Chapter 14 #2
I waited until the water was scorching hot before stepping inside the shower. With both hands planted on the granite wall behind the shower, I lowered my head and allowed the spray of water to cascade over my sweaty body to the drain.
The stream was tinted in red.
Thoughts of Valentina continued to wrap around my mind, furrowing into the darkness that I’d kept locked away. All the questions I’d raised privately about what I was capable of had easy, instant answers.
I wasn’t the honorable man so many believed me to be.
Yes, the bastards were still alive. But what about next time?
Would I kill to protect an innocent woman or any other victim who’d been wronged by the wheels of justice? You bet I would. Laughing, I grabbed the bar of soap. Time to wash off the filth.
Twenty minutes later and my muscles no longer ached. Apparently, I needed to spend additional time in the gym. Finally, I smiled as I stepped onto the bathmat. Another mental note made.
Almost as soon as I grabbed a towel, I realized my dirty clothes were missing. An instant moment of apprehension caused me to reach for a weapon on the counter that wasn’t there. Shit. I’d already returned to my careless ways. With the towel wrapped around me, I opened the bathroom door a crack.
Nothing was amiss in the bedroom. There was no sign that anyone had come inside.
By instinct, I moved to the nightstand, grabbing my second Sig Sauer and checking the ammunition. Fully loaded. As quietly as possible, I opened the door, darting my head into the hallway.
There was no one in sight. Every step deliberate and quiet, I kept both hands on the weapon and checked on Bella once again. Nothing had changed.
I headed downstairs, constantly glancing over the railing and seeing no one.
If someone had gotten into the house, they’d cut the security system, which would take an expert to know how to do.
Immediately, I moved toward the living room, slowly lowering my weapon even as I walked closer to the couch.
Valentina had tossed the throw aside and was nowhere to be seen.
Still apprehensive, I moved through the house, unable to find her anywhere. Where in the hell had she gone? A combination of frustration and concern kept me on high alert. There was nowhere else to hide in the house.
The last room was the kitchen. Shadows were cast from the light over the stove, yet the dim lighting was enough to see she wasn’t in the room. A slight noise grabbed my attention just before I walked out.
Coming from the laundry room. What the hell? My steps remained cautious as I headed down the hall, opening the partially closed door with a single finger.
Valentina stood inside in front of the washing machine.
I noticed a bottle of Dawn by the utility sink and knew exactly what she’d been doing.
Spot cleaning the blood on my white shirt.
She’d put my other clothes in the laundry.
I watched as she carefully selected the cycle and started it.
Once she did, she leaned over the washing machine, taking several deep breaths.
Instantly, she bristled, lifting and tipping her head over her shoulder. “I didn’t want the blood to stain. If you don’t catch the stain quickly enough, there’s nothing you can do.” She remained where she was, staring at the wall as if searching for answers.
“Valentina.”
“I hope you don’t mind. I know it was presumptive of me, but my instinct told me you wouldn’t think about it. You have far too many other things on your mind.”
“You don’t need to take care of me.”
At least she glanced at me. “Someone does.”
With a short laugh, I walked closer. “I’m sorry I was gone longer than I anticipated.”
“Apparently, you saved my life tonight. I feel I owe you.”
“The only thing you owe me is an explanation for why you disobeyed me. Do you have any idea the thoughts that rushed through my mind when I didn’t find you safe behind a locked door?
Do you have any concept of what I was willing to do?
Do you have any understanding of the fear and rage that tore through me thinking that the fucking monster broke into my house and took you captive?
” I heard the anger increasing in my voice and took a breath.
With her arms folded, she turned to face me. “I’m sorry.”
“Goddamn it, Valentina. Tonight I wasn’t a man of the law.
I broke every rule, every oath I’ve taken in my career because I couldn’t tolerate the thought that a son of a bitch murderer had been freed, pumped and ready to kill again.
So I reacted. When I saw those fucking men pawing at you and heard what they said, the plans they had for you, something snapped inside of me.
No one is dared allowed to touch you. No one.
” I’d clenched my fist, my chest heaving from the increasing rage.
Her lovely face was pinched, tears in her eyes. “I said I’m sorry. It was careless, stupid of me, but I can’t stand living like I’m a prisoner. I realize what I’d saying might not make much sense to you. But can’t you understand what I’m saying?”
“Goddamn it, Valentina. I was terrified. You will not do that again. Do you hear me? Do you?” Now my voice had risen. I’d terrified her and maybe I was highlighting I was a bad man after all because a part of me was glad I’d done so.
If that helped keep her safe and alive.
Fuck. Fuck. She jumped when I pounded my fist on the wall.
Then all was quiet, yet her scattered breathing matched the hard pumping of my heart.
“Promise me you won’t do anything like that again.”
With her lower lip quivering, she nodded. “I swear I won’t.”
Her eyes drew wide from seeing the weapon in my hand, but her gaze slowly trailed down from my chest to the towel wrapped around my waist. And the thick bulge between my legs. The way she licked her bottom lip was far too provocative for a man like me.
When she lifted her gaze once again, she concentrated on the wound on my forehead. “My God. You’re hurt. What happened?” Immediately closing the distance, her touch was tender as she caressed my forehead, easing wet hair from near the injury.
“I’m fine and it’s best if you don’t learn the details.” Right now, I wanted nothing more than to take her over my knee and give her a spanking she’d never forget. She deserved the punishment for the danger she’d put herself in.
Goddamn it. I was too angry. While I wanted her to remember the spanking for several hours, the last thing I wanted to do was hurt her.
I also had a feeling of desire that clung to every bead of sweat and every thought.
I hungered for this woman, craved to sweep my arms around her, pulling her tightly against me.
I longed to drive my cock inside, to feel her extreme warmth. Goddamn, what did that make me?
“I’m a big girl. I can handle it. You were hurt because of me.” Every touch of her hand was gentle, softening the brutal man who’d breached the surface. The concern in her eyes was something I hadn’t seen in a very long time.
“I was hurt because four assholes fucked with the wrong girl. But trust me, this is nothing and they got off easy, but I doubt they’ll be running a marathon for a few weeks.
” The fire in my belly remained, not only to continue righting the horrible wrong with Jones, but also because I was standing way too close to a woman who’d challenged everything about the man I’d become.
The way her lower lip trembled reminded me that the need for so many things to be said between us was stronger than ever before. Yet we weren’t ready. We simply… needed one another. Jesus. What was I thinking?
I pulled her hand away, kissing her knuckles. Her shiver and the way her long eyelashes skimmed across her cheeks became an instant reminder of Chase’s warning.
Getting too close wasn’t in either of our best interests. My body tensed in response and it wasn’t getting any easier to breathe. Not in a tiny room full of sweltering heat.
Sensing the change in my mood, she pulled her hand away, curling her fingers. “Did you put something on the wound, an antiseptic? Hydrogen peroxide at least?”
“Seriously. It’s just a scrape. Nothing to worry about.”
“You’re courageous and unpredictable. Some would call you a hero.” While her words were strong, there was uncertainty in her tone. “But you’re extremely stubborn.”
“Stubborn I’ll accept, but I’m no hero.”
“Then what kind of man are you?” With a slow shift in her head, she stared down at her fingers as if expecting to see them covered in blood. They weren’t. She wasn’t backing down nor was she afraid.
As soon as she crowded my space I was instantly captivated by her sweet scent.
A touch of floral with a hint of… barbeque sauce.
My warped mind fixated on what it would be like to drag my tongue through the spicy liquid covering every inch of her body.
My actions remaining deliberate, I placed the gun on the dryer.
Her eyes followed my action, her breathing immediately more labored.
“I don’t have a perfect answer for you, Valentina, but there are those who would say I wasn’t a good man. Not by anyone’s standards.”
“I don’t need perfect anything, Hudson, but you’re wrong about being a good man.
You’re protective and honest, caring and kind.
In my book, that makes you someone very special and unusual.
Maybe there’s something wrong with me because when I left the diner, all I could think about was how safe I felt being under your protection. ”
“I’m glad and I hope that’s something you remember.”