by Violet Paige
Except for a few of the closets and cabinets, the house had been cleared out. I had an eerie feeling maybe some of the things we found had been planted, rather than actually left behind. They were here as props or accessories.
After scouring the two small bedrooms, I found a stack of quilts in the closet that were clean and folded. I shook them out, and was surprised they smelled like fresh detergent. There were vanilla pillar candles. We had all the essentials we needed to get through the night.
The one thing we didn’t have was food.
“Any chance there’s a bottle of wine under the floorboards?” I stomped my foot into the hardwoods.
“I’d go for straight whiskey,” he answered.
I walked to the window, ready to try to scrape some of the paint off when AJ stopped me. I didn’t like that we had been painted in.
“No, don’t do that,” he warned.
“Why not?” I asked.
“If someone’s outside watching us, the candlelight is going to give them a clear view. At least for now we have some cover.”
“Shit. You think someone is still watching?” I searched his eyes for reassurance. “But you didn’t see anyone out there.”
“There are no signs of anyone, but our cars were tampered with, so I have no doubt there was someone here. I don’t know what to expect.”
“Maybe they want the paint to stay on the windows and we should scrape it off,” I suggested. It gave me chills.
AJ disagreed with me.
“What’s the plan? We can’t stay here. Not like this. Not with some psycho on the loose.”
“Our phones don’t work. Our cars won’t start. And there is a hurricane about to hit. We have to stay for the night.”
“You don’t think we should try to hike to the main road?” I pressed the idea of getting out of here.
He shook his head. “It’s two miles. The lake has flooded by now. Not to scare the shit out of you, but there’s a good chance with water levels that high the wildlife is…you don’t want to get that close to the snakes and gators in this area.”
“Oh my God. Snakes?” I loathed all reptiles, especially snakes.
“That’s the reality of where we are. We’re in nowhere Louisiana. But in the house, there are no critters—at least none I’ve found. And hey, at least there are no leaks. No rain. We can wait out the storm here and try to hike out as soon as it passes. It’s too big of a risk to go out there now. I can keep you safer in here.”
I knew what he said was logical. It would always be logical. It was the FBI agent in him. But what were we going to do here all night as sitting targets? Someone had led me to this house. Someone wanted me here. They wanted me to see the map on the wall. They wanted me trapped inside. Why?
“Speaking of keeping you safe. Where is my other gun?” AJ asked.
My eyes shot to his. “Oh, that?”
“Syd, where is it?”
I walked over to the suitcase and unzipped it. I pulled it from the silk compartment I used to store my lingerie. “I didn’t use it. I wouldn’t.”
AJ followed me, slowly taking the gun from my hand. “I was surprised you took it. You hate guns.”
I shrugged. “I did a lot of stupid things the other day. I wasn’t thinking clearly.”
He unclipped the bottom of the gun and checked the cartridge. “Are we going to talk about that?”
I turned away from him. “No. We aren’t.”
He sat on the wide ledge of the windowsill. He kept glancing over his shoulder toward our cars and then back to me. I didn’t know what he could see through the rain and the paint covering the glass. The roof shook with a rumble of thunder. I jumped.
“Then you can listen.”
“I can’t do this now. Not like this. Please, let’s talk back in D.C.,” I pleaded. “There’s too much going on here.”
He ignored me. “I meant every fucking word I said to you on that airplane.” His eyes blazed. My hands instantly curled together over my chest, as if I could protect my heart from what he was about to say. “I thought I knew you like the back of my hand.” He shook his head. “And I think I do. Maybe that’s what scared me the most. It fucking terrifies me about you.”
“I reacted. I wasn’t thinking. It wasn’t about you. I didn’t want to leave. I panicked.” I exhaled. My pulse raced.
I realized just because he was here didn’t mean I was forgiven. It also didn’t mean he wanted us to start over. I had jeopardized all of it.
“What was that promise you made me pledge?” He looked toward the ceiling. “Something about no more lies. Only living in the truth together?”
The sky flashed with lightning and another clap of thunder echoed around us.
“I meant sharing the truth about us,” I answered softly.
He shoved off the ledge and closed in on me. “Anything that puts you in danger is about us.” He towered over me. “Anything that separates you from me is about us. Anything that scares you, that hurts you, that makes you unhappy is about us.” He tipped my chin upward and I studied the wound just over his eye that was still healing.
We were both so raw from what had happened. AJ had broken ribs. We had cuts. Bruises and scrapes so deep no Band-Aid could hold them together.
“I shouldn’t have run,” I whispered. “I swear I wasn’t running from you. I thought I was running to her.”
He closed his eyes. “I know. I actually believe you. But someone is using that weakness to hurt you. They are using it to distract you. To frighten you. It’s pulling you away from me. We weren’t supposed to do this again.”
It felt as if something split under my lungs. Why did we keep hurting each other?
“I don’t want to hurt you,” I answered.
“Then stop making it so easy for someone to come between us.” I knew he was right. It wasn’t jealousy. Or some twisted male ownership attitude. AJ cared about me more deeply than anyone.
“I didn’t mean for it to break us apart. Again.”
“I think someone else did.”
“But why?” My eyes moved from his brow down his nose and to his perfect firm lips. I watched them when he spoke.
“We have to figure that out before we leave this house.”
“And if we can’t?” I swallowed hard, wondering if he wanted to kiss me as much as I wanted to kiss him. I needed the friction of his mouth. The taste of his tongue. The bite. The blistering heat.
“Then protecting you is going to be a hell of a lot harder.”
Chapter Seven
AJ roamed from room to room. He checked the back door at the kitchen exit, along with the side door that led into a mudroom. I wasn’t sure he was convinced we were secure for the night. He walked into the living room.
“I think we should move the candles into the back bedroom, along with our bags.”
“Why?” Part of me was happy to get away from the map. I hated seeing it. It made me shiver.
“For one thing, I don’t like how this big oak tree leans toward the living room.” He pointed to the monster tree in the front yard. “If even one of those branches snaps off in this storm, we could be crushed under this part of the roof. And if we’re in the back corner, I can almost guarantee I’ll take out any target that walks through the bedroom door. The window is low enough we can climb out if we’re outnumbered.”
I cringed. “I hate all of this. The storm. The psycho. All of it.”
“I know you do, but we need to focus on what makes the most sense. It’s the most strategic spot in the house. And the safest with a hurricane on top of us. Come on. I’ll grab my bag too.” He reached low and hauled it over his shoulder.
We made a few trips to take the candles into the bedroom, then the other supplies and box of matches. We had used only two to light all the candles. I didn’t like the thought that we needed to preserve anything. I could stomach one night here, but that was it.
AJ looked around. “There was a bucket on the back porch wasn’t there?
A big silver one?”
“Maybe? Why?”
“I’ll be right back.” He hurried out of the room. I heard the kitchen door open. A few minutes later he returned with a full bucket of rain water. “For the bathroom,” he explained. “The toilet will still work as long as we add water to the bowl.”
“Oh, great,” I lied.
“I put a candle in there too. So, you know. Just umm…”
I giggled. “Now you’re acting shy around me?”
“Come on, I’m trying to—”
“To be a gentleman. I know. I appreciate it.” I smiled. “I guess I should be glad we’re not out camping in a tent or something.”
“You aren’t exactly the outdoorsy type,” he teased.
“I like my fancy hotels.” I pouted. What I wouldn’t give for one of those now. A soft bed of fine down. A mint on the pillow. Room service. A bottle of wine.
“It’s better than being out in a hurricane,” AJ added.
I finished laying the quilts in a makeshift bed. I wasn’t looking forward to sleeping on the floor, but I doubted either of us would sleep much anyway. How did we know if we were alone? What if someone came in the house? He could have a key or access we didn’t know about.
I unzipped my suitcase. “I guess I should put on dry clothes. I’m freezing.”
“It should warm up in here soon with the candles clustered together.” He shoved them in a circle. “Too bad there isn’t a fireplace in this room instead of out in that sitting room.”
“But there’s no wood.” I rummaged through my suitcase looking for something dry and warm to wear. I never under packed.
“True.” He smirked. “This house is unique, isn’t it?” He ran his hand along the doorframe.
The inside was in better shape than the exterior. The hardwoods were worn, but smooth and full of character.
“When I pulled up in the driveway, I actually believed for a little while that this was where my mom lived. That this was her house. Like it was some kind of perfect maternal sanctuary. It seems so stupid now that I’ve seen it up close. It was only a mirage.”
He turned toward me. “I’m sorry, Syd. I’m sorry someone used your heart against you.”
It came out of nowhere, but the sob hit me. I had held it in. But it was too much to contain it any longer. It was bigger and stronger than I was. It ripped through my lungs until I was on my knees.
AJ crouched next to me, cradling me against his chest. “You don’t have to do all this on your own. You never did.” He ran his hands through my hair. “I can do it with you. Let me in this time.”
I nodded, sniffing into his wet T-shirt.
“I’m sorry I took off like I did.” I looked in his eyes. His thumb brushed over my lips, before his mouth crushed mine with a heavy kiss.
“I know, babe. You were just scared.”
We rose forward on our knees, curling our hands around each other’s bodies. AJ tugged at my soaked shirt while our tongues flicked and lashed.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered. “I’m sorry.”
My hands snaked down his back until they froze on the cold metal of his gun. I stopped abruptly. I sat back on my heels.
“Oh shit. My gun.” He quickly unsnapped the holster.
He crawled toward me, pinning me under him. My back arched off the pile of quilts, searching for contact with his body. His fingers skimmed my stomach. Every touch created goosebumps.
“You’ll be warmer out of these wet clothes.” He pulled the shirt over my head.
His mouth crashed into mine. Our tongues wild with thirst for each other.
I tugged and wrestled with his T-shirt until it was in a heap next to us. I traced over his chiseled chest.
“Where are your bandages?” I asked. He was supposed to wear that wrap for weeks.
“I don’t need it. I’m fine.” He leaned in to kiss me again.
“What about the door?” I whispered. “Don’t you need to watch it?”
Thunder shook the house and I clung to AJ.
He grinned wickedly. “Doors are locked and I don’t think anyone’s going to be out in this. I’ve combed every inch of this house. We’re alone.”
“Is that your cock or your instinct talking?” I purred.
“Both,” he growled.
He unhooked the clasp on my bra and tossed it across the room. The candle flickered and I whimpered when his teeth clamped against my nipple.
“Oh shit,” I hissed, digging my nails into the back of his head.
We had given up being gentle and cautious with each other. He sucked relentlessly until I was clawing at the quilts for more. He shirked my capris over my thighs and off my ankles. It was harder to work the wet denim off his legs, but I wasn’t giving up until his jeans were gone.
Our bodies slid together, rubbing and grinding. Starved for one another. We had a taste the other night and it was as if the addiction had been reignited.
His hand slipped under my panties and I panted in erratic bursts as he pried my legs wide. The candlewax dripped on the floor and the lightning lit up the hurricane sky. I barely noticed the apocalypse outside. I was consumed with binding myself back to AJ.
He ran a finger through my wetness, circling my entrance before teasing my clit. Was he punishing me? Making me beg for it? Testing my limits?
“AJ,” I murmured his name, begging him to take me. To edge me farther than I had ever come—back to him. Back to us. He sank his finger inside me and I sighed with pleasure.
“Syd.” His voice was strangled as he raked his teeth across my neck.
I wanted to come apart in his hand. My head fell to the side. My hips bounced under his command.
His mouth covered my nipple and I moaned for more. I wanted his cock inside me. I wanted to feel our bodies come alive together.
My eyes locked on his. The lust and desire dripped between us. I untangled my arms from his neck and slowly rolled on my stomach. I heard him growl with pleasure as he positioned himself behind me.
I bit my lip, anticipating the exhilaration his body gave mine. AJ gripped my hips, sliding the tiny bit of fabric to the side enough to nudge his cock to my entrance.
I moaned, trying to rock my hips enough to coax him inside, but he held fast. He made me feel the fullness of him in that moment. The pure pleasure and pressure of him widening me. Spreading me. Preparing me for the way he was going to satisfy me with his solid shaft.
I watched him over my shoulder. He eyed my ass hungrily, sliding his palm over the roundness just as he slammed into me.
I cried out.
He thrust again. My eyes rolled from the impact. He pushed into me as I rocked back. I used my palms to match his thrusts with more power and force. Our grunts grew louder. The sweat dripped from his chest. I panted and mewed for more.
I squealed when AJ flipped me to my back. He lifted my ankles to his shoulders and sank his cock deep inside me. So deep I saw stars and blinding light that filled me with white-hot pleasure. I felt the tears sting the corners of my eyes.
He reached forward, flicking my clit with a constant rhythm. I writhed beneath him. My legs bouncing, until the climax took off like a firework.
“Oh God!” I screamed, searching for anything to keep me grounded. “AJ. AJ,” I begged. “Fuck me.”
He kissed my ankle, nipping at my skin with his teeth. I’d never seen anything sexier in my life. This man was incredible. We were either perfectly right or perfectly wrong together. All I knew was that my body craved his. I craved this. The unleashing. The freedom. The erotic dance we staged until we were exhausted. Until we were raw and exposed. Until we passed out from our untamed need.
We climbed higher. He lifted my hips in the air. Our eyes met. I knew the impact would shatter me, but I wanted it. I wanted him to make me feel. To fill me with heat and fire.
“Syd, I love fucking you.”
He buried himself with a final thrust. There was nothing holding back the cascade of quakes. Our moans
filled the small room as we reveled in our orgasms. My body vibrated and tingled. I sighed.
“Fuck, babe. You make me lose my mind,” he whispered. His voice gravely and low.
I smiled. “In a good way.”
He shook his head. “I don’t know about that.” He winked, gently placing my feet on the floor. He lay next to me on the bed I had made us for the night.
“I’m not cold anymore,” I added. “I think we heated this tiny room up.”
He chuckled. “I told you.”
The wind whipped and I jumped when the shutter broke from a hinge and smacked into the window. AJ’s arm wrapped around me.
“It’s ok. Just a shutter. The storm must be closer. It will pass by morning.”
My eyes widened. I exhaled. “Ok. I wasn’t jumpy for about thirty minutes. You distracted me.”
He grinned. “That doesn’t seem nearly long enough,” he growled, pushing me on my back. “You need more distractions?”
I traced his lips with my finger. He had the most perfect kissable lips. “I’m sorry I took off the way I did. I really am.”
“Don’t do it again, Syd.”
I shook my head. “Never.”
Chapter Eight
I walked out of the tiled bathroom and sat on the quilt beside AJ. “I’m starving,” I whined. “I haven’t eaten all day.”
I was glad he had brought in the bucket of rainwater. It made spending the night in a house without running water a little less awkward.
“Maybe there’s something in the kitchen,” he suggested. “I thought I checked all the cabinets, but I can look again.”
I twisted my lips together. I didn’t like it any time we were separated. Not even in the small farmhouse. He had eased my worry about immediate danger. He had to be right. No one would go out in this nightmare of a storm.
“Why would there be food?” I asked.
He shook his head. “Why is any of this stuff here?”
“Good point.” I nodded. “Oh! I might have a protein bar in my suitcase. I always pack a few when I travel.” I walked over to the corner of the room.
