Page 7 of Embracing Easy

What the fuck?

As I read over the listing, it becomes crystal clear that she’s been scammed by someone. The photo itself has to be at least ten years old.

“Darlin’,” I pause, unsure how to break the bad news to her that she’s been taken for a ride. “I’m sorry to tell you this, but someone scammed you.”

“What?” she whispers, pressing a shaky hand to the side of her neck.

“I think you got scammed,” I repeat. “I bought that place a month ago when it went into foreclosure.”

“That can’t be. I sent the money and—” She digs into her back pocket, this time pulling out her phone. “I’m so sorry. Let me just call the landlord. This has to be some kind of mistake.” Shaking her pretty little head, she pushes some buttons, then lifts it to her face. With how close she’s standing, I can hear the unmistakable tone coming from the other end of her call.

The number’s been disconnected.

Seeing the devastation wash across her face, all the frustration I was feeling towards her evaporates.

“No, no, no,” she whispers as tears slide down her cheeks.

I rub at my chest, her tears doing something to me I’ve never experienced before.

Chapter Four

Lexi

How could I have been so stupid? I cover my mouth with my hand when a sob slips past my lips, trying to hold in the overwhelming feeling of my world crashing down around me. What the hell am I supposed to do?

“I have nothing.” I whisper the words out loud. I spent all my savings on that rental and the trip to get me here. Not a single cent of my emergency fund is left. It‘s all gone.

My legs feel weak, and my chest gets tight.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa.” Easy moves quickly, lunging forward and slipping his arm around my waist when my legs threaten to give out.

The panic is real. I can’t catch my breath, and my body starts to shake. “I can’t… breathe,” I croak.

Wide-eyed, Easy watches my chest rapidly rise and fall, and a look of real fear washes over his handsome face. “Look at me,babe. That’s it. You need to calm down. Inhale through your nose and slowly let it out, yeah?” His voice is calm, steady.

Without letting go, he maneuvers my body until my front is plastered to his. Deep brown eyes lock onto mine as he goes through the motions, urging me to follow his lead, and I do.

“That’s it. Good girl. In. Out. Good.” He repeats the praise over and over and I feel a blush hit my cheeks.

Good Lord. Leave it to me to get aroused while in the middle of having a damn panic attack. What the heck is wrong with me?

I peek through my lashes, embarrassed by the whole situation and gasp at the heat in his eyes.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” I blurt.

“How am I looking at you?” Even in a state of panic, I recognize the desire staring back at me.

“Like you’re sizing up your next meal.” I swallow thickly.

“Lex,” he rasps. Nobody’s ever called me that before, and I like it.

“Yeah?” I whisper back.

His Adam’s apple bobs before he asks, “You going to pass out on me?”

“No.”

“Good,” he growls. Before I can put together why he’s asking me this, his lips crash into mine, tongue slashing across the seam, big hands squeezing my bottom.

---