Dom said, “I was just inviting the Grant woman to stay for a while, that’s all. I meant them no harm.”
“Get the hell out of here, Patterson, and take her with you. Neither of you are welcome here.”
Nate moved over to Lauren’s side and ushered her out the door with a parting comment. “Some hospitality you offer.”
Once they were off away from the dorms, he tugged Lauren to a stop with his hand. “Are you all right?”
She nodded, tears in her eyes. “I just want to go. I don’t want to ever step foot in there again. This was wrong, so wrong.”
“Did you remember anything? Did anyone look familiar?”
“No. No memories, nothing, just a burning desire to get away before they hurt you.” She pulled on him and they resumed their path back to his truck.
Once they arrived, she headed for the passenger side of his vehicle, but she stopped suddenly and spun around. “Please don’t ever do that again.” A tear escaped down one cheek.
He cupped her face and whispered, “Lauren, I could have handled them. They were all drunk, unsteady on their feet. Doesn’t matter that there were more of them. They weren’t a challenge.”
“But I don’t want you hurt because of me. It didn’t help. I’ll have to find another way. But I will figure this out, no matter how long it takes me.” She grabbed his shirt and yanked him toward her, kissing him hard on the lips, devouring him with a passion that surprised him.
It also had him hard in an instant. She wouldn’t let go of him.
Nate glanced around. The area was devoid of any activity, but he still felt a little unsettled about where they were. “I’m getting you away from here first.”
Once they were off the campus, he said, “I want you more than I’ve ever wanted anyone, Lauren, but I don’t know what to do. I…I don’t want to push you too far.”
“Just find a hidden spot to park and kiss me.”
Surprised at her boldness, he stepped on the gas. “We aren’t that far from my house.” He headed home, grateful for all the green traffic lights. She kept caressing him with her hands—running her fingers up his arm to grip his bicep, or feeling his chest—in a seductive way that almost had him stopping in the middle of the street.
He finally pulled into his own driveway, shut the vehicle off, and turned to kiss her, ravaging her mouth, twining his tongue with hers until they were both breathless. He mumbled, “This isn’t going to work for me.” He climbed out and moved to the other side to open the car door. Though he’d planned to take her to his room, she pulled him up toward her. He joined her in the truck and lifted her onto his lap so she was straddling him. Her lips found his again and she leaned into him, pressing her breasts against him so firmly he could actually feel her nipples peak through the material of her shirt.
To his surprise, she took his hands and put them at her waist, lifting her shirt and guiding him inside. “Touch me, please.”
Nate didn’t wait for another invitation. After reaching around to unhook her bra, he scooped his hands under the thin material in the front so he could cup her breasts. He groaned as her soft skin filled his rough hands, and he did his best to be gentle, bringing his thumbs up to her nipples, rubbing the tips lightly until she moaned in the back of her throat, a sweet sound that went straight to his dick, making him even harder if that were possible.
“Lauren, you’re so beautiful.” Her breasts were perfect, just perfect. Not too big, but enough to fill his hands and a little more. He rained kisses down her neck, but she froze, so he stopped, bringing his gaze up to meet hers.
“Lauren, is something wrong?” The fear in her eyes made him drop his hands.
“Please stop. I’m sorry, but stop.” She struggled against him, but there was no place for her to go.
He stilled her hands and said, “Look at me, Lauren. This is Nate, I’m not going to hurt you. I won’t do anything you don’t want me to do, but let me help you readjust.”
Tears streamed down her face, and they were close enough to the garage light that he could see the fear vanish from her gaze, replaced by confusion. She peered at him and nodded.
“I’m going to reach behind you and hook your bra. Do you want to position it so it’s comfortable?”
She nodded, her eyes still darting back and forth, but she did as he suggested. She started to move off of him, and he said, “Could I please guide you? We’re kind of in tight quarters here, and I’m in a difficult position.” His erection, while it had started to shrink, was directly in the path of her knee.
She closed her eyes and mumbled, “Sorry. Show me which way is best.”
He managed, with quite a bit of squirming and maneuvering, to get her turned around on his lap so she faced the passenger door. She pushed on the door, but he didn’t want to end things this way.
He placed his lips against the side of her forehead and whispered, “Talk to me. Please? Was it something I did? I need to know so I won’t do it again.”
***
Lauren relaxed against him. This was Nate, not some attacker or a rapist.
Nate.
She sighed and gripped his arms as she fell back against his chest, resting her head on his shoulder. “Forgive me. I know you’d never hurt me. It’s just…”
“Take your time.”
His quiet strength and patience soothed her. She needed Nate in her life. Why had she struggled against the thought? “I can’t explain it. Something popped into my mind, and it brought up a memory of the attack at the library.”
“Something in particular that I did?”
“No.” She thought for a moment, trying to recall if there had been a definite trigger. “No, I was enjoying us…you…your touch. I…I felt things I haven’t felt in a long time. I’m sorry, Nate. I can’t explain how my mind works. I’m not sure what to say.”
“If you don’t feel up to driving, I can bring you home. Whatever you prefer.”
“Would my car be in your way if I leave it here?”
“No. I have to work tomorrow, but I can bring it back this weekend.”
“I’ll have Mallory bring me over to get it tomorrow. Thank you for going with me, for being my protector.” She sat up enough to kiss him lightly on the lips. “Why don’t you take me home?”
They traveled in silence, but when he pulled into her driveway, he said, “I do want to continue this with you. I hope I didn’t frighten you away for good. We can figure this out together. Call me Saturday or Sunday and let me know if there’s anything else I can help you with. In fact, I’d love to take you out to dinner Saturday night.”
She nodded, unable to say what was in her heart. Truth was, she wanted this relationship to work so badly that she hated herself for shutting down on him. It would wreak havoc on her heart if she lost her chance with him. And yet…she was so embarrassed, so angry at herself, she wasn’t sure she could face him again. “I’ll call you,” she said, not sure that she meant it.
He gave her a quick kiss, and she closed the door, waving at him.
***
Nate arrived at work Sunday morning just in time to hear the alarm go off. The dispatcher informed them that it was a car accident with a spill.
He grabbed his gear, silently grateful for a task to keep his mind off Lauren and the fact that she hadn’t called him to go out to dinner. He’d texted her once that morning, but she had begged off, saying she was tired. If she felt better later, she’d said, she’d call him back, but he hadn’t heard a thing. His mother would have likely told him it was his fault because it was the man’s job to invite someone out for a date, but Lauren was so fragile that he didn’t want to push her. He may have gone too far the other night.
That one thought niggled at him over and over again.
He climbed into the EMT vehicle, trying to assure himself that there were plenty of other available women if this thing with Lauren didn’t work out.
It didn’t help. He wanted Lauren. At first he’d thought his interest in
her might be tied up in his desire to protect her, but things had become very clear to him the other night. Lauren was special, and the way he felt about her was special, too.
As soon as Sam climbed in next to him, he put the vehicle in gear and stepped on the gas. Siren blaring, he focused on the road and listened as the dispatcher gave them more information.
“Female driver pinned in the vehicle. Car on its side with gas leaking. No other victims noted. ETA?”
Sam replied, “Three minutes.” He gave their vehicle number. “What kind of vehicle?”
“Chevy SUV is the only report.”
Sam let out a slow whistle and shot him a sidelong look. “Now don’t go wild on the scene just because the car is similar to Mom’s.”
“I’ll keep it under control, but we’ll get her out.” Adrenaline flooded him. Yes, he’d get her out if it killed him. Not only was it his job—it was the one thing he could do, again and again, to try and make up for the fact that he’d failed to save his own mother.
“We won’t have much time if there’s a leak. We’ll have to work quickly to avoid a fire.”
“I know, but we should have enough time to get her out. She’s probably unconscious, hit her head on the steering wheel or something. She could be awake by the time we arrive.”
“Airbag wouldn’t knock her unconscious.”
They arrived on the scene and noticed two other civilian vehicles pulled in close. One woman was frantically using her phone while a man was crouched at the door of the vehicle, apparently doing his best to extricate the trapped victim.
He made a silent gesture to Sam, requesting that he speak to the two witnesses. Nate couldn’t…he wouldn’t be able to register anything they had to say. His focus was on that car, so similar to their mother’s…
Visions of that day bounced in his head, resurfacing as he approached the vehicle with confidence he didn’t feel. The memories took him over…
She skidded on a rainy day and hit the side of a bridge. Their car had been mangled after hitting the bridge in several places before coming to rest in a nearby ditch. He was in the back seat because he’d injured his leg during baseball practice, and he couldn’t open his door or unlock his seat belt.
His mother—Lord, his dear mother—had hit her head on the driver door and blood was everywhere. She kept screaming for Nate to get out, to free himself and not worry about her, but he ignored her.
“Mom, I’ll get you out. Don’t worry.”
“Nate, the car could go up in flames. I smell gas. Get out. You have to get out. Your father couldn’t handle losing both of us. You have to be there for your brothers. Please just listen to me and get out.”
Her voice sounded weak and thready, and he renewed his struggle with his seat belt. Sirens could be heard in the distance, but they couldn’t get there fast enough to save his mother.
He finally freed himself and leaned over the back of the seat, only to freeze. His mother’s breathing had changed, and she panted like a dog. “Nate. I love you. Tell your brothers I love them. I’m so sorry. I tried…to stop…to turn the wheel…I couldn’t.” Every breath was a struggle for her.
“Mom, it’s all right. I’ll get you out.” But somehow he knew he wouldn’t. He was eighteen at the time, scrawny, no muscle definition. The steering wheel had her pinned, crushing her against the seat. He pushed and pushed, but it never budged, so he climbed out to try to wrench it free from the outside.
He yanked on her door until it came open. “Mom, I got it. Mom, I’ll get you free, you’ll see.” He grabbed her arm and tugged.
“Nate…” her eyes glazed over as she spoke to him. Her one free hand reached for him. Her eyes closed and he yelled at her. “Mom, no! Mom, stay awake. Stay with me.”
He pushed and shoved and tugged for all he was worth until a brawny set of arms lifted him and set him away from his mother.
Two firefighters struggled to pull her out, one yelling, “We need the jaws.”
But the second one shook his head, whispering to the first. “It’s not worth it. Her chest is crushed. Even if we got her out now, she’ll never make it.”
Nate watched the man feel her pulse in two different places before he shook his head at his partner. The second one turned toward him and said, “Sorry, kid. There’s nothing we can do.”
Nate had screamed and screamed and screamed, finally resting his head on top of hers until his father arrived and pulled him off.
That one moment had made him want to be the best possible firefighter and EMT, so he could help every victim possible. He’d sworn to never again allow his emotions to slow down his reaction time.
It was the only way.
Nate pinched himself, needing to reorient to the present moment. He desperately needed to save this victim because he’d failed to save his mother. Sam checked the outside of the ruined vehicle while he climbed up on the door since the car was on its side, driver door up. He glanced in at the woman and saw exactly what he’d expected. She was unconscious, a deflated airbag hanging down the front of her body. He reached for her hand and tugged on it, “Ma’am, wake up. Please, I need your help.”
Nothing.
“What do you see?” Sam shouted. “Can we get her out? There’s quite a bit of gas collecting behind the car.” The fire trucks had arrived and were beginning to deal with the spill. His captain arrived, assessed the situation, and barked out orders.
“Patterson? What do you need?”
“I think I can get her out if I cut the seat belt.” He opened the car door carefully as he braced himself across the twisted metal.
Sam found the right tool and handed it to him as he climbed up next to Nate, the car making a strange squealing sound beneath them.
Captain yelled, “I want five men on the other side of the car holding it up. I don’t want it toppling.”
Nate cut the belt and Sam reached for one shoulder to keep the driver from falling down. “Hold her, Sam. Don’t let her go.” He tossed the tool down and reached for her waist.
As soon as he touched the woman, her eyes flew open. “What, where, oh no…” Her eyes closed again.
“Stay with me, Ma’am. What’s your name?” He changed his position and reached down to wrest her legs out while Sam held her shoulders in place.
“Betty Worthington. Ow.” He felt a bump on her leg, probably a fracture.
“I’m sorry, but this might hurt a bit.”
“Just get me out. Please. I don’t want to die. I have grandchildren.”
Nate continued the conversation, knowing how important it was to keep her alert. “You do? How many? Tell me all about them.”
She spoke softly to him for a moment, telling him about her little granddaughter, and he finally managed to free her. At his request, she reached for his shoulder, and he lifted her slowly out of the car with an assist from Sam. “Thank you for saving me,” she said. “You firemen are not appreciated enough. Thank you so much. Ow…ignore me, just keep going.”
Moments later, they lowered her onto a gurney next to the car.
Her parting words were, “Bless you two boys. Bless you.”
Nate smiled and nodded to her, soaking in the look of gratitude in her eyes. “Doing our job, Ms. Worthington.”
Relief swelled through his body as she was carted away from them. Sam patted his shoulder and said, “Well done.”
“Nice job, Patterson,” the chief said, giving him a pointed look.
He’d connected with a survivor and he’d helped her. At that moment, he made a vow to himself. He wouldn’t step away from Lauren unless she truly wanted him gone.
Though he’d never admit it to anyone, he often felt his mother’s presence—her influence. She’d been with him today, no question, and her message had come across clearly: Lauren Grant needed him…and he needed Lauren Grant.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Lauren felt a bit guilty. She’d told Nate she would call him on Saturday, but Saturday had come and gone and she hadn�
��t reached out to him at all other than their short text exchange. Though her feelings for him were stronger than ever, she was confused and overwhelmed. She’d hoped everything would become clearer to her if she took some time for herself.
Clarity eluded her.
Nothing had come from their trip to the frat house.
Nothing.
Where did she go from here? She sat on her bed and pulled her chart out from its hiding place, spreading it out across the coverlet so she could study it. The answer was here, she was certain. Every attack and near attack that had been brought to her attention had been carefully documented. She had the intelligence to analyze it, but was she too emotionally connected to the problem?
Fingering the chart, she chewed on her lip. Maybe she needed someone else’s opinion. She understood how working with someone else could lead to a breakthrough. Was it time to share it with someone else?
Yes, she needed to, but with whom?
Ryan or Jake were obvious answers, but they would violate her confidentiality agreement with the victims. If word got out that she had gone to the police with the information, people would stop coming to her for help. She needed them to know she would never invade their privacy.
The other issue was that she’d lose control of the document, and she hadn’t copied all of the details over to the flash drive. The answer was here, she was certain of it. Yet no matter how long she stared at it, she couldn’t pull all the threads together.
She’d like to show it to Nate, despite the awkwardness of their missed date, but something told her he’d make her turn it over to Ryan. Again, not a possibility she was ready to entertain.
Caitlyn? No, she’d feel compelled to share it with her husband.
Mallory?
Her mother?
Her stepfather?
Everyone who came to mind she was certain would convince her to give the document to the police, which was not an option at this point. She rested her head on her arms, surprised at how sleepy she was since it was only mid-afternoon.
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