CHAPTER 4
HUTCH
For the first time since I’ve moved to my cabin, it feels small. And that has nothing to do with Blake and Duncan taking up space in my living room. It has everything to do with the woman sitting on my couch. She’s only been in my space for a matter of minutes, but it’s as if my body has already become attuned to her.
And I can’t stop fucking looking at her.
Not that taking her in is a hardship. She’s the most gorgeous woman I’ve ever seen. Her hair is a golden brown that I know would shimmer in the sunlight. Her eyes are a grey-blue color I’ve never seen before. Her lips are pouty and pink.
I’ve imagined kissing her a million different ways in the same number of seconds. Would she moan into my mouth? What does she taste like? Will she melt against me the moment we kiss?
She might be sitting in my living room, but it’s clear she’s a million miles away, which I can’t blame her for, and exhausted. I know she’s running on fumes, and my gut is screaming at me to go to her, wrap her up in my arms, and watch over her while she’s sleeping.
I shake off that instinct because it feels too big, and I need to focus on Blake, Duncan, and the plan. I pull up the feed from around my property and show them. “I have the perimeter covered with motion sensors. I’ll know if anyone approaches the cabin long before they can get too close. There aren’t any dead areas where someone can slip in. Everything is concealed and I’m notified immediately.”
Duncan nods as he clicks through the different camera angles and looks impressed, which is saying something, when I show him the coverage map. Since I moved here, the only thing I’ve been notified about has been animals moving through my territory. But with Fallon here, I’m glad I have eyes on everything. Knowing someone is coming is key since we’re so remote out here.
“You should consider showing her some basic things,” Duncan murmurs and nods in Fallon’s direction. “Self-defense and shooting. It may make her feel more comfortable and help her to feel empowered since she’s had to leave behind her entire life.”
I look over at her and my heart aches for the woman who looks like she’s about to bolt at any moment. I’m going to figure out how to help her feel comfortable here while she makes peace with saying goodbye to everything she knew. It won’t be easy, but she’s strong.
She wouldn’t be here right now if she weren’t.
“Yeah,” I agree, “I’ll do that. I want her to feel comfortable defending herself. I keep all my guns locked up at all times, but I can’t be in the safe room with her and out taking care of business if someone figures out where she is and comes for her.”
We share a look because we know someone will try their best to find her. We’re talking about a company worth billions, one who had been slowly expanding and had put forth a lot of effort to become synonymous with luxury and excess. When money is involved, people will go to extremes. Even though she’s over a thousand miles away from the company, that won’t matter.
“Duncan started looking into Luxe Notes once Fallon walked him through everything,” Blake keeps his voice low and I know I should be paying attention, but I’m find it difficult to actually do. “He’ll be putting together as much information as possible that we can use to persuade them to leave her alone.”
Duncan makes a sound filled with disgust in the back of his throat. “There isn’t a single person in the upper level of that company who is clean,” he growls lowly before glancing over at Fallon. “I’ve only scratched the surface, and I’ve already found plenty to keep the IRS busy. Who knows what other alphabet agency I’ll be able to get involved.”
“You’ll be taking care of them?” My question comes out growled.
The thought of the beautiful woman in my living room being in danger has my fists clenching and my vision taking on a red tinge. Putting her in danger, her being scared? It makes my gut churn in a way I’m not used to feeling.
Yes, I always wanted to be a good soldier while I was serving. I was committed to doing everything required of me to keep the people around me safe, whether my fellow soldiers or the civilians in any area we happened to be occupying. Still, it was a job, and it was never personal.
After only being introduced to this woman minutes ago, this feels very fucking personal.
Fallon’s eyes dart around the room, but there’s not a hint of judgement on her face. When her gaze focuses on the view through a window on the backside of the cabin, her face smooths out into an expression that looks almost peaceful.
I’ve never wanted to be someone else’s peace before, but for her it’s all I want. I want to stand between her and danger. She needs to know that I’ll make sure she never feels the sting of violence; I won’t allow it.
I can’t.
What I can’t truly wrap my head around is how much deeper the need to protect her has burrowed its way into me. This is more than her being a client. This is visceral, bordering on feral.
It’s not just a matter of being willing to kill for this woman. It’s more. So much fucking more.
But I don’t understand it.
When I realize Blake and Duncan are quiet, I tear my eyes away from Fallon and look at them. The looks of amusement on their faces have me narrowing my eyes. When they both look toward Fallon, the desire to punch them both and kick them out of my cabin almost takes me to my knees.
I might not shy away from violence, but I don’t seek it out either. Wanting to hurt these men, who I know are both very happy with and owned by their women, is fucking weird.
I bark lowly, “What?”
“I know that look,” there’s a taunting lilt in Blake’s voice as he elbows Duncan in the side.
“I’ve worn that look,” Duncan teases with a big grin on his face.
I narrow my eyes at the guys and huff, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
When my eyes stray toward Fallon again, both men chuckle. The sound brings Fallon’s focus away from the window. Her gorgeous eyes meet my gaze, and a blush slowly starts to color her cheeks.
Fuck.
“Well,” Blake’s voice is filled with amusement, “I think we’re all on the same page. We’ll keep you updated on what’s happening on our end to ensure the right people know Fallon is off limits.”
“I’ll keep her safe,” I vow without looking away from Fallon.
Duncan gives my shoulder a squeeze. “We know you will.” He takes a step away from me toward the couch and I have to fist my hands at my side to stop myself from grabbing him and pulling him away from Fallon. “Fallon,” he calls out to her and her gaze snaps toward him, “I know it might not mean a lot from me, but I’m proud of you. You did the right thing and you’re going to be safe.”
Fallon swallows hard and nods. Her voice wavers, “Thank you, Duncan. Not just for saying that, but for being there in Spokane.”
“Didn’t want to be anywhere else,” he tells her with a soft smile on his face. He nods at her before turning toward me. Something in his gaze shifts and hardens. His voice drops to ensure only I can hear him, “Don’t hurt her.”
I rear back like he’s slapped me. “You brought her here to keep her safe. That’s what I’m going to do.”
“I wasn’t talking about the people after her. I’m talking about you,” he clarifies.
My mouth drops open before I snap it closed. When I look back over at Fallon, Blake is crouched down on front of her and murmuring softly. I desperately want to know what he’s saying to her, but I’m not close enough to hear.
Determination washes over me in a way I’ve never experienced it before. When my gaze swings back toward Duncan, he’s studying me closely. “Fallon is safe with me.”
Duncan smirks and then Blake is standing next to me, and I hold myself very still to stop myself from startling. Blake nods, his voice filled with conviction, “Good.”
It doesn’t take long for the guys to move out of the cabin, and I stand in the doorway watching them go. While I do, I can feel Fallon’s eyes on me. Normally that would make me uncomfortable, like they’re trying to unearth all my secrets. But that’s not how I’m feeling at all.
When I turn toward Fallon, her hands are clasped on her lap and her eyes are big and round like she’s just now realizing that she’s alone. With me. Out in the middle of nowhere.
“Fallon,” I rumble, “you’re safe with me. I want you to know that I spent years serving our country. I’m trained and skilled. My time-,” I cut myself off and look away and swallow hard, wondering why I was just about to share far too much with this woman.
Her voice is a gentle coaxing, “What were you going to say?”
I look back at the woman who I never would have expected to be dropped at my doorstep looking for help. Her blue-grey eyes are wide and curious. Somehow, I find myself wanting to let her in and not just because it’ll put her at ease.
“It wasn’t easy,” my voice is husky as I try to focus on the woman in front of me and not all the ways my cock wants to help her relax. “It left scars, but what I’ll never forget is how to use the skills I earned over there.”
Fallon nods slowly, compassion and empathy softening her features. Still, I can see the exhaustion written on her features. I move toward her slowly. I don’t want to spook her, but I also need to be closer to her. Her eyes sweep over me and the appreciation that flashes in her eyes makes me feel like the king of this mountain.
I’d much rather her check me out than be thinking about everything she left behind and the fact that she had people in her home hunting her down. I’ll do just about anything to ensure I never see stark fear in her eyes.
Not on my watch.
And I don’t ever want my watch to end.
Fallon tips her head back when I’m a few steps away from her and my cock takes notice that it would be so fucking easy for her to reach out, undo my belt, and slide my zipper down to let him out. I’m throbbing at the thought of her wrapping her fingers around my shaft.
Would she take me into her mouth? It would be warm and wet; I just know it.
I hold my hand out for her to take, but I don’t push her. I just wait her out.
As she slides her hand into mine, it takes all my will power not to squeeze her hand much harder than would be appropriate, but it’s hard to hold myself back with the shock that runs up my arms and hits me right in the middle of my chest. The small gasp and the way Fallon’s eyes widen tells me she felt the same thing I did.
“How about a tour?” I look around the cabin, suddenly feeling like it’s not good enough for her. “There’s not much to it, but I want you to feel comfortable here. Then, I want you to take a nap. I’ll watch over the house so you know you’ll be safe and can sleep without worrying about anything.”
Her shoulders slump and she sways toward me a little bit. As much as I want to wrap her up in my arms, I don’t want to move too fast for her.
“I am tired,” she admits.
Fuck, she’s gorgeously adorable.
It doesn’t take long to lead Fallon through the cabin. Instead of looking around my home, I watch her face intently. There’s a glow about her as she takes everything in.
There is part of me that desperately wants to ask her if she likes it here, but I also don’t necessarily want to know. What if she hates it here? She’s used to life in a big city, maybe that’s more her pace. It shouldn’t matter, but, somehow, it does.
After showing her the guest room and the small gym I have set up in two of the rooms with a bathroom between them, I lead her back out to the living room. I feel like a nervous kid waiting for her to tell me what she thinks, as silly as it is.
“Your place is gorgeous,” she breathes out. “It’s so peaceful here and to be able and look out at that,” she nods toward one of the large windows with the forest beyond it, “only makes it better.”
“Thanks, Beautiful,” I husk.
Her cheeks turn a gorgeous shade of pink. Her shoulders relax even farther and watching her face smooth out now that she’s not a complete stranger in this space makes me oddly happy.
The shy way she glances up at me makes it harder not to grab her and kiss her. That would be too much far too soon. I know it, but damn it’s hard to keep my hands off her.
“I am tired,” she admits before cringing slightly, “but I also don’t want to go to sleep. Does that make sense?”
My eyes roam over her face, taking in her delicate features. I can see the tension written on her face and I would do anything to make her feel better, more settled, safer.
“How about I start a fire, and we can sit here? If you feel comfortable, you can curl up and go to sleep,” I offer.
“That sounds perfect,” she breathes out.
“How about you go and get on something comfortable, and I’ll get the fire going.” I look her over and the thought of her in pajamas, even if they cover her completely, makes my cock throb and beg to be set free. “I know you don’t have much in your bag, so let me know if you need anything.”
Her hand wraps around my forearm and I have to bite back a groan of pleasure. “Thank you, Hutch.”
I focus on getting the fire going, which isn’t easy until I remind myself that it’s for her. It’s all for her.
When she walks back into the room in an oversized t-shirt, I almost swallow my tongue. Her legs are bare, and the shirt is long enough that I have no idea if she has shorts on underneath. Part of me hopes she doesn’t, but I know I won’t be able to control myself if that’s the case.
Her steps are hesitant when I sit on the couch and relax, not taking my eyes off my woman. Yes, my woman. As she steps closer, my palms itch with the need to get my hands on her. The moment she’s close enough, I grip her hips and pull her down next to me.
I can feel the way the tension leeches from her as she curls into my side. I’ll gladly give her all my strength if that’s what she needs.
The crackle of the fire is a gentle lullaby I hope she finds as relaxing and comforting as I do. I want to hold her closer. I want to pull her onto my lap and nuzzle her neck,
But I hold myself back for now.
“I’ll keep you safe, Fallon. I promise.”
She doesn’t say anything and when I look down at her I realize why. She’s fallen asleep. And for the first time since she got here, she’s completely at peace.