Page 4 of Sizzling Nights

She left the Sandbar parking lot and headed left on Sunset Beach Road. She turned right on Main Street and left on Hospital Drive and noticed that Marco was still behind her. Her brows furrowed together. She thought he had purchased a condo over at the barracks. He should have gone straight on Main Street. So why was he following her home?

She increased her speed a little bit but thought better of it. She didn't want to get a ticket, so she slowed once more and navigated Hospital Road carefully. It was dark out. There were deer, dogs, and other creatures outside. She didn't want to hit an animal, or God forbid, a human. At Hospital Road, she made a sharp right to turn onto End of Town Road. She rented a little house at the end of it. She had liked it until now. Now she second-guessed her decision to move out here. It seemed desolate. Not enough neighbors around. And it was dark out here. They didn't even have streetlights on the road. Maybe tomorrow she'd look for something in town. Maybe it wouldn't be long, and she'd have to leave town. Or maybe she needed to begin making plans to leave soon.

That made her heart feel heavy once more and tears threatened again.

3

Marco followed Theresa out of town and down to End of Town Road. There were only two places down that road, he'd found them when he first moved here as he jogged. He stopped, turned his lights off, and watched which house she pulled into.

Her taillights turned into the second driveway, and he took a deep breath. She was out here all alone and someone seemed to be interested in her. And she didn't seem happy about it.

He moved his truck to the opposite side of the road, where he had a better view, and settled in. He'd watch for a while and make sure no one came down here with ill intent. Though how would he know? But, just in case he'd wait. Tomorrow, he'd ask Theresa for her phone number, and he'd make sure she had his. If she needed anything, she'd be able to contact him.

He saw the lights go on inside her house. He could faintly see her move past a window. Then the light went off. His stomach twisted slightly, but he couldn't exactly go barging in and demand she tell him what was going on.

He'd always had good sense, and he could read people. That was one of his strengths. When he'd fought in the military, he could almost sense someone's next move. It served him well. He wasn't going to ignore that sense now.

He watched her house and saw a little movement inside, he assumed she'd gone to bed. He allowed himself a minute to imagine being in that bed with her, but when his pants tightened, he decided to think of other things. She'd given him no reason to think there'd ever be anything more between them, though he sensed she liked him. There was something holding her back. Almost as if she'd let her guard down and then she pulled it back up before anything could be said or acted upon. He'd respect that for a while, but he'd be damned if he'd let her get hurt.

Glancing at his watch, he noted the time was now two in the morning. He'd been here three hours. He could stay here all night if he needed to, but it seemed quiet enough. Huffing out a deep breath, he started his truck and eased away from the road and out onto Hospital Road before turning his lights on. He didn't want to spook her or her neighbors.

He paid attention to the various decorations on Main Street as he neared home. There were some new ones up tonight. It brought a grin to his face as he let the Christmas spirit, and the pretty lights lift the burden on his heart.

As he entered his condo, he let the rest of the stress slip away. It was true when they said, "Home Sweet Home." He'd never felt that until he'd purchased this place. Now he finally felt like he had a home. A real home. A place he wouldn't have to leave unless he wanted to. No new orders telling him to pack up and go. When would that feeling finally go away?

He started the water warming in his shower while he gathered clean underwear and a t-shirt. After showering he fell into his bed, exhaustion taking over. But as he closed his eyes, pictures of Theresa working in those shorts and white top danced in his head. Her legs were sexy. She was sexy. She was appealing in so many ways. But she was secretive, and she was also an unknown. He let himself drift off to sleep letting that thought seep into his brain. Did he even want to get involved with someone who kept secrets as well as Theresa did?

The next morning, Marco woke feeling rested and refreshed, except there was a heaviness in his heart that he couldn't explain. He rolled out of bed and grabbed a pair of running shorts, his running shoes, and socks. He'd take a nice jog out by Theresa's place and make sure everything was alright. Once he confirmed her safety, he'd feel better. He set out at a slow pace until he warmed up his muscles, then he increased his speed until he was at a full run. He easily jogged down Main Street and out to Hospital Road. Once out of town, the smells of the grasses warming in the morning sun reached his nostrils, and the sun warmed his skin. That's when he felt the most alive. He was healthy, happy and he could do things like run. He worked hard at the Sandbar, and he was making friends. A horn honked and brought him around to his surroundings. He grinned as Mason drove past on his way to the hospital and waved. He waved in return and grinned. Yeah, he had friends here. He'd set down some roots and he liked it. He wanted to grow here. Flourish, like his siblings were doing in their respective homes.

He neared End of Town Road and turned right. He'd jog past Theresa's place and make sure it looked peaceful. As he drew closer though, his heart fell hard in his chest. Theresa was carrying boxes out to her car. A suitcase and several totes sat on the driveway next to the car as if she were moving. He slowed as he neared.

"Good morning. Are you moving?" he called out from the end of the driveway.

She turned and stared at him. Her eyes burned a path down his entire body and he recognized the signs of appreciation. If he didn't know better, he'd say she liked what she saw, but she never made a move to indicate such a thing.

"Ahh, I'm...going...well...I'm not sure."

He moved closer to her and kept his voice even and steady, though he didn't feel even and steady right now.

"You either know if you're moving or not. It's not asort ofthing."

That brought a smile to her face, but she stared into his eyes and didn't respond. He stepped even closer until they were an arm’s length apart. His voice softened as he said, "Let me help you, Theresa."

Tears instantly fell from her eyes. She angrily swiped them from her cheeks and wiped her fingers on her shorts.

"I don't want to be trouble."

He swallowed. "You're no trouble. Let me help you."

"It's just that...I'm a danger to you. And to anyone who would help me."

"Let me be the judge."

She swiped at the tears again on her cheeks and sniffed. He watched her throat constrict as she swallowed, and her breathing came in shorter bursts. He stood steady, waiting for her to trust him. Because that was it, she needed to trust him.

Another tear trickled down her cheek and he reached up with the back of his fingers and brushed it away for her.

Her lips quivered as she said, "Marco."

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