Familiar Strangers

by Standifer, Allie

  “Damn it, woman, do you have to jump every time I speak?”

  He stepped from away from the dying light and the image faded as his words penetrated her fogged brain. “I don’t jump every time you speak.” At least she didn’t think she did. Hard to tell considering the strange effect Galen had on her. Now that they would be sleeping under the same roof, her agitation would probably only get worse. It was bad enough to have fantasies about the man all by her lonesome, but it was a whole other problem having them when the man was sleeping down the hall.

  “You jump whenever I get within five feet of you, and I don’t have a clue why. Care to fill me in?” He raised one eyebrow in a now familiar gesture.

  Damon had taught her the best defense was a good offense. She learned her lessons well. Regin closed the remaining distance between them and poked her finger in the middle of his chest. “There I’m touching you and I haven’t jumped once. Feel better?”

  Chapter Nine

  Galen could feel the heat from her finger through the thin cotton of his shirt and wished he’d never started something he couldn’t finish. Regin didn’t have to know that though. He turned on his heel and stomped out, not bothering to answer.

  He’d put himself through hell the past few days working to get the island ready for the coming storm. Trying to exhaust himself so he wouldn’t be tempted to touch her. His plan had worked well for the daylight hours. Night was another story. When he fell into bed, his mind and body took over.

  His dreams were becoming more vivid with details he never knew himself capable of. He considered himself a normal healthy man and, as such, had his share of hot dreams. These typical dreams were nothing compared to the nights he spent making love to Regin in his mind. He was familiar with every soft inch of her body, the taste of her was constant in his mouth, and the feel of her silky skin was better known to him than his own.

  If his dreams had been about just hotter sex, he could have dealt with them, but he was dreaming of more. His mind painted pictures of them together talking, laughing, sharing dinners and more. He had no idea what to make of the dreams. How he could make them stop was something he hadn’t figured out yet.

  His job was to protect his client, not to seduce her. He wasn’t going to be able to protect a damn thing if he didn’t stop picturing what she looked like naked. He didn’t like the man he was turning into around her. He could handle lust. Lust was familiar and safe. What he was feeling around Regin was more than lust though, and it grew deeper the more time they spent together.

  He didn’t want to care about her. He didn’t have room in his life for someone like her. She was commitment. Someone who would want more than just the few nights he could give her. Galen was determined to offer her the only thing they both would accept, his friendship.

  “Hey, I wasn’t finished talking to you.”

  Galen started at the feel Regin’s hand on his arm. So caught up in his fantasies, he hadn’t noticed she’d followed him into the house. He scowled down at her hand where it was tightly grasping him. “Do you mind?”

  “As a matter of fact, I don’t.”

  She wasn’t going to back down no matter how fierce he looked. She had done everything he wanted for the past two days. He’d been amazed at the easy companionship in which they worked. He was surprised to find himself genuinely liking her. She shouldn’t be blamed for something she hadn’t done.

  “We’re going to be stuck together until this thing blows over or we die.” She stepped closer until her face was just inches from his. “Do you think you could put your bad ass attitude to rest till one or the other happens?”

  He quirked his eyebrow at her. Seeing the anger in her eyes, he was sure Regin wanted to hit him

  “Don’t you raise your eyebrow at me, I want an answer. Do we play nice together or do I go back to the cottage and strap myself down with the rest of the furniture?”

  ****

  Regin waited for him to tell her to go to hell or simply walk away. What she didn’t expect was his laughter. Oh God, the man was handsome scowling. When he laughed, he was beyond compare.

  He seemed to hesitate before he stuck his hand out. “Truce, then?”

  Regin tilted her head to the side in suspicion before shaking his hand. “You’re not going to change your mind then lock me out when the storm hits are you?”

  Galen tried to cover his laugh with a cough, but Regin heard it just the same. “No, I won’t kick you out in the middle of the storm. I’m sorry I gave you the impression I would. I’m really not that bad of a guy.”

  She clasped his warm hand in hers before quickly dropping it. She still felt the heat of his body all the way to her toes and every place in between. “Yeah, I’ll have to get back to you on that one. In the meantime, is there anything else we need to do before the storm hits?” She refused to call the hurricane by its name. Doing so might somehow bring Caprice’s prediction to life.

  He shook his head before answering. “No, we’ve done everything we can. The rest is up to God and nature. We just have to sit tight and wait it out.” His broad shoulders shrugged in easy acceptance, as if he wasn’t going to spend any more time worrying about something he couldn’t change.

  He was right. They had worked hard to make the island as secure as possible. The rest was out of their hands. “So what do we do until then?” She regretted the words the minute they left her mouth. She didn’t want to encourage closeness, but there didn’t seem to be any other choice. Besides, there was that nagging voice in the back of her head, whispering Galen wasn’t what he said he was. Was he someone she should be afraid of?

  If Galen read more into her words, he showed no sign. His answer came quick and easy. “For now, we wait. Watch the weather while we can, track the storm and, take advantage of the electricity before it goes out.”

  Her eyes widened in fear. “Do you really think the power will go out?”

  “I don’t know what the storm will do. It could turn at the last minute and hit the Texas coast, missing us completely. It could stay on track and nail us. You just never know what a hurricane is going to do. The best we can do is be prepared and hope it turns. Why don’t you take advantage of a hot shower while you can? I’ll start dinner while you get cleaned up.” He turned toward the kitchen, not bothering to wait for her answer.

  Regin wasn’t going to be stupid and refuse what could be her last shower for days. “Okay, thanks. I’ll hurry and give you a hand with dinner.” She wasn’t sure, but she thought she heard a groan come from his direction. Too caught up in the promise of a shower, she let it go.

  They had a tentative truce going, and Regin was determined not to be the one who crossed the line. She’d followed whatever orders he gave. This was his territory and, though she wouldn’t admit in to his face, he did know best.

  She hurried through her shower, giving Galen no room to reprimand her for using up all the hot water. The peace between them was fragile. No sense risking the cease fire before it had barely started. Regin threw on her clothes and ran a brush quickly through her wet hair before pulling it back.

  ****

  The relentless rain and harsh lightning did little to ease Galen’s mood as he prepared for bed. Knowing Regin was down the hall made his unease worse. A few short feet separated him from the woman who was both infuriating and captivating. She tested his patience with her incredible body, as well as her contrary behavior and flippant attitude. He could be in her bed within minutes, finally giving into temptation, but he didn’t make a move toward the door. How could he? He’d agreed to protect her, plus they were finally getting along well enough to share a pleasant dinner together. Still, the lure of her soft skin and her full mouth was still there, even after separating for the evening.

  The wanting was too powerful. Galen didn’t like this need he had for her. Used to being on his own, answering to no one, doing as he pleased, this new development with Regin was proving to be more difficult than he’d anticipated.

&nb
sp; Like many of the men he’d served with in the military, he needed no one and relied on no one. He was an independent man with no ties to anyone. Unfortunately, the ugly truth of being a superior warrior was, when they were killed, there was no one to notify. Until Regin, his lifestyle had never bothered him.

  And now, the lone wolf was stuck with a woman he was attracted to in the middle of a hurricane on an isolated island living under the same roof. He could only pray the storm would be brief and their interaction impersonal. A man had only so much self-control, and Regin Neff trampled all over his.

  Her presence in his home wasn’t the real problem. If it were that simple, he could camp out by the beach and be done with it. No, there was something more going on and he knew exactly when it started. The first night he saw her in the bar. Their eyes had met across the room and, no matter how much she might want to deny the truth, there had been instant recognition.

  He shook his head and gazed out to the black night. How could there be recognition when they had never met? He didn’t consider her his type, but it didn’t matter. He would have noticed Regin any place under any circumstance.

  His hand absently rubbed a thin crescent birthmark on his chest as he thought back to the conversation Caprice had shared with him many years ago.

  He had been a boy, still believing in honor, honesty, and the basic goodness of his fellow human beings. She’d understood and had encouraged his belief while cautioning him to keep his eyes open.

  “Bébé, you have the true heart to see what others don’t,” she’d told him in her soft musical accent. “But make sure to protect yourself first and everyone else second, because they won’t think about taking care of you.”

  “Ahh, Caprice, people aren’t like that,” he’d argued with her.

  Theirs was an old fight, and she didn’t seem to want to waste the night going over old ground. “Like I say, you have the true heart. It’s a good and noble thing, but it won’t always be such. There is coming a time when bad will overcome good. Not for long, Cherie, but long enough to taint your view and change you heart. I don’t like thinking of this time to come, but I must.”

  Galen knew better than to interrupt. He sat quietly by her side, looking out over the water and letting her voice caress his innocent soul.

  “There is ancient evil gaining strength. It’s coming after the keeper of your soul. Everything you possess to fight it will fail. Only when you have nothing left to fight with will you rise and defeat that which cannot be defeated.”

  To his sixteen-year-old credit, Galen didn’t laugh or mock her words. He thoughtfully considered them and turned to give her a cheeky grin. “Trust me, Caprice, if something like that ever comes after me, you’re the first person I’m calling.”

  He could still hear the soft ripple of her laughter over the water as she replied. “Ah, Cherie, by the time your destiny is at hand, I’ll be the last person you’re thinking of.”

  He was startled to remember the conversation. He hadn’t thought of it since the night it had taken place. Another example of Regin messing with his mind.

  He swore he wasn’t going to go near her no matter what. He’d shove these strange emotions, dreams, visions aside and do his job. Regin was just another client and it was about time he treated her as such.

  His vow just made, the silent night was shattered when he heard a scream of pain and terror. He was up and running toward Regin’s room before his eyes finished opening.

  Instinct alone kept him from shouting her name as he closed the space between their rooms. He barely registered the sweat covering his body and the slight shaking of his hands. Everything in him was focused solely on the woman screaming behind the bedroom door.

  He stood along the side of the door, slowing his breathing and running options through his head. Regin was on the other side of the door in trouble and pain. Knowing that made keeping calm hard. He wanted to kick the door down, run in guns blazing, but he couldn’t until he knew the threat facing him.

  Galen believed this until her next scream rent the air and all the hair on the back of his neck stood straight.

  “No!” He heard his own choked shout. “The hell with this!” he hoarsely cursed and sent his leg crashing through the oak door. His eyes adjusted within seconds as he swiftly made his way across the room to the bed.

  Galen could see Regin thrashing across the mattress, her legs tangled between sheets and tears streaming down her face.

  His swift survey of the room showed nothing out of order. The French doors were firmly latched with every glass panel intact. There was no one inside the room trying to harm her. The demons attacking her were locked inside her mind where only she could see them.

  He didn’t think, just acted and leapt across the room, wrapping his arms tightly around her. “Shhh, baby, everything’s okay. You’re not alone. I’m here.” His voice sounded shaky to his own ears. He continued whispering softly. The words were nonsense, but he couldn’t seem to stop.

  He could feel his own pain swelling in his chest as her horror-filled voice cried out. “No, not this way. Not again. Colin! Where are you?”

  Galen’s blood surged hotly in his veins hearing another man’s name spilled from her soft lips. He didn’t know who this Colin was or what part he played in Regin’s nightmare, but he meant something to her or she wouldn’t be crying out for him.

  In spite of, or maybe because of, his jealousy, he tightened his embrace, wanting nothing to intrude on the darkness they shared. He wanted to help her. No, he needed to help her. Something was bursting within him to fight her demons on her behalf. “Regin, hush, love. You’re not alone. I’m here with you now.”

  He willed his arms to release her when her body shifted and her arms wrapped tightly around his waist.

  ****

  Regin was dreaming. Though she knew the images in her head were a dream, they seemed so real she couldn’t stop the panic growing within her. She was running through a dense forest toward a light she couldn’t see, but instinctively knew was there. There was a man waiting there for her. Someone she knew. Someone she loved. If only she could reach him in time. She needed to run faster. There wasn’t much time. Another man, an awful man, was gaining on her. And if he caught her, she wouldn’t only lose her life, but her heart and soul as well.

  There.

  The light grew stronger up ahead, and she could see the silhouette of a man waiting for her, arms outstretched. A few more feet and she would be safe within the warm haven of his embrace.

  Too late, she felt the damp harsh breath of her attacker on her neck as he yanked her from the path and into the darkness. She couldn’t see the man’s face, but his eyes glowed bright with evil. He wanted more from her than death. This thing wanted to possess her very soul, and he was angry because he was failing again.

  Though the knowledge of him and their battle was deeply buried in her mind, she knew it all to be true. They had fought before. Each had lost. He wanted something from her, something he’d killed to get. She was unable to give it to him, no matter how many times he came after her. Whatever the thing was, it wasn’t hers to give. She had freely offered it to another and couldn’t take it back.

  They shared the knowledge between them, this evil being and her. He knew what she did not and his rage grew. She could feel his cold moist hands tightening around her neck, squeezing the life out of her once again.

  Her thoughts were of the man she loved. The one she had almost reached. Why hadn’t he come after her? What was he waiting for? Did he not know they were being torn apart again? “No,” she cried. “No, not this way. Not again. Colin! Where are you?”

  The light grew brighter. A voice called to her gently, telling her she wasn’t alone; he was there with her and would be with her always. She could feel the heat of his promise tingle along her spine. As the voice grew in power, the claws closing off her air fell away.

  She gasped as the sweet flow of oxygen once again filled her lungs and restored her body.
He was there, Colin had finally found her. She would no longer have to be afraid of the dark or the evil that followed her into sleep.

  Galen saw that her eyes didn’t open. Her breathing was calmer though, and her body lost its tautness. The lines of strain slowly disappeared from her pale face as his words penetrated the despair of her vision. She burrowed her head into the hollow of his shoulder, as if it were created for her, and became lost in dreamless sleep.

  Galen could do nothing but watch the even rise and fall of her chest, wondering what battle she fought. Could this be a nightmare of Townsend? Who the hell was Colin? What hold did he have over her?

  He shifted his arms and leaned back against the pillows, noticing too late he wore only his plaid boxers. Galen knew he could have her now if he wanted—and he wanted—the straining bulge in his shorts was proof enough. But he didn’t want her this way. He wanted her weak from desire, not fear. This wasn’t the time or place to indulge in his fantasies. He would have her hot and breathless beneath him another tonight. Tonight he needed to give her the comfort and safety of his body and nothing more.

  He released a long drawn out sigh. It would be a while before he felt comfortable leaving Regin alone. He settled himself in for the reminder of the night. His arms clutched her tightly, never admitting how good and right it felt to have her there. Nor did he dwell on the fact that, from the first moment he saw Regin across the noisy bar, he knew exactly how she would feel pressed against the length of his over-heated body.

  ****

  Lightning sparked across the sky as rain crashed down, drowning the morning in unrelenting gray. Regin turned her head and was shocked at the play of nature’s violence outside her windows. The wind shook trees like mere play toys, tossing heavy branches into the air and twirling them before sending them crashing back to the ground.

  Even seeing the force of the storm, she was surprised when she walked to the glass to see the bridge now completely submersed in the dark turbulent water.