Paranoid(66)

A single lamp burned near the sofa, but he snapped it off, picked up the remote, and killed the TV as well. The room became darker, the only bit of shifting light coming from the partially open window, where a security lamp offered a cool blue aura, and a soft breeze entered, dissipating some of the smell of a recently applied coat of paint.

Wrapping his arms around her, he drew her close. Then he kissed her. Gently at first and then more urgently, in a way that made her tingle all over, a way that caused her bones to melt. His tongue was pure magic, touching and flicking with hers, and she kissed him back, closing her eyes and losing herself.

This was what it was like to be in love. Real love. Not puppy love or whatever you called it.

He bent his knees and they tumbled onto the makeshift bed, a small part of her wondering if she was making a mistake, but just a very small part.

This was sooo right.

“I’m glad you’re here,” he said, kicking off his shoes.

“Me too.” She toed off one Nike, then the other, kicked them away.

He kissed her again, his hands slipping under her sweatshirt and up her abdomen, his fingertips brushing across the top of her breast. Within her bra, her nipple tightened. She was breathing faster than normal as he yanked off his hoody and T-shirt, exposing a ripple of muscles on his chest and abdomen.

“C’mon,” he said and helped her out of her sweatshirt and began kissing the top of her breasts. A low moan escaped her throat as he skimmed the lace of her bra with his tongue, his warm breath piercing the sheer fabric.

Deep inside, she began to ache, to want.

She reveled in the feel of his weight as he rolled atop her, pinning her down with his hips and levering himself on an elbow to stare down at her.

This is dangerous! a part of her brain was screaming as he turned her slightly, reaching behind and unhooking her bra, tugging on the scrap of lace until it fell away.

No, no, no! This is so right. Meant to be, an arguing part of her mind replied.

Harper ignored her doubts and told herself to just trust him. To love him.

She felt his gaze skate down her body.

His face was in shadow, the whites of his eyes visible, the scent of him filling her nostrils as the room closed in on her, growing more intimate, making her feel that they were alone in the universe, two like souls.

“I love you,” he whispered across her breast, the warm air inviting, his words seductive. He touched the very tip of her nipple with his tongue and she felt the slow-growing need deep within, a pulsing desire. Instinctively, she reached up, laced her fingers through his thick hair, and pulled his head closer, forcing her breast into his mouth, arched her back, felt the hardness beneath his jeans.

This was right, so right . . . and . . . and . . .

Creeeeeak, the sound like a heavy bough swaying in the wind rippled through the room.

Harper froze.

Her heart thudded as she strained to listen.

“Help,” a weak voice reached through the room.

He, too, became a statue. “Did you hear that?”

“Yes.”

They waited.

Nothing.

“What was it?” he asked.

“I don’t know.”

His brows slammed together and he looked worried. He turned his head to stare at the window, then slowly rolled out of the bed. “Sounded close.” He headed for the window.

Creeeak!

Harper went completely cold inside.

The disembodied woman’s voice said more loudly, “Please . . . help me.”

“Jesus. Let’s go,” Xander said with a glance through the glass. Then he scooped his sweatshirt from the floor and yanked it over his head.

“Go?”

“We’ve got to help her, whoever she is.” He flung back the hood.

“No. Wait.” Pointing at Harper, he said, “You stay here. I’ll go.”

“No, I’m not staying here alone.” The idea was impossible. “We . . . we should call the police.”

He slanted her a look. “Don’t you think your dad might take the call? Is that what you want to do?”

“No, but—” She scrambled to find her bra, located it on the floor.

“Stay here. Lock the door. I’ll go check it out and if I have to call the police you’ll be okay. Just don’t open the door. I’ll text you.”

“No!” She was already hooking the clasps behind her back, snapping her bra into place. “If you’re going, I’m going.”

“I don’t think that’s a great idea.” He stepped into his shoes.

“Better than me being here. Alone.”

“Shit.” He looked about to argue but the voice came again. This time weaker. “Help. Please, someone help me.”

“I’m going with you,” Harper said, pulling on her own sweatshirt.

“Don’t argue.” She scrambled to find her shoes. One was under the bed.... Oh shit, where was the other one? She switched the bedside lamp on, blinked in the sudden brightness, but caught a glimpse of the toe of her shoe poking out from beneath the coffee table.

“Then stick close.” He was already at the door as she yanked on her shoes.

“Jesus.” They started for the stairs.

She was one step behind. Outside, they raced across the parking lot, scaring a marauding cat into hissing and dashing across the street.