Chapter 15

The next morning…

Ellie stepped out of Lucky’s bathroom. Dressed in a pair of denim capris that were just a tad too snug and a pink, short-sleeved blouse—complete with soft ruffles running along each side of the shirt’s tiny white buttons—she’d finished off the borrowed look with a pair of brown, slip-on sandals.

She smiled as she passed by Lucky’s bed, incredible, erotic memories of last night still running fresh in her sleep-deprived mind. Not that she minded missing out on a full eight hours. Not when she considered the reason she’d lost so many hours of beauty sleep.

Hours. Not minutes. Lucky had spent hours making love to her.

The first time had been amazing. Jaw-dropping, even. Then they’d gotten into the shower, and before Ellie knew it, they’d moved on to a most delicious round two.

Round three had occurred later, after they’d each caught a few re-energizing winks. Glancing at the digital clock on one of Lucky’s bedside tables, her smile grew even wider when she realized less than an hour had passed since their last round of wild, unbridled sex.

I had sex with Lucky. Several times!

Ellie’s footfalls grew still as she took the time to really process this new turn of events.

If you’d asked her a week ago what she thought of the man, she would’ve rolled her eyes and drolled on and on about how immature and insatiable he was. A week ago, Ellie would have been more than happy to share countless examples of how frustratingly annoying Lucky could be.

But now, if someone were to ask what she thought about Jason Lucas, Ellie would have a very, very hard time saying anything other than…

He’s everything I never knew I wanted.

Thankfully, no one was around to ask because that was one admission she wasn’t quite ready to make.

With her hair freshly blown dry—and possibly styled a smidge just because—and a touch of makeup freshening up her look, Ellie exited Lucky’s room and made her way down the hallway in search of the man, himself.

She peeked into his office on her way past, but the light was off and his chair sat empty. It didn’t take long before she located him, and when she did, Ellie found a sight she did not expect to see.

No way.

Lucky was in the kitchen, standing near the stove with a large mixing bowl in one hand and a wire wisk in the other. Wearing what she assumed were the same pair of sweats he’d had on the night before, he was bare from the waist up save for the dark green apron tied around the back of his neck and at the small of his back.

Sensing her presence, he turned and looked at her way. He smiled the second he saw her, and damn if Ellie’s heart didn’t do a complete three-sixty flip.

The man truly is beautiful.

And for one night, at least, he’d been hers.

“Good morning.” His entire face lit up with his smile. “I hope you like pancakes and bacon. I could make some eggs, too, if you want.”

“Pancakes and bacon are fine.” She sidled up to one of the bar stools running the length of the room’s massive, granite-topped island. “I saw on my weather app that it’s supposed to be a really nice day today.”

Ellie winced as Lucky turned his attention back to the half-cooked pancake bubbling on the skillet he was working. This was precisely why she never slept over. To avoid the inevitable awkward morning-after conversation.

Case in point, the man had literally had his mouth on damn near every inch of her body less than an hour ago, and she was talking about the freaking weather?

Smooth, El. That’ll really make him want to keep you around after his bodyguard gig is up.

The unexpected thought gave her pause. Was that what she wanted? To stick around and be…what?

Lucky’s lover? His girlfriend?

Something more?

If she were being totally honest with herself, that was exactly what she wanted. Only problem was—aside from being utterly terrified of turning out like her mom—Ellie had no idea how Lucky truly felt about her.

He’d been an amazing lover, sure. Attentive. Caring. Gentle when she’d needed it. Rough and perfectly wild when they’d both craved more.

But she knew as well as anyone that sex did not automatically equate to feelings or an emotional attachment. Except it did where she was concerned.

Not with anyone else. Just him.

Only Lucky.

And she genuinely had no idea what to do about it.

“Here ya go.” Lucky brought over a plate stacked with three steaming, perfectly golden cakes. “And here’s the butter and syrup.” He grabbed those two things from the counter beside him and sat them near her plate while simultaneously handing her a fork.

“This looks delicious, thank you.” Ellie took the offered utensil. She couldn’t keep the moan from escaping when the first bite she took melted against her tongue. “Ohmagawd,” she started to speak before swallowing the bite of maple heaven. “That’s seriously the best pancake I’ve ever eaten.”

“Thanks.” He beamed with an adorable flash of pride. “The secret is to add a splash of vanilla and just a dash of cinnamon in the batter.”

“Cinnamon!” Ellie snapped her fingers. “That’s what I’m tasting.”

“I’d better sleep with one eye open tonight,” he teased. “My grandma’s probably going to come back and haunt me for sharing what makes her recipe so special.”

Laughing, she took another bite. And then, another. She was nearly halfway done with hers by the time he sat down to begin eating his own.

“Okay, seriously.” She used the edge of her fork to cut off another fluffy wedge. “How in the world are you still single?”

The question was out of her mouth before Ellie could stop it. But, given the night they’d just shared, she couldn’t bring herself to regret what she felt was a very valid inquiry.

“Guess I just never met a woman who made me not want to be single.” He shrugged. But then those soul-stealing eyes turned her way, the blues there filled with all sorts of unspoken promises when he started to say, “Not until y—”

The ringing of a phone stole the rest of his words. Ellie wanted to scream for the sudden, desperate need she had to hear them. Because it sure sounded like he was about to say not until ‘you’. Meaninig not until her.

And if that was the case…

“Shit.” Lucky glanced down at the phone he’d seemingly pulled out of thin air. Regret filled his gaze when he told her, “It’s Knox.”

“Take it,” she instructed. “It might be important.”

It had better be, given the conversation the detective had just interrupted.

She waited as Lucky answered the call.

“Hey, Knox,” he greeted the ill-timed man. “Hang on, I’m going to put you on speaker.” Tapping the screen, Lucky sat the phone down onto the counter between them.

Resting her elbows on the edge of the smooth, cool granite, Ellie leaned in a smidge closer to ensure she could hear what was about to be said.

“Okay, I’m here with Ellie, and you’re on speaker. Please tell me you’ve got something.”

“I take it neither of you have seen the news?”

Feeling like she’d already lived this moment once before, Ellie met Lucky’s confused stare. “We just sat down for breakfast,” she told the other man. “Why, what happened?”

“Turn on one of the major news stations and then unlock your door.”

“My door?” Lucky frowned. “Why the hell would I—”

“Because I’m about thirty seconds from knocking on it.”

He’s here?

As if they’d rehearsed it, Ellie jumped up in search of f the remote while Lucky grabbed his phone and headed for the door. She pressed the power button, anxiously waiting for the screen to come to life. In the meantime, Lucky was already opening the front door to his apartment.

As promised, Detective Knox’s masculine figure suddenly appeared.

“Is it on?” The other man entered the apartment uninvited.

“Sure, Detective.” Lucky’s tone was laced with thick sarcasm. “Come on in.”

The corners of Ellie’s lips began to twitch, and it wasn’t lost on her that the same smartassness she’d once rolled her eyes at was now a trait she found ridiculously endearing.

My how the tables have turned.

That burgeoning smile, however, was lost the second she saw the newest Breaking News banner scrolling along the bottom of the screen. Or, rather, the shocking headline plastered in bold lettering just above it…

SERIAL KILLER GEORGE RAY HARVEY FOUND DEAD IN ABANDONED CABIN

Every ounce of air in her lungs escaped in a loud, disbelieving rush. “Is this for real?” Her focus bounced between Knox and the flatscreen. “Harvey’s dead?”

“It’s true.” Knox came further into the room. “I just came from the scene. Saw his body with my own eyes, but I figured you’d want to see for yourself.” In an unexpected move, the Seattle detective offered her his phone.

Ellie didn’t hesitate to grab the device from his hand. Her gaze fell to its small screen, the macabre image there leaving her stunned.

“Oh, my god.” It’s really him. He’s really dead.

Tuning out the reporter’s comments, she studied the picture closely. In it, a clearly deceased Harvey lay sprawled on the cabin’s worn and ragged wooden floor. A dark pool of crimson blood had formed beneath his head, and from the looks of it, the nice, neat bullet hole in the center of the killer’s left temple was fairly fresh.

Lucky placed a comforting hand against her lower back as he stood beside her. “Jesus.” He glanced down at Knox’s phone. “You thinking suicide, or—”

“It’s too early for a definitive ruling, but yeah.” Knox regained possession of the cell. “Looks that way. Techs are going over the place now.”

“If Harvey did off himself, it’s the only good thing the man ever did.” Lucky huffed out a breath. “And if he didn’t, well…when you find the guy responsible, I hope your department pins a fucking medal on his chest.”

“Jason!” Ellie scolded him before thinking better of it.

If the man was bothered by it, it didn’t show. Instead, Lucky simply shrugged the same shoulders she’d held onto that very morning—while the insatiable man drove himself into her body over and over again.

“Harvey ruthlessly killed a lot of innocent people, sweetheart. He damn near killed you, too. Not to mention the threats he made that day, and the shit he put you through after the fact.” A muscle bulged at the side of his jaw. “Far as I’m concerned, anyone who comes at you like that…any asshole stupid enough to put their hands on you with the intent to harm…they deserve the exact same fucking fate, I don’t care who they are.”

The fierceness in that statement—and his tone—left Ellie feeling a bit out of sorts. There was a lethal edge in his voice that hadn’t been there before, and she couldn’t help but wonder if the sudden change had anything to do with the time they’d spent together…in his bed.

His bed. The shower. His bedroom floor…

Her gaze remained locked with his, and for a second, she forgot they weren’t alone. But then Detective Knox cleared his throat, breaking whatever spell she’d just been under.

“I’m not sorry he’s dead, either,” she made that perfectly clear. “But as a member of the court, I can’t openly condone any kind of killer. Vigilante or otherwise.”

Internally, well…when it came to this particular victim, that was a completely different story. Not that she viewed Harvey as a victim. Hell, no. The son of a bitch was dead as a direct result his own evil, murdering design.

May you rot in hell, asshole.

“Is that even a possibility?” Lucky’s attention shifted back to Knox. “That this was some lone wolf looking to rid the world of a monster?”

“That’s a possible working theory, yeah,” Knox confirmed. “But honestly, the whole thing screams suicide. They’re bringing the landowner in for questioning, but the man’s in his seventies and, from what we’ve been told, not in the best of health.”

“So…not a person of interest,” Lucky mused.

The handsome detective shook his head. “We’re just hoping to find out as much as we can about the cabin and surrounding properties, just to make sure we cover all the basis. Make no mistake, Brandt and I will work Harvey’s death same as all the rest. But unless or until evidence points to the contrary, I’d say this one’s pretty open and shut.”

“But why?” The question was gnawing at Ellie’s gut. “Why go through the trouble of escaping if he was just going shoot himself?”

“Why did the sick fuck stalk, kidnap, and murder those four girls?” Knox shrugged. “He was a serial killer, Ellie. You and I both know logical thinking doesn’t apply to guys like that.”

She supposed he was right, but something about the whole scenario just felt…off.

“There’s, uh…there’s more.” Knox’s expression turned grim as he began swiping along his phone’s screen. “This part hasn’t been released to the media, and the number of people who’ve seen it has been kept to the bare minimum.”

“Okaaay…” Ellie let the word trail as she waited.

As if sensing her unease, Lucky’s thumb brushed back and forth across her lower back. It was amazing how comforting the simple gesture was. Because it was his hand on her back. And it was his thumb offering the gentle, caring caress.

“I know you had your doubts where Harvey’s role in everything was concerned.” Knox’s . “The shooting…the fire. But after what we found in that cabin, I think you’ll both agree the bastard was the one behind it all.” He handed her back the phone. “Feel free to scroll through them. That’s the south wall of the cabin’s only bedroom.”

It was a picture of a wall. Wooden. Decrepit. Just like in the photo with Harvey’s dead body. Only instead of a dead body covering the weathered and splintered wood, the slats in the photo she was staring at now had been papered in image after image. Printed photos, each one with the same, unwitting subject.

Me.

The cabin wall was covered in what looked to be at least thirty pictures of her. And in each and every one, it was clear that she’d had no idea she was even being watched.

Ohmygod.

A string of deeply growled curse words sounded from beside her. Contradictory to Lucky’s furious tone, he gently took the phone from her frozen hand. Removing the hand from her back, he used it to swipe through the other images Knox was more than willing to share.

Surprised by the sizeable void the absence of his touch had left in its wake, Ellie stood woodenly beside him as they took each of the disturbing images in. It didn’t take long for them both to realize there were more than pictures in Harvey’s makeshift room.

“That piece of shit son of a bitch.” Another angry rumble. “A bullet to the head was too fucking easy.”

As she examined the blow torch and small jar of what was clearly some type of accelerant, she didn’t have to guess its importance to the case. And when Lucky swiped the phone’s screen once more, and the final image in the disturbing collection appeared, Ellie realized she’d been very, very wrong.

“It really was him.” Ellie gave a slow shake of her head as she stared at the evidence marker next to a long, black rifle. The movement was hesitant, almost if she didn’t quite believe her own words. “I watched the security footage from my apartment building, and I thought…I thought maybe it could be him. But deep down, I never really believed Harvey was the real perpetrator.”

Even now—with mounds of evidence right there, in all its captured glory—she was still having a hard time digesting the facts as they’d been presented. Despite what she was seeing with her very own eyes, Ellie still felt a sliver of doubt that the serial killer had been the one to try to shoot her before burning down her home.

The guy risks being recaptured or even killed only to end up saying to hell with it all and putting a bullet through his sinister brain? It just didn’t make any sense.

“We all had our doubts, El.” Lucky handed Knox back the phone a final time. “But from what those pictures show, it’s pretty damn clear it was him.”

Hard to argue with that.

“Like I said,” Knox spoke up again. “The techs are picking the cabin apart as we speak. Trust me when I say if there’s so much as a hair to be found, we’ll find it.”

“I know you will, Detective.” Ellie flashed the tall brunette a small smile.

The warmth from Lucky’s hand returned as he offered the other man his other. “Appreciate you taking the time to deliver the news in person.”

“Yeah, well…” Knox’s light blue gaze slid to hers. “I figured after what that asshole put you through, you’d want to see the proof for yourself. I know I would have, if I were you.”

He wasn’t wrong. Even if she had seen the news before his phone call to Lucky, Ellie’s first instinct would have been to call Knox for confirmation. Then she would’ve insisted on going to the cabin, herself.

Now, thanks to the thoughtful detective standing a few feet away, she didn’t have to do either of those things. And she no longer had a need to hide.

That last one should’ve made her happy. Elated, even. With Harvey dead, and the irrefutable evidence against him where she was concerned, Ellie could go back to living a normal life. Or at least, as normal as possible for the time being.

She still had to find a new place to live, but that was only a temporary issue. The sizeable nest egg she’d managed to stash away since college was more than enough to help with the expense of staying in a hotel until then, so even that wasn’t a massive source of stress.

So why aren’t you jumping for joy or filled with wave after wave of relief?

Ellie’s gaze lifted to Lucky’s, and that’s when she realized he was the reason. Yes, she was beyond relieved that Harvey was no longer a threat to her or anyone else. And yes, she believed with every fiber of her being that this world was a much better place without him in it.

But she’d also become quite accustomed to spending time with a certain private security specialist. Sex aside—and much to her initial surprise—Ellie genuinely enjoyed hanging out with Lucky.

Talking. Laughing. Watching T.V.

It didn’t matter what they did. The fact of the matter was, she simply enjoyed his company. Add to that the amazing sex, and the fact that he also held the ability to cook, and there was no denying it.

Not anymore.

Surprising as it was, Ellie could no longer pretend the same man she’d previously rejected at every run—turned out to be exactly what she wanted—what she needed—in a serious romantic partner.

He made her laugh. Gave her comfort. Made her feel safe.

Lucky had known just when she’d needed to escape, and he’d sensed the exact right moment she’d been desperate to feel loved.

Yes, the sexy former SEAL had selflessly given her each of those things and more. All while keeping her safe from a monster determined to kill, no less. And when she thought about her time spent under his watchful eye, Ellie couldn’t help but think…

It’s no wonder you’re falling for him.

“I’ll keep you both up to date on the investigation,” Knox promised as he made his way back to Lucky’s door. “It goes without saying, as far as the two of you are concerned, I was never here.”

“Copy that.” Lucky slapped the other man on the shoulder as he turned the knob and opened the door. “Thanks again for letting us know.”

“Yes, thank you.” Ellie gave the detective a small wave.

Seconds later, Knox was gone, and she and Lucky were alone once again.

“Well that was unexpected.” He came over to where she still stood. “You okay?”

“Me?” She lifted her shoulder in a casual shrug. “Why wouldn’t I be? I mean, Harvey’s dead, and it’s pretty obvious he was behind all the madness surrounding me, so…yeah,” she lied. “I’m great.”

“Good.” Lucky’s returning smile didn’t quite reach his incredible gaze. “That’s good.”

“Yep.”

A very long, very uncomfortable silence arose as the two of them stood there, staring at each other without uttering a single word. When they did decide to speak again, both Ellie and Lucky began talking at the exact same time.

“So, I guess I should probably—”

“You know, you don’t have to—”

Cutting themselves off simultaneously, Lucky chuckled and motioned for her to speak first.

“You go.” The grin he gave her then was more like the ones she was used to seeing.

“Sorry, I…I was just going to say, I should probably start looking for a hotel to stay in while I search for a new place to live.”

His awkward smile returned, only this time it was accompanied by a flash of…something in his unreadable gaze. “Right. Of course. That, uh…that makes sense.”

Does it, though?

I mean, of course, it does.

Ellie had always heard it was never a good sign when one argued with oneself. Yet here she was, doing exactly that. And why?

Because you don’t want to sleep in some strange hotel bed. You want to sleep here…with him.

But that was ridiculous on several levels, so…

“I’ll, uh…I’ll go get my things. Er, Cassie’s things. You know what mean.”

“Sure.” Lucky shoved his hands into his heather gray pockets. “Just let me know when you’re ready, and I can drive you to your car.”

Crap. She’d forgotten all about her car, which was still parked in her building’s garage.

“Okay.”

“Okay.”

With nothing left to say, Ellie turned and started for the hall. She’d just passed by the small accent wall separating the hallway’s entrance from the rest of the open living room when she heard a rough and gravelly...

“Wait!”

She froze but refused to turn around. If she did…if she allowed herself even a glimpse of his entrancing stare, Ellie just knew she’d end up making a giant fool out of herself. So she planted her feet, kept her spine straight, and her focus on the door at the end of the hall.

Her attention was so fixed—her determination having risen to an all-time high—that she almost missed the man’s whispered plea.

“Don’t go.”

Her heart slammed against her ribs. Had he just said what she thought he did? Surely she’d misheard him. And as the seconds passed by, Ellie was all but convinced of that truth.

But then he took her completely off guard by telling her to, “Stay here.” His voice was drawing nearer now. “You can use the spare room if you want. You wouldn’t be expected to—”

“To what?” She broke her silence. As she did, Ellie spun herself around so she could face him.

Licking his lips as if he were the nervous one, Lucky slowly continued stalking toward her. “To sleep with me.” His throat worked as he swallowed hard and gave his head a single shake. “What I mean is, the offer to stay here isn’t contingent on us having sex.”

The emotional roller coaster she’d been forced to ride took another sudden turn. Unable to stop herself, Ellie began to inch forward. “That’s good to know,” she told him honestly. “But—”

“But what?” He cut her off as his socked foot took another broad step. “If you’re worried I’ll expect something from you just because of what happened last night, that’s not the kind of man I am. I mean, I’ll never turn you down, just so you know. But I’d rather cut off my right arm than ever make you think you owe me sex in return for my help or anything else. I guess what I’m trying to say…”

Lucky looked away, curssing beneath his breath. Though he didn’t say anything else at first, he continued covering the short distance left between them.

Ellie stood stalk still, frozen in place by his adorable—albeit slightly confusing—rambling. Her pulse quickened as nervous excitement filled her veins, and when Lucky finally did looked back up at her, she physically lost the ability to breath.

A desperation she’d never seen had invaded his hypnotic stare. He was still moving in, only inches away from her now, and he was staring back at her as if she were his only lifeline in the midst of a terrible storm.

Only there was no storm, and she was not the kind of woman a man like him should want. Lucky—sweet, funny, surprising Lucky—was good. An all-American hero. A man who risked his life on a regular basis to protect people he didn’t even know.

He should go for a woman who was wholesome and pure. The girl-next-door type whose mother wasn’t a selfish, gold-digging socialite wanna-be and whose father had actually been able to see his worth, even if it had only been through his daughter’s eyes.

“Damn it, El, I like you, okay?” Lucky’s blurted admission made her question his ability to read minds. “I like you a lot, and I think…” Another hard swallow. “I know things have progressed between us at like Mach Jesus rate and all, but I really think we’ve found something special here. At least, I know I have.”

Mach Jesus…

Ellie threw her head back and laughed. She couldn’t help it. The man just had that effect on her. Not only that, but he liked her. A lot, apparently. And unless she was totally misreading him, it wasn’t only because they’d had sex.

He doesn’t just like you. He thinks the two of you have something special.

Funny thing, that. She was pretty sure there was something special between them, too.

“You’re…laughing.” Lucky’s blank stare made her laugh even harder. “That wasn’t me being a smartass, El. I was being serious.”

“I know.” She struggled to catch her breathing. “I’m sorry. I’m not laughing…because I thought…you were kidding…”

Slow, steady breaths, El. That’s it. In through your nose, and out through your lips. There ya go. Now, let’s try this again.

Ellie cleared her throat and pushed back her shoulders. “Sorry,” she offered sincerely. “I didn’t mean to laugh, it’s just…Mach Jesus?” A small, half-snort-half-giggle escaped. “Really?”

For a moment, the only thing Lucky did was stare. Nerves danced in her belly, and her mind raced to figure out why.

Surely she hadn’t offended him. Not the man who had an endless supply of inappropriate jokes. But why else was he just standing there, staring at her like that?

The answer to that question came in the form of a kiss. Hard. Fast. Hot. And completely unexpected.

The man had moved so fast, Ellie hadn’t seen him coming until it was already there. With one hand cupping the nape of her neck, Lucky ravished her mouth with his as if he were a dying man, and her kiss was the cure.

“Need inside you,” he growled against her lips. “Now.”

His frantic tone and movements spurred her into action. With her own carnal needs rising to near-explosive levels, Ellie hurriedly began to strip.

Pieces of clothing began flying in all directions. Her blouse. His jeans. Her bra and pants. His boxers and socks.

Just as he had in his office the night before, Lucky lifted her into his arms and moved them to the nearest wall. Pressing her back against what was actually the inches-wide end of the accent wall, Lucky let one of her feet fall back to the floor as he hooked an arm beneath her opposite knee.

She didn’t think about condoms. Ellie couldn’t think of anything other than the overwhelming urge to feel him deep inside.

Reaching down between their frenzied bodies, she filled her fist with his velvety rod and positioned his hot tip to her slick entrance. Lucky didn’t wait to thrust his hips forward.

With one hand holding her bent leg as high as it would go, his other remained wrapped tightly around the exposed edge of the decorative wall’s square cut-out. Somewhere in the back of her mind, Ellie likened his position to a climber repelling down the side of a stories-tall structure.

But that image was fleeting, her focus consumed by the way Lucky’s magnificent body stretching hers to its limits as he drove himself in and out of her greedy sex. Again. And again.

And again.

“God, yes!” she cried out, her lust-filled voice echoing off the living room walls.

“Come on, baby. Gotta get you there. Not…gonna….last…”

As if his words were permission to come, Ellie’s head fell back against the wall, and a low, keening sound filled the air around her. With her climax still thundering through her, Lucky’s movements grew rougher until—

“Ah, Christ. I’m gonna…”

His gaze grew blind with pleasure as the man’s own orgasm hit. Ellie could feel his hot essence as it filled her core over and over again, but she couldn’t bring herself to care.

The shot she took was nearly a hundred percent effective, and even if it wasn’t—

Whoa, there, Ellie girl. Embarking on a new relationship was one thing, but babies? Have you lost your everlovin’ mind?

Apparently, she had, because for the first time in…forever…the idea of becoming a mother didn’t totally freak her out as it had in the past. Still, that stage of her life—if she ever got there—was still a long way away.

Let’s see how this thing with Lucky goes first. Then we can worry about other, larger life decisions.

Now that was a plan she could get behind. Live for today and all that.

The past was the past, and she was finally learning to take advantage of the present. Tomorrow was never a guarantee. Not for anyone. And while the uncertainty of the future still terrified her, Ellie refused to remain stuck in place while the rest of the world lived on.