For You (Coming Home To The Grove 5)

“It’s going to be okay, Chrissy. I promise, okay?” He holds me by the shoulders and doesn’t soften his grip until I look up at him. He’s concerned, it’s obvious, and I put my hands onto his waist, whether to reassure him or me I’m not sure.

He pulls his phone from his pocket. “I’m going to make some calls. Stay right here.”

I go to the couch and sit down while he steps onto the porch. I know I need to be doing something, but I don’t know what. Only a few minutes go by, and he comes back in.

“Okay, the locksmith is coming to change all the locks. And I called the home alarm company and they’re on their way too. They’re putting alarms on the doors and windows and putting in a camera.”

I hold my hand up to stop him, but he just shakes his head. “It’s not negotiable, Chrissy. If you and Katie are going to stay here, I need to know you’re safe. You need to know you’re safe.”

Because I completely agree with what he’s saying, I nod my head. “Yeah, yeah, you’re right.”

I fall back onto the couch, and Bart sits down next to me. “Ya know, I can look into David further. It’s what I do. I don’t like the idea of him harassing and threatening you.”

I simply nod, unable to say anything.

I don’t know if it’s his soft voice that sounds seriously worried for me and Katie or the fact that he came so quickly, or maybe it’s the fact that I don’t have to do this alone, but it all wells up inside me, and before I know it, before I can stop myself, I lean in to hug him. His arms around me tighten, and all I feel is a warm, masculine body pressed against mine. I lean into it, reveling in the warmth and soft touch. I pull back just a little, but it’s hard because he’s still holding me tightly. I look into his eyes, and I know that mine are mirroring what I see in his. Desire turns his eyes a darker shade of blue, and before I can even consider the consequences, I lean my face toward his and touch my lips to his.

Upon contact, I gasp. I knew that kissing Bart would change me. I knew it would be good, but I didn’t know how good. His hands go to each side of my face, and he holds me tightly as if he’s afraid I’m going to pull away.

As if I could. I’m drawn to him, my hands on his chest, and I cling to him. I move, and before I know it, he has me pulled onto his lap, and he’s holding me like I’m the most precious thing that’s ever been in his arms.

He groans and pulls away, his head resting against mine. His breaths are coming out in pants, and he utters the exact words I’m feeling. “I don’t want to stop.”

I shake my head. “Then don’t.”

I don’t have to say it again. He stands up, holding me in his arms, and walks down the hall. “First door on the left,” I tell him, knowing exactly where I want him to take me.

My life is in chaos. There’s so much going on, but I don’t have the will to say no to him. I can’t, and I don’t want to.

He kicks open the door with his shoe just as the doorbell rings. We both freeze, staring back at one another, and then he sighs. “That’s probably the guy with the alarm or the locksmith.”

I struggle in his arms until he puts me on my feet. I try to walk past him, but he stops me. “I know you didn’t sleep well last night. You should have called me then. Let me take care of all this. You lie down and take a nap.”

I hesitate briefly, but the thought of a nap feels good, and I don’t even try to hold back a yawn. I nod my head, and he starts to walk out of the bedroom, but I stop him. “Are you coming back?”

“Hell, yeah I am, honey. Once they’re gone I’m hoping we can pick up where we left off.”

A shiver goes through my body at his possessive tone. I slide under the covers and watch him as he smiles once more and pulls the door closed behind him.

12

Bart

Two hours have passed, and the people are almost done with setting the alarms and locks. I watched them as they worked, and then even made sure to do the window in Chrissy’s room myself since she was still sleeping. She didn’t even move while I was in there, telling me just how tired she really is.

When I finally usher the guys out of the house, I almost run to the bedroom, only slowing down once I get outside of her closed bedroom door. I know she’s vulnerable. I know I should go out to the couch and wait for her to wake up, but I physically can’t. I want and need to be near her.