Dangerous Embrace (Embrace #1) (3 page)

With a moan, she lay back on the hard floor, shivering and trying to catch her breath. She’d been nearly raped by some maniac, and now that maniac had her keys and address.

Mark approached the bathroom door and tapped. “Do you need my help?”

“No.”

“I brought you more water.”

“Okay, come in.” She sat up slowly, feeling every bruise on her body, and reached for the cup. “Thanks,” she whispered, trying not to grimace.

“I guess this is a reaction to the sedatives.”

“Ha, maybe,” she lied.

“Can I help you up?”

“If you don’t mind.” She squeezed her eyes closed and waved him off. “No, I’m fine.”

“Don’t be scared of me. I’m not going to hurt you.”

Her eyes popped open and met his, “I’m not scared!”

“I know...I’m just trying to help.”

She shook her head, feeling foolish for snapping at him. “I’m sorry,” she muttered. “Will you please help me get up?”

Mark leaned closer, reaching without touching her, as if waiting for her to pull away. He looked like he was approaching a feral cat. She inhaled and held her breath reaching for his shoulder with her trembling right hand. Then she lifted her left hand and laid it on his arm above his elbow. He held her behind her shoulders and under her arms, but kept a comfortable distance between them.

Despite his gentleness, his touch made her apprehensive. She braced for more pain, but he held still.

“Try to relax, Sarah. Tension will only make the pain worse.”

Hearing her name helped her focus. She exhaled slowly and relaxed a little. When Mark pulled her up, she fought the urge to lean into his warm chest.

Steady on her feet, she whispered a quiet thank you, and he backed out of the room.

She adjusted her robe and looked at her reflection.
Okay, Sarah, hold it together a little longer.
With a nod to the mirror, she left the bathroom striving for confidence, but suspected Mark saw right through her facade. She gave him a weary smile when she entered the kitchen. “I’m okay.”

“How’s the arm?”

“It hurts.” Heat flooded her face at the admission.

“Are you ready to take something for the pain now?”

“No, I need to know everything before I fall into another medicated stupor.”

“Do you think your stomach is settled enough? I’m not sure how much more your body can take.”

“I am fine. I’m stronger than I look, and a little puking never killed anyone.” She took a deep breath and tried to relax. “Sorry, but once I hear everything, I can relax.” She carefully lifted herself back up onto the barstool.

“Are you
fine
enough to eat something?”

He smiled, and Sarah realized she should give him more credit. She wasn’t an easy patient to treat, but he was relentless. She started to refuse, but he was already pulling things from her pantry.

“Soup and crackers okay with you?”

“Yeah...fine.”

She didn’t like that Mark moved around her kitchen as if he lived there. Clearly his mother wasn’t the only caretaker in the family. Most men wouldn’t bother making her soup. It was a sweet gesture, staying there with her was a sweet thing to do. And let’s face it, if he wasn’t here, she’d still be shivering on the bathroom floor, likely sobbing in self-pity.

“You should tell me the rest.” She fought to keep her voice level. “I guess it’s safe to assume he wasn’t caught, and it’s only a matter of time before he figures out he has complete access to me and my home.”

“No, he wasn’t caught.” He turned toward her. “But he doesn’t have access to you or your home.”

Surprised, Sarah looked up at him. His gaze was so intense she had to turn away. His level of intensity told her one thing for sure—she had to leave. Pack her bags and leave her home. Again.
Oh, God
—the thought of running away broke her heart. Especially now that she’d finally found a place she really loved.

“He can’t get to you,” Mark said, pulling her from her thoughts.

“I’m sorry?”

“He won’t get through me.” His jaw tensed and determination flitted across his face. “I’ve already taken precautions to protect you.”

She stared at him now, holding her breath, not sure she understood what he was telling her.

He turned back toward the stove, and she focused her eyes on his broad shoulders, trying like hell to make sense out of what he said. She slid off the stool and walked to the stove. He towered over her five feet seven inches by at least another five inches.

When she leaned against the counter next to him, he glanced at her and then back at the pot.

“Exactly what precautions are you talking about?”

“Soup’s ready,” he said, and reached over her head to grab a bowl off the shelf.

The closeness forced her to back away, but not before she took in his musky, sandalwood scent.

She walked back to the stool as he placed a bowl of soup down in front of her. “You’re avoiding my question.”

“I’ll talk, you eat.”

Sarah took a couple of spoonfuls of soup, and some of her tension melted away. She ate in silence for a few minutes before she glared up at him with one eyebrow arched in question.

He held his hands out palms up and said, “I didn’t want you to have to worry—let’s just say I took care of some security issues for you.”

She dropped her spoon, and it sank into the soup when she placed her palms down on the bar, fighting for the courage she needed to put this man in his place. She would not let him act like she was some stupid woman who couldn’t take care of herself. She’d always taken care of herself.

“Are you ready for your pain meds yet? Now that you’ve eaten they shouldn’t upset your stomach.”

“No. You need to finish telling me everything so I can protect
myself
.”

“Don’t worry. I’ve taken care of your security.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I changed your locks.”

“Oh.” She wasn’t sure how she felt about that.
No, not true
, she knew exactly how she felt about that—she didn’t like it at all. “Thank you for taking liberties without my permission.”

“I also installed a security system on your house.”

“Wait...what? Did I hear that right?” She took in his posture and narrowed her eyes. What an arrogant S.O.B. What made him think she needed him to come in and save her—rescue her like some pathetic little twit?

She slid off her barstool and paced the length of her kitchen, fighting to keep from screaming in frustration. “So who died and made you God?”

“Whoa, what’s the problem?”

She threw her uninjured arm in the air. “You had no right to come into my home and do this. I don’t even know you.”

“I guess I should have just left you unprotected.”

She leaned closer to him. “I don’t need a knight in shining armor to come in here and take over.”

His brows shot up. “Take over—what the hell are you talking about? I’m trying to help. Most people would be grateful.” He leaned in too, getting even closer. “Sorry for considering your safety and not leaving you to deal with it alone.”

It took everything she had not to retreat from his glare, but she refused to back off. This was her house—her life. “I didn’t sign anything. I didn’t agree to any of this.”

Mark must have seen a spark of fear in her eyes. His expression softened and he backed off. “You’re right.” He turned his back on her and walked toward the living room. “I’ll take it out. Sorry for inconveniencing you with my help.”

When the front door opened, she wished for a hole to crawl into—a place where she could be alone and think. If he had intended to make her feel bad, mission accomplished. She had every right to be angry, but did she have a reason to be nasty to him after taking care of her and staying with her? What kind of man does this?

She rested her hand on her forehead and took several shaky breaths. She didn’t need him—did she? God, why did he have to be so helpful and caring? Sarah pushed back the emotion and stepped into the living room when Mark returned with his toolbox.

He set the box down and squatted next to it. The smile she’d seen on him earlier with that cute little-boy dimple was a complete contrast to his football player physique He looked so strong. She envied that and knew she couldn’t wonder at him thinking her weak when being compared to him. His shoulders broadened as his irritation increased, making him look even bigger, surlier. But his exhaustion was prevalent too, with dark, sunken, tired eyes. It was hard to be angry with a man who stayed up for two days because he thought she might need him when she woke up. How does one respond to something like that? It was like ambush thoughtfulness. She wasn’t prepared to deal with someone like that, or someone so...considerate.

She blew the bangs out of her eyes and approached him. “I’m sorry...if I seem ungrateful.”

“Forget it. I’m outta your hair in three seconds.”

“I appreciate that you want to help me. Just...” She held out her hand. “Please stop...for a second.”

He glanced up at her.

Her heart pounded in her chest at the thought of accepting his help, but she had to think reasonably here. “I may be irrational sometimes, but I’m not stupid. I know the security system is a good idea. I just wish you would have asked me first.”

They were quiet for a moment, which gave her time to push her uneasiness away. She walked over and sat on the sofa, wanting to be eye-to-eye with him. “I apologize for my reaction, but this”—she gestured to the toolbox—“caught me off guard.”

“You know,” he said, “I didn’t intend for this to cost you money. I own a security agency. I did all the installation myself.”

“I appreciate that, but I’m capable of paying for it myself.”

“Fine, whatever. If it makes you feel less handled, I’ll send you a bill.”

She nodded and hoped her meager smile was enough of a truce sign for him. “Okay, tha—thank you.”

He closed and locked the toolbox, and then set it next to the front door. Sarah took a couple more deep breaths and focused on what to do next. She couldn’t believe how foggy and weighed down she felt after all that sleep she’d gotten.

When Mark turned toward her, she got a good look at his now slumped shoulders and felt really bad. Her behavior, her bitching, was embarrassing. How manic and unreasonable she must have seemed to him.

“Why don’t you go home and get some rest.” She stood and closed her robe, pulling the strap tighter, not sure what to do with her hands.

Mark nodded, but stared at her cautiously as he tugged his wallet out and removed a business card. “These are my home, cell, and office numbers. Call me if you need anything.”

She thought he looked worried, but considering how rude she’d been, he probably just wanted to get away from her. “That’s nice...thank you.”

He picked up his jacket to pull it on.

“Are you all right to drive? You look exhausted,” she said, watching his slow movements, now worried about him.

“I’m okay, it’s not that far. Just please call me if you need something. I can be here in a few minutes.”

“I will,” she said.

He stepped outside, and Sarah’s eyes landed on her truck in the driveway. “How did my truck get here from the school?”

“My mom and dad picked it up and brought it over.”

Her eyebrows shot up. “How—if my keys were stolen?”

“The hide-a-key in the rear wheel well,” he said, pointing to the back of the small Toyota pickup. “You didn’t know that?”

She nodded. “Right...forgot, sorry. I guess that’s another thing I owe you for.”

“I’m not trying to rack up the favors here.” His voice hardened. “You act like I have some ulterior motive.”

“No—no, I don’t,” she snapped. “Why are you so defensive?”

“I’m not used to being accused of things when I help people.”

“If you were paying attention, you would know I was only trying to thank you.” She turned and stormed into the house before closing and locking the door.

~

Once Mark was inside his truck, he rested his head back and closed his eyes.

“What the hell was that about?” he muttered, lifting his head to stare at her closed front door. “Try to do something nice and look where it gets you.”

As irritating as she was, he couldn’t help but worry about her. She was alone—no help, no protection, and no family to check on her. He glanced around her dark front yard. She didn’t even have proper lighting in the long, circular drive. Tall hedges blocked the neighbor’s view completely, hiding the house and most of the driveway. The place was beautiful but private to the point of being dangerous. If the son of a bitch got passed his security system, nobody would hear or see a thing. He hadn’t even taught her how to use the system.

Mark watched the house until her lights clicked off inside. He gave it another couple of minutes and then drove directly to Summors Security. He stepped into his office and plopped into his desk chair. He should’ve gone straight home and crashed, but his nerves were too on edge.