“What?” she said, mouth slightly agape. “You wouldn’t!”
“Trust me, sweet Bella.” From his lips, her name sounded like a gentle caress, and she nearly shivered in response. Now, all humor had fled from his tone and replaced with a more seductive one. “You’d be damn surprised with the things that I’d actually do.”
Speechless, she watched as he left the car.
By the time he reached the passenger’s side, she was somewhat composed.
Once more, she privately questioned her ability to remain detached.
No doubt, he was thrilling her in ways that he shouldn’t.
The cool air met her as he opened the passenger’s door. He stared down at her briefly before offering her his right hand. “You ready?”
“Thank you,” she said stiffly, openly rebuffing him, and ignored his outstretched hand. As she climbed from the car, he stepped back a little. But, the distance wasn’t enough to fan the waves of heat between them. “As soon as the flood recedes, I’ll be out of your hair.” Tilting her face upward, she forced a smile. “After that, we’ll never see one another again.”
Well, that wasn’t necessarily true…
Her wicked game entailed creating discord between him and his father. Eventually, it would lead to the entrapping them both within their seeds of lies, crime, and treachery, she mulled and turned to slam the door shut.
But, she couldn’t say that out loud.
When she whirled around, she almost collided into him.
She barely suppressed a breathless sound.
He was standing that close.
Or maybe she was just affected by him too much.
She raised her chin stubbornly. “What are you going to do? Strong arm me and bully me into paying those bogus charges about dirtying your precious car?” Her brown eyes darkened in defiance. “Get this quick. I don’t fold that easily.”
“Has anyone ever told you that you have a huge ass chip on your shoulder that’s probably the size of a damn boulder?” he asked with an arched brow. Then, his eyes settled on her left shoulder area, and renewed interest played in them. “But, you do need my manly assistance with that,” he nodded before stepping closer to her. “I have no choice but to break down your walls of resistance, Ms. Independent.”
When he reached out to touch her left shoulder, she slapped his hand away. “Don’t touch me.” She glowered at him openly. “What are you talking about anyway?” Then, against her skin, she felt a slick sliminess, and whatever it was seemed to be crawling up her nape. “What is it? What’s on me! What’s on me!” Her eyes snapped open wider. Then, turning in a fast wide circle, jumping at the same time, she began slapping at herself wildly. “Get it off of me! Get it off!”
“Hell, calm down before you knock yourself out,” he chuckled. Easily, he stayed her wild movements by grabbing her shoulders. Still laughing under his breath, he peeled the creepy crawling creature from her skin. Then, stepping back slightly, he suspended the wiggling worm midair between his two fingers. “Look, it’s only a little helpless worm, and you nearly desecrated the poor sucker.”
She backed against the car. “Get that thing away from me.”
His expression was innocent as he bowed. “Whatever the lady wants.”
Staying silent, she watched as he crossed the garage area. Rather than mutilating the insect, he tossed it along the outer edges of the garage. The simple act stunned her for some reason. Surely, though, a vicious murdering criminal wouldn’t be that concerned about saving a pesky insect, would he?
As he approached her again, she was still mulling over the question.
At her pensive look, he raised a brow. “Seems like you have something heavy on your mind?” Then, the dawning thought played on his face. “Are you second-guessing your decision of coming here? Again, while I’m hardly a saint, I’m not about harming women.” His look was dead serious. “If you’re that uneasy about---”
“Would you stop? If I were that afraid of you, I wouldn’t have gotten in the car with you to begin with,” she argued, blowing a fast breath, and looked at him. Again, the butterflies took flight in her tummy. “It’s just that I’m worried about the damages to my car and everything. I had clothes and things packed to take to my apartment.” She let out a regretful sigh. “The flood is going to ruin them.”
“When mother-nature unleashes its fury, we have no choice but to take her assault.” A thoughtful line creased his forehead. “Besides, don’t worry about that. If your things are damaged, I’ll take care of the charges.”
She crossed her arms along her chest. “And why would you? You don’t know anything about me. As far as you know, I could be a con artist or worst.”
A deep interest simmered in his eyes. “Should I heed that as a warning? Am I safe with you?”
The guilt compounded inside of her.
But, again, pray tell?
Why!
“Of course, I’m just as harmless as you,” she murmured instead with a tight smile. Then, she released a tired sigh. “Don’t mind me. It’s just that I’m tired. After working all night and then trying to change a tire in the middle of a storm---well, I’ve just had enough for the day.” She met his gaze again. “If anything I should be thanking you.”
“You’re damn right you should,” he muttered and the teasing light gleamed in his eyes again. “But, good for you, I’m not a ‘I told you so’ kind of guy.”
She gave a breathless laugh. “But, you just did.”
“Just teasing you, damsel,” he chuckled and turned away from her. “Let’s go.”
Suppressing another smile, she followed.
Chapter 5
The mudroom was impeccably styled as well. It was drenched in an exquisite ivory white color, and the stylish furniture matched it in stature. A streamlined fixture of wide dark tiles completed the flooring and offset the contrasting whites beautifully. Without a doubt, this part of the Chalet home had been a designer’s dream coming to fruition. So, deep she was in her admiration, she collided into him when he stopped at the ottoman hall tree. When he turned to face her, she mumbled a fast apology. “Sorry, I wasn’t watching where I was going.”
“Don’t worry about it.” Then, giving a dimpled smile, he sank down on the ottoman and slipped his shoes off. “I learned long ago that I’m unbreakable.”
As he began loosening the buttons on his shirt, she looked at him dumbfounded. Like a voyeur, she watched while he shrugged the shirt from his broad shoulders. By gads, if she thought he’d disarmed her defenses before, she’d been dead wrong, she swallowed hard, staring as he stood.
Now, she was facing pure sexiness in the flesh.
The muscles ripped in his chest, leading to six pack abs that was obviously fashioned from long hours in the gym. An intricately designed tattoo adorned his right chest, and added a sexy mysteriousness all around. The dark trousers were sans a belt, and while they covered him completely, they didn’t disguise the strong taut thighs.
Her gaze traveled on down further.
Even his feet were perfect….
But, hadn’t she known some of these things about him already? For hours on end, she’d studied every possible attribute that she could. Of course, that close perusal had all been due to her researching the case, she mulled, finally looking at him with flustered features.
“You okay?” The concern lined his face. “After everything that you’ve been through tonight, you’re probably shaken.” He frowned again. “Again, my intentions are to help you and only that. But, I certainly don’t want to make you uncomfortable.”
“You’re not making me uncomfortable,” she gulped hard. It’s just that you’re so freaking hot, that’s all! Instead, she stammered, “It’s just that I felt a little unsteady there for a minute. Probably overdone things…and it’s late.”
And that much was true…
“One thing that’ll make you feel better is getting out of those wet clothes.”
“But, I don’t ha
ve anything to wear.” She crossed her arms along her chest again, yet it didn’t shield her from his probing stare. “My things are in the car---”
“Don’t worry. I’m sure that we’ll find something to fit you.” Bending over, he scooped his soiled shirt from the ottoman. Then, he pivoted on his heel and began heading forward. “Come with me. You need to change before you catch a chill.”
She gave a meek nod before following.
But, as he walked ahead of her, she barely stayed a sound of shock.
Whereas the front of his body was tattooed and perfectly smooth, the backside wasn’t. Along his flesh, the jagged scars zigzagged in different patterns with some being more deeply cut than others. And it wasn’t just one, she realized with dismay, for they extended from both shoulder blades on down to the rise of his hips. Dear goodness, she breathed inwardly, the scars were naked signs of pure violence. But, just at whose hand had he experienced them from, and what was the extent of the physical altercations?
She shivered inwardly at the very question.
Yet, the scars hardly limited his sex appeal.
He was still all man.
Then, her gaze dropped to hips.
And oh my, oh my, what an ass…
A laundry room came next.
As he swept by the washing machine, he unceremoniously dumped the soiled shirt inside before giving another curt. “Follow me.”
Pretty soon, they met a short hall, and within seconds, they’d entered the living area.
She barely suppressed a stunned ‘wow’.
The Chalet home was magnificent in every regard.
It held both a classic and modern feel.
A line of elegant flood lights were perfectly positioned and hang from the 16’ ceiling. The lights were dimmed low and cast a surreptitious glow inside the room. A stone hearth fireplace sat center stage while a pair of lion statues adorned both corners of it. The tiny flames jumped from the gas logs, and a cedar aroma scented the air. The wet bar was expensively cut from rich mahogany and held scores of alcohol and necessary glassware components. Two plush wing chairs faced the fireplace while both were draped with a thick ivory throw. A huge leather sectional sofa was strategically placed not too far from them. Right before it, the mahogany stained coffee table was the perfect dressing. The flooring was a rich noble oak vinyl covering, and it clashed eloquently with the room’s mixture of dark and light palettes.
The outside view was astonishing.
All around the living space, the glass windows offered an unblemished view of the mountainsides. Every dangerous peak along with their shadowed woods offered a beholding sight. Pines, cedar trees, and such filled the woody abode, and the trees were all majestic in a sense. Their presence was that overpowering, and acres upon acres, they graced the mountains.
Outside, the storm had returned with serious vigor.
Yet, the tumultuous elements hardly tampered with the outside beauty.
When he halted alongside the huge sectional, she stopped behind him. She was somewhat prepared as he whirled around and faced her. Mentally, she braced herself for her own untimely feminine reaction. Yet, it was no to avail, she realized, feeling her heartbeat speed up.
“Have a seat. Make yourself at home,” he quipped tightly and gestured towards the sofa. Just why it seemed that his mood had shifted, she couldn’t pinpoint it. But, a different tension gripped his handsome features. “I’m going to go upstairs and find you something to wear. I’ll be right back.”
“Okay.”
Barely sparing her a glance, he exited the room.
With reluctance, she sank down on the sectional sofa.
Naturally, under any other circumstances, she’d be more presentable than she was now, she frowned, glancing down, and then winced at the sight of her dirtied clothing. Now wonder he’d threatened her about his car earlier. She was past filthy! A complete and utter disaster in every sense of the word!
Within moments, he returned with an oversized sports jersey. “Here. This should fit. It should be suitable for tonight.” He handed her the shirt. “Your clothes will be clean and dry by tomorrow morning.” Sighing, he planted both hands on his hips. “Don’t know about you, but I’m ready to call it a day.”
“Me too.” She glanced at the sofa. “I’ll sleep here on the couch---”
“The hell you will. You can take one of the guest rooms upstairs.”
“No, you’ve done enough. I can’t put you out any more than I have---”
“You’re not putting me out.” He paused with another sigh. “Are you going to fight me on this? Unlike you, I’m not in the mood for a verbal match.”
She took in his exhausted features.
Wasn’t she tired as well?
“Alright, I’ll sleep upstairs.”
“Good. Now follow me.”
They treaded up the stairwell in silence.
The lights were dimmed, and she couldn’t make out that much. Once they reached the landing, they went right and bypassed the first bedroom. There were at least 4 bedrooms on the level. When they neared the end of the hallway, he stopped at the last one on the left and then opened the door. As he stepped inside, she had no choice but to go in. He flicked on the lights, and the room was immediately flooded with intense brightness.
She blinked at the visual intrusion.
Seeing her discomfort, he dimmed them quick, and partially left them bathed in shadows. “Sorry about that.” Then, looking away from her, he pointed towards a different area. “The bathroom’s there if you want to shower. Towels and toiletry items are already there and stocked. Just toss the dirty clothes out in the hallway, and we’ll get them cleaned for you.” He turned towards the queen-sized bed. “Do you need extra pillows or covering?”
“No,” she said softly. “Everything looks fine.”
He faced her again. “Need anything else before I go?”
She tried not to stare.
But, how could she not?
The man was a living, walking, and talking sex hunk!
Instead of voicing that, she murmured. “I’m fine. Thank you.”
Their gazes stayed locked.
A silent war raged between them.
Her heartbeat thudded out of control.
His face showed every bit of his tension.
In quick flashes, weren’t they sharing recurring memories of what nearly happened between them earlier? They’d come close to going all the way---
She broke the tortured thought off and gave a strained smile. “Well, I suppose that this is goodnight.”
He gave a curt nod. “Goodnight.”
She clutched the shirt against her body like it was a life line, and she watched as he strode across the room. Yet, it wasn’t until he was gone that she breathed again. But, a short while later, when she lay in the bed alone, she realized one truth.
What would be the protection against her selfish desires?
***
The pelting rain awakened her from slumber.
She whimpered softly before snuggling closer to the pillows. Then, her eyes flew wide open in surprise. Where was she? Momentarily confused, she stared around the elegant bedroom. In a flash, last night’s memories came flooding back. She’d danced at the club, run into a storm, had a flat, was rescued from the flood….
She came straight up in the bed. “I’m at Titan Jameson’s lair.”
A clock on the night stand said that it was exactly 11:00 am.
“Goodness,” she breathed out loud. “I never sleep this late.”
She shoved the covers off.
As soon as her feet touched the floor, she meandered to the window.
She drew the curtains back and admitted day.
Like the day before, it was a cool and rainy one.
Oh, the throes of an early fall…
The clouds were overcast.
A steady misting rain fell from the clouded skies.
Even so, the place was achingly beautiful.
; The trees were monstrous in size along the mountains. It was if they created a secret abode that finally evolved into a mystical and breathtaking wonderland. The Chalet home, naturally, was the centerpiece that offered timeless beauty.
She sighed in discontent. “Why couldn’t I be at a beautiful place like this under different circumstances? I guess that we just can’t have good things, can we?” Turning away from the window, she returned to the bed and sank down. “Now what? Of course, I can’t do anything until I’m properly dress----”
Her words ended in stunned surprise.
Beside the bed, in a neat pile, her clothes were stacked on a chair.
At some point and time, he’d been in the room.
A warm blush stained her face.
Rather than awakening her, he’d come in quietly and left her clothes. Hopefully, she hadn’t been in an awful state. Certainly, she was a rough sleeper, she mulled, dragging the sports shirt over her head. All in all, hopefully, she hadn’t been drooling all over herself, or worse, snoring. Then, standing, she meandered to the chair before snatching up the clothes. Within seconds, she’d dressed and twisted her hair into a ponytail. As she headed towards the door, she saw something else.
A note was carefully pinned to the bedroom door.
Gone out for awhile. Make yourself at home. There are cold cuts in the fridge, and hell, beer if you’re in the mood. Don’t know what time I’ll return. Just hang tight.
Titan
“Hang tight?” she scoffed, fighting back her disappointment. “What am I supposed to do all alone and cooped up?” A quick thought bloomed, and her frown was replaced with a confident smile. “This couldn’t be more perfect.”
She skipped down the stairs.
Once reaching the bottom, she stopped. “Which way first?”
Frowning and thinking at the same time, she took the fastest route.
The jaunt down the hallway showed the other rooms.
A sitting room with a bay window…
A well-stocked library and a cozy couch…
A massive-size dining area sitting off from the kitchen…
A music room with a grand piano…
Rise of the Titan Page 10
