11. Lake

LAKE

We'd finally settledin for the night.

Standing in front of the mirror, I swiped a circle on it with my palm to clear the steam so I could look at myself. The shower was soothing after the long day we had, but tired eyes still stared back at me.

The last couple of days had taken their toll.

It had been an emotional rollercoaster being around Bronson again. Add in the fact that it seemed I was on the receiving end of a very unbalanced individual"s unwanted attention and I felt like I was being challenged like never before.

"You are capable of getting through this," I told the woman staring back at me.

I had been taking care of myself for a long time, my daughter too, but whatever was going on seemed too big for me alone. A rotten feeling sat in my gut and unease settled around me the second I felt as if someone had invaded our sanctuary—our home. I'd known someone had been lurking in the area and had mentioned it to Ruby at the hospital. Before I knew it Bronson was involved, along with the men of No Surrender.

It was for the best though.

Not only was I scared but I had my daughter to consider and I'd do anything to keep her safe. What seemed odd was that Bronson also wanted nothing more than to protect us both. How did I trust his intentions? Not that he would mean to hurt us but getting involved and then him walking away again would do just that. For Stormi and me.

My mind drifted back to my conversation with Bronson right before he'd left for the evening. We stood at the door and he said, "If you need anything, call or text me and I'll come running."

Before I could stop myself, those crazy emotions I mentioned took over and out tumbled, "You never came when I needed you the most before. You just left. So why would it be different now?"

A tortured look contorted his face, but I couldn't just wash away all the wounds he'd inflicted when he'd run away from me. Damned if I didn't want to forgive him though. I just didn't know how to do that completely while making sure I wasn't hurt again in the process.

Bronson blew out a breath and schooled the emotions running wild across his face and stepped into my personal space. I looked down at the ground, unable to meet his eyes and worked to keep any tears at bay.

Why was it so hard?

When his finger touched under my chin to raise my head so my eyes could meet his, a shiver coursed through me and my body physically trembled at such a simple feel of his skin on mine.

"I promise, sweetheart. I will never walk away again." His eyes bored into mine, an apology dancing in their depths, begging for forgiveness. "Repairing our friendship is first on my list and I won"t stop until I do it."

His hand moved and he brushed his knuckles down my face softly. "I'm going to hold you now so if you don't want that you need to tell me."

My body moved closer, craving what it had missed for so long. Bronson had always held me close, whether it was to hug me goodbye or hold me when I needed comfort. And I needed that right then.

I was helpless against the pull he had on me.

My mouth stayed firmly closed, no words escaped.

In seconds I was against Bronson's hard chest, his arms wrapped around me, and his woodsy scent filling my senses.

And those darn tears I hoped wouldn't fall, tumbled.

He was bigger, more toned, but he was still Bronson.

Bronson was home and I felt safe in his arms.

When he pulled back, he promised me once more that he would never leave me, and I truly started to believe him.

Just before walking out the door and reminding me to call him if I needed him, he said, "I'm going to kiss you one day soon. I never forgot what It felt like that night before I made the dumbest mistake of my life, but I know it will be even more earth-shattering when it happens again."

Once the door was closed and he was gone, something became very clear. The game of tug-of-war had come to an end. It was obvious which side had won.

Those old feelings were in the lead and always would be.

I was going to forgive Bronson.

Goosebumps raced across my skin.

Lost in thoughts about Bronson, I'd been standing in front of the mirror in nothing more than a towel. A super-plush luxurious bath towel, I might add. If it wouldn't fall off me as I tossed and turned in my sleep I'd probably use it instead of pajamas.

They were as nice as the condo and its furnishings. But while everything was top of the line, it all had a very homey feel. I had no doubt the ladies had a hand in decorating.

It was crazy the company had kept two places for years just to have places for people to stay if needed. Though, from the sounds of the stories that were told at the party, they'd put both residences to good use.

After brushing out my hair, I walked into the bedroom, pulled out a pair of shorts and tank top from the drawer to throw on, then wandered into the living room where my daughter was.

Stormi was conked out on the couch having fallen asleep there after everyone left. When we arrived at our home away from home, some of the women, their men, and kids had made their way over one by one to see if I needed anything. My daughter was in heaven having someone to play with for a time, but then she'd crashed.

God, I was thankful that someone covered my shift for the night so I didn't have to scramble to figure out who would watch my girl. However, I had many offers from my new friends to take care of Stormi day or night whenever I needed some help. Ruby, Alley, Capri, you name it, they all were willing.

It was finally kicking in, I had friends.

Puttering around the room, I moved over to the bookshelf and started checking out the books on display. A smile split my face when I saw Alley's name. I pulled the paperback from the shelf and my eyes widened.

"Oh my," I breathed.

The woman knew how to pick her cover models. Reading had always been an escape for me. Turning it over, I read the blurb and was sure the book was exactly what I needed. Taking it back to the couch, I plopped down next to Stormi, pulled my legs up under me, and settled in to read what I had a pretty good idea was going to be a story that would take my mind off things.

Hours later, I jolted awake to the phone ringing. Alley's book lay open on my stomach and my phone sat on the end table next to the couch where I'd laid it.

Who the heck would be calling me so late?

Leaning over, I peered at the screen and froze. It read, unknown caller. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up and I knew I shouldn't answer, but what if I was just being paranoid? Wondering if it could be someone who really needed to get hold of me, I grabbed the phone and answered.

"Hello?"

It was a big mistake.

I should have listened to that little voice in the back of my head.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk," through the line came an evil voice. "You know you really shouldn't leave your phone number on your fridge for just anyone to see." Oh my god, he's in my house.

"Did you honestly think running away from home and not going to work would help you?"

My heart started beating erratically and fear seized my lungs. I couldn"t breathe.

"You're wrong. You"re not getting out of this," the man said.

I punched the end button on the phone, cutting off whatever he was about to say next. I couldn't think of anyone who I'd made mad or who'd want to harm Stormi and me. Nothing was making sense.

With trembling fingers, I dialed the first number that came to mind.

When he answered, I said, "Can you come running now?"

"Lake, honey, what's wrong?" Bronson asked.

"I need you. I need you now."

There was rustling on the other end and a door closing.

"On my way, baby. I will be there in two seconds."

And he'd told the truth. There was a knock on my door right after the words left his mouth.

"It's me. Can you open the door?"

On shaky legs, I got up and moved across the room. I put my hand on the handle but didn't turn it.

"It's okay, sweetheart, just turn the knob and I will be right here," he told me in a soothing tone.

When I opened the door and saw Bronson standing there, I threw myself into his arms.

"You really came," I mumbled against his chest.

His strong hands ran up and down my back.

"Yeah, I'm right here, Cupcake."

All the endearments I heard in the last couple minutes that had slipped from his lips was something I'd have to think about later.

Right then, all I could do was soak in the security I felt in his arms.