by Lacey Thorn
So Jamison had tried to get to know Paisley, but it hadn’t been until she was a teenager that they’d really made much progress. Jamison seemed to feel as if he had a lot to make up to his daughter for not being around, and Paisley seemed unsure of how her father felt. Bare knew exactly who was to blame for everything. Vivian Ames. Hell, the barracuda had even given Paisley her last name instead of Jamison’s since he hadn’t been there to contest. It was Knight now, but to the rest of the world, she’d always be Paisley Ames.
“It’s been five years, Tuck,” Bare reminded the other man. “It’s time everyone stopped tiptoeing around her. What did you tell Seth when he arrived?”
Tuck said nothing, but Bare already knew. He would have told Seth the same thing he told all of them when they arrived, discharge papers firmly in hand, struggling to step back into the shoes of a civilian. Most had seen war up close and personal. They’d lived off instinct and adrenaline, trusting those around them to have their back. Some had been special forces, but not many.
“I saw his file,” Bare said when Tuck remained silent. “Roadside bombing with only two survivors. He left after that tour and went home to Chicago. Got in more than his share of bar fights but took beatings when he has the skills to avoid them. Then his girlfriend was murdered. I’d say he’s seen more than his fair share of shit too, but I doubt you treated him with kid gloves. And don’t give me any bull about him being a man. Pain is pain, no matter what’s between your fucking legs.”
Tuck sighed, and Bare knew his words had struck home.
“She’s twenty-six years old. She should be enjoying life. Dancing, laughing, having fun. She should be fucking living, and I’m not talking about in her head. She’s hidden away, and we’ve let her.” He met Tuck’s gaze. “I’m not letting her hide anymore.”
“You think you’re the one to make her smile again?” Tuck asked.
“Damn straight I am,” Bare said. Fuck, he was afraid he might kill anyone else who tried.
Tuck just nodded and moved to turn the television back on. They both watched as the interview with Vivian was recapped.
“Jamison won’t be able to stop this,” Tuck finally said. “Not this time.”
“So we prepare for hurricane Vivian,” Bare stated with a grunt.
“He’ll be back before she gets here, but despite what he thinks, he won’t be able to keep Vivian away from Paisley.” He turned off the television then faced Bare. “You’re right. Someone should have stepped in when it appeared Paisley wasn’t moving forward. Jamison. Me.” He shrugged his shoulders. “She won’t be emotionally ready to deal with all this.”
“All this?” Bare asked.
“Vivian plans to bring a film crew here and show how broken her daughter is, how Paisley’s life ended that night and that’s why she left LA and her mother behind.”
“For fuck’s sake,” Bare gritted out.
“Yeah,” Tuck agreed. “We can protect Paisley, stand between her and the world, but in the end, it’s going to boil down to her choice. Either way, there will be no place to hide after this. Vivian announced exactly where she would visit Paisley. Even told them where the picture of Paisley had been taken.”
“I won’t let Vivian hurt her,” Bare swore, but there might not be anyone who could stop him from hurting Vivian.
“We’ll all do our best, but the heart isn’t so easy to protect,” Tuck said.
Bare said nothing, agreeing with Tuck. No matter what they did, this was bound to hurt Paisley all over again. There was so much she’d never spoken of since that day. She threw Lance’s name out, using it as a shield, but Bare knew there was another pain that had ripped her apart, one she still hadn’t fully dealt with.
He heard the door and felt the change in the room the moment she stepped back inside. He kept his gaze on Tuck though his entire body was attuned to the woman who had come to consume his every thought.
“Hey, Tuck.”
Her voice slid over Bare like a slow caress and had his dick saluting again. Christ, the things she did to him. The things he wanted to do to her.
“Hey there, princess,” Tuck said as he crossed to her.
Bare turned and watched as the other man gently wrapped her in his arms and hugged her, treating her like a fragile piece of glass he was afraid to break. Bare knew better. She wouldn’t break. He wouldn’t let her. She had too much heat and fire in her to shatter. She might bend a little, lose her shape, but she’d just be forged into something better, stronger.
“I figured you’d be with dad,” she said.
“No, this was a solo mission,” Tuck said. “He’ll be home later tonight if you want to go over and wait for him. You could have a late dinner. Talk.”
Her gaze skittered over to Bare, and he felt his chest swell as she bit her bottom lip nervously.
“I might,” she said, her gaze darting to Tuck then moving back to Bare. “It depends on when Bare and I get back.”
“You’re going somewhere?” Tuck asked, glancing at Bare.
Bare just stared at Paisley. What was she saying? What was she admitting?
She cleared her throat. “He offered to take me for a ride. Take me away for a bit.”
He wanted to give her a ride. Hell, he wanted to sink his cock deep inside her and ride until they were both unable to move. He wanted to take her away forever, to keep her tied to his bed naked and ready when he wanted her. Just the thought had his dick weeping with joy.
“Sounds like fun,” Tuck said. Bare flushed at where his thoughts had led him. He doubted Tuck would say that if he knew the depth of Bare’s carnal thoughts. “I might go for a ride myself.”
Bare watched the color rise in Paisley’s cheeks, took in the tight little nipples pressing her shirt where her jacket almost hid them. Almost, but thank God, it didn’t. He wanted to wrap his lips around them, suck them, bite them. He wanted to make her come with nothing more than his mouth on her tits. And this was the wrong fucking week to let these desires loose in his head, but five years was a long fucking time to walk around with a perpetual hard-on.
“Bare?” Her voice tickled across his skin as she turned those big green eyes to him and met his gaze. “Still want to…ride?”
Oh, there was a world of meaning in that one little word. He saw desire, but that wasn’t all he saw, and it was the other that would keep him in check. This wasn’t the time to give in. He wanted her, but he wouldn’t be used as a means for her to prove she was moving on. When they came together, and they would, there would be nothing and no one with them. That didn’t mean he wouldn’t rev her motor and probably give himself blue balls in the process. But what the hell. She was worth it.
“Yeah, let’s go for a ride,” he agreed, enjoying the way she swallowed nervously.
“You two be safe,” Tuck said. Bare watched him pat Paisley on the shoulder before he moved across the room toward the door he’d entered through, passing Bare along the way. “Tell her,” he whispered as he passed.
Bare set his jaw and dipped his chin briefly in response. Paisley squirmed in front of him, shuffling from foot to foot. She’d nervously pulled her braid over her shoulder, and her fingers tugged at the midnight strands loose at the end.
“You ready to go?” he finally asked and got her nod in response. “Where to?” He’d offered her anywhere or nowhere. Lady’s choice.
“I want to feel the wind on my face,” she whispered. “I want to feel the sun.”
She could have felt both if she’d gone out on her horse as she normally did.
“I want to feel alive,” she admitted. Her eyes dipped closed as if she couldn’t look when she said the words he sensed hovering on her lips. “I want to feel warmth.” Her words were so soft he found himself moving closer to her. “I’m cold. I’m so cold.”
He stopped in front of her. “Come here,” he said and held open his arms. He wouldn’t pull her to him this time. He could sense something in her, as if her next step was one of extreme significance.
He caught his breath and waited, watching her expressive face with hooded eyes.
Then she took that final step into him, nuzzled her face against his chest and wrapped her hands around his waist, holding tight. He felt the hard tips of her breasts, the racing of her heart, matching his perfectly. Her breath was warm where it washed over him. He wanted to savor this moment, the hesitancy of her touch where she stroked her fingers against his back.
“Help me forget,” she whispered, and his heart clenched. He didn’t want to help her forget. He wanted to make her remember, remember what it felt like to be alive and to fall in love.
He eased back from her, dropping a kiss atop her head. “Let me give Levi a heads up that I’m leaving for the rest of the day.”
“Tuck knows,” Paisley said softly. Her eyes were deep, luminous pools of lush green that he could easily drown in. But not yet. She wasn’t ready.
“Still my job,” Bare stated. “I’ll just be a sec.”
He pulled his cell from his belt clip and placed the call.
“Hey, Bare,” Levi’s voice sounded as if he’d had one cup too many of coffee. The guy was all over the place as it was, never able to sit still for long. He was also addicted to the strong, dark java he favored.
“I’ll be out for the rest of the day,” Bare said. “Sterling is in house. Go through him if you need anything. Tuck has sessions today, so try not to interrupt him unless it’s an emergency.”
“Got it,” Levi said.
“I’ll have my cell with me if you need to reach me. I’ll be on the bike, so give me a bit to get back to you.”
“No problem. Everything’s quiet so far.”
Levi was in charge of the bank of computers overseeing the entire building where Knight’s Watch was housed. He knew where everyone was at any given moment and could step in to assist with a click of his mouse.
“Paisley’s with me,” Bare continued. “In case Jamison gets back and can’t reach her.”
Levi whistled through the phone. “Finally talked her into a ride, huh?”
“Fuck you,” Bare grunted out as quietly as he could, but Paisley’s lifted brow said she’d heard him loud and clear. He hung up as Levi’s chuckle filled the phone. He should have expected it. Every man here knew he had the hots for Paisley. They all knew to leave her the hell alone or they’d have to deal with him.
“Ready?” he asked and almost groaned as her perfect, white teeth peeked out to nip into her bottom lip. He wanted to feel the scrape of her teeth over his skin. He shifted his stance, trying to adjust his erection without reaching down. Damn, the things she did to him. Yet under all the desire was a need to protect her, shelter her, even from his own coarse desires.
She nodded her head and slipped her palm against his. “Ready when you are.”
He squeezed her hand and headed toward the door. He’d give her today, help her escape for a bit and forget. Then he’d have to tell her what was going on, what her bitch of a mother had planned.
Chapter Three
It had been too long since Paisley had felt so alive. It wasn’t the wind or the vibration of the motorcycle between her thighs. It was the man she clung to, breasts pressed against his back, hands wrapped around his flat stomach. The helmet prevented her from nuzzling him with her cheek, which was probably a good thing.
He’d taken her everywhere and nowhere, exactly as she’d wanted. When he finally stopped, she wasn’t sure she could get off the bike without his assistance. Her body still vibrated, and her legs were shaky. He took her hand and helped her then caught her when she stumbled against him.
“You okay?” His voice was deep, husky.
She grinned up at him. “A little unsteady on my feet but good. I should have done this sooner.”
“We’ll go anytime you want,” Bare told her, and she knew he meant it. “Hungry?”
“Starving,” she admitted, a little surprised.
He’d pulled off into the parking lot where a rustic-looking building sprawled out with a sign that read Gilly’s. It was hard to tell from the outside if it was a bar or restaurant or combination of both.
“Looks like a dive, but they have good food,” Bare said. His palm met the small of her back as he led her toward the door.
“Come here often?”
“A few times,” he answered with a shrug. “It’s good to get away.”
“Hey, Bare,” the guy behind the bar called as they entered.
Paisley snorted a laugh. “A few times, huh?”
He just shrugged again as he led her across the gloomy room to a small table in the back. He sat with his back to the wall, facing the door, and she chose to sit beside him instead of across from him. He lifted a brow but said nothing.
“What can I get you two?” the guy from the bar asked as he stopped in front of their table.
“Burger, fries and a beer,” Bare said and looked at her.
She had no menu and no idea what they offered.
“I’ll have the same,” she said and earned a grin from the bartender.
She noticed he stood there even after they ordered and heard Bare groan beside her.
“Gilly, this is Paisley. Paisley, this is a friend of mine. He’s a shitty friend, an even shittier bartender and owns this fucking eyesore.”
“I’m wounded,” Gilly said, but the grin on his face said otherwise. “It’s good to finally meet you, Paisley. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
Bare cleared his throat, and she didn’t have to look to know he was glaring. “We’d like to eat sometime today.”
“Already put the order in,” Gilly said, pulling out a chair and joining them. “Three burgers, three fries, and when it’s ready, we’ll have three ice-cold beers to go with it.” He glanced back and forth between them, and Paisley had the feeling he saw things she wasn’t even aware of. How was it she’d known Bare for five years and never heard about this place or met Gilly?
“So, Paisley, what brings you out today?” Gilly asked.
“Gilly,” Bare said, warning in his voice.
“Bare offered to take me for a ride, and I couldn’t resist.”
Gilly coughed, Bare sighed and Paisley flushed at her poor choice in phrasing.
“Why haven’t I ever met you?” Paisley asked instead.
Gilly shrugged. “I think you’ve been busy with other things,” he said softly.
She glanced at Bare and realized Gilly must be much more than just a friend. It was more than obvious Bare had spoken about her to Gilly. She really wished she knew what he’d said.
“So how long have you known Bare?” she asked.
“Too damn long,” Gilly answered. “We played in the same sandbox together.”
She glanced back and forth between them. “Is that a military reference or a childhood one?” she finally asked.
“Childhood,” Bare said.
“Both,” Gilly answered at the same time.
“I see,” Paisley said.
“Order up!” a feminine voice yelled across the room.
“I’ll be right back,” Gilly said and stood, heading across the room from them.
“He’s interesting,” Paisley said and felt Bare tense beside her. “You’ve been friends for a long time.”
“He’s a friend, but he’s also family,” Bare admitted. “Our mom’s were cousins. We grew up together, went to school together and enlisted together. Crossed paths more than once in the desert. When we both left the service behind, we ended up here. I fell in with your dad, and Gilly started up this place.”
“Gilly is a different name. Kind of cool,” Paisley said.
“Ahh, that’s because my mother had a wicked sense of humor and didn’t think things through,” Gilly said, rejoining them and placing mugs of cold beer in front of them. “Just a sec,” he said, turning then coming back with three plates loaded with fully dressed burgers and fries.
“This looks delicious,” Paisley said.
“Of course, it does,” Gilly repli
ed. “Now then, since you’re Bare’s girl, I’ll give you the cruel story of my name.”
Bare cleared his throat, but Gilly spoke right over him.
“My mother had an obsession with a certain show. I have a brother, Skip, and a baby sister, Ginger.” He shook his head when she gave a bark of laughter. “Easy for you to laugh. You can’t imagine the hell I went through.”
“I’m sorry,” she said, trying to sound contrite.
“It was hell when I was a scrawny kid,” Gilly said. “But I had Bare to even my odds. Then we both grew up.” He flexed a bicep. “And filled out.”
She skimmed her glance over Bare and cleared her throat. “I see.”
“Let’s eat before it gets cold,” Bare ordered, and Gilly laughed.
She listened to the two of them chat while they ate. Sometimes bickering, sometimes laughing, but either way, she saw the bond between them. She was seeing an entirely different side of Bare. She’d known him for five years, or at least, she’d thought so. Suddenly, she realized she didn’t know much about him except he was always there for her, checking in on her and providing her with a place to vent. She’d used him, was still using him if she were honest.
She wanted him to help her forget the past, to help her learn to live again. She wanted to have sex with him, multiple times. And that meant she was still using him for selfish reasons. It was all about her. My God, was she turning into her mother?
“You okay?” Bare’s voice broke through her thoughts.
Paisley pushed her plate away, appetite gone as she came to grips with how selfish she was. Bare had been right when he’d laid into her earlier. She needed to pull her head out of her own grief and take a good look at those around her.
“Paisley?” Bare said again.
She opened her mouth, but nothing came out. Everything she’d been burying deep inside herself was bubbling up to the surface. She shook her head and pushed away from the table.
“Where’s your restroom?” she asked Gilly, avoiding Bare’s probing gaze. He saw too much, while she seemed to walk around with blinders.
“Down the hall to the right,” Gilly said.
