The Griffin's Mate (Hideaway Cove 1)

As the water retreated he launched himself forward, sprinting across the thin stretch of sand to where rocks rose out of the surf. Lainie held on tight to his shoulders as he leaped up the piled rocks and onto the stone path.

She could feel his heartbeat thundering against her chest as he ran. Her own heart was in her throat. If this didn’t work—she couldn’t think about it.

If she looked straight ahead, all she could see was the ocean, waiting to drag her away. If she turned her head, it was the sheer cliff whipping past her face as Harrison ran to beat the waves. She squeezed her eyes shut.

It felt like years later that Harrison’s pace slowed. He squeezed Lainie gently. “We’re safe.”

She opened her eyes, and the first thing she saw was Harrison, staring back at her. His hazel eyes were warm, and looking into them, she felt safe.

“Let’s get you home,” he murmured softly.

CHAPTER TWELVE

HARRISON

Harrison barged through the front door of Mackaby Workshops, ignoring Pol’s shout of surprise as he rushed past the waiting room. He had something more important to look after: his mate, who was still shivering in his arms.

He took the stairs to his second floor apartment three at a time, not stopping until he reached the bathroom. He lowered Lainie to the ground and held her to his chest as he turned on the shower.

Lainie didn’t bother stripping off before stepping into the shower.

“Oh, this is wonderful,” she breathed, putting her face under the water. She wiped her hair off her face and looked up at Harrison. Her black eyes were ringed with dark circles, but she was smiling. “I can’t believe we made it out of there. You saved me, Harrison.”

Lainie grabbed his hand and pulled him into the shower with her. Harrison put his arms around her. Even in the hot shower, she was shaking.

She leant her forehead against his chest. “I can’t believe any of this is really happening,” she whispered.

Harrison’s heart wrenched. He wished he could believe she meant that in a good way—but there was no way that was possible. She’d been insulted, humiliated, and almost killed. She was probably just amazed to be alive, and desperate to leave Hideaway behind forever.

For now, though, she seemed happy to stand encircled in his arms.

Eventually, she shook herself. “God. What am I doing? Wearing a raincoat in the shower?” She wriggled free of Harrison’s arms. “Help me out of this, will you?”

Harrison gladly complied. Lainie’s coat was as wet inside as it was outside, the same as his had been. Under it, her silk blouse was transparent. Harrison would have found the sight enticing, if it wasn’t for the shaky way Lainie was moving.

“When did you last eat?” he asked, frowning.

“What? Oh…” Lainie grimaced. “Breakfast?”

“You—” Harrison began, and bit his tongue. You had a lot else on your mind today, he thought, kissing the top of her head. “Never mind. I’ll put something together.”

Harrison dried off and wrapped the towel around his waist. Before he went through to the kitchen, he paused, and looked back at Lainie. She was standing under the water, head tilted back, eyes closed. Safe.

No, she’s not, he realized. Not safe from her own memories and pain. And she won’t be, until she knows the full story.

He knew what he had to do.

*Harrison! What the hell is going on?*

Pol. Harrison closed the bathroom door behind himself. It didn’t seem right to talk to Pol while he was looking at Lainie.

*There was a situation up at the old Eaves house,* he said simply.

*I’ll say! We heard the crash from here. It looks like half the house fell into the sea. Christ—don’t tell me you and Lainie were up there?*

*We made it out.*

*Jesus, Harrison. Enough with the hero act. What the hell were you doing up there?*