Time stopped. So many thoughts scattered through her head at once, her vision wavered. She could run. She could hide.
Or not.
Mimicking a move she’d seen on television, she kicked both legs up and into his chest. Her feet landed hard, and she fell to the ground.
His eyes widened, and his arms swung for balance. But gravity kicked in, and he plunged into the hole.
She could actually hear his bones break over his terrified cries as he fell.
Mia screamed herself awake, sitting up in the big bed.
Seth leapt over her and planted his body between the bed and the door. Protecting her.
Mia took several deep breaths.
Slowly, he turned around, buck-ass naked, confusion on his face. He lifted an eyebrow. “Bad dream?”
Mia snorted out a slightly hysterical laugh. “You could say that.”
He exhaled, his shoulders relaxing. Reaching for the covers, he slid inside and tugged her into a spooning position. “Tell me about it.”
Warmth and safety propelled tears straight to her eyes. “No.”
“Yes.”
“No.”
Long, tapered fingers wandered down her arm. “Yes.”
Thunder bellowed high above. Rain pelted the windows. The image of how quickly Seth had shot from sleep to defend her warmed her in a very tempting way. So, she told him—all of it.
When she wound down, he pressed a gentle kiss to her head. “What happened to Betty?”
“I don’t know. The authorities moved me to another place, and then Aunt Dotty came to get me.” Mia took another deep breath. “The dream doesn’t show up very often anymore.”
“I’m sorry. I wish I could go back and kill him for you,” Seth said.
He didn’t understand. Mia sighed. “I didn’t have to kick him. Kill him. I could’ve run.”
The world tilted, and Mia found herself on her back, covered by the sexiest man she’d ever touched. He smoothed her hair from her face. “You protected yourself, and you did the right thing.”
“Nobody else knows the full story. I lied to the police and said he fell.” Yeah. She’d just opened herself up to a world of possible hurt. As an adult, she knew she wouldn’t have been charged—it was self-defense. But some secrets should stay buried.
Seth blinked, his eyes warming. “I’ll protect you, Mia Stone.”
They both knew he wasn’t just talking about past secrets. The need to remind him that they were temporary rose strong and fast in Mia. But as she stared into his blue eyes, the words wouldn’t come.
Those words would hurt too much—even if they were true.
A twist of his lips acknowledged the truth. Then they slid against hers, smooth and warm. Gently, he delved deep, taking his time. A satisfied male on a lazy morning. Arousal drifted through her blood, flowing like silk.
He stilled. Lifting his head, he glanced at the window, his body stiffening. “Damn it.” Bedclothes rustled, and he reached for his jeans, standing and yanking them on.
A clamoring echoed from the main room. “Volk, get out here,” shouted a man.
Mia’s breath caught. Her nails bit into the sheet as she stood. “Who’s yelling?”
Seth zipped the jeans and left the top button free. Gone was the sexy, indulgent male. His jaw tightened, and it threw the white scar across his jaw into prominence. “Stay here.” He strode toward the hallway.
