Chapter 5

CHAPTER 5

B ella

The hard slam of the door made me wince.

Jagger was angry with me.

What should I care? Okay, so he’d provided me with a fabulous place to stay at least for a couple of nights. He hadn’t hassled me about who I was and why I was here. I pressed my fingers across my lips, even laughing a little. I hadn’t done that in so long and it felt good.

Just like his touch.

My mind shifted to a few additional naughtier visions, images that shouldn’t be entering my mind.

However, the thought of seeing his body devoid of clothing left a slight flutter in my heart and a wave of heat in my pussy. I had to be exhausted. There was no other excuse for my thoughts.

But whew.

Rugged.

Chiseled.

Buff body.

What more could a girl ask for?

“What are you doing here, girl?” I’d been impetuous in my decision, emailing my resignation to my boss like some coward. I’d felt I’d had no other choice. Yet I kept asking myself: What now? I didn’t have any answers. At least we were safe.

For now.

With Cally sound asleep, I headed into the kitchen, opening every cabinet and the pantry door. When I noticed a couple of bottles of red wine, I almost jumped for joy. Maybe the last thing I needed was alcohol, but my nerves were still on edge. Using my maiden name wouldn’t mean anything to a man like Joel Brockford.

Maybe Susie would keep his sorry ass busy and he’d forget about me.

At least I could hope for miracles.

I tugged my phone from my purse, grateful to see I had internet service. Checking in with my bestie was at least a hold onto my past. The furnishings inside the A-frame cottage were incredible, comfortable with a flair of color. One wall was painted a bright turquoise, which complemented the artwork adorning the walls. The leather furniture wasn’t something you usually saw in a rented facility unless it was a posh hotel in the penthouse suite.

I’d stayed in a couple during my marriage, the vacations we’d shared meant for a king and queen.

But all of it had been a lie.

I eased down on the couch and the sadness of my ordeal almost overwhelmed me all over again. No matter how many promises I made to myself I wouldn’t allow Joel to hurt me any longer, I’d resorted to extreme sadness almost every night.

The feeling of Jagger’s kiss lingered as I dialed Esme’s number. Even the heat of his body when he’d been so close to me had been a welcome change in the iciness I’d felt for months. Just to imagine for a few seconds what it would be like to have a man embrace me with passion in his heart instead of anger was an excellent reminder of why I’d left.

I closed my eyes, envisioning the kiss in front of the fire.

If only things had been different and I’d been able to let go.

That wasn’t going to happen for a long time if ever. I’d learned my lesson about trusting a man with sexy dimples and a killer smile.

“Well, hello, sunshine,” Esme said as she answered. “I was beginning to wonder about you. What took you so long?”

“You don’t even know where I landed.”

“So why don’t you tell me?”

What was the harm in letting my best friend know where I was? She’d been a good friend for years, my maid of honor at my wedding. I obviously had trust issues because I didn’t answer her right away. It was silly. No, my hesitation was ridiculous. Esme would never betray me.

“Some small town called Danger Falls.”

She burst into laughter. “You ended up at a place called Danger Falls? You’re pushing karma. Aren’t you? You are one gutsy lady though.”

I hadn’t thought of it that way. “Maybe, but karma made my choice for me.”

“At least you still have a sense of adventure. So, where are you staying?”

“A sinfully gorgeous cabin in the mountains.”

“Wow. You spared no expense. Good for you. Now, you just need to find a hot man and everything will be better.”

I almost choked. She almost always caused that reaction in me. The woman had no filter, which I adored about her. I’d learned a long time ago to keep my mouth shut, never making waves. Being noticed wasn’t always a good thing, which was one reason I’d been shocked Joel had sought me out at a bar. I wasn’t flashy and hated sexy dresses. It was better to remain in the background.

“You know what they say about getting under a man to get over one?” My bestie added insult to injury, which prompted a few sexy and totally inappropriate images about Jagger.

“Not in this lifetime.”

“Then you’ll die old and lonely.”

“Why, thank you very much,” I told her.

“I’m serious. There must be a hot dude where you’re staying?”

I glanced around the living room, more impressed by my surroundings than before. I could only imagine what the views looked like in the daylight. One wall was entirely made of windows and wood beams. With the huge stone fireplace and raised hearth, I could seriously learn to relax.

“A few of them, but it doesn’t matter.”

The moment I made the statement, I knew I’d made a mistake. “You met a hot guy. I can tell!”

She was way too excited.

“He just helped me get the cabin. Nothing more. He’s a grumpy bastard anyway.” Why was I providing any ammunition to the woman?

“Uh-huh. I know you better than you think I do. Is he a dreamboat?”

The answer was a profound yes, but I refused to get carried away on her slow boat to China. “He’s okay. But a total ass.”

“You know what they say…”

“Don’t you dare. I didn’t leave town to hook up with some grumpy asshole.”

“Me thinks you doth protest too heartedly.”

“Stop it. I’m going to sleep now.” After I consumed at least one glass of wine.

“Fine, but think about what I said.”

“Never,” I told her.

“You will die so lonely. So very lonely.” We both laughed and I could tell she had more on her mind.

“Just say it.”

“It’s really nothing, but…”

“But what?”

“Just be careful, Bella. I don’t want to see you get hurt again.”

“I have no intention of allowing that to happen, girlie. I’ll call you in a couple days.”

“You better. Look, do you need some money? I know the bastard froze your accounts. I’ll wire you some if you need it.”

She had a trust fund she tried not to use so money wouldn’t be an issue, but I just couldn’t stand the thought of borrowing from her. “I’m okay for now.”

“Are you sure I can’t get my cousin to convince Joel he needs to unfreeze those accounts?”

A nervous laugh popped from my lips. “Just hold onto that thought.”

“I will. Good night, girl. I’m going to remain worried. Call me.”

“Yes, Mother.”

I tossed the phone onto the couch, leaning back and trying to absorb what I’d actually done. My actions had taken courage and a little of the chutzpa that had been robbed from me. Just surviving wasn’t an option. Neither was just building a new life. I’d done so a dozen times before. It was old hat.

Although with Cally in tow, whatever decisions I made would have her best interest at heart. Plus, I had to make money. Everything was so complicated: name, my credentials, everything.

Hopefully, time would allow me to figure out how to handle the huge mess.

As I closed my eyes, my mind played tricks on me as usual and I almost jerked up from the couch, certain he was in the room. As usual, the bastard won a small battle once again. A single tear slipped down my cheek.

What bothered me even more than being here alone in an unknown location was the sick feeling that something was coming, something dark and scary. Maybe I was certain Joel would make good on his threats.

But what if it was something else, something equally as terrifying?