They were in the front. I could see shadows dance across the lawn, crossing by the windows every now and then. I hurried through the foyer, trying to remember my way to the kitchen. It was dark now, and I could barely see where I was going.
I bumped into a table in a parlor, knocking a vase to the ground. I caught it but not soon enough. Part of the top chipped off. Grimacing, I set it back and rushed through the room.
Finally, I stepped foot into the kitchen. Moonlight filtered in through the large windows. I didn’t waste any time. I ran through, stopping only to unlock the glass doors in the breakfast nook. I threw the door open and stepped onto a patio.
My breath caught in my chest. My mouth fell open as the scent of the ocean wafted around me. The patio jutted off a hillside, overlooking the ocean. A salty breeze lifted the bathrobe from my skin, and I shivered. Waves lapped at the shore, crashing against the sand in a gentle roar, the sound drowning out the shouts.
Everything was still around me, and I stood, transfixed, watching the dark ocean.
“Running away, chica?”
I startled, whirling around and taking a defensive stance. Alejandro stood behind me in the threshold of the doorway.
“It’s a long way down,” he said, moving forward, eyes trailing to the edge of the patio. “And it’s not safe out there.”
I opened my mouth, my voice suddenly gone. His arms and shoulders were covered in tattoos, like I had imagined. I couldn’t help but run my eyes over him, taking in his six-pack abs and muscular arms. The AK47 was slung casually over his shoulder. Just like in my dream. Holy fuck, could my pussy lust any harder?
“I wasn’t running,” I finally said. The wind picked up, blowing my hair into my eyes. I blinked and pushed it back.
Alejandro licked his lips and took another step toward me. I pressed my arms into my sides and held my ground.
“Really?” he asked, not convinced. “Then tell me, my dear, what are you doing out here?”
“Looking for you,” I blurted.
Alejandro’s eyebrows pushed together for a split second. He tipped his head. “And why would you do that?”
The wind blew again, going up the robe and reminding me that I wasn’t wearing panties. I blushed. “I don’t really know,” I confessed. “I saw you go after whoever…whoever was shooting at you then not come back.”
That surprised him. “You were worried about me?”
I shook my head. “I don’t know. I just…” I trailed off. “I wanted to see what was going on. I’m a cop, remember? I can’t help but go toward the sound of danger when I hear it.” I knew I was rambling, but I couldn’t help it. Hell, I couldn’t explain to myself why I wanted to find Alejandro.
He moved closer. There were only a few inches between us. I swallowed hard as a tingle of desire went through me. I didn’t want to be so attracted to Alejandro. I didn’t want to react to his presence in such a physical way. I blinked. Why? Why was I so concerned with not being attracted to Alejandro? I bit the inside of my cheek and looked at him. I shouldn’t want someone like him, and I spent my life doing what I should do, not what I wanted to do.
“Did you get them?” I whispered.
“Who?”
“The people shooting…or whatever. What the hell is going on?” I asked, suddenly afraid gunfire might rain down on us. I wanted to close the distance between us, to have him wrap his arms around me and feel safe.
I closed my eyes in a long blink.
“I did,” he said. “And it’s nothing of your concern.”
“I beg to differ.” I shook my head and took a step back. “I’m here. When people are trying to kill you, I think it effects me.”
Alejandro smirked. “If that was an attempt to kill me, I am most unimpressed.”
“What?” My heart pounded in my chest.
“It was a threat, a message if you will.” His dark eyes flashed. “Nothing I can’t handle.”
I just nodded, shivering again from the wind. How was he so calm? I was scared, and I wasn’t being shot at.
He lurched forward, putting his hand on my waist. I pulled back, though really I wanted him to grab me and force me against him.
“Go back inside,” he whispered, his breath hot on my skin. “Be a good girl.”
I looked into his eyes, desperately needing him. “I’m not a good girl,” I said.
Alejandro’s eyes glimmered, and his full lips pulled back into a half smile. Holy fucking hell, the man was sexy. “I will have to fix that.”
Keeping one hand on my waist, he reached up with the other and pushed my hair out of my face. A chill went through my entire body. His fingers ran through my hair, tucking it behind my ear. He trailed them down my neck and across my chest, tracing my collarbone, stopping in the center, right above where the robe crossed.