Familiar Strangers

by Standifer, Allie

  Galen would be in danger because he had felt pity and lust for a woman he didn’t know. His blood would be on her hands. Regin still had a few days grace before the letter would arrive. It would give her time to make plans.

  She would leave without a word. She’d done it before, but this time Regin wouldn’t have Tatum’s sources to back her up. She’d be on her own. She couldn’t burden Damon with this. She knew he would lose his infamous temper and there wouldn’t be a prison strong enough to keep her best friend from killing Townsend.

  Regin didn’t want Damon spending the rest of his life in jail because she couldn’t handle her own problems. Townsend was her problem. She wouldn’t let anyone else suffer because a madman was obsessed with her life.

  ****

  Galen reached his arm out to have the close heat of Regin’s body pressed against his. Maybe he could talk her into a different kind of wake up call. His lower body rose in happy agreement.

  With a half-smile on his face, eyes still closed, he leaned over to draw Regin back into his arms. His eyes immediately popped open when he encountered nothing but empty covers. A quick look around the room showed no sign of Regin.

  Galen was awake and in full panic not being able to find her. His terror multiplied when he saw Annie scratching and whining at the door, demanding her morning release. He bolted from the bed, taking time to throw on a pair of jeans before he hit the stairs running and calling out Regin’s name, knowing there would be no reply... Just like the last time.

  Chapter Fourteen

  He shook his head as his bare feet flew over the chilly hardwood floor. Where were these thoughts coming from? Galen had never run through the house screaming Regin’s name. Or maybe he had last night but he couldn’t remember.

  Annie flew by him and pushed her nose against the kitchen door. Galen knew better than to deny the animal’s natural instinct. He was right when Annie bolted out the door heading straight to the beach.

  Everything seemed different this morning. Colors were both muted and more vivid than he’d ever seen. Sounds swirled and danced around him, but Galen couldn’t pin point what they were. Everything moved slowly, but with purpose.

  With a jolt he understood the world around him was nothing more than a dream. But with a smile of pleasure Galen also knew he could shape and influence the events in this realm.

  Even in a dream his panic and fear for Regin wouldn’t leave him. It wasn’t Galen’s nature to overreact in any situation. He’d been trained to evaluate, contemplate, and then initiate.

  But years of training and his own innate survival instincts were being pushed aside in his fear for Regin.

  Relief swept through his so quickly at the sight of Regin on the beach, he felt his legs buckle. It took every ounce of discipline to lock his knees and force a casual tone and smile to his face.

  “You’ve been waiting long?” he tried to joke, tried to convince his body to move off her luscious form, but it wasn’t listening.

  He could feel the heat of her through the layers of cloth separating them. She had to know the effect her lush body was having on him. The proof of it was nestled against her and rapidly growing harder and longer with every breath.

  He saw the confusion cloud her eyes by his question. Could she be as struck by this passion as he? Was that why she wasn’t struggling out of his hold like any good Catholic Creole girl would?

  It was the excuse his mind needed to follow his body’s demands. He swiftly lowered his head and captured her lips.

  Her taste was everything he imagined and more. She tasted of both sunlit gardens and moonlit walks. He nibbled her lips teasingly, coaxing her to open to him. Her lips parted under the pressure and his tongue swooped in like a conquering army. He tasted every inch of her mouth, running his skilled tongue along the perfect lines of her teeth. Their tongues intertwined, thrusting gently mimicking the gently rocking motions of his hips.

  When she gave a breathless moan, he made sure to capture the sigh with his mouth. He felt her arms tentatively latch around his neck, her fingers delving into the thickness of his hair. A strong shudder of desire swept through his body at the feel of her hands touching him. He felt like an unschooled boy with his first woman. He wasn’t so callous. He was a full grown man in control of his own desires and passions. No woman had made him lose control. He would gather what was left of his senses and take her home, then never see her again. His resolve lasted until he felt the tentative movement of her hips thrusting hesitantly against his own. His intentions, good or otherwise, fled as desire like he’d never known flooded his body and claimed his mind.

  He made love to her there on the sandy beach in the morning light He didn’t know her name. It didn’t seem important, nothing but the feel of her in his arms was important—not the problems that came before nor the ones he knew to come after. His only concern was for the woman in his arms and how he could make her his forever.

  He peeled the satin gown from her skin, kissing every inch of skin revealed. She whispered a token protest when he undressed her, but once he lay beside her, skin to skin, her whispers changed to passionate pleas.

  He joined their bodies, hearts and souls. Her virgin body was tight around him, but he knew this woman was made for him. She shuddered beneath him, her warmth tightening even more around him as she emitted moans and gasps and panted for breath. His roar of completion dared the devil himself to try and take her from him.

  He lay beside her content for the moment. Her heart beat rapidly under his cheek. He rolled to his back, clasping an arm around her and bringing her head to his shoulder. He absently stroked her back, enjoying the feel of her skin against the roughness of his hand.

  The scene suddenly changed. It was night. He was screaming out her name, listening as his words echoed back through the sound of the falling rain.

  He’d lost her. She was somewhere out in the dark woods alone. He ran, heedless of the branches slashing against his face and cutting into his pants. He knew she was out there. He had to find her before it was too late. Then the pain of the memories caused him to drop to his knees and grip his head. ****

  “Regin!”

  The shout cut through the brisk wind. Galen’s voice was singed with anger. How was she going to face him? Did she want him to think last night had meant nothing to her? It would make leaving so much easier if Regin fed his rage.

  Regin looked over her shoulder when the sound of the kitchen door slamming was followed by a grunt of pain. Galen kneeled on the ground, body bent, hands clutching his dark hair. She flew across the yard to the man kneeling in the rain soaked grass, clutching his head and groaning in pain.

  Oh God, she was too late. Townsend had been here. Fear froze Regin on her knees in front of Galen’s rigid form. He must have woken, seen she wasn’t there, and come to find her. His jeans had been hastily put on, zipped but left unbuttoned.

  “Oh God, Galen, please open your eyes. Please.” Regin tapped his warm whiskered cheeks. “Please, I’m sorry. I didn’t know. I thought there would be more time. He’s always given me more time. Why wasn’t there time? How had this happened?” she whispered to herself.

  Galen was one of the strongest men she knew. How had Townsend managed to catch him unaware? Was he still lurking in the shadows, stalking her? Rage pushed aside the body- numbing fear.

  Damn her, if she would just sit here and fall apart like she had last night. If that madman wanted his shot at her, then he could damn well take it. Regin wasn’t leaving the yard without Galen. Quickly running her hands across his clammy stomach, down his arms and legs, she could find no signs of injury, no blood, no swelling.

  Rocking back on her heels, Regin’s mind rapidly absorbed what must have happened.

  Townsend somehow had escaped or the henchman who sent the letters had found her here; saw them together last night and now Regin was being punished. Galen was the one suffering for her lack of willpower.

  “Galen, I’m so sorry,” she whispered over his
bent form. “I didn’t know. I didn’t know,” she repeated, her voice breaking under the weight of guilt. “He didn’t send the letter. I didn’t get the letter. There should have been more time.” She backed away slowly shaking her head. “I didn’t know. I didn’t know.”

  Assured Galen would be fine until she called 911 and sent help. There were no obvious wounds, but there were many different ways to cause pain.

  “I’m leaving, Galen. I’m calling for help then I’m leaving. I promise. I’m taking the nightmare I brought with me. I won’t have your blood on my hands.”

  Regin leaned in, kissed his face softly, and walked around him. She had taken no more than two steps when her wrist was shackled.

  “You not going any damn place, woman.” Galen’s husky voice warned her.

  Regin’s eyes widened in shock as she looked down to where Galen’s hand wrapped itself tightly around her wrist. What was going on? Just seconds ago she thought him to be dying. “Wha...what?” She couldn’t get the breath to speak. His eyes narrowed in anger as he looked up from his seated position in the damp grass. “What, Regin? You were going to sneak away to avoid me? I’m not going to make it easy. Sorry, babe.” Galen’s voice sounded anything but sorry. ****

  His grip tightened as Galen struggled to rein in his anger. There were too many sensations roaring through him. There was too much shit, memories, emotions, playing tag in his head. He couldn’t deal with it, didn’t have the time to deal with her childishness. He knew she’d been running. He wouldn’t allow her to run from him again, once had been enough.

  Head throbbing, stomach jumping, he rose slowly to his feet never freeing her wrist. “We’re gonna talk, Regin. Now.”

  Dragging her feet, Galen pulled her none too gently behind him. He was so preoccupied with his thoughts, he was only dimly aware of Annie as the dog raced toward the water covered bridge, barking as she struggled to gain their attention.

  **** Swearing softly, the man lowered his gun, slinking silently into the woods before the dog swam over. He didn’t want it catching his scent. He didn’t have the luxury of shooting the mutt yet. The noise would only alert them. Quietly he merged back into the trees, carefully removing any sign of his nightlong vigil.

  There would be another time and a better place to take Regin’s man out. After all, he had made a promise to her. He was nothing if a man who kept all his promises. With one last look at the house, he vanished into the dank swamp foliage.

  ****

  “Why you were leaving?” Galen’s voice was calm, soft, and laced with steel. She was in deep shit.

  “Galen, please.” Regin tried to reason with him. “You have to understand there are things about me you don’t know. Things I can’t tell you. It would be better for you if I left.” Granted, it would have been rude to leave without saying goodbye, but hell she thought the man was dying. A point Regin didn’t think wise to bring up given his present mood.

  She was sitting in Galen’s brightly decorated kitchen while Galen stood with his back to her, staring out the curtained window. He’d said nothing except to ask that one question. A question she could never answer.

  “Why, Regin?” he demanded again. She could see his hands clenched on the steel sink. He was fighting his anger but why? Why was he so angry? Surely last night hadn’t meant anything to him.

  Regin hedged toward the door. “It’s time for me to go. I don’t like being in one place too long. The hurricane was fun, the sex was good, but—”

  Galen whirled around like a man possessed. “Fun?” he shouted as he paced towards her. “Good? That’s your excuse for running? ‘It’s been fun, but I’m outta here?’” he mocked. Galen looked like he wanted to strangle her. How could she not remember what they shared when he looked at her like that?

  “What the hell is the matter with you, woman?”

  There was only so much a woman could take and right then and there was Regin’s limit. He wanted to push! Could he deal with her pushing back?

  Regin closed the space between them and poked a finger into his naked warm chest, ignoring the hot tingle the touch of his skin provided. “Me? What’s the matter with me? I’ll tell you.” Her finger continued its assault on his body. “You are what’s the matter with me. We had sex, Galen. S.E.X. We didn’t exchange vows, pledge eternal love, or make plans for the picket fence.”

  Pain, anger, confusion, and hurt crossed Galen’s face before it was masked. Regin shook her head to dispel the images. Certainly he couldn’t have feelings for her? No, he was a man alone on an island, albeit a very small one, but an island none the less and she was the lone female.

  She dismissed it. “We’ve been there, done that, and now it’s out of our systems. Time to move on.” With a final poke, she turned in her wet shoes and moved toward the door.

  Regin made it three steps before being yanked around. “What if it’s not?” Galen came from behind her and trapped her between the table and his body.

  “What if what’s not?” Breathing was a mistake around him. Every breath Regin drew came with his scent. Spicy, warm male, alive and all Galen.

  “What if you’re not out of my system? Maybe I need to be there and do that again before I let you walk away, Regin.”

  Oh no, he couldn’t be serious. There was no way Regin could be near Galen again, let him into her body and that much closer to her heart.

  Townsend was out there. He could watch her every move. Regin knew it. She could feel the truth of it as it pressed the air down. The letter might not have shown up, but it was just a matter of time.

  Galen didn’t wait for her response. He edged his body closer, pressing exposed masculine flesh against her throbbing breasts. “This is a very bad idea,” she warned him. Regin couldn’t think when he was this close. Not when he had that look in his eye. The one that spoke of hushed whispers, sensual pleasures, and hours exploring naked flesh.

  “So you keep telling me,” he breathed lightly against her ear, causing shivers Regin couldn’t hide to race over her body. “This is the best idea I had since last night.” Galen’s arm reached around to cup her neck, softly whispering her name as he brought her lips to meet his hungry kiss. His mouth covered hers, hungry and hot. He sank his tongue into her mouth, and Regin gave a small moan of acceptance.

  Lost in the heat of Galen’s mouth, Regin could taste his passion and the strength of his desire against her stomach. He pulled her body tightly against his, ignoring the weak protest her arms made.

  ****

  Love demanded Galen have her again, cementing the physical bond between them while desperately searching for a way to seal Regin’s heart to his and force her to remember who and what he was to her.

  He lowered her to the table, carelessly sweeping aside anything in his way. She was as inundated as he in the passion they created together. Galen wouldn’t get another chance before the truth came out. He needed this time with Regin. He would grab anything in order to strengthen the link between them. He couldn’t have found her after all these years just to lose her again.

  Regin was his, damn it. He wasn’t going to lose her again, not to anyone.

  ****

  Her brain shouted a million reasons why she shouldn’t be there kissing him, touching him, but Regin’s heart overruled reason. There was no reason with Galen. Everything simply was.

  Warm lips trailed wet kisses along her neck, nipping gently along her pulse and sending shivers over her body. Regin wanted everything Galen had to give and more. She wanted the tomorrow she never dreamed of and the today that couldn’t last. Anything seemed possible when Galen held her. Regin would take what he offered today and live on the memories tomorrow.

  Callused fingers edged her damp shirt over her breasts, exposing them to his exploring lips. Galen’s tongue swirled along the edge of her nipples then sucked the hardened tip into his mouth. “Tell me you don’t want this. Want me.” Lifting his head from her chest, his gaze burned through her.

  Words wouldn’t f
orm, Regin’s tongue thickened. How could Galen expect answers when he drove all thought from her head? “I don’t want to want you. It’s too dangerous.”

  Regin spoke about the risk to her heart, but knew he didn’t understand as she felt Galen’s pulse leap and he doubled his seduction efforts. “It’s all right, Cheri’. I’ve got you now. It’s time to let go.”

  Passion heated the kitchen, filling the room with harsh groans, frantic gasps, and the sound of cloth being ripped apart.

  “God, woman, you drive me insane,” he groaned into her neck. “Tell me how I know exactly where to touch you? How do I know that if I lick the base of your spine you explode?” His busy mouth pushed aside her shirt to bury his eager lips against her swollen breasts. “Tell me how I know exactly where to bite and lick your body to make you come?” He confirmed his words by gently biting the inside of her nipple then quickly laved the hurt with his heated tongue. She could feel the moisture gathering between her thighs.

  He raised his head, staring straight into her eyes. “And you know the same things about me. Don’t deny it, Regin. It’s too late for denial. Your body has answered for you,” he said as his mouth swooped back down to take possession of hers.

  Clever hands unclasped the buttons on Regin’s shorts and they were shoved quickly off her damp legs. She ached to have Galen inside her as deep and complete as he had been last night.

  “Galen, please,” she begged him.

  “Yes, Regin. Oh God, yes, baby. I need to be inside you... Now!” She felt his hands fumble with the zipper of his jeans, cursing as the damp material refused to cooperate. Regin heard the rasp of metal being lowered and almost whimpered in relief. Her head thrashed from side to side on the hard wooden table. Blood pounded, her breasts heaved, all because this one man knew how to touch her.

  “Look at me,” Galen demanded, his voice harsh with restraint and passion.