be hanging out a lot. How’s that going?”

  If I wasn’t paying close attention, I never would have seen the slight pause in her movements. But I did see it and it gave me the answer I knew to be true.

  “Fine. He’s a good friend,” she finally responded.

  We worked together in silence for a few minutes with her humming a tune and me peeling potatoes. I was trying to figure out how to approach her, which angle to play. I truthfully thought that my best friend and brother would be a great match, and I definitely didn’t want them to feel like they needed to keep it from me. I was more than supportive of the idea, but I didn’t want them to tiptoe around me.

  “You guys are a thing, right?” I finally asked, unable to take the silence any longer.

  “I really have no idea what you’re talking about.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Simone.”

  “Abby, come on. Don’t be ridiculous. We’re… friends. That’s it. Friends.”

  After three failed attempts at trying to get my best friend to open up, I gave up and left her alone in the kitchen to finish making mashed potatoes.

  Frustrated that they were both denying whatever was going on, I put my hands on my hips and stomped towards the back door, the squeaky hinges alerting Robbie that he was no longer alone.

  “You know I wouldn’t care, right?” I asked as I walked over to him while he stood at the grill and poked at steaks that looked so good my mouth was watering.

  “Wouldn’t care about what?” he asked and closed the top on the grill and ran his fingers through his thick hair before piling it all up on his head.

  I plopped down into one of the chairs and handed him a beer as he came to stand in front of me. “About you and Simone.”

  Something clanged loudly in the kitchen and we both jumped, startled. But it was only me who took the hint that she was listening to the conversation. Simone may be a hippy, but she was nosy to boot.

  “There’s nothing going on between me and Simone,” he said sternly.

  “Yes, there is,” I responded easily before laughing softly and leaning back in the chair, closing my eyes and letting the rest of the afternoon warm me from the outside in. “I just don’t know why you won’t admit it to me. You’re both about as subtle as a gun and I’ve seen the way you look at her,”

  “Abbigail,” he was speaking through gritted teeth. “She’s your best friend. Drop it.”

  I opened one eye and frowned. “That’s what’s keeping you two from dating? Seriously? Jesus. Robbie, I’m all for you dating someone, especially my best friend. You guys would be perfect together and-”

  “Don’t!” he said harshly. “You don’t get to meddle in my personal life. Everyone meddles in my shit and I don’t need it from you, too.”

  I was caught off guard by his sudden anger and sat up. “Robbie, I’m not trying to meddle. I-”

  “Good,” he said promptly and walked back over to the grill. “The food’s almost done. Why don’t you go help your friend set the table?”

  “Beautiful,” Knox greeted me as I met him at the front door. He leaned down and kissed me, his lips lingering a little longer than necessary. Wrapping an arm around me he brought me closer and kissed the spot just below my ear. “That dress looks very familiar.”

  It was the dress I wore to my parents house, the dress I knew he liked. It was nothing fancy, just a dark blue sundress that was fitted in the bodice and flared out at my hips. Knox liked the dress and I liked Knox, so it was only fitting that I wore it.

  “You look nice,” I slid a hand down the front of his black dress shirt. The sleeves were rolled to his elbows- again, universally attractive- and the top two buttons were undone revealing the column of his throat. I couldn’t help but lean up and take a little nip at the exposed skin.

  Knox took a step back, keeping me at arm’s length. I gave a cat-that-ate-the-canary grin and promptly turned on my heel, heading into the kitchen.

  “Hey, stud,” Simone said as we rounded the corner, standing on tiptoe to give him a peck on the cheek. “Hope you’re hungry.”

  “Starving,” he responded and gave me a heated look.

  I smirked and then turned as Robbie sauntered in from the deck holding a plate of steaks that looked so good my stomach growled.

  Thank God I never decided to go vegan.

  Robbie nodded a hello at Knox before setting the plate down on the center of the table. I prayed that this wouldn’t turn into an ugly “you hurt my sister and you’re forever on my shit list” scenario.

  He wiped his hands on his shorts. “What’s up, man? How’s the gym treating you?”

  Knox seemed to be just as relieved as I was and shook his hand. “Pretty solid. It’s really picked up for the summer with all the tourists.”

  Robbie laughed. “I bet. Nothing like hairy old men on the treadmill.”

  “Jesus, they freak me out. All I can imagine is one of them breaking a hip or blowing out their back.”

  The men fell into a conversation as I rounded the counter and grabbed the large blue bowl of potatoes. “I know you were listening to our conversation outside,” I whispered to Simone.

  She shot a narrow eyed look my way. “No! I wasn’t eavesdropping. I was just… making sure everything was alright. Robbie raised his voice and you guys never fight.”

  I raised my eyebrows and made a frustrated sound that caused Knox to look my way. I quickly covered it up with a smile and whispered, “This isn’t over.” before walking over to the table.

  Tonight was going to be nice. No fights and no talk of relationships and labels, although, I was definitely interested in getting to the bottom of the whole Robbie and Simone story. Just four people enjoying a nice meal and good conversation. So unlike New York, I thought to myself. “Let’s eat!”

  Not much conversation went on as we were actually eating. It seemed everyone was too busy shoving steak in their mouth to bother with polite conversation but after the plates were cleared we all sat around the table drinking what was probably going to be too much wine. It was nice. Content. I wasn’t stressing about work or what time I had to be up in the morning, and there was no struggle to keep the conversation away from work topics. We talked about memories and plans for the future, and we laughed. A lot. So much laughter that my sides ached.

  “Do you remember the time Knox and Abby got busted making out in the janitor’s closet?” Simone asked and burst out laughing, red wine sloshing around in her stemless glass.

  “Stop!” I said as my cheeks flamed while Knox howled next to me, unable to contain his laughter.

  “You made out in the janitor’s closet?” Robbie asked, seemingly disgusted but trying not to laugh.

  “No!”

  “Yes,” Knox confirmed as he took a sip of his own wine. “Yes, we did. You were so embarrassed you ran with your head down and slammed into Beckett McAdams’ locker.”

  Simone had tears rolling down her cheeks from laughing so hard and my brother didn’t even try to disguise his anymore.

  “I remember!” he said and pointed at me. “You had a bruise on your forehead for a week.”

  I couldn’t help but join in, laughing as we all reminisced about the things we did in high school. Like the time Simone had a pet ferret and hid it in her backpack until it escaped and made its way to the gym where Ms. Crawford nearly had a heart attack. Muffy the ferret didn’t get injured but Simone paid for the stunt by serving detention every day for two weeks.

  “Detention was a death sentence for us,” she said and drained her glass before pouring another one. “More?” she asked me and I tipped my glass towards her.

  “Somebody’s getting drunk,” Robbie commented.

  “Two somebodys,” Simone responded and held up three f
ingers causing all of us to break out into hysterical laughter again.

  Knox laid a hand on my knee under the table and I nearly jumped out of my seat before glancing at him. He was still smiling and enjoying the conversation, it was almost as though he didn’t realize what he’d done. A small gesture that held a monumental meaning.

  The saying that old habits die hard was too true to us.

  “You spending the night?” Robbie jerked his chin towards Knox.

  He looked down at me and I was positive I’d never seen Knox Fitzgerald look so uncertain in his life. “He’s spending the night. Can’t have him driving drunk, right?”

  Under the table, his fingers tugged my dress up and he drew circles on my bare knee, goosebumps breaking out along my skin. I swallowed hard before taking another sip of my wine, my buzz heavy and making everything feel electric. The way his hands were rough and soft all at once. The timbre of his voice. The heat radiating off him. It was almost too much. Almost.

  I shifted a bit closer and pressed my knee against his. He pushed back just hard enough to let me know he felt it, too. Whatever this was. His palm slid up my thigh slightly and I clamped my legs shut, trapping his hand their while he alternated between flexing his fingers and squeezing my flesh.

  “I’m so drunk,” Simone put her head against the table and pushed her glass away, a telltale sign that she was definitely drunk.

  “You feeling okay?” Robbie asked, his voice holding so much concern it was nearly foreign to me.

  “I’m sleeping here tonight,” she said and lifted an arm, seemingly trying to point towards the general vicinity of the couch but pointing at the wall instead. “I need to get over there.”

  Knox and I watched silently as my big brother handled Simone with such a gentleness that I was blown away. He wrapped an arm around her slim waist and she leaned against him, burying her face against his neck when he picked her up and hugged her to his chest. She looked so small compared to him. “You can sleep in my room, I’ll take the couch,” he said it so quietly that I was sure it wasn’t meant for my ears, but that was when I realized it. Robbie didn’t just like Simone.