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Lindsay was still shaking like a leaf by the time Blake parked in front of the house. She still couldn’t believe what had just happened. And that she’d known what to do to get away from Mark. Because of all those self-defense classes she’d taken, because of everything Blake had taught her, she’d reacted instinctively. Her body had known what to do even though she’d been so scared.
She couldn’t know she would react the way she’d just done when confronted by Mark again. But because of Blake’s training, because he’d always ask her to come forward during the class when he wanted to demonstrate all the ways one could defend oneself, she’d known what to do. And at the time, she’d been so irritated with him for always making her do it.
Blake had taken her hand in his when they’d driven away from the scene, but he hadn’t said another word. She looked at him and her heart melted. How she loved this big man with few words. Turning away, she stared blindly out of the window. But he couldn’t or wouldn’t give her forever. He’d been very clear about that.
There wasn’t any reason for him to stay with her any longer; the danger she’d been in, was over. Because of him. A big hole opened up inside her but she swallowed against the lump forming in her throat.
It was over. They’d caught Mark. Hopefully, she’d never have to see him again. The constant fear he might discover where she lived was something of the past. He’d found her and yes, he’d hurt her again, but it had been the last time.
This time she waited for Blake to walk around the car and open the door for her. She wasn’t sure whether she’d be able to stand up straight just yet.
Her phone rang just as Lindsay was getting out of the car.
“It’s Charlie,” she told Blake. “Have you told them?”
Shaking his head, Blake closed the car door while she answered the call.
“Charlie...”
“We’ve just heard what happened...” Charlie hiccupped and promptly burst into tears.
“I’m fine, sis, I really am,” Lindsay said but her voice wobbled; she couldn’t utter another word.
Wordlessly, Blake held out his hand and she handed him her phone. The next minute she could hear Logan’s voice over the phone, and Blake pulled her close to him while he answered all of Logan’s questions.
She put her arms around Blake’s body and leaned against him. While he spoke to Logan, his other hand moved soothingly over her shoulders and back. Safe. She felt so safe with him. Always had.
Minutes later, he ended the call and returned her phone to her. She dropped her arms, feeling lost and cold.
“They’re at the airport in Seattle, on their way. They’ll let you know when they reach Bozeman.”
Her heart dropped to the ground. His tone was distant, his face closed. Then he turned and walked to the front door. She followed him, dread filling her insides with every step that brought them closer to the door.
He was going to leave. She could see it in the way he held his shoulders, the way he didn’t quite meet her eyes.
And she would have to let him go.
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“How do you feel?” Blake asked Lindsay while he closed the door behind them.
“Shaken, but I’ll be okay,” she said, lifting her chin.
He had to smile. He briefly touched her arm. “Yes, you will be. You were impressive out there, Lindsay Wilson, and don’t ever let anyone else tell you otherwise. Look...I...”
Shaking her head, she grimaced and looked him in the eye. “Please, no awkward I’m-sorry-but-it’s-me-not-you conversation. You did tell me you can’t give me forever. And it’s fine. I’m fine. I have to get to the shop—”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea—” he interrupted, but she didn’t give him a chance to finish his sentence.
“Well, fortunately, it doesn’t matter what you think.” She smiled sweetly. “Tea? Coffee? Or probably not. I’m sure you can’t wait to get out of here.”
“You should have the doctor take a look at your neck,” he said.
She nodded.
For long seconds, he looked at her. Even rattled, she was so beautiful, it hurt. Right in front of him was the person he loved. He could simply put out his hand, touch her, and tell her he loved her. And maybe she loved him back; maybe this was his chance of getting the kind of life he’d never thought he could have. She was the one. His soul mate.
He’d never thought he would feel like this about anyone. And then on a perfectly ordinary evening back in June, he’d walked into a bar and there she’d been—all golden and beautiful.
But even before the thoughts settled, he swallowed in defeat—she could do so much better. He’d only bring her heartache and pain, and she’d had enough of those to last her a lifetime.
“I’ll just get my stuff,” he said curtly and turned away.
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Numb, Lindsay walked into the kitchen and sat down on one of the chairs. It was nearly half past ten. Ninety minutes earlier, she’d been making coffee, her body still glowing after the night spent in Blake’s arms. She’d been so, so happy. She’d discovered she loved Blake.
At the time, the threat Mark had posed had been the one false note in her otherwise brilliant day. Now he’d been caught, she should be ecstatic, but any minute now, Blake was going to walk out of her house, out of her life, and she had no idea what to do.
She heard him on the stairs and got up. Combing her hair back, she walked out of the kitchen.
He put his bag down and faced her. His eyes were shuttered, the muscle in his cheek working overtime. “I’m sorry.”
“Me too,” she said and lifted herself on her toes. “One last kiss?”
For a millisecond, she thought he was going to ignore her and walk away, but with a guttural groan, he pulled her close. He shoved his hands into her hair and then his mouth was on hers. She slipped her hands beneath his sweater, eager to touch him. One last time.
Within moments, Blake’s skin was hot and her blood was racing through her body, igniting flames in its wake. She was burning up, her body aching to become a part of Blake’s.
He swung her around so the wall was behind her back. Lacing his fingers with hers, he pulled her closer still while he continued to ravish her mouth.
But the urge to touch him was so overwhelming, she pulled her hands from his and again found his naked skin under his sweater. But it wasn’t enough. Not nearly. Without taking her mouth from his, she began to unbutton her shirt.
He lifted his head, his eye slits. “Damn, Lindsay...” he groaned and before she could blink, he’d pulled her top over her head and his mouth had fastened over her breast.
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The roaring in his ears shut out all other sounds. With his mouth feasting on Lindsay’s generous breasts, her hands stroking and kneading his already overheated body, he was ready to explode.
His hand slipped below the soft material of her pants, or whatever the hell she was wearing, intent on getting to her heat. She helped him and quickly, she was nearly naked and his jeans were unzipped.
Gulping in some much-needed oxygen, he lifted his head. Her eyes were liquid blue with need, her lips swollen with his kisses. This was how he’d always remember her.
With a grunt, he lifted her and pushed into her. Home. With his eyes on hers, he began to move.
“Look at me,” he whispered while a tornado of passion drove them up a steep hill.
And with her name a mantra on his lips, he slipped right over the edge with her, clutching her close to his heart.
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By the time Lindsay opened her eyes again, Blake was gone. The only evidence she hadn’t dreamed the last hour was the indent of his head on her pillow.
Pressing her face into the pillow, she inhaled his scent. She’d thought he’d left right after they’d just about ravished each other downstairs, but he’d simply picked her up and brought her back to her bed, where they’d made love again.
Made love. Because that was what it was. On her part, at least. She couldn’t tell him what was in her heart, but she’d tried to show him with her body.
But it wasn’t enough. He didn’t want to stay. It was that simple.
Rubbing her arms, she sat upright. Where her heart had been was a huge hole. And her whole body ached with a pain threatening to cut off her oxygen.
She inhaled deeply. But she had been through worse when her parents had died and her sister had been injured. She’d even survived Mark’s abuse.
Getting over Blake was simply another heartache on her life’s journey. She had a shop to get to, a damaged studio to fix, and a life to live.
She was going to smile and put one foot in front of the other today, even if it killed her.
Her phone rang. It was Charlie. That meant her sister, Logan, Brooke and Eleanor, and Connor were on their way back. She wasn’t alone; she was going to be okay.
And maybe next time the local vet asked her on a date, she’d agree. Roger O’Connor was nice enough, quite attractive if you were going for the white-teeth-blond-curl-on-the-forehead type, but there simply wasn’t any spark between them, she’d always thought. But maybe if she actually spent time with him, that could change?
She touched her lips. But nobody would ever be able to kiss her the same way Blake could. Aaargh, this wasn’t helping.
She answered her phone.
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Blake was on the phone to Eric Walker, the chief of the Violent Crime Unit of the FBI, before he’d turned off the street where Lindsay lived. He had to get away from Alisson as soon as possible.
Eric was happy to hear his voice, and yes, he was told, the case was still ongoing and they would welcome his input.
His next call was to Jason.
“You can relax, he’s behind bars.” Jason answered the call succinctly.
“Good to know. I’m leaving for Washington and was hoping you could continue with the dojo until the week before Christmas when we close?”
Silence.
“Jason?”
“So you’re running away?” Jason finally asked.
“No.”
“Sounds like running away to me.”
“I spoke to Eric. I’m going to help with a case.”
“You do know you don’t have to. You don’t work for them any longer.”
“If you can’t continue with classes...” Blake said, ignoring Jason’s words.
Jason chuckled. “I think I’m beginning to understand what is going on here. You’ve gone and fallen in love with Lindsay Wilson and now you’re running scared. That’s why you’re leaving. At least admit the real reason you’re bolting.”
Blake stopped next to the small house he rented. He’d never planned on staying here, anyway. That was why he hadn’t bought any property. Well, except for the building where the dojo was.
Rubbing his face, he switched off his car. “You’re right. I...feel something for her, but I always let those I love down, no matter how hard I try not to. And Lindsay’s been hurt enough; she doesn’t need to add me to her problems.”
“And you leaving won’t hurt her?” Jason exclaimed. “Have you seen the two of you together? You can’t keep your hands to yourself and she lights up whenever you’re around.”
“Keep an eye on her for me, will you?” Blake asked shortly.
“And what? Let you know when someone else wants to marry her? Because that will happen sooner or later. You realize that, don’t you?”
“Thanks for helping out at the dojo,” Blake said and ended the call.
Lindsay getting married to someone else. A sharp sword pierced right through his heart. Taking out his phone, he quickly climbed out of his car. There was a plane ticket for him. He was leaving in a couple of hours from Bozeman. There wasn’t much time to pack.
Fortunately, he travelled lightly—his motto in life. There was no way he could be a husband, a dad. He wouldn’t know how to be one.
Swearing, he opened his front door. Husband. Dad. Not words he’d ever thought would cross his mind. Remember that, he told himself. Remember that.