Kara's Protector

by Angela Franklin

  The pharmacist had warned him this pain medicine would knock her out. He felt her hand go lax in his and knew she was out. He was grateful, because that meant she wasn’t in pain. The fact that his driveway was paved meant it wouldn’t jar her and wake her up as he pulled in. As he turned off his truck, he looked over at his sleeping beauty. Her sandy blonde hair was draped around her shoulders, she had brushed it, but he could tell it was trying to tangle. Even the dark colored bruises couldn’t detract from her beauty. He slowly got out, leaving his door open so he wouldn’t wake her, and went to open the front door to his house. Going back to the truck he carefully opened her door, and unbuckled her seatbelt.

  As gently as he could he slipped an arm behind her back, and one under her knees, being careful not to hurt her ribs. He walked slowly keeping her as still as possible. When he stepped into the house, she whimpered and curled closer to him. Her body felt so soft and right as he gently kissed the top of her head before heading for his room with her in his arms.

  He laid her down carefully on his king size bed and made sure a pillow was under her head. She wiggled as if getting comfortable, then sighed and went still again. He pulled off her shoes, then picked up the throw he kept on the bench at the foot of the bed, and spread it across her. He knew their friends would be there in a little while, but he was exhausted after the night he had he just wanted to rest, to lay down beside her. He looked at the clock and decided that he should be able to get in a quick nap. Thirty minutes would be enough to get him through the rest of the day. He leaned over and took his boots off, then gently got in on his side of the bed. She looked so beautiful laying there.

  When he woke up, he could smell food coming from the other room. Blinking he looked over and saw that Kara hadn’t moved. He slowly reached over and checked her pulse in her wrist. It had worried him how still she was. Sitting up slowly he looked at the clock by his bed. Damn, he had been asleep for two hours. He slipped his feet in his shoes, then opened the bedroom door he remembered leaving open.

  “Morning, sheriff.” Lindy said when he walked into the living room.

  At her voice, he froze and looked around at all his friends sitting in the living room, or working in the open floor plan kitchen he could see from where he stood. Callie and Chasity were putting things away, and apparently making dinner. Feeling a hand on his arm, he looked down and Susie smiled up at him.

  “I put Kara’s things away in the bathroom.” She said as she slid past him.

  “All of her clothes are over against the wall in boxes. We didn’t want to wake y’all up.” Callie called from the kitchen.

  “We put her bed, the dresser, chair, and TV in your extra bedroom.” Luke said as he handed Cameron a bottle of water. “As you can see, her couch is in here. Whatever you don’t like, we can move.”

  “Sheriff, dinner is done. Do you wanna wake her up so she can eat?” Chasity called from the kitchen.

  “Sure, be right back.” His mind was spinning at everything they had done for him and Kara.

  He felt bad that he had slept through it. He had to do better if he was going to protect her. He didn’t even know anyone was there, when in reality, his house was full of people. Knowing Susie, she had probably found them asleep, and told the others to be as quiet as possible. As he walked over to Kara, his breath caught at how right it felt to have her there. He cupped the uninjured side of her face, then kissed her forehead.

  “Kara, sweetheart, it’s time to wake up.” He said softly. She snuggled her cheek into his hand, and his heart beat sped up. “Come on, sweetheart, you need to eat.”

  “Cameron.” She softly whispered, then kissed his hand. His heart stopped, then galloped double time at the feel of her delicate lips on his rough hand.

  “Kara, please wake up, you need to eat.” He said a little louder, his voice sounding gravely even to him.

  “Sheriff.” She said quietly then turned to look up at him.

  “There’s my girl. Come on, the girls have made us dinner.” He said as he kissed her forehead and helped her sit up.

  “How long have I been out?” She said, then looked around. “Where am I?” She asked confused.

  “Our room. Apparently, we both fell asleep for over two hours. They shut the doors, and let us sleep while they brought your stuff in.” Just the thought of him not hearing them, made his body tense. What if it was Aiden’s men?

  “Cameron, we both needed rest. I have no doubt if you had heard anything or anyone unfamiliar, you would have protected me. We’re fine, I’m fine.” She said as she stroked his cheek with her hand.

  “You’re right, let’s go eat.” He said leaning into her hand.

  He was amazed at how comfortable he felt with her. It was like she had always been by his side. He stopped by the bathroom to let her use the restroom, and wash up before they went to face their friends.

  “There they are. How are you feeling, Kara?” Lindy asked as they walked into the living room.

  “Tired, but thanks to the smells coming from the kitchen, now I’m hungry too.” She told them with a smile.

  “Where do you want to sit, baby?” Cameron asked her. He wanted her to be comfortable.

  “I think the couch would be more comfortable.” She said as she turned to look up at him.

  “Whatever you want.” He smiled, then leaned down to kiss her forehead. It seemed to be a habit now. He knew if her lips were healed, some of these kisses would be there instead. “Just have a seat, and I’ll get your plate. Do you want water or tea?”

  “Tea, please.” She asked as she eased down into the corner of his sectional.

  “After we eat, we will have the sheriff show us where to put your clothes.” Callie said coming to sit beside her.

  “Where are the twins?” Kara asked.

  Cameron could hear the girls talking. He was thankful for the support system they gave her. As he finished her plate he sat it down and turned to the fridge for her drink. After he poured her tea, he turned to find himself surrounded by Luke, Chase, and Jacob.

  “Is she in trouble?” Luke kept eye contact.

  “Yes.” He sighed. “Please, don’t tell the girls.”

  “Are you really married?” Chase asked him.

  “Yes.” He gritted out. He didn’t like their marriage being questioned.

  “Will you call us if you need us?” Jacob asked.

  “Yes.” Cameron answered. “I told her we wouldn’t tell anyone. Can y’all please not say anything? I don’t want her to run.” He knew that’s what she wanted to do.

  “No problem. Let us know if you need anything.” Jacob nodded at him.

  “Don’t hurt her.” Luke warned him.

  “I don’t plan to.” Cameron assured them, and they went back to making their plates.

  “Here you go, sweetheart. Do you need anything else?” Cameron asked handing her the plate, and setting her tea on the coffee table in front of her.

  “No, thank you.” She smiled at him shyly. That woman may very well be the death of him, but not how she thinks.

  *****

  “So, I had no idea y’all were even dating. How long has that been going on?” Lindy asked her.

  “Um.” Crap, they hadn’t talked about this.

  “Four months, but I can be impatient so I didn’t want to wait anymore to make her my wife.” Cameron answered for her. He was very good at this.

  “Why didn’t you tell us?” Chasity looked sad that they hadn’t been included.

  “Y’all know how closed off I can be. I wasn’t really sure if we were serious. I didn’t want anyone to feel like they had to choose sides if it didn’t work out.” It was mostly true. She really wasn’t looking forward to the fall out when this was all over.

  “But…” Callie started.

  “Girls, she’s had a long day, leave her alone.” Susie chided them. Then they all focused on Cameron.

  “Why don’t you tell us?” Chasity said sternly.

  “Fine, y’a
ll leave him alone. We haven’t been together long. We’ve been seeing each other in the mornings at the diner, and we went to diner a few times. Y’all know the self-esteem and body image problems I have. I just didn’t truly think he could want me.” She had basically just laid herself bare for everyone, but that was better than them going after him. “Can we drop the inquisition now?”

  “Oh honey.” Chasity said as she put an arm around her shoulders.

  Kara went back to eating and avoided looking at Cameron. He was already doing all of this for her, she didn’t need his pity too. She sat on the couch while Callie and Chasity put her things away, and Lindy did the dishes. She had offered to do them, but Cameron had glared at her till she had given up. Within an hour everything was done, and everyone left, all the girls saying they would call tomorrow. Cameron walked over and sat down beside her after he closed the door, leaving them alone.

  “So, how are you feeling?” He asked lacing his hand in hers.

  “I’m okay.” Kara peeked up at him from under her lashes.

  “Sure, you are.” He said sarcastically as his thumb traced patterns on the back of her hand. “Care to explain yourself then?” He asked looking over at her. Her breath caught when his eyes snared hers.

  “Um, I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She said after pulling her gaze away from his.

  “Sure, you do. You have been doing your best to avoid me since your little outburst with the girls. Was it true?” He asked as he lifted her chin with one finger making her look back at him.

  “Of course not, you are the one who came up with the story. You know this is fake.” She said locking her eyes on his forehead instead on his eyes.

  “I told you this marriage is real Kara. It’s about time you accept it and start acting like it. But you know that isn’t what I’m talking about. The other stuff, Kara, is it true?” She could hear the concern in his voice, but she wouldn’t answer him. “Kara, I need to know if I am fighting something more than Aiden here.”

  “No, my issues are my own. I only need you to protect me physically from Aiden.” Kara told him, then stood up.

  “I’m going to take a shower, then I’m going to bed.”

  “I’ll put your medicine by the bed with a glass of water, so you can take it before you go to sleep.” Cameron told her as she walked away.

  Kara was thankful to have her own things as she took her shower. The scent of her body wash and shampoo relaxed and soothed her. The last day and a half had been crazy, she was having trouble wrapping her mind around everything that had happened. Cameron was a saint to care for her like this. She never wanted to see Aiden again, but right now she wished he would just hurry up and get it over with. Cameron was starting to chip away at her defenses and she didn’t know how to stop him.

  She quickly brushed her hair and teeth after she put on her pajamas when she got out of the shower. A glance in the mirror showed her bruised ribs. She had to take the wrap off for her shower, the pain had been a lot worse when her ribs where free. She had on shorts and a tank top, but she didn’t think she could rewrap her ribs herself. Every breath seemed to hurt worse, leaving her no choice.

  “Cameron?” She called out.

  “Yeah, sweetheart.” He said as she heard his footsteps getting closer.

  “Can you call one of the girls to come back?” She asked hoping it wouldn’t take them long to get here.

  “Is something wrong?” He called through the bathroom door.

  “I need my ribs rewrapped and I can’t do it myself.” She felt helpless having to admit she needed help.

  “I can do that, Kara.” He said as he turned the door knob and opened the door. “Will it be okay if I do it?” He asked softly, he must have seen the panic on her face. “I will be as gentle as possible. Do you want to go ahead and take a pain pill? I can do this on the bed so you don’t have to move so much after I finish wrapping your ribs, if you want me to.”

  “We’ll go to the bedroom.” She told him, hating that he was going to see the extra padding on her stomach. Oh well, it’s not like he married her because he wanted her.

  Kara sat on the edge of the bed, then went ahead and took her pill. Cameron came in a second later with the wrap and knelt in front of her. He looked up at her, his eyes full of tenderness. She took the hem of her tank top and pulled it up under her breasts to give him access, while she held the plush mounds out of his way.

  “I’m sorry, baby. I know you don’t like this. It will hurt, but I will be as easy as I can.” She nodded to let him know to go ahead.

  Keeping her eyes closed, she stayed still as he started the process of wrapping her up. At the first touch of his rough hands on her bare skin, her skin prickled. When he grazed the underside of her breasts, she couldn’t stop the sharp inhale or the shiver that raced up her spine.

  “I’m so sorry, baby. I hate knowing I’m hurting you. I should have been there to stop this.” Cameron said misinterpreting her reaction for pain.

  “There was no way you could have known this would happen. It’s not your fault. I’m okay, I promise.” She said as she cupped his cheek with her free hand and looked at him.

  “He won’t hurt you again.” Cameron promised, then kissed the palm of her hand. He continued to wrap her ribs as he talked. “After I’m finished, I’m going to take a shower, then I will be in here. I already locked up.”

  “Okay.” She whispered. Her pain was getting bad.

  “There, all done.” Cameron said and smiled up at her. “Want me to tuck you in?” He asked her mischievously.

  “No thanks, Casanova. Go take your shower.” She giggled at the mock hurt look on his face.

  “But I was just trying to be a gentleman.” He said with a fake pout, making her give an unlady like snort.

  “Yeah, right. And I’m the Queen.” She raised her foot and lightly pushed against his chest. “Shower, now.”

  “Yes, my Queen.” He laughed and walked away.

  Kara stood up carefully and pulled the covers back. Gently she laid down and pulled the covers over herself. She was glad that she could pick with him. She was going to miss having her own place, but maybe if it wasn’t rented out when this was over, Susie would let her move back. Cameron was being so good to her, she hoped some day she would find a way to repay him. She drifted off to thoughts of how his touch had made her feel.

  *****

  Cameron shut the bathroom door taking a deep breath. It didn’t help. Her sweet scent surrounded him. He had only meant to wrap her ribs, but her soft curves in his hands were driving him insane. She had been through so much, she didn’t need him being a perv. Just her presence made him need to touch her, if only to hold her hand or stroke her soft cheek. Deciding on a cold shower, he jumped in and tried to hurry. He told himself that he didn’t want her to be alone and scared, but he wasn’t ready to admit the truth, even to himself.

  Getting out, he quickly dried off and wrapped the towel around his waist. He cracked the door open so he could hear her if she called for him. He made quick work of shaving, then remembered he hadn’t brought anything with him to wear. He walked into the bedroom and she was asleep. He quickly put on some basketball shorts, then crawled into his side of the bed. He wanted to hold her, but he didn’t want to scare her, or make her uncomfortable, so he turned on his side to watch her. As he drifted off, he was sure he should be worried about how much he cared for her, but something inside him said it was too late for that.

  Chapter 4

  Kara woke up feeling content and warm. She couldn’t remember the last time she had slept that good. She opened her eyes slowly not wanting to give up her happy place. When they were all the way open, she blinked confused. Where the heck was she? She leaned forward to get up, but came to a quick stop. The sharp pain reminded her of the last two days, and the warm hand on her stomach reminded her she wasn’t alone.

  “Morning, baby.” Cameron whispered and like magic, her body melted back into the bed.


  “Mornin’.” She whispered.

  “How are your ribs feeling?” He asked as he rubbed his hand over the bandage.

  “Better.” She squeaked out. How was she supposed to speak with his hands on her?

  “Am I making you uncomfortable?” He whispered against her neck, causing her to shiver.

  “Um.” Did he really expect her to be able to form complete thoughts with him this close?

  “Relax, sweetheart. I don’t want to make you uncomfortable.” He placed a kiss on her neck, then pulled away. “I’ll go make breakfast, do you need a pain pill?” He said turning back to her.

  “Do you have ibuprofen instead? I don’t want to sleep my life away.” Kara said as she sat up. Her mouth went dry when she looked up to find him standing in the doorway with only a pair of basketball shorts on.

  “You do seem to be a bit of a light weight when it comes to those pills. Want me to bring them to you, or just set them in the bathroom?” Between his smile, that dimple in his chin, and that beautifully sculpted chest, he was going to kill her.

  “B-bathroom is fine.” She mumbled.

  He nodded, then left the room. The back view was just as good as the front. She sighed, then got up and shut the door. She put on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt, then went to the bathroom. The ibuprofen was on the counter as promised. She took three, then brushed her teeth and hair. There were waves in her hair where she had fallen asleep with it wet, but it looked okay. She put a hair tie on her wrist, then followed the smell of bacon and eggs to the kitchen.

  “There you are. Do you want milk, juice, or coffee?” He asked plating up the food.

  “Do you have any more tea?” Kara had become addicted to sweet tea since she moved here.

  “Sure.” He poured their drinks, then sat down at the table with her. “Before long, I won’t have to ask, I will know what you want. Until then, bear with me.”

  “I don’t expect you to learn anything about me. I know we need everyone else to think we’re happily married, but I don’t expect you to pretend when we are here.” One look at his face told her she had said the wrong thing. He stood up and walked to her, instinct had her flinching away from him.