See Me .(63)

Oh, he was going to catch her. And make sure she was safe. And happy. And loved like no woman had ever been loved before.





Chapter Thirteen

Abigail shifted in the seat, letting Penelope readjust and turn to lay her head on Sean’s lap. The twinge of jealousy faded as she patted the soft fur on the dog’s backside. She couldn’t blame the dog. She wanted to do the same thing.

“Thank you for making breakfast,” she said and flipped another page of the magazine he’d bought her at the gas station.

“No problem. How’s your stomach doing?”

The way his sidelong glance caught her made her want to leap over the seat and wrap her arms around his neck. The man truly was beautiful. How had he made it this long without a woman snatching his butt up and marrying him? “It’s good. I don’t think I can handle another cinnamon roll, though.” He’d picked up a handful of the prepackaged delights at the gas station, along with two packs of gum, two Snickers, and two bottles of Yoo-hoo. His sweet tooth was off the charts.

The sneaky smile he shot her made her panties wet. “Well, in that case, toss it over here.”

“You’ve had three already! It’s a wonder how you stay in the shape you are.”

“So? I’m a growing boy.” He waggled his dark brows. “In more ways than one. Are you sure you don’t want to stop off and have a quickie?”

“You’re crazy! Here.” She unwrapped the other cinnamon roll and handed it over. He snatched it up, only after pecking a quick kiss on her wrist. The sensation sparked a warm shiver through her core. Maybe a quickie didn’t sound so crazy after all. Ron’s voice rang in her head. Punctuality was one of his demands. He didn’t care for lateness. “We better keep going. It’s already after nine, and Ron will be pacing the cabin if we don’t get there soon.”

Sean slid the last bite of cinnamon roll into Penelope’s waiting mouth. “Okay, but once we get camp set up, you’re mine. My dick’s already got plans, and you wouldn’t want to disappoint him.”

“Oh yeah? And why’s that?”

He turned off the interstate onto the ramp. “Because I said so.”

She hid a smile. “Well, when you put it that way.”

The trip went so fast Abigail hadn’t realized when they’d made the turnoff to Carl’s cabin.

“You’d better get packed up,” Sean said. “We’re almost there. Don’t forget her squirrel.”

She looked down to where Penelope was sprawled out between them on the seat. She was munching away on the rubber toy.

“Oh, how could I ever forget that?” The dog looked up at her but not before clenching the thing in her teeth for another squeak. “Sean?”

“Huh?”

“You don’t think… I mean, there’s no way he…he can’t find…”

Keeping one hand on the wheel, he slipped the other behind her neck. “No fucking way. You’re safe with me, baby. No matter where you are, you’re safe. He can’t touch you. I want you to relax and have a good time. I’ll handle the rest when we get back.”

She rolled her head against his forearm. Could she put all her trust in him? The thought scared the hell out of her. When she finally opened her eyes, Sean was staring back at her. “Trust me, Abigail.”

She closed her eyes again, wanting to believe he could protect her from the man who’d taken everything from her. The man who’d left her for dead and killed her child. The man who’d promised to come back and finish the job. Opening her eyes, she watched Sean navigate the truck through the winding road to the cabin. Sure, he’d done hard time. He was a fighter and had the body of a gladiator, but he’d never killed anyone. He’d never taken a life. Justin had and wouldn’t give a second thought to doing it again.

Carl’s cabin was the first thing to come into view. The second was Eric, shirtless, chopping wood. Damn, the man had a body made for sin. Abigail could definitely see why Ron was in love. The guy was a saint, rich, and, from what Ron said, he’d been blessed in the underwear area too.

“Stop staring, Abigail. You can roll your tongue back in now.” At first she thought Sean was joking. Then she looked over. He clutched the steering wheel so hard she thought the thing was going to poof into dust. “I know he’s gay, but that doesn’t mean it makes me any less jealous.”

She gathered the plastic sack with their goodies and reached for Penelope’s leash as Sean parked next to Ron’s truck. “I wasn’t staring. The flowers bloomed, and I was just admiring them.”