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MARK LOOKED DOWN AT Everly as she slept against him on the sofa, an unfamiliar feeling tugging at his chest. He’d gotten her safely back to his apartment, wrapped her in a blanket, and then she’d fallen asleep on him while he held her.
She’d still been shaking when they arrived, and they’d sat together in the dim light as he’d wrapped her in his arms. Mark wasn’t exactly the type of man to sit around cuddling, but it had felt right to hold Everly close. To comfort her. He didn’t like the way she’d trembled, almost seeming to struggle to breathe. While he didn’t completely understand anxiety attacks, he’d hate to imagine her getting a full-blown one even worse than that. When her body had finally relaxed enough, she’d simply crashed.
He was humbled that Everly felt safe here with him. They’d only known each other for a week. That was nothing. He’d gone twenty-nine years without needing a woman in his life, without wanting to take care of someone else. Sure, he’d enjoyed dating and sex, but he wasn’t really the relationship sort of man. He couldn’t imagine not having Everly in his life though. Considering she was someone he’d just met, it was an odd thought. But she filled him in a way he hadn’t expected. Without even meaning to, she’d gotten under his skin. Made his chest expand with a feeling he didn’t understand.
Was he protective of her simply because he’d swum out into the ocean and saved her?
Mark didn’t think he had a hero complex. He wasn’t setting out to save every woman he came across. When serving his country, he did so without fanfare or recognition. Most of the people they’d rescued over the years didn’t even have any idea who they were. They might’ve known they were U.S. military, but that was it. Mark and the other SEALs got in, got the job done, and got out.
End of story.
When she’d rushed away from him at the barbeque earlier, distraught, it was like nothing else mattered. He’d barely kept from contacting her all week, and that was that. She was his now. Maybe nothing long-term would come from it. Mark was a realist, after all. They lived on opposite coasts. But as long as she needed him, he’d be here. And the fact that having her in his apartment felt so right was a jolt to his system.
Had he ever brought a woman here before? Probably not. If they enjoyed a night together, he made sure to stay at the woman’s place. And although he wasn’t about to sleep with Everly, he had to admit the thought of her in his bed appealed to his base instincts.
Mark’s phone buzzed, and he answered in a low voice, glancing down at the woman sleeping against him. He didn’t want to shift and wake her, but he needed to take Tyler’s call.
“Mayhem,” he said in a low voice.
“How is she?” Tyler asked.
“Still sleeping. She was upset, but she’s calmed down now and finally crashed.”
“Hell. When Everly used to get anxiety attacks when she was younger, she’d be out for hours. She’s done so well in recent years, keeping everything under control, taking big steps forward in her life. This bastard harassing her has just made her spiral backwards.”
Mark let his hand rest on Everly’s bare arm. She was fair, her skin soft and smooth. His own rough, calloused hand seemed a stark contrast. It didn’t matter. They were opposites in many ways, but she clung to him even in her sleep, trusting him. He loved that he could be strong for her. And he’d kill anyone who tried to harm her.
“I wish the police would’ve done more,” he admitted. “They didn’t seem to give a shit she got the nasty texts.”
“Unless he threatens to harm her, their hands are tied,” Tyler agreed. “Even then, I’m not sure how much they can do.
“Like he hasn’t threatened her,” Mark muttered. “Those texts were vile. What’d you do with her cell phone?”
“Ace has it. He’s still having trouble tracking anyone down since the numbers are spoofed. It’s total bullshit what people can get away with these days. Scammers and spam calls are bad enough, but this asshole is stalking and harassing her.”
“You haven’t seen anyone around your apartment complex,” Mark said.
“Negative. Maybe when he didn’t see her coming and going, he realized she wasn’t here. I’m worried about Rach, too. I don’t want either of them to be hurt, obviously, but Rachel is still here. They’re both blondes. What if he sees her and gets the idea to stalk her as well?”
Mark frowned. “Anything’s possible. This guy seemed to enjoy Everly’s public photos though. Unless Rachel is posting things online, sharing her life with the entire world, it probably doesn’t have the same appeal. He feels like he knows Everly because of what she shares.”
“Jesus. All this social media stuff is so messed up. I didn’t even realize how many creeps she had blocked online. I feel like an ass for not asking her more about it.”
“How would you know?” Mark pressed. “None of us are into that type of thing. We fly under the radar in our line of work. Plus, even if we did share things publicly, it’s not the same. She’s a beautiful woman.”
“Yeah. I hear you. I still wish I knew about it sooner. Maybe it wouldn’t have escalated this much.”
“Are you still over at Ace’s?” Mark asked.
“Yep,” Tyler said. “Brian drove Rachel and Keira home and is waiting there at the apartment. I’m trying to help Ace weed through all this stuff. I hate that I’m not there for Rachel right now in case anything happens, but hell. I can’t ignore the threats to my sister.”
“I didn’t see anyone following me when I left Ace’s. If I had to guess, he’ll show up at the photoshoot tomorrow. Supposedly they have their own security, but we’ll be there looking around as well. If we can find this asshole, we can end it.”
“I had the same thought,” Tyler said. “I don’t like the idea that he’ll probably be there looking for Everly, but damn. I’d like to not have to worry about it anymore.”
“Let me know if I can do something to help you and Ace tonight.”
“Will do. When I grabbed Everly’s phone from the guest room, it looked like she left all her stuff here. Want me to come pick her up from your place?”
“She’s out cold, man. I’ll let her rest for a while and then bring her back if that’s what she wants. If she wants to stay here, I’ll crash on the couch and let her have my room. She’s safe here with me. You know that.”
Tyler blew out a sigh. “I do. She’s my younger sister though.”
“And I’m your teammate. We’ve known each other for years. You think I’d take advantage of her?”
“Hell no. I’m just worried.”
“And I get that. She calmed down when we got here though. It’s quiet and safe. Being around all those people at Ace’s house seemed to stress her out further.”
“Yeah, I get it. Who’d have thought a cramped little apartment would be more appealing than his huge home though?”
Mark’s lips quirked. Ace was renting a nice-sized home thanks to family money. Mark’s own apartment suited his needs though, and he loved that Everly clearly felt safe here. “Whatever works, Trigger,” he said with a low chuckle. “Everly has the photoshoot tomorrow, so I’ll just let her sleep for now. We’ll be back to Ace’s at some point since her things are there.”
“That damn photoshoot,” Tyler muttered.
The timing was shit as far as keeping her safe went. He’d thought her entire career was a bit silly himself a few short weeks ago when Tyler had mentioned it. The guys had been amused by her selfies. He understood more about it now—about the woman in all those photos. Yes, she was beautiful and talented at capturing her life, but this was a jumping point for Everly. She had dreams about her future, and he wanted to see her soar. Mark might’ve had no interest in fashion himself, but that didn’t mean he didn’t want her to succeed.
“I’ll be there the entire time tomorrow,” he assured his friend. “If anyone shows up that doesn’t belong or is more than just a casual observer, you better believe I’ll be questioning them. When I saw Everly on the beach last weekend, I wasn’t looking around the area for threats to her. It was a goddamn public beach. I was more worried that she hadn’t noticed me yet.”
“But that asshole was there somewhere,” Tyler said. “Or he had been. Hell, that burns me up. I wonder how long she was out there by herself anyway? What if he’d approached her then and no one was around?”
Mark had thought the same thing. Everly hadn’t been too careful about her own safety given that she’d already been receiving texts from an unknown person back home. “We’ll do what we need to now to find this guy and keep her safe,” Mark said. Everly stirred as she slept against him. “I better go. I think your sister is waking up.”
“Tell her to call me later on.”
“Will do,” Mark assured him.
He swiped the screen to end the call, and then Everly was blinking up at him in confusion. He’d stretched out on the sofa earlier so that she was snuggled against his chest. Her body was nestled between the back of the sofa and him, and he had to admit he loved having her so close. While he hadn’t expected her to fall asleep as he held her, he was glad she’d calmed down enough to do so. Her body needed to recover from that adrenaline rush and the stress of the situation.
“Sorry if I woke you,” he murmured. “That was Trigger checking in.”
“Oh. I should call him back,” she said, her small hand pressing against his chest as she tried to sit up.
He caught her hand with his own, clasping her delicate fingers between his. “Stay. I told him you’d call him back later. You can take your time waking up.”
“I fell asleep on you,” she said, flushing slightly.
“So you did. I was holding you, and then you finally just crashed. You needed the rest, Ev.” He stroked his free hand over her blonde hair as she shifted slightly. Her bare legs were tangled with his own, and it was intimate holding her here in the evening light. Mark wouldn’t say anything to make her uncomfortable, but damn, she was gorgeous. The blanket he’d draped over her had shifted slightly as she slept. The way the top of her sundress hugged her breasts was arousing as hell. She had gorgeous, full breasts, and one tug of that flimsy material would have them spilling out of it. Hell. He’d seen her in practically nothing on the beach. The dress she had on hugged her perfectly though and was somehow even sexier than her skimpy bikini.
Someday, he longed to explore all those sensuous curves of hers. To kiss his way across her cleavage and palm and caress her. She was slender, but wow. She had curves to kill and was an absolute knockout. The irony was, she didn’t seem to realize just how damn beautiful she was. Everly took photos and selfies to show off her clothes, but hell. It was her. The woman was luminous.
She sighed, relaxing against him once more. “Thanks for getting me out of there. It sounds silly, but when I start to have a panic attack, I just need somewhere quiet that I feel safe.”
“You’re safe here,” he assured her, his voice catching.
Her trust meant everything, and he wasn’t about to take it for granted. He felt like an ass for playing it cool all week. He’d kissed her last weekend and said he wanted to get to know her, then pulled back. Holding her in his arms right now felt all kind of right though. He’d wanted to laugh when Ace had fallen hard and fast for Addison and when Tyler had been hung up on Rachel for months, intrigued by his next-door neighbor.
But to hold this woman flush against his body? To feel her soft curves pressed up against him and breathe in her floral scent?
Damn.
He was starting to see the appeal of being in a relationship. He could get used to holding Everly close, eventually making love to her and making her his completely. He’d had his doubts at first, but hell. Everly hadn’t seemed to mind him taking control of the situation when she was upset and needed him. He’d driven her home in his SUV, wrapped her up in his arms, and held her close until she’d calmed down.
She hadn’t exactly protested when he’d kissed her a week ago. Would she like it if he took her to his bed someday, teasing and caressing her body until she was begging him for release? Would she let him taste every inch of her skin, running his hands everywhere?
His cock stiffened. She was so damn sexy yet innocent. Her flushes made him think she’d be shy in bed. She was younger than him and no doubt less experienced. He’d love to see how hard he could make her come. How many times he could bring her to orgasm before claiming her completely as his, sinking his cock into her slick, wet pussy.
Mark let out a breath. None of that would be happening tonight. He wanted her, but hell. Even if she hadn’t had a panic attack earlier, she wasn’t the type of woman you’d rush to bed. He needed to earn her trust completely before he made her his.
Everly absentmindedly caressed his chest with her hand, and he ducked down, brushing his lips against her hair.
“What time’s the photoshoot tomorrow?” he asked.
She groaned. “Early. I need to be there at five a.m. for hair and makeup. You sure that’s not a problem?”
Mark chuckled. “Sweetheart, that’s normal when you’re in the military. We’re up at the ass crack of dawn for training. On missions? We can go twenty-four hours without sleep. It’s rough, but we prepare for it. I can handle getting you down to the pier then—or wherever you need to go for your hair stuff.”
She smiled. “Okay, so, the early call time isn’t an issue. I left all my stuff at Ace’s house though. I should head back later. They’ll probably wonder why I freaked out,” she added with a small sigh.
He stroked her head again, letting his fingers trail through her long, blonde hair. “They know what’s going on. Ace is still trying to track down this asshole as we speak. Trigger’s getting you a new cell phone tomorrow. It’ll suck in the meantime not being able to be in contact with people, but Ace will let us know if anything urgent comes up since your phone is back at his place.”
“Oh. I think my phone is locked.”
Mark sighed. “Not to sound like an ass, but he can access it if needed. He’s crazy smart with computers and technology.”
“Right. Well, that’s embarrassing. He’ll see all my dumb selfies and whatnot.”
“He won’t invade your privacy, Ev. He’s just trying to find this guy. You probably should’ve switched numbers last week when he followed you to Trigger’s apartment. The texts were bad enough, but to know he’d grown gutsy enough to stalk you and follow you around?”
Everly shuddered in his arms, and Mark tightened his embrace.
“Trigger hasn’t noticed anything unusual around his apartment complex, but I think we can all guess the man stalking you could show up tomorrow. You were posting about this big fashion shoot for a while.”
“Yeah,” she murmured. “I feel so dumb. I mean—I’m supposed to be sharing my life, but that just makes it easier for creeps to find me. I’m not cut out for this sort of thing.”
“I’d say you’re doing pretty well,” he said softly, stroking a hand down her arm. They rested in silence for a few minutes, Everly’s head on his shoulder.
“Mark?”
“Yeah, sweetheart?” He looked down at her, but she was gazing at her hand on his chest, rubbing him absentmindedly again. He loved her hands on him. Even though her touch wasn’t sexual, it was still appealing as hell. He thrilled at the idea of someday letting her explore his body.
She didn’t say anything for a moment, and he softly kissed the top of her head again. Everly looked up to meet his gaze, her blue eyes hesitant. “What are we doing?”
“I’m taking care of you,” he said simply.
“And after this is over? The photoshoot got delayed a few days, but when it’s done, I’ll be flying home. I don’t live here in San Diego, and we just met each other. I probably shouldn’t even be lying in your arms right now, pretending we’re something that we’re not.”
“It feels right having you here,” he countered.
“It does, but won’t it just be harder to say goodbye?”
He let out a sigh. “It’s tough with my military career. I can’t just up and go visit you when I want, and it’s not like you’re a short drive away. I’d like for you to come out here again though. I don’t want to just spend time with you this week and then never see you again.”
“Mark....”
He caught her hand, bringing it up to his lips for a light kiss. Her breath caught, and then he shifted Everly so that she was straddling him. Her silken legs were splayed on either side of his, her sundress stretching across her cleavage. No doubt she could feel his erection beneath her, but she didn’t look scared. She licked her lips as her eyes widened with arousal. His blood heating, he guided her head down, kissing her softly.
Staying away from her this week had been a mistake. Kissing her now felt like coming home. Like she was his.
Everly whimpered, and he let his hands roam over her. He ran his palms down her back and over the curve of her bottom, to the edge of her dress. Moving just beneath the hem, his hands rested on the backs of her bare thighs. Her skin was so fucking soft. He caressed her gently, teasing, and as she gasped, he nipped at her lips. Everly was so damn sweet yet sexy.
Unable to resist, he lightly bucked up, letting her feel him. She might’ve been on top, but Mark was the one in control—touching her, caressing, and tasting.
His tongue slid into her mouth, and then he dragged his hands up, gripping her hips. His dick was throbbing, but he ignored it, focused instead on Everly. Her tongue slid against his, hesitant, and he took further control of the kiss. She was writhing atop him, whimpering, and his chest swelled with pride. Hell yes, she wanted him, too.
When he finally gentled the kiss, she was practically panting. His cock strained against the confines of his boxers and jeans. He might’ve wanted to take things further, but not tonight. Mark needed to go slowly with her and was more than fine with waiting until she was ready.
He shifted Everly to the side again, tucking her against him so her head rested on his shoulder.
“Wow,” she finally murmured as he chuckled.
“Wow indeed. You’re too damn sexy for your own good,” he teased. “I couldn’t keep my hands to myself.”
“I didn’t mind,” she said, her cheeks bright red.
He ducked and gently kissed her forehead. His lips quirked, but he didn’t say anything else. He hoped she wouldn’t mind all the other things he’d love to do to her—spread her legs wide as he feasted on her pussy. Lay her down on his bed as he teased and then made love to her.
Hold her close all night.
Not tonight, though. At least not in his bed. He was happy to keep her secure in his arms on the sofa. They’d rest for a bit and then he’d feed her dinner since they’d never actually eaten anything. She’d have to call Trigger. And then tomorrow, they’d go to the photoshoot while he watched for the man who’d been threatening her.
