Chapter Eight
E asy
I hook up the piece-of-shit Camry to my truck and stand. Sweat runs down my spine, but I barely notice. My mind's been elsewhere all damn day, stuck on a certain blonde with legs that go on for miles and eyes that could drown a man.
I'm so fucked, and I'm not even mad about it.
I haven't been able to think straight since Lexi showed up on my doorstep.
It's like she's crawled under my skin and burrowed her way into my every fucking thought.
Focus, Patterson.
Dropping back down to my haunches, I give the chain one last yank, making sure it's secure. As I straighten, I feel my phone starting to vibrate in my pocket. “Shit.”
Grabbing ahold of the thick fabric with my teeth, I pull off my glove and fish it out.
Dex's name is flashing across the screen, and I hope whatever he's calling for isn't bad news.
Tapping the screen, I press the device against my ear and grunt, “Yeah?”
“Yo,” Dex's voice crackles through the speaker. “Got some intel on the cocksucker who scammed your girl.”
My grip tightens on the phone. “Let me have it.”
“Alright, so get this. This asshole's been running the same scam all over Florida. Goes by the name Randall Brodrick, but that's probably bullshit. He's got a whole network of fake rental listings set up.”
“Fuck,” I mutter, anger bubbling up in my chest. “Any idea where this prick is operating from?”
“That's the kicker, man. Looks like he's right here in Miami. Got a P.O. box downtown, but I'm still working on pinning down his actual location.”
I let out a low whistle. “No shit? That close, huh?” This is good news because I want to personally educate the motherfucker about what happens when you scam people out of their hard-earned money.
“Yeah, brother. But listen, this guy's slippery as fuck. He's got a system set up to move the money through about a dozen different accounts before it hits his main stash. It's gonna take some time to trace it all back.”
I run a hand through my hair, frustration gnawing at me. “How long we talking?”
“Few days, maybe a week. I'll keep digging, but this asshole knows what he's doing.”
“Alright,” I sigh. “Keep me posted. And Dex?”
“Yeah?”
“When you find this fucker, I want you to drain his fucking accounts. Nobody messes with what's mine.”
There's a pause on the other end of the line, and I can practically hear Dex's eyebrows shooting up. “Not you too? Ain't no bitch putting my balls in a sling. Fuck that.”
I growl, not in the mood for his shit. “Just find him, alright?”
“Yeah, yeah,” Dex chuckles before hanging up.
I shove my phone back in my pocket, my mind racing. Lexi's scammer is here in Miami. The thought of that piece of shit being so close makes me fucking giddy. I want nothing more than to hunt him down and cut off his balls, but I know I've gotta play this smart.
As I climb into the cab of my truck, I can't help but think about Lexi. She's probably back at the house by now. I wonder how her interview went this afternoon. She was nervous as hell when I left her this morning.
A smile tugs at my lips, thinking about the look on her face when I kissed her before I left this morning. I know she's wondering what the fuck I'm playing at. She'll catch on soon enough.
A few hours later, I pull into my driveway and kill the engine. As I sit here, staring at my front door, it hits me.
Lexi's in there.
Having someone to come home to isn't something I'm used to, but I have to admit, it's fucking nice.
On this thought, I step out of the truck and head straight for the door. I pause, key in hand. Something's different.
The moment I step inside, a tantalizing aroma hits me. Is Lexi cooking? The thought of her in my kitchen, making herself at home, does something to me. It feels right, like she belongs here.
I move through the house, following the scent. As I round the corner into the kitchen, I spot her. She's standing at the stove, her back to me, humming softly to herself. For a moment, I just watch her, taking in the domesticity of the scene.
Slowly, I close the distance between us. “Smells good,” I say, my voice low.
Lexi turns, startled. “Oh! I didn't hear you come in.” Her cheeks flush slightly, and I can't help but notice how beautiful she looks, even in a simple T-shirt and jeans.
Without thinking, I close the remaining space between us. My hands find her waist, and I pull her close, pressing my lips to hers. For a split second, she's frozen, but then she melts against me and her lips part. Her hands come up to my chest, and I half expect her to push me away. But to my satisfaction, she doesn't. Instead, she grips my shirt in her fists and pulls me closer.
I deepen the kiss and lose myself in the taste of her, the feel of her body against mine. Lexi whimpers and I growl.
Fuck, she's perfect.
When I finally pull back, we're both breathing hard.
“I, um...” Lexi stammers, taking a small step back. Her fingers brush her lips, as if she can't quite believe what just happened. “Dinner's almost ready.”
I can't help but smirk at her flustered state. “Looking forward to it. How was your day?”
Turning back to the stove, she busies herself with stirring whatever's in the pot. She's purposely avoiding eye contact, and I let her. I know I'm coming on strong, but I've never wanted anything more in my life like I want her. Backing down isn't an option.
When she looks back up, there's a smile on her face. “It was... interesting. I had coffee with Amelia this morning.”
“Yeah? How'd that go?” I lean against the counter, genuinely curious.
Her eyes light up. “It was amazing. She's so down-to-earth and funny. We talked about books for hours. I felt like I was talking to an old friend.”
“And the interview?” I prompt, remembering her nervousness this morning.
“I got the job!” she exclaims, waving the wooden spoon in her hand around, dangerously close to splattering sauce. “I start on Monday at Happy Tails Animal Hospital.”
“That's great, Lex.” I'm genuinely happy for her. The more reasons she has to stick around, the better. Reaching out, I tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. “We should celebrate.”
“No, seriously, Shawn. You've done more than enough for me.” She waves the spoon around again.
“We'll see.” I wink.
While Lexi finishes up dinner, I run upstairs to shower and make it back downstairs just as she's setting everything out on the table, family style.
“Ready to eat?” she asks.
“Starving,” I growl. For more than she realizes.
I pull out Lexi's chair, noting the pink hue on her cheeks. “Thanks,” she whispers.
Taking my seat across from her, I can't help but marvel at how domestic this all feels. It's been a long time since I've had a woman cooking for me. This is definitely something I could get used to.
As we dig into the delicious pasta Lexi's cooked, we settle into a comfortable silence. Unfortunately, the peaceful atmosphere is shattered by the incessant buzzing of Lexi's phone on the table beside her. She glances down, her brow furrowed as she reads the number on the screen.
When the buzzing stops, then starts right back up again, her lips turn down.
“You gonna answer that?” I ask, eyeing her reaction carefully.
She hesitates, her hand hovering over the phone. Finally, she picks it up. “Hello?” Her voice is tight, controlled. “John, you have to stop this madness. You're violating the restraining order.”
My ears perk up at that.
Restraining order? What the fuck?
Lexi's voice grows more agitated as she continues. “I mean it, John. Leave me alone or I'll call the police.” She hangs up, her hands shaking slightly as she sets the phone down.
“What restraining order?” I demand, barbs pricking at the back of my neck.
Her hand waves in the air as she tries to brush it off, refusing to meet my eyes. “It's nothing, really. Just my ex being difficult.”
Yeah, I'm not buying that at all. There is definitely more to the story. I may barely know the woman, but whoever this John prick is has her scared.
“Bullshit,” I growl, leaning forward. “Spill it, Lex. What's going on?”
She sighs, her shoulders slumping in defeat. “John... he's my ex-fiancé. When I broke off our engagement, he didn't take it well. He started showing up at my work, my apartment. He'd call at all hours, leaving these insane messages.”
My fists clench under the table, rage boiling in my veins. “That why you came to Miami?”
She nods, looking small and vulnerable. “I thought... I thought if I got far enough away, he'd give up. But he keeps finding new numbers to call from, and I'm scared he'll...”
I'm around the table before she can finish the sentence. “Come ‘ere, baby.” I pull her into my arms.
Lexi's arms go around my waist as she buries her face in my chest, and I can feel her trembling against me.
“Listen to me,” I say, my voice low. “That fucker isn't going to touch you. You're safe here, you understand? I've got you.”
Lexi tips her head back, her eyes shining with unshed tears. “Why? Why are you helping me?”
I cup her face in my hands, my thumbs brushing away the tears that have started to fall. “Because you're mine now, Lex. And I take care of what's mine.”
This time, when I kiss her, there's no hesitation. She meets me halfway, her lips soft and yielding under mine. I pour everything I'm feeling into this kiss—my need to protect her, my growing feelings, my promise to keep her safe.