Page 66 of I'm Yours

I guess he looked a little closer than I originally thought, which makes me feel mildly better. And, he’s not exactly wrong. Still… “I don’t like it.”

Maybe it’s the fact that I haven’t lived in a small town in a long time or maybe it’s my feelings for Sadie that are hitting me fast and stronger than before that has me nervous.

“Me either,” Dad grunts.

Lee sighs, a deep, heavy rattle in his chest. “Look. I know you all think I’m being lazy but I promise that I don’t want someone who’s trying to break into homes to be on the loose.” He raises his eyebrows, daring us to argue that we don’t think that. None of us open our mouths, though. “If I find anything more, you’ll be the first to know. And, I’ll have my deputies watching, even have them drive past at night to keep an eye on things.”

“Thank you, Sheriff Lee. I appreciate it,” Sadie says, reaching out a hand to him to shake then gripping mine and staring up into my eyes, pleading with me to listen and agree with what she’s about to say. She wants us to let this go. Either she doesn’t want to admit the danger or truly doesn’t feel any. Either one doesn’t make me feel even remotely relaxed. “See, Reed? Alan? It’s okay. I’m fine and Sheriff Lee is all over it. Besides, it was your place that the guy was walking around, not mine. No need to worry.”

I damn near scoff.

No need to worry.

Right.

That’s like telling me not to worry about Emmy.

Chapter Fifteen

Sadie

Itip my head back, letting the warm water spray down my body as I rinse out the conditioner from my hair. Closing my eyes, scenes of last night — or rather this morning — flash through my memories. Reed’s only been back in town for a few weeks and the last thing I expected was for him to land in my bed.

However, there’s a reason I haven’t committed my life to another person in the years that he’s been gone. My heart couldn’t fall for anyone else when it had been so clearly made for one person. Reed Sanders.

I want more of him.

More of a life that we could have together.

I want to get to know his daughter and spend time with the two of them. I want… everything. And that’s what scares me the most. Not that it really should. Reed is agoodguy and what I have with him is completely different than any other relationship I’ve ever had. While other guys I’ve dated have always had an agenda… one-night stand — which seemed to be what most men wanted out of me when they learned I was a stripper — me being the third in a threesome with Billy as he struggled to come to terms with his sexuality, a few wanted a relationship with me because they thought I’d be all about the kink.

There was one who turned a little possessive and demanding. His name was Bryce. He used my job against me, constantly berating me about it. One night he came into Eve’s and sat in the front row and made an ass out of himself as soon as I went on stage. He made a huge scene, screaming about how everyone in there were a bunch of perverts. He was so drunk he could barely stand up straight. The bouncers kicked him out so he showed up at my mom’s trailer that night. I eventually called the cops to get him to leave and haven’t heard from him since.

The last guy I dated, Chase, he was decent enough. We got along and he was kind. Until my being a stripper was suddenly something that bothered him, even though that’s where we met. Which is a big no-no. Dating customers was not just frowned upon, it was against the rules. But, I knew I was coming close to quitting and I liked Chase. But something changed with him and I turned into a person he thought needed saving and while he swore he would never judge me for my past, I knew differently. The relationship fizzled and after that, I learned to focus on myself. Chase was the last man I’d been with — until Reed showed up on my doorstep looking ten shades of emotions. Angry. Scared. Turned on.

I didn’t stand a chance. Reed has the best of intentions for us and deep down I know that this is it for us. Our chance at forever.

I smile through the rest of my shower and even as I’m drying off and getting ready for the classes that start in about an hour. My smile stays planted when I’m pulling into the parking lot of the dance studio and when I unlock my doors. For the first time, possibly in my life, I feel truly hopeful. Excited about my future.

My thoughts distract me from my surroundings.

If I’d have been paying attention, I’d have noticed the marks on the wood where someone had tried to break in. I’d have noticed that I was being watched.

Chapter Sixteen

Sadie

“Miss Sadie! Miss Sadie!” I turn around to see Emmy pushing through the crowd of children getting ready for their class to begin and with an “Oomph” she launches herself at my legs. I lay a hand on her head and lift my own, my eyes colliding with Reed’s.

He’s sohandsome.

All man.

Strength. Tenderness. Kindness. He’s everything he was when we were teenagers but now more. He’s wearing a black baseball cap pulled low making his dark eyes and the tattoos that wrap around his neck stand out. He’s wearing another black t-shirt. It’s stretched tight across his broad chest and shoulders, his biceps practically ripping the seams. Just like in my shower, memories of last night assault me.

My cheeks flame and he smirks, knowing exactly what’s going through my mind.

“Sadie,” he says in that smooth, rich voice of his that causes my stomach to flutter.

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