by Rhonda Lott
Brook asked the male bagger to help her to her truck, to be on the safe side. He gladly helped her out. When the bagger headed inside, the guy shifted around. He wore one of those masks where only the eyes and the mouth were cut out. Sheer terror took hold of her. Gleaming out the sockets of the ski mask, his eyes were the same dark blue as Kevin’s. His booted foot slushed in a snow puddle when he stepped from the sidewalk and came towards her. Brook’s body shook so badly the truck keys slipped out of her hand and hit the ground. She looked down at them in shock, then over to the approaching man. The wind blew across her damp face, bringing with it his scent, but his scent was off. It smelt like rotting meat.
Brook turned and took off across the street, legs pumping, feet sloshing in the melting snow. She didn’t dare glance back. He’d found her and was going to make her pay for leaving. He’d have to catch her first. She would run all the way back to the ranch if she had too.
Strong arms came out of nowhere and caught her up. She screamed and swung her fist and feet frantically at the person holding her off the ground.
“Brooklynn, what’s going on?”
Brook stopped struggling at the familiar female’s troubled voice. Tilting her head back, she looked into Sheriff Reynolds handsome face, his brows were furrowed and he wore a shocked expression.
“Carter, Raven, he’s chasing me. You got to protect me.” Brook shouted, pointing behind her.
Carter set her down on her feet. They both jerked their heads left and right. “Who’s chasing you?” Raven asked.
When Brook turned around Kevin was gone. “My ex-husband was at the grocery store, then he chased me down the street.”
Raven and Carter shared a look, one that said ‘this woman is nuts’. Brook straightened her shoulders. “I’m not crazy and I’m not seeing things if that’s what you’re thinking. He was there, all in black, ski mask over his face…” Brook closed her eyes, sucking in a lung full of cold air. “Yeah, that does sound crazy, and paranoid, but I swear he was following me.”
Carter grunted, “I’m going to take a look around you ladies wait here.”
Raven took hold of her hand and maneuvered them into the doorway of the coffee shop. Brook met Raven and Carter when they came for dinner a few weeks ago. Raven was a tiny blond and funny as could be. They hit it off instantly. Raven was the first person to tell her about Dean’s hero status in town, having killed a psychopath that was murdering people and saving her in the process. Raven had a special place in her heart for Dean.
“You think your ex-husband is after you? Raven asked, concern filled her green eyes.
“Yes, no, I’m not sure, but there was a guy in front of the store and when I came out he started after me. His size and his eyes, what I could see of them were the same as Kevin’s, my ex.”
“Dean told Carter about the window incident, if he did break the window six weeks ago, why wait around so long to bother you? I mean, unless he caught pneumonia, fucking around in a snow storm.” Raven said.
Brook laughed, her tension easing a bit. “I’m starting to feel foolish. Maybe I’m just paranoid after all. Kevin stalked me for so long it’s hard not to keep looking over my shoulder expecting him to jump me.”
“Damn, that sucks. Listen, if he shows up here, Carter and Dean will kick his sorry ass back to wherever he came from. You got people to stand up for you, and with you. We won’t let him hurt you again, pixy promise.” She snaked her arm around Brook’s waist, hugging her close.
Carter was the only person she allowed to call her pixy. Brook hugged Raven back, hoping the little woman was right. She had friends now, they were good people. Good people who had faced evil far worse than Kevin and won.
Carter returned, his brows pulled down low across his face. “I didn’t find anyone hanging around, but I did see your footprints and what appears to be male boot prints right behind yours step for step.”
“Shit, I knew it.” Brook gasped. It had to have been Kevin, who else would follow her.
Raven grabbed both of her hands. “Are you going to be ok?”
Brook shook her head, the sting of tears burring behind her eyes. She wasn’t going to be ok, because Kevin wasn’t going to stop chasing her. It didn’t matter how far she went. He was determined to cause her as much pain as possible.
“Listen, Brook. Raven can drive you home and I’ll take your truck.” Carter put up one hand when she started to protest. “I need to talk to Dean anyway.”
He led them out the coffee shop. Brook’s emotions were in shambles. Her anger at Kevin for being the ass that he was, her fear of him actually catching her and beating her again made her feel heavy inside. Crippling disappointment at having found the perfect place and now she would have to leave West Haven. Kevin worked for a pharmaceutical company as a sales rep. He had no problem taking a leave of absence from his job, since his family owned the company. Potentially giving him all the time in the world to pursue her. He was sneaky and violent. What if he turned that evil against the ones she cared about? She would have to leave Chris, another person leaving out of his life. Now that Chris’ behavior was improving, how would he react to her leaving him? Her heart sank, she would have to leave Dean, the grumpy rancher who watched her with such longing when he thought she wasn’t aware. Her time in West Haven was running out. Her heart knew that it was Kevin that chased after her and leaving was her best option. She had to leave them both to protect them.
**
She crossed her arms over her chest and waited. What the hell did he want from her? Dean agreed to go to the bar tonight with Carter and Raven. Now he acted like somebody put a damn gun to his head. He wouldn’t even look at her.
“What’s wrong with you?” She asked, as he turned his back on her looking out the front window.
“You have to ask me that.” He threw over his shoulder. Evening was fast approaching, casting his profile in shadow and light. Beads of light danced across his deep brown hair and his neat beard. Damn, but he was a handsome man.
“Yeah, I’m asking, because you look pissed and I don’t like people being pissed at me for something I had no control over.” Brook leaned back on the arm of one of the matching sofas.
Dean faced her, frowning. “What are you talking about Brook? I’m not pissed at you. Have you forgotten you were chased by your crazy ass ex this afternoon? You’re not concerned at all?”
“Yes, I’m scared and angry. I like it here and now I have to go. I’m sorry about leaving you high and dry, but you guys don’t need my drama.” She said, waiting for him to agree.
“Don’t be ridiculous. You’ve been the best thing that’s happened to my boy. And I for one can’t picture you running forever from this guy.” He walked up to her, his eyes burning into hers. “Do you want to know why I’m angry?”
Brook absorbed the heat coming off him, so hot, she felt he could burn her if she touched him. “I want to know why, and you can also explain why for the last six weeks you’ve been avoiding me. You’ve said maybe ten words to me in that whole time. Basically you’ve been a huge dick. Explain all that, if you don’t mind.”
Dean chuckled, the deep rumble of it vibrated in her chest. How the hell did he do that?
“I’m pissed because I wasn’t there to protect you like I promised. I’ve been a dick, because every day of the past six weeks I’ve wanted to do this.” His arms brought her up into his chest, he tilted her head and slanted his lips against hers. His firm lips and hot tongue worked some kind of dark magic on her body. Brook practically shattered at the feel of his hard body pressed to hers. Cool and fresh, the taste of him was exquisite and left her wanting more. Brook hooked her arms around his strong neck, threaded her fingers in his hair and drank him in. Her cheek tingled from the soft bristles of his facial hair, as he deepened the kiss, pouring into it his deep longing, something fierce, she felt deep within her. A pulsing throb started in her lower regions and her nipples drew up tight. If kisses could be bottled, she’d stock the pantry
with his.
Brook didn’t realize they were moving, until her ass hit the sofa and Dean was coming down, hip to hip, chest to chest. He pulled her hair free, silvery gray eyes alight with desire stared down at her. A moan slipped from her lips at the heat of that one look. She placed her hand on his chest, his heartbeat pounded hard against her palm. Dean’s big body went hard beneath her hand. He brushed his fingers through her curls and smiled. That elusive smile of his, brought with it a kick to her heart and liquid heat to her midsection.
“How can you be so sexy? Why the hell can’t I get you off my mind?” Dean groaned.
His lips nipped and sucked at her neck as he pulled her shirt up. Dean’s breath warmed her chest, his hands slid her bra down, and his lips took a nipple. He pulled on her berry at the same time popping the button of her jeans. Brook choked back a shout when his fingers found her slickness and rubbed up and down her crease. Thick fingers teasing over and over her pussy lips, had shivers of pleasure spiraling and shaking her beyond words. Brook panted, squirming under him. Wanting more, feeling wild in her need. She jerked him close, needing more, anything he asked at that moment, she’d do willingly, as long as he kept his hand in her pants.
Dean toyed with her clit, kissing her and taking her moans of delight into him. Brook wanted to feel him the way he was feeling her, but Dean kept his body on her, pressing her to the sofa. She had to settle for sinking her nails in his back as he increased his pace, causing her to quake under him, strain into his pleasure giving digits with violent bucks of her hips. Wave after wave of pleasure hit her, she came hard, bucking into his hand, screaming into his mouth.
A loud knock on the front door, had them jerking apart. Dean jumped to his feet, he stared down at her. Brook knew she looked like the worst sort of slut, shirt hiked up to her neck, one breast hanging out, and her pants undone. She wanted to crawl under the sofa and stay there. But, when she did gaze up at Dean, he had a grin plastered on his face.
“That’s why I stayed away from you Brook. You’re too damn tempting.” He knelt down and helped her right herself. “That’s Tony, Chris is staying in the bunkhouse with them tonight while we go to the bar.”
Brook allowed him to pull her to her feet. “Did you just sexually harass me or did I sexually harass you?” She asked.
Dean laughed. “That wasn’t supposed to happen. I shouldn’t have lost control like that. I’m not ready for any type of relationship, sexual or otherwise.” He wore his serious face.
Brook left him at the door, then turned back. “You just gave me the best orgasm I’ve had in a very long time and you’re not asking me for anything in return. For me, that’s a win, win.” She walked into her bedroom, closing the door on Dean’s frowning face. Who the hell asked you for a relationship, Mr. Grouchy? She thought as she headed for the shower.
CHAPTER FIVE
Wiggling in her seat and humming to a pop song on the radio, Brook didn’t look upset about her brush with Kevin. Weird how he was bursting with anger and she pushed it aside, finding joy in the little things. Little things like that orgasm he’d given her. The interlude they shared was so hot, he couldn’t bring himself to think of anything else. Brook’s sexy moans and cries still rang in his ears. How easy would it have been to plunge into her heat? But, that would have been a huge mistake. He loved Natasha, it was too soon. He couldn’t do that to his wife, and yet, it felt so right, so damn right with Brook.
She had her hair down tonight, reminding him of this afternoon, when it was haloed around her face. His hands itched to run his fingers through those soft, fat curls again. A tiny black dress caressed her body, sexy and classy, just like the woman. Her high heels made her long legs look incredible. He knew she didn’t wear makeup, but she did have a shimmery gloss on her full lips. Sweet lips that were soft and tasted like the honeysuckle nectar they use to eat as kids. Dean shook his head, he had to stop thinking about her and keep his distance tonight or else he’d lose his control, again.
“Thanks for agreeing to come out with me.” Brook shot him a cautious glance.
“If I didn’t agree, you would have gone alone. After what happened today, I wasn’t about to let you do that.” Dean said. He consciously softened his voice. She’d been through enough this afternoon and he didn’t want to be an ass. Being an ass all the time was tiring.
“Carter may be right, don’t you think. Kevin couldn’t have come into town and no one be aware of a stranger lurking about. This place is so small, everyone would know about that in no time flat. Right?”
The simple fact that a man chased after her had his blood boiling. He should have been with her. From here on out she wasn’t going anywhere alone. He didn’t want to frighten her, he’d found footprints all around the outside of the house. Footprints that didn’t belong to any of them or his ranch hands. Brook wanted him to tell her that Kevin wasn’t there, but he couldn’t because Dean knew he might be.
“Sweetheart, listen.” Dean reached across the seat of his truck and took her hand. “Remember when we talked that first night and I told you that no matter what, I’m going to protect you. Nothing’s changed. We just have to be a little more vigilant. Ok?”
Brook was looking down at their hands. He jerked his back.
“What? My hands too rough from all the housework, or is it that you don’t like me at all, cause you act like I got a communicable disease or something.” She asked with a frown, stuffing her hands into her jacket pockets. “Or do you think I’m going to kiss you, run my hands all over you, then tell you to fuck off ‘I don’t do relationships of any kind.’” She lowered her voice an octave, mimicking him.
Dean jerked, opened his mouth, and then looked back at the road. What the hell could he say, he was giving her a shit load of mixed signals. No wonder she thought he was a huge dick.
“Well, what is it?”
“We're here.” He grumbled, pulling into the bar’s parking lot. Dean jumped out the truck as fast as he could. His boots crunched through the snow as he went to open the door for her. He’d dodged a bullet for now, but she deserved answers. How could he tell her how he felt for her when he was confused as hell about it? In so many ways she was the perfect woman for him. There was one major problem, she wasn’t Nat. She wasn’t his one true love.
**
A top ten ballad drifted through the sound system, people laughed and talked way too loud, there was an odor of old leather and perfume in the air. Brook didn’t know what to expect for The Pack Um in Bar and Grill, but what she saw brought a smile to her face. The small, homey bar was packed. It was a Friday night and couples chatted at the dozen or so tables scattered around. Two couples slow danced on the dance floor. The bar stools were occupied by men, who by the looks of them, spent a long week working hard and wanted to unwind with a brew and a hopefully a girl.
A beautiful, brown skinned woman behind the bar waved at Dean, he smiled and gave her a nod. Brook drew up, something hot cut through her chest. Was this woman someone special to him, what the fuck? He never smiled at her like that.
“That’s Gabriella, my wife’s sister.” He explained, taking hold of her arm as they walked pass the bar.
Brook shrugged. “Oh, I didn’t notice.”
“You didn’t huh? You went stiff as a board, I could feel the anger coming off you.”
Raven waved to them from a booth, her eyes alight with mischief. Oh no, what did the woman do now, Brook thought as they made their way over to Carter and Raven.
“Guess what a little birdie told me today?” She asked the group in general. Waited for a beat. “Today is someone’s birthday, and before you ask, it’s not me or Carter.”
Brook felt Dean’s head swivel in her direction.
“It’s your birthday? Why didn’t you say something?”
“I don’t know. I haven’t celebrated it in a long time.” She shrugged.
Dean leaned in and whispered. “Is it a religious thing?”
“No, it’s a Kevin thing. He d
idn’t allow it.” She whispered back.
Dean stiffened beside her. “I so want to meet that guy.”
“I so don’t want you to.” Brook winked. “That would be the very last thing I want.”
Dean simply grunted.
Gabriella came over to their table. Her smile bright and welcoming. “Evening folks.” She glanced over taking in Brook then she grinned at Dean. “And I’m ecstatic to see you here bro, with someone other than Carter. Introduce me to your friend.”
“This isn’t my friend, she’s my housekeeper. Stop being nosey Gabby and bring us a round of beers.” He grumbled.
Gabby’s grin slipped a little. “Still, as friendly as ever I see.” She stuck out her hand. “I’m Gabriella, owner of this fine establishment, and you are?”
“I’m Brooklynn, pleased to meet you.” Brook shook her hand. There was a kindness to this woman that she felt right away.
“Don’t let this one run you off, please. He needs someone.” Gabby held her eyes for an extended moment. “I’ll get those beers sent over in a jiff. Y’all have fun.”
He needs someone, the words rattled around in her head as Carter and Dean talked about Dean’s trip to sell one of his prized horses, and she and Raven made plans to meet the next day for lunch. She didn’t let the “She’s not my friend, she’s my housekeeper” statement bother her. Dean didn’t want to acknowledge her as his friend. Oh well, tough, because she knew deep down, he cared, at least a little. The atmosphere was casual and friendly. Carter and Raven were so much in love, it gave her hope watching them together. Being around great people made her feel normal again. She didn’t have to watch every word she said or keep her head down to avoid eye contact with anyone. Those were the rules whenever Kevin took her out, which was hardly ever. Brook gazed from face to face at the table, joined in the conversation, and laughed at Raven’s colorful language. She had friends and new rules, Brook’s rules and that included doing what the hell she wanted.
