Someone was in her backyard and had just opened the gate leading to the alleyway.She dove for her phone.Her hands shook and her fingers fumbled over the screen as she pulled up Aiden’s contact information.
She hit the call button and pressed the phone to her ear.She needed a weapon—if she hadn’t been so exhausted before bed, she would have grabbed a knife or something.
“Yeah?”Aiden said, his tone sleepy.
“It’s me.I heard someone out back...the gate opened to the alleyway.”Her words came out breathless.The sweat on her palms made her grip the phone tighter, desperate not to lose her only lifeline.
Rustling reached her ears.Then came the sound of Aiden’s car door shutting softly.“I’m going to have to hang up,” he said, his breath huffing in and out.“I don’t want anyone to hear me.Stay inside no matter what and if I’m not at your door in a couple of minutes call the police.”
“Okay,” she mumbled.God, she hated being a sitting duck.But there wasn’t much she could do without a gun and handcuffs.
“Dez?”
“Uh-huh?”
“It’s going to be okay.”
He hung up.
Refusing to twiddle her thumbs, she got up and opened her bedroom door.The dark hallway greeted her.She didn’t dare turn on a light and alert the person that she was awake.Better for Aiden to catch them red-handed.
She slid her feet along the smooth maple hardwood floors.The hair on her arms stood to attention, waiting for a sound that would shake the night.She pressed her phone against her abdomen, her arms curled around her middle as if the action made her quieter.
A low light shone from the kitchen.She’d left the light on beneath the microwave in the event she needed to get a glass of water or go to the bathroom in the night.She crossed the threshold.The soles of her feet touched the cool tile.
She reached the butcher’s block and pulled out the largest knife.Stabbing someone really wasn’t one of her life goals, but she’d do whatever was necessary.She made her way to the short hallway that led to the back door and stopped when she reached the wood.
Her heart pulsed.Every ounce of her stamina was required.Aiden had told her to stay put, but if he was in trouble...
She swiped her tongue over her bottom lip, stripping her skin of moisture.Her knees wobbled and a chill danced over the exposed skin outside her pajama shorts and tank top.One hand held her cell phone, the other the knife.The latter she sure as hell wouldn’t let go.She slid her phone to the washing machine near the closet and then reached for the deadbolt, closing her fingers around the sleek steel.
Knock,knock
She screamed and leaped away from the door, slapping her hand to her chest.
“Dez, it’s me.”Aiden’s smooth, masculine voice floated through the door.
She unsnapped the lock and yanked open the door.He stood on the back porch, his hair messy, as if he’d dragged his hand through it ten times.He wore a pair of athletic shorts and a T-shirt.
“C-Come in.”
He strode inside, his gaze sweeping the dark room.She leaned forward and hit the light, brightening the laundry area.
He blinked and shut the door behind him.
He stood well above her—so much taller that she could seek shelter under the breadth of his chest.She lowered the knife.Her breath shallowed despite the rise in her body temperature.
His focus moved to her face then slowly dipped down her body.His gaze stopped at her chest, and her nipples tightened.The response drove desire through her core, making her want to push him up against the wall and slide her tongue between his teeth, like he’d done to her two nights ago.
“Any luck?”She didn’t bother to fold her arms across her chest to cover her nipples.What was the matter with her?She wanted him to want her, that’s what.
Ridiculous.
“Nothing.I even searched down the alley.”
She rounded her back on a sigh.“I swear I heard the back gate open.”She shook her head and pressed her fingers to her temple.Perhaps she was losing it.
Aiden covered her shoulder with his palm.“I believe you.Did you hear or see anything else?”
