Sweet Spot (Summer Rush #1) (11 page)

“Hey,” Andrew said, reaching for his drink. “I’ll be back, Tenley. Gotta make a call.”

She was trying to keep a straight face as she wiped down the bar with a damp rag. “I’m impressed, Row. You really have learned your lesson, haven’t you?”

“What do you mean?” He took the stool Andrew had left as he pushed his girly drink aside.

“You held your temper even though you looked like you wanted to take his head off.”

He reached across the bar for her hand. “I’m that transparent, huh?”

“I appreciate that you didn’t go bat-shit crazy and make a scene when you saw me with him,” she said, resting her elbows on the bar as she leaned in. “That shows me you’re maturing.”

He laughed before stealing a quick kiss, just to test the waters. They seemed warm. “What a difference a week makes, right?” His smile faded when he thought about how miserable he’d been during that time. “It may sound stupid, but I missed you.”

“It doesn’t sound stupid,” she said, her gaze lingering on his lips. “I missed you too. I guess I didn’t realize how much until I saw you in our apartment this morning.”

He grinned, remembering their time together. “I’m glad I was able to remind you that life with me can be a hell of a lot more fun than life without me.”

“I’m getting that,” she said, looking down at their joined hands.

Customers were circling the bar, but the two other bartenders seemed to have things under control, so Rowan asked, “Can we hit the reset button, Ten? You know, start over. Pretend that stupid fight never happened?”

She sighed as her eyes drifted to the door. “I’d like to, but my life is kind of complicated right now. I should probably fill you in before you decide whether you want to risk getting caught up in my drama.”

He couldn’t imagine anything she might say that would deter him, but he asked, “How about getting together after work tonight? My brother’s back at his place now, so we could head back to my house. Just to talk.”

“I’m supposed to work until close.” She glanced at her brother, who was standing at the door and talking to the bouncer. “But let me see if Walker can let me book out a few hours early. I’ve been pulling a lot of overtime lately, so he owes me.”

“Cool.” Rowan gripped her chin. He knew he probably shouldn’t kiss her at work, but he couldn’t help himself. “Let me know.”

***

Tenley seemed nervous as they rolled up Rowan’s drive, but he took her hand and kissed it, hoping to put her at ease.

“You okay?” he asked, smiling at her.

“Yeah, it’s just…” She wiped her free hand on the leg of her jeans. “Your house is really nice.”

He didn’t know if his house was intimidating or the chat they were about to have was making her anxious, but he didn’t waste any time finding out. He cut the engine and rounded the truck to help her out.

She laughed as she took his hand. “I think you’re the first guy to ever open a car door for me.”

“Then you’ve been dating the wrong guys,” he said, slipping an arm around her waist as he led her up to the ornate wood doors. “Maybe you’ve finally found the right one.”

Tenley’s smile took his breath away when she whispered, “Maybe I have.”

He deactivated the alarm while she slipped out of her high heels. She sighed as she dug her toes into the Persian carpet in the foyer.

“Wow, this place is gorgeous,” she said, looking around wide-eyed as he hit a panel that flooded the main floor with light. “It doesn’t look like a bachelor pad. Are you sure you live here alone?”

He smiled as he took her hand and led her into the gourmet kitchen, which opened to the sunken family room. “Positive. But my ex was an interior designer, so I let her have her way with the place when I bought it.”

“Is this the ex who cheated on you?” she asked, jumping up onto one of the bar-height chairs at the center island.

“Yeah, but I try not to let that color my opinion of the house.” He shrugged. “She may have been a bitch, but she had good taste.”

“Was she a bitch?” Tenley asked, propping her chin in her palm. “Or are you just bitter because she broke your heart?”

Rowan stepped between her legs, resting his hands on her hips. “She didn’t break my heart. She hurt my pride. There’s a difference.”

“I guess there is,” she said, setting her hands on his shoulders. “I was glad to see you tonight. I couldn’t stop thinking about you after what happened this morning.”

He slipped his hands under her hair, circling the back of her neck. “I couldn’t stop thinking about you either.” He chuckled. “Thank God I wasn’t on the mound today. Those batters show no mercy, especially when I’m distracted.”

“I like that I distract you,” she said, licking her lips.

He groaned, leaning in to taste her moist lips. “You keep distracting me like that, and I’m going to get killed out there. Just might have the worst season of my career.”

“I’m not worried,” she said, wrapping her arms around his neck. “When you put your mind to it, you’re the best in the game.”

Her faith in him warmed Rowan in places that had been cold for a long, long time. “Thanks, babe.” But he’d brought her here to talk, not make out, so he gestured to the stainless steel fridge. “You want something to eat or drink?”

“Maybe just a water?”

“Sure.” He pointed at the brown leather couches facing each other in the large family room. “Make yourself comfortable. I’ll be right in.”

Since he wasn’t sure whether she’d had a chance to eat at work, he made a platter of fruit with cheese and crackers and brought it in to her, along with a couple of bottles of water.

“Thanks,” she said, tucking her legs under while reaching for a stem of grapes.

“My pleasure.” Rowan realized he liked taking care of her, tending to her needs. Other women expected that from him, so he resented it. But Tenley was used to taking care of herself and wanted nothing from him, which only made him want to do more for her.

She grabbed a couple of cheese squares and popped one in his mouth.

“You seem nervous,” he said, noting that her gaze kept darting around the room. “You sure you’re okay?”

She took a deep breath before taking a sip of water. “There are some things about me you need to know before we take this any further.”

His heart was suddenly hammering, and he didn’t know why. Maybe because he didn’t want her to give him a viable reason for ending this before they’d explored how far it could go. “Okay.”

“I’ve been engaged before.” She peeked up at him beneath a veil of long, dark lashes, obviously waiting for his reaction.

Rowan opened his mouth, then closed it again before running a hand over his head. “Okay, uh, wow. That’s not what I expected you to say.” He wanted to know everything about the guy who’d been stupid enough to let her get away, but he could tell this wasn’t easy for her. “Do you want to talk about it?”

“Do I want to? No. Do I have to? Yes.” She ran her thumb over the faint scars peppering his knuckles. “You see, he was in prison. He’s out now, and my brothers and I have reason to believe he might come after me again. That could put you in harm’s way too, if you’re involved with me. So it’s only fair that I tell you.”

He couldn’t believe she was worried about him when her own safety was on the line. “Why was he in prison?” He held his breath. Something told him he wasn’t going to like the answer, but learning her deepest, darkest secrets was more important to him than anything.

“He kidnapped me. Held me hostage. Threatened to kill me.” Her voice was so soft, barely above a whisper. “He would have gotten away with it too if my brother hadn’t figured out where we were.”

Rowan didn’t realize his whole body had tensed until she withdrew her hands from his.

“Did I shock you?” she asked.

He swallowed, trying to appear calm while his whole body was coiled tighter than a spring. “He held you against your will?” It was difficult to even process that thought, much less imagine what that bastard had put her through.

“I told him it was over, that I didn’t want to marry him after he accused me of cheating on him. He responded by abducting me at gunpoint. He said I had promised him ‘death do us part,’ and he intended to make sure I upheld my end of the bargain.”

Rowan pulled her close when she started trembling. He knew she was tough, but in his arms, she felt small and fragile. And he wanted nothing more than to protect her.

“It’s okay, baby,” he whispered, brushing his lips over her hair. “Take your time. We’ve got all night.”

The tears streaking her beautiful face when she pulled back to look him in the eye nearly did him in. “I thought I was going to die. He took me to an abandoned warehouse, somewhere he was sure no one would find me. He held me there for days, bound and gagged. He gave me water every now and then, but no food.”

Part of him wanted to know how far he’d taken the torture, but the other part of him feared retaliating on her behalf if he found out. Rowan owned a gun and knew how to use it, but he knew doing so would end not only his career but any chance of a future with Tenley.

“You said your brother finally found you. Walker?”

She shook her head and dropped her forehead against his chest. “No, Brant. He’s a cop.”

Knowing she had someone on the right side of the law to watch her back made him feel better. “How long was this son of a bitch in prison?” Rowan knew no matter how long they’d locked him up, it couldn’t have been long enough if he was out now, free to terrorize her again.

“Seven years,” she said, wiping away her tears with the back of her hand.

“When did he get out?”

She looked him in the eye. “I just found out the night you went to see Walker at the bar. I think that’s why I blew up at you. I was so freaked out when Brant told me Justin was out. I went to tell Walker and found you there and it…”

He pulled her into his lap when she lost the words, shaking her head as she took a deep, shuddering breath that made his heart ache.

“I get it.” He kissed her damp cheeks. “I get it.”

“Do you?” She touched his jaw, brushing her palm over his stubble. “Do you really? You’d be crazy to want to get involved with me. Justin’s dangerous, and even though I have a protective order, my gut tells me he’s not done with me yet.”

“He’s a coward,” he whispered fiercely, burying his face in her hair. “Any man who could hurt a woman is a coward. And he’s deluding himself if he thinks he’s going to get close enough to hurt you again. I’ll make sure of that.”

“I carry a gun,” she said, glancing towards the foyer, where she’d left her oversized purse. “And I know how to use it. Just in case.”

He hated to think of her having to resort to those measures to defend herself, but knowing she had access to a weapon made him feel better. “Good. I’m glad to hear that.”

Rowan nuzzled her neck, inhaling her intoxicating scent. He never imagined being this close to a woman as sexy as Tenley and wanting nothing more than to hold and protect her.

“Brant insisted. After what happened with Justin, he said he wasn’t taking any more chances with my safety. So we go to the shooting range together at least once a week, just to practice.”

“Could you get any hotter?” he asked, trying to lighten the mood. “Not only can you kick ass, but now I find out you’re packing heat?” His hand trailed up her firm thigh. “You realize you’re my fantasy girl, right?”

“More like a nightmare, I’m guessing,” she muttered, laying her head on his shoulder.

“Hardly.” He curled his hand around her cheek. “The nightmares Stacey mentioned—”

“Oh God. Stacey!” She sat up suddenly. “I haven’t told her about Justin yet. I don’t want her to be alone if he shows up looking for me.”

“Relax.” He kissed her forehead. “She’s not alone. Ace was going to pass by there after he left the bar. He said he was pretty tired so he’d probably just crash there. If it would make you feel better, I can text him in a bit just to be sure.”

“Thanks,” she said, flattening her hand against her chest. “I have to tell Stacey about Justin now that he’s out. I don’t want her to be blindsided in case he tries to get information about me from her.”

“Uh, would you mind if I tell Ace? He should know so he can keep an eye on her too.”

She nodded slowly. “Tell him. I’d feel better knowing she has someone looking out for her. Stacey’s a sweet girl, but completely defenseless. I keep trying to convince her to take my beginner’s class, but she says she’s uncoordinated and would just make a fool of herself.”

Rowan didn’t know if she was trying to change the subject, but he had to ask again. “The nightmares…?”

“Courtesy of Justin,” she said, staring at a framed photo of Rowan with his brother and father on the mantel. “I talked to a therapist after it happened. My brothers made me. But it didn’t help with the night terrors or headaches. I still get those every so often.”

“You get headaches?” he asked, brushing his thumb against her temple.

“Migraines,” she said, closing her eyes. “They’re usually triggered by stress. I’ve been getting them a lot more lately.”

“How about now?” he asked, his brows knitting with concern. “Do you need me to get you something?”

“No.” She smiled as her hands circled his face. “I’m good now. In fact, I feel a lot better now that I’ve told you about Justin. But are you sure you don’t want to bail on me now that you know about my psycho ex?”

“I’m not going anywhere.” He kissed her with more tenderness than he’d ever shown anyone.

“I’m glad,” she said, resting her head in the crook of his neck. “Because I really like having you around. You make me happy, and I haven’t been really happy in a long, long time.”

Rowan curled his arms around her. He could see her happiness being of paramount importance to him from now on. “It’s getting late, baby. Stay here with me tonight.”

“Um, I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

As much as he wanted her, there was no way he would take advantage of her when she was emotionally and physically drained and feeling vulnerable after sharing her past with him.

He kissed her temple. “Just curl up beside me and let me hold you. That’s all I’m asking. What do you say?”