Protect Me (Rivers Edge Book 4)(38)

"How long were you there?" Nate croaks through what sounds like a dry throat.

"About three weeks. Just long enough to get most of my strength back.  Connie was one of the volunteers at the shelter, but we became very  close while I was there. She helped me clean that gown and then took it,  along with all of the jewelry I was wearing that night, to a pawn shop  on the other side of Daytona. I used that money to purchase the bare  necessities of clothes and a piece of crap car. She also helped me  change my name," I confess.                       
       
           



       

"Your name?" Nate asks. Our eyes connect for the first time since I started telling him about Daytona.

"Yeah, my name. I was born Amelia Justine Bryant," I confide.

"Shit. You changed it so that the bastard couldn't find you, didn't you?" he asks, though it's not really a question.

"Yes. Connie helped me. Walker was my grandmother's maiden name. She  died before I was born, but it was the only other family name I could  think of. And of course, Lia is short for Amelia," I whisper, dropping  my eyes again.

"I like Lia better," Nate says.

"I can't stand to hear Amelia," I say. Too many bad memories attached to that name. Hearing it makes my skin crawl.

Nate pulls me tightly against his warm chest, our faces press together  cheek to cheek. I breathe in the same warm air that Nate does.

"When I was healthy enough to leave Daytona, Connie helped me line up a  job that paid cash and an apartment. I don't know if it was part of the  shelter's resources or if she did it on her own, but I am eternally  grateful to her. I miss her and think about her often, but I can't  chance calling her. As many times as I've picked up the phone, I know  that calling could lead to being found."

"You're safe, baby. You are so fucking safe here," Nate says, almost  angrily. He hugs me so tight that I can't breathe. Just when I start to  get dizzy from lack of oxygen, he eases up on his embrace. But not  completely.

"I need you to promise me something, Lia," Nate says and turns me to  face him. "Promise me that if something scares you, you won't run.  Promise me you will come to me and let me help you. Promise me that you  won't up and leave in the middle of the night. Promise me, Lia," he  urges with a great deal of desperation in his deep voice.

I know I'm about to do the one thing I never wanted to do to Nate: lie.  "I promise," I whisper. It takes everything I have to get that one  statement, that one lie, two little words, out of my mouth. Because when  all else fails, I can't - I won't - put Nate or his family in jeopardy.  I won't risk their safety. I will leave.

"Thank you," Nate says as he stands us both up. "Let's head home," he  adds and steers me towards his car. After I'm tucked inside, Nate  returns the chair to the shed and joins me in the moonlit car. Before he  starts it up, he places the sweetest, softest kiss on my lips. I don't  even want to think about what that kiss is filled with. It'll make my  leaving, hurt that much more.

And if there's one thing I know as certain as my own date of birth, I will eventually have to leave.





Chapter Eleven


Nate




I throw my tuxedo jacket over the passenger seat backrest to keep it  from wrinkling and head to pick up Lia. I've imagined her wearing that  sexy red dress all day which is why I'm still sporting a hard on the  size of a hammer that won't seem to subside, no matter how many times I  think about my grandmother.

I worked Thursday night and had local fire calls on Friday night so I  haven't had much time to talk with her since Wednesday night at the  creek. Listening to her share her past is the hardest thing I've ever  had to do. I want to kill. Kill. No woman - especially my woman - should  ever have to endure what Lia has been through.

I park the Mustang next to Lia's Honda and head up the stairs. When I  reach the top of the stairs, I see a small box sitting in front of the  door. There's no postage markings, just her name. Lia Walker. Only I  know now that it isn't her real name. But I don't give a shit. I will  never call her Amelia. I will do everything I can to not remind her of  her past.

I scoop up the small package and knock on the door. It only takes a few  moments and Lia opens the door. My heart stops beating. I try to suck  air into my lungs, but my entire body stops functioning. Lia stands  before me wearing the stunning red gown with the very high slit. Her  breasts are plump and barely contained by the dress. I want to rip it  off of her instantly. Her hair is down - the way I like it - and her  makeup is subtle and soft.

God, I fucking love this woman.

"You are breathtaking," I tell her.

Lia gives me the most perfect smile through soft, red lips. I want to  kiss the shit out of them, smearing that red lipstick all over her face  and mine.

"You look pretty amazing yourself," she says as she steps back to allow me room to enter.

I lean down and inhale her sweet scent. I run my nose along the long  column of her neck, causing her to shiver, but I know it's not from the  temperature. Its ninety fucking degrees outside right now.                       
       
           



       

"Oh, this was on your porch," I say as I hand her the package. That  gives me free hands to adjust my package. Yep, still a hammer.

Lia takes the package and looks at it. "That's funny. I didn't order  anything," she says as she walks back towards the room. "I'm going to  grab my clutch, and I'll be right out," she says over her shoulder as  she talks towards the bedroom.

"Hey, I want you to stay with me tonight, so why don't you grab a quick bag," I say as she exits the living room.

"Okay," she says from the confines of her little bedroom.

I hear drawers open and close and it makes me smile, knowing that she's  packing up to come home with me for the night. I've been thinking for  days now about her being there every night. Every morning. Every time I  come home, I want Lia there. Every morning I leave for work, I want to  place a kiss on Lia's sweet lips. I want her with me, living with me,  and that doesn't scare me as much as it used to.

I hear Lia gasp from her bedroom, and I take off. I'm in the doorway in a handful of steps, surveying the room.

"What?" I ask, concerned and ready to fight.

"Oh, nothing," she says. I can tell something is very wrong. Her face is  flush and her smile is fake. The box is open and sitting on her bed so I  walk over to it. It's empty inside.

"What was in it?" I ask.

Lia looks at me with wide eyes and hesitates. "Oh, these," she says.  She's going for casual, but I know better. Lia hands me a pair of white  lace thongs. Nice.

"Okay. I don't get it," I tell her. "Someone left you underwear?"

"I bet they are from Avery," she says without looking at me. "We went to the mall yesterday and she was teasing me about them."

I look at her face, her eyes still averting mine, and contemplate  whether I believe her or not. She's not a liar, but something just isn't  sitting right. My gut is telling me this is all wrong.

"So, Avery bought you underwear?" I ask, eyebrows arched sky high.

"Yeah, as a joke," she adds with a smile.

"Are you sure?" I ask, taking her hand in my own. I feel the slight tremor.

"Yes, I'm sure," she says adamantly. Her beautiful eyes meet mine for  the first time since I entered her room. Her chin is raised slightly and  she's standing her ground. I don't believe her, but I don't want to  push her.

"Okay," I say. "You ready to go?" I ask, gathering her bag up off the bed.

"Yes," she replies, giving the room one last look over. "I have  everything I need," she adds. Something in her tone makes me wonder if  she's talking about spending the night at my place or something more.

After a quick stop by the bathroom where she packs up all of her girly  bathroom stuff, we head out to my car. I open Lia's door and notice her  stop. She turns and gives the apartment one last look. It leaves me with  an uneasy feeling.

"Ready?" I ask, running my hand up her back, taking in the soft skin and  the silky material of the dress. I don't even give her time to reply.  My lips descend on hers before she can answer. She's all minty and warm.  She tastes like heaven. I almost tell her that I love her right then  and there, but something holds me back. I want it to be perfect. I will  tell her later tonight when we're alone after the gala.

"I'm ready," she whispers against my lips. I growl as I force myself to  pull back. Shit, do I want to take her right here and now in the  alleyway? I don't even care if we make it inside the car or not.