Page 6

Chapter Five

Knox had let her go, hoping some alone time could help her come to terms with this mess. Her reactions throughout the call left him wishing he understood her better. Wishing he had a way to put her at ease. What was so bad about him that she’d rather be left alone while he worked the case?

As if that would ever happen.

He skimmed through the file Jenna kept adding to, searching for clues to her bizarre request. Alone . Seriously? He’d missed something important. Harper was outgoing and yet a private person by nature. There were layers of relationships in her life from close family to fringe acquaintances, but when she was with a person, she made them feel like the center of their world. She listened better than anyone he’d ever met. But she trusted a select few.

Clearly, he didn’t fall in that camp.

She didn’t maintain much of a social media presence, either. Didn’t vent her spleen online or share viral memes. His best source of intel was her family and he could hardly get away with interviewing them at this point. Rhett would share plenty of insight, until Knox brought up his personal queries. Besides, if she kept everything locked down, her brother probably didn’t have the valuable intel that would help Knox watch over her.

He needed her to open up, to trust him. At least enough to explain why she’d rather be alone than have his help.

His cell phone rang and, seeing Jess’s name, he picked it up. “Hey.”

“What’s wrong? You sound morose.”

“I’m fine.”

“I heard Lila brought you strudel.”

“She did.”

“Count your blessings, Knox. People on this island would go to great lengths for free strudel.”

“You are so pregnant,” he teased.

She laughed. “That I am. But I’m also five minutes out. Nash and I have the laptop and a new phone for Harper. All set up and ready to go.”

“Anything from our bad guy show up yet?” He listened while she asked Nash to check.

Jess swore. “Affirmative. Jenna will handle it.”

Of course she would. Knox peered up the staircase. Harper’s door was still closed. “What do you know about Harper’s plans this spring?” he asked in a whisper.

“Not much. Why are you whispering?”

“Something’s wrong and?—”

“You are not asking me for inside information on your client,” Jess cut him off. “If she called me, I wouldn’t spill the tea on you.”

Knox pulled the phone away from his ear to stare at it. “I’m not keeping secrets.”

Jess laughed as if he’d just delivered the joke of the year with perfect timing. “We all have secrets. You’re one of the best protectors on the payroll, Knox. And one of the best men I know. You’ve got this.”

“She asked to stay here alone,” he confessed.

“And wounded your pride,” Jess guessed.

Yes . And way more on top of it. “No. I’m worried I’m missing something big here. Do me a favor and help me figure it out when you get here.”

“See you in a second.”

The call ended. Knox shoved his phone into his back pocket, well-aware that Jess hadn’t agreed to help him. He went up the stairs, lifting his hand to knock on her door when it opened.

The evening light from the window painted her with a soft-focus angelic effect. He gripped the door frame, his fingers curling around the wood rather than her chin. He wanted to kiss her so badly. “Jess and her husband are almost here.”

Her eyebrows lifted in a silent question.

“They have your computer and a new cell phone.” He forced himself to take a step back. She looked a little rumpled, but he didn’t see any obvious signs that she’d been crying. “You okay?”

A shrug. “It’s been one helluva day, Knox.”

“It has.” He shoved his hands into his pockets. “Tomorrow will be better.”

She looked less than convinced.

The doorbell chimed and they both turned. At his invitation, she moved in front of him. Remembering, he touched her elbow. “Be warned, Jess will make a play to steal our strudel.”

She paused, then busted out laughing. The big happy sound was exactly the reaction he’d hoped for. Ages ago, he’d made her laugh at the most inappropriate times during events their parents dragged them to.

Well, his parents dragged him. Harper—the perfect daughter—had probably been happy to attend any and all functions.

He verified it was Jess and Nash at the door and then opened it wide. Based on the shock on Jess’s face, they were both smiling.

“Come on in,” Harper said, gracious as always. “It’s good to see you both.”

Jess and Nash exchanged greetings. Jess had a small shopping bag over one arm and Nash was loaded down with a computer bag and a duffle.

Right. Harper had been visiting Brookwell more often and making friends. Then again, she seemed to make friends everywhere.

He locked the door as Harper led the way to the kitchen, chattering pleasantly. What the hell? Had he slipped into an alternate universe? Her animosity was gone, almost as if they were a couple now, having friends over for dinner.

This day… Just kept going.

He joined everyone in the kitchen and was soon pulling up the rear as Harper gave Jess a full tour of the house she’d only been in for a few hours.

“I’ve never seen the whole place.” Jess reached for Nash. “Have you?”

“Only the outside,” he said. “We take care of the landscaping,” he explained to Knox and Harper. “Jess has already asked me to watch for anything unusual.”

“Thanks,” Knox said under his breath.

“This must be the nicest safe house you’ve worked in,” Jess said to Knox when they were back in the kitchen.

He didn’t bother to confirm or deny, especially not while Harper eyed him curiously. Most of his career, the safe houses had been relatively plain, ranging from the occasional sketchy motel rooms to posh condos.

“There’s no reason to suspect trouble at the moment.” Jess smiled, her hand trailing over her rounded belly. “Let’s go outside. The baby wants to look around.”

Knox tried not to gawk at her. This was a side of Jess he’d never seen. “Are you sure?”

She patted him on the shoulder. “Take a breath. The community can help Harper and serve as a layer of backup for you.”

“Seriously?” Harper asked, pausing at the glass slider that led to the outdoor space behind the house.

Nash chuckled. “Seriously.” He kept a hand on his wife almost constantly, even as he turned to address Knox. “Jess tells me Harper has several friends here, old and new.”

Knox tried not to be jealous. What he wouldn’t give for the chance to touch Harper with such familiar and easy affection.

“Does that mean I can go wherever I want on Brookwell?” Harper asked.

“No.” Knox and Jess replied in unison.

Nash laughed. “Y’all are being mean.” He sent Harper a sympathetic look. “But they’re the experts.”

“So they say,” Harper replied with what looked like a sincere smile. “I’ve promised Knox I’ll cooperate.”

“We’re only trying to do what’s best,” Jess said as they walked down toward the private cove. “I understand your refusal to drop off the radar completely, but we’ll all need to be on our toes. Your friends included.”

They followed a path to a fire pit and Knox admired the view framed by palm trees. It was a postcard come to life. Walking on, all four of them toed off their shoes when they reached the path across the dunes that protected the slip of beach.

It was the first time Knox had been out this far. “Yeah,” he admitted. “This is the nicest safe house I’ve worked.”

“I knew it,” Jess gloated. “I have to give him grief,” she explained. “He’s been out here too often, lately. He feels like family.” She turned to Nash, “Don’t you think?”

“Have to agree.” Nash smiled at his wife as she leaned closer. “And not just because she’s speaking for two now.”

The cove wasn’t big at all, just enough for an easy walk through the sand, the foamy edge of the tide rolling over their feet. He kept expecting Jess to pull him aside, to explain why she’d felt the need to come over personally.

But it didn’t happen.

They might as well have been four friends enjoying an evening on the shore. It was weird. Not unpleasant, but weird.

They walked back up to the house, and Jess did listen to Knox’s suggestions about more camera coverage. He was grateful she was on board.

When they were ready to go, she turned to Harper. “I know this is a misery on a few levels. When I picked up your computer and the new phone, Bruce let me into your place.”

Harper wrapped her arms around herself, facing into an evening breeze that was kicking up. “Okay. Thanks.”

“I didn’t think you’d want anyone else poking around.”

Harper’s smile was faint. “No. I’m glad it was you.”

“As for the situation,” Jess continued, “I need you to listen to Knox. You can do whatever you like as long as it’s remote work. The wi-fi here is strong. Remember, Jenna will be monitoring any activity on the phone. So, if there’s someone you’re sexting, you might take a break.”

Harper sputtered. “Not a problem.”

“Good.” Jess leaned in. “Next girls’ night in is at your place. I’m calling it right now.”

“Come on.” Harper tried to laugh it off but he could tell she wasn’t thrilled with the idea.

“Trina’s hosted,” Jess said.

“Because Nina badgered her,” Harper argued with a smile. “No offense, Nash.”

“Hey, she’s my sister. I’m well-aware she can be a… badger.”

Harper sucked in a breath, clearly relieved. “Besides,” she continued, “Trina has an entire Inn to make room for all of us.”

“Your resort is twice the size.”

“With none of the historical charm,” Harper countered. “And it’s not mine.”

Jess rolled her eyes. “Will you listen to her? So humble. You could host us in your suite and we’d be delighted.” She glanced at Knox. “Her place is gorgeous.”

“No surprise there,” he said as neutrally as possible. “Rhett mentioned something about you collecting art and antiques.”

“A few things, sure,” she confessed. “The aunts sucked me into their web.” Another smile flitted over her mouth. “I’ll think about it,” she said to Jess.

“Do that.” Jess folded her into a hug. “This mess will be over before you know it. And we’ll be crashing your place with all the sparkling cider and wine we can handle.”

To Knox’s surprise, Jess hugged him next. “The baby is turning me into a softie,” she complained. “Be nice to my friend.”

He looked over her shoulder to Harper. “You have my word.” When had he ever given less than his best on an assignment?

Jess popped him lightly on the shoulder. “I meant you.”

“Oh.” He wasn’t sure what kind of reply that required. Stumped, he shook hands with Nash and wished them well as they left through the side yard.

He turned just in time to see Harper go inside through the slider. He followed, but she was already heading upstairs.

All he could do was his job, so he locked up and set the security system. Then he grabbed a Coke and started digging into Harper’s case. With luck, maybe Jess would call soon with some magical female insight.

Hours later, he was still waiting as he climbed the stairs to his room. He unpacked, stripped to his boxers, and was lying in the dark when the screaming began.

* * *

Harper climbed into bed and turned out the light. The endless day that felt longer than most weeks was finally over. She’d never been happier to think about the fresh start of tomorrow.

No one had been seriously injured—not physically—but she’d been calculating the financial and emotional blows to the fishing captain all day.

She couldn’t escape the dreadful sense that it was all her fault. No, she wasn’t responsible for another person’s actions, but the experts said the attack was because she’d been there. The crew and their livelihood would still be secure if she’d stayed in her office.

There was no one to talk to. Knox, his bosses, even Jess would tell her this line of thinking was nonsense. She wanted to rest in their logic, but her heart and body ached with the truth that she’d brought trouble to good friends.

She tossed and turned, desperate for sleep, and still her mind kept churning.

It was as if the bed was too comfortable and the sheets too soft. Because they weren’t hers. This didn’t smell like her bedroom or her linens. The smells here were different, even though she was on the same coastline. There was more marsh in the air here, mingling sweetly with the ocean breeze.

She closed her eyes. Focused on her breathing. Tried to tap into happier thoughts.

Instead, her mind wandered to Knox. He was probably sound asleep across the hall, trusting his cameras and locks and whatever backup was in place outside.

Curling onto her side, she pulled the covers up to her chin. And her traitorous mind imagined him spooned up behind her. Wouldn’t that be lovely? The heat of his body close to hers… They had never spent this much time together. Definitely never been so close. Every minute with him made her crave more. She was tempted to just put herself out there and tell him how she felt. Ask him on a date. Beg him to give her a chance.

Pitiful much? Any declarations would make things terribly awkward.

She flopped to her back. Maybe when this was over she’d have the guts to tell him how she really felt. Or maybe she was just locked in the past, a silly girl making foolish plans.

Annoyed with herself, she started another cycle of meditative breathing. She had to get some rest so she could think clearly tomorrow and start damage control.

The nightmare crept up on her slowly.

In her dream, she was looking forward to a day on the water basking in the soft early light, excited about fishing and catching up with old friends. They were all pumped about a potential deal, a collaboration on a new vacation experience. If they could hammer out the early details, she would bring the plan to the family for consideration.

Business was the one place she could count on consistent growth and healthy progress. It was only her personal life that consistently crashed and burned. Especially now with someone harassing her non-stop.

She had her phone with her—for pictures only. They’d taken a few selfies and made a couple of videos predicting who would make the catch of the day. Audrey was handling everything else at the office. If something came up that was too big for her, it would wait until tomorrow.

The boat puttered away from the dock and was soon flying over the waves, out to sea. The wind whipped through her hair, the salt-spray an exhilarating sting against her cheeks.

The smell of bait wafted across the boat as they set the lines, targeting grouper. With nothing to do but wait and chat, with no concern that anyone could find her or harass her out here, her shoulders unwound.

The fresh air and sunshine were the perfect remedy for stress.

And then it all went to hell. She whimpered as the explosion rolled through the boat, a sudden quake under her feet. Fear slicked her skin as the black cloud speared into the sky, oily smoke coating her throat.

The explosion didn’t make any sense. Everything was wrong.

The nightmare took on a life of its own, sweeping her up. Terror lashed at her mind and body.

Alone on the boat, fire rolled across the stern, biting into the deck, hunting her. Where were her friends? Gone, because of her.

Flames licked at her heels, swallowing more and more of the boat. There was nowhere to run, no escape. She surged toward the bow and the hull cracked, pitching her back into the smoke and heat. Screaming, she kicked and crawled, scrabbling for any purchase that would keep her out of the greedy flames.

The boat rocked, the fire laughed, and she could only weep over her fate.

The fire sucked her in, dragged her down. She shrieked as skin peeled from her hands and feet. Screaming for help. Someone had to hear her. Someone had to come.

No one answered. No one appeared. Her only hope was the water.

She jumped.

“Hush, baby. Hush. I’ve got you. It’s a nightmare. Just a nightmare. Let it go. You’re safe. I’ve got you. I’m here.”

Not alone. Not alone. Relief brought her awake in a rush.

Blinking, she clutched the arms holding her, struggling to get her bearings. “Fire,” she mumbled.

“Just a nightmare. You’re safe.”

Fire and smoke weren’t filling her nostrils now. A clean, masculine scent surrounded her. She was in bed. Her legs were tangled in the sheets. Linen ropes pinning her down. She kicked, needing to be free of them.

Those arms shifted, flicking away the twisted sheets. She shuddered.

“Easy now, Harper. Take a breath. Slow and easy.”

Knox . She jerked out of his arms and scrambled to the far side of the bed. “What are you doing? What’s going on?”

He didn’t move from where he sat at the edge of the bed, leaning back against the headboard. “You were having a nightmare,” he replied. “You screamed and for a second I had one of my own.”

“What? Why are you…” She looked around as reality came crashing down on her. remembering in bits and pieces.

She wasn’t at home. This was the safe house on Brookwell. Knox was here. Her assigned protector. Because a threat she had ignored managed to blow up a fishing boat no one knew she would be on.

“I’m sorry.” She shoved her hands through her hair. Reaching for the light near the bed, she flipped the switch so she could see him more clearly.

Bad idea.

Her heart skipped in delighted circles at the sight of him. He wore boxers… And nothing else as he watched her carefully. Chaos reigned as her pulse raced. He was more than fit. The arms that had held her moments ago were sculpted to perfection, his torso carved with muscles she’d never been so close to. If protection didn’t work out, he had a future as a fitness model.

“No apology needed.” No judgment in his voice. No pity in his brown eyes. Only concern. “You okay?”

“Y-yes.” She saw the tie that secured the end of her bedtime braid on the pillow. He figured out her goal a beat before she did, stretching out to hand it to her.

Their fingers brushed and a sizzle zipped up her arm. Tickling. Tempting. “Knox.”

“You want water? Tea?” he asked without moving.

“You.” She hurried to add to that inappropriate admission, to make it sound as if she’d merely stumbled over the rest of the words. “You want to fix tea?”

“If it will help you sleep.”

She shook her head. “I’ll be fine.”

“Uh-huh.” He rolled to his feet. “I’m glad you think so. I’ll be right back.”

Her view of his long lean body was just as enjoyable as he walked away. Somehow, she managed to stifle the moan of longing building in her chest. “Knox, wait.” She stumbled out of the bed and chased after him. “You don’t need?—”

But he hadn’t gone toward the stairs, only across the hall and she nearly plowed into him when he turned around. He caught her, his palms warm on her bare arms as he held her steady.

OMG!

She was face to face with Knox. More like face to everything-about-Knox. Her fantasies paled in comparison. Suddenly, it dawned on her that she only wore her cami and sleep shorts. Heat radiated from his lean body and his scent made her want to burrow into him. To curl up and never leave. On reflex, she leaned in.

He held firm. “Harper?”

The way he said her name only drew her attention up to his mouth. A mouth she’d been wanting to kiss forever. She pushed up on her toes before she could overthink it. Touched her lips to his. A fleeting moment. Not a real kiss. “Thank you. For, um, pulling me out of the nightmare. And the reality, too.”

He was staring at her now, his gaze blazing. Or maybe that was just her embarrassment. She’d crossed a line. “I’ll go.”

But he didn’t release her. “Why?”

He meant the kiss, though it barely qualified. It would insult them both if she pretended otherwise. “Because.”

His palms stroked down to her elbows, back up to her shoulders. “Because, why?”

Between his touch and the rasp in his voice, her knees turned to jelly. Seriously, if he wasn’t holding her up, she feared she’d melt into a puddle of need. “Should I apologize?”

“You should answer me.”

Her fingers tingled, eager to touch him. “Because I’ve wanted to do that for years.”

His dark eyebrows shot up, then snapped into a frown as he studied her. He swore. “You mean that.”

The observation should’ve offended her, but she was too worn out for anything but blatant honesty. “Mm-hm.”

His gaze dropped to her lips. “Should I show you what I’ve wanted for years?”

Her entire body thrummed in anticipation. He wouldn’t be looking at her like that if he only wanted her to go away. Would he? “Please.” If she’d slipped into a dream, she didn’t want to wake up.

His mouth crashed into hers. Intense, incredible. And oh-so-real. His arms came around her, drawing her closer to him. Exactly where she wanted to be. Her entire body seemed to sigh and give, fitting to him perfectly, wholly committed to this new experience. She slid her hands up and over his tantalizing chest, gripping his strong shoulders. Hanging on for dear life, she never wanted this to end.

A sound rumbled through him, and her heart thundered. This was the connection and desire she’d been searching for. All these years, in all the wrong places, with men who were not Knox Moore.

It was quickly turning into the best night of her life, when he jerked away as if she’d scalded him. “Harper. We can’t.”

Her lips were tingling. She pressed her fingers to his chest. “Not a nightmare.”

He caught her hand, held it away from his gorgeous body. “No. But?—”

“Careful, Knox,” she warned. “If you don’t want me, fine. I’ll cope. But don’t you dare wreck the best kiss of my life with some nonsense about duty or timing.”

He stared at her so long tears swam into her eyes. She wouldn’t cry over him. Not again. Definitely not while he watched her fall apart.

“Thanks for the assist with the nightmare,” she said. “Good night, Knox.” She had no idea how, but she summoned the strength to walk back to her bed.

Alone.