Chapter Twenty

Blanket Memories

Ella

Sipping her drink, Ella allowed the alcohol to flood her senses. It had been too long since she’d reveled in a decent drink, and she intended to enjoy it. Her gaze scanned the room as she settled the glass on her leg, her attention finally landing on the enormous bag Tucker had lugged around the forest with them.

“You brought the backpack in here.”

She glanced at the thing, a flashback of the red-haired guy Tucker had killed to keep them safe bursting into her mind. She could still see the sneer on the bastard’s face and hear the final noise that had escaped his throat when Tucker had dealt with him. As the disturbing memory gripped her, she wondered if she could ever ‘unhear.’

“What’s wrong?” Reaching for her, Tucker squeezed her knee as he gazed at her crumpled expression.

“I just remembered what happened on our journey here.” Her hand shook as she pressed the glass harder against her robe-covered thigh. “That guy who wanted to attack us before you...” Her sentence dried up as she struggled to articulate what she’d witnessed.

Before you killed him…

“I’m sorry again that you had to go through that.” His hand rose to steady hers, his long fingers encasing her palm. “But I couldn’t allow him to hurt you, little girl.”

“I know.” She shuddered, trying not to recall what she’d seen. Tucker had been trying to protect her, but it didn’t change the dreadful outcome.

He’s dangerous.

A rush of adrenaline spiked in her body at the acknowledgment. She’d always sensed that he was, yet now there was no denying it.

“It was just scary, sir, that’s all.”

“I didn’t mean to frighten you.” His serious tone gave way to the smirk that painted his lips. “At least, not on that occasion.”

She chuckled despite the nervous energy twisting in her body. Tucker had evoked just about every emotion known to humanity, yet still, she wanted him. In fact, if it was possible, he’d only become more magnetizing since he’d brought her to the city. The plush surroundings helped to put her at ease, as did finally being clean and relaxed, but it was more than that. It seemed as though Tucker had started to open up to her since they’d arrived at his apartment, and she craved more of that. Whoever the dark, brooding stranger was who’d captured her, she wanted to know him.

“Will this help?” Placing his tumbler down on the glass table, he rose from his seat and paced to the backpack. Tugging it open, he yanked out the baby blue blanket she’d clung to at the cabin and flung it toward her. “I know you liked it.”

“I did.” She smiled as she grabbed the soft fabric and pulled it against her. Even though its scent reminded her of captivity, and God knew that hadn’t been a bed of roses, there was no doubt she’d grown fond of its cozy material. Its presence had been comforting. “Thank you, sir, but it’s yours.” She gestured in his direction. “You should take it.”

“It was my mother’s.” His brows knitted as he crossed the rug and took his place beside her again. His expression was one of seeming surprise as he reached for his drink, as though he couldn’t believe he’d told her the origins of the blanket.

“Oh.” His mother’s? She hadn’t expected that. “Then you should definitely keep it, sir.”

“I’d like you to have it.” He pushed the fabric away as it was passed to him, swirling his whiskey around the tumbler. “I think she would have liked you.”

“Would have?” Time was frozen around her as he stared at his liquor. “So, she’s dead?”

Had she known that? Tucker had mentioned his mother when he’d shown her the deadly nightshades at the cabin, but Ella couldn’t recall him specifically referencing her death. He’d always been so private up until then. She would surely have remembered.

His attention rose languidly from his drink, his blue eyes sad as they landed on her. “Yes.”

She immediately regretted the tactless way she’d asked the question. “I’m sorry, Tucker.”

Grasping his free hand, she searched his face for any sign of displeasure that she’d used his name, her heart accelerating at even the faintest possibility of yet another intoxicating punishment, yet all the while, it was sorrow for his loss that swelled. She’d been without a father most of her life, but she couldn’t imagine not having her mum.

“Thanks.” He lowered his glass. “But you really shouldn’t call me Tucker.”

“I know.” She inched closer, eyeing his whiskey-covered lips and considering how good they’d taste. As she recollected, they tasted amazing, even without the alcohol. “I’m sorry, sir.”

“Forgiven.”

“Do you miss her?” she probed.

What a stupid question! She frowned at her own absurdity. Of course, he misses his mother!

“Sometimes, I miss her badly.” His grip on the tumbler tightened as his gaze drilled into the crystal. “I know that sounds inane. At my age, with my experiences, I should be tougher, but…”

“There’s nothing inane about missing the people we love, sir.” She couldn’t believe he was admonishing himself for perfectly natural feelings. “I’d think less of you if you didn’t miss her.”

The quiet swirled around them, his mouth forming a small smile in recognition of her reply.

“Thank you, Ella. I believe she would have liked you a lot.”

Like me? It was the second time he’d issued the compliment. What does that mean?

“Can I ask how she died?” Yet again, she wished she’d found a better way to articulate the question, but the burning blue intensity of his eyes gave little away.

“She was shot.” He answered eventually, pulling in a breath as if the act was painful.

Shot? Dread furled in the pit of her stomach.

“I’m sorry.” She gripped his bicep gently. “Is that why you dislike guns so much?”

It made sense. Ella could never understand why an ex-soldier would have held such disdain for the weapons, but if his own mother had been the victim of a gunshot, it explained his loathing of guns.

“Right.” He raised the glass to his lips and tipped the remaining amber liquid past them. “I hate the fucking things.”

“I’m really sorry.” Fumbling with the blanket between them, she realized she was starting to sound like a wind-up toy stuck on repeat. “I’d have treated the blanket better if I’d known it was your late mother’s.”

“It brought you solace.” He glanced at the blue material. “That was what was important, little girl, but I had to take it with us when we left. It’s the only thing of hers I still have.”

“Really?” Ella couldn’t imagine losing her mother and having nothing to show for their love except one old blanket. It didn’t seem right, somehow. “Wow.” She lifted her glass to her mouth and sipped at the gin cocktail, but the drink didn’t taste as good as it had before.

“You’ll take care of it, little girl.” A new warmth lit his eyes as she lifted her gaze to meet his.

There was depth in those deep blue pools. There always had been, but the more she discovered about her would-be captor, the more she found she wanted to know. The man who was unfolding in front of her was so much more than only blades, ropes, and barns in the woods. He was a deep-thinking enigma.

“I know you will.”

“I promise, sir.” She reached for the table and put down her glass. “I’ll treat it as though my mum had given it to me.”

He nodded, draining his glass before placing the tumbler down by his feet. Her gaze followed its path reflexively, her breath hitching as she remembered how light those large feet had seemed propped on the small of her back.

“Can I kiss you?” He leaned toward her, those ocean eyes swirling with an even greater emotional intensity.

Wait, he was asking permission? When had that ever happened before?

“I’d like that, sir.”

The light brush of his lips over hers evaporated the questions from her head, and as he tugged her onto his lap, she was lost to the growing instinctive tug between them. His arm snaked to her middle, steadying her as the aroma of his whiskey infused with her giddiness.

Fuck.

The sentiment echoed in her mind as his free hand rose to the back of her head and guided her back for the caress. Her eyes fluttered closed as their mouths collided, the impulse to fight that had kept her alive in the woods waning as his tongue delved past her lips.

There was a blissful serenity to the protracted moment. As commanding as his kiss was, there was repose as well, the intimacy inspiring a sense of belonging and certainty Ella had rarely known before.

Tucker was flawed, and he’d revealed those imperfections to her repeatedly, but his admissions of guilt had somehow helped her to accept the woman she was. He’d helped her to not only see who she was but who she might want to become.

He made her want to be a better woman.

“Ella.” His breath was warm on her skin as he withdrew, his gaze soft when she opened her eyes. “I want to take you to bed.”

“Yes, sir.” The muscles between her thighs tightened at his demanding tone. She was exhausted yet couldn’t deny the ball of desire his instruction elicited.

“Not like that.” His laughter danced over her. “I mean, I’d love to, but we’re both shattered.”

“Oh,” she gasped, unable to decide how she felt about the denial. Why was he rejecting her when his lips spoke of his yearning? His hand relaxed in her hair, permitting her to move, but she couldn’t entertain the thought of going. Straddling his body, she contemplated the ultimate defiance of riding him right there in the lounge, but somehow, she couldn’t bear the idea of disappointing him.

“I just mean, take you to bed and hold you while we sleep.” His hand slipped to the side of her face, his thumb stroking her skin. “We both need it, little girl.”

For once, she couldn’t argue.

“I’d like that.” She turned to kiss the tip of his thumb, aware of the dark deeds the digit had been involved in, yet still longing to offer her devotion. “And maybe we can fuck again when we wake up, sir?”

“Oh, yes.” His chuckle was deeper that time. “I’m sure we can manage that.”

***

Tucker

Grasping her hand, he led her along the corridor, noticing how she still clutched his mother’s blanket to her chest. He didn’t know what the time was and opening the door to the master bedroom, he realized he didn’t care. Time was a useless indicator of his new life with Ella. The only things that mattered in this new world were the two of them, that they had what they needed, and that the delicately balanced dynamic between them was safely sustained.

Everything else—including the wonderful cabin he’d built that had once warmed his heart and all those financial assets that had seemed so important—was secondary to the bubble of contentment they’d created together.

“How’s the temperature for you, little girl?” His attention turned to the control panel at the entrance of the room that regulated the warmth and humidity inside it.

“Good, thanks.” Her eyes widened as she took in the pale blue décor. “Is this your bedroom, sir?”

“It’s ours ,” he clarified, closing the door behind him. “While we’re here.”

“Thank you.” She threw the blue blanket onto the bed covers and spun to face him. “But it’s still yours. Everything I have is somewhere else.”

“If there’s something you need, then tell me what it is.” His demand was whispered as his fingers once again weaved their way into her long, silky locks. “I’ll get it for you.”

“It’s not that.” Something about her smile was sad. “But thank you.”

“What then?” He despised the flicker of desperation that resonated at her refusal.

Tucker was a simple man at heart, with unpretentious needs and straightforward solutions. If there was something she missed and he had the means, then he’d have it brought to her. It hadn’t been his plan to leave the forest, but now that they had, things were easier. Ella could have almost anything she wanted.

“Sir, it’s nothing.” Her hand rose to his face, tentatively tracing a line over the stubble on his chin. “I just mean it’s not my home.”

“Oh, right.”

He didn’t understand the pang of discouragement that resonated at her reply. After all, she was right. The apartment wasn’t her home, and even though he owned it, he rarely ever spent time there. So, what was the big deal? Why did he feel so pained at her perfectly reasonable logic?

“My home is still with Susie,” she continued as though she had inherently understood his response. Perhaps his expression had given it away.

“You’ve never lived on your own?” He didn’t know why he was asking. She’d inferred as much, hadn’t she? Ella was the spoilt little rich girl who’d always gotten what she wanted. Or at least she had been until she’d tumbled into Tucker’s hands.

“No.” She rose on tiptoes to skim a kiss over the place her fingers caressed. “Not yet. Do you recommend it, sir?”

“I might have done.” His hand rose to capture hers, and lifting it to his mouth, he kissed the tips of her fingers. “But not for you, little girl.”

“Why not?” A line appeared in her otherwise flawless brow. “Don’t you think I’m capable?”

“You’re more than capable.” There had been a time not so long before that he’d found the idea of Ella surviving on her own amusing, but he’d learned enough about his little girl in the last few days to know she’d not only survive but thrive. She might have been used to a luxurious life, but when she was pushed, they’d both discovered she had real mettle. “But you won’t ever be on your own while I’m around.”

“I’m glad.” An impish smile flashed on her lips. “I’ve grown to quite like having you around, sir.”

“ Quite like?” His tone was teasing, despite his arching brow. “Is that right?”

“At first, you were a little suffocating.” She shrugged, devils dancing in her gorgeous green eyes as she backed toward the enormous bed in the center of the room. “But I grew to love that possessive streak, sir.”

She grew to love it?

A reflexive rush of excitement flooded his system as he tugged at the towel at his waist.

“You did, huh?” He paused as the bed covers grazed the back of the robe she was wearing, ensuring there was still a foot between them.

He loved this lively vigor they shared but wouldn’t do anything to outright intimidate her. Those days of taking what was his without asking were over. He seemed to have left the desire back in the cabin. From this point on, he needed Ella to crave him the way he wanted her. Sure, her body had always been willing, but now he longed for her mind and her soul as well.

He would have all of her.

“Yes, sir.” She peered around at the bed, trailing her fingertips over the covers.

“Anything else you’ve grown to love, little girl?”

“Of course.” Her smile grew. “I love how smart you are, sir, and hearing about your experiences. You have a few years on me, so there are things I can learn from you.”

“Yeah.” He chuckled, inching closer. “I noticed the age difference. I was hoping you wouldn’t mind it.”

“Mind it?” She stepped forward, splaying her fingers against his chest. “Why on Earth would I mind?”

“Well, you know?” The electricity between them was growing. He swore he sensed it raising the hairs on his arms as he tugged her to him. “It’s not for everybody.”

“That’s good.” She placed a hot kiss between the hairs on his chest. “Because I don’t want everybody. Only you.”

She lifted her chin to meet his gaze, and in her eyes, he saw nothing but lust and affection.

How did I get to be so damn lucky?

“You’re amazing.” There was simply nothing else he could say as he held her. “Thank you for giving me a chance.”

“Well.” She rested her head on his shoulder. “You didn’t give me much of a choice, sir, but… I don’t have any regrets.”

“Not even running?” It was wrong to mock her, but he couldn’t resist the opportunity. “I would have thought your pretty little backside would have preferred you hadn’t constantly tried to escape.”

“I didn’t try to escape, sir,” she corrected, ignoring his quip. “I did escape. You just kept dragging me back.”

“Thank goodness I did.” He kissed her forehead. “I hate the idea of you out in that forest alone.”

“Yeah.” Her hand rose to hold his arm. “Maybe not my smartest move. Especially with my father and his men traipsing around the trees.”

“Yeah.” His focus flitted to the large window at the back of the room. The blue blinds had been drawn, but the sunshine still skipped between the slats.

Somehow, he didn’t think the guys with the guns had been working for Bennett. They might have been with him, but Tucker knew Bennett’s financial situation well enough to know he had nothing to leverage with mercenaries like that. No, someone else was definitely pulling the strings. Someone with a grudge against him.

“I’d better get you to bed, little girl.”

Every fiber of his being protested, instructing that he throw her onto the covers and devour her again, but his head knew better. She needed to sleep, they both did, and it was down to him to make sure they got what they needed.

“We can talk more when we wake.” He steered her around to face the bed.

“And fuck.” She peered over her shoulder with a wicked grin as her dark blonde tousled hair fell around her face. Beautiful and engaging, Ella was the very definition of temptation, and his dick demanded he rethink his plan for rest.

“Yes, Ella.” His cock swelled further at her tantalizing provocation, and as his gaze traveled to the bedside dresser, he realized that he’d finally be able to get his hands on some condoms. “And fuck.”