Run To Rome

She recoiled against the door. Trent hesitated, unsure how to handle her reaction. Women never pulled away from his touch. Surely, she understood by now that he wouldn’t hurt her?

He opened his mouth to reassure her at the exact moment her chin lifted and her gaze locked with his. The blue of her eyes were lit with a fire the likes he’d never seen before.

“My name is Halli.”

Those eyes were really quite amazing, even in the dimness of the garage. Trent blinked and focused on her words.

“Right, you did mention that. Halli, please come inside and I’ll fix us that drink.”

Her eyes narrowed to a piercing glare. “I’m not going anywhere with you.”

One corner of his mouth crooked up. “Hmm. And yet here you sit, in my car, in my garage. If you think about it, the house isn’t that much farther.”

She immediately threw off her seatbelt and shoved open her door. Trent followed suit, thankful she’d decided to see reason so quickly. A swift shot, or three, of whiskey should steady his unwelcome resurgence of nerves.

But Halli didn’t head for the door in front of them. She bolted for the one leading out to the driveway. Trent caught up as she yanked on the doorknob. She managed three inches of sunlight before his palm above her head slammed the door shut. His other hand gripped the doorframe, imprisoning her between his body and the door. “Where th—”

She threw her head back and her skull connected with his chin. Pain shot into his jaw, accompanied by her low grunt.

“Sonofa—”

A sharp elbow to his ribs on the left side forced the air from his lungs and sent him back a half step. She pushed against him with her body, reaching for the door handle again.

“Dammit, stop!” Trent closed his arms around her, banding them tight to avoid any more vicious jabs.

She tossed her head and kicked at his shins. Pinning her head with his cheek against hers, he growled in her ear, lifted her off the ground, and used his weight to press her against the door. “Stop.”

Their labored breathing mingled in the sudden silence. Trent became aware of his heart pounding in his chest about the same time her camouflaged curves registered. The frumpy, baggy clothes concealed a slim body that was a lot stronger than he ever would’ve guessed. Right now, with her firm, rounded derriere pressed intimately against his front, a twinge of physical response took him by surprise.

Tamping down on the inappropriate reaction, he relaxed his hold the slightest bit while shifting his hips. “I’m not going to hurt you.”

Her breath caught on a half-laugh, half-sob. Guilt mushroomed, magnified by his forceful restraint. He sought to reassure her the only way he knew how. “Trust me, sweetheart, you’re safe with me.”

This time, she outright laughed, minus any humor.

“Trust you. With your kidnapping, and car chase, and talk of murder.”

“I understand you’re scared.” He took a deep breath and admitted, “So am I.”

She gave an unattractive snort. “Shain West isn’t scared of anything.”

A flash of annoyance overrode his guilt. “Shain’s just a character and you know it.”

“Aw, sorry, sweetie.”

Her pointed sarcasm hit home and he really wanted a drink now. “Can I let you go?”

“Dumb question.”

Another growl rumbled from his throat. “If I let you go, are you going to try to run again?”

“Smarter question.”

He liked her better when she was silent. She hadn’t looked like she’d be this much trouble on the sidewalk next to the lake. His clenched teeth made his tender jaw ache worse and a headache began to throb at his temples.

“I’m not kidding around here. I’ve got a lot of shit to figure out and I don’t have time to keep running after you.”

Another humorless laugh. “Then don’t.”