Hour of Need (Scarlet Falls #1)(73)



“Ellie.”

She cupped his neck, and her mouth sought his. The slide of their tongues mimicked their lovemaking. Their pace increased. The grip of his hands on her thighs tightened. His fingers dug into her flesh, holding on. Her back slammed against the wall as he pumped into her. Tension built, her back arching to take every inch of him. Nearly desperate for release, she rocked her hips faster.

“Easy.” He wrapped a hand around the front of her pelvis. This thumb circled slowly until he touched a nerve that sent pleasure bursting through her. Finally. She clamped around him. His body responded with a final surge and a groan that sounded as if it were ripped from the soles of his boots. Which he was still wearing, she noted.

Giddiness rose through her chest and burst from her lips as laughter.

Grant lifted his head and frowned. “That’s not the response I was shooting for.”

Still giggling, she kissed him and looked down. His pants were around his knees. Her jeans and panties dangled from one of her ankles. They were both still wearing their boots.

He sighed. “Yeah. This is not normally how I like to make my first big impression.”

“Don’t worry.” She cupped his jaw and kissed him again. “You made quite an impression.”

“Still, if we do that again, I’m going to want some more room to maneuver.” He stopped. “But maybe that’s not a good idea. I just hope we both don’t end up regretting this.”

She put a finger to his mouth. “I have no regrets.”

But pain gathered inside her. If they’d met under different circumstances, who knew what could have blossomed between them. In less than a week, Grant had gently worked his way inside her heart. He was a special man. A man she could let share her life.

Lord, she was being ridiculous. They’d just met. Maybe this feeling was dependent on the security Grant provided for her family. It wasn’t as if Ellie had any real experience with successful relationships.

It hardly mattered. A career soldier would never be satisfied with domestic bliss. She’d have to be satisfied with a little tenderness, some terrific sex, and a bittersweet memory. She couldn’t get too used to having him around. He’d be gone soon, and once again, she’d be alone.





Chapter Twenty-Eight


Lindsay


January

I limp into the locker room. My knee stings from an epic fail of a double axel. Stopping in the U-shaped alcove that houses my locker, I pause. The hairs on the back of my neck wiggle. I can feel someone’s attention on my back. A shudder rides my spine and cramps my belly, as if I’m a vampire’s next victim in a horror movie. With one hand on my combination lock, I turn around. On the other side of the locker room, Regan and Autumn stand in front of Regan’s open locker. Excitement churns in their eyes. They might not be bloodsuckers, but they are sucking the will to live from my soul.

Too much melodrama, I know. I need to lay off the comics.

Mom did it. Last week, she complained to the school and Victor. She said the principal promised to talk to Regan and Autumn. Victor won’t say a word, though. He tries to look out for me, but let’s face it. They have the power, not him. His career is already shaky. Everyone says this club is his last chance. What is a skating coach supposed to do if no one will pay him to coach skating?

Anyway . . .

They. Are. Pissed. Every day since has been the worst yet.

Yesterday, I stuck my finger down my throat and threw up so I could stay home, but my mom didn’t buy the fake sick act today.

“You can’t let them win,” she says.

She is clueless. I am the only possible loser here. Regan and Autumn and their Shrew Crew have been at me for six solid weeks. I am their mission. Making me miserable is their purpose in life.

My dad called the phone company. They blocked the number. Texts started coming in from a different number a couple of days later. The cell phone company said the numbers are burner phones, disposable and untraceable. I told my parents these kids are smart, but they didn’t believe me. Plus, Regan’s dad is a computer guy.

Dad says he’s going to the police next. He wanted to take my phone away, but it’s my only link to Jose. Dad made me close all my social media accounts because nasty messages started showing up on those last week. They’ve cut me off from everything.

Mom is taking me to see a psychiatrist after school tomorrow. Because I am not enough of a freak, now I have to see a shrink, too. I had one in California, but I only saw him for my ADHD meds. This is different. This time, they think I’m a head case.

Despite my parents’ best intentions, I am all alone.

I spin the numbers into place. The weight, the intensity of the girls’ focus practically burns. What are they planning? Sweat breaks out under my arms, and it isn’t from my skating practice.

Those girls hate me. I’ve been in Scarlet Falls more than two months. I keep waiting for them to tire of taunting me. Doesn’t devising ways to make me miserable take up a large chunk of time? The junior skate team made sectionals this year, and they’ve been practicing before and after school every day. Don’t they get tired? Regan and Autumn have National Honor Society and student council meetings to attend. Straight-ironing their highlights must consume at least thirty minutes a day. Their hair is perfect.

Instinct tells me not to turn my back to them, but Mom will be here soon. The last thing I want is for her to come looking for me. Then she’ll have time to talk to Victor. My life is humiliating enough without every single person in it constantly discussing my public shame.

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