For the Love of Anna (The Town of Pearl 1)

Her breathing was rapid, her chest blotchy and red as she cried her heart out.

“I’ve got you, baby, you’re safe here with me. No one is going to hurt you ever again, doll,” he whispered, holding her against his chest.

She was light and fragile in his arms, like a wounded animal, he took care of her and swore he would protect her as long as she was with him. She seemed to be calming down as she held his shirt in a death grip and snuggled closer.

She continued to moan and cry more softly when, suddenly, her eyes began to flutter open. “He doesn’t love me. He never loved me.”

The words tore through the room. Charlie caught the response from her words as he scanned everyone’s eyes. Then he held Anna’s gaze. He saw the fear, felt her cringe and try to pull away, but he wouldn’t have it.

“Shhh now, baby doll. I’m here, and I’m not going to leave you.”

“Anna, I love you, honey. Please let Charlie take care of you.” Stacy caressed Anna’s arms as she cried.

“Don’t cry, Stacy. I’m sorry…I…I didn’t mean for this to happen,” Anna whispered, her voice barely audible to everyone’s ears.

Charlie pulled her closer against his chest.

* * * *

Anna was relieved that she wasn’t still a captive of the bad men back in New York. The nightmare was so real, she was embarrassed to find she obviously woke the whole house. It felt good to be in Charlie’s arms. She felt safe, yet she was scared. The fact that she only had a bra on and a skimpy pair of shorts had her trying to wiggle free and cover herself. He had taken care of her earlier. She felt the bandage against her ribs and knew Charlie must have felt that she needed them wrapped. She was very tired as her eyes felt heavy, and she began to give in to Stacy’s request that Charlie help her.

Charlie held her tighter, then sat on the bed, cradling her in his arms. Stacy placed a blanket over her body at Charlie’s request.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered one last time before closing her eyes. Her head hurt, and her body throbbed. The dizziness overtook her. She felt hot. Really hot. She couldn’t help but think Charlie holding her was the culprit. No man ever held her. She never got this close to one and forgot about her father.

The thought caused a deep sob to escape her lips. Charlie pulled her closer against his chest and lay on the bed with her. “You’re safe, Anna. Close your eyes, darling, and get some sleep.”

* * * *

Anna awoke feeling warm, content, and very safe. Her face was wedged up against something big and solid that smelled like men’s aftershave. The fear filled her immediately as she opened her eyes. Charlie.

He had stayed with her last night just like he promised. The feel of his hand pressed against her backside and the fact that her leg was wedged in between his should have made her try to escape and get away. She was afraid and had never been this close to a man before, let alone a man as big as Charlie.

She took in the sight of him, and her heart pounded against her chest. He was handsome in a John Cusack kind of way. His hair was sandy brown and a little long, but it did him justice. She remembered his eyes were light brown, like extra light brown sugar, not the dark kind. And his body, his body was muscular and large. She felt like a small child in his arms, yet her body was filled with lust like a wanton woman.

She released an exasperated breath, and he stirred. She stilled in his arms and closed her eyes.

“Oh, God,” she heard him state as he slowly removed his hand from her backside and gently pulled her leg from between his.

She played possum for a few seconds while he gathered himself, cursing under his breath and pulling his arms away from her so that he wouldn’t be touching her body so intimately.

She had to submerge the giggle and giddiness she felt. That was immediately replaced by loss. Slowly, she opened her eyes. His smile lit up her heart.

“Good morning,” he whispered. She scooted away from him.

He touched her hip, gently stopping her from moving farther across the bed.

“No, please stay where you are. I promise nothing happened. I didn’t try anything,” he stated.

“You didn’t?” she asked, raising her eyebrows in challenge.

“No. I held you in my arms all night. I wouldn’t do that to you.”

He touched her forehead, and she closed her eyes. The feel of his skin against her skin warmed her heart. He was caring and compassionate the way a man should be to a woman.

She felt her body tense, and he immediately rose from the bed.

“Your fever broke.”