Chapter 9

CHAPTERNINE

Lara had chickened out over a dozen times since she’d gotten the advice to simply kiss Owl as a way to let him know how she felt.

He’d been so excited a week ago, when he’d escorted her back to his cabin and told her all about the possibility of The Refuge getting a helicopter. She was excited for him, and she belatedly thought it could have been the perfect time to kiss him, to share in his joy. But she hadn’t.

Since then, they’d both been busy, Lara spending more time with Cora, finalizing the plans for the families who would arrive in a week. And Owl with Stone, researching everything chopper-related in case the purchase went through. They’d met with a contractor, and she’d watched from a short distance as they described exactly where the hangar would go and what it would look like and how many trees needed to come down in order to make the landing pad safe. To Lara, it didn’t seem as if they were asking for enough trees to be taken down, but she trusted the men to know what they were doing.

But deep down, anxiety was building within her. If The Refuge got a helicopter, it was likely Owl and Stone would be the ones who would go inspect and possibly buy it. Which meant he’d be leaving The Refuge.

The thought of him not being around made her uneasy. Carter was still out there. If Owl left, would that be the break Carter needed to come after her? And beyond that, Lara wasn’t sure she’d be able to go a week or more without Owl at her side.

The more she thought about it, however, the more she accepted the real reason she didn’t want Owl to go…and it had nothing to do with potential panic attacks.

It was because she’d miss him desperately.

She’d spent almost every minute of every day in his presence for months. She’d talked to him, laughed with him, and felt safe enough to let down her guard to sleep because she knew he was nearby.

The fact of the matter was, she enjoyed being with Owl. And she’d never felt so comfortable with another man. Ever.

She’d thought she’d been in love in the past, and she’d definitely felt a kind of short-term infatuation for guys. But what she felt for Owl was completely different. He settled her. Made her feel strong. As if she could handle whatever else life felt the need to throw at her. No one else ever made her feel that way.

Which made it even more frustrating that she hadn’t been able to drum up the courage to kiss him. The few times she’d considered it, something happened to make her back off. Someone walked into the room. She sneezed and the moment was gone. She simply lost her nerve.

Despite that, with every day that passed, Lara fell for him even more.

Now, this evening, Cora and Pipe were getting married. After the ceremony, they’d head to the lodge for the dinner Robert had painstakingly planned. And the mood around The Refuge was celebratory and romantic.

No one seemed put out that they wouldn’t be there to see the actual ceremony. That was one of the best things about The Refuge and the people who lived and worked there. The friendships formed here were real. Deep and true. Not based on what anyone could do for anyone else. If Cora and Pipe wanted a private and intimate ceremony, that’s what they would get, and no one felt left out or annoyed by their decision. They were all simply happy their friends were together.

Earlier in the week, Alaska had grilled Lara on her size and favorite color, then surprised her by coming to Owl’s cabin with three outfits for her to choose from to wear to Cora’s ceremony. It was one of the most thoughtful things anyone had ever done for her, and Lara was almost overcome with gratitude.

While the two dresses Alaska had brought for her to try on were beautiful, Lara felt the most comfortable in the third outfit. It was a simple pair of gray slacks, coupled with a gorgeous soft-pink blouse that had long sleeves and felt like silk. The bottom layer of the shirt was form-fitting, while the outer layer was flowy and swished and flowed like the sand on a windy beach when she moved. Lara had fallen in love with it as soon as she’d seen it in the box.

And the best part wasn’t even how comfortable it felt on…but the look on Owl’s face when he saw her.

He looked utterly stunned.

On one hand, Lara felt a little embarrassed that he was so blown away by how she looked, because that probably meant he’d gotten very used to the oversized shirts and sweats she’d worn since she’d known him. On the other hand, she couldn’t deny that she loved the look of awe on his face when she’d walked into the room to model the outfit for him and Alaska.

She felt just as awed when he strolled out of his room, ready to walk her over to Pipe’s cabin. He’d changed into a pair of black slacks and a white long-sleeve button-up shirt…

With a pink tie that perfectly matched her shirt.

It should’ve been a little cheesy. But instead, his choice to match her outfit made Lara feel giddy. How many times had she seen couples dressed alike and smiled at how cute they looked? Others might make fun of those people, might roll their eyes and think it was ridiculous, but not Lara.

“You look nice,” she told him, internally wincing at her less-than-effusive word choice.

“And you look absolutely beautiful,” Owl told her.

“You don’t think I should’ve chosen one of the dresses?” she asked nervously, running a hand down one of her thighs.

“No. This is perfect. You’re perfect.”

For a moment, the air between them seemed charged. He’d stopped close enough to her that all it would take was one step forward and she’d be in his arms. She wanted to kiss him. Desperately. Wanted to do what she’d been dreaming about for a week now.

At that moment, his phone dinged with a text.

A few seconds went by and Owl didn’t move. He didn’t reach for his pocket to see who was messaging him. He simply stared into her eyes. Lara licked her lips, wondering if he was going to make the first move to act on the obvious attraction they were feeling.

When his phone dinged again, he sighed and reached for his pocket.

He read the text, then lifted his gaze to hers once again. “That’s Cora. She wants to know where the hell we are because she’s ready to marry Pipe already.”

Lara chuckled. “She’s never been super patient.”

The smile on Owl’s face was easygoing and relaxed, and Lara did her best to memorize it. “Then we’d better go before she marches over here to get us.”

And another opportunity to let this man know that she wanted to be more than friends was lost.

Owl went to the closet and grabbed her jacket and helped her into it, his fingertips brushing against her shoulders. Lara shivered as he shrugged on his own coat. Spring was still cooler than normal for the area. Early mornings and nights were chilly, but at least not cold enough to need gloves anymore.

Especially not when Owl immediately reached for her hand after he’d locked the door to the cabin. They stepped off his porch, and Lara realized she was content. Her life wasn’t perfect. She still had panic attacks and, more importantly, Carter Grant still hadn’t been apprehended.

But Lara was…surprisingly all right. A couple of months ago, she never would’ve thought she’d be where she was today, emotionally. She’d been so broken. Had thought she’d never be able to be happy ever again. But the people here at The Refuge, most especially Owl, had helped her see that while bad things had happened, she could rise above those things and come out stronger on the other side.

Her talks with Henley helped a lot. But it was thinking about Owl and Stone, and what they’d been through, and seeing them doing so well today, that helped the most. They didn’t deserve what happened to them. And she hadn’t made a wise decision by going to Arizona, but that didn’t mean she deserved what happened to her either.

The fault was Carter’s. No one else’s. He was an evil man who did evil things. And while Lara was still scared shitless of the fact he was on the loose and probably planning horrible things when it came to her, with every day that passed, she felt less scared. More capable.

“If you get overwhelmed at any point tonight, just let me know and we’ll go,” Owl said as they walked toward Pipe’s cabin.

Lara squeezed his hand. “I will. Thanks.” She felt his gaze on her and turned her head to look at him. “What?”

“It’s just…in the last couple weeks, you’ve made incredible progress. I’m so proud of you.”

She smiled. “Thanks. Talking with Henley has helped; I can never thank you enough for encouraging me to try therapy. Hearing your story helped even more. And…I don’t know…being here, with you, seeing how happy Cora is, watching the other women interact with their guys, observing some of the guests and how hard they’re working to overcome their demons…it’s all been very eye-opening and has helped put what happened to me in perspective.”

“I’m glad. But I think you’re not giving yourself enough credit. You’re incredibly strong, Lara. You would’ve gotten where you are today without being here at The Refuge. I have no doubt.”

He was wrong, but it felt good that he thought so. That he thought she was strong. There were definitely days when she felt anything but, and he’d put up with a lot from her. Her clinginess, her panic attacks, her inability to do much more than huddle on his couch for weeks on end.

All her life, Lara had wanted a partner who would give as much as he took. Who would take care of her as much as she took care of him. And she thought she’d found that in Ridge Michaels. Who knew it would take him completely screwing her over to find what she’d really been looking for all along?

They reached Pipe and Cora’s cabin, and the door opened as they approached.

Lara gasped when she saw her friend standing there, impatiently gesturing for them to hurry up and get inside.

Cora was wearing a black knee-length dress. It showed off her curves and looked absolutely amazing on her. It had been a very long time since Lara had seen her so dressed up.

“What took you guys so long?” Cora demanded. “We’ve been waiting forever!”

“It’s only two minutes past when they said they’d be here,” Pipe said, coming up behind Cora and wrapping his arm around her waist. He wore a pair of jeans and a black short-sleeve polo shirt that showed off the tattoos on both arms. He looked handsome, and the way he stared at his wife-to-be made Lara’s heart melt.

“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” Cora said as she backed up to let Lara and Owl inside. “I just need to grab my shoes and we can go up to the deck.”

“You need any help?” Lara asked.

“Yes!” Cora exclaimed. Then, after a long pause, she grinned at Owl. “You’re gonna have to let go of her.”

Lara felt Owl squeeze her fingers before doing just that. Almost immediately, she missed the feel of his hand in hers. But she dutifully followed Cora to the bedroom.

Cora shut the door and turned to Lara. “Have you kissed him yet?”

Lara’s lips twitched, and she shook her head at her friend. “No.”

“Why not?” Cora demanded.

“Because every time I think about doing it, the timing is off. Like today…when I thought maybe he might kiss me, you texted and broke the moment,” she said wryly.

“Shoot!” Cora said, her brows pinched together.

Lara couldn’t help but laugh. “It’s fine. If we were any later, you would’ve lost your mind. Anyway, if I’d kissed him already, you’d definitely know by now. And I’m hoping that once we start kissing, maybe it won’t end there.”

Cora’s head tilted as she studied Lara. “You’re different,” she said after a moment.

“What do you mean?”

“Well, when we first got here, I wasn’t actually sure you’d be able to get past what happened. And I don’t mean that in a bad way; I wouldn’t have blamed you. I was hoping you’d be able to find the person you used to be, find your way back to her. But now…I don’t think that’s going to happen.”

Lara frowned.

“You were quiet. Shy. You were content to fade into the background. And other than at work, you didn’t like to make decisions. You just went with the flow.”

Lara thought back to the person she was in DC and knew her friend had her pegged exactly right. She’d never liked being the center of attention. She much preferred to hang back, to let life swirl around her. But after the things she’d been through, the thought of standing against some metaphorical wall and letting others decide her fate held no appeal. The lack of control she’d had while in that basement in Arizona had fundamentally changed her. Now she wanted more control of her life.

“You’re right,” Lara said.

“I know,” Cora said without a hint of conceit. “I’m so proud of you, Lara. I was so worried about you. I wanted to do more, but I didn’t know how to help. And another woman, someone who didn’t love you as much as I do, might have become jealous or pissed that you turned to Owl instead, but not me. I wouldn’t care if you never talked to me again if it meant you were going to be all right.”

Lara’s eyes filled with tears. Some people had lots of friends. Dozens of people they called their best friends. But all Lara needed was one. One person who had her back, no matter what. And Cora was that in spades.

“I love you,” Lara blurted.

“I love you too, but if you make me cry on my wedding day, I’m gonna be pissed,” Cora said, blinking quickly to try to prevent the tears in her eyes from falling.

That was another change. Cora had never been a crier. But obviously the events of a few months ago had affected her too.

Without thought, Lara stepped forward and yanked Cora toward her. Since she was tiny, it wasn’t too difficult. She hugged her best friend hard.

Cora returned the embrace just as fiercely. Then she took a deep breath and stepped back. “Right, mushy time is over. How do I look?”

“Amazing. Beautiful. Like a princess,” Lara said without hesitation.

Cora rolled her eyes. “Whatever. I told Pipe I wasn’t going to wear a white dress, and honestly, I don’t think he cared what I wore for our wedding. But after I tried on a hundred different outfits and still couldn’t find one I was happy with, he suggested this dress.” She ran a hand self-consciously down her thigh as she shifted uneasily in front of Lara. “It’s the dress I wore to the auction. I wasn’t so sure…I mean, it’s not as if this dress cost that much, but I dug through the few boxes of crap I still owned that Pipe arranged to be packed and shipped here from DC and found it. When I put it on, you know what?”

“What?” Lara asked, loving this story.

“It felt right. I mean, it’s black, so it’s not typical for a wedding, but I actually feel pretty in it.”

“As you should, because you are!” Lara told her. “What shoes are you wearing?”

Cora smiled and walked over to the closet and pulled out a pair of two-inch black heels. “They’re from Payless. And yes, I was wearing these that day too.”

Personally, Lara thought her friend’s outfit was perfect. And even better since Pipe had suggested it.

“Well, put them on so we can do this,” Lara said with a smile.

Cora put the shoes on the floor and slipped them onto her feet. She straightened and smiled at her friend. “I can’t believe this is happening,” she whispered.

Lara’s smile grew. “I can. It’s about time someone realized what I’ve known for years and years. That you’re an amazing woman and you’d make someone an equally amazing partner.”

“Thanks,” Cora whispered.

“Come on. Let’s go. I’m sure Pipe is anxious to get his ring on your finger.”

“Lara?” Cora said, not moving.

“Yeah?”

“I would’ve waited as long as it took for you to be able to stand up with me.”

It was Lara’s turn to get teary-eyed.

“You’ll always be my best friend. Just because I’m getting married doesn’t mean that our relationship will change. At least I hope it won’t. And even if you go back to DC and I’m here…don’t think you’re gonna get rid of me that easily.”

Lara chuckled through her tears. But the immediate visceral reaction she had even thinking about leaving The Refuge was almost scary. She hadn’t thought about going back to the East Coast. Not once. In one of the few phone calls she’d had with her parents, they’d mentioned it, but Lara had never entertained the idea. She couldn’t imagine going back there. And not only because this was where Owl lived. DC held too many bad memories. And if she saw Eleanor Vanlandingham, after hearing how she’d treated Cora at the auction…she wasn’t sure what she’d do to the woman.

Taking a deep breath, she decided to lighten the mood. Cora would hate it if she actually cried right now. Because then she’d go out into the other room, Pipe would ask what had happened and if she was all right, and it would delay their ceremony. So she said, “If you tried to blow me off, you wouldn’t like what happened.”

To her relief, Cora chuckled. “Right. I’m shaking in my boots,” she said, then walked toward the door, snagging Lara’s arm as she passed. “Come on. I want to marry my man, go eat some grub, then come back here and have my wicked way with him all night.”

“Like that’s any different from any other night?” Lara teased.

Cora stopped in her tracks and stared at Lara for a moment before grinning and shaking her head. “I think I like this new Lara. Teasing me about sex? I can’t wait until you and Owl get it on and we can talk sexual positions and how good our men are in the sack.”

Lara didn’t comment, just went along docilly as Cora headed for the door once more.

The pang of longing deep down almost hurt. She wanted exactly what her friend described. More than she could put into words. Wanted to be able to sit down and talk sex and relationships with her best friend. But honestly, she wasn’t sure what would happen in the future. Owl might see her as nothing more than the broken woman who was the best friend to one of his friends’ wives. She didn’t think that was the case, but she’d been completely wrong when it came to her love life before.

Luckily, she didn’t have too much time to think about that because as soon as they entered the main room, Pipe walked over and pulled Cora in his arms. He kissed her long and hard, then headed for the front door without a word.

“Guess it’s time,” Lara joked, feeling a little like a third wheel.

“You think they’d even notice if we didn’t join them on the rooftop deck at all?” Owl said with a chuckle.

Lara should’ve been surprised that Owl was on the same wavelength when it came to being a third wheel around their friends, but she wasn’t. Not after how much time they’d spent together.

Owl reached for her hand once more and led her out of the house behind their friends. Before she knew it, they were on the deck. Looking around, Lara was impressed. It was just what Cora said she wanted, an intimate ceremony at sunset. Pipe had switched out his colorful fairy lights for white ones, adding more strings along the deck railings, and the sun was low enough in the sky to give the lights an ethereal glow. Cora was beautiful, and Pipe looked so strong and imposing. His gaze never strayed from the woman in front of him.

Owl stood next to his friends and pulled out a piece of paper from his pocket, clearing his throat before speaking.

Unfortunately, Lara didn’t hear a word. She couldn’t stop staring at Cora and Pipe. Their emotional connection was easy to see. All her life, Cora had been the one who was skeptical of love. She’d made fun of Lara for her romantic side, suffered through countless viewings of Cinderella, and couldn’t stand Hallmark movies around the holidays. She thought they were cheesy and unrealistic.

And yet, here she was. Her hands in Pipe’s, looking up at him just as those heroines in those Hallmark movies looked at their heroes.

Lara closed her eyes. If she hadn’t made that stupid decision to go to Arizona with Ridge, if she hadn’t been the object of a serial killer’s obsession, if Cora hadn’t decided to go to that auction to try to bid on Pipe…her best friend wouldn’t be where she was right this moment.

She wouldn’t have found the one person in the world meant to be hers. She wouldn’t be marrying the love of her life.

Contentment spread through Lara. She’d been through hell. Had thought she was going to die. Had endured things no one should have to experience. And yet…suddenly, she knew she wouldn’t change a moment. One of the things she’d wanted for years had happened…because of her. Her best friend was happy. Truly and deeply happy.

It made everything worth it.

“Cora…you may say your vows.”

Lara turned her attention back to what was happening in front of her. Cora and Pipe had decided to write their own vows, and she didn’t want to miss them.

“All my life, I’ve been an outcast. Looking through windows, wanting what I saw happening inside. But the harder I tried, the more elusive those dreams got. As time passed, I realized that I was different. Something was wrong with me. There had to be, because no one ever seemed to want me. My love was rejected time and time again. Until Lara.”

Cora turned her head and smiled at her friend.

Lara swallowed hard, trying not to burst into tears.

“She accepted me as I was. Brash, outspoken, and bitter. So very bitter. And then she disappeared. And I panicked. If the one person who actually liked me could leave, what did that mean? And then, there you were, Pipe. On that stage. I couldn’t take my eyes off you. You were different. Like me. I saw how people looked at you. How their gazes went from your tattoos, to your long hair and beard…and they judged you. Oh, how they judged. I think I fell in love with you at that moment, but I didn’t want to admit it. Because admitting it meant opening myself up to rejection, just like when I was a kid.

“But you burst through all my walls. You made me understand what love truly meant—accepting the other person exactly as they are. I love you, Pipe. More than you’ll ever know. But one thing you should know, is that you’ll never be as loved as loyally as I will love you. You’ll never have to wonder if your wife is faithful. You’ll never have to question if I’ve got your best interests at heart. All those rejections I went through as a kid just made my love all the deeper now. I’ll support you in whatever you want to do, and I’ll beat the crap out of anyone who dares to give you the side-eye because of how you look. You’re perfect for me, and I’ll always be in awe at how life managed to put you in my path just when I needed you most.”

It was hopeless to try to keep the tears from falling. Lara wiped her cheeks with her hand and gave Owl a small smile when he lifted a brow at her, obviously asking if she was all right.

“My turn?” Pipe asked, prompting Owl.

He chuckled and turned his attention back to the couple. “Sorry, yes. Pipe, your vows?”

“I love you, Cora. And those arseholes who rejected you when you were little were the ones who missed out. Not you. I will always honor and cherish you. Always. You’re my everything, and I don’t give a shit about people side-eyeing me, but if they dare say one word about you, all bets are off. When we have kids, they’ll never go one day without knowing down to their bones that they’re loved and wanted. And that goes for the ones we adopt as well as the ones we have ourselves.”

“Pipe,” Cora whispered, clearly overwhelmed.

Pipe dropped her hands and pulled her into his embrace. Her hands landed on his chest while one of his arms was locked around her waist, the other hand on her cheek.

“You’re mine, Cora. From the moment I saw you from that stage, I was intrigued. But it was when I was standing in your empty flat, and realized the lengths you’d gone to in order to help your best friend, that I fell in love. Irrevocably, instantly in love. I wanted that loyalty for myself. Needed it. I’m an intense bloke, and you’ll probably get irritated with that, but I don’t care. You’re mine, just as much as I’m yours. Forever.”

After exchanging rings, Cora and Pipe grinned at each other, and Owl finished the ceremony.

“With the power vested in me by the state of New Mexico, I now pronounce you man and wife,” he said with a huge smile.

Pipe turned his head and glared at his friend. “And?” he demanded.

“And what?” Owl said.

“You’re forgetting the best part,” Pipe growled. Honest-to-God growled.

Cora giggled as her arms snaked upward and went around her new husband’s neck.

Owl grinned. “Oh, you mean the kissing part?”

“Yeah, asshole. The kissing part,” Pipe complained.

“Didn’t think you needed permission to kiss your woman.”

“This is our wedding. You’re supposed to say it. So say it already, damn it!”

It was funny to see the friends griping at each other, and Lara thought it was kind of adorable that Pipe wanted the traditional words.

“Right. Fine. Pipe, you may now kiss your bride.”

“It’s about damn time,” he muttered before lowering his head.

The kiss her best friend and new husband shared was deep, long, and so full of love, Lara had a hard time looking away. The way Pipe held Cora. The way his hand spanned the small of her back. The way she went up on her toes to get closer. It was all so damn beautiful, Lara couldn’t help but sigh in satisfaction and joy.

“You good?”

Lara jerked in surprise as she felt Owl’s hand on her back and he leaned toward her. She hadn’t seen him approach; she’d been too busy enjoying her best friend’s happiness.

“I’m great,” she told him with a huge smile.

Time felt suspended as they stared at each other.

Then, so caught up in the beauty of the moment and joy for her friend, Lara moved without thought.

She leaned in and kissed Owl.

It was a brief kiss, no more than two pairs of lips meeting. And as soon as it was over, Lara second-guessed herself. She pulled back and looked into his eyes, not sure what she’d see.

Emotion swirled in Owl’s gaze, and the hand at the small of her back pressed against her for a moment. What was he thinking? She had no idea. But she took comfort in the fact that he didn’t look appalled. Or disgusted. In fact, he looked…awed. Which in turn made Lara relax.

She hadn’t messed up by kissing him. Thank goodness.

“I’m so happy!” Cora exclaimed from next to them.

Lara turned her attention away from Owl and turned toward her best friend. Owl stepped back, and then Cora was throwing herself at Lara.

Laughing, Lara caught her, and they swayed back and forth as they hugged.

“Look!” Cora ordered as she held her hand in front of her best friend’s face.

Lara chuckled again, catching hold of Cora’s hand and holding it still. Pipe had wanted to surprise her with the ring and hadn’t let her know anything about it until he’d put it on her finger.

It was classy and beautiful, and so totally perfect for Cora, Lara felt all melty inside again. The band was platinum with an inset emerald-cut diamond, with two princess-cut diamonds flanking it.

“I love it so much!” Cora exclaimed happily.

“It’s perfect,” Lara agreed.

Cora hugged her friend again, before turning back to her new husband.

Lara felt Owl’s hand return to her back. “We’ll go on and head to the lodge,” he told the couple.

“Cool. We’ll be up in a bit,” Pipe said, not looking away from Cora.

Lara smiled. She had a feeling it would be more than “a bit,” and as soon as she and Owl left, Cora would be gettin’ some from her new husband.

She was so happy for Cora, she could hardly contain herself.

“Wait! Before we go, we need a picture!” Lara exclaimed, pulling her phone out of her pocket. She’d had to buy a new one when she’d gotten to The Refuge, because she had no idea where hers had gone.

She couldn’t help but smile as she clicked a picture of Cora and Pipe. They looked perfect together, and their happiness couldn’t be contained.

Then Pipe insisted on taking a picture of her and Cora. Then Cora wanted one of Lara and Owl. Then they had to do a selfie of the four of them…

By the time Lara and Owl headed down the stairs from the deck, it was fully dark.

“Don’t make me send Jasna to come find you two,” Owl called out after he’d gone inside and grabbed their coats, meeting her at the foot of the deck stairs.

“Don’t you dare!” Pipe yelled from above. “Wouldn’t want to scar her for life.”

Everyone laughed. Lara had a feeling her best friend would forget about everyone else in a heartbeat. And she couldn’t blame her. If she’d just gotten married to the man of her dreams, and was alone on a romantic deck with fairy lights and the stars blooming overhead, she wouldn’t be thinking about anything other than getting him naked.

Her gaze swung to Owl without thought. He looked so handsome, and the happiness that oozed from him after being part of their friends’ ceremony was clear to see.

For once, Lara wasn’t hyper-aware of her surroundings. She wasn’t afraid of the darkness lurking beyond the trees. Wasn’t thinking about anyone out there hunting her. All she could think about was the brief feel of Owl’s lips against hers, and what, if anything, it meant for the two of them.

Halfway to the lodge, Owl tugged on her hand, stopping Lara in her tracks. It was almost too dark to see now, but she felt safe with this man at her side.

“What’s wrong?” she asked with a small frown.

But Owl didn’t answer. He tugged on her hand once more, harder, and Lara fell against him with a small oof. Since they were the same height, she didn’t have to crane her neck to look at him.

“Owl?” she said.

“You kissed me,” he said in a low, rumbly tone.

Lara licked her lips nervously. “Yeah,” she agreed.

His gaze almost burned as he looked into her eyes. “Was that an I’m-caught-up-in-the-moment-and-grateful-for-all-you’ve-done-to-help-me kiss? Or was it something more?”

Lara’s heart beat like a drum in her chest. She couldn’t read him. Did he want it to be the former or the latter? The shy woman she used to be struggled to take control. To tell him she’d gotten carried away. To not take the risk of being rejected.

But the new woman, the one who’d survived the awful things that had happened to her and yearned to be loved the way her best friend was, rebelled.

“More,” she whispered.

“Be sure,” Owl warned. “Because if you’re simply trying to outrun some demons, or excise them, I’m not the man you want to do that with.”

“I’m sure,” she told him, feeling more and more confidence well up inside. Owl wouldn’t be warning her away if he simply wanted to get off. Besides, that wasn’t the kind of man he was. She should know, she’d spent more time with him than any other man she’d gotten involved with in her life. And she wanted this man more than all of them combined.

It was Owl’s turn to lick his lips. He wrapped an iron arm around her waist, and then they were touching from hips to chest. She could feel the warm puffs of his breath against her lips. Every nerve ending tingled. And yet, still he hesitated. As if he didn’t want to hurt her. As if he wasn’t sure she really wanted him.

That was unacceptable.

Lara snaked her hands upward and cupped his face. Then she kissed him again. This time, pressing her lips against his in desperation. She needed him to know that she had no second thoughts. That she wanted this more than she could say with words.

For a few seconds, Owl didn’t move. He stood stock still as Lara kissed him.

Just when disappointment began to creep through her, Owl made a noise deep in his throat and his lips parted. His tongue came out and pushed into her mouth. Lara moaned as his taste bloomed on her taste buds. He’d obviously popped a mint into his mouth at some point before starting his officiant duties, because she could taste it.

His arm tightened as he backed her up, until she was leaning against a tree. Then his hands brushed hers off his face and he gripped the back of her head, moved it where he wanted. His other hand slipped under her blouse and rested on the bare skin of her back. His fingers were chilly but felt amazing against her almost overheated skin.

She gripped his shirt at his waist and held on for dear life as he kissed the living daylights out of her.

When he finally pulled back, they were both breathing hard.

“This changes things,” he said firmly.

Lara could only nod.

He leaned in and kissed her forehead. Then her temple. His hand was still tangled in her hair, and he had her completely pinned against the tree. But Lara didn’t feel trapped. If she made the slightest move to escape, he’d let her go. She had no doubt of that.

She didn’t want him to let go. She loved being in his arms. She felt safe there. Protected.

His gaze searched hers, and Lara did her best to exude confidence and sexiness. She wanted this man to want her as much as she wanted him.

Owl shook his head. “Bravest woman I know.”

“If I didn’t make the first move, I’m not sure you would’ve,” she admitted softly.

“You’re right. There’s no way I’d do anything that would remind you of…him.”

“You don’t,” Lara said with a small shake of her head. “Not even close. You won’t hurt me. Being with you is nothing like what he did. When you touch me, I crave more. When you look at me, all I see is concern, not perverted lust. I…I met with Henley the other day.”

“You did?” Owl asked.

Lara nodded. It was the first time she’d wanted to meet with the therapist without Owl by her side. Mainly because she wanted to talk about sex. She’d been the recipient of Carter’s warped idea of intimacy. It was one-sided, and he had no concern whatsoever for what she was thinking or feeling. In fact, he got off on treating her like an object. A thing. A vessel for him to release on.

Henley helped her see once and for all that what had been done to her wasn’t about sex at all. It was about control. Carter needed to do what he’d done to feel powerful. It was warped and depraved.

She’d left the session feeling stronger than she’d felt in months. More determined to show Owl that she wanted to be intimate with him.

“What Carter did…It wasn’t about attraction or need. Or even lust. I’m not afraid of being with you, Owl. I want that. I want you. And I don’t want to be just a dependent woman you’re trying to help anymore. I want to be me. Lara.”

“You haven’t been that woman since I tucked you into my guest room that first night,” Owl said.

Amazingly, Lara believed him. She might not have seen it then, but in the last month, she’d been more than aware that he treated her with kid gloves less and less. Aware of how he’d touch her in small, intimate ways. How he’d bend over backward to give her anything she might desire. And her friends were right—his gaze followed her everywhere, and not just because he was waiting for her to freak out.

It was all of that and more that had given her the courage to kiss him. If she’d thought for one second that he considered her an annoying houseguest, someone he couldn’t wait to get her head out of her butt and move back to Washington, DC, she wouldn’t have been so bold.

They stared at each other, caught in the magic of the moment.

Then a breeze came through, and Lara shivered.

“Come on, I need to get you out of the cold,” Owl said firmly. His hand slid out of her hair, slowly, as though he really didn’t want to move but was forcing himself simply because she was chilly.

This time as they headed toward the lodge, he wasn’t holding her hand. He wrapped his arm around her waist and had her plastered against his side as they walked together.

Lara smiled as she leaned into him. She wished they didn’t have to go to the lodge. She wanted to go straight back to their cabin and explore what they’d started there in the woods. But the anticipation felt exciting. Besides, she truly did want to celebrate Cora’s wedding. Her friend deserved a huge party, and there was no way Lara would miss it.

* * *

Carter Grant smiled as he sat back in his chair.

He’d done it. It had taken way too long to get the information he needed, but money talked. And he’d hooked up with a man he’d met a few years ago. Someone who was just as deviant as he was…in a different way. His acquaintance wasn’t into hurting and using women, like Carter. His vice was money. He could never get enough. He’d sell his own mother if it meant adding to his bank account.

And since Carter had what the man wanted—cold, hard cash—the guy had no problem agreeing to work with him.

So after months of hard work, racking his brain as he attempted to figure out a way to get Lara Osler back into his bed, under his control, he’d finally found a way.

The assholes who owned The Refuge, the very men who’d been harboring her in their secure compound, would be her downfall.

They wanted a helicopter, and Carter’s new acquaintance happened to have decent hacking skills—and a pilot’s license. He also knew where to find the exact chopper The Refuge assholes wanted.

The emails sent back and forth about the helicopter hinted that Carter would soon have his property back. His Lara might accompany the two former Night Stalkers to check out the chopper they hoped to buy. The one his accomplice had found just for this situation.

Lara stepping foot away from New Mexico was the break he needed. It was his chance. His chance to get her back where she belonged, under him, at his mercy. He couldn’t wait.

With the assistance of his acquaintance, and a shitload of cash—which would totally be worth it—Lara Osler would be his once more, and two of the assholes who’d dared keep her from him would be taken care of. Win-win for everyone.

Well…maybe except for Lara.

She’d find out what happened to those who defied him. If she thought what he’d done before was bad, she’d soon realize she was dead wrong. He’d gone easy on her. But no more.

Carter’s smile grew, and he reached down to unbutton his pants as his erection surged. Now that he had a plan, knew that she was going to be his again, he was desperate to orgasm. No bound and gagged prostitute needed. He was so hard it hurt.

It took less than a minute for Carter to relieve himself, and he closed his eyes as he imagined his come decorating his property once more.

He zipped his pants, not bothering to clean the mess he’d left on the floor of his motel room. He had more plans to make. And a secure location to obtain—one where Lara would never be able to escape.

Nothing would keep him from the woman who got away. Nothing and no one.