Suspicions

Her drumming heartbeat seemed to shake her chest. She’d never worried about being careful with Mark. Mark was good, solid and dependable. The light in the dark. He was—

“Because I’m not sure how much longer I can be careful with you.”

He was going to kiss her. Ava was sure of it. Mark was so close to her, the tension in the air had turned blazing, and she wanted him to press his mouth to hers. She’d wondered if he would ever actually—

He backed away. Again.

She suddenly felt very cold.

“You know the guest room is down the hallway.” He pointed to the left.

Yes, she knew where the guest room was.

Just as she knew that Mark’s room was on the other side of the sprawling ranch house. Far enough away...that he won’t hear me scream.

She thought about going out to the car for her bags, but figured she’d just save that for another time. Her car was parked near the entrance to Mark’s house, and the bags would be safe there for the time being.

For now, she’d crash...because she needed to slip away from Mark and his too-watchful gaze.

She turned on her heel and headed for the hallway.

“Tomorrow,” he called after her, “we call your brothers.”

She reached out and touched the door frame. “They don’t want me near you.” Not now. She didn’t know what had happened, but she’d been given that warning by more than one McGuire. Ava looked back at Mark.

He hadn’t moved.

Had he even heard her? Sighing, she took a step forward.

“What do you want, Ava?” His low, rumbling words stopped her.

And an instinctive response...you...rose to her lips. But she managed to choke that word back.

“Ava?”

“I don’t want to be scared anymore,” she said, and those words were the truth.

Or at least, as much of the truth as she was willing to share right then.

Ava kept walking, and Mark didn’t say anything else.

* * *

AVA WAS BACK.

Mark glanced down at his hands. There was a faint tremble in his fingers. He almost hadn’t been able to let Ava go. Not when her sweet lips were so close to his.

Once it had been easy to stay away from Ava. But...Ava wasn’t some scared sixteen-year-old girl any longer. She’d grown up and transformed into the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen.

When Ava was near, he ached. Because he wanted...what he shouldn’t have.

He sucked in a breath and could have sworn that he tasted her. The scent of strawberries seemed to cling to Ava. A light, sweet scent. She’d been in his arms, her body pressed tightly to his, and he’d wanted to devour her.

He’d also wanted to destroy whoever was out there terrorizing her. Because Ava had been afraid. Her body had trembled, her breath had caught in her throat and her green eyes had been bright with fear. Some jerk had been stalking her for a month, and she was just now telling him about it?

He spun away. Grabbed up his glass of wine and downed the contents in one fast gulp.

First thing tomorrow he’d be calling her brothers. Once upon a time he and Davis McGuire had been best friends. There was no way he’d let Ava keep this dangerous secret from her family.

First thing tomorrow...

But for that night, Ava would rest. She’d be safe.

He started to pace. He’d keep watch over her now, same as he’d done years ago.

The night she’d first run to him was burned in his memory. How could a man forget a night of death? It was impossible, as impossible as forgetting a woman like Ava.

She’d grown up before his eyes. That terrible night had destroyed the last of her childhood. At first she’d been so brittle, so very breakable. He’d wanted to pummel anyone who looked at her too hard, and there had been plenty of accusatory stares. Sure, he’d heard the rumors.

Some folks thought it was suspicious that Ava had escaped from the killers without even a scratch while her parents had died.

He paced toward the window on the right. Suspicious? No, there was nothing suspicious about her survival. She’d been lucky. He had no doubt that if the killers had seen her, Ava would have died, too.

Years had passed since that night. Bubbly, happy Ava had vanished. She’d become controlled, withdrawn and beautiful as she finished her college years. She’d gone to grad school, and she’d kept away from Austin.

But she’s back now.

Back with him. In his home, but not in his bed. Though for the past two years, he’d sure imagined her there plenty. Ever since the night he’d tasted Ava for the first time. It had been a kiss that shouldn’t have happened. A kiss that had changed everything for him.

His eyes squeezed closed. It was really going to be a long night.

* * *

AVA WAS IN the stables, stroking Lady’s mane. She was humming a bit as she groomed her horse. Working kept her mind off the fact that she and her boyfriend Alan had broken up just hours before the homecoming dance. Because he was a serious jerk with delusions. And now she was there, alone with her horse, while all of her friends were out at the party.

Ava stopped humming. There would be other dances. And plenty of other guys—guys who weren’t creeps and who—

Thunder cracked through the night. At the sound, Ava’s whole body jerked. There wasn’t supposed to be a storm that night. As the sharp crack died away, goose bumps rose on Ava’s arms.

Was that thunder?

She whirled from the horse, ran from the stable. That loud blast still seemed to echo in her ears. As she ran, she looked up at the star-filled sky. There was no sign of clouds or lightning. Nothing at all.

Fear thickened in her veins. Something is wrong. I don’t think that was thunder. She rushed toward the ranch house. All of the lights were blazing inside. She could see her dad standing a few feet in front of the picture window.

Only he wasn’t alone.

Ava staggered to a stop. The lights were so bright in that house, and she could easily see the men with her father. Two men wearing black ski masks were pointing guns at her father.

Where’s Mom? Where’s Mom?

She inched closer, and when she saw her mother lying on the floor, a pool of blood gathering near her body, a sob tore from Ava. In that instant, her father whirled toward the window. His gaze locked with hers.

Dad!

“Run.” He mouthed that one word at her.

Ava shook her head, too terrified to move.

But then her father whirled around to face the men in masks. He shouted something at them, words that drifted through the open window.

“I’ll never tell you. No matter what you do. I’ll never tell.”

Boom! That time, she knew the sound wasn’t thunder. She saw her father’s body jerk. Ava watched in horror as he fell, and she was screaming, screaming—

“Wake up, Ava.” Warm, strong hands wrapped around her shoulders and shook her once, gently. “It’s okay. You’re safe. I’ve got you.”

Her eyes flew open. She saw that the lights were all on—and so bright—in that guest room. Mark was on the bed with her, his body curled protectively over hers.

“It’s just a dream,” he told her, his deep voice rumbling. “Dreams can’t hurt you.”

No, it was the men in black ski masks who did that. Those were the men who appeared and wrecked your world.

Ever since that stalker had started playing games with her life a month ago, she’d been having the dreams—every single night. Before that, she’d been doing so much better. She’d even been able to go a few months without the nightmares.

But since the first time she’d noticed her pictures rearranged...it was as if the past had come rushing back to her.

His thumbs traced little soothing circles on her arms. “I didn’t know you still—”

“Still woke up screaming.” Her voice sounded raspy. How long had she been screaming before he’d rushed in? “That’s why I could never have a roommate in college.” Why she’d gotten the little rental house close to the campus. Her brothers had put in a security system there to keep her safe...and she’d really thought everything would be fine.

But someone still got in.

“The stalker, he brought it all back.” She sat up in bed, but Mark didn’t let her go. “I was getting better.”

He didn’t speak. His hands were so warm around her.

He’d come to her before, comforting her in the middle of the night. But she’d been a scared sixteen-year-old then.

She was still scared, but she wasn’t sixteen.

And Mark...he wasn’t leaving. Instead, he was watching her with an intense, turbulent gaze. She wished she could read his mind right then.

Wished—

His gaze fell to her body. She was wearing her bra and panties—she’d ditched everything else before she climbed into bed. Since his room was on the other side of the house, she’d hoped that he wouldn’t hear her cries when the nightmare came.

He had.

His hands tightened on her. She could feel the calluses along the edge of his fingertips. Mark wasn’t just some figurehead at the Montgomery ranch. He worked day in and day out. She knew he was the lifeblood of that place.

She also knew that she should feel embarrassed to be with him this way. She should probably reach out and pull up the covers. She didn’t.

“Do you remember,” Ava asked him, “when we kissed?”

Maybe he didn’t remember. He’d been drinking that night. She had, too, or else she probably would never have gotten up the courage to kiss him. She’d just finished her undergraduate degree, and she’d been celebrating the holidays with her brothers—and with Mark. She and Mark had been alone for just a moment. The mistletoe had been right above them. She’d stood up on her toes and pressed a quick kiss to his lips.

Then something had happened. He’d taken over that kiss. It hadn’t been quick. It had been deep and hot.

“I wish I could forget.”

His words hurt, and she sucked in a sharp breath. “I—”

“Because if I could forget, then I wouldn’t spend so much time wanting to taste you again.” His right hand rose and sank into her hair, tipping back her head. “Like this...”

His lips pressed to hers softly at first, carefully.

But she didn’t want careful. Not from him. Everyone else in her life treated her as if she’d break apart at any moment. Not Mark, too.

Her hands curled around his shoulders. Her mouth opened beneath his, and her tongue slid out to caress his lower lip.

His body stiffened, and she heard him groan. She loved that sound. Loved it even more when he stopped being so careful. She could feel his passion taking control. One minute he was holding her as if she were fine china, and the next he’d crushed her back into the bedding. He was on top of her, kissing her deep and hard, and she loved it.

For just a moment, the ghosts and fears from her past were gone. All she knew was the need she felt for Mark. The desire that was burning hot inside her, singeing her to her core. Her nails bit into his shoulders. Her breasts tightened, ached, and her nipples thrust against his bare chest.

Her hips were arching up. The covers were tangled around her legs, though, keeping her from feeling all of his body. She wanted those covers gone. She didn’t want anything between them.

Her hands slid over his back. There were some scars there, faint ridges that rose beneath her fingers. She wondered how he’d gotten those marks, but then her hands kept moving because she wanted to explore every inch of him.

Ava knew plenty about nightmares. But because of Mark, she also knew a bit about dreams. And since he’d kissed her two years ago, she’d dreamed of being like this with him.

Only him.

His mouth pulled from hers and, for a moment, she thought he was going to back away. He didn’t. He started kissing a scorching path down her neck. She arched up against him as she moaned. She loved it when he kissed her at the base of her throat, and when he lightly sucked the skin, then scored it with his teeth... “Mark!”

“Want to taste all of you...everything...”

She wanted to taste all of him.

He was still moving down her body, only now he’d just jerked the covers out of the way. She thought she might have heard the sheet rip, but Ava couldn’t be certain of that. Her mind was focused on other things.

On him.

On the way he made her feel.

On the desire that was making her body ache.

His fingers slid under the edge of her bra. “Stop me,” he said.

Was he crazy? Stopping him was the last thing she wanted. “Touch me,” Ava said instead.

Because she was looking at his eyes, she saw his control break away. Saw his pupils swell as the darkness swallowed the blue of his gaze. Then he was shoving her bra out of the way. His fingers curled over her breasts, stroked her nipples and a ragged gasp tore from her. Yes, yes, this was what she wanted.

No fear. No pity. Nothing but pleasure.

Mark.

Then his mouth was over her breast. “So pretty,” he whispered before his lips closed over her nipple. He sucked her, laving her with his tongue, and Ava nearly went crazy. Her hips bucked because the feelings coursing through her body were too strong. She needed him, wanted him. This moment had finally come, finally. She felt as if he’d been staying away from her since that kiss, and Ava had feared that she’d imagined his desire for her.

But I didn’t. He wants me just as badly as I want him.

There was no stopping. His hands were sliding down her stomach now, heading for her panties. There was—

An alarm shrieked, blaring through the house. Mark’s head whipped up. He stared at her for a moment and shook his head as if he were coming out of a fog. Then he bolted from the bed.

“Mark!”

“Stay here!” he said as he rushed for the door. “Something set off the alarm near the stables—I know that alarm!”

He was leaving her.

Her breath heaved out. White-hot passion one moment...fear the next. That would not be the story of her life. Ava jumped out of the bed. Her knees did tremble but she stiffened them up, and she grabbed for her clothes. One minute later, she was running out of that bedroom door and racing to keep up with Mark.

Because if she’d brought danger to Mark’s ranch, there was no way she was letting him face it alone.

Chapter Two

Mark rushed out of his house, his bare feet flying over the wooden porch. The alarm was still blaring up ahead, a security measure he’d put in after a psychotic SOB had torched his stables a few months back. The jerk had been trying to get at Brodie McGuire and Brodie’s girl, Jennifer, and the fire had been set to lure them both into a trap.

No one will use me again.

He could see some of his ranch hands already running toward the stables. There was no sign of a fire, but something had sure set off the alarm.

The whole ranch was wired with state-of-the-art security, courtesy, of course, of the McGuires. He’d been watching the security feed when he’d first seen Ava pull into his drive earlier that night. Ava already knew the code to get past his gate, and he’d watched her, stunned to see her back at his place. Especially since her brothers had told him to stay away from her.

“Ty!” He yelled for his foreman because he had just come from the back of the stables. “Are the animals all right?”

Ty Watts hurried toward him. “Looks clear, Boss.” Ty was close to Mark’s age, with dark hair and dark brown eyes. “I didn’t see anyone out back, and the men are in there with the horses now.”

But something had set off the alarm—something or someone.

“What the hell do you think...?” Ty began. Then he let out a low whistle. “Sorry. Didn’t realize company was here.” His gaze was directed over Mark’s shoulder.

Mark glanced back and saw Ava. Her hair tumbled around her shoulders. Under the lights that had flashed on with the security system, she appeared even more beautiful as the harsh glare lit up her body.

She was running toward Mark, clearly coming from the house.

In the middle of the night.

“Like that, is it?” Ty murmured.

Mark cut him a killing glare. “Yes,” he told him flatly. “It is.”

“What’s happening?” Ava asked, her voice husky as her breath heaved out. The woman even sounded like sin right then. He’d had her beneath him moments before. His hot dreams had been about to become reality, and then—

The alarm had been a cold shower. A hard wake-up that had stopped him from making a terrible mistake.

Would it have been a mistake? Or would it have been the start of an addiction I couldn’t end?

“Something set off the sensors at the rear of the stables, ma’am,” Ty told her, his Texas accent rolling beneath the words. “After the recent fire, Mark here didn’t want to take any chances with the horses’ safety. Those sensors go off if anyone gets too close during the night.”

A few more ranch hands came out. “Clear!” one of them shouted.

“Could have just been some animal checking out the place. Maybe a raccoon,” Ty said. “It could even have been a coyote.”

Ava was staring straight at Mark. “Do you have cameras set up back there?”

“No, not there,” he said. “Not yet, anyway. The cameras are all connected to the main house and to the main road that led to the ranch.”

“What if I led someone here?” Ava asked as she stepped closer to Mark. “What if I did this?”

“Nothing happened,” he told her flatly. “You didn’t do anything.” He nodded toward Ty. “Have the men search the grounds just in case. We don’t want to leave anything to chance.”

Ty nodded and turned away. A few seconds later, Mark heard Ty barking orders to his men. Mark wanted to go and join the search, too, but he needed to make sure Ava was safe. “I thought I told you stay inside,” he said as he leaned in toward her.

“I don’t always stay where I’m put.” Her voice held a distinct edge. “If there was a threat out here, I didn’t want you facing it alone.”

Ava...riding to his rescue. And some folks thought she was weak? Those folks didn’t know her at all. “I just wanted you safe.”

She stared up at him. “Are any of us ever really safe?”

With her past, yes, she’d wonder that.

“I want to help, and I don’t intend to help by hiding inside your house.” She straightened her shoulders. “If you’re searching, then I’m going with you.”

“Ava...”

“I...can’t wait in there alone.” Her voice was stark. “Don’t ask me to.”

He understood. He offered his hand to her. “Stay with me every step?”

Her smile flashed. “Of course. That’s how I keep you safe, right?”

She had a gorgeous smile. One that winked dimples on each side of her mouth. He hadn’t seen that smile of hers in a long time. He’d missed it.

The same way he’d missed her.

Ava put her hand in his.

* * *

FROM HIS HIDING PLACE, he watched Ava McGuire and Mark Montgomery cross the paddock. Ava was making a huge mistake. She couldn’t trust Mark, not for an instant. She needed to realize how dangerous he was to her.

Mark had been keeping secrets from Ava for years. He’d been lying to her. And now she was going to turn to the man for help? Wrong move, Ava. Wrong.

In fact, that move could prove deadly for her.

Ranch hands were scrambling around, checking on the horses, trying to make sure they were all safe. Mark stayed beside Ava every moment, but he didn’t think it was because he wanted to protect her.

You just want her.

In many ways, Mark Montgomery was just like his old man. When he saw something that he wanted, he took it, not caring at all for the consequences. Or for the shattered lives that he left in his wake.

Mark wanted Ava, so he thought he’d take her.

That won’t happen.

Ava wasn’t going to be destroyed. The Montgomerys had already wrecked enough lives. Maybe it was time for Ava to learn the truth about her so-called hero.

He slipped back into the shadows.

Maybe it was time for everyone to learn the truth.

* * *

THEY SEARCHED THE PROPERTY but found no sign of an intruder. Mark headed back to the house with Ava by his side. She seemed tense next to him, and he knew she had to be exhausted. They’d spent at least an hour out there because—

Because I wanted to make sure the jerk who has been harassing Ava didn’t follow her to my home.

He shut the door behind them and set the alarm. “You should try to get some sleep.” He wasn’t touching her right then. Probably a good thing because the more he touched, the more he wanted.

I had her in the bed beneath me. Her breast in my hand. In my mouth. She was moaning for me. Ava wanted me.

And he’d been about thirty seconds away from taking the woman he wanted most.

He turned away from her.

“You’re not going to talk about it, are you?” Ava asked him.

He locked his jaw. “The alarm went off. Maybe it malfunctioned. Maybe someone was here. I don’t—”

She grabbed his arm and pulled him around to face her. “I’m not talking about the alarm. I’m talking about us!”

He tried to unclench his back teeth. “There isn’t an us.” Even though he spent too much time thinking about her. Even though he wanted to strip her right then and get her back on a bed once more. Even though—

“Why not?” Ava asked. Her eyes were big. Her gaze so deep. “Don’t you want me?”

Wanting her sure wasn’t the problem. He cleared his throat. “The age...difference between us is—”

“Bull.”

He blinked.

“So you’re a bit older than me. I’m not some kid. I’m in my twenties. I’ve got a graduate degree. I support myself.” She waved the age difference away. “My brothers have dated plenty of women who are older and younger than they are, so don’t give me that baloney. We’re both legal.”

“Your brothers...they are my friends.”

She exhaled. “Are you sure about that? Because Davis told me just a few months ago... He said you weren’t the man I thought you were.”

And Davis had been acting odd around him ever since Detective Shayne Townsend had died. Mark didn’t know what was happening, but the McGuires had definitely put the freeze on him.

“But I don’t really care what Davis thinks about you. I want you.”

Then she leaned forward, trying to wrap her arms around him.

He stepped back.

Hurt flashed across her face.

“Ava...”

“You were kissing me like a desperate man earlier. Like you didn’t need anything more than me in the whole world.” She shook her head. “Now you back away from me? Why?”

“Because I don’t want to hurt you.”

A faint line appeared between her brows. “You wouldn’t! You never have. You’re the one who has always been there for me. Never judging, just accepting. You know all of my secrets.”

“But you don’t know mine, Ava.” And that was the problem. He’d shielded her from that part of his life. Did the very best that he could not to taint her image of him.

But Ava didn’t know the things he’d done. Ava didn’t know about the dark core inside of him and, for her sake, he hoped that she never did.

Ava had always looked at him as if he were some kind of hero. He wasn’t. He was about as far from hero material as a man could get. If she knew the things he’d done, Ava would never let him so much as touch her again. And that’s why she won’t ever know.

“Go to sleep,” he told her because he had to put some distance between them. He couldn’t be that close to Ava and not feel her sensual pull. “It’s been a long day.” He walked away from her.

* * *