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Scottie stood beneath the soft, warm glow of her porch light, staring up at Chase, who had insisted on walking her to her door.

“Thank you.” She smiled.

God, he looked good. Better than good.

Much, much better.

“No problem.” That crooked grin of his made her heart swell. “You know, really…following you here was as much for me as it was you.”

“Oh, yeah?” She sensed a teasing tone.

A short lock of brown hair slid over his forehead when Chase gave her a confident nod. “Now that I know you made it home okay, I won’t spend all night wondering. And lord knows, I need my beauty sleep.” He winked. “Speaking of homes…” His gaze took in the front of her little house. “Your place is really nice. Looks like a decent neighborhood, too.”

“It is,” Scottie confirmed. She glanced down the darkened street at the homes of those she’d wave to in passing, but most of whom she still had yet to meet. “That’s one of the big reasons I chose to buy in this area. It’s quiet here. Peaceful.”

Safe.

“I’m glad you had the means to get away and start over. Not everyone gets that chance.”

“I was lucky in that aspect,” she agreed. “My grandparents lived very modestly but were wealthier than I ever knew. When my grandfather passed, everything went to my grandmother. My mom was an only child, and I was their only grandchild, so when Grandma died?—”

“It all went to you.”

Scottie nodded, her chest growing a bit tight as the memory of losing her only remaining family member came rushing back. “Minus what it took to buy myself a decent car, I put the rest in savings. It’s the only way I was able to afford being on the show.”

“I can see that.” Chase seemed to understand. “Probably tough to schedule work around appearing on a weekly television show.”

“It would have been. I mean, they put me up in a hotel, and everything, but…” Don’t go there, Scottie. Do not go there. “Anyway, while I was there, I fell in love with the west coast. After everything happened, I knew I needed to get far away from Hollywood and all that came with it, but I also wanted to stay on this side of the country. So, I decided to go north.”

“I’m really glad you did.”

“Me, too.”

Scottie found herself frozen in place beneath the intensity in his eyes, and her pulse raced from the sound of his sexy male rumble.

Time stood still, as it had earlier, when they’d stood on the sidewalk under the moon. When he’d stood there staring at her as if nothing else existed.

Right before he kissed her.

It had been exactly how she remembered, while at the same time feeling so very different. Soft, yet rugged. Familiar, yet new. An innocent lingering, as if he’d been contemplating more.

The perfect first-in-fourteen-years kiss.

I want him to kiss me again.

Was she crazy to be feeling this way about a man she’d only ever known as a teenage boy? Young love was one thing, but this wasn’t high school. And they sure as hell weren’t a couple of na?ve kids.

Seconds passed as more questions and doubts began rolling through her mind, but Scottie found herself dismissing them all almost as quickly as they formed. The fact that she wasn’t a kid only pushed her closer to the truth.

She was older and a shit ton wiser.

If she’d learned anything from her terrifying past, it was that life was a fragile, delicate gift. One that didn’t last forever, and once it was gone…

It’s gone forever.

“Thanks again for dinner.” She let her smile grow, praying Chase hadn’t noticed her momentary mental absence. “The food was fantastic.”

“And the company?” Chase cocked his head, sliding both of his strong hands into the pockets of his jeans. “How was that?”

She remembered those hands. Strong. Comforting. Protective.

Taking a daring step forward, Scottie decided to play along. “The company?” She shrugged. “It was okay, I guess.”

Chase winced dramatically. “Just okay? Damn. I’d better step up my game next time we go out.”

Her heart pounded with a hope she couldn’t help but possess.

“There’s going to be a next time?”

“Well, sure.” It was his turn to shrug. “You didn’t really think I’d let you get away with just one dinner, did you?”

As friends…or more?

Scottie moved closer, her focus locked onto him and nothing else. “So you’re saying you want to do this again?”

“Sweetheart, I’d have dinner with you every night if I could.”

Every night?

“I’ve missed you, Chase,” she admitted aloud. “So much.”

“Ah, Scottie.” He leaned in. “I’ve missed you, too.”

He pressed his lips to hers and lowered his hands to her hips. Chase gently pulled her body flush with his, and Scottie moaned with the parting of her lips.

His tongue invaded her mouth, joining with hers in an erotic dance of slow, sensual licks and tantalizing swirls. A deep, primal growl reverberated from his rock-hard chest to hers as Chase took the kiss deeper.

His hold grew tighter. Passionate to the point of possession. He tasted of chocolate and something that had always been uniquely Chase.

Scottie let herself become lost in his warm embrace, unable to keep herself from wondering if maybe—just maybe —her greatest wish would finally come true. But before she could let herself believe that it had, Chase ended the kiss far too soon.

“I’d say I’m sorry, but I’d be lying.”

His voice was rough and winded. Proof he was every bit as affected by the kiss as Scottie.

Running the tip of her tongue along her lips, she rolled them inward to savor the remnants of his taste. “I’m not sorry either,” she admitted. “Surprised but not sorry.”

“Why surprised?”

The question made her laugh. “Where do I start? I’m surprised that you’re here. That we’re both here in Seattle. Both still…single. But mostly…” Scottie’s voice grew quiet. “Mostly, I’m surprised you don’t hate me.”

“I could never hate you.” He shot her a pointed stare. “Not ever.”

“I wouldn’t blame you if you did.”

“Come on, now.” Chase reached up and tucked a few strands of hair behind her ear. “As far as I’m concerned, the past is just that. The past. Personally, I’m much more interested in the present…and the future.”

The future.

Scottie hadn’t given hers much thought lately. She’d been too busy settling into her new reality.

Maybe it’s time to let all that shit go. Start actually living this new life you’ve worked so hard to build. Otherwise, what’s the point?

Her inner voice was right on the money. She knew this but even so?—

“I’m scared,” she whispered.

“Nothing to be scared of, sugar.” He shook his head slowly. “Not when you have me.”

“Do I?” She searched his heated gaze. “Do I have you?”

Scottie held her breath and waited, half-expecting him to start back peddling or hedge. Instead, the surprising man doubled down on his conviction by taking her mouth in his.

Hard and fast right out of the gate, this kiss was very different than those that came before. It was deeper. More meaningful. An unspoken promise of things to come.

Breaking away with a sharp inhale, Chase ended the passionate exchange as suddenly as it began.

“You need to know…” His broad chest rose and fell with a set of heaving breaths. “This wasn’t part of tonight’s plan.” Another breath. “It really was just supposed to be two friends reconnecting.”

“But?” Scottie held his gaze, her own chest rising and falling as she fought to catch her breath.

“But I can’t stand here, looking into those gorgeous green eyes of yours again after all this time, and keep pretending I don’t still want more.”

“Chase…”

“We can take it as slow as you want,” he proposed. “We can go on dates. Get to know each other again. We’ll do whatever you want. And if you don’t want this…if you don’t still lay in bed at night and wonder what could have been…then just say that, and I’ll walk away right now.”

“Chase—”

“But if you do wonder…” He framed her face with both hands, staring so deep into her longing gaze, she could feel him touching her soul. “If you want to give this thing between us another try, then?—”

Scottie didn’t give him the chance to say another needless word. She simply filled her fists with the front of his shirt, rose high onto her tiptoes, and this time…

She kissed him.

One week later…

“Hi, Scottie.” Sloane entered the shelter’s kitchen.

“You’re still here? I thought you already left for the day.”

Dressed in jeans and a casual button-up blouse, the woman’s signature long, blonde ponytail swayed from side-to-side as she made her way further into the room.

“I started to, but we got a new intake at the last-minute, so I stayed to make sure she got settled in okay. How’s the oven holding up? Broiler working okay?”

“Yes, ma’am.” Scottie sent her boss a smile.

She’d been doing that more lately. A lot more. To herself and others. At the birds’ songs she heard singing with the swirls of the passing breeze. At absolutely nothing at all.

Scottie smiled so much the last few days, it was a wonder her mouth wasn’t aching from the strain. But it wasn’t, because this is what life was supposed to be like. Or so she’d heard.

There could only be one explanation given for the sudden shift in her outlook on the future. One very specific person who solely shouldered the glorious blame. A man who’d reappeared at a time—and place—she’d least expected.

Chase.

Thanks to him, the last week had been one of the best of her life. They’d spent more time together. Talked more about their years spent apart. Laughed more when remembering humorous juvenile memories. And when the laughter eventually died down, they’d shared the most amazing kisses.

But that was as far as Chase had taken things with her. Deep, sensual kisses that left her toes curling, her heart full, and her sex aching with insatiable need.

Scottie understood why the man wanted to take things slow. Contrary to Chase’s outspoken desire to not waste any more time, the sweet, big-hearted man was also clearly fearful of pushing this new chapter of theirs too quickly.

She’d agreed at the time because the last thing either of them wanted was to screw up the second chance they’d been blessed with. But now…

Now I’m ready to finally take things to the next level.

“Hey, listen.” Sloane rested a hip against the massive stainless steel island beside her. “Allison Gallo’s husband is at it again.”

A low groan escaped the back of Scottie’s throat as a pit of dread balled up in her stomach. “You’ve got to be kidding me. Doesn’t that guy ever quit?”

“Apparently not.” Anger flashed across the other woman’s blue gaze.

Scottie gladly shared in her boss’s disdain for Tommy Gallo. As far as she was concerned, the man—if you could even call him that—was the lowest of the low.

He was rich. Well-connected. An abusive narcissist with a greater-than-God complex.

As if those stellar characteristics weren’t enough, the guy was also a drunk. And when Gallo drank, he fancied himself as both invincible and above the law.

Sadly, it seemed he was both.

Every shelter in the city was familiar with his face. Every cop on the street new his name. But it was true what they say about the rich buying their way out of trouble.

She just prayed that trouble never found Allison Gallo or her daughter ever again.

“From what I was told,” Sloane continued, “Gallo’s been making his rounds again. Showing up at other shelters demanding they tell him where to find Allison and her little girl.”

Not again.

Fear for the other woman and her child ran its way through Scottie’s veins. Allison became a resident of Liberty House shortly before Scottie’s arrival and had remained here with her six-year-old daughter, Madeline, until a few short days ago.

But aside from the staff and other residents, no one else knew she’d been staying there. Not unless Allison, herself, had shared that information with someone outside the shelter’s walls.

It was a condition of both working for and living in Liberty House. Total confidentiality was a must. For both the safety of the staff and residents and the future of the amazing work the shelter did to help those in need.

“You don’t think he’ll come here again, do you?” Scottie asked.

She would’ve thought Gallow would have learned his lesson after the last time he showed his face. The man had causing a scene and making a fool of himself.

The police were called, and Gallo had been ordered to leave the property. What happened to the man after that, however, she had no idea.

“I seriously doubt he’d be that stupid, but with abusive assholes like that, you never know. Just be careful and stay alert. The residents are all aware, and Gallo’s on both Hank’s and Bruce’s radars, as well.”

The shelter’s two security guards were both former military and up to the task.

“Okay,” Scottie acknowledged the information her boss had shared. “Anything else I need to know before I head out for the night, too?”

“Nothing I can think of. Oh, there was one other thing I wanted to say, though.” Sloane’s blue gaze shimmered with a touch of mischief. “It’s been really nice seeing you so happy lately. I’m gonna take a stab and say it has something to do with a certain Eagle’s Nest operative?”

It has everything to do with him.

“Maybe.” She didn’t bother trying to play dumb.

Sloane had seen Chase when he’d stopped by to surprise her with coffee yesterday morning. The other woman may or may not have also witnessed the tail-end of the appreciative kiss Scottie had given him for his troubles.

“Well, for what it’s worth, I’m happy for you. You deserve it.”

“Thank you.” She smiled back at her boss. “You deserve it, too, you know?”

But the other woman quickly brushed the sentiment away. “Been there, tried that. Let’s just say it didn’t work out. But hey…I’m still a sucker for a good old-fashioned, once-in-a-lifetime romance. Or in your case, twice in a lifetime.”

Scottie chuckled at the playful grin and wagging brows Sloane was sending her way. “Yes, well…things didn’t exactly go as planned for me and Chase the first time around, either, so we’re taking it slow.”

“Well, from what I know of the man, Chase is one of the good ones.” The other woman pushed herself away from the commercial-grade island. “Anyway, I will quit meddling in your personal life and be on my way.” Turning to leave, Sloane paused as she approached the large, black trashcan positioned by the back door. “Do me a favor, and make sure Bruce takes that out tonight, would ya? Trash day is tomorrow, and I’d prefer not to have the dumpster out back stinking to high heaven for another week.”

“I’ll tell him.” Scottie smiled. “Have a good night, Boss.”

“You, too!”

Once again alone in her stainless steel haven, Scottie got right back to work finishing up her evening duties. The final remaining dishes were washed, dried, and put back in their rightful place. The counters were wiped clean.

She was at the back of the room, having just grabbed the broom and dustpan, when the phone in her back pocket began to ring. Balancing the broom against the counter’s edge, she clipped the dustpan to its handle before pulling her cell free.

Scottie’s lips instantly curved upward when she saw the name displayed across her screen.

“Hey, you.” She answered the call before the third ring.

“Hey, yourself. You busy?”

“Just finishing things up for the night. What about you?”

“The client meeting we had ran long, but I’m finally out of the office, and I’m starving .”

“Guess it’s a good thing you know someone who can cook,” she teased.

“As a matter of fact, that’s the other reason I called. I know we’d planned on having dinner at your place, but what would you think about me just picking you up and taking you out, instead? That way, we’d get to eat sooner, and you’d get the night off from slaving over a hot stove. It’s a win-win, really.”

Any night spent with Chase was a win in her book.

“That sounds great, except…” Scottie glanced down at her attire of jeans, a plain gray t-shirt, and sneakers. “I’m not exactly dressed for someplace fancy.”

“Who said anything about fancy?” His tone was incredulous to the core. “I was thinking something simple, like a nice, juicy cheeseburger and fries. We can eat inside, and then I’ll bring you back to your car and we can either go to your place or mine. Or, if you’re sick of seeing me, I can drop you off at your car and see myself home.”

“I mean, you are a lot to deal with, but I think I can suffer through another night in your company.”

“Ha, ha,” Chase’s sarcasm came through loud and clear. “You want me to swing around to the back when I get there?”

“Sounds good.

His sexy rumble filled the phone’s speaker once more as he ended the conversation with a deep, “See you in ten.”

“See you then.”

Scottie ended the call with a smile, wasting no time putting the broom and mop to work. When she was finished, she put them back where they belonged before giving her watch a quick glance.

Eight minutes had passed since she and Chase got off the phone, which meant he’d be here any moment. Catching a glimpse of the trash can that was still full, she remembered what Sloane had said about making sure it got taken outside.

With a spin of her heels, she started to leave the kitchen in search of Bruce. But midway to the door, she changed her mind.

It made no sense to go ask him to stop whatever he was doing to come take out a bag of trash she was perfectly capable of carrying out herself. Especially when she was already going out that way, anyway.

Scottie did an about-face and headed straight for the trash. One heaving pull later, the bag was freed from the can, its top edges tied snuggly together to prevent the contents from spilling on the way out.

Grabbing her jacket and purse, she flipped off the kitchen lights and opened the door. With her hip, she kept the door propped open while squeezing the full, extra-large bag between the front of her body and the doorjamb.

Scottie grunted as she carefully let the bag fall the few inches to the pavement below. Once the door was securely shut behind her, she grabbed the knot at the top of the bag and heaved it over her shoulder.

She smiled, fancying herself as Santa on her way to the dumpster. A soft chuckle whispered free as she thought about how horrifying her younger self would have been had Santa filled her stockings with trash instead of chocolate and candy canes.

The sound of a vehicle parking somewhere nearby reached Scottie’s ears, and the smile on her face grew wide. A quick glance at her watch let her know Chase was right on time, and she was more than ready to greet him with a kiss.

Kiss. Cheeseburger and fries. Shower.

That was her new plan, and she intended to carry it out in that order.

And after?

Her lower belly tightened with anticipation. Because after she’d refueled her body and washed the day away, Scottie was finally going to make her move.

Chase was being a gentlemen, of that she had no doubt, but she didn’t need a gentleman. Not tonight, anyway. Tonight she needed…

Him.

Still lost in her thoughts of all the gloriously naughty things she wanted to do to that man, Scottie tossed the bag up before twisting and tilting her body to the side, letting the bag slide over her shoulder and into the nearly full dumpster.

Not bothering with the lid—it wouldn’t have shut regardless—she was still lost in her own thoughts when an angry male voice sounded from behind.

“Where is she?”

Not Chase.

With a gasp, Scottie spun back around, her stomach filling with dread when she saw the face of the man standing before her.

Tommy Gallo.

He was maybe two yards away, and he looked like he’d come ready for a fight. Dressed in a pair of black suit pants and a white button-up shirt that was only halfway tucked in, the man’s slightly slurred words and swayed movements gave away the fact that he was drunk.

“Mr. Gallo.” She did her best to remain calm as she raced to come up with a plan. “This area is for employees only. You’re not allowed back here.”

How was he able to get back here?

“I asked you a question!” The infuriated man marched a few steps toward her. “Tell me where my wife is!”

“I don’t know.” It was the God’s honest truth, not that she expected him to believe her.

But even if Scottie did know Allison Gallo’s location, there wasn’t a snowball’s chance in hell she’d ever give it to him.

“Liar!” Tommy spoke through a set of clenched teeth. “I know you know her. And I know you and that cunt boss of yours helped her escape!”

Uh, no…she hadn’t. Sloane had helped the man’s terrified wife, of course. That was what Sloane did.

“Mr. Gallo, I swear to you, I have absolutely no idea where your wife or daughter are.” Not that the jerk had even mentioned the precious little girl. “Now please. You need to leave or I’ll have no choice but to call the police.”

“Bullshit!”

He barreled toward her so quickly, Scottie nearly stumbled backward as she attempted to retreat. “Mr. Gallo, no!”

She put a hand up to stop him, hurriedly sidestepping the dumpster to avoid a collision. It wasn’t enough.

Before she could react further, Tommy Gallo grabbed Scottie by the shoulders. Using a tight, painful hold, he kept his meaty grip in place to swing her body sideways and then push backward…not stopping until he had her entire back pressed against the nearest exterior wall.

“Ah!” Scottie cried out as the back of her head and shoulders met the unforgiving brick. Pain flashed through her skull, and she winced from the impact.

“That’s right, you little bitch.” His rancid, liquor-laced breath nearly made her gag. “You have no idea how connected I am. Now you’re going to tell me where you’ve hidden my wife. And if you don’t, I swear to God, I’m going to?—”

“Take your fucking hands off her!”

Chase?

Scottie looked past the terrifying image before her to find Chase standing behind Tommy. A gun was in his hand; its barrel pressed squarely against the back of Tommy’s head. The look on his face was chilling, the glare he was giving the bastard still holding her against her will positively lethal.

I’ve never seen this side of him before.

The Chase she knew was sweet. Funny. Laid-back. But this version of the man who’d once been crowned prom king of their high school…

He looked like he was out for blood.

“Swear to Christ, if I have to tell you one more time to let her go…”

Tommy released his hold and put his hands out to the side.

“Good call. Now you’re going to stand there until I tell you to move, understand?” When a scowling Tommy remained silent, Chase shoved the gun harder against the other man’s head as he yelled, “Do. You. Understand?”

“Yeah, I fucking understand!” Tommy shouted back.

Sliding his rage-filled gaze in Scottie’s direction, Chase’s expression softened slightly as he asked, “Did he hurt you?”

She shook her head, her movements jerky from adrenaline and fear. “N-no.”

Her head was pounding, and she probably had a decent knot growing somewhere on the back of her head, but considering how badly the situation could have ended, Scottie considered herself to be lucky as hell.

“Call nine-one-one,” Chase ordered her briskly.

She immediately began digging in her purse for her phone. At the same time, the door to the kitchen flew open, and Bruce—the nighttime guard—came rushing out.

“Scottie?” The fifty-something Army veteran spotted her. “What’s going on…” He stopped dead in his tracks when he caught sight of Chase. Or rather, Chase’s gun. “What the fuck?”

“He’s okay!” Scottie abandoned her search to wave him away from going after Chase. “He works for Eagle’s Nest.” She pointed to Tommy. “H-he’s the one who attacked me.”

Bruce’s brown eyes widened slightly before narrowing an angry glare in Tommy’s direction. The second his gaze landed on the abusive jerk, he reached for the pair of shiny silver cuffs always dangling from his hip.

Knowing Bruce and Chase could keep Tommy under control, Scottie resumed her efforts to find her phone. Reaching back into her purse, she finally found the right pocket housing the device.

She pulled it free, and as directed, she quickly dialed nine-one-one.

“Guess you didn’t learn your lesson the last time you were here, did you, Gallo?” Bruce yanked the jerk’s hands behind his back before securing him like a pro.

It was the first time since Tommy appeared that Scottie felt like she could truly breathe.

Thank you, God!

While she spoke to the emergency operator, relaying the nature of the emergency and the shelter’s address, Chase remained near Bruce to presumably give the other man backup.

Patting Tommy down like a pro, Bruce began searching Tommy for any possible weapons. At first, Scottie assumed he had none, but then?—

“Gun,” Bruce unceremoniously announced.

Her heart dropped when she saw him pull a black pistol free from the waistband of Tommy’s jeans.

No wonder he’d left half of his shirt untucked. He was using the loose flannel to conceal a freaking gun!

Scottie’s spine stiffened, every muscle in her body tightening with a renewed sense of fear. Her mind soon became filled with a barrage of what-ifs.

What if he’d pulled that gun? What if he’d shot her? What if he’d seen Chase sooner and somehow managed to shoot him instead?

Flashbacks from the last time a man pulled a gun on her came rushing to the surface. Suddenly, Scottie wanted to get away from there. To be as far away from the crazed abuser as was humanly possible.

She hugged herself, her lungs working overtime with short bursts of breaths. Her body started to shake, every subtle noise causing her to flinch. And it wasn’t until Chase practically yelled her name that she even realized he had moved.

“Scottlynn!” He used her given name—and a gentle hand on one shoulder—to finally catch her attention. “Are. You. Okay?”

Blinking several times, Scottie gave her head a slight shake to put the awful memories out of her mind. With her vision clear, and her consciousness back in the present, she took in the alarming expression covering Chase’s handsome face.

“I…I-I’m okay,” she stuttered badly.

Sure, she’d probably be sore tomorrow, but otherwise, she was physically fine. Emotionally, however…

Yeah, I’m gonna need a few more minutes to work on that.

“Come here.” He pulled her in for a tight hug.

His body became a blanket of safety. A comforting warmth she’d so desperately needed. It was in that moment of security and protection when Scottie fully accepted the danger to her was over.

She wrapped her arms around Chase, her fists filling with the back of his shirt and holding onto him as if he were her lifeline. And then, with her body flush with his and her cheek pressed against his chest…

Scottie began to cry.