by Cate Beauman
Sarah’s eyes flew open and stared into Ethan’s. He still held her close, his arm draped around her as she curled into him.
He smiled. “Welcome back.”
“Thanks.”
She tried to sit. “I need to get up.”
He held her in place. “Stay for a couple of minutes. You only slept for an hour.”
“That’s better than last night.” She hadn’t slept well since he held her like this at the resort.
Ethan skimmed his knuckles against her jaw. “You can’t keep this up, Sarah. You’re going to make yourself sick.”
“I can’t help it. I know Austin’s sleeping on the other side of the room, and Hunter’s just down the hall, but once the sun goes down, my imagination gets the better of me.” Her eyes darted to the window. “I feel like I’m being watched constantly, like he can see me, even though the curtains are closed.”
Ethan brushed her hair back from her cheek. “You have every right to be afraid, but we’re not going to let anything happen to you. That bastard can send you mail and leave flowers wherever the hell he wants, but he can’t get to you.” He tapped the tip of her nose. “Remember that when your imagination starts to take off.”
She smiled because she knew that’s what he needed. She’d known him too long to miss the anger brewing underneath the surface of his calm.
“I worry about you, about Austin and Hunter too. He scribbled over your faces with red marker. He wants to hurt you. Look what he did to that poor policeman.” She could still see the man’s swollen, disfigured face. “I called the hospital to find out how he is, but they won’t say anything.”
“My friend on the force said he’s been downgraded from critical care to serious condition. He’s going to need a couple of surgeries and some rehabilitation, but they expect him to make a full recovery.”
“Well, thank God for that. I feel responsible for his injuries.”
Ethan sat up, pulling her along with him. “You’re absolutely not. There’s only one person who is, and they’re going to catch him, Sarah.”
She fiddled with the edge of the covers, still edgy with nerves. “What am I going to do in the meantime? I need to do something besides worry, or I think I might go crazy.”
“Get back to work. Call Lisa and tell her you’re ready. I’ll be covering you and Kylee for the next two weeks while Austin’s busy and Morgan and Hunter are gone. We can get your stuff from the office and set it up at my house.”
Her gaze flew to his. “We’re not going back to my house?”
He shook his head. “The security’s better on my property. I set your home up to deal with burglars and typical, everyday threats. This situation goes way beyond that.”
Restless, Sarah moved to stand, but stopped when she remembered. She glanced down at the floor, bracing herself, expecting to see dried rose petals, pictures, and newsprint scrawled with red marker. “They’re gone.”
“Hunter came to check on you awhile ago. He took everything away. The police stopped by and picked it up.”
Sarah thought of Kylee’s photo, of her sweet, innocent face marred by evil. “I’m scared for Kylee, Ethan. I’m so scared for her.” It was time to ask the question she’d been avoiding. “Should I send her away with my parents until this is settled?” It broke her heart to think of being so far from Kylee, but her safety came first.
Ethan blew out a long breath, took her hand. “As much as I want to say no, I have to say yes. The person doing this is escalating. He’s becoming more erratic, more dangerous.”
There was an edge to Ethan’s voice; he was hiding something. “What else?”
“Let’s leave it at that.”
“Just tell me. I can handle it. What choice do I have?” She walked over to the window, pulled the curtain back, letting the sunshine in, and immediately stepped away, feeling like eyes were on her. She covered her face with her hands, determined not to let fear and frustration break her again.
The bed gave a slight squeak as Ethan stood. His arms came around her, holding her in a hug. “Sarah, I don’t want you worrying about all the details. We have this under control.”
She pushed away, temper straining. “Don’t you get it, Ethan? I have no control—over anything. I’m a mess right now. I recognize that, but I also have to know what’s going on in my own life. At this point I don’t hold any of the cards. You, Hunter, Austin, and that lunatic have them all. I can’t live like this.” She paced away.
“I’m just trying to protect you.”
Sarah stopped, closing her eyes with a weary sigh. “I know you are.” She walked to Ethan, touched her fingers to his shoulder, giving him a small smile. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t apologize. I know this is hard.”
Understanding filled his voice, his eyes, and her heart melted. He was everything she needed. Sarah brushed his cheek as she closed the distance, pressing her lips to his. His mouth instantly heated against hers and she deepened the kiss. She ran her palms down his muscled chest, back up and wrapped her arms around his neck.
He grabbed her wrists in a vise grip, pushing her away. “Friends, Sarah. Remember?”
She nodded and looked down, struggling with hurt. “Right.”
He turned away as a quiet tap sounded at the door.
“Come in,” Sarah said, welcoming the distraction.
Hailey stuck her head in the room. “Am I interrupting?”
Sarah smiled. “No. In fact, I need to talk to you. Give me ten minutes?”
“Sure.” Hailey closed the door again.
Sarah picked up her cell phone from the side table, too embarrassed to look at Ethan. “I need to call my parents and find out if they’re willing to take Kylee to Europe—Hailey too, if she’s willing to go.”
“I think that’s a good idea. I’ll inform Jackson Matthews that he’s going to accompany them, just as a precaution.”
“What about Austin?”
“He has to stay here. He’s been in charge of the details for the World Conference security. Matthews is good. He used to be a cop.”
“Okay.”
CHAPTER 13
AS ETHAN DROVE NORTH ON the 405, he slid Sarah a glance under his sunglasses. She hadn’t said a word since they’d dropped Kylee, Hailey, and her parents off at the airport. He’d watched her struggle to hold back tears when Kylee waved, smiling in Hailey’s arms, as they went through security. She’d waved back until they disappeared into the busy Saturday crowd.
“Your stuff should be at my house by now.”
“Hmm?” She looked away from the window.
“Your office equipment will be all set up when we get home.”
A smile ghosted her mouth. “That’s good.”
Ethan took his hand from the steering wheel and snagged hers. “It’s only two weeks, Sarah. She’s going to have a blast.”
Lips quivering, she sniffled as her eyes filled. “I know.” She shook her head. “I’m sorry. I’m going to miss her so much. I already do. Two weeks will feel like forever. I only lasted one night at the resort.”
“Yeah, but you would’ve lasted two if I hadn’t been an asshole. You were having fun.”
“Ethan, stop.” She squeezed his hand. “Water under the bridge, remember?”
He could still see the way she’d looked at him at the tiki bar, eyes full of shock and hurt. It continued to bother him. “Right. Are you still up for going to my parents’ party tonight?” He wasn’t. He was never up for spending an evening in the company of his mother and father.
“Of course. It’s been forever since I’ve seen Wren. I can’t wait.”
The one highlight of the evening—his baby sister. Barely a year separated them, but she would always be his baby sister. He imagined she was dreading this evening’s event as well, but they were both expected to be there.
Nobody put on a show like Grant and Rene Cooke, the dedicated chief of staff and L.A.’s top plastic surgeon. They’d been dedicated to everyone but their c
hildren. Patients, boardroom meetings, and marital indiscretions had always taken priority for the lovely Mr. and Mrs. Cooke. He and Wren had grown up in the care of nannies and governesses, barely registering a blip on their parents’ radar.
If the parties weren’t good for drumming up business—for himself and his sister’s interior design firm—Ethan would’ve told them to go fuck themselves a long time ago.
“I know she’s looking forward to seeing you too.” He stopped at the wrought iron security gate in front of his house, punched in the code he’d selected for the week. When the gate slid back, receding into the twelve-foot brick wall surrounding his property, he drove through. He watched in his rearview mirror until the gate locked closed before he continued down the long drive through the heavy tree cover concealing the front of his house.
Pulling around the circle, Ethan stopped in front of the rambling glass, brick and wood structure he called home. When Ethan Cooke Security had gone international, he’d decided to celebrate by purchasing a home.
He and Sarah had scoured the Palisades for two weeks before they found it. When Jake and Hunter had returned from a month-long mission, they’d had a huge housewarming party in an empty five-bedroom, six-bath house. Four and a half years later, the house was anything but empty. Wren had had her way with the place, accenting his home in various shades of tan, cream and blue. The casual, masculine undertones fit him perfectly.
As he opened the door, Bear and Reece met him and Sarah in the entryway, tails wagging. Ethan gave them both an enthusiastic rubdown. “Hey there, fellas.”
The enormous bullmastiffs rubbed up against Sarah next, almost knocking her down with their excitement. Ethan gave a lightning fast hand command and the dogs sat like perfect gentlemen.
Laughing, Sarah bent close for kisses. “How are my babies? Have you been good boys?” Her hands moved over saggy jowls as she spoke. “Have you snacked on any bad guys lately?”
“No, they’ve had the month off. We’ll use them at the conference, though.” Ethan loved watching her with his dogs. Most criminals wept with fear when Bear and Reece came running, but Sarah adored them. The feeling was mutual.
“Okay, men.” He snapped and pointed to the living room. Both dogs immediately went on their merry way.
“Hey, I wasn’t finished playing with them.”
“There’s plenty of time for that. I want to show you where I’ve set you up.”
They wandered through the huge living room, down a long hall, stopped at the room across from Ethan’s office. “I thought you’d be comfortable in here.” He’d transformed the sitting area into a relaxing office space. He would be able to see her from his desk. For protection purposes, it was ideal; for his sanity, probably not. It would be hard to have her so close and not be able to touch her.
Sarah smiled. “Ethan, this is absolutely perfect. Thank you.”
“No problem.”
He took her hand, pulled her from the makeshift office and up the curved staircase to the bedrooms. He’d struggled with which room to give her. He’d wanted her in his, but that wasn’t an option. He opted for the room next door instead. The balcony overlooking the Pacific connected his room and hers.
“I can’t believe I’ll be waking up to this view every morning.” She pulled the massive glass doors fitted with security-grade glass open, stepped outside. The ocean breeze played with her hair, molded her navy blue v-neck against her breasts. “I know I say this every time, but it’s absolutely sensational. My camera and I will be very busy out here.”
“It’s yours to enjoy.” He couldn’t count the number of times he’d imagined her right here over the past six months.
She walked up to him, smiling and gave him a long hug. “Thank you so much. I think I might actually get some sleep tonight.” She pulled away, put her hands on the railing. He’d seen the sorrow in her eyes before she turned.
He boxed her against the polished wood, placed his hands next to hers on the rail, rested his chin on her head. Golden whips of hair flew up, tickling his cheeks. “What is it?”
“I keep thinking of Kylee. Do you think she’s bored? It’s such a long flight to London.”
“I think she’s charmed the flight attendants already and is enjoying one of the several hundred movies or books you packed for her. She should be set for at least a year.”
Sarah moved her chin up, met his gaze, smiled. “You’re such an exaggerator.”
Wanting to keep the light in her eyes, Ethan grinned and nuzzled her neck. “Am not.” His hand snaked up, grabbed her halfway up the ribcage—a secret ticklish spot he knew she had.
Sarah screeched out a surprised laugh as she turned and tried to shove him away. One handed, Ethan grabbed her by the wrists, pulled her arms high over her head. His free hand made a threatening motion to go back to the forbidden spot.
Still laughing, she dodged his hand the best she could. “Ethan, don’t you dare! This isn’t fair. You’re stronger than me!”
Enjoying himself thoroughly, his grin turned devilish. “I know.”
The tinkle of dog tags on collars joined the laughter on the balcony. Ethan turned to Bear and Reece, tongues hanging, tails wagging. “I’ve got her, boys. Now, what should I do with her?”
He turned in time to see perfect white teeth aiming for his shoulder. “Hey, that’s dirty.”
Flushed, eyes glowing with fun, Sarah grinned and wiggled her brows. “I know.”
Brow raised, he smiled. “Truce?”
She nodded. “Absolutely.”
He let her wrists go, weary of the mischievous light in her eyes as he backed his way to the door. When she stood leaning and relaxed against the rail, he turned. “We should probably get ready to—”
Sarah let out a loud whoop as she ran toward him. He staggered forward when the weight of her body landed on his back before he found his balance. “Jesus, Sarah.”
She wrapped her legs around his waist. “Didn’t they teach you to never turn your back on an opponent at your fancy bodyguard school?” She stuck her hand in his armpit and he let out a yelp of laughter.
“Knock it off, Sarah. I thought we made a truce.”
“I crossed my fingers. Karma’s a bitch, Cooke.”
He wandered into her room, stopped at the bed and turned. Falling backwards like a toppling tree, he smushed her into the California King.
“Get up,” she said, laughing, shoving at his back. “You’re smothering me.”
He flipped his body so that he lay intimately between her legs. “Karma’s a bitch, Johnson.”
“Okay, truce, truce.” She wiggled her hands in front of his face. “See, no crossed fingers.”
“I accept.”
Her body molded perfectly to his. Her breasts rose and fell against his chest and the playful light left her eyes as they looked into his. Hesitantly, her fingers moved to play with the hair at his neck, sending shockwaves down his spine.
Aching with want, his hand clutched the navy blue spread. He reminded himself they could only be friends and freed himself of her before he made another mistake. “We should get ready to go to my parents’.”
Still lying where he’d left her, Sarah stared at him for several seconds before she got up, went into the bathroom and closed the door.
The lights blazed bright at the Cooke estate. Three hundred rich bastards milled in and around the grounds, wasting precious oxygen as far as Zeke was concerned. Several of the asshole guests graced his TV screen when he chose to watch it, but he wasn’t impressed.
As he stood in the back corner of the ballroom dressed in the fucking penguin suit he’d stolen from the idiot he’d taken care of three miles down the road, he fantasized about what he’d like to do to several of the ‘ladies’ flaunting their stuff. When their titties hung out of skin tight dresses, they were always surprised when they got what they deserved, what they asked for. Sluts, every one of them.
Speaking of, where in the hell was his slut? She was supposed to b
e here. He gritted out a smile when a man came to take a flute of champagne from his tray. He glanced up and, like magic, she appeared through the door across the room. The short, powder blue dress she wore hung on her body by two thin spaghetti straps, stopping mid-thigh. The front dipped low, showing off a hint of cleavage. Strappy, ice-pick heels put her at eye level with the fucking hotshot bodyguard who was never far away.
Zeke’s eyes narrowed to slits when the dick in the charcoal gray suit placed his hand on the small of her naked back and spoke close to her ear. His blood boiled as the smile on her face spread to a grin. Her shiny hair, loose and curling, brushed his cheek when she turned her head to say something back. Her ‘bodyguard’ smiled into her eyes. Zeke would bet his life they were fucking. They were going to pay. Sarah belonged to him.
He moved from the corner of the room, made his way forward, his gaze never leaving his whore bitch. Giddy that he’d fooled them all, he stood next to her, breathing in her summer garden scent. All he had to do was extend his hand and he could touch her—all that soft, smooth skin. He bunched his hand into a fist at his side, afraid he’d do it.
“Champagne?”
The asshole moved forward, took two flutes. “Thanks.” He turned, gave one to Sarah, put his hand on the small of her back again, and they walked off.
Oh, he couldn’t wait to deal with Master Ethan Cooke. The remaining glasses on his tray moved ever so slightly as he trembled with rage. Perhaps tonight was finally going to be the night. Moving back to his corner, he watched and waited for just the right time.
Sarah smiled at Ethan as they moved together on the outside balcony, surrounded by the scent of flowers and other couples. “I know you weren’t super excited about coming here tonight, but you have to admit, it’s been pretty fun.”
His brow rose. “It’s been bearable.”
“Stop with all the enthusiasm, Ethan. I can hardly take it.”
He grinned.
“Now that’s a look I rarely see,” Wren Cooke said, sliding up next to Sarah. “My big brother’s actually smiling.”
