Stone Temptation [Texas Stallions 3] (11 page)

The world spun so fast, his eyes couldn’t keep up with its hurried pace. He rolled to his back, staring up at the stars above. Gasping for air, the darkness took him.

* * * *

Gracie’s chest squeezed tight as she stared down at the man that had fought to keep her safe. He was her hero and friend. She thanked her lucky stars that he had been there to protect her, but guilt quickly consumed her as she eyed his bandaged body, knowing he sustained those injuries because of her.

“Stone?” Gracie called out. “Stone, can you hear me?”

His eyes fluttered open, his gaze jumping all over the hospital room. His teeth clenched tight as he tried to shift in his bed. The pain in his body must have been unbearable. Finally, his eyes settled on her. “Where am I?”

She smiled. The sound of his raspy voice warmed her straight to her soul. She feared she might never see him again. The idea chilled her to the core. “You’re in the hospital, but you’re going to be okay.”

He winced. “What happened?”

She brushed her fingers over the scar on the side of his face. The uneven ridges of tissue were soft and coarse to the touch. Colorful bruising around his eyes and cheek were starting to show. “Well, yesterday you decided to take on four lunatics in hand-to-hand combat while the other three tried to burn me out of my hotel room.” She leaned over and kissed his lips. “You saved me, Stone. You pulled me out of the window.” She kissed him again, lingering for a long moment. “Thank you.”

The bold stare had her blood warming. “All in a day’s work, ma’am,” he said with a chuckle and then took hold of his chest, his face cringing from pain.

She immediately reached out to help him, her hands soothing his partially naked body. White bandages covered his ribs while a thin sheet rested over his hips and down his legs. “Easy, you’ve got a few broken ribs and lots of bruises.”

“Great,” he breathed.

She placed her hand in his, glad that she could still feel the warmth of his touch. Her heart swelled at the thought of him sacrificing himself to save her. No one had ever done something so brave or stupid on her behalf.

She didn’t understand why he would even bother. He barely knew her, but it felt like she’d known him forever. Being with him simply felt right.

“You could’ve been killed,” she whispered.

He reached out for her, grunting as he held his ribs. “You really need to stop crying. I really can’t stand it when you do.” He pulled her hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles. “You are my friend, Gracie, and I care about you. I would do it again, if it meant saving you.”

Her chin quivered as she fought the tears that threatened to spill. She was blown away by his compassion and heart. For such a rough-and-tumble man, he was nothing more than a giant teddy bear.

How did I get so lucky to meet him?

“I’m going to let you rest awhile, but I think you’re going home as soon as a doctor clears you. “

“Good,” he said, shifting his weight in the bed and groaning as he did. “I’ve had enough with hospitals to last a lifetime.”

I can only imagine.

She figured he was referring to the time he’d spent in the rehabilitation facility after he’d been burned, but she wasn’t going to ask now.
Later.
Later, she would take the time to truly get to know Stone, the man that was chipping away at her heart and showing her where true temptation could be found.

As she prepared to close his door, he called out to her, “Gracie? Don’t think this means we’re not finishing our previous conversation. It’s time you and I learned a little more about each other than just having—”

She knew what he was about to say. As much as she enjoyed sex with Stone, the kind where it was her choice, she understood that he wasn’t looking for just a sexual relationship. His friendship meant the world to her.

“I know, Stone. Rest up. We’ll talk more later,” she said, closing the door as his eyes drifted closed.

The moment the door shut, she turned and saw James heading her way. His intense stare sent a wild flutter to her belly. Strange how she felt warm and tingly all over when she saw him. Maybe it was the fact that he was the only one who knew her secrets and kept them, at least for now.

“Gracie, are you all right?” James asked. The concern in his baby-blue eyes rocked her. “Were you able to get any sleep?”

Nodding, she told him, “Yes, James, I’m fine. I caught a few hours of sleep in the most uncomfortable chair in Stone’s room.” She indicated with her thumb toward the door directly behind her. “It’s funny how you can sleep anywhere when you’re exhausted enough.” She cleared her throat. “Have you found Bullet or the others?”

He frowned. “No, but don’t worry. We’ll find them.” He glanced toward Stone’s door. “Is he doing all right?”

She gave a stiff nod. “Yes, he should be out of here soon.”

Just then, a nervous flutter sank to the pit of her stomach. What would happen once he was out of the hospital? Where would he stay? When would she see him again?

“Good,” he said, bracing his hand up against the wall, his other on his hip. “Gracie, I’d like for you to stay with me until you can get your living arrangements squared away. I’d feel a hell of a lot better if you had a little protection while we’re hunting down Bullet and his crew.”

Instantly, her mind raced with thoughts on how that might not be such a good idea. With all they knew about each other and the dangers of her past, she wasn’t sure why he would do that for her. He was putting himself in harm’s way. “Oh, I don’t know,” she said, stammering.

His brow sprung up high on his forehead. “Would you prefer to be alone after what they tried to do to you?”

“No, I couldn’t,” she muttered.

“Gracie,” Stone’s voice blasted from his room. “Do you have to do everything the hard way?” Slowly, she opened the door and stared at him. “Stay with the man. He’s a freaking cop for crying out loud.”

Her brow furrowed. “What about you? Where will you stay when you finally get out of here?”

She wasn’t sure why it mattered so much to her. In a short period of time, she’d grown very fond of Stone. The thought of leaving him alone felt wrong, but for whatever reason, it did matter to her where Stone was going to be. Honestly, she’d prefer they stayed close to each other.

“I’ll be fine,” he said, eyes heavy with sleep. “I’ll call Clay. I’m sure he has a place I could crash for a while.”

James ran a hand through his hair, his gaze dancing all around the ground. Finally, he spoke up. “Stone, why don’t you and Gracie both stay at my place? I’ve got a two-bedroom house and a pretty comfortable couch.”

Stone’s eyes drifted from her to James and back again. She knew he couldn’t argue after telling her to buck up, and who says he had to sleep on the couch. Her big, strong teddy bear would need lots of healing attention. Not to mention cuddle time, something she could use a ton of herself.

“I guess I can’t really be choosy now, can I?” He winked at her. “Thanks, man. That would be great.”

James inhaled deeply, releasing it slowly. Even though he’d offered to take Stone in, he didn’t seem thrilled. “I’ll check with the doc and find out when he thinks you’ll be released.” He stepped away from them and headed down the hallway.

Making sure James was out of earshot, she asked, “Are you sure you’re okay with this arrangement?”

Stone’s mouth was tight as he replied, “Sure, why wouldn’t I be?”

She shrugged. “Just checking,” she replied, wondering if he was telling the truth. She didn’t know why, but she got the strangest feeling that Stone wasn’t exactly crazy about James and vice versa. Sure, they were cordial to one another, but each one acted a little funny around the other. For the life of her, she couldn’t figure them out.

“I’ll be back to bug you later,” she said with a smile and closed the door again.

James was talking with the doctor at the nurses’ station down the hall. His wavy blond hair, broad shoulders, perfectly round ass, and long, lean legs had her heart skipping. It was funny how time hadn’t changed her reaction to him.

James had always been attractive, the boy from south Texas who looked like a movie star. When they were in school, he had been the boy she’d fantasized about. A schoolgirl’s crush, James had been the one to capture her heart. He was also the one she’d pretend was making love to her as she sold her body to strangers. He was the one who took her from the horror of her actions, and he never even knew it.

James Ryan had been her lover before she’d even set foot in Temptation. Even now, she found herself thinking back to all those nights she’d dreamed about him, wished on every star that he’d save her from the nightmare that was her existence.

Life was funny, she thought. How she’d managed to pick a town where she’d find him of all people was beyond her. Smiling, she wondered if that was a sign, or maybe she was just being a silly girl rekindling a few fantasies. Regardless, James still made her heart do a strange flip, her breath catch, and her blood warm.

Her belly rumbled, pulling her from her wandering thoughts. Glancing down at her watch, she noted it was right at noon. Turning her gaze back to James, he was still in a deep conversation with Stone’s doctor. Not bothering to wait for him, she made her way down to the cafeteria.

The line wasn’t as long as she thought it would be for this time of day. She grabbed a tray and headed for the hot meals, selecting the roast beef and mashed potatoes. She could eat buttery mashed potatoes every day for the rest of her life if it were possible. Just before she checked out, she grabbed a glass of iced tea and headed for a table
 in the far corner of the room. Very few people lingered. Most were finishing up and heading back to work, decked out in their multicolored scrubs and uniforms.

Devouring her food in record time, a fast eating habit she developed in a house with four brothers, she suddenly felt a thud sink into the pit of her stomach. The fine hair at the nape of her neck rose to a tingling alert, and her palms felt clammy. The sensations had nothing to do with the food she ate, but it did have everything to do with the eerie woman in black staring at her from the far side of the cafeteria.

Swallowing the rising bile that burned her throat, she rose to her feet, collected her plate and cup onto the tray, and dropped the items off at the return window. The cold chill that raced up her spine was more prominent as she noted that the dark-haired woman with penetrating eyes also stood and began moving in her direction.

With quick haste, Gracie exited the cafeteria and moved down the long hallway.

James!

Her instincts were screaming, warning her that she had to get to him before whomever this person was caught up to her.

Gracie was tall and had long legs, but for the life of her, she couldn’t get her feet to move any faster. Her strides felt small and restricted, as if the muscles were freezing up in her legs.

Inclining her head over her shoulder, she could see that the woman was closing in on her. Everything around her seemed to race past her in a blinding haze. Everyone smiled and chatted as if impending doom was nowhere to be found, but Gracie knew it lurked fifty feet behind her.

Stairs!

Gracie spotted the stairs and began a quick charge toward the door, flinging it open and racing with all her might up each flight. Then she heard the door she’d just entered and knew it was the woman who’d been following her. The chase was on. Her lungs were so tight she thought they were going to explode right out of her chest.

One more floor to go, she thought to herself, panting heavily.

She squeezed her eyes shut for a moment as her blood pressure pounded in her ears and across her temples. The heat of fear blazed hot within her eyes. Her hand was slick with sweat as she gripped hold of the railing. One more turn and her eyes fell upon the number beside the door. Salvation was in her sights.

Four feet. Three feet. Two feet…

Suddenly, Gracie was being whirled around as if her body were caught in the grips of a tornado. She froze, expecting to see the woman who’d been following her holding a knife to her throat, but instead she saw James, his intense eyes fixed on her.

“Gracie, what happened?” He cupped her face, holding her as if to calm her. “Why were you running?”

A whoosh of air left her lungs as she realized she was no longer in any danger. In fact, as she glanced over James’s shoulder at the empty stairwell, she wasn’t even sure she ever was. Maybe it was her overactive imagination playing tricks on her.

Damn my brother for making me a paranoid wreck.

She shook her head. “There was a woman…I thought she was following me.” Gracie hung her head and then leaned it back against the wall, sighing hard.

James eyed her as his hands fell to her shoulders. “Black clothes and long dark hair?”

Snapping up straight, she said, “Yes! That’s the one.”

James nodded with a smile. “She works here. Labor and Delivery nurses wear black uniforms. It’s used to help parents identify the nurses that work that unit.”

She couldn’t believe what her mind had done to her, trapping her in panic and fear. She thought for sure that the woman was one of Bullet’s many girlfriends paying her a visit, the type of visit that would leave her a cold, bloody corpse.