WindSwept Narrows: #18 Paige Andrews

by Diroll-Nichols, Karen

  Paige accessed the in-room security cams and pulled up a photo, enlarging and printing. Black marker scrawled across the colorful photo before a tack was stuck in the center and it was attached to Sebastian’s door. Somewhat mollified, Paige set the alarms and went to her car after locking up, a long, long run calling to her.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Sebastian pulled into the parking lot at the same time Chase did, and followed him into the quiet office building. Chase caught sight of the picture and worked to keep his laugh inside. Across the front of the attractive blonde was scrawled: She said call her.

  “Shit…this is just what the hell I need,” Sebastian ripped the photo from his door, tearing it into pieces and dropping it on Paige’s desk.

  “So how is Marietta these days?”

  “Don’t you start,” Sebastian growled, pulling folders from the pack he carried and dropped them in the center of her desk. “I haven’t seen or heard from that woman in over five years and that was too soon for me.”

  “Have you spoken to Paige?” Chase mirrored Sebastian’s actions, snapped the briefcase closed and stood at the open door.

  “I’m not in the wrong here,” Sebastian met his friend’s eyes.

  “Are you sure? How many women have you asked to live with you that you’ve only known a week?” Chase saw Sebastian wince visibly, the answer in his eyes. “I don’t know how to explain the time thing because I fell into it, too.”

  “Did Pepper balk?”

  “A little…more I think because of the money, than the time. They worry what other people think,” Chase shrugged. “We’re not females, Bastian. They think and see things differently.”

  “No shit…” He shook his head and went back to the waiting motorcycle. “What the hell does Marietta want?”

  “Hey…be grateful she didn’t attach the photo to your door with a hunting knife,” Chase said with a chuckle. “See you in the morning.”

  “You’re a load of laughs, Chase…” but it wouldn’t have surprised him, he realized and almost went back inside to view the meeting on the security cam. But since there wasn’t blood all over the floor, he figured it might be best to find Paige and straighten things out.

  Sebastian started at the top, cruising to the gate and turning deftly around to go to her apartment. He hadn’t given her the code, he reminded himself sourly. Why the hell would she be sitting outside the gates waiting for him? She wasn’t accepting his calls, he noted, staring briefly at the readout of his call. He hit the throttle and ripped down the quiet road.

  He sat only a minute outside her apartment, the parking space empty, before he turned the bike on a sharp corner and headed toward the granary. He knew his temper was on high all the way to the road edging the water. By the time he checked the third area where she might park, the temper hadn’t slipped. He sat back on the bike in the last area where a car might park and stared toward the granary.

  Sebastian didn’t know where she would go, but he knew where she would end up. He didn’t have a chance to turn the bike toward the road before his phone sounded. He tapped the button on the side of his helmet and answered.

  “Hartley.”

  Sebastian Hartley?”

  “Yes, who is this?”

  “Sergeant Prentice with Tacoma downtown patrol. Are you acquainted with a Paige Andrews?”

  “Yes. Where is she?”

  “She had your business card on her…”

  “Where is Paige?” He interrupted loudly.

  “Memorial Hospital, 5th and Warner, the emergency room,” he answered immediately.

  “I’m on my way,” he said, jerking the handle bars and sending the bike onto the road after tapping in the address the officer had given him.

  “They’re looking for next of kin for authorization…”

  “I can give them authorization,” he said, lying smoothly. “She’s my wife.”

  “I will meet you at the entrance to the emergency room, Mr. Hartley.”

  Sebastian tapped the phone off, watching the GPS and kicking the bike a little faster through the night streets. He didn’t want to think. He knew they wouldn’t have answered any questions on the phone. But not knowing was ripping his chest to pieces. He parked the bike and dismounted, unbuckling and removing things as long legs crossed the space to the double sliding glass doors and bright lights.

  “Mr. Hartley?” A young police officer stepped forward, offering his palm with a firm shake. “This way. The attending physician needs to talk to you.”

  “Why the police? Is Paige alright? Was there an accident?”

  “She was attacked outside the large grocery three blocks from here,” the officer answered calmly.

  “Attacked?” His hand tightened on the strap of the helmet. And then he heard her voice.

  “I want my clothes,” Paige said firmly, narrowed eyes scanning the draped off area. She shoved her legs over the side of the gurney and slid to the floor, wincing from moving and from the cold tiles beneath her feet. Her hand went to the opening at her back at the same time she took a step toward the familiar clothing on the chair. She had the bundle in her hands when she turned too quickly. Her head was spinning and she almost hit the floor.

  “Paige…” Sebastian tossed the helmet into a set of hands at his side and took a long step forward, catching her against him and lifting her off the floor. “Escaping?”

  “Sebastian,” his name whispered out and her head fell on his shoulder.

  “Put her on the gurney, please,” the tired attending physician said with a shake of his head.

  “No. I’m going home,” she kicked and squirmed. “Put me down.”

  “Why is she here?” Sebastian looked at the officer and then the doctor. “I’m sure neither one of you needs the headache.”

  “Thanks,” Paige lifted her head. “Put me down.”

  “Don’t guess you can run too fast,” Sebastian set her on the gurney.

  “She was unconscious…and quiet,” the doctor said tiredly. “We removed her clothing for some testing and to treat the bruises.”

  “Paige, what happened?” Sebastian met the stubbornly set mouth. “The sooner they have answers, the sooner we go home.”

  “I was putting groceries into the car and someone grabbed me from behind,” she answered sullenly. “I kicked the door closed and then defended myself.”

  “We have the men…boys…they’re just turned eighteen…she’s a little bruised, but witness reports back up her statement, Mr. Hartley. We just needed her signature and when I called you, the physician needed permission for treatment. As her husband, he can sign her out to you.”

  “She has a possible concussion and the bruises can be treated with ice and a little rest,” the doctor signed the paper on the clip board and left them alone.

  “What does she need to sign, officer?”

  “Where’s my car? And lay off the knee,” she growled and held her clothes against her.

  “Where you left it, Mrs. Hartley…if you’ll sign this complaint…” He handed her a pen and took the clip board. “Thank you…we’ve been trying to stop these two for a few weeks now. You’re the first woman capable of handling her own…up until one of them got in a good shot and you hit the rim of the tire. Anyway, take care. Mr. Hartley.”

  “Thank you, officer,” Sebastian finally exhaled, his breath ragged. “Before you say anything, they needed next of kin for treatment. Stepping into that slot was easier than waiting…if…”

  “I’m okay,” she said stiffly, sliding back to the floor. “Would you turn around, please, I’d like to get dressed.”

  “Paige…” he thought about the illogic of that statement considering their last two nights but shook his head and moved to stand at the opening of the curtains. “I’ll take you to your car.”

  “Fine. Then I’ll follow you to your house,” she said quietly.

  Sebastian turned in time to see her butt wiggling into her jeans before she reached for the tunic she’d
worn that day. He was still staring when she turned and bent to buckle her boots into place, his hands out to grip her shoulders when she swayed a little.

  “Paige…did you let them examine you?”

  “I’m fine, Sebastian. I hit my head…again…and we both know how hard that is, so there’s nothing to be concerned about,” she lifted her pack off the chair and pulled her keys out. “At least no one can steal our groceries. They probably got a little worse than…” She stopped and inhaled slowly. “Okay…let’s go.”

  Sebastian lifted the helmet and gloves, his other hand around her waist, urging her close and supporting her weight against him. She leaned against the bike, slipping her pack onto her back and letting him slip her arms into the spare jacket he carried that made her look like a little kid playing dress up. Paige squeezed her eyes closed.

  “I’m sorry.” She held up a finger without even looking at him. “I don’t know what I’m afraid of…I don’t know. You’re right…it is more logical than bouncing back and forth.”

  “If we need to bounce back and forth for a while, Paige, then that’s what we’ll do,” Sebastian tilted her chin back. “You bought groceries for us?”

  “Your fridge is a little empty and mine is, too, for that matter,” she sighed and leaned into his arms. “I figured food would make a good start to the groveling part I had to do…then there’s the wild make-up sex…” she listened to the deep, low laughter, his mouth pressing gently against the skin below her ear.

  “I think we can put that on hold until you’re a little less bruised, there, tiger,” Sebastian took her helmet out and dropped it over the free hanging hair, a little frown on his face. “What happened to your ponytail?”

  She waited until he had mounted before climbing behind him and sighing. “One of those idiots pulled my hair.”

  “Let me see your hands?” Sebastian took one in each of his, turning them over and wincing at the bruises. “Landed a few good shots.”

  “The doctor cleaned them…disinfected them,” she pulled them back and slid them beneath his jacket, holding the belt at his waist. “Oh…did you get the message I left you in the office?”

  Sebastian laughed at the sweet, innocent sound in her voice. Relief the size of the planet flooded into him over the last hour.

  “Chase said I should be glad that it wasn’t attached to the door with a hunting knife,” he commented, following her directions to the grocery.

  “Hmmm…I’ll keep that in mind.”

  “I haven’t seen her in almost five years, Paige,” Sebastian said seriously as he pulled into the lot, spotting her car and taking her to the driver’s side. “Are you sure you’re okay for this tonight?”

  “I need something for the headache and some food. I got stuff that’ll work in my pack. I just need water,” Paige stepped to the ground and locked the helmet into the case before pulling her keys free.

  “Wait here,” to make sure she didn’t take off, he put the bike in front of her car, dismounting and striding toward the store without looking back.

  “Now what,” she groaned and let her head rest against the back seat, eyes closed for a long minute. She wasn’t sure if she was more tired or more hungry.

  “Paige…” Sebastian leaned on the door, a large bottle of frosty water held out to her. “Take something now.”

  “I…thank you,” she stared for a quiet, surprised moment before she opened the backpack and pulled the small container free, selecting what she wanted and dropping it back inside. She gratefully drained half the water before surfacing. “I really needed that.”

  “I’ll see you at the house,” he saw her nod and closed the door.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Paige didn’t argue when he turned her toward the house and shoved. She carried the small gym bag she’d packed with clothing into the bedroom and went into the bathroom to change out of the clothes that had taken in rain water, grass and dirt from the skirmish.

  Sebastian had the bags of groceries on the counter in the kitchen before dropping his jacket to the chair and climbing the stairs to the bedroom. His gaze landed on the pile of clothing and he eased the door open to the bathroom. Anger shifted to fury and down to concern when his vision fell on the curved redhead stretched out on her stomach in the huge soaking tub. He recognized the shape of bruises caused by fists and feet. He slipped back out of the room and went below, forcing himself to stay calm and empty the groceries she bought.

  It had been a very long time since his hands shook like they were now. When the juice bottle hit the counter with a little too much strength, he stopped and gripped the edge of the marble, his legs spread behind him and head hanging down.

  When he was sure he wouldn’t throw something, Sebastian recalled her sub order and made a couple sandwiches from the things she bought, his head shaking at the collection of vegetables she bought along with the fruit. He went to look in on her and found her curled against a pillow, still wrapped in a large towel. She’d stayed awake long enough to wrap the wet hair into a bundle at her neck. He covered her and left the light on low before going below and wrapping the sandwich he made for her, leaving it in the fridge.

  He sat before his laptop, working for an hour while he ate, sending files to the intranet before he closed the top and sat staring out into the cloud shrouded night. Rain had started falling just after they got inside.

  He went straight to the shower, standing beneath the hot spray, willing the anger to go. If they hadn’t argued…should he have been with her…the towel hung around his neck as he stepped into the bedroom in his sleep pants.

  He brought one of the soy drinks from the kitchen and set it on the nightstand, remembering the instructions from the doctor. Tired wasn’t unusual, but he doubted she’d eaten since at least lunch.

  He sat against the headboard for another two hours, working on a couple RFP’s he wanted released as soon as possible to begin the weeding project for vendors. He set things into the case and slid it to the floor after checking the clock. She’d made it easier and rolled to face him, tendrils of drying hair curling around a face dotted with soft, pale freckles. Her lips were pursed and there was a thumb shaped bruise in the center of her neck, just below her ear.

  Sebastian shook the chocolate flavored milk and broke the cap, setting it aside for a minute. His hand only shook a little when he brushed the hairs from her eyes.

  “Paige…you need to wake up for a minute…”

  “Why? Just dosing…”

  “You need to drink this…” he watched the pale lashes flutter and open a fraction, taking in the small bottle in his hand. She leaned up on one elbow, took the bottle and drained it before shoving it back. “More pills?”

  “I don’t have my pack…there’s a container inside…you saw it…I just need that…please…and water, I guess,” Paige closed her eyes, the bed barely moving when he left it. The dosing part was happening again, she thought, the warmth really nice now that her stomach stopped griping at her.

  “Paige…I don’t know what these things are in here…” Sebastian watched a single eye open and her palm break from beneath the blankets to take the container.

  “Just herbs…pain herbs…’cept these…vitamin…” long, slender fingers pulled a few into her palm and snapped the lid down. She popped them into her mouth, took the water from his hand and drank. “I don’t always get into fights or hit with boards, Sebastian.”

  “Hmm…I was beginning to worry,” he teased with a soft laugh.

  “Good night.”

  He stirred three hours later, vaguely aware of her shoving against him until his arm circled her and held her close. He was more than half afraid to hurt her but she didn’t stop moving until his palm closed over her shoulder and beneath her head.

  The room was warm. The once neat bundle of red hair had broken free and was somehow spread across his chest. Sebastian opened his eyes slowly when the clock sounded, his palm out and tapping the button to silence it. How the woman twis
ted on the bed like she did he didn’t know. She was laying against him, his arm at her waist and her head on his bare chest. Blankets had been separated and she was wrapped in one while the other covered him from the chest down.

  One palm rested at her waist atop the blankets, the other rose to gently pull the long hair from her face and neck.

  “How’re you feeling?” He asked when he saw the lashes flutter.

  “Hmm…not stiff…pissed off still…” she stretched out her legs and groaned softly. “I should go down to the jail just to beat the crap out of them some more. Thieving creeps…” she stopped when she realized he was grinning at her.

  “Nice to see you’re back to normal.”

  “I…I missed dinner…I only meant to lay down for a minute. My head was a little spinny…”

  “How is it this morning and how much grief am I going to get if I tell…” He stopped quickly. “Ask…”

  “I’m going to work. No headache…” She pushed against the bed and sat up, blinking around the room as she stretched and arched her back. “I’m okay…I want a bagel and some juice and…” She turned and leaned back against him, kissing him soundly. “That.”

  “Not a bad way to begin the morning,” he agreed, sitting up and watching her go to the bag she’d brought with her last night. Desire crashed into fury as she pulled things free and began dressing, the bruises all the more prominent against the pale ivory of her skin. She took a small case with her into the bathroom and closed the door. He decided to use the other bathroom and collected some clothes for the day.

  By the time he came to the kitchen, bagels were toasting, juice was poured and his coffee was richly scenting the house. She’d woven the red hair into a braid that fell over the thick, crème colored sweater that consistently slid over one shoulder cap. She had it belted at the waist over black leggings and a pair of low boots. Most of her was covered, but he still glimpsed the bruise on her throat.

  Paige swallowed the bite of bagel loaded with jam. “I could cover it up if it’s going to bother you, Sebastian.”