I lean my forehead to hers. “I better go, or I’m going to try and talk you into letting me stay.”
She’s about to do it. She’s about to let me, but I don’t want it this way. I don’t want to pressure her. I want her to decide she wants me on her own.
“You can...” She starts, but I put my finger on her lips to stop her.
“Don’t finish that. Before we get to that point, I need to know you trust me. And I can’t believe I’m fucking saying this, but when I take you, Sierra, it’s for keeps. I can’t do it and you have second thoughts about it. We can wait, there’s no rush.”
I get up from my seat. The bulge in my pants is uncomfortable, but I’m not going to draw attention to it.
She follows behind me. “You’re tired. And I know that is not good for your vertigo.”
“Actually this new medicine has been great. I haven’t had one symptom since yesterday.”
“Oh, that’s great news. But still, you need your rest. You can’t sleep in your truck. Please go home and rest. I’ll see you in town tomorrow.”
I lean down and kiss her. “I’ll be here to get you in the morning.”
She’s already shaking her head. “I can drive...”
I wrap my hand around the base of her neck. “I know you can, but I want to drive you. I like having you with me. Is that okay?”
She nods slowly, and I kiss her again. “Now, I better go. Lock the door and set the alarm.”
She looks at me dreamily. “I promise.”
It’s then I decide to push my luck. “Go out with me.”
I’m ready for the no. I’m sure she’s going to say it but instead, she says, “Okay,” and I can’t resist. I kiss her again.
I step out the door and hear her set the alarm before I descend the steps. I’m just going to run home real quick, grab some clothes, shower, and then I’ll be back to sit outside her house again. She’s right, I’m tired, and besides the nap I had on the couch today at work, I’ve hardly slept. But I know I won’t sleep if I’m across town, so I’m coming back.
I get out of the shower and pick up my phone to log into Sierra’s security system. I’ve been on edge since I left her neighborhood, and so I decide I’ll survey the place on my phone until I can get back to her.
I’m combing my hair when movement on my phone catches my eye. There’s someone standing in her driveway. He’s in the shadows, but sure as shit there’s a man standing there. I hit the silent alarm button for her house, knowing the cops will be notified and on their way in an instant.
I pull on clothes and run outside to my truck. My tires squeal on the pavement as I speed across town, taking curves way too fast.
I’m dialing her number when an incoming call comes in, and her picture pops up on the ID.
“Sierra,” I breathe into the phone. I want to talk to her, but I hate having eyes off her house.
“Evan, oh my God, there’s someone outside my window. I started screaming, and he’s knocking at my door.”
She’s absolutely terrified, and so am I. If anything happens to her, I won’t forgive myself. I never should have left her. “I know. I saw it on the cameras. I’m on my way, and the police will be there soon.”
She’s breathing frantically into the phone, and it guts me knowing how scared she is and I’m not there to help her. “Sierra, listen to me. Go to your room and get in your closet. Don’t answer the door for anyone. You only open the door when I get there. Do you understand?”
She’s panting heavily, and I hear her tearing through her house. When there’s an echo, I know she’s in her closet. “I’m in here. I’m in my closet.” Her voice has dropped to a whisper.
“Okay, keep talking to me. It’s going to be okay, I’m almost there.”
She screams, and I swear I lose ten years off my life. “What is it? What’s happening?”
“There’s someone pounding now. They’re hollering police. Should I go open the door?”
“No! Do not open the door. I’m two blocks away. You open the door for me, that’s it.”
I push even harder on the gas, even though I already have it to the floor. I take the corner to her road on two wheels. There are blue lights in front of her house, and I get out, recognizing Officer Bales. “She won’t answer the door.”
“Honey, I’m here. Open the door.”
Five seconds later, she has the front door open, and she’s diving into my arms. Her legs go around me, and I’m holding her so tight I know I’m hurting her, but I can’t let her go.
I turn to Officer Bales. “We’ll be right back.”
His gaze is on her ass, but he’s nodding his head, and I turn real quick and slam the front door behind me. I stride across her living room, down the hall, and walk into her bedroom. She’s still wrapped around me, and when I look at us in the floor length mirror across the room, I see what Jensen was looking at. Sierra has a T-shirt on, and the way she’s hanging on to me, you can see her panty-clad ass plain as day. My head drops to her shoulder. Fuck, Evan. Now is not the time. Get your shit together, I tell myself.
“Honey, you need to get some clothes on, and we’re going to go out and see the policeman and see if they found the guy.”
She’s shaking her head. “Sierra, baby, you have to talk to them, and you can’t do it like this. Jensen’s already seen your ass, and I already want to put a bullet in
