Dare to Hold (Dare to Love 4)

“I’m dialing 911!”

She lifted the phone.

“You stupid bitch!” He slammed his hand against the door, and then she heard the sound of footsteps storming down the hall. She wondered what her neighbors thought. It wasn’t the first time they’d heard screaming coming from her apartment. She cringed in embarrassment.

She was still shaking, and there was nothing she could do to calm down. She couldn’t pour herself a glass of wine. She couldn’t take a Xanax. She just had to deal.

She lowered herself back to the couch and drew in a deep breath. She wasn’t sure how long she remained motionless, seeing nothing, doing nothing but shivering. The last time she’d seen Mike, she’d told him she was pregnant … and he’d been angry. She still didn’t think he’d deliberately pushed her, but who knew?

She’d tripped and fallen back into the curio cabinet with all her glass items. She’d ended up bleeding and almost losing the baby. The doctor couldn’t say for sure if stress or the jarring from the fall had caused the bleeding. She was only two weeks off bed rest now. SShe’d been on bedrest for a few days and had had no problems in the two weeks since. She didn’t need Mike returning and causing problems. And she didn’t want to be afraid whenever she went out.

The sound of the doorbell jarred her and she jumped. God, not again. She rose and tiptoed to the peephole and looked out.

Scott.

Thank God. She didn’t stop to think, just unhooked the chain she’d installed after Mike had moved out and let Scott inside.

* * *

After his sister had ripped into him, Scott had actually felt bad, wondering if he’d pushed Meg into something she wasn’t ready for. He decided to call her … but his car just happened to pull off her exit. Yeah. He’d keep telling himself that.

He rang her doorbell, not even knowing if she was home. The door swung open wide, and he found himself facing a pale, wide-eyed Meg.

His protective instincts swung into high gear. “What’s wrong?” He stepped inside and shut the door behind him.

“I… My ex was here,” she said, her big brown eyes damp.

Rage at the thought of anyone scaring her, hurting her, filled him. “Here? As in inside?”

She shook her head. “No. I didn’t open the door.”

He breathed out a relieved breath. “Good girl.”

“But he kept banging and yelling, cursing, saying we needed to talk.”

“Not happening,” Scott said through clenched teeth.

“Not if I have anything to say about it,” she agreed. “I didn’t answer him. But he’s not going to just go away. Restraining order or not.”

Her hands shook, and he clasped both his palms around her cold extremities and held on. Despite the serious situation, he couldn’t help but notice how soft her skin was, how delicate she felt beneath his fingers.

“I don’t understand. I don’t want anything from him. Not a dime, even though his family can more than afford it. I just want him to sign away his parental rights. Why won’t he just do that?” she asked, her voice trembling.

Scott filed the information about his family’s money away for later. “People have strange reasons for doing things.” He’d have to figure out Mike’s. But right now, Meg was his only concern, and she needed to calm down.

He led her to the couch, where she’d obviously been sitting with her open laptop and notepad. He sat down, pulled her onto his lap, and she immediately curled into him, seeking comfort he was only too happy to give.

“It’ll be fine,” he assured her, wrapping his arms around her smaller frame. She felt so delicate, so perfect in his arms.

“I hope so.” She curled her fingers into his shirt and rested her head against his chest with a small quivering sigh.

“I won’t let him hurt you.” He stroked the back of her hair, inhaling the fragrant scent of her shampoo. Memories of sliding into her wet heat hit him without warning, and his body responded.

He swallowed a curse, reminding himself she sought reassurance, not sex, but his stiff cock wasn’t listening. It didn’t help when she wriggled deeper into him, her face tucked against his neck, her breath hot on his skin.

He needed to think with his head. The one with common sense that knew she was frightened. “Hey.” He brushed her hair out of her face. “You’re safe now.”

“I know. I just feel so stupid, thinking a piece of paper would keep him away. And I don’t know what to do now.”