The Tangled Series Complete Digital Boxed Set (Bad Boy Rock Star, Millionaire, and MMA Fighter Bundle) (47 page)

Sera

It was shortly after four in the morning when my cell phone began to ring, waking me from a deep slumber. I grabbed it and noticed it was Sam calling. I quickly answered the phone.

“Sam, thank God. Are you okay?”

There was silence.

“Sam?”

“It’s your fault he’s dead,” whispered a low voice. “You shouldn’t have done what you did.”

My heart stopped. “Who… who is this?” I stammered, although I knew quite well that it was Ray.

He chuckled. “I’m coming for you next. I told you before – nobody takes my daughter away from me.”

“Did you hurt Sam?” I snapped.

He ignored the question. “Just remember, you started this and guess what… I’m going to finish it,” he said. “I’ll see you soon.” He laughed again and then hung up.

I scrambled out of bed and raced into the living room. “Thane,” I whispered, shaking his arm. He’d fallen asleep holding the television remote, which was surprising because he overpowered the sofa with his massive body and didn’t look at all comfortable.

His eyes flew open and he sat up. “What is it? What’s wrong?”

I held up my phone. “Ray just called me. He said it was my fault that ‘he was dead’. He called me using Sam’s phone this time.”

“He meant Sam was dead?”

“I’m sure.”

Thane swore. “What else did he say?”

“He said that it was my fault. That nobody takes his daughter from him. He… he also said he was coming for me. Soon.”

Thane picked up his cell phone. “I’m calling Fred. See if he knows anything.”

I nodded, and then sat next to him on the couch.

“Fred. It’s Thane. How’s it going?”

I sighed in relief. At least I knew he wasn’t hurt.

Thane explained what I’d told him about the phone call. “She’s okay. Shook up, but fine.”

“Ask him if he’s found Sam,” I whispered.

Thane looked at me and shook his head.

Fred said something.

Thane answered. “Arlene is also fine… Okay… call us if you find out anything.” He hung up.

“What did he say?”

“He said he just got into town about thirty minutes ago. He’s already been to Sam’s place, but couldn’t find him. He’s going to drive over to the diner and see if anyone there might know anything new. He’s also going to try and meet with Sheriff Dooly.”

I nodded. “Good.”

“He said not to worry about Ray. That he’s probably just trying to scare you.”

“He did a good job,” I answered, showing him how shaky my hands were.

Sighing, he put the phone down and then did something that threw me off guard. He put an arm around my shoulders and pulled me closer.

I stiffened up. “Um, you don’t have to…”

“I know I don’t. Forget that I’m your boss right now and think of me as a friend. We all need to be comforted now and again.”

He was right and his words helped me to relax, although, I had to admit, my pulse was racing around the track.

“See, this isn’t so bad,” he said, a smile in his voice.

“No. It’s not,” I agreed. In fact, it felt good. Too good. I wasn’t even sure if Ray had ever snuggled with me on the couch. If he had, it hadn’t been memorable.

He put his feet on the coffee table and I followed suit. He wore white socks and my feet were bare and looked almost like a child’s next to his large ones. I was happy that I’d painted my toenails over the weekend, a bright pink color.

“You have tiny feet.”

I stared down at them. “They’re not that tiny. Yours are just huge.”

He chuckled.

“What’s so funny?”

“Nothing.”

I wondered if he was thinking about size comparisons of feet to a man’s penis and my eyes went from them to his lap. From the bulge I saw there, I knew there was some truth to what those old women used to gossip about.

And the man isn’t even excited
, I mused, looking away.

“You’re tense again,” he said, sitting up straighter. He removed his arm and put his feet on the carpet. “Why don’t you let me help?”

“What do you mean?”

He put his hands on my shoulders and turned me slightly so that my back was to him. “I mean this.”

He began massaging my shoulders with his fingers. I closed my eyes and groaned in pleasure as they pressed into the center of my back.

“Feel good?” he whispered, squeezing and pressing more of my skin.

I wanted to tell him that not only did it feel good, but that I’d do anything for him at that moment, his hands felt so utterly wonderful. Instead, I just nodded.

“Good,” he replied, his breath now near my ear.

It had been so long since anyone had touched me like this, and even though it wasn’t meant to be intimate, I was beginning to respond in some very private places. At one point, I had to even hold back from moaning.

“Just tell me if it hurts at all,” he whispered.

“It hurts… good,” I said breathlessly, my chest rising and falling.

He paused for a second, and then resumed his administrations.

***

Thane

I knew touching Sera was a mistake, but I wasn’t thinking above the neck as my fingers moved across her back and shoulders. I pushed her hair to the side and stared down at her neck, wondering what she’d do if I pressed my lips against it. As I thought about my tongue on her soft skin and what her breasts would feel like in the palms of my hands, my cock grew so hard, I could barely breathe.

“Just tell me if it hurts at all,” I murmured, hoping she’d tell me to stop, give me some kind of excuse, before I did something really stupid. I hadn’t been this close to a woman in a long time. Especially one I was so damn attracted to.

“It hurts… good,” she answered softly.

I stopped for a second and tried thinking about Fred again to quell the raging hard-on that was clouding my judgment.

It wasn’t helping…

I began rubbing her back again and decided that if she really was psychic, she’d know how much I wanted her. Hell, if she moved back any further on the sofa, she would be able to tell. And… it might actually piss her off.

That would be bad.

Swearing under my breath, I pushed her away gently and then stood up, my back to her. “I’ll be right back. Going to use the bathroom.”

“Oh, okay.”

I made my way to the bathroom, wishing I was home and could take a cold shower or find another way to get rid of my woody. Instead, I turned on the sink and splashed cold water over my face. As I dried it off, I stared at myself in the mirror, not happy with myself. I was acting like a horny teenager. I couldn’t even give a woman a massage without wanting to bang her.  

“It’s not right,” I growled at my reflection. I was her boss and she needed to be able to trust me. I definitely had to control my fucking self and stop fantasizing about this woman. She had enough problems in her life and I definitely didn’t need to add any more.

When I calmed down enough to face her again, I stepped out of the bathroom and walked over to the sofa where I found her sleeping. Smiling to myself, I picked her up in my arms, and carried her into the bedroom. As I set her down on the bed, I inhaled, enjoying the fruity smell of whatever perfume or lotion she was wearing. Feeling my cock begin to harden again, I quickly covered her with a blanket and left.

Sera

“Mommy, who’s that man sleeping on our couch?”

I opened my eyes to find Emma staring down at me on the bed. I looked at the clock. It was just past seven in the morning.

“Mommy?”

I cleared my throat. “That’s Thane. He’s a friend of ours.”

“Is that the guy you work with?”

I smiled. “Good memory. Yes, it is.”

“Where is Fred?” she asked, backing up as I got out of bed.

“He’s in Seattle, honey. He’s going to make sure Sam is okay.”

Her eyes clouded. “He’s not okay, mommy.”

I kissed her on the nose. “Honey, we don’t know for sure, okay? He might be okay.”

Her eyes filled with tears. “He’s dead. It’s too late.”

A soft knock on the door startled us both.

“Is everything okay in here?” asked Thane through the doorway.

I walked over and opened it up. “Yes, everything is fine,” I answered, trying not to laugh. His hair was sticking up in odd directions.

Emma laughed hysterically when she saw him. “Your hair! It’s so funny!”

He smiled and ran his fingers through it, making it even crazier. “You don’t like this style? I was hoping that I could wear it to work today and be a trendsetter.”

“What is a trendsetter?” she asked.

“Someone who people copy to look cool and stylish. You know… like me,” he answered, putting his hand on his hip and posing like some kind of supermodel.

Emma cringed. “I think you’re just going to scare people.”

I laughed.

He pretended to look hurt. “You really think I’m scary, Emma?”

“I’m sorry,” she said. She waved her hand next to her head. “Maybe if you brush your hair, they won’t laugh at you.”

“Do you think so?”

She nodded. “Yes, and you should probably shave, too. Your face is too hairy with that scruffy stuff on your chin.”

“Emma,” I scolded. “That’s not nice.”

“I’m sorry,” she said, taking a step back.

“Hey, it’s okay. In fact, it just so happens that I brought my razor,” he said. “And I agree with you. It is much too scruffy.”

She looked at me. “See, he agrees with me.”

I grunted. “Fortunately. Just remember that it’s not nice to point out things about a person’s appearance, Emma. It’s very impolite.”

“I’m sorry,” she answered, biting her lower lip.

“It’s okay,” replied Thane. “I’m not mad at you.”

She turned back to me, still embarrassed that I’d scolded her in front of Thane. “Mommy, I’m hungry.”

“Me, too. Thane, are you hungry?”

“I’m starving. What’s for breakfast, Emma?”

Her eyebrows shot up. “I don’t know. Fred usually makes it.”

“Do you like pancakes?” he asked her.

“Yes.”

“Then get ready, because I make some mean pancakes,” he said, smiling.

Her forehead scrunched up. “Mean ones?”

I squeezed her shoulder. “He means delicious ones. I think.”

“Do you?” she asked him.

“Guess you’re going to have to find out,” he replied, smirking. He turned around and called over his shoulder as he left us. “I’ll be in the kitchen making the meanest pancakes you girls have ever tasted. So, be prepared.”

“Should we be scared?” I hollered.

“Like I said, you’ll find out!” he called back.

I smiled at Emma, who looked worried. “He’s just kidding. He really means they’re delicious.”

“Oh. He’s kind of weird, isn’t he?” she whispered.

“Yes. But from what I can tell, he’s weird in a good way.”

She grinned. “Oh, good.”

I helped Emma get dressed for school and then popped my head into the kitchen to check on Thane.

“It smells wonderful in here,” I said, staring at his back, which was blocking the view of what he was doing on the stove.

“Breakfast is almost ready,” he said, looking back at me over his shoulder. “Hope you’re hungry. I made enough food to feed the entire block, I think.”

“Sounds great,” I said. “I’ll go get Emma and we’ll be back in a minute.”

“Okay,” he replied, flipping over a pancake that was as large as the pan.

Smiling to myself, I walked back toward the bathroom where Emma was trying to put her hair in a ponytail.

“Do you need help?” I asked.

“I can do it,” she said.

“Okay. Well, when you’re done, join us in the kitchen.”

“Okay.”

I left her and went back into the kitchen.

“I made coffee,” he said, nodding toward the Keurig. “Help yourself to that cup.”

“Thank you,” I replied, walking over to the refrigerator. I pulled out the cream and added some to the cup.

“Oh, so that’s how you like it,” he said, nodding toward container.

“I also like it over ice,” I replied, grabbing a glass from the cupboard. I filled it with ice and then poured the coffee and cream mixture over.

“I’ve never had it over ice like that. Is it good?”

“Is it good?” I repeated, smiling. “Here, you can have this one and find out. I’ll make another one.”

“Okay,” he replied as I handed it to him. He took a sip. “Damn, this is pretty good.”

“Told you.”

He took another sip. “So, have you spoken to Fred yet?”

“No. How about you?”

He shook his head. “I was going to wait to call him. I figured he’d call us if he found out anything.”

Before I could reply, Emma stepped into the kitchen.

“Oh good. Why don’t you two sit down and I’ll fill your plates?” said Thane, nodding toward the small oak dinette table.

Emma sniffed and then smiled. “Did you make bacon?”

“Yes. Do you like bacon?”

“I love it!” she said, sitting next to me at the table.

“Good”, he replied. “Now, are you ready for these mean pancakes that I was telling you about?”

Emma looked at me and giggled.

“I think we are,” I answered.

Thane walked over and set a plate out in front of each of us.

“Oh, my God!” cried Emma, staring at the massive helpings.

“Language,” I said, also staring at the plates. Each of us had a pancake the size of Emma’s head, two eggs, four pieces of bacon, toast, and a large helping of strawberries.

“Here’s some orange juice,” he said, bringing over the glasses. He set them down and rubbed his hands together. “Can I get you ladies anything else?”

I looked up at him. “Yeah, four other people to help us eat all of this food.”

“Breakfast is the most important meal of the day,” he said, sitting down next to his own plate of food. “You should have a big one to start your day off right.”

I looked at his plate and noticed there was mostly eggs and bacon. “You don’t like pancakes?”

“Too many carbs,” he replied, picking up his fork. “I’ll be dragging all day.”

“And we won’t?” I asked, staring back down at our own plates.

He smiled. “Don’t you like pancakes?”

“Well, yes,” I answered. “But, you didn’t have to make them if you weren’t going to eat any.”

“That doesn’t matter. I don’t get a chance to cook very often, and I figured you ladies deserved a good breakfast.”

“Thank you,” I said, picking up my fork. “It looks amazing.”

“You’re welcome. Emma, what do you think of my pancakes? Are they mean enough for you?”

“They are big, big meanies,” she answered, smiling. “Look at this one’s face.”

I looked at her plate and noticed she’d rearranged her strawberries to look like a mad face. I laughed. “That is definitely the meanest pancake I’ve ever laid eyes on.”

She cut into it with her fork and took a bite. After she was done chewing, she smiled. “It looks mean, but it tastes pretty sweet, actually.”

Thane smiled at me. “You’ve got yourself a witty little girl there, don’t you?”

“She sure is.”

“What does witty mean?” asked Emma.

“It means you have a way of making people smile. And it’s not just because you’re beautiful, like your mom.”

My cheeks turned pink.

“My mommy and I used to be prettier,” said Emma. “But, we had to dye our hair.”

“Emma,” I warned, not wanting to get into that conversation.

Her eyes lowered to the table. “Sorry. I forgot.”

Thane looked at me. “You dyed both of your hair?”

I sighed. “Yes.”

“What color is it normally?”

“Daddy always said it was the color of honey,” said Emma.

Funny, he once told me it was the color of baby poop, I wanted to say. “It’s a dark blondish color.”

“Kind of like yours,” said Emma. “I think. Mommy, when can I have my old hair color back? I don’t like this brown color. Billy Johnson told me it was the color of a witch’s hair.”

My jaw tightened. “It is not. He’s just being a mean little boy.”

“He obviously has a crush on you,” added Thane. “When boys pick on you, it means they like you.”

She grimaced. “Really? Billy Johnson
likes
me?”

Thane laughed. “Of course. I used to tease all the girls in school that I had crushed on. Especially ones with pretty hair and eyes like yours.”

Emma blushed. “You did?”

He nodded. “So, the next time he teases you, just ignore him. He wants your attention and doesn’t know how else to get it. Did you ever hear that saying – What are little boy’s made of?”

She shook her head. “No.”

“Rats and snails and puppy dog tails,” I sang. “That’s what little boys are made of.”

Thane stared at me in surprise. “Wow, could you sing that again? You have a very nice voice.”

I laughed. “See, Emma. When they grow up, they learn to compliment you instead of insult you.”

“But daddy didn’t do that. He always said mean things to you.”

My smile slipped away. Emma never missed a beat.

“Some men just haven’t figured out the technique quite yet,” said Thane quickly. “It just takes them longer to learn how to flirt and stop being a mean old booger.”

She laughed. “Does that mean you’re flirting with me and mommy?”

Thane winked. “I flirt with all the pretty ladies, cutie. I just can’t help myself. Especially when they’re as cute and witty as you.”

She smiled again and began eating more of her breakfast.

Thane’s eyes drifted to mine.

“Thank you,” I mouthed.

He looked at me like he had no idea what I meant and stuffed a piece of bacon into his mouth.

Smiling to myself, I began to eat. Curiously, I should have been frightened, knowing that Ray was still hunting for me. But, being with Thane, all I could think about was how safe he made me feel. Safe and pleased.