Secret Obsession (romantic suspense) (Red Stone Security Series Book 12) (6 page)

Ford Burke’s house.

In his bed.

Wearing one of his T-shirts.

After a very terrifying night.
Ugh.
It tasted like something had died in her mouth and she had a wicked headache.

Everything was still pretty fuzzy but she remembered Ford bringing her back to his place. She’d tried to insist on sleeping on the couch but he’d pretty much run over her arguments in a few seconds flat. She’d have never agreed to come to his place if she’d known he didn’t have another bed. He had another room, but it was an office. She couldn’t worry about that now.

After washing her face and brushing her teeth in his bathroom, she found him in the kitchen.

Cooking.

It was probably one of the sexiest things she’d ever seen. He had on a pair of jeans and nothing else. His broad back practically begged for her to run her fingers over all those carved lines. Something was sizzling at the stove and whatever it was, it smelled delicious.

“How’re you feeling?” he asked without turning around.

Feeling guilty at being caught staring—and how had he even known she was there?—she nearly jumped. “Um, good, thanks. I used your toothbrush,” she blurted. She felt bad about doing it, but she couldn’t face the idea of seeing him this morning with breath like a garbage can. “I’ll buy you a new one.”

Laughing in clear surprise, he glanced over his shoulder to pin her with a sensual look. “That’s okay. I’ve got extras.”

She didn’t know what to do about that look, was feeling way too out of sorts after last night. She knew what he’d told her had happened, but she didn’t even remember being taken out of the club by some guy and she barely remembered the five hours at the clinic. Only after was clearer. “Thanks. I just…I felt really gross. Thanks again for letting me stay over. I know what a big inconvenience this is.”

He just snorted, which could have meant any number of things.

“I, uh, I was just going to call a taxi and get a ride back to my place but I’m not sure where my phone is.” And she hated the thought of heading home in her club dress and heels.

Flipping off the stove, he slid the pan off the burner before turning to her. “First, you’re going to eat.” He nodded at the rectangular table next to a window that overlooked a neat backyard with an S-shaped pool. It glistened under the bright morning sunlight. “Then I’ll take you wherever you want to go.”

She wasn’t sure how she felt about taking orders, but there was no reason to argue when he was just looking out for her and was possibly one of the sweetest men she’d ever met. And food sounded really good. Wishing she’d put on sweatpants or something other than the long T-shirt that came to mid-thigh, she sat at the table. “Do you need help with anything?”

“Nope.” He moved around the kitchen like a pro, which, again, was ridiculously sexy.

“Have you talked to Grant or Porter this morning?”
Please say no
, she thought.

“I talked to all of your cousins. Keith too.”

She cringed. Crap. Her uncle was even more protective than his sons. “I’m a little surprised they’re not here. They can be total cavemen.” Because she could actually see them storming over to Ford’s place like lunatics. They were normally sane, well-trained security guys who ran a multi-million dollar company—or maybe billion, she wasn’t sure. But they could act like big kids sometimes. She just hoped Belle had a son, for Grant’s sake. And their future child’s sake. She couldn’t even imagine how nuts they’d all be if Belle had a little girl.

“They wanted to come over.” There was something in his voice, an edge almost, that did something strange to her insides.

Not many people could tell her relatives to back off—and actually have them listen. Another point on the Ford sexiness scale. The guy was pretty much off the charts by now. She wondered what he looked like in uniform. She figured that was the last thing she should be thinking about but it was hard not to be curious—and fantasize. “I’ve never seen you in your uniform,” she murmured as he brought her a plate of eggs, bacon and toast. She wasn’t sure why she’d said it out loud. Apparently she didn’t have a filter this morning. She’d blame it on the drugs.

He lifted a big shoulder. She tracked it with her gaze, suddenly feeling just a bit warmer. “I don’t wear it often. Mainly for funerals or a mandatory event. Coffee?”

She nodded. “Cream and sugar. And, seriously, thanks again. You don’t have to do all this.” She felt bad just sitting there while he waited on her. It was disconcerting.

“I want to.” The words came out pointed.

And she didn’t know what to do with that. She was still feeling out of sorts simply by being in his kitchen, his house, alone with him. This was one of those surreal situations she’d never planned on being in. Of course, no one planned on getting drugged and almost assaulted.

Against her will a shudder streaked down her spine. If she let herself think about what could have happened last night she was pretty sure she’d have a breakdown. A blank space in her memory was terrifying. She couldn’t remember the face of the man who’d tried to take her away from her friends. She could have woken up this morning somewhere else and… Her stomach roiled as her mind filled in a dozen different scenarios. Before she realized it, Ford was crouched in front of her.

“You okay?” God, he watched her with such concern in those beautiful green eyes.

For the first time, she saw that he had little gold flecks in his eyes. She cleared her throat. “I’m just feeling really stupid right now,” she whispered, a chill overtaking her despite the even temperature in the room and the sunlight streaming through the windows, bathing her and the table.

His frown deepened. “Stupid?”

She nodded once, her throat tight. “From the time I was fourteen I’ve pretty much known the things I have to do to watch out for myself. Watch my drinks, don’t go to parties with boys or men you don’t know. Always have a buddy no matter what, especially if you’re at a club. Meet up for dates in public places, don’t let anyone pick you up from your house unless you really know him. Stuff like that. I just, God, I want to kick myself—”

His mouth was suddenly on hers, soft and sweet and, okay, a little bit demanding.

Even though she was surprised, she didn’t question it, just leaned into him. Because of the way he was crouched, they were practically at eye level. She dug her fingers into his shoulders, moaned into his mouth. It was hard to believe she was kissing Ford but if last night was the crappiest night she’d ever had, this was the best morning because holy hell, the man could kiss.

He let out a low, almost growling sound as he slid one hand through her hair and cupped the back of her head. Now she was really glad she’d brushed her teeth. His hold was dominating, sexy and she felt it all the way to her toes.

He tasted like coffee and cinnamon. Maybe his flavored creamer. Whatever it was, she wanted to bottle it up because he tasted like heaven. The subtle scent of his cologne or body wash teased her, wrapped around her and she knew the smell was permanently imprinted in her brain. Everything about Ford was absolutely delicious.

When he flicked his tongue against hers, teasing, taking, she started to slide off her chair, wanting to get closer to him.

Wanting to get totally naked with him.

Yeah, she knew it was way too soon, but it was hard to care. The attraction she felt for Ford was off the charts crazy. The first time she’d met him it had been a punch to all her senses. She’d wondered if maybe it was because she’d been relatively sheltered growing up, but nope—since moving to Miami she’d met plenty of men.

No one got her turned on the way Ford did. She could hardly believe he was kissing her, clearly wanted her. He’d been so standoffish in the past.

When he pulled back, she made a little protesting sound. She didn’t want to stop. Not now. Things were just getting good.

His big palms spanned her thighs as he clutched onto her. He laid his forehead against hers, his breathing erratic. “You need to eat.”

She ran her fingers along his bare shoulders. He should never, ever wear shirts. “I need to kiss you again.”

He half grinned, closed his eyes as if in pain, then stepped back. “Eat. You had a rough night. I don’t…you just need to eat.”

She wanted to tell him that food could wait, but he turned away from her and started making his own plate. Way too many emotions pummeled through her, but if he didn’t want to kiss anymore she wouldn’t beg him. Her stomach growled, as if on cue. Okay, maybe she
should
eat.

She wanted way more of what sexy Ford had to offer. He was impossible to read though. She wondered if he’d kissed her just to shut her up. No…she could see that she very much physically affected him. No way for him to hide his erection.

Not that he seemed to be trying.

So why did he stop?
Under different circumstances she might have questioned him, but she needed food, a shower and her own clothes. And to call her friends, let them know she was okay. Not to mention her family. It didn’t matter that Ford had already talked to them—she needed to let her cousins and her uncle know she was totally unharmed.

But she knew he wouldn’t have kissed her unless he was interested. She’d ask him about it. Eventually.

* * *

Ford wasn’t sure what had come over him, kissing Raegan like that. Okay, he knew exactly what had come over him. She was under his skin.

And he knew that wasn’t going to change anytime soon.

“Thanks again for taking me home,” she murmured as they pulled into the private parking garage at her building.

He knew Porter was renting one of his condos to her, was glad she lived somewhere so safe. “You don’t have to keep thanking me.” It made him uncomfortable. He’d helped her the way he’d have helped any woman. Okay, he’d gone a little beyond what he normally would have done by letting her stay over.

“Fine, I’ll try not to.” Her voice was light, a little teasing. “Did you tell Porter we were coming here?” she asked.

“No.” He’d decided not to for purely selfish reasons. He wanted to spend more time with Raegan. And if her cousin knew she was in the building, he’d take the elevator down to see her.

She let out a sigh of pure relief. “Thank God. He seemed fine when I talked to him earlier but I have a feeling he’s going to go into lockdown mode and try to keep me close to home.”

That wasn’t a bad idea, but Ford didn’t say anything. It was common enough in clubs for assholes to drug random women. Sometimes men just drugged whoever they could, with no intention of assaulting any particular woman. Of course that didn’t mean the woman wasn’t hurt by some other asshole taking advantage of a situation. He’d seen enough of that shit when he’d been on patrol. Just because it was likely Raegan had been a target of pure convenience didn’t mean he wasn’t going to follow up. He’d already put in a call to the club’s owner and apparently so had Keith Caldwell.

Considering Keith was respected—and feared—in pretty much every circle, Ford had a feeling getting the security feeds from that place was going to be easy. “What are your plans for today?” He hated that he couldn’t insist she take it easy and stay home. But he had no right. She wasn’t his.

Even though he wanted her to be.

“I want to stop by Julieta’s—that’s the friend you talked to. She owns a little boutique and runs it with another friend, Ruby, who was there last night too. I just want to see them in person. Jules sounded pretty torn up when I talked to her. I think she feels guilty.”

“Sometimes shit just happens,” he said, parking when she pointed to a numbered spot.

“No kidding.”

He had a feeling she’d have to keep reminding herself of that over the next couple weeks. A scare like this would make her question herself and everyone around her, at least for a little while. He wished he could be around to protect her from…everything.

“This must be what it’s like to do the walk of shame,” she muttered, looking down at her clothes. Raegan had on a T-shirt and sweatpants she’d borrowed from him.

They were too big, but he liked the sight of her in his clothes. Something he didn’t plan to analyze too closely. He laughed at her words. “I wouldn’t know.”

Her hand on the door, she half smiled. “Me neither. I just hope no one from my floor sees me like this.”

“You’re a grownup. They’ll get over it if they do.”

She grinned at his words and slid from his truck at the same time he did. “I didn’t notice it before, but seriously, you’re driving a Ford truck?”

“I can’t drive a Chevy or anything else, not with my name,” he said, rounding the hood to meet her.

She motioned toward the east side of the parking garage. “Elevators are at the end of this aisle, around the corner. How did your parents come up with the name Ford anyway?”

He shot her a sideways glance as they headed across the quiet garage. He knew the security here was good, but he automatically scanned for any threats. After what had happened to her, he was feeling particularly vigilant. “Guess,” he said.

“Don’t tell me it’s because you were conceived in one?” Her eyes widened slightly.

He wished he could say no. “Yep. I’m just glad my name’s not Mustang.”

She snorted as they reached the elevators. “That’s pretty awesome. Is it just you?”