Page 24 of Haven Bound
“Are you doubting your driving abilities?” she teases as her hand slides right over my zipper. Her fingers move to trace along the edge of the denim.
“No, Beautiful.I would never let anything happen to you.” Her fingers slip ever so slightly beneath my waistband. My dick pulses at the thought of her touching me.
I swear this woman is going to be the death of me.
As much as I love the way her hands feel against my skin, I haven’t allowed myself to get carried away with her. It would be so easy to steal her away and finally claim her body, but I know that I can’t do that. I don’t have much time left before I’m expected to leave and begin my training. I’ll be leaving Chelsea and everyone else I know and love behind.
But I can’t tell her that. Keeping her in the dark is the only way that I know how to protect her. I don’t think she’ll understand the life I’m expected to lead. If I ever looked into her eyes and saw fear shining back at me, I would break.
She sits back in her seat, in the middle where the center console has been lifted up and out of the way so she can sit right beside me. Her head rests on my shoulder, her hand still tracing over my dick through my jeans. It’s taking all of my strength to continue driving and not pull over onto the side of the road.
Farmland stretches for miles around us on either side of the highway. Chelsea sits up in her seat, her lips parted as she leans forward to try and get a better view. Endless rows of sunflowers cover the approaching fields as we turn into Sunny Days Ranch, where they let you wander the fields and pick a wide variety of sunflowers.
Chelsea’s favorite.
I pull the truck into the dirt parking lot and hop out before walking around to open her door. I hold out my hand for her to take as she slides out of the passenger seat. “Austin… This is incredible!” she exclaims, her eyesdarting back and forth across the wide expanse of flower fields that surround us. With her hand still in mine, I lace my fingers with hers and stand there smiling down at her, giving myself a moment to soak in the excitement that’s spread across her face.
“C’mon,” I urge, leading her with me to the entrance. I pay the admission fee and take the pair of shears that are provided in case she decides that she’d like to pick a few sunflowers to take home. She’s so excited that she’s practically bouncing up and down like a child who's seeing a candy store for the first time. It’s one of the most adorable things I’ve ever seen, and I can’t keep the smile off my face.
As soon as we’re through the front gates, we’re greeted by rolling fields with small pathways carved out so we can easily walk through and be immersed in the flowers. Chelsea spins to face me and wraps her arms around my neck, and I’m instantly leaning down to press my mouth to hers. What I mean to be a quick sweet kiss morphs into something more as she swipes her tongue over the seam of my lips, requesting entrance. I groan into the kiss and pull her hips against mine, allowing her to feel just how much I want her. She nips at my bottom lip and pulls back, tugging her own lip between her teeth as she gazes up at me. Reaching up, I pull her bottom lip free from her teeth and lean down to kiss her once more, forcing myself to keep this one short and sweet.
Stepping back, I take her hand in mine and lead her into the fields and down one of the dirt pathways. The smile and giddiness exuding from her only intensify as we weave our way through the endless rows of tall sunflowers, some of them so tall that we can barely see over them. Out here, surrounded by a sea of flowers, we're completely hidden from view. Walking through these fields, holding hands with this temptation of a womanfeels like an entirely new sort of torture. One I'd happily dive into head first if it weren't for the deadline hanging over my head.
“I’m still here,” Chelsea murmurs, bringing my mind back to the present. The fear in her voice has me on edge. Tension radiates throughout my body as I slam my hands against the steering wheel, silently cursing at every vehicle blocking my path. “Almost to Harbor, but Austin…” She trails off for a moment and then says, “He’s still right behind me. Every time I try to speed up, he does too.” Emotion breaks through her voice, a slight sob escaping with the last words.
“It’s okay, Sunflower. I’m almost there. Just keep talking to me, okay?” It’s taking all of my inner strength to keep my voice calm and steady for her, but I know that if I let even a hint of fear show through, she’ll break. I can’t let that happen. Not until I know she’s safe.
“I’m at the light about to t-t-turn onto Harbor…” There’s a tremble to her voice that I’ve never heard before. It makes me want to obliterate anyone who has ever hurt her.
“Good girl.” The words are out of my mouth before I can stop them, and I have to bite back a curse at the sound of Chelsea’s sharp inhale. “Keep going. Hailey is waiting for you at the Elysian. I’ll take it from here, okay?” I’m not asking for permission, but I also need her to stay as calm as possible and get there safely. From this moment forward, I’ll do everything within my power to keep her safe.
Chelsea’s car comes into view. I immediately swing the blacked-out SUV into the lane beside her.
Her gasp is audible over the phone. “Relax, baby. It’s just me,” I tell her, and I swear a whimper filters through my phone’s speaker. Whetherit’s because she’s finally feeling relieved that help has arrived or a reaction to my use of the term of endearment, I’m not sure.
“Don’t hang up until you get to the hotel,” I remind her, needing her to remain on the phone with me until then. She hums out an "Mhm" in response. Zack’s already connected to my dashcam and should have a clear view of everything playing out. With any luck, he’ll be able to get this guy’s license plate to run the tags.
I haven’t been involved in too many car chases, at least not when I’m the one doing thechasing,but I’m sure as fuck not going to give up until I can get this fucker away from my girl.
My girl.
Fuck, nope. She’s not my girl. Not anymore.
“Speed up for me, baby. I know the light is yellow, but you’re gonna fly through it and not look back. I’ll see you at the hotel tonight.” She doesn’t give me a verbal answer, just another soft "Mhm" as she picks up speed and makes it through the light the second that it switches to red.
I take a deep breath and tighten my grip on the leather-wrapped steering wheel, bracing myself for what comes next. I didn’t have a plan for how I was going to get Chelsea away from this asshole, but in a split second, I’m veering sharply to the left. The tires protest against the abrupt maneuver, the SUV swinging into the lane beside me at an angle, effectively cutting off the sedan’s access to Chelsea. Adrenaline surges through my veins, goosebumps coating my back and arms as the car screeches to a halt.
20
Chelsea
My nervous system isan absolute wreck by the time I’m turning into the Elysian, a little faster than is probably safe. I can’t find it within myself to care at the moment. I pull into the lane marked forValetto find Hailey already standing there waiting for me as Austin said she would be.
Hailey’s pulling open my driver’s side door as I slam the vehicle into park, unbuckling my seatbelt and grabbing my forearm to help me slide out. “Oh my god, Chelsea! Thank fuck you’re okay!” She takes my hand in hers. I hear her telling one of the valet drivers to park my car in the employee lot which is more secure and has its own surveillance system in place.
“I’m here. I-I’m safe,” I tell Austin as Hailey says, “I’ve got her, Auz,” at the same time. He tells me to stay at the hotel until he gets here and then the call disconnects.
It feels like the world is spinning around me. Like I’m on a carousel ride that’s moving far too fast. It keeps going around and around no matter how dizzy I am, and I don’t know how to make it stop.
