I growled. “Then she has gone too far.”
I half-expected her to deny it. Or maybe to try to protect her friend. But instead, she just agreed with me, her voice soft. “Yes, she has.”
“People like her cannot be trusted when they are pushed too far. It was smart of you to call me.”
“I could see it, Colton. I think she would hurt me and not blink twice about any of it.”
I hated that. I hated that she’d ever met that woman or that she’d ever been scared or hurt by any of this. I wanted to pull her into my arms and keep her safe.
Tension bracketed my shoulders.
“How far?” I didn’t bother offering more details.
“Two miles,” Gia responded quietly.
“Gia…” I swallowed, trying to figure out what to tell her. That I was going to fall on her like a starving man if she would allow it. And that all my earlier concerns were really just the ramifications of my inner self being petrified about what this woman evoked in me.
“I’m pulling in,” she said, her voice suddenly louder, more excited.
I didn’t even bother saying goodbye. I simply hit the End button, pushed the phone into my pants pocket, and jerked the door open. There she was. The same small sedan. The same beautiful face looking out the driver’s-side window. But this time, she was saying my name. I didn’t need the phone to know that. I could see it in the swell of her pretty pink lips.
I came barreling down the stepping-stones and opened the car door. A moment later, she was in my arms, her legs locking tight around my waist. My other arm was tight under her ass just as I felt the quick panting of breath against my neck. The sweet thing was completely terrified.
“Shhh. I got you, baby,” I soothed, turning my face into the mass of hair that had gotten even more wild since she left earliertonight. She nodded, a soft whimper escaping as I moved us back up the slope of the grounds to the front door. Two steps, and we were inside, the warmth and light spilling over us.
I thought she might cower away from my touch now that the immediate danger was no longer a concern. But if anything, she held on tighter. I placed my handgun down on the sofa table and carefully moved my other hand back to run up and down her spine, feeling the soft tremble in her body as I did.
“Some men are about to walk in here, but they’re with me. All right?”
Gia’s barely audible “Okay” was spoken directly into my throat. Pleasure at being her safe space washed over me.
I turned, carrying her with me to the door, which I swung open to reveal my guy on the other side. He took one look at the woman wrapped around me and looked straight down.
“You girlfriend, Marlatt?”
“My business, my woman. What can you tell me?”
Riley Hawk, another veteran member of the Lock and Key team, gave me a quick nod. “Of course. I left Vann there, but she’d better stay here for a few days. The interior seems pretty torn up. Police should be there at any moment, and they’ll conduct a full investigation.”
“What about Key? Does he know yet?” I asked, reaching up to cup my hand behind Gia’s head, pressing her safely against me.
Riley shook his head. “I’m leaving that one to you.” He gave me a small smile. “I didn’t think I’d be heading out on a stakeout tonight. But I’m happy to help.”
“Thanks, man.” I nodded once, feeling oddly emotional.
“Like I said…” Riley stepped away. “Happy to help. I’m glad you took some time to do something nice for yourself.”
He nodded with meaning to the woman in my arms and then ducked back out into the night. I juggled Gia for a moment, making sure that she was secure, before flipping all the switchesand locks on the door. Then I moved to the security panel and turned on the alarm system.
“This secures the entire house, and Riley will close the gate at the driveway as he passes through.”
Gia pulled back just a little. “I’m putting you through so much trouble.”‘
Without thinking, I pulled a hand back and then snapped my wrist forward, slapping Gia’s ass where I held it against my body. She jumped, her body catching against mine in surprise. I saw just the flash of something across her pretty features before I forced myself to move towards the back of the cabin.
“Let’s get you cleaned up. Everyone looks better after a nice hot shower.”
I didn’t look at her as I walked, and while I was not expecting an invitation, I couldn’t deny that I was thinking of just how excited I was to reach the stage with this woman where I could be allowed in. Not just for the bubbles and the hot water, but for the up-against-the-tile fucking that would no doubt follow.
