Page 14 of Wicked Rush

Chapter Six

Braelynn watched Lars stroll into the bathroom. She tugged her arm and tested the restraint, frustrated with her predicament. She should never have attempted to steal from Lars. No matter what Garrett and Dean had told her, she’d known it had been a long shot. Approaching from the rear, she doubted she’d be seen from the front of the house. She’d predicted her trek on the beach would be dangerous, but having walked a similar stretch of sand many times during daylight, she’d been willing to take the risk. The sleeper wave, however, had taken her by surprise.

She glanced to the handcuff and sighed, realizing she had bigger problems. Braelynn had fantasized about Lars Elliott for well over a year. She pretended to look away as he stripped off his shirt and revealed his tanned corded back. As she caught sight of his rippled abs, she’d bitten her lip, her breath hitching slightly. Arousal bloomed, an ache throbbing between her legs. She hated her desire, aware she’d never have a chance to be with him. As he closed the bathroom door, she caught his knowing smile, and her stomach clenched. Despite being angry, she failed to hide her reaction to him. Caught in her indiscretion, her cheeks heated.

As she lay in bed, her mind spun with excuses in anticipation of Lars’ interrogation. What the hell am I going to say to him? Think, Brae. Within seconds, she’d decided her strategy. She’d admit to wanting the key back, which was true. Although it would be difficult to lie, she’d have no other choice. She’d insist that after the party, she’d changed her mind and decided to go to him directly. She’d claim she’d chosen a moonlit walk. After falling into the ocean, she became disoriented and attempted to use the security keypad. If he pressed for more information about the shooting on the beach, she’d stick to the cover story she’d originally told the police.

With no choice but to wait for him, Braelynn closed her eyes, willing herself to relax. She brought the blanket to her face and inhaled the aroma of his cologne that lingered on the fabric. As she listened to the cadence of the water droplets spilling onto the shower floor, she pictured Lars showering, and her nipples ached in response. She recalled how he’d undressed her the previous night. As he’d peeled her clothing away, revealing her bareness, her heart had pounded in both embarrassment and desire. She’d never given a care to going without undies until he’d slid his fingers against the soft skin of her mound.

Aroused, Braelynn reached for the comforter, cloaking her body. She slipped a hand underneath the covers, brushing her fingers over her breast. A tingle of arousal spiked between her legs and a small moan passed through her lips. Oh God, I shouldn’t do this, she thought. More like the devil. This is so wrong but…. Her core tightened as she imagined the touch of his fingers on her skin. She silently cursed the erotic images and sensations threading through her thoughts, ones that she knew she’d never experience.

Braelynn never noticed the sound of the shower ceasing. But as his freshly cleaned scent filled the room, her eyes flashed open and her heart caught. Lars gave her a broad grin, and she wished she could disappear. Mortified she’d been watched, she blinked her eyes shut.

“Someone looks like they are having a nice dream,” he commented, reaching to unlock her binding.

“I’m not dreaming. I’m just…I’m just…”

“You really do have a problem with telling the truth, don’t you, Doc?” he accused as he removed the metal cuff.

“I don’t trust you.” Although it hadn’t been tight, she rubbed at her arm and then shoved up to sit.

“Now that’s a good one. You break in my house. Refuse to let me see you after I saved you. But you,” he laughed, “you don’t trust me?”

“I don’t trust many people.” At one time, she had. She’d been innocent, willing to let people in, but no longer.

“You’ll learn how to trust me.” Lars lost his smile, his voice firm but gentle. “Dr. Rollins. Between the bullets on the beach and the bruises there on your arm, I can see you’ve been hurt plenty. But I can promise you one thing. I’m not going to ever hurt you.”

Braelynn grew silent, thinking on his words. Her fingers ran over the bruises on her arm. She wanted desperately to trust Lars, to have an ally. She’d been alone for so long. Lars stood strong and confident, promising her what she desired most. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt safe.

“Brae,” she whispered. A small crack in her impenetrable exterior became exposed as she granted him a sliver of trust. Her eyes darted from her clasped hands to Lars.

“I’m sorry, what?” Lars moved to the edge of the bed, sitting next to her.

“My name. You can call me Brae.”

“Brae.” With an easy confidence, he repeated her name and rose off the bed.

“Yes.” She wasn’t sure why but her name on his lips caused her emotions to ease. He’d kept her at a distance like a quarantined animal. With the formality broken, she hoped he’d be more willing to let her go.

“I know your name,” he commented. Lars never looked at her as he rummaged through his drawers. “I talked to you in the hospital.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t thank you.” Braelynn’s stomach flipped. When she woke up after the accident, she had a scant recollection of his soft voice.

“I don’t know what’s going on with you, and I’m not sure that you’re planning to tell me today, but you should know that I’m done with the game.” Lars threw a t-shirt and sweatpants onto the edge of the bed and reached into the drawer once again. “I already told you I found the key. I don’t know why it is so important to you. Nor do I understand why you’d send the police down a rabbit hole. Your story doesn’t hold water with me. I’m lucky I wasn’t shot that day.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t see you…”

“I’m not sure what that even means. My friend was there too. The bullets made their way out into the waves. All I’m lookin’ for is a little bit of the truth.”

Braelynn watched in fascination as Lars shoved his feet into a pair of loose cotton shorts and pulled them up under his towel, never revealing his skin. As he tore it away, she glanced to his well-defined chest. There wasn’t a day she hadn’t wanted to see Lars in the flesh, yet this was all wrong. With her fantasy tainted by her lies, she dialed down her lust. The reality of the situation blanketed any hope she’d had of a future with him. She hadn’t earned the right to feel anything for this man, let alone have him care about her in return.

“There’s a robe on the door inside the bathroom. I’ll take your clothes downstairs and throw them in the dryer. You’re welcome to use the shower.” He nodded to the bathroom and shrugged. “I’m gonna go downstairs and make us something to eat. I have an appointment this morning so we’ve got to be quick.”

“Thank you.” Braelynn swung her feet over the edge and watched in silence as Lars left the room.

She hated what she’d become. Her emotions rose in her chest as he turned back to address her. It occurred to her that after he’d left her alone, he’d changed his mind, worried she’d steal something. Wishing she could crawl into a hole, she rummaged for the last bit of dignity she possessed and lifted her gaze to meet his.

“And Brae,” he called down the hallway, “I’m not sure what’s going on in that pretty little head of yours, but I meant what I said. You will learn to trust me. I don’t know what happened to you, but if you let me in just a little, I’ll help you.”