Familiar Strangers

by Standifer, Allie

  His body stiffened at hearing her words. He’d expected her to be wary, tentative, but not to deny the brain-melting desire flaring between them. Lust this powerful and consuming didn’t happen every day with everyone. Didn’t she know that? Or was this just a game she played—turn him on and leave him hard and helpless?

  He spoke harshly. “The hell it can! You want me Regin. No one is that good without being paid for it.”

  He could see anger replacing desire in her eyes. “Maybe not in your experience, but it makes no difference. This,” she waved her hand between their two heavily breathing bodies, “cannot happen again. I didn’t come here for an easy lay.” Regin attempted to brush by him, but he caught her arm forcing her to meet his heated stare.

  “Lady, you have no idea of my experience and, as for being an easy lay...one more touch and you’d have been naked against that window with me deep inside you, screaming my name and loving every inch of me.” He shook her arm when she started to disagree.

  “Don’t,” he warned her. “Lie to yourself all you want, but you can’t lie to me. I was the man with your tongue in his mouth and that hot little body rubbing all over mine. Yeah,” he assured her with a hot look. “I can and will have you, Regin. It’s just a matter of me saying when.” He dropped her arm and walked off.

  **** “It didn’t mean anything. I won’t let his words hurt me.” Regin whirled from the bed she’d leaned against to stomp over to where Annie watched her nervous movements and listened to her rant. Regin had developed the habit of talking to her dog because she spent so much time alone and Annie never argued. “He probably didn’t mean what he said. The words were spoken in the heat of the moment, passionate in voice but meaningless in action, right Annie?”

  It was several hours later and Regin stalked across her bedroom, fuming over the high-handed manner in which Galen had left her.

  The storm outside raged. It battered the windows and moaned eerily, making her shiver in apprehension. This had to be one of the worst situations she’d ever gotten herself in. “I can’t wait till I talk with Tatum again. Restful vacation, my ass. If Tatum hadn’t sent me down to Nowheresville, Louisiana I wouldn’t be stuck in the middle of a hurricane, trapped on an island with the most infuriating, egotistical, and sexiest man I’ve ever had the misfortune to meet.”

  Regin turned and paced to the windows, fuming and making wild gestures. “His eyes should be outlawed or at least come with a warning label. Not to mention his lips and tongue, the man was a walking talking danger to women everywhere. I’m totally alone with him at his mercy.”

  She gave a very unladylike snort at the thought of Galen Matthews having any mercy. He was too hard, too controlled, and too macho to ever be called merciful. She cursed again when she pictured just how hard he had been with her hips tightly pressed against his swollen groin. The man was a damned overachiever in everything it seemed.

  Another crash of lighting sent Regin scurrying away from the boarded up window. She wanted to laugh at her early hurricane assumptions. “A little bit of wind and rain. There is nothing little about the storm pounding the roof and windows of the house. Think he’ll give us life vests when the house blows down?” she asked the dog whose only reply was a soft whimper as if she could understand her mistresses words.

  The wind never slackened, if anything it seemed to intensify, trying to force its way through the wooden barriers to the heart of the house. The heavy rain added its own power, slashing in every direction seeming to come from nowhere and everywhere all at once.

  Regin didn’t know what was worse, the anxiety over the storm outside or her trepidation over the man inside. If she were given the option at that very moment, she was defiantly leaning toward the storm.

  “The storm will only kill me. Galen might be capable of breaking my heart, and I don’t know how to stop him, Annie. If only he’d stayed that cruel, repressed, ignorant hillbilly I thought he was. He could have made my life so much easier. But now, I don’t know what to think of him.”

  There were too many things about Galen Matthews that didn’t add up. Tatum hadn’t given her much information about him. Of course her friend hadn’t told her she would be arriving in the middle of hurricane season, either.

  Tatum simply said that Galen knew the area, had his own island with a guest cottage, and had agreed to teach her about camping and fishing in this area.

  From the first moment they’d met, he’d had a gun in hand and a warning to be wary of strangers, even though he himself was a stranger. His eyes never seemed to rest. He was always scanning the area, looking behind trees and bushes as if expecting someone to attack at any minute. His body was strong and lean. He’d lifted and heaved the cottage furniture without breaking a sweat. She knew he was in better shape than the average gym rat.

  “I can’t exactly put my finger on what disturbs me the most about him, but I know he’s hiding something.” Regin leaned against the boarded window as she thought of her mysterious host. She felt the secret he kept down in her gut and her gut had never been wrong. She simply had to bide her time, ask the questions he expected, and watch every move he made because sooner or later he would slip. Then she’d know why her gut was screaming with unease whenever she thought of him. Regin ran her hands through her already mussed hair. “What do I want from him anyway?” she asked the dog. Receiving no reply, she continued on. “Or should I be asking what he wants from me? Besides sex.”

  She couldn’t lie to herself; his kiss had melted the soles of her shoes and sent her body into nuclear meltdown. No man had ever kissed her like that. She didn’t know how to describe the way he devoured her mouth. It was more than the mere brushing of lips. She had felt absorbed into him. Something within her had dissolved, flowed from her to him and back again.

  “What’s even more terrifying was the feeling of completeness. Like he was the missing piece of me that I’ve been searching for, but never knew,” she glared at her reflection in the dresser mirror. “And I don’t like that feeling,” she told herself firmly. “It gives him too much power over me and he’s got too much as it is right now.”

  Her head shook in denial. It was nothing more than sex—plain, simple, old-fashioned lust. It happened to everyone at some time or another. It was just bad luck her time happened to be when she met Galen. When she got off the island, she’d take the first man who set the same sparks off and kidnap him for at least a week.

  She had to be losing her mind. Maybe the heat from his kiss caused an overload on her brain cells? Or had they felt the heat of his body and simply oozed out her ears? She didn’t believe in soul mates. Of someone being born to love only you. It was an absurd notion. No one with an ounce of intelligence believed in that bullshit. Unfortunately her intelligence was up for grabs at the moment. All because a man had kissed her.

  What was it about him? She’d seen better- looking men before, dated a few of them, but none had ever affected her the way Galen did.

  His eyes were always so carefully blank, his expression giving nothing away except that first night. Instead of his normal hardened expression, his eyes had been filled with heat, fury, and something that had been masked too quickly for her to grasp. She had felt some weird connection and nerves of her own. She had been flooded with fear. Instinct ordered her to run and put as many miles as possible between them.

  Instead she ended up with him as her guide on a storm beaten island, and she’d never once thought to question how they ended up there. For herself, she knew embarrassment caused her to react so out of character and fiercely to a stranger. She didn’t know what excuse he might have given if he’d had one. He might not even remember seeing her that night.

  His dark brooding looks, rock hard body, and don’t give a damn attitude would attract women like bees to honey. He could have been with a woman that night. She hadn’t stayed around long enough to find out. “More than likely, he’s been on a date with some six-foot stacked blonde with hot mamma Barbie lipstick and scrap of sp
andex for a dress. Her name had to be something sweet or cute like Candy or Muffy,” she mumbled to herself, not stopping to wonder at the sudden pain that the idea of Galen with other women caused her. “She’d work in uniform as a dental assistant or doing nothing but looking cute and perky. With a short skirt or a name tag that said, ‘Hi my name’s DO-ME.’

  “Argh. I’m driving myself out of what’s left of my mind. Face the facts,” she told herself harshly, “he doesn’t remember. Now get over it, him and the kiss.”

  She should be able to brush it off, joke about it, and then forget it. It was the perfect plan and she would do it... as soon as she stopped thinking about his taste, feel, heat, and touch; as soon as she stopped wanting to feel everything with him all over again.

  If nothing else, her next book could be about how to survive a full-scale hurricane. That is if she did survive this one.

  A small cracking sound was the only noise Regin heard as she continued to pace the length of the spacious bedroom. Without any additional warning, the large bay windows heaved under the intense wind pressure and busted open. Glass shards and wooden pieces hurtled though the room as Regin tried to duck the large chunk of wood flying toward her. She felt the smack at the back of her head. The carpet rushed up to meet her and the light glittering off the thousands of shards of glass littering the floor was the last thing she saw.

  ****

  The fog seeped slowly off the ground, giving the campus an eerie abandoned look. Regin hurried along the path. She knew it wasn’t safe. There was danger lurking in the shadows— stalking her. Waiting, always waiting for her. She picked up the pace until she ran, but could still feel the force behind her and knew it was a matter of time before he caught her again. Before he put that hideous ribbon around her neck and stole the very breath from her body.

  Then it was happening, he was there whispering in her ear; crude, vicious statements meant to frighten her even more. She twisted in his arms, desperately trying to get away but knowing she wouldn’t. He would kill her this time. The Bow-Tie Strangler would have his revenge. As quickly as it started, the dream moved.

  Richly dressed people in unusual costumes filled a huge elegant ballroom surrounded her. Looking down, she saw her clothes matched the strangers around her. She must be at a masquerade ball.

  The music, atmosphere, and people drowned her in sensations.

  Where was he? He’d promised to meet her here a quarter of an hour ago. What if something had gone wrong? What if he changed his mind and no longer wanted her? What if all those people were right and his only interest was in her money?

  She forced herself to cut off those thoughts. She knew him and he loved her. He loved her more than money and property. They would make their own lives and fortune together without help from anyone.

  She paced the alcove she’d hidden in earlier while awaiting his arrival. It wasn’t like him to be late. But then he’d never planned an elopement before, either. She smiled at the thought. Yes, it must be the wedding plans causing his delay. Shivers of delight raced down her body. By this time tomorrow, she thought, I will be Mrs. Colin Devereaux.

  “Begging your pardon, my lady, but this note just come for you. Rather fancy gent begged me to make sure it was handed to no other than yourself.” A servant handed the paper, bobbed a courtesy, and rushed out as quickly as she’d come.

  Hurriedly she opened the note, scanned the contents, and felt her heart leap with joy.

  My darling, everything has been arranged. Meet me at the slave’s church at half past the hour. Bring nothing with you. I will provide whatever you need. Tonight, you shall be mine.

  Forever Yours C.D.

  She quickly crumpled the note in her hand, not stopping to wonder why he’d changed their plans. All she cared about was that he was waiting for her. He didn’t care if she brought nothing. They would be happy together in his little cottage on the island. One day they would have a huge house filled with love, laughter, and children.

  Careful to draw no attention to herself, she slipped quietly out the terrace doors and rushed to the chapel where she would become his wife and live happily ever after.

  So intent on her thoughts and destination, she didn’t notice the silent figure following her until it was too late and she was beyond the safety of the house. She could hear his footsteps behind her gaining every second.

  She lifted her heavy skirts, trying to maneuver around them but knowing it was useless. She screamed her lover’s name into the night. There was no answer. Where could he be?

  There in the circle of the light, she could see his broad shoulders but something was wrong. He had his arms around something.

  It couldn’t be, but it was. The man she had given her heart, soul, and body to was eagerly embracing another woman. This could not be happening. He loved her. Colin promised they would be together forever. Without his love, she had nothing left to fight for.

  Her future didn’t matter. Let Rupert make her his wife. Her heart wouldn’t survive the betrayal to heal and love another. Colin had killed her as surely as if he had plunged a knife into her chest. Strong arms reached out from behind and clasped her to a firm chest. One arm held her tightly pinned while the other wrapped a soft velvet ribbon around her neck. She could feel the material cutting into her skin, blocking off her air.

  The hideous voice whispered wetly in her ear.

  “Do you see how he’s used you? He’s not coming to save you. He’ll never come because he doesn’t want you and never has. It’s only your money he was after.”

  The words ricocheted in her head. He didn’t want her. He wanted the money. He wasn’t coming. He never wanted her. He never wanted her. He had never wanted...

  His arms around another woman’s body, those warm velvet lips tasting another woman’s lips.

  “Colin.” Her heart screamed in denial.

  Chapter Eleven

  Galen took the stairs three at a time at the sound of smashing glass. He’d been downstairs in the library watching the storm move in. He marveled that something so beautiful and mysterious could be so deadly at the same time.

  He’d been grateful for the distraction. The watching, tracking, and waiting had kept his mind off the woman pacing up stairs. He immersed himself in the lightning, wind, and rain until he heard that sound. The soft groan of wood giving way to the force of the wind, an instant before the shattering of glass reached his ears. His feet barely touched the first step when he heard her scream.

  He didn’t notice the steps that flew beneath his feet, his stammering heart, or oxygen deprived lungs. He was conscience only of the gut wrenching fear that tore through his chest. The panic grew stronger when he realized he could no longer hear Regin’s screams.

  Galen didn’t pause at the landing and almost slid into the bathroom. He caught himself in time to grasp the railing and swung to the right. Regin’s door was closed and locked. One quick hard kick and the wood splintered beneath his heavy boot. He rushed into the storm-destroyed room and searched desperately to find her.

  Regin was on her stomach, hands over her head, not moving. Galen’s fear crazed mind couldn’t see her breathe. It was hard to tell with the rain continuing to pour through the open windows. The wind swirled the sheets and curtains.

  Galen silently prayed at the sight of Regin covered from the back of her head to her bare toes in water mixed with blood.

  “Regin.” His voice was lost in the wind rushing through the smashed windows. Bloody water stained her clothes where the glass had cut through. From the amount of blood he could see, he knew she wasn’t in danger of dying. It was her lack of consciousness that had his heart kicking in his chest.

  Gently Galen brushed as much glass from Regin’s back as possible. Not caring about the blood welling up on his own hands while he methodically swiped her clean. The more glass he removed, the more blood flowed but he wasn’t going to allow himself to panic when every minute might count. Satisfied he’d removed as much of the glass as pos
sible, he lightly turned her over and cringed to see blood flowing freely down her face.

  Galen softly tapped her cheek and whispered, “Regin open your eyes for me, baby. I need you to look at me,” he pleaded. “One quick look so I know you’re okay.”

  She made no sound or movement, but the gentle rise and fall of her chest assured him that she was alive and breathing.

  The large egg-shaped lump on her head caused his stomach to twist. She needed to wake and do it fast. If her injuries weren’t serious then he would let her rest and only wake her once every four hours.

  Galen’s hand slapped harder against her cheek, rougher with fear. “Damn it, Neff, don’t be such a coward. A little water and wind never killed anybody.” And he prayed she wouldn’t make a liar out tightened as he picked her limp body up and maneuvered the stairs while he murmured soft assurances against her hair.

  He placed Regin on the soft leather sofa in the living room and reached for a blanket as Regin shot up, eyes closed, breath heavy. Galen thought that her mind was trapped upstairs with the glass and wood flying at her, but the hard cold voice reaching his ears held no fear only dark determination and deep fury. He was caught off guard as her arm swung up.

  “It won’t happen again, you bastard.”

  As quickly as it happened, her demeanor changed. She was once again the Regin Galen was familiar with.

  As he raised his hand to smack her again, her eyes slit open. “Hit me again, Matthews, and I’ll beat the hell out of you.”

  Galen was thrilled she was awake and speaking. He clutched her to his chest, grateful to feel her squirming against him. It wasn’t until she moaned that he realized how much pain he caused her. His arms dropped and she landed with a thud facing the floor once again.

  “Some hero you’d make,” she complained.