Release: New Adult Sport Romance (Fire and Ice) (20 page)

“No, I’m fine.” I watch her leave.

When she’s around the corner Kaleb speaks. “I won’t let him hurt you. We’ll fix this. I promise.” The determination on his face gives me a sliver of relief.

How did I find this man? “Kaleb?”

He lifts my chin and wipes a tear from my cheek. I whisper, “Thank you.” Soft lips kiss me tenderly. A sensation spreads through my stomach, but it’s not pleasure.

Chapter 32

After work, Kaleb has me drive to his house while he follows. He managed to get Gretchen to cover for him tonight, but she can’t get to the shop for the beginning of his shift. We drop off his car, and he runs inside to grab an overnight bag. Guilt that I’m taking him away from money he probably needs bleeds into my thoughts, but I’m relieved. He makes me feel safer. He’s a big guy, and Lucas wouldn’t stand a chance against him.

I turn on the radio and wait. I search the stations, trying to find something I want to listen to, but it’s no use. I switch off the music with more force than I need.

I can’t sit still, and when Kaleb gets in he starts talking. He tells me a funny story about his afternoon class. I half listen and warm with gratitude. He knows I’m afraid and need the distraction. I love him more for it.

Kaleb lets us in the back door of The Bike Shop, and it opens up to the tuning and repairs area. A hint of melted wax wafts toward us as I notice Nick work on a ski binding, which is set on a high bench to make it easier to see. His dark eyes lift up to us.

“Hey, Nick.” I smile at him and watch his expression warm up. His hair is getting long, and I imagine Megan likes it that way. It makes his angular features and white teeth a touch softer.

“Hey. It’s been a while. I heard you ladies had quite a wild night at Casey’s.”

I snort. “I’m not sure wild is the right word, but we did have a good time.”

Kaleb pulls down two aprons from a hook and speaks to Nick, “Gretchen will cover for me tonight, but she won’t be here for another hour. I’ll work on tunes until she does.” He throws an apron at me.

“What’s this for?” I unroll it from the ball he bundled it in.

“You didn’t plan to just watch me, did you? I’m going to teach you how to tune.”

God, this man is amazing. I put the apron on, and he hands me squishy foam earplugs.

“Let me show you what to do first, and then you can put those in.” Kaleb slides safety glasses on my nose.

I put the earplugs in my apron pocket and hear the tuning machine roar to life with the flip of a switch. He shows me the process of grinding the metal edges on a ski. My job will be to hand file any burrs that might remain after Kaleb is done.

I put my earplugs in, give him a thumbs-up, and we begin. I’m grateful for something to do. The file is cool and solid in my hand as I rub it against the edge of a ski. The work doesn’t require a whole lot of brainpower, but it’s Zen enough in the fine details that I relax.

An hour goes by quickly. When Gretchen opens the back door, I jump at the sound. She makes a beeline toward me.

I barely hear, “What the fuck, Lori?” She pulls me into a hug that’s a little too tight.

When she releases me, she has tears in her eyes. I pull out my earplugs. “Whoa. I’m okay, Gretch.”

“No. This isn’t okay.” She runs her hands through her bleached hair. “It’s just not, and I know how you must feel right now. I spent last night on the verge of puking.” She holds up her hand. “I bit off all my fucking nails. I couldn’t sleep thinking some weirdo is out there jerking off to my picture and wants to kill me.” She paces a small area. “And then I find out that asshole last night was after you and not me. So, no. This isn’t fucking okay for you. You’re a cupcake. Got it?”

I nod my head as my throat thickens. I should be insulted she thinks I’m weak, but I know it’s her fear talking. I was the calm one last night, and I guess that was a blow to her ego.

“I do.” I walk over and take her hands to stop her from pacing. “I’m so sorry you had to live my nightmare. I’m sorry I jumped to the wrong conclusion and scared the hell out of you.”

She removes her hands. “Don’t apologize to me. You didn’t do anything wrong. You were trying to keep me safe.”

Gretchen takes a deep breath. “I’m fine now. I just needed to have that little…” She waves her hand as if fanning herself. “Moment.”

She starts to chew on a nail, and I take her hand out of her mouth. I try to diffuse the situation with humor. “You know what this means? You can still get naked for posters.”

Gretchen tilts her head at me with an incredulous look. “That’s kind of funny. Sick,” she says, “but funny.” She removes her coat. “Okay. You two get out of here. I’ve got this.”

I realize the tuning machine is no longer running and turn to see Kaleb fiddle with tools. He’s doing his best to look busy. That guy gets women better than any man I know. I walk over to him and put my safety glasses on their shelf. His warm hands touch my back as he unties my apron.

I tilt my head in response. “You know you’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me, right?”

He leans down and kisses the side of my neck. “I can say the same thing.”

A tiny shiver runs through me. I whisper, “Take me home.” He rewards me with a growl low enough for my ears only.

Chapter 33

Fat flakes lazily dance their way to the ground. A light coating is on my truck, but the windshield can be cleared with a swipe of the wipers. I hand my keys to Kaleb. “Will you drive?” I want him to take care of me tonight. I hunch down in the passenger seat with my hood pulled up. I’m not sure why I’m trying to hide. Lucas knows my truck now.

“What do you want to do about dinner?” Kaleb drives with ease. I look at him and decide he looks good behind the wheel.

“I made lasagna a few nights ago.” I smile. “A lot of it so you could have some. We can just heat it up when we get to my house.”

A smile forms on his face. “A lot? Good. Because I’m starving, and you make awesome lasagna.”

We ride in silence for a while. I would like to zone out and ignore what’s happening around me. But my survivor side won’t let it happen. Instead, I identify cars and the people we drive by. When I stop to think about it, it’s amazing the number of people that go through their routines oblivious to their surroundings. I’ve seen so many people I know who wouldn’t even notice if I waved.

It strikes me how vulnerable I feel when we’re in Kaleb’s Subaru. When I first got my truck, it was because I knew Lucas would never imagine me in one. It doesn’t fit my personality. But over time, I’ve grown to love it. Being high up, looking over other cars, gives me a sense of power. I’m glad we’re in it right now.

Rolling into my driveway, the snow is soft under the tires. It’s not very cold, and the flakes are even bigger now. Kaleb cuts the engine, and I hear his seat belt hit the door after he unbuckles it.

Before he gets out, I clasp my hands in my lap and speak. “It’s important to always be aware of your surroundings.” I sweep my eyes around my driveway. “Before you get out of the car, check the ones around you and be wary if anyone is sitting in a parked one. Notice the people in the area too.”

I say, “When we pulled in, I looked for evidence of another car being here since we last left. You can’t always tell, but you need to try.”

Kaleb looks at me with a serious expression, but I see sadness in his eyes. My stomach sinks because I hate that he is afraid for me.

I continue, “Most of all, trust your gut. If you sense something isn’t right, or you’re the least bit nervous, believe it.”

He nods. “Got it. Let’s get you inside that safe house.”

I don’t say anything, but I think, Let’s get you inside it, too.

Our feet are nearly silent as we approach my apartment steps. Kaleb scans the area and continues when I unlock the three bolts. As soon as we enter, he shuts the door, relocks them, and slides the chain in its housing.

I show him the escape routes, and he takes it all in without a word. His face is stormy, and I’m almost afraid to ask, “What are you thinking?”

“I’m thinking how much I hate Lucas and what he’s still doing to you. What the hell are the police doing about this?” I realize anger smolders in him.

“I have a protective order, and if he comes close to me, we do have recourse. That’s what we have to hope will happen.” I don’t want to think about all the things that could go wrong with that scenario. I head back to the kitchen to heat up dinner.

The plastic container of pasta is cold in my hand as I pull it from the fridge. I pop the cover and lay it lightly on top to keep lasagna from splattering everywhere. As I place it in the microwave, I call out to Kaleb, “Do you want any wine tonight?”

“No, thanks. I think I’d rather keep a clear head.” He comes behind me in the kitchen as I tap in the time on the microwave.

I lean back into his strong chest, and his arms slip around my waist. “Me too.” I twist around to face him. “I’m so sorry I dragged you into this.”

“You’ve got nothing to apologize for. We’ll get through this together.” He touches his lips to mine. I revel in their soft fullness. When I nibble on his bottom lip, I’m suddenly hungry for him. I reach behind his head and thread my fingers through his hair. His tongue intertwines with mine as we fall into each other.

Kaleb lifts me up as if I’m light as a feather, and I wrap my legs around his waist. Big hands support my bottom, and he backs me up against the counter to set me down.

I pull his shirt off over his head and tug him back by his hair so I can work my way down his neck. Kissing and nipping at his salty skin, I savor the male smell of him. I suck on his nipple lightly and hear a groan of appreciation. Somewhere in the background, the microwave dings, but I’m lost in loving my man.

“Whoa, babe.” He steps away. “Don’t hate me, but I’m famished.”

I grin. “The honeymoon’s already over? Or am I just not doing it right?” I pull him back by his waistband as I lick my lips slowly. I unbutton his jeans and bite my lower lip.

“Damn.” He crushes me with a kiss that tells me he forgot all about food. Desperation bubbles to the surface. I want him inside me and all horrible thoughts to be drowned out by our love. My nimble fingers unzip his jeans and reach for his hardness. It pulses in my hand.

He groans and pulls me off the counter with hands under my thighs. I reach around his neck, and he brings us to my bed and throws me down on it. I hear his zipper grind as he works on getting undressed. I scramble to my knees to do the same.

A flash of silver flies by as a condom packet lands on the pillow behind me. I hear my shirt land with a swish across the room where I threw it. Skinny jeans don’t come off as easily, and they tangle at my ankles. I look at the naked Adonis that stands at the end of my bed. “A little help here?” I lay back and put my feet in the air for him to remove my jeans and panties. They hit the wall before they fall as Kaleb crawls toward me.

He doesn’t get far before he dips his head down between my thighs. Hot breath on my moist sex raises me to his mouth. “Yes.” I barely get the word out before it’s replaced with my soft cry. His tongue darts right to my clit. I’m so ready, and release is close. My body trembles with need.

Like a volcano I explode. I clench his hair in one hand and the bedspread in my other. “Oh, Kaleb, yes!”

I shudder with the aftershocks and drink in the taste of me on his lips. Never has this been hotter for me. The sweet elixir drives me toward more, and I reach for his sheathed and hardened length. I guide him between my legs and open myself to his frantic thrust.

He fills me in one quick pump. I flex around him and rock into his actions. Time stands still, and nothing matters except the sensation of him in me. The intense passion of it all melds us together. I’m so close to shattering but hold on to the edge for Kaleb. When his body tenses and stills, I let go and we fall together.

Moments later we lay slicked with sweat. Kaleb sighs heavily. “Being with you is intense. God, I love you.” He shakes his head, and his voice gets thick. “I think about you all the time. It’s never been like this before.”

Oh my God. “I know what you mean. I walk around like an idiot because I can’t stop smiling. I love you too.” I reach up and twist a piece of his hair.