Never Let go Read online

  “I think I do too but I hated home more.”

  Every muscle in my body goes tight. “Are you okay?”

  She squeezes my hand that she's holding with hers.

  “Was it your father?”

  “He was just a dick. He didn't hurt me physically.”

  “There are other ways to hurt people,” I say. I wish it wasn't so damn dark. I want to see her face.

  “Was yours a bastard too?”

  “He was a piece of work.” He tried to rule our home with an iron fist. It didn't work so well the bigger I got. Then he tried to hit my mom. I wasn't as big as him yet but I did know how to use a shotgun. He’d taught me. He lived to regret that one.

  “Mine was just absent. I did the boarding school thing and then college. He was always working and that was his life. I was an inconvenience to him. I hit it big my last year in college so I didn't have to go home. I had enough money to bounce around.” She lets out a long sigh. “Nothing ever felt right so I never made a home anywhere.” She shrugs her shoulders as though it’s not a big deal, but I know better.

  “But now?” She said that tonight was her last show. I can’t see someone bouncing from hotel to hotel if they don’t have a real reason to. Doing it for work is one thing. Her job required her to move around the country. Now that is gone so it only makes sense that she should live with me. I don’t say that out loud. Her coming to stay with me is the first step I’m taking in convincing her that I’m her home.

  “Now I’m going to try and find roots.” It’s a good thing that I know exactly where she can put down those roots. I have all kinds of land that she can settle into. Her roots could go on forever. Fuck, that sounds good. “PJ is going to flip when she gets back to the hotel and I’m not there.”

  “I’m sure Chief Clark will tell her where to find me.”

  “Shouldn't I be worried that I don’t know where we’re going?” She looks out the window. “We’re in the middle of nowhere. You live out here?”

  “I do.”

  “But you’re in oil, right? Shouldn't you have some fancy place in the city?” I’m not surprised she already knows something about me. I have no doubt PJ had filled her in on some things when she all but kicked us out of the room. I’d be disappointed in her if she hadn’t.

  “Yes, I’m in oil but I also have a lot of land that I tend to. I’m taking you to my ranch, where you’ll be safe.”

  “I’ve never been on a ranch before.” Her voice perks up. Damn, I really wish I could see her face right now.

  “I’ll show you all around tomorrow. Take you out on the horses.”

  “That sounds like a lot of fun.” Her hand holding mine loosens, and she starts to run it up and down, caressing me. I grit my teeth, my already hard cock starting to throb because all I can think about is that hand wrapped around my dick, doing the same thing.

  “We should call and check on Brandon.”

  I skip right over that. I don’t know how close she is to this guy but it bugs me. It shouldn't. Of course she wants to check on him. He worked for her and he got hurt doing it. But I was suddenly like a child not wanting to share something. That something being her.

  “We’re almost there. Let me get you inside and you can call whoever you like from my phone. In fact, power yours off to be safe.”

  “You think someone is tracking me?”

  “I doubt it but better safe than sorry. Your driver was assaulted tonight. Let's not take any chances.” She reaches into her bag, doing as I ask. Her trust in me is already there. I don’t know why but I’ll take that too, just like I took the opportunity to steal her away to my home.

  I am going to give her roots. Soon mine will be hers. We’ll be tangled together for the rest of our lives.

  6

  Bunny

  My eyes fly open when two arms lift me from the car. “Wrap your arms around me, Bunny.”

  I do as he says, resting my head on his chest.

  “Are we here?” I ask, breathing in his rich smell. He smells like a man.

  “Yeah.” He carries me inside as I try and get my eyes to adjust to the darkness. A light flips on a moment later.

  “You want a bed or food?” he asks. Now the light is too bright for me to see anything.

  “Food. I should call PJ too. I don’t want her to worry.” He nods and keeps on carrying me as my eyes adjust to the light. A moment later he sets me down in a chair inside a giant kitchen. Everything is done in greys and white. It’s modern with a touch of country too.

  “This is really nice.” I look around, taking in the kitchen. This place looks brand new.

  “Yeah, Mom made me update it.” He shrugs. “I told her to do whatever she wanted and—” He lifts his hands. I smile because that’s sweet. I love that they’re so close. I can see how much he respects and loves her whenever he talks about her.

  “I love how you are with your mom.” He puts my bag on the counter before pulling out his cell phone and handing it to me.

  “I’m a pretty simple man. If I can do something to make her happy then I’ll do it. Why wouldn't I? Isn't that what you do for the people you love?” His words melt my insides, but they also make me realize that I’ve never really had someone to do that for me in my life.

  “Yeah, I guess so. My dad wouldn't do anything for me if it caused him to be inconvenienced at all.”

  “He’s a dumbass then.” Jameson’s jaw clenches. “I’m going to get out of this monkey suit and I’ll come back and make you something to eat.”

  “Thanks.”

  “Code is 1785.” He nods to his phone. My eyes stay on his as he moves closer to me. He brushes a lock of hair out of my face. “Damn you’re beautiful.”

  I lean into his touch. “You’re not too bad yourself.”

  He lets out a deep chuckle. “I don’t think anyone has ever called me beautiful.” His eyes go to my mouth. “I’ll be right back.” His hand starts to drop. I reach out, grabbing it and stopping him. I don’t want to let this moment between us slip away.

  “You want to kiss me?” I lick my lips as my eyes focus on his mouth, feeling bold.

  “I don’t think there is a man in this whole fucking world that doesn't want to kiss you.” That causes me to lift my eyes back up to stare into his. I want to get lost in him tonight, to forget about all the heaviness that's weighing down on me from the events that took place earlier.

  “But I only want you to kiss me.” I’ve wanted that all night. He moves, picking me up again and setting me on the kitchen island before I know what’s happening. He steps between my legs as his hand digs into my hair. He tilts my head back and kisses me.

  I suck in a breath as his mouth meets mine. He takes the kiss. My fingers dig into his shirt as I part my lips for him. His tongue sweeps in as he dominates my mouth.

  “Kiss me back, beautiful.” I hold on to him tighter as I do the same as him. My tongue slips into his mouth as a whimper of need leaves me. “Fuck,” he grits, pulling his mouth from mine. “We should stop if you want to call your friend or there will be no stopping for the rest of the night.” I don’t want it to end but I know he’s right. I’m no longer sitting on the counter. I’ve wrapped my whole body around him, trying to get closer.

  “Oh my.” I loosen my fingers that are holding on to him tightly.

  “We’re just putting this on pause.” He brushes his mouth against mine. I close my eyes, enjoying the feeling of him. For the first time in my life, I feel a sense of belonging somewhere. Which scares me more than anything else that has happened tonight. It was only a kiss. How will I feel once it’s more than that?

  “Pause,” I agree as he sets me back in the chair. I slowly release my hold on him, allowing my legs to drop down again. He takes a reluctant step back. I can tell he’s fighting himself. He doesn't want to put a pause on anything. For the good of both of us, I pick the phone up before we end up forgetting about everything else. It rings in my hand. I look down, recognizing the number.
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  “It’s PJ.”

  “I gave her my card,” he reminds me.

  “Right.” I slide my finger across the screen.

  “I’ll be right back,” he tells me before turning to leave.

  “Where are you?” PJ barks into the phone. I put it to my ear.

  “I’m fine,” I reassure her. “How is Brandon?”

  “He’s fine too but I know where he is.”

  “I’m with Jameson.”

  “I know that since you answered his phone.”

  “I went home with him.” I fidget in my seat. It’s not like she can see me or something.

  “You went home with him,” she repeats.

  “I thought it would be safer?”

  “To go home with a man you don’t know?” I can hear the irritation in her tone.

  “I’m a grown woman. I can go home with a man.” I find myself not only getting defensive for myself but Jameson too. I might be naïve, but I do feel safe with him. Not only that, I want to be here. I want to explore this feeling that he gives me. To tell the truth, I want to explore him.

  “I’m sorry. I know that.” PJ lets out a long sigh. “Sometimes the lines blend with being your best friend and head of your security.”

  “I know. I’m sorry too.” I didn't mean to snip at her. It really wasn't like me. I think it's because I want to stay and PJ is the one person who could get me to leave if she really tried.

  “Did he take you to his ranch?” She probably has all his addresses memorized by now. It only takes PJ one look at something and she remembers it all. She has a memory like an elephant. Don’t do her dirty or any of her friends or family because she’ll remember every detail until she takes her last breath. That’s what makes her so good at her job and also at being my best friend.

  “Yeah.” I look around the kitchen again. “It’s really nice here.”

  “I’m sure it is. The man is as rich as God.” I can hear her moving around. “But you did the right thing. No one will know you’re out there. He and I, but no one else.” I can hear a door close. PJ is trying to get some privacy.

  “Is there something else?” I know there is before she even gets to it.

  “Yeah.” I can hear the strain in her voice. I step up a little straighter. “Michael managed to get out of custody.”

  “What?” I whisper. He was supposed to be in prison for another ten years. Do people really break out of prison? Was that a real thing? Wouldn't it be all over the news or something?

  “I’m still finding out all the details.” The anger starts to bleed through her words. “They should have alerted us two days ago when it happened.”

  “He’s been free for two days?” This was not good. He could be anywhere by now. Michael wasn’t some random stalker. He came from a wealthy family which gave him the means to do a lot more than a normal person could. He has a family that would hide him too. No matter how much was thrown at the Romano family, they still stood by their son. I wasn't his first victim, but I was alive and the others can’t be proved. A chill runs down my spine already thinking that he was responsible for the attack on Brandon tonight. That he’s come to finish what he started.

  “What’s wrong?” Jameson asks as he comes back into the kitchen. Seeing him makes me feel better already. I look up at him knowing he’ll keep me safe. He’s next to me in a second. “Beautiful, what’s wrong?” He takes the phone from my hand. “What is it?” he asks PJ. He listens to her for a few long seconds before his face goes hard. His eyes never leave my face.

  “I’ll keep her safe. I can promise you no one will take her from me.” My whole body lights up at his words. His tone is possessive. Should his words scare me? Should the deadly tone they hold frighten me? Maybe, but no part of me is scared. If anything I’m excited. My body is on edge. The fear that the thought of Michael has brought back into my life fades away. I believe Jameson when he says he’ll keep me safe.

  He hands the phone back to me. His other hand reaches out, cupping my cheek in a soft hold. His thumb drifts back and forth as he bends down and kisses the top of my head. Without words he makes a promise that nothing will ever hurt me.

  “Hello?” PJ half shouts through the phone.

  “I’ll make you something to eat,” he says against my other ear before kissing me below it and walking over to the refrigerator. I am in trouble when it comes to him.

  This man is going to make me fall in love with him.

  7

  Jameson

  She looks good in my kitchen. Hell, I’m sure she looks good anywhere. She doesn't only look good; she looks like she belongs here. She talks to PJ for a few minutes, kicking her shoes off, her bare feet swinging back and forth. She looks relaxed here in my space.

  When I walked back into the kitchen I could see the fear in her eyes. My whole body went cold. It only got worse when PJ told me all about Michael Romano. He is a dead man walking as far as I am concerned.

  I don't want him anywhere near Bunny, but he will be fair game if he shows up out here on my land. No one would ever find him again. She’ll never have that scared look on her face again. The only thing that has calmed me down is that she’s relaxed some. Her eyes lit up with trust when I told her no one would take her from me. I shouldn’t have said it that way. It could have scared her more, but relief filled those warm brown eyes. In return, it caused me to relax.

  “Did your mom teach you how to cook?”

  I flip the grilled cheese with bacon, making sure not to burn it. “Yeah, she said if I ever wanted a woman that I better learn to cook.” I wink at Bunny, trying to do anything to make her more at ease. It is what my mom always said. It wasn't why I learned to cook, though. I needed to know how to cook for myself and no one better to learn from than my mom. That woman can cook like no other.

  I also did it because Mom enjoys being in the kitchen. I had no plans to settle down. I enjoy being out here. I know most don’t feel the same being out in the middle of nowhere, so I never gave any thought to finding someone to make a life with out here. Now everything has changed. Now, I’m thinking she might be right.

  “She might be on to something. I can barely make toast.” She shakes her head at herself. “I can’t even butter the bread right. I end up ripping the toast.”

  “I’ll butter your toast, beautiful.” Her cheeks burn pink as she looks down at the phone to fiddle with it. Sometimes she’s so sure of herself and sometimes that shyness in her bleeds through. I pull the soup off the stove and pour it into a bowl. Bunny lets out a yawn as I cut the grilled cheese up into pieces, putting it on a plate for her.

  “You even cut it for me. You keep this up and I might just move in here. No more hotels for me.”

  That’s the plan. I’m hoping it might be something her mind is playing with too. They say that every joke has a little bit of truth to it.

  “Aren’t you going to eat?” she asks before taking another bite. She lets out a small moan that goes straight to my dick.

  I could still taste her. Feel her heat pressed against me as she clung to me. No, my dick isn’t going down anytime soon.

  “I’m good,” I say, food being the last thing on my mind. She has all my attention. Between wanting to fuck her on every surface of this house and trying to keep her safe, my mind can’t think of much else that isn’t focused on her. She dips another piece of the grilled cheese and brings it to my mouth. I open for her, taking a bite. I might not be hungry but I’m sure as fuck not going to tell her no if she wants to feed me.

  “PJ said I should stay for a few days.” She feeds me another bite.

  “You don’t have to feed me to stay here. You’re more than welcome.” I lean back. As much as I enjoy her feeding me, she needs to eat herself.

  “You did promise to show me around tomorrow.”

  “I did.” I can’t wait to get her out on my land. She sips more of her soup, polishing it off. I stand, taking the dishes and dropping them into the sink. She lets out another yawn.<
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  “Let me take you to bed.”

  “We’re not going to unpause?” Her fingers tangle with mine. I want nothing more than to press play on what we had started earlier but I know she’s worn out. I will never put my wants or my needs before hers. My dick may disagree, but I don’t use that to make my decisions.

  “Not tonight. You need sleep.” I pull her to me and in one swoop she’s in my arms. I stride toward my bedroom, taking her inside to set her on the edge of the bed. I drop to my knees in front of her, taking off her shoes. It feels good to take care of her. I’ve never taken care of another person before, but I have the need to do it with her.

  “Isn't this the master?” She looks around my bedroom. There isn't much to it but it is decorated some due to my mom. I’m thankful because I want her to like it. If it had been up to me, all that would have been in here would be a bed. That's all I need. Well, until her. Now, it’s my mission to make her a permanent fixture here also. But I have to be patient, I tell myself for the hundredth time.

  “Yeah.” I stand, pulling the blanket back. “I want to be close to you.” I don’t think anyone is going to show up here, but I will use this excuse to share a bed with her. “It’s a big bed,” I point out. I watch as her eyes run up and down me.

  “You’re a big guy.” She smiles at me. I am and she is a tiny thing. I have to remember that. It takes her a moment to realize her words can be taken in more than one way. “I mean—” Her face blooms that pretty pink again. She’s going to kill me. This is going to be one of the hardest and sweetest night of my life and I know I’m not going to get a wink of sleep. I turn in search of something for her to wear.

  “You’re leaving?”

  “No.” The only thing that could get me to leave her alone for the night would be if she asked me. I pull open a drawer, grabbing one of my plain white shirts. “I thought you might want something else to wear.” I walk over, handing it to her. She licks her lips.