Healing Touch: Play Doctor, Book 2 (33 page)

It hadn’t been a dream.

Oh God.

The tiny spot in the rear of the van might as well have been her closet. And soon they would stuff her in an equally miniscule box she couldn’t escape. One that would drive her mad.
No!

Instant panic threatened to consume her. She slapped her hand over her heart.

Luke smiling up at her from the couch in her living room, kissing her, thrilling her. His hold when he’d danced with her at the banquet. His cannonball into the enormous tub in their hotel suite. Laughing in bed with the playful man. Sex on the kitchen table. Eating dessert from his fork at the nice restaurant on a nicer day. The eye-opening session in Kurt’s laboratory.

So many positive memories battled the darkness surrounding her.

He
had become her anchor.

Her breathing slowed and she retained control of her logic.
Why didn’t I let Luke drive me? Why didn’t I run as soon as I realized someone else got off at my stop? Why…

Anxiety rose inside her, strengthening Becca’s theory. Indecision and self-doubt plagued her, damning her to paralyzing regret and fear. She had to keep calm. Had to find a way out of here so she could get back to the brilliant affection she’d only just begun to relish.

I’m okay. I made the best decisions I could. I will do the same now. Luke is waiting for me. I can do this. Survive first, details later. I’m okay.

While not completely terror-free, she managed her apprehension to a level where she could still function. A plan formed in her mind. Taking a deep breath, she invited unwelcome attention. “Brad?”

“Shit. She’s awake.” Some grunts and banging followed as he made his way to the back of the van. “Are you going to be a good girl now, Brielle?”

His condescending smile made her aware of how long his façade had fooled her.

“I think I’m going to be sick.” It wasn’t much of a stretch. She let her disgust and the roiling of her guts show on her face. Sweat beaded at her temples as she considered what she was about to attempt. She had to get out of this van before they reached wherever the hell they were going.

“Shit.” He yelled at his new girlfriend, “Pull over. Right now. I don’t want that stench in here.”

Brielle didn’t bother to inform him that the van didn’t smell much better as it was. At least not from her place with her face smashed into the dirty carpet. She swallowed hard.

They lurched to the side of the road.

She had to try twice to get her fingers to work right on the door handle. Shit. It wouldn’t be easy to outrun him, given her still fucked-up state. Shaking her head didn’t help much to clear the fuzziness on the edges of her consciousness.

“You can’t do anything right, can you?” He opened the hatch as fast as possible.

Brielle practically tumbled from the rear of the van. She hit the pavement on her hands and knees, ignoring the shock waves that exploded from every joint. Then she took a deep breath and shoved forward like a sprinter off the block.

It seemed as if she was running in slow motion, but she put her head down and pumped her arms, tearing along the side of the road, away from the tragedy waiting to happen behind her.

“Fuck! She took off.” Brad’s boots pounded the road behind her. She’d never make it far. But she had to try.

About to veer off into the scrub brush on the side of the road, she was startled by the sound of an engine gunning it. At first, she assumed Brad’s girlfriend had put the van in reverse. But then she realized another vehicle was coming down the road. Fast. They’d had their lights off, but flipped them on now, blinding her and Brad, who neared by the instant.

Had the world gone crazy? Were they going to run her down?

She had no choice but to keep going and pray that they might help her. Dropping her shoulders, she leaned into the light wind.

The nondescript, beige car slowed only when it drew even with her. It skidded to a screeching halt a few feet behind her. Though she heard the door open and someone jump out, she didn’t pause to see what the hell they were doing, yelling at Brad. What if they couldn’t stop him? At least they would delay him.

Until one word cut through her flight instinct.

“Police!”

She stumbled. “What?”

Brielle might have bit it hard, but a second car approached, drawing her up short. A man emerged. He didn’t try to grab her. With his hands out in front of him, he spoke in a loud, clear voice. “Brielle Norris? I’m with the COPD. Officer Jeremy Radisson. You’re safe with us. You don’t need to run.”

The air rushed out of her. She glanced over her shoulder to see two guys slamming Brad onto the hood of their car, facedown. They slapped a pair of handcuffs on him, even as another shorter but toned cop headed for the van.

Officer Radisson caught her before she crashed to the ground. “Are you hurt anywhere?”

“I think I’m o-okay.” She tried to do a mental inventory but sorting through her chaotic thoughts was tough.

“Your boyfriend is real worried about you.” He spoke low and soft to her. Something about the man reminded her of Luke and Kurt. The innate control he kept over himself allowed her to relinquish some of her own.

A tiny sob caught in her throat. “He is?”

“Hell yeah. My squad heard all about it over the radio. He’s coming for you. In fact, I think that’s him right there.” The policeman carried her toward an approaching car. “You did great tonight. Made our job easy.”

“Luke?” Only one part of his reassurance mattered.

Brakes screeched as another car stopped. The passenger door winged open and all she could see was golden hair, shining in the moonlight, mixed with the flash of red and blue lights.

“Luke!” She squirmed until the officer had to let her down or drop her.

“Brielle!” He dashed toward her, crushing her in his arms. She didn’t mind one bit when he smothered her against his chest. “Are you all right, Cookie?”

“I am now.” She relaxed in the security of his hold.

“Me too.” He didn’t seem like it—his shaking and his bloodshot eyes belied his ragged declaration.

Brielle reached up and pulled him to her for a kiss. She imparted as much reassurance and gratefulness as she could. “You might not have been in that van with me. But you never left my heart or mind. It was because of you I was able to think. Able to believe. Able to fight.”

“Fuck it.” His lips covered hers, seducing her mouth. “I know this is crazy, but I love you.”

“I love you too, Luke.” A tear tracked down her face, but this time it was born of pure joy. She kissed him again, slow and gentle, certain they had a lifetime to perfect this insanity between them.

Someone, one of the younger cops, whistled at their display.

“Razor! Behave.” Officer Radisson shouted at the guy.

Luke grinned and laughed. He spun her around in his arms. “How much fucking paperwork do you think we have to fill out right now? Maybe they’ll let us sneak off into those woods for a bit?”

“I’m a pretty good runner.” She wiggled her brows.

“Barefoot even. You keep losing your shoes.” He frowned.

“But you keep bringing them back. At least I haven’t turned into a pumpkin yet.” She brushed her fingers over his smooth cheek. “You make a great Prince Charming.”

“Maybe I should call you Princess?” A smile spread across his lips.

The young, rowdy cop said, “Works for me. My wife likes it.”

“Nah, let’s stick with Cookie.” Brielle rested her head on his shoulder. “Or maybe Cake. I could really use a piece of that right now.”

“Don’t worry, I put it in the fridge. Elsa deserves it and a million more for tonight.” Luke filled her in on the girl’s heroics.

“You’re right, that one’s all hers.” They couldn’t stop making out between discussions. “I’ll bake something else. Something just for us. Something sweet and new and satisfying.”

“That sounds delicious to me.” Luke brushed his lips over her knuckles then carried her to the waiting police officers. “The sooner we start this, the sooner it will be over. Just remember that I’ll be taking you home and helping you forget tonight ever happened.”

“I’ll talk fast.”

They both laughed despite the nightmare they’d lived through.

Chapter Twenty-One

Seven months later

Brielle rode the elevator up to Luke’s office, hardly thinking of anything except his birthday surprise. It was simple, but she knew he’d appreciate the significance. How far they’d come in less than a year. Brad had been sentenced last month, closing that era of her life.

It felt right that he’d be spending most of his time in a tiny cage like the one he’d tried to keep her in. And so would his accomplice. Yet far from each other.

She enjoyed the sweet smell emanating from the box of treats she bore. It perfumed the confined space of the elevator car.

The control panel tweeted cheerily as she passed each floor. And when the doors opened, she bounced out. Only because she couldn’t wait to see her guy. It’d been a long time since they’d had each other for breakfast this morning.

As though he could sense her, his head turned the moment she approached.

She didn’t even get to say hello to Heidi before he snagged his spring coat and met her in the waiting room. His eyes were electric as he spied her gift. “Brown sugar cookies, Cookie?”

Her eyes rolled at his silly nickname, although secretly she loved it nearly as much as she loved him. Okay, nothing could compare to that inferno. Still, it always brought a smile to her face. Even on the bad days she had so much less frequently now.

“I’ll even let you keep them this time.” Brielle went into his open arms, uncaring about the presence of his assistant when she accepted his mostly tame kiss.

He sighed as he wiggled the lid off the foil-wrapped cardboard. “I love you. You know that, right?”

“Never get tired of being reminded.” She grinned when he popped a full cookie in his mouth. It should have taken a normal human five or six bites to demolish it.

“Want one?” His slurred offer had both her and Heidi cracking up.

The admin took two. “I’ve learned my lesson. Eat them while they’re here.”

Brielle put her face in her hands. “That was not one of my finer moments.”

“I could say the same of my boss.” Heidi shook her head.

“Hey now.” Luke put on mock affront. “No ganging up on me on my birthday.”

“Speaking of, we’d better get going. I have something for you.” Brielle tugged him toward the door. She didn’t have to try very hard to get him moving.

“I thought the cookies were my present.” He downed a couple more while they waited for the elevator.

The doors glided open. They stepped in. Brielle wrung her hands and steeled herself for what she was about to do. She was ready. After they’d sunk a floor or two, she spun toward the control panel and slapped the STOP button.

“What are you doing, Cookie?” Luke’s eyes grew wide when she unbuttoned her shirt, exposing her lacy bra.

“I’ll give you a hint. It has nothing to do with being hot.”

“Here? Now?” He gawked. “Aren’t you scared?”

“Never with you.” She hiked up her skirt, making it clear she’d opted to leave her panties at home. “So are you going to undo those pants or am I just going to keep standing here half-naked and awkward?”

He blinked.

Again.

Then laughed as he dropped the box of cookies and tore open his slacks. “This is a premeditated seduction, isn’t it?”

“Been working myself up to it for weeks,” she confirmed. “So let’s make it good. How long do you figure we have until they send the fire department? Better hurry so we don’t get caught.”

He devoured her smile as he lifted her. She wrapped her legs around his waist even as he guided himself to her opening. “Damn, I see you like the idea.”

“Horny and pantyless is a dangerous combo.” Brielle enmeshed her fingers in his thick hair, rubbing his scalp as she kissed her way along his neck. Just as he liked best.

“Cookie, you know there’s a camera in here, right?” He hesitated on the brink of entering her.

“I thought exhibitionism was your thing.” Brielle relaxed her thighs, sinking onto him the barest bit. She let go of him long enough to yank the pliable cups of her bra beneath her breasts and offer herself to him.

“I’m sure as hell not a prude, and I’m not ashamed of us together. Just hoping Mrs. Allerton doesn’t rat us out. Wouldn’t want to get my practice evicted.” He glanced down at her rosy nipples and cursed. “Fuck it. I don’t give a shit. It’ll be worth it.”

He hunched his back, pressing into her, even as he sucked on her breast.

The thrill of doing something so naughty ramped up her arousal. The satisfaction of destroying her phobia once and for all…that was huge. Now every time she rode in an elevator she’d have this to think of and smile. Or moan.

Luke’s big hands cupped her ass, tugging the cheeks apart as he hiked her up then let her ride down his entire length. They both groaned.