Page 52 of Unveiled

He set her away from him, making sure she was steady on her feet before releasing her. “Night, beautiful.”

He forced one foot in front of the other until he was safely outside and could finally breathe again. Adalyn did something to him that he didn’t understand. Whatever it was, he wanted more of it—maybe even a lifetime’s worth.

CHAPTER

TWENTY-NINE

The vibrating of the phone on the nightstand jarred Adalyn from sleep. Groggily, she swiped at it and managed to unplug it from where it was charging. Mind muddled, she tried to place the number flashing across the screen. A bad feeling in her stomach, she tapped the button to connect the call and held the phone to her ear. “Hello?”

“Ms. Vale? This is Maryann with Frontline Security.”

Oh, God. Fear crawled up Adalyn's throat, and she clutched at the phone with both hands. “What happened?”

“Ma’am, an alarm has been set off at 1095 Belleview Avenue. Can you please verify your password?”

“No.” She shook her head to clear her foggy brain. “I mean—I’m not there.”

“Thank you, ma’am. We’ve contacted your local law enforcement, and police have been dispatched to the location.”

“Thanks.”

Ending the call, Adalyn tossed the phone on the bed and threw the covers to the side, ready to pull her clothes on and run out the door. She’d just stepped into a pair of jeans when it occurred to her that it was the middle of the night. She froze, debating what to do. She didn’t want to wake Jaclyn and take her with her, but she also didn’t want to have to rouse Wendy from sleep. She knew Wendy wouldn’t hesitate to come help, but still…

Adalyn drummed her nails against the screen of her phone before tapping the number on speed dial. Jaxon’s voice filtered over the line, raspy and sleepy. “Addy. Everything okay?”

“There was a break-in at the salon, and I⁠—”

His tone changed, instantly alert and ready to take charge. “I’ll take care of it.”

Adalyn could hear rustling in the background, and she imagined him rolling from bed, still warm from sleep. She could send Jaxon in her stead, but it was her shop. She was the one who needed to be there. “Actually, that’s not what I wanted to ask. Can you come stay with Jaclyn until I get back?”

There was a pause on the other end, then— “Are you sure?”

“Yeah.” She slipped her arms into a zip-up sweatshirt. “I need to be there to speak with the police.”

“Okay.” He seemed hesitant to agree. “I’ll be at your place in ten.”

Without another word, he hung up, and Adalyn shoved the phone in her back pocket. She peeked in on Jaclyn, and a few minutes later, she heard the front door open and close. Jaxon’s voice floated toward her. “Adalyn?”

“I’m here.” Grabbing up her purse, she met him in the hallway.

He caught her arm as she approached, concerned eyes boring into hers. “I don’t like this.”

“I know,” she replied. “The police are already on their way, so I won’t be there alone. I’m sure they’ll get it taken care of quickly.”

“Call me as soon as you figure out what’s going on,” he said. His hand slowly loosened around her arm, as if he was reluctant to let her go.

“I will. And Jaxon?” His brows lifted in silent question. “Thank you.” She stretched up on her toes and gave him a quick kiss.

The second her lips brushed his, an iron band came around her back, holding her close. His free hand cupped the back of her head, and his mouth pressed hard against hers. He lifted his head with a soft growl. “One more for the road.”

He swept down, consuming her, pushing all thought from her head. She knew it was his way of offering reassurance, putting her at ease, taking her mind off the situation at hand. He grounded her, made her feel safe and protected—and she appreciated it more than she could say.

Breaking away, breathing hard, she clutched at his biceps. “Thank you. For everything.”

He gentled his hold, allowing her to peel herself from his arms. Still lightheaded from that one last kiss, she grabbed her keys and headed out the door. She tossed one more glance over her shoulder before it shut behind her and found Jaxon’s intense gaze fixed on her. It filled her with warmth and something more—something she had no business entertaining.

The feelings he instilled in her weren’t safe. He’d been back in her life barely more than a week, yet he’d destroyed nearly every defense she’d put in place after Shawn left her. She couldn’t let herself fall for him—because he would consume her entirely, heart and soul. And once she gave him her heart, she knew she’d never get it back.