by Kensie King
Save Me
(The Savior Series)
by
KENSIE KING
SAVE ME
Copyright © 2019 by Kensie King
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: The unauthorized reproduction, transmission, or distribution of any part of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to five years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.
This literary work is fiction. Any name, places, characters and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or establishments is solely coincidental. Please respect the author and do participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials that would violate the author’s rights.
CONTENTS
____________________________
Summary
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Summary
Eric Tanner isn’t like any man Preston has ever seen, but all he can do is watch. He doesn’t leave his penthouse. The real world is too vicious for him—and after what he’s gone through, he’s happily left it behind. But then he sees him. All personality and smiles—and a sexy allure that restarts Preston’s heart. Makes it come alive after years. He knows he needs to have him. Eric will be his. But it means risking his heart and becoming the person he said he’d never become again.
The rumors Eric’s heard about Preston Crane are true. He’s heartless, cold, and also one of the sexiest men he’s ever seen. Part of him wants to run far, far away from him and the other part aches to be in his arms. In his bed. But telling him what he really thinks of him seems like a better idea. Then Preston makes him an offer he can’t refuse. An offer that will change his life forever. Eric knows if he says yes, his heart and her body will be Preston’s forever…but he doesn’t have a choice. Preston Crane will never let him go.
Save Me is the first novella in the Savior series, three standalone stories about men who are willing to do whatever it takes to protect and love the men they’ve fallen for. This story is fast-paced, ultra-steamy and ends in a HEA to die for.
CHAPTER ONE
Who the hell did he think he was? I shoved the register drawer closed and turned to Monica with a decisive nod.
“I’ll quit, too,” I said. “Then he’ll have to see what an ass he’s being.”
Monica waved off the request, hauling her purse over her shoulder. “It doesn’t make sense for you to lose your job, too.”
“But it isn’t fair.”
“Life rarely is, doll.” Monica rolled her eyes. “I can do better than this fucking job, and one day, you will too. I’m out.”
With that, Monica turned for the door and shoved by the security guard who waited to escort her from the building. Preston Crane hadn’t even had the courtesy to come in and fire her himself.
Monica waved at me, flipped the security guard off, and stomped into the lobby, her shoes clacking on the tile all the way to the entrance of the hotel.
I rubbed my hands over my face and leaned against the counter. Now what? Monica had taught me to do my job, and now she was gone. I wouldn’t have someone to gossip with in the mornings or get a drink with after work.
Sure, Monica had a big mouth and sometimes said the worst possible things to customers, but still—she was a friend.
I walked around the counter, still fuming. Financial reasons? That’s why they’d fired Monica? I snorted. Like Mr. Crane, super rich, super asshole, couldn’t afford to keep her on. And we did good business at the store. We sold paintings every week, and other artwork, sculptures, all of the amazing work we carried in the store. The man who did all these pieces was a genius, and he made Mr. Crane a shitload of money, so what the hell were financial problems?
I straightened one of those paintings on the wall, leaning in close to admire the colors. It was bright—one of the brighter pieces from this artist. The back of a woman, her skin porcelain and smooth. Just the line of her hip, the curve of her buttocks, her arm resting on her side.
Something about it spoke to me. Drew me in. And this wasn’t the only piece. There were others, darker and moodier. Pieces that spoke of a shadowed past. Dark days.
Kind of like my photography. I didn’t tend toward the bright and airy. No, each one had its own story, and that story came from a rough past. It was therapy, I supposed. I had the chance to get my demons out in photographs so that I, in person, didn’t have that cloud lingering over me always.
But who didn’t have a past?
“Mr. Tanner,” a voice said.
I whipped around in surprise. When I saw the security guard who had escorted Monica from the building, I narrowed my eyes. I wasn’t aware he knew my name. “Yes?”
“Mr. Crane will be sending in a replacement shortly, but he’s certain you’ll be fine finishing the day out on your own.”
“He’s certain?” I asked with a soft laugh. “He doesn’t even know me. I’ve only been working here for three months.”
“He trusts you. However, if you run into any issues, call this number.” He passed over a card.
I thought for a moment it might be Preston Crane’s business card. A way I could get in touch with him—maybe give him a piece of my mind—but it wasn’t.
Of course, giving the head man a piece of my mind probably wasn’t the best idea considering I needed this job more than I let on. Sure, I’d quit for Monica, but damn—I really couldn’t afford to be out of work.
“Have a good day,” the security guard said.
I started to nod, then shook my head. “No, wait.”
I owed it to Monica to stand up to Crane. To let him know he couldn’t just mess with people’s lives.
The guard turned around, giving his head a nod. “Yes?”
“I do have issues. One issue, actually. And I’d like to speak to Mr. Crane about it.”
His lips curved just slightly. “I’m afraid that’s impossible.”
“He fired my boss! She didn’t deserve it. And now I’m here alone and—”
“I’m sure Mr. Crane will be happy to find someone to fill in if you need assistance for the rest of the day.”
“No, it’s not—” I swallowed and tried to choose my words carefully. “Can you give him a message for me, then?”
The guard looked doubtful, but he inclined his head. “I can try to pass along a message.”
I drew in a breath and then released it before I lost my nerve. “Please tell him that just because we’re not billionaires like him doesn’t mean we’re not people. We have problems just like everyone else, and he should really think twice before screwing with people’s lives.”
He kept a straight face, but I swore his eyebrows crept up just slightly. “I think I’ve got the message.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, Mr. Tanner. And don’t hesitate to call that number if you need any help.”
He left before I could make a smart remark about the number. It wasn’t like it was going to help get Monica her job back. But at least Mr. Crane wasn’t going to leave me alone in the store for long. Not that I minded being here alone.
It was sort of peaceful, walking through the open space and thinking of my own version of art. Itching to get my fingers on a camera so I c
ould document the world.
As long as I was behind a camera, I felt in control.
That was what working at this job was supposed to help. To further my goal of having a career as a photographer. But so far, with little pay and a boss who seemed to fire employees on a whim, I felt more lost than ever.
Maybe I should have walked out with Monica.
And then what? I’d have to start over again. I’d have to find another place to try to fit in when all I really wanted was to finally get on with my life.
I sighed and smiled at a hotel guest who walked in. Right now, options were limited, so all I could do was plaster on a smile and do my job.
#
I watched Eric on the camera as Stone told Monica the bad news and escorted her out. And though I could have spent most of the day watching him, I was about to turn away when Stone appeared again.
He had a short exchange with Eric, and that was it.
Eric Tanner. What had he just said? Was he standing up for the lady I’d just fired?
That sounded about right. He always had a smile for every single guest who walked into the gallery. That kind of optimism usually put me in a sour mood. But not from him. For some reason, Eric Tanner almost made me optimistic.
I frowned and stood, turning away from my desk and the span of computers to stare out the window. I could see across the entire city and to the water. Places I used to go. Often.
Now what was really out there for me? I placed my hand over my abdomen, the scar that was barely visible now, but I knew was there. Another reminder that the real world was a horrible place.
The world had crushed my heart and my spirit. Who gave a shit if I was out there or not?
At least this way, I could wear jeans and a T-shirt to work. Not exactly the image of the high-powered mogul people knew me as, but it was just me here.
Alone.
I walked from the room and turned down the nearest hallway. My studio was on the right, walled in with windows and allowing perfect natural light for my paintings.
I’d started three new ones, but I couldn’t seem to get past the one thing I truly wanted to paint. Eric.
A long table lined one of the windows, supplies and photographs settled across the surface. I flipped through the pictures, mostly still shots from camera feeds throughout the hotel as well as shots I’d had sent in from my favorite photographers. Coastal scenes…lighthouses, mothers and children on the streets…all I had to do was paint something. Anything.
And all I wanted to paint was Eric.
The closest I’d gotten was The Shape, the one that was now for sale in the gallery downstairs. I’d gotten hard making that one, thinking about Eric and what he’d look like naked, his tapered waist, the smooth skin on his thighs…
Someone cleared their throat from the doorway. “Sir.”
I gritted my teeth, trying to get my cock to cooperate. Not now. In fact, I shouldn’t be thinking of Eric ever. He was part of the real world. Out there.
And I’d vowed never to have anything to do with the real world again.
I turned to look at Stone. “What is it?”
“The woman has been escorted from the building. I gave Mr. Tanner my card.”
I nodded. I’d seen Stone on the screens, but even if I hadn’t, I trusted the man. Stone was the only one who’d truly known me before.
“What did he say?” I asked. “When you gave him the card?”
Stone’s jaw clenched. “He wanted me to give you a message. But I made it clear he could call this number if he had any issues.”
“What was the message?”
“It’s not important, sir.”
I only repeated the question. “What was the message?”
“Verbatim, sir?”
“If you remember.” Which I was sure Stone did. Stone remembered everything—which was why I had brought him on staff in the first place.
“I believe he said, ‘Just because we’re not billionaires like him doesn’t mean we’re not people. We have problems just like everyone else, and he should really think twice before screwing with people’s lives’. Or something like that.”
“Is that so?”
“He was quite insistent.”
“And feisty too it looks like,” I said, not sure whether to be insulted or amused.
“That’s accurate.”
“Anything else? Did you have any problem with the woman?”
Stone folded his arms, muscles straining against his jacket. “No. I made it clear she’s not to return to this hotel or any other in the city or she won’t be able to get a job around here anymore. The front desk is also aware that if they see her, she’s to be removed immediately, and the situation is to be brought to our attention.”
“Good.” I grabbed another stack of photos. The last thing I needed was dishonesty and disrespect from employees in my own hotel. I dealt with the situation swiftly and firmly.
I couldn’t rid the outside world of all its injustices, but fuck if I’d let it happen in my hotel.
“Will that be all, sir?” Stone asked.
I glanced back to him. “I’d like to speak with Mr. Tanner.”
There was a long moment of silence, a silence that said more than Stone could have if he’d spoken out loud. I didn’t have meetings. Not often anyway, and definitely not with employees.
“Right now?” Stone asked.
“Tomorrow morning when he arrives at work.”
“Sir?”
I stared at him. “Tomorrow morning.”
Stone nodded, straightening. “Of course. I’ll make sure it happens.”
“That’ll be all.”
I heard Stone’s footsteps fading down the hallway. I glanced down at my outfit. I couldn’t dress like this tomorrow. Eric was the first person from the outside world I’d see in months—maybe longer. I’d been up here so damned long, I forgot how quickly time passed on the outside.
Tomorrow, I’d show Eric just how fucked up the world really was. And then I’d see if he still thought I was messing with innocent people’s lives.
After all, was anyone really innocent?
I tossed the photos back on the table with a growl. Eric. He was the one person who seemed to believe in people, believe that there was still good in the world.
And while I wanted to show him it just wasn’t true, part of me also wanted to lose myself in it.
And in him.
CHAPTER TWO
I didn’t even wait for the cab to stop at the curb before I hopped out. Damn it. I’d overslept. After a terrible night of sleep, I’d finally dozed off at four am and didn’t realize until after I’d woken late that my alarm had broken.
“Shit,” I hissed, hustling toward the hotel entrance as fast as I could. I smiled at the bellhop as I passed but didn’t slow down.
I stopped just before running into a woman, my shoes squeaking on the shiny tile. I was about to apologize when the woman’s purse slid off her shoulder and to the ground, dumping its contents all over the floor.
“Oh, no…” The woman’s eyes went wide.
I gave her a sympathetic smile but tried to maneuver around her. Then I stopped, grumbled a few curses and turned back. I couldn’t leave the woman to clean it up on her own.
I knelt next to the woman. “Let me help.”
She gave a grateful smile as I started scooping up handfuls of junk to return to her purse. Now I was definitely going to be late.
Once the purse was filled again, I stood. “Have a good day.”
“Wait, honey—what’s your name?”
“Eric. Have a—”
“Do you work here?”
I nodded, my fingers squeezing tight on the satchel over my shoulder. “In the store. I should—”
“Please, let me thank you for this.” The woman dug into her purse again, searching for what I assumed was her wallet.
“No. Please—” I started, checking my watch.
Damn it. I should have just run past
the woman. I was already a few minutes late and I couldn’t afford to get fired. Not right now. Mr. Crane was no doubt looking for an excuse to get rid of me, too.
The woman shoved a bill at me. “Thank you so much for your help.”
“Oh, no. Please. It was my pleasure.”
“Take it,” the woman insisted. “You deserve it.”
“I—” My mouth dropped open when I saw it was a hundred.
She physically wrapped my fingers around the bill and nodded, her eyes glinting with a smile. “Buy yourself something nice.”
I almost choked. Yes, I’d pay rent with this. That was always nice—having a roof over my head. But I couldn’t—
The woman gave another nod and walked away while I stared, dumbfounded and one hundred dollars richer. Then I shoved the money in my bag and rushed to the gallery. Just my luck, Mr. Crane would somehow find out I’d taken money from a guest and use that excuse to fire me. No matter what, I’d be screwed.
When I rounded the corner, breathless, I nearly tripped skidding to a stop. And then my heart clutched.
The man from yesterday, the security guard—or at least I’d assumed he was—stood just inside the entrance to the store with another man who looked close to my age, but far more professional. His raven black suit screamed rich! and made the Benjamin I’d just shoved into my bag look like pocket change.
Shit. This was it. I was being fired and he was my replacement.
“Mr. Tanner,” the guard said.
My throat dried. I cleared it. “Yes.”
“Ryan is going to be working here from now on. He already has experience so the transition should be smooth.”
I didn’t know what to say. Who cared if the transition was smooth if I was fired? “Oh. I mean, good. Yes. I’m glad you were able to find someone so quickly.”
He gave a small smile, looking far less intimidating today than he had yesterday. “He’ll also be covering for you this morning.”
“Covering for me?”
He nodded. “Mr. Crane would like to see you.”
