Chapter 4
Aiden rolled his seat back and stretched his legs in front of him. He’d showered and changed into more comfortable clothes but he wasn’t getting any sleep.
Not only was it as uncomfortable as fuck to sleep in a car with streetlamps shining in his face, but he needed to be alert if someone tried to get to Dez again.
He rolled his neck from side to side. What a dumb idea. If he’d been smart, he would have suggested she stay at his house. After all, she’d slept in his bed just two nights ago. It wasn’t a wild suggestion.
Only there was no way she would have gone for that. She’d made it loud and clear that she didn’t want any more strings between them, and he’d be a grade-A asshole if he gave her the impression that his cock could keep her safe.
His stomach rumbled. He reached over to the passenger seat and retrieved the dinner he’d picked up. He opened the burger first, saving the fries and salad for later.
He glanced at his phone. No new messages. His clock read 11:13 p.m.
He’d texted Dez ten minutes ago to tell her he was outside, but she hadn’t replied. After tapping her number, he pressed the phone to his ear and held it with his shoulder. The line rang as he bit off another bite of cheese-covered meat.
“Hello?” The small, hesitant voice didn’t match any persona of Desiree he’d met so far.
He swallowed his food. “It’s me. Just letting you know I’m out front. Everything okay?”
“Sorry. I heard your text come in but I was in the bath.”
Images of her naked and soaking wet in a tub of water flipped through his mind like photos on a carousel. His dick swelled in his pants. Great. As if he weren’t uncomfortable enough, now he’d have blue balls for the next seven hours.
He placed his burger on the console and adjusted the front of his pants. “Uh, yeah. No worries. Give me a call if you hear anything suspicious. I’ll be awake.”
A yawn came through the speaker, and he could picture her crawling between the sheets. “Okay. Thanks, Aiden.”
“’Night.”
“G’night.”
He clicked off and dropped his phone on the seat beside him.
His eyes burned with fatigue. Fresh air would give him a second wind and a chance to survey the neighborhood.
He climbed out of his car and tucked his phone in his pocket.
His Glock was already in its holster, and he dangled a flashlight in his fingers.
Walking to the sidewalk, he took a closer look at Dez’s yard. Neat flower boxes hung off the front porch. The windows had blue shutters, and the curtains were drawn tightly. Not a light shone from inside.
He walked past her house and scanned the street. The houses were spread apart a good distance—enough that the area wasn’t overcrowded and one could assume everyone had a nice-sized backyard.
The alleyway that started two doors down from Dez’s house curved behind her backyard, stretching behind the row of houses. Not good. Someone could easily get to her yard.
He made his way back to his car and got in. His phone rang and he glanced at the screen.
Wes. Just the person he needed to talk to.
“Hey,” he answered. “Did you hear what happened?”
“Nah, just got in from a hike and saw your text. Sorry I didn’t see it sooner, no reception.”
Aiden stifled a chuckle. Wes was a real backcountry dude. If ever he couldn’t be reached, he was likely in the deep woods—hiking, hunting, or fishing. Aiden often accompanied him, but Wes made it almost a daily ritual to go on his own. He also hosted tours as a guide.
Aiden quickly went over what had happened at Dez’s shop. “Have you seen any new faces around town? Anyone you think could be here to cause trouble?” It was a long shot, but Wes was in the tourism industry, so he might know if anyone unusual was in the area.
“Hmm. I’ll have to check my schedule tomorrow and see who’s booked. I’ve just had my regular hunting groups for the last week or so.”
“No problem. It’s unlikely someone came to harass Desiree and decided to go on a tour, but you never know. Could be someone out for kicks.”
They talked a few more minutes and disconnected. Then Aiden settled back in the seat and folded his arms across his chest.
He drifted off to the memory of Dez asleep in his arms.
* * *
Whomp, whomp, whomp
The sound stirring the air forced Desiree from the cocoon of sleep around her. She burrowed her face in the pillow and pulled the linen blanket that most definitely was hers up to her cheek.
Whomp, whomp, whomp
She blinked her eyes open. The constant noise fell in sync with the dull throb in her head. Her dark bedroom told her it was still the middle of the night. The events of the last few hours rushed through her mind with the speed of a roller coaster.
What the hell was that sound? Probably the pressure in her head getting ready to blow.
No. Wait.
She closed her eyes to focus on the noise. The room around her was cold, the air tense with warning. She bolted up and switched on her bedside lamp. A breeze touched her skin, and she tilted her head back. The ceiling fan spun in a circle above her bed.
Weird. When had she turned that on? She’d been so tired she’d just fallen into bed, but maybe she’d accidentally hit the switch and not noticed because her head was still so foggy?
Of course that’s what had happened. It’s not as if someone broke into her house to hike up her power bill.
She clicked off the light and settled back into bed. As Dez closed her eyes, Aiden’s face filled her mind, his sexy grin and tousled hair. The temptation to sneak to her front window to see if he was still staked out in his car pulled at her, but she didn’t dare.
Seeing him sitting out there, watching over her, might just break her resolve and make her do something she’d regret—
Squeak
She snapped open her eyes. That sound was very familiar. One she heard often when taking out the trash. She turned toward the ground-floor window opposite her bed.
Someone was in her backyard and had just opened the gate leading to the alleyway. She dove for her phone. Her hands shook and her fingers fumbled over the screen as she pulled up Aiden’s contact information.
She hit the call button and pressed the phone to her ear. She needed a weapon—if she hadn’t been so exhausted before bed, she would have grabbed a knife or something.
“Yeah?” Aiden said, his tone sleepy.
“It’s me. I heard someone out back . . . the gate opened to the alleyway.” Her words came out breathless. The sweat on her palms made her grip the phone tighter, desperate not to lose her only lifeline.
Rustling reached her ears. Then came the sound of Aiden’s car door shutting softly. “I’m going to have to hang up,” he said, his breath huffing in and out. “I don’t want anyone to hear me. Stay inside no matter what and if I’m not at your door in a couple of minutes call the police.”
“Okay,” she mumbled. God, she hated being a sitting duck. But there wasn’t much she could do without a gun and handcuffs.
“Dez?”
“Uh-huh?”
“It’s going to be okay.”
He hung up.
Refusing to twiddle her thumbs, she got up and opened her bedroom door. The dark hallway greeted her. She didn’t dare turn on a light and alert the person that she was awake. Better for Aiden to catch them red-handed.
She slid her feet along the smooth maple hardwood floors. The hair on her arms stood to attention, waiting for a sound that would shake the night. She pressed her phone against her abdomen, her arms curled around her middle as if the action made her quieter.
A low light shone from the kitchen. She’d left the light on beneath the microwave in the event she needed to get a glass of water or go to the bathroom in the night. She crossed the threshold. The soles of her feet touched the cool tile.
She reached the butcher’s block and pulled out the largest knife. Stabbing someone really wasn’t one of her life goals, but she’d do whatever was necessary. She made her way to the short hallway that led to the back door and stopped when she reached the wood.
Her heart pulsed. Every ounce of her stamina was required. Aiden had told her to stay put, but if he was in trouble . . .
She swiped her tongue over her bottom lip, stripping her skin of moisture.
Her knees wobbled and a chill danced over the exposed skin outside her pajama shorts and tank top.
One hand held her cell phone, the other the knife.
The latter she sure as hell wouldn’t let go.
She slid her phone to the washing machine near the closet and then reached for the deadbolt, closing her fingers around the sleek steel.
Knock, knock
She screamed and leaped away from the door, slapping her hand to her chest.
“Dez, it’s me.” Aiden’s smooth, masculine voice floated through the door.
She unsnapped the lock and yanked open the door. He stood on the back porch, his hair messy, as if he’d dragged his hand through it ten times. He wore a pair of athletic shorts and a T-shirt.
“C-Come in.”
He strode inside, his gaze sweeping the dark room. She leaned forward and hit the light, brightening the laundry area.
He blinked and shut the door behind him.
He stood well above her—so much taller that she could seek shelter under the breadth of his chest. She lowered the knife. Her breath shallowed despite the rise in her body temperature.
His focus moved to her face then slowly dipped down her body. His gaze stopped at her chest, and her nipples tightened. The response drove desire through her core, making her want to push him up against the wall and slide her tongue between his teeth, like he’d done to her two nights ago.
“Any luck?” She didn’t bother to fold her arms across her chest to cover her nipples. What was the matter with her? She wanted him to want her, that’s what.
Ridiculous.
“Nothing. I even searched down the alley.”
She rounded her back on a sigh. “I swear I heard the back gate open.” She shook her head and pressed her fingers to her temple. Perhaps she was losing it.
Aiden covered her shoulder with his palm. “I believe you. Did you hear or see anything else?”
She shook her head. “Just—” She clamped her lips together and then shifted her gaze. “Never mind.”
He dipped his chin to meet her stare. “What?”
“It’s dumb.”
“Try me.”
She lowered her fingers from her face. He still held her shoulder, his hand so large and warm that it soaked up some of her anxiety.
If she could just get closer, she might actually sleep tonight .
. . “I woke up to the sound of the ceiling fan spinning. Which is silly, because no one would have broken in to do something like that.”
“You didn’t turn it on?”
She shrugged and rocked her weight to the outsides of her feet. “I don’t remember turning it on, no. But I was tired and groggy from the concussion so it’s possible I hit the switch by mistake.”
He kicked off his running shoes. “Show me around.”
Her stomach flipped over. Oh, lordy. Having Aiden in her house was almost too much—walking around her space, leaving his delicious male essence in her home. He’d haunt her dreams even more now.
“Sure,” she said, leading him into the modest kitchen. A store-bought island took up the center. Her small dining table was tucked near the window, practically teetering into the living room. “There’s two bedrooms and a bathroom through the living room. My bedroom’s on the right.”
“You can put the knife down,” he said, gesturing to her hand, and she placed the weapon on the counter.
He went to the dining and living room windows, checking the latches on them, and then he checked the latch on the front door. Without a word he retraced his steps and veered toward the bedrooms.
If she had any modesty, she’d pull on the cardigan that dangled on the dining room chair, but no. Apparently she preferred self-torture better. Besides, he’d already been in all her goodies.
“Found it,” he called.
Frowning, she followed his voice to the spare room, where he’d turned on the light. Found what? She stopped at the threshold.
“They entered here,” he said, gesturing at her to come closer.
Dez’s stomach churned as if someone had vacuumed out her insides and then filled the space with nausea. She inched closer to his side, as if she were afraid something would jump out and attack her.
Aiden had drawn the blinds. She stared. The window was open a few inches. She rarely entered this room. A scuff of dirt on the white sill indicated someone had climbed through.
“Oh, my god,” she wheezed. She backed away and pressed her hands to her forehead. “Oh, my god.”
The sound of the window shutting and locking reached her, followed by that of the blinds zipping closed.
Aiden’s hands seized her biceps. “Hey, it’s okay.”
She dropped her hands and tilted her head back to meet his face. “No, it’s not. Someone came into my home.”
His thumbs moved in a gentle caress on her skin. “Yeah, and it’s a good thing you said something. Now we know and they can’t get back in.”
“They got in the first time. They’ll try again.”
“Good. Let them be stupid so I can catch them.”
Tears burned her eyes. The invasion of her shop had struck her core. Being assaulted in the parking lot was another blow. But her home? Now it was tainted. Her house carried the energy of hate.
Aiden’s jaw clenched, and he pulled her to his chest. Her instincts screamed at her to put distance between them before she did something stupid like jump back into bed with him, but darn it felt good.
She turned her face so his chest cushioned her cheek. His hand moved in slow circles on her upper back. His other surrounded her waist. So comforting.
“I don’t understand,” she said, breaking the silence. “Why come into my house? They were right here. They could have just killed me in my sleep.”
A beat passed. “Because that’s not what they want. They want to scare you, fuck with you.”
Anger bubbled inside her. “I guess I’d better get that hotel room. So much for sleep tonight. I’m sorry you had to be bothered with all this.”
He pulled back an inch. “Don’t be sorry. This is my job.”
She chuckled. “Okay, sure. You’re not getting paid right now.”
His eyes sparked with playfulness. “We could work out a deal.”
She twisted her lips to the side but didn’t hide the smile. “I can get you a good price on some crystals.”
He threw back his head and laughed. “Not exactly what I had in mind, but I’ll take it if it comes from you.” His hand reached up to move her hair from her shoulder. “Go sleep. I’ll take the couch.”
Her muscles loosened as all of the tension and dread around finding a new place to stay left her body. “Really?”
“’Course. I’ll sleep better there than I would in my car, that’s for sure.”
She squeezed his hand. “Thanks. I’ll get some blankets.” She went to the spare room’s closet and pulled down a blanket and a pillow. Her spine tingled with the heat of his gaze on her body.
Who was she kidding? She wasn’t going to sleep tonight knowing he was only feet away.