Page 9 of Her Marine Master

Kaitlyn moaned as the guy dropped to the floor in a limp heap.

With her skirt tangled up around her waist and her panties down at her ankles, she gasped for breath, coughing hoarsely.Angry red fingerprints stood out on her throat.That would bruise.

Torn between killing the guy on the floor and helping Kaitlyn, Rob delivered a kick to the guy's ribs and reached for the panties, yanking them up.

Confusion, then horror flashed in her eyes as she took in her position and the state of her undress.

He was almost positive the asshole hadn't raped her yet."Hey.Are you okay?"

Stupid question.

He grasped the hem of her skirt and tugged it down, then pulled her up off the bed.His training told him not to leave the enemy unguarded for a moment."Hey, if you can walk, can you go get your phone and call the cops for me?"

She didn't move, shock streaking her face.

"Kaitlyn."He added just a tinge of authority to his tone, but otherwise kept it gentle.She didn't need any more trauma right now.

She shook her head."No cops.Can you just get rid of him?"

"Uh uh.No way.We're calling the cops.This guy does not get a free pass."

The guy struggled to his knees.Rob dropped onto his back, shoving him down to his belly."Do you have any duct tape?"

"Rob… can you just get rid of him?"she pleaded."I don't want him here."

He wrestled the asshole's wrists behind his back.He really wished he had some fucking duct tape because the urge to break the guy's wrists was too damn strong."Call the cops, Kaitlyn.Now."

She hesitated a moment longer, then ran out of the room.

"Your phone is in the hallway," he shouted over his shoulder.

The dude had regained full consciousness and was struggling for all he was worth.Rob picked up his head by the hair and slammed it back down against the floor, knocking him out again.

He heard Kaitlyn's voice on the phone, shaky and scared.She gave her address."He's… I don't know if he's conscious.My neighbor is sitting on him… Okay… all right… thanks."

She came back in the room and handed him a roll of duct tape.He was impressed that she'd been clear-minded enough to multi-task while on the phone with emergency services.He wrapped the asshole's wrists up, then wound tape around his ankles and slapped a piece over his mouth for good measure.

Only then did he think it was safe enough to stand up and wrap Kaitlyn up in a hug.

She fell against him, her body trembling.She smelled sweet, like cucumbers and melon, her dark red hair softer than he'd expected where it brushed his neck.

He rubbed his hands up and down her back."You're okay.You're safe now."

"Did he?Did…"

"I don't think so.You were passed out and he was trying to get his pants down when I came in."

"But do you think—"

"No."

She was probably too shaken up to know what had happened to her."But the cops will probably have you go to the hospital and get checked out."

"No!"She pulled away from him, her big green eyes agitated."I don't want to go to the hospital.I just want this to be over."

He cupped her beautiful face, lightly running his thumb over her cheek."Shh.It will be okay.I'll go with you."

"No, I don't want to—"