AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Yes, to borrow a car.”
“And then what…leave?”
“Well…yeah.”
Blade pursed his lips and frowned. “How can I protect you if you leave?”
His question blindsided and confused me.
“Are you asking me to…to stay with you?”
“It’s the only way I can keep you safe, darlin’.”
Shacking up with a panty-melting stranger wasn’t anywhere on my new life path. But his offer of protection was a tempting detour I desperately wanted to take…at least, temporarily.
“For how long?”
“As long as it takes for you to tell me what kind of danger you’re in, and to make sure it passes.”
I didn’t have the heart to tell him it might never pass. Instead, I nodded and bit my bottom lip.
His comment hung in the air for several long seconds. Finally, Blade stood and extended his hand. After helping me from my chair, he snaked a muscular arm around my waist and escorted me to his truck. My ankle was tender, but no longer throbbing. I didn’t share that revelation with him. No way would I do or say anything to break the blissful bond of his hot, rugged body pressed against my side.
When Blade turned into the driveway, seeing his house again filled me with a strange sense of peace. It was crazy, but after four days on the run, I didn’t feel the need to look over my shoulder. I could finally breathe.
He pulled to the front porch and turned off the engine. “Do you want to come inside or pick one of the cars?”
In other words, was I staying or leaving?
The smart thing would have been to leave. But as I peered at the house illuminated by the truck’s headlights, images of the bright, welcoming decor and his masculine bedroom flashed in my brain. The idea of checking into a lackluster hotel room, alone, made my skin crawl.
“If your offer still stands, I think I’d like to go inside.”
Though surrounded by darkness, his mega-watt smile was brighter than the sun.
“Of course, it does, darlin’. Come on, we’ll get you settled in one of the guest rooms,” he said before bounding out of the truck and jogging toward my door.
I would have preferred he settled me intohisroom. But after everything Blade told me about the BDSM lifestyle, I knew honesty and trust were vitally important to him. I didn’twantto lie to him anymore, but unfortunately, I’d probably have to. I hated not being honest with him. But I hated my parents more for being so insanely controlling and manipulative I had to flee in order to find a sliver of freedom.
When Blade opened the passenger door, I shoved the depressing thoughts away and gathered my purse and shopping bags. But instead of helping me from the truck, he scooped me out of my seat and kicked the door closed.
Being in his arms and nestled to his chest again, made my heart soar, but the need to be honest—when I could, even over little things—was more important.
“You don’t have to carry me, Blade. I can walk. My ankle doesn’t really hurt anymore.”
“Good. Let’s keep it that way.” He smirked before carrying me inside the house and up the stairs.
When he turned into the first bedroom, farthest from his own, I banked my disappointment.
“The bathroom is right across the hall,” he announced, easing me onto the mattress. “Clean towels are under the sink, and there’s a new toothbrush and toothpaste in the drawer. There’s some shampoo, I’m not sure what kind, in the shower. Tomorrow, I can drive you to the drug store to get whatever else you need.”
“What I need is a salon, but I can drive myself.”
“I’m sure you can, but I’m taking you...to keep an eye on you.”
Though I’d backed myself into my own corner, like I’d done so many times with my parents, the urge to push back and fight my way free was nowhere to be found.
“All right. I’d appreciate that. Thank you.”
