Page 66 of Nothing to Fear

“What time is it?” she asked.

“Late.” He removed his jacket as he went into the closet. “You have this much stuff last night?”

Stuff? Following his path, she peeked around the doorframe.

“I didn’t venture into your closet.”

“Feel free. There’s nothing bad in here,” he said, taking out his cufflinks. “Nothing that should scare you off. And this…” Spinning around, he opened the second drawer in a rack to reveal underwear, women’s underwear. “Wasn’t here when I left yesterday, so I’m guessing it’s for you.”

“Your mom did offer to have new things brought here. I had no idea she…”

“She expects you here indefinitely.”

“She…? How do you know that?”

“Support not judgment,” he said, unfastening his shirt buttons. “If you’d told me that sooner, we’d never have stopped at your old place.”

Oldplace?

He’d undone three buttons; a long slice of tan skin came into view on his way to the fourth.

She spun on the spot. “Don’t get undressed in front of me. Do you have no mercy?”

“I’ll change and get out of your hair.”

“Out of my hair?”

“Yes. I told you this wasn’t extortion. My mom put you here, this is your room. Your safe space.”

A belt clinked, a zipper zipped. Unzipped? Hell, did he just drop his pants?

“Why would she put me in a room already occupied?”

“Because you’re flanked by Caber and Acre,” he said. “Rankin is opposite. You’re basically surrounded by men taught to care for and protect others. Surrounded by people who know the value of a safe haven. Nothing will happen to you here.”

Just like Alice said. “And where will you be?”

A strong arm came around her, pulling her back against his hard body. “You want me close, I’ll bunk with Caber.” He kissed the top of her head. “Or there’s an empty room by Rankin’s.”

“You shouldn’t have to bunk with anyone in your own house. This is ridiculous.” She pushed his arm away and crossed to stand at the end of the bed. “This is your room.”

“And I’m happy for you to be here.” His voice betrayed he was on her heels. “I’d rather you be here than anywhere else.”

Because of her apartment break in.

With him in a tee-shirt and gray sweats, there wasn’t much keeping her skin from his. Yet when he raised her chin on a curled finger, she laid her hands on his body and accepted his kiss.

She didn’t hear the door open.

“Savanna, I was so—oh.”

He broke the kiss, and her chin dropped. Shit, had Alice seen…?

“Mom.”

“Darroch Breckenridge, are you taking advantage of this poor girl?”

Was she poor? God, she really was a corrupting harlot.

---