Smiling to herself she imagined his irresistible grin, his deep-brown eyes, his strong body holding her close as she’d hugged him earlier tonight at dinner. She sighed. He was so appealing to her. She wanted to hear how he got the scars. Kiss him until he knew exactly how invested she was in him.
Lights flashed through her window and she jumped. Scrambling off the bed, she hurried to the picture window. The lights shut off, but she could see a shadow exit the vehicle and move toward the house. It was too dark to see what kind of vehicle it was.
Had she locked all the doors? Who would be coming here? It could be one of Aunt Mary’s children. It couldn’t be Blake, could it? Would he have followed her? Did he have some kind of tracking device on her? Would he have tortured her family until they told him where she’d gone? She rolled her eyes at herself. She hadn’t even told them where she’d gone and Blake wasn’t the violent type. Yet she probably should’ve gone farther away. Maybe jumped on a flight to an all-inclusive resort in Mexico, laid low and drank pina coladas in a hammock. But she hadn’t wanted to leave Nick. Not completely.
There was a rap at the front door. Mary jumped and screamed. What should she do? Go see who it was? She had no lights on in the house, so she could just pretend she’d been asleep if it was a neighbor coming by. Her rental car was out there so there was no hiding that she was here.
She slowly eased out of the bedroom and down the steps, hoping the person couldn’t see her shadow through one of the many windows. The door was solid wood so nobody was going to see her through it, but she wondered if they could hear the pounding of her heart that was out of control.
“Mary?” A deep voice called through the door then the person knocked again.
Nick? It couldn’t be. Could it? How would he know to come? Chelsea?
She stood by the door, trying to debate if she dared open it. If she could be guaranteed it was Nick she’d fling it wide and maybe give him a kiss on those firm lips of his, but she wasn’t sure. She took a long breath then called, “Nick?”
No answer.
Dang it. Had he left? She wanted to just fling the door open, but if it wasn’t Nick she was a defenseless woman at a remote cabin without the ability to even call for help. Why had this seemed like a good plan a couple of hours ago?
As she waited, debating if she should run upstairs and barricade herself in the bathroom, armed with the curtain rod, she heard a scraping noise at the opposite side of the cabin. The rear door? Her stomach hopped and her palms grew slick. She crept toward the back door. What was she supposed to do to defend herself? The living area was on her right and the kitchen on her left. They were separated by the modern, open staircase. She veered into the kitchen and scrambled through the top drawer as the sounds near the back door, separated from the kitchen by the laundry room, increased.
Coming up with a large butcher knife, she turned to face the intruder just as the door swung wide and the person called, “Mary?”
Mary almost screamed but caught herself. Was it Nick? It sounded like his voice but she’d been gone for too many years to pinpoint it. Why would he come? How would he have known where to come?
Heart racing, she clung to the knife with sweaty palms and eased back into the walk-in pantry, mostly just praying the person would go away. Yet if it was Nick … She imagined having him all to herself for a few days. That would be her version of heaven.
Slowly closing the door, she left a little gap so she could see out.
The man walked into the kitchen, which was just off the rear door and laundry area. “Mary?” he called more cautiously.
She heard his footsteps going around the cabin, through the main floor, through the upstairs, as he called her name. He returned to the kitchen and flipped the light on. Her hole wasn’t large enough to see him but she heard a distinct scraping noise as he settled into a barstool. He groaned in frustration. “Mary, where are you?”
She tried to lean forward and get a glimpse of his face. She wanted it to be Nick so much. The voice sounded deeper like Nick’s, not Blake’s polished tones, but she had to be certain it was Nick before she revealed herself. She couldn’t quite see him. It was so frustrating. She was still clinging to the knife. She leaned into the door, just a bit. It squeaked. She gasped and stepped back.
The stool scraped and quick strides crossed the kitchen. Mary lifted the knife and flung the door open, hard.
The door slammed into the man with a loud thud and bounced back at her. A grunt of pain followed, and then the door yanked back open. Mary held her knife up. She hoped threateningly.
Nick Strong stood on the other side, a grimace of pain on his handsome face and a bright red mark on his forehead.
“Oh, Nick, I’m so sorry!” She hurried toward him but he backed away. Mary stopped in confusion. He’d come for her, right? Why was he backing away like she was going to hurt him again? She bit her lip. Maybe because she had just hurt him.
Nick’s hand darted out, and he cautiously grasped the knife from her hand.
“Oh, sorry! I wasn’t going to …”
Nick arched an eyebrow as he set the knife on the nearby counter. “Poke me with a knife after slamming the door into my face?”
“Sorry.” She bit at her lip and felt like the biggest jerk on the planet. He had come for her, and she was messing it all up. She stepped gingerly forward, wanting to kiss his forehead better. “Let me, um, get you some ice.”
He simply studied her. Mary felt awkward as she hurried to the freezer and pulled out a ready-made ice pack. He took it and pressed it to his forehead. Then he tilted his head toward the living area. The kitchen and living area were semi-connected, separated by the free-standing staircase. “Why don’t we sit down, and you tell me why you ran?”
Mary’s stomach felt colder than the ice pack. She was just supposed to spill her guts about Blake? She liked Nick, and she wanted to date him, but she didn’t think they were to the point where telling about her Blake experiences would help the relationship.
Mary walked stiffly under the back of the staircase and into the living area. Settling on the far side of a leather couch, she watched as Nick sat down kitty corner to her on an overstuffed chair. He didn’t want to sit by her? Fine. This wasn’t some social visit.
He set the ice pack down and looked at her, obviously waiting for an explanation.
Mary drew in a breath and pushed it out. “How did you know where to find me?”
“Your parents.”
She nodded. Her parents had always liked Nick, often asking her why she didn’t date him in high school. They also would’ve realized this cabin would be the spot she’d go to escape. “But why did you come?” she asked.
“I thought you might … need some help.”
Mary bit at her lip. She needed help from him but not in the way he was implying. She wanted to date him, get to know him again, not rely on him like some wuss because she’d run from her stupid ex.
“I’m fine,” she pushed out.
“Fine? Your old boyfriend shows up, threatens you, and you run. That doesn’t sound fine.”
Mary rolled her eyes. “Chelsea made it all dramatic. Blake didn’t threaten me.” He kind of had, but not the way Nick was implying.
Nick’s eyes narrowed. He leaned closer and said quietly, “Mary, you can trust me. If he’s hurt you, I will …” He cleared his throat. “Well, I’ll beat him to within an inch of his life, but I’ll also protect you. He won’t hurt you again.”
Mary’s chest warmed. Nick was so protective, and it sounded like he truly cared about her. “Thank you, Nick, for being willing to protect me.” She looked over his handsome face. Thankfully, the red mark on his forehead was lessening. His scars only added to his rugged appeal and made it bearable for mere human females to stare at his beauty without being blinded. She smiled at how silly she was being.
“Of course I would protect you,” he said, “But why are you smiling? This is serious, Mare.”
Mary sobered
and nodded. “I know it is, but it’s not like you’re thinking. Blake never physically hurt me.”
Nick swallowed and studied her. “How did he hurt you?”
She shook her head. “At one time I’d say emotionally, but he’s not worth that.” She sighed and wished she didn’t have to spill this to Nick, but it might be the only way to convince him she was safe and to get him to leave. Yet having him spend the night would make her feel very safe. It could also result in her throwing herself at him.
Nick leaned back and nodded. “Okay?”
She took in a long breath. “I dated Blake off and on for over a year. He was very … charming and convincing. I believed I loved him.”
Nick’s eyes narrowed and his fist clenched, but he didn’t comment.
“When we got engaged—”
“I never heard you were engaged.” He straightened and suddenly looked a little threatening. “My family would’ve told me.”
“I wasn’t ready to share with anyone, and I didn’t let Blake tell the society papers. It upset him, and I couldn’t at that time pinpoint why I was uneasy but something held me back. Some of our friends and business associates found out about the engagement and I started getting phone calls and emails from people I trusted, claiming … that he was cheating on me.”
Nick’s jaw clamped tight. “The scum.”
“Yeah. Apparently it wasn’t an isolated incident but multiple times and multiple women. I didn’t have any real proof but I broke off the engagement, gave the ring back. Blake was supposedly heartbroken that I would believe lies about him, he claimed he loved me and only me, all of that crap.” She looked at her hands, which were clasped together. She hated sharing all of this with Nick. Would he think she was a desperate, lame woman who stayed with a cheater?
“You stayed with him?” he asked in a low voice.
Mary couldn’t meet his gaze. “I gave him a chance to prove he was loyal to me.” She kept talking quickly so Nick didn’t tell her what an idiot he thought she was. She’d been committed to Blake, thought she loved him. Now she knew she’d loved the image of Blake: successful, charming, always positive and happy. She’d also loved the image of them together: a hard-working, stylish couple on their way to conquer the world.
“So what happened? You’re not with him now?”
“No.” She shook her head decisively. “No way.” She paused, and then gave him a rushed version. “My business had really taken off, and I’d just quit working full-time in marketing. I had a quiet morning with no appointments or deadlines, so I decided to surprise Blake and go see him at his office, because we rarely had time to see each other as we were both so busy and committed to our careers.”
Nick’s lips were tight and his entire body radiated the protection of her that he’d promised. It was so sweet. He nodded to her, as if prompting her to finish.
Mary studied the dark windows so she didn’t have to see his reaction. “He was in his office … having sex with one of his bosses.” There she’d said it, done. It didn’t even hurt to say it. She was more than over Blake. It was just the embarrassment of Nick hearing how messed up her life was.
She finally forced her gaze back to Nick. His dark eyes were sparking fire. “He’s not worthy of you,” he muttered.
“No. Definitely not.” She believed that. She’d never go back to the cheater, but if only she was worthy of someone incredible like Nick. She hated to admit that Blake had made her feel like damaged goods.
“That’s why you left Boston and came here,” Nick said.
Mary nodded, hating to admit that Blake had ruined one of her favorite cities for her. “Like I told you yesterday, I can work anywhere. I loved Boston but I’m sure I’ll love another spot too, a spot far from Blake.”
“So he came for you tonight, tried to threaten you into marrying him, going back with him?”
She guessed that was as good of a description as any. She tried to explain better why she’d left her parents’ house. “I know he wouldn’t hurt me physically, but he’s not one to give up easily. He said he’d rented the house next door and was going to stay until he convinced me to marry him. Of course I refused him, but he’s too prideful. He doesn’t like to lose.” She splayed her hands. “So I left. He’ll get bored, give up, and leave. He’s used to working fourteen-hour days and being surrounded by people, noise, and glitz.”
Nick eyed her. “So you’re going to hide out until he leaves?”
She flared up. “It’s a lot smarter plan than fighting with him all day every day until he finally gets it through his thick skull that we’re done.”
Nick nodded then stood. “I’ll go get my bag and my weapons. Which room do you want me to use?”
Mary jumped to her feet. “Your bag and your … weapons? You’re not staying here. Why do you need weapons?”
Nick gave her an undeniable smirk and stepped closer to her. He smelled incredible, a crisp and clean scent she wanted to put in a jar and smell any time she needed a Nick fix. His dark eyes were warm as he stared at her. “I need my weapons in case there’s any danger.”
“But … you don’t need to stay. Thank you, but I’m fine. Blake isn’t a threat; he’s just a cheating idiot.”
Nick’s tongue darted out, moistening his lips as his gaze swept over her. His gaze heated her up from the inside out, yet she shivered at the same time. A shiver of delight and anticipation. Her and Nick Strong. Alone in a remote cabin for a few days. Yes, please, let’s make it a few months.
“I’m staying,” he said in a deep, husky voice that felt full of meaning. He was staying to show her how he deeply cared, to protect her, to love her. Whoa, slow down girl. He didn’t love her. He cared for her but that was completely different.
He gave her a soft, inviting smile then strode around her and out the front door. Mary paced the living room while he was gone. What was she supposed to do with the Nick Strong, stuck alone in a cabin with him until Blake disappeared? Heat flushed through her. She’d have him sleep downstairs, and she’d sleep upstairs. Nick was a respectful, Christian man. There was no way he’d try to push himself on her like Blake used to do. Thankfully she never gave in to Blake, but Nick would be much harder to resist. No. He wasn’t like that. Thank heavens.
The front door swung back open. Nick came in carrying a couple of bags and some cases that looked like they had big guns in them. Yikes. He really was loaded for bear.
“My aunt said they saw a bear wandering around last summer. Thank heavens you’re prepared, eh?” she tried to joke.
Nick simply arched his eyebrows. “I’m prepared for any man or animal that would threaten you.” The smoldering look in his eyes made her knees weak. She liked the image of Nick protecting her.
“Well, okay then.” She wrung her hands together and tilted her head. Turning, she walked briskly through the living area to the master suite at the back of the cabin. She pushed the door open and flipped the light on.
Nick brushed past her in the doorway. Mary’s stomach swooped, and her pulse raced. He glanced around and said, “Where are you sleeping?”
She tilted her chin up. “Upstairs.”
“I’d prefer being closer to you.”
Mary’s heart was thumping so fast, she had to put a hand to it. He meant he preferred being close to her for protection, right?
“I’ll be fine,” she managed to squeak out.
Nick stepped up close to her. His hands were thankfully full, so he couldn’t reach out to her. If he touched her right now she’d be a goner. She’d attack his mouth and regret her impulsiveness later. They’d been growing closer and more comfortable on their date earlier, but she felt like Blake had tarnished all of that by appearing tonight.
“I won’t be fine,” Nick murmured.
Mary’s eyes widened. She resisted the urge to throw her arms around his neck … barely. Turning, she hurried through the living area and around to the wide staircase. Nick was right on her heels as she pounded up the stairs, and the
n took him to the bedroom on the left. She’d put her stuff in the bedroom on the right. There was a shared bathroom and an open loft and play area with a pool table and comfortable spots to sit and chat or read.
Stopping by the doorway, she gestured in. “Here’s your other option.”
“And where are you sleeping?”
She swallowed hard and pointed. “Right there.”
Nick stopped next to her, much too close for her susceptible heart. “Perfect.”
“Great.” She stepped back and said, “I’m going to head to bed. Long day.”
Nick’s irresistible grin appeared. “What? You don’t want to stay up and play cards or try out the hot tub I saw on the back deck?”
Mary didn’t know it was possible to be any more heated inside, but the thought of dipping in the hot tub with Nick did it. She backed away and muttered, “I don’t have a suit.”
Nick’s eyebrows rose, and he grinned broader, “I’m sure we could think of something.”
“Goodnight, Nick.” She all but ran to her room, slamming the door on the knowing smile and the slight chuckle she heard from him. Pressing her back against the door, she prayed like she’d never prayed. She might need to stay safe morally from her intense feelings for Nick Strong every bit as much as staying safe from Blake trying to influence her.
Chapter Seven
Nick walked back downstairs to secure the cabin’s doors and windows. There was no security system, so he might have to rig something up tomorrow. Mary thought her ex wasn’t dangerous though she’d been concerned enough to run. Maybe she truly had only run so the guy would give up, but there was something she wasn’t telling him, or maybe she didn’t even understand herself. Why did a career-driven lawyer leave his high-powered job to come camp out next to his ex’s parents’ house? Pretty desperate and odd if you asked Nick.
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