Surrender Her Touch

by Kari Thomas

  On the way to Reed’s house, he called him on his cell. He wanted to make sure the man was at the station and wouldn’t be home when he confronted Summer. Reed’s secretary told him he was in the neighboring county following up on a lead.

  He got out of his Hummer, took a minute to make a sweep around the perimeters of the house to be sure nothing was lurking, and then pounded on the front door. The moment she opened the door his libido went into overdrive. He became instantly hard and aching. Blood rushed to his groin. He closed his hands into tight fists to keep from reaching out and pulling her straight into his arms.

  “Hey, sweetheart. Imagine finding you home.” He put enough silky threat into his tone to make sure she knew he wasn’t happy she’d disappeared on him. It worked. A rosy blush stained her cheeks, but her violet eyes gleamed angrily. He forced himself not to grin. He loved it when she blushed but became angry enough to fight back.

  “Finish taking care of your situation?” She held the door only partially open. He subtly pushed his booted foot into the space. He folded his arms and gave her his best stern glare.

  “You are my ‘situation’, Summer. What the hell were you thinking leaving without me or Aleta protecting you?”

  “I was thinking I was tired of being watched like a baby and tired of your attitude.” She glared back. “I’m a grown woman and I can take care of myself. I don’t need you.”

  I sure as hell need you. Gods help him, but it was true. He held back a groan. He couldn’t let that happen, no matter how bad he wanted her. She was like a fire burning steadily in him, and his dragon loved every burn. The consequences of letting that burn out of control would be more than disastrous for them both. He pushed back the thought and responded, “It’s not your decision, baby. Now, can I come in, or do I just drag you out?”

  She gasped, anger flashing in her eyes. “Try it.” She made to slam the door but his foot stopped her. He pushed against the door frame and sent her stumbling backward. He stalked in, following her.

  And was met by Leo.

  Slade stopped immediately. “Damn it, Summer. Call off this cat. Now.”

  “He doesn’t listen to me when he’s angry. Sorry.”

  * * * *

  Slade sent her a scorching look of promised retribution. Summer smiled sweetly and he growled at her. Not so easy to be macho when you’re facing an angry mountain lion, is it?

  She had hoped he wouldn’t show up, that he’d be angry enough to send Aleta to watch over her, but she’d been prepared just in case. Or so she thought. Her body betrayed her, coming to sudden pulse-pounding life the moment she’d opened the door and saw him standing there. A hot flush caressed over her skin, from head to toe. Her womanly center burned and pulsed with a ferocious ache that shocked her. Why did he have this affect on her?

  Just as she was straining for control over her traitorous body, Slade shocked her.

  “Come on, sweetheart,” he said softly, his voice deep and husky. “Let’s not fight. I came over just to ask you if you’d like to take a ride in the country. I thought it would give you a break from feeling like a prisoner.” He grinned at her, his smile so sexy she wanted to melt into a puddle at his feet. “How about it?”

  A ride in the country? With him? Alone, just the two of them in close proximity? Her body said a huge yes!, but her mind said Don’t be stupid. You’re already so attracted to him you can’t stop thinking about him.

  Slade made a crossing motion across his heart. His silky tone was pure honey with coaxing, “I promise to be on my best behavior. Come on, baby. You know it sounds like a great idea. Just think. You can relax and forget about all this mess, for awhile.”

  She wasn’t sure she wanted to trust this different side of Slade. Up until now, he’d only shown her his I’m-in-control-don’t-argue-with-me attitude, but she had to admit she liked it. This softer side was just as sexy as his hard persona. Darn. I have it bad.

  “Only for a short ride,” she finally told him, knowing she was making a mistake as the words came out of her mouth. “Reed is bringing home guests for dinner tonight.”

  I’m crazy to agree to this. But…

  Slade smiled and then glared as he glanced down at a visibly very angry Leo. The cat was growling so rough; Summer knew he was about to attack. She put her hand on the cat’s head and rubbed his ears. “Calm down, little baby. You know he won’t hurt me.” Well, maybe not physically, but she wasn’t so sure on the emotional part.

  She had to finally take Leo to the living room and make him stay. It wasn’t easy. Slade had to leave first, and Leo kept trying to rush her to the door. Frustrated, she scolded him and then bribed him with a large slab of beef.

  Slade was waiting for her by the Hummer. He opened the door and then grasped her by the waist and lifted her up to the seat. Her skin burned where he’d touched her. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea after all. One look, one touch from him, and I’m ready to burst into flames.

  They were silent as they drove back toward town. Slade turned on the stereo and soft music played. He kept glancing at her as he drove, and she forced herself not to squirm under the heated looks. Finally, she couldn’t stand the silence a moment longer.

  “Your penthouse is lovely. Aleta said you only use it when you have to stay in town. Where do you live?”

  “In the country, on the opposite side of town.”

  Okay. That was straight. “Does…um…Aleta live with you?” Now, why did I ask that? Sounding jealous any?

  Apparently he thought so too. He gave her one of his sexy grins. “Yeah.”

  Shut your mouth before you reveal any more of that jealous streak, she mentally warned. But it didn’t work. “Hasn’t she ever wanted to live on her own?”

  “Probably,” he answered and then chuckled. “But I’m not about to let her. She’s a regular menace on her own. Trouble follows that little bird wherever she goes, and she loves it, but I don’t like the complaints or having to get her out of the scraps she gets into.”

  She’d heard him mention that nickname before. Sometimes he said the oddest things. “Why do you call her little bird?”

  “It’s the meaning of her name, or more accurately it’s little winged one. I gave it to her when she was born. She was so tiny–premature I suspect–and Aleta just seem to fit because she reminded me of a baby bird.”

  The answer seemed honest enough but for some odd reason she suspected there was more to the story. She couldn’t stop the question; it came out before she could think clearly. “Is she your daughter?”

  Slade sent her a disgruntled glare. “Just how old do you think I am?”

  She grinned. “Fifty?”

  He growled. “I’ll get you for that one. And no, I’m not.” He stared ahead for a while, and she thought he wasn’t going to tell her anymore. Finally he cleared his throat and glanced back at her again. The usual heat was still there, but there was also something else in his eyes. Something strange. “I was sixteen when I found her mother in the woods. She was alone and in labor. I don’t know how she got there or who she was because she died giving birth. I took Aleta home. Since I was on my own too, I didn’t think twice about trying to raise her. I became her guardian.”

  “Why were you alone at sixteen?” It must have been incredibly hard trying to survive on his own and raise a baby. Didn’t he have relatives?

  Slade shrugged. “Long story. Better left to tell another day.”

  He slowed the vehicle down and turned off onto a mountainous road that continued to curve in a low-grade uphill climb. Thick forestry edged close to the road on both sides. The mountain air was crisp and clean, and Summer took in a deep inhale.

  “It’s beautiful here. I can see why you would love living in this area.”

  Slade nodded. “I love the freedom the country gives you.”

  Another side of him she realized she liked very much. If she’d had her choice, she would have lived farther from the city too. The country reminded her of her island home
and made her feel safer.

  They were still traveling. Just how far into the country did he live? “Do you have a cabin up here?” For some reason she was suddenly feeling nervous, and she didn’t like it.

  Slade didn’t answer right away. That didn’t help calm the invisible butterflies in her stomach. He finally slowed the vehicle down and turned off the main road. In front of them loomed fifteen-foot high, iron gates. Summer gasped, her stomach doing a somersault.

  “Is this the Compound that people talk about?” Please say no.

  She’d never heard anything bad about it, but the rumors were always filled with stories of mystery. In fact, no one she knew had ever been inside. The only thing the people of Kings Mountain knew was it was a very private estate where less than a hundred people lived.

  “Slade, why are we here?”

  The huge metal gates swung open and Slade drove through. Yards inside, stood a brick, two-story building. Slade drove past it.

  Summer was beginning to panic. “If you don’t answer me, I’m getting out of this vehicle right now.”

  “Sorry, sweetheart.” His smile was grim. “My doors stay locked unless I release them. This Hummer was specially designed by the department for hauling prisoners if the need ever arose.”

  “Is that what I am?” She cringed hearing her voice crack. “Suddenly a prisoner?” She clenched her hands into tight fists. “You’d better start talking. I want answers. You tricked me, didn’t you? When Reed finds out, he’ll fire your butt right out of the department.”

  “I’ll handle that when the time comes,” Slade muttered. He finally looked at her. “But, for now, just trust me. You know I would never hurt you, Summer.”

  Did she? Yes. Deep inside, she knew he would protect her from any harm. But why was he doing this now? “Then tell me why you brought me here.”

  “I want you to meet someone.”

  “Not a good enough answer.” She determinedly pushed down the steadily rising trepidation. “Who? And why?”

  “Aleta mentioned she told you about our relatives being ill.”

  “Yes.” Oh no. Please tell me he doesn’t want me to…

  Of course Aleta would have told him about her strange recovery after the fight with that monster. She had hoped the woman hadn’t noticed, but now knew it had been a wasted effort.

  Slade drove into a paved driveway surrounded by six houses all facing each other. He parked the Hummer in front of the largest home. He turned off the ignition and turned in his seat to face her. Summer moved back against her door frame when she saw the look in his eyes.

  His amber-gold eyes gleamed like fire. His handsome face was set in a hard, determined look and his lips a thin slash, as though he was trying hard not to say something.

  When he finally spoke, his voice was low and husky. It sent shivers down her spine. “I know you have some kind of healing power, honey. Aleta told me about the incident. I only want you to meet them and see if there is something you can do to help heal them.”

  “Them?” She was starting to shake. This couldn’t be happening. No one had ever discovered her secret, and now she was being asked to use it. To expose herself.

  “There are two men. Very important to us,” Slade explained. “They have been seriously ill for days now.”

  “Why haven’t you taken them to see a doctor?” Stall, ask questions.

  Slade’s features darkened for a moment, making her tremble with the strange look. “They both suffer with agoraphobia. They won’t leave the safety of their home.”

  It wasn’t the truth. She could see it in his eyes. Something wasn’t right here, and she was starting to feel the panic rising faster than she could push it back.

  “I can’t help them,” she told him. “I don’t know what Aleta told you, but it’s not true.” She gave him her best defiant glare. “I’d like to go home now. Take me back, Slade. Now.” She wanted to be safe again, at home with Leo and with her secret still unknown by anyone. How could this have happened? She’d been so careful over the years.

  Slade stared at her for long tense moments. She couldn’t decipher the look in his eyes, but she felt her fear rise all the same. He finally exhaled sharply, a slight growl in his throat. Then he got out of the vehicle. Summer gasped. He wasn’t going to take her home! He was going to force her to try and help. Frantic, she looked around. There was no one else in sight. She could scream for help, but would anyone come?

  Slade pulled open her door with a rough yank. Before she could even scoot away from him he shoved one arm under her knees and the other arm around her shoulders. He picked her up and turned away to stomp up the walk to the house. Summer squirmed, kicking her feet in the air and beating against his chest. He carried her as though she weighed nothing and ignored her hard hits to his chest and shoulders.

  “Slade, put me down!” She purposely yelled right in his face. “This is ridiculous. You can’t force me to do something I can’t do in the first place.”

  The large double doors to the house opened as they approached. This can’t be good. They were waiting for us. What was she going to do? Was there any logical way out of this situation? She struggled harder, the panic starting to make her sick.

  Slade stomped into the entryway and stopped. He slowly lowered her to her feet but didn’t release his hold on her. Just for good measure she punched him in the chest. The look he speared her with was enough to make her bite back the angry words she was about to hit him with.

  “Summer,” He ran a hand over his face. “I want you to know that if there had been any other solution, I wouldn’t have involved you in this.”

  He stared down into her eyes. She stopped struggling and held her breath. She had the bad feeling his next words were about to change her life. In the worst way possible.

  “I had no choice, sweetheart, and neither do you.”

  “You took my choice from me.”

  “I would do it again if I had to. We need you, Summer. I won’t let you walk away from that obligation. No matter how much you end up hating me.”

  He took her arm and led her down the long hall. She didn’t fight him. She was too stunned by his words, especially the one that rang with horrifying clarity in her mind over and over: obligation.

  For the first time in twenty years she was truly, sickeningly, horrifyingly scared for her life.

  Chapter Sixteen

  She was so scared her stomach was threatening to heave. Calm down. Don’t panic. She kept the mantra going in her head, but it wasn’t helping any. Her entire body was shaking with the fear of what she was about to face. Thoughts were racing through her mind faster than she could sort them out; and none of them were comforting.

  Slade stopped in front of double doors. He exhaled a harsh groan and then glanced at her before pushing the doors open. He took her by the arm and ushered her inside. It was a huge, grand bedroom suite, ornately decorated with old-world charm and obvious wealth, but Summer didn’t give the room a second glance. Her gaze fell on the huge poster bed where a man was lying. She gasped. He looked dead already.

  Slade murmured at her to stay where she was, and he approached the bed. He bent his head to whisper into the man’s ear. Summer could almost make out the sound of an odd, foreign language. Her stomach did somersaults again. She didn’t like the way her mind was processing the situation. She wished it wasn’t true, but the fear building inside her wouldn’t let her have that comfort. Oh God, how can this be?

  Slade lifted his head and beckoned her to come over to the bed. Part fear and part anger kept her rooted where she stood. She shook her head, defiant despite the look he speared her with. Even if this was what she feared most of all, she wasn’t going to make it easy for them. She met Slade’s stormy gaze and lifted her chin higher.

  He approached her, gliding like a predator intent on catching his prey no matter what that prey did to escape, and she knew there was no escape. She was as much as prisoner here as though she was already his captive prey. H
e stopped less than a foot from her. His dark amber eyes were shimmering with gold fire. His expression was set in a look of contained fury.

  When he spoke, his tone rumbled out deep and growly. “You have no choice in this,” he stated.

  “I do,” she countered, anger spurring her on. “You can’t make me do anything I don’t want to. And besides that, I don’t have any magical healing powers like you think I do. This is ridiculous.”

  “Damn it, Summer! I don’t have the time or patience for this. Why are you refusing to help? Are you that callous, that cruel, that you would willingly refuse to help someone?” He glared at her, hot fury in his face and tone. “I was wrong about you, then.”

  She hated that look in his eyes. It caused a pain deep inside her soul, but she couldn’t let him see that. “Yes, you were wrong. I don’t have healing powers!”

  He pulled out his cellphone. His tone was low and deadly calm. “I have one of my men at your house right now. Leo is the only one home. If you don’t do this, then I will command my man to kill that damn cat. It will be instantaneous, Summer. He’ll never have the chance to defend himself.”

  She gasped, rage and fear making her knees threaten to buckle. “You wouldn’t! I refuse to believe you would be that cruel.”

  “Believe it.”

  No. He wouldn’t! She searched his eyes. He was dead serious. Her heart stuttered. She had been wrong about him, too. She couldn’t let Leo die. What would it hurt to try and help? Maybe she was only thinking the worse with this situation. Maybe it was something entirely different than what she feared most.

  She closed her eyes against the cruel look in his. Her heart ached. Finally, she opened them and slowly nodded her head. “I’ll never forgive you for that threat, Slade.”

  “I know.”

  She clearly heard the odd, defeated tone in his words. It struck at her heart harder than anything ever had. She exhaled, and tried to calm her nerves. “I don’t know what Aleta told you about that incident, but there really wasn’t much to what I did to help her. She wasn’t seriously hurt.” Stall, lie as much as possible. There was still a chance she could get out of here without full exposure. “I have a little bit of healing techniques that I can use. It’s nothing supernatural.”